by Daris Howard
Jacob lowered his eyes, unable to meet her gaze as he spoke quietly. "You will always be a lady to me."
Marie was not about to let him get off that easy. "Even wearing pants?"
Jacob nodded. "Even wearing pants."
They looked at each other, neither saying a word for a moment. She finally held up her hands. "Well."
Jacob looked at her confused. "Well, what?"
"Aren't you going to say it is good to see me, or something?" she asked.
Jacob slowly moved up near her. "You don't know how good it is to see you."
Suddenly, she lashed out with her foot, catching him hard in the shin.
"Ow! What was that for?" he asked, dropping down quickly to rub his leg as she glared at him.
"That's for running away! I thought you said you'd always be there for me!" she said.
"I said I'd always be there as long as you needed me," Jacob said. "When I saw you dancing so gracefully and beautifully around the ballroom with those other men, I knew you no longer needed me."
Her voice was loud and irritated. "Don't you think it should be my choice when I don't need you? And why did you run away without even saying goodbye?"
Jacob turned his eyes away from her. "Please don't ask, Your Highness."
Marie's voice was terse. "Your Highness, is it? Well, I think I know why you ran away."
"You do?" Jacob asked.
Her voice became soft and kind. "It is exactly the same reason I saved the last dance for you."
Jacob stood and his eyes widened in disbelief. "You saved the last dance for me?"
"I did, and you weren't there!" she said tersely.
Instantly her other foot lashed out, catching him in the other shin.
"Ow!" Jacob fell to his knees again. "Would you stop that? Oh, how I curse the day I taught you to fight with your feet."
She glowered at him. "That's for not being there for the last dance!" As she moved closer to him, he rose, but watched her warily, ready to move at any sign of a strike. She smiled at him kindly and spoke tenderly. "I'm still saving it for you. You see, I... I love you too."
Jacob smiled back and half laughed. "You have an interesting way of showing it."
Marie looked at him sternly. "Well, I'm not leaving until you come back with me."
Jacob lowered his eyes again. "But you're the princess, and I am nothing but a common soldier."
The peacefulness of the moment was shattered by a loud commotion and immediately the clearing filled with men. At first, Marie gloated, thinking it was the Royal Guard, and they would be surprised that she had found Jacob first. But, quickly, she was pushed away from Jacob, and his sword was jerked from its sheath, as a half a dozen men pointed their swords at him, with others standing menacingly. They all wore dark clothes - not the royal blue of the Guard.
She froze with fear as Duke Elnard entered the clearing.
Jacob was furious. "Duke Elnard. What is the meaning of this?"
Duke Elnard scoffed. "I spent lots of money hiring and training assassins to kill the princess, only to be foiled by the great Captain of the Guard, and then she comes right out here to me."
Jacob moved toward him. "Why, you treacherous traitor."
The men around Jacob brought their swords up to his throat. Duke Elnard smirked. "Now, now, we need not get nasty. It is convenient that I will be able to dispose of both of you and make it look like the Esconodians did it."
Jacob was angry, but he was helpless. "Why are you doing this?"
Duke Elnard seemed to relish his position. "I would think that would be obvious to a man of such famed intelligence. With the princess gone, her lands will stay in my power. And by me continuing to feed false intelligence to the queen and the Esconodians, I can keep the flames of war burning between them until I can get the northern end of the kingdom I control to rebel against her. Once I become king with the help of the Esconodians, I will work a peace treaty with them. It's all so simple, really. The only thing standing in my way is a Royal Princess and the great Captain of the Guard. But once you are gone I will take control of the Royal Guard itself, something that should have been mine anyway."
Jacob glared at him. "You'll never manage that?"
Duke Elnard smirked "I'm sure that will be the easiest part of all. I will keep sending men to infiltrate the Royal Guard until most of them work for me. I don't know how you knew which of the new recruits worked for me, but you won't be there now."
Jacob paused and just stared at him for a moment before he finally spoke. "What makes you think I knew which ones were your men?"
Duke Elnard smiled menacingly. "Oh, don't be coy with me. The only ones you dismissed were men I had trained."
