To Love in Peace: 10th Anniversary Edition Read online

  Copyright © 2021 Kathleen Bird

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: 9798672854601

  Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®

  Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM

  Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

  Other Books by Kathleen Bird

  Adven Trilogy

  Katherine’s Kingdom: To Love in Peace

  A Hope for Joy

  The Faith to Forgive (Coming Fall 2021)

  To Love in Peace

  Book One of the Adven Trilogy

  By Kathleen Bird

  To the God who loves me more than I can imagine and gives me peace beyond all comprehension.

  “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.”

  Song of Solomon 8:6

  Acknowledgements

  Here we are! Ten years ago, I launched this very first book into the big wide world. Not going to lie…it was pretty scary. Putting my words out there in the world for you to read. Katherine and Michael and their friends and family were no longer just my secret, hidden away on my dad’s computer. They were suddenly real in a way I never expected. And ten years later, I’m excited to still be telling their story, even if there were some detours along the way!

  But first, let’s make sure you understand all the people who have been just as instrumental to these words seeing the light of day as I have been. First, to my family: my husband, my parents, and my sister. Thank you for putting up with my non-committal answers when you asked me what I was working on all those years ago. Thank you for telling me that my words were worth reading and my stories were worth sharing. Thank you for being my inspiration and my soundboard when needed. Thank you for being my first fans and my first readers!

  Thank you to the first people outside my family who told me I could write and truly birthed this passion in me: Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Bunjer. You both inspired me to write and be creative; and you helped my style grow in those early years of junior high and high school. Thank you for telling me my writing had voice. In times when I felt unheard, you heard me. Thank you for pouring your heart into your students. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who appreciated it.

  To my friends and fans over the years who begged for more! Thank you for never giving up on me, even when I was pretty sure the rest of Katherine’s story would never be told. I would never have picked up my pen again were it not for your unending support over the years of waiting. Thanks for hanging in there! I hope that you have enjoyed hearing the rest of the story as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it.

  Thank you to Ashley Williams for being my fellow writing fanatic all through high school! Thanks for being there to commiserate over writer’s block and other writerly problems through the years.

  Thank you to Sarah Shank for listening to me fret and worry over this book’s first publication back in college. Thanks for helping me block scenes and sort through problems with my characters.

  Thank you to Miss Mae Prindle for never giving up on asking me when the next book was coming! You had to wait a long time for me, but I’m so thankful you never gave up on me.

  A special thanks to my husband for listening to my complaints about uncooperative characters and rewriting and editing and all of the other things that come from being married to a perfectionist writer. Thanks for pushing me to keep doing this. Thanks for reading my first drafts while I was sleeping without telling me. Thanks for helping me pick out cover designs, set prices, and do all the businessy things I’m not great at. Thanks for being my ever-present support.

  Special thanks to the wonderful work of Arcane Covers, who designed the new cover for this special edition. I’m so pleased with the end result; and, as always, immensely enjoyed working with you!

  And, of course, I could not go without saying thank you to God, whom this book was originally dedicated to. Thank you for creativity which spills over into your creation! Thank you for the power of words and the strength of stories that share your love. Thanks for your presence in my life, which has filled my life with love and peace unimaginable.

  Chapter One

  “Your Majesty, there is a message for you.”

  The princess leapt to her feet. “Is it from my father?”

  “No, it is from your sister in Suffrom.”

  “Bring in the messenger, Eli.”

  The messenger stepped into the princess’s chambers. Furniture made of the finest wood in the kingdom; curtains and bedspreads sewn by only the best seamstresses. The portrait of the now deceased Queen hung on the wall above the bed.

  The princess herself stood next to the bed. She was dressed in a long dress of chiffon, to keep her cool in the summer temperatures. It was a beautiful blue and brought out her matching fiery eyes which was paired with her long blond hair, neatly braided down her back.

  “Speak your message, good knight.”

  “To Katherine, Princess of Adven. From your sister, Queen Ralyn of Suffrom.

  My dear sister, all is well in Suffrom. My husband, the king, rules his subjects with justice and mercy; he is so much like our father it surprises me at times, although I know it shouldn’t. The peasants work long and will have a good crop when harvest comes in the fall. I have sent Olvin, our finest knight, with a message of joy. I am to have a child! It will come later on in the fall. The doctor has had to tell King Evan a thousand times to let me be; if he had his way, I would never leave my chambers. He, of course, sends his greetings as well. How is Adven? Is Father well? Evan is worried that you shall become an old maid because I am three years your junior and with child. Calm his fears and mine by sending us news of a wedding. I love you and pray for you and Father every day. May God keep you.”

  Katherine sank onto her bed. “Little Ralyn? A mother?”

  Olvin nodded. “She is quite excited, Your Majesty. She has put all of the castle in an uproar with preparations, but she sent me to you at once. As her sister, she wanted you to know as soon as possible.”

