THE CROWN AND THE FLAME by ROCHELLE PIETERSE (classic books for 7th graders TXT) 📕

“We shall see about that,” Sir Luke said as he rises to his feet, but Liath darted close to him, planting his foot behind Sir Luke and knocking him down. The sword fell out of his hands. In an instant Skyelar grabbed the sword and pointed it at Liath.

“Back away from him,” she snapped.

Liath only laughed, “Good instincts… for a royal.”

Before Skyelar could react, Liath pulls a dagger out of his sleeve and throws it, cutting her hand and causing her to drop the sword.

Liath Grinned, “Don’t point a sword at me, little girl. Not unless you’re planning to stick it in me. And you’re welcome…”

She raised her eyebrow, seeing that is what he was waiting for he continued, “For showing you a taste of what’s to come. Maybe you’ll take my offer now, old man?” Liath asked Sir Luke.

“Never.”

“I hope the little girl is ready to see your head rolling by her feet. I’ll make sure she gets a good view.”

Skyelars anger flared up but she kept calm, “That won’t happen.”

“And how will you stop it? By letting someone else die for you?! You rulers are all the same! That’s why my men and I bow to no one,” Liath spat.

“Skyelar, pay him no mind,” Sir Luke spoke, “He can’t possibly understand the weight of ruling a kingdom.”

“No, Sir Luke. He’s right,” Skyelar confessed. Both men looking at her dumbfounded.

“I am?” Liath almost choked.

“Yes, you are. I can’t sit safely by while others fight for me. If I’m going to rule, it won’t be because someone handed me a crown. I’ll earn it.” Both men was staring at her but she continue on anger rising in her voice, “If I’m going to rule, it will be because I have earned my place on the throne, through blood and steel. So you see, I won’t be like other rulers. I can’t be like other rulers. If I’m going to be the queen that the people fight for I must prove that I’m strong enough to deserve their loyalty. And that starts now.”

“What are you saying?” Sir Luke questioned.

Skyelar let out a deep breath and looked Liath squarely in the eyes, “I will fight Liath myself.”

Liath looked at her as if she was nuts but he shrugged and left.

CHAPTER 6: THE DUEL

“I can’t let you fight for me. It goes against everything I believe in,” Sir Luke protested.

“Well, I can’t let you fight for me. It goes against what I need to become.” Skyelar said icily. “So, what’s it going to be Sir Luke? I fight and become the queen you’ve trained me to be… or you fight and, no matter the outcome, I never amount to anything?”

“Hells!” Sir Luke exclaimed caught off guard by her testimony, “You’re not going to bend are you?”

“No,” she said sternly.

“Then let’s get you fight-ready,” he smiled as he picked up the sword and handed it to her. Sir Luke walked her through a training exercise while she discussed her upcoming duel.

“What have you noticed about Liath that’ll help in this fight?” Sir Luke asked.

“He fights dirty. He knocked you down by tripping you when the two of you weren’t even fighting,” Skyelar replied.

“Very good. Fighting him won’t be like sparring against the monks at the monastery. Not only will he fight dirty, but he’ll fight to kill.”

It was midafternoon when Zayden and Lucy was reviewing the rescue plan.

“You’re sure you can incapacitate the guards?” Zayden asked.

“They’re always demanding more wine with their dinner. It’ll hardly be suspicious for me to give it to them,” Lucy explained.

“And you said you’ve got a few casks of particularly flavorful wine?”

“Yes. They’ll never taste the sleeping powder. And with the way those two drink, they’ll be out before nightfall,” Lucy laughed.

“How flavorful is this wine?” Zayden asked.

“I brought some of the wine with me. Would you like a taste? I promise, there’s no sleeping powder in it yet,” Lucy remarked with a lazy grin.

“I’ll drink… will you?”

“Well, I wouldn’t make you drink alone,” she replied sheepishly as she poured a glass for each of them and handed one to him.

Zayden clinks his glass against hers, “To escape attempts.”

“To freedom for those who deserve it,” She chimed.

“Cheers,” Zayden said, then took a sip and coughed. “That is strong.”

Lucy laughed, “Don’t tell me the big strong Zayden can’t handle his wine?”

“I can handle it. I’m handling it right now.”

“You’re always so in control. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you really relax. Not in the last two years anyway…” Lucy’s voice turned soft. “You think about her, don’t you?”

“Who?” Zayden asked confused.

“You know…” Lucy wasn’t sure how to put it into words. Her own feelings have developed so rapidly she was afraid of what the outcome may be. “Skyelar. The two of you were close.”

“It’s hard to be close to someone you never see…” Zayden said quietly.

“Two years is a long time, isn’t it? Maybe long enough to begin caring about someone new?” she said too quickly, her cheeks immediately heating with embarrassment.

“Lucy…” Zayden started but was interrupted by Dragon who was convinced they forgot about him.

“Oh, Dragon, are we not paying enough attention to you?” Lucy said and started stroking Dragons feathers, and he preened under the attention. Nipping affectionately at her fingertips.

“Do you remember the first time we met, Zayden?” Lucy asked not looking at him.

“Yes. Maybe? No.”

