The New Terra Sagas

Chapter 2: Requiem to the King

Katreena sat on the edge of her bed. It was still early morning, and the soft light of the first sun filled the room as it reflected off the specks of quartz in the polished stone walls. The large and spacious bedchamber was a perfect room, fit for royalty; from the tapestries on the wall to the king size canopy bed and gold encrusted furniture. Yet none of it brought her any comfort. It had been a little over a month since both her father and her husband were killed in a flash flood during a hunting trip.

George had been a good husband, kind, gentle and respectful to her at all times. Like in many arranged marriages, love was not a requirement for the coupling, and it was something that seldom came to be; however, she had developed a close bond of friendship with her husband. She knew from the beginning that love would never be a part of their relationship. His heart had belonged to another; a girl he had known since childhood from the Northstone kingdom. She even went along with the pretense of his diplomatic trips back to Northstone to visit his real love. Despite that, he was a good man and would have made a good king. Katreena felt guilty that she didn't miss him more.

Katreena's father, King Timothy, was the one that she truly mourned. The "People's King" is how most referred to his memory. He ruled with a fair hand and led his people out of a dark time, to a period of their most celebrated prosperity; but that wasn't how she thought of him. To her, he was the strongest and kindest man in the world, a loving husband to her mother and a loving father to her. In a life of duty and high expectations, it was a joy to have someone in her life that saw her as just Katreena and not the Princess with the people's future riding on her ability to continue the royal bloodline. Timothy was the only one who dared do so since her mother had passed when Katreena was still a girl.

For weeks Katreena sequestered herself in her room doing nothing more than dwelling on her past and wallowing in her grief. Thinking back to her childhood brought a smile to her face for a brief moment, as all of the memories of her mother were fond ones. When she was little, her mother was a nurse, teacher, and best friend. She doted on her daughter so much that Katreena barely even realized that they had servants until she was five. From cooking meals, bathing, dressing, playing games, to teaching all the lessons, her mother did everything for her. So much so, that Katreena thought a Queen's job was to do nothing but take care of little princesses. Then, when she was nine, tragedy struck. Her mother became ill and soon fell into a sleep that became death. After that, the servants became her primary caregivers, as her father retreated into his duties. He felt the loss of his queen very deeply. Their marriage had been an obligation, but they had the great fortune of having fallen in love with each other.

The winter of the Queen's death had been the coldest in memory. Many of their subjects suffered, and the King spent each and every day finding ways to help his people. That was everyone except for his daughter. To look at her was to see the face of his wife, and he could not afford to be reminded of his pain. Not when his kingdom was battling the darkness and the cold of a never-ending winter.

But winter did end and spring came back with a vengeance. The grass crawled out of the ground and seemed to suck up the snow. In just a few days, the evidence of the hard winter was difficult to see. One of the first true signs of spring was the blooming of the Zappia trees. They filled the valley from one end to the other, and when they bloomed, it filled the air with such a sweet aroma one's mouth would water. It was on that first day that the king canceled all of his meetings, dressed in his most common clothes, packed a lunch, and took his daughter for a ride on their Kanis-steeds. Katreena's steed, Juniper, was still a bit of a pup and had a hard time keeping up with Popple, the older Kanis-steed that the king rode.

Popple had two years on Juniper and already had her full antlers. She was as large as a Clydesdale, but her body looked more like a deer, a noble stern face of a wolf, her mane was gray with streaks of black, and she had a long tale like a lioness. Juniper was a smaller and younger version of the same animal, but distinctly different. Juniper was black with brown spots. He also had a face of a wolf, but with gentle eyes that Katreena couldn't help but fall in love with the moment, she looked into them. The late-blooming of his antlers and his unique fluffy tail enhanced his puppy-like spirit that he never grew out of. That was why Katreena was never bothered by Juniper's tongue which would often protrude out of the side of its mouth as he always over-exerted himself trying to keep up with Popple.

When Juniper was born, he was a bit of a runt, and the stable keeper didn't think he would survive the year. They considered putting him down to spare his suffering, but Popple somehow knew to protect Juniper. She would lie next to him for days and would not let anyone come near him unless they had food, water or a brush. After a few weeks, Juniper was on his feet. Popple stayed by his side encouraging him to run and play. When King Timothy learned of their story, he asked to buy both animals with a promise that they would never be separated. He gave Juniper to Katreena for her eighth birthday, and she agreed to never ride Juniper anywhere without Popple and her father by their side.

The ride with her father took over three hours, but Katreena didn't care. The air was warm and sweet, and she was alone with her father for the first time since her mother had died. As they rode, King Timothy decided to share with Katreena how he had first met her mother.

