The Maze

by Trudie Collins

  Once outside the building, she looked around to get her bearings and was pleased to see a familiar face. “Have you been here all night?” she asked Patrick as she approached him.

  “More or less,” he replied, grinning at her. “I must confess that I did nip into an inn a few hours ago to get some food and ale, but apart from that I have been keeping a constant vigil.”

  “Come on,” she said, taking his arm in hers. “I need to get back to the guard house as quickly as I can.”

  They soon reached their destination and were escorted to Commander Galloway’s study, finding him deep in conversation with Captain Kelly.

  “How did it go?” Kelly asked them as soon as they were alone. Ellen gave a brief rundown of all that had taken place since she was last in their company and handed over Queen Tibia’s letter. Galloway examined the seal carefully before ripping it open and reading the contents.

  “You managed to persuade her that you were telling the truth about what is really going on outside of Tennel’s walls I see.” It was not a question, but Ellen answered it anyway.

  “Not exactly. She still has grave doubts, but is taking precautions just in case. She is a very wise woman.”

  “That she is,” the Commander confirmed. He turned to his Captain. “Make ready the troops, all of them. We are going on a training exercise inside the palace.”

  Kelly raised his eyebrows, but did not question the command. He gave Galloway a quick salute then left the room in search of his second in command. In a remarkably short time, every able bodied guard currently stationed at Tennel was armed and ready to go. Patrick requested permission to join them and was lent both uniform and sword, but when Ellen and Ria made the same request, the Commander asserted his authority.

  “I will not have women under my command,” he stated matter-of-factly. “Not only will their presence endanger my men, but there is no way the soldiers will believe that we are at the palace for a training exercise if we have women with us. The same goes for the elf and the vexen.”

  Ria protested that both Ellen and herself were more than capable of looking after themselves and, when dressed in uniform, would not look female.

  Commander Galloway regarded the two women kindly, his moustache twitching. “Ladies,” he said gently, “no clothes could ever disguise your femininity. Your exquisite faces will always give you away.”

  The ladies blushed. The compliment had completely neutralised any counter argument they could make and they gracefully accepted that they would have to remain behind. Both were noticeably sulking as they watched the men depart, as was Samson, who sat obediently beside them. Brin also stood with them, watching. He too wanted to join the guards; he knew his skills would be invaluable, but he would never be able to disguise himself as a human, even with the use of magic. He placed his arms around Sam and rested his chin on her shoulder in frustration. She intertwined her fingers with his and reassured them all that every one of their friends, both old and new, would be alright. She sounded a lot more confident than she felt.

  Tibia returned to her rooms and called for her maid to remove her breakfast things. She announced that she was not feeling well and would retire back to her bed for a while; requesting not to be disturbed. The maid bowed to her and left the room, without asking if she wished any help in removing her dress. A sick Queen meant some free time and she planned to make the most of it. She immediately returned to the Duke’s suite and, after waking him for the second time that morning, informed him that the Queen was ill and would not be leaving her room for a while. The Duke did not even pretend to hide his pleasure at the news. The Queen voluntarily staying out of sight made his task of getting rid of the troublesome visitors from Remeny without her finding out about them much easier.

  Tibia paced the room. It was a habit she had gotten into whenever she was anxious. She would give it an hour before approaching the Duke. By then he would be having his breakfast and it would give the Queen’s Guards time to read her instructions and mobilise.

  “I do not get it,” Patrick said as he observed Galloway and Kelly approach the gates. “The official entrance to the palace is guarded by these gates and hundreds of soldiers, yet the servants’ entrance is only guarded by one man.”

  “It is all for show,” Damos confided in him. “Nobody is actually concerned about an attack, so the soldiers stationed at the main entrance are just to impress visitors and make them think the palace is well defended.”

  Galloway and Kelly stopped at the gates, announcing that they were on official business. The soldiers on duty eyed the amassed guards cautiously, unsure whether to open the gates or not. General Lemell was summoned and promptly arrived, his limp not slowing him down significantly. As soon as he set eyes on the number of armed men before the gates, his hand went to the hilt of his sword.

