The Broken Kingdom

by Andrew G. Wood

  “You swore an oath to my father. Why are you now siding with Lord Elthan as he tries to take the throne?” The prince added, keeping his eyes fixed firmly on him.

  Lord Merrington had an answer almost immediately but thought about what might be best to say in reply. Saying the right thing might yet see him get out of this predicament. However, a lie now needed to be carefully thought through as other questions would inevitably follow, meaning more lies would have to be forthcoming. Any discrepancy in those untruths would be found out, but if he could regain some element of trust, then perhaps there might even be enough time for a rescue. Lord Elthan was surely already plotting ways to get him?

  “Your, Highness,” Lord Merrington eventually said, clearing his throat as his voice hardly sounded like his own.

  “I was sent here by the Queen. I was told Lord Oakley was refusing to accept her as the ruler.”

  Although stretching the truth a little, much of what he had just said was actually true.

  “But my sister, Elysia, is not queen. In any case, even if I were dead, my other sister would be ruler before her!” Luca said not thinking about what he was saying.

  The look on Lord Merrington’s face suggested he was being told something new, and although he quickly tried to hide the surprise, Lord Oakley had spotted it in an instant.

  Luca felt a hand on his shoulder and turned slightly to see Lord Oakley slowly shaking his head from side to side. Had he said something that he should not have? Surely not. Whether Lord Merrington knew about Imogen or not, Luca was sure Lord Elthan must be aware of his other sister still being alive, and the man before him was not getting the golden piece of information he probably thought he was.

  “Well, as you can see I am alive and well. Perhaps you were sent here to kill me?” Luca added trying to remember the list of questions both Lord Oakley and Lord Dalby had suggested he ask. Knowing that Lord Merrington would not have answered anything from the two nobles, Luca had been asked to lead the questioning. As crown prince and heir to the throne, Lord Merrington would surely open up more to him, and feel obliged to give some type of answer. As to whether they believed anything that came from his mouth was as yet, still to be determined.

  “No, Highness. I would never even contemplate such a thing. I was merely sent here to ensure…Lord Oakley bent the knee to your sister. I had no idea you were still alive…”

  Luca held up his hand to cut short Lord Merrington’s rambling reply. Sure that the man was lying to save his own neck, he glanced up to Lord Oakley for a little guidance on which direction to take the line of questioning next.

  “Lord Elthan, Sire,” Lord Oakley said leaning down and whispering the name in his ear.

  Luca nodded, “So Lord Merrington. Perhaps you can also explain why Lord Elthan is pulling the strings in Brenthellin?”

  “No, Highness. I think Lord Elthan is merely advising your sister.”

  Several other questions came at a rapid pace, all of which Lord Merrington answered well. At least he thought he had.

  “Take him back to the dungeon!” Lord Oakley suddenly announced causing him to rethink that particular sense of achievement.

  “But Highness, please. As a nobleman, I should be afforded better treatment,” Lord Merrington asked, as the two soldiers who had dragged him in, pulled him up to his feet.

  The boy stood and although Lord Dalby placed an arm out to suggest he shouldn’t, walked around the table towards him.

  “And as the king perhaps I should have all things a king should have, but I don’t.”

  With those words, Lord Merrington found himself being dragged back out of the room and heading outside to the dungeon.

  Chapter 21. Reflection.

  Luca looked up at the sky and watched as the thin wispy clouds moved slowly along in the breeze. He inhaled deeply taking in the aroma of the sea air drifting in from the south and could feel the warmth of the sun on his face. He’d not really thought much about it, but according to Edward, they had been in Garley for over a month now. Strangely, he had gotten used to not having all the things he had originally missed. While a few more clothes would have been nice, those he had mustered in his time in Scarwood sufficed. A mixture of Samuel and Edward’s cast-offs, and a few newer items that Lady Oakley had managed to acquire for him, it was certainly a far cry from the mountains of clothes he had owned at the palace.