"You have been told the official account," he started, "of how your mother had been introduced to me at our introduction dinner arranged by my father and hers, but that was not exactly true."

"That didn't happen?" she asked as she patted Juniper to get him to catch up to her father's side.

"Oh it happened, just as it was told, but it wasn't the first time I met her."

Katreena loved her father's stories as they were the rare occasions that he smiled and spoke with passion. "Do tell father."

With a big grin showing all the wrinkles around his eyes he said, "The spring before I was to meet my bride I decided to discover the world for myself. One day I told my father I was going on a hunt and headed out to the other Kingdoms dressed as a commoner. It was wonderful. I ate what I caught, slept under the moons and drank with men of the land. Then one day when I was in the marketplace of the Red Stone kingdom I saw this servant girl tending the royal garden. She was so beautiful, and her voice, the voice of an angel, echoed all around as she sang to the flowers. I know that sounds silly, but I could listen to her until the end of days. Eventually, her duties in the garden came to an end, she disappeared back into the castle, and I hadn't even learned her name. Upon returning home, I could not get her face or song out of my mind. The following week I made my way back and stood on the other side of the garden wall waiting to see her again. Eventually, she did come out, and I listened as she sang, and her song captured my heart for evermore. Yet she vanished again before I learned her name."

Katreena laughed as it was funny to hear her father, the noblest man in the kingdom, describe himself as a lovesick fool.

He laughed with her and then continued. "On my third trip, I finally worked up the courage to approach her. Well, that is not entirely true. She saw me watching her and told me to either come in and help her pick the vegetables or go away. So I did as she commanded. I spent the rest of the afternoon helping her in the garden. And that was how it was for weeks. I would travel to Red Stone and meet her in the garden to help her do her chores."

The two of them came to a clearing with a stream and a big willow tree. They climbed off their animals and sat under a large shade tree while he continued the story. "Weeks turned into months, and the journey to her land was becoming harder as the snow grew deeper. Yet I was not going to let anything stop me from seeing her. She had become my entire purpose for being, and my only real enemy had become time. The day was coming that I would be betrothed to another and I dreaded its approach. I could only think of one thing I could do. Prepared to abdicate my claim to the throne I went to her, presented her the Jewel of Anara and asked her to run away with me. It was the first time she had ever been at a loss for words and the first time she broke my heart. She told me that I could not give up the crown for her and I should love my people first and always before I gave my heart to just one. I protested of course. But then she kissed me and told me that she would see me again, but I would never see her as she was, but rather in the light of a new flame." he chuckled. "She loved to confuse me like that. Well, I returned home and told my father I was ready to accept my duties. Two weeks later we traveled to Red Stone where I was to be presented to the princess I was arranged to marry. When your mother came into the room and sat at the table, I didn't know what to say. The simple servant girl whom I had fallen in love with was presented to me as Princess Philissa. I had never seen her dressed as a princess, and never before had I seen how beautiful she was in candlelight. The first words I finally uttered were to ask her to marry me."

"And she said "Yes," little Katreena added with a big grin believing she guessed the rest of the story.

"She said "No," the King corrected with a smile. "She said that she could not marry any man unless she knew he could properly dance. Obeying her wishes, I led her to the middle of the room, and with her parent's approval, we danced. When the music ended, she turned to the other guests and announced our engagement."

"Did she have a beautiful wedding dress?" Katreena asked, wanting so much to hear her father speak of fond memories.

"Oh, it was the most wonderful of dresses. White with gold birds embroidered all over it. Not that I remember that much of it. I know it more from when you were born. Your mother pulled it out to inspect it when you were just a few days old because she wanted to make sure it was perfect for your future wedding day. What I remember from our wedding day were her eyes. From the moment she walked into the church, and her eyes met mine, well our gaze did not separate until our first slumber together that night."

"Then you had me?"

"Then we had you, and we were very happy."

"I miss her," Katreena said in a soft and sad voice.

"I do too," Timothy said. Then he handed her some food, and the two of them ate without speaking for a while. Both watched the tree mice jump around the branches and listened to the songs of the birds celebrating the new spring.

Timothy got serious as he made a decision. "I think you should know how your mother died."

"She got sick," Katreena said, trying to show her father that she was old enough to understand.

"You know your mother was a healer; the best anyone had ever known. She was also one of the few who had mastered the Stone of Boto. With it, she could heal anyone of any injury or illness. But whenever a healer uses the stone, there is a cost. It takes their energy and gives back the injured person's pain. Your mother was a strong person and could endure almost any pain. But this last winter was the harshest we had ever known. So many people got sick, she could not help them all. Yet she tried. She could not turn a blind eye to anyone's pain, no matter how much it took from her. Then the illness that she was working so hard to cure everyone of infected her. She was so weak she could not endure it. Now little one, there are three things I need you to know and understand truly. First, your mother was always prepared to give her life to save another. Second, you do have the same gift for healing that your mother did, but you are far too little to have ever been able to save her. Third, know that I will be your father first before anything else and I will always be here for you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Father."

