Principle Destiny

By David Cleinman

When Princess Alyssa is banished from her home and stripped of her rights of succession, she is determined to regain her position as heir to the throne of Landing. There is only one recourse left to her: to defeat her brother, Prince Tobias, in a thousand-mile endurance race. Of course the protection of the crown makes this easier for Tobias than his competitors.

Alyssa vows to win the race, take back the rights that her father has stolen from her, and gain the kingship. Her choice to race puts her at immediate danger from enemies who seek to prevent her from winning, and in a constant state of enmity with her brother. Constantly watched, pursued, hunted, and with eight months of racing where anything can happen, Alyssa runs, and runs, and runs.

She will win, if she can stay alive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Cleinman
• Release date: Dec 19, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465890702

David Cleinman

David A. Cleinman was born in 1964 in upstate New York and grew up in the small village of Gilbertsville. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the rolling Butternut Valley hills and its rivers, forests, and streams, he began writing at age 13. A fan of classics, Tolkien-style fantasy, and literature of all kinds, his writing encompasses many genres and ideas. Characters are his favorite part of a story, both when reading and writing. His first novel, Principle Destiny, is a treatise on political and personal struggles where deadly consequences meet the heroine's desires head on.

Book preview

Principle Destiny

A Novel By

David A. Cleinman

Visit my blog for more info

Principle Destiny ©2009 David A. Cleinman

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The final approval for this literary material is granted by the author.

All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America

This novel is dedicated to:

My Uncle Ash, dearly departed at age 95, who believed in me always.

My son, Jordan, who WILL be the world’s greatest car builder.

My family, all of you, and those still to arrive.

My cousins, Lisa & Martin, who made childhood an amazing adventure.

My wife, Katrina, who waited, and waited, and waited, and waited.

I love you all, and thank you. Here’s to the future!

Contents

1. Alyssa

2. Family and Friends

3. Flight To The Palace

4. Open Mind, Open Heart

5. The Way Out

6. Contestant

7. Marissa Kaia’s Words

8. Start

9. Toby’s Joke

10. Ups and Downs

11. Unwelcome Encounters

12. Elios and Alyssa

13. The Missions

14. Flight For Life

15. Higher and Higher

16. Alyssa or Tobias

17. Too Much Water

18. Tobias and Alyssa

19. The King Is Checked

20. Change of Heart

21. Farewell to Elios

22. Tobias Is King At Last

23. Enter The Queen

Author’s Note

One needs to be slow to form convictions, but once formed they must be defended against the heaviest odds. – Gandhi

Chapter 1 Alyssa: The Woman Who Would Be King

It was just after dawn, three days past the first thaw of the lake, in the Kingdom of Landing. In the public square of the Capital, Portmous, a very lovely lady was tearing across and up the public climbing wall. Princess Alyssa climbed over the last hurdle, dropped over the wall, and began her descent. Each hand-hold tried vainly to ooze out of her sweaty grasp, and her heavy breathing and heartbeats pounded in her ears. But the exhilaration was wonderful, and for the next thirty feet, nothing would interrupt her concentration. She was practicing her climbing now, in the early morning twilight, before anyone else could arrive and deprive her the use of the climbing wall. In the afternoon she would move to the real thing, the standing rocks of Tallmoor province. This was just a warm-up for her. She reached the ten-foot mark, threw herself away from the wall, did a perfect back-flip and landed squarely on both feet. She heard the applause before she saw her admirer.

She looked up and saw Nanty sitting across the way on a spectator bench. The old woman was still clapping. Well done, Lyss, she said with a smile. I told you there’s no one to match your style on the wall.

Thanks a lot, Alyssa said, smiling, as modestly as she could. How long have you been sitting there, anyway?

Oh since about ten seconds after you started. Been timing you too. Beat your brother’s mark by four seconds, you did. Now aren’t you glad I was here to watch? Nanty looked at her younger friend, a defiant grin perched on her old lips. Sometimes the royal lass was just a bit too independent, she thought. But she loved the girl with all her heart, and no matter what Alyssa said, she wasn’t about to go away.