  “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded.

  “Good to see you old chap,” Galloway replied in a friendly manner. “My men have been summoned to the palace to take part in a training exercise.”

  Suspicion crossed the older man’s face. “I have not been informed.”

  “That is not really my problem is it. If you doubt my word, send one of your men to the Duke and ask him.”

  The thought of questioning the Duke’s orders while he was probably still eating his breakfast made the General shiver. The Duke was known to have a mean streak, especially in the morning.

  “That will not be necessary. Are you free to join me in my office for some tea?” The gates were opened and the Queen’s Guards trooped through.

  “You have your orders,” Galloway said to Kelly as he marched past. “I will be with the good General if you need me.” Only Kelly was aware of what was really going on; the rest of the men would be informed once they were stationed inside the palace. Neither Kelly nor Galloway had any doubts about the loyalty of their men, but the risk of something being said within hearing of the soldiers before they had gained entrance to the palace itself was too great, so they had opted for complete secrecy; the men would understand the need.

  As the guards stationed themselves throughout the palace and Patrick went in search of Tor, having received directions to his room from Ellen, Galloway accompanied Lemell to his office.

  “So what is really going on?” the General asked casually as he poured tea into two cups.

  Commander Galloway smiled ruefully. “I knew you would not be fooled. Your body may be suffering with age, but your mind is as sharp as ever.”

  Lemell accepted the compliment, offering the Commander cream and sugar, both of which he declined. Though unsure of where his loyalty truly lay, Galloway had a lot of respect for the General and did not insult him by lying. He told him the complete story. Lemell listened carefully, his face betraying no reaction.

  “So what do you plan to do?” Galloway asked when his oration was complete.

  “Do?” General Lemell asked. “I plan to do nothing except sit here and drink tea with an old acquaintance. With any luck, if there is any trouble, my second in command will take care of it without feeling the need to disturb me.”

  ‘So,’ Galloway thought to himself. ‘The general is a Queen’s man after all, but is wise enough to keep the fact to himself until he is forced to make a choice. And who can blame him for that.’ Relaxing into their chairs, the two men chatted and drank their tea while awaiting news of what was occurring inside the palace.

  Feeling the time was right, Tibia went to Tor’s suite. She passed a number of guards on her way, all of whom bowed deeply as she walked by. Patrick was in the room when she entered and, after quick introductions, he informed her that the guards were in place and were ready to lay down their lives defending her, should the need arise.

  “Then let us go,” she commanded. Tor offered her his arm, which she gratefully took. She was feeling nervous and having a strong man by her side did much to ease her anxiety. Cirren, Dal, Seth and Bellak followed them down the corridor as Tibia led them directly to wher
e the Duke was bound to be.

  Bracing herself for a confrontation, Tibia opened the door to the dining room and walked in. The Duke was still eating his breakfast, along with his wife and a number of visiting nobles. Upon seeing who had just entered, they all jumped to their feet and bowed. Tibia seated herself in a free chair opposite the Duke, waving away the serving boy who rushed to her side with a plate full of bacon.

  “How nice to see you, your Majesty,” the Duke said, the drone of his voice grating on Tibia’s nerves. “I heard that you were unwell. I trust you are feeling better.” The other diners, Tibia noted, looked nervous, causing her to wonder what had been the topic of conversation before she arrived.

  Still smiling, she inclined her head, indicating that everyone should sit and resume eating. “Much better. I thank you for your concern. I am here to see you about rumours I have been hearing concerning Princes Tor and Cirren from Remeny. Are they truly in Tennel? When can I see them?” She kept the coldness she was feeling out of her voice. She was still hoping that the Duke would tell her the truth, but deep down she knew that would not be the case.

  She noticed the worried glance her aunt threw at her husband, but ignored it. The Duke returned her smile, but there was no warmth in it.

