by H. M. Clarke
“Very well Willard. I wasn’t going too. I can think for myself you know.”
“Sorry Garrick,” Malchance said raising his hands in a placating gesture. “I’m just nervous about what you’ll find when you meet your father.”
“It will be fine. Especially since this time I’m going to stay until Felian’s power has been curtailed. I’m not going to take my father’s word for it this time.”
“What about the Northern threat? If your father gives you command of the Northern Army, then you’ll have to go.”
“I’ll delegate command to Oded until I’m sure things are stable enough here in Hered.”
Malchance glared at Garrick. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? Her cronies might use that as an excuse to take power away from you.”
“Let them try. Just let them.”
CHAPTER SIX
The emperor’s personal apartments were not far from Prince Garrick’s suites. The prince now stood waiting in his father’s receiving room along with Duke Malchance, Captain Talon and some of his select personal guard. The room was opulent and lush in bold reds and gold and it was still exactly the way Garrick remembered it from his childhood. The room had not been touched since his mother had last redecorated it. Garrick was glad that at least Felian had not got her claws into this. Father was not completely under her control.
The wait was not long.
The large double doors at the far end of the room opened and a clean faced freeman that Garrick did not recognize came through it.
“The Emperor is ready to see you now,” the man said while sweeping down into a low bow.
Garrick gave the man a nod and then gave Malchance a meaningful glance. He then strode towards the door, Malchance fell in behind him and Captain Talon and his chosen men followed directly behind them.
The new room was large and spacious with a large fire roaring in the grate and plush arm chairs placed around it to get maximum warmth. Spaced around the walls were several footmen, waiting to jump to the Emperor’s every whim. The tattoos on their cheeks showed them to be Kalarthri. But Garrick’s eyes were drawn to the chair placed closest to the fire.
“Hello, my boy. Come, sit down.”
Garrick’s father patted the arm of the chair next to him as he talked and as he moved, the blanket covering him slipped to reveal old stains in the lounging robe he wore.
Garrick frowned but quickly sat in the chair offered by his father. Malchance and the others stayed where they stood. Protocol dictated that they had to remain standing in the Emperor’s presence unless told otherwise. As he made himself comfortable in the chair, Garrick noted that his father’s hair was unwashed and oily and his beard and mustaches had not been trimmed or cleaned.
“Hello father,” he said. “How are you? Ranen said that you had been feeling ill.”
“Phish,” Groudin said waving away his son’s concern with a weak wave of his hand. “I’m feeling fine. All these fusspots worrying about me falling ill. It’s damned annoying.”
“So, you haven’t been sick?”
“Just a cold, nothing more. But I haven’t seen you in a dog’s age, Garrick. Catch me up on all the news.”
“The news?”
“Yes, tell me all that has happened since you were last here.”
Garrick was suddenly thrown into confusion. Surely his father would want to talk about the war? Garrick threw a look at Malchance who gave him an imperceptible shake of his head.
Garrick turned back to his father. “I’ve seen Harada. He’s doing well.”
“Harada! You need to tell him to come and see me. I can’t remember the last time he came back home.”
“Father. He is a Wing Commander, he can’t leave his unit without his superior’s permission.”
“A prince does not need permission.”
“But Harada is not a Prince. Not anymore. He is a Hatar Kalar.”
Groudin’s happy expression fell from his face, quickly replaced by one of concentration.
“He is Hatar Kalar. I forgot…”
His father’s voice was low and was almost a whisper. He then shook himself and swung his gaze to the servants scattered around the room. “Leave us.”
The voice was deep and commanding and after a moment of hesitation, all of the footmen lining the hall filed out into the receiving room. The Emperor’s gaze dropped to Garrick’s people. “I said leave us.”
Garrick gave Malchance and Talon a small nod and he watched as they too quickly left the room.
Once the door had closed securely behind them Groudin reached out and gripped Garrick’s forearm. Garrick could see that the familiar look in his father’s eyes had returned.
“Garrick, I need your help.”
“Help? What is going on Father?”
“Hush and listen. I may not have enough time.” The grip on Garrick’s arm hardened and the tendons stood out starkly against the back of Groudin’s hand. Garrick put a rein on his questions and shut his mouth.
“Son, I love both you and your brother, remember that. Always. Remember that. My mind is not always my own. Something is being done to me and I am powerless to stop it. You need to find out for me and stop it before it can be turned on you. There is magic involved here so tread carefully.”
“Any idea as to who is doing this?”
The old man shook his head. “I first thought it to be either Ranen or Felian, but they are not sorcerers.”
“There is nothing stopping them from finding one-“ Garrick’s sentence was cut off as his father’s grip abruptly relaxed from his arm and the personality that flashed briefly now retreated from his eyes. They glassed over and his face fell slack.
“Hello my boy, come to see your father? Where is Harada? I haven’t seen him in a long while…”
Garrick let his hand drop back into his lap, shocked at the abrupt change that had come over his father.