Alyssa went over to the bench, grabbed her towel from her pack, and wiped the sweat from her face. She took a long drink of water, and a few deep breaths. Endorphins were raging through her body, and she felt beautifully at ease. She finally responded to her companion, smiling with gratitude. Did I really? she asked.

Aye my girl, you sure did. You just might have a shot at winning that race, after all.

Alyssa smiled and nodded, pressing Nanty’s knee. I’m going to do it, you know. No matter what, I have to.

The old lady nodded with a smile and flash of concern interwoven on her face. Nanty had been Alyssa’s surrogate nanny, so to speak, and had helped her grow from stubborn twelve year old to defiant princess. While she had worked the fields and rice paddies of the valley, Alyssa (whom she had nicknamed Lyss) had often worked them with her. Alyssa had been given all the privileges of a princess, a fine education, riding and music lessons, and training in many of the fine arts, at which painting she was best. But she had preferred the drudgery and hard-work of the fields and rice paddies, and had spent a great deal of time there, working like a common laborer. In her spare time she would hunt wolves and coyotes and scour the woods for dangers to livestock and people.

Nanty looked at Alyssa. She was staring at the wall, still panting some, but looking at peace. The work in the fields had made Alyssa strong and hearty, like a tree that has weathered many storms and grown tough because of the forces exerted on its trunk. She was taller than most women, somewhere near six feet, but not overly slender. She was in prime physical condition, and was quite voluptuous. Her dark hair fell to her waist when not bound up by her present braid. But her face was her most salient feature. Her eyes were sparkling blue, her nose was set above full lips and between high cheekbones. When Alyssa smiled, it moved mountains. She was a stark contrast to her much older and much more wizened friend. ‘I never was such a beauty as she is anyway’, Nanty thought to herself with a smile. ‘Guess she’ll just have to live with every male staring at her all the time.’

She turned to Alyssa. What’s on your mind, Princess?

Alyssa came out of her reverie. I’m just thinking of having another go at it, that’s all. Want to time me again?

Nanty smiled and shook her head. You hardly just finished. But if you need to rush, I’d be happy.

Alyssa leaned over and kissed her cheek. Great. Wish me luck. And she bounded for the wall, leapt some four feet into the air, and caught her first handhold. As she began her second climb, Nanty whispered, I always do.

For Alyssa, climbing was both her second favorite exercise, after the run, and her best escape from the pressures upon her. When she climbed she was released from her excessive burdens of thought, fears, guilt, and concerns for her personal safety. She could afford only to focus at the dangers at hand, where to place a finger, or take a step. Where was the loose stone, or the solid crack? The foothold, the handhold? These were the only thoughts that climbing afforded her, and for that she was grateful. She reached the summit of her small vertical rock, and sat down. She was atop Morass, a seven hundred foot stone finger that shot up like a rough hewn arrow. Named for the views it offered of Landing’s great swamps, the larger to the west, and the smaller to the northeast, it was dangerous to climb, but well worth it for the successful.

Atop this twelve-foot wide flat, she felt at peace. Not half a dozen people within the three local provinces would climb Morass. And the only other person who had done it recently, was Tobias, her younger brother. Occasionally they would even meet each other here unplanned, and recently, unwelcome. Alyssa turned her head, as if trying to escape the sudden unpleasant hought of her strife with her brother. She looked out across the great swamp, nearly thirty miles across with added flow from the spring floods, and shivered. As a contestant in the race, she would have to cross part of that marsh, and the prospect was wholly unwelcome. It was the only segment of the race that concerned her at all. She had a deathly fear of that pit of muck and water, and knew that to become King, she would have to conquer it.

