Haven: Chronicles of Warshard (4 page)

“That won’t do. We need an area big enough to house these refugees, with as many doctors and nurses as possible,” she
said.

“We can bring in physicians from nearby towns if we need to, My Lady.” Toma moved about the room, pulling documents from shelves and barking orders for the other advisers to
follow.

“Where can we find a large enough space for so many people? Surely the hospitals will be
overwhelmed.”

“The ballroom, My Queen.” Haven turned to Lareina, who smiled down at her. Her blue eyes danced with something akin to pride. “The ballroom could easily fit a hundred bunks for refugees. We could have the less injured brought here, and the most grave cases sent to the hospitals. The doctors would be of better use in their own
environment.”

Haven blinked at her guard. She couldn’t believe she’d almost forgotten that Lareina herself was trained in medicine. In fact, she could have been a doctor if her heart didn’t belong to her kingdom. “You’re absolutely brilliant, Lareina.” Haven smiled and stood to hug her Lady guard, who had always been a good friend. She could very well have been Haven’s first female adviser had she the
inclination.

“Thank you, My Queen,” Lareina returned with a smile as she stepped away from her embrace. “I will help you in any way I can. I shall send another guard to keep the towers on lookout. We should be ready to open the gates when the refugees
arrive.”

“Yes, that would be perfect, thank
you.”

Lareina bowed slightly and removed herself from the
room.

“Emeril,” Haven said suddenly. She hadn’t been sure of his part in this until now. She knew what she must ask of him. “We need you, Emeril. Rythern can’t do this on its own. Hundreds of refugees are about to pour into my city. I can’t very well care for them all on my own. We simply do not have enough
healers.”

Emeril understood immediately. Steeling himself and setting his jaw, he nodded. “I will help you in any way I can, Haven. Just tell me what you need,” he assured her with the full intensity of his blue-green
gaze.

Haven smiled, grateful to have a friend like him. “We need your resources. Any healers you can spare. Medicine.” She paused to think, but found her imagination lacking under Emeril’s fierce gaze. “And your knowledge. Help me set up centers for these refugees. You know much more about being a King than I
do.”

“Of course,” he nodded. “Let’s
begin.”

CHAPTER 4

T
hree days passed since the fall of Wakefin and Haven was growing restless. She had taken to the hospitals and clinics to soothe the people of Wakefin as well as the growing concerns of her own. After the man on the pike had been removed, she used anything she could find to distract herself. With the help of her ladies, she hid her own troubles well enough, while addressing those of the people. Paperwork was piling up, but Toma had granted her a reprieve because of her good work in the city. She had been overjoyed by this, and found herself spending more and more time away from the
palace.

On the third day, Haven decided to stay a bit closer to home. Emeril was expected to return with healers today and she wanted to be there to greet him. It also gave her a chance to check on the makeshift ballroom hospital. She had heard good things from her guards, who often checked on the people for her. Some of the injured had already recovered enough to leave, but stayed because they had nowhere else to go. Haven had been surprised at the amount of volunteers who came to her aid in this matter, taking refugees into their homes and inns, as well as volunteering in the hospitals. It warmed her heart to see her people so giving. Throughout her nineteen years of life, she had never known her people as well as she wished. As much as she regretted that, it did present a valuable opportunity to make their acquaintance in her new
role.

Sweeping into the grand hall, Haven took in the sight of the beautiful ballroom. One of the most gorgeous rooms in the castle, it held high vaulted ceilings, large crystal chandeliers and huge stained-glass windows lining the upper half of the walls. Pillars lined the marble floored room, leaving the center of the space wide open with burgundy and gold trimmed walls. It was the perfect size to suit this purpose and she was glad Lareina thought of it. Several rows of bunks and cots were full of people, from the healed to the recovering. Doctors and nurses moved up and down aisles, assisting as many as they could. Volunteers distributed bread and water to the people. Children ran around the pillars, screeching with joy and
laughter.

The hundred here had been well taken care of, and Haven was happy to see many smiling faces. As her little party entered the room, many eyes turned to her. She smiled in greeting, meeting several sets of eyes, those of her people, as well as those of
Wakefin.

“Good day,” Haven said, holding her skirts as she glided through the crowd, greeting the people, and hearing their concerns. Lareina stayed by her side, assisting the patients she sat
with.

After Haven had spoken with nearly every conscious person besides the children, she joined them at the edge of the crowd. Approaching the young ones by the pillars, she asked them what they would like from
her.

“Games!” “Chocolate!”
“Dance!”

Each child shouted different things at her. She couldn’t help but laugh, her heart warmed by their high spirits. With much sorrow plaguing the city, it was a welcomed change to see their smiling
faces.