“Father, we just talked about this. Harada is Hatar Kalar, he cannot come to see you anymore. You will need to go and see him.”
“Oh, yes of course…I remember.”
It was obvious to Garrick that he didn’t.
“Father. I think you need to rest, you are not feeling well,” Garrick said as a senior footman entered the room followed by two more servants. The senior footman dropped into a deep bow.
“Is everything to your satisfaction your Imperial Highness?”
The Emperor’s eyes perked up at this.
“Yes. Yes, it is.”
Garrick turned in his seat and looked hard at the three servants. He did not recognize any of them and they did not have the mark of the Kalar on them.
“I think my father needs to rest,” Garrick said as he stood from his chair. “He has over taxed himself.”
“Yes Prince Garrick,” the man answered still in his bow.
After one last look at his father, Garrick left the room. Malchance and Talon were waiting just outside. He did not stop for them but continued walking out of the receiving room and down the corridor. It wasn’t long before Malchance fell into step beside him. It was not until they were back in Garrick’s apartments before Garrick flopped into a chair and rubbed the bridge of his nose as he released all his pent up muscles. Malchance took the seat opposite while Talon stayed back by the door.
“What happened?” Malchance asked when it became apparent that Garrick was not going to speak straight away.
Garrick quickly recounted what his father had told him and described the change in demeanor that came over his father as the man talked.
“That is not good Garrick. That means there is an unknown Spellcrafter operating in the Imperial Palace.” Malchance jabbed a finger into the arm of his chair for emphasis. “I had a talk with some of the junior footmen after we had been sent out. Most of them have not been in the position long. They told me they are only allowed three months in a position before they are moved to another within the palace.”
“She moves them in the hope they don’t form a conn
ection to father, and will not become familiar with their routine,” Garrick said coming out of his funk.
“Exactly. And for the Spellcrafter to be able to keep a memory spell like what you described going will need to be in constant close contact with your father.”
“The senior footman maybe?”
“Maybe. I’m thinking someone more senior to that though. Let me investigate. I’ll find out about your father’s staff and who they are reporting to. Most of my palace contacts should still be in place.”
Garrick shot an eyebrow up at this news.
“Don’t look like that Garrick. You wanted me to be your spymaster, what is a better way to practice than to spy on your closest friends.”
“I don’t care how you gather your information, as long as it helps us to free father and to restore the country’s power back to where it belongs.”
“Very well Garrick, I’ll start putting my feelers out.”
“And I am finally going to start exercising my rights as Crown Prince.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“You can’t do this!”
Garrick’s internal anger had risen but outwardly he looked as he always had. The authority in his gaze was unmistakable and the Prince now leveled that gaze on his father’s chamberlain. Standing with Garrick were Duke Malchance and several senior ministers.
“I am Crown Prince Garrick Thurad, Right Hand to the Imperial Throne. It is by that that I have the right to do exactly this. My father is unwell and because of this I am evoking an Act of Regency until my father’s capacity has been restored.”
“Chamberlain Morris, Prince Garrick is correct. His father gave him this authority when he married and it has never been revoked. And by our agreement, he has the government majority necessary to evoke this Regency.” Minister Settine said as he stepped forward, planting himself right between Garrick and Morris.
Garrick knew Minister Settine. He knew him very well as they had grown up together, though Settine was a few years older than he. Settine was a supporter of the Royal Family and Garrick knew that he was not comfortable with seeing his Prince argue with an underling.
Malchance took Settine’s cue to move forward. “Chamberlain Morris, Prince Garrick has requested that all the palace staff is to assemble in the main courtyard straight away. You will do well to be there to meet them because they will be gathering whether you like it or not. The Prince has already given the order.”
“But-“
“There are no buts. You will know the reason for this along with everyone else when Prince Garrick speaks to the staff.”
The Chamberlain quickly shut his mouth, looked quickly at the faces of the people around him and just as quickly turned on his heel and left.
“Thank the One he’s gone,” Garrick muttered.
“We need to do this quickly and seamlessly Garrick,” Malchance quickly slipped in. “I have our people ready to go and the servants who are loyal know what is going on.”
“I know Willard. I know this has to be done. I’m just dreading the retaliation that we will get. At least I know that whatever happens, father will be safe.”
“Yes. Felian needs him alive to be able to keep power.”
Noise from numerous people began to rise from outside and Garrick knew that it would not be long now before he starts to set things in motion.
“It’s time Prince Garrick,” Minister Settine said as one of Garrick’s guard opened the door slightly and gave Captain Talon a nod.
“Settine, you can just call me Garrick.”
Garrick shook his head. Some things will never change. The man had been calling him that since they were kids.
“Let’s get this over with,” Garrick muttered and strode across the hall closely followed by Captain Talon and the rest of Garrick’s group. Talon had set up his men to form a tight security ring around the courtyard. The man did not want to take any chances that Felian or one of her supporters will try something.
