The Kingdom Feud

Princess Ithia inhaled a sweet Daffodil as she sat on a bench. She sighed. three flags swayed from a tower spire. It bore the kingdom insignia of a hydra. It made her think of her kingdom of Nathalia at war with Wrethshire.

“You look sad.”

“Father, does it not grieve you that dozens of soldiers are dead every month?”

“The blade devours one side as the other.”

“It’s been ten years!”

“Let’s pray we triumph.”

“Do you think God approves of this!”

“King Gath started it!” King Diotrephes pulled up his sleeve, showing a scar. “I came to him in peace with an envoy and he attacked those who gave it, including me.”

Alighting sunshine grew brighter as it peaked over the mountains. The early birds chirped. A wind gust ruffled a Crocus bed.

Ithia stood and walked away, silently.

“Ithia, please.”

Ithia entered the castle and her younger brother ran up to her. “Ithia!” he said.

“Hello, Terinth. How was your day?”

“Just a school day.” Terinth took out a scroll. “The headmaster says I am one of the wisest.”

Written over the face of the scroll was You are a still one of the most exceptional students in the academy.

“Very good. Where are you going now?”

“To the forest!”

Terinth ran off as Ithia smiled.

Few were present. A robed man approached her. “Good morning, Princess.”

“And to you, Nobleman Darvy.”

“General Hathok said we have pushed back King Gath’s forces past the valley. He thinks we will soon assault the citadel. We could be close to victory.”

Ithia peered up a little. “Are you certain?”

“It looks so.”

“I must go the cathedral to pray.”

“Goodbye, Princess.”

Ithia walked through a door that led to a shortcut to the cathedral. It was empty. She sat at a pew and folded her hands. “Lord, I will keep praying for peace. I believe it can stop but my faith wavers. I ask for a speedy and soon end. Amen.”

Ithia heard a harp playing. She followed the sound and approached a young lady in a blue gown.

“Who are you, maiden?” said Ithia.

“God has heard your faithful prayers, and the end of the war is near.”

“You did not tell me who you are.”

“I am God’s messenger.”

A voice came from behind her. “Princess Ithia!”

She turned to face General Hathok nearing her. She glanced to look at the woman-she was gone.

“Princess! Prince Terinth has been kidnapped!”

Ithia gasped. “No! It hasn’t been three hours!”

“One of the scouts found a scroll tied to a tree.”

“What does Hathok want?”

“Surrender,” Hathok said.

“Does my father know?”

“Yes. He has ordered a secret dispatch of spies to regain him.”

Ithia ran inside and saw her father. “Father!”

“I am sending troops to recover him.”

“Father, I must go too!”

“Not so!”

“Ithia must go if the plan is to succeed.” The words came from a Priest named Salem.

“Absolutely not!”

“My Lord…it is God’s will. She will be safe. You have my word.”

“Please father.”

“Very well. You all leave at midnight.”

Ithia resorted to the gardens. She sat on another bench and fell asleep from the heady flower fragrance.

It was nine O’ clock and she stood in the moonlight. She left the gardens and was met by the alchemist. “I perceive you seek to go ahead of the dispatch,” he said.

“Do not stop me, Salem.”

“I want to go with you,” said Salem. “I can help!”

Ithia nodded and they rode off.

They stopped at the forest. “Me must continue on foot.”

They dismounted and moved.

For hours it was silent until an arow flitted past Salem into a tree. They looked and saw five enemy soldiers armed with bows and swords.

One of them spoke.

“We have the princess now!”

Salem took out a vile of green liquid and threw it and a plume of smoke blinded them.

“Go on. I will catch up with you, Ithia!”

Ithia ran until she came to a grove. She waited. Nothing.

Another soldier coaxed her with an arrow on a bow. “So, I get to kill the princess!”

Suddenly, an arrow pierced the foe’s head and he collapsed.

“General Hathok rode to her. “Mount behind me Princess!”

Ithia obeyed.

“I followed you and Salem. He is safe and more come.”

Hathok charged down the valley at night. The whole company came up the incline then dismounted. They saw from the valley crest; an open gate. Hathok pierced the heads of two guards standing watch.

The group tiptoed into the castle interior and hid behind a marble statue.

They slid along the wall. They neared the king’s chamber doors.

They opened and King Gath came out wailing in tears. “My son! My son!” he cried.

Suddenly, a massive spider repelled in front of Ithia and she gasped.

Three guards took torches and found them.

“Enemy scum!” said King Gath. “Kill them!”

“Wait!” said Salem. “What makes you sorrowful?”

“What is it to you?”

“Something is wrong with your son? Is he sick?”

Gath teared up. “Why would you care?”

“I may be able to heal him. I am an alchemist.”

Gath’s face softened. “Truly? You can save him.”

“I may.”

“He has a fever and there are red bumps over him.”

“The eastern plague. I came with a concoction that I brought in case Ithia was pierced with a poisonous arrow or dart. Let me see him.”

Gath brought Salem to Gath’s son, who’s eyes were closed and was barely breathing. Salem took out the potion and fed it to the boy. Five minutes later his eyes opened and he took a deep breath.

“My son!” Gath clutched his son.

“Father.”

“For this act I will give you anything.

“Peace,” said Hathok.

Gath embraced Hathok. “You will have it. I will go myself tonight and declare peace.”

And so, the messenger’s words to Ithia came to pass and the decade of war was finally done.