Sapphic Voices Adventure

KINGDOM OF CLOUDS

Conclusion

A STORY OF ROMANTIC ADVENTURE.

I would like to dedicate this Story to my best friends Tyler, Morgan and Pam.

Conclusion

The guards beat Steven unmercifully. His bruised and broken body was chained to the wall of the dungeon, next to Kat. She wanted to hate him, to gloat at his misfortune. But as she gazed on his bleeding body, her heart relented and she felt great sorrow for Steven. Kat spent the night praying, she knew in the morning they would face death. Torture was the thing she feared the most. The King would break her and then watch her die screaming in agony. Kat had seen it done many times for minor offences. What would they do to the murderer of Prince Claude? Tears fell from her eyes, her body shook, she was afraid. Steven woke; slowly he raised his head at looked at Kat.

“Have you seen them? Have you seen my family? Tell me do they live?” He screamed at her, madness shone from his eyes.

“Steven…I know nothing. Try and calm yourself, as long as we live there is hope. Pray for Helen and the boys, that is all we can do.”

He laughed a lunatic’s laugh. He mumbled and talked to himself. For Steven had completely lost his sanity. Asking Kat the same questions over and over. “Have you seen them? Have you seen my family?”

Two ladies of the court entered Alexandria’s room. Guards escorted them, for there was to be no chance of the Princess escaping. The ladies bathed and dressed Alexandria in a beautiful green velvet gown. She was pliable in their hands, agreeing to do what ever they wished. Her thoughts were not in this room, they were with Kat. The women braided her hair, decorated it with gold ribbons. They put pearls around her neck and slipped rings upon her fingers. Before they left one of the women pressed a note into Alexandria’s hand. The soldiers secured the door, and stood guard. They took their job seriously, for if the Princess escaped their lives were forfeit. Alexandria knelt by her bed as if to pray. She opened the note and read it. HAVE FAITH. DO NOT DESPAIR.

There was nothing else written, but those simple words lifted her spirits. Hope was a wonderful thing and she strengthened her resolve not to give up the fight. She had a friend somewhere in this castle. There was a rattle as the guards unfastened the lock, King George, her father walked through the door.

“Daughter you have shamed me! However I have managed to save your life. Once the execution of Princess Katherine is accomplished, we shall go home. Then you shall be married to an older man, one who is experienced in beating disobedient women.”

“Father you are a coward who has sold himself for a bag of gold. I will never marry! I would rather die first! You should fall on your knees and beg forgiveness, for in the morning it will be too late.”

“You speak nonsense girl. Nothing can save your friends. Accept their fate and learn to make a new life for yourself.”

Alexandria held her head up proudly. “My life is with Kat. She is the only one I will ever love.”

Her father glared at her. “You will learn to obey. I will have you whipped until you grovel at my feet pleading for mercy.”

The King left her room. Alexandria noticed a plate of food and a flask of wine. She called out to the guards through the small grate on the door.

“ Oh please kind sirs, send this food down to the Princess Katherine and Steven. Can you not find room in your hearts for one merciful act?”

One soldier with tears in his eyes responded. “Princess we dare not. No one is allowed near them. Please eat the food, I swear it is not poisoned.”

Alexandria refused to eat. “If my friends starve then so shall I.” She paced round and round her room. How was she going to help Kat? Things looked awfully bleak. There must be a way; Alexandria was not willing to give up hope.

The next morning as the sun rose; an old wooden wagon, drawn by two huge black horses, rumbled down the path to the place of execution. Kat and Steven flopped side to side with the motion. They were tied hand and foot. The wagon stopped, a guard cut their bonds and they were led up the platform. An enormous man greeted them; he wore a black hood over his head, with slits for his eyes to see out of. He was the royal executioner; the most feared man in the Kingdom. Soldiers surrounded the platform, guarded the prisoners, and watched the tremendous crowd. The Kings’ and their court officials had raised seats to the right of the platform; so they had a perfect view. The nobles ate grapes and sipped their wine out of golden goblets. They laughed and chatted amongst themselves, ignoring the unwashed masses. The Royals were here for blood, to see the criminals who dared to defy them die on this day.

Normally when an execution takes place the crowd abuses the prisoners. They would throw rotten fruits and rocks; they would curse and laugh at the prisoner’s pain. . But this morning the huge crowd was silent, the birds could be heard singing, and the bell in the church tower rang out over the land. Steven was beyond comprehending what was about to happen. Kat looked at the blue sky and white clouds and thought I will never see these again. She shrugged her shoulders and mumbled to herself. “Well, if this is the price I have to pay for loving Alexandria then I will gladly pay it.” For Kat never regretted saving her friend from the evil Claude.

Kat searched the crowd of nobles, looking for her beloved Alexandria. Their eyes locked in on one another. Although they could not speak, their love knew no bounds. Kat smiled and she felt a great calmness. Alexandria burst into tears and her father slapped her face.

“This must stop Alexandria. You are a Princess and it does not become you to appear weak.”

Alexandria glared at her father. Then shouted “FUCK YOU!!!” As loudly as she could.

