Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The further north they travelled, the more mountainous it became. The trees that were luscious and leafy turned to towering evergreens. It was late in the afternoon on the second day of traveling when Avalyn and Mikhail crested the ridge that looked over the valley. The sight took Avalyn’s breath away. A lake, a sparkling crystal blue, rested in the lowest bowl of the valley. Tall, narrow water falls cascaded in random intervals along the mountains face. All ended in the same lake which let to a wide river that followed the valley out of sight. Above on the far side, nestled in the mountain side stood Sumner Castle. Two towers were erected high enough to peer over the mountain’s ridge line. A spire spouted out of the northern most tower. Fauna grew up the side of a few walls. Within the surrounding forest, gold and red sprinkled in between the evergreens. Far in the distance a wolf howled.

“Do you like it?” Mikhail asked quietly.

“Like it?” She parroted to herself, “How did you ever manage to leave this behind?”

“It seems to get harder every time I leave.” She made no response as she tried to absorb every detail of the magnificent building. Flying buttresses framed the outside of both the east and west wings. A massive round, stained glass window was situated over the beautifully arched double doors of the main entrance hall.

“This wasn’t built by human hands.” She noted.

“Mages believe it was built late in the first age by the snow elves. It’s even more beautiful on the inside. There are many secrets within those walls. I doubt I have uncovered them all.”

“Secrets? As in secret passageways?”

“Secret cubbies, secret doors, secret rooms. I’ve found artifacts from the past ages.” Her growing eyes was invitation enough to continue on. “Coins, candles, so many candles, books I can’t read. Even found a dagger. I’ll show you when we get there. They’re all stashed away in a secret room of mine.” Mikhail couldn’t keep the smirk off his face at her delight. Even the smallest of adventures was a thrill for her.

“And I don’t suppose that’s a mages tower, is it?”

“Of course. Perfect place for a mages tower, too. It’s for the best if border fiefs have a mages tower to send emergency messages.”

“Is yours for martial use only, too?”

“Too? I don’t know of any mages’ tower that’s only for martial use.” He looked at her when he said so. By the slight twitch in her brow, someone, or rather, some father king, had led her to believe otherwise. He offered slowly, “Would you like…”

“Yes.”

“Of course, Princess.”

000

Avalyn wasn’t sure what to expect when meeting Mikhail’s father, the Duke of Emerald Woods. But the heavy set, blonde man with a fluffy gray beard was definitely not it. He sat on the stone steps of the castle as the party trotted in. He stood slowly, struggling to his feet. Her father was off his mount quickly and to Avalyn’s side helping her down. She noticed the slight nod from him to Mikhail as he came to her side. Avalyn smiled at her father as he steadied her on her feet. She really did have a good one. Most Kings would have seen to decorum first, rather than kindness. And it was, dismissing Mikhail, letting him see his father first after their shared loss. Avery wrapped his arm around Avalyn’s shoulder, an invitation or command, to stay with him until the Duke and his child were done with their moment. Avalyn watched. Mikhail was amusingly taller than his father. Over a head. As they embraced, Avalyn unnoticeably mimicked. Resting her head against her father’s chest. A head rammed into her hip and a new hand rubbed her shoulder. Her step-mother glared at her small child before looking up at Avalyn.

“Are you alright, dear?” Her soft brown eyes watched her with worry. Her small hand still rubbing her shoulder.

“Yes, I’m just fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Elise gave her a small smile, “It’s never easy to watch someone you care for suffer.” Avalyn pursed her lips as she looked back over at Mikhail. His back was to them, but by the way his shoulders were tense, his back a little too ridged, she understood the knot in her stomach now. She knew he was upset. Knew he had been hurting. But he had been hiding it well. The signs were subtle, though she had instinctively picked up on them.

She turned back to Elise and smiled sadly and hugged her after a moment, “I think I am alright. Thank you, though.” Elise kissed Avalyn’s cheek as she pulled away.

“If you need to talk or have questions, you know you’re always welcome to come talk to me.” Avalyn nodded and thanked her again. She stepped away from her family and walked up behind Mikhail. He had straightened as if he knew she approached, though his father blew his nose loudly into a kerchief. Timidly, she touched Mikhail’s elbow and came up beside him. He looked the other way hastily, though she saw his red eyes. She pressed her own handkerchief into his hand. He looked down at it in surprise before looking at her with gratitude.

“Come now, let’s go inside.” She reached out to the Duke who was weeping, wiping his eyes. He looked up at her, shocked. Avalyn guided him up the stairs.

“Gods be praised Mikhail, you weren’t lying when you said she was beautiful. There’s no denying who you are, beautiful princess. Already bossing me around like you’re lady of the household.” Avalyn gave him a tight smile and looked back at her protector. If it wasn’t an entirely inappropriate time, she would have laughed. Mikhail was trailing behind looking all a bit like a drowned puppy, ashamed, and a bit murderous. Though his face hardened to truly murderous after his father added, “All in due time, I suppose.” Avalyn did giggle then.

“If Mikhail could be so lucky. Lock me up here and have himself a break of me.”

The Duke gave a watery chuckle, “Lock you up here, sure. I wouldn’t bet on the latter, though, you sweet girl. Such as it is when a beautiful lass is locked up in a castle, what better way to pass the days than to be locked up too.” He chuckled at his naughty implication, Avalyn’s cheeks turned bright red.

“Gods be merciful, shut up, father!” Mikhail growled.

The Duke pointed a thick finger over his shoulder at Mikhail, “You know son, when you’re mother and I were younger…”

“Father,” He warned.

“Have you thought about pulling that pole out your arse, kid?”

Avalyn snorted and covered it poorly.

“There’s time enough to prepare your funeral with mother, pops.”

“Don’t be so rude, Mikhail.” Avalyn chastised gently. Though his father just laughed and patted Avalyn’s hand.

“Worry not, his bark is worse than his bite.” Avalyn somehow doubted that very much. If rumors were true, his bite was certainly more fearsome than his bark.

“I don’t know, Your Grace, I’ve heard he’s quite the warrior. Mind you I’ve never seen it. He’s a bit of a snail around the palace. But I have heard. And I have been on the receiving end of his barking, lots of teeth. Lots of drooling, too. Didn’t much care for it.” The Duke laughed loudly as they reached the top of the stairs. Men in Mikhail’s house colors stood at the doors. More men stood beside them, waiting to take coats. Avalyn started to gape at the interior of the entrance hall. The white stone on the inside was the same on the outside but had a smooth glossy finish that sparkled. Beautiful gold and diamond chandeliers were nestled high in the ceiling. The ceiling itself was an opulent mural.

“I don’t doubt it, Mikhail has always had that affect on people.”

It wasn’t until Mikhail had stopped on her other side that she realized she had stopped. Mikhail’s irritation softened when he noticed her awe, “Welcome, Princess, to Sumner Castle.”