Bending down to brush the bangs from a young girl’s face, she realized this girl had been one of the few children not to
shout.

“How about you, my darling?” Haven asked, taking her hand when she offered it. The child was so young she still sucked on her thumb, and her tiny fingers just wrapped around those of Haven. “What can I do for
you?”

“My mummy used to sing,” she whispered, eyes big and
lost.

Haven’s smile faltered and she held the girl just a little tighter. “Did you lose your mother?” Her chest tightened and images of the bloody courtyard assaulted her mind. She tried to keep in the present, to stay with this little girl. She couldn’t imagine what it was like to be so young and have no
one.

When the little girl finally nodded, blonde curls bounced around her soft baby doll-face. Haven’s smile turned sympathetic. “I lost my mother too. She used to sing to me as
well.”

The girl met her eyes. “What did she sing?” she mumbled around her
thumb.

“Many things,” Haven answered. “Of the kingdoms, Rythern, the sea, and the great cities
beyond.”

“What was your favorite?” she asked, removing her thumb from her mouth, peering at Haven with a newfound
wonder.

Haven pondered her question, gazing off into the distance. A certain painting caught her eye, of a long trail through the forest, leading to a wishing well. “I’d have to say my favorite was
The Path to Seaburn
. The Republic always fascinated me as a girl.” Haven returned her gaze to the blue eyes of this young child, whose name she realized she didn’t yet
know.

“I haven’t heard that one,” the girl murmured, fingers tightening around Haven’s. “Will you sing it for
me?”

Haven blinked at her, somewhat startled. She’d sung many times with her mother, but never to a crowd. Nerves prickled at her chest, but how could she refuse such an adorable child? Gulping the lump in her throat, she
nodded.

“I will sing for you,” she said, glancing at Lareina, who nodded in turn. Lareina was a beautiful singer, and she hoped her friend knew the song as well as she. “But I would like to know your name
first.”

“Mirabel,” she smiled, “but my mum called me
Mira.”

“Mira.” Haven returned her smile. “What a beautiful
name.”

Mirabel beamed and released Haven’s hand. The girl’s smile was so startlingly lovely that she found herself growing more confident under the child’s gaze. She would sing for this girl, these people, and hope their spirits would be lifted with her
words.

Standing straight, Haven turned to Lareina. Her beautiful friend nodded and began to hum. Haven joined in before the words returned to her. She could picture her mother so clearly, the morning light catching her browns curls as she twirled Haven in a flurry of giggles. She was young in this memory, but Haven still felt as if it were
yesterday.

With the late Queen Denica in her mind, she sang. Haven’s voice rose through the air, and a bubble of happiness and loss filled her chest. Lareina joined in, and a hush fell through the room. Their voices, high and delicate, echoed off the ceiling. The sound reverberated back to them, low and soft. Once to the chorus, several women of Rythern joined in.
The Path to Seaburn
was a common song throughout Warshard. Many would know it, and she hoped more would
join.

By the fourth verse, the room became awash in dozens of voices, high and low, deep and soft, practiced and not. Haven looked to her little friend to make sure she was enjoying herself. Mirabel’s eyes had filled with tears even though a smile so big and bright spread across her face. Haven couldn’t help the tears that sprung to her own eyes. They were both trapped in memories of their own mothers for the rest of the song. Mira held her hand and Haven clutched back, looking through the crowded
hall.

When the song finished Lareina and Haven looked to each other. Silence fell over the room in a pleasant hush. Echoes bounced back until they slowly faded away with the final lyrics. When the ballroom held not a single sound, Mirabel pushed forward, hugging Haven’s legs tightly. Claps echoed through the great
hall.

“Thank you,” she whispered to her friend. Lareina only
nodded.

“I never knew you were such a lovely singer, Lady
Haven.”

Haven turned to find beautiful blue-green eyes on her. “Emeril!” she held back her gasp. Embarrassment flooded her. It was one thing to sing for her people and those of Wakefin, but to sing in front of royalty was another matter. “You’re
back.”

“I am,” he smiled, the dazzling look in his eyes bringing heat to her face. “I have brought what you
requested.”

Behind him were at least a dozen men, all carrying packages. Behind
them
were even more men and women, dressed in typical Salander guard
armor.

“You have brought many!” Haven exclaimed. Mirabel unclasped herself from Haven’s legs enough to let Haven move towards the great doors of the ballroom, where Emeril awaited. “We are forever
grateful.”

“Salander is happy to help, Lady Queen.” Emeril held his hand over his heart and bowed to her in greeting. “I see you have a new
friend.”