As for meeting Tobias, that was unlikely. He had been sent off to Moss to negotiate a contract between their father and the woodsmen. It was a day’s journey, and she had even seen his entourage depart the city that morning, just as she and Nanty finished at the wall. Nanty had returned home, a three hour trek through the hills, and Alyssa had gone to have breakfast at a local shop. She bought a lunch from the proprietor, whom she knew well, and headed straight for the base of Morass. She had ridden her mare, Shy, most of the way, leaving her to graze in the rich pastures by the lakeside. From there it was only a half hour hike into the foothills. The climb itself took nearly two hours, all told, and it was exhausting. Getting down would be easier, with just a series of simple repels to the bottom. She ate her lunch up here, with her legs dangling over the side of the rock. After she finished, she stashed the mess in her pack, and reclined onto the flat of the summit. She yawned, but wouldn’t let herself fall asleep in such a precarious position.

She looked up at the sky and noticed a few small rain clouds approaching the valley. She decided to go down, although she didn’t want to, and began her descent. She reached the ground just in time to feel a few sprinkles mist her face. Then the clouds blew over, and the sun returned. She shook her head at her bad luck, and wistfully wished she hadn’t come down, after all. But it was a silly wish and she buried it beneath her practicality. She toweled off, stashed the towel, hoisted her pack and went to find her horse. As she got close, she whistled several times, and finally she heard the stomps of an approaching friend. Shy nuzzled the princess, and Alyssa caressed her in return. She then tied on her pack, mounted, and rode off to follow Nanty’s road home.

Alyssa had a habit of assisting the workers tend to the fields, or the rice patches, wherever the need was greater. But she had abandoned those self-applied chores for preparation for her race. It was fun, in a way, and she enjoyed the challenge. But if she let herself think about what was ahead of her, she grew apprehensive and reluctant. As she sat by the entrance to one of several dozen forest paths, two days after climbing Morass, she forced herself to face her dilemma. About a decade ago, her father had had one of his guardsmen executed for treason. The lad had been but eighteen, and was guilty of nothing. He had simply been courting a girl from Lowdusk. It would have remained a harmless secret had it not been for Skenter. Or, as he preferred to be called, General Skenter. But in her dictionary, he remained the ultimate combination of smooth talker, pure gentleman, and manged rat. Playing on her father’s hatred of subversion, he had made it plain how this romance would lead to others, and how loyalty would be compromised and then the safety of his kingdom and, ultimately his throne. And so the lad had been executed as an example.

She knew that it was a common practice in many autocracies, or police states, but it had never occurred before in Landing. And It troubled her, even more, that it had been her father who had been the first executioner. Before that incident, he had performed several less fatal, but equally heinous, acts. The very first began when her mother, Marissa Kaia, had been exiled to Seasight, nearly seven hundred miles to the south. Alyssa had been just twelve, and awoke to the sounds of sobbing from her mother, and shouting from her father. She wanted to go see what was the matter, but her father’s anger had frightened her. The next day her mother had come to see her, and her nine year old brother. Tearfully, she explained how she had to go away, and that they could come visit her soon. Her mother had hugged them fiercely, fighting back tears, for what seemed like hours. She broke the embrace, at last, and kissed each of them on the lips. With a brush of their hair, she left, and she had not been seen again in Landing.

At that time, Tobias was too young to really understand that their mother was leaving for good, but both he and Alyssa had been very hurt by this incident. Later, that same year, Alyssa was relocated to Alders, leaving Tobias alone with Skenter and her father. She had screamed up a storm at parting from Toby, and she was forcibly taken and placed on a carriage. She continued to scream for Toby for half a mile, until she knew that she could no longer possibly be heard. She broke down in tears, at that point, and sobbed for the hour it took to reach Alders. It was Nanty who had rushed to her aid, and wrapped her in those big arms. Alyssa, not caring who was holding her but just grateful, was finally able to stop sobbing. That was the beginning of their long and loving companionship, and now Nanty was nearing sixty. Alyssa discovered in the coming days, that her father had been kind enough to ensure that she remained Princess, and was given all the amenities. But it was not the end of his aggressive and destructive ways.

