Mark of the Banished

by Salandra Wolfe

  “A little fresh air will do you both good,” his mother said as she exited the carriage. She paused to take a deep breath. “The country has the purest air. It’s almost magical.”

  Maddox shook his head behind her. “Nature does not possess magic. Isn’t that right, Devin?”

  Devin appeared in the carriage door, the scowl on his face ominous. When the family invited him along, he had accepted, but he didn’t seem happy about it. Ryland wondered what was bothering his cousin so much, and if it went along the same lines of what was annoying Ryland.

  “You’d be surprised,” Devin muttered, jumping down onto the grassy plains. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Lily smacked him on the shoulder, causing Devin to stiffen and raise an eyebrow in her direction. “It seems Ryland isn’t the only one in need of a vacation,” she teased, wagging her eyebrows at him.

  “Neither of us needs a vacation. We need to be back at the castle working.” Devin straightened his cloak with an offended expression.

  “Exactly.” Ryland waved a hand in Devin’s direction, relieved someone in his family understood him. “I agree with Devin.”

  “Come now. Even great warriors need their rest, boys.” Maddox ushered them all to the manor house. “Let’s get inside and make sure the servants are unpacking our things correctly.” Ryland wasn’t sure why his father was worried. The servants had been with the family for years and knew exactly how the Lykes preferred their lodgings.

  Ryland sighed and turned to the manor. By his family’s standards, it was a small house. Brown walls and a red roof gave him a cozy feeling of home, though he hadn’t been here in years. He closed his eyes, envisioning the inside: mahogany furniture, glass chandeliers, and wide, clear windows. The layout was open and warm, not nearly as formal as their estate. He appreciated that about this place. Here, their responsibilities couldn’t reach them.

  “Remember all the time we spent out here, Ryland?” Fayre asked, waving her hand. Ryland looked where she was gesturing, seeing a large field of yellow daisies, and, beyond that, the roof of another manor, likely vacant. “We had all sorts of adventures.”

  “Yes, that we did.” Ryland’s shoulders started to relax, and he wrapped an arm around Fayre’s waist. Perhaps it had been a good idea to come here after all. It was so peaceful and completely isolated. If someone wanted to disappear in Algar, the countryside would be the perfect place to do it. The land rolled on for miles, with plenty of empty country manors, largely abandoned by the nobles who owned them, as city life held more comfort and appeal these days. Not a single soul for miles.

  Ryland had often thought about this aura of solace while at the palace. He had yearned to escape far away from his problems, and now that he was here, he could do just that. But somehow, it felt like running away, which was not an emotion he relished.

  “It’s a shame most of the nobles don’t come here anymore.” Fayre scratched her eyebrow, her eyes wide. “Your mother told me they used to flock here by the hundreds during the summer. Now there’s just a bunch of empty old houses.” They had spent many hours exploring those empty houses in their youth. Some were periodically checked on and cleaned by servants, but most were rotting away and crumbling into their own foundations, making going inside a dangerous adventure.

  “I suppose work has gotten in the way of fun,” Ryland said slowly, starting to understand why they were here.

  Fayre looked up at him, her green eyes shining. “You like it here, don’t you?”

  “I like being anywhere you are.” Ryland leaned down and kissed her for a long, lingering moment. Pulling back at last, he sighed dramatically. “I suppose my parents were right. I did need a break from the castle.”

  Fayre smiled brightly, her red hair dancing behind her in the wind. “Actually, it was my idea.”

  Ryland’s eyebrows shot up. “It was?”

  Fayre dipped her head, her dark eyelashes brushing her cheeks. “Yes. I saw how much leading the investigation was eating you up inside. And then there’s the kingship . . .” She hesitated. “I don’t want you to lose yourself to the chaos.”

  “I won’t. I promise.” Ryland pressed his lips to her forehead. “Out of curiosity, how long do you expect we’ll stay here?”

  She laughed and swatted his arm. “However long it takes you to grow some sense.” She stepped out of his embrace and tugged on his hand. “Come on. Everyone’s waiting for us.”

