Heart of Skydean

By Shirley E. Watson

Silver Dawn lives her life free, riding her beloved winged horse, Brightcloud, until her father arranges her wedding to Lord Hazard, whom she hasn't even met. Suddenly, she is faced with getting used to a new husband and fighting a war against a tyrant who wants to enslave them all. Would her life ever be the same again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shirley E. Watson
• Release date: Jan 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310177767

Shirley E. Watson

Born in Northern Ireland, I lived in New York and now in New Jersey for many years. Frequent visitor to Cape Cod and North Florida.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Zee reined in his dappled gray skyhorse Steele, one of the winged horses used by the Border Patrol, of which he was a member. He observed his sister, Silver, watching from the cliff that overlooked the approach to their land of Skydean. The wind was in his direction and she couldn't hear him coming yet. He decided to wait for a moment, not disturbing her. He thought that his sister was very beautiful. She was slender, with pale silvery blonde hair, worn medium long. Even in the plain gray uniform of the Border Patrol, she shone. And she was brave. As a young woman, she had earned the rank of Leader of the Skyhorse Flights. He hoped now that his sister would have a happy marriage. Zee, at sixteen, had no experience of these things. All he knew was that a strange man was coming to be married to her. Strange to all of them except maybe his father, the King, who had arranged the whole thing.

Silver patted the neck of her skyhorse, Brightcloud. She could smell the dry dust and the horse's sweat. A tiny feather floated loose from his wings and drifted across her nose. She batted it away and removed her gloves. She didn't have to come but she couldn't resist a first look. There was no way she could have stayed home, waiting, even though she wouldn't meet Lord Hazard until her father formally introduced them tomorrow. She had a commanding view of the meeting place below and her men and women. She could catch the sound of excited laughter and see the horses swooping and landing. They were waiting to escort her future bridegroom to Castlemist. There, she would be introduced to him by her father, King of Skydean. Feasting would go on for a week before Lord Hazard returned home to Redrock. He would come back to Skydean in a month for their wedding. The match had been made because her elderly father, King Bernard, had been very worried about Anark the Invader of Ravensland, who seemed to be extending his holdings and perhaps had his eye on Skydean. An alliance with Lord Hazard, heir to the vast Kingdom of Sunbar, would be insurance that their land would be protected. Silver, like a dutiful daughter, was honoring her father's wishes. There was no reason to discuss her own. Now, as she watched for a sign of Lord Hazard's arrival, she prayed that her father's choice had been right.

I know I won't get a closer look at him until tomorrow, of course, but I couldn't stay home and wait passively. All I know of him is that he is tall and dark, the opposite of myself. They say he's a warrior, which may not be the best kind of husband, but my father wanted someone who could protect me and of course, his kingdom. Poor Father, he feels his age. I know he's thinking of me with this marriage. He thinks it will protect me. I don't let myself think of Sorrel. I had always believed that we would be married some day, if I ever married at all, that is. Sorrel with his waving golden brown hair and tawny eyes would have been an easy-going companion. My childhood friend. We were never lovers, saving that for one day in the future, I suppose. Somewhere in the back of my mind was always the knowledge and fear that the choice of a husband would not be mine. But nothing was ever said until just recently, when my father got news of Anark. It was frightening to think of war, but I was ready to lead the Skyhorse Flight against him. We have the bravest and most skillful fighters, in my estimation, but my father said we would be outnumbered and he didn't want to lose his beloved child. So I accepted his decision to join with Sunbar. Sorrel will understand why. I hope he will, because I believe he also thought we would marry. Now, in the deepest part of my being, I feel a tiny chill of fear. Married to a man I've never even met? I will summon up all the resources of a decorated Skyhorse leader, and we will save the Kingdom together.

Silver threw off her musings. It wasn't like her, anyway, to meet trouble halfway. She narrowed her eyes at the scene below. There seemed to be movement now. Yes, there was Lord Hazard's retinue and they had begun to move towards the road to Castlemist. The figures were too far away to really see anything. She had heard that most who knew him, called him Haz. Suddenly, with a swish of wings, Zee arrived beside her.

Silver smiled at her brother. Why aren't you down there? She picked up the reins, ready to leave.

I was looking for you. Shouldn't you be getting ready, or something?

There's a lot to do before I meet with Haz, but I'm ready for it. And I've got to get back right now.

