Deck of Cards

by Johnson, ID

  Even before Caleb had reached his main force, they were engaged and successfully pushing what was left of Leopold’s cavalry and Philip’s ragtag forces back across the border. After Matthew had been located and taken in to custody, Leopold had ordered his cavalry to take up station just across the border, still inside Clovington, but only a foothold so that they could protect Gradenia from being invaded. This opportunity was slipping fast, however, and reinforcements had been requested. The brunt of Leopold’s forces were stationed in forts around the perimeter of his kingdom. As his generals had seen the threat mounting, they began to prepare for an invasion. Despite having an army full of ruffians and scallywags who would engage anyone at any time, the military leaders could see they were clearly out-numbered. Their only opportunity at slowing or stopping the invading armies was to attempt to hold the higher ground nearer Castle Graden. They sent word to Leopold of their plan, seeking approval.

  Leopold had received this message about the time that Katherine arrived at the castle. He had been in the war room all night. He refused to accept the possibility that his army could not stop an invading force from the fortresses he had posted around his kingdom. He denied the request to fall back to higher ground, giving the orders to attack and push them back.

  Unfortunately, as he dismissed Katherine in the hallway, the message of great loss began to pour in. It appeared that Caleb was winning, that the Gradenians would soon be forced to abandon fortress after fortress as they made their retreat towards Castle Graden. Caleb was certain Leopold’s men would plan to regroup on the mountains nearer the castle and he was prepared to do whatever he needed to in order to drive a wedge through the middle of their line, forcing his way in to the castle and reclaiming his queen. It was just a matter of time.

  ***

  Keeping a demeanor of complete calm was something that Leopold prided himself in. It was no different this morning as he welcomed his cousin Philip to his breakfast table. Philip had been more or less sequestered ever since he had dare borrow Gradenian cavalry uniforms to attempt to take back Princess Katherine, a fine act that had been, and so Philip had no idea that the Arterian and Placidian forces were moving in. Likewise, he was unaware that Katherine had arrived some time ago. He began the conversation with a question as to her whereabouts.

  Leopold had given him a flippant answer. She would arrive when she arrived. Perhaps they had stopped for the evening so that she could get some rest. As Philip spread his napkin across his lap, he nodded his head, seeming to accept that answer. Still, he felt that something was wrong. Katey should have been there by now. Leopold was acting strange. He felt powerless, something he was not used to and did not care for.

  “Help yourself,” Leopold said, gesturing toward the banquet of food spread before them. He began to make himself a plate, the servants having all been dismissed prior to Philip’s arrival. Again, something didn’t seem right, but Leo was a strange fellow and Philip was constantly surprised by his odd behavior.

  As Philip piled food on his plate, Leo sat back in his chair, sipping his wine, and beginning to ask him questions. “Tell me, dear cousin, how long did it take for you to arrange the infiltration of Castle Ringley?”

  Again, Philip thought this was an unusual question, but he answered it anyway. Leaning back in his chair, he considered the query. “A few months, I suppose,” he responded, taking a sip of his wine.

  “Interesting. And what exactly was the price you spent acquiring the services of the castle chef?”

  At that, Philip had to chuckle. Not quite what one would think. “I ended up paying him nothing, as his services were to be compensated on completion of the task. Since Matthew killed him before I had a chance to pay him, there was little I could do.” He smeared some butter on his toasted bread and took a bite, still remembering how easy it turned out to be to get a little poison into the royal dinner.

  “I find it quite humorous that you had Matthew convinced that Margaret was dead all of those months while you held him in your prison. It’s too bad that neither Margaret nor Matthew died. Although, if Matthew had died, where would be now? Katey wouldn’t be on her way, now would she?” Leo observed, chuckling. He watched as Philip tried the various food items on his plate but Leo did not eat.

  Philip finally seemed to notice that his cousin was simply observing him. “Are you not partaking in the spread?” he asked, taking a bit of egg.

  Leo made an arch with his hands, ignoring the question and continuing with his inquiry.

  “Tell me, Philip, what was it the chef used that killed Queen-Mother Beatrice so quickly and left Maggie near death? Was it Mandrake?”

  As Philip took another bite of his breakfast, he suddenly began to feel very queasy. His stomach lurched. He had heard Leo’s question but he wasn’t able to reply. It was if the room was suddenly growing very distant.

  Leo continued. “My understanding is that it causes convulsions, vomiting, coughing up blood, and very often instant death. Unless, of course, one is given an antidote very quickly. Isn’t that right, my dear cousin?”

  By now, Philip was beginning to vomit. He could taste the blood rising up his throat, mixed with the contents of his stomach. The room was spinning and he felt like his entire body had burst in to flames. He could see Leopold standing and walking toward him, a vile in his hand. Philip fell to the ground, his body beginning to violently convulse.

  “Yes, an antidote, just like this one,” Leopold said, bending down to where his cousin lay on the floor.

  Philip reached for it, “Please,” he stammered. Leo put his hand to his ear, as if he hadn’t heard him. He managed to force it out again, “Please!”

