The Lord of the Lake (5)

A serialised dark romantic fantasy novella

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Previously... Chapter 4

Chapter 5: The songbird’s mourning

Prince Ulrich sat on the cushion covered windowsill in the library of Nidum castle, in the kingdom of Avem. He had just read a beautifully illustrated book about the history of Birdlings, and now the young prince contemplated the book, looking outside the window. His sight, dreamy and slightly bored, moved upwards, looking over the colourful Birdling houses built directly on giant Blackwood tree branches, he glanced at the delicate veining of the tree leaves, exposed by the warm autumnal sunlight. 

The prince was handsome - blue-eyed and golden-haired, tall, and strong, he was gifted at nearly everything he learned. 

Some years ago, prince Ulrich began to feel a strange, causeless sadness, an unnamed longing. He took to the books - surely, he would find what his soul yearns in a book, for they contain all the wisdom in the world! 

But, obviously, not this book, not today. The prince closed the hefty volume and swiftly paced out of the library. Avem was a safe place, he didn’t need to be followed by bodyguards - Birdlings were sorcerers and healers, not warriors or fighters. They only went to war if justice was at stake. And the current Queen was wise enough to know the deadly nature of war.

The magical folk of Birdlings had been living in the south parts of the Blackwood lands long before the kingdom of Hebeny emerged. They say even before the great lake of Autumna disappeared, revealing the swampland to the curse of the Autumnian wizard or the Lord of the Lake.

The Foreverold granted the Birdling folk with the magic of becoming birds at will, they possessed the power to heal through herbal potions, and their blood had healing qualities. Shorter folk than Hebenians they were, with hair mostly red or black, and beady-black bird eyes. 

Although at the time kingdoms of Avem and Hebeny were on friendly terms, they had been at war not long ago - Hebenians, though tall, handsome, and wealthy, envied the Birdlings of Avem for their magical gifts and the beautiful Blackwood trees growing on the land. 

Every year prince Ulrich spent the last days of summer and the beginning of autumn in Avem. He loved the season of Birdlings’ mourning as they said farewell to the songbirds, flying south. Soon all the grand Blackwood trees of Avem shall change their leaves from emerald-green to fiery red, the Birdlings will wear bright clothes along with red leaf wreaths on their heads, they’ll sing their melodious autumnal songs about an unnamed longing and eternal sadness of the departing birds. 

Ulrich went outside the wooden Nidum castle, stopped, and stood still on the top of the stairs.

Strange people were coming up - a girl wearing an obnoxious dress, all covered in blood, two young men in Autumnian uniforms escorting her, and Birdling soldiers behind them. They hurriedly passed the shocked prince. He remembered seeing the young men before; those were the sons of High Queen of Autumna. Wasn’t the girl their sister? Prince Ulrich tagged along with them, he just had to know!

He sneaked inside the Council Hall of the castle, where Queen Coratia and her Noble husband Hector greeted the unexpected guests. The Queen seemed concerned, but not surprized.

“My birds told me, you’re coming. I’ll send messengers to New Autumna castle at once! Your poor mother must be worried to death!”

The Queen paced towards Thymia with her long hair swaying - red with silver strands in them. 

“Dear girl! What have you gone through!” As the Queen embraced the girl, Thymia collapsed, luckily the Queens husband was nearby to support the girl.

“Quick! Call Crane! She needs a Healer!” He cried at the Birdling soldiers.

Both brothers carried the unconscious girl to a guest chamber. Ulrich secretly followed, hiding in the shadows of the hallway. Maids and brothers were going in and out the chamber. Then came Crane, the Birdling Sorceress and Healer, Ulrich had seen her in Nidum before. She passed him by, looking deeply into the prince’s eyes. The old white-haired woman was leaning on a staff, her eyes, sparkling amidst the wrinkled face, were completely black, bird-like and seemed deep and wise like the starlit sky. 

Passing him by, Crane went into the chamber. Both brothers went out, slowly walking down the hallway. 

