Random Bit from a Book I wrote

 

Prologue 

Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Azure the fates, will, and love of two special individuals, Royal Knight Caleb Blackburn and the fair Princess Kaytlin of Azure would be tested by the outside forces that wish to keep them apart. Arranged marriages, family secrets, mystical forces, ancient curses, captivity, and torture. All these obstacles and challenges that would stand to see love die for our two love birds, can they be overcome? Will love win out in the end? Or will the obstacles they face prove too much for their love to handle? Find out in this tragic, crazy, love story.

Chapter 1

These midnight meetings became a routine for Caleb and Kaytlin, every night they would meet in her chambers thanks to the help of the Princess’s sister and best friend Princess Ellame, only allowed to be called Ella by a select few people who she liked and trusted. Princess Ellame would help Caleb sneak into Princess Kaytlin’s chambers, being the only one who approved of their relationship and who would keep their secret just that, a secret. But tonight was different because it would be the last night they would spend the night together as Kaytlin was to be wed off to the neighboring Kingdom of Shinebrick in an arranged marriage that would finally end the conflict between the two kingdoms. She had many times before then tried to plead with her father, King Leonidas of Azure VI, that she couldn’t marry someone she didn’t know, especially if she did not love them. Her strong ideals of love were instilled in her by her mother, the late Queen Katarina who she had a great relationship with; it was her mother who taught her the importance of finding true love and that she would find that someone one day. Those were her last words to Kaytlin before she passed due to an incurable illness. It was obvious after that day of the Queen’s passing that the whole kingdom was greatly affected by this. It had hit the royal family especially hard but it had the biggest impact on the King as not long after the Kingdom of Shinebrick had declared war on Azure. On the losing side of the war, King Leonidas had no other choice than to try to negotiate with them. After two days of negotiations, a solution was reached, an arranged marriage between the two kingdoms in exchange for an end to the conflict. Unable to offer much else King Leonidas accepted the deal and the Treaty of Azure was signed. 

Caleb also tried to argue against the need to comply with Shinebrick as he did not trust the treaty, but his words carried no weight in Leonidas’s ear as Caleb was only a Royal Knight and not a Royal Grand Knight like his father, Royal Grand Knight Vidal Blackburn II. Caleb’s father knew of his feelings toward the Princess and didn’t approve of them, believing that these feelings would hinder him from becoming the greatest Royal Grand Knight in their family line and that he should prioritize his training and tradition. Caleb and his father never really had the best relationship and didn’t talk much due to his tough upbringing and after it was assumed that his mother, Karmen Blackburn was taken by the dragons on Mount. Targon, never to be seen again. His father had been hard on himself as he felt responsible for the incident. He had been constantly pushing Caleb to become the knight that he felt that he could not and a rift formed between them over this as Vidal raised Caleb as more of a soldier than a son and rarely showed any approval or affection towards him. 

Ellame could feel Caleb’s inner sadness as she guided him to Kaytlin’s room knowing that there was nothing they could do to stop this from happening without re-igniting the war. Caleb, noticing Ellame’s frustration, tries to assure her that she has done her absolute best and thanks to her for all that she has done for him. 

“Thank you Ella for all you have done for me and Kaytlin, you would have made a great sister-in-law.” 

She starts to cry and hugs Caleb, 

“Please just promise me that you will protect her and love her forever”

 

She says as she sobs. 

“You have my word Princess that I will love and protect her always.”

“I’m going to miss her Caleb” 

“Me too Ella, me too.” 

He says as he pats her head. She lets go of him and wipes her eyes. 

“You will always have my blessings, Caleb, now I must go before anyone gets suspicious of my whereabouts. Good night Sir Caleb.” 

She says as she begins to walk back to her room. 

“Thank you Princess Ellame and have a good night as well.”