He conquered the two nearest kingdoms somewhere around her thirteenth birthday, a touch of dessert after committing his act of murder against the young soldier. Implementing a series of harsh laws and territorial edicts, he had changed those kingdoms from free traders, to the equivalent of indentured servants. It took nearly a decade for the people of these kingdoms to reorganize but together they managed to take back most of what was theirs. Jessett still retained a heavy hold on them, however, as far as trading and commerce were concerned. Landing controlled the ports, and Jessett controlled Landing. His policies and leverage had led to shortages of food and needed items, and people had been suffering for too long, now. But as his wealth had grown, his ego had grown with it, and the concept of fairness seemed to disappear from him entirely.

Skenter was to a large extent, she believed, responsible for much of the mayhem. He knew his King exceptionally well and played on his fears and ego with the artistry of a bard, and the mastery of a fencer. She had once tried to warn her father about what she saw, upon one of her very few allowed visits to the palace. But her father had gently warned her against starting rumors. She had been nearly seventeen at the time, and his comment, although expressed gently, had caused her temper to flare. I don’t start rumors, she had snapped. Her father’s eyes boiled for a moment, but he forced them back to normal. I don’t think we should continue this discussion, he said. He then casually walked away. Alyssa had been escorted home less than an hour later.

Her father’s comment had told her that he simply didn’t believe that she was capable of making such a judgement. This had angered her a great deal. She was Princess and Heir to the Throne of Landing. To not know people would have made her a poor King. And knowing that she might be king one day, she had lived among them and tried to learn their ways from her earliest weeks in Alders. But it also had told her that he was out of touch with people, even those around him and close to him. He could not maintain the Kingship in that way, successfully, at least, and his own ego would be his downfall. Skenter was getting close to having her father abdicate his throne to Tobias. If that failed, he would have to abandon it by age Sixty, anyway, which was less than seven years away. Once that was done, Skenter was as good as King. Toby could never handle the burden of the Kingship, and she knew that with certainty. He was a great Prince, kind to the people, ever working to help them against her father’s actions. But to sit and give commands was not his way. He was meant to be among them, not to rule them. She, on the other hand, was capable of doing both. But if Skenter got the throne, she was as good as dead. And so was her brother, and probably her mother. Above all, that was why she was running this race. Not to rule, as much as to prevent someone else from ruling.

But merely to rule would be boring, even for her and her eye for the way things ought to be. Nanty was always kidding her about her knack for perfectionism, especially at the times when the Princess insisted on an artistic braid in her hair, before climbing the wall. Alyssa was always forced to explain to Nanty that someone might see her. Or when she had, at the tender age of twelve, restacked sixty bales of hay, singlehandedly, to make room for six more. But Alyssa was hardest on herself, and she knew that Nanty, and several other villagers who cared about her, believed that she was unnecessarily putting herself in danger over running this race. She stood up, and shook her head as though speaking to them. No, she had to do it, despite the risks to herself. It was her responsibility, as heir to the throne, to ensure that it came to her and to no one else.

Of course if her father died soon the problem would be solved. The palace council would appoint her King immediately. But Jessett was in fine health, very strong, and very careful about preserving his well-being. He was in little danger of suddenly passing on. That left Alyssa, first-born, and heir, to take it from him. With that thought, she began her afternoon run. As she ran the forest path, however, she continued to think about all the details. The race itself had been called for by her father, several years before, when factions from Landing and several local provinces had threatened to usurp him. The race was a compromise, of sorts, both to make them think they had a true chance of winning the Kingship and, even more, to avoid civil war.

Alyssa, just twenty at the time, had laughed at the notion. She had been present for the proclamation, as part of the gathering, dressed anonymously in street clothes. Over the years she had gained more information in this way then by any other.

When Jessett had announced the opportunity for a chance to gain the throne, the crowds had cheered. When he broached the subject of the race many booed, many left, but most remained, curiously silent, and awaiting the details. The concept was simple. Defeat Tobias, Prince of Landing and royal heir, in a nine-hundred mile high-endurance and potentially deadly race through the provinces of Landing, Sepia, and Lowdusk. A plan of the race path was handed out to the crowd. Many gasped at the dangers that the contestants had to face, and that was why the plan had worked. The difficulty alone was enough to make the rivals for the throne feel secure in their chances to gain it. Added to that was the youth of the King’s champion , a lad of just seventeen, or so. Many who had left the gathering came back as soon as the news was spread, and Alyssa had suddenly found herself in the midst of a large crowd. The gathering had grown, since the announcement. She had found herself shaking her head in amazement and awe at her father’s cunning, and audacity.

