The Warrior and the Petulant Princess (5 page)

“Then I must stop by her office and thank her on my way back from seeing your father at court.”

“I’m coming with you,” she announced jumping from her seat.

Larian leaned back in his chair and fixed her with a scolding look.

“What? You don’t want me to?”

“I do not want you to presume,” he said slowly.

Lizbett felt a hot blush cross her face.

“I don’t know what to say,” she mumbled.

“You cannot come to court with me. My audience with your father is one I must take with him alone, but I will request that you be seated nearby at dinner.”

“Nearby? But I want to be next to you, right next to you.”

Larian rose from his chair, took her hand and led her to the door.

“It’s time for you to leave, and as far as being seated next to me, that privilege, Princess, will have to be earned,” and ushering her on to the landing, he turned and walked back inside.

Lizbett stared at the closed door, not quite sure what was happening. Things were upside-down. Larian was suddenly in control, and while there was a thrill attached to the experience, it was not the way she was used to living her life.

Sitting next to you will have to be earned? I didn’t have to earn your kisses when we were younger. I certainly didn’t have to earn that mighty spanking you gave me…or wait, did I? This is all so befuddling. You’re here to talk to my father about us, that’s what you said, but you won’t sit next to me? This is nonsense. I’ll will sit next to you, I’ll make sure of it.

She began marching purposefully towards the hallway that would take her to the kitchen, then stopped, reconsidering what she was about to do.

If I order my place be next to his, then I’ll only make him angry at me again because it’s not what he wants. I don’t want that. This is very difficult. Hmmm, it’s just one dinner. I’ll have a lifetime of dinners to sit next to him. Better I remain compliant, at least for now. Yes, that’s what I must do, be compliant. I can do that.

Feeling very pleased with herself she returned to her apartment to select the dress she would wear for the banquet, determined she would be the most beautiful of them all, and make him sorry he was not beside her.

CHAPTER FIVE

K
ing Handerah had scheduled Larian’s audience to be the last of the day. He needed to spend some time with the young warrior and he certainly wouldn’t have the opportunity at the banquet that evening.

Having finished with his last visitor he needed to gather his thoughts, and gestured to the page to wait before opening the door to allow Larian to enter, then rising from his dark wood, heavily carved throne he began to slowly pace around the room.

Larian was not just a Warrior Of The First Order, he had been made a Commander, and the achievement at such a young age assured him a future of wealth and prestige. The thought that this brilliant young man would wed his daughter was the answer to a fervent prayer; not only would she finally be married to an eminently suitable candidate, the union would cement relations between Verdana and Zanderone.

The Zanderone forces, though small in number, were highly skilled, and had been instrumental in Handerah’s many victories; his alliance with the realm was of distinct importance, but he had a major concern.

Just as the marriage would solidify relations between the two realms, a breakup of the marriage could do irreparable harm, and he knew all to well that Lizbett was very difficult. If he gave his blessing and all was well, it would be a triumph, but if he gave his blessing and things did not work out…

He shook his head as he paced; it was a dilemma. He needed the young warrior to understand how willful Lizbett could be, that he would have to either tolerate her whims and fancies, or take a very hard line, and Lizbett did not do well under a hard line; he knew, he’d tried, oh, how he’d tried.

When he’d locked her in her room she’d climbed out the window, and risking life and limb she’d made her way across the slippery castle roof to one of the turrets. The guards were so shocked to see her they didn’t know what to do, and when she told them she’d have them thrown in the dungeon if they breathed a word, it made their plight even more problematic. The King did not take kindly to having his troops put in such an untenable position.

There was his futile attempt to make her ride as a Princess should; he’d told Tholl to hide away the saddles except for the one she was supposed to use, but to Tholl’s shock and horror she had simply jumped on her mare bareback with only a rope around the horse’s neck, and had galloped away.

The alarm was raised, and Handerah was forced to send out his mounted guard to look for her, fearful that she’d come to harm riding in such a dangerous manner. After several hours and no success he realized she’d only be found if she chose to be, and it was a short time after the soldiers had been called back that she came trotting up the lane, as if she’d not a care in the world.

