Blood and Ice Ch. 01

"Alexandria I can hardly recognise you now that you're all cleaned up. Just one thing is missing your highness." Michael said.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Your crown, what else?" he placed a crown on my head. It had green jewels at the base of each spike. "There! Now you look like a princess. Come, let us eat." Michael said.

They led me down stairs and along corridors. We stopped at a large door. Michael opened the door and said, "May I introduce her royal highness princess Alexandria."

Michael stepped into the room. I stepped in after him, the room was very long. It had a long table laden with lovely food. Everyone stood up when I entered. I looked uneasily at Damien. He nodded at me to go on ahead. I walked into the room and sat down next to Michael.

I couldn't help but notice that everyone was staring at me. Michael introduced me to every one in the room. I was too tired to remember exactly who they were. I just nodded politely. I was starving. Damien told me that these men we're the remains of my fathers council. There were only five of them. I was told that most of the time my father's council consisted of about twelve members. The members that were missing had been captured with my father. There had never been any word of any executions so it was assumed that they were all alive. Our enemies we're probably getting a kick out of keeping them alive.

"Why did they attack us in the first place?" I asked.

The person across from me, I think his name was John, answered my question. "We don't really know. We think it had to do with your parents having you. Your parents were believed to be unable to have children. Our enemies, fearing the worst, attacked us to try and kill both you and your mother. Thank heavens you managed to survive. If you hadn't, all would be lost."

There was more talking. I found out a few things about the clan. The only person I felt uneasy about was a man named William. He was taller than me and very thin. He had straggly grey hair. There was just something about him that made me uneasy. I just couldn't put my finger on it.

After we ate I was handed a gold goblet filled with a dark red liquid.

I whispered to Damien, "What's this?"

"It's wolf blood. Only royalty are allowed to drink it.

"I raised the goblet. It had a mild, but unusual, smell. I sipped it.

The taste was slightly salty but not nasty. I emptied the goblet.

William asked, "Did you enjoy that your highness?"

"Yes! Why do ask?"

"Most people don't like it, it has an unusual taste."

"Well, I liked it!"

Damien was giggling to himself. "What's so funny Damien?" William asked.

"Nothing William, my apologies."

Damien gave me a funny look as if to say "I'll tell you later".

The dinner lasted for a few hours I had no idea of the time as there were no clocks. However, I knew that it was late in the evening. I was getting very tired.

William said, "Now we reach the subject of the princess' security. Who will be her bodyguard? I, personally, would gladly volunteer."

I didn't want him as my bodyguard so I said, "I thank you for your offer, William, but so much is new to me I would feel better with someone I sort of know. Would it be acceptable if either Damien or Michael would be willing to do it?"

Damien said, "I have no objections do you father?"

Michael responded, "No, I think that's best since she knows us best."

William looked like someone had just slapped him in the face. He just nodded

"The hour is getting late; I think its best that the princess retires for the night!" Michael said.

I nodded in agreement. I rose from the table every one else rose with me. Damien escorted me back to my room.

When we we're inside I asked him, "What was so funny?"

"William's pathetic attempt at making a conversation with you. It was very funny."

"I suppose so. I shouldn't say this but there's just something about him that makes me feel uneasy. I don't trust him and I certainly don't want him any where near me Damien." I said.

"That's okay. I'll talk to my dad about it. Good night princess".

He kissed the back of my hand and left my room. I found a night dress in the wardrobe. I couldn't wait to get into bed since it had been a long time since I had a good night's sleep. I slipped in between the sheets. Someone had warmed the bed. It was lovely and warm. As soon as my head touched the pillow I drifted off to sleep. I knew nothing after that until I awoke the next morning.

When I woke up it took me a few minutes to get my bearings and remember what led me to be here. I took time to have a look around my bedroom. There was one very large window. The curtains we're drawn shut. I went over to the window and pulled them back. There wasn't much of a view. There was snow for as far as the eye could see. I heard the door open.

Damien said "Oh! I'm sorry your highness. I didn't realise you we're awake yet."

"That's okay Damien. What's going on?"

"Nothing! We're just waiting for you to awake. I've been checking on you every hour."

I realised that I was hungry and I think Damien knew because he said "if you get dressed I will organise some food for you, your highness."

"Thank you Damien." Damien left me to change. Ten minutes later he came back and knocked on the door. I opened it and followed Damien down to the food hall. There was no one there other than William. Damien and I sat down as far away from William as possible.

William said, "Good afternoon your highness. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes I did. Thank you for asking."

I helped myself to some food and asked, "what are we doing today Damien?"

"Anything you want to do. Do you have anything specific in mind? The only restriction is that my father and I both agree that you should stay in the palace grounds for you own safety."

"Fair enough! Maybe could we take a look around the castle grounds?"

"You should take your cloak, it will keep you warm. It's very cold out!"

I nodded after I finished eating. Damien took me back up stairs to get the cloak that Michael had given me. We went outside. The snow was only about an inch deep. Damien showed me the stables where my horse was. I still didn't have a name for him yet.