“Greetings, Elian and Thomian! Remember me?!” Prince Ulrich approached them.

“Oh, hello prince of Hebeny!” Brothers shook hands with him.

“How is your sister? What happened if I may ask?”

Both brothers hung their heads.

“We lost her in the wilderness of Autumna. She got kidnapped by a slave-trader,” Elian spoke. Thomian continued,

“Then sold to a Snakegrass smuggler, who made her pick Snakegrass by the Green Lake and sold her to a brothel in Hebeny.”

“But that’s outrageous! What a… there isn’t a curse to describe such a man! To sell a helpless maiden to a brothel!” Ulrich shouted.

Crane paced out of the chamber, called the brothers along with her, as she went back to Queen Coratia. Ulrich, of course followed; this was the most exciting story he had ever heard!

“How is she, Crane?” The Queen asked.

“Young Thymiani’s weakness is one of the spirit, not of the flesh. She hasn’t been starved, nor beaten. But I must say,” Crane lowered her voice, “a virgin she is no more, and the girl claims to be a widow of a dead husband!”

“We now! She killed the scoundrel herself in the brothel,” Elian replied.

“That was not her husband,” Crane smirked, “but her husband’s murderer!”

“Was it revenge?!” Thomian gasped.

“Revenge it was, and self-defence as well.”

Ulrich stood in a dark corner listening with his mouth open. He had never heard of a girl like her!

“Now, I must request the younglings to leave me with the Queen. All the younglings.” She looked directly at Ulrich, still hiding in the dark. When he and both brothers had left, the Crane turned to Queen Coratia.

“When I was attending to the girl, I received a Prophecy from the Foreverold. I believe it concerns her. It said: “The one conceived in New moon’s light, her spouse with Birdlings she will find, his heart with unnamed mourning torn, the father’s guilt he shall forlorn, from fire and water he’s reborn.””

“The will of the Foreverold isn’t easy to understand, as usual,” Hector concluded.

“Indeed,” Queen Coratia agreed, “it concerns the Birdlings as well, But I don’t think the girl is strong enough to hear it. Let us wait until she recovers!”

“Let us wait! But not too long,” the old sorceress replied.

***

Brothers were knocking on Thymia’s door at sunrise.

“Since when have you begun to rise so early, Thym?!” Thomian asked, seeing his sister already dressed. She requested a black dress, her hair was neatly pinned up, for Thymia was in mourning.

“My husband usually woke up early,” she replied sadly.

“What has that scumbag done to you?” Elian exclaimed.

“Don’t call him that!”

“Why do you defend that man?” Thomian didn’t understand.

“Erko wasn’t all good. But he had a kind heart. My husband…” Thymia looked at the ring on her finger, tears running down her cheeks.

The twins exchanged sorrowful glances - this was not the lively, tomboy sister they once knew. 

As the three of them went out of the chamber to have breakfast in the Dining hall, prince Ulrich joined them; he made an unnecessary detour just to walk past Thymia’s chamber. 

“Good morning, princess Thymiani! Maybe you still remember me? Prince Ulrich of Hebeny,” he introduced himself cheerfully. 

“Oh…yes, I do,” she replied, barely giving him a glance.

Thymia was the most heavyhearted, yet the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Deadly pale, with a sorrowful look in her lowered green eyes, wearing a modest, black dress - he couldn’t recall ever seeing such a flawless depiction of grief. The last time Ulrich met Thymia, she was a little brat always tagging along her brothers. This was a completely different girl. 

At breakfast Thymia didn’t eat or drink much.

“Early this morning I’ve received a message from your parents - they’ll arrive as soon as they can,” Queen Coracia spoke to the Autumnian siblings.

“Thank you, for your kindness!” Thimia replied, “I have another request.”

“How can I help?” The Queen looked at the girl sympathetically.

“There is a small lake, just south from Tridum. My deceased husband’s body is still lying there. It would be most kind if you could send servants to bring it here. I’ll bury him,” she went silent, holding back the tears.

The Queen looked at the twins confused, but still replied,

“Of course! I’ll see to it.”