  “What’s that, dear cousin?” Leo said, a wide grin on his face. “You want the antidote? That is too bad, you see, I just don’t have enough to spare. As a king, you just never know when someone might try to poison you. But rest assured that the lovely Princess Katherine, who arrived safely last night, will be well taken care of. My most sincere regards to the Devil. And tell him that I’m coming for him. But not today. Today, my dear cousin, you go on your own.”

  Philip’s thrashing began to lesson, the vomiting subsided and he stared up at Leopold with wide eyes, the life draining away from him. The last thing he would see was the maniacal smile on his cousin’s face.

  ***

  Prince James was not taking part in the battle that was going on in the distance. His sister had insisted that he stay out of harm’s way, at least for now. She, too, had been placed far to the back of the intruding army, an extremely safe distance from the fighting, yet accessible should she need to change her orders.

  That’s why he was shocked to see her riding at him, a full suite of guards on either side of her, her face the color of her strawberry blond hair. “James!” she was screaming, a piece of parchment in her hand. As she approached him, she flew down from the saddle, waving the paper in his face. “What is this?” she demanded.

  James wasn’t exactly sure but he was willing to take a look at it. He backed away from the table where he had been studying maps of the battlefield and took the paper from her hand. However, before he could even begin to read it, she was shouting its contents at him. “Leopold has Katey! You let that bastard trade our sister for his brother? How could you have let this happen?”

  Understanding her anger, James reached for his sister, “Calm down,” he said. But she pushed his hand aside, backing away. “Listen, Nichole, it wasn’t our choice. Neither of us wanted to let her go but she wouldn’t listen.”

  Nichole turned away from him, taking a few steps. “What are you talking about? She’s a child! He’s a king! He couldn’t keep her from riding off to some maniac in exchange for his own brother? Zounds!”

  James caught up to her and turned her to face him. “Listen, Nichole, she is your sister after all. Once she had her mind made up, there was little we could.”

  He could tell that she was not accepting his explanation. “Then, you lock her in a tower
or in a dungeon or something, but you don’t escort her out to meet armed warriors from a rival kingdom! How idiotic are you?”

  James rubbed his face in frustration. He knew he couldn’t argue with her, she was right. But she hadn’t been there. She didn’t know how dead-set Katey was on going. “Listen,” he finally said, hoping he had her attention at last. “She has a plan. It’s complicated, but it should work. You’ve got to believe that Caleb loves her every bit as much as we do. He’s going to get her back safely—I know he will.”

  Nichole snickered, “I’m sure he said the same thing about Matthew and look how long that took. And I’m certain his condition was anything but unharmed!” She was shaking her head violently, staring out over the battlefield, arms crossed.

  “I know, you’re right. It wasn’t the best idea. We all agreed on that. But she knew Matthew, knew his wife, and wanted them to be together. We let her do it because she felt that she had to. You don’t understand, Nick. The ‘new and improved Katey’ is much like her sister—she doesn’t listen to what others have to say and she speaks her mind.”

  She knew that he was teasing her, to a degree, but she really wasn’t in any mood. Still, she acquiesced. There was little she could do at this point except for press on. “We will get her back unharmed, or else, Caleb will pay. And so will you! And next time you keep valuable information from me, you’ll find yourself in the tower for committing treason!” She climbed back upon her horse, her light blue train blowing in the wind as she sped off towards her station.

  “At least that conversation is over,” James thought, returning to the task at hand. Their troops were having much success on the battlefield and he almost couldn’t keep the reserves caught up with first line, they were rolling through the defenders so quickly. But he knew the Gradenians were regrouping on the hills just beyond their present location and that would be much more difficult to take. He was aware that Caleb was successfully pushing back the middle of Leopold’s line. Hopefully, he would break through by dawn and have Castle Graden in his sights. The quicker they got to Katey, the better the chances that no harm would befall her.

  ***

  “The Queen is dead!” The shouts filled the corridor as Leopold made his way out of the room where his cousin’s corpse lay cooling. Surely, he must have misheard what the lady-in-waiting was shrieking as she came flying down the hall. Cautiously, he stepped out from beyond the doorway, seeing her dashing towards him. “Your Majesty,” she blubbered. “Come at once. The Queen is dead!”

  Leopold had not been expecting this at all. He rushed off with the blond woman, Joan, or something, to see what could possibly have happened. Upon entering Katherine’s chamber, he could see her lying on the bed, one hand hanging off of the edge precariously, a goblet of water on the table next to her. He reached out, as if he would touch her, but then pulled his hand back. She was still dressed in the same clothing she had worn to meet with him just a few hours ago. She lie on her stomach, her pale face turned to the side. Even in death she looked exquisite.

  He had been followed by several guards, who stood in the doorway. Joan had entered along side him and she began to smooth Katherine’s hair, tears streaming down her face. “She said she was exhausted from her travels. I suggested she lay down for a bit, take a nap. I came back in to check on her and, and,” she couldn’t go on, the tears overcoming her.

