My 8 E-books written over the years by Alina Udrea - HTML preview

Chapter 16

Lizzy decided that they had gone enough for that day and that they

had better rest and leave again refreshed and rested in the morning, at dawn. Gabriela applauded her daughter as she was just as tired. As for Mark, he just wanted to get back hoping that the king would acknowledge his merits in this mission and knight him.

That night Mark kept turning on the ground as he couldn’t sleep. He

kept worrying that the king might not turn him to a knight or at least hire him as a mere soldier in his army. When he saw that both women had fallen asleep, he decided to take a short walk around their camp site to clear his mind. So he got up slowly not to wake them and took a walk. He didn’t even notice he was getting pretty far away from the two women. When he at last thought of going back and getting some rest, he realized he didn’t know where he was. He panicked but then he cleared his mind and tried to retrace his steps back to the camp. He didn’t want to shout as not to attract any beasts, either of human nature or animal. After more than

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two hours of rambling through the forest, he finally found the camp: Gabriela was tied to a tree and she seemed to be in a deep sleep, her head in her lap and sitting in an awkward position, and Lizzy… she wasn't anywhere. He ran to Gabriela and felt for her pulse. She had a faint pulse. So she was alive. But what could have happened? And where was Lizzy? He tried to wake her but as he couldn’t, he shook her hard. She barely opened her eyes. He shook her again, this time with more force. Gabriela woke from her slumber like state.

- Where's Lizzy? What happened here? Are you all right?- Someone took her. He must have used chloroform on us while we were sleeping. I am sorry, I failed.

- No, get up, he said mad with anger, we will save her. But any idea who could be behind this?

- I am so sorry, I only got a glimpse of him before he put his tissue to my face and next thing I know is when you got here. It was a skinny man, I couldn’t see his face as it was dark and he had it under a dark hood. But he resembled a lot with…yes, the king's assassin, Roman!- Roman? Asked Mark. Never heard of him. But why would the king kidnap her? He sent her on this quest and we were going to give him the magic water willingly. So what is the point?

- Unless… Gabriela said pondering it all, unless he wasn't sent by the king, but by someone else.

- How come he didn’t kill you, Gabriela? Mark asked suspicious even regarding her.

- Maybe because he didn’t recognize me. Not long ago I was as old as the king, remember? And now I look as young as my daughter or even younger, not trying to brag or anything…

- Ok, you were just making a point. But then who could be behind this? And how can we find and save her?

- I know a certain someone whose heart is corrupted with desire for power… but she is still young, could she do it? She is as young as my daughter…- Who? Say it! Mark almost ordered it.

- The king's daughter, Milly. Ever since she was a little girl she used to pretend she was the queen. She always liked to order around. Nasty attitude in a spoilt child, a real brat.

- Sounds like a mean person. Let's save Lizzy!

- We have to hurry or we might be too late. I doubt he was ordered to get

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her back to the palace. He was most likely ordered to kill her.- Ok, Mark said checking a twisted twig. This way, Gabriela. Now I lead. I can track them. I could track lost animals back at home and I was good at it. I can find her.

- You'd better, her life depends on it.

They followed the signs, a twisted twig here, a shred of cloth there, a trail in the ground, all he could find. Finally he found them in a little clearing. Lizzy was passed out on the ground and Roman was ready to stab her. He raised his dagger to her heart. Gabriela shrieked when she saw her daughter in danger. Mark hurried to fight against Roman but Gabriela was faster. She turned Roman into a block of ice, freezing him on the spot, with his right hand raised, the dagger still in it. Mark got in front of him and saw his amazement at seeing him. He had never expected this. Mark saw the fear in his eyes as he struck him down with a single blow. He wouldn’t let anyone or anything hurt her. He kissed her till she came back to her senses.- My hero, she said as she came back to her old self. Then she whispered in his ear: wish my mom wasn't here with us so I could thank you properly, and then she winked at him. He almost swallowed his tongue as images of her naked flooded his mind, reminding him of their night together.- Yeah, me too… can't you … I don't know… put her under a spell or something?

- I heard you two, Gabriela's voice came from right next to them. She had also rushed to get to her daughter.

- Oh, mom, he was only kidding!

- No worries, I was young once too. Oh, happy me, I am young again, and she started laughing at her own joke.

- What should we do with him? Mark asked pointing to what remained of the royal assassin.

