Theo was doing a great job. His strong-bodied trainer, Godwin, had to admit that Theo was well ahead of anyone in his age range. This observation was only further proven as fact that on some mornings, Theo was pulled away from his sword lessons for his lessons in court affairs.
Kingdom of Largo
Chapter 17
Miles and Theo
The day began with a clear sky. As the world revealed its wonders, Theo was in the training field with many other warriors-to-be for the training of the real sword.
Theo was doing a great job. His strong-bodied trainer, Godwin, had to admit that Theo was well ahead of anyone in his age range. This observation was only further proven as fact that on some mornings, Theo was pulled away from his sword lessons for his lessons in court affairs.
Theo had been very excited about learning to become a warrior. He had put in a whole lot of hard work and effort to learn to become one. He was to be married to the most wonderful woman whom he admired. Emma was everything he wanted in a woman. She was full of wisdom, and she had grown since the last time they've met, now she was everything a woman could be. She was young and had peachy white skin that was so smooth, with auburn red that would turn fiery red under the sun, making her look like a living goddess. As they both rode their horses out into the skirts of the kingdom, he could see those fiery curls flowing along with the wind. She was everything a man wanted. Theo was so happy that they were promised to wed by both his and her parents. On many occasions, when he would see Emma beautiful as a goddess, Theo could not help but to secretly congratulate himself. In the back of his head, he could still remember what Emma said to him as they were promised to be wed by both of their parents: "You better learn fast to become a warrior for I don't know how long I can still stand being in the palace. There are so many rules!" It was during this time that he had made a promise to Emma that he was going to learn to be a great warrior.
He would not leave his kingdom though, to go down south as Emma had suggested, in order to make a name for themselves. He was determined to rule the kingdom of Largo for his father. He knew that even at his young age if anything happened to his father, he would have to take on the responsibility to become the King of Largo, and as for Emma, she promised to him that she would be the Queen to the Kingdom. Theo hoped Emma would still remember what she had promised.
Both sets of parents promised to hold a spectacular wedding for them when they felt the children had learned all they needed to learn to become powerful leaders. Emma had now learned to walk like a lady instead of bouncing around like a tomboy. She had even learned to cook and clean and occasionally took in some sewing as well. Emma's father, Samuel, couldn't be happier at her progress. Next Summer, Emma would be 13, and Theo would be 12. It would be the best time for both to get married. It will be a spectacular wedding with a lot of important guests. King Aylard had instructed Samuel that it would be okay to invite those two smaller kingdoms up the north to attend, thus making acquaintance with each other. It would be up to them to whether they would accept the invitation to come to the wedding. Hopefully, by that time, the two kingdoms up the north would have settled their differences already.
Trainer Godwin couldn't be happier to have a good student who could learn so fast and who would be the future king of Largo. He felt honored to take Theo under his wing.
"Your Highness! You have been doing very well with the real sword. In time, we shall send you out for real-time on-hand training at the borders. Which location would you like to be sent to?" Godwin was concerned. He did not want to send the prince out to some dangerous location where he could be harmed.
"Anywhere, Sir Godwin! I am more than prepared!" Theo answered proudly. Sword training had always been fun for Theo. He was born to fight. Training sessions with the sword had always been a lot more exciting than sitting in the courtroom with his father, like the time he had to sit in to watch Baldwin and the warriors going against Sir Miles. Although he did not agree to his father knighting Sir Miles without the consent of his Royal Council, he did not understand the full extent of the hatred from Baldwin's gang against one person. He had been secretly praying in the courtroom for Sir Miles' safety. Later, he breathed a sigh of relief when the case was put on hold, at least until after the result of Baldwin's investigation.
Theo had decided that if he ever had to go to the borders to receive full hands-on training, he would choose the southern borders where they said they would send Sir Miles to. He felt a unique closeness with Sir Miles for reasons he could not explain to others.
There were several occasions when he and Miles would come across each other in the palace's courtyard. Miles had greeted him by calling him "Your Highness" and sometimes he would blurt out by accidentally calling him "my son". Theo found it odd that he would refer him to as being his son.
Perhaps that was just a figure of speech to feel closer to him personally. Theo rationalized in his head. He did not mind getting closer to Sir Miles. He thought Sir Miles was a kind man. He had not displayed any anger, even when Theo thought that the man would get mad. Sir Miles had often seemed so calm, and so full of preparedness for any circumstances that would arise. Theo was really beginning to admire the man. However, he had to take into consideration that his future father-in-law, Samuel, seemed not too impressed with the kind man. Theo had to admire Sir Miles at a distance.
"Perhaps... the southern border," Theo continued.
"The Southern border?" Godwin asked in wonderment. He could not believe Theo's choice.