  Everything in Garley was so very different to much of what Luca had been used to. While it was true that he had missed so many things, or at least he had convinced himself that was the case, in reality, that wasn’t really right. Although somewhat trapped in the keep as a prisoner, he now knew it was for a good reason. The fact that people kept on trying to kill him was a somewhat scary thought, and although some had come close, thanks to Lord Oakley and those around him, none had succeeded thus far. Having never had friends before, Luca was still getting used to the concept of having people around him. True, Edward was only there as his bodyguard and Theo and Clarissa were his cousins, but along with Nerina and Samuel, they had all made his stay surprisingly a much happier one than he could have ever envisaged.

  War was still coming, yet Lord Oakley had explained to him that with such overwhelming and growing support for Luca, that those opposing him would soon be forced to back down. However, he had also warned that if Lord Elthan and those few nobles who had sided with him were forced into a corner, the fighting would likely continue for a while longer yet. As to the question of returning to the palace, Luca had been told in no uncertain terms by both Lord Oakley and Lord Dalby that would not be happening anytime soon. Until all the threats had been dealt with, it was not safe for a young boy to be left to fend for himself.

  The fact he was still only thirteen years old, nearly fourteen in truth, was another problem. Luca had seen how difficult Samuel had found it when replacing his father in his absences from Garley. Being a couple of years older and much more confident in what he was doing, Samuel had shown visible signs of strain, even though his temporary charge had been for a day or two at most. Being so young would likely mean someone having to show him the ropes and assist with the day to day running of the kingdom, if and when he was ever appointed King. While several such candidates had been discussed, none had actually been decided upon. Although an important thing to consider, Lord Oakley had explained this was not important at the current moment in time. Keeping Luca alive and removing the threat posed by Lord Elthan and his supporters had to be their primary objectives.

  Wandering slowly down the stairs and out of the main building, Luca glanced just over his shoulder checking Edward was just behind. Something he was now used to, Luca had found it quite comforting to know that in these troubled times there was always somebody at his side every hour of the day to see he was safe. With Lord Oakley’s guards still very much a prominent sight around both the inside and outside of the main building, Luca felt any would-be attackers would have difficulty in getting close to him. In the yard, Luca paused and turned around looking and deciding where to go next. With Theo and Clarissa apparently occupied with some task their mother had set them, and Samuel again helping his father, that had only left Nerina. Being as she probably liked him less than anyone, Luca did not feel it worth just the two of them hanging out together.

  “We could go look in the dungeons?” Luca said, saying it as a kind of suggestive question, in the hope that Edward would agree.

  “So long as we don’t antagonise any of the prisoners, I don’t think Lord Oakley would mind,” he added, waiting for some kind of response from his bodyguard.

  Luca waited with a hopeful, almost expectant look on his face as a young child might have when asking permission from its parent.

  “Come on then!” Edward eventually replied with a smile. “Perhaps we can annoy Lord Merrington…just a little,” he added.

  Luca chuckled, “Yes, we could stand outside his cell and shout abuse at him…although that might be a little childish.”

  Edward la
ughed along with him, “Probably, and I doubt Lord Oakley would be impressed if we did.”

  In his office, Lord Oakley was discussing the latest news with his good friend and ally, Lord Dalby. Samuel, as the young man who would one day take over from his father, was sitting in on the meeting, listening to every word that was being said knowing that each such occasion as this was a valuable lesson in life. Layed out on the table top was the large map they used to plot and mark the places that were for or against the prince. Samuel had gazed at it for many hours, working out mock-battles in his mind, and various scenarios that may or may not happen and find solutions on how he would deal with them. With the sun beaming in through the window, the two noblemen discussed their next plan of action. Although Samuel thought it more a plan of non-action as it seemed to mean them all doing absolutely nothing, at least for now.

  “We should let Elthan make the next move, and act accordingly,” his father had suggested, to which Lord Dalby had been in complete agreement.

  While not usually one to make suggestions to his father, Samuel thought to offer his opinion, for what it was worth, and how they might proceed. Although not asked for, it seemed neither his father nor Lord Dalby minded him expressing his point of view.

  “Explain it in a little more detail,” Lord Dalby said staring down at the map where Samuel had just pointed.

