Daughter of the Frozen Flame

THE cart rolled to a gradual stop in a cave with a much higher ceiling than the one they had destroyed in Lyris. One glance told the new arrivals that Fallycia didn’t hide their passage to the bordering kingdom in the same way. The confirmation of that fact came when several well-dressed men and women rushed into the room from a great wooden door, talking over each other and racing to greet the cart.
“Allela, is it true? Did you find her?”
“It’s been seventeen years. Seventeen years!”
“Are the tracks destroyed? Are you sure? No one could have followed you, right?”
Thankfully, Allela blocked the carriage door with her solid armoured frame and held her hands high until order was restored amongst the small, but excited crowd. Once they were silent, she lowered her hands to the blue bodywork doing her best to block their view of the passengers crouched low and wearily on the seats inside.
“I understand that there must be great excitement in the Xeo City right now, but it’s been a long journey, and an even longer fight to make it home. Please, go back to your meetings, your day to day, and your homes. We need our rest before anything can be discussed.”
The fizz of excitement flattened and it was with cushioned disappointment that people began to leave the simple station. They had wanted to be the first to see the lost Phryensh’a of Fallycia. Some wanted to race off to gossip to their friends and high ranking nobles about their part in this most auspicious day in the kingdom’s modern history. Allela had snatched that from them with logic and common sense. Of course, coming to the Xeo City wouldn’t be easy. Even with the fang white mountains that leered and jutted into the sky between Fallycia and Lyris, the locals knew of the trouble that had happened beyond the border. War had come to the castle in the foreign capital, and the news of it had been carried beyond the crags on the wings of Fallycia’s native silvery Goshawks.

Once everyone was gone, and the voices could no longer be heard, Allela climbed down from the carriage.
“Come. There’s another way inside the palace. We can avoid anyone who may be trying to ogle the princess.” Xylia openly grimaced at the title, and Allela noticed. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to get used to it. In Lyris, it didn’t matter, but here it is another story.”
“I’m not going to be what they expect.” Xylia mumbled, dragging her feet along the stone floor as Allela unlocked a door hidden behind a sapphire blue tapestry.
“You have the royal mark. That’s all that will matter.” Allela insisted, holding it open for them, frowning slightly at the weary Prince Taiden as he used the wall to hold himself up, but shrugged off any help from Julius.
Taiden could only think about how he was in a foreign kingdom, and how he was the representative for Lyris here. He could not show weakness; even though he was exhausted beyond anything he had ever felt before. His back burnt even with the healing salve cooling it, and his body ached so much that each step felt like a challenge in itself. He had to show that he was strong though; that he was a good ruler for Lyris. He was, after all, hoping for an alliance – for help – in reclaiming his own kingdom. Xylia was someone else’s now. He would have to petition the king and not her. Taiden understood how these diplomatic affairs worked and he had no idea what her father would be like. He could be stern and unyielding, or he could be sympathetic to their cause. There was no room for guessing, and if Taiden couldn’t stand on his own two feet then why should the King of Fallycia even listen to him?!
“Will you stop being so stubborn.” Xylia scolded with a grumble, snapping him out of his thoughts before hoisting him up against her shoulder, taking the burden of his weight.
“I’m not-“
“Shut up.” She commanded gruffly, slowing down enough that he might keep pace beside her. “I have no clue what Allela keeps talking about, and I’m too tired myself to ask her.” Xylia admitted in a whisper, close enough to Taiden that he could smell the grime on her skin, masking the earthy scent he was used to. “What royal mark?”
“I think she means these.” He replied, reaching up to run his index finger along the scales of obsidian on her neck. They were so alluring to him. She claimed they were signs of illness, but all along he had only ever seen power when he looked at them. A dark, mysterious power that was as deadly as the night they shared the colour of.
Xylia inhaled sharply, Taiden’s touch sending shivers through her entire body, making her toes curl inside the worn out boots. Her legs almost buckled, but she managed to catch herself after a slight stumble.
“Are you okay?” He asked, with a faint smirk. The effect his touch had hadn’t gone unnoticed by the prince, but now was definitely not the time to push the matter. “Am I too heavy?”
“Shut up.”
The narrow passageway of jagged rock and stone suddenly opened up after Allela pushed aside another heavy tapestry. This one was blue with a silver dragon stitched carefully into it, wings spread wide and reared back as though ready to blast enemies into nothingness. Xylia stopped to glance back over her shoulder, silently staring at the embroidered artwork. It reminded her of how she wasn’t elegance or grace, but rather the complete opposite. She didn’t belong here. She couldn’t play princess for these people. Taiden cleared his throat to steer her attention forward again.
“I think I may need to build a new castle.” He muttered.
Xylia snapped her head around and her eyes widened to the point of burning.