"Yes! I heard that is the most dangerous border, filled with murderers and robbers, and no one knows their names. I want to be the one to capture those people and bring them to justice," said Theo. He felt quite confident even at his eleventh season of age. Next Spring he would be twelve, and Emma, thirteen. Samuel said he would let them have the wedding by next Spring.
"And if I could handle those unknown tribes down at the southern borders, other tribes in other places would not be a problem for me to manage," Theo continued to explain his choice of the location.
"Very well then," answered Godwin. "Your Highness! I shall bear that in mind when the time comes," Godwin made a promise.
Then, it was time to practice again. Theo was a whiz with his sword. He had not only followed the instructions and the moves from his trainer, Sir Godwin, but he had also invented a few moves of his own. His practice sessions were nothing short of spectacles. On many occasions, Galien, who was assigned another trainer, would come with Xavier to watch Theo's practice. Theo was always glad to see his two brothers. They seemed to have drifted apart from each other with all the different sessions in training. The three brothers had always been good friends. Even when they were children they had always looked out for each other.
Galien and Xavier would always sit aside to watch Theo's practices, they would take notes of his moves, including the ones that Theo had invented by himself. Both Galien and Xavier would memorize those moves and bring them back to their practice sessions. The trainer would always praise them. Xavier was the top student in the class, still run by Trainer Henry, who was amazed at Xavier's moves. He was more than amazed at Xavier's progress. With the speed that Xavier was learning, Henry had decided that he would talk with King Aylard to allow Xavier to jump class to promote him to learn with the real sword earlier.
XXXXX
Today was like any other day of practice. Theo woke up in the morning and checked attendance of his warriors. They were all present. He went back to his own chamber to get ready to go to the sword practice session. Just as he turned his back, the shadow of a figure had jumped into the courtyard to ask to see him.
It was Sir Miles. He held Belinda in her cage.
"Good morning, Your Highness! I am sorry to intrude on you like this, but I must tell you that I will be leaving to join the warriors at the southern borders." Sir Miles said to Theo.
"Already? So soon?" asked Theo.
"Yes, they say I am to leave immediately," answered Sir Miles, "I do not worry about myself, but can I entrust you to care for Belinda?"
Theo looked inside the cage, Belinda was still sound asleep.
"Are you sure you want me to care for her? Will that create a problem for Belinda later when she doesn't see you?"
"There may be, but you are my first choice. I heard you are very good with animals," answered Sir Miles.
"Yes, but won't you want to wake her up to say goodbye first? Just to let her know you're leaving?" Theo was concerned. He would not know how to tell Belinda later that her master has left her to him. He was greatly concerned.
While the two men talked with each other, Belinda, who seemed to get the drift of what was happening had suddenly opened her eyes.
"Hi, Belinda! Sorry, I have to leave you with His Highness, Prince Theo! I will be going away for a while, and where I will go I cannot take you along. It's too dangerous," Sir Miles stroked Belinda's head and comforted her.
Little Belinda seemed to know and understand what Sir Miles was telling her. She looked sad. She ran around the cage like she wanted to come out and say goodbye.
Sir Miles lifted her from the cage, talked to her gently, told her to be a good girl for Prince Theo, and promised he would be back after the sixth full moon.
"B... but... but what if I want to come too to the southern border for my hands-on warrior training?"
Sir Miles widened his eyes and said, "No, you do not want to go to the southern border! Tell me you won't come there. That place is too dangerous for you, Your Highness! My son!"
"But I have put in a request to go there for the hands-on training," Theo protested. He did not understand himself why he needed to explain to Sir Miles, who was a total stranger to himself.
"Your Highness! Belinda may need you here to care for her during the next six full moons, after which I will be back. It's not going to be a long time. Please promise me you will care for her while I'm gone. I really have no other options."
Theo thought about it for a while. He noticed that Sir Miles was sincere in wanting him to care for Belinda.
"Okay, I promise you I will take good care of her while you're gone. However, you do know that my days are filled with sessions of practice. I won't be free until the afternoon. I shall ask my friend Emma to help with looking after her too if you won't mind," Theo said.
"That's okay! Belinda might like Emma too! Please take good care of her for me," Sir Miles agreed.
Soon, he said goodbye to Theo and he was on his way. Theo stood there and watched Sir Miles leave. He knew it was Samuel who maintained the decision that the man had to leave for the southern border. He knew it was Baldwin and his gang pressured Samuel into making this decision.
He had decided not to attend his training session today. He sent one of his warriors to tell Trainer Godwin that he would not be attending.
He took Belinda inside his chamber and decided to keep her in the chamber with him. In time, perhaps he would request a builder to build her a more solid large cage with decorative mountains and small streams for her to roam about inside her cage so she would not be so bored.
"Hey, Belinda! It's now just you and me! How do you like that?"
