Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles

Prologue: A Prophecy Intercepted

"It has been observed that within our beloved Kingdom of Noelle, a problem has arisen concerning the homeless and orphaned multiplying in number... all who are presumed to be homeless and/or orphaned will be immediately taken into custody and sold as Slaves in the next scheduled Slave Auction."

During the passed three hundred fifty years, since Gerardo of Liko was last heard of, the Kingdom of Noelle had thrived and gone through a number of extreme changes; some of which included art, food, morale, literature, currency (so that it was less confusing), and especially law. The country now had become very wealthy with markets in gold, silk, and cotton. The fashion was more colorful and the architecture was more shapely with geometric and floral designs. But after roughly three hundred years, an end was arising to this period and a medieval era was slowly underway.

The towns were now built of wood and adobe, with streets of stone and had increased in size and population. Aqueducts ran through each one, so drought was now rare. And as it is normal for technology to develop in a different order and speed on a different world, it is understandable how plumbing was invented immediately following the aqueduct. Unfortunately, the plumbing lines were only in the process of being built, so there were still wells in every town and in the backyards of the especially wealthy.

The palace of the Kingdom of Noelle was gorgeous, especially in the sunny weather the Noellites had on Malla 35, 836 (April 17). The sunlight reflected off the dome towers and the sea breeze blew through the windows into the king and queen's bedchamber. The queen stirred under her satin bed sheets before she finally opened her violet eyes. It was clear by the look on her tanned face that she was disturbed. She glanced over at her husband who was still asleep and she decided not to wake him. Instead, she carefully got out of bed and wrapped herself in a white, silk robe. Then she sat at her silver vanity and brushed her bright pink locks as she watched herself in the mirror. If only she could get that disturbing dream out of her mind.

"Up so early, Ariana?" asked the king.

Queen Ariana jumped at the sudden sound of her husband's voice. "You startled me, Darren," she said with a smile.

"I'm sorry, Dear," replied King Darren. "How did you sleep?"

"Fair, I suppose. Yourself?" Ariana went back to messing with her hair.

"I slept wonderfully." Darren got out of bed and stretched his bulky body. "And I had the most fantastic dream. So realistic and so beautiful."

"Really?" Ariana asked, interested. "What was it about?"

"Well, the setting was today and we were both in the throne room. Suddenly, the guards escorted in this man with an adorable little girl of about ten years old. The man told us that he bought her from the market and that he thought we'd like to have her work for us, and oh – I could see her so clearly!"

The smile on the queen's face slowly vanished as the king continued to explain his dream to her.

"She had beautiful crimson hair, bright blue eyes, and glowing skin as white as a pearl. And her lips were so luscious and bright red. Such a lovely child. She said her name was – "

"Nadia," the queen finished for him. There was a look of concern on her face. "She said her parents had died and we agreed to let her stay with us. In the end, she married the heir to the throne."

King Darren looked at her in astonishment. "How did you know?"

"I had the same dream. So vivid, I remember everything."

There was a moment of silence before the king asked, "Do you think there's something more to this dream?"

Ariana hoped not. "I'm not sure."

That afternoon, King Darren and Queen Ariana were in a drawing room consulting with their royal advisor about their dream. The queen paced around in a state of anxiety and the king remained seated on the sofa, leaning forward in anticipation.

"Well, from what I hear, this is a very special dream," said the advisor.

"Clearly, Polaris," said Darren. "But can you tell us why we both had this same dream?"

"I can," Polaris replied as he stood up and walked around. He dressed in a gold shirt with large sleeves and a black vest. "There have been many studies on these kinds of occurrences, all leading to the same conclusion. These dreams are meant to happen, eventually. If there's a particular time set in the dream, it's said to happen at that exact time."

"Oh, this is wonderful!" exclaimed the king. "Ariana, did you hear?" The queen did her best to express equal excitement. "This child, this Nadia, is coming to live with us and marry Myrdor! Oh, our son is going to have the most divine queen!"