She continued to listen for at least an hour, as contestants were named, and details were explained. The only rules were: no one could leave the race path except to eat, sleep, bathe, or relieve themselves. No violence against other contestants would be tolerated. And the victor had to have a lead of at least thirty minutes, or the race would be considered a draw, in which case the King would retain his title. She left before it was over, knowing her father and his pomp well enough to predict the rest of his speech.

What had transpired, in her mind, had been a miracle. She had thought it impossible, but her father’s (and Skenter’s), cunning had done the unthinkable. They had placed the burden of the kingship squarely upon the shoulder’s of the youngest of all the contestants. Alyssa had laughed out loud, as she walked the mountain road back to Alders. If the other contestants really believed that they could defeat her brother in a high-endurance race, they were fools. The throne was safe for Jessett, as long as the contestants believed in such a chance. The binding came when the representatives from the rival provinces signed contracts that made them agree not to challenge the throne except via the race format. There had been no time limit specified beyond an annual race, but no reluctance, either.

She ran and ran, not even working up a sweat, for nearly ten miles. She took a breather, for a moment, and began calisthenics on a shaded part of soft turf. The trees were big, healthy and turning green with the approach of spring, and at peace. This was her favorite place in all the world, the forests of Landing. Here she ran with deer, played with rabbits and squirrels, and hunted wolves and coyotes. She had made friends with bears, even, and nowhere else could she truly escape from the pressing dilemmas of an out of work princess. But as she jumped and twisted, she knew that the time for escape was ended. It was deadly serious, now, and deadly was the pivotal word. Just running the race was dangerous, but for her, other dangers were greater and more pressing.

Skenter wanted her dead. There was no doubt of that. Tobias wanted someone to rescue him from a fate worse than death, and despite his words, she knew that he hoped, beyond hope, that it would be her. Her father wanted her to remain the symbol of grace and beauty the Kingdom, but powerless and subdued. Hence her invitation to the annual galas, and her abrupt removal when her opinions got the better of her. One rival province might be an enemy to her, she wasn’t sure about Lowdusk. But she was sure that she would have the support of Landing, and Sepia. Aside from her skills and endurance, that was the only thing going for her.

Three hundred jumping jacks completed, a hundred crunches--legs up on a small stump, sixty pull-ups on a low-hanging branch, and she was on her way again, running through the forest. After ten more miles she added ten percent to her number of calisthenics, and ran on for ten more miles. She did the same number of exercises as the first time, turned around, and repeated the same pattern until she returned to Alders, some six hours later. It was an hour till dusk, and several of the sheep herders were walking back to the commune. They waved to her, all flashing big smiles of pride that she was one of them, and the youngest, Mikah, came over to her.

Hey, Lyss, he said, been running?" Mikah was sixteen, and firmly in love with her, she thought. But she loved him like a younger brother and knew that he’d get over it.

Yes I have. When are you going to join me?

He laughed, and shook his head. I can run around the fields all day, but there ain’t no one who can match you in those woods. You know that.

Thanks, she said, softly. But I promise, I won’t take you all over the woods. How about a short jog, say tomorrow?

Sorry, Lyss. As much as I love you, I just don’t think I can trust you. You’d keep saying, ‘come on, you can do it,’ till I fell into a heap from exhaustion.

Oh come on Mikah. Would I do that to you?

You know damn well you would. They both laughed, and Alyssa rubbed his head. He took her strong slim hand in his dusky brown one, and they walked home that way.

Dinner was quiet, that night, as forty Aldersians and their adopted daughter sat at a community table. Most eyes seemed to be focused upon her. She set down her fork, and looked around. She met the eyes of half a dozen people.

