The golden archway that signified the outer entrance to the palace was lit up with very vibrant colors from green to yellow drapes, that were just long enough to allow for it to brush up against any carriage that passed under it. It seemed as if there was a celebratory sensation going around within the palace with the colorful roses, lilies and daisies with a few box trees that had been lined up perfectly on the side of the road.
Leticia could still see it being vividly torn apart, bit by bit within her memories by the royal knights that had chosen to rebel. The cracks and crevices still quite visible even with all the renovations that have been done to attempt to fix it. Meanwhile, the smell of endless smoke and fires that burned parts of the outer courtyard were still yet visible within the charred areas of the grass that could no longer regenerate.
The sounds of horse drawn carriages, and knights on horseback would pass by her carriage occasionally and they would stop to allow them passage out of respect. They would pull over to the side, and Leticia could make out the knights giving her a salute. She in turn gave a wave of her hand.
“Your grace, the palace entrance is just up ahead.” The coachmen informed her and her eyes were now glued to the window.
The road widened and split into two in certain parts and Leticia looked perplexed that this was the case. Back then there was always a single road that had led up the palace, so what were these other roads for? She at first, attempted to trace one of them to only be stopped by a bunch of greenery or a fountain.
The same stone walls stretched from one side to another were monumental in size. There were a few obvious gaps that had been filled in after the rebellion, while the rest still remained intact. It was surrounded by vines reaching from the top and connected to the towers nearby that had several men on guard. The lower parts had the chemise that was slightly submerged in water. Towards the front was a drawbridge had been lowered that was made of wood, and the portcullis made of iron had been pulled up to allow for people to pass by after being given permission.
“Nothing has changed.” She thought, as the carriage stopped just before they went through the drawbridge.
“You will have ride from here.” The coachmen had opened the door, and Leticia stepped outside graciously with one foot out and then her body through the door to see a picket of mounted knights going on patrol, pass through the bridge. An order of men remained behind, as the knights that passed by Leticia each bowed as they passed. She in turn gave a wave, before one of the knights in the order rode towards Leticia in a steady walk with a bay horse being led from behind.
“Duke Fredrick, welcome back to the palace.” The knight said, before he turned his horse with his steady hands to the side and handed over the reins to Leticia. She took it and looked at the knight and then at the horse, before she put pressure on the reins and the horse took a few steps forward. Her hands adjusted the reins and settled it onto the pommel. She put one foot onto stirrup, before throwing her other leg over onto the saddle. She settled herself in, before grabbing for the reins and with a quick tap she led the horse through the drawbridge.
The knights all followed behind her, as they went from a walk to a trot through the inner ward, where it was purely a dirt road that was lined with statues made of marble and grey stone. Large birds, lions, dragons all etched perfectly by a sculptor had been put on display. It looked pretty tacky to Leticia as she slowed her horse to a walk, before they were in the inner bailey.
Another smaller gate of stone meant they were now within the inner castle. She would have to dismount shortly, as more knights could be seen training, grooming their horses or having a conversation amongst one another. Leticia looked at these men, as they too looked to her with great admiration.
“It is Duke Fredrick.” some younger squires in a basic light blue tunic and shorts murmured, as they were now scaling the walls to get a better look at Leticia who pulled up her horse.
She turned her head to the left, and the right, admiring the scenery that she had long missed. They were too familiar to her, as she placed a hand upon her chest for it was too painful.
It hurt.
Leticia was not given much time, as her vision slightly blurred, before her horse pulled its head up. It seemed one of the knights had come to her aid, with their hands on the reins.
“Your grace, are you alright? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?” There was a sense of panic in his voice, while his eyes remained focused.
“I am fine, just a tad bit tired. It has been quite a while since I had ridden.” Leticia replied with confidence.
A majority of Fredricks time was no longer spent on warfare, but more so on his territory and politics. He didn’t ride much as of late from what she read in his paperwork and usually took the carriage more often than not.
“You are busy with your territory, so it is expected.”
She assured him. “I did not intend to alarm you.”
“Not at all, your grace. The others have arrived and are waiting for you.”
She dismounted and peered towards the backend of the bailey to see a line of tethered horses, at most about twenty or so of them.
It seemed to be a gathering.
“Please take the road straight ahead.”
Leticia saw his hands pointing upwards through the dirt road. She thanked him, and followed his instructions, as the road turned to cobblestone that led towards the set of stairs that would lead up to the front door of the palace.
Surrounding the area was greenery, and flowers that were evenly planted and placed. A fountain on both ends, that had an eagle taking flight, as the center piece.
At the end, just before the entrance to the front door, were two armored rearing horses that stood across from one another. Both knights mounted upon their backs with their swords crossed against one another. They seemed to be the only thing that blocked the way to the front door.
Leticia stood there briefly, with her eyes fixated on the statues for a moment. Her eyes could no longer ignore the two distinct figures standing there, by the grandeur of how they dressed. The king and the queen. It seemed they had been waiting for her arrival.
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