Lady Toria had not expected to be removed from the safety of the carriage.  Or, have her practice of ignoring the world within details and lace be so violently ended. Yet, here she walked down a dirt path with her greatest fear surrounding her: death.

Her second fear of ruining a perfectly planned outfit continued, and she could only scowl at seeing the stains forming upon the edges of Princess Amnicity's meticulously planned outfit. However, these concerns became secondary to the smell of rotting flesh that filled her nostrils.

The knowledge of what now filled her lungs caused a hand to rise to her mouth and nose. Her etiquette training had not provided a way to deal with this. Instead, she relied upon human instinct while watching a lady scrub blood from the side of a building. Lady Toria knew that no amount of cloth could create the outfits required to mourn this scene properly.

She glanced to Lady Elry in hopes of finding some shared shock and found solace in her friend's face.

"We are trying to rebuild as best we can," Besden provided, motioning towards the lady.

Amnicity nodded her head, smiling at the lady before turning to the rest of the town.

Each building had a lady scrubbing the blood from the walls. If no lady scrubbed the walls, then a man repaired a window or door.

"Water?" a young girl asked, holding out a spoon to one of the workers.

When the man shook his head, and the young girl moved on to the next person.

"This is a great testament to the power of our people," Amnicity sighed.

"People joining together after a tragedy is nothing that should cause amazement," Padden scoffed. "We are trying to survive."

As they entered the center of Tillen, Lady Elry pressed her lips together to force down the distress. People scurried about in efforts to rebuild the town, as children provided water or collected scraps.

"How many orphans are there?" Lady Elry asked.

"Too many to care for," Din sighed.

"We lost about ten families, and many of the parents died protecting their children," Besden supplied. "I think there are about fifteen, plus the simple boy."

"The simple boy?" Amnicity asked, sharing a glance with Lady Elry.

"Yeah, tragic accident as a child with his brother. He used was a little slow to start, but the accident made him truly simple. Hasn't learned much else. His brother usually watches him. Our families were neighbors," Din explained. "Parents got killed in the raid. I don't know how they're going to survive. No one can find a use for the simple one, and the older one can't work if the simple one isn't watched."

Amnicity met Lady Elry's gaze, and she provided the princess a small nod.

"Send for the boys," Amnicity ordered. "We will take them back to the palace."

"What?" Padden exclaimed as Din's face broke into a huge smile.

"I will go get them," Din volunteered.

"Thank you," Amnicity smiled. "My ladies will accompany you to help prepare the boys."

The party disappeared, leaving Padden staring at Amnicity in shock. Princesses do not act like this.

On entering the center of town, Amnicity stopped, letting Ade pass with the carriage.

"We should begin distributing the food," Amnicity stated. "Has there been a system for rations?"

"Padden, you should go get the elders. I will help the Princess organize things here," Besden instructed.

Padden nodded, unsure how he would explain to the elders that they were wrong to assume Vetus did not care for them. It left a bitterness within his mouth to know the glee some of the elders would take in humbling him.  They had told them the monarchs would help them.  

A scream caused Padden to turn back. His face fell on seeing the Princess hug one of the ladies who lost her whole family in the two raids. The food would help her live for a bit longer until someone had the heart to take her in.  Padden turned to find the elders.

Amnicity accepted the gratitude again before assisting Besden in taking the lady's hands off of her.

"You will be greater than your mother," the lady whispered to her.

Amnicity smiled, refusing to let tears fall. Her people did not require tears at the moment.

"Princess," a boy said, suddenly beside her.

His dark eyes stared up at her in wonder. She noted hair varied in shades of blonde with bits of dirt and grass mixed in. He most definitely needed a bath.

"Yes," Amnicity acknowledged with a sense of wonder at him. "And who may you be, good Sir?"

The boy stared at her, tapping his leg.

"Princess Amnicity," Lady Elry interrupted. "It seems you have met Jace, and this is his brother Stephon."

Amnicity took in the taller boy. His eyes were almost hazel, and his dark hair had lighter shades of brown. She could tell from his slender frame that his growth had not finished, and he required a few good meals to help him along. He also looked in need of a bath. She doubted the boys could gain a new set of clothes in the current circumstance.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," Amnicity smiled, extending her hand.

