"I don't need you to win a castle. I could send a demon to abduct your lord at any time..."
"And then the king would send an army to dislodge you. If you help me, we'll make it so perfect no one will ever bother us."
Beltrand stared suspiciously at the young man.
"What exactly did you have in mind?"
2.
Night had fallen on the towers of Hawk Castle and the last torches were still burning in the silence. The sentinels walked on the battlements, but everybody else was inside the castle buildings.
The fireplace was clean and only two candles gave some light to the big canopied bed of the lord of Hawk Castle's chamber. Both he and his lady wife were preparing for sleep, shedding the day clothes for the night gowns.
Adalbert sat on the bed with a sigh, closing his side of the canopy. He had turned thirty a few months earlier, and had been running the castle for almost ten years now. He was tall and blond but not beautiful – his nose was too big, his face too sharp, but he kept it clean-shaven.
Romelia was already in bed and she moved closer to massage his shoulders. Her long brown hair was loose on her shoulders and her doe eyes looked at him with endless love.
"Thank you, darling," Adalbert said, trying to relax under his wife's touch. He'd always felt lucky that he – not the most handsome young man of the Woodlands – had married beautiful Romelia of Tower Castle. And they were still happily in love after almost ten years. And she was still gorgeous, in spite of giving birth to twins, having a couple of miscarriages, giving birth to another little girl...
"Another busy day today?" she asked, keeping up the massage to relax his back and shoulder muscles.
He snorted, frustrated. "You'd think running a castle could be lots of fun!" That was what he'd been raised to do. He knew he'd inherit his father's fief, and had been trained to do it, but lately it had become very burdensome.
"Not if you do it the way you do it," Romelia chided.
"I'm a lord, and a knight, and I care for my people."
"I know, your sense of honor is what attracted me in the first place." She deposited a light kiss on his neck.
"But what happened to it?" he complained. "I haven't been too good, lately."
"You seem to be your usual self, maybe slightly edgier..."
"I don't know, I feel something is wrong, but I don't know what it is and I worry," he snapped. Then cursed himself. He'd never snapped at his wife before. "I'm sorry," he muttered turning to embrace her.
"You do seem to snap quicker, but maybe you just need some rest," she replied thoughtfully. "Here, come and rest against my bosom."
"What have I done to deserve the most beautiful woman of the kingdom?" He kissed her. "I'll be forever grateful for your choice of a husband."
She smiled and returned the brief kiss.
"It was my pleasure choosing you."
"I am a most fortunate man..."
"No, my lord, I am the most fortunate here."
"I love you, Romelia."
"I love you too."
Their fiery passion under the sheets blew out the candles.
***
At the same time Florence, lady-in-waiting to Lady Romelia, slid out of her bedroom, checking the corridor was empty before rushing barefoot to another door. She sneaked in Waltrand's bedroom where he was undressing for the night and put her arms around his naked torso from behind.
"Our lord kept you up until late," she said, squeezing him, her cheek against his strong back.
"Yes, he wanted the best for the hunt tomorrow." He smirked. "And he'll have it."
Florence moved around him to look at his face, hopeful.
"It's for tomorrow, then?"
He nodded. "Tomorrow." He pulled her in his arms to kiss her. Florence couldn't believe her dreams would soon come true.
***
Adalbert wore his tunic with his coat-of-arms, lovingly embroidered by his wife, before heading for a hunt with his men. Romelia was in the courtyard to see him off, along with their children, seven-year-old twins Isabel and Conall and four-year-old Eliza. Waltrand was already on horseback with his younger brother Tristan and a small escort, and servants on foot held the collars of the hunting dogs.
Adalbert kissed Romelia good-bye and mounted. The hunting party left the castle and entered the nearby forest, looking for prey. Following the lead of the dogs, they glimpsed a stag that immediately ran away.
"My lord, this way, we'll cut him off!" Tristan suggested, steering his horse to the left. Adalbert followed him, hearing Waltrand's animal close behind.
