A crown of storm and sacrifice

My wedding day, one would think that it would be a joyous day. A day where all is right, bells ringing, music echoing off the walls, chaos of the people bustling about to get everything perfect. Not for me but, to display amongst others a useless show of power. Everyone will be here, other courts and kingdoms and such, as the largest kingdom on the continent it is apparent that not one person should be left out to such a magnificent event. I welcome all that decide to see what today may bring forth though. A joining of two kingdoms, a choice made not by my hands but by my father since I was a babe and have to hear of it almost everyday of my life. This was no shock to me that eventually I would be in a white gown meant for purity whilst practicing my vows written long before my betrothal. I am calm, not excited or happy; just prepared for this day and all that may happen during and after. “ Princess Alexina, it’s time.” My lady in waiting Isla nods her head with a slight smile. She has been by my side closer to my sister than a servant of sorts. She knows me better than most, especially how I feel about this day. She too is prepared and ready for what comes next. Everything will change today, that is most certain. I smile at her and stand from my vanity, heading for the door. We walked in silence to the entrance of the garden, the only choice I had whilst planning this wedding. A place with enough space outside of the castle, a place where the people of my kingdom can come and see such a grand event, so they can be a part of this as well. Private this event is not. In such an open space past the doors that lead to it I catch a glimpse through the window to see everyone seated looking forward towards him, my betrothed Cairn. Prince to his kingdom Aodh. He is very handsome. I will give him that, but that is the only positive thing I can truly say about him. He's a crude man, boy child if you will. His cunning attitude poised only for his selfish wants, and none left for anything or anyone else. Always wanting more, more power, more coin, more attention. Whatever his mind sees beneficial to him. I don’t think there has ever been a thought or care in his mind for the people that make us what we are, royalty. Without them we are nothing and it seems that has been lost to many in the hunt for power, as is usually the case. My thoughts are cut off when the large double doors to the garden open revealing my presence to the crowd. I stare straight ahead looking past Cairn past anyone that looks my way. I walk alone down the aisle, my steps in tune with the melody played by the band. It was beautiful, the music; a sort of peacefulness to it as I walked. The last note plays as I step to face Cairn, still not looking at him but at my feet, playing the part I must play for now, a shy woman, one who befits the white she wears and its meaning on her wedding day, pretending to be that of which I am not. I hear the minister saying his part, uniting us together on this day. Cairn says his vows to me, my eyes still not looking up but now, at our hands joined together. My ears do not land on what he says because anything that comes out of his filthy mouth is no truth and nothing I wish to listen to. When it’s my turn to speak, I look up at him slowly through my lashes. His icy blue eyes, cold and uncaring as they always are. I recite my vows slowly “ I princess Alexina, take you Prince Cairn. To have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish, till death do us part; according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.” I finish and the second the last part of my vow leaves my lips I grab the sword he dons on his right hip and with all the training I have throughout my years prevails when I turn with precision, and in a blink of an eye Prince Cairns head is no longer attached to his shoulders. With his blood covering my face and my hands still holding his sword I turn to the crowd and smile as I say . “till death do us part.” and walk out while everyone is still stunned by my actions and have yet to react. Which they will in the next ten seconds so I speed up my steps and make my way to the doors I had just walked through meeting Isla like we planned from the beginning. A bag already packed and a change of outfit draped across her arms, I take it stripping out of the now bloody gown as I walk. I don’t have much time, maybe 30 seconds to get out of this castle before I am taken by guards in order of my father, the king and or Cairns parents as well, presumably wanting my head after that. There is no spinning the story of what happened to the public though and the other kingdoms when they were all witness to my actions. Everyone saw.