Stephon turned to Lady Elry, unsure of what to do.

When the lady approached him, Stephon thought the worst. Nothing good could come from a lady with such a clean face, but then she offered Jace and him a home at the palace. After living on the street with little food, he would have accepted a boat to nowhere with a fishing pole if it meant survival.

"It is my honor Princess Amnicity," Stephon bowed, finally remembering the lady's instructions.

"Food," Jace stated.

"When did you eat last?" Amnicity asked, moving away slightly from the cart so that Besden and Aden could continue the work.

"We got some bread scraps two days ago," Stephon shrugged.

"Lady Elry, see that they are fed.  And, Lady Toria, see if someone could spare a bath for them," Amnicity instructed. "There will be no need to soil the carriage."

"Food," Jace repeated.

"Come with me," Lady Elry instructed, taking Jace's hand.

Amnicity watched Lady Elry help Stephon and Jace for a moment before Besden returned to her.

"It may take a bit of time for the elders to arrive. Would you like to see your mother?" He asked softly.

Panic coursed through Amnicity's veins. Seeing her mother made the reality of death more keenly felt than the scene around her.

"I—yes," Amnicity nodded, finding her strength. "Yes, I can—would.  Sorry, yes, I would like to see my mother now."

Besden motioned towards the church behind them. Amnicity wished to ignore the imposing building. Each brick stacked to form a rectangle that slowly peaked near the top.

"Queen Christaline was brave," Besden started. "She had been distributing food to some children when the raid began. Her guards told her to leave the children and run for a nearby house. But, instead, she gathered the children and ran for the church."

Amnicity nodded, feeling her eyes burned.  "My mother always cared."

"To her final moments. Only one guard entered the church with her. The rest—" 

Amnicity cut off Besden's bitter recounting of events.  "Did the children survive?" 

"No," Besden sighed. "When they broke down the door to the church, they slaughtered everyone inside."

"Including the priest?" Amnicity choked out in shock.

Besden nodded.  "A brother within his order arrived yesterday. He thanked us for fixing the door and has been getting the church back in order. Lots of funerals to take on."

Amnicity nodded as Besden opened the door.  A soft gasp escaped her lips on seeing the flowers surrounding her mother's body.

"We were afraid to move her from the church," Besden explained. "And, after hearing the story, many of the orphans took off in search of flowers to surround Queen Christaline."

"I thought they burned the fields," Amnicity whispered.

Besden smiled in bitter pride.  "They were determined."

Amnicity could feel wet heat coursing down her cheeks as she numbly nodded. Her heels clicked on the marble floors as her hands dragged across the edge of each wood pew while making her way to the body.

Besden's soft voice whispered behind her.  "I will wait outside."

Amnicity waited until the doors closed before she let the strangled cry leave her body. Then, she stumbled to her mother's side and laid upon her body. She knew Lady Toria would be upset about the flower stains, but she did not care. Amnicity could still see a few of the slashes caused by swords upon her mother's body. Scratches lined her arms, probably from where children clawed towards her for protection or comfort.

Amnicity wanted that comfort. She needed the protection.  This is not right.  This cannot simply be a raid.

"You were supposed to have twenty men. If only one in twenty men protect you, who will protect me? I'm not as good as you," Amnicity cried into the folds of her mother's gown.

"Good is a relative thing," a voice stated, making Amnicity jump away from her mother's body in fear.

Sure, the voice was male, but she still had to make sure it was not her mother. Maybe one coming back from the dead caused the voice to drop a few octaves. Or, perhaps—

"God?" Amnicity asked the air in the church.  

The chocked laughter that followed made Amnicity scowl before turning to see a priest standing in a doorway on the opposite side of the church.

"No," he smiled. "But, He's listening too. My name is Brother Oden, Princess."

Amnicity wiped her tears.  "You know who I am, but disturb my mourning?"

Brother Oden sighed, walking towards the front of the church. Amnicity studied his long dark robe as he moved forward.

