The Broken Kingdom

by Andrew G. Wood

  “Maybe the girls would like to join us?” Luca found himself saying, although wasn’t really sure why. After all, he didn’t even know Clarissa, and it was apparent to all that Nerina, and he didn’t get along.

  “Come one then,” Edward said, the first to stand up and suggest they should do as was asked.

  Although doing so, somewhat begrudgingly, Luca and the others made their way back up the steps on to the dock, before moving slowly up the sloping, turning track that weaved back and forth up to the rear of the main town. Once inside the walls of Garley, Edward suggested to the two guards that they would be okay to find their own way back, but it seemed his request was ignored. The two soldiers, both wearing the colours of Lord Oakley, had evidently been given their orders, and both intended to carry them out. After a short delay at the entrance to the keep, the soldiers escorted them inside and down the corridor to the left of the main entrance into the older part of the building, a place that Luca had not seen before. The corridor was quite dark and with no windows had to rely on a couple of small oil lamps on the walls for light just so they could see where they were going. After turning and bypassing a couple of sturdy metal studded doors, that showed this part of the building had been built very differently to the newer section, they arrived at another small hallway. Three doors, all led to different rooms, but it was the one straight ahead of them they entered.

  After one of the soldiers had knocked on the door, the two guards stepped aside and signalled for Luca to enter. As Samuel, Theo and Edward who had been walking at the back went to do the same, they were all halted. Luca had barely got his head through the door when he realised the others were not being permitted to follow, something he quickly wanted to rectify.

  “Let them in!” he said firmly, showing his annoyance to the guards.

  “Do as he says,” came a voice from across the other side of the room. “Sorry, Sire, I did only ask for you, but if the others are here they will need to know what’s going on soon enough,” Lord Oakley said.

  The room was considerably brighter than the hallway outside, as the sun beamed in through a large window that ran along the back wall. As to whether it was something that had been there when originally built, Luca doubted as it clearly didn’t fit in with the rest of the older part of the building. Whether that was the case, it certainly made the room a much more welcoming place to be. Lord Oakley, who had been sitting behind a large oak desk beside Lord Dalby, got to his feet and indicated for Luca to take the only other seat in the room. Evidently Lord Oakley’s study or office, Luca did as was asked looking around a little as he sat down. There was a small fireplace, although not lit, and several rows of shelves that contained various sizes of books. On a smaller table nearer the other wall stood several piles of paper that looked as if they needed sorting, and just to brighten the place up a small picture of Lady Oakley hung on the wall.

  After requesting his son close the door, Lord Oakley started by telling those in the room to keep any comments and questions until he had finished explaining. Luca wasn't certain whether that also implied to him, but thought it was probably only manners to do so anyway. Whatever Lord Oakley had to say evidently made him nervous, as Luca watched him pace back and forth by the window, gazing out of it occasionally as he spoke. Apparently, he had received a couple of other messages from the other nobles, all of whom seemed to be thinking something about the death of the king and queen did not seem as it had been portrayed. Luca opened his mouth to speak and ask what Lord Oakley meant by that, but closed it again, remembering what he had been asked. However, as Lord Elthan, who had apparently taken it upon himself to proclaim Elysia as the new queen, appeared in a hurry to do so, Lord Oakley thought it was now time to announce that Luca was still alive and well.

  As if the talk had been rehearsed, Lord Oakley returned to his seat, and Lord Dalby got up and continued where the other man had left off. With such an announcement came a risk, and Luca knew immediately to whom that risk would involve.

  “If, as we believe, Lord Elthan has something to do with this, then he may try to ‘remove’ you again,” the man said choosing the words he spoke very carefully. Luca glanced slightly behind him to where Edward was standing, noticing that the young man stood more upright as if showing he was ready for anything. Lord Dalby continued by telling them that Lord Romley of the Northern Marches had called his banners, and was just another who suspected something was wrong.

  Although trying to keep himself from talking until the two lords had been given a chance to explain what it was they wanted to say, Luca had just too many questions. The first of which had seemingly been pre-empted by Lord Oakley; that being whether they thought that Lord Elthan was responsible for the murder of his parents and sister.

  “Without any proof, Sire, we can only speculate as to who was responsible.”

  While an answer of sorts, it was not one which Luca was particularly happy with, and after a slight pause asked the question again to indicate as much.

  “If you want to know what I think, personally, then yes, I think he is somehow the one behind it all. Moreover, I also reckon that he is using your other sister as some kind of front, to make everything seem as it should.”

  Luca nodded, and although he had suspected that was what Lord Oakley had been suggesting, actually hearing him say it somehow gave him more clarity.

  Lord Dalby just re-affirmed that both he and Lord Oakley would stand behind Luca, and they were certain Lord Romley would do likewise when he learned that he was still alive. While the other major nobles of the kingdom had yet to say much at all, both lords currently in the room reckoned on their full support should Lord Elthan attempt to claim the throne for Elysia.

  “We intend to keep you here, for now, Sire. Although we may have to move you, should things get out of hand.”

