The False King: The Cerith Kingdom Chronicles: Book III (The Cerith Kingdom Chronicles 3)

by Jude Marquez

  "That's what they tell you, but you told me you loved me too, didn't you? That you would always follow your king's word."

  "I swore fidelity to my crown and country. Never a man who couldn't even rule over his own house."

  Evander expected the kick but did not turn away. At this point, it no longer mattered.

  "You are a traitor to your father. The man who gave you life," Thomas hissed in his face when he was finally pulled to his feet.

  Evander nodded. "But I was always the better king."

  Another blow and then Evander was being dragged outside.

  "What happened to his daughter?" Evander slurred. He did not expect an answer. "Where did she go?"

  He half expected another blow to the head or to be ignored altogether.

  Instead, a gentle hand tipped his head upward and through a rapidly swelling eye, he saw Miss Vail.

  "I never left his side," she said and her smile reminded Evander of knife.

  Chapter 6

  The taverns and pubs were their best bet for finding information on Evander. The soldiers and guards were often there, common people who would see more than they would know, and sometimes people who just knew things but did not have the correct person to report to.

  So far though, they had not come across any information other than a vague rumor of a suspicious carriage going north. Always north.

  This was the farthest north Josette had been since she defected from Thomas' army. She was less familiar with these lands than she would like to admit and having Paige with her was both a concern and a comfort.

  She was a comfort because there was someone there to talk to, to go over plans, another set of eyes and ears. Kane also listened to Paige as though he were her pet and not Eamon's.

  She was a concern because she was far less trained than Josette and people seemed to be drawn to her, for whatever reason.

  "How far north will we go?" Paige asked one night. Kane was curled around her as she sat close to the campfire. The wolf was not asleep but watched Josette with those bright blue eyes.

  "I haven't decided yet. The word is that there might have been someone taking a prisoner north, but the Ebiris Empire is north of here. Not that far off, actually," Josette mused.

  "Prince... Alik?" Paige guessed. She received regular lessons from Gael on the neighboring families.

  "Yes. A feisty one, but he is reliable. He helped get the Queen Mother, Cordelia, and Kielan to safety when Evander and Alyx were thought to be dead," Josette said.

  "Could we go to him for information?" Paige asked.

  Josette thought about it. It would be wise. Surely Alik and Issat would know if there were royal prisoners on their lands. And perhaps they could get a decent night's sleep and a hot meal.

  Unless there was a darker possibility at hand.

  Unless Alik was planning an invasion of Evander's land in his absence.

  But if he was, why would he help ferry Kielan to safety?

  A safety that was now abandoned, now that the child, his mother, and the Queen Mother were all back at De Loughrey castle. It would cause less suspicion to fall on Alik if he were among the first to help defend the royal family, even if he did end up backing the enemy. It would look less like Alik hadn't been planning this from the beginning and more like it was an opportunity for his family and country.

  Josette thought back to the time when Alik traveled with her and the others. He was polite, well mannered, and a decent swordsman. He did put his life on the line for the royals but what could that possibly mean? He himself said that if the others recognized him as the Crown Prince of the Ebiris kingdom, they would not raise a hand to him, for fear of what his parents might do.

  It fit so well, so easily.

  But it nagged at Josette, the thought that this man would do this. In the time that he spent with Josette, he seemed to only want to take vengeance on two people: his father who was cruel to him and the person who killed his siblings.

  "Josette?" Paige said.

  "Sorry, I was just..." She waved her hand about. "Thinking."

  "About what?"

  "Court betrayal. What people would do for a bit more power. If we should pay an official or unofficial visit to Prince Alik."

  Paige looked like she wanted to ask a thousand questions, but held her tongue. Josette appreciated that about the young girl.

  "Tomorrow we will visit one more village, see if there are any answers to be found. After that we will head for Prince Alik," Josette decided.

  Paige nodded and began to set up her bedroll. Kane paced as she did, ready to settle down for the night. It was cold enough that if Kane had not been here, Josette would have worried for the both of them. But it seemed that every morning when Josette woke, Kane was laying on top of them, a heavy weight, but he chased the cold away better than almost anything else. He was also able to hear things that they could not and Josette felt better with their addition now than she had at the beginning.

  Josette curled herself around Paige and closed her eyes. Kane sat over them, probably waiting for them to fall asleep before he too laid down to rest.

  Above them, the cold wind whistled, and the stars shone brightly.

  ∞∞∞

  Eamon had almost completely forgotten about ordering that servant to send for his sister until a week later when Lissandra was led into his meeting room in the barracks with his other two siblings just behind her.

  "I hope you sent for us with good reason brother," Lissandra began, as she rounded the table to give her brother a hug and a kiss.

  Eamon blinked at the three of them in surprise.

  "You know how we all hate the cold," she went on.

  Avelina hugged him fiercely and his brother did the same in return.

  "I only recall sending for you," Eamon said even as he gestured for the servant at the door for more food.

  Lissandra shrugged. For once, her and Avelina had clothes on that would help them pass in the De Loughrey court.

  To an extent.