  “Thank you, Olvin. Is she correct in saying all in Suffrom is well?”

  “Yes, although I can see that not all is well here by the way your face fell when you heard my message was not from your father.”

  She dropped her gaze to her bed for a moment before changing the subject. “You must be tired; I shall have a meal and a bed prepared for you. Eli!”

  Eli, who had been waiting patiently just outside the door to hear the contents of the message, stepped in. “I will have it done as you say, my princess.”

  Olvin looked at Katherine once before following Eli out the door, which closed softly behind them as they continued down the hallway. There were tapestries on each side and doors that led into other parts of the castle. Every now and then a young servant would run out of one door and into another. Olvin observed that everything was done quickly and quietly, without laughter or mirth. He had no chance to stop and talk to anyone because they hurried by him, so instead he turned to Eli.

  “Why is everyone in such a hurry?”

  Eli sighed. “They think that if they hurry and work hard they will have no time to think of their King, far away in battle, and the princess who waits for a message that never comes. But mostly if they work they will have no time to feel the fear that creeps through the palace walls.”

  “Is it that bad?”

  “I fear it is,” he said with yet another heavy sigh.

  “If King Evan knew he would…”

  “I think that is why the princess has told n
o one. She does not want to worry King Evan and, more importantly, Queen Ralyn. Did you not just say that she is quite excited about her child?”

  Olvin nodded in silent frustration.

  “Katherine would never forgive herself if she took her sister’s husband away just before her child is born.”

  Olvin nodded again.

  Katherine sat on the chair beside her bed. Ralyn? A mother? It excited her as well as troubled her. She had been considering asking King Evan for more help in the war her father was fighting; but she couldn’t even think about it now. It would break Ralyn’s heart to watch her husband go off to war just before their child was born.

  She looked up at the portrait of her mother. “You would know what to do, Mother. I miss you so.”

  Katherine looked much like her mother. They had the same eyes and hair, but her personality was nothing like her. She had the fiery spirit of her father and the same skill with the sword. Her sister, Ralyn, possessed the same attitude as her mother, but looked like her father. Her brown eyes and long brown hair looked so much like him that if she had been a boy they could have passed for twins. Aside from this, Ralyn was the image of her mother, particularly in temperament.

  Something within Katherine’s spirit moved; she stood to her feet and walked to one of the side walls. A gentle push revealed a room lit by torches along the wall. It was a circular room with a raised seat all along the side, which was backless but at least it had cushions scattered about. It mattered little to Katherine because its purpose was not sitting but praying.

  It was a prayer room. Katherine had it built so that she might pray to the God her mother had helped her discover. He was different from every other god the people of the kingdom served; He was bigger than all of them and yet took time to listen to each of His people. Katherine had led her sister to Him and that was why she was so glad Ralyn married Evan. The kingdom of Suffrom knew God and served Him faithfully while Adven still served the little gods they had served all their lives.

  She knelt before her little pew and began to pray. “God, you know how I feel. I cannot ask Evan for help, not now. I am so worried about Father. He does not know you and if he were to die…” Her prayer dissolved into tears.

  She didn’t know how long she sat there weeping. But when she raised her head from the seat, she felt comforted, and she also knew exactly what she needed to do.

  “Eli!”

  Katherine stepped back into her room, pulling the door closed behind her. Eli came rushing into the room and offered a short bow. It seemed that man was never out of shouting distance these days, which both comforted and annoyed her.

  “Yes, Your Majesty?”

  “Have the stable boy ready my horse and have food enough for a month prepared. I am going out to find my father.”

  “No, Your Majesty! You cannot. Who would run the kingdom while you are gone?” Eli’s voice was bordering on frantic as he pleaded with his princess.

  “I don’t run it now. The Regents do. They don’t need me here. I must find my father.” She continued throwing clothes into a satchel as she rushed around the room to finish her hurried preparations.

  “Can you not think about this for a few days? What would I do if you did not return? Who would be heir to the throne?”

  “Eli, I have prayed about this already. I feel that I must go, so go I will.”

  “Does your god send you out to your death?”

  “No. He sends me out to find my father.”

  “I cannot allow this.”

  She spun to face him directly, her glare drilling into him with all the authority she could muster. “You have no choice in the matter. I am the princess and you are my servant; I have decided.”

  “Then let me find a companion for you. A strong knight who will protect you from harm.”

  “I can wield a sword as well as any knight.”

  “But, my princess…”

  The door flung open. A young boy rushed in. Forgetting his manners, he cried out, “A messenger! From the King!”

  Katherine rushed past the boy and out the door. She fairly flew down the stairs and into the courtyard. A bedraggled knight stood before them. He was dirty and wet and looked as though he had not slept in many days. He was getting ready to collapse when she caught him.

