“Is that it?” He asked.
“Yes.” She replied as she turned and opened the door. Inside was a room filled wall to wall with books, and a staircase leading to the second level. John was sitting in his favorite brown chair in front of a grand fireplace. He was wearing a brown dress robe, reading glasses, and reading one of the many books housed there. His skin was as brown as milk chocolate. His hair was gray, short and spikey, and despite his age, he was still in good shape and considered to be the most attractive man in the village. He reminded Elizabeth of a librarian, all snuggled up, cozy in his favorite chair while reading. All the young and older women in the village liked him, many would even go so far as to find an excuse to come visit, or for a reason for him to come visit them. However, after losing his wife soon after Elizabeth was born, he made it his life’s mission to take care of his daughter and no one else.
“Father, a Rico Cordova is here to see you.” She said through a smile as she gently pushed back a strand of her hair from her face, while half expecting her father to tell Rico to ‘take good care of my daughter, she’s yours now and welcome to the family.’
John looked up from his book and over towards Rico. The moment he saw him; John took off his reading glasses exposing his green eyes. A smile then crossed his face, as placed his book down and stood to his feet as if he were welcoming a favorite son home after his victory in the war. “Rico?” He asked as he made his way towards them, “Is that really you, Rico?”
Rico smiled then shook his head yes.
“Last time I saw you was 18 years ago and you were no bigger than that stool.” Joshua said, overjoyed. “Tell me how old are you now?”
“I just turned 21 this past month.” Rico said, firm and proud.
21? Elizabeth thought. He’s not that much older than me, barely three years.
“21, wow.” John said, shaking his head. “Lizzy, pour us a drink.” John ordered.
Elizabeth smiled, then swiftly made her way toward the door leading to the kitchen.
“Rico, please sit down.” John said, as Elizabeth walked out the room.
Rico stood firmly against the wall and shook his head. His expression had changed from proud to serious and as if a candle had been lit, John knew what it was that Rico had come there for. All those years he had been preparing for that moment, with both regret and remorse. “I'm sorry sir, but this isn't a social visit.” Rico said, sternly.
John raised his hand towards Rico, “Give it to me.” He ordered.
Like a puppet, Rico reached into his pocket and pulled out a brown rolled up sheet of paper; his eyes fixed on John’s, as John shakenly took it from him.
John then looked at Rico for a brief second—as if hoping for whatever was written on that paper to be a joke, however, after seeing no assurance in Rico’s eyes, John began to vigorously read the letter. He read it twice just to make sure that the contents were correct before looking back up at Rico, who was staring back at him.
Elizabeth, walked back in a few moments later carrying two cups and a pitcher of wine. She was still smiling unaware of any tension in the room, until she placed the cups on the table and looked at her father’s face.
“Father what's wrong?” Elizabeth asked. Her shoulders tensed as she made her way towards her father. His normal cool and controlled demeanor had been replaced with something timid and fearful. She had never seen that look in his eyes before, and it scared her. She then turned her attention to Rico, who was still standing across the room studying both her and her father—as if they were some kind of experiment, and she felt sick. For some strange reason, she felt as if she had somehow become a pawn in Rico’s game, while dragging her poor father along with her.
For almost a minute there was an intense silence as both men stared at each other—almost unsure of what else to say. “Do the others know?” John asked, finally breaking the silence and in a tone that Elizabeth had never heard her father use. He was petrified and she didn’t know why. All she knew, was it had something to do with Mr. Rico and whatever was in that letter.
“Yes sir, you’re the last.” Rico replied, with little emotion, but his eyes seemed nervous and just as panicked as her father’s.
John threw the paper in the fireplace and watched as the enraged fire destroyed every piece of evidence that was in that letter. He then turned his attention towards Elizabeth and placed his hands on both of her shoulders, “Lizzy, I need you to go upstairs and pack.” He ordered. His voice was calm, almost too calm, so instead of arguing, she decided to run upstairs and do as she was told.
Once Elizabeth was completely out of the room, John looked at Rico, “How long until they get here?”
