Chapter 7: Ordeals and Mystery

Darina never had her knees wobbling until now. She cannot recall any deeds deemed repugnant for the Prince. She was only standing before the palace, fixing her gaze at its main doors called the Doors of Blessing.

“Reporting, Your Highness. Our Royal Cavalry Captain has come with the reinforcements His Royal Highness, the King, has commanded,” Rowen initiated on behalf of Darina.

There was only silence in the midst of them. It only broke out when a stranger galloped his horse at a noticeable pace. Minister Hazper marveled that this stranger has the company of the high-ranking messenger he sent.

“I am Marsden, the Mercenary of the West, and a Stranger of the South. I have come on behalf of the Royal Cavalry Captain to plead for Her Highness’ cause,” the man in purple clothes announced.

Darina has only read the accounts of the Mercenary of the West. But the book was written for more than five centuries. How can this man in purple declare that he is the Mercenary of the West? She wonders about the royal origins of Marsden since he wears a kind of cloth that only a king could afford to purchase. How can a man of great riches be a mercenary then? Unless the cloth was a gift or from the raid, Darina could only doubt that he is a royal man.

Marsden commanded the high-ranking messenger to go down. “This man raided by the Viraiz savages will spill the truth.”

The soldiers, trained with courtesy, only stood in silence while listening to the controversy before them. On the other hand, Darina has figured out what happened. She glanced at the Prince who was staring at her with disdain.

“Your highness, I am Misha, the high-ranking messenger sent by Minister Hazper to bring the note to the Royal Cavalry Captain. While I was taking the route of Madin, there was an ambush. The Viraiz Savages raided your lowly servant. They took all that I had including the Royal Note. Your servant was helpless at the barren land of Madin. But the Mercenary, whose name is Marsden has helped your servant. I had only gained my consciousness yesterday, and it was late for me to bring the news to the Royal Cavalry Captain.”

Darina stayed still. She knew what was going on but she doesn’t want to speak to the Prince. She tightened her grip on her scepter while staring at the Doors of Blessing. Did the Prince just frame her up for conspiracy or rebellion? Was the Prince always this suspicious about her actions?

“I am begging you, Your Highness, repent of your anger to the Royal Cavalry Captain,” Misha appealed.

“It is well,” Prince Thariem said. “Darina will not receive any punishment.”

“On behalf of our cavalry captain, we extend our gratitude to your mercy, Your Highness,” declared the soldiers from Gilan.

“But the Royal Cavalry Captain must bring them back to Gilan,” Prince Thariem said without asking if his decision was wise.

“Your Highness, we appeal to your favor. Let us serve the capital with the Royal Cavalry Captain,” one Gilan soldier appealed. “We have made our oath to be under her authority for the sake of Clapestris.”

“An oath is an oath. We must fulfill it, Your Highness,” they altogether said.

Prince Thariem took a deep breath. The thought that these thousands of soldiers paid their loyalty to Darina made him even more furious and suspicious of her. How was Darina able to get these many people to work under her name? The range of her cavalrymen outnumbers those of the other cavalry captains. In terms of military prowess, Darina is now leading the table.

“Marvel not, Prince Thariem. Her Highness is a good Royal Cavalry Captain, keeping her senses alert to keep these new soldiers of yours safe and sound,” Marsden stated. After all, he saw them camping at the foot of Mount Igbir. Darina might think of him to have ulterior moves but he was there to see if the Royal Cavalry Captain needs help. “How can they not pay their loyalty to her?”

“I am the Prince of Clapestris!” Prince Thariem exclaimed.

Darina immediately bowed her knees and placed her scepter beside her. The cavalrymen followed on kneeling militarily. “All of my cavalrymen and I, your Royal Cavalry Captain, is at your service, Your Highness!” She raised her voice so that the Prince will hear her. The cavalrymen also repeated her claims.

Prince Thariem calmed down at Darina’s response. “Then take the lead. I will leave first,” Prince Thariem said and left the balcony. His guards and attendants followed him to the hall. The only thing that was in his mind is to make sure that Darina will keep her loyalty to him and their clan. In that way, such great military prowess Darina will be accounted to Prince Thariem’s authority.

Darina commanded the cavalry leaders to assist the new soldiers for their posts and their abode. She marched towards the palace and met the Prince in the hallway. Darina bowed down as a greeting. But both of them didn’t say a word. While halfway on their adjacent paths, Prince Thariem stopped.

“Darina, one more sign of your potential treachery, and I will cut off your authority,” Prince Thariem warned.

