Chapter 4: Klea

The royal carriage rumbled down the mountain road, accompanied by galloping horses with guards atop them, holding the Blackmon banner aloft. On either side of the carriage, they rode with fierce determination. "I still don't see why Father is in such a rush to marry me off," Klea said, her voice laced with sadness. "My brother is three years my elder, and he's never been asked to marry!"

Jerys twiddled his thumbs as he replied, "I don't think your brother would stand for it if the king commanded him to marry. No doubt, his would-be betrothed would come down with a mysterious sickness." Sarah, her handmaiden, tried to hide her smile as she looked down at her feet. "You look astounding, Princess," she said, trying to reassure her friend. "Any sane man will make it his life's work to keep you happy." Sarah squeezed Klea's hand tightly, and the two shared a hug. As much as she tried to hide it, deep down, Klea was excited to meet her future husband. She had spent hours before they left, picking out her blue silk dress and styling her long, black hair to perfection.

Klea looked through the window of the carriage and saw massive, snowy mountains ahead, touching the clouds, with a great stone castle the shape of a triangle looming in the centermost mountain. "That'll be your home soon, Princess," Jerys said. Klea was lost in the awe of the castle when, all of a sudden, a great bellowing roar shook the carriage, shrouding them in darkness for a moment. The carriage came to a stop as Klea and her handmaidens cowered in the corner. The door opened, and Ser Hywen, a grim-looking man with a scar from eye to mouth, spoke. "A dragon, Princess. Don't worry. Beasts much prefer goat to humans". Ser Hywen shut the door, and the carriage continued on its way. "I did the same thing the first time I came to Newstar, Princess," Jerys said, trying to reassure her. "You'll get used to it, no doubt." Klea had read about dragons, and she barely remembered sighting a baby one as a child, touring the realm. But she had never encountered one so large that it cast a shadow on the land beneath it.

"Lord Jerys, how do the people of Newstar deal with them? Do the dragons not attack them?" the princess asked, her face still flushed red with fear. Jerys replied, "They did, a long time ago. But the Aynes have lived in these lands for a thousand years, Princess, and they got pretty good at killing the beasts. They seem to be smart enough to stay away from castles and towns and keep mostly to the mountaintops." Klea's awe of the place only deepened after the whole experience. She was afraid, no doubt, but dragons and mystical castles trumped such fears.

"We're getting close now, Princess. Look here, you can see the castle gates," Jerys said, signalling for Klea to come to the window once more. Ser Hywen had ridden ahead and informed Lord Randylph of the princess's arrival. As her carriage approached the open gates, Lord Randylph, his two sons, and his wife gathered in the courtyard to greet her. The carriage came to a stop inside, and Ser Hywen and the other guards dismounted their horses. Jerys exited the carriage and announced the princess. "It is with great pleasure that I introduce the Princess Klea of House Blackmon." The Aynes all knelt at once as Klea walked onto the courtyard, her pale white skin at home in the cold climate.

"Princess, please accept my apologies for the sorry state of the castle," Lord Randylph said, still on his knees. "I did not expect the honour of your presence". "Rise, my Lord," Klea replied, her voice filled with grace. "There is nothing to apologize for. Newstar is as beautiful as the stories promised." The lord's son and Klea's soon-to-be betrothed was noticeably absent from the courtyard, however. "My goodness, what a beautiful dress, Princess," Lady Leyna said, taking Klea's hand. "Come now, you must be exhausted from your travels. I'll show you to your chamber." 

Klea was touched by Lady Leyna's kindness, but she couldn't help but feel unease about her future married life if her husband wouldn't even make himself present for a royal arrival. She started to build an image of her future husband in her mind of her betrothed as a craven fool. He was rumoured to be a rugged man, with piercing blue eyes and long, golden hair. 

As Lady Leyna led Klea to her chambers, Jerys and Sarah followed closely behind. The chambers were grand and spacious, with a large four-poster bed adorned in silks and a fireplace burning brightly. Klea was exhausted from her journey and was grateful to finally be able to rest.

The three women entered the princess's chambers and sat at a table by the window. "Leave us, girl," said Lady Leyna, glancing at Sarah. "It's quite alright, my lady," Klea replied firmly, inviting Sarah to take a seat beside her. Klea could sense that Lady Leyna did not appreciate being challenged, but she put on a smile regardless. Lady Leyna quickly dropped her angry expression and resumed her cheerful tone. "So, do tell us, Princess. Why have you honoured us with this unexpected visit? It is not often that Newstar receives a princess." Klea detected a hint of suspicion in her voice. "My father intends for me to marry your son, Dedrick my lady," Klea answered.

After Klea shared the reason for her visit, Klea noticed Lady Leyna looked embarrassed. "You would be lucky to have my son's hand, he is the most handsome little lord in the realm". Klea started to get impatient with the conversation, she had been travelling for three days, to marry a man who she'd never seen, and now she was finally here and he was nowhere to be seen. "He sounds very good, Lady Leyna. May I ask, when is supper? I'm famished". Klea noticed Sarah glance her way as if she understood her intentions. "Very soon, in fact, I best leave you to get ready. I'll return to call you for supper". 

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As the conversation drew to a close, Lady Leyna stood up and thanked Klea and Sarah for their time. While Lady Leyna left her chambers, Klea couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her. She knew that she had to put on a brave face for the sake of her kingdom, but deep down, she couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her. Despite her reservations, Klea remained determined to make the most of this new opportunity and do her best to fulfil her duty as a princess.

