Amber's Dilemma: Book Ii of the Land of Sterling Series

By Madelyn S. Palmer

Fourteen year old Amber should be the happiest girl alive. She lives a privileged life in the peaceful kingdom of Sterling.
But she is not as pretty as Alyssa, one of the girls of the court, and she is unable to catch the eye of handsome Sir Royce. Her mother doesnt seem to have enough time for her. Her ten year old brother Matthew always seems to show up at the wrong moments. How in the world will she ever fit in?
Amber is determined to change her situation by doing something bold and daring. But her plan goes awry, endangering those she loves.
In this coming of age story, Amber learns more about herself, and how to come to terms with the life she is expected to lead.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Dec 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490767437

Madelyn S. Palmer

Madelyn S. Palmer is publishing a teen fiction series, The Land of Sterling, and is in process of writing several historical fiction novels about individuals in the scriptures. A common theme in her writing focuses on journeys of self-discovery. Madelyn S. Palmer is a Family Physician practicing in Littleton, Colorado. She is married with four sons and a beagle dog. Her other interests include gardening, sewing, karate and working with the women and youth of her church.

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Copyright 2015 Madelyn S. Palmer.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN:

978-1-4907-6742-0 (sc)

ISBN:

978-1-4907-6744-4 (hc)

ISBN:

978-1-4907-6743-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015919611

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Sneaking Out

Chapter 2 Youth May Day Festival

Chapter 3 Finding Matthew

Chapter 4 Cleaning the Castle

Chapter 5 Embarrassment

Chapter 6 Horseback Ride

Chapter 7 Cook

Chapter 8 Cousins

Chapter 9 Work and Play

Chapter 10 The Royal Ball

Chapter 11 Rimrock Island

Chapter 12 Recovery

Chapter 13 Autumn Harvest

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Dallin Palmer for his inspiring ideas for the book. Thanks to Cherry Silver and Benjamin Palmer for helping with editing and giving constructive feedback. Thanks to all my friends and readers who encouraged me to continue writing.

CHAPTER 1

SNEAKING OUT

A mber wiggled and squirmed between barrels and crates until she reached the row of wagons lined up along a low stone wall at the edge of the jousting field. Then she crawled on her stomach under the wagons until she found one where she could see the center of the field while staying relatively hidden from view. There she waited.

Several jousters came onto the field in turns, riding on their horses, driving their lances into hoops and rings of various sizes hanging from posts dotted around the field. It was just a practice run, but some of the knights cursed and shouted heatedly whenever they missed the rings. After each knight had finished his practice, pages and squires ran around replacing rings on the posts.

Then a young knight dressed in red cloth underneath gold armor pulled up his steed at the edge of the field waiting for his turn. Amber's breath caught in her chest, and she scooted forward to get a better look.

When it was his turn, the red and gold knight kicked his horse into a smooth lope. He held his lance cradled comfortably but firmly in his right arm as he scooped ring after ring. He missed one, but remained calm, focusing on the next ring.

Amber watched him in fascination, his lithe movements, his trim figure, his manly strength. She let out a long sigh.

'You like him, don't you, Amber?" observed a voice quietly beside her.

She turned and saw her ten year old brother, Matthew, sprawled on his stomach beside her. Matthew, she hissed. What are you doing here? Get out of here!

He grinned. I'll leave when you leave.

Amber turned back to watch the red and gold knight finish up his rotation around the field. When he rode his horse out of sight back to the stables, she scooted herself backwards, and crawled back to the barrels and crates. Matthew crawled after her. After standing and pushing through the barrels, Amber dusted off the front of her dress as best she could, then began walking briskly down a footpath leading toward the castle on the hill.

Sir Royce is too old for you, you know, Matthew commented, as he jogged to keep up with his sister. He's already twenty.

So? Amber retorted. I'm almost fifteen. People marry with that age difference all the time.

Mother wouldn't like it. She wants you to marry Prince Harry from Adonia.

I don't see why she cares who I marry, Amber harrumphed. She married a farmer, for goodness sakes.

Prince Harry has pimples, Matthew stated.

Amber burst into giggles, then snorted. Mattie, you are so irreverent.

I get it from Father. Matthew scratched at the back of his britches. That still doesn't explain why you are out here watching the jousting, Amber, when you are supposed to be in the castle doing your studies.

Amber sighed. Old Professor Haglund fell asleep giving a lecture on Twelfth Century Religious Rhetoric. I slipped out between snores.

Matthew looked her over. The front of your dress is dirty. Mother is going to find out you skipped out on your tutor again.

