an ancient world meets a new hero

The world forces changes on a unsuspecting girl. She is set on a destiny bigger than she had ever dreamed of.

 

Chapter 1

　

"I hate my life," Wynnie thought as she watched the black scrolling letters dance around the clean white sheet of paper

The sun was beckoning from outside the window as it peaked thru thin slits of the drawn tapestry's. The dark trimmed room looked gloomy as the only light present was from the polished candlesticks and there dwindling candle's that sat on each of the three tables. This was once one of Wyndalyns favorite rooms. With the curtains pulled back exposing the large clear panels of glass that were bordered by stained glass pictures that thru colors on the walls and created a magic of the sunlight. She could spend hours in here in the Everwinter season and be mesmerized by the color patterns. She still spent hours in this room except the magic had been extinquished. The only mesmerizing thing left in this room was the dancing letters in the piles and piles of boring books.

"Wyndalyn!" shouted Misstress Ashkey.Once again shattering Wynnies daydreams.

"A lady never slouches! Shoulders back and sit up straight." Her houghty well pronounced words irritated Wynnie to no end, but a 'Lady' never acts in a mannor unbecoming of her station. She mimiced the words to her self as the Mistress lectured them once again at her. The failour to respond to the correction sent her in even more of a bitter mood.

"Are you finished with your essay?"

"Almost, Misstress." She returned to the half hearted slouch once the Misstress turned her attention back to the empathitic condolances of her Ladys Maid Reesona.

She dramaticly fanned herself with her soft long hands. "Oh Reesona! This girl I am sorely tempted to call it a loss. There's no teaching her. She is so headstrong, she refuses to comprehend. Its as if she relishes her own impropriaty. Is it really worth this agoney? I left my lovely city for this dirty country town for what? This? She can't possibly be the 'b*****d' of that high of a Lord; no I expect some ordinary nobleility. True The Lady Ditmars is of much superior upbringing than that of her daughter." She shook her head again faining disstress and Wynnie stopped paying further attention. This could go one for hours, in fact it had, on numerous occations.

The doors opened and shut as the house servants brought in the Ladys afternoon tea tray. The sounds of Linwood and Ashter playing echoed thru the halls. The cooks youngest two boys, still not old enough for schooling the two spent most of there days attempting to help the kitchen and household staff with the dayly rituals of chores. Lord and Lady Ditmars were both avide supporters of the need for education. They insisted that all there house hold members would have access to a basic education. A topic that had caused long tedious debates upon the arrival of Missstress Ashkey. Misstress Ashkey prided herself on her efforts to educate the small towns land owners on the standards of high class living. Many in town have conformed to many of her recomindations but Lord and Lady Ditmars were not one of them.

On most days the boys would create such a comotion that they were shooed out of doors into the care of the keeper of the Everfrost House Gardens. The keeper well aware of there energys, and the dwendeling supply of his own, focused them to a much better use. It was now deep in the clutches of the Everwinter season, so there excurions were limited to the insides of the Hamlet. Wynnie would on occasion sneak out of the schoolroom and go play with them while the Misstress and her servant would nap in the afternoons but today the probability of that was dwendeling by the second.

Essay: Discribe the formation of the Tartarian Kingdom. The rise to power and It's evolution to our presant day.

The words were dull and unappealing and a repeat of what seemed like most of her studys recently. Why should she care who the promanant holders of titles were then or now. She was from Roostishire of all places. She was well familiar with all of the promanant Lords and Ladys of the close region thanks mostly to Misstress Ashkeys attempts to uncover the mystery of who Wynnies biological father was. The Misstress was constantly on the prowel for the occasion to 'Better' her social standing. She drug Wynnie to every invitation of a Lunchen, Tea tasteing, Dinner Party, and Ball that was offered to the Ditmars Family. To the Misstress's dismay that was not as many as she would have wished. To Wyndalyn they seemed to be far to many. Of course the one event Wynnie desperatly wanted to attend was the Overton Estates Annual Fox Hunt held by Lord Clivis Overton, but a'Lady' of suppiour birth would never attend such a occasion. That sort of occasion was only acceptible - no mandatory for that of a Gentleman.

