The Story of Alice Smith

The wood creaked beneath their feet as they trudged down to the flat flooring. The sight of a messy rug decorated the two-step in front of them, dimly lit surroundings, and a table filled to the edge with fruits, pastries and wine, carefully placed for anyone who cared for it. A pattern of stools were spotted by the group of four located near a long wooden counter. The group approached it in unison. A little knock on the hard, polished wood sent a burly-looking man with a savage beard running to the strange group. Rather than welcoming, he gave them a smile more sinister than a shady kidnapper luring a toddler with a piece of silver-wrapped candy. 

“What can I get this fine group of people this evening?”, the man spoke.

“Four beers, kind sir”, answered Alfie, placing a toppled stool upright as he sat.

The man nodded inquisitively, eyebrows knitted as his eyes scanned them with suspicion and proceeded to fix the four drinks in their presence.

“ Why not an introduction? I am Thomas Fletcher, I run this shabby, old place myself. Only few folks come around here with it being far away from the center of town, that is”.

“Really now? Well, the name’s Alfie Knight, the most handsome compared to that donkey over there”, Alfie mocked, tilting his head to the left. “That guy with the severe expression on his donkey face is Drew Crook and these two goddesses over here are Alice Smith and Rheda Red '', he continued, reaching out his hand further from Alice to pat Rheda’s shoulder.

Thomas placed the glasses of beer on the counter in front of each of them. With a clink of their glasses, they chugged down their drinks, yellow liquid seeping through from the openings of their lips, sliding down to their chests. They ordered another round from sweet, old Thomas and drank those to their last drops as well. Another two rounds and Thomas would think they were super-people. No one would be able to drink as much as that, let alone the two ladies, dressed in stained-white tunics, low-neck barely covering their shoulders and cleavage and a fitted jacket strapped around each of their waists. 

“Anything else I could get you?”, Thomas asked, ripping his eyes away from the slashes of red on the girls collarbones to look at Alfie. The optimistic, young man appeared healthy, although the accumulating sweat droplets and dripping liquid on the left side of his cheekbone proved otherwise. Thomas diverted his gaze to Drew, noticing how the man had not once looked up to meet his eyes nor even his companions, his drenched dark hair covering the top half of his face.

The sound of glass slamming onto the counter woke up the girls from their drowsy state. Drew stood up, thin notes were sandwiched between his index and middle finger. “Extra, for our lodging”. He placed the notes on the counter.

“Very well, Mr. Crook. I already have one in mind”, Thomas said gladly accepting the additional amount.

“By the way, it’s Cook, not Crook”, corrected Drew, side-eyeing his dear friend, Alfie, who sensed his death was near from Drew's glare.

The trees on the path grew into an arch enveloping the group in a made-up world of peace and warmth. The myriad of leaves above created a kaleidoscope of dancing colors as the light shone through them. Dust motes sparkled in the stagnant glow, if only there were a majestic deer and friendly bears, it would be a scene out of a fairytale. Just like the ones at the Dolrian library, Alice thought. Rheda stirred in her sleep, flailing her arm up and about, the other wrapped around Alice’s shoulder, her foot collapsing each time she took a step. 

“We are here, ladies and gentlemen”, beamed Thomas.

Trees gave way to a huge, decent cottage house, adorned with a sequence of flowers embracing the exterior. The trickling sound of water falling on the uneven placement of the rocks could be heard along with the whirring and plonking of wood on wood at the side of the house. The stream flowed from the turning wheels, passing an overhead bridge, connecting the residence to the rest of the grasslands. The odd-numbered party inched closer and was greeted by a dwarf man, waving his arm in a rather forced manner. He gestured for them to come inside as he dragged himself in. With one hand on the nape of Alfie’s cloak and the other on his sheath attached to the baldric, Drew hauled the unconscious, loopy drunkard into the cottage with much effort. Rheda was the last one in before Thomas shut the door behind them and escorted them to the dining room. The inside was cozy and comfortable, the right fit for the short man stoking the fire at the opposite of the dining table. 

“This is Ralph Wood. He owns the house, has been taking care of it ever since…”, Thomas looked at the man whose rear was facing the worn-out group. “Anyway, any questions, just ask him, he is more than happy to help”, he patted Ralph’s backside and left, grinning.

“Rooms are upstairs. If you want to get cleaned up, you can use the stream outside”, Ralph spoke, still trying to get the fire going. 

“We need first-aid, sir. Do you have any bandages, a needle and a thread?”, Drew asked, sitting Alfie down on a chair. 

Ralph turned around to look at the group. His hair was the color of pumpkins as well as his eyebrows and beard. Wrinkly lines formed around his mouth and forehead and he had sunken cheeks and prominent eye bags. His half-grey eyes swept from Alfie to Alice. His eyebrows lifted and his oval-shaped eyes turned round as he processed the wounds and scrapes on their bodies. 