“Not long, so you should hurry and pack, sir. I had a run in with one of their men on my way here.” He said, showing John his shoulder that was tightly bandaged with part of Elizabeth’s dress.
“Did Lizzy do that for you?” John asked with a feel of uneasiness.
“Yes sir, but that’s not important. What’s important right now, is for you and your daughter to grab your things and follow me.” He said sternly. He knew where John’s mind was going and he had no interest in getting into some kind of argument over what is proper, when their lives were at stake.
“Of course.” John started to pace and scratched his head, he then turned his attention back towards Rico. “I need you to promise me one thing.” John demanded, his posture now more demanding as he waved his finger back and forth at Rico.
“Anything sir.”
“If anything happens to me, promise me you'll take care of her.” John asked, sternly. His eyes searching for assurance.
“Nothing will happen to you, sir. But I promise on my life that I will protect her.” Rico said without hesitation. He had nothing but respect for John and actually hero worshiped him for saving his father’s life so many years ago. So a request to protect something so precious to John was the least Rico could do. Plus, there was something about Elizabeth that made him want to protect her.
“Thank you.” John said, relieved. He then walked out of the room to get packed, leaving Rico there to wait.
A few minutes later Elizabeth came into the library carrying two bags of clothes and wearing a new dress. It was a rich burgundy cotton velvet dress that hugged her curves and flowed gracefully to the floor. Rico had to blink in order to stop from staring.
“Where’d my father go?” She asked, unsure of how to talk to him, while completely letting go of her dream that they were to be married.
“He should be out soon.” He informed her.
“What did you give him? What was in that letter?” She asked, accusingly. In all her life she had never seen her father so scared that he didn’t know what to do and since Rico was the reason for his sudden change, it had to be his fault. At least that’s what she wanted to believe. Even though a part of her knew that it wasn’t true, she just needed someone to blame and he was the closest.
“I’m sorry Elizabeth, I can’t tell you, it’s not my place.” He said apologetically, but she could tell that he really wanted to, that was just the type of person she thought he was.
Her father came from the back just as he said that. He was carrying one bag and had a concerned look on his face. “Ready.” He said. The three walked out of the house and made their way towards the carriage, where a man in a black and white servant suit stood waiting for them. Right when they were about to get into the carriage the bell in the town square rang twice, indicating a town meeting.
Elizabeth put her bags down, then looked at her father, who was staring intensively at Rico.
Rico nodded his head and Elizabeth took that as a sign to join the rest of the villagers and began to walk away. Her father grabbed her arm and she stopped in her tracks with a confused look on her face. “Shouldn't we be going to the meeting?”
“No, get in the carriage we have to go now.” John ordered, his tone sounded harsh. However, Elizabeth could sense the fear behind his words as he almost threw
her into the carriage. “Let’s go.” He ordered the driver and they pulled off.
4
An hour earlier, Prince Caleb gazed out into the lake, his mind raising with thoughts of what his latest assignment would mean. For the past five years Caleb had been working as a soldier in the king’s army. There wasn’t a job that he hadn’t finished, and he was willing to do anything for the king. After all he was his uncle and had taken care of him since he was five after his mother’s death and father abandoned him. However, something felt different about this mission. All his life he had heard stories about three very powerful witches that would destroy the world, and as a soldier it was his job to capture them and bring them back to his uncle in order for them be judged, and the capture of those girls also meant a possible reunion with the man that had abandoned him and his mother all those years ago, and he wasn’t sure if he was ready for that or not. Not to mention, it was the anniversary of the day his world came crashing down on him, and he didn’t know if he was ready for it or not. However, as he had told his cousin the night before, as a solider in the King’s army, it was his duty to carry out the King’s orders no matter how grim it was.
“Your highness.” The knight from the night before called out to Caleb, interrupting his thoughts. Caleb turn his attention towards the solider and said nothing—waiting on him to finish his sentence.
