Dallius stopped pacing and dropped his arms to his side. “And what will I be doing to help?” he sounded eager to do something.
The Princess appreciated his enthusiasm and willingness to help, especially when apparently no else was. “You can either go with me to the camp, to speak to Ahvi – two mouths arguing the same cause is better than one. Or you can go about this castle and start persuading individuals to join the war efforts too. Start small, get the servants on our side, the stable boys; anyone and everyone. Then start working up to the soldiers and so forth.”
Dallius was starting to see sense in this plan. Although he still felt a part of him was loyal to his King, of course, he now felt obliged to serve Adelaide as he had sworn to. He thought it easier for everyone if the King and Princess just got along but, once a stubborn arse, always a stubborn arse was the case of Athon. Dallius nodded his head once.
“I’ll see it done. You get Ahvi on your side and I’ll make sure the entire castle is with you by the time you get back.”
Adelaide laughed. “That’s some self-confidence you have.” she teased.
Dallius raised his hands to his sides and shrugged. “I’m not the Captain of Faradwyn just because.”
There was hope. There was some hope in finding friends in Faradwyn; whether it was in the King or not, Adelaide supposed it didn’t matter anymore. He would have to side with her family soon enough and if befriending everyone else in the castle first was what it took to get to the King, then Adelaide and Dallius had a lot of work to do if they wanted to get anything worthwhile out of this plan.
Marcus
Valerius sat beside his father in the meeting hall and they watched with care as Aderico strolled around the table, one which he had invited them around. Whatever he had to say, both the Grand Lord and his son waited with as much patience as they could muster. With his head held high and his arms linked behind his back, Aderico cleared his throat. He wanted to appear authoritative and this task of escorting the Grand Lady of Valkenn had clearly gotten to his head. If only because of his father’s constant reminders for him to finally start acting like the man he was supposed to be, with responsibilities and expectations to be carried out to satisfactory standards. It appeared Aderico was finally taking himself seriously.
“I will be leaving soon, to escort Alexandria to our family manor in Faradwyn.” he began, his gaze rested on his companions; one by one, and for a moment it seemed he truly had all authority over them both. Oh, he was enjoying this too much “How long do you expect me to be gone?” he asked.
Valerius didn't seem entirely interested, and he simply averted his gaze, sighing heavily and without saying a word.
Aderico shrugged. “Well, your reaction was expected, Valerius. I must return soon, if I am to marry Serendipity.”
Valerius clenched his jaw at the reminder of the marriage and he shuffled awkwardly in his seat. Aderico only smiled. Never would he have expected to have something to use against his own cousin, seeing as he was to inherit the title as Grand Lord of Valkenn before him. Now, Aderico had a Princess as his fiancée and not just any but, one of Redbane blood and a potential part of Iradas to rule under her name. That would have to be fitted into the conversation at some point too, to distinguish what exactly Serendipity would receive in her share as a Redbane.
“When you marry Serendipity, will you become a Prince of some sort?” Marcus asked, out of sheer curiosity. Marcus had no intention to share the lands of Iradas with the Redbanes. He wanted them all under the Valenti banner. As for Serendipity and Adelaide, they would be mere prizes; reminders of what had once existed of the Redbane bloodline.
Aderico stroked his chin in thought and the more he thought about his uncle’s question, the more he became tempted to smile. He eventually shrugged. “I haven't thought about that, really. She's a Princess I know, yet it had never actually occurred to me that I might become a Prince one day.”
Valerius raised a brow at him questioningly. “Why? Are your thoughts already preoccupied with some other dealings?” he asked. The young Lord hoped he sounded as bored as he intended to.
Aderico ran his tongue over his teeth but, did not stoop so low as to kiss them in response. “What interests you so much about my business that has you asking about it?” he asked.
Valerius sunk deeper into his seat, resting his arms against the sides of his chair, and with a casual half-smile, he replied, “I’m merely curious.”