She had spent many Sundays watching the brother at home walk around in similar attire, hiding his hands within the long sleeves, before extending them out for effect. At a younger age, Amnicity thought he hid sweets or cakes under those sleeves. He seemed too content with a drab attire and life without having some form of indulgence no person could see.

Brother Oden arrived at the front row and took a seat on the pew. After he settled himself, he patted the spot beside him. Amnicity frowned at the balding brother.

"I came to join the Princess as she mourns. Upon hearing your question, it is a good thing I did."

Amnicity scoffed, moving to sit beside him.  The two sat in silence for a moment before Oden spoke.

"Princess, the food you brought will go a long way for these people. And, it looks like you were helping those two boys.  Very admirable, Princess," Oden whispered.

Amnicity gasped.  "How could you know of something that just happened?"

"I know of everything that happens on my doorstep. If I did not notice, then I should be considered blind. No matter, back to our conversation. If the Princess continues to move along this same path, I believe her reign will be a joyous one for the people."

Amnicity looked down at her hands, resting on her lap.  "My impact is small."

"Your impact shall only be what Her Highness makes of it. Look at Queen Christaline's," Oden motioned towards Christaline's body.

Amnicity observed the homage paid to her mother. The people of Tillen loved and respected her. They even went so far as to deny the ones who govern them to protect her.

"She gave them hope," Amnicity whispered, wiping a small tear.

"Yes, she did." Oden nodded. "Now, what will Princess Amnicity give them?"

Amnicity stared at her mother, uncertain about what to say next.

Oden rose from the bench with a sigh, bowing towards the alter, before moving to a row of candles. Slowly, Brother Oden lit a candle, whispering a prayer.

Amnicity remembered the practice of reverence for those who have passed away from her youth. Just a small candle and a prayer to help their souls find peace.

Amnicity rose to follow Brother Oden's example. As she mimicked Brother Oden's words, a soft sense of peace began to envelop her. A soft light began to break the fog within her.  She would not be alone during this battle. Difficulties were to come, but Amnicity would persevere for her people.  

"I will give you a few more minutes before letting them know it is time to move Queen Christaline's body," Oden whispered.

"Thank you."

Brother Oden nodded and hid his hands within the long sleeves of his robe before walking away. Amnicity turned to watch him open and close the door. They were losing light quickly. James would not like it if she came after dusk. It would be harder to reorganize the troops and maneuver the carriage for their return.

High General James Lessure could wait.

Amnicity took a small step towards her mother. She died honorably. If anything, Amnicity could take that strength to move forward with purpose.

"Please pray for me," she whispered, kissing her mother softly on the forehead.

Standing tall once again, Amnicity wiped a tear. Then, with new vigor, she turned to exit the church. She opened the heavy doors with the orders already on her tongue.

"Brother Oden," Amnicity called.

"Yes, Princess," he answered, appearing to her right.

"See to it that Queen Christaline's body is transferred to the carriage once all the food has been removed from it."

Brother Oden nodded, walking towards the carriage, now almost empty. Three elderly gentlemen standing beside the carriage intercepted Brother Oden. They conversed quickly before one of the elderly gentlemen walked towards her.  A leather strap held his white hair back as he used a make-shift cane to walk.

"Princess Amnicity," he bowed, clutching the cane for support. "I am Mr Inop Fre, one of the town elders."

"Nice to meet you, Mr Fre."

Amnicity moved forward to offer him her arm for further support.  Inop took it with a thankful smile.  

"The other elders have sent me to thank Her Highness for the food. It will help us for the immediate future, but we still worry about the rest of the winter."

"We foresaw this fear and are planning to send reserves to Tillen throughout the winter," Amnicity responded, watching the people around them.

Inop studied Amnicity for a moment before nodding.

"Be careful who you send it with," he whispered.

"Is there something the crown should be aware of, Mr Fre?"

"Well, only one guard stayed with Queen Christaline during the raid. The rest either were struck down during the first onslaught, succumbed to the raider before being taken for capture, or disappeared. There were even rumors of some turning on the lead guard being the reason so many fell in the town circle and Queen Christaline going inside of the church."

Amnicity nodded her head.  She did not want to think of what that one brave soldier must have endured at that moment.  Or, worse, what this information could mean for her and her father.