"The ones I dismissed were your men?" Jacob asked.
Duke Elnard raised his sword. "Don't try to act innocent. It won't save you now."
Jacob looked directly at him. "Why don't you release me, and let's face each other like men?"
"Do you take me for a fool?" Duke Elnard replied. "All know of your great dexterity with a sword. Yet, I am tempted, for only one man has ever beaten me. Still, I cannot afford to take any chances. No, I'll keep you right where you are while I dispatch the princess first."
Marie, stunned by this whole turn of events, was finally able to pull herself together. She drew her sword. "You may find that easier said than done, you coward."
Duke Elnard smirked at her and raised his own sword. "Have it your way, Your Highness. I always love a little fun."
She attacked quickly, taking him by surprise. She initially drove him back, but his superior expertise soon became evident, and he drove her to a standstill, swords locked. He snarled at her. "I have underestimated you. But you are still nothing but a girl."
He shoved her backward, and she stumbled, but recovered in time to block his attack. They fought quite evenly - her youthfulness and speed making up for his experience. Jacob was gasping for breath, frightened for her, but knowing there was nothing he could do.
Again they locked swords. Marie glared at him. "You're right. I am a girl."
Her foot shot forward and slammed into Duke Elnard's shin, and as he doubled over in pain, caught off guard, she slashed his arm and swept the sword from his hand. He moved quickly, before she could strike again, and signaled to one of his men. The man swung his sword, slashing Marie's arm and knocking the sword from her hand. Marie grabbed her bleeding arm.
With everyone's attention diverted, Jacob lunged for Duke Elnard's fallen sword, did a roll, and came up fighting. He was fighting hard and fast, but he couldn't get through to Marie. There were just too many men.
Duke Elnard, seeing that his men were easily holding Jacob off, picked up Marie's sword and advanced toward her. She backed away and stumbled to the ground. He leered over her. "Your precious captain can't save you now, Princess."
He raised the sword to strike her. Jacob yelled, "No!" and fought harder, but to no avail. Suddenly, a shadow flew over Marie and slammed Duke Elnard in the chest, sending him tumbling. There, in front of Marie, stood Lord High Chamberlain. Immediately, the men of the Royal Guard ran into the clearing and joined in the fight. They were still outnumbered by Duke Elnard's men, but each was a superior fighter.
Most of Jacob's assailants had to turn their attention elsewhere, leaving him only two. He quickly relieved one of his sword and kicked the other in the chest, sending him into some bushes. Instead of going after him, he ran to Marie. "Marie, are you all right?"
She had tears in her eyes, but nodded, and Jacob could see that her wound was not serious, though it must be painful. Marie could see the anger in Jacob's face. He stood and raised his sword menacingly as Duke Elnard stood to face Lord High Chamberlain.
"Let me fight him, Your Lordship," Jacob said.
Lord High Chamberlain shook his head. "No, Captain. You guard the princess. This fight is mine to make up for my mistake many years ago."
Jacob turned back to Marie as Lord High Chamberlain faced Duke El
nard
"So, Tobias, we face off again, after all these years," Lord High Chamberlain said.
Duke Elnard sneered. "Yes, but this time I will win. You are an old man."
Lord High Chamberlain eyed him narrowly. "And you are a fool."
The two men raised their swords. Duke Elnard almost spit out his words with venom in his voice. "I suppose you expect me to call you 'Sir'. Well you are weak, Sir. And your weakness is in your loyalty to the queen."
Lord High Chamberlain stood upright and proud. "And yours is in your black-hearted treachery and deceit."
Duke Elnard's swung his free hand forward, throwing dirt into Lord High Chamberlain's eyes. Momentarily blinded, Lord High Chamberlain swung his sword instinctively, meeting Duke Elnard's attack. Fighting half-blinded, Lord High Chamberlain fought with great expertise and, as his eyes cleared, he went on the offense, driving Duke Elnard before him.
Duke Elnard pulled back and trembled with anger. "You didn't stop me when you could have, and you can't stop me now."
Lord High Chamberlain still stood calm and unruffled. "You're wrong. This time, I will put an end to your treason."