Amber looked down at her dress. I will definitely have to change before going back to class. Shelley is not going to be happy that I soiled a second dress this week. She sighed. I just feel so much happier outside. I don't guess Mother ever sneaked out of the castle to get some fresh air.

Matthew was chewing on a long stalk of grass he had pulled from the side of the path. You might be surprised.

Amber looked at him sharply. Hey, aren't you supposed to be learning your Page duties with Sir Bentley this afternoon?

Matthew grinned. Like you are supposed to be studying with Haglund. I knew you needed me to come find you. Besides, I wanted to help out at the field for a while.

Amber groaned inwardly. It never failed, whenever she wanted time alone or with other adolescents her age, her brother would show up and she would have to take him back home.

Come on, Mattie. We better get you back before Bentley misses you.

They jogged silently up the hill to the main castle gate. Matthew suddenly got a big grin on his face. What are you gonna do for me in exchange for me not telling Mother you were out here? he asked slyly.

Oh, you brat! Amber slugged him in the arm. I only promise not to tie you up and feed you to the lions!

He continued smiling, unfazed. Are you planning on going to the May Day Youth Festival? he asked.

Why? What's it to you? Amber frowned.

Ask Mother if I can go with you, he looked up at her, his eyes pleading, face serious. Otherwise I have to help Tom repair the weapons at the jousting tournament. The heat of the blacksmith fires hurts my lungs. He coughed for emphasis. I get so bored. I would much rather be with you.

She gazed at her brother. He did always look so miserable in the heat of the blacksmith shop. If he came along, the other girls would probably take him under their care and entertain him. She would still get a chance to charm the boys with her feminine wiles.

All right, she acquiesced. Not a word to Mother, and I promise I'll ask if you can go along with me to the Festival.

Amber made sure Matthew went back to doing his chores in the stables, then slipped up to her bedroom suite in the castle. She changed into a clean dress, and kicked the dirty one under her bed. Then she returned to the library study room where her classes were held. Professor Haglund was nowhere to be found. Amber groaned inwardly. Father was sure to hear about her truancy from class today. She sat down at her desk, and as quickly as she could, dipping her pen into the inkwell, scribbled out a paragraph commenting on what she had heard of Haglund's lecture. She looked at the manuscript critically. There were two inkblots and three smudges, but there was a good statement of the differing sides of the argument. It would do. She left the essay on her desk and went to see if she could find Pickles, her cat.

Pickles had gotten her name when she had fallen in a pickle jar in the kitchen pantry as a kitten. She actually hated pickles, and much preferred to eat the mice in the castle. Cook only tolerated her in the kitchen because she was such a good mouser. Pickles liked to sneak into the salted fish barrel when she could, and then Cook would chase her out of the kitchen with her broom.

Pickles was nowhere to be found. Amber wandered the castle until supper time. At six o'clock she entered the dining hall. Her father, King Robert, was already seated at his end of the table. He was working on punching holes in a saddle cinch strap, his tools laid out on the dining room table.

We have saddlers who can do that for you, Father, Amber announced matter-of-factly. And I don't think Mother will appreciate your tools being laid out like that on the table.

Oh, hello Amber, King Robert smiled at her, and quickly moved his tools to the floor. He wiped his brow with the back of his hand and left a dirt smudge on his forehead. How was your day?

Oh, fine, Amber replied vaguely, and slid into her seat at the side of the table. She tapped her finger on the table, and noted that her father was still working on the cinch strap, gold-rimmed dinner china pushed toward the center of the table. She shook her head and rolled her eyes.

Matthew burst into the dining hall and with a bump sat down at his place across from Amber.

Phew! she held her nose. Mattie, did you even wash up?

Matthew held his hands up in front of him and inspected them. He shrugged.

Go wash your hands, Matthew, commanded King Robert without looking up.

Matthew left the dining hall and was back five minutes later, his hands cleaner, face pink, and bangs damp. Better? he asked, looking at Amber.

She looked at him and sniffed. Your clothes still smell like a horse's stall.

Perfect, he responded. That's exactly where I was this afternoon.

The dining hall door opened again, and Queen Elinore swept in. She took her seat at the end of the table opposite her husband, and set down a stack of parchments. Good, I didn't miss the soup, she commented. You can't believe the paperwork I still have to do tonight. I thought the line of peasant's problems today would never end.

Almost on cue, the opposite door from the kitchen opened. Monica, Cook's chief assistant, came in carrying a tray of soup bowls. As they sipped their soups, the King and Queen discussed their day. Matthew tried to catch Amber's attention, but she avoided his gaze.

