The False Prince (Fall Of A King Book 1)

by Fuller, James

  "Princess, which way once we get up the stairs?" Ursa asked urgently.

  "Their rooms are to the right, at the end of the hallway!" Nicolette stated, glad she knew where they were again.

  Ursa took the stairs as fast as a man half his age, making it to the stairway's middle landing. He turned to make sure the others were close behind him. "Hurr…" he started to say but his voice stopped in his throat as he watched a half score of men file into the room below in defensive formation. All armed with either loaded crossbows or notched long bows. "They knew we were coming," he mumbled out as the group stopped on the landing beside him.

  "Of course they did." A deep, powerful voice said from above them. They all turned to see Rift standing at the top of the stairs, sword in hand and another half score of archers rimming the stairwell behind him.

  "Rift, what are you doing?" Nicolette cried out in both joy and confusion.

  "It is all right, your Highness - I will have you safe and away from these vile creatures shortly," he called down to her taking a step further down the stairs, his broad sword pointing straight at Ursa. "Ursa, if you value your worthless hide you will let the Princess go right this instance. I know your tricks, and you know there are more than enough men here to stop you! Just surrender!"

  "No, Rift, you do not understand!" Nicolette exclaimed stepping forward. "They saved my life from Prince Berrit, he is…"

  "No Princess - Ursa has you fooled with some mind trick!" Rift barked down. "You leave her mind alone, demon!"

  "That is not even possible!" Meath barked back - it took all his strength not to draw his sword.

  Rift's eyes glared at Meath. "You would do best to not talk boy, lest my anger turns on you for past transgressions!"

  "Please, Rift, stop it!" Nicolette pleaded. "You are wrong - all of this is wrong!"

  "Let her go Wizard or I will have no choice." Rift raised his hand and the sound of bow strings going taunt filled the stairway.

  "Your Highness, go up to him," Ursa said, his tone defeated.

  "What?" Meath, Zehava and Dahak stammered out at once, but Ursa held up his hand and silenced them.

  "Are you sure?" Nicolette asked.

  "Yes, your Highness, go. It will be all right - you are safe now."

  Nicolette took two steps up the stairs toward her champion and his outstretched hand, and then stopped and looked back at Ursa, Meath and the others. Fear and bewilderment showed plainly on her face, as she seemed to fight the urge to go back down the stairs. Her eyes locked with Meath's and she could see the turmoil on his face as he fought back his emotions and his urge to grab the hilt of his sword. This was not how it was supposed to work out. They were supposed to be safe here to tell the full story of what truly happened that night in King Borrack's chamber, and then find a way to stop whoever was posing as Prince Berrit.

  Rift took another step down the stairs, his sword still pointed at Ursa as he reached his free hand toward the Princess. "Quickly, your Highness, give me your hand, you are safe now."

  Nicolette turned back to Rift, her demeanor changing from meek to determined.

  "Quickly, your Highness, what are you waiting for?" Rift called down to her confused.

  "NO, Rift, no!" she said with as much authority as she could garner and loud enough for everyone in the stairwell to hear. Confused looks and mumbles filled the room. "Ursa is not some vile creature - he did not murder my father or kidnap me. Ursa tried to warn my father and save his life that night from the real villain and murderer."

  "Your Highness, just give me your hand and come up here!" Rift urged her. "We can talk in length of what happened once you are safe from harm."

  Anger flared across the Princess's face. "I am safe!" she cried out. "These men," she pointed down to Ursa and the others. "Ursa, Meath, Zehava and Dahak have kept me safe all this time, against countless misfortunes that could have befallen me and themselves. They risked their reputations and their very lives to bring me here securely so that the truth could be heard. I will not stand by and have my saviors treated like vile murderers and cutthroats simply because you are too thick-headed to listen to reason!"

  Rift's face twisted in puzzlement at the Princess's outburst. "But I… I just…" he started to say when his eyes looked down at Ursa and anger clouded his features once more. "I said get out of her mind Wizard or I will kill you!" He raised his hand to signal his men again when a powerful voice boomed out and trumped his command instantly.

