Through The Vast Sea by GrayOverload, on Flickr
It was nearly dawn when Cordelia awoke, with Robert standing beside her bed. He was dressed in a maroon tunic patterned with beige flowers, some of his best attire. He had his typical confident grin on his face, a sign that gave Cordelia comfort despite her standings.
“Your Radiance, it is time to get up. We mustn’t keep the vessel waiting long. You know how antsy sailors get in dock.” Robert chimed, almost like a bird.
Groaning, the princess sat up in her bed. “Is it time already?” she pondered aloud, a hint of dread evident in her tone.
“Yes, but of course, Your Radiance! Come on now, you must get dressed! We have to get on the open sea sometime!” Robert stated, his cheerfulness a stark contrast to Cordelia’s dismal outlook. It was going to be some time out on the open sea, to a destination Cordelia was less than fond of.
When she was dressed, she strolled out into one of the less used hallways of the castle of Gothilir. An old castle on the sea, Gothilir stood as one of the major ports on the northern coast of the Middle Lion Kingdom. Its town was given the same name, but the two were separate entities. Gothilir village was a pleasant hamlet of good-natured village folk and traders. Gothilir castle was a monstrous fortress built on the edge of the shore, with many towers and hard stonewalls.
Too many towers. Cordelia thought. Towers devoid of life, where death and anguish reside in the blackened chambers.
“I received a message from your brother today, Your Radiance.” Robert said as they walked towards the end of the long hallway. “The formation of the Empire was successful, official as of the first of January, 514 SY. Your father reigns as Emperor for the time being, but your brother writes that his health is failing fast. I sent your regards should your father pass before we return.”
“And let me guess, Thomas is eager to get his hands on the freshly imperialized throne?” Cordelia said with a sarcastic tone. Her brother was very much arrogant and lusted for power among all else. Power and war. What a brute. She thought.
“Now now, we mustn’t be saying that about the heir to the throne, Your Radiance.” Robert chirped, swaying his hands wildly as he spoke. “He was kind enough to arrange this betrothal for you, as well as the accommodations to get there. I’ve sent the messenger to thank him for us, and I’ve sent word to the Lord of Gothilir thanking us for the hospice we have been shown.”
Yes, he was certainly kind. Cordelia rolled her eyes. Kind enough to send me away to the frozen north, kind enough to essentially bar me from having any sort of say in the royal affairs from this day forth. Yes, kind is certainly the word to describe Thomas.
As the two of them stepped out into the morning air, they were greeted by the salty smell of the open sea. Frigid as it was, the Icy Sea was a very calm expanse of water, and it provided much in the way of trade for the Middle Lion Kingdom. It provided a perfect route from Gothilir to the shores of the Wyvern Kingdom far in the Northern Continent.
Cordelia frowned as she realized the vessel was not before her. Instead, those boarding were required to row themselves out to the ship, which waited further out in the harbor. Soldiers with the lion emblem on their tunics loaded up the rowboats with various goods to bring along, and prepped themselves mentally for the long journey that lay ahead.
“Why is it that all of this must be a secret mission, Robert?” Cordelia asked. The entire voyage to this point had been covert or otherwise concealed. There was no evidence of them having entered Gothilir, and their exit was out of a secret doorway in an often abandoned portion of the castle.
“Your uncle thought it wise to keep your travels on a need to know basis. With the formation of the Lion Empire, the tendency for violence is expected to be a possibility. With your safety in mind, Your Radiance, the comings and goings of our crew are, for all intents and purposes, nonexistent.” Robert said proudly. Although he had been Cordelia’s advisor and friend for all her life, he was often a creature of obedience. His allegiance was always the royal family of the Lion Kingdoms, with his kinship for Cordelia taking second place in order of importance.
Sighing, the princess stepped down to the lower docks. A vessel had been procured for her and Robert. Separate from the rowboat that carried most of her guards, this boat had an ornately carved chair at its rear, with a white cushion and scarlet fabric sewn around parts of it.
A throne for the princess thrown from her home. Cordelia thought dryly. At least I’ll be comfortable.
Robert beckoned for her to step into the vessel. She did, and the rowboats pushed themselves away, off onto the cog that would bring the princess to her betrothed, whoever it may be…
More photos on Brickshelf. This is the first chapter of my newest story, A Lion In The Wyvern's Nest, featuring a whole new cast of characters in the Nortlen, and featuring locations I have had rolling around in my mind and in various supplemental stories to the Nortlen, but have yet to build. C&C welcome.
), but decided against it.