25Author's Note: This is the second draft of this story. It will probably go through at least one more revision upon it's completion. This chapter especially will undergo major changes because, honestly, it's boring. Please offer any suggestions you may have.
Chapter I
Prince Roland sat at the top of a high outcropping of rock watching the proceedings on the ground far beneath him. His father the king had recruited all of the dwarves in Kamenlad to begin building a castle, and they were hard at work below. Huge stones that had been dragged down from the nearby mountains were piled everywhere around the great gash in the earth that was to be the castle's cellar.
From his vantage point, Roland could clearly see King Edward and Queen Kathlyn, his father and mother. The King was at the digging site, speaking with King Donnell of Salanredýrr, the neighboring country. Queen Kathlyn was standing by a large cauldron placed over a bonfire, stirring something that gave off the most delectable smells. Kathlyn was not only in charge of feeding the two hundred odd dwarves, but also the three hundred men that Donnell had brought from Salanredýrr to assist in the building of the castle.
The prince jumped as he heard a sound behind him, and nearly dropped the sheets of parchment he held in his hands. Turning, he saw that the sound had been made by a slender girl about his own age, making her way up the steep incline. Princess Katjè had arrived with her father, King Donnell, about six months ago, and she and Roland had quickly become good friends. He made room for her on the outcropping as she drew near.
Katjè sat down and sighed. "I had no idea that, as a foreign dignitary, I would be required to do so much baking!"
Roland glanced at her and made an effort not to laugh. Her wavy golden hair was streaked with flour and her deep purple tunic and black leggings were dappled and dusted with what looked like cinnamon and clove.
The prince, looking very serious said, "I see we're having apple pie for dessert," as he plucked a piece of apple peel off her sleeve. The princess pulled a wry face.
"I see that you have escaped the morning's work."
Roland laughed. "Not really. Actually, I've been checking over the inventory of the ships that I am to use on the expedition to explore the islands off of Kamenlad's eastern coast. Father entrusted the job to me using these exact words: 'Roland, you are now of seventeen years. I believe that, as the eldest of my sons, and; hence, being future king, you should be the one to lead the expedition. I therefore relinquish all responsibilities having relevance to the matter to you,' and then, Katjè, I swear he smiled when he concluded with, 'have fun!"
"And I'm sure you have," said his friend with a smile. "How is it coming along?"
"Oh, all right I suppose. I'm almost finished and we should be setting sail within the week. I have three newly built ships at my disposal. The Lady Jane, the-"
"Wait," Katjè broke in. "Your father named a ship after Jane?"
Roland shrugged. "Well, she is the first born, after all. Anyway, there's the Lady Jane, the Squire Jim, and the-"
"Squire Jim? Who's Jim?"
"I don't know." Roland let out an exasperated sigh. "I assume it's someone that Father knew. Will you stop interrupting!?"
Katjè nodded.
"Right. So. There's the Lady Jane, the Squire Jim, and the Queen Kathlyn." He paused, waiting to see if she would interrupt. When she didn't, he continued. "I already have the ships mostly equipped. I was just checking the list to make sure that I haven't missed anything." He indicated the sheets of parchment in his hand.
"So, who are taking with you on this voyage?"
Roland stared at a passing cloud, estimating. "My brothers Howard and Carl and forty crew members for each ship, which would be one hundred and twenty-three total."
"Sounds fascinating!" Princess Katjè said thoughtfully.
Roland ran a hand through his short black hair and looked at her. Knowing Katjè, he would have normally thought she was saying this sarcastically, but there was a calculating look on her face that betrayed her intentions. "Absolutely not!" he said firmly.
The princess returned his glare, but finally she sighed. "There's no sense in trying to bluff my way out of this one. You know me too well. Seriously though, Roland! Why would having one hundred and twenty-four crewmembers disrupt everything so?"
