"Plans to Protect" by Kylie Knobloch (1st Place in the T.H.A.G.S. Fall Contest 2022)

Plans to Protect

by Kylie Knobloch

By a castle on the shores of Anniera, two boys played outside.

“Come on Esben! I’ll race you to the front of the castle!”

Artham Wingfeather was 15 years old, the older brother of the 13-year-old Esben Wingfeather. Artham liked this well-known fact, and even though it was well known, he still reminded everyone often. Esben was a soft and spoken child, always content to just sit and sketch, watching the world quietly and contentedly.

“One moment. I’m just finishing the last touches on my sketc-“

“Ready, Set, Go!” Artham set off running.

“Wait for me!” Esben cried.

Esben got up and ran as fast as he could after Artham, leaving his project behind. By the time Esben got to the finish line, his brother was pretending to sleep underneath a tree. He pretended to wake up.

“Sorry Es! You’re just too slow! I’m bigger and better at running than you because I’m the Throne Warden!”

Esben sighed and tears rose to his eyes as he heard this phrase. Artham often used “Because I’m the Throne Warden” in his sentences WAY too often in Esben’s opinion. It made him feel small and meaningless.

Queen Nala watched her sons from the castle with disappointment. She had seen this treatment given to Esben before. She had often heard him in his room after he went to bed, quietly crying himself to sleep. This has to stop, she thought.

“Boys.” Artham and Esben looked at their mother in anticipation.

They were sitting by the fire after dinner. Their father, the King, had some pressing business to attend to and was not able to join them that evening.

“Have I ever told you the story of your great aunt Matalia? The boys shook their heads. She began:

“A long time ago, when your great-great grandfather-Lander still had rich brown hair, he had four daughters. Their names were Matalia, Madia, Gwynel, and Shonia. They were the future of Anniera.

Matalia was the brave Throne Warden. News of her heroic acts spread throughout the lands like wildfire. Madia was the next High Queen in line for the throne. Her beauty was renowned in all the lands. Gwynel was the talented and kind Song Maiden. And last, but certainly not least (for she would not let you forget her!) was the loud, happy, and boisterous Royal Lore Wain, Shonia.

Every year in the summer they would go to The Green Hollows to meet with the hollowsfolk living there. The four sisters would have the most marvelous time in the libraries, and in the markets, and especially when spending time in the beautiful countryside. They would splash in the bay on hot summer afternoons and at night lay in the great green field, gaze at the numerous stars, and talk about their future.

“What do you think will happen in a few years, Matalia?” Madia asked one warm night when the two of them were alone. The stars had come out and were twinkling in both of the girls’ eyes.

“I don’t know. Wondrous things, I imagine.”

“Do you think I’ll ever get married?”

“I don’t see why not! You’ve always been the pretty one.” Matalia said with a wink.

“Do you think you’ll ever get married? I heard some of the young Hollows men whispering today about how pretty you are!” Both girls giggled until tears ran down their cheeks.

“I don’t really make any plans for myself, Madia. My duty is to keep you, Gwynel, and Shonia safe. That’s all.”

“But you must be hoping for something!”

“Your protection of course.”

“But- that’s not fair!” Madia said, sitting up quickly. “You can’t give up your hopes and dreams entirely!”

“But I’m not giving up my hopes and dreams! This is my dream. All I want is to see you and all the kingdom safe. If other opportunities show themselves, I might take that as well, but queen and kingdom come first. Nothing else matters.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing.”

Madia looked into her sister’s eyes. She searched them for a long time. All she saw was “Protect. Protect. Protect.”

Hours passed as they talked of the day and what their plans for the next day were. As they were getting up to leave, they suddenly heard a noise.

“What was that?” Madia said. They peered into the darkness searching for what made the startling noise.

“Stay behind me,” Matalia said. She unsheathed her sword and moved carefully toward the direction of the noise.

Suddenly, a huge figure rose from the bushes in front of them and started to charge.

“RUN!” screamed Matalia.

Madia started running as hard as she could, but it was quite hard in her dress. While she was running she heard a mix of screams and low grunts. She was afraid to look back, so she kept running, yelling for help all the way.

Shouts came from the town and torches burned as a crowd of Durgans and townsfolk ran into the field ready for a fight. Madia and the royal family met with them. They all searched for Matalia.

Madia searched for her sister through the darkness, hoping to find any sign of life. She called for her.

But all was silent.

Hours passed.

She walked on and on until she stumbled upon something. A heap lay before her. A twisted shape of a wolf lay, slain by a familiar sword. A stab of fear entered her heart as she saw Matalia, limp underneath the wolf. She knelt and looked into her sister’s cold, pale face.

One word was written on it. “Protect.”

Artham and Esben stared at the floor, tears in their eyes, Esben’s face sullen. And in the dying glow of the fire, Artham’s tears were illuminated as well as the word: “Protect.”