The Legend of Princess Wildheart (18 page)

  The group went into the castle and traded off watching and sleeping during the night.  Prince Morgan and Princess Wildheart sat on a padded bench in the hallway of the bed chambers.  He had his arm around the Princess holding onto her as both of them dozed off to sleep.  Duke and Pricilla were just down the hall a little ways talking.  The castle was quiet except for the footsteps of the King’s Paladin Guards who were patrolling the castle all night.

  In the middle of the night the Queen woke up Prince Morgan and Princess Wildheart.  She had Peyton and Lauren with her.  They both wore their riding clothes.

  “Wildheart, I want you and Prince Morgan to get horses and leave the castle by the secret gate through the garden.  Get Duke and Pricilla and take these girls with you.  Go and find Prince Morgan’s army.  I believe that these girls would be safer behind the battle lines with the army,” said the Queen.

  “Mother we can’t just leave all of you behind on your own.  We can protect you if the castle gets breached by the Barbarians with our swords,” said Princess Wildheart.

  “That is true Princess.  However if you do as I ask then Peyton and Lauren will be safe and you could always come rescue us if we are in trouble.  The King and I have our own swords to protect ourselves until then,” said the Queen.

  Duke and Pricilla had walked over and listened as the Queen told her plan to Princess Wildheart.

  “Don’t worry dear, your brothers, Prince Tangent and the King can help protect the castle if things get bad here.  Please go now and waste no time getting to safety.   Go while it is still dark and no one can see you leaving,” said the Queen.

  “Mother, I promise you I will be back!  Please stay safe until then,” said Princess Wildheart.

  Princess Wildheart gave the Queen a big hug.  She was worried that she might not be able to get back in time to save her parents but her mother as usual showed good judgment in protecting the girls.  The six of them left quickly and went to the stables.  Under the cover of darkness they led the horses over into the garden and out the secret door into the forest on the side of the castle.  Once the group had gotten outside they mounted up and walked the horses through the woods and rocks that hid the castle from view and offered protection from attacks on that side.

  “I didn’t even know that this door into the castle was here,” said Prince Morgan.

  “It’s a private garden so no one notices it.  I go there often and gather my thoughts.  This path goes past the spring pond where I first met you,” said Princess Wildheart, smiling.

  “The same pond where you stole my bracelet,” said Prince Morgan, with a serious face.

  “Hey, I gave that back,
” said Princess Wildheart. 

  They both laughed thinking about their first encounter.  As they rode along they passed the spring pond and Princess Wildheart smiled to herself reflecting on that day not long ago where she had met her Prince.  Strange she thought that fate had put them in each
other’s arms.  She felt very lucky.

TWENTY TWO

   It was still dark as they continued along the pathway to escape the Barbarian siege.    “Where will this pathway come out at?”
asked Duke.  “It comes out on the west side of the woods next to the castle.  It is far enough away that no Barbarians could see us.  It merges into the same trail that your soldiers would be coming down,” said Princess Wildheart.

  Once the trail merged into the main pathway the group decided to run the horses and try to meet up with the soldiers coming from Caledon.  Daylight would come soon and with it an expectation of another attempt by the Barbarians to conquer the castle.  Soon they could see the huge army coming up ahead.  They slowed their horses and trotted toward the massive formation of troops coming up the path in double formation.  The line of troops seemed to go forever.  Princess Wildheart was impressed with the size of the army.  The group stopped at Dukes request and he galloped ahead to meet the army.  He rode up to three men on horses in the front of the procession.

  “Commander,” said one of the men as they saluted Duke.

  “Gentlemen
,” said Duke, returning the solute.

  “We came as fast as we could sir.  What’s the current situation?”
asked one man.

  “The Barbarian hoard of about four to five hundred will be resuming attack any moment now.  It was quiet all night as we managed to stave them off yesterday evening with trench fires and pits dug to prevent movement.  We are about a half hours walk away from the castle now and the Barbarians have set up on the front side of the castle which is the only side available for an attack.  Our Prince Morgan and I have brought two Princesses from the castle that we must protect under the Queens orders.  I will introduce them to you and have you send them to the rear area and hold them guarded back there for their safety.  The rest of us will be fighting the Barbarians,” said Duke.

  “Yes sir!  Right away,” said one man, saluting Duke. 

  Duke motioned for the others to come forward toward the army.  They rode up and stopped next to Duke and his generals.

  “Prince Morgan, we are at your service sire,” said one General, excited to see the Prince.

  “Gentlemen I would like to present my future wife and your future Queen, Princess Wildheart,” said Prince Morgan proudly. 

  The Generals saluted both of them respectfully.

  “We are honored to meet you Princess and proud to be chosen to defend your family’s Kingdom,” said one General, bowing his head to her.

  “Gentlemen I would also like to present my future wife.  Lady Pricilla,” said Duke.