Haven looked down at her small leech. Mirabel clasped her hand, thumb returning to her mouth. “Yes, this is Mirabel. She is a lovely girl, is she not?” She smiled, and Mira blushed, hiding behind the young queen’s skirts, while still peeking out at
Emeril.

“That she is. May I borrow you for a
moment?”

“Of course,” Haven said, turning to bid farewell to Mira. She crouched and embraced the girl. Mirabel was warm in her arms. “I will return to sing to you soon, young Mira. Be
well.”

“Thank you, Lady Queen,” Mira murmured against Haven’s
hair.

Haven released Mirabel and her gave a small wave before joining Lareina at the hall doors. Emeril dismissed his guards and his healers, whom Haven directed to Toma. Her adviser would know the best place for their
aid.

Haven led Emeril to her personal sitting rooms, hoping for somewhere quiet to speak in private. When they arrived her chambers were clear of maids and servants, so she ushered her guest inside before taking a seat on her long red sofa, urging Emeril to join her. He sat beside her, keeping a respectable distance. Alone in her chambers, aside from Lareina who stood near the main doors, Haven turned to her
friend.

“Is there news?” she
asked.

Emeril shook his head. “Not much. But I wanted to convey a message to you from King Alton. A meeting will be held tonight,” he said. “I’m sure Toma will receive word soon, but I thought it best to prepare
you.”

“Prepare me for
what?”

“I’m not sure, but Alton urged me to warn you in advance. I’m sure it’s something to do with the
war.”

Goosebumps rose on her skin. Surely a warning could not mean good news. Fear for her kingdom rose within her. She imagined what the news could possibly be; another kingdom taken, Salander to be the next, Eris under siege, Calisa in ruin. Her imagination took hold until Emeril finally stopped
her.

“It doesn’t seem to be terrible news, My Lady,” he began, “but I think Wakefin may need our help again. You should spend some time thinking about your decision. Speak with Toma, he seems wise in the ways of the
kingdoms.”

Haven nodded in understanding. “He is.” She was sure her concern showed on her face, after all things couldn’t be as bad as she thought. She voiced her worries anyway. “King Corrin is going to battle again isn’t
he?”

“I imagine that is what the meeting is about,
yes.”

“I don’t know if I can put my people in so much danger,
Emeril.”

“I don’t think I can
either.”

They looked long and hard at each other. In this regard they were on the same
page.

“Come to my chambers again when you’re heading out. We shall travel together tonight,” Haven
said.

Emeril nodded in agreement. “I shall.” He rose to leave, bowing to her again. Haven stood to see him off. Just before he left, half out the door, he turned to her. “You really do have a beautiful voice,
Haven.”

Blush crept onto her cheeks. “Thank you,” she said, trying her best not to reveal how shocked and flattered she truly
felt.

“You have a very positive effect on your people.” he paused, avoiding her gaze. “I hope to have the same effect on mine someday.” It was the first time Haven had ever seen him question his ability to lead. She’d gone to him for help with the refugees, instinctively knowing he could help. From the look on his face, she recognized her own doubt. Being the leader of so many was difficult, especially without much experience. Emeril had grown up knowing he would one day be king, but to follow in his father’s footsteps would be the
challenge.

“You are your father’s son, Emeril,” Haven said, smiling. “You will be a great king one day. Your people will love
you.”

Emeril smiled and thanked her before he
left.

“You know, Prince Emeril is a very handsome man,” Lareina said, giving her queen a meaningful look and sly
smile.

“Yes, I am aware, Lareina,” she said, cheeks still
hot.

“You two have always been close, and now he even looks up to
you.”

“Your
point?”

“Nothing,” Lareina grinned, “Nothing at
all.”

Lareina laughed as she left the room, leaving Haven to stare after her. The match had always been pushed on her from many fronts, but this was a new one. If even her friends thought that she should consider Emeril, did that mean she was a fool not to? Though she’d put some thought into it as a girl, the idea hadn’t crossed her mind in years. Would Emeril be a good match for her in the end? Could she handle running between two kingdoms, just to have a husband? Haven knew it would be expected of her to eventually marry and produce heirs, but she couldn’t help recoiling at the thought. She couldn’t bear to pass on her curse to her children, and ever since her power had become known, she’d sworn never to marry. It could save her unborn a life full of misery and loss in the case they were born like her. She couldn’t – no – she
wouldn’t
do that to her children. Haven would never marry or bear children. She would never bestow the misery of long life upon
them.

That night, Toma and Emeril met in her
chambers.

“Good evening, My Queen,” Toma greeted, passing her the black sheath once again. She’d only held it once or twice since the last secret meeting, and found it awkward in her hands. The sword would be useless to Haven without proper training, but she took it on principle. If anyone needed protecting, she should be the one to do
it.