- Search his body, maybe you can find something to link him to Milly. Then we can show that to the king and he can decide what he wants to do about it.

- Ok, I will do that, mumbled Mark as he wasn't too happy with the prospect of searching Roman's body, but he had to do it if he wanted to find some proof, some evidence of Milly's involvement, no matter how gross that seemed. Luckily for him, he didn’t have to search long. He found his money pouch, the one Milly had given him as pay. It had her initials on it and Mark was sure the king would recognize it if he saw it. He showed his find to Lizzy

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and Gabriela.

- Great, said Gabriela, now let's not tarry any longer. The king should know about this.

They rode with little rest for a week until they got to the outskirts of the city’s fortress. Then Gabriela stopped her horse and looked at the palace which could be seen in the distance with desire in her eyes.- What’s wrong, mom? Why did you stop?

- I am not sure I should come with you. What will the king say when he sees me young? He will know I found the water and that I let him think I was dead for all this time. I don't think this is a good idea. You two should go and take your reward for a job well done. You can find me back at my hut at the outskirts of the Forest of Lost Souls. I wish you good luck, and she spurred her horse and turned around.

- Mom…

- Leave her, maybe it's better this way. She can come back later when she is prepared to let the king know that his old sorceress is still alive.- Yeah and that she is in fact young now, added Lizzy. They entered the palace without difficulties. Everyone knew who she was. They didn’t know Mark but as long as he was with her it meant that he was alright. The guards in front of the throne room stopped them barring their way with their halberds.

- Stop! One guard ordered. I know who you are, witch! But you have to wait here until the king can see you.

- Ok, please let him know that Lizzy the sorceress is back. I’m sure he will see me now!

- Wait here, the guard said as he entered the throne room. He was back almost as soon as he entered.

- The king will see you now in his private chamber. Follow me.- See? That wasn't so hard, was it? And Lizzy sneered in his face.- You should have ice blasted him or something, Mark whispered to her. Or at least set his boots on fire, make him dance.

- Shhh, don't be silly, he was just doing what is he is being paid to do. If I was to bewitch every fool I met, this place would be almost deserted. And what would be the fun in that?

- Ok, sorry, maybe I got carried away.

- Here, the guard said as he opened the door for them. He remained outside to guard the door and Lizzy and Mark entered to meet the king. Anxiety

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was written all over his wrinkled face. He was standing by the small window when they entered and the sun was shining on him, showing all his scars and lines.

- Lizzy, dear, I see you've brought a friend! Nice, the king said with a smirk, but did you get what I sent you for? Did you get my water?- Of course. But first of all, let's talk about my price. You said I could ask for anything, right?

- Right, the king said with half his voice fearing that maybe she was going to ask for all his wealth or who knows what.

- My reward will be making Mark here a knight. He has joined me in this quest and has helped me to get you your water. And also a farmstead for him in a place of his choice. This is my price.

- That’s easy, Harold answered relieved. It was a small price for what he would be getting in return: his youth back, another chance in life and also he would be still ruling the kingdom until he would get bored. What about you? He asked. Don’t you want anything for yourself?- Well, that farmstead is also for me. We will live there together, she said and she giggled.

- Oh, I see. You will have the farmstead of your dreams. If not, at least of your choice. With animals and horses and staff to take care of them. What’s your name, boy?

- Mark, he answered boldly and then he bowed his head for the king.- I knight you Sir Mark of Deragon, Lord of the land of Deragon. Rise, Lord Mark!

- Thank, your highness!

- Now the water, Lizzy. And then if both of you would excuse me…- Sure, Lizzy said and handed him her flask of water from the Fountain of Eternal Youth. Mark kept his flask for themselves, for when they would get old….

- Thank you, now go! The king said with sparkles in his eyes as he wished to be left alone with the water to try it in the peacefulness of his secret chamber, without any other witnesses than his children whom he would summon before drinking.

- One more thing before we leave, your highness, Lizzy said before going anywhere.

- What? King Harold asked annoyed this time as he wanted to be left alone as soon as possible.

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- It's about your daughter, Milly.

- My daughter? He asked raising his left eyebrow with suspicion. What about her?

- Well, she tried to kill us. She sent an assassin to do it.- Lies! Harold cried not wanting to believe her. I know about Roman, she sent him to protect you, to make sure you would get back safe with the water for me!