Aderico knew the way his cousin’s mind worked, or at least he knew partly. He had to be careful with what he said and didn’t say around Valerius; as he knew his cousin was a terribly clever man who could unravel even the best-kept secrets, if he set his mind to it. Secretly, Aderico envied him for it. Not that he would ever admit that to Valerius’ face.
Marcus sat upright during a brief moment of silence and smiled at his nephew. “What might that business be?” he asked.
Aderico hesitated for a moment, his fingertips drummed gently against the wooden table and he didn't dare look up at either of the men.
“Aderico.” the Grand Lord tried again.
This time the young Lord looked up at his uncle, his jaw already clenched tight enough he was certain it would break any moment. “What is this business that you are so desperate for us not to enter into?” Marcus felt his patience wearing thin.
Aderico choked on his own words for a moment. “There would be no point of calling it a secret any more if I tell you, did it not strike you to think about it in that way?” he exploded.
Marcus didn’t appreciate his nephew’s boldness. He rose from his seat and flattened his palms on the surface of the table, his gaze still fixed on Aderico. Such behaviour was to be handled carefully. There was no time for any serious arguments between the three Lords. “There's no need to be like that, it was just a question. But will you be dragging Serendipity into this?”
Aderico's kept himself from rolling his eyes at his fiancées mention. Why, he wondered, does Serendipity have to be brought into everything? “No, she knows nothing about my private affairs and I’d like to keep it that way. Serendipity is a level-headed girl but, I doubt she’d understand anything I concern myself with.”
Valerius was growing bored with his cousin’s games and perhaps impatient, more than anything, with his attempts to avoid answering the question posed. “What is your business? Weapons? Armour? Land? Answer the damn question, Aderico.” he asked. Whilst Valerius loved his cousin dearly and thought of him as more of a brother, there were times where he wished he could just act his age and trust his family enough to speak freely of the things on his mind. There was nothing Valerius hated more than a family turning against each other, unless they deserved it. As of this moment, he believed his family were all on the same page here, and Valerius liked to believe there was nothing he and his cousin in particular had to hide from each other.
Aderico pressed his lips together and shook his head again, childish behaviour. This time he moved from his place and went to leave the hall. It seemed his uncle and cousin had somehow earned the silent treatment from him.
Marcus wasn't quite finished with him and apparently neither was Valerius. “Aderico.” he called out, going so far as to slam a fist down against the table. “Sit down, you have not been dismissed. It appears we still have much to discuss.”
Adelaide
Early that afternoon, when Faradwyn Castle was at its busiest, Adelaide and Dallius slipped out without the King’s knowing. The Captain had been so kind as to organise the entire escape single handedly. He hadn’t wanted to burden Adelaide with anything and he certainly didn’t want her to worry about Athon finding out about it. With the Princesses assassins remaining within the castle, he hoped it would be enough to make the King believe Adelaide was still inside with them. Somewhere.
“We aren’t actually escaping from anything, you know.” Dallius said as they rode their horses past the castle gates and onward, to the Ordathian Camp where Ahvi was posted.
&
nbsp; Adelaide shrugged. “It makes it sound more exciting than it really is.” she replied.
Dallius chuckled, shaking his head as he did. With a click of his tongue, he urged his horse to go a little faster. “By the sound of it, you didn’t have much fun back at home. Is that how you had entertained yourself as children – escaping from people all the time?” he asked.
“Perks of being a Princess. Feathered pillows, breakfast in bed and avoiding death every other day. The Valenti assassins seemed to be getting better with each passing week.” Adelaide replied as though it meant nothing.
It was true that being a Redbane meant a life of luxury. Yet, with every luxury came danger tenfold. The previous Emperor’s death only proved it.
Dallius frowned at that. “I’m sorry, I hadn’t intended for it to sound so,” he began.