At some point Tristan slowed his horse down, and so did Adalbert, stopping his mount to listen to the faraway hounds and other forest sounds. Waltrand had fallen behind, and Adalbert tried to see the stag through the thick vegetation in front of him.
And then an arrow hit him in the back. He turned around, staring in disbelief at Waltrand's determined face. The captain of his guard had another arrow ready and pointed at him. It dawned on Adalbert that Waltrand and his brother had lured him away from the hunting party to ambush him.
"You! My most trusted man! Why?" he asked, incredulous.
"Your castle is mine, and so is your wife," Waltrand replied with scorn.
Adalbert fell off his saddle, breaking the shaft of the arrow in his back. He stifled a moan. He couldn't believe what was happening – taken down by his own man...
Tristan jumped off his horse and took Adalbert's sword belt and signet ring, handing both to his brother.
Adalbert lay on the ground, shivering, trying in vain to speak. The arrow must be poisoned! he thought as panic squeezed his chest. Paralyzed but shaken by convulsions, he could only watch.
Waltrand held up sword and belt in triumph. "With this Beltrand's spell will be complete. Good-bye my lord!"
Tristan, who'd gone back to his animal, grabbed Adalbert's reins and the brothers galloped away. Adalbert passed out.
***
Beltrand had been living in a cellar of the castle since his deal with Waltrand. Only a bed, a table, a stool and an arranged fireplace near a low window. Not exactly what he had in mind, but it had taken some time to set up the hunting accident.
On the table he had his herbs, pottery, little bottles and a basin of dark liquid. He leaned over the basin – the liquid opened a sort of window showing the forest – and watched Adalbert falling face down.
Beltrand smirked. "Well done, Waltrand. The poison will do the rest."
He rubbed his hands and picked up an empty little flask. Carefully, he put some of the black liquid from the basin into it, and closed it tightly.
He quickly left the cellar. He innocently wandered out of the castle – nobody took a second glance at a middle-aged man in raggedy clothes – and went to the forest to meet with his accomplices.
Waltrand and Tristan were waiting for him by a man that had been killed by a bear, laid on a stretcher. The corpse wore the same tunic Adalbert had that morning, but didn't look like him.
"Are you ready?" Waltrand asked.
Beltrand smiled and showed the little flask. He knelt by the corpse, observing it.
"Did you take the ring and the sword?"
Waltrand gave them to him. Beltrand put the sword on the body and the ring on the forehead of the corpse. He put one drop of black liquid on each object, murmuring his request.
The black liquid expanded, covering body and face, then vanished. The corpse now looked like Adalbert with the marks of the bear.
Beltrand grinned at Waltrand who briefly smiled back.
"See you in a few days," the captain of the guard said. "Give me time to convince Romelia that Conall is too young and she can't take care of everything alone."
Beltrand nodded and went back to his room. Only a few more days in that rat-hole, then he'd be able to move to the upper floors, with the noblemen... He fancied very much a room at the top of the tower, with a view on the forest and the fief!
***
"A b
ear, my lady," Waltrand said as Romelia stared horrified at the body lying on the stretcher. "We killed it, but it was too late for your husband..."
Romelia's knees gave way under her as she looked at the dead body in front of her. She stared distraught at her husband's corpse. She couldn't believe her wonderful marriage had ended so suddenly.
The twins stood behind her – dark-haired Isabel and brown-haired Conall – but they didn't say anything as her fingers brushed the dead man on the stretcher. This couldn't be. Adalbert couldn't be dead at thirty in a stupid hunting accident...
Waltrand helped her to stand up and accompanied her to her chamber. Romelia burst into sobs as soon as she was in the corridors of the castle, away from her children and the servants' eyes
Waltrand led her to sit on the bed.
"My lady, when you feel like it, call me, and we'll discuss the future," he said gently.
Romelia calmed down, wiping away her tears.
"Adalbert would have chosen you to take care of the castle until my son comes of age," she said, sniffling back what was left of her tears. "Take care of everything, Waltrand." The sun had just gone away from her life, and she only wanted to curl up and cry.