“You cannot ever do that to me, Royal Brother,” Darina said, implying her stand as an official member of the Lunekleare Clan. Hence, by no means that she could be treacherous to the Royal Family.

“You dare to oppose my authority?” Prince Thariem raised his voice while still not looking at her.

“You cannot do it since I will never be treacherous to you. I will never turn my back against you, Your Highness,” Darina said. “But what I have now is mine, and yours is yours.”

What was in Prince Thariem’s mind is still the number of soldiers, and hearing the last statement from Darina made him fume again in anger. “Are you saying that your soldiers are only yours?”

“No, Royal Brother. I am only reminding you that my post in the Lunekleare Clan is mine and your authority is yours. I would not dare to go against your authority. So, as a foster brother of mine, do not dare to soil my legitimacy as a Lunekleare and my post in the capital of Clapestris.”

Prince Thariem stared at her intently and was unable to spell any words.

“We have both of our aims. My arrow is busy for my target. You should keep yours too, Royal Brother,” Darina said as she gripped her scepter.

Prince Thariem felt a deep cut right in his heart, embarrassed for the indignation he mistakenly poured on his foster sister. “Royal sister, we must as well settle this one through a banquet,” he said, changing his tone.

“Be pleased to have your banquet, Royal Brother,” Darina turned down his offer. “After having the ordeals a while ago, I see it something I should recuperate myself about.”

“Have a good rest then,” Prince Thariem said, cognizant of Darina’s aloofness.

“I will take my rest, Your Highness.”

Darina didn’t look back at the prince as she stormed to her room. Her sweat is only falling as she takes off her armory. After wearing her casual clothing, she opened the curtains to make her room bright. Her soft warm bed awaits her sore back. Her purple quilt reminds her of Marsden.

“Who could this mercenary be?” She uttered while remembering that Farrah could be a very good help about this kind of inquiries she has. However, Farrah is up for her wedding and she can not disturb the bride-to-be.

After her brief respite, she decided to go outside while wearing her royal robe. The attendants followed her as she marched towards the Eastern Hall. Rowen informed her that this mercenary is staying at the Eastern Hall. There she saw that familiar silhouette that disturbed her at Mount Igbir. His scarf is being blown by the wind. His posture is the same as that one who stared at their camp.

“So it was you,” Darina said while taking her steps towards the central entrance of the hall.

Marsden saluted her. “It is I, the mercenary a while ago.”

“No, I saw you at Mount Igbir. Were you spying on us?” Darina asked while taking steps toward the main seat.

“I am a mercenary, My Lady. It is my duty to know if some camps or kingdoms need my service,” Marsden replied.

“Then why are you wearing a noble cloth? Don’t you think that you make others suspicious about you because of such clothing?”

“It’s a present from the last kingdom I served.”

“Make sure that you are not a royal spying on us,” Darina said. “However, I must thank you because of your boldness a while ago. I might have received punishment for a thing that I was innocent about.”

“As a mercenary, it is my pleasure,” Marsden said and gave her a little blue lotus.

“Thank you,” Darina expressed while staring at the lotus. “Where did you get this?”

“At the moats around the capital,” Marsden was supposed to make her annoyed to make an impression on her.

“Really? Are the moats now that friendly to have this blue lotus bloom over there?” Darina has not received more beautiful news than this.

Marsden was reluctant to answer. He didn’t expect this kind of reaction. He thought that ladies would be indignant if they know that the flowers given to them are not specially prepared or purchased.

“Do you have anything to tell me about? I have to see the moats myself,” Darina said.

“I would like to offer my service for Clapestris, Your Highness,” Marsden presented. “I can be among your leadership. Accept my humble work since I have no resources, for now, to feed myself and have a good stay.”

“Under my authority? You saw how the Prince was furious a while ago. I think you should present it to him. Be under his authority, not mine. I am willing to accept you but I don’t have the final say.”

“I have told him already and he said to place me on your troop,” Marsden replied.

Darina waited for any symbol that would prove his statement and Marsden immediately showed the bow with a special design special for the Prince.

“You appealed to His Highness while he was on practice. I see,” Darina commented. “Alright then. Let us find Rowen so that you will know your abode.”

“But Your Highness, I believe that you wanted to check the moats about the blooming lotus,” Marsden reminded

“Accompany me then," she said while looking back at the mercenary.

Darina and Marsden, along with the other soldiers, went outside the city. Meanwhile, Prince Thariem was watching them from the balcony. Smiling at the thought that he can have a spy to watch Darina’s action.