  Ryland rolled his eyes and allowed her to drag him inside the house, where the rest of the family waited in the game room.

  Lily held up a deck of cards. “We decided to play a game. Want to join?”

  Ryland smiled at Fayre and nodded. “Sure, as long as you’re okay with getting beaten.”

  Maddox stepped forward and clapped Ryland on the shoulder. “Boys against girls, how about it?”

  “That’s not fair!” Fayre protested, walking over to join Ryland’s mother. “There are three of you!”

  “I will pass on the games, thank you,” Devin mumbled. He retreated into the corner and sat on a chair, glowering intensely at the floor. Ryland watched him, his brows furrowed. What had gotten into him?

  Maddox didn’t seem to notice the actions of his nephew as he smirked at the girls. “Now we can play. Prepare to lose.”

  “Hah!” Lily scoffed, shuffling the cards. “The Lyke women never lose!”

  Ryland smiled softly at the way Fayre blinked at the comment, staring at his mother for an instant, her eyes wide. He watched as her shock slowly turned to joy, and her entire face became a beacon of sunshine. He liked the sound of her being a Lyke woman himself and couldn’t wait until they were finally married.

  They played a few rounds, and each time the men were beaten more thoroughly by the women. It was a competition, but there were no bad feelings, only laughter and joy. Ryland suspected his mother might be cheating, as she’d been known to put a card or two up her sleeve in good fun, but no one really cared. He found himself relaxing even further in the presence of his family. He had forgotten how nice it was to simply be with them, instead of constantly working all the time.

  Finally, Maddox groaned in defeat and set down his cards after yet another loss. Ryland did the same, smiling widely.

  “Care for another game, boys?” Lily taunted, gathering up the cards.

  “We will pass.” Maddox waved his hand. “Play against each other, why don’t you? I want to see who is better.”

  Lily and Fayre looked at each other quickly, and both grinned. “You’re on,” they said at the same time. Lily dealt the cards, and they were instantly immersed in another game.

  “Just watch Mother’s sleeve,” Ryland whispered loudly in Fayre’s ear, winking at his mother as she sputtered in protest.

  “Come, son, let’s go see if the maids have anything for us to eat in the kitchen,” Maddox whispered, gesturing out the door.

  Ryland rose and followed his father to the kitchen, where, in fact, the maids had prepared biscuits, hot drinks, and other snacks for the family to enjoy. Maddox thanked the servants and sent them off to enjoy their own meal.

  Grabbing the tray, Ryland turned to go, but the expression on his father’s face caused him to set the food back on the counter. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Nothing is wrong. But I wanted to ask you about the prince.” Maddox leaned against the counter. “I’ve heard some things about him.”

  “Like what?” Ryland’s eyebrows raised when his father didn’t respond. “I haven’t seen much of him lately. He’s constantly in meetings.”

  “Exactly.” Maddox nodded. “I spoke with the other lords. They have been meeting with Prince Caspian to discuss kingdom affairs. The prince has also been meeting with the knights and the counsel.”

  Ryland blinked and pursed his lips. “I didn’t know he was doing all that.” He paused. “Shouldn’t one of us have been invited to those meetings?”

  “Well, I am retired now, and Prince Caspian would have known how bu
sy you are with the investigation. I’m sure he didn’t want to bother either of us.”

  Ryland nodded at the plausible explanation. “So, what are you saying?”

  Maddox sighed. “It seems that the prince is starting to get a handle of ruling. Perhaps it is time for him to be crowned king.”

  Ryland’s stomach clenched as emotions raged through his head. Doubt, fear, and, most of all, relief. “But we don’t know if he will have a relapse.” The protest was half-hearted, and they both knew it. He had never really wanted the throne in the first place.

  “If he does, he will have you there by his side. But I believe the young prince has come to his senses.”

  Ryland nodded slowly, leaning heavily against the counter. He didn’t know what to think.