Duke Elnard attacked vehemently, but Lord High Chamberlain was far superior. He, however, was old, and the fight was wearing on him. Duke Elnard would try unusual moves, but to no avail. Lord High Chamberlain had chances at times to strike and end the fight, but he seemed reluctant to kill Duke Elnard, apparently trying only to disarm him. Finally, positioning himself in close proximity, Lord High Chamberlain pivoted on his back foot, using his front foot to sweep Duke Elnard's legs out from under him. Lord High Chamberlain knocked Duke Elnard's sword from his hand and put his own blade to the traitor's throat.
Duke Elnard glared at him. "Go ahead. Kill me. You have wanted to for many years."
Lord High Chamberlain remained calm. "I have never wanted the life of anyone, not even yours, but you have sought mine, and the life of the queen and princess many times. I grant you your life to face whatever punishment is to be meted out to you. Tell your men to surrender." Duke Elnard looked at him defiantly. The men of the Royal Guard, far outnumbered, were tiring. Lord High Chamberlain pressed his sword tight against Duke Elnard's throat. "Now!"
Duke Elnard's voice trembled with fear as he called to his men. "You men heard him. Surrender your weapons."
As the fighting around them came to a halt, and Duke Elnard's men surrendered their weapons, Jacob took the time to rip Marie's sleeve and use it to bandage her arm. By the time he finished, all weapons were collected, and Duke Elnard's men stood surrounded. John was sent to the camp for reenforcements to take care of the prisoners.
Once Marie's arm was bandaged, her brave exterior melted away, and she fell into Jacob's arms, sobbing. He held her close to comfort her. Though things had not gone as she expected, feeling his arms around her again made everything seem right. As her sobs changed to sniffles, Jacob told her he thought she had been very brave. His praise lifted her heart and she wiped the tears from her eyes.
A contingency of men soon arrived and took all of the prisoners, except for Duke Elnard. Lord High Chamberlain turned to Marie and pointed at Duke Elnard. "Princess, what would you have done with him?"
Marie leaned against Jacob, his arm around her. She looked at Lord High Chamberlain for a moment, and finally spoke. "Matthew, before I make any decisions, I want to know a few things. Where did you learn to fight so expertly, when did you meet Duke Elnard before, and generally, what in the world is going on?"
Lord High Chamberlain bowed. "I understand your confusion, Your Highness. All of the questions are related. You see, I was the Captain of the Guard before Captain Richin's father was."
"My father often spoke highly of his captain," Jacob said, "but I didn't realize you were him."
Lord High Chamberlain smiled at Jacob's surprise. "Your father and I are good friends. In fact, I was the one who taught your father to fight, and he, in turn, has taught you well. I was called on often to protect Her Majesty, the queen, and she came to ask my advice at times. It wasn't long before I was advanced to advisor, and eventually, to Lord High Chamberlain. And when that first advancement came, I recommended your father to my position."
"Isn't it unusual for a soldier to rise to the rank of Lord High Chamberlain?" Marie asked.
Lord High Chamberlain nodded. "That is true. But the queen had learned from her marriage to Alexander that it was important to look on a man's heart."
"But what does that have to do with Duke Elnard?" Jacob asked.
"I was the one that got him into the guard," Lord High Chamberlain said. "When he was not made the captain after me, it angered him. He felt he should really have been king and viewed being captain as a step toward that continued aspiration. When he didn't get it, he drew his sword and swore to kill me, and then the queen." Lord High Chamberlain looked ashamed as he continued. "We fought, and when I beat him, I chose to let him go, unable to bring charges against him, even though I knew it was my duty to do so. I knew I should have, but because of personal reasons, I could not."
Marie wanted to ask him further about what his personal reasons were, but he continued on before she had a chance. Lord High Chamberlain turned to Jacob. "You see, Captain, that was why I insisted you send away some new recruits. I could sense they were trained by him when I fought against them. They had his style. I felt he was trying to, in a sense, gain control of the Guard in other ways."
