Gadolor

A Golden Ring

Romni and Ascan sat together beside a fire, under an overcast sky as the year was growing old. Smoke blew through bare branches. Flame-colored leaves lay all around. Ascan, the fine-speaking traveler, had befriended Romni, the princess turned thief. Knowing him reminded her of home more than any memory of the castle. Could he ever guess who she really was? Did he know how much agony his kindness brought her? His was the only kindness left in her world, but it couldn’t possibly last. Sebastian didn’t love her anymore, and Mala had left. He’ll be leaving soon as well, she thought. He was staring at her, thinking hard, looking nearly as anxious as she felt.

“Romni. Romni,” he cut off and bit his lip. With a shock, she realized he was close to crying.

“Lady, I’m afraid I have deceived you. You said I don’t know you, but I think you’re the one who doesn’t know me.” There it is. Is he here to kill me after all? He shuffled toward her from his seat, resting on one knee, and showed her something. It was a heavy gold ring, set with a bright sapphire, bearing a three-tongued flame divided into four. Romni had seen that picture many times. It seemed long ago now. It was Astor’s coat of arms.

“Lady,” the man said, “My name is not Ascan. I am Andel, prince of Astor, and you are Entressa. We are far from home, you and I.”

What. . . Disbelief and horror battled in Romni’s mind as she stared at the sapphire. Ascan was Andel, the prince she had been betrothed to marry? What is this? Isn’t he dead? What the blazes is he doing in Lortosa? All Sebastian’s words about the prince crowded in. His sword—watch out for his sword. He’d be drawing it any moment. Romni knew she should run, but sat frozen in her seat.

He traveled from Astor just to kill me?

Ascan—no, Andel—was talking again. “Lady, your father sends his greetings. He misses you more than you can imagine.” Father. . . “When you left, our land was cast into sorrow. We defeated our enemy in war, and our two kingdoms were to become one, with you and I leading it. But then. . . Sombron conquering us could hardly have been worse. Suddenly our people are sure that they are doomed.”

She knew all this. She had heard the stories. Andel continued, “When I heard you’d eloped, my heart broke. But when I heard why, when I heard a foreigner seduced you, my anger burned hotter than my grief. I knew I had to bring you back.” She looked at him for the first time then, and a different flavor of terror came over her. This was surely Andel himself, the war hero, the savior of her kingdom, and something wild was raging behind his eyes.

“I couldn’t leave you to rot with this trickster, not you of all people. You are royalty, heir of the Lion’s line. And you’re my bride. I knew he would destroy you. I left Esthena soon after you, to find you, to bring you back.”

She sat in confusion. Everything she thought about the prince was tipping upside down, and it made her dizzy. “I thought you hated me,” she said at last.

“Hate you!” he laughed, “I hate you less than the sun that gives warmth, less than the food I eat. It’s Sebastian who hates you,” he pointed at her bandaged arm. “Have I hated you these days as we traveled together?”

“You were Ascan.”

“I am Andel. And I love you. I’ve come to bring you home. We can be married and rule the kingdoms together. All will be well again, and our joy will be full.” He was kneeling beside her, speaking softly and urgently. “Come home.”

She thought about home then, the castle at Esthen, the courts full of wise people, and the long tapestries that told stories of valor. The knights with their bright armor would come stamping in, their horses snorting, holding high the banner of a great king. The ladies stood wearing long, colorful dresses, all of them wise helpers to their lords. The crown that her father, King Austin, wore was above it all. He ruled the people justly, commanding the respect of many. He and Lorind the king, and Shea his queen were the noblest rulers that the world could know.

She was sitting there in the dirt with grime on her face, her hair in a great tangle, her arm bleeding, and a great weariness pressing into her heart. Romni—the thief, the liar, the one who used her smile to trick good people. It was she who had left two whole kingdoms to grieve, chasing an evil man, and now had drawn this noble prince into a dangerous land. She almost laughed at herself, so great was her shame. Andel had come to find the princess. But the princess is gone.

Turning away, she rested her gaze on the fire. “It’s too late for that. You’ve seen what I’ve become; I’m not pure anymore. I’m. . .different. Sorry you came all this way for nothing. Sebastian says the princess is dead.”

She braced herself to hear the crunch of leaves as he walked away. Instead, silence. “Sebastian is a liar,” his voice was low, “He’s gotten into your heart, Entressa. He’s made you think all manner of lies. Remember who you are. Your name is Entressa and nothing can change it. You belong under a crown whether you know it or not.” His strong hands held one of hers, hesitating first as if asking permission. They sat that way for a long moment. “Don’t you want to get away from him? Can you come with me, at least for that?”

“But what about. . .” she trailed off, gesturing at her whole dirty self.

“Don’t worry about that. Just come with me. Let me care for you.”

Could she? She felt deathly pale. What about Mala’s way of strength, of making one’s own way in the world? Mala would never let Sebastian hurt her. But no, somehow Romni felt in her bones that if she stayed much longer with him, she would die. Very well, then. If Andel decided to kill her later, so be it. It would be better than dying at Sebastian’s hands.

She nodded. He broke into a smile that was like a huge golden sunrise. Then he laughed, that mighty laugh of a fearless man. His voice rolled over the hill, bouncing off the trees until the whole wood seemed to share his joy. The girl felt it too. She began to laugh, then pain welled up in her heart and she wept.