Abigail

Abigail squirmed in her seat. The sun was streaming through the window and the morning held promise. She quickly finished her porridge and ran to go outside before her aunt could come downstairs and protest. Quietly she slipped out of the front door. Hiking up her skirts, she ran past the golden fields, breathing in the scent of the blossoming flowers of spring. As she ran down the dusty road, Abby noticed the absence of the noisy chatter of the market�s usual crowd. In fact, Abigail had never seen the road as deserted as it stood today. Only two idling old towns people wandered through the street. They were friends of Aunt Vienna�s she was sure. They turned to look at her. Her shiny auburn hair was down and disheveled, and her green eyes danced in their sockets. Her mouth was set in a permanent pout. She was a lanky youth, but a little skinny for her height. And anyone could tell she had a playful soul.

�Say, girl� said the old man. She looked towards him.

�Yes?�

�Have you heard the news?� he asked her.

News? What news? Abby hadn�t heard any news. She looked pondering at the man, who discreetly hid a frown.

�Ye should be in mourning, for hi� Majesty�

�His Majesty?�

�Aye, he has passed away during the night. Can�t you see this market�s empty? The whole town�s been stricken� with sadness. His Majesty was a king of the good sorts. Don�t get many of those. You know, I remember��

�I�m sorry, sir. However, I�ve got chores back home. Really must be tending to them,� she said, shrugging an apology. She watched the man and woman turn away and begin to walk down the street. Abigail had no chores at home. She had finished them before dawn. She hadn�t wanted to waste a single moment of the day doing silly chores. Now, Abigail was glad she hadn�t. She would ask Aunt Vienna if she could visit Kayla. Kayla worked at the palace and always knew of the happenings there. She was also one of Abby only friends in Tortall.

How could their beloved king be dead? He had helped when drought struck two years back, and not one war had broken out under his reign. She knew that the Queen had bore a son, but she had died birthing him. He was only twelve now. Surely to young to be named king! Imagine a king at twelve! What sorrow he must be feeling for his father. His cousin, Duke Leigh, would probably rule for the boy until he earned knighthood. Duke Leigh was notorious for being the exact opposite of our handsome and kind and now dead king. She sighed, she didn�t know of a person more kind than his Majesty. Weekly, you could see the king riding through the village common. One could see him talking with the market-dwellers, inquiring on their home and work life, as if they were old friends.

Suddenly, Abigail reminded herself of her Aunt Vienna. Surely she would disapprove of her going out to the village in a time of mourning for their king. Turning sharply, Abigail ran back home, but stopping at the front of the house to gain her composure. Trying greatly to open the door so it wouldn�t squeak, Abigail stepped inside, only to see her aunt looming in the open doorway.

Aunt Vienna was the village�s midwife. She was always aiding medical help to her fellow villagers. Her shelves contained more herbs and spices and remedies than one could think up. She was a short lady. Plump with rosy cheeks. However, her eyes were just as stern as her ways. Looking her expression over, Abby could tell she was in for trouble.

�Abigail, where have you been? The blacksmith�s wife has gone into labor and I thought I�d ask you to assist me. When I go upstairs to seek your aid. I see an empty bed! I was worried sick! At least, next time you want to go frolicking have the decency to tell me where you are going before you run off like that!�

�Aunt Vienna, I�m sorry! I finished my chores and simply wanted to take a stroll through the market! But, I found it deserted! Did you know the king has died? I�m truly sorry, Aunt Vienna.�

Aunt Vienna stood, open mouthed, gaping at her 12-year-old niece. Abby nearly laugh out loud at the sight before her. Her aunt look extremely hilarious standing in front of her and gawking at her like a 2-year-old.

�The-the king has-has died?� she croaked out. Abby nodded, wordlessly. Silence, like a heavy cloak of fog, fell between them.

�May I go to the palace, to see Kayla?� questioned Abby breaking the silence.

�Yes, as long as you gather some herbs for me before you go. I should be getting to the blacksmith�s shop to help with the little babe�s birthing.�

Abby ran to her bedroom to gather a basket and then she hastily went out the door and started to walk towards the stream, where herbs of all kinds grew. She knew she would find the specific herb that she needed there. Aunt Vienna had trained her to identify all herbs of all sorts. She knew where they were found, how to grow them, and what illness the cured.

Abby was relieved to find that the market had livened since her last visit. Few merchants had begun to sell their wares. While villagers had begun to stream in, Abby began to stroll off the road down a side path that led to a babbling brook.

