𝕸𝖆𝖗𝖘𝖕𝖍𝖆𝖊𝖗𝖆 was always beautiful in Cadenza's opinion, but as she looked out her window that morning she could have sworn her people and her land had never looked more ethereal. From even her balcony at the highest point of the castle, she could hear the celebrations of the lower town below, she could even see the pearlescent white and light blue streamers hanging from the doors of every home in town.
The young girl, enamored with the vibrant celebrations below barely heard the entrance of her middle brother as he entered her chambers.
"Beautiful isn't it" Cassian sneered "and all for our idiot brother."
Cadenza jumped as she heard the distaste in her brother's voice, she breathed in the fresh air of her balcony a final time before she re-entered her chambers to greet her brother. "Good Morning to you too Cassian" She chirped
Her older brother barely acknowledged her as he flopped onto her chaise. "How is it that everyone in this kingdom loves him?" he questioned, " he's never even around."
The young girl huffed as she motioned for her brother to move over so she could sit beside him. "He leaves so that he can protect us, Cass," she said softly as she reached for her brother's hand in an attempt to calm him down.
"Protect us?" Cassian said "From what? The occasional rogue knight that passes the border? The occasional patrols that pass by our entrance?"
"Cassian-" She started
"No! Denza" He exclaimed ripping his hand from hers "No king has found us for 16 years, not since Uther's attack on our faux citadel! Why are we so nervous?"
The young girl shook her head as she rose from her seat beside her brother. "We are nervous," she started "because Nordhaven and Verdantia fell to Camelot's attacks. We can't afford to let our guard down, even if it's been years."
Her brother didn't respond.
" And besides" she smirked, " you're just jealous because all the ladies of the court will be all over Arrin, not you."
Her brother shot up looking horrified. "Excuse Me?!" he exclaimed.
"Oh I can see it now. 'oh Prince Arrin, how devilishly handsome you look tonight! Oh yes, Ms.Pariff much more handsome than Prince Cassian!' you'll be forgotten!" She mocked hunched over in laughter.
Cassian grimaced at her impression of the ladies of the court "First off who sounds like that, and second that would never happen Cadenza, I'm too handsome" he said slyly flipping his hair from his face.
The two continued to bicker back and forth before the shrill ringing of the bell rang out echoing through the chamber. The two royals paled as they realized they had been arguing for the better half of the past hour. Cadenza watched in amusement as her older brother all but sprinted from her room, she could hear his feet hit the pavement as he ran back to his chambers to get ready for the night's celebrations.
Cadenza walked over to her wardrobe, scowling as she thought of the dress her mother had picked out for her to wear. The dress was beautiful of course, the iridescent white of the fabric looked heavenly in the light, and the blue of the sleeves reminded her of the sea near the stables that she would visit when she felt overwhelmed. However, she knew the dress would be uncomfortable. She recalled when her mother had forced her to the tailors for her dress fitting, the fabric of the beautiful dress had been incredibly itchy. She huffed before collapsing in her bed and waiting for the telltale sound of heels against the pavement that would alert her of her mother's arrival.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮
She sat there for another hour, simply staring at the ceiling of her room. Her eyes roamed over every divot and crack on the surface, as she thought of her brother's words. If the rest of the world thought that Marsphaera was no more, then why were they so worried? Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard the heels of her mother click against the floor in the hall, with a sigh she rose to greet the Queen as she entered her chambers.
"Hello Mother," she greeted with a soft smile.
"Cadenza" her mother responded greeting her with a smile of her own.
Cadenza watched as servants brought in hot water for her bath, the steam that rose from the tub increasing with every bucket of hot water. As each servant exited the room she and her mother thanked them by name.
She remembered how her mother had emphasized the importance of treating those who served them with the most respect. Her father had joked when she and her brothers were younger that without the servants they would be like headless chickens, although her mother had always scolded him with a sharp slap to the arm, but Cadenza knew she always believed him to be right.
One by one the servants filed out of the chamber leaving a steaming bath filled to the brim with water in their wake. As Cadenza slipped into the soapy water she felt the warmth of the water working against her skin. The muscles in her arms sore from her lessons in the morning instantly relaxed, leaving her contented. She felt her mother pull up a chair behind her and lather her hands with soap. As her mother's hands massaged her scalp Cadenza closed her eyes, she could faintly make out the soft lullaby her mother was humming as she tuned out the rest of the world. When her mother's hands finally left her scalp and the suds were washed from her hair, the young girl emerged from the tub and covered herself with the fabric she had left on the stool to the right of the tub.