  “Would he not be better on the Casillian Isle with us, father?” Theo said interrupting despite being asked not to.

  While it seemed common sense to move Luca to the island, Lord Dalby explained that if they did that, then Luca would be isolated. Should Lord Elthan send any sizable force over to try to remove him, then getting reinforcements from the other lords would be a little problematic. However, that being said, it was always an option should they be forced into making good an escape.

  The meeting went on far longer than Luca had thought possible, and with as many questions left unanswered as before, he wasn’t certain as to what the future held. He was after all just a boy of thirteen years, and with his life seemingly not returning to how it once had been, Luca wasn’t certain how he felt. Everyone seemed to be gearing up war, and for the first time since his hasty escape from the palace, Luca now understood that his succession to be the next king was not going to be straightforward. Lord Oakley and Lord Dalby thought his sister, Elysia, was somehow merely a pawn being used by Lord Elthan. When he thought about it, was he any different?

  Chapter 9. Allies and Enemies

  Having moved his sister into the palace under cover of darkness, Lord Elthan had given her the use of one of the royal suites. While she naturally had several of her own guards, for the safety of others, he had placed his soldiers to avoid anybody venturing into that part of the building. Dressed in black, with their faces partially covered, the cultists, who had been the ones blamed for the death of the king and queen were kept from general view. No staff were to use the section of palace cordoned off for his sister’s use, and any who did were unlikely to live to tell the tale. Although knowing it was dangerous, Lord Elthan needed his sister’s skills close at hand. With the plans they had made teetering on a knife-edge, any guidance or prediction she might give that could swing the balance of power his way would be handy.

  Having received a message that morning that had merely said the prince was alive and well, it seemed all he had been foretold was about to come crashing down. As a result, with the crumpled note still in his clenched hand, Lord Elthan headed down the corridor, past his own guards who were to stop
anyone but him venturing further, and into the now forbidden area of the palace. Four of his sister’s followers stood motionless outside one of the doors, and knowing that’s where she would be, Lord Elthan duly headed that way. However, two of the black-clad figures sidestepped just a little to bar him access, which only succeeded to infuriate him further. The day had not started well, and now these so-called cultists that followed his sister were playing silly games.

  Raising his voice and shouting to one of the figures, explaining just who he was, he was actually quite surprised when the man behind the material covering his face appeared unmoved. Not so much as a flinch or show of uncertainty, the guard remained in position. However, his voice must have alerted someone within the room as the door opened and another figure emerged. Dressed in a black gown, Lord Elthan noticed it was a young woman. Moving elegantly, almost seductively she waved a hand, and the guards stepped aside, “Come in Lord Elthan. Your sister is expecting you,” the woman said speaking her words slowly and softly as if enticing him to step her way. It was as the woman turned Lord Elthan realised that the black gown being worn by her was almost see-through. Almost revealing the entirety of her naked body, the nobleman found himself almost mesmerised by her seductive movements as she led him inside.

  Lord Elthan barely flinched as the door was slammed behind him, as his focus was fixated on the slim, young figure walking slowly before him.

  “Perhaps if you are a good boy, I’ll let Sharice pleasure you brother,” came the familiar voice of his sister from across the other side of the room. Lord Elthan shook his head, as if breaking free from the spell the woman had placed upon him, before remembering the reasons why he was there.

  “We have a problem!” he said firmly stepping over towards his sister.

  “The boy still lives,” she said running her long dark fingernails along the arm of the chair in which she was sitting.

  “You know?”

  “I do. I knew the moment I stepped into the palace that boy had survived, so did his sister. I could not sense their passing. It seems you are not yet in power dear brother.”

  Lord Elthan, unlike most people, was not actually afraid of his sister. The fact she had certain gifts, some of which he had seen her use first hand, he felt safe around her. After all, why would she want to hurt him, he was her brother and the one that had taken her back into the family after their parents had banished her. With long black hair, and skin so pale he always thought his sibling resembled a corpse, a look she apparently prefered. Being as she dealt with and worshipped death such an appearance was hardly surprising.

  “If you knew, why didn’t you tell me. I could have done something about it!” he said, clearly angry, yet somewhat subdued in expressing that emotion.

  “I needed you to discover it for yourself brother. Had I revealed this information you would have acted in haste, and your downfall would have been swift.”

  “Loretta. What am I to do? If the boy lives, the other nobles will insist he be king.”

  “Then it appears your son has married the wrong child,” Loretta replied looking up at her brother as if it were amusing to see him in a panic.

  “That’s not helpful. If your so-called cultists had done their job properly we wouldn’t be in this mess!” he said a little louder letting his sister know exactly who it was he was blaming.

  However, his sibling remained calm, and evidently unperturbed by his ranting, before explaining that the boy was being held by the lowest of all the nobles.

  “You knew that as well?”

  “I consulted the runes this morning dear brother. They told me you would come, that is why I had my guards deny you entrance. Just for fun,” she said with a wry smile on her face.

  “This is no time for games, Loretta! What must I do?”