He bowed and left her to mourn her beloved husband.
***
Adalbert came back to his senses with a gasp. He was lying on his back under a roof of leaves and branches. The sun hurt, so he closed his eyes, breathing slowly to keep control.
A hand touched his forehead and he opened his eyes again. An androgynous young man smiled at him – an ethereal beauty that made him wonder for a moment if he was dead or alive.
"Good morning. Aren't you the lord of Hawk Castle?" the stranger asked with his youthful voice.
"Yes," he said. He tried to sit, but was still dizzy. The young man helped him into a seated position.
"You saved my life," Adalbert said, a little incredulous.
"I daresay so." The young man grinned. "A poisoned arrow, someone really wanted you dead!"
"Yes... how did you manage to get rid of the poison?"
"I'm a healer. Benjamin, the apprentice. I'm also trying to become a good wizard, but it's not that easy."
"Well, thank you. The pain is completely gone and as a healer you do wonders! How long have I been unconscious?"
"A couple of days."
"Gods, that's why I'm starving."
"Dinner's ready." Benjamin pointed at a rabbit cooking on a campfire. The wind was blowing the other way, that was why Adalbert hadn't smelled it.
"Thank you, Benjamin! I'll gladly have some, but then I really must go."
Benjamin's smile vanished. "You're not going anywhere, unless you want to get killed for real."
"But..."
"I'll go to Hawk Castle for you. Just relax, I'll be back as soon as possible."
"Well, thank you." Adalbert surrendered. "I'll repay you as soon as I can."
Benjamin bowed and got to his feet, leaving the small camp without touching the rabbit.
Adalbert moved closer to the cooking spot. He was ravenous, and made sure to leave only clean bones.
3.
Florence observed Waltrand, seated next to Romelia during the morning meal in the great hall. The lady looked sad, but she wasn't crying anymore. She didn't eat much, either, although she made sure little Eliza had her fill.
The twins were old enough to eat without prodding, but their serious faces made Florence's heart shrink. Conall and Isabel had taken the presumed death of their father bravely, and Florence was beginning to wonder if Waltrand's plan was really as awesome as it had sounded at first. Especially when she saw him lean towards Romelia.
"My lady, you know I'm totally devoted to you," he said, grabbing the castle owner's hand and lightly kissing it. "When your pain will subside, will you allow me to be your husband?"
Florence narrowed her eyes, staring at Waltrand's beautiful face. What was he talking about?
Romelia sighed and freed her hand.
"We'll see," she answered. "It all happened so fast... my Adalbert..."
She didn't cry, but Florence knew how much she loved her husband, and understood her mourning. Waltrand pulled back with a bow and that serious expression that suddenly felt completely fake in Florence's eyes. She must confront her lover – things weren't going according to plan!
She waited for him in the corridors of the castle and blocked his way with her hands on her hips.
"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded. "As the new administrator of Hawk Castle, you were supposed to marry me!"
"I'm sorry, darling, I guess you'll have to consider Tristan," he replied with a hint of a smirk. "Lady Romelia can turn me into a nobleman, and she's the one I've always dreamed of."
"And what was I to you? A pastime?" she protested.
He pushed her to the side and walked away without turning back. She wanted to scream at him, but didn't want everybody to hear her. She pursed her lips. He'd screwed their plan. She'd screw his. But first she must learn more.
She went up the tower to the room of Waltrand's accomplice, the sorcerer named Beltrand. The plump man now wore extravagant wizard's clothing and looked very happy with his new rooms. She found him watching out of his window with a satisfied look on his face.
"My dear, how can I help you?" Beltrand asked with a smile.
"You can tell me what's next," she snapped. "What's your plan?"
"My plan? I thought Waltrand told you everything!"
"So did I. Except he forgot to mention he plans to marry Lady Romelia instead of me."
"Does he?" Beltrand looked surprised and mildly amused. He looked innocent, but was staring at her as if undressing her.
"Stop that! You're the sorcerer. Can you make him fall back in love with me?"