The pricarioursly perched tower of books taunted her from the corner of her table. The gold leafed letters read "History's", "The rise of a King", "Ledgers Of the Noblity", "Rules of Eticute!", "Speak Properly" and "How to be a Lady". She sighed. The books on her table were a good indicator of the days lessons. She had read and reread these same books over and over again and never found anything new or interesting. Her Father could find the most unseamly subjects fasination, she mused. She would on many occasions at the evening Dinner table have to recall the days teaching subjects. She loved to see the fires ignite behind her Fathers eyes as he would ramble on about the same subjects that, that day had nearly bored her to tears. Today she was thouroly bored with these subjects but now found herself eager for this evening meal. She wondered what would ignite her father tonight would it be the Historys?...or Proper Pronunsiation of speach.....

THWACK

The loud sound was followed by piecing pain that shot up her arm. The pain filled her eyes with tears and she felt a slight tremble in her body. The shock momentarily left her bewildered. Misttess Ashkey stood over her with a wooden wand clenched in her hand and furry on her face. She had not noticed her approach. She was so thouroly lost in the dream of Dinner with her parents.

"Continue With your studys Miss Wyndalyn. I will have no more of this Daydreaming. Your only job is to Focus on your education and this lazyness is unacceptible. You are waisting my time."

The shock had reverted in to her own feelings of anger. How dare she! She surged to her feet holding her still acheing hand

"How dare you strike me. No! I will not continue with this nonscence. This isn't studying I haven't learned anything new in months; other than your own petty, selfish, and ignorant opinions. All day long all I hear is you pratteling. It is you who is waisting my time with all this nonsence. Who cares about this rubish. They are dead! As for being a 'Lady' if that means I have to act like you. I would rather stay the way I am and relish in my own impropriaty. You are by far the worst teacher in all three Kingdoms" she stomped out of the room as tears started to fall of there own accord.

　

   The now older and more mature twenty four year old girl gazed out the second story window of the old victorian mansion. Embarrassed now for the headstrong child with little forsight that she once was. The mansion lay nestled in behind its stone walls; within the small southern town of Roostishire. The presence of her mother Lady Eva at her back. Always a present solid, and steady support thru out all her life. Both the women looked out at the large Army sourounding there small town. There were no large standing fortifications for the small country town, there had never been a need- until perhaps today. The town would not be able to put up much resistance-if the newcomers intentions were for harm. There would be none at all.

   Wynnie had spent most of her life knowing that someday she would be called upon to leave Eras Hamlet the beloved home of her youth. Raised by her mother and Step-Father, she had been warned early on that some day her birth Father would come to take her to his home and his family. She could still recall her-self as a child of five sitting on her Step-Fathers knee; curly dark hair framing flushed pink cheeks; gemmed with tear trails. Her large blue eyes desperatly trained on her mother as they tried calmly to explain to her and eased her fears for the future away. She could close her eyes and still feel there loving arms wrapping comfortingly around her as her tears slowed dried. Then still a child she had not fully understand the extent of what would be required. The many years since has made the loss so much more deep; it wasn't just her mother and father she would be leaving but a whole life full of familiar faces that she loved- a home.

　

Today that threat was finally becoming reality.

"Wynnie," a soft melodic voice recalled her from wondering thoughts, "My darling when Fied and I agreed you should go with your father at fifteen you were still a child, but you are no longer a child Wydalyn. You neither think of act as a child. This time your father has come himself. The choice we made so long ago is no longer valid. This choice is yours - and yours alone."

   Her mothers voice was reassuring. The words wondered around in search of a resting place. She still felt the headstrong child. This wasn't fair. All the bitterness and resentment of adolescents returned. This time thou she wasn't a child. The gift her mother had given her was priceless. She was not the thirteen year old girl that had to accept the demands of those elder than she. She held reign over the thirteen year old. With the control of those familiar feelings she started to wrangle in the restless words of her mother. There was one sentence that was baffling when she was finaly able to take hold of it.

"This time your Father has come himself"

   When she was fifteen the mood of Mistress Ashkey's tutelage had changed. That was stemed by the arrival of a guest that surprised everyone-well everyone except her mother and father. Prince Bastion had arrived and set Wynnie's life tumbling. Misstress Ashkey's final investment payed off. The rumors began to fly after the Prince's visit. The obviouse concern shown for Wynnie's upbringing and concern over proper schooling seemed as a confirmation of the rumors. Neither Lady Eva or Fied denyed them.

   Wynnie's schooling was by no means more pleasant after the revilation in fact she intensified in her ferosity of turning Wynnie into a 'Lady'. Prince Bastion brother to the King had honored the halls of Eras Hamlet twice in Wynnie's childhood. Never uttering a word to the girl of thirteen or fifteen. Holding counsel with her parents and on occassion with Misstress Ashkey and departing with but a glace for his would be child. Never finding acceptance with the man supposed to be her father caused younger Wynnie much pain, that in turn lead to anger and frustration. After his last visit nine year prior Wynnie had accepted her difisencies and viewed the few precious years that were granted her left as a gift.