"drūgaþ" Her mother chanted, eyes flashing gold.
The young girl felt her hair dry itself, the water that once ran down her arms disappearing into thin air. She shot her mother a thankful look as she went behind her screen to change into her undergarments. When she emerged her mother sat on her bed, the beautiful dress next to her. Cadenza slowly approached the bed, looking at the dress as if it would attack her if she approached it too fast.
"oh come on," her mother exclaimed, "it's not that bad!"
"oh yes it is," She replied " I'm going to be itching all night"
Her mother rolled her eyes once more as she watched Cadenza pick up the dress and slowly slip it on. The young girl motioned for her mother to help her with the fastening. As her mother laced the back of the dress up pulling as tightly as possible the young girl looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had to admit she looked nice, the dress hugged her curves well and the combination of the colors complimented her skin tone.
Once her mother finished fastening the dress she moved onto her hair, she pulled the blonde curls that normally fell unkempt in the front of her daughter's face back into a small braid, leaving the rest to flow down her back. Cadenza turned back to face her mother before frowning at the sight of tears forming in the woman's eyes.
"Mother?" she questioned
Her mother quickly wiped her eyes.
"We better get going," her mother replied offering her arm to the girl "If we don't turn up soon the whole guard will be coming to check on us."
Cadenza looked quizzically at her mother before taking her arm. As her mother led her from the chambers she couldn't help but feel a sinking dread settle in her stomach.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮
Cadenza and her mother hastily met with her father and brothers down the hall from the grand ballroom, she quickly met her eldest brother's hardened gaze watching it soften as she rushed forward despite her mother's protests.
"Arrin!" she exclaimed throwing herself into his waiting arms.
He simply smiled and squeezed the young girl lifting her from the floor.
"Hello, little Phoenix," Arrin said his eyes shining with admiration.
Cassian rolled his eyes at his sibling's interaction slowly opening his mouth, but stopping short at the sight of his mother's harsh glare. He closed his mouth and crossed his arms, huffing and adjusting the collar on his tunic before moving closer to his siblings.
"Well, don't you look splendid little sister." Cassian retorted poking at her side.
"Stop it!" she smacked him in the chest.
"Oh you little-" He screeched before raising his hand to hit her back.
"Children please," their father's tired voice rang out exasperated "enough fighting."
The siblings lowered their heads and responded in unison " Yes, Father".
Cadenza turned to her brother and smirked as she raised her foot up one last time bringing the heel of her shoe down on his foot. However, before her brother could retaliate the doors of the ballroom opened and the trumpets sounded. Cadenza heard the noise of the guest's chatter stop as they waited for the entrance of their royal family. Her father and mother walked ahead of her and her siblings entering the room as the Herald announced them in his booming voice.
She tightened her grip on her brother's arms as they moved into the entryway of the chamber. As she moved with her brothers onto the balcony overlooking those dancing below and then down the stairs, she couldn't shake the sinking feeling from earlier.
As she and her brothers approached the thrones at the front of the room her eyes wandered taking in the bright interior of the room. The decorations of the party she noticed matched her dress, there were white and blue flowers lining the edges of the room, and her house's banner displaying their emblem the Coatyl hung from each beam on the ceiling the tables were lined with the most beautiful golden runners she had ever seen. As she sat down on her throne next to her father's, she looked around the room observing their guests. She took note of the druids dancing in the corner of the room lost in their own world, she observed the nymphs admiring the flowers and plants throughout the room. She softly smiled as she watched each and every person enjoy themselves. Her brothers most certainly were enjoying themselves, immediately joining in the dances performed in the center of the floor.
She could feel her father's gaze burning into her shoulder but she refused to meet his eye adjusting the itchy fabric of her dress. She quickly noticed the line of people waiting to greet her father winded around the room, in said line she could see visiting nobles, and magical creatures. Giggling as she heard her father let out a sigh Cadenza leaned her head back against the back of the throne.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮
As the night progressed the young girl felt rather out of place, she had danced with some young "prospect suitors" as her mother called them, and fraternized with the nymphs but nothing seemed to cure that sinking feeling in her stomach.
The sharp sound of metal against glass brought her out of her stupor as her eyes snapped to her eldest brother as he prepared to make a toast. As he stood in the light at the front of the room she noticed for the first time just how tired her brother now past his 25th summer looked. The white lights in the room reflected off the dark purple circles underneath his eyes and emphasized the hollowness of his cheeks.