This was one of Abby�s favorite places. It was quite, calm, and serene. Birch trees towered around the stream as it cascaded down green rocks. Around the bases of the tree was the herb that Abby was looking for. Off in the distance, one could see the palace standing immensely in the distance. Standing akimbo Abby gazed at the ornate palace with wide eyes. It looked beautiful, even far away. Abby stooped down to gather some herbs, but the sounds of a person skipping rocks across the surface of the brook sparked her curiosity. Like a cat she quietly walked through the birches. A tall boy, around the same age as Abby, stooped picking up rocks. He donned a light shirt and a pair of brown breeches. His blonde hair was combed neatly and his dark brown eyes were disciplined, but one could see a hint of playfulness in them. Realizing that Abby had entered the vicinity he stood up. He looked at her. She was extremely pretty, he noted with a sigh.

�Hello,� he said quietly.

�Hello,� Abby replied.

She stood there a while looking at him and he stood looking at her. This boy seemed friendly enough, and heaven knows I could use more friends in this dull old town, though Abby. She decided that she would try to become this boy�s friend. I wonder what his name is.

�My name is Abigail, you can call me Abby. What�s yours?� she asked cautiously.

�Tam,� he replied solemnly.

What a truly odd name, thought Abby. It has character, though. Why had she never seen this boy in the village before? Maybe he was visiting relatives or friends, she wondered. A stir of hoof-beats suddenly interrupted her thoughts. Turning her back to her companion she looked up the path to see a league of Royal guards accompanied a man. Even a near blind man could tell whom it was the Royal guards accompanied. This man was so ugly that if anyone saw him they could tell who he was. Duke Leigh was famous for his hideous looks and his spiteful temper. He glared down at Abby�s acquaintance. Now why would he be meddling in the lives of us town folk, thought Abby.

Before she could forget, she hurriedly curtsied as the Duke urged his horse towards Tam. He ignored her, as she thought he would. But she could not even begin to think why the Duke was interested in Tam. He hadn�t bowed to show respect to his betters, so she nudged him. The Duke turned and glared at her.

�Girl, do you not know you are in the presence of Prince Tamieren? Don�t you stand there staring at me show some respect. And you boy, what are you doing associating with this- this village scum.� said the Duke with a sneer.

Abby felt as if she was about to faint. This boy was the Prince? And what was this? The Duke had called her village scum. She was not scum. She was a living, breathing human, just like the Duke himself! She scowled at the Duke, as he frowned at his young nephew.

�Your mount will be brought by the a palace guard, I will ride back to the Palace, while you wait for your horse, think over your despicable behavior, running off like that,� the Duke scornfully told Tamerien. He stood looking at the Duke with hard eyes.

�My behavior, my lord, was perfectly acceptable, considering your was far more humiliating. This young lady will be one of your loyal subjects! How do you think you will look in the eyes of your own realm�s people by acting like a- like a- cruel and uncaring pig!� Prince Tamerien�s words had finally settled in on the Duke. He chortled. Abby was scared of what she saw in his eyes. He was power hungry, and it was plain as the nose on her face. He would stop at nothing to gain all the power, riches, and titles that he could get. She shuddered to think of the lengths he would go too to get all these things.

The Duke turned his mare away from the boy. The Prince himself turned his back towards the duke and walk calmly to he brooks edge and squatted to look in the water. She could hear the Royal Men and the Duke as the drudged up the road. Once she could no longer hear them she went over to the prince.

�I�m sorry for my rude behavior, sire. I hadn�t known you for the prince. It was horrible of me not to-� she said, but the prince cut her short.

�Mademoiselle, it was truly not your fault. I give you my humblest apologies for Duke Leigh�s atrocious behavior. Do not take to heart what he said. He is, well�� he stopped, and blushed. �I�m sorry I didn�t tell you I was the prince before. I�ve never had a person treat me like a real person, like you did. I�ve never had any true friends,� mumbled the Prince. Abby was astonished. How could the prince not have friends?

�What of the other pages in the palace?� questioned Abby.

�Oh, they�re kind and they treat me with respect, but it�s easy to see that they worry when they are around me. They seem to think that if they don�t behavior properly with me that I could have their heads chopped off� he smiled and added, �I would never do that off course!�

Abby grinned; maybe this prince would be a great ruler just like his father. However, the Duke she knew would go down in history as one of the kings that all of his subjects would hate. She dreaded the day that Duke Leigh would be named king of Tortall.