King Darren danced out of the room and Polaris enjoyed watching the spectacle. He then looked to Queen Ariana, who did not share her husband's enthusiasm.

"Is something wrong, Your Majesty?" Polaris asked her.

She glanced at him, then looked at the floor. "Oh, nothing. I suppose I'm just confused."

Polaris smiled. "That's understandable. You'll adjust in time."

Queen Ariana nodded. "Of course."

Then she, too, left the room. Ariana went to her chamber and paced the carpeted floor, filled with angst. How could this happen? A little slave girl was going to live in her palace, and later even marry her eldest son. On top of that, her husband was excited about it! Such a concept was a disgrace and it was her responsibility as queen and mother to keep this dishonor from falling upon her family. But what could she do? Suddenly, she had a thought and threw herself at her desk to scribble a short letter. She sealed the envelope and summoned her lady in waiting.

"Your Majesty," said the lady in waiting with a curtsy.

"Lusi, take this letter to Count Rallian immediately. Do not return without his response. Understand? No exceptions."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Lusi curtsied and left right away.

                                                                     ***

On a hilltop just outside of Helvetica (the city of the palace) was another, smaller castle of white and grey, seemingly in constant flurry. Lusi took a coach there and looked in awe upon the estate. It had been a while since she last visited and it looked much bigger now. Just inside the large, curly, silver gate was a grand courtyard, live with exotic vegetation. It was about a three-minute ride from the gate to the front door, but it was an inspiring one as she studied the wide variety of plant-life and artwork which embellished the courtyard. Even though the estate appeared to be under some sort of construction, it was still an absolutely breathtaking sight.

Lusi left the coach for the count's servants to take care of and with her bodyguards right behind her, she lifted the skirt of her royal blue sari and climbed up the marble steps leading to the broad, iron double doors. She used the massive knocker twice and a satyr butler answered in a very timely manner.

"What can I do for you, Madam?" he asked with a face empty of emotion.

"I have a message from Her Majesty to the count," Lusi replied. "She expects a response back immediately."

"Please, come in."

The satyr led her and her bodyguards to a drawing room a few feet away from the entrance. Their shoes made such a racket on the tiled floors that Lusi was almost embarrassed and fought to make her steps lighter. She was relieved to finally make it to the drawing room where there was a rug to cover most of the area.

The satyr butler motioned them to take a seat. "Please make yourselves comfortable. His Lordship will be right with you."

"Thank you," Lusi replied.

The butler left her to study the castle with its marble pillars and silver designs painted on every inch of the building. In the room she sat, she noticed the abundance of color on the furniture and fabric as well as the gold fringe on the pillows, blankets and curtains. Even the royal palace wasn't so overly decorated.

Lusi then brought her attention to the servants and slaves, who surrounded her, and she was able to tell the two apart. The slaves were more sorrow-laden and wore gold cuffs on their right biceps. She took a moment to thank God that she was not one of them.

Finally, the count entered with a young slave girl at his right and the butler at his left. He was a large man, colorfully dressed, and he had a face that was stern but could look rather jolly when he was in the right mood.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

Lusi stood up and curtsied. "You have a letter from Her Royal Majesty, my Lord." She handed the count the letter. "She expects an immediate response."

"Sounds urgent," the count said as he opened the envelope. "Garnet, bring my writing tray."

"Yes, Master," the slave replied with a curtsy.

The count took a seat and read the letter to himself:

My Dear Friend,

I have need for your assistance, and it might very well benefit you greatly, depending on how you take advantage of my situation. There is a small girl about to be sold as a slave to a man who intends to bring her to my palace. Her name is Nadia. She is ten years of age, has crimson hair, pearl skin, bright red lips and blue eyes. I want you to see to it that she does not arrive here. I do not care how you do it. Kill her and the buyer, kidnap her from him and send her away, buy her yourself, do it however you will but I never wish to see her. This is not the end to my request but I shall explain more about this to you over tea. Come before noon.