After soup, Monica brought in the chicken, potatoes and beans. Conversation quieted for a few minutes while they ate.

How did your lessons go today, Amber? Queen Elinore finally asked.

Amber glanced at Matthew, who clamped his mouth shut, raised his eyebrows, sat back and watched her.

Fine, she answered. Her mother gazed at her expectantly. Haglund-- she began.

Queen Elinore coughed a warning to Amber.

Professor Haglund, Amber corrected, Lectured on Twelfth Century Religious Rhetoric. Mother, what is rhetoric?

While Queen Elinore went on explaining rhetoric in its various meanings, Matthew cut away at his chicken, and Amber let her mind wander while her eyes stayed focused on her mother, simulating rapt attention.

Neither Queen Elinore nor King Robert mentioned knowing anything about her having skipped her afternoon lecture, which meant that Haglund hadn't told either of them about it. Perhaps he feared losing his position as Royal Tutor, if the king and queen found out about his tendency to fall asleep mid afternoon. Well, Amber didn't mind. It meant she would have more opportunities to enjoy exploring the outdoors during study time.

She realized Queen Elinore had stopped talking, and was looking at her as if expecting a response. Thank you, Mother, she smiled, For that elucidating explanation.

Matthew kicked her shin and glared at her, jerking his head slightly in Mother's direction.

Oh, Mother, Amber asked sweetly, wishing Matthew would have forgotten his earlier request. I was wondering if Matthew could come with me to the May Day Youth Festival. I could use his help uh...carrying the baskets of ribbons and flowers we are decorating the poles with.

Matthew piped up quickly. I promise I'll finish my chores with Sir Bentley the day before. I'm sure he won't miss me for one day.

Queen Elinore searched their faces for a moment. What do you think, Robert? Should we let him go?

King Robert looked up from his chicken, and saw his son's earnest pleading face. I don't see why not, Dear, he responded. It would probably do him some good, having some time with Amber.

Matthew clapped his hands on the table, making his dishes jump. All right! he hooted.

Don't shout at the dinner table, Matthew, Queen Elinore chided him. It's not very princely.

I don't care, he muttered, but only Amber seemed to hear him.

You better behave at the festival, she hissed. Or I'll have Malcom bring you right home again.

Matthew put his thumb to his nose and wriggled his fingers at his sister. I'm so scared.

Matthew! Queen Elinore cut in sternly. Stop that behavior right now, or I will send you to your room before dessert!

I don't care, he whispered, but he sat quietly and stared at his plate until Monica took it away. Robert and Elinore were talking about some kingdom business that didn't interest the children. Matthew perked up when fig and berry tortes were brought out. After eating three tortes he began yawning noisily.

Mother, Father, may I be excused to my chambers? I'm ready to go to bed.

Of course, Matthew, Queen Elinore interrupted her conversation to respond. Give your father and me a kiss before you go.

Matthew kissed his mother and father, and started for the dining hall door. Then he stopped and turned. May Amber go with me? I'm scared to go to the upper rooms by myself at night.

Amber stuffed her last bite of torte into her mouth. Queen Elinore turned to Amber. Amber, do you mind going with your brother? I still have to talk to your father about some things.

Amber swallowed and nearly coughed on her bite of torte. Yes, I'll go, she said, her voice muffled. She got up from the table, kissed her father and mother goodnight, and followed Matthew from the dining hall.

What's up, Mattie? she asked, when they had gone a ways down the hall. I happen to know for a fact that you are not scared of the upper rooms, or any other part of the castle.

That's not true, he muttered. I don't like the dungeons at all.

Amber had to give him that one. She didn't like the dungeons either. So where are we really going? she asked, when he passed by the main stairs going up.

Sh! he put his fingers to his lips. You'll see. He led her down a back hall past the kitchens, to a door that was locked. He took out an old skeleton key, and wiggled it in the keyhole. There was a click, and the door unlocked. He opened it and beckoned Amber through it.

That leads to the old trash heaps, Amber whispered. I'm not going out there.

Not just the trash heaps, Matthew answered. Amber, when was the last time you saw Pickles?

Pickles my cat? I don't know. The day before yesterday, I think. Why?

I found out where she's hiding. There's an old shed or something out here. I think you'll want to see this.

Curious, she followed Matthew down a couple of steps, past the piles of old junk and broken pottery against the castle's courtyard walls, and toward a shadowed shed in the corner. Near the shed, Matthew reached for a small torch stuck into an outer wall, pulled a flint and striker out of his pocket, and lit a small flame. Then he ducked into the shed.

The