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the top of her head. “You are
not a bed wife to me. You will be my Queen one day.” He turned and
left the room, knowing she would not listen to reason at this
time.
    The Prince entered the great hall, loud
trumpets sounding his arrival. The crowd erupted in cheers and
applause that echoed through the mountain hall.
    The castle had been built within the
mountain, which allowed for large spaces and insulation from the
bitter cold. The smiles on the people’s faces were true rewards in
Baylin’s opinion. They are warm, fed and happy. This is the kind
of King I want to be.
    As he climbed the stairs to the throne, he
surveyed the décor of the room. Large iron-worked chandeliers hung
from the high ceilings. Candle flames danced against the detailed
diamond-shaped patterns carved into the ceiling. Heavy velvet Keld
indigo banners draped over the walls, accented with beautifully
detailed embroidery work of silver thread.
    Again, the trumpets sounded loudly and
Valasca walked in and stood next to her son as the crowd cheered
for their Queen.
    She looked stunning in a deep indigo gown,
which trailed a long train behind it. The bodice had fine detail
embroidery along its edging. The light gleamed off the facets of
the small sapphires that were beaded along her scalloped high
collar. The design had been laid out to create the beautiful
diamond shape of the Kingdom of Grasmere.
    She wore her long black hair in flowing
curls falling past her waist, and on top of her head stood a
beautiful silver crown. The filigree crown sparkled with diamonds
and sapphires as she moved in the candlelight.
    Baylin raised his hands to quiet the guests.
When the crowd silenced, he addressed all within the room. “Good
people of Grasmere, you do us a great honor with your presence this
night. Our King sends his most humble thanks to you, as he regrets
he is unable to attend the celebration.”
    The crowd gave heartfelt shouts of “Gods
save the King” and “Long live the King.” It warmed Baylin’s heart
to know the people loved their King.
    Baylin outstretched his hands again to hush
the crowd. “My people, we have called you here tonight to welcome
our good friends from the Kingdom of Mirstone. Please join us in
welcoming King Gideon and Queen Fia, along with their daughter,
Princess Isla!” The room again erupted with applause as the royal
family walked out to join the Prince and Queen Valasca in front of
the throne.
    It had been many years since Baylin had seen
the Princess; she had grown beautiful. Isla was a curvy but
muscular woman with long jet black hair that fell well past her
waist in loose waves. Her dark brown eyes appeared black against
her olive skin. She wore a stunning gold gown with filigree
embroidery that reflected a deep crimson color in the light. Around
her neck lay an elaborate gold necklace with faceted rubies that
showered down her chest.
    King Gideon wore a rich ruby red tunic with
matching breeches. Over his shoulders hung a gold velvet cape that
skimmed the ground as he walked. He was a rather old fellow, though
younger than Baylin’s father, King Ashmur. He was tall, like all
the men of the Keld, with warm brown eyes. He had a weathered face
that came from years of exposure to the warm sun of the western
lands.
    Queen Fia was quite the opposite; it seemed
time had not touched her youthful appearance. Though she was only a
few years younger than King Gideon. If Baylin did not know her to
be Isla’s mother, he would certainly have mistaken her for an older
sister. Like Isla, she had a rich olive complexion and long black
hair that she wore in a twisted braid down her back. Her hazel eyes
had a mysterious intelligence to them, like that of a hawk. To
match her husband, Queen Fia wore a gown of ruby taffeta that
swished softly as she walked. It sparkled with numerous rubies that
had been sewn onto the bodice and train.
    The Prince bowed slightly as the royal
family approached, his mother following suit. Though he and