Zee tossed his dark hair back. Haz, I like that. Is that what they call him? He looked like their mother, who had disappeared years ago and was presumed dead. Maybe that's why Silver had a soft spot in her heart for him and tried her best to educate and guide him. It wasn't easy, because Zee had the wild spirit of their people. Zee was in Second Flight, which was led by Sorrel. At the thought of Sorrel, Silver felt sad. Once, she would have gone to him to discuss everything. As children, they used to sit in the hay barn loft until the stars came out and just talk, watching the constellations wheel across the sky. Their friendship was valuable to her, and it was why she thought that they might have made it something else some day. Then Silver put the thought from her mind. She was Haz's now, and it was time to move on. She flicked the tip of her reins at Zee.

Come on, brother, I'll race you back to the stables.

Zee took off without a second thought. Silver followed her impetuous young brother more slowly. She couldn't keep her mind from going back to the question: was she ready to commit to a man she hadn't even met yet, a man with a reputation as a fierce warrior? And why was she even asking herself that question? It had been already decreed and she had accepted. Silver urged on Brightcloud. Back to Castlemist and her future.

They arrived back almost together, laughing. When Silver turned Brightcloud over to the groom and watched him disappear into the Castlemist stables, she hurried to get inside. Matty, her younger sister, met her in the Great Hall and pulled her towards the staircase.

Come on, what kept you? Don't you know that Lord Hazard is on his way? Where were you, practicing the starsword again?

Silver detached her sister's hand from her arm and walked beside her up the stairs.

No. Actually, I caught a glimpse of Haz. She knew that would excite Matty and it did.

What? You saw him? Where?

Oh, settle down! Way in the distance.

"You are too much! I can't wait to see you settled down."

Silver laughed loudly. Dear Matty. No one could ever do that.

Matty frowned and ushered her sister into her bedroom.

There's a dress I wanted you to try on for tomorrow.....

Chapter 2

Moonpath, known to her friends and relations as Matty, just a year and a half younger than Silver, managed the finances of the Castle and royal lands and had a seat on the Governing Council of the Kingdom. She knew she had deserved her position by working hard. But that didn't mean she hadn't time for other things like fashion, art, decor. She left her sister's room after making her look at appropriate clothing for the Festival in Honor of Lord Hazard. Silver usually left practical things to her and of course, she was good at it. No use having false modesty, Matty thought, as she daintily picked her way back downstairs. Matty looked a little like Silver although smaller and rounder; even her hair gave a rounded appearance with its blonde curls. She mostly wore gowns and liked to adorn herself with the jewelry made in the Kingdom, silver with touches of gold and precious stones, made by the craftspeople who had booths near the Castle walls. Matty liked to encourage the crafts and any other enterprise that looked promising. She was deeply interested in questions of economy and wanted to help her land to prosper. As she walked into the Banquet Hall to check on preparations, she smiled at the Castle servants and they brightened at her presence. Silver always said that Matty was a natural mother figure, which tended to annoy Matty a little. She didn't want to mother her people. She wanted to help them succeed. Well, if that was like a mother, then that wasn't too bad. Some day, she'd have children of her own. Matty was married to Aaron, who owned a shop which made fine clothing and supplied the Border Patrol with uniforms. Occasionally, he would accompany the Border Patrol to test different ideas. His tales of these trips around the borders sometimes made Matty uneasy. That kind of adventure was not for her. And Aaron wasn't a warrior, but he liked to think he could be. As she walked, she thought of Sorrel, Silver's friend. If things had been different, she wondered if they would have been married. Sorrel, of course, was not wealthy or had an important position.

As the King's eldest daughter, Silver had responsibility and she also had a strong character, Matty thought. She would need that strength to marry Lord Hazard, who, Matty thought, had plenty of strength of his own. At least, that's what people said of him. He came from the country of Sunbar, in the lowland hills, a country of contrasts, blue hills and green valleys and lakes. The army there spent most of its time fighting Anark, who made forays to plunder its riches, the minerals that lay beneath the surface, and the bounty of the fields and farms.