"That is quite an accusation," Amnicity whispered, leaning towards him.

"And the Princess does not seem as shocked as she should be," he whispered back.

Amnicity held his gaze for a moment before Inop turned to watch the carriage. She followed his example as her mind moved quickly through the catalog of conversations she had seen between High General Lessure and the guards. She recognized the subtle disrespect his guards had shown her.  Not all of the guards.

Only his favorite ones would do it.  But James could not have ordered this.  He would not be so brazen.  But, the look in his eyes when he had learned about my mother joining the party here.  Was that fear in his eyes?

"We are ready to move the body," Besden announced, breaking Amnicity's reflection.

"Wonderful," Amnicity forced out as jovially as she could. "Please do not forget the flowers."

"Of course, Princess," Besden nodded, walking past with the Porter brothers and Padden Cape quickly following.

"Just know that Tillen will always be Vetusian," Inop whispered.

Amnicity took hold of Mr Inop Fre's hand and squeezed it lightly.  "We will not forget Tillen."

A woman and her daughter walked to the front of the crowd with candles in silence. A few moments later, another lady joined them.

"We wish to say our goodbyes as well," Inop supplied.

Amnicity felt tears prick the side of her eyes as she nodded.  "Of course. Would you be so kind as to help me locate a candle?"

Inop nodded his head, guiding Amnicity towards the slowly growing crowd surrounding the empty carriage. The crowd began to hum the chords of a familiar church song softly.  Brother Oden waited a few moments before he provided the prayerful words.

"Thank you," Amnicity smiled, accepting a lit candle from Inop. "Do you think they will be able to get all of the flowers when carrying her body out?"

"Just a moment," Inop stated, walking towards a group of women.

In moments, the women handed their candles to those standing near them and rushed inside the church. Amnicity swallowed the tears brought about by their zeal. These people truly loved her mother.

"This is beautiful," Lady Toria whispered, suddenly beside her.

Amnicity nodded.

Lady Toria placed a comforting hand on the princess's arm.  "The boys are cleaned and standing with Lady Elry near the edge of the gathering. Young Jace becomes a bit antsy when surrounded by large groups of people."

Amnicity nodded again, watching the doors of the church.  Lady Toria curtsied, leaving Her Highness to mourn in peace.

What seemed like hours was truly only seconds as Amnicity waited for the doors to open. When they did, the crowd became silent as the men carefully moved Queen Christaline's body to the carriage. The women followed, placing the flowers around the late Queen.

Everyone stood, watching their princess wipe her tears. Amnicity did not know where her strength came from, but she thanked the source for it.

"Thank you for keeping my mother and our Queen safe," Amnicity choked out. "Thank you all so much for your perseverance, love, and loyalty. We will not forget this, but we will heal."

Amnicity wished she could have provided more eloquence. However, the words refused to form. Instead, Ade returned to his place in the driver seat of the carriage, and the journey to the town border began.

Amnicity could feel the heat from the candles that surrounded her. Only intermittent soft sniffles, tearful chokes, or Jace commenting on the candles being pretty broke the silent journey of the crowd.

Later, soldiers and guards would speak of the ball of light that exited Tillen when delivering the body of Queen Christaline. It became a story of unity that transformed into legend for darker days. But, no matter the moment's classification, it secured Amnicity's belief in her need to protect the Vetusian people.

The exchange between Ade and the next carriage driver passed with little drama, and only a few tears were lost when saying her goodbyes. Princess Amnicity returned her candle to its owner as her ladies did the same. Soon, they once again sat in the carriage for the journey home with their new wards. Princess Amnicity finally knew what it meant to love and protect. Her mother's last lesson.

***

High General Lessure pressed his lips together outside the carriage. There were many things he disapproved of. His princess should have known better.

James motioned Guard Mazen close to his side.  "Tell the loyal ones to be cautious. This is not the time to be imprudent recklessness."

Guard Mazen nodded, riding forward to subtly spread the message as they made their journey to the palace.

***

Thank you for reading... Thoughts on James? What should Amnicity do?  And, how does Jude tie into all of this?  

Last edited: 6/6/21