"It's a shame you had to come here when it's winter. In the spring and summer the grounds are very beautiful and in the summer the lake is lovely for swimming. Can you swim?" Damien asked.

"Yes I can swim fairly well. So, tell me what's your job here?"

"I'm part of the royal guard mainly. But I hope one day to advance in rank to be a general."

"If you don't mind me asking how old are you?"

"I've just turned nineteen your highness."

We continued on chatting and walking until Damien insisted that we go inside. He had seen me shivering. We both got hot drinks and he showed me the rest of the castle. The library was very big along with the games hall but the room that I loved was the throne room. Although the thrones were very dusty and a little dirty I was saddened a little. It was obvious that the castle had once stood proud. Now it was almost destroyed.

"Is this the only castle that we have?" I asked Damien.

"No, this is only the last out post in our land."

"So what happened to our main castle?"

"Our enemies use it as their main castle. It's where you were born or so my father tells me."

"Have we never attempted to reclaim the castle?"

"Our numbers have been so depleted we wouldn't have the strength to reclaim it."

"Where did are enemies come from and why did they decide to attack us?"

"No one really knows! We don't know where they came from or why they're here."

We ended up back at the food hall for supper. After supper Damien and spent the rest of the day exploring the castle. Late in the evening Damien took me back to my room, as I still wasn't sure of the palace layout yet. I went to get changed, in the bathroom, as Damien waited in my room. When I got back in my room there was a knock at the door. I said "Come in!" It was William.

"Can I help you?" I said.

William said, "I just wanted to wish you a good night your highness." He had been following us all day so I just ignored him.

"Damien would you mind getting me a drink please? I would go myself but it would be quicker if you went."

"Why don't you come with me?" Damien said, as he knew I didn't like William. I nodded.

William said, "There's no need to get the princess out of bed. Why don't you go get her a drink? I'll watch her!"

Damien looked at me. I just shrugged my shoulders and he nodded.

"I will only be a minute or two okay?"

I nodded and he left. I got up out of bed and went to the window. The scenery was beautiful! White crisp snow as far as the eye could see. The small lake had frozen over. As I was looking out I noticed that William went over to the door and locked it.

"What are you doing? Unlock the door now!"

"I don't think so little princess. It's time for you to meet your maker" he said as he drew his sword.

"What are you doing?" I was starting to panic as he backed me up against the window.

"What does it look like am trying to do? I'm going to kill you stupid."

"You're one of the light raiders aren't you?"

"You bet I am! There's no way I'm letting you live."

As he swung his sword, I ducked. The sword smashed the window. I ran to the door and tried to open it; the lock was stiff and wouldn't turn easily. I started to scream, hoping to attract attention, but he swung his sword I ducked again. I could only see one way out. I decided to jump out the window. I grabbed the ledge. I could hear shouting below me and banging at the door but William was at the window and he started to swing his sword at my hands. I had no choice but to let go as I did I saw William laugh. I fell. I hit the ground with a thump and everything went black.

I tried to open my eyes, but I was racked with intense pain. Every attempted move I made was like a million knifes stabbing me all at once. I blacked out again from the pain.

When I opened my eyes I could see light coming through the curtains. I managed to pull my self up the bed with great difficulty. My arm was bandaged. I must have broken it when I fell. Every time I moved it, it was pure agony. The door opened and Damien walked in. He looked at me then yelled for his father, who came running in.

Michael said, "Take it easy! You had a nasty fall."

I started to panic "Where's William?"

Damien said, "Its okay. He's locked up. We'll let your father deal with him when he returns."

"How long was I out?"

Damien said, "Nearly three days! Your father will kill him when he gets back."

As I tried to get out of bed, Michael said, "Where are you going? Get back into bed."

"I need to use the toilet. Am I not allowed?"

"I will help you" Damien said.

I nodded. I was too sore to argue with him.

When I got back to bed. Michael had some food brought to me.

"Thank you Michael. Was William really a light raider?"

"No! He was one of us for years, but he turned to them and became bent on killing you. We're lucky you survived. If you die before you produce an heir the clan will be lost!" Damien said.

"How so?" I asked.

Michael said, "You're the last remaining member of the royal family. If you don't have a child you are the last."

"So, how do we get rid of the light raiders?" I asked.

"Simple, they have the same weakness as us. If their princess dies before she produces an heir, their clan will loose the final battle." Damien said.

"Do you know who she is?" I asked.

Michael said, "No one does! We haven't been able to get close enough to identify her, let alone kill her."

.

I thought about it for a while. I started to formulate a plan.

I said, "I have an idea about how to get inside the light raiders castle, find and realise my father, an maybe even kill the light raider princess: but, you're not going to like it"

Damien asked, "What is it?"

I told them my plan. I knew what the reaction would be.

Michael said, "No way are we letting you do this! Your father would kill us for letting you go through with this."

"Look, you don't have a choice. If I stay here they will find and kill me. It would be the last place they would look for me."