"To have had the privledge of watching you grow from a beautiful baby to this strong and intelligent women before us is an honor. It has been a gift for both your father and I. Remember no matter where you go and what life demands of you we know and love our precious daughter and are proud of you"

She stepped forward and kissed her daughters head as she had done many times when she was a child. The two women now being only a few inchs in height different the elder having only a few inchs supiorority on the younger. Giving one last tight squeeze to add emphasis she then took two steps, to her husband's side.Leaving Wynnie blinking back tears from her eyes almost over whelmed by the complete and utter faith they had in her. She gazed back out toward the horizon filled with the army that had come to change her life.

"That's a blazing lot of men!" she thought, "Where did they stop? The country side was full of them. Don't panic this is my choice this time. ..This time your father has come- What did that mean he's been here before.. Prince Bastion had come both times before - Does that mean he isn't my father?...Who is my father than? If not him who?"

  Her thoughts startled her. Her inspection of the army intensified. "His visits before must be in behalf of someone else! Who for?-perhaps a family member?.. Why would a army this size be sent to come pick up a b*****d child of a Prince, when he already had three ligitimate heirs two of which are sons."

  She turned toward her parents. Still thinking the words she slowly began to speak them aloud, hoping for clarity with voiceing of the thoughts aloud, "Prince Bastion is not my Father?"

Both parents gravely nodded. For the first time rendering confirmation.

"Then who is my father?" Her stepfather looked at his wife. She nodded her agreement and he stepped forward.

"Wyndalyn your the daughter of King Lars. Your mother and I married shortly after she found herself pregnant with you. My dear first wife Elana had passed while giving birth to our first child who sadly went with his mother. I took the loss very hard. Your grandfather was a long time aquantance of my Uncle. It was he who made the arrangment for our marriage. I had found a reason to live with the pair of you." He smiled a pained smile. His own thoughts clearly on a time long in the past. "When you were born Lars was just a meer Prince and the royal sucession had yet been determined. Your mother had on previous occasion, before our betrothalof course; attempted to contact your father but that is a side of the story so only she knows the exact details too. We can all sumize the results with the outcome we all know. Anyway-It was Prince Bastion along with a personal guard, that came to us and mediated negotions for your father, you were yet a babe then. Your identity was agreeded by all to be guarded with secrecy. The test for sucession would soon name Lars as the future King. This out come created a even stronger defence for your leniage to be-forever more guarded. It was thru Prince Bastion from then on was all the contact made. Soon it allowed us a further protective layer for you, when his obvious aid and interest in your safety and upbringing. We must now appologize and ask your forgivness in this falsehood. We desired above all else, for you to live a safe and happy life. We would do anything to keep you safe, you must understand that my dear."

   He looked at Wynnie with such a deep and pleeding look all she wanted to do was hug him and freely give him the forgivness he wished but something held the words back. She knew the shock was still enabling clear thinking. Right now the injustious and hurt feelings of a child, that felt abandoned by a Father she never knew but for some impossible reason wanted his approval, it was those feelings that held promonace and refused surrender. She felt clumbsy as she tryed to understand the torant of words that were coming at her. Only momentarily catching one then feeling it fall thru her fingures as another one came hurtiling at her from the darkness. Fied seemed to understand this and so he endevoured to give her the time required to allow the revilations to sink in.

   It was now Eva that picked up the story where her husband had left off. "The danger for you only grew when he became King and with his marriage to Lady Miana, that in time failed to provide the Kingdom with any living royal heirs. There series of unfortunate and tragic losses has left you as the only living heir to King Lars's throne. Prince Bastion had two older sons and a younger daughter so the rumor of a illigitame child was of little consequence."

   Wynnie had been a adaquate student, thou polotics weren't her favorite subject she could rudamentaly follow them. The social importance of a fourth child of the Prince may have been fovorable for a ambitiouse social climber but would ultimitly hold no interest for a politically ambitiouse citizen. Wynnie now began to question other aspects of her childhood. She knew she was very well protected, most of the time she thought it was stifeling but perhaps now it was more called for then she thought. How many times had her parents been approached by Lords and Ladies for her hand in connection with there son's? She was seldom in the company of Gentlemen of her age after her adolecant years. Since the dismissal of Misstress Ashkey at fifteen actually. When still a young girl she was dragged to all local events held by wealthy Lords of the south. She remembers little except being a bored girl surrounded by beautiful and elegant Lords and Ladies. They paid little attention to the ordinary looking child among them seldom seeking her out and talking to her. There were very few peers her own age in the Roostishire region the few there were were even more awekward then Wynnie.