“The Grand Duke said to inform you that we are moving out, the scoters found the village.” Caleb lifted up one hand to dismiss the soldier then stood up and began to slowly make his way towards his horse. His sea green eyes fixed on his cousin, who was glaring back at him as if he were the scum of the earth.
There were about thirty of them including his cousin, captain of the guards, Grand Duke Hugo of Verba, whom Caleb used to respect almost as much as his uncle because of his ability to get the job done. Hugo was an older gentleman with shoulder length brownish gray hair and dark brown eyes. On his right eye was a scar that he had gotten years earlier while defending the castle against rebel attacks. He had a no nonsense type attitude and to some he appeared to be cruel, and at first Caleb only saw his behavior as a him being a good leader and making hard decisions that no one else could make. However, the more time he spent with Hugo, the more he began to realize how wrong and naïve he had been. He had actually decided to join the guards in order to work next to Hugo and in under two years, was appointed as Hugo’s second, a role Caleb had gratefully accepted. Though as time went on, he found it harder and harder to continue, because of the inhumane treatment the people had suffered by the hands of the Grand Duke. There was also something in Hugo’s eyes that Caleb couldn’t decipher—it was almost like a hate towards Caleb for a reason he didn’t know.
“Daydreaming again your highness?” Hugo asked, once Caleb made it to his horse. His tone was harsh, but his lips were curled into a deceitful smile that would have only fooled Caleb his first year as a soldier.
Caleb mounted his horse then drew his attention back towards Hugo. “You could say that. How far away is this village?” He asked, nonchalantly. Their latest assignment took them to a small village just at the edge of the great kingdom. It was so small that many soldiers chose to avoid it while out on their searches because they never saw a point in going.
“A few minutes away. Don’t worry your highness, my information is sound—he is defiantly there.” Hugo replied in a devious tone. His brown eyes grew dark and sharper with the thought of seeing the one responsible for his scar again and returning the favor.
“I don’t doubt your spies’ cousin.” Caleb said with a nervous smile. A part of him wanted Hugo to be right so he could finally confront his father and ask the one question that made it hard for him to sleep at night: why did he leave them? While the other part hoped Hugo was wrong, at least that way he could avoid the reunion a little while longer and his father could be safe. Caleb shook his head in disgust with himself for thinking that way after all those years.
“Let’s move out.” Hugo ordered. The soldiers took off riding at full spend with their eyes focused on the task in front of them and the reward waiting for them if this were in fact the right village. Once he saw the village, Hugo yelled, “There it is men, the village of Cerin, keep your eyes sharp and pay close attention to anything suspicious.” He ordered.
“Yes sir.” Everyone yelled.
Once the soldiers made it to the town, they were met with about a hundred worried expressions. Each man, woman and child were paralyzed with fear and curiosity as to why soldiers would appear in their small village. If anything they would have expected a few soldiers to pass through but never an army, and especially not the royal guard. The people’s fear only intensified as all but one of the thirty or something men began to dismount and stood frozen next to their horse with a stoic expression.
“Good Morning. I am Grand Duke Hugo of Verba, cousin of his majesty, King Ramos of Aden. Now who is the mayor of this village?” Hugo explained with a devious grin, while the people gasped upon hearing his name. The Grand Duke was the King’s right hand, his arrival meant a royal decree of some kind and the people were curious as to what it might be. The crowd then turned their attention to a fat bald man who had stepped forward. He wore a long dress robe and sandals on his feet. His name was Thomas, and he was the town mayor. Thomas was a good mayor. He treated his people kindly and did not over tax them. The people loved him so much that every year on his birthday they threw him a party and had a big feast.
Thomas’ hands were shaking with fear as he approached The Grand Duke. He was scared and Hugo knew it, in fact, it was something that he had grown accustom to over the years, and he had enjoyed it. The way so-called mighty men quivered with fear with just the mere mention of his name and the way they bowed their heads in his presence—too afraid to look at him—almost as if he were their God; it made Hugo feel empowered and he had no problem with enforcing his power.