Damien looked at Michael.

"She has a point father."

Damien stood up. "I want you to tell the council and see what they say."

Michael said, "Fine!"

"When is the next council?" I asked.

Michael answered me, "In about an hour or so."

"I'll be there!" I said. I got up out of the bed. As I stood my body screamed with pain, but I was determined to go to the council meeting.

Michael helped me get dressed and helped me walk to the council hall. I sat down. Everyone was surprised to see me walking.

John said, "Your highness, do you really think you should be up and out of bed? You had a very bad fall."

"Yes, I need to be here. I have a plan to find my father and release him. However, Michael won't consider it."

John asked, "What is your plan, your highness?"

I told the council my plan. They all agreed it was a good plan but they wouldn't let me go through with it.

John said, "Look your highness, it is a good plan but it's too risky. Your father would kill us if anything ever happened to you."

"When I find my father I will tell him that it was my idea and that I forced you into letting me go through with it. They're going to be looking for me here. They'll never look at their own door step. I will be safe."

"Okay, you have a point. But how will you convince them? Gabriel is no fool!" Michael said.

"Simple! I was kidnapped by you and forced to work for you and I ran away"

John said, "You've thought this through, haven't you?"

"I'm not going to sit here and wait for them to kill me. If am going to die, I will do so on my feet not cowering in a corner." I said.

They all looked at me.

"You really are your father's daughter! Lucifer said that many a time." John said.

Michael said, "You first will need to learn how to use a sword. And you must promise us that if they suspect you that you leave immediately. Don't let them find you out who you are!"

I nodded.

Damien said, "First you need to return to bed and recover from that fall. You can't go there injured."

I nodded and stood. Damien caught me before I fell as I was still a bit weak from pain. He helped me back into bed where I feel asleep in seconds. I spent the next few weeks in bed resting I knew that the council were just hoping that I would forget about the plan but I wasn't going to give up that easy. I had begged Michael to let me learn how to use a sword but he kept on saying I wasn't ready.

One day I told him that he was to teach me and that was the end of it. He told me to be in the training room at day break. I was up early and had a look around. It was a well built room filled with swords and weapons of all descriptions. I waited for Michael.

He got in at day break. Seeing me waiting, he said, "Ah! You're early, your highness."

"Yes, I wanted to get here early so we can get started as soon as possible."

"Very well, pick a sword and we will start."

I looked around and saw a sword I liked the look of. It was thin but sharp looking with a wolf at the hilt. It was light and I could wield it with ease.

I faced Michael and he looked at the sword. "Why did you pick that one?" he asked.

"I don't know. I was drawn to it." I said.

"It was your mother's, not that she ever used it. She wasn't one for fighting really." Michael said.

"Let's start!" I said.

"Okay, I'm going to come at you and you try and block me. I won't teach you much as servants shouldn't know much." he said.

When he went in for the lunge I stepped aside and tripped him over and he landed flat on his face.

Damien had joined us and burst out laughing. This angered Michael and he lunged at me again. Something told me what to do. I wasn't sure what it was but I trusted it. I slid my sword in his hilt and twisted. Michael yelled out in pain. I flicked his sword up in the air and caught it and held it to his throat.

"So do you think am defenceless?" I asked.

He shook his head. I gave him his sword.

"How did you do that?" he asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I really don't know. I just did it, why?"

"Because that is your father's signature move. No one but your father could do that." he said.

I was stunned. "When do you think it will be the right time to make our move?" I asked.

"We heard that our enemies will hold a ball in two days time. I think it will be the best time as there will be more people about." Damien said.

"How come there's a ball?" I asked.

"They're celebrating the princess taking over from her father after he was killed." Michael said.

"We'll aim for then. Damien will you inform the council what is happing?" I said.

He nodded and left.

Michael said, "I still think you should reconsider this. If they find out who you are they will certainly kill you!"

"I will be leaving in two days no matter what you say." I said.

I went to my room. The next few days consisted of sword training all day and evening. The night of the ball had come. The ball, at the enemy's castle would be starting at about eight, so we would need to get there about nine to make sure that everyone was there.

Michael came to my room at seven with servants clothes. "Are you sure you want to do this? You can still back out. No one will blame you!" he said.

I turned to look at him. "They have destroyed my family and my clan do you honestly think I am just going to sit on my ass and do nothing? I need to try and free my father. If I don't try, I will shame him and the rest of my clan. I'm going through with this and I will free him!"

I took the clothes from him. They we're simple and black. I tied my hair back and followed Michael to the horses. I mounted on the back of Michael's horse and we sped off to the light raiders grounds. It took us about an hour to get there. We waited until we thought everyone was there.

We spotted two people walking alone.

I told Michael, "Here's what you're going to do. On the count of three you will chase me. Under no circumstances will you help me! You must act like I'm one of them even if it means pulling a knife on me; you must treat me like one of them okay?" I said

"I don't like this but I will do what you say your highness."

"Okay, one, two, three go!" I said as I ran screaming toward the two people we had seen walking.