Belinda looked at Prince Theo with her eyes framed by those long beautiful eyelashes. She seemed pleased. She had not protested.
Theo watched her so intently he became mesmerized by Belinda's beauty.
What a beauty you are! thought Theo.
"Look at you! You've got to be the world's most beautiful cobra! I have never seen a pink cobra like you, little missy!" Theo continued to stroke Belinda and praise her.
Concerned that it might be past her feeding time, Theo summoned the General to his chamber and told him to advise the cookery to send Belinda's food to his room.
The warrior stood there, unwilling to move yet.
"Is there anything wrong, General?" Theo asked.
"Your Highness! I want to let you know that two nights ago Baldwin and his warriors were fed geese and ducks meat for supper, and all we've ever been fed were the same wild boar meat. I want you to know we've been unfairly treated by the cookery."
"Is that so? But how did you know that?" Theo responded. He really has had enough of this Baldwin guy. Worse yet, Samuel seemed to favor him and had let him get away with a lot of things. Now, how did they get so many geese and ducks to feed 50 warriors? How did they get them? Where did the hunters go to acquire these geese and ducks? Theo hoped they did not rob the farmers of their animals for dinner. Otherwise, there would be more lawsuits coming, and his father would want him to solve them again.
"How did they get so many geese and ducks to feed 50 warriors?"
"We don't know!" answered the General, "All we know is that they've been fed the good stuff while we are being fed boar meat. I think it is unfair!"
"Well, I know. But let me check into this first. You all will be compensated. Okay?"
"Thank you, Your Highness! Now, I must leave to let the cookery know to send food for Belinda," said the General.
XXXXX
After Belinda was fed she was sound asleep again. Theo was fascinated! Belinda was the tamest animal he had ever encountered. Even his horse, Ethan, had given him some hard times in the beginning, but Belinda was so domesticated!
He took her to visit Emma and asked for her assistance in caring for Belinda during his morning sword training. Emma was delighted to agree with the assignment. She, too, was fascinated by Belinda.
"It's only for the morning, Emma! I shall be back to my chamber in the afternoon. You can come to visit me there if you like, and continue to spend time with her. Your father doesn't need to know about this," Theo warned.
"I agree. Father doesn't need to know," Emma answered in total agreement. She knew how her father felt about Sir Miles. Both Theo and herself had been warned by her father to stay away from Sir Miles. They were told the man was dangerous, although neither had experienced this side of Sir Miles.
"I shall come there every morning to care for her until you're back from your practice," Emma promised.
"Also, can you check for me with the farmers how did Baldwin get ahold of a lot of geese and ducks to feed his 50 warriors?"
"Oh, that Baldwin guy again?!" exclaimed Emma.
"Yes! You may have to send some of your girlfriends to go around to the farmers to see what's happening. Ask them if any of their geese and ducks are missing," Theo instructed. "My warriors are protesting and I need to find out what's happening."
"Check to see if any farmers have given the geese and the ducks to Baldwin and his warriors for consumption. If so, this is unacceptable! The geese and the ducks are there to lay eggs to make dairy products to be sent to the borders to feed the warriors daily at the borders. They are not to be for consumption purposes to feed 50 warriors in one night," he told Emma.
"I may have to send my girlfriends out there again," said Emma, "I will get back to you later."
"That's my Emma! I know I can always count on you, my dear future queen!" Theo said. He took Emma by her hand and planted a kiss there. He wrapped his arms around her waistline and then lifted her face to plant a kiss on her lips.
"Emma, you are so beautiful!" Theo whispered gently. He felt the softness of her sweet lips. Then he held her close and smelled the womanly scent in her hair. Her fragrance intoxicated him. He was genuinely delighted to have Emma by his side to solve every problem he encountered. His Emma was always so beautiful and smart.
Theo stayed there with Emma for the morning, letting her get acquainted with Belinda while Samuel was doing his court duty, then he and Belinda left before Samuel came home. They must not let Samuel know about Belinda, otherwise, no one would know what Samuel would do.
XXXXX
The following morning when Emma came to see Theo to care for Belinda, Theo learned that Baldwin had bought a bunch of poultry from the farmers with his gold bars. It was likely that he felt he was entitled to a good meal before leaving for his investigative assignment. As one might predict, the daily target for producing dairy goods to send to the warriors at the borders would be decreased from several farmers, who suffered the consequence of their greed. Those farmers had been served warning notices that such sales were not be permitted in the kingdom, and they had to strive harder now to make up the daily dairy products to be sent to the borders.
Theo consulted his father, King Aylard, who agreed to compensate each of Theo's warriors one gold bar a piece for their complaint.
For the following few days, Theo would take the time in the afternoon to go for his hunting lessons. Sometimes he would bring back some ducks and geese, and sometimes some rabbits. He would send them to the cookery and advise the cooks that the hunted animals were to be cooked for his warriors' consumption. His warriors were happy once again.