- Then why did he drug her and then tried to stab her, your highness? Mark intervened looking the king in his eyes.

- Lies! He yelled even louder this time! I'll have you whipped if you don't stop now! Both of you! But doubt was already taking shape in his heart. What if…

- You'll do no such thing, your highness! Said Gabriela who had stormed through the door to everyone's amazement. What they say is true! Roman has also drugged me to sleep or otherwise I'd have slayed him myself!- And who in the name of God are you? And where are my guards? Then Gabriela remembered that she was young again and the king hadn't recognized her.

- Look at me closely and you'll know who I am! And Gabriela started to laugh.- Gabriela? He asked not sure if what he saw was real. But I thought you were dead.

- Yes, and it would have stayed that way if I hadn't come here to make sure my daughter is alright and gets her reward for putting her life in danger for you.

- I can't believe it! You are young and beautiful again. And his eyes glistened with delight. Just like the first time I saw you! You found the water! Why didn’t you come back to me?

- Ever since you lost your wife you couldn’t stop thinking of her. Not even when we were together… so I thought maybe it was better this way!- I'm sorry, I will make it up for all the time we lost. You are already young again and so will I be. This time things will be different. I promise. I don't care what the kingdom thinks! I rule here, not them! Even if you are a sorceress, I’ll marry you! And the king kneeled before Gabriela and asked her hand in marriage.

- Uh, mom, said Lizzy dumbstruck, what is king Harold talking about? Have you put him under a spell? And then she whispered to her mom: is he crazy? Has he gone mad?

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- No dear, Gabriela answered, he is under no spell. And that’s no way to talk to your father!

- What??!!!?? All asked at once, Lizzy, the king and even Mark as now they were all really shocked.

- Lizzy? Asked Harold and examined his daughter closely. My daughter? But I thought you said she wasn't mine, you said you had an affair…- Yeah, well I lied, Gabriela said, tears in her eyes. It was now or never. This time she would tell him the whole truth. The wizard I told you about, I made him up. He doesn’t exist. You have always mourned after your wife who was a queen by birth so I didn’t think you would ever marry me, your sorceress. And if you knew that Lizzy was your daughter, that would only have complicated things. First of all, Milly and John would have been really upset to know that Lizzy was their step-sister. Maybe her life would have been endangered. Now Lizzy is old and strong enough to take care of herself, so I am not afraid anymore. You've been blind all your life… can't you see how much she resembles you?

- Wow, mom! I'm speechless! Lizzy hardly found the power to babble the words. So king Harold is my father? Does that mean that I am a … princess?- So I have another daughter? And Harold tried to get up but he was dizzy with all this information. Then he looked at his daughter with fatherly love. Then again at Gabriela.

- Yes, she is your daughter!

- Will you marry me? Will you forgive an old fool? Then he winked at her and added: but this fool won't be old for another minute. And he drank the water from Lizzy’s flask. The moment his lips touched the icy water he already felt revigorated. When the last drop of the magic water was gone, so was old king Harold. A younger version of him stood before them. He had become young again! His daughter made it all possible! He owed everything to her and her boyfriend! His life wasn't about to end, it was just beginning. This time, he would set things right.

- Yes, yes! Gabriela said hugging him.

- Mom, I thought you said witches can't fall in love… and Lizzy laughed glad at seeing her mother happy for the first time.

- It was the bitterness in me talking, I’m sorry. And Gabriela kissed her daughter's forehead.

- Well, probably I am the only one who is what he says he is. I am just a villager if anyone cares… muttered Mark more to himself. He felt alone in

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all this.

- Don't be silly, you are a Lord now. Isn't that right, father? And Lizzy looked at Harold with loving eyes. She had grown without a fatherly figure and now that she had a father, she was so happy. She couldn’t describe the feeling, but it felt good. Her mother was alive and she also had a father. Furthermore, her father was the king himself. It was almost too much.- Yes, a Lord and a Knight! You will lead my armies, Mark! All the generals will answer to you!

- I don't know what to say… Mark could hardly speak anymore.- A simple thank you is enough, said Harold. Probably my two other children won't be too happy with my decisions but they'll have to deal with it. They will have a step-mother and a step-sister. By the way, will someone fetch them here?

One week later they were all a happy royal family, or almost all. But that's another story…

THE FOUNTAIN OF ETERNAL YOUTH

Volume 2