  Loretta, slowly stood from her chair and ambled leisurely over to where the woman known as Sharice was standing. Lord Elthan watched on as his sibling casually leaned forward and kissed the woman passionately on the lips, before turning to face him with a wicked grin.

  “The lowest of the nobles would not announce he has the prince unless he has allies. You have the queen, or at least the temporary one, perhaps you should use her to do the same.”

  Although his sister could never give a direct and proper answer, Lord Elthan knew exactly what she was referring to. If he were going to have a chance in pushing his plan through to the end, he would need Elysia to gather the forces loyal to her family. Being as that should be every minor noble that resided on the royal lands of Brenthellin, he guessed that would amount to a sizeable force when gathered together. If of course they could be convinced, now the prince still being alive was becoming public knowledge.

  “In the meantime brother, perhaps I could send one or two of my people to maybe push things along. The boy probably thinks he is safely hidden from view, but I have seen death calling to him.”

  “You mean you have foreseen him die?” Lord Elthan asked excitedly.

  “No. I said I have seen death calling to him. As to whether the boy avoids death’s call will be up to those that protect him, but should they fail, then yes he will perish.”

  “What of the other sister?”

  “She is of no matter at the moment. I know where she hides, and we can deal with her when the boy is dealt with,” Loretta said walking right up to her brother and kissing him on the cheek.

  Lord Elthan felt his sister’s cold lips on his skin, and immediately felt a chill run through his entire body. As if death himself had just walked beside him, he shuddered slightly before turning to walk away.

  “Would you like me to send Sharice to your bed, or perhaps you would prefer one of my others?”

  Lord Elthan glanced over to where the woman known as Sharice was standing. Dressed in her thin, see-through outfit, he felt the urges and desires enticing him.

  “No, thank you,” he said breaking her gaze and turning back to his sibling.

  “As you wish, brother,” Loretta said stretching out a single finger and running it tantalisingly across his cheek.

  Leaving that part of the palace behind, Lord Elthan headed to the royal quarters where he knew his son Frederick and new wife were residing. With Elysia under his son’s command, he could have her do as they wished, although he was aware that by having her call the banners to her cause, the kingdom would become even more fractured. Lord Elthan was no fool and knew only too well that while some of her lesser nobles would do as Elysia asked, bound by their duty to the one occupying the throne, he was certain some would stall and defer any such support until the situation with the prince could be clarified. If he had received word of the boy being alive, he was aware that it would only be a matter of time before such news quickly spread.

  As Lord Elthan knocked and let himself into his son’s royal quarters, he quickly wished he hadn’t. Turning quickly around, he snarled at his son for partaking in such intimate acts with his new wife outside of the bedroom. Feeling his anger getting the best of him he stormed back out of into the corridor where he paced about waiting impatiently. Thankfully, Frederick was not long in following him, and although only half-decent, he joined his father out in the corridor.

  “I don’t wish to see that again. Understand?” Lord Elthan snapped at his son.

  “Sorry, Father. You said we needed an heir,” Frederick replied somewhat sheepishly in an attempt to make light of the situation.

  “Go back and get yourself properly attired, then meet me in my rooms in ten minutes. We have much to discuss.”

  In the Northern Marches, Lord Romley had been somewhat surprised at the news that Prince Luca was alive and well. Quite how Lord Oakley and his family had made good their escape after the murder of the king and queen he had no idea. Yet this was the first piece of good news he had received since that time, and although would be more than willing to show his full support, it did mean that his son, and his wife Imogen, would become less of a target. Furthermore, being as Lord Oakley was now a man
he knew he could trust, he would be able to give him the news that Imogen was also alive and well. Moreover, it also gave him an ally, and while only considered a small and insignificant area of the kingdom, he was glad to have those in Scarwood on his side.

  With his own banners called and his army slowly amassing outside his capital city, Lord Romley needed to find out the thoughts of the other major nobles. While thinking he could count on their support, due to the recent bizarre turn of events, he wasn’t sure who else to trust anymore. While he accepted that if Lord Oakley did indeed have the young prince, then the lad should be king, he would pursue his own daughter-in-law if that were not the case, being as the throne should be hers before the younger sister Elysia. Until such time as he knew who was with him, all Lord Romley could do would be to position his soldiers along his own borders. While those boundaries were only linked to Brenthellin, the lands ruled directly by the monarch, if Lord Elthan was in some way manipulating the person he was declaring queen, then he might well be left with a dilemma of great magnitude. The thought had already crossed his mind that his own soldiers might yet have to come up against those lesser nobles controlled by the throne, some of which he knew personally.

  However, with this recent news, there at least appeared to be a glimmer of light that the entire kingdom would not get embroiled in a civil war. Perhaps Lord Elthan would retract the Princess Elysia’s claim now that he was aware of the prince still being alive. After all, each and every nobleman was aware that the male heir superseded any female regardless of age. The same was true of all titles and lands, and while some might think the women should be treated as equals when it came to inheriting such things, that was just the way it was.