It seemed to Handerah, every time he attempted to clip her wings, the Princess would take flight regardless, and in a way that put her safety in jeopardy. It had become easier…and almost less of a worry…to leave her to her willful ways.

The King was fully aware that Lizbett had grown close to Larian during the summer of his training in the stables, and when he’d received Larian’s letter asking for an audience to reacquaint himself with Lizbett with an eye to a courtship, it was obvious the fondness the young warrior felt for her still existed.

Would that be enough to hold the pair together if Lizbett threw one of her terrible temper tantrums? Did Larian have the patience to deal with her?

I must not keep him waiting any longer. I will simply tell him the truth. It’s all I can do. Perhaps he’s the man that can make Lizbett behave. I do hope so.

Still pondering he walked back to his throne, settled in, then signaled for the page to open the door. He was leaning back in the large, impressive chair when Commander Larian Lobergene entered the room, and the King almost caught his breath; Larian looked every bit the acclaimed warrior.

His tall, square-shouldered frame and heavily muscled body would intimidate any man, and the square jaw and piercing aqua eyes gave his face strength and character.

“Your Majesty,” he murmured dropping to one knee.

“Larian Lobergene, please rise.”

Larian slowly straightened up, and though the King was a powerful presence himself, Larian’s energy seemed to fill the room.

“Let us retire to my study, we have much to discuss.”

“As you wish, Sire,” Larian replied with a slight bow of his head.

As the King moved from his throne and made his way to a side door, Larian kept his eyes downcast as a mark of respect. It did not go unnoticed, and it made clear to Handerah that in spite of his accomplishments Larian had remained humble.

“Please, let us not be formal,” Handerah said warmly, pointing to a chair.

There were several thickly padded, tapestried chairs set in a semicircle in front of a massive fireplace in which a small amount of wood was burning. As Larian moved towards it, the flames gave the gold and silver threads of his burgundy vest a particularly eye-catching sparkle.

“I understand that vest is given when you achieve the rank of Warrior Of The First Order,” Handerah remarked. “It is impressive.”

“Thank you, Sire,” Larian replied as he sat down. “It is one of several that I received with the vest itself. It resembles the true vest very closely, but the true vest is much thicker, and is adorned with precious stones, and nuggets of gold and silver, not just colored thread. It is kept in a locked cabinet, and can only be worn only on days of great importance, for example, my wedding day,” he smiled.

“Ah, yes,” Handerah nodded. “The reason for your visit.”

“It is, yes, and I don’t know if you are aware, but I ran across Lizbett on my way here. We spent some time together at the waterfall.”

“I did receive a report that the two of you arrived at the castle together. I was surprised, but now I understand how that came about. What a lucky coincidence.”

“Yes, I was delighted. It was quite the reunion,” Larian commented thinking back to the naughty girl across his knee. “Your daughter has grown into a beauty.”

“She has, but she can be a like a beautiful storm, all winds and tumult. It would give her mother and me the greatest joy to grant our permission for the two of you to wed, but you must understand she is headstrong and willful. I have done my best, Larian, but I had an easier time controlling the most headstrong member of my cabinet than I did Lizbett. She can be a very determined and difficult young woman.”

Larian sighed. He knew exactly the jeopardy a marriage with Lizbett could pose and why the King was concerned.

“May I be frank, Sire?” Larian asked quietly, leaning forward in his chair as if he was about to relay a national secret.

“Please, yes, absolutely,” Handerah replied, also leaning forward, drawn in my Larian’s demeanor.

“I have seen glimpses of Lizbett’s petulance and stubbornness, and I believe, given time, she can be directed to mend her ways.”

“Really?” Handerah said his eyes wide in surprise.

