curricle, he tied the horses to a nearby tree and walked towards the blaze, keeping out of sight in the trees. Upon reaching the crest of the hill, his heart sank and a sick feeling entered the pit of his stomach. A large carriage was ablaze. Throwing caution to the wind, Sebastian swiftly descended to the site. He could see crimson drops of blood in the snow. A broken sword lay in pieces next to the cold hand of the man who had fought so bravely. Nearby was the body of a woman, more than likely his wife judging by age and the sorrowful expression captured on her face. Tears filled Sebastian’s eyes. He was too late. A slight whimper made him turn. A young woman was lying in the snow, her lips blue with cold and blood staining the front of her gown.
“Please, don’t leave me,” she begged in a voice barely a whisper.
“Oh my dear,” he said, “don’t worry. I’ll help you.”
“Mother, Daddy,” the girl whispered as he removed his cloak and began to wrap her in it.
“I’m very sorry, dear, they’re gone.” He lifted her gently in his arms.
“Can’t leave them,” she mumbled against his chest. “Promised.”
“I promise I’ll see to them as soon as I get you to safety.” Once in the curricle, he held the young lady close to him so that she could gain some warmth from his presence. He then cracked the reins over the horses’ rumps. “Fly my friends, make haste!”
Taking his command, the horses cantered quickly to the nearest town. He stopped the curricle and took the young lady out with him and shoved his way inside the nearest inn. “I need a room with a fire quickly, and bandages.”
“Of course,” the proprietress said. She sent a serving boy to fetch the things needed and led Sebastian to the parlor fire. She shooed away several other guests. “Another victim?”
“Yes, but she’s still alive, if only just,” he replied.
“Surely she wasn’t alone,” the proprietress exclaimed.
“Her parents are dead. I didn’t have time to give them proper burial. When I realized she was alive, I knew I had to come quickly. As is, I don’t know that she’ll make it.” The serving boy returned with a bowl of warm water and several rags. “Thank you,” Sebastian said.
“Let me know if I can help you,” the proprietress replied. She went to the doorway and chided the guests who had gathered about. “This is not a show for entertaining. Let that poor creature alone. To your rooms all of you, or I’ll turn you out, so help me.”
Sebastian stayed at the young lady’s side, cleaning the multiple wounds and gently rubbing in ointment against infection. She had lost a lot of blood and he could see that she was becoming feverish from her long exposure in the elements. Who knew how long she had lain in the bitter cold, waiting for someone to help her? Gently wrapping bandages about her, Sebastian softly hummed a tune, the name of which he’d long forgotten. Night lengthened and turned to dawn. The young woman’s condition did not improve; if anything it steadily got worse. Exhausted, yet determined to see her well, Sebastian spoon-fed her cups of broth and took the time to bathe her wounds and redress them. It was midafternoon when the young woman awoke from a feverish sleep. “Sir?”
“Yes, child, I’m here.”
“I need you,” she began, her voice weary and strained. “I need you to tell George…tell George that I love him.”
“But, my dear, I don’t know your name.”
The girl smiled as her eyes closed. “Tell George, Eleanor loves him.” With that, Eleanor took her last breath and lay still in Sebastian’s arms, the slight smile still playing on her lips.
Year 5 Chapter 5
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Winter break was almost finished when Calista and Melantha unexpectedly arrived in Rendorlin. They found Leticia at the dressage final in the middle of her final performance. “Should we ask for her now?” Melantha asked Calista.
“No, allow Leticia this moment,” Calista replied.
They watched in silence for a few moments, before leaving a message with one of the judges and then leaving to await them at the castle in Rendorlin. On arriving at the castle, King Markus and Queen Tabitha welcomed them cordially.
“Is George at home or at the dressage finals?” Calista asked.
“He’s at the finals. He’s watching his princess’ sister finish her routines. It’s a very close tie, as I understand, between Leticia and Princess Allegra of Maltisten,” Tabitha replied.
“You’re not here about the dressage finals,” Markus interjected, looking between the two fairies.
“No, I’m afraid we’re not,” Calista said. “But we shall wait until George and Leticia arrive before I share my news. It concerns both of them.”