  “We are honored to meet you Lady Pricilla,” said a General bowing in respect.

  “These two Princesses of the Rose Kingdom here are Peyton and Lauren, they are the two I wish to have guarded.  Guard them closely with a few of our finest soldiers,” Duke commanded. 

  A General ordered that the two girls be taken back down the trail to a place where a camp could be set up for them.  Six of the finest soldiers would be guarding them.  Princess Wildheart got off her horse as did Peyton and Lauren.  Princess Wildheart gave them both a big hug.

  “You two will be safe now,” she told them.

  Lauren was beginning to cry a little, it had been an emotional journey for the girls and she had a hard time holding back the tears. 

  “Will we see you again?  What if you get killed in battle?” asked Lauren as she held on to the Princess.

  “Lauren I promise that I will be back to get both of you.  I will exact a toll on these savages for attacking my family and make them regret the day they chose to attack the Rose Kingdom.  Know that I will be back to get you my sisters, I promise you that,” said Princess Wildheart.  She hugged them both for a moment.  Her heart ached to leave them behind with all they had already been through.

  The girls were taken by a soldier to the rear of the army as Princess Wildheart mounted her horse again for battle.

  “We should get moving right away.  We don’t want the castle to fall before we get there,” said Duke.

  Prince Morgan with Princess Wildheart beside him led the column toward the battle.  Duke and Pricilla were side by side right behind them followed by the Generals and the rest of the army.  The massive army continued toward the castle in hopes of arriving in time to keep it from falling into enemy hands.  Princess Wildheart could see that the entire army was well dressed and armed for battle.  She was very impressed and relieved to see the well prepared forces coming to help Rose Kingdom.  Generals all wore black metal armor with a silver sword on the front surrounded by silver stars.  They had helmets fashioned the same way with the sword emblem.  The regular troops all had silver armor with the stars in black and no swords.  Silver helmets with no emblems were on their heads.  They looked serious and eager to fight.  All of the Caledon soldiers were very polished and orderly as they proceeded forward to meet the Barbarians.  The Calvary was leading the army in the front followed by the archers and foot soldiers.  As they walked the ground shook slightly and it sounded a bit like rolling thunder.  Many horses and carts followed behind the army containing provisions and weapons.  This would be an impressive and capable force to contend with for the Barbarians.

  “I rather liked the way you introduced me dear,” said Princess Wildheart.

  “You are the love of my life and the future Queen of Caledon.  These generals and other soldiers will give their life to protect you now that they know who you are as will I,” said Prince Morgan.

  “Good to have some back up.  I will hold my own though Morgan the Barbarians will now have to deal with wild hearted Princess from Rose Kingdom,” she said with a giggle.

  “If I know anything Princess, I know you can hold your own.  Almost unfair to unleash your fury on the Barbarians,” said Prince Morgan, smiling at her.  He knew she could take care of herself.  She had already shown him how capable she was.

  Daybreak came as the castle and battlefield became visible ahead.  The huge army stopped to take in the view and understand what was going on ahead.  With Princess Wildheart, Prince Morgan, Duke and Pricilla all side by side with the Generals.  The group looked at the battlefield from atop their horses.  The army stood at the ready behind them awaiting further orders.  The Barbarians had resumed their attack at daybreak as expected.  They had
begun a full attack on the outer walls and moved the ramming carts forward toward the gates to the courtyard.  Ladders were being carried up in an attempt to climb over the outer walls.

  Some riders came forward from the rear of the Caledon army to approach the Generals.

  “Here is the Prince and Commander’s armor.  I brought more armor for the women as well,” he said handing them the armor before riding off back to the rear area.

  Prince Morgan put on his armor and helmet and handed a set to Princess Wildheart.  The same type of armor the Generals wore except it was red with
lightning bolts replacing the stars around the silver sword on the front.  The helmets had small crowns instead of the emblems on the Generals helmets.  Duke and Pricilla also got the same type of armor except they had no crowns on the helmets.

  “Well Generals you see the problem before us.  Now tell me your plan of attack,” said Duke.

  The Generals had little time for planning but needed little due to their experience.  Charging in haste could waste lives needlessly so a moment to study the situation was in order.  The Barbarians had managed to bring the ramming carts up to the castle gates by placing cut logs over the trenches and holes.  From atop the castle outer walls the King’s archers were busy shooting arrows and trying to knock down ladders as they were brought up by the enemy.  With the gates being weakened and the ladders being replaced over and over, it would just be a matter of time before the outer walls got breached, allowing the enemy inside the castle courtyard. 

  Prince Morgan watched as Duke and the Generals discussed the situation.  He knew that all the full wrath of the Caledon forces was going to be unleashed on the Barbarians at any moment.

  Duke came over smiling to Pricilla, Prince Morgan and Princess Wildheart. 

  “Cavalry charge on the rear flanks,” he said excitedly.

