Sentria: The Knight Prince (Book 1)

Chapter Eight: White Dove

The dark wizard sat back in his chair and wiped his grinning mouth with his napkin. "I came here shortly after Princess Ilya's birth. Her father was distraught after the death of his wife. He wanted a prince so very badly and he didn't understand the gift that he had with this precious jewel. Bronte guided me to King Solice and I have given him everything he has wished for. More coin for his depositories, more soldiers for his military, and the northern kingdoms were brought together for the first time in centuries."

"Is King Solice unbothered by your praise of a single god?" I asked. "Cordathians may look to Cinnai as their patron god, but they at least acknowledge the others."

The Wizard Allaster shook his head. "King Solice understands that to get what he wants, change has to be made. Accepting differences doesn't make either one any less true if you are strong in your faith."

"I think so too!" said Eldwyn, before he looked to me and stuffed his mouth full of buttered bread. "Mortals come up with gods to symbolize different ideas, but really they're all the same idea. The One. To relics like myself, that's Bronte."

I shot Eldwyn a look, then turned back to the dark wizard. "When can we see King Solice? We wish to thank him for his hospitality and be on our way."

"He will be finished with his last meeting at the third hour." Allaster picked up his goblet and swirled the juice around. "But you musn't rush. There's still so much to see. You and your valet should explore the market. I can have a couple of guards watch over you so you aren't bothered too greatly by the vendors. It will be a lovely time. Rest assured, prince."

I looked at Eldwyn, hoping that he had finally understood what game was at play, then I looked at Princess Ilya who poked at her eggs and still hadn't looked up.

We went to our chambers for a few hours and spoke about what had just happened. Eldwyn was still hopeful that the wizard's kindness was true, but I knew better. We had to take the Allaster up on his offer. Ignoring his request would arouse suspicion, and we had to appear as if there was nothing to hide.

The market was busy and cluttered with people moving from one shop to the next, buying and arguing with one another. There were vendors selling, meats, produce, toys, clothing, and jewelry. The people were yelling and haggling for the best prices, a game of who can get the better deal. When they saw me in my royal Cordathian robes, they complimented me and tried desperately to give me things for free. I was a southern Prince, their enemy, but profit doesn't recognize borders.

"It's humorous," said Eldwyn, walking with his hands behind his back.

"What is?" I glanced over my shoulder at the two Cordath guards who kept several feet away.

"It's the rich who are treated best. You have enough coin to buy these shops many times over, and yet they'd give you the shirts off their back without your asking."

"They know that if a royal is seen with their goods, they can increase the price. It's smart business."

"The value of things shouldn't be determined by who wears them, but the measure of their quality."

"Life doesn't work that way, relic."

"That is what I find most perplexing about mortals."

We turned a corner and down another lane of shops that were more spread out than the last one and I felt like I could breathe easier. Princess Ilya walked towards us with her four handmaidens trailing behind her in V formation. She was a vision in dark red, long-sleeved dress with black flowers all over. She seemed much more at ease now, as if she had become a different person outside the confines of the repressive castle.

"High Prince Darren," she said and curtseyed, lifting her skirt up slightly and her maidens followed her like delayed reflections.

"Princess Ilya," I replied, and bowed to her with my left hand over my heart. 

Eldwyn did the same after a moment and Princess Ilya covered her mouth. Commoners were supposed to kneel before royals.

She nodded to her left and her right at her girls and they dispersed in various directions. "I've just come from church having offered my daily prayers to Cinnai. I'm so glad that our paths have crossed."

"As am I, my lady." It was true. She was bright and pure of heart and the only true jewel in this vapid kingdom worth much of anything, no matter how much bounty they stowed away in their depositories. 

"How do you like the market?" she asked.

"I'm impressed. We don't have half as many shops in Sentria."

Princess Ilya laughed. I presumed she understood my hidden meaning. "Yes, the Cordathians are known for their production and wares." She took a step toward me. "I'm so glad that you're meeting my father on this day. He should be in good spirits, yet he is easily provoked. The wizard may have helped to dampen his tendencies, but I'm afraid his temper is still ever-present."

Her delivery seemed light but her intent dripped with severity. This was a warning for us hidden between her words.

She tapped at her chin with her finger and spoke her next words slowly. "I read in a book recently about the Mountain Wars between the eastern kingdoms. Captain Tremblay of the Tarkarus region once said, 'Never fight under a clear blue sky, wait until the sky is covered in clouds and fight in its shade.' That always remained with me."

"Those sound like wise words." 

"I must be going, it's been lovely, High Prince Darren."

"My lady." I bowed to her and watched as she left with her handmaidens in tow.