“Let me help you with that sir”, insisted Drew, taking the stoker from the rickety hands of the man as he scurried to find his box of medicines in his cabinets.

A piece of metal caught Alice’s eyes as it glinted from the sunlight coming through the window. The metal frame housed a picture of Ralph and two others, standing like statues. Her pulse quickened, she took short but deep breaths and her head spun around the room causing her to grip the arms of Rheda, who jolted awake from her strength. Alice slammed her head onto the wall and walked out.

“I need some air. Leave me alone”, she demanded.

Rheda, who was still in a daze from her deep nap, watched her dear comrade stomp her way through the door and then, shifted her gaze onto Drew. She winced at Drew’s eyes that looked at her with such pain. 

“Would that little birdie be alright? She seems a bit out of it”, said Ralph. 

“Yeah, she just needs some time to adjust and take it all in. We have been travelling for a long time, sir”, Rheda said with her smiling eyes and chuckled.

“She needs space. We will tend to her wounds later, now let me fix you up, Rheda. Come here”, Drew announced.

“You lot seem close. Good friends, I suppose. Rather nice to see you’ll watch each other’s backs”. Ralph sensed the group had a special connection between them, childhood friends, perhaps. However, he did notice the hostility from the black-haired girl with the side braid that just walked out. She was guarding something, not just physically but mentally. Emotionally, as well.

“We owe her”, Drew said sharply.

“Why, what did you three do?”

“It’s what we didn’t do”, answered Rheda. Her smiling expression was still plastered on her face but now she had red cheeks and tears in her eyes.

The bridge was strong, withstanding Alice’s weight as she walked on top of it. Alice felt the soft but piercing wind on her face like snow on her skin. The sensation triggered a memory she had hidden long ago. She shook her head vigorously but it was already playing at the back of her head. 

The image of a room flashed in her mind, a messy bed with the covers in disarray. Waving to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, she stepped out onto the stone stairs, following the path down to the main route. She found Black Jack with William, who had the same colored hair and eyes like Alice. 

“Will you go to the castle’s library? Can you get me that book with the kings and queens again?”, the boy squeaked. Alice ruffled his hair and mounted Black Jack, heading to town. 

The town was bustling with the chattering of salesmen and traders manning their stalls, wives with their children in hand strolling from booth to booth, even bachelors were seen taking their pick of flowers for their visit to their soon-to-be missus. The people of Dolrian were a cheerful bunch, always prepared for any sort of jollification and were more than delighted to meet everyone and anyone. Everyday started with enthusiastic greetings, hugs or a pat on the back, and ended with an intimate self-celebratory gathering at the pub. One look at Alice riding in with her stallion and the town erupted in cheers and applause. Alice reciprocated the people’s passion with an encouraging wave. She made her way through the crowds cautious of the swarm of people around her.

Through the battlements, the armored-clad men signaled the guards at the entrance to unlock the doors. Heavy groans reverberated through the air and Alice sped across the bridge, accompanied by the rushing water bursting out from the tunnels shaped into the wall structure of the bridge. Dismounting her loyal pet, she climbed the white concrete stairs and entered the doors. 

“Your Highness and His Majesty will meet you in the Great Hall”, said one of the handmaidens.

The Great Hall was indeed great, servants darted past her as she stood still awaiting the arrival of the King and Queen of Dolrian. A line of servants marched across the hall, lugging lengthy drapes, slightly resembling that of a dragon’s body struggling to fly against the wind. More handmaidens appeared from the swinging doors at the far corner of the enormous room, supporting a tower of plates with their hands and chest. Each time the doors swung open, a wafting smell of spices and burning meat could be detected. Then, the guards lifted their staff and the bottom hit the floor twice with a thud. Strutting down the staircase was the most revered King, dressed in a silk tunic and an embroidered emblem of the two swords of the kingdom of Dolrian on his maroon coat and the respectable Queen, wearing a velvet long gown with gold lace, complementing her husband.

“Alice dear, thank you for coming in such short notice. We would like to give you a proposal”, spoke the Queen. She ushered the guards to bring their guests in. Alice’s innocent smile disappeared as she witnessed knights dragging Mr. and Mrs. Smith into the hall shackled to a metal chain, with William behind them. Her lips trembled and her pupils shrunk at the sight of them. Her fingers managed to grab the hilt of her sword but it couldn’t move anymore than that. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were drenched with tears and sweat, their wrists throbbed as the cuffs dug through their visible veins. William stared numbly at Alice for he had dreamt of meeting the King and Queen but not like this. Alice forced her eyes closed and opened them back to gaze upon the flowing stream.

In the cottage, another version of the memory was being told.

“We betrayed her and now we shall be her pawns for the rest of our lives”, Drew said, sewing Alfie’s injured cheekbone, who was now fully awakened since Drew pricked the first needle through his oozing flesh. Although the pain wasn’t what kept him awake, it was the aching feeling in his heart as Drew told their story aloud.