After Abby gathered all her herbs, the palace guard came with Prince Tamieren�s mare, and he bid her farewell, but not before he said, �I hope to see you again, fair lady�. She had blushed ferociously. The prince wanted to see her again! That was all she could think about as she trotted home to deliver the herbs to Aunt Vienna. Abby had hoped to leave to see Kayla before the sun had reached it�s peak in the sky. However, now she knew that wouldn�t be possible, for the sun was already high in the sky. Her aunt was in the fields when Abby returned home. Abby went inside and hung the herbs by some string and tied it to the rack where all the herbs hung. Aunt Vienna�s house always smelled beautiful and fresh. Abby never tired of the unique smell of the intertwining fragrance of spices and aromatic plants.

Abby left the house with a light shawl she had knitted herself with the yarn Aunt Vienna had gotten her for St. Joseph�s day. It was dyed blue with dark and light stands wounds together. Abby loved this shawl. It was warm, but light. Abby was extremely good with knitting.

Abby began to make her way up to the palace. All she could see were the Prince�s beautiful brown eyes. Maybe Kayla would take me out to the tilting field to watch the pages practice, thought Abby. Then maybe Abby could see Tam. Abby sighed, and then brought herself back to reality. Tam was the Prince. He was obliviously just being kind when he said he hoped to see her again. Besides she was village scum.

Just as her legs were getting tired, Abby saw the palace towering right ahead of her. Instead of going up to the palace, Abby turned left and traveled a well-beaten path to a small barn. Kayla worked in the stables. She took care of the horses and looked after the up-keep of the palace�s stables. Kayla was good with animals. She had The Gift, one of the very few servants in the Royal Palace that could make such a claim.

The Gift was something few people if Abby�s village had. Many people with The Gift went to the university to further their studies, but Kayla hadn�t been able to afford the expenses of the school and the living. She could conjure flames and balls of glowing light. However, powerful mages in the Palace could make the castle hover above the ground or set the whole forest on fire. Abby knew Kayla wished she could one day be a mage, but Abby also knew that Kayla had 4 brothers and 2 sister waiting at home. Kayla�s mother had died when raiders had entered their village. Kayla was the oldest girl and she was expected to act like the mother

Abby walked into the stables only to see Kayla brushing a white gelding�s mane.

�Hullo, Abby,� said Kayla. How�d she know it was me, though Abby? She must have developed a new skill with her magic, thought Abby.

"Kayla, you won�t believe�� began Abby.

�You met the Prince, and you came to ask me if I could show you to the tilting field so you could observe the page training, right?� said Kayla. Abby stood staring at her friend in disbelief. Kayla stopped grooming and smiled.

�I visited Yullon, and he taught me a few tricks. I can see into the future now, can you believe it? I took me the past month to even get it remotely close to how far Yullon can see into the future,� said Kayla. Yullon was another villager in Abby�s village that had The Gift. He was a healer. Aunt Vienna wasn�t fond of Yullon. Abby didn�t really know why, except that maybe she didn�t like that Yullon used healing magic unlike Aunt Vienna who had no magic when she was healing.

Kayla finished grooming the horse and then led Abby to a field right outside the palace. Abby was so eager to see the Prince, she was surprised to notice that around the fence many palace servants had already gathered. They were all clapping. Abby stepped forward to investigate. Inside the field stood the Prince and a tall youth who was about a year older than the Prince.

Looking questioningly at Kayla, Abby asked, �Who�s the older boy?�

�That is Kylian of Moonlin, handsome ain�t he?� said Kayla. Abby nodded dumbly. She suddenly noticed the Prince as he waved to her now from a top his horse. Abby waved back, trying to avoid all the amazed servants eyes. Kayla looked questioning at Abby.

�I knew you were coming to see me to ask to see the Prince, I just can�t believe that you are friends,� said Kayla. Abby re-told the story of what happened by the brook to Kayla.

Kayla sighed, and turned to look at the tilting field. Turning to he r left she whispered to another servant, who in turn whisper back. Kayla turned to her friend.

�It seems the Prince has challenged Kylian to a joust. This shall be interesting. Kylian has gained himself a bad reputation. He abuses his horse. I hope the Prince whoops him,� said Kayla giddily.

Abby watched as Kylian positioned his horse and stared at the Prince with hard eyes. Suddenly, Kylian urged his horse into a charge. The Prince was caught off guard and his golden mare took off in a blur. Abby looked away, all of a sudden she heard the crack of metal and the gasp of the surrounding audience. Before she could ask what had happened, the crowd had gone into a craze.

�Abby, did you see? Kylian just- he just smashed his lance at the Prince�s horse and it reared and the Prince flew of the saddle and landed on the ground,� said Kayla hurriedly.