  "Stand down!" The voice commanded, "I have given no such orders." Hesitantly, all the soldiers relaxed their bowstrings, but kept them notched.

  Lady Jewel walked out onto the landing to stand near Rift - her presence commanded authority and all the soldiers parted way, careful not to hinder their Lady's path. "I am the Lady of the House and only I shall determine such fates inside these walls."

  "But, Lady!" Rift began to say. Lady Jewel raised her hand to silence him and he halted his protest begrudgingly.

  "I have been listening from above and I am conflicted by the evidence brought to me not long ago, and the evidence before me now, not to mention my own contradictory emotions with the accused. Since Rift has brought me the news of what has happen back at Draco City early this morning, I have been fighting with every emotion the human mind possesses in trying to sort and make sense of all that has come to my attention." She stopped for a moment, drawing a firm, deep breath to help calm herself from the rising emotions her voice betrayed. She looked down hard at Ursa, her demeanor strong and controlled once more. "Master Ursa, you and I have been friends for more seasons than I could count. My husband and I have trusted in your council countless times. King Borrack and many of the other Lords of Draco Kingdom have trusted in your council and friendship for just as many seasons if not more. You have aided this Kingdom undisputedly with not only your knowledge and wisdom, but your Gifted powers and devotion since the time the King and yourself erected the truce for the Gifted. Yet here you stand accused of the foulest, most treacherous crimes one could be condemned of, which defies all realms of reason and purpose." She stopped again and took a step down the marble stairs, her eyes not wavering from Ursa's. Her voice powerful and controlled, yet on the verge of breakdown. "I ask you this, Master Ursa, this and simply this - are you guilty of such crimes?"

  Ursa looked up at his old friend, his face calm and serious, his eyes securely set on hers. "No, my Lady, I did not commit the transgressions that have been placed upon me."

  The stairway was eerily still, even more so silent as a score of armed men awaited orders to the bizarre situation. Lady Jewel stared hard into Ursa's eyes as if searching for any possible hint of deceit in his conviction.

  "Lower your weapons," she said, an audible sigh escaping her as her hand grabbed the nearest banister to steady her.

  "Your pardon, my Lady?" the commander on her right asked confused by her sudden order.

  "I said, have your men stand down, Commander," she replied calmly, taking several more steps down closer to Ursa. "I believe him."

  Rift took another step down closer following her, his sword still pointed directly at Ursa. "Lady, I do not think you should jump to such simple conclusions!" he protested sternly.

  "Yet you would have me jump to the latter, more complex, yet dubious conclusion instead?"

  "But the facts my Lady point to…"

  "What facts, Rift?" Lady Jewel questioned plainly, cutting him off. "The facts are: the King was murdered, and only three lived to witness it. Two in which stand before us now, two of our own, who travelled here of their own free will. One being the very Princess of the murdered King - the other one of Draco's most trusted subjects and dearest friends to the King himself. The other is a pompous, vile Zandorian Prince, of whom we know very little. So think me not a fool, Rift, and believe me when I tell you I have made no such simple or hasty conclusions."

  Rift was about to come back with a retort but was held speechless for a moment as her words and logic cut through him like
a knife. He looked from Lady Jewel down to Ursa and the others. They did not stand before him like men guilty of such horrendous crimes of treason, but rather men desperate for friends, refuge and a chance to tell their side. Why else would they have come this far? Why else would they be standing in the stairwell of Dragon's Cove Castle, surrounded by a score of armed soldiers, and not have lifted a finger in retaliation to save their own lives when death was near certain not moments ago. Guilt and dishonor washed over him in a flood of emotions. "You… you are right, my Lady," he stammered out, his rigid demeanor crumbling almost instantly. He looked back up to Ursa and the others. "I am sorry… I must go now… I am sorry…" With that, Rift walked back up the stairwell and through the rank of soldiers and disappeared down the hallway.

  "I am sure you are all very weary, so let us go sit and eat and you may shed some clarity onto this tragic tale." She turned and went up their stairs beckoning them to follow, "Commander."

