Crowns of Flame and Ice - Book One

(10) An Awakening

Night was settling over the castle now, the only light being the flickering candlelight illuminating the pictures and grey stone walls of the castle. Somehow I'd managed to lose Quilo after he'd told me the time of the meeting and I'd decided that the consequences of that would be future Anala's problem. Right now I was worrying about why they wanted me in this meeting. My sisters clearly didn't know I was to be attending as they'd made it clear they wanted me out of the way. Perhaps it was just for appearances. Did they figure out about my adventures at night? did something happen with that stranger? 'Breath Anala' I told myself as my heart began matching the speed of my hurrying thoughts, it's probably nothing.

A familiar set of dark wood doors greeted me with huge powerful black hinges and metal detailing that curved and spiralled around the top and sides like an arch. I thought it to be kind of ironic, such intricate designs created out of a dark and heavy metal. As I approached the two guards began to open the doors for me to enter but I held up a hand with a smile, needing a minute to prepare. I'd chosen blood-red flowing trousers with a black top, fashioned from a lace that I'm sure my mother will consider scandalous when she sees it even though it really wasn't. My name is Anala Castilio I am alone and I will not be afraid. I have no reason to fear the power-hungry people behind this door, they had nothing. I needed to try and slow down whatever hell they were trying to unleash upon Crevah, in order to protect those in the kingdom. I envisioned James carving flowers into clay at his little desk by the window, paint and muddy clay water splattering his face. I imagined Rosie laughing at him when he knocked over the tiny paint pots and how James always made her smile. That's why I wasn't hiding, even if I'd given up on happiness I needed to protect what was left for other people. perhaps I'd ask James to make me a pot to paint when we got out of this meeting.

I looked down at my manicured fingers but more particularly the serpent ring on my finger. There was no one who could hurt me, I was alone, and it would be okay. Lifting my chin and squaring my shoulders I gesture for the guards to open the doors before sliding on a mask of neutral boredom onto my face. The doors swung open to reveal the dimly lit room I was glad I'd only stepped into a handful of times. It wasn't a particularly extravagant room with only an old wooden table sitting in the middle and a huge black chandelier hanging from the ceiling. I stopped breathing as I noticed the kings, my mother and Quilo sat at the table all sending me disapproving looks that I'm sure were for multiple different reasons. Two more guards stood at the back of the room and my attention caught on one of them who was giving me a look that said 'don't say anything about it', James. It was unusual for the captain of the guard to be in meetings, I guess a meeting with two kings who hated each other required extra skill from the guards. It was unnerving seeing him standing there in his uniform and decorated with weapons designed to be a deterrent in themselves.

"You're late" my father's voice sounded, dark and unfeeling. I took a few steps toward the table and noticed how similar my father and Quilo's father looked. Dark, rugged features and cold faces that had been honed from years of cruelty. It was disappointing to see that my father shared the same emotionless eyes that Quilo's father did. They told a tale of two kings who did not care about their people, just the power and titles that came with it. It was disappointing, but not surprising. I had no respect for that, they had not earned their titles and therefore I had no reason to fear what they thought of me. It was strange looking at Quilo next to his father, on the outside his face showed icy resentment but for some reason, there was anger and rage there too. Hidden from most people, but I could see it. "At least she's here" my mother murmured offering me a strained smile, her attempt to untie some of the tension in the room.

There was no room at the table I realised, never for me. "I'll stand then" I whisper too quiet for anyone to hear. "Speak up girl" Quilo's father demands. "why am I here?" I ask, not wanting to be in this room a second longer than I needed to be. "We enjoy your company" my father grumbles sarcastically. I just stand there not even surprised my his comment, silent, waiting. "There is an object which is supposedly in the Zaith mountains on the border that apparently hold a substantial amount of power, we want it" My father grumbles. "What do you want it for?" I ask, trying to understand what this had to do with me. "We want to use it to end poverty across our lands. Perhaps restore magic if it's strong enough" Quilo's father murmurs taking a sip from his glass.