Duke Elnard burst out angrily. "The advancements should have been mine, or I should have been made king. Louise had no right to be queen after she married that lowly Bernodian."
Marie could feel her blood start to boil at hearing him speak of her father that way. Before she could say anything, Lord High Chamberlain turned Duke Elnard. "You were undeserving of advancement. You had a blackness in your heart and only sought those positions to destroy the queen and gain the throne."
Lord High Chamberlain turned to the princess. "Being the queen's cousin, he later sought for, and was appointed, guardian of Bernodia until you came of age, Princess. I always knew, if I had charged him as I should have, he would have never been in that position. I tried to persuade the queen against it, but I never had the courage to tell her that I had not done my duty in having charges brought against him."
"How did you know it was he who was carrying out the attempted assassinations?" Jacob asked.
"The first attempted assassination plot, supposedly by the Esconodians, had too many details that indicated to me it was by someone who knew the palace well. Though I could not prove it, everything pointed to Duke Elnard. I have always kept my sword ready to defend the royal family and knew there had to be too much inside information about the palace helping the assassins. I also noticed the attempts always coincided with Duke Elnard's visits. Further, we received reports of horrible treatment of the people in Bernodia - higher taxes and confiscation of property done in the name of the queen, inciting rebellion against her."
Lord High Chamberlain paused. This seemed to be a hard moment for him. He turned to Marie. "Your Highness, I beg your forgiveness of my past dereliction of duty that has led to so much trouble."
Marie smiled kindly at him. "Of course. No one has been more loyal and kind to my mother than you have. You have been a good and trusted friend, and you have also just saved my life."
Lord High Chamberlain bowed. "What would you have us do with this traitor, Your Highness?"
She turned and looked at Duke Elnard. "We must take him back to the palace with us for trial. Besides, Duke Elnard will surely want to witness my wedding."
Duke Elnard spoke with great contempt. "Your wedding?" He turned and pointed at Jacob. "Don't tell me you are really planning on marrying him?"
Marie faced Jacob. "Yes, the great and honorable Captain of the Guard." She then paused and searched Jacob's eyes. "At least I am hoping with all of my heart."
Duke Elnard rolled his eyes in disgust. "You are worse than your mother. You would even go so far as
to marry a common soldier?"
Marie felt the anger rising in her. He had insulted her father, and now, Jacob. She reached down, pulled her sword from Jacob's hand, and stuck it to Duke Elnard's throat. "Perhaps you may call him a common soldier, but he is an uncommon man." She then pressed the blade tightly to his throat. "Don't you agree?"
Duke Elnard swallowed hard. All could see the anger in her eyes and the fear in his. He nodded vehemently. "Oh, yes. Of course."
Jacob lowered his eyes and looked away. "But Your Highness..."
Marie sheathed her sword, standing squarely in front of him. She reached up and touched his face so he would have to look at her. "I would appreciate it if you would call me Marie."
Jacob's voice quivered as he spoke humbly and subdued. "But Marie, I am just a common soldier. I can't be a prince."
Marie leaned her head back and laughed falsely. "Ha! A prince is more a prince in how he acts than in how he's born." She could see he remembered the first tutoring day when he had said something similar to her. That was exactly what she wanted him to remember. As he turned his eyes from her, she again reached up and touched his face so he would have to look at her again. She felt as if she was going to cry, but she didn't care. She smiled at him as his eyes finally met hers. "Besides," she said, "you will always be a prince to me."
"What will your mother say?" Jacob asked.
"My mother has already given her permission," Marie replied.
Lord High Chamberlain added, "Not only that, but her blessing. She actually hoped for this day when she asked you to take this assignment."
Jacob and Marie both turned to stare at him.
"Mother planned it all along?" Marie asked.
Lord High Chamberlain nodded. "Yes. She hoped for this union from the beginning." He then grinned in an uncharacteristic manner and elbowed Jacob. "Captain, you're probably the only one that can handle her."
"Hey! I heard that!" Marie said, laughter telling in her voice.
Lord High Chamberlain cleared his throat and tried to resume a more formal demeanor. "Yes. So I suppose the only thing left to be done is for you to ask her to marry you."