  "Yes, my Lady?" The commander straightened and awaited his orders.

  "Give your men the rest of the night off and I would like this information to go no further than this room at this present time, am I understood?"

  The commander saluted, "Yes, my Lady, you are understood."

  Lady Jewel sat and listened to Ursa, Princess Nicolette and the others recount their tale, from the moment when Ursa had found the Princess in the Royal gardens and they had overheard the treacherous plot against the royal family, to the present. Jewel sat and listened to every detail, not saying a word until the story was finished. She sat back in her cushioned oak chair, near the low burning hearth, mulling over all she had just been told.

  While the tale was recounted, they ate much of the smoked venison and fish that had been brought out for them by a servant, along with a full tray of flat breads, cheese and fresh fruits. Now, while they digested the heavy meal, they sipped on a sweet honey wine or fresh cool water and awaited Lady Jewel's comments.

  "That is quite a tale," she started, "and as hard to consider as it is, it makes far more sense than the latter." She stood from her seat and went and sat next to Princess Nicolette , pulling her into a deep embrace. "My poor, dear child, I am so sorry for everything that has befallen you these last days. You are safe now, and I assure you we will right these inexcusable wrongs."

  Nicolette did not even try to fight back the tears that flowed as she hugged her beloved Aunt.

  Finally, after several long moments Jewel pulled away and wiped numerous tears from Nicolette's rosy cheeks. "You have all been through so much, and it is getting very late. I propose we all retire for the night and continue in the morning - a rested clear mind will be far more calculated in dealing with this grievous matter." She stood and rang the small bell on the table of near empty food trays. Within moments several servants appeared around the corner - some went straight to work cleaning up the dishes, while one awaited commands. "I took the liberty of having baths prepared for you all. Nicolette my child, your room has yet to change and is as you left it. The rest of you, if you would follow Vivienne, she will show you to your quarters for the night."

  Once everyone had left, it was just Lady Jewel and Ursa left standing alone in the quaint discussion room. Lady Jewel nearly threw herself into a tight embrace with the tall, slender Wizard.

  "Oh Ursa, when I heard the rumors I knew they could not be true! I begged it all to be a lie and that something was amiss." She hugged him tightly.

  Ursa gently wrapped his arms around her to comfort his dear friend. "I tried to get here before the word spread, knowing you and Marcus would be our only hope to clear this ill charge on our heads. I did not know where else to go, or what else to do." Tears began rolling down the old Wizard's creased cheeks. He had been so concentrated on getting to Dragon's Cove with the Princess alive that he had not yet had time to grieve his dear friend Borrack's death, or Saktas'.

  Jewel pulled herself away at arm's length and stared up at the Wizard. "I am glad you came and straightened the truth out, I will do everything in my power to correct this and bring the perpetrators to justice!"

  Her words were not lost on Ursa, for he remembered what the Princess had said when she had arrived at Draco Castle. "Is Marcus still with us?"

  Thicker tears welled up in Jewels eyes. "Yes, but I fear not for much longer. I have had the best healers and physicians visit him and try their remedies." She had to stop fighting back a complete breakdown. "Nothing has done more than ease his pain for a while. He has not awoken in several days now."

  "Take me to him - I will see what I can do, even if it is just easing his pain."

  Ursa stood beside Lord Marcus' bed, one hand on the ailing man's damp chest, the other gripping his frail hand. Ursa's eyes were closed as he focused his healing energies into the dying man's fragile body. He knew this would not save his dear friend, for The Gift could only heal the physical wounds on one's body, not the internal ones such as the fever. The only good this would do for Marcus was to take away the aches and soreness his body was enduring through its battle against the illness.

  Finally, Ursa stopped, knowing there was nothing more he could do for the man that night. He looked down at his dear friend - his eyes were sunken deep into their sockets now causing dark circles around his eyes. His thick hair was noticeably thinning; his hairline had receded significantly and bald patches were now visible. His skin was no longer taut over his once powerfully built frame, but now sagged loosely over his deteriorating body. Even his color was fading from the tanned bronze he once had. Now, it was an ashen color.

