Medley of Treason

  Four years into his reign, King Edward did not involve himself in the madness south. He busied himself learning to be a good King. Once he’d returned after being absent for two years, he stayed put at the capital. The Northern King attended council and helped expand the Vallidor territory. He played an important part in the world of politics, but Edward relied on his cousin for much more than he shared with other people. Lucas had a mind for budgeting and often reminded King Edward, who had a generous nature, when he pushed fiscal boundaries.

  Edward’s real strength as a young King was his love of the people. His goal to win their approval motivated him, and it didn’t take much because King Edward was a natural dealing with the crowds. Thanks to the Vallidor expansion, Cassenneth grew wealthier by the day. With no war emptying their coffers, the country thrived, and Edward shared the wealth with the citizens. Edward used plenty of funds for fun and entertainment, while Lucas helped plan new jobs and increased the military.

  While the city fair Luminear planned in Garroth might have been a massive undertaking for her and the southern town, King Edward Dawnhand held something even more extravagant for an entire month. He perpetually tried to win approval from the people and did not shy away from excessive behavior. He enjoyed seeing them happy. Some days he’d leave his Royal Tower and just roam the entire city talking to anyone he came across, befriending them. He’d sit down with regular merchants or barkeeps and share a smile trying to have a personal relationship with them.

  Edward was not a strict King either. Had the North been anything like the South, he would have likely been deposed before he made it back to Lockage. Those around him would have seen him as a naïve young King, weak and easy to take advantage of, but Edward believed the northern dominion had remained peaceful because of the long line of good-natured royalty who led the way. He realized he wasn’t the shrewdest, and he didn’t try to be, but he had good instincts for connecting with his people. He did the best he was able and hoped it was enough. For the people it definitely was. They loved him, but were not aware of the great length’s Lord Lucas went to help Edward keep Cassenneth prosperous.

  Edward was far from perfect and still made occasional mistakes in judgment, one of which had painful consequences for him personally. A year earlier he had thrown a ball in the Royal Tower where he had too much to drink and had ended up in bed with someone he shouldn’t have. That lapse in judgment led to a very awkward situation with his neighboring northern allies in the Highlands of Pallaecious.

  During the party, he had engaged the daughter of the Highland King and Queen and bedded her, taking her virtue. He had no memory of the woman, but it was a mistake he could not take back so he grudgingly agreed to follow his cousin’s advice. Marry her. One year later he met his guests, the Highland King, and Queen, along with countless others arriving in Lockage to help complete preparations for the wedding. He was not happy. The King didn’t want to marry at all, and certainly not this woman. Edward, after he officially met her while sober, was even more adamant he had made one of the worst mistakes of his life. However, it was too late now, and he planned to go through with it.

  The day before the wedding in the late morning a servant knocked on Edward’s door to announce he had company in the lobby. After several years, Magus Dawnhand had returned to reunite with his older brother.

  “You came home!” Edward exclaimed, hugging his younger brother. Magus had changed a lot since last he’d seen him. Far removed from the chubby child, Magus was now a big burly man with long frizzy red hair, much like Kadwalador except his hair was in a ponytail and he was clean shaved, unlike the veteran general.

  “That I did, brother. I came home.” Magus hadn’t decided what he would do in the long run, but he knew he wanted to attend his brother’s wedding, and part of him had missed the place. He wondered how Lockage would receive him after so many years away, but many had already welcomed him warmly which was a good start. Part of him had struggled to determine if he should take up his responsibilities and join his brother’s council to help him any way he could. He enjoyed his life in the highlands, but as the years went by, Magus wondered if he had made the right choice by leaving. Edward’s wedding gave him the incentive to return.

  “I’ve missed you so, brother. Have you come to save me from this dreadful marriage?” Edward had led his brother up to his old bedroom and opened a bottle of late morning wine. Magus turned his gesture down, but Edward was up and ready to drink. The stress of his upcoming marriage was driving him mad.

  “You dreading it already? She’s a beautiful lady.” Magus encouraged his brother, noticing how worked up Edward was and his morning drinking caused great concern.

  “Aye, pretty she is. And 10 years my senior. Dumb as a rock. Laughs at anything I say, regardless if I’m joking or talking about the weather. I open my mouth, and she’s suddenly tittering away like a dolt.” Magus chuckled.

  “That’s on you. You agreed to it. And what are you doing sleeping with the Pallaecious King and Queen’s daughter anyway?” Edward flung his hands in the air, frustrated.

  “It wasn’t my fault. I woke up, and she was there in bed with me. I had no idea what I had done. You can’t blame me for such things. It was the wine. I don’t even remember it. It shouldn’t count. What is she doing unmarried and still a virgin at 31? That’s on her and her parents.” Edward groaned.

  “I don’t think it works like that, brother. Wine or not, you have to live with your own actions.” Magus crossed his arms as he watched his brother finish his first glass of cherry wine wondering if Edward planned to get drunk this early, long before the ceremony he was supposed to attend. Sure enough, he poured himself another glass as he ranted on.

  “So, I’ve been advised again and again. I need an heir. I need a Queen.” He rolled his eyes and took a seat across the table from Magus. “Blasted nonsense. This is not what I had in mind.”

  “You do need a Queen. And you do need an heir. It’s high time you settle in.”

  “I was working on that. I’m always looking, but I never seem to find what I’m looking for. And now I have this thrown at me.”

  “Thrown at you?” Magus laughed, still thinking his brother was overreacting. “She is beautiful. Perhaps she’s not the brightest, but in time it may not matter. Her silly giggling is nervousness. Give her a chance. Too late now, either way.” Magus paused, but Edward said nothing. “Who exactly were you waiting for, Brother?” Edward smiled and lifted his finger as if he was painting a picture of the woman he described next.

  “The Lady of my vision is a Goddess, I declare! Someone closer to my age, for starters. Maybe a little younger even. Tragically beautiful! Melts my eyes in tears of her loveliness. Delicate like a flower yet strong at her core. Benevolent to the people and loved by all. Stubborn enough to match my stubbornness. Merciful, yet fair. Wise. Wiser than I, hopefully. I’m not perfect, so my Queen must make up for my shortcomings. Someone who can tolerate me and finds me funny, but only when I’m actually humorous. A lover of wine and beautiful things. Oh. And black hair. Not blonde. I’m surrounded by blondes. I see blonde every time I look in the mirror. I will know her when I meet her.” Edward explained with a smile to his brother. He knew exactly who he wanted, and this woman he was to marry was none of the above. “This engagement is a horror and only furthers my long line of mistakes. By the time I’m her age, I will have a list of more errors than I can count. I am doing terrible here! I am so glad you are back. Maybe you can help me. My Queen surely won’t. And now I am stuck with one woman for the rest of my life? The horror gets even worse!” Magus just laughed.

  “I would think you could still be yourself, but I would not if I were you, and she will grow on you. You will be a fine pair.” Magus tried to encourage his brother.

  “Twenty-one and my life is a wreck!” Edward pouted and took another sip of wine.

  “Oh my. Twenty-one and the most powerful man in the northern realm forced to marry a beautiful woman! Aye, the more I
think on it… you are spoiled rotten.” Magus teased. Edward set down his goblet and laughed with him.

  “Now that you put it that way, I really am a terrible King, aren’t I? I should be grateful for what I have, and now my dear brother is back home. Maybe it’s not all that bad.”

  “No. You have it good. But I am unsure what I’m doing exactly. I was just stopping by to see you marry and congratulate you, and I missed home too.”

  “What? Have you not had your fill of prancing around in kilts? Terrible lifestyle.” Edward shook his head, only partly joking.

  “Hey, now. Don’t be like that.” Magus would not deal with his brother’s insults.

  “Be like what? You’ve been living in temples and clans for years, and what have they done to you? Look at you. You are built like an ox now. All that fat is gone. Very strong. Sturdy like a mountain.” Edward looked him over impressed.

  “Nobody did that to me. I did that to myself. I’ve been training. And I don’t wear kilts. I like the lifestyle. It’s more me.” Edward rolled his eyes.

  “It’s anything but you. You were born in royalty. You are a Dawnhand. Your place is here. That’s why you came home, is it not?”

  “No. I really came to see your wedding and congratulate my brother. And visit our parents’ graves. I like it out there in the hills. And I’m friends with the Highland King in a way. I help him here and there.” That was something he probably should not have said for Edward’s temper erupted.

  “You help him? You help him what? I am your brother. I could use your help, and I’m a King to a real country. That backwash nation is nothing more than farmers and heathens that should have been absorbed into Cassenneth ages ago. So, are you telling me you’ve aided a Highlander King of hill people while neglecting your own blood?” Edward’s voice grew louder and Magus’s hands clenched in fists as his face reddened.

  “Now that I’m back I remember why I don’t like it here. You.” Magus snapped. Edward realized he’d taken things too far and tried to mend the damage.

  “I’m just mindless. I do apologize. Forget it. I have overstepped. Don’t leave so quickly. Let’s talk on something else. I did not mean to anger you. It’s just this wedding has me so worked up. You understand that, right?” Edward hoped his words would not send Magus back away. Magus smiled and shook his head. His brother hadn’t changed much. He still had a short temper and was quick to start a fight. Magus figured he’d be the bigger man and let it slide.

  “All right. Something else. Tell me about Lucas. How is General Kadwalador? Take me to the garden and show me what you’ve done with those plants you love so much.” Magus shifted topics hoping to keep their visit on good terms. After that first hour he realized he would not be staying around Lockage after the wedding. If they were so quick to argue, Magus had no desire for this life back home. Still, Edward obliged and demanded Magus accompany him to stroll the garden awhile and talk over merrier topics.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  Later that evening, a traumatized King Edward found himself at the feast with his Pallaecious neighboring King and Queen, his brother, cousin and soon-to-be Queen, but by the time dinner was served, Edward was intoxicated. Sipping wine all day had left him slightly unhinged but cheerful. He hoped drinking would make the tedious dinner more manageable and give him courage to see it through.

  Other than introductions between the two families, the purpose of the dinner was to complete plans for Edward Dawnhand and Marrissa Lolluth’s wedding which would be held in a week. Marrissa was a blonde-haired skinny lady who said very little, and her parents were elderly. As their youngest child, Marrissa had been the only daughter for whom they had failed to find a suitable husband. King Edward’s indiscretions the year prior changed all of that, and suddenly Pallaecious saw a brighter future.

  Until they arrived at the feast, everyone had been in good spirits except Edward, but upon his arrival, all the guests realized he was very drunk. He slurred and stumbled, embarrassing his cousin and brother who knew well enough Edward’s anxiety. The two of them hoped he’d behave, and Edward tried. He was amiable, sitting across from his soon-to-be mother-by-marriage, the Queen, smiling at her now and then and complimenting her when he thought of it. After dinner and several more cups of wine, Edward’s demeanor changed. When the highland King, Nolan Lolluth alluded with pleasure to the positive political aspects of the upcoming wedding, Edward spoke his mind with no inhibition.

  “This marriage highlights our northern alliance. Our bond will be even stronger than before.” Nolan’s voice was scratchy, but he raised his head with pride, and his long curly white hair fell back off his wrinkled face.

  “Why ever do we need marriage to strengthen our alliance? We have never been enemies. Marriage changes nothing.” Edward laughed at the old man’s absurd claims. Nolan and his wife, Rebecca, looked to one another for support.

  “It doesn’t hurt to be on better footing.” Rebecca sought to support her husband by agreeing with him.

  “What better footing?” Edward asked. “You do nothing for Cassenneth as is. We already fund you and your hilly country. You are so far in debt to us. I see this marriage as only a tactic to better your advantage and weaken mine.” Edward chirped, smiling at his bride-to-be at the same time he insulted her parents.

  “Cousin.” Lucas attempted to caution Edward.

  “The nerve of you. We offer our daughter to you, and you insult us?” Nolan shot back. Magus too readied himself to intervene realizing his brother was in no shape to conduct a civil conversation.

  “She offered herself. I don’t even recall it. No offense, dove.” Edward had turned to Marrissa with what he supposed was a charming smile. With her eyes widened and mouth agape, she looked from Edward to her father and mother. Yet she said nothing, evidently expecting her parents to fix this sudden awkward shift in the conversation.

  “Brother!” Magus bellowed, far louder than Lucas. He reached out to take Edward’s goblet of wine. Edward laughed and jerked his hand back.

  “Don’t take what isn’t yours, Magus,” he demanded withdrawing his wine.

  “You took what wasn’t yours to take, Dawnhand!” Rebecca shouted across the table. “My daughter! You will marry her. What is this? You dare go against your promise? Is that what you are doing?”

  “No, of course not. Allow my cousin to rest. He is drunk and not thinking clearly.” Lord Lucas attempted to calm the guests realizing the dinner party had taken a wrong turn.

  “Oh, no. Cousin, you are excused. I can handle these highlanders myself.” Again Edward laughed inappropriately. He no longer knew what he was saying or doing. His words were barely coherent, his eyes glossy red, but still he smiled.

  “No, you won’t!” Lord Magus stood intending to grab his brother, but no sooner than he did, the eight elite guards, who stood nearby, hurried to their King’s aid.

  “Watch it, brother,” Edward shouted. “I’ll have you thrown out. Trying to attack me!” He watched his guardians surround Magus, who looked to them in disgust.

  “Cousin. That is enough,” Lucas warned.

  “I think not. You will not force me to marry this giggling lunatic.” Edward, on unsteady feet, pointed to Marrissa. “Again, no offense, but you laugh at everything. Do you even have words? A voice? Dull as a rock, you are.”

  “I will not sit here and listen to you insult my daughter, you reckless shite Cassenneth King,” Nolan’s face was scarlet with anger as he thundered at the northern King. Lucas bowed his head in distress. It was too late now.

  “You insult us. You break our alliance?” Queen Rebecca screamed. Edward just laughed.

  “What alliance? Are you threatening us? You don’t even have an army. You exist because Dawnhand kings allowed you to keep your land. If ever you were attacked by southern tyrants, it would be us rushing to defend you. You owe us everything. But here you are again trying to take more. Allies? It is a joke. You offer nothing but a burden. Ningual lanterns? Hmph. That is all you highlander
s have.”

  In his drunken stupor, every thought and concern rolled out of Edward’s mouth one by one. Magus and Lucas both tried their hardest to talk sense to their King and apologized for his tirade, but Edward continued his spill.

  “You would make an enemy out of us?” King Nolan pressed.

  “Enemy. No. I want no enemies anywhere. I love people. I love life. I don’t want to fight. I just don’t want to marry your daughter. I won’t. I refuse, and I get what I want.” Edward spoke slowly, slurring his words. “At any rate, what would us being enemies help or hurt? You’d have to ask me to borrow my soldiers to fight. Don’t be senseless, my good fellow King and Queen. Let’s return to how we have always been and put this behind us. If it is that important, I will find your daughter a good suitor. But that is not I.”

  “You’re damned! It certainly isn’t you, you scoundrel! Swine!” The Highland Queen had her fill of the drunken King, and she screamed standing up from the table. She turned to her daughter and spoke calmly. “We’re leaving.” Lord Lucas also stood and apologized once more.

  “Let me see you out. I regret all of this and apologize again for the King.”

  Edward had found his way out, letting the wine give him courage enough to end his marriage before it began. Much like the night, he had slept with the highland nation’s daughter, he would wake up remembering nothing. King Edward had freed himself and angered Pallaecious. Not only that, the following morning, he learned the full extent of his actions. With a raging pain in his head, he awoke to a knock on his chamber door. By the time he opened it and his brother’s fist knocked him near unconscious, it became clear what had happened.

  There would be no marriage for King Edward, and the Pallaecious King and Queen vowed to have nothing to do with Cassenneth, cursing Edward’s name all the way out of the capital of Lockage, Magus Dawnhand by their side. Again, he had lost his brother. Lord Lucas came to visit his cousin a few evenings later after the dust had settled. Upon the royal balcony, he joined Edward to gaze out upon Cassenneth and the setting sun.