�Mithros, Is- is he alright?� questioned Abby.

Kayla looked at Abby. �Abby, I don�t think he�s moving.�

Abby ducked under the fence surrounding the tilting field. She ran toward the crowd that had gathered around the limp body of the Prince. His head was bloody and his breathing was slow and struggled. The crowd didn�t part when Abby came to look at the Prince, so she had to push the other servants out of the way. The Prince was her friend, and she couldn�t believe that anyone would want to hurt him, like Kylian did. The palace healers came at a run from the palace and began their work. Abby backed away.

Turning around, Abby realized that Kylian wasn�t on the tilting field anymore. Grabbing Kayla�s wrist she whispered hastily, �Where�s the pages wing?�

�C�mon follow me,� whispered Kayla. Quickly, Kayla led Abby to a wing with many rooms on either side. Abby searched the hallway. Next to each room was a piece of slate, on each Abby saw the name of the page residing in each room. Three doors from the right Abby noticed the door to Kylian�s room. Motioning for Kayla to be quiet, Abby silently walk towards the door, resting her ear on it Abby could hear two people conversing inside Kylian�s room.

�Yes, he�s not moving, the palace healers say that he�s badly injured with at least a broken arm and a badly bruised skull,� said the gruff voice

�Good, the Prince shouldn�t be able to gain his strength back. Then we shall,� said a younger voice. A laugh escaped the lips of the older man. Abby couldn�t bear to hear anything else. She turned and began to walk down the hall. She needed to see the people that were in that were that room, it was crucial. They wanted to hurt Tam.

The only place that Abby could see the door to Kylian�s room and be safely out of view was from the niche in the corner of the hallway. Abby hid out in the niche, waiting for the door of the room to open. Kayla walked back to the stables saying she must get back to work. Abby was left alone, waiting and waiting.

Finally, the door opened and out step the handsome Kylian, which didn�t surprise Abby. The sound of voices coming from the other end of the hallway drifted to Abby�s ears. She knew that if she didn�t move the men at the opposite end of the hallway would be able to see here. She turned the corner of the hallway just as the second man stepped out of Kylian�s room. Abby was to late to see who it was and walking all the way home Abby cursed herself for not seeing the man who had laughed at the thought of the Prince being hurt.

Dusk came early that night. The sky was a pallet of purples and blues. Abby needed sometime to think. After dinner, Abby left the cottage and headed for the brook.

When she got there, it was almost dark, but she could see a shadowy figure was also at the brook. Abby knew who it was the moment she came in sight of the form. She didn�t want to startle the person, so she began to walk toward the brook noisily so the person would notice her. The boy turned around.

�Tam, that�s you, is it not?� questioned Abby.

�Yes,� said Tam.

�Oh my, how could you heal so fast! I heard that you had a broken leg and a broken nose. Are you sure you�re alright? I saw the accident. I was so worried,� whispered Abby. Tam didn�t answer. A saddened look crossed his face. She could tell he was extremely tired. His mare was tied to a nearby birch tree and it whinnied to his master.

�I have to get back to the Palace,� said Tam. He turned away, but Abby grabbed his hand.

�Tam, I saw Kylian. He was in his room talking with another man. They wanted to get you hurt. They�� whispered Abby.

�I know, Abby. I can�t tell you anything now. I�� he stopped. �I feel weak,� he blushed and Abby could see a shamed look on his face even in the blackness. �The healing drained me, I�m tired and I can�t think straight.�

�Are you going to make it to the palace alright?� questioned Abby. The Prince nodded.

�Can you meet me, tomorrow, at around this time, at the palace gardens? I have to show you something,� said Tam. Abby thought. Aunt Vienna usually didn�t let her out of the house after it was dark. The only reason she let her out tonight because Abby was supposed to go check up on the blacksmith�s wife. She had to do that soon before Aunt Vienna began to worry. No matter what, Abby promised herself, I�m going to meet Tam.

�I can meet you, but what is it you have to show me?� asked Abby.

�I�ll tell you tomorrow,� whispered the Prince. �Right now, I have to get back to the palace, before a fall asleep standing up.�

Abby nodded and waved as the Prince mounted his golden mare and rode away into the night.

Abby awoke earlier than usual the next day. Knocking Aunt Vienna�s lazy cat off the end of her bed, Abby scrambled out of the blanket tangled around her legs. Hurriedly, she washed her face and put on her typical linen dress. Rushing to eat her same old porridge. Abby could hardly contain her glee. Aunt Vienna walked into the room. Quizzically, she looked over her young niece, wondering what was making her happy today. She always ate her porridge in silence, but today Abby was quietly humming to herself.