“Thank you!”

Ulrich couldn’t take his eyes off Thymia. How could he have not noticed the girl all the years before? But the years before he never saw her looking into a teacup with tears falling from her bright green eyes. 

The prince hoped to have a word with Thymia after breakfast, but she quickly disappeared into her chamber. 

Ulrich went for a walk under the frail, sunlit roof of the emerald-green leaves; he walked to the river of Nidum, then sat on the shore, watching the sunlight flicker in the ripples of the dark stream, all the while still contemplating the poor girl’s harsh fate.

Ulrich did meet her in the library later on. The girl sat in his favourite spot - on the windowsill, reading a book about the history and traditions of Autumna. A strange choice, she should be well acquainted with her own people’s customs! The prince read for a while but could not contain his curiosity; he got up, slowly pacing toward Thymia.

“Amazing, how the Queen has managed to restore a collection of books so vast, taking into account the library burned down with the whole castle,” he spoke, but got no reply, or any attention at all. Thymia didn’t even hear him. She stared at the open page so lovingly, Ulrich couldn’t help but to lean over and look at it.

“High King Damian the First? He was a notorious villain, wasn’t he?” Ulrich wondered.

“No, he wasn’t!” Thymia exclaimed, but then immediately added, “yes, of course! High King Damian was a villain.”

Thymia resumed her staring contest with the picture of the dead High King, Ulrich stood near her smiling stupidly, the awkward silence lingered between them. 

“The weather is lovely today. Maybe I could suggest a nice walk to the river? It’s my favourite walking route here in Avem, not very long, nor exhausting,” he said with a sunny smile.

“I know the path, I’ve been to Avem before. It is a beautiful route, indeed! But I would like to go alone if you don’t mind.” Thymia’s teary green eyes glanced vaguely over his face.

“Not at all,” he replied.

Suddenly, Elian ran into the library.

“Thym, the Queen wants to see you! She has news!”

Thymia ran after him, dropping the book on the floor.

“I’m afraid, I have bad news! My Birdling soldiers found the lake you described, with notable traces of violence on its shore, but…unfortunately, the wild animals had desecrated the body. They found only scattered remains of flesh, not suitable to burry with dignity. I’m very sorry!” All the time Queen Coratia spoke slowly and carefully, she watched Thymia’s face, as it turned even more pale, tears poured down her cheeks unwillingly.

“Thank you! I would like to be alone now.” The girl went to her chamber. 

Prince Ulrich spent the whole afternoon reading by the river, hoping she’d come. He missed dinner, the sun had set, the dusk crept among the black trees. Ulrich closed the book sighing, then he noticed a frail, dark silhouette coming nearer. Thymia carried no lantern, still Ulrich noticed her sight fixed upon the river. She walked closely past him without even turning her head. Before the prince had greeted her or even made a sound, Thymia waded into the river with her clothes on, while Ulrich stared at her confused, wiggling his mouth like a fish. She stood waste-high in the strong current when the prince finally followed her.

Thymia didn’t stop, she moved forward, until the girl had nearly submerged in the water. 

Before thinking it through, Ulrich ran after her. The prince was truly courageous, but, sadly, swimming was one skill he did not possess. The current grabbed him, poor fool screamed and disappeared in the black stream. Luckily Thymia noticed something just before she dived. The girl swam to him, grabbed the prince, and tried to pull both of them out of the current. She managed to find some firm ground under her feet, they stumbled out of the deep, all the while Ulrich holding her body tightly, until both fell down on the riverbank, breathing rapidly. 

“Let go already!” Thymia yelled at him.

“A thousand apologies!” He replied, catching his breath, and released the girl.

“Why did you follow me?!”

“I wanted to save you!”

“But you can’t swim!”

“I didn’t think about it!”

Thymia burst into laughter; the childishly honest expression on his face didn’t make it any better! He smiled cautiously.

“Were you really trying to drown yourself?” He asked.

“I was. I don’t want to live without him. I’m left with nothing. Not even a grave.”

