Princess Variana awoke the morning of her trip to the first rays of sun shining through her window. She leapt out of bed and hurriedly dressed. She wanted to spend a few moments with her father before she left today. Last night, after dinner, she had asked him if they could have an early morning breakfast, just the two of them. He had agreed.

She raced down the stairs and rushed into the south dining courtyard. There sat her father, the King. He smiled gently at her. "Good Morning, my Princess."

"Good morning father. Did you sleep well?" she asked as she sat down next to him.

He lifted his napkin and set it on his lap. "Well enough."

She frowned at his evasion. "Father, I think you should see a different physiker."

A servant walked in and bowed low to the King and then to her. "What would please you today, Your Highnesses?" he asked in a low voice.

"Just the usual," said her father.

"I would like strawberries with cream and sugar. And some blesch to drink," said the Princess with a smile at the servant.

He bowed and left.

"We have been over this several times, my dear," sad the King. "I am sick. But my physiker came well recommended by the Grand Duke. I am certain he shall have me better in no time at all."

Variana took a small sip of her water. She reached over and placed her hand on her father's hand. It was tiny compared to his hands. "Father, he has been physiking you for over a fortnight. You seem to be getting worse, not better. Couldn't you at least see the old court doctor. At least once?" she pleaded.

Her father's face became firm. Angry. "Daughter, you press me overmuch. I shall continue seeing my physiker. And I have already asked you not to mention the other." He frowned at her. "Do not do so again."

Variana sighed. He rarely spoke to her like this. When he did, it was clear his mind was made up. So many months ago, the court physiker had fallen into her father's bad graces. First, when her mother died. Her father had forgiven him that. But then, when his brother had died, her father refused to forgive the old physiker that failure. And so, he had cast him out of the castle. That was only three months ago, since then, his health had steadily declined. Variana didn't like the new physiker. And she definitely didn't like the Grand Duke. But it hadn't done any good to talk to her father about either. He refused to listen.

"Daughter, don't be troubled," said the king.

"Oh father, I'm not troubled. I was just thinking how I shall miss you while I am gone," she smiled gently at him.

Just then, the servant returned with the King's rasher of bacon, scrambled eggs and bread. He had always eaten a large breakfast. He had always eaten large meals. The servant bowed to him and then turned and set her bowl of strawberries in front of her. He poured cream from the silver pitcher. And then sprinkled sugar across the top. He always put just the right amount of everything. "I wonder if I shall have strawberries in Rockport?" she asked.

Her father looked up from his plate. "I'm quite sure the Grand Duke will have plenty of whatever you desire."

They chatted about nothing much else. Then Variana stood up and kissed him on the forehead. She was full of misgivings about this trip but knew it was important to him. "I shall return soon," she told him.

"I shall await you here," he said. "And Variana?"

"Yes?"

"You mustn’t agree to marry him just because the war goes badly," he said blandly. "You know that, right?"

"Yes papa. I know that."

And Variana walked out of the solar dining room with a heavy heart, knowing that sometimes the needs of the people trumped the needs of even a Princess.

When she arrived in the courtyard, it was full of horses in various stages of readiness. Groomsmen ran around in a controlled chaos tightening cinches and straps, helping arms men with bits and pieces of their gear and calming horses which neighed with fear at the loud din. She smiled. Variana loved pomp and circumstance. There was, in her opinion, no other occasion that delivered quite the same excitement as the beginning of a long journey. Although she was nervous about the end of this journey, her scheduled meeting with the northern Prince, she decided that she would enjoy the journey as much as possible. To that end, she quickly stepped out into the busy courtyard and began to call for Nanny and her guards.

As if by magic, her guards formed a small square around her. These were no common arms men. Her guards had trained since birth to defend the royal throne. Which at this point consisted of her father and her. These four men were sworn to her defense. It would take a small army to get past them and harm the princess.

"Variana," called her nanny's voice.

Variana looked over and saw her nanny carrying several bags stuffed full of what were certain to be instruments of torture disguised as proper clothes. She sighed. She was most definitely not looking forward to the end of this journey.

"Hello Nan," she said to her breathless nanny.

"Princess, you simply must put on an overcoat," her nanny's hands waved excitedly around in vague circles like two small doves flying around each other. "If you don't, you shall certainly catch a cold." Her nanny looked at her. "Or worse," she said with dark and gloomy overtones.

Princess Variana laughed. "Nan, I shall be just fine. It isn't even cold out today." She patted Nan gently on her shoulder by way of comfort. "Have you seen Bradford yet?"

Nan harrumphed. "I should most certainly hope not."

"Nan, be nice. He will be riding with us in the carriage, and I simply refuse to listen to you two bicker the entire way," said Variana. "Oh, there he is now."

Bradford bowed deeply to Variana. "Princess, I have grave news."

"What is it?" asked Variana. She thought it must be her father. He had looked so ill as she said goodbye. Certainly, his health couldn't have failed him that fast, she thought.

"I will not be able to attend you on this journey."

"Oh, Bradford. Why not?" she asked.

"Your father is too ill. I must stay and attend to him."

"But he has his physiker."

Bradford nodded and leaned close to Variana. "You remember our conversation yesterday morning?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"I am staying because I need to be close to your father. And, because, I as warned you yesterday, there are things that must be done. And I am the only one who can."

Princess Varina sighed. "But I want you to teach me how to do. . ."

Bradford cut her off. "Not here, Princess. Not now where there are listening ears."

"But I so wanted you to teach me," she said.

Bradford smiled. "And I shall, another day and another time."

"I will hold you to your promise," Varina said.

Bradford looked around. "Where is the Captain? You told me he had agreed to accompany you," he said.

The Princess was not pleased at the change of conversation. "He said he would be here, and I am certain that he shall."

Bradford nodded.

Variana got into the carriage and as the door closed, Nan leaned over close to her and whispered, "Well, I for one, am glad that horrible man isn't coming."

"Nan, that isn't nice to say."

Nan fluttered her hands around again. "There is something strange about him, and I don't trust him."

Princess Varina smiled at her Nan and waved to Bradford. As she did, the carriage driver lightly whipped the reins and the carriage began the journey northward with a jolt and a bump that pushed both Nan and the Princess back in their seats.

The Black Oak Sword

Chapter 1: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Chapter 2: Part 1 , Part 2
Chapter 3: Part 1 , Part 2,Part 3
Chapter 4:Part 1,Part 2
Chapter 5: Part 1
Chapter 6: Part 1, Part 2
Chapter 7: Part 1, Part 2
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14:Part 1
Chapter 14:Part 2
Chapter 15:Part 1
Chapter 15:Part 2
Chapter 16:Part 1
Chapter 16:Part 2
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19:Part 1
Chapter 19:Part 2
Chapter 20

© 2017, Stone Golem Publishing, All rights reserved--no part of this may be used without express written consent.

**All pictures used are labeled for reuse. They come from Pixabay

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