“I do. It was by the stables. We were just children. You’d come back from a hunt.” She sighed. “Some boys from the village were kicking something, and I thought it was a rock… but you ran up and pulled this small bundle of feathers away from them. Dragon was just a little thing, wounded and crying for help. I thought he’d die, but you were so gentle.”

“That’s right. You wouldn’t look at Dragon because it made you cry.” Zayden continued, “After that, I started coming to the kitchens every day for scraps.”

“Until Dragon was strong enough to hunt. I knew there was something special about you then. You’re so strong, yet also so gentle. And when others were cruel, you stopped them,”

“Lucy...” he cast her a startled sidelong glance.

“I…” she lifted her head and held his eyes. “I love you, Zayden. If I’m being honest, I’ve been in love with you for a long time now.” Lucy leaned in and rested her head against his shoulder. Zayden sat there pole stiff and confused, his face paled and his eyes widened with anxiety.  The door opened and Avery entered just as Zayden looked up.

“Sorry I’m late. I…” Avery started. “What’s going on here?” Avery asked, slitting his eyes at them.

“I… we… it’s nothing!” Zayden said regaining his composure.

“It doesn’t look like nothing. How stupid do you think I am?” Avery shook his head with disgust.

“I’m not a little girl, Avery! I’m free to love any man I want. And I’m in love with Zayden,” Lucy snapped.

“Lucy, do you know how many women Zayden’s charmed into his bed? Do you really think you’re the first? Get out of here. Now!”

Lucy blushed and ran from out of the room. Avery watched her leave then turned back to Zayden heat flooded his face, “That’s my sister, Zayden. Not some wench from the taverns.”

“I know.”

“You stay away from her. I’m not going to watch you break her heart,” Avery stiffened angrily.

“Avery…” Zayden tried to explain.

Avery stomped to where Zayden sat and jabbed an admonishing finger into his chest, “I don’t want to hear it, Zayden. You’re like a brother to me. Act like it.”

Zayden stared at him in disbelief as he watched Avery storm from the room.

It is the night before the duel, but sleep wouldn’t overcome Skyelar. She laid there staring at the tent top.

“Sir Luke, Skyelar… are you awake in there?” Justin’s voice whispered outside the tent flap.

“Even if I weren’t fighting a trained killer in the morning, I doubt I’d get any sleep on this rock-hard slab,” Skyelar sat up right.

Justin entered, “I…I had to see you both.”

“We don’t have much use for words right now, Justin,” Sir Luke snided. “You’ve already made it very clear where you stand.”

“That’s just it. What happened to the queen, to your mother,” Justin looked down at the ground. “It was my fault. I couldn’t win the war for her. I couldn’t save her kingdom, and I couldn’t save her. And I don’t want to see Skyelar die too. At least I can prevent that. At least I can save Scathe’s daughter.”

“What are you saying?” Skyelar inquired.

“I don’t care if they find out and string me up,” Justin said seriously, “I’ve come to free you. The guards on watch are loyal to me. I’ve sent them off. Now get out of here and don’t look back.”

Skyelar stiffened, “You think I’m going to run now?”

“You need to. You can’t beat Liath. He’s too good. Go now, and live,” Justin urged.

“Justin, there’s too much at stake here. This is bigger than this one duel,” Skyelar replied. “The realm needs its rightful ruler. We’ve suffered under Jameel’s tyranny for too long. I aim to lead an army against Prince Andrew. If I run from some mercenary, who will follow me?” She sighed and said, “I’m not running.”

“There’s no convincing you, is there?”

“Not a chance,” she smiled.

Justin held his breath before speaking, “You remind me of her.”

“Who?”

“Your mother.”

“That’s twice now you’ve spoken of her like you were close friends,” Skyelar said softly.

“She was a cunning strategist and as determined as any warrior,” Justin smiled. “Did she ever tell you the secret of the battle of Ramsforge? The uprising against her?”

“No. I never heard of an uprising, or of this battle. And I thought my mother had no secrets from me!” Skyelar said disappointed.

“I… well, maybe it’s not my place to tell… and it is getting late…” Justin started to get up but Skyelar held up her hand.

“I insist,” she motioned to the rock slab.

Justin sat down, “Well, after your father died, your mother took command of the kingdom. That part you know. What you might not know is that some weren’t happy about it. Your mother married into the royal family…she wasn’t royal by blood. A lot of people thought someone else should rule. She had to decide what to do about them.”

Justin surveyed the area looking at nothing in particular, “Years ago…” he began telling her the story.

He was standing before queen Scathe, who is sitting upon the throne.

He bowed, “Your highness… the noble of Ramsforge have rallied a fighting force against you.”

“I’m surprised,” she looked shocked but calm, “I’d thought surely they were all talk.”

“Let me ride out with my men. We’ll meet those treasonous bastards head-on and put them down once and for all,” he said.

She shook her head, “No.”

“No?” he asked confused.

“No. they want a war. We’re not going to give it to them.”

“Then what? We’ll just let them come and tear down our walls?”

“Walls that have withstood centuries.”

“You’ve… got something planned already, haven’t you?”

“Perceptive as always,” She smiled. “You’re my Captain of the guard, my chief strategist. Surely you can puzzle this one out.”

He smiled playfully at Scathe. He can’t be sure, but he thinks she blushes, “I’m up for your game…” he stood as if conversing some strategy in