  “We will charge through the Barbarians at the rear near those trees and kill the Barbarian leaders.  Then form a straight column to cut off any chance of retreat for the rest of them.  The archers will be brought up behind us and the foot soldiers behind them.  No Barbarian lives will be spared this day.  When everyone is ready the counter attack can begin,” said Duke.

  “Thank you Commander.  With the sword of Caledon I will lead the charge along with you, Pricilla and Princess Wildheart,” said Prince Morgan.

  “I expected you to say that Prince Morgan,” said Duke, smiling.

  The Prince Morgan led cavalry into a ten across formation for the charge.  There were one hundred cavalry in total.  Battle hardened soldiers willing to lay down their lives for the Prince and soon to be Queen of Caledon.  One General would control the cavalry, one General the two hundred archers and elite ground fighting soldiers.  The other General would command the five hundred regular soldiers.  It was time to unleash the troops of the Kingdom of Caledon on the Barbarian hoard. 

  “Are you ready Princess?” asked Prince Morgan.

  “I am ready Morgan.  I would like to say something to everyone before we start.”

  Princess Wildheart turned her horse around and backed up a few feet to face the group. 

  “This is my home before you.  My castle with my family inside!  The Rose Kingdom!  I will give my life to protect Rose Kingdom and my family!  It is my honor to fight along with you champions of Caledon this day.  Now we will unleash the full force of the Caledon army and let the savages taste our swords!  Follow the Sword of Caledon!”

  Prince Morgan raised the legendary gleaming Sword of Caledon in the air to inspire them as the men all cheered. 

  Princess Wildheart swung Mystical around and pulled her Princess Sword for battle.

  Prince Morgan wasted no time in commanding them to attack the Barbarians.  “Charge!”   He shouted as he and Princess Wildheart went to battle.

  The Caledon Calvary led by the Prince and Princess thundered at a full gallop toward the rear area of the Barbarians.  Mystical and Freedom carried them quickly toward the surprised Barbarian forces.  Swords in the air, banners flying they rode down on the enemy.

  Watching and worried atop the castle walls the King and Queen stood watching the Barbarians began closing in on the castle.  Prince Tangent, Elise, Tori and the Prince brothers were all watching together.  The Barbarians had crashed the gate and were trying to fight their way through the courtyard.  The soldiers on the outer wall had jumped down and were retreating to move further back into the courtyard.  They were fighting the swarm of Barbarians with swords and shields.  The King’s Elite Paladin Guard stood ready at the front of the castle to give their lives to protect the royal family.  Archers from atop the castle walls were firing down on any Barbarian targets they could acquire.  It would not be long before the overwhelming numbers of heathens were at the castle doors and upon them.

  It was the Queen who first spotted Princess Wildheart charging the Barbarians with her Prince next to her.

  “Look out in the field!  It’s Wildheart and Prince Morgan leading a charge against the Barbarians!”

  Everyone started cheering at the sight of the beautiful Princess from Rose Kingdom charging into the Barbarian forces. 

  “My little girl is leading the army into battle!  She is so fearless and truly wild hearted! 

  A tear of pride rolled down the cheek of the King.  No words could describe how proud he was of the Princess.  He put his arm around the Queen and held her tight.

  “My god, she is so amazing, just look at her riding into battle like that,” said Elise who just watched her in awe.

  “No other Princess could do this like her,”
said Tori.  “Pricilla is right there behind her too riding hard.”

  “Show them what you got Wildheart!” shouted Prince Tanner.  He knew
she would make the  Barbarians pay for attacking her home.

  Everyone watched and cheered from the safety of the castle while the Calvary rode straight through the Barbarians slashing any they could as they passed at full gallop.  It sounded like thunder and a trail of dust rose up behind the horses as they ran without fear to make quick work of the bloodthirsty Barbarians.  Princess Wildheart let her Princess Sword take its toll on the enemy as she rode through them along with Prince Morgan and his Sword of Caledon.  The Barbarians tried to defend themselves as the riders attacked them.  Duke and Pricilla were right behind Prince Morgan and Princess Wildheart as they plowed through the rear lines of the Barbarians.  One Barbarian leader managed to knock Pricilla from her horse as she charged in.  Duke didn’t notice as he slashed his way through them.  Princess Wildheart looked back just as Pricilla fell from her horse and onto her back on the ground.

  “Pricilla!”  She yelled while quickly turning Mystical around and riding back to help her.  Pricilla had lost her sword in the fall and was trying to stand up as a large Barbarian moved in toward her with a huge double headed axe raised to chop her with.  Princess Wildheart would not be able to reach her in time to prevent the axe from killing her.  She only had one option left to save Pricilla.  She threw her Princess Sword into the back of the Barbarian who had raised his axe above Pricilla for a death blow.  It went through him and he dropped to the ground before he could strike her friend.