"Now there is something I want to show you." King Timothy took his daughter's hand and led her to a cave opening covered by long grass and tree vines. The cave was dark, but after a few steps, a light could be seen coming from the other end. As they made their way through, Katreena held her father's hand with both of hers. When they emerged, they were in a small valley inside an extinct volcano crater. It was surrounded on all sides by sheer cliffs and filled with grass, trees, flowers and a stream running through the middle. Katreena gasped at the beauty. In her wildest dreams, she could never imagine such a perfect place. A footpath started at the cave opening and led to a small one-room cottage.

"Your Great Grandfather found this place nearly a hundred years ago. He kept it a secret and built the cottage as a getaway for himself and your Great Grandmother."

"Queen Adaera?"

"That's right. You see to serve our people is the greatest honor anyone can have, and they reward us with everything a person could ever wish to have. But what we cannot have is a simple, real life; lives where we can just be people, to farm, cook, make our own clothes and cut down a tree for firewood. Here we can do that, at least for a little while. Now, this is a secret, and I trust you to keep it because if anyone should learn about this place, we would never be able to come here in secret again. When the whole world can find you, your life is no longer your own."

"I promise Father," she said with a proper tone that she was still trying to perfect.

"That's my good girl," he said with a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Katreena's mind wandered through the memories of her and her Father's annual trips to the secret cottage that they took on the first day of the Zappia blooms each and every year. Each trip would only last a few days, but they made the most of them, fishing, picking fruit and berries, mending the cottage and talking about family, life, books and other things that don't typically come up in polite conversation. Her mind settled on a day when she was fourteen. It was a warm and perfect spring day. Her father was cutting wood, and she was in the field picking berries. Suddenly she heard her father scream out in pain. The axe head had broken off the handle and cut his leg open. She rushed to him, quickly ripping a strip of cloth from the bottom of her dress and wrapping the wound to stop the bleeding.

"I am such a fool." King Timothy said, gritting his teeth in pain. "I should have looked over the axe before using it."

"Quiet Father. I need to concentrate." She then pulled a healing stone out of a pocket in her dress and held it in both hands over the wound. The stone glowed as bright as the sun for a moment, and then Katreena fell to the ground nearly passing out.

Timothy, his leg healed and the pain gone, quickly sat up and scooped his daughter up in his arms. "Katreena! Katreena!"

"I'll be all right Father," she said, in a weak voice.

"When did you learn how to use the healing stone?"

"Aunt Alison has been teaching me, but that has never happened before," she said as she tried to sit up on her own.

"You have to do it in small amounts, so it doesn't take too much from you. If you are not careful it can kill you," Timothy said as he helped Katreena to her feet. "Aside from that you did very well," he said as he removed the bandage. "There isn't even a scar. Your Mother would be very proud of you."

"Do you think I will be as good as her?"

"Yes," Timothy answered, as he collected the firewood that he had already cut and started to head back towards the cottage as he could not cut anymore with a broken axe. "Not only do you have the gift, but you also have the same selfless love for life that she had. It is that instinct to help others without pause that made her the greatest healer we have ever known." He noticed an expression of concern on her face. "What is the matter?"

"It scares me sometimes, the responsibility. What if the healing power is not enough to help someone? What if I am not strong enough when I need to be or become too afraid to do what needs to be done?"

He gestured to walk towards the cottage as they continued their conversation. "I have those same doubts about my responsibilities every day of my life. What if I levy a tax that is too much for our people and they suffer? Or a tax that is too little and we do not have enough of the gold we need to buy the stone from a neighboring kingdom to finish the new dam before the winter thaw? When you ask yourself those kinds of questions, it means that you are paying attention to the things that are important and will be ready for whatever happens."

Katreena smiled. Her father always knew what to say. "I think we have enough wood for a fire. How does flickfish and potatoes sound for supper?"

"Wonderful. When did you learn to make that?"

"I did not. It's your turn to cook," Katreena said with a playful giggle.

"What? Well, in that case, it will be potato and berry stew."

"Again Father?" she said in a playfully disappointed way, knowing that was what he would say.

"Well, it is all I know how to cook."

"I know, I know, me too."

"One of these days one of us should really learn how to cook. Although, I do remember your mother once making a meal out of nuts, Groch fruit, and Stem berries."

"Are you willing to climb up the west face to collect the Stem berries?" she asked knowing he hated the twenty-foot rock climb to pick the only bush in the valley.