She barely acknowledged his speech too focused on his face, each word he said and gesture he made fading into the background. It wasn't until she felt the heat of multiple eyes on her that she realized he had stopped talking and motioned for her to join him. Hesitantly she took his hand and stood next to him, he sent her a smile before motioning for Cassian to join him as well. As the young girl looked out over the crowd she couldn't help but smile, she could see the adoration the people had for her family shining in their eyes.
However despite the brightness of the room and, the cheers of the people she found herself drawn to the entrance of the room. Just visible near the double doors was a figure, she couldn't make out the figure's face due to the dark headpiece and clothing they wore. In the bright room, they stuck out like a sore thumb.
As she and her siblings continued to stand there at the front of the room, Arrin addressing the room and thanking them for their presence Cadenza found she was unable to move her eyes from the figure. Even as she returned to her seat, she kept her eyes on the figure. She watched as it slowly moved towards the door as if tempting her to follow. She could hear the sounds of the music and chatter as it picked up once more and knew It was her chance. She rose from her seat cautiously looking around for her family. She could see her father and Arrin busy chatting away with a noble family she didn't recognize and she knew that her middle brother was either dancing with some poor maiden he hoped to seduce back to his chambers or engorging himself at the banquet table.
Hesitantly the girl walked down the three steep steps that separated the thrones at the head of the room from where the dancers spun on the floor below, she slowly worked her way between dancers, weaving in and out to not disrupt them. She could see how confused some of them were as they shot her looks. She paid no attention though as she continued her journey to the doors. Once clear of the dancers she picked up speed in her journey praying she wouldn't lose the figure as it traveled down the hall. However, before she could move much farther a voice startled her from her trance.
"Now where do you think you're going Cadenza?" Her mother asked as she stepped into her view.
"I'm a little overwhelmed if I'm being honest," She lied " I just wanted to step out for a minute. Is that okay?"
Her mother's face contorted into a heartbroken look for a minute before she quickly snapped back to her regal expression.
"Of course you may," Her mother replied stepping out of her path.
Cadenza once more continued her journey only looking back once to smile at her mother who continued to follow her with her gaze as she left.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮
When she finally reached the hall the first thing she took note of was just how cold it seemed to be. She could feel the goosebumps as they formed on her arms. However, the cold didn't deter her as she looked around the hall. The figure was nowhere to be seen in the darkness, she continued to search grabbing a torch from the wall to aid her. She could see some movement down the hall as fabric disappeared around the corner.
She rushed forward desperate to catch the figure. Yet each time she turned a corner it seemed the figure would disappear around another. Annoyed Cadenza sped up once more, chasing the figure down each new hall. Exasperated with the chase she decided to call out to the figure.
"Hello?" she called out, but the figure did not stop seemingly set on reaching their destination.
She huffed once more as the figure disappeared around another corner. However as she turned the corner herself, Cadenza found herself face to face with the entrance to the royal library. The library was dark, she could barely see her feet as she looked down, but she continued forward anyway. As she followed the figure once more she found that they were following a path she had ventured many times as a child.
"Hey, Stop!" she called out "You can't go back there!"
The figure paid no heed to her words weaving through the bookshelves. Cadenza stopped in her tracks, wondering if she should simply return to the celebrations. One part of her told her whatever this figure wanted was not important as no one could enter the forbidden section, that part of her begged her to turn back and to leave everything alone. The other part of her however told her that she as the princess, must protect her people, and if this person was to break into the forbidden section she should be there to stop them. Besides she should be able to see what was in the forbidden section as princess and future advisor to the king.
Her internal conflict however was halted when the sound of hooves against the floor and heavy breathing sounded from down the hall. She knew those sounds as she spent most of her youth avoiding the man who produced them, the old centaur librarian Mr.Cerich. Making her decision she sprinted forward and up the spiral steps to the Forbidden section entrance.
The door to the forbidden section was very extravagant, it was a deep onyx color and the door was about as tall as the ceiling yet also quite thin. The door handle was made out of the blood rubies from the mines beneath the castle. Growing up she had heard the stories from her brothers of the rubies' power, they told her the rubies served as vessels for strong magic. Her mother had always denied their stories though telling her the gem was simply pretty.