  They wore thick leggings under skirts that were split up the front all the way to their waist. From the back, it gave the illusion of a skirt, which was pleasant enough. The bodice was similar to what the women at this court wore but Eamon had to remind himself to order them both better cloaks. His brother was the only one who had a cloak thick enough for their current weather and that was only because he had clothes and armor for any weather.

  "Tell me, what is the trouble? Who do I have to soothe? Who have you offended?" Lissandra asked.

  As though summoned by the god below himself, Lord Ethan opened the door and Alyx stepped through.

  "Your Majesty," all three of them said and bowed.

  "Please," Alyx said and he sounded strained.

  Eamon studied him and noted that he looked more exhausted than usual. He must not have slept the night before, Eamon concluded.

  Edmond gestured for Alyx to sit and then servants were bustling in and out, bringing food and lighting the fireplace. Alyx stopped one of them and asked for cloaks to be brought from his room for Lissandra and Avelina. Then the last one left, leaving them all in ringing silence.

  Avelina approached Alyx slowly and knelt before him, took his hands in hers. "Did my brother offend you so much that you were up all night, plotting his death? If so, rest assured that his kingdom will be in good hands."

  For the first time in months, Alyx gave her a crooked smile. It was Avelina’s gift. "I can always count on you, Princess, for brevity."

  Avelina pressed a quick kiss to his knuckles and stood. She put a hand to his cheek and then to his forehead. She frowned and then used her other hand.

  "Your Majesty-"

  "It is nothing. A small sickness that is being passed around the castle. It will pass in a few days time," Alyx said and took her hands in his.

  Lissandra pulled Avelina away and did the same thing to Alyx's face. Realizing he was outnumbered, he gave up and let Lissandra do what she would. As she studied him,
she spoke out loud. "Eamon sent for me but my siblings would not hear of staying home. Edmond wanted to see how you fared with his knife set. Avelina wanted to see you and how you fared."

  As she talked to Alyx, she ran her hands over his face, down his neck and then to the pulse that beat at his wrist. Lissandra was more knowledgeable than the other three siblings combined when it came to sickness and healing. She was the one who taught Eamon how to properly stitch a wound when he was seventeen summers.

  "How do I fare, princess? Will I live to see another day?" Alyx asked. There was a gentle mocking in his tone and he did not seem to be taking the plight of his own health seriously.

  "Do you sleep?" Lissandra asked.

  Alyx shrugged.

  Lissandra frowned.

  "You will find, Your Highness, that I am nothing compared to the combined will of my sisters. I would not tell you what to do but..." Eamon glanced to his sisters who were standing above Alyx.

  "What were your plans for the day?" Lissandra said.

  Alyx looked to Lord Ethan, who looked down at the scroll in his hands. Lissandra took it from him and read it through before she frowned and handed it back.

  "No."

  "No?" Lord Ethan said.

  "The King is indisposed today. The barbarians arrived unannounced and he must tend to them. He will not be available for the day or the night and should someone have a problem with that, they can speak to either Edmond or Eamon," Lissandra looked over her shoulder to her brothers who both nodded. The family seemed to enjoy reinforcing the rumors and tales of their barbaric ways.

  "Your Majesty, if you will be so inclined-" Avelina said and pulled Alyx to his feet. She took one arm and Lissandra took the other and then the three of them were gone, leaving the others in their wake.

  "I knew I needed you all," Eamon said to Edmond.

  "You are lost without us," Edmond agreed.

  "What-?" Ethan looked around. "What do I do?" His job was Alyx, taking his notes, escorting him to meetings, basically at his beck and call for whatever he might need.

  "Stay. Take notes. You will have to report back to him when my sisters deem him well," Eamon said and gestured to a chair.

  ∞∞∞

  Alyx was ushered back to his room where servants were ordered to ready him for bed. A warm drink was brought to him and Alyx eyed it suspiciously as Lissandra held it out to him.

  "If you are wondering if I drugged it, trust that I did. You need sleep. You are driving yourself to exhaustion," she said.

  "Evander gave me a job-"

  "A job that you cannot do if you are not well enough to make decisions. Your family will understand. Let them take the reins for a day or so and then you can return to your search and slaughtering enemies that are at your doorstep. I swear it," Lissandra said.

  "And what will you two do?" Alyx asked and took the warm cup from her hands.

  Avelina was already looking through the books on Alyx's shelves and Lissandra knew she would find something to pass the time as well.

  "Don't worry about us. We are here to guard you while you rest," she said.

  Alyx sighed and took a drink. Perhaps he would be able to sleep without nightmares, for once. He laid down and the last thing he remembered before he closed his eyes was seeing Lissandra and Avelina quietly arguing over a book.

  ∞∞∞

  This new village was rough around the edges. Josette had seen their type before; populated by people who were too far away from the ruling family to have any type of law enforcement and were therefore left to their own devices, their own rules, their own laws, their own type of etiquette.

  "I do not wish for you to be upset with me, but I think you should stay with Eros and Kane on this one," Josette whispered to Paige. They were in the shadows of the trees, watching the hustle and bustle of the village. They watched in silence, on Eros's back, as two men seemed to argue over a fur skin and then one man pulled a knife from his belt and stabbed it through the hand of the other man. The knife went through cleanly and pinned the other man to the table where the fur was laid out.