  "I have done all I can for him this night," Ursa said softly, looking across the bed to where Lady Jewel sat staring down at her bed-ridden husband, distraught.

  "I thank you, Ursa, from the bottom of my heart."

  "You know there is no need for that, my Lady." Ursa handed her a piece of paper with several herbs and ingredients written on it. "Have someone find these for me, and on the morrow I will make an elixir that will lessen his pain for longer periods of time."

  "You shall have them as soon as it is possible," Jewel replied, glancing at the list only briefly. "Vivienne will be waiting outside the door for you - she will take you to your quarters so you may rest."

  Ursa nodded his thanks and turned to the door and opened it ajar, then turned to Jewel. "Be sure you find sleep this night."

  Jewel smiled at him, "I will, I just will be a moment longer with him."

  *****

  Meath looked down at the now grey, filmy water in the bronze tub as he dried himself off with the fresh linen towel that had been left for him. It always amazed him how a good bath could rejuvenate someone, even after all they had been through. It was almost like he had washed clean the last several days and it was finally almost over. Now that they had made it to Dragon's Cove and cleared their names, they could finally relax. Now all that needed to be done was to a plan to stop the false Prince and bring him to justice. Meath was happy to know that he most likely would not have any part in that process.

  He threw on the grey cotton nightclothes that had been left on his bed for him, as a servant had taken his clothes to have them cleaned so they would be fresh come morning. Once he was dressed, he walked out onto the rooms' small, private balcony that overlooked the western grounds of the castle and in the background the Serpent Sea.

  The cool night air was moist and salty to the taste - not like Meath was use to in the jungles of Draco, where the air was humid and the senses could easily be overwhelmed with the many scents.

  He began to wonder a dozen things all at once. Now that the truth would be uncovered and the false prince would be dealt with, what would happen? With the King dead, who would rule the kingdom - surely the Princess was not ready to take up that mantle just yet. Not to mention, now that there would be no wedding and marriage between countries, what would happen with the treaty? Who would she marry now? Each thought assaulted him with a hundred different possibilities, all foolishly leading him to the same thought.<
br />
  He shook his head as if trying to shake loose the unconceivable thoughts that would only hurt him more in the end. "That is none of your business, Meath, and you know it," he told himself aloud as he went to his bed.

  *****

  Morning came early for those who now sat in the private study of Dragon's Coves Castle. The topic of discussion was far too sensitive not to take such precautions. They could not risk word spreading of their planning in any way, for no one knew what ears could be about or what price someone was willing to betray their kingdom for. They knew little of their enemy, and needed all the advantage they could.

  Nicolette sat nearest to one of the private study's open windows, the light breeze off the sea reminding her of her many years spent here. It had been several hours and already the sun was high in the sky, threatening to become early afternoon, and still nothing had been decided upon.

  She looked out the window at the activity around the castle and wished she was anywhere but here. But she had been summoned to be here, as she would with all the meetings, now, that had anything to do with the Kingdom. Her Kingdom - for she was Queen of Draco Kingdom now, no longer just a Princess. Now she had more responsibility than ever before. How she hated that word.

  "I still say we march in there and take the bastard out, by any means necessary!" Lepha-Dragons Cove's oldest Wizard -grumbled again.

  "We have been over that," Antiel - Dragons Cove's other Wizard - replied with a deep sigh of frustration, running a hand through her short blonde, spiky hair.

  "Yes, but I still do not see why not." Lepha replied, leaning back in his chair. "The longer we wait to act, the longer he has to do whatever it is he is planning, which has already been catastrophic."

  "I have to agree with Lepha." Uveal, Dragons Cove's advisor said. "Our King is dead, how much more damage needs to be done?"

  "The problem with that plan is he has at least one other working with him, in whatever his plot is," Lady Jewel interjected, knowing if she did not the two Wizards would be at it again. "Without knowing who that other is, or what their mission is, we are going in blindly and may do more damage than good."