“When one enters the warrior ranks, there is much that is taught. While there is emphasis on fighting skills, horsemanship, survival, and these types of things, there is also solemn and serious tutelage in the ways of men and women. Warriors may be strong and have physical expertise on the battlefield, he may be able to wield a sword with precision and power, but a woman can bring that same warrior to his knees.”

“Yes, this is so, this is very true,” Handerah agreed vehemently, “and Lizbett is such a woman. She is so beautiful, and such a…such a challenge, I have seen her do it. She has reduced some of her suitors into fury, others to great sadness. A slim young woman does possess such power over strong, brawny, brilliant men, I have seen it.”

“I’m sure you have,” Larian smiled. “I have been taught how to deal with such a woman, not with cruelty or brutality, but with wit, gentle but strong methods, and exerting a will stronger than hers. It takes time and finesse, but I have the time, and I believe the education, and of course, I care for her deeply.”

“You have put my mind at ease,” Handerah sighed, “and I thank you. I can feel these are not just words, that you have this tutelage you speak of. We should have such training here, but alas, I know of no man who is capable of such things.”

“You do now,” Larian smiled, “which brings me to the second matter, with your permission?”

“Yes, yes, of course. What is the second matter?”

“Lizbett will one day be Queen of Verdana, and at that time I will be required to stay with her.”

“Ah, yes, this is so,” the King nodded solemnly, embarrassed he’d not considered the problem himself.

“If I may be so bold, I would like to suggest something that will make this reasonable for me.”

“Please, yes.”

“Back in Zanderone, I am a Commander. I have already been given permission by my Prince to offer some of our training techniques to your men. If you would bestow the same rank to me here, it would give me position and bearing, I could train and teach, and when Lizbett takes the throne it would be an easy move up to become Commander General of Verdana’s forces.”

“Larian, that is an excellent proposal.”

“I’m so pleased you think so, Sire. Now there is one final thing I must ask.”

“Please, feel free.”

“In order for me to channel Lizbett’s fiery spirit, it would be best to have her stay at my residence. It is not a castle, but it is extremely comfortable, it has a full staff and is very secure. You can trust that I will not consummate our union until our wedding night, and that wedding will only happen when I have determined that Lizbett is the elegant, strong, compassionate woman we both know she can be. If I fail in that task, then I am not the one to be her life-mate.”

“This is a highly irregular request, but I believe I understand the necessity. If she remained here she would have the safety net of my chambers, or her mother’s. Alone with you…”

“Yes, Sire, exactly, but please know, if I fear I am being ineffective I will escort her back here immediately.”

“I must consult with my wife, but I have no objection. I see the wisdom behind the request, and I trust you, Larian.”

“I am honored that you do, Sire, and I thank you. I have already had a few words with Lizbett, and I believe at dinner tonight you might see a slight change.”

“Already? You’ve only just arrived,” the King declared.

“Indeed,” Lairan smiled. “I do request, though, that we not be seated together.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I have told Lizbett that to sit next to me is a privilege that must be earned.”

The Monarch paused, staring at him for a moment, then broke into a broad grin.

“Ah, you are a clever man,” he remarked, “I will see to it.”

“Thank you, Sire. The initial stages of, if you’ll pardon the expression, taming the naughty woman, can be very effective. It’s the middle part of her journey that can be challenging, when she realizes it’s no longer a game, that the expectation is not a temporary one.”

“This is when it is important that she be away from here.”

“Yes, Sire.”

“Hmmm, there is one element…”

“You look worried.”

“It’s the journey. You’ll have to cross over the barren land. There are marauders there. Our peace is tenuous. I’m worried for her safety.”

“I have a special carriage on its way here Sire, and I hope you will forgive the presumption, but I thought it better to have it ready should we forge this agreement. The carriage is equipped with a secret compartment in which she can hide should it be necessary, and accompanied by a retinue of my best warriors who will, naturally, accompany us on our return. These marauders flee when faced with skilled men such as mine, and only attack if they see something they want, or need, and if she is hidden away…”

“They are scavengers at best,” Handerah nodded. “As long as she is out of sight they will have no will to fight just for the sake of it.”