  No one even turned to see the source of the screams. The man threw down some coins and took the pelt.

  "He overpaid for that," Josette whispered.

  "I would like to wait for you deeper in the woods, if that's okay with you," Paige whispered back.

  Closer to the center of the village they could just spot a brawl between at least five people. Josette had no idea what could have caused that. Maybe even nothing at all.

  "That's fine. We will find a spot for you and Kane. I would rather not take Eros in either. She is worth far too much," Josette said.

  A man staggered out of the brawl covered in mud and blood, a knife sticking out of his shoulder, before he screamed and jumped back in. A small child skirted the adults easily, without even a backwards glance.

  "Even in Lyset, things were not this bad," Paige murmured. She sat in front of Josette in the saddle and Kane walked next to them. Josette was worried about how Eros might react to the wolf but she seemed like she had not a care in the world.

  "Lawlessness is more prevalent when you get further away from authority. I would be surprised if either Evander or Alik knows this village exists," Josette said.

  "Will you be alright?" Paige asked.

  "Yes. And even if I wasn't, you know what to do," Josette said.

  It had been a rule at their outset; if Josette was taken or killed, Paige was not to attempt to help her or avenge her. She was to make it back to De Loughrey castle or the nearest friendly neighbor with her signet ring in hand and ask for sanctuary. She would ask to send a message home so that Alyx could send for her safely.

  She was not to look back.

  She was not to talk to anyone.

  She was not to stop.

  Josette had made her swear to it or she would stay home.

  Kane caught them a rabbit that night, still fat from its fall feast. Paige was curiously silent and when Josette asked her about it, she screwed up her face, as though trying to figure out how to word her question.

  "When we spoke of Prince Alik, you did not say as much, but Josette- The way you looked," Paige said and stared down at her hands. She was searching for the right way to say what she wanted to and after many lessons with the women of the castle, the girl's brutal honesty had been blunted. She did not know how to ask what was on her mind.

  "Paige. It is just you and I here. Say what you must, you will not be scolded," Josette encouraged.

  "The way you looked made me distrust Prince Alik, though you said he helped with the rescue of the others. If you are not to come back from that village, do I go to him? He is far closer than any of Alyx's outposts," Paige said.

  Paige was far smarter than most of her tutors gave her credit. Her letters and numbers were not the best, but if she were thrown into an unfamiliar environment, she would be more likely to survive than most of the thick headed people of the court.

  "The circumstances would determine your course. If you are not being chased, if you have both Eros and Kane, go for an outpost. I trust that you can survive the journey to one of them," Josette said slowly. If Paige were on Eros, it would still take her two or even three days. She would be alone in the woods with only Kane and her own wits to protect her.

  Better odds than most.

  "If you are followed, if you cannot make it that far, go for the Prince. Make sure you are seen. Speak loudly, clearly, that you are a ward of King Alyx's. Make sure you are known to as many people as possible. Wear your signet ring always. Do not speak of anything we have learned. That court is filled with liars that will try to win you over but do not trust them. Return to your king as soon as you can," Josette said.

  "I do not care for this plan," Paige whispered and, sensing her distress, Kane went to her side. She buried her small hand in his fur.

  "Nor do I," Josette agreed.

  Chapter 7

  "I hear that your sisters have drugged the King and
refuse to let anyone in the room," Gael said quietly, when he slipped into Eamon's quarters that night.

  "Nonsense. Both your mother and sister have been in there, visiting with them, while Alyx sleeps," Eamon said. He was pulling off his riding wear, having just returned from running the perimeter of the castle and meeting with his men. So far there was no word of scouts or any strangers to the land this close to the castle, but Eamon preferred to keep in contact with his men as much as possible. There was only so much leading that could be done from a castle on high.

  "He does not fare as well as I hoped," Gael said.

  Eamon chose to say nothing and threw his cape over a chair.

  "Evander gave him this chance and I fear that if Evander really is-"

  "He's not. We haven't proof of his demise, do not speak or think like that. For now, we must continue to believe that he is alive," Eamon said.

  Gael was silent for a long moment and when Eamon looked up at him, he found Gael staring at him. "Why?" He asked.

  "For the sake of the country. You say it as though it were an easy thing to do, but forcing Alyx's abdication and giving you the throne will take longer than we have and will only prove to worsen the countries upheaval and the ties to your allies. You know this, Gael."

  "What do you mean, longer than we have?" Gael asked.

  Eamon sighed and stood up. He gestured for Gael to come closer to the map that was always laid out on the table in his room. "I do not wish to alarm Alyx but these attacks on your border seem to be coordinated. Between your army and mine, we have the manpower to keep them at bay, but at some point, I do have to return home. I know you know that."

  There was a look in Gael's eye that Eamon did not like, something that was akin to an idea, but something that he would not say out loud either.

  The idea hit Eamon in the face like a bucket of cold water.

  "I will not marry him, Gael. I will not do that to Evander. I refuse to think that he is dead and even if he is, I believe Alyx really will kill himself before he takes another," Eamon said harshly and stood up straight. He crossed his arms over his chest.