"Kiana! Breakfast Is ready!" My "Mother" yells for me. I look into the small mirror on my bedside table. My light brown hair Is braided back in a simple fashion. freckles dot my tanned face, my cheeks are pinker due to the work in the sun this summer. My blue grey eyes look back me. I sigh. in a few days I'll never be dressed this simple again. I make my way down the old worn stairs. My "Father" is already seated at the table. I shoo the chicken away from my seat as I sit and take a deep breath in. Pulling in the scent of Mother T's porridge. A hot roll next to the bowl. "What do you have planned for today Kiana?" Father T asks me as he takes a bite of his eggs.
I look thoughtfully at him "I was going to tend to the animals, Then practice some etiquette with Mother." I notice the look they share before Mother nods and leaves the room. "You turn 16 in Four days. You remember what that intales?" I stir my porridge slowly. "Yes, Father. I'll be leaving for the palace then."
"No, you'll receive your gifts then. we've decided you need to head to the palace today. You will get there on your birthday. everyone is expecting you on your birthday. The enemy expects you to be there after your birthday, when you are strong with your gifts. They have been patrolling the country side for a couple weeks searching for you. They do not expect you to travel without your gifts. They plan to assasinate you when you start to travel."
"Why would they do that? I'll have my gifts by then and be able to stop them?" I take an angry bite of the hot roll, the warm sweet taste hitting my tongue. "Kiana, you will get your gifts in 4 days. But without your brothers your power will be limited. The ritual for your full power has to include your brothers." He's annoyed. We have gone over this before. "Do you not listen to your studies? Your survival depends on knowing these things child." I hate when he calls me child. I hate that I have to depend on others to survive.
"I'm sorry Father. I remember." I finish my bowl and get up placing it in the wash bassin. "Your... " he makes an awkward cough "Mother wishes to speak with you now. She's in the garden." he shyly keeps darting his eyes everywhere but at me. What is he so flustered over?
I walk outside and instantly feel the warm summer breeze hit my face. I tie my apron around my waist and head to the garden feeding the chickens as I go, listening to their soft noises. Our house sits in the middle of a clearing in the forest. We grow some vegitables and have a milk cow. Surrounded by woods we have all the wood we could need, and all the animals we need to hunt. It makes for the perfect place where we never have to go into town.
Mother T is sitting on a bench in the garden and when she sees me her face shows concern. "Mother, what worries you?" She looks away. "Come dear and sit." I do as I'm told and sit next to her on the bench. We sit in silence for what seems like forever. "Once you arrive and the ritual is over, you will then meet your King to be." I just nod, we've been over this. "There is something we haven't told you." she fidgets nervously. "In order to insure an heir it is custom that you bare a child as as soon as possible." Mother T won't look at me. I'm getting confused as she says all this. this is all stuff we've been over. "Only a princess born from the king and Queen is bestowed the gift and the true Heir. Because of this the Elders decreed that to protect the true heir the Queen must birth princess's that are not true Heirs and send them off as well to make it more difficult for the Enemy to find the true Heir." she finally looks at me. my stomach twists as the realization of what she is saying hits.
"You will wed the king, but you will not belong to him alone. The elders have chosen another who only they and you will know of, to give you children as well." I'm shocked. "I don't understand, this can't be right! You have taught me that a Queen and the King only belong to each other! and now you are telling me that I'll have to share myself with more then my husband?" Mother T stands and looks at me with sadness." The Elders decreed this not long ago. what I taught you is old costum now. A Queens duty is to her kingdom, not her heart. Your duty is to produce an Heir and Guards to protect that Heir. Your duty now is to also produce decoys to better the survival of that Heir." I stand there in shock as Mother T walks away. "Be ready to leave in an hour." I stay sitting running over what I've been told. I was already terrified of marrying a stranger and now I'll have to bed two strangers?! No, I will not. I'll become queen and rebuke the decree. I will have Women in my quart have daughters and have them go away with them and be the decoys. I will not tarnish myself. I stand in determination. Then the memories of my Mother and the last day I spent with her flash across my mind. The last queen to defy the Elders decree was not met with success. I will talk to the elders then, and try to come up with a different way to protect my future daughter.
I look over to the edge of the field where a movement catches my eye. A figure quickly bolts behind the tree they were peeking out from. my heart sinks as I notice more then one figure hiding in the tree line. I casually act like I didn't see them as a slowly make my way back to the house. Petting the cow before making my way inside. Father T and Mother T are sitting together. they look up when I enter. "There are men hiding on the Northside of the fields edge." Father T stands immediately and grabs a rake. kisses Mother T, "Get her out. they've found us." Mother T let's two tears fall as she watches her husband leave. I realize he's going out as a distraction and isn't planning on returning. Mother T grabs a satchel and pushes me to the door with a tunnel hidden under the kitchen table. I remember the countless times I had to practice finding my way through the maze of creepy tunnels.
I go in first and feel the cool air hit me as I drop into it. Mother T follows and shuts the door behind her and hands me a torch. "Walk ahead I'll catch up" I walk forward as she makes it more difficult for anyone follow us through the tunnel. My hearts pounding as we start to run forward in silence. The tunnel leads out into the woods. As we step out I look back to where the house sits. It's in flames. Mother T pulls me after her, she doesn't look back. I feel my heart hurt knowing the sacrifice Mother T and Father T made for me today and throughout their lives.