XXXXX
Baldwin led his men to go to the south. He arrived there somewhere in a forest, set up some tents, and told his warriors that they were to be out and about every day as plainclothes detectives. They are to be dressed as civilians.
"I have all the plainclothes for you to wear. They are in this wagon," Baldwin had been prepared for it. One good thing about Baldwin was that he was a good detective and a good planner. He would plan everything ahead and you won't know about it until he decides to let you know.
"Now, each of you would go in one or groups of two or three, at the same time, but all groups will go to different places. You can go to the farmers' markets if there are any, or go to some eateries. All you need to do is sit there and listen to what others are talking about and make mental notes when necessary," Baldwin instructed his warriors.
"What exactly is the information you are seeking?" asked one of his warriors.
"I am seeking to learn who Sir Miles is, and to discover the identity of his brother who was killed 14 seasons ago."
"That will be hard. Why would people be talking about somebody who was killed 14 seasons ago? I mean, what would suddenly remind them of such a person and event?" asked one of his warriors.
"You just have to pay attention to other people's conversations to see if you could catch anything. I don't expect you to find out that information immediately. I know uncovering such information will take time," instructed Baldwin.
"Besides Sir Miles and his dead brother, I would also like to find out the whereabouts of the King and Queen of Kebia. Samuel told me that their kingdom had fallen 14 seasons ago, and their lands had formed part of the Kingdom of Largo. The king and queen of Kebia have never been found since then. I want to let you know that the King and Queen of Kebia are actually the parents of our Queen Isabella. This order to investigate has come directly from King Aylard who wants us to search for his in-laws. We must find out if they are still alive, and if so, discover their whereabouts," Baldwin continued to advise his warriors.
"You all should start now by changing into plainclothes. You will begin your investigations first thing tomorrow morning. By evening you will come back here to report your findings. I also have some gold coins and silver coins in my possession that I have obtained from the treasury for your use during the day, but you MUST use these coins sparingly and do not appear to others that you are laden with coins. These areas are filled with robbers and murderers. I do not want any of you to become victims." Baldwin warned his crew.
"You must not show your coins openly to others, you may only take out one, two, or a few coins at the time as you need to pay for something. You must not flash your coins anywhere, any time. Got it? Any questions?" Baldwin looked around his crew.
"What is the name of the King and Queen of the kingdom of Kebia?" asked one of the warriors.
"That, I do not know! But whatever names they have used in the past, I would assume they would not be using today. After all, this is the land supposed to be occupied by many unknown tribes, which means they want to remain anonymous due to their illegal activities. Now, you all know, it is up to us to find out their real identities. I can tell you this is a very important project. Our investigations may take a little longer. So, we must use our supplies wisely and not over-indulge ourselves in any luxuries. Okay, people?" Baldwin answered slowly. He wanted his warriors to remember every detail of his instructions.
"Any more questions?" Baldwin asked the group. He looked around his warriors. Each familiar face suddenly took on an even greater importance to him now. He began to appreciate each one of them with a special kind of gratitude.
There were no more questions asked by the men. Satisfied with his meeting with the warriors, Baldwin bid the men goodnight. They all had a well-deserved rest before the morning set in.
I ENJOYED THIS SANDIE. THOUGH I STARTED FROM THE BEGINNING SOME TIME AGO, I HAD NOT READ EACH CHAPTER AS, DUE TO PERSONAL CONCERNS, I HAVEN'T BEEN ON AD AS OFTEN AS I USED TO BE. HOWEVER, I FIND THAT STARTING FROM HERE THERE IS STILL THE CONCISE AIR OF A WELL TOLD STORY AND I ENJOYED IT. I WILL TAKE THE TIME NOW TO READ THE NEXT CHAPTER AND HOPEFULLY...WILL BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THE UPCOMING ONES. THANKS FOR SHARING, MY FRIEND. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
You have created crafted several ongoing story lines, with an assortment of characters and situations....Especially the romantic love stories of the King & Queen and of the future King & Queen....You may indeed be in the process of creating a future fantasy genre classic tale.
Thank you for your good observation of my characters!
Yes, I have constructed and written it that way because I wrote the children ever since they were little kids, now they have grown and are becoming teenage young adults, their thoughts and feelings for each other have to be written as well.
Sandie, I keep wondering how you can come up with all these plots to write about. You are a truly amazing storyteller! I like this Chapter because I can truly see how the little man in Theo is awakened, growing into a big man, who is more aware of Emma's beauty as a young woman. I'm glad he is giving her the love that she deserves. I like how this story is developing. Thank you, Sandie!
You tell the story as though you have lived it or are living it in your mind as your write it. Continued inspiration and success to you, Sandie. Love, peace, and best wishes to you,
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