All right, she said, What is it? I feel like the centerfold for the Calyx Daily Press. This little publication was Landing’s favorite gardening daily.

A thunderous roar of laughter arose, and Alyssa smiled with pride at her jest. But the jest soon faded. Nanty spoke up. I think you know, Lyss. We all know.

Know what? Is this about the race, again? Now look you guys. We’ve been through this how many times now? I’m not going down that road again.

Nanty shook her head, and Brent, another of her close friends spoke up. Haven’t you heard, Alyssa? It’s all over the kingdom.

A flash of concern crossed Alyssa’s face. Heard what? Has something happened to my mother? To Tobias? Come on, I was running all day. I didn’t get out of the bath until half an hour ago.

It’s neither of those, Alyssa, said a voice behind her. She turned abruptly, and found Tobias standing in the doorway. Her mouth dropped open, impulsively, before she took control and slammed it shut. She looked back at her companions, and by the surprise on their faces, she could see that his presence had not started this conversation, after all. Toby’s arrival had taken them all by surprise.

I need to speak with you, he said, in that shaky public voice that he carried when nervous. Now, and alone. He turned to Nanty, and gave a trembly wave. Hi, was all he said.

Nanty smiled, and nodded. Be nice to her, Tobias. You hear me, right?

Toby didn’t look, nor did he answer. He simply walked out, with a glance behind him to make sure that Alyssa was following.

Once out the door, and on the dirt path, Alyssa sprinted towards the forest road. Toby ran after her, cursing silently, but he lost her in the darkness. He couldn’t even come close to matching her pace, and he slowed to a steady jog. He was about to give up, feeling out of place, blind in the dark, and completely at a loss as to where her sister had gone. He took a deep breath, preparing to call out her name, when her strong hand closed over his mouth.

Quiet, she said with a hiss. I didn’t want us disturbing the village, and I expected that you would start hollering the minute we were face to face. Calm down, all right? He nodded, and she let him go.

Damn it, he spat. Why the hell do you have to... he didn’t finish the thought, and quickly changed tactics. I’ve ridden for nine hours out of the last twelve, I’m tired, hungry, sore, and you take me on a chase down the damn road. Hellofit!

I’m sorry, she said, softly, but not that sorry. We have had a tendency to box, lately, and there are people asleep, already.

Tobias nodded, and took a breath. Her met her eyes, not really willingly, but feeling that he must. I wanted to tell you that Skye has entered the race as a challenger for the crown.

Her eyes lit with concern, reflected by the new rising moon, and her face fell. Did he say why? Her words were soft, filled with sadness and betrayal.

Toby shook his head, his bushy blond hair blowing everywhere with the evening breeze. No. I haven’t spoken to him. But I believe... he trailed off.

Go on!

I believe that it’s so he can try to protect you. Toby leveled a look at his older sister that she could only have described as one of ‘now see what you’ve done.’

Alyssa’s anger flared. Don’t you dare look at me like that. I didn’t bring this craziness into this kingdom. She calmed down. It’s not much fun alienating my baby brother, risking my life and the health of my compatriots, and now, after all that, my boyfriend has to make me worry. Great. Her final word had a finality and sadness to it that even moved her brother.

I’m sorry, he said. I know you feel that you have to do this. But is it really worth all of this? You have a nice home here, people who love you. Can’t you just be happy where you are? Do you have to fix everything?

Alyssa met her brother’s eyes, and held them. Tell me truly Tobias. Can you handle the kingship?

Toby tried to look away, but his sister was holding him firmly with her unrelenting gaze. That gaze that tried so hard to force him to be honest. Finally he ripped his gaze away, as though severing a physical connection.

You can look away, Toby...

Tobias, he snapped.

Tobias, she continued. But you can’t run away from the truth.

I can be king, he said at last, hurriedly and with an artificial vehemence. Father needs me, and I’m prepared to fulfill my obligations to him.

Oh please, Tobias. You needn’t speak as though you like father. I know you don’t, so you might as well stop trying to protect him.

What do you mean, protect him? She was hitting close to home, and he could feel his face heating.