                                                                                                                           Your Royal Queen,

                                                                                                                               Ariana of Noelle

Garnet returned with what the count had asked for and he wrote a quick response, simply saying that he was on his way over and he would give her his answer over tea. Then everyone stood up when he did and he handed his reply to Lusi.

"Thank you for your service, Madam," he said.

Lusi nodded her head. "Good day to you, sir."

Then she and her bodyguards left the castle and returned to the palace.

"Makiar," said the count to his butler.

"Yes, my Lord," Makiar replied.

"Get two men to accompany you into town. Have them read this description and see to it that you buy this girl from the slave market. Even if you have to spend a million crescents on her. Do you understand?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Good. I have an appointment with the queen that I must attend. Send me word when you have her. I'm leaving as soon as possible with Garnet and Mauro. Have them ready in ten minutes and get the coach out front immediately. You may leave after I do."

                                                                     ***

At the palace, Queen Ariana and Count Rallian laughed and sipped tea on the balcony of a grand sitting room located on the third floor. Garnet and Mauro stood at the entrance to the balcony, dressed to the nines. They kept their faces covered and their backs turned to the two old friends, as the queen hated slaves to her core.

"Ah, Rallian," the queen said after laughing at a previous tale. "It's too bad you don't come over more often. I certainly miss your presence here."

"Yes well, I've been quite busy since I became a count," Rallian replied.

"It's a shame you had to retire. You were my best White Knight and there hasn't been one like you since."

"You flatter me, Your Majesty."

"It's true though. I'm very disappointed with my current knights. You should train them for me."

"You already have someone training them, don't you? Polaris trained me. Did you replace him?"

"No, but he says so himself that these men are a joke. I was hoping you might have a different strategy. After all, your slaves and servants seem to be well disciplined, you could probably do the same with my knights."

Rallian chuckled but he wasn't enjoying the topic of conversation. "Is this what you wanted to talk with me about?"

"No, we just came to a wrong subject," the queen answered. "What I wanted to discuss with you is the reason I need you to keep that girl from my palace, or rather, one of the reasons. It was too much to write, especially in the amount of time I had. I also didn't want to run the risk of anyone reading it."

"Well I'm all ears," said Rallian.

"I want you to pretend that you're King Klaris of Saíd, and write a letter to my husband. Here's what you're to write." Queen Ariana handed Rallian a piece of paper that had been folded many times. "An example of the seal of Saíd is in there. Have it forged and seal the letter with it."

Rallian looked at the seal and read the note. "I see. You're planning a war."

The queen smiled. "I told you I'd bring empires back into fashion someday."

"Is the king involved?"

"Oh please. He's busy adorning the palace right now in preparation for Nadia's arrival."

"Nadia?"

"She's the girl I told you to be rid of. How's that coming along, by the way?"

"I have three men on it right now. They're going to alert me when they've caught her."

"Good. So will you do this for me?"

Rallian shrugged. "Why not?" The queen smiled. "However, I want your word that my estate will not be affected by your acts of mischief. I have a lot of construction taking place and no time or money to waste."

"Very well. If anything happens to your property, I shall replace it myself with twice as much. Agreed?"

"I want that in writing."

The queen was offended that her word wasn't enough. But as long as it would get him to write that letter, she wasn't about to argue. She got up and exited the balcony. "Move," she snapped at Garnet and Mauro. They both stepped aside and let the queen pass. Rallian followed and watched Ariana write the contract at the desk in the sitting room. After she signed it, she handed it to him and he read it over.

"Wonderful." He placed the note in an inside coat pocket. "I shall keep this with me for future reference."

The door to the sitting room opened and they both turned their heads to see a warecat servant enter. She curtsied when she said, "Your Majesty. A message came for His Lordship."

"Bring it here," Ariana replied.

Rallian took the note and read it. He showed it to the queen and they both smiled at its contents: We have her, sir.