Ulrich desperately looked around, searching for the right words to comfort the her.

“But…but your parents will be here in just a few days! Wouldn’t it be good to see them one last time?”

“I guess, it would.”

“And what about your brothers? They would die of guilt if anything happens to you!”

“True. They feel guilty about my whole adventure already,” Thymia agreed.

Ulrich stared at her innocently, smiling like a warm ray of sun on a cold day.

“Fine! I promise not to attempt drowning myself, at least for now!” She rolled her eyes smiling back at him. It was hard not to! Ulrich’s kind, sunny nature made it impossible not to love him.

“Otherwise, I’ll follow you into the river!” He stated bravely.

“You want me to save you again?!”

“I’m sorry! If only there was somebody who could teach me how to swim…”

“Careful, prince of Hebeny! One might think you’re giving a hidden hint to a High- born girl!” Thymia teased him.

“Oh, no! A thousand apologies! I didn’t mean to…” Ulrich blushed and stuttered.

“Calm down! Of course, I can teach the prince of Hebeny to swim. So that he could save me the next time I’ll try to drown myself,” Thymia winked at him.

“I’ve never met a girl like you,” The prince smiled yet again.

“I bet you haven’t!”

Making their way back to the castle, Ulrich deliberately spoke only about the beautiful scenery of Avem. No need to disturb the girl bringing up her hardships! She’ll have a lot of explaining to do when her parents arrive.

The prince secretly admired Thymia; no High-born maiden he knew would walk the distance to the castle in a wet dress on a chilly evening like this. They would’ve made him run to get a carriage, or at least a horse, or some dry clothes, or all of it at once! Thymia didn’t even complain.

“I must beg you not to tell anyone about my unfortunate drowning,” She asked as they approached Nidum castle.

“I promise to keep it a secret,” Ulrich replied, smiling.

During the next few days, the prince kept an eye on her, doing it as inconspicuously as he could. Of course, Thymia noticed. But she couldn’t help feeling touched by his honest, childish caring. They met in the library each day, by pure accident, undoubtedly. Every time Thymia stared at the picture of the late High King Damian, Ulrich didn’t understand why, but he couldn’t find the courage to ask.

The cool nights brought autumnal colours into the woodlands of Avem. Red leaves sparked amongst the green ones, flocks of songbirds hovered above the woods, singing their farewell songs of grief and hope - for although they were leaving, the birds were bound to return in spring. Thymia found her stay in Avem strangely soothing - it seemed the songbirds carried her grief away on their wings into the endless skies. 

High Queen and High King of Autumna arrived soon enough. Both embraced the girl, looked her up and down, and spent quite a while asking her about the time she lived in the wilderness.

“My poor daughter!” High Queen Elian cried, clutching her husband’s arm, “she still insists that scoundrel was her dearest husband!”

Both Autumnian majesties, Queen Coratia, her husband Hector and Crane held a meeting in the Council Hall.

“Maybe, it’s easier for the girl to think so, at least for now. I doubt he showed her much love and kindness,” said Hector.

“I’ll have to disagree. Thymiani indeed loves the man deeply, I believe the affection was mutual. The Foreverold can make fragile flowers blossom in harsh winds. You of all people should now it,” Crane looked at the High Queen and King. The pair exchanged loving sights but said nothing.

“She spoke of the ring on her finger. By ancient Autumnian laws, when a couple is in grave danger, it is acceptable to exchange rings in the sunlight and, of course, consummate the marriage for it to be lawful, “the High Queen said.

“Their lives were in grave danger - my birds saw the lake shore soaked in blood,” Queen Coratia confirmed.

“Indeed, Thymia is a widow of a vile man. A slave-trader and a Snakegrass smuggler! What will become of my poor girl? I’m afraid her life is irreparably broken!” The High King hung his head.

“Don’t despair, my love! Thymia is safe now. It’s all that matters,” his Queen consoled him.

“As if that wasn’t enough - the Great fire is raging in the Mid-West of Old Autumn,” the High King looked at Queen Coratia narrowing his green, snake-like eyes.