“I’ll have the parlor arranged for tea,” Tabitha replied. “Please, go sit and warm yourselves.”
No sooner had she said this than Samantha and Kieffer walked into the castle. “My dear daughter, why are you here?” He asked, hugging her.
“I was summoned by Calista,” she said. “She said George needed me, so we left immediately.”
“In your condition?” Markus asked in shock as he looked more closely at her. “You’re with child! You shouldn’t be traveling.”
“Daddy, I’m fine,” Samantha smiled, placing a gentle hand on her bulging stomach. “When I read the note I knew I had to come immediately.”
“Well, go join Calista and Melantha in the parlor and warm yourselves,” Markus commanded them. “And you, young lady, will certainly have some explaining to do. You never told us.”
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
It was many hours before George and Leticia arrived. When they did, Leticia looked as though she already knew what was going to be said. Her cheeks were tear-stained. As she took the seat offered to her, she looked straight at Melantha and cried, “My sister is gone, isn’t she?”
“Yes, my child, I’m afraid she is,” Melantha replied sadly.
Leticia’s fragile composure was shattered and she buried her face in her hands, her sobbing the only sound in the room.
“Eleanor is dead?” George felt numb all over, as though doused with a bucket of ice water.
Calista nodded. “Leticia’s family was found by the emeritus king Sebastian while he was traveling to Lictthane to be with his niece and her family. Her mother and father were dead when he arrived. Eleanor survived only a day under Sebastian’s care. I can assure you that he did everything that he could for her. My children, I’m so sorry.”
“How did they die?” Leticia asked.
Melantha hesitated before saying, “Highwaymen. There has been a rash of attacks along the road. Your father fought bravely, but was overcome. They killed your parents, took everything of value and left Eleanor to die. I suppose they may have thought she was already dead.”
George stared at his hands, trying not to allow his emotions to get the best of him. “What is to be done now? Eleanor,” his voice broke and he stopped. Clearing his throat, he continued, “Eleanor was my princess. Leticia now has no family, her grandparents passed away last summer.”
“Leticia still has Benjamin,” Melantha corrected. “Although at present his location is unknown. He is still on his quest. As soon as he returns, he will be crowned King of Traifloran. In the meantime, the kingdom will be ruled by the emeritus king and queen living there. Leticia, you will be staying with Princess Moira and her family. There you will be safe and be given time to heal from this tragedy. If Benjamin returns while you’re in school, you will be allowed to stay with him or you may choose to stay with Moira.”
“George,” Calista began when Melantha had finished, “during the remainder of this school year, you will meet with Gelasia once a week, or more often if you need, for counseling and time to heal.”
“Leticia, you will meet with Myrtle,” Melantha added.
“Upon your graduation of Charming Academy,” Calista continued, “we will discuss the options for your future.”
“What future?” he asked. “Eleanor was my princess, my love, my world.
And now she’s gone.”
Samantha came and put her arms around her brother, holding him close as he sobbed against her. “My dear brother, don’t allow the future to appear so bleak. There will be light again.” She lifted his chin so he was looking up at her. “I promise.”
George merely nodded. Consumed by grief, he excused himself from the room. Samantha made to follow him, but Kieffer gently took her arm. “It’d be best to allow him some time to regain his composure, my love. Men don’t like being seen so vulnerable.”
Nodding, Samantha took a seat as Leticia also excused herself. “I’ll be missed at the hotel.”
“Of course, we’ll have our best carriage take you back,” Tabitha offered.
“I thank you, but I already have King Lysander’s curricle waiting for me,” Leticia replied graciously. “I assure you I’ll be perfectly safe.”
“Very well,” Tabitha replied. “Please accept our condolences.”
Leticia nodded, but didn’t speak.
There was a long pause of silence, followed by Samantha saying, “I’m not sure why you summoned me, Calista. Your message was for George.”
“I knew you had a strong relationship,” Calista explained. “I knew that you could be a shoulder for him to cry on. I do apologize for making you travel under your circumstances.”
“No matter,” Samantha replied.
“I hate to force an unpleasant topic,” Markus interrupted, “but I would like to know what is to be done for George.”
“It is a little complicated,” she