  “Eli! Get some food and water! Bring them here! Get me a doctor, for I fear he needs one. Good knight, what has happened?”

  The knight tried to look at his princess but found he could not; instead he fell back against her. She began to remove his armor, piece by piece, trying to find what ailed him, worried that he would pass on before getting to share his message.

  Eli arrived with the food and water and the doctor came quickly behind him. Katherine tried to pour some water into the knight’s mouth; but he choked, and it ran down his chin. He struggled to speak, protesting at her continued attempts to get him to drink.

  “Wait, good sir. Rest. Your message can wait.”

  “It cannot, my Queen.”

  “You are mistaken, sir. You know not to whom you speak.”

  “I am sorry that I must die and not be able to explain in depth what has gone on.”

  “You will live.”

  “No, my Queen, for Queen you are,” he gasped for breath and forced himself to continue, voice shaky and cracking at every turn, “Your father lies dead in the field. I myself saw him die. I fled to warn you, for the enemy draws near. Their scouts caught me, and I just escaped with my life. I rode three days and nights to reach you, wounded as I was, and now have delivered my message, as much as I can, and may die in peace.”

  The knight fell back against her and died.

  Tears leapt to Katherine’s eyes. Father? Dead? It could not be! She remembered him the day he went out for battle almost two years ago. The sky was the most brilliant blue she had ever seen and the grass so green she could hardly imagine there ever being a day such as this one. The knights, with their armor glinting in the sunlight, marched quickly out of the castle gates, eager to do battle. Her father rode before them, his blood red cloak draped over his pure white horse. He had said good-bye to her just before he left, a touching token of his love for her. He left her to rule the kingdom as he would. He told her that when he came back he expected everything to be in perfect order…but now he would never come back.

  The tears fell over onto her cheeks and spilled down her face. She wept not only for her father but for the knight that lay dead at her feet; he had given his life to get the message to her. Her entire body felt frozen to the core, shocked at the sudden turn of events.

  “Your Majesty?”

  Katherine jerked back to reality. “Yes, Eli?”

  His eyes mirrored her own grief, but he spoke with a gentle strength. “Shall I dispose of the body?”

  “Give him the decency of a burial, yes.”

  He began to walk away to take care of her command.

  “Eli?”

  “Yes?”

  “Send for that horse.”

  Queen Katherine sat tall in her seat. Draped over the back were her food supplies for a month, along with a blanket. As she was now in mourning, her dress and cloak were a deep jet black, creating a stark contrast to her blond hair let loose down her back, the way her father liked best.

  Once she set her mind about something there was no turning her back. She would find her father, dead or alive. She would give him the burial he deserved, and no one would stop her.

  Olvin and Eli pleaded and reasoned with her. “Please, my Queen, do not do this!” Eli begged.

  “What am I to tell your sister upon my return?” Olvin asked.

  “Tell her all is well in the kingdom of Adven and give her my good wishes on her child.”

  “But what of you?”

  “Tell her nothing.”

  “But she will surely ask.”

  Katherine gave Olvin a look that demanded the end of conversation. He conceded and went to find his own mount.

  “Shall I not
even find a knight to go with you?” Eli asked again.

  “This is my quest and no other’s. I will complete it on my own.”

  With that she turned her horse toward the gate and proceeded out into the countryside.

  Chapter Two

  For several days she rode, avoiding towns and sticking to the woodland paths. Her mission was to find her father, not cause a panic. She passed no knights and began to fear she was lost when she heard the clash of battle just over the hillside.

  She kicked her horse and sent them both flying down the hill at break-neck speed. As she flew into the heat of the battle, her eyes fell upon the standard of Adven near the center of the valley. Her sword was out in a flash, and she began to fight her way towards the flag.

  “The Princess! The Princess has come to fight!” The cry rang out through the valley. The knights of Adven were encouraged and began to fight with renewed vigor. Katherine herself felled many of the enemy before they realized whom they fought. At this realization, the enemy scattered leaving only the dead and wounded.

  She surveyed the carnage and sent for the doctors before she began to inquire of her own desires. “Has anyone heard of the King?”

  The knights shook their heads. One young lad stepped out. “I heard from one of the chieftains that he was slain in battle.”

  “This I know!” Katherine raged. “Where was this battle?”

  The boy shrank back from the Queen’s rage and shoved one of his fellows forward. This boy said, “South a piece, Your Majesty.”

  “Then south is where I shall go.”

  The knights’ faces fell. “Will you not stay to fight with us?” one asked.

  “Continue north towards the palace,” she said simply and turned south.

  Two more solitary days passed. She rode south as fast as she could, looking for any signs of a battle. On the third day she found it. Deep in the woods, the signs of battle were abundant. It was obvious that the enemy had defeated the knights of Adven, and it was a hard loss to them from the looks of it. But there was no sign of her father.