  “Ryland, running an estate and running a kingdom are two very different things. If anything, I’ve learned that from my time assisting King Richard. It takes a very special kind of man to be king, and I’m not saying you couldn’t be that man. I’m simply saying Prince Caspian has been raised to become king, and you have not. I supported you in claiming the throne because it appeared Caspian was not fit to rule, but now that he is, I must tell you I do not think you are ready for the responsibility.” Maddox grimaced and looked away.

  Ryland sighed and ran a hand over his face. “I’m not offended, Father, if that’s what you’re worried about. In fact, I think you’re right. I couldn’t even handle the investigation, let alone the entire kingdom.”

  “That’s not what I meant. For the investigation, you need to learn to let go when there is nothing left to be gained.” Maddox took a step forward and placed a hand on Ryland’s shoulder.

  “I understand.” Ryland swiped a hand through his hair and shifted his stance. “I would rather not be king anyway.”

  “So you will think on my words?” Maddox asked.

  “Yes,” Ryland agreed. “I will need more time to observe the prince, but I will consider it.” He took a deep breath.

  “That’s my boy.” Maddox reached behind Ryland and grabbed the tray of snacks. “Let’s get these to the women before they die of starvation.”

  Ryland laughed and followed his father out of the room, seeing a small movement from the corner of his eye. When he turned his head to investigate, nothing was there.

  The men settled back into the other room, and Ryland once again felt at ease. If his father proved correct, he soon wouldn’t have to deal with any affairs at the castle whatsoever, and he could spend more time with his family. With Fayre.

  His heart rate sped up as Fayre met his glance from across the room. She smiled sweetly at him, and his mind scattered for a moment. If he didn’t have royal obligations, he could marry her by the end of the year.

  Ryland grinned and threw a biscuit at Fayre, hitting her in the forehead. She gave him a look of shock before pouncing on him and rubbing jam all over his face. Laughing hysterically, he went into the kitchen to wash up.

  In the corner of his mind, he realized something. Devin was missing.

  The chill morning air bit into Ryland’s skin the next day when he slid out of bed and got dressed, pulling on a cloak to ward off the cold. Treading quietly so as to not wake anyone, Ryland exited the manor and found himself alone in the fields of flowers.

  Well, not alone. His lips curved upward as he approached the yellow flowers and saw an indent in the otherwise unbroken sea of plants. He leaned over the prone form, waiting for her to notice him.

  Fayre’s eyes peeked open slowly. “Oh, good morning, Ryland.”

  “Good morning, my sweet.” He lowered himself to the ground next to her, and she grabbed his hand.

  “It’s beautiful up there,” she said, pointing to the sky, where giant white clouds drifted lazily across their vision.

  “It is,” he agreed, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.

  There was a moment of peaceful silence before Fayre sat up and looked at him. “Did you speak to your father yesterday?”

  Ryland sighed and pushed himself upward. “Yes, I did.”

  “What did he tell you?” she asked, her eyebrows arched.

  Ryland reached over to tuck a strand of red hair behind her ear. “He wants me to consider abandoning my claim to the throne and letting the prince be crowned. Prince Caspian has started meeting with the knights, lords, and counsel, and it appears he has gotten a handle on ruling.”

  “Well, that’s good, isn’t it?”

  Ryland nodded. “It is. I would absolutely love to relinquish any thoughts toward the throne, but it is my duty to make sure the people are taken care of.” He shook his head. “I’m just not sure if the prince is truly . . . back to normal.”

  Fayre nodded. “That is understandable. So you want to wait a while longer?”

  “Yes, I do. But if he really is doing better, I will step back and support him as my father did for King Richard.”

  “Good,” Fayre exclaimed. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. “That means we can finally get married,” she whispered in his ear.

  He laughed and held her close. “It does.”

  “Lily and I have started planning things out. Of course, we’ll need your go ahead.”

  Ryland scoffed. “Please, don’t involve me. We both know I’ll do nothing but slow you down.”

  Fayre giggled and pulled back. “I was hoping you would say that.” But her smile dropped almost immediately, and Ryland tensed, knowing she was going to say something else. “Did Maddox talk to you about the investigation too?”

  “Briefly.” Ryland looked away. “He thinks I should let it go.”