Two of Garrick’s guard opened the doors and Garrick stepped out onto the entrance area, striding across the flagstones until he neared the first step, where he stopped. Down in the courtyard, he could see the hundreds of people who worked within the Imperial Palace ranging from the lowliest stable boy to the Palace Chamberlain. Upon seeing him, the crowd fell silent. Garrick placed his hands behind his back and took a deep breath.
“Good morning to you all. For those who are new and do not know me, I am Crown Prince Garrick Thurad.” He paused to let that information sink in and to gauge the reaction from the crowd. They remained quiet and to Garrick looked a little fearful.
“As my father is ill, I am evoking my Right to Regency until he has recovered to my physician’s satisfaction. My first duty is to assess the staff here at the palace. As of this moment, all palace positions have been revoked. Exceptions to this are staff who have had a request from Duke Malchance to stay on. All other positions will be assessed by the Duke’s office and may be reappointed at a later date. I wanted to tell you this personally as I know that for the non-kalar, this may be your only source of income. Because of this, you will be getting a month’s pay which will help until you are hired back or have found another position.”
“I never received a message,” Garrick heard Chamberlain Morris whisper urgently to Malchance.
“Which means you will hear from me when we have assessed your position.”
Garrick could not hear Morris’s response as the assembled crowd erupted in a cacophony of noise.
“Willard, Settine, Ministers. I think you can take this from here.” Garrick then turned on his heel and headed back into the hall. Captain Talon and his men fell in quickly behind him.
“You all need to go to the Pursers office to receive your month’s stipend. Messengers will be sent to you when you are able to come back in to work.” Garrick heard Malchance say before the doors of the hall closed behind them effectively shutting out the questions from those outside.
“Where to now Prince Garrick,” Talon asked.
“We head back to my rooms. I need a drink.”
The Captain nodded and Garrick was glad the man was sensible enough not to say anything about what must be a sour look on his face. He did not like doing what he just did. But he agreed with Malchance. It was necessary. It was the only thing they could think of to do quickly that would rid the palace of most of Felian’s eyes and ears. The remaining staff was those Garrick knew or were relatives of trusted retainers. But still. What he just did would affect people’s livelihoods and it would have lost him support from that area.
Garrick had just finished his first drink when Malchance returned. “I thought you would already be going through the Chamberlain’s office Willard,” he said raising his now empty glass to the Duke.
“I’m giving the man a chance to pack his personal items under a watchful eye. One he’s left, then I am going to go through it all.”
“How polite of you.”
“It’s a damn sight nicer than they would be to us, Garrick.”
“True. We would already be locked away downstairs in the dungeons awaiting execution.”
Malchance snorted. “I don’t think our arses would have even seen the dungeon. We would have been sent straight to the gallows.” Malchance sat in the chair next to Garrick and leaned his head against its back. “I know you didn’t want to do that Garrick, but it had to be done.”
“I know. It is the quickest way of clearing the palace of Felian’s spies. At least the ones that are servants.” Garrick placed his empty glass on the side table next to him. “The palace guard is going to be a harder nut to crack.”
“Not really. We know who we can trust in the guard, and we know who is loyal to the crown. We can replace suspect members of the palace guard with members of your royal guard. At least until those guards can be assessed.”
“Felian will not take this calmly Willard. We’d better be ready for the worst that she can throw at us. And it will be me she will come after. With fa
ther in her grip, she does not need me to retain power. I hate seeing father like this, it’s not right.”
“We’ll be ready Garrick. Captain Talon and his men will not let anything happen to you.”
Garrick smiled as a thought struck him. “For all, I know she probably just poisoned me with that drink I just had.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Everything is tested before it even enters your suite.”
Garrick leaned forward in his chair and looked first at Talon standing by the door and then at Duke Malchance.
“We have set the first of our pieces on the board. Let us hope that she takes the bait.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
I am doing this for father and for the good of the nation. At first, I was too young and stupid to notice, at least Willard had the sense to hide Kalena away. Oh, Caitin my love. Why did you have to go? You would have loved Kalena. And then we sat for years and waited for the right time to act. We waited too long. Felian’s claws have dipped into everything and everything can be linked back to her. She is the disease at the heart of the empire. And like a bloated tumor, she needs to be cut out and burned. It is the only way to save Suene. It is the only way to save the Empire. It is the only way to save Father and Kalena.
Garrick started awake in a cold sweat. The sheets and blankets were twisted about his legs and arms, and a few of his pillows had been knocked to the floor.
He lay still, looking up at the dark canopy over his bed. The dream had been so real. He could still feel the sensation of the last kiss Caitin had given him and the weight of his newborn child in his arms. Tears streamed down his cheeks to soak the silk of his pillowcase. His family was ruined because of that woman! That creature! He dragged his arm across his eyes, wiping away the tears and then used that hand to throw off the tangled blankets.
Garrick dressed quickly and then made his way out to his receiving room where he could already smell breakfast waiting for him. He had barely sat down at his breakfast table when Malchance pounced on him.