  “I am afraid you have been misinformed, your Majesty. Tor and his brother are currently on a quest assigned to them in their dead father’s will. The last I heard they were in Emvale.” He sounded so sincere. If she had not seen Tor and Cirren with her own two eyes, she would have believed him, as she had so often in the past. “I can assure you that if they were in Tennel, I would know of it and would immediately have them escorted to the palace.”

  Tibia pouted. “Thank you for letting me know.” She rose once more, causing all of the diners to once again abandon their breakfasts and stand up. “Please accept my apologies for interrupting your breakfast.”

  She walked towards the door, which footmen opened for her as she approached. Before leaving the room, she stopped and turned her attention back to the Duke, who had already seated himself and had a mouth full of egg.

  “One more thing,” she said in as sweet a voice as possible. “If Tor and Cirren are in Emvale, who are these?”

  Tor and Cirren walked casually into the room, hands on the hilts of their swords. A look of utter fury crossed the Duke’s face and a number of the other men seated around the table visibly paled.

  The Duke recovered quickly. “Guards,” he called out in anger. “Arrest those imposters.”

  Chapter 26

  Tor and Cirren found themselves grabbed from behind, their arms pinned behind their backs.

  “Impostors?” Tibia asked, her voice full of uncertainty.

  “Of course they are impostors,” the Duke snapped impatiently. “I told you myself that the real Princes were last seen a long way from here. Besides, they look nothing like the real Cirren and Tor. Unlike you, I know what the members of other royal families look like.”

  This was something that had been worrying Tor. He had feared that the Duke would deny who he really was and, other than his ring, which could easily be claimed as a fake, he had no way of proving his identity. Tibia smiled sweetly at the Duke, but when she spoke her voice was hard as steel.

  “You forget yourself Duke. You organised my education. You should have remembered that it included studying other countries and their rulers, including portraits. I recognised both of the Remeny Princes the moment I laid eyes on them.”

  The Duke froze and his wife started crying. Tibia continued, casually walking over to the table and sitting down. “They have been telling me some interesting tales about how you have been misruling my country.” She sounded calm and sure of herself, showing the Duke that she was not the scared little puppet that he had always thought her to be.

  “They are lying,” he sneered. “You have known me all of your life. Are you really going to take their word over mine?”

  The Queen appeared to think about the question for a moment. “Yes, I think I am.” The Duke stared at her in shock. “Guards,” she called out loudly and a dozen of the Queen’s Guards appeared in the room. “Arrest this man.” Her command was instantly obeyed.

  “On what charge?” the Duke asked vehemently.

  Tibia regarded him coldly. “The last I heard, lying to a Queen is a capital offence, punishable by death. If that is the worst of your crimes, you will merely be exiled, but somehow I think it is not. Take him away.”

  “You cannot do this,” he screamed as he was dragged towards the door.

  “Actually, yes I can.”

  “You will never get away with this. The army is loyal to me, not you. There will be civil war.”

  Tibia did not waver in her resolve. “So be it.”

  “Your Majesty, are you forgetting something?” Tor asked once the Duke had been removed from the room.

  “Of course. Sorry.” She turned to the men who were holding Tor and Cirren. “Soldiers, release them at once.”

  The soldiers regarded her nervously, unsure of what to do; they were used to following the Duke’s commands, not the Queen’s. Reluctantly they obeyed.

  “Wise decision,” she said to them. “Now go and tell your General that the Duke is under arrest for treason and I am taking command.”

  The soldiers could not get out of the room fast enough. They ran from the palace and quickly found their Captain. They told him what had happened and he instructed them to head to the barracks and rouse all of the men. The Duke had to be rescued. The Captain then headed straight to General Lemell’s office.

  “Do you hear something?” Commander Galloway asked the General; the sounds of so many men arming themselves for war were unmistakable.