   She suspected that she probably had a arrogent and dissinterested appearace about her. I truth she was dissinterested in the whole scene but it wasn't from a sense of superiority over those present. It wasn't until she became aquanted with Lord and Lady Overton that the desire for acceptance arose. She found something in common with the older gray haired Lord and his charming grayed auburn haired wife. They to held little joy for such flaunting occasions as fine dinners. They understood the importance of these however and it was thru them that the little Wynnie did understand about politics had come. There station was high enough that dispite Misstress Ashkey's dislike for there unsofisticated ways; she couldn't forbid Wynnie's aqaintance with them. From then on Wynnie's interaction with the wealthy of the region centerd around a much older age range then Wynnie and seldom entered the age appropriate suiters for Wynnie.

"You are a intelligant girl Wyndalyn you can take this information, and the fact that this Army is lead by the King himself. That is evidant by the colors that are portrayed on the flags they fly. Follow this to the right conclusion just as everone else is doing right now. The rumor that you were a Prince's child provoked the response it had...A Prince not A King. You are a great political weapon now. That weapon can be used for or against the Royal Monarchy. From this day on the secret of your identity will be known to all. You are his only Heir." Fieds words were but a whisper but they acted as a breeze blowing away a dense fog enabling her to grasp the hard defining truths of thier words.

   She knew he wanted to say more but she also knew he wouldn't. He had tried to raise her to be able to think for herself. He would not persuade her. The conclusion was up to her to figure out. She not only knew but felt that she now became a risk to all the people she grew to love here. The Kingdom of Tartarian was not without internal enemies. A small town like Roostishire could maybe protect it's Lord and Lady that had the prestige of raising the daughter of the King but it couldn't protect the Heir herself. Yes, she could come to the correct conclusion...her time here is over.

   She took one last glance out the window this time etching to memory the Hamlet she called home, commiting to memory the people, the villiage, it's shops, merchants, the gates and stone walls manned by men who stood guard against a flood of seasoned well armed soldiers, a whole hearted action but would in the long run be a vain attempt to protect her. She closed her eyes summoned all the pathetic strength she had to aid her in the terrifing challenge that now lay before her. She had to straigten her shoulders she would not be believable showing the fear that coursed thru her body. She turned to her parents feeling the tremors that attempted to unbalance her but not giving way. All it was, was one simple nodd that changed her life forever. It held defeat of the inevitable. Her mother took a step forward and placed her hands in Wynnies. The small act seemed to aid in Wynnies own strength. Fied crossed to the window and began to attatch a blue and white flag to a line and gently extended it out the window. The wind took hold of it and uncurled the draped cloth and it came alive as it danced in the open air. The motion was cought and echoed thru out the surrounding buildings as other windows extended the same signal that would be seen for miles away. A signal followed by a salute from the bell tower - a welcome to the King.

 

Author's Note

This is the scariest thing I've done yet.

Reviews

[Barbara Tennyson]

The characters and the society are well established early in the chapter--very good.

Some basic advice on some basic problems: Use a spell check. --lots of misspelled words.

Names that end in S take 's as the possessive form: James's story, Charles's tonsils.

If you're putting thoughts in double quotes, put a comma immediately before the closing quotation marks: "I hate my life(COMMA)," Wynnie thought ... .

"Wyndalyn!" Shouted Misstress Ashkey ... . Do NOT capitalize the first word immediately after the closing quotation marks UNLESS it is a proper name: "Wyndalyn!" Mistress Ashkey shouted OR "Wyndalyn!" shouted Mistress Ashkey.

"Almost Misstress" she returned to the half hearted... . Put a comma before direct address: "Almost(comma) Mistress" And put a period after Mistress, since that bit of dialogue stands alone: "Almost, Mistress."

In a string of adjectives, use commas where necessary: 'Her houghty well pronounced words... .' --Her haughty(COMMA), well pronounced words... . --since 'well' modifies 'pronounced' and both of them modify words, there's no comma here.

[JennChamberlain]

Thank you! I really didn't think anyone would read it! I will fix it. Thank you so much