The Princess let out a laugh. With no one around to care about her behaviour being ‘unladylike’, Adelaide let herself truly laugh. “I was only teasing you, Captain. There’s no need to get so worried.” she reassured him. Adelaide was bored with people thinking they had to walk carefully through conversations with her, just in case they offended her in the slightest. It was really only death threats and blatant promises of overthrowing the Redbanes which set her off. “Apparently I’ll have a husband to protect me from such dangers, anyway.” her voice came out quiet and uncertain.
Dallius didn’t look her way as they rode side by side, should his staring only make the Princess more uncomfortable. He looked ahead instead and wondered what Ahvi’s response would be to the Princesses extravagant request.
It wasn’t that Ahvi Broadblade was a coward, in fact he was a man renowned across Faradwyn for his strong sense of honour and duty to anything he deemed a ‘greater cause’. If there was any cause greater than saving The Allied Kingdoms from a sadist and his sick family, then Dallius was certain Ahvi would gladly fill him in on it.
Up ahead, a flag danced in the wind on a lone pole. The Ordathian Camp. Ahvi would be there for certain, seeing as he only thought himself so useful in a castle run by his stubborn Nephew-King. With Adelaide desperate to rally some aid for her brother, Ahvi Broadblade had anticipated her coming to him at one point. But so soon, that he had not expected. If there was one thing he knew about all too well, it was the stubbornness of a Redbane and just how high they placed their pride on a pedestal. The Captain of the Ordathian Army (for he had preferred to be named captain of his own smaller army, than that of the men under the King’s banner) stood watching both riders from a distance; one hand on the hilt of his sword and the other wrapped firmly around the neck of a splendid silver chalice. He drained his cup before handing it over to a soldier passing by. Still, he remained waiting for the two guests he had been expecting so anxiously. It was not often Ahvi Broadblade felt his courage challenged but, the prospect of joining a full-fledged war was enough to send any man with sense biting his thumbs.
“He knows why we’re here and he doesn’t like it one bit.” Adelaide said to her companion. She caught the Captain’s thoughts like one might catch the scent of meat cooking. It only made her more nervous to ask Ahvi of such a favour.
Dallius said nothing in response. He didn’t want to make the Princess any more dubious about the outcome of this visit than she already was. The Captain helped Adelaide off her horse and together they entered the humble camp on foot.
Around them, soldiers attended to their own business. Some sat around camp fires, roasting meat over naked flames or heating up some much wanted stew. Others polished their suits of armour, whilst a handful (whom Adelaide had guessed to be blacksmiths) stood sharpening swords and buffing shields. All the men seemed to be under the good care of Ahvi. Having thought of the captain himself, he appeared to greet his two guests as politely as was expected of him. Men rose as he passed by and bowed at the waist when he did.
“Princess Adelaide, Captain Dallius. To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked. His tone was not condescending, nor did he sound disappointed to see a Redbane (of all people) in his camp. In truth, he did genuinely appear honoured and humble – a trait of his which vastly differentiated him from his unreasonable nephew. Perhaps Ahvi Broadblade should have been named King of Faradwyn instead? As though anyone would have dared to pose such a question aloud.
Dallius clasped his hand in his and both men shared a brief smile.
When Adelaide approached, Ahvi took her hand in his and kissed it tenderly. “I was expecting you.” he said to her, however not meanly.
Adelaide, despite knowing it to be true, was still surprised. “I’m truly sorry I haven’t come on better terms and even more so that I’m in need of a favour. If it is too much of me to ask, I will accept no for an answer.” she spoke carefully, for what she was about to ask of him really was too much for any man. But she could feel the desperation choking her up slowly.
With a single jerk of his head, Ahvi invited them to both to follow him. He said nothing to them, for the time being, not until they were inside his tent and felt they could speak in private – without any of the men outside hearing and being sent into a state of panic. Trained soldiers or not, no one liked to be forced into a battle, let alone an entire blasted war.
“What can I do for you? Something that requires travelling as far away from the eyes and ears of my nephew, it seems.” Ahvi asked. He poured his guests a drink each and handed it to them. Whilst Dallius took his gratefully from his host, Adelaide only did so out of courtesy.