  Leopold glanced at the chalice on the edge of the nightstand. He picked it up, sniffing it. “It smells, slightly of mandrake,” he said. But the queen had not been vomiting. It didn’t make sense.

  Joan was still crying but she paused for a moment to regard the king and the chalice in question. “Nightshade, perhaps?”

  “Possibly,” Leopold said, looking down at his vanquished prize. “Not that it matters much now. I will find out who did this. In the meantime, we will need to prepare her for entombment. I will leave it to you to prepare the body. Surely, you must know something about that.”

  “But, Your Highness,” Joan began, following Leopold as he approached the door, “Don’t you think we should send her back to Placidia? Her sister will never forgive you if she doesn’t at least have the body returned to her. Please.”

  Leopold glanced back at the beautiful queen, dead in her bedchamber so far from home. “No,” he stated with enough force to leave Joan shaking. He knew he couldn’t risk Nichole finding out about this. Katherine was the only bargaining tool he had left and now he had nothing. Nichole was still attacking. If she thought there was a possibility that he may still be able to hand over her sister, perhaps she would think twice about attacking this castle. If, however, she learned of her sister’s demise, she was sure to continue advancing until he had nothing left.

  Joan sighed. She needed to think of something quickly. “Alright then,” she said, “Then, if a funeral is out of the question, let us prepare the body and place her in the crypt below.”

  Leopold nodded. If Nichole’s forces enter the castle, they might think Katherine had fled with him. There were other more serious matters for him to attend to, however, now that his one bargaining chip had been taken from him, there was nothing left to stop Placida from charging forward and taking everything. Katherine, in her death, was no longer his concern. He had far greater issues to deal with, such as losing his kingdom to an advancing enemy. “Fine, I leave her in your hands,” he said to Joan. The bodies were beginning to stack up and he needed to make certain his was not one of them.

  ***

  Caleb refused to lead from behind. As they approached the enemy forces entrenched along the ridge within sight of Castle Graden, he took charge of his men and began to lead them forward into the fray. A thick fog hung over the battlefield, one of smoke combined with the damp mist rising out of the ground. Graden was dark and murky, which seemed fitting considering the king was every bit the devil himself. Caleb knew it would not be easy to push back the Gradenian forces in front of him but he was fully prepared to continue to throw more and more infantry at them until they were overcome by his superior forces. As the Arterians continued their steady march forward, the flags at the top precipice of the castle came in to view. That was his objective, his Katey was just over that hill and he would get to her, no matter what it took.

  ***

  With little left to distract him at the castle, Leopold had also ridden out to meet his troops. Dusk was falling, lighting the field with streaks of pink and yellow, filtering through the smoke to become bright red and orange beams. From his vantage point atop a hill near Castle Graden, he could see just how bleak it was. Cannon fire echoed all around him. Through the thick fog, he could see movement, indicating wave after wave of Placidian and Arterian forces making their way up the hills and ridges, pushing his men back, slowly but steadily. He refused to be as asinine as his cousin, waiting until the very last moment to make his exit. And yet, it was so difficult to surrender everything. At this point, if he had the queen to give back, he would gladly offer her up. But she was dead. And Philip was dead. If it had just been the Arterians attacking, or possibly even just the Placidians, perhaps he would be able to defeat them. But under these circumstances, he just did not know how he could possibly defeat them both.

  He turned back to study Castle Graden, which had been his home his entire life. The castle was a huge, imposing structure. It’s dark stone walls were covered with moss, making it seem even more foreboding than it otherwise might have been. The bones of his ancestors lay sleeping in their graves amidst the twists and turns of the catacombs beneath. The idea of handing it over to King Caleb and Queen Nichole sickened him. He would rather see it brought to the ground than left for them to plunder.

  “Sir,” one of his generals next to him needed his attention. Deep in thought, Leopold barely heard him. “Sir, what are your orders?”

  The general was holding a map, rolled up tightly in his fist. As Leopold gestured for him to unroll it, several other officers gathered around. Spreading the map on the ground, the men took
a knee to discuss the situation. “Tell me, what is the state of the front?” he asked, knowing how bleak it was from his view of the battlefield.

  Each man made a quick report and none of them had anything positive to say. At the conclusion, Leopold had made up his mind. “Alright then,” he began. “If they break through here and here, I want to turn these cannons here to face Castle Graden. And bring it to the ground.”

  The other men looked at each other, stunned. “Sir,” one of them finally gathered the nerve to ask for clarification. “Are you ordering us to bring friendly fire on the castle?”

  “Affirmative,” Leopold said, standing. “If I can’t have it, no one can.”

  ***

  The sensation had started in her toes, winding its way up her feet to her calves and thighs to the tops of her legs. She could feel it in her fingers, then in her arms and shoulders. The tingling in her scalp was the most troublesome. It felt as if a thousand tiny bugs were crawling around in her hair. She was caught just at the periphery between wake and slumber and it seemed like hours before she was able to blink her eyes, turn her head, or breathe a lung-full of air.