The only reason that he doesn’t want me in the race is that he’s afraid I might win. Then I’ll be king. She shook her head, incredulous at his lack of comprehension. Don’t you see? He wants you, and no one else but you, to be king after him. He’s already set it in motion. But I am the first-born, and the right belongs to me! I can end the corruption, the greed. I can bring peace back to Landing. I can reunite the bonds between Landing and her sister kingdoms. All he cares about is finding a stooge that he can control. I’m sorry to say it, Tobias, but you’re it.

Oh, nice, he said, lamely. Then more fiercely, You know he’ll never allow it. The council will never allow it. Father will make sure that you are stopped, and you know who’ll be asked to stop you, don’t you?

Are you threatening me? Or are you afraid of me? And stop calling that monster father. He profanes the very name. And you know very well that the council cannot deny me, and I know that you know that. She clenched her fists, and took a few deep breaths. If I win the race, I will win the Kingship. But make no mistake about this. I would rather have you as an ally, if you could just get over your fear of daddy the despot. But if you stand in my way, I’ll do whatever it takes to pass you.

We’ll have to see about that, he said, quietly. He began to walk back to the village. Alyssa followed, allowing him to brood for the short walk back. She then touched his shoulder and he turned to face her.

Thanks for coming all the way out here to tell me about Skye. You didn’t have to, you know.

He nodded, and quickly rubbed his eyes, covering his emotions with a strategic yawn. I thought you might be persuaded to change your mind. But there’s no way, now, is there?

Alyssa smiled, and breathed a sigh of relief. It’s good to have you finally understand that, Tobias. She breathed again, and sighed again, longer. She continued quietly, but with her unmistakable earnestness. At this point, I would rather die than remain a stooge, or a sex-symbol, or a worthless repeat debutante. My rights to me, are less important than what IS right, and I am the only suitable candidate for the kingship, Tobias. You know just as well as I do that if that weren’t true, I wouldn’t be in so much danger. And that is how, above all, that I know what I must do.

He nodded, sighed out a quiet sob, and mounted his black stallion, Brick. He looked down at his older sister, and shook his head. You have to make it into the palace by nightfall in four days. How the hell...

Don’t worry. I was traipsing through its passages and crannies before you were walking. I’ll find a way. She smiled, and touched his hand. Help me Tobias, please. I promise that if you do, I’ll be better able to help you.

His look turned vacant, and he absently nodded. His errand completed, and suddenly more burdened than before, he rode off at a run. Alyssa was forced to smile sadly, but with relief and anticipation mixed in. No easy task lay before her. First she would have to make her way home, to the palace. Then she would need to declare her challenge for the race, to the council.

Chapter 2: Family And Friends

Nanty was used to Alyssa’s temperaments. And it was no trouble tending to a girl who was always hardest on herself. But it was trouble to have to watch her put herself in mortal danger. She had vowed to offer Alyssa support, and she would no matter what happened. At present she was knitting thick-soled socks so that Alyssa would have enough for the race. But as she sat by her ward’s upstairs window, looking out over the village and the meadows beyond, she was subtly hoping that things might miraculously straighten themselves out before the first of April, four days away. She knew it wasn’t kind, but every day she wished that Jessett would either drop dead, or abdicate his throne and declare himself a fool. Either way, Alyssa would be named King. And the race would be ended, for all time. That was one of the Princess’s oft-stated goals.

She watched with a mixture of humor and concern as Alyssa tried to do her packing. They had been together in the same room for nearly two hours, and had barely spoken. Alyssa was deep in thought, and probably shaking inside with fear, thought Nanty. But if she was afraid, she would never show it, if possible. Instead, she would do what she was doing at present: busy herself with as many tasks as she could. Work herself to exhaustion, scrub a room until it was spotless, pack and repack a simple bag, all to avoid thinking about what was troubling her. And then, her tasks completed, she would move on to something else, her problems seeming to have vanished. But Nanty had never been fooled, and when Alyssa suddenly snapped at someone, or threw her fist at the breeze, she knew that the Princess had been shoving