The dream had seemed too real. Her father; the baby; the ocean; the dragon; the world turning so dark. She couldn't help but feel as if it boded awful things to come.
Gwendolyn stood beside the large, open-air window and looked down at the shining city of Silesia; people were already out, this early in the day, preparing their goods for a day of sale. As she looked over the citizens, she also noticed movement, could see them congregating towards the city gate. She followed their direction and spotted a small cloud of dust on the horizon, slowly heading for Silesia, and she realized it was a rider, charging this way. Two riders. And behind them, a group of perhaps a hundred townsfolk.
Gwen relaxed, realizing it was not Andronicus’ army; yet she wondered who it could be. A distant horn sounded, and Gwen saw the gatekeeper stand tall and blow it again and again.
As Gwen examined the rider out front, slowly coming into focus, she recognized his armor, his horse.
There came a soft knocking on her chamber door, and Gwen spun and crossed the room, and opened the door to see an attendant standing there, bowing at her presence.
"My Queen, I am sorry to disturb you," he said. “But our men have spotted two riders approaching our gates, with an entourage of people. Should I close the gates?”
She shook her head.
“No,” she said. “That is no ordinary rider.”
Her heart filled with joy as she prepared to leave the castle.
“That,” she said, “is my brother.”
*
Gwendolyn took the steps three at a time, excited as she bounded down the spiral stone staircase of the castle, through the corridors and out the front door. She raced across the courtyard, for the main gate, where she saw Kendrick arrive, Atme at his side. Her heart flooded with relief. It was like a piece of her was back home again. With her family so broken, so dysfunctional, having Kendrick here made her feel a bit of normalcy back again.
It was ironic: Kendrick was her half-brother, yet he felt more like family to her than her real siblings. She knew she would have to make some hard decisions as queen, but she hadn’t known how she would possibly be able to order the gates closed and sealed knowing he was still out there. It saved her a heart-wrenching decision.
As she ran for the gates, Kendrick spotted her, dismounted and ran to her, embracing her. She was so happy to see him again. A part of her felt that, if Kendrick made it back, maybe Thor could, too.
"You're alive," she said over his shoulder, a tear running down her cheek. "I'm so happy you’re alive.”
He pulled her back, grinning wide; it felt so good to see another living member of her family, here in this foreign city. He was also the striking image of her father, and seeing him made her feel as if she had a small piece of her father back again.
“I am," he said. “Always. I was told of your travels to this place, of everything that has happened. I am so proud of you for leading these people. They could have picked no finer a leader.”
She smiled, flushed with pride. Coming from Kendrick, whom everyone respected, who was eminently qualified to be the next King, it was high praise indeed.
"These people do not have me to thank for making them safe," she responded humbly. "I am sure they would have found a way to be safe either way.”
Kendrick shook his head.
"They needed a leader. Someone to guide them. You led the way. Many people will live because of you."
“And I see those people following you, as well,” she said, nodding over his shoulder as the hundreds of townsfolk following Kendrick and Atme caught up and began to enter the gates.
Kendrick’s face fell in concern.
"I’m afraid I bear bad news,” he said. “We spotted Andronicus’ army. They march our way.”
Gwen's eyes opened in alarm.
"Are you sure of it?” she asked.
“As sure as it is day,” came a voice.
Gwen turned to see Atme coming up beside Kendrick, looking back with concern. He reached out and took her hand and kissed her fingertips. “My lady,” he added. “I fulfilled the mission.”
Gwen smiled.
“You have brought my brother back to me alive,” she said. “For that, I shall always be indebted. I know who I shall turn to next time I have a mission of the utmost urgency.”
“You trusted me with a most sacred mission, with your family’s life, and for that I will always be grateful,” Atme replied, nodding back.
There came a commotion and Gwen turned to see Srog, Brom and Kolk approach, flanked by several members of the Silver. They all lit up at the sight of Kendrick, hurried over and embraced him.
"Kendrick," Brom said, clasping his forearm. "You serve the Silver well in all that you do.”
"My Lord," Kendrick said back to him.
“You bring much honor upon your father’s memory,” Kolk said.
Kendrick met his embrace.
"It is an honor to have a knight of your repute in Silesia," Srog said, their forearms clasping firmly.
"The honor is all mine, my Lords," Kendrick said back. "In fact, I owe you a great debt for taking in my sister and half of King’s Court.”
"The debt is mine," Srog said. "It the least we can do to honor your father, who was always good to us. He could have taxed us far more than he did, and he chose not to.”
Kendrick half-bowed his head in appreciation, then his brow furrowed with concern.
“I’m afraid I arrive bearing grave news,” Kendrick said, clearing his throat. “Andronicus’ men follow not far behind us.”
“We laid our own eyes upon their forces,” Atme added.
There came a gasp among the men. Gwen felt a pit in her stomach.
“How long?” Brom asked.
“It could be a day. It could be more. It is a wall of devastation, and nothing will stop them.”
The others looked at each other, gravely.
“We saved these townsfolk,” Kendrick said, gesturing to the people who filed in through the gates, “but other towns will not be so fortunate. There isn’t time to save them all. We must prepare, if there's any hope of defending this place.”
"Is there any hope?" Gwen asked, watching his expression closely.
He looked at her gravely, and she saw the answer in his eyes. Her heart sank further.
"We must do the best we can do,” he answered. “We are in the hands of the fates."