“That'll be me, sire, Thomas of the house of Black.” Thomas bowed before the Duke, his hands were still shaking and his eyes were staring intensely at the ground—almost as if he were afraid that if he were to look at the Duke, he’d be obliterated by his gaze. “What brings someone of your statue to our little village?” He asked, keeping his eyes focused on the ground
Hugo walked over to him and put his arm on his shoulder. “Rise sir.”
Thomas stood up.
“Shall we go someplace to talk?” Hugo insisted.
“Yes your grace, please follow me.” Thomas turned away from the group of people and started walking towards a giant building in the middle of the square. The building was tall, about three stories high with windows spaced out throughout it. At the top of the building hung a bell that the mayor used to summon his people for town meetings. The bell was so big and loud, that it could be heard throughout the entire village and into the forest, so that if a villager was in the forest at the time, they could hear the bell and rush back.
“This is quite a setup you have here, Mr. Black.” Hugo said once they reached two red doors in front of the building. “Tell me, are you stealing money from your people or his majesty in order to pay for this?”
Thomas shook his head no. The thought of ever stealing from either his people or his king was against everything that he had been taught and believed in. “This building has been around for decades your grace, the townspeople built it for the mayor in order to show their gratitude.” He said proudly.
Hugo laughed and shook his head. “That’s a relief. I thought I was going to have to have you executed.” He said, with a ferocious laugh that frightened Thomas and made him feel as if going into that building with the Grand Duke was a bad idea. Hugo slapped his hand down on Thomas’ shoulder, “Just joking,” he said unconvincingly.
Thomas let out a nervous laugh, then proceeded to open the door. “This way your grace.” He said as he opened the door and walked inside.
“Right. You men stay out here. Caleb and Zach, come with me.” Hugo ordered and they o
beyed. The building was brightly lit by the sunlight shining directly through each window. As Hugo and his men made their way down the hallway and up a flight of steps, they couldn’t help but notice the many rooms and people peaking their heads out of the doorways, looking at them as if they were some kind of trophy or new toy that all the children wanted.
“Go back to work, nothing to see here people.” Thomas said, as politely as he could; although, he was just as curious as his people were about why the king’s most trusted advisor, would show up in their little village. The people did as they were told as Hugo and the men continued on their way towards the main office, which was located at the top of the steps.
“This is it.” Thomas said, as he opened the big black door and allowed the men to enter the room before him. The room was big and fully decorated with things from their village and neighboring villages, along with some stuff he bought, or others had made for him; like paintings, rugs and even plants. The desk was tall and long enough for one person to sit behind it, while whoever decided to come visit or had an issue could sit in front of him with at least one other person. On the desk was a couple of documents that Thomas had to sign; including laws and decrees made by the king himself. The smaller curtains were pulled back, letting the sunlight shine vibrantly throughout the room and the windows were opened in order to let the summer breeze in. The larger curtain, hid a balcony, that the mayor would use in order to give his morning or weekly announcements while to the villagers. “Please be seated.” Thomas said, gesturing Hugo towards the chair in front of his desk.
Hugo walked around towards the mayor’s side of the desk and sat in his seat, while Caleb and Zach stood quietly by the door. Instead of protesting, Thomas decided to sit in the seat in front of Hugo, while secretly hoping that this would be over soon. He had heard rumors about Grand Duke Hugo, and had known of his ways. As far as he knew, Hugo was a heartless man who took anything that he wanted and always got away with it because of who he was and his connection with the king. He had also heard rumors that one of his men was the actual prince of the kingdom, and unlike Hugo, was more caring and defensive of his people even though he was not the Crown Prince—if anything, he would have wanted to deal with that person instead of Hugo. Hugo looked at Thomas and smiled his devious smile, letting Thomas know that everything he had heard about the Duke was the truth, while making him more than willing to tell him or give him whatever it was that he wanted. Taking a deep breath in, Thomas finally spoke, “What can I do for your grace?” He asked in a voice he did not recognize. His goal was to sound confident and collected, however, being that close to the person people deemed a demon, made it impossible.
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