Silver lay back on her bed after Matty went out of her room. She studied the ceiling, with its familiar carved beams, thinking that today marked an important point in her life. After today, nothing might ever be the same again. Up to now, she had been a free spirit. She'd fought for the right to join the Border Patrol. And she'd done well. The last thing she had wanted was to be regarded as a spoiled Princess. Although she, Matty and Zee, were never treated as children who were above others, to be pampered. Her parents had thought carefully about their upbringing. They had been raised to take responsibility and to treat their lives of privilege as an opportunity to help their country and its people. Now, it had been necessary to reach out to another land for help against their common enemy and Silver had been part of this plan. She had willingly agreed to join her life with Lord Hazard. What that meant, she didn't like to think about too much. It was her obligation. She hoped it wasn't the end of her life of freedom.

She finally got up. Time to get dressed. Matty had insisted she wear something nice. Silver supposed that meant the lavender and blue dress she'd recommended. Silver wasn't a woman who spent much time on her clothing. Although she appreciated nice things, it usually didn't cross her mind to think about them. Most of the time, she was dressed in either the gray uniform of the Border Patrol, or lounging in off duty casual clothing. She took out the dress and admired it. It had a low neckline and a flowing skirt. Might be really nice to get dressed up once in a while.

The first thing to do was bathe. It was a dusty job riding with the Border Patrol. She toweled off and slipped the dress over her head and looked at her image in the mirror. Well, she had to admit that she did look more like a woman and less like a soldier. The color scheme complemented her fair coloring and blue eyes and the silky cloth clung to her slender but womanly shape. She went to a chased silver box on a shelf and opened it. It held the jewelry she had inherited from her mother. She picked up sapphire earrings and fastened them to her ears. They had been made by the craftsmen who worked their talents in Skydean. She added a silver necklace with a sapphire pendant. A woman who helped the King's daughters on special occasions came into the room. She exclaimed. Lady Silver! You are beautiful! Your mother would have been so proud of you.

Silver smiled sadly. I wish she could have been here today.

The woman began to brush Silver's hair and work it into braids and waves. Soon, it was time for Silver to go down into the Hall where the Festival was probably already in full swing. She was glad of this, because it wasn't as though she was walking into the room alone. She made her way to the raised platform where her father was already sitting. He saw her and got up. Turning to the man beside him, he said proudly, Lord Hazard, I would like to introduce you to my daughter, Lady Silver Dawn.

Silver was examining Haz under her eyelashes as her father spoke. She saw a large man, powerful looking, with dark waving hair and dark eyes. His glance passed over her and she thought there was approval in it. He was certainly intimidating and a small thrill of dread went through her. Nevertheless, she smiled as the introduction ended and curtseyed politely.

Haz swept a bow in return and there was the hint of a smile on his mouth, which changed his expression from its fierce glare to a more pleasant one. I am very pleased to meet you, Lady Silver Dawn.

Silver took her seat beside her father, relieved that the initial meeting was over. Hopefully, now they could all relax. Tempting smells of roast meats and simmering puddings, the plinking of the orchestra, the winking fire lights, all made the festival-goers merry. With a nervous stomach, Silver had little appetite in spite of the wonderful food. She watched the people below them. Catching his eye, Silver waved at Sorrel as he led a partner in the dance. She thought he'd been avoiding her for some reason. They had always been closer than brother and sister. She wouldn't have minded if he'd come over and passed some joking remark as he used to do. It might have eased the tension she felt. However, he just inclined his head as he passed the banquet table where Silver sat and went on his way.

The King reached out to take Silver's hand.

Thank you for indulging an old man, daughter. Since you were born, your mother and I dreamed of a celebration like this, honoring the old traditions. Your sister wanted only the new customs for her feast.

Silver laughed. Yes, that's Matty. A lady but in the end, extremely practical. This is fun. I'm enjoying it. She paused. I only wish Mother could have been here. Well, maybe she's looking down on us, right, Father?

Her father squeezed her hand.

Silver glanced at Haz. Her bridegroom to be was looking at the scene also. As though he felt her glance, he looked around at her. Her breath caught at the banked fire in those dark eyes. He rose and held out a hand big as the paw of a snow bear.

Let us dance. He led her to the floor and they took their places. When he released her to another man as they progressed through the line of dancers, she felt the separation from him as a small shock. The man had some kind of magnetism, no doubt. He was attracting women's glances. Or maybe they were just curious about the new arrival. And, he was surprisingly light on his feet and graceful for such a big man.

Haz said softly. So. We'll be husband and wife a month from now.

Silver looked up at him. Yes.