"You can't come, Katjè! You've never even been on a ship. We can only take those who will be of use on the expedition. You're not a sailor or a carpenter; you can't repair, you can't fight, you can't handle the rigging, you -"
"-can cook!" Katjè interrupted. With that, she knew she had won. She was the best cook in all of Kamenlad and Salanredýrr.
Roland sighed, then smiled. "When you put it that way, how can I refuse? All right, if you can convince our parents, I will welcome you on the Queen Kathlyn."
Katjè laughed. "Well, Roland, a difficult task, but I'm sure I'll manage. Come on, let's go ask now!"
She stood up and began to slide down the steep rock hill, laughing as she did so. As she got within a few feet of the bottom, she jumped and landed perfectly with an elaborate flourish. She turned and yelled up to Roland. "Come on!" She then proceeded to sprint towards the site of the unfinished castle. Roland, who was much less of a risk-taker then the princess, sighed, but followed suite. It was the quickest way to the castle, and it was unlikely that Katjè would wait for him.
Prince Roland soon caught up with his friend, as she had slowed her pace slightly to accommodate him. They soon pulled up, breathing heavily, in front of King Donnell and King Edward.
Donnell, a strongly built, cheerful man, put an arm around his daughter. "Of course, Katjè and I will be frequent visitors when the castle is complete. Perhaps I can even persuade Queen Elana and Princess Rána to visit!"
"You and your family are welcome at all times, Donnell. It is a pleasure and blessing to have you as a friend and neighbor," King Edward said, smiling.
Katjè, a very impatient look on her face, interrupted. "I apologize for disrupting your conversation, father, but Roland and I have a proposition for you and King Edward."
The King of Salanredýrr knew his daughter's moods and tendencies quite well. He had no doubt that this proposition would be for something that she wanted quite badly. This of course meant that it would be a preposition that would horrify his wife. Therefore, he proceeded with great caution. "Well now just what would this 'proposition' be?"
"Nothing of any great importance, I simply wish to stay with Roland and his family for a few months after you leave for home tomorrow. I have so greatly enjoyed my stay here!"
Donnell scratched his magnificent beard, thinking. There seemed to be nothing improper or dangerous about the proposal, and this surprised him. However, there was something about it, something that King Edward had said to him just yesterday. Realization suddenly dawned upon the king. "When you say 'Roland and his family' do you mean Roland, Howard, and Carl specifically?"
Katjè spread her arms in exasperation. "Shall I take that to mean, 'no Katjè, much too dangerous, your mother wouldn't approve of such a hazardous voyage'?"
King Edward, who had taken an immense liking to his friend's daughter, broke in. "Now Donnell, let the lass go! Her famous cooking will surely brighten the crew's spirits on the long days at sea. There will be other woman crew members on board to keep her company and I can even ask some of my daughters if they wish to go. I'm sure one of them will want to." A mildly confused look passed over his clean shaven face. He always seemed a bit surprised to think about the number of children he had. Kathlyn had just given birth to their eleventh eight months ago.
"Well," began Donnell, looking doubtful, "I suppose she can go. But she must promise to stay safe and not-"
Katjè and Roland both cheered without waiting for him to finish and ran off to tell Roland's siblings of the princess's success.
Queen Kathlyn appeared behind the two kings, her clothing in the same messy shape as Katjè's. "My, what are those two so excited about? That was much the same reaction I got from the young princess when I told her she could have the rest of the day off from baking!"
King Edward gave a great booming laugh. "The young princess of Salanredýrr just received permission from her father to accompany our son on his voyage."
"Oh? Do you think Elana would approve?" the queen asked.
King Donnell shook his head. "I doubt it strongly, but the girl is quite taken to adventuring. She would have been dreadfully upset if I had not let her go."
Kathlyn smiled. "Don't worry Donnell. Between Roland, Howard, Carl and one hundred and twenty odd crew members, I'm sure she'll be fine."
"Well, Donnell," said King Edward. "We still must add the finishing touches to the plans for the conference chamber. Let us depart."