“Perhaps it would be wiser to ask how you and your men are faring here first? Before we delve too deep into any talk of alliances and such?” Adelaide asked, after having found a chair to sit on. She feared they’d be here a while so, she thought it best to make herself comfortable.
Ahvi braced himself against a table and he ran a hand down his mouth. It was as he had expected. “If you want the numbers straight, you can just ask me. I will gladly provide them, Princess.” he replied.
Adelaide placed her cup down onto a table beside her and nodded.
The Captain looked to Dallius a moment, before turning his attention to a pile of heavy leather journals and folders. It took him only a minute or so to find what he was looking for. The man clearly valued organisation and it served him well. He flattened out a piece of paper on the table and cleared his throat. “I cannot speak for the army under my nephew’s banner but, I assume you have those numbers covered?” Ahvi asked Dallius.
The young Captain of Faradwyn folded his arms over. “Assuming the King will be so kind as to lend us some. I may be Captain but, the King’s word is law. Unfortunately, even in a time of war I wouldn’t stoop so low as to steal Athon’s army right from under his nose.”
Ahvi nodded. “Rightly so. You’ll be needed in this war, young Captain Dallius. Preferably alive, too. I have a total of ten thousand men under my command,” he paused to hand Dallius the piece of paper.
“The men you see here are only a fraction of them. Even my soldiers have wives and children to go home to and I believe they have served their Captain and land well enough to have earned such a luxury of returning home whenever they can.”
Adelaide only felt more guilty for what she was about to ask. “The Redbanes need more allies in this war. It’s true, if I agree to marry Nicademius Mouridieus then we’ll have Bordennia on our side. Yet, last I heard, Marcus has sided with a certain Karideen Mortain – who in turn has the backing of the entire Land of Lords and their vampire pets.” she paused to scoff at the mere thought of it. “Vampires. Do such creatures even exist? I thought they were just crazed men with sharpened teeth and an irrational fear of the sun. I suppose that would work to our advantage then, if we forsake any plans to attack at night and only fought in broad daylight. That would keep us safe from half of the Valenti forces alone.”
Ahvi interrupted the Princess with a forced cough. “Even if I were to provide you with these men, I’m not certain they’ll be enough. Do you have any idea how many men the Valentis’ have now? With your
alliance to the Mouridieus’ not yet secured, how many men do the Redbanes have alone? Who else do you have on your side? I mean no offence, Princess Adelaide but, simply expecting every land in The Allied Kingdoms to rally to your aid when you need them to is not realistic. Especially with your father dead, the lands may begin to question where their loyalties lie.”
Adelaide knew he was not trying to be rude but, she hadn’t expected Ahvi Broadblade to be this upfront with her. “I expect them to express their loyalty to my brother, the new Emperor of Iradas.”
“Ah,” Ahvi cut her off. “Viktor Redbane is young. He is yet to learn who his real allies are. He needs to prove himself a worthy ally and an even worthier Emperor first. I don’t mean to doubt your brother’s ability to rule, only his ability to keep friendships at the moment.” he was only telling the truth. No matter how harsh it may have come out.
Adelaide understood the Captain well, and she accepted everything he said to be true. “Will you at least think about it? I keep my word, you don’t have to agree to anything and I will take no for an answer if need be. Just think about joining the war as an ally to the Redbanes. When you’re ready, you may give me your answer then.”
Ahvi poured himself a drink and raised his glass towards the Princess. With a half-smile, he clinked his glass with those of his guests and thanked the Princess with a single nod of his head. He then watched them both leave in silence, to allow him to return to being a simple captain.
Serendipity
The doors to the meeting hall were still closed and from behind them, Serendipity could hear the three Valenti Lords all arguing with each other. She couldn't help but smile. Whatever business Aderico was involved with, Serendipity decided she would also be a part of. If she was to be his wife eventually, it only seemed fair that the Princess make herself useful in one way or another.
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