She looked around the entrance for the figure but found nothing, it was almost as if they had disappeared into thin air. As she turned to leave though she halted in her tracks, the blood rubies seemed to be glowing in the darkness of the room. She slowly walked forward towards the handle, as she studied it she felt her hand move forward on its own accord. The ruby handle seemed to scream out into the room begging to be opened. She turned the handle and tried to pull the door open. However the door would not move, she used all her body weight as she pulled on the handle trying to open the door even a tiny bit, but alas nothing. Annoyed she kicked and hit the door but nothing changed, she slumped against the wall and pushed the hair that had fallen onto her face back.
She racked her mind searching for anything she could remember about the door, she knew the only people who had ever entered the section had been her parents but she couldn't remember exactly how they had done it.
Suddenly it hit her when she was younger and had gone on another one of her many adventures leaving her brothers to search the halls for her, she had hidden in this room behind one of many potted plants her father enjoyed using for decoration. She recalled her mother had entered the room and hadn't acknowledged her too focused on the task at hand. Her young eyes watched as her mother produced a dagger and lightly ran it over her hand drawing blood, her mother had then placed her hand on the door and opened it entering the room.
She remembered running from the room after that colliding straight with her father who had scolded her for hiding near the forbidden section.
Cadenza slowly stood from the floor and pulled her dagger out from under her dress. Similarly to her mother all those years ago she brought said dagger to her hand closing her eyes as she felt the cool metal of the dagger. As she brought the dagger slowly across her palm she bit down on her lip in an attempt to lessen the sharp sting. Blood seeped out of the cut and down onto the floor in droplets, she watched as the specks of blood sullied the bottom of her dress. Hesitantly she reached out once again for the handle of the door letting the blood from her hands paint the handle. Prepared for disappointment once more she turned the handle and pulled.
The door slowly creeped open much to her surprise leading to a dimly lit chamber filled with different items. She grabbed one of the torches from the wall and began to observe the different artifacts. She could see enchanted jewels and old crowns along with some books, the books she observed were old and worn. As she read the spines all she saw were titles involving long-extinct magical practices and herbs. Confused she wondered why it was forbidden to enter this chamber. The books on magic and herbs were useless as no one practiced those enchantments anymore, and the old enchanted jewels and crowns would barely aid any magical being in combat because their magic was so weak.
Cadenza turned to exit the room once more annoyed and tired. However a shining light in the corner of the room halted her, she tried to ignore it but a shrill ringing in her head made it impossible for her to take a step closer to the door. With a final sigh, she turned back and walked towards the light, she hoped what she found would explain why this section was deemed forbidden. As she approached it she didn't see an object on the glowing pedestal, confused once more she continued her approach until she was right next to it only to find that the magical object was simply-
A piece of paper.
Disappointed she picked the piece of paper up noting how it glowed brighter when she gripped it. The paper was short and contained what seemed to be some sort of passage, there was no title but the edges were decorated with golden engravings of flowers and swirls.
She began to read the passage curious as to why this magical artifact was "forbidden".
The prophecy read as follows
In the realm of Albion, where magic's flame once burned bright, prophecy whispers of destinies intertwined in the tapestry of fate.
Three shall rise, bound by fate's thread. One to lead, One to aid, and One to love.
The Once and future king long shall he reign, will bring back the unity his predecessors abolished.
However he cannot do it alone as he will be faced with trials and enemies at each turn.
He needs help from others to complete his trinity.
The first he needs is a wizard who shall aid the king from the shadows. Dubbed Emrys by his people the sorcerer shall aid the king in his every step, changing him for the better.
The second he shall need is a maiden fair yet not content with her life. Raised in magic isolated from the rest of the world, the maiden prays for more. She will show him the true meaning of loyalty and trust. The maiden shall capture the young king's heart.
Together the trio would face trials, both fierce and dire. Through battles and triumphs, they'd shape the age. Together they'll stand against the darkness, A triumvirate of hope, dispelling ancient dooms.
Together they will bring about a new age a golden age and the rise of Albion.
Cadenza dropped the parchment as she finished reading it, the chill in the room now felt freezing cold. She knew her face had gone as white as a ghost. She truly hoped this prophecy didn't mean what she thought it did, but she couldn't ignore the coincidences, first off why had this piece of parchment been in the forbidden section, hidden from her and her brothers if it didn't mean anything to them, second off all why was the unnamed woman in the prophecy so similar to her.
