King Granton looked to Alayna. “Alayna, what say you of this plan?”
Prince Ryle studied Alayna’s soft features and the hard look her father cast her way. Her confidence did not waver as she sat straight in her chair, her hands neatly folded in her lap. “I feel it is the best route to take as of now. I do not want us to cause unnecessary turmoil with the South. A rescue mission for the guard should be arranged, but not until we know the forces we are up against.”
King Granton nodded in approval and then glanced around the room. “It is decided then. We meet in three days’ time. Prince Clifton, please notify me the instant you learn something.”
Clifton nodded. “Yes, my King.”
“Any other matters?” King Granton asked.
“Yes, my King.” Clifton stated again. “I wish to consult with Princess Elizabeth over matters regarding Prince Samuel and his usual whereabouts, if possible.”
Knowing the young prince had been sent to spy on Elizabeth and the kingdom, King Granton obliged. He knew Clifton would look after his daughter while also receiving information from the young prince. “I think that a wise decision. You may meet with her following the Council.”
Clifton nodded obediently.
“Any other matters?”
No one answered. “Dismissed.” King Granton waved his hand and everyone stood.
Elizabeth exited quietly with her sister. In the hall, Elizabeth linked her arm with Alayna’s as they began walking down the main stairwell towards the grand hall.
“You did well, future Queen.” Elizabeth complimented softly.
“As did you.” Alayna stated. “I must admit, Elizabeth, I was quite impressed with your outspokenness. I think I will value having you on the Council when I am queen.”
“Really?” Elizabeth asked with pleasure.
“Yes.” Alayna smiled softly. “I feel there is more than what you are telling me, but the fact you can hold a prince at the tip of a sword and make him squirm in his seat gives me a strong feeling you could quite possibly do the same to an entire army.”
Elizabeth giggled softly and lightly swatted at her sister’s arm. “Yes, well I appreciate you backing me up on the fact we need to save the guard that is being held captive. I agree we must wait until we hear of the risks involved, but a rescue must be made.”
“Indeed.” Alayna agreed. “I feel there is more information we have missed by not being involved in past meetings, but maybe Prince Clifton will enlighten you once you two discuss matters about Prince Samuel.”
“Yes,” Elizabeth’s brow furrowed. “I must admit I was quite perplexed as to why Prince Isaac believes Prince Eric has his sights set on me.”
“Me as well. Find that out, will you?” Alayna’s gaze carried over the grand hall as she spotted Prince Clifton waiting patiently at the base of the stairs. “Your prince awaits, little sister.” She softly squeezed Elizabeth’s hand and then released her as she turned to head the opposite direction of Elizabeth. Elizabeth smiled as Clifton bowed. “Princess.”
“Prince Clifton.” She curtsied in return.
“I wonder if I might steal you away for a stroll around the grounds?”
“Of course, I would be delighted.” She linked her arm in his as he guided her towards the doors. Mary followed obediently behind.
“You look lovely today, by the way.” He complimented as they stepped into the fresh sunshine.
“Thank you.” Elizabeth’s gaze fell upon the horizon and towards the tree line. She wondered if Edward had left her another letter.
“I’m sorry Prince Isaac was…” He trailed off as if not knowing what to say.
“Insensitive?” She supplied.
“Ah, yes. I guess for lack of a better word, and a kinder one, that one will work.”
“No need to apologize, Prince Clifton. I take everything he says with a grain of salt.”
“As is wise.”
“I sense you dislike Prince Isaac?” She asked curiously.
“Not dislike completely, just wary.”
“As is wise.” She mimicked his previous statement making him smirk and softly chuckle at her retort. She glanced up at his sea green eyes and smiled. Worry lurked in their depths, she could tell. She could also see the grim set to his lips that spoke of regret for their future conversation.
“Something is on your mind, Prince. You wished to speak with me in the Council room. Care to share with me your thoughts?”
Clifton sighed deeply and led her towards the stables. “Will you take a ride with me?”
Surprised at the turn in conversation, Elizabeth nodded. “Of course.” She turned to Mary. “Mary, I am going for a ride with Prince Clifton. Please let Alayna know of my whereabouts. We will return shortly.”
Mary curtsied and wandered off quickly.
“Mary is always attentive.” Clifton complimented.
“Yes, she is. I value her greatly.” Elizabeth watched her attendant disappear into the castle.
∞
Reaching the stables, the stable boys readied their horses and Elizabeth hoisted herself into her saddle. She watched Clifton swing himself up on Henry and then fall into step beside her. “I want to take you somewhere.” Clifton stated as he headed to the top of the hill overlooking the kingdom. Tugging on his reins he drew to a stop and waited for Elizabeth and her horse to settle in beside him.
“It’s a beautiful view of the kingdom.” He stated as his green eyes reflected the sunshine. Elizabeth studied him quietly.
“It is.” She agreed softly. He finally turned and caught her eye, the light tilt to her brow telling him he better share what he needed to before she lost interest in their ride.
“May I share something with you, Princess?”
Elizabeth’s heart pounded in her chest. What would Prince Clifton need to share with her in private? Her mind wandered through various scenarios, all of which ended in a passionate confession of love. She silenced her heart as she watched the green depths of his eyes darken in turmoil. “Please, feel free to share whatever you wish.” She waved a hand before them, trying to outwardly appear nonchalant, yet inwardly chastising her racing pulse.
“I must admit I am glad you have joined the Council.” He began.
Good start, she thought.
“However, I must also tell you that what you heard today is just the tip of the iceberg, I’m afraid.”
“How so?”
He shifted in his saddle and then pointed to a tree quite a distance ahead of them. “It was that tree that I found Prince Samuel of the Southern Kingdom lurking behind a few days ago.”
Elizabeth nodded for him to continue.
“My conversation with the young man, though disturbing, was quite insightful. Most of the conversation you know by now, but I sensed your confusion over the topic of you and Prince Eric.”
“Yes, I was not quite sure why Prince Isaac would offer me up so freely and how he would know the desires of Prince Eric.”
“Because Samuel told me. Samuel stated that Prince Eric wished to claim you as his bride and take you across the boundary line into the Unfading Lands.”
Elizabeth gasped. “W-what? No. Wait. Did my father agree to this? Is this why you brought me here?” Panic rose in her throat and her gaze darted around the meadow. She gripped her reins tightly and adjusted her feet in her stirrups. She would run away before she would succumb to a marriage with a Renaldi. How could her father do this to her? How could Alayna? Tears threatened her eyes as she took a deep breath. Clinching her thighs against Lenora’s back, Elizabeth raised her hands to click her reins. Before she could complete the task, however, Prince Clifton placed a firm and steady hand over hers.
“No, Princess. Do not run in the midst of our conversation. There is more.”
Elizabeth relaxed once her eyes settled upon his calm and kind gaze. “Your father did not agree to the arrangement. In fact, none of the Council did, minus Prince Isaac.”
She exhaled loudly. “Oh. That is
encouraging news.” The corner of his mouth tilted into a small grin as he continued. “The conversation with Samuel was eye opening for me as well as the other members of the Council. Samuel was sent by his father, the king, to spy on the Northern Kingdom, but he was also specifically told to spy on you for his brother. He knows your whereabouts, Princess. Which means, I now know your whereabouts.” He cornered her with a steady, but firm gaