Fate of the Crown

by Paul J Bennett

  "Gates? What gates are those?" Albreda asked.

  "It's a long story," the knight said. "What's been happening in Bodden?"

  "They sent knights to arrest your father and put him in the dungeons, but we rescued him."

  "We?"

  "Yes, Aldwin and I. We had some help from the local garrison, of course. That's quite the smith you've got there, I must tell you."

  "Aldwin helped rescue my father?"

  "Yes, isn't that what I just said. You'd be proud of him, Beverly."

  Beverly felt an immense sense of relief. Albreda must have seen it, for she used a hand to wipe a tear from the knight's face.

  "How did you know I'd come here?" asked Beverly. "I expected to be here for weeks before you showed up."

  "I was drawn here," replied the mage. "I had a vision, though I didn't expect it would be you."

  "Weren't you at Bodden?"

  "I was, but I left there just yesterday."

  "Yesterday? But Bodden is such a long way away."

  "Yes," agreed Albreda, "but I can travel from one end of this wood to the other in the blink of an eye."

  "How?"

  "There are circles of stone that hold great power," the witch replied. "Come, I will take you to Bodden."

  "I don't have a lot of time," warned Beverly. "My friends will be expecting me back at the gate soon."

  "I can have you back in two days, will that suffice?"

  Beverly's face lit up, "Yes," she replied. "Please, lead on."

  "Excellent, we can be back in Bodden in time for dinner, well a late dinner, anyway. Come along."

  She led the knight deeper into the woods, talking all the while. "Your father has some help. A few of his old knight friends from long ago came, and they brought men with them."

  "Wait, you say he was placed under arrest?"

  "Yes, by a noble from Wincaster and a group of knights. Aldwin and I rescued him and his loyal men from the dungeon, then we took back the Keep. One of the king's knights joined us, a man named Heward. Do you remember him?"

  "Yes, I do. I served with him at Shrewesdale."

  "Excellent," said Albreda, hurrying through the woods, "he's sworn to your father's service now. He did mention that he knew you, but I wasn't sure if he was telling the truth. Did I mention Aldwin?"

  "Yes, he helped you," said Beverly as she strained to keep up, both in walking and listening.

  "Your father was most distressed to hear of your untimely demise," continued Albreda. She halted suddenly, causing Beverly to almost bump into her. The mage turned to her, a smile on her face, "I just remembered, your father said that if you were alive, he would allow you to marry whomever you pleased."

  "My father said that?" asked Beverly. "Are you sure?"

  "Quite sure, my dear," replied the mage. "Now, where were we?"

  "You're taking us to one of these circles of stone," offered the knight.

  "Ah yes, it's around here somewhere." She gazed about and then called to one of the wolves. The creature came to her, and she bent over, touching her forehead to that of the wolf. A moment later she straightened back up and then turned suddenly. "It's over here," she said, "I'm afraid in my excitement I'd lost sight of where we were."

  They entered a clearing and Beverly was immediately struck by a familiar feeling. "I've seen this before," she said, "or rather, something just like it."

  "Really?" asked Albreda. "Where?"

  "In the Forest of Mist, far to the south. It bore the marks of the Meghara."

  "Meghara," said the witch, "I've heard that name before. She was a mage of great power."

  "Actually," corrected the knight, "it was several. The Orcs told us Meghara is a title."

  "Interesting," mused the mage, "but we have other things to concern ourselves with for the time being. Step into the circle, Beverly, and I'll cast the spell. You might find yourself a bit disoriented when we appear at the other end of the forest," she said as she began the incantation.

  Thirteen

  Events in the North

  Spring 962 MC

  The walls of Bodden drew closer as Beverly and Albreda made their way south. So much had happened since she last saw the village she called home, and yet its familiarity still drew her in as if welcoming her home.

  As she expected, guards were on the gate, and a shout of recognition caught her attention. She looked to the gatehouse to see a young woman, bow in hand, waving. The doors to the village opened, and Beverly noticed a small crowd gathering. They had been under observation for some time, for the area around the Keep was kept clear of obstructions, and now the knight saw familiar faces gathering around her as she entered.

  "Welcome home, Lady Beverly," said Sergeant Blackwood. "It's good to see you safe."

  "Where's the baron?" asked Albreda.

  "We've sent word of your arrival. I rather suspect he'll be along momentarily," the sergeant replied.

  Beverly shook the hands of many. These were men she had led on countless patrols, and she knew them all.

  "My dear!" called out a familiar voice.

  She turned to see her father, hurrying toward her, his face a mask of tears.

  "I'd been told you were dead," he exclaimed, embracing her. "I'm so happy you're well. I thought I'd never see you again."

  She hugged him tightly, relishing the affection. "I was so worried about you, Father," she burst out. "We heard there was rebellion in the north."

  "We?" asked the baron.

  "Oh yes," interrupted Albreda. "Richard, there is much to catch up on. Perhaps we should adjourn to the map room."

  "Of course," responded Fitz, "though perhaps there is time for one more welcome."

  He stood aside, and Beverly saw Aldwin, just behind her father, standing nervously, his face framing an anxious-looking smile. Beverly didn't hesitate. She stepped past the baron and immediately embraced the smith. A flood of emotions swept over her as she leaned back to stare into his steel grey eyes. They drew her in, and she pressed her lips to his, embracing the feeling and ignoring those around her. It seemed to last forever and yet when they finally stopped, she wanted nothing more than for it to go on. Aldwin was grinning while tears streamed down his face. The red-headed knight wiped her own tears of joy and then kissed him again.

  "Come along now," said her father, "there'll be plenty of time for that later. It's time we get to the Keep."

  The group started moving and Beverly, heedless of protocol, grabbed Aldwin's hand. "You must come with us," she said, "I don't want you out of my sight. Saxnor's sake it's good to see you, Aldwin."

  He squeezed her hand in response, too emotional to speak. They made their way through the village and to the gate that led into the Keep. Here, she paused, taking a closer look, for some sort of construction was going on.

  "That was my fault, I'm afraid," offered Albreda.

  "Why? What happened?" asked Beverly.

  "She tore down the portcullis when we rescued the baron," said Aldwin.

  "Come along," prodded Albreda, "we've much to discuss and so little time. We must make haste if I'm to get you back to your friends in time."

  They proceeded across the courtyard, the central Keep looming before them. Aldwin halted, just short of the door, causing Beverly to turn in surprise.

  "I'll meet you in the map room," he said. "I have to get something."

  "I'll wait," said Beverly, unwilling to part with him.

  "No, you go ahead," he insisted, "I'll only be a moment. It will be worth it, trust me."

  She hesitated, watching him leave, and then resumed her march.

  * * *

  The map room remained exactly as she remembered it. She could almost see herself as a little girl, playing with the small carved wooden blocks that represented the troops of Bodden Keep.

  Baron Fitzwilliam had always used the map room as his central meeting place, but now Beverly wondered if, perhaps, they had outgrown it. It felt crowded as she entered. In days past her father would
meet with his top knights, and Gerald, of course, but few others. Now the place was packed with knights and the leaders of the footmen.

  "Come along, my dear," called her father, "I have a spot for you over here."

  She pushed her way through the crowd, finding herself at the head of the table, beside the baron.

  "We've been discussing plans," he started, "but perhaps, before we continue, you should fill us in on your adventures. I rather gather, from Albreda's account, that you've been quite busy."

  "I have, Father," she replied, perhaps a little more formally than she had intended.

  The tone was noted by her father, who turned to look directly at her. "My dear, what's the matter?"

  "I will marry Aldwin, Father," she said, ready for a fight.

  His answer completely disarmed her, "Of course you will."

  "That's it?" she replied. "No argument? No discussion of my duty?"

  "Beverly," began the baron, "when you were born, I promised your mother that I would do everything in my power to make you happy. I'm afraid as the years went by, I lost sight of that. In days of old, it would require the king's blessing for a noble to marry, but now, in these troublesome times, the realm is changing. The old ways no longer hold us back. You have my blessing to follow your heart."

  Beverly, momentarily at a loss for words, simply hugged her father. "Thank you," she finally managed to squeak out.

  The baron coughed as she released her grip. "Now," he said, "where is that young smith of yours?"

  "Right here, my lord," came a voice.

  As if on cue, the crowd parted. Aldwin stood there, his hands gripping a warhammer, its surface catching the light, reflecting it about the room. Beverly looked on in amazement while the smith approached. The room fell into a hush as Aldwin held out the hammer in the palm of his hands.

  "I made this for you," he simply said.

  The weapon was exquisite; its head a finely crafted piece of art. She took it reverently, feeling its weight in her hands. "Aldwin, it's beautiful, it must have taken weeks."

  "Indeed," added her father. "He had to make a special forge."

  "Yes," added Aldwin, finding his voice. "It's made of sky metal."

  "I know," replied Beverly, "you had to write to a Dwarf to get advice."

  "How..." he stumbled.

  "I've met Herdwin," she said, a smile creeping across her face. "He told me about your letter."

  "When did this happen?" asked the baron.

  "We had escaped the dungeons of Wincaster," she answered, "and took refuge in Herdwin's smithy. He's an old friend of the general's."

  "General?" asked Fitz.

  "Yes, sorry," she replied, "I meant Gerald."

  "Sergeant Matheson is a general?" blurted out Blackwood.

  "Indeed he is," said Beverly.

  "Saxnor's balls," said Blackwood, "if you’re making general's out of sergeants, sign me up!"

  "Perhaps I'd best start at the beginning," offered Beverly, ignoring the sergeant's outburst.

  "That would be helpful," suggested Albreda.

  "As I told you we were captured at Wincaster," the knight continued, "but managed to escape. The princess, Gerald, and I, that is. We hid out at Herdwin's place, and he helped smuggle us out of the city. There, we met up with the rest of our group and headed south."

  "And who, exactly, is the 'rest’?” asked Fitz.

  "Dame Hayley, Sir Arnim Caster, Revi Bloom and a woman named Nikki who helped us."

  "Why south?" asked her father. "Surely Bodden would have been safer for you."

  "We discussed it, but the king would have been looking for us. Heading south kept us from their net."

  "Clever," mused Albreda, "though I suspect there's more to it."

  "Yes," agreed Beverly, "but that's something best left for another day. During our adventures, we managed to make some friends and then travelled to Weldwyn to seek help."

  "Westland? I'm surprised," blurted out Sir Rodney. “They've been our enemy for generations."

  "We travelled there last year," Beverly reminded him, "and they're a lot like us. Once there, we discovered they'd been invaded, so we helped them defeat their enemy. There was talk of marrying the princess to one of their princes, but I'm getting off topic. They've sent troops to help us take back Merceria. Kingsford has pledged to our cause, and we've taken Colbridge."

  "You've been quite busy, from the sounds of it," observed the baron.

  "It was all Gerald's doing," she continued, "he managed to keep the alliance going against all the odds. We've got Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, and even Trolls all working together."

  "You HAVE been busy," added Albreda.

  "Wait," said the baron, "you say you control Kingsford and Colbridge?"

  "Yes, that's correct."

  "What's your next move?" he asked.

  "The general wanted to march to Wincaster down the great road, but we heard of trouble in the north. Rumour has it there's an army at Tewsbury, led by Marshal-General Valmar. The princess won't march on the capital with the north in danger."

  "Perhaps we might be of assistance there," offered the baron.

  "How so, Father?"

  "I've been contemplating a move against Tewsbury, but I'm stretched to the limit. Tell me, how did you come to find Albreda? We've been so happy to have you here that we've given it little thought."

  "Revi Bloom managed to unlock the secrets of gate travel."

  "Gate travel?" said Fitz. "I've never heard of it."

  "There are ancient portals that allow instantaneous travel, much like Albreda does in the Whitewood."

  The baron looked to the witch, who simply shrugged, "I would have told you about it eventually, Richard. A girl must have her secrets, you know."

  He barked a laugh, "Well, it seems there are all sorts of surprises this day. Tell me, could you bring an army through these gates of yours?"

  "It takes time," Beverly continued. "A small raiding group would be easy enough, though."

  "Your main army is at Kingsford, I assume?"

  "Yes, they're preparing for the spring offensive."

  "If we could lure Valmar out of Tewsbury, could you conduct raids against his supply lines?"

  "Yes, I have just the troops for that," she replied. "The Orcs are masters of that type of warfare."

  The baron smacked the table with the palm of his hand, "By Saxnor's beard, we have him."

  "I'm afraid I don't understand, Richard," Albreda confessed.

  "We shall lure him out of his hiding place," announced the baron, "and draw him down the road to Bodden. Beverly, do you think your army can come up the Redridge road? We could smash Valmar's army at the crossroads."

  "I'm sure Gerald would see the wisdom in it," she cautioned, "but we'd have to take the town of Redridge, and that might slow us down."

  "Wait," piped in Sir Rodney, "when we came to Bodden we took the Redridge road. They had a small army there, along with a fortified keep. I can draw you a map if that would help."

  "I'd appreciate that," said Beverly. "Any information you can provide would help us, we have little enough. Do you know who commands there?"

  "I believe it's the Earl of Shrewesdale, or at least it was when we passed through," supplied Sir Rodney. "I remember seeing his standard there, hanging from the keep."

  "Not to be negative," interrupted Sir Gareth, "but I see insurmountable problems here. How are we to coordinate our armies at such great distances?"

  "I can help with that," offered Albreda. "I'll travel with Beverly to their base of operations. Once things are arranged, I can return here with news."

  "But surely the distances involved..." began the knight.

  "I can return to the Whitewood in an instant," she replied.

  "I thought you needed the stone circle," said Beverly.

  "My child," she replied, "I can return to the stone circle from anywhere, it is merely less taxing to do it from another circle."

  Fitz shook his head in d
isbelief, "The more I learn about you, Albreda, the more I am impressed. Tell me, all those years ago, could you have escaped so easily?"

  "Of course, Richard, but it didn't suit my purposes."

  "Well I, for one, am glad you're on our side," he replied.

  She placed her hand on the baron's arm, "As am I, Richard, as am I."

  "Now," continued the baron, "let us clear the room. I have much planning to do. I'll need Albreda and Beverly here with me, the rest of you I'll recall later, once our plans are made."

  The assembled group began to disperse.

  "Stay, Aldwin," called the baron, "you're almost family now, and I'd value your input."

  The smith remained, a confused look on his face. Beverly moved to stand before him, "I'm sorry, Aldwin, I should have spoken to you first."

  "I don't understand," he said.

  "I told my father I wanted to marry you, but I never asked if that was what you wanted."

  He looked to the baron, "And what, exactly, did your father say to that?"

  "He told me I could marry whomever I please," she replied.

  "And?"

  "And it would only please me to marry you if you would have me."

  In answer, he leaned forward, kissing her softly on the lips. "It would please me greatly," he said, "for it is something I have often wished for, but never, in my wildest dreams, did I think that such a thing could come to pass."

  Albreda grabbed the baron's hand, "Come along, Richard, I think the young people would like some privacy."

  "But it's my map room," exclaimed the baron.

  "Indeed it is," replied the mage, "though for once I think you should make an exception."

  The baron looked at Beverly and, seeing the look of love that passed between her and the smith, capitulated, "Very well, we shall give them their privacy."

  Fourteen

  Mattingly

  Spring 962 MC

  "I'm glad we went back for the horses," said Hayley.

  "Yes," agreed Revi, "and it let us pass on what we've already learned. I've never been to Mattingly before, have you?"