As she sat there in the room pale as a ghost she had a realization. This prophecy talked about a new era, where everyone could be accepted as they are. Magic users and nonmagic users could live together in harmony, the thought put a smile on her face.
Why had her parents hidden this from her and her siblings, did they not want to prophesy to pass? Was she the girl from the prophecy? A million questions raced through her head as she thought about her next move. She stood with confidence for the first time that night as she raced out the door and down the stairs to the main floor. When she was finally on solid ground once more she picked up speed racing to the staircase she knew would lead her to her room.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮
Once she entered her chamber she quickly changed from her beautiful gown into her riding clothes. She grabbed a small satchel from the back of her wardrobe filling it with things she believed she would need.
She took her gold, the dagger her brother had given her when he had returned from his last trip to the border, a few dresses, and her bow.
She quickly opened the door of her chamber once everything was packed racing into the hallway while she quickly braided her hair so it would be out of her face. She wanted to stop by the ballroom once more to say goodbye to her siblings but she knew she wouldn't go through with it if she did.
She thought of her parents, and how they had lied to her for years. They most certainly would not appreciate her leaving and would likely try to stop her. But she wouldn't let them, her father was wrong the best way she could serve her people wasn't to stay in the kingdom and play the role of the pretty little princess. It was playing her part in the prophecy and helping create a new world where everyone could live together.
Luckily for her, she didn't need to pass by the ballroom on her way to the stables. There would be no second thoughts or desire to rejoin the celebration and leave in the morning. She knew it was now or never for her. She quickly saddled up Eadgifu the beautiful beige and white mare her father had gotten her for her birthday. The horse was startled when she saw her rider so late at night but still complied with each word she said.
Cadenza mounted her horse and began to lead her towards the gate of the castle towards the lower town and then to the border. However, her plans to sneak out unnoticed were quickly foiled when she heard angered shouts behind her. She urged Eadgifu to move faster as she looked behind her to see her father on the balcony above. He was red in the face screaming at whoever would listen to try and stop her. She watched as her brothers and mother joined him on the balcony, her mother looked sad but at the same time peaceful as if she had known this was coming, Cassian looked bored with the whole thing as his eyes flitted between her and the ballroom inside, Arrin looked determined, he moved to follow the guards as they raced to their horses but their mother stopped him before he could by gripping his arm.
Cadenza could see Arrin's betrayed look at their mother's actions but listened anyway. She could hear the guards scrambling on their horses behind her to catch up, she knew if she didn't think fast she would be caught, so she grabbed her bow and an arrow from her bag. She pulled the string back ready to shoot as she approached the gate.
Desperately she shot it at the rope that held the gate open, as the rope fell away she watched the metal gate fall quickly to the floor. Urging Eadgifu to go as fast as she possibly could, and making herself small against the mares back they barely managed to make it under the gate as it closed. She knew now as she rode off into the forest and towards the border that there was no turning back. She could still hear the commotion behind her and her father's pleas for her to return, but she just kept on the road in front of her and rode west into the trees.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮
Cadenza didn't understand how knights could do this for so long. After riding for about four days with only brief stops her tailbone and legs were burning and sore. She had taken some short naps and breaks to feed her lovely horse and rest. She had no idea how long it would take for her to arrive in Camelot but she hoped it wouldn't be much longer as she feared if it was she would simply just lay in the road waiting for the triple goddess to strike her down.
She wondered what Camelot would be like, she had read stories of its extravagance. She heard of its grand castle and its beautiful fields. She could only hope it lived up to those stories. She had also heard many stories of the Tyrant ruler they had as well. The story of how he had destroyed her own kingdom's sister kingdoms being engraved in her brain from a young age.
She hoped his son wasn't like him. She hoped that he was kind, and understanding, she hoped that similarly to her he made it his goal to treat all those around him with respect. If it was her job to teach him loyalty and respect she hoped he already had other good traits that she and this Emrys wouldn't have to create.
Speaking of Emrys, the idea of him had plagued her for her entire journey. How was he supposed to help if magic was banned? He couldn't do it in the open rooms in Camelot or really in front of anyone. She supposed though if he was destined to help he would find a way.
The young girl was so caught in her thoughts that she didn't see the figure in front of her horse making his way over the same hill she was. It was only when a scream of terror rang out that she finally noticed him.
Authors note:
The prologue is done!!! I am hoping to get the dragons call out by the end of the week but im not sure so don't quote me on that.
Hope you enjoyed!!.