He thought about it for a moment and then blurted out "Yes."

"Then we will make that."

He looked up at the cliff face and said, "My leg is still a little stiff, maybe I should wait until tomorrow."

"If you think that best Your Highness," she said in a playful, mocking way that only she could get away with and only when they were alone on their retreats.

Thinking back on those days gave her a mix of comfort and sadness. She was grateful for the time that she had with her father, but thinking of him only made her miss him that much more.

A breeze rattled Katreena's window waking her from her memories. She crossed to the window and opened it to let in the morning air. The Zappa trees were in bloom. It was that time once again. Even after she married George, she would take the annual trip with just her father, but not that year. She found herself feeling alone, and her instinct was to close the windows and herself to the world. Something about the aroma of new life reminded her of how her father chose the first day of spring to stop mourning her mother's death and celebrate her life. A brief spark of inspiration filled her heart, and she decided to take the trip herself to honor her father's memory. With the decision made, she changed out of her former day attire and into a simpler plain wool dress that was more appropriate to ride through the woods. As she opened her bedroom door, her Aunt Alison was there, waiting for her with a bag in her hand.

"Oh, good morning, Your Highness," Katreena said. Their greeting had become quite formal since her aunt and uncle had been crowned King and Queen. That had been Katreena's choice. With her husband gone, as well as having no children, she felt she could not accept the duties as both the queen and a healer. The truth was more than that. She wasn't prepared to step into her father's shoes. Becoming the leader of an entire kingdom was the role her husband had been preparing for since before their union. She had been educated well enough. For generations, women had no longer been sheltered from the knowledge of economics, labor, mathematics or anything else once considered a man's responsibility. As a scholar, Katreena had been quite exceptional. So much so that from time to time her father would seek out her opinion on a number of topics. Yet there was much more to being a monarch of the land. She dreaded the thought of having all the people trust that she would make all of the right decisions, which would affect all of their lives, each and every day. If given no choice she would have assumed the crown. Her father's younger brother, however, was more than capable, even though he never coveted the throne. Up until King Timothy's death, Waldron had been Minister of the Treasury and Stores. His wife, Alison, was the chief healer in the land. While her royal bloodline permitted her to be called "Princess," she never took the title. The throne had more duty attached to it than power. Their lives were more than complete without the highest titles. They also loved Katreena as if she were their own daughter. When she asked them to take the crown, they understood why and did so to serve their people.

"You're running late this morning my dear," Queen Alison said with a coy smile as she stepped into the room, carrying a bundle.

"I'm sorry I missed the morning meal, Your Majesty," Katreena said as she tilted her head down, "I didn't feel much like eating this morning." Her head was down, but she kept eye contact with the Queen. That was the proper way to compose one's self when being addressed by the Queen.

Katreena stood as still as she could and hoped that the Queen would not question her on her attire. Her aunt was the wisest woman she had ever known. She would not be unaware of the garment only worn for taking a ride away from the kingdom, but Katreena's wish was that the Queen would not choose to acknowledge it.

"I understand," Queen Alison said, "I just wanted to make sure you were feeling well."

"I am well. Thank you for asking."

The Queen smiled and took a quick glance out the open window. "It's a beautiful day out."

"Yes. I know."

The Queen took in a deep breath to celebrate the pleasant aroma. "The Zappa trees are in bloom."

"Yes," Katreena said with a polite smile, assuming that the blooming of the Zappa trees meant something different to her aunt then it did to her.

"I had a food pouch packed for your trip," the Queen said putting it on the bed.

"My trip?" Katreena asked pretending she wasn't planning any such thing.

"The trees are in bloom. You always take a trip into the woods when they do. God only knows where you two went off to, but you always came back happy. I was hoping you were planning to continue the tradition rather than spend another day alone in here."

Katreena smiled. "Sometimes I think you know me better then I know myself. I only decided to go a few moments ago."

"I am glad. Do you mind if I ask where you two went off to every year? Was it the same place he took your mother?"

Katreena chose her words carefully. The family knew that there was a secret place kept by Philissa's family for generations, but King Timothy only shared the location with Katreena. "Yes," she said, "it is the same place, a special place where we could talk and be just a father and daughter without any royal duties and responsibilities."

She looked directly into the Queen's eyes in the hope she would be her aunt instead of the queen for a moment. "Please understand," she implored, "I promised to keep the location a secret and wish to do so out of respect for his memory."

"Of course," the Queen said with a smile and a gentle stroke of her hand on Katreena's face.

"The chef packed enough for a week, but please don't stay away too long. I will miss you."

"I won't." Katreena said, "I promise." She hugged her aunt and headed out to the stable to saddle up Juniper.