  “What does the prince think?” Fayre asked.

  Ryland blinked and thought it over. The prince hadn’t checked up on the investigation since they had gone into the tunnels together. Ryland had tried to give him updates, but the prince refused.

  “He’s given up,” Ryland realized. “That’s why he never asks about it anymore. He doesn’t think we’ll catch the murderer.”

  Fayre nodded slowly. “I’ve talked to the castle staff. None of them think it’s possible either.”

  Ryland frowned deeply and clenched his fists. “So I really have failed.”

  “Not just you.” Fayre put her hand on the side of his cheek. “All of the other investigators have too. The prince himself failed. This is not your fault. The killer is just too clever.”

  Ryland sighed but didn’t reply. Her words were comforting, but that didn’t change the fact that this had been his first real duty as a lord, and he hadn’t succeeded. Why would the next time be any different?

  “I think you need to let it go,” she continued. “The trail is cold, and there’s nothing left to discover. It’s eating you up, thinking about it all the time. Please, let it go. For me.”

  Ryland gazed into Fayre’s pleading green eyes, and something inside him gave a little. Her hands were clasped before her, and he captured them with his own. “Okay, I will,” he promised.

  Fayre grinned, her face glowing once again. “Thank you, love.”

  “Anything for you.” Ryland pulled her closer and kissed her deeply.

  After a moment, she pulled back and laughed. “I better go help your mother make breakfast. I’m sure she’s up already.”

  Ryland nodded. His mother did like to get up early, and she would most likely insist on making breakfast herself like she always did.

  Fayre stood and hesitated, looking down at him. “Are you coming?”

  “No,” Ryland said. “I won’t be much help in the kitchen.”

  Fayre’s eyes twinkled, and she put her hands on her hips. “You just want to get out of doing chores.”

  Chuckling, Ryland dipped his head in agreement. “You know me so well.”

  “Fine.” Fayre rolled her eyes. “I’ll see you in a bit, then.”

  Ryland raised his hand in farewell, watching her until she disappeared into the house. Sighing, he settled onto his back, staring up once aga
in at the clouds. The birds began to sing sweetly in the nearby trees, and Ryland felt himself sinking into the cold dirt, the scent of crushed flowers surrounding him.

  Footsteps approached, and Ryland tensed, sitting up slightly to look in the direction of the sound. Devin appeared from the flowers, and Ryland relaxed again onto his back, chastising himself for being so jumpy.

  “Hello, Cousin. Sit down.” Ryland beckoned to the space beside him, but Devin merely gazed down at him.

  Sighing, Ryland pulled himself to his feet. “What do you need?”

  “I couldn’t help but overhear you talking to Fayre,” Devin started, looking up at the sky.

  Ryland felt uneasiness crawl up his spine. “Sound carries far in the plains,” he admitted, the knowledge not making him feel any better.

  “Indeed.” Devin met his eyes. “Are you truly giving up the investigation?”

  Ryland raised a hand to scratch the back of his neck. “I suppose so,” he said slowly. “My father and Fayre brought up good points. It’s been seven weeks now since the king’s murder, and I very much doubt we’ll catch the murderer this late.”

  Devin nodded. “I agree. There is nothing to be gained from pursuing it further.” He was silent for a moment longer. “And the throne?”

  Ryland shrugged. “Caspian appears to have a handle on things. If he continues to rule well, then I’ll back down.” He sighed. “It is a huge relief.”

  “So you would have the entire kingdom fall to ruin for your own benefit?” Devin asked, arching an eyebrow.

  Ryland blinked, shocked. “What do you mean?”

  “Your father and Fayre want you to give up for selfish reasons. They want you to stop spending so much time at the castle and be with them more,” Devin explained.

  “I don’t see why that would be a bad thing.” Ryland backed up a step, feeling cornered, though land stretched out around them.

  “I’m saying their love for you might be blinding them to the real issue at hand. The prince cannot be trusted with the kingdom; he has shown you that already. They are disregarding the evidence in favor of complacency so they can get what they want.” Devin shook his head sadly. “Selfish,” he hissed.