Suddenly there was a current of apprehension in the air. It was difficult to say what had changed, but the mood of the crowd grew more restless. It was if they sensed something out of the ordinary was about to happen. And from out of the crowd a heroine emerges. A woman who was determined to save her loved ones stepped forward. This woman pushed through the crowd and walked past the guards, they did not stop her. They stepped back as if they were afraid of her. She climbed up onto the platform and addressed the people.

“You are about to see a great wrong committed! I am Helen, wife of Steven. I can tell you there exists no finer man. Princess Katherine I have loved like my own daughter. She only killed to save her friend the Princess Alexandria. Now look at King Richard, King George and their men who have murdered innocents, raped women and children. They take your bread when you are starving, and force you to work like slaves. All the while they live in luxury and ease. THIS IS NOT RIGHT! THIS IS NOT JUST!”

The crowd grew uneasy. Their rumbling of discontent reached the King’s ear. King Richard shouted to the executioner.

“Silence that bitch! Kill her too!”

But the great crowd yelled with one voice. “LET HER SPEAK!”

Helen threw back her head and her courage knew no bounds. “If you wish to see blood this day, then execute the guilty not the innocent. I say kill King Richard and King George and any who support them. I say we have had enough pain and degradation. NO MORE SHALL WE STAND FOR THIS! What say you good people?”

The crowd went berserk. Yelling and screaming they ran towards the platform, the soldiers dropped their weapons on the ground. They were not hurt. The crowd attacked the Kings and their nobles. King Richard was in shock; he raised his arm as if that would stop the crowd. They tore him to pieces. Soon nothing was left of the nobles but crushed bodies dripping with blood. It was a great day. Princess Katherine was immediately freed and Princess Alexandria rushed up to hug her friend. Helen led Steven away. They went into the forest where Helen could ease his suffering and help him regain his soul.

The crowd surrounded the two girls and carried them into the castle. They were led into the great throne room. Then as one the crowd knelt and paid homage to the two Princesses’. They urged the girls to sit on the throne.

Kat begged the people to stand. “Please if you respect us, do not kneel. I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving my life and allowing Alexandria and I to live in this castle.”

One man called out to the girls. “We honor you. Princess Katherine and Princess Alexandria you are our leaders now. Take care and rule wisely.” The crowd cheered loudly and then they left. Kat and Alexandria were still in shock. The impossible had happened, they were free and their future had never looked brighter. Alexandria started crying and Kat hugged her tightly.

“Alexandria, I adore you.” Kat whispered in her ear.

“Oh Kat… I thought I had lost you forever.” Alexandria’s voice shook with nervousness.

“Never fear … you own my heart and I can’t imagine life without you.”

Alexandria looked intently into her friend’s eyes and saw true love. Kat positively glowed with the love she felt for Alexandria. Kat smiled and led her friend up the stone staircase. She had no wish to use her father’s bedchamber but there were plenty of other beds in the castle. Several servants rushed up to them, but Kat waved them away. She only had one thing on her mind right now. Kat found a small bedchamber and she bolted the door firmly, so they would not be disturbed. Alexandria blushed and looked shyly at Kat. Slowly Kat undressed Alexandria and then stripped off her own clothes. There was a pot of hot water hanging over the fire. Alexandria took a cloth and dipped it into the water; tenderly she cleaned the prison grime off of Kat. They made love, desperately clinging to each other. Afraid it was all a dream and they would wake up alone again. They shared not only their bodies but their souls as well. A love like theirs was the most powerful force in the world, together they were invincible.

Later the two girls drifted off into a deep sleep. They were exhausted; the events of the day had been almost too much for them to bear. Alexandria cried in her sleep and Kat held her tight and kissed away the tears before she too slept.

The people celebrated for a week. Princess Katherine and Princess Alexandria combined their lands to rule as one. They loved each other fiercely and cared for their people. Justice, wisdom and compassion were applied to all decisions. The people were content, happy to have the freedom to do as they chose. Oh there were some who complained for there are always those who enjoy creating strife. There were ignorant, narrow minded, religious leaders who grumbled because Katherine and Alexandria loved each other. But there were many more priests and clergy who supported them. They argued that love should always prevail over hate. Who has the right to say you shall not love another? The people had fought for freedom. The freedom to live, love and work as they chose. They were not slaves to kings or religion. No more would they follow blindly like sheep. They elected Katherine and Alexandria to be their leaders. For the first time in their memory, women were acknowledged to be more wise and just than men. The other kingdoms reeled in shock, but soon their rulers came to accept Katherine and Alexandria as their equals. Indeed they eventually acknowledged the truth, that the women were far superior to the previous Kings. The land prospered and the people never knew hunger again.

Kat and Alexandria ruled as no leader’s had ever ruled before. Their empire became great, and their people loved and honored them. Regretfully as with all great empires they must one day fall. But that is another story…for another time.

THE END

If you have enjoyed Julie Blue's "KINGDOM OF CLOUDS - Conclusion", then please be certain to e-mail her at  shilo886[at]yahoo.com  and thank her for posting this Story.

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