This story was written for the 2025 April A to Z Blog Challenge. Twenty-six words, one for each letter of the alphabet, were pre-selected by a random word generator (MacChatGPT) and were included for each section of the appropriate letter in the Challenge. The chosen word is highlighted within the text. To start the story from the beginning, go to https://www.hdhstory.net/Storyblog/?p=4443.
When last we met in Part 16 – Peaceful:
Adriana discovered more about her birth from the woman of the lake. Adriana was born Princess Alondria, the only child of King Petyr and Queen Alora, both of whom were killed by a mad Prince Yarek, who now reigns over Tiria. Alondria, as she now will be called, accepts her destiny to regain the throne with the help of the old woman and Sparrow-White. She is given directions to meet up with someone crucial to her success. And that’s where we’ll leave her for now. Now, let’s return to Rowan and Springbounder’s attempt to find her as they bring the payment they retrieved to Magnificent Marco (Destiny Part – 14) to get some answers.
————-
Destiny – Part 17 (quake)
It didn’t take long for Springbounder and Rowan to get back to Marvelous Marco’s cabin. They found him waiting with a backpack that looked like he was about to leave on an extended journey; he no longer wore his decorated robe.
Dismounting from Springbounder, Rowen approached Marco and placed the galea’s egg at his feet. “I have brought you what you requested; now you must provide me with the information about Adriana’s whereabouts.”
“I might,” was the reply from Marco, “That all depends on your reasons for seeking her and what you intend to do when you find her. And trust me, you had better be truthful, or you will get nothing from me, and it is you that might pay a deadly price.”
Springbounder was ready to grasp the con man by his throat and rip him apart, but was stayed by Rowan’s hand.
Rowan chose his words carefully. “Her life may be in danger. We seek to find her and protect her from someone intent on killing her for his own gain.”
“That answer is good,” Marco retorted. “Now tell me what you know of Adriana, this nineteen-year-old woman.”
Springbounder and Rowan were taken by surprise by this comment as they had never mentioned her age to Marco.
Rowan turned toward Springbounder with a questioning glance. Springbounder nodded her head yes.
Rowan turned back to Marco and told him Adriana’s story.
What initially looked like anger and violence on Marco’s face turned to a calm, even pleased appearance and a recognition of the truth being spoken.
Marco said, “I appreciate you being honest with me. Had I known this when you first visited, I might have given you some of the information you sought then. Let me fill you in on some pieces you do not have about Adriana.”
Rowen and Springbounder listened intently.
Marco continued, “The woman you seek was born in Tiria to King Petyr and Queen Alora. Her true name is Princess Alondria. Before Yarek killed both the King and Queen, the baby was hidden away, given to a man and his wife, trusted by the Queen. When Yarek, now King, sought out the princess to have her killed, that couple, in fear of their lives, took the child to the kingdom of Glandisol. They planned to leave the baby in the Forbidden Forest in a field of blue flowers for someone else to find. But kinder hearts prevailed, and instead, they brought the child to Queen Isolara of Glandisol to raise. The couple then split up, making it harder for Yarek’s assassins to find them.”
“What happened to that couple?” Rowan asked.
“One stands before you,” Marco answered. “As for my wife, I left Lidea deep in some woods by a lake. I had not tried to communicate with her these last nineteen years. Neither of us has been discovered.”
Marco continued, “Had you intended the princess harm, I would have ensured you did not leave here alive. But now I have communicated with my wife and some Tirea villagers. It is now known that Princess Alondria is alive and has returned. This is not a pleasing thought for our king. It was he who destroyed the blue flower field in the hopes of killing Alondria. It is now known that Princess Alondria is alive and has returned. The villagers are gathering to decide how best to protect her and take back the throne. Other assistance is needed and is also being sought. You should know that Princess Alondria is now aware of who she is.
Let me suggest a different strategy since you both ask where to find her. Chimera, you have the ear of the Queen of Glendisol. I suggest you go to her and explain to her who Princess Alondria is and ask for her help in this upcoming fight. Rowan, I will take the egg you gave me because it is useless to you. If I had known of your mission when we first talked, I would not have asked for anything at all. As for what you should do, I have it on good authority that it is crucial for you to get to Alondria first. It has been foretold that the two of you…well…let’s just say you will work well together in this fight.”
“And what of you?” Rowan asked.
“I will return to my wife,” Marco said. “It is time for us to rejoin and use the skills we have gained in her magic and my connections to aid this endeavor.”
They all agreed to Marco’s plan. Springbounder was to return to Queen Isolara with a plea for help. Rowan got directions from Marco on where he might meet up with Alondria, and Marco would rejoin his wife.
But, before any of them could take a step in any direction. The sky darkened, and the ground shook with tremendous force. They weren’t expecting a quake. It toppled trees, Marco’s cabin imploded to dust, and all three were lucky not to have been killed.
I guess luck was with them that day.
To be continued in R – River