“I hope you understand - Avem has nothing to do with it,” Queen Coratia replied calmly and withstood his piercing sight.

“Are you sure it’s the Great fire?” Hector turned to the High King.

“We’re certain. It’s nearly impossible to put out. Two villages have burned down to the ground. We’re hoping for the autumnal rains to drown the fire down, but this far the weather has been unusually dry and warm,” the High King explained.

The Great fire was caused by the previous ruler of Avem, a notorious villain Hawk; it was a magical fire burning with amber-coloured flames, devouring everything in its path.

“Crane, did Hawk use up all the Live-fire vessels during the war?” The High Queen asked. 

“I do not know. There were none left here, in Nidum, and no Birdling has made new ones - that I am certain of. Hawk may have sold or traded some - the money had run short, near the end of the war. Strange folk moved through Avem after the war – robbers, looters. Crude men from Autumna, large as bears with eyes of black. They took everything left after the war and moved North, to Hebeny.  But I do not understand - whoever did it - why use the fire now?” the old sorceress Crane wondered.

The Council thought and pondered but got no answers.

The High King went back to Old Autumn - the burning land needed at least one of its rulers. 

The High Queen and her children were offered to stay in Avem as long as they wished; the High Queen thought it to be a good chance for her daughter to get past her grief; Avem was truly magnificent in autumn. Sadly, Thymia’s mourning lingered; every day she sat in the library staring at the picture of High King Damian, who looked exactly like Erko. The more time passed, the stronger her love got. 

She kept all Erko’s belongings, lovingly arranging them every day. The trunk with Erko’s secret inside stayed locked - the tiny key was still hidden in his silver ring. Thymia saw no reason to reveal the danger the trunk held to anyone.

***

A wondrous season this autumn turned out to be in Avem- the red leaves shone warmly with the sunlight glaring above them, the days were warm, the nights cool and starlit, all the Birdlings dressed brightly, singing their autumnal songs every morning at sunrise. Thymia kept wearing her black dress, she stood out amongst the colourful crowd. 

Prince Ulrich and her brothers wouldn’t let the girl give in to the mourning. Every day they dragged the girl out for a walk beneath the bright roof of the fiery-red leaves. 

Every morning the prince woke up with the thought of seeing Thymia; every night remembered the time spent together. He only turned to books to be near the girl in the library, to stare at her green eyes, lovingly looking down at the picture of Damian the First. One day Ulrich caught himself feeling a strong desire to kiss her beautiful eyes… 

No wonder he was gutted to find out the Autumnian royals were leaving in a few days. The High Queen wished to reach their home before the frosts set in. Although the weather in Avem was lovely, the season of rains had come to the Damned land of Autumna, it got worse every day. 

“Tell me, what is winter like in Autumna?” The prince asked Thymia, during their daily walk to the river. Her brothers hurried ahead, leaving the other two on their own. 

“Very much like the rest of the seasons - wet, cold, damp, with addition of freezing rain or wet snow. Not pleasant.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in New Autumna,” he said innocently.

“I don’t think you have. Careful, prince of Hebeny! One might think you’re shamelessly giving a hint to receive an invitation to the High King’s castle,” Thymia teased him. 

“Oh, no! Not at all! I was just wondering. But if you’re inviting me…”

“I haven’t said that!”

“So, I’m not welcomed at High King’s castle?” He asked cautiously.

“No, you’re not!” Thymia held back her smile, just to see Ulrich’s long face.

“Of course, you are!” She exclaimed laughing, “my brothers will be happy to hear it!”

The prince’s face lit up like a fast ray of sun. Hurriedly he wrote to his father, King Ulf of Hebeny, requesting the permission to visit Autumna. Although King Ulf loved his only son dearly, the boy was far too cautious, a bit of adventure and adversity could help him man up. Ulrich’s mother was of Autumnian descent, maybe the time had come for him to visit the land of his ancestry. Besides, they say Autumna had changed for the better these last years.