“I can tell you lot had a great connection with the Smith family, them taking you in as orphans and all that. And, the fact that all four of you became the Golden Knights of Dolrian at a young age was truly magnificent”, Ralph said in awe, seeing as these honorable protectors and warriors were residing in his home, made him reminisce on his youthful days hearing tales of knights.

“Alice Smith was the greatest of us all, her swordsmanship was unmatched”, Alfie finally spoke out amongst the rest. 

“With this much love for one another, I doubt you can call yourselves traitors”. Ralph tried his best to console them. 

“You don’t get it, sir”. Rheda’s voice quivered. She wiped the mucus running down her nose. She had long been attended to by Drew and stood near the cabinet, her arms on it, straining to hold her up throughout the whole recount. “We were the knights assigned to bring the Smiths to meet the King and Queen”. 

“Now, whatever would they want them for?”, Ralph questioned, genuinely intrigued.

The door was pushed open, grinding the wooden floor beneath it as it moved. Alice walked into the dining room and stood with the rest of the group. Everyone stopped in their actions, focusing on Alice. Her face emotionless, staring blankly at Ralph, occasionally tilting her head from side to side like a snake observing its prey.

“The King and Queen needed them because they wanted them dead”, Alice answered. Ralph’s eyes grew bigger, as if his eyes could pick up the truth that his ears could not.

“We leave when you are ready”. She walked back out the door and closed it behind her. She shifted sideways and lodged herself on the wall between the door and window. Inside, the scrambling of feet could be heard. She felt a tingling feeling from her fingers and realized her hand had been holding her sword, the scene flashed in her mind once again.

She unsheathed her sword, the blade pointing at the esteemed couple, whose devoted subjects admired. Their ridiculous, calm demeanor only made Alice tremble even more. The Queen whispered in the ear of the King, her eyes sharper than the blade in front of her. 

“Sweet Alice, what a great asset you are to our kingdom. You have to know that we raised you to become the best version of yourself, we adore you, the people adore you”. The King treated Alice as his own daughter. The lessons, the midday conversations, even the sparring matches between them were memories she kept dear to her. 

“We are similar to your parents, wouldn’t you say? Maybe, even more so”, the Queen insinuated. However sweet the thought may have been, Alice distinguished a slightly menacing tone to the Queen’s statement.

“Drew, Alfie, Rheda, step away”, the Queen commanded.

“My brothers and sister, protect them, please”, Alice cried out, her beautiful voice now sounding hoarse. 

The three knights stepped away hesitantly, not knowing what to do. The Queen inched closer to her prisoners, drawing her dagger she hid behind her back. Alice lunged at her, adrenaline rushing to her brain, forcing her muscles into action without any other thought except to rescue her family. The three knights who felt their blood stop flowing, snapped out of their trance and drew their swords instantaneously. The King motioned for the knights to protect his wife. The Golden Knights of Dolrian were surrounded by a surge of shining metal. Alice drove her sword into anyone who got in her way as the rest took care of the others, thrusting their blade towards them. She barely got out unscathed when she saw the bodies laying on the floor. The Queen’s dagger soaked in the dark red that used to be her family.

“Listen, my sweet, you are ours . You can stay in the castle now. Your brothers and sister can stay as well. I’m sorry we couldn’t give you our child to grow up with but we just couldn’t. Isn’t that right darling?”. The Queen turned around to look at the King, who nodded to every word she said but his eyes stayed glued to the floor. 

“My King?”, the Queen said, so suddenly. The King looked up to see a straight, gushing line on the neck of his beloved. Her head fell off slowly, exposing the perpetrator of the crime, with her unwavering eyes and steady sword, dripping with the blood of royalty. The King was frozen in terror, witnessing his wife’s body falling to its knees and slamming onto the carpet. The sound of clanging swords halted.

“Move”. The knights staggered away from Alice, providing her enough room to stumble through. “If you wish to join me, you may”. She heaved herself with her sword trailing behind droplets of thick red like a cluster of ladybugs. Her heavy breathing was ringing in her ears as all went quiet.

The door swung open once again, and the disturbing sound of wood on wood woke Alice from her gloomy past. Alfie limped out from the door, followed by Drew and Rheda after thanking Ralph and conveying their goodbyes.

“Where should we head next?”. Alfie returned to his usual self and was now ready than ever to continue their trip. He clung onto Drew with his arm around his neck, and resting his weight onto Drew’s body. 

“I can’t return home”, exclaimed Alice. “That’s the price I pay for the death of the Queen”.

“If only she didn’t put that utterly stupid idea of you becoming the heir in the King’s head, none of this would’ve happened”, Drew remarked.

The gang fell silent, in respect to their once treasured Queen. In response to Alfie’s question, Alice replied.

“We move forward for now and be ready for war, when it comes”.