There was no rough stone, and this was no castle. The Xeo City held a palace, built entirely of marble and ice. The ceilings were so high that repair work being done nearby required scaffolding six levels high, and a tradesman at the bottom was mumbling about his fear of heights as he wiped oily, sweaty hands on a dirty rag that hung from the waist of his overalls. Beams of sunlight shone in through the tall, wide windows that overlooked the city and gave a mesmerising view of the ocean in the far distance. It became apparent that the palace stood on high ground, making it not just a centrepiece to the world outside, but also for the inside looking out. Taiden realised in an instant that each side of the palace must offer a different view, and Julius had to smile at the strategic logic behind that; they could see everything and everyone who might dare approach them. The light, mottled marble was bright, and shadows seemed to be deliberately scarce from the well-lit hallways. The palace was cool in colour, but warm in its welcome. A thin wispy hint of woodsmoke carried through the crisp, biting air, breaking up the icy scents of mint that had starting to sting Julius and Taiden’s noses. Decoration down the long, straight hallway was minimal, save for a few tapestries of blue and silver which all depicted dragons in varying poses. Every fifth window was dressed with a potted plant which Taiden decided had to hold some significance to the realm because they were all the same kind, potted in silver pots, and trimmed neatly in the same tall way. Red berries grew from the branches in clusters of three, with a simple small white flower with four petals right before each tiny cluster. Beyond that there were no jewels, or gold lining the walls, or portraits hanging to denote the royal family line. Just the marble, and more windows. The view of Fallycia, Taiden supposed, was decoration in itself. Xylia, however, felt like a weed in a flowerbed. She didn't belong there. The Xeo City palace was grander by far than the castle of Lyris, and yet all she could see when she glanced at the astounding views of the kingdom surrounding it, was how she shouldn't be a part of it. The dirt felt thick on her skin. Her clothes, rags of the peasant she truly was. Allela might have been covered in blood and dried sweat, but she wore royal armour, and so did Julius. Taiden had lost a shirt, but he still had fine garments woven and stitched by royal tailors. They could all fit in here, but Xylia felt like she was trailing filth behind her. Filth from her clothes, boots, her very soul dripped with dirt and grime. It was embedded so deep into her that no number of baths could make her clean enough to sparkle like the walls and floor of the palace.

Two guards stood stiff and proud at a high set of bronze double doors when they finally came to the end of the seemingly endless hallway. They faltered in their unwavering stance when they saw Allela, and then again when their gaze fell upon the ragged looking Xylia. Quickly, they rectified this, and straightened their spines before the one on the left addressed them.
"State your business."
Allela groaned, rolling her neck which cracked loudly. "Is this necessary?"
"State your business."
"I've returned haven't I?"
"State. Your. Business."
Allela simply glared at the guard until his steady stare turned into flickering blinks and he quickly looked around to see if anyone else might be watching them.
"Come on, Knight Commander. I've only just earned this promotion last week." He whispered almost pleadingly, his silver eyes begging.
She huffed once, and then sighed. "Fine. Allela Du Morant, reporting in with Phryensh'a Xylia Ileana Alewyne. Her highness is home."
"Really?! The rumours are true then?"
Allela raised her eyebrows at the guard, but said no more, and he quickly remembered his place, clearing his throat and wiping his expression clean of elation. His eyes, however, continued to hold a giddy glimmer. He grasped the polished handles in his white gloved hands and pushed down and out, opening the path to a grand chamber that was just as majestic as the hall that led to it.

A crystal chandelier hung from the domed ceiling, the pale sun beaming in from the same high arched windows twinkling from the tear drop pendants to create tiny rainbows of light in the alcove. Plush midnight blue carpet lined the floor, replacing the marble which still remained as the primary foundation for the walls and the columns which made an appearance on both sides of this mighty room. Their tops were adored with floral designs in glimmering silver which disappeared as they branched out into the white ceiling, like treetops vanishing into thick fluffy clouds. To Taiden’s surprise though, the rest of the room was empty. Even at the far end where two steps led to a raised platform ready for a throne, there was nothing but space.
“This is where nobles and dignitaries are greeted when they arrive at the palace.” Allela explained, as though she sensed the Prince’s confusion. “Normally, its décor would be reflected to mark the occasion.”
“What are we-“
Before Julius could finish his question, a man stepped out from behind one of the farthest columns. He was dressed entirely in black velvet which was adorned with silver studs across his torso, and a sapphire cloak hung around his shoulders, fastened loosely with a silver pin. Upon his head rested a simple silver crown. Nothing as lavish as the palace grandeur, just small and comfortable and Taiden immediately realised that it was the kind intended for daily wear.
Allela dropped down to one knee, her head bowed, and the tree behind her stared at her now.
“Your majesty, I have returned to the Xeo City because my quest is over. I have found the missing child of our kingdom, and I have brought her home. Just as you asked of me.”
The man chuckled softly, with a hint of relief and gestured for Allela to rise. “I can see that, Knight Commander Du Morant. I think we are beyond formalities in this situation though.” He fixed his gaze on Xylia and smiled broadly, revealing a row of perfect white teeth. “You are just like your mother.” He whispered when he was close enough to look upon her properly.
Xylia remained still as stone. She didn’t even blink as the King looked her over, taking in every single inch of her, memorising her features as though he might later be examined on them all. Just like her, he had a row of obsidian scales running down the column of his neck, though his started beneath his ear and stopped at the curve of his shoulder. Still, three thin scales wide though, but slightly shorter than Xylia’s.
“I know you must be tired – all of you must be – but I had to see you. It’s been so long, Xylia. I’ve dreamt of you every night since you left here with your mother, just waiting for the day when you came home again. And here you are! It’s so good to see you at last, daughter.” He hesitated and then grasped Xylia tightly, pulling her into loving hug.
Xylia remained still, like the marble walls around her, and cold, like the ice she could call upon.