  Lemell cocked his ear. “No,” he lied. “I cannot hear a thing.” There was loud knocking on the door. This, too, the older man ignored. The man on the other side called the General’s name loudly and tried to open the door, but the lock held it shut.

  “You are going to have to take a side you know,” Galloway observed, taking a sip of his tea and grimacing when he realised it had gone cold.

  “Not yet.” The Commander eyed him curiously. “I am not sure where the loyalties of my men lie. I am going to give them the chance to decide between the Duke and the Queen for themselves.”

  “And those who support the Queen?” Galloway enquired.

  “Will be ordered to arrest those who do not.”

  Galloway nodded. “The tea appears to be cold. Do you think we can have another pot brought up?”

  Inside the palace, the Queen’s Guards were taking control. There was very little resistance as they rounded everyone up, servants and guests alike, and moved them all into the dining room. As soon as Tibia’s personal maid was found, the Queen took her to one side.

  “I need your help,” she said, taking her into her confidence. “I need to know which of the servants are loyal to me and which to the Duke. Will you help me?”

  “Of course,” the girl stammered. “What would you like me to do?”

  “Take everyone you know to be loyal to me to the blue room and I will deal with the rest.” She nodded her agreement, smiling slyly once Tibia had turned away. She made her way through the crowd of nervous servants, tapping some on the shoulder and instructing them to follow her.

  Patrick arrived, dragging one of the servants with him, and bowed deeply to the Queen. “Your Majesty, allow me to introduce Janine. It was she who assisted Ellen in gaining access to the palace.”

  Janine curtsied, keeping her eyes on the floor. She had never personally met the Queen before and was very nervous. Tibia took her by the chin and gently raised her head. “You have done me a great service,” she said. “Will you do me another one?”

  Janine nodded, unable to speak. “Please take everyone you know to be loyal to me, both servants and nobles, to the ball room. If you have any doubt, leave them here.” Janine nodded once again and rose. She started to walk away, but Tibia called her back. “One more
thing. You are now my new personal maid.” The look on Janine’s face, a cross between joy and bewilderment, almost made Tibia laugh.

  There was a commotion at the door and Lady Kira was pushed in. Spotting Tor and Cirren with Tibia, she ran up to the Queen, going down on one knee and kissing her hand. “Your Majesty, I am so pleased to see that you are safe. I was so worried about you when I heard that a coup was taking place.”

  Tibia looked over the woman’s head at Tor, silently asking if she could be trusted. He shook his head. “Arise,” she commanded. “Thank you for your concern. I am honoured by your loyalty. The Duke is a traitor to me and my country and I need to weed out his supporters. Would you please take those that you know support me to the piano room?”

  “Of course your Majesty,” Lady Kira replied and was about to depart when her gaze fell upon Patrick. Her eyes widened and she smiled smugly. “Come to my room when all of this has been sorted out,” she ordered.

  “Regrettably I must decline.” Remaining polite was a struggle. He had seen Tor indicate that Lady Kira was not to be trusted and speaking with someone who would willingly betray their own Queen left an unpleasant taste in his mouth.

  A look of cold fury settled over Kira. “You do not have the right to decline.”

  This time Patrick could not keep the smile from his face. “Actually I do. I am betrothed to Lady Ellen. You may have seen her about the palace. Your Queen took breakfast with her this morning.”

  Lady Kira snarled then walked off, determined to find out exactly who this Lady Ellen was. She had been told that the Queen had not eaten alone in her rooms that morning, but was unaware of any visitors by that name.

  Tibia regarded Patrick with admiration. “Are you really engaged to Ellen? You have done well for yourself if so.”

  Patrick did not answer immediately, unsure whether to admit the truth or not. Remembering that the Queen had informed the Duke that lying to her was against the law, he opted for honesty. He explained that he had an arrangement with Ellen that she would pretend he was her fiancé so he would not be forced into any bed he did not wish to go to. Tibia smiled slyly, making Patrick swallow. She then put him out of his misery by assuring him that she herself had no need of his services and his secret was safe with her.