X – Xylophone

This story was written for the 2025 April A to Z Blog Challenge. Twenty-six words, one for each letter of the alphabet, were pre-selected by a random word generator (MacChatGPT) and were included for each section of the appropriate letter in the Challenge. The chosen word is highlighted within the text. To start the story from the beginning, go to https://www.hdhstory.net/Storyblog/?p=4443.

When last we met in Part 23 – Wander: 

We found out more about Rowan’s past. Alondria and Rowan also discovered their love for each other. Now they are preparing to call in all their supporters and confront King Yarek.

Destiny – Part 24 (Xylophone)

The time had come. It was time for all the supporters of Princess Alondria to gather for the confrontation with King Yarek over the rule of Tirea. 

Alondria had a method to notify everyone, but how would they know where to go when she didn’t even know where to go herself? 

As they marched towards the heart of Tirea, villagers began to follow. Each carried whatever they could find that might be useful in case they were called to fight.

Alondria turned to Rowan and asked one of the questions that had been troubling her thoughts.  “How do we know where to find him?”

She heard a reply, but it was not from Rowan. It came from behind her.

”You must go to the center of Tirea. There is a hill there we call King’s Sleep, in honor of your father.”

Alondria turned around and stared at a man whom she did not recognize. Rowan was quite familiar with him.

”Princess Alondria,” Rowan said. “This is the man who helped me find you. I’d like to introduce you to Marvelous Marco.”

”It is an honor to meet you,” she said. “I am ever so grateful for your help. It saved my life. How is it you know where to find Yarek? And, how does this King’s Sleep honor my father?”

”To answer your first question,” Marco replied, “Let’s just say I have connections. There are those who owe me. And part of my recompense is information when needed. The information I desired was where the king was planning to meet up with you. As to your other question, King’s Sleep is where your father fought valiantly against Yarek. It was there that he was killed in battle. He was buried by his armies before Yarek could get his body to taunt the citizens of Tirea, claiming he was weak. Yarek does not know that he was buried there, but the rest of your father’s supporters do. We think of our great King Petyr as being asleep, not dead. And that some day he will awaken and rid us of this menace. We believe that you are the embodiment of both your parents, and you are here to do just that and restore the crown to him, through you.”

”That’s a lot to ask of me,” Alondria said. “But I do intend to take up that challenge. It is my desire. It is my destiny. But knowing where he’ll be is one thing. I can summon all that follow me when the time is right for that confrontation. But how will they know where to go?”

Another voice spoke up nearby. “That would be my responsibility.”

Rowan and Alondria turned toward the voice. Alondria needed no introduction, and Rowan was pretty sure who she was. 

Marco turned to them both, “Allow me to introduce you to my wife, Lidea. Princess, I’m sure you recognize her as the lady of the lake; and Rowan, I surmise from your expression that you had figured that out already.”

”It’s a pleasure to see you again, princess, and Rowan, to meet you in person,” Lidea said. “Now, before you ask, I know you have set up the code word for the group, and you know how to send the signal; that is all you have to do. If you let me hold the flower with you when it is sent, I can add a certain element to that signal that will sustain it. As long as those who hear the signal can follow it, they will arrive at King’s Sleep.”

”I don’t understand,” said Rowan. “How will they know which way to go?”

Lidea continued her explanation, “They will be following a strong sound. If they veer off course, the sound will decrease in volume. While going in the right direction, the signal remains strong.”

”That’s kind of like a game I played with my brother and sister when I was young,” Alondria said. “I would hide something, and the others would have to find it. If they were close, I would say that they were getting warmer; if they were moving in the wrong direction, I would say they were getting colder. This continued until they found what was hidden, then we’d switch roles.”

”Exactly,” was Rowan’s remark. 

“So when should we send this signal?” the princess asked.

Marco answered that one. “Now is as good a time as any.”

”So be it,” was Princess Alondria’s response. So saying, she pulled out the blue flower that Lidea had explained would send the tune. Lidea stood beside her, and they both held on to it.

”Send the message,” Lidea said.

 While holding onto the flower, Princess Alondria thought. “Play for Adriana.” 

At the same time, Lidea thought, “Come to King’s Sleep.” 

This is what was heard: (Readers, you can hear the tune that was sent by clicking on the link below:**

Alondria could tell by the expressions on the faces of those around her that her message had been received. 

Time to move on to King’s Sleep Hill and a meeting with Prince Yarek and his forces. 

And they all moved forward, heading for what all hoped was Princess Alondria’s destiny.

——

**Author’s note: If you were able to hear the tune that was played for all of Princess Alondria’s followers when you clicked on it, then you are truly a follower of the princess. It was played on a xylophone. If you are reading this and can’t click on the song or hear it, trust me, I played it on a xylophone, and deep down, you are probably not a favored friend and supporter of the princess. 

To be continued in Y – Yearn