"I don't think she likes me very much" Klea joked to Sarah. "Nonsense princess, of course, she does. She's likely just taken back by the news". Klea stood and walked to the mirror across the room and Sarah came up behind her. "It's a beautiful dress princess," she said with her hands on her shoulders. Klea felt a tingle through her body with Sarah so close to her, but she quickly recoiled. "Shall we fix my hair?" Sarah backed off and quickly started brushing Klea's thick hair.

Klea had a million and one thoughts rushing through her mind as Sarah tended to her hair, she remembered Jerys and how he'd often take walks to clear his mind. "Let's go for a walk around the castle grounds, I'd like to see where I'll be living". Sarah looked concerned. "But princess, you'll dirty your dress before dinner!". Klea opened her chamber door and gestured at Sarah to follow. "No matter, I have more! Come quick now, before someone spots us!". Sarah quickly put a grey cloak on Klea's shoulders before putting one on herself.

As Klea and Sarah left the castle's main hall and stepped into the courtyard, Klea noticed strange noises emanating from the tower opposite the castle. Without a second thought, she grabbed Sarah's hand and ran towards the tower. As they entered, the noises became clearer: "Giant men, giant throne, all reduced to ash and bone," a voice echoed down the stairwell. Klea started up the stairs, but Sarah stopped and grabbed her shoulder. "Princess, we shouldn't be here! Let's get back to the courtyard!" Klea saw the fear in her friend's eyes and hugged her tightly. "Sarah, this is to be my home. I can't let fear control me." She continued up the stairwell, and Sarah reluctantly followed behind. The voice grew louder as they ascended: "Giant men, giant throne, all reduced to ash and bone."

When they finally reached the top of the tower, Klea and Sarah found a young man with long golden hair huddled in the corner by the window. His face was covered in dirt, and his tattered robes marked him as a nobleman. He looked up at the two women with fear in his eyes. "You shouldn't be up here," he said, his voice trembling. "Get out!" Klea approached the man cautiously and sat down beside him. "Who are you? What are you doing up here by yourself?" she asked. The man looked into Klea's eyes and his face turned to shock. He grabbed her hands and stared deep into her yellow eyes. "Scales on the wind... the dead rise again to aid the living... deep underground elders stir... and you... you..." The man stopped and his shock turned to despair. "You have to leave! Get away now! Get out, get out, get out!" Klea backed away from the frenzied man, her heart racing. She tried to approach him again, hoping to calm him down, but as she did, the man ran and threw himself from the tower window.

Sarah screamed so loud she no doubt alerted the whole castle as Klea ran to the window and saw the young man's lifeless body on the snow covered ground. Klea took Sarah's hand and rushed to the bottom of the tower where Lord Randylph, Lady Leyna and Jerys came rushing out of the castle. "What happened here? Princess? Are you hurt?" Jerys asked rushing over to inspect Klea. "I... H-he jumped!" Klea said still in shock. Jerys held the princess tight as Lady Leyna and Lord Randylph walked around the tower and saw the bloodied body. "Dedrick? Sweet son? What did you do to him!" Lady Leyna screamed and ran towards Klea, Lord Randylph holding her back before she got to her. Klea's face turned red upon hearing the word son. Not only did a man just throw himself from a window in front of her, but it was also her betrothed. Lord Randylph, stoic as ever, handled the situation. "Guards! Get the body inside. Jerys, escort the princess and her handmaid back to her chambers. We will learn the truth of this tomorrow".

Lord Randylph hurriedly took his crying wife back inside as Jerys, Sarah and Klea ran back to Kleas chambers.

"Princess, stay calm. I need you to tell me what happened" Jerys said in a serious tone. Sarah sat on Klea's bed trying to compose herself as Klea responded. "I w-wanted to t-take a walk and I h-heard shouting from the tower and he was rambling and shaking and he just t-threw himse-" Jerys cut Klea off and embraced her as she burst into tears. "Hush now princess. It's okay. Try to get some rest and I'll visit you in the morning" Klea nodded and Sarah awkwardly rushed to change Klea into nightclothes. "T-thank you Lord Jerys," she said as he left.

The next morning, Jerys entered Klea's chambers and took a seat beside her. Klea had barely slept an hour the previous night and her mind was racing with the image of young Dedrick's mangled and bloody corpse. "Princess, I have some news," Jerys said. Klea eagerly awaited any information on what had happened the night before. 'The circumstances of the boy's death are still being investigated, and you will be asked to speak before Lord Randylph. However, the marriage pact will go on". Klea did not know how to respond. Lord Randylph only had two sons, one of whom had fled the country, and the other was now a corpse. "I'm not sure I understand. Who will I marry if not Dedrick?" Klea asked. Jerys paused for a moment before explaining, "You will marry Lord Randylph, princess". Klea was once again overwhelmed. "But what about Lady Leyna? She's already-" Jerys cut her off. 'I'm afraid Lady Leyna is gone, princess. Her body was found at the bottom of the tower this morning. The castle healers say it was suicide".

Klea did not answer. She had many questions but her voice escaped her. "What was the only son of Lord Randylph Aynes doing up in that tower? Did his mother know?" She thought to herself. Her joy and hope of marrying a charming man and becoming his lady had turned to dust just a day after her arrival. Once a place of wonder, Newstar now frightened her beyond measure.

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