  Now actually feeling quite nervous, he was beginning to think it might have better to remain quiet, but alas, now he had started, he didn’t want to embarrass either himself or his father and so, was left with no alternative to keep explaining.

  “Interesting thought!” Lord Dalby said standing upright and rubbing his fingers on his chin as if actually contemplating Samuel’s idea.

  “Food for thought. We would need to work out the numbers needed. Perhaps see if we can get our friends from the Eastern Ranges and Cardell to assist?”

  Lord Oakley clapped his hands together as if calling their meeting to a close. In truth there was actually little more they could do at the moment other than send various correspondence out to the other nobles to let them know the latest news. Lord Dalby was first to head for the door, and as Samuel turned to follow, he felt a large hand upon his shoulder.

  “Well done,” his father said with a smile that suggested he was proud of Samuel for speaking his mind. Moreover, he had given them an idea that might yet help end this entire war, although much still needed to be done before anything came to fruition.

  Samuel felt a little nervous that they had even considered going with his idea, and now wheels were being set in motion to carry it out, even more so. Yet deep down he also felt very pleased with himself. Praise from his father meant a lot to him, and seeing him happy filled him with confidence that one day he might grow up to be a great man just like him.

  Lord Romley of the Northern Marches watched part of his army in the camp just outside Whitmore Castle. Having called his banners, he felt that now they had all been gathered he was in a position to assist with restoring some sort of order to the kingdom. Getting the young prince, who was apparently being kept safe in Scarwood, on the throne would ultimately make sure his own son and daughter-in-law would be safe. Although having his son marry Princess Imogen, and second in line to the throne, unlike Lord Elthan, Lord Romley had no such desires to take control of the kingdom. In fact, the king had been a longtime friend of his, and those responsible for his subsequent murder still needed to be brought to justice; something he was prepared to fight for if necessary.

  With the support for the prince seemingly growing and news that an army sent to Scarwood had been swiftly and thoroughly defeated, the remnants of which were regrouping, things were looking better than perhaps they once had. However, so long as Lord Elthan and a few of the minor nobles of Brenthellin remained intent on having Princess Elysia as queen, there would not be any peace. Already working with his neighbour, Lord Fallon from Alborough, the pair had kept in communication as to what they should do to resolve the issues. Simply amassing an army and marching it over their borders into Brenthellin would have severe consequences for them both if they did so without good cause. Yet, now they were certain the prince was alive, and under threat, the pair had deemed it a good enough reason to act. As a result, the two nobles were trying to gain the support of others just over their borders, those lesser nobles who had not thrown their support behind Lord Elthan and his bid to control the crown.

  Fortunately, both men had good relationships with those lesser nobles of Brenthellin, although that did not mean that they did not first need to discuss their intentions. Merely leading an army over his borders without permission might stir up anger and result in several of the minor lords suddenly backing the enemy. While having peace was the ultimate goal, such diplomacy, even with those he had always considered friends took time. Lord Romley was well aware that the longer these things got dragged out, the less likely anyone would do something about them. Raising an army cost money, a lot of money, and merely having it sit idly by while he and the other nobles argued about what they should and should not do, would be a waste. While not the richest of the nobles, The Northern Marches did give Lord Romley a wealthy lifestyle, and while affording an army was not an immediate problem, keeping one and not using it would eventually be financial suicide.

  In the palace, Lord Elthan received the first piece of good news that he had had for some time. Loretta, his sister, had sent the word out to all her cults scattered across the kingdom. Their orders were for them all to head to Scarwood and remove all those in power at Garley, and anybody that stood in their way. While it would ultimately take time for many of them to travel that far, it would ensure there was a slow, but steady trickle of assassins heading that way for some time to come, allowing Lord Elthan to focus on other matters. News that The Northern Marches and Alborough had now amassed their armies had not gone unnoticed. If he were to stop them crossing over their borders into Brenthellin he needed his son, Frederick and the Queen Regent to apply pressure on those lesser nobles bordering them.

  End of Book One

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