Truth be told this was not the decision that changed my life. No, the course of my fate was altered the day I had witnessed what was happening to my people in the shadows of the night. One by one they were loaded up on wagons like cattle, Cairn watching. Naturally I followed them. What I saw was nothing short of sickening. Surely my eyes must have deceived me, I thought because why would he; and several others I recognized from my court, and not just his either; be collecting these innocents and bringing them to an abandoned castle. Cells lined everywhere. Cages to hold these people as they search for something. Those they deem not useful are quickly discarded upon a mountain of bodies, the stench almost unbearable thrown out like they were never a person; a living being. I felt my body tremble with the anger I felt in that moment, the sky turning dark matching the way I feel. Lightning striking chaotically around me. I knew at that moment this is when everything changed. By any means necessary, this will end. Since then I have found a group of people that have already known what was happening and have done what they could to help stop this. They know who I am but, either do not care or it is of no importance to them and for that I am grateful. I did not, do not want to be treated higher than them, I am one of them. My life is not more important than theirs by any means and over time these people have become my family. Kara, who is our group of reasonings when we can’t see eye to eye, great with a bow and quick on her feet, then there is Jasper, he can blend into any crowd with ease and a wit about him that is good for talking his way into and out of anything and everything. Oscar is the father I wish I had growing up. Calm and wise, he listens to me more than he speaks and guides us all softly, he's also an expert with strategy and map; knowing these lands better than most people. His connections alone get us weapons, medicine, ships, wagons and disguises. Lastly we have Raven, a devilishly handsome man with his dark hair and strong features, broad shoulders standing at least a head a half taller than me and I am no short woman. He’s our combat guy. Training us to fight, honing our abilities or keeping up with mine since my skills are already mastered. That was a delicious surprise for him to find out when I joined. He thought I was a spoiled princess and I continued to show him otherwise for years. It’s refreshing honestly to have someone that can keep up with my skill and challenge me. I can’t grow complacent. Not now. Not ever. They have helped me to this day, this plan to end Cairn like this; my idea. I wanted all the people and courts to see me do it. Some will see it as a defiant act, the princess gone rouge. No longer willing to bend to what the crown wants in the most dramatic of ways. They are not wrong in these accusations, all expected, they know of my training I have had; they know I am not weak and exceptionally skilled. So do the townsfolk, having spent years in the underground part of the world fighting in rings and winning over and over again with a false identity, one that may or may not have been whispered by Jasper that their princess is indeed this mysterious fighter in the ring. Now the people know of my strength. When I took Cairns head I wanted those working with him to know that I’m aware of what and who he is and what he has done. They know I am coming for them.I want them to be worried and run because they will run and hide exactly where we expect them to. The ships they think are safe, every dark corner, their home base of operations infiltrated and ready. They will not get away with what they have done. No amount of power they think exists by doing what they are doing to these people is worth it. It will stop today.

I load up in the wagon out front with Oscar waiting for me, Isla follows behind me in the wagon ready to take us to the ships where we know Cairns followers are headed. When we arrive I tell Isla to stay in the wagon, this part is not for her eyes to see. I step out and walk up sword out and dragging behind me as I slowly walk up the ladder to the ship knowing that my friends have the men waiting for me. I step down on the deck, eyes going straight to the man in front of Raven. My father. The king. “Well this is a surprise.” I step in front of him “ why did you do this? To your own people?” he looks at me “you were never supposed to find out,” he looks down. “Well I did , so explain.” he sighs looking down. “I should have known better, I should have known you would find out eventually. Cairn showed us a book of ancient texts telling of a power that still exists today, hidden beneath the skin that could be harnessed. It was supposed to help us gain more power” I nod “you mean like this?” I say pointing my sword to the sky now quickly turning dark with clouds and lit up with lighting whipping around us in the waters. He stares, now scared. “How” he says with wide eyes. I shake my head “I don't know or care, but it will never be used to hurt my people. You will die today father, by my hands and I will rule in your stead. Chew on that in the afterlife will you?” I say and before he can respond I point my sword at him, lighting following my direction and striking him in an instant. “ it is done” never again will my people suffer.