"My dear, love potions are for lesser witches. I'm trying to control a castle, here, and I believe Waltrand's wedding to Romelia is the best way to do it."
"And what about me?" she complained.
"Why don't you ask your lover? If he doesn't want you, by the way, I'd be delighted to take his place."
She stared at him in disgust. Dirty old man. "I'd rather become a priestess and make a chastity vow!"
"Suit yourself." Beltrand smiled pleasantly. "If you change your mind, I'm here."
"Where do you get your power from?" she asked with a frown.
"I thought you were considering priesthood, not witchcraft," he chided.
"Fine. Keep your secrets. I'll find a way to win back Waltrand on my own."
She stormed out.
The day went by slowly as she kept the gloomy lady of the castle company and kept an eye on her children. She retired to take a bath before dinner, and then went down to the great hall, wondering how she could get Waltrand back.
Tristan greeted her as soon as she entered as if she were expecting her.
"Florence! At last, I thought we could..."
"Don't think, if it's with your brother's brain," she snapped, glancing at the other people in the room. Waltrand was by Romelia, the twins playing with their little sister – well Isabel was playing with Eliza, but Conall was seated, observing the adults in the room.
"I'm not!" Tristan protested. "I like you, and maybe..." He tried to caress her cheek, but she slapped his hand away.
"Don't touch me!" She glared at him and moved around him to join the children. The girls barely acknowledged her, busy with their dolls, but Conall nodded a greeting.
"Don't you feel like playing, my lord?" Florence asked, sitting next to him.
"No, I'm watching other people's games tonight," the child answered.
"You're a good observer, my lord," she said, impressed. "What have you learned so far?"
"Waltrand is winning his game."
"Oh? And what would that game be?"
"Taking my father's place also in my mother's heart."
"Maybe he is a good father too," Isabel said with a little shrug.
"I don't think so." Conall pou
ted.
Florence stared thoughtfully at the twins, especially Conall. The little lord was very wise for his age.
She glanced at Tristan and Waltrand, and pursed her lips. The wicked brothers... Tristan was staring at her, but Waltrand was too busy with Romelia. They had already split the spoils, damn them!
"My lord and ladies, how about a story?" she suggested, trying to sound more cheerful than she felt.
She remembered Waltrand's words, "And then I take the castle, get rid of Conall and earn a fief for us both!"
It was time to ruin his plan as much as he'd ruined hers.
***
Benjamin entered Hawk Castle's courtyard with his travel bag over his shoulder. He set up shop on a bench, showing potions and other magical remedies, but nobody seemed interested.
A man with a broken arm came to him, gruffly asking if he had anything for his ailment. Benjamin examined the arm, said a few words and healed him. As he waited for the next customer, he started juggling with apples and did a couple of tricks.
A little crowd started to gather as he kept them entertained with his jester skills. Two little girls came forward with their maid, obviously the castellan's daughters, since they were dressed in better clothes than everybody else.
They happily applauded his latest trick and started throwing coins at him. Benjamin bowed and picked up the coins.
"Why don't you come inside?" the eldest girl said. "I'm sure our mother will love your tricks."
"If you think this happy castle needs more entertainment, please, guide me to the great hall, my little lady," he answered with a flourishing bow.
The girl sighed. "This is not a happy castle. We badly need a laugh. Come with me."
She took his hand and led him into the castle, holding her sister's hand as well. The great hall was half empty at that time of the day, and the child led Benjamin to a table where four people sat: the lady of the castle, two young men-at-arms and an older man in wizard clothes – he knew that one. Wicked Beltrand had found a home.
"Mother, a juggler came in this morning!" the girl announced.
"Come and take a seat, Isabel," the lady replied. "And you, stranger, welcome to Hawk Castle."
Benjamin bowed and started his tricks again, juggling and making things appear and disappear. He noticed one young man looked very happy with himself, the other – probably his brother – was brooding, the lady seemed far away and the fat so-called wizard was busy stuffing his mouth.
Tales of the Northern Kingdoms volume 2 Page 20