�Abby, what in the world could be making you happy? It�s raining out and we have more chores to do today than yesterday!� asked Aunt Vienna.

�Aunt Vienna, aren�t you ever just purely happy?� said Abby. Aunt Vienna said nothing and just sulked away.

Abby skipped out of the cottage and sung inaudibly to herself as she plucked the weeds out of Aunt Vienna�s garden. After she had finished Abby walked down to the market and looked through the merchant�s wares. After haggling with a few of the new merchants Abby, thoroughly pleased with herself, walked back to the cottage smiling inwardly. She was so absorbed in her thoughts she almost tripped over Yullon in front of the market stall.

�Sorry, mi lady. Oh it�s you Abby! Hello, how are you? How does thee aunt fare?� said Yullon smiling nervously. Abby smiled in return, but she didn�t know why Yulllon was acting uneasy.

�Aunt Vienna fares well. I�ll tell her you inquired, really must be going Yullon. Chores, you know?� mumbled Abby walking quickly away. She didn�t want to talk to anyone. The sun was setting and the market was flooded with the colors of the gleaming sun. Abby still needed to change for the Prince before nightfall.

Abby smiled at her reflection in the mirror. Her golden hair was tied back. Woven into the crown of braids were dull blue flowers that Abby had freshly picked. Her dress was brown, but around the bottom edge Abby had taken the last of her free hours to sew an intricate design of birds and flowers. Abby had never possessed anything so beautiful in her life.

Checking her appearance one last time Abby smoothed down the front of her dress. Aunt Vienna was in the kitchen. Abby could hear the crackling hearth and smell the boiling tea. Abby hadn�t a clue how she could get past Aunt Vienna. Thinking quickly, Abby called from her room, �Aunt Vienna, the blacksmith�s baby has been up crying all night! They wanted to know if you could please go over there to help with the little youngling.�

�Why didn�t you tell me before this? Ah, now I have to�Oh, never mind. Abby, finish with this tea and then make sure you sweep the floor,� cried Aunt Vienna. Abby smiled, her plan had worked like a charm. Waiting to hear the door close, Abby grabbed her shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders. Walking slowly outside, Abby was hit with a biting breeze. Strolling down the deserted market square, Abby couldn�t help wonder what lurked in the shadows on this overly forbidding night.

The palace gardens were haunting. Abby had seen them before during the day, but on this night even the brightest lilies and marigolds were a ghastly purple. Abby searched the line of trees for Tam, but she couldn�t see him. Suddenly, in back of her, Abby heard the rustling and snap of twigs. Pivoting to her left, Abby was faced to face with the smiling Prince.

�Abby, I can�t talk much. Father expects me in bed and if he found me to be outside�� whispered the Prince. �Now, don�t talk, I have something to show you. This may take a long time to explain. I don�t even know why I�m telling you this�� Abby placed a comforting hand on the Princes shoulder. �Okay, here goes,� he said. Pulling back his black cloak he withdrew a rock. It seemed to be normal. It fit comfortable in the palm of the Prince�s hand. Its dull gray color wasn�t polished or shining. Tam handed it over to Abby and she ran her fingers over the surface of the lackluster stone. On the opposite side, Abby saw that the stone had a message engraved in it. They were symbols and words that Abby had never seen before. Abby looked up into the eyes of Tam.

�What does it mean?� she whispered in awe.

�Adha und ��p sa�n-io� whispered the Prince.

�What? You can read that?� questioned Abby.

�Yes, I had a dream. Mithros came to me and placed a burning ember in my hand. When I awoke I clutched this stone and I knew exactly what it said. I don�t know why�or how�� said the Prince.

�Well, what exactly does it mean?�

�Adha und ��p sa�n-io� repeated the Prince. �The power in the truth.� He walked over to the stone, tossed it in the air and caught it in his left hand. �Abby, give me your hands please,� said the Prince gaily. Abby pushed her hands forward only to pull them back.

�What will happen?� she asked cautiously.

�I don�t know, I think, I think it will be magic.� Abby closed her eyes and placed her rough callused hands into the oiled, warm hands of the Prince. Suddenly, Abby�s body was flooded with warmth. Her eyes flew open. In front of her the stone was levitating about 3 feet in the air. A flash of light flew from the stone, abruptly Abby pulled her hand from the Prince�s tight grip. The gardens were once again cloaked in an eerie darkness.

�Tam?� Abby whispered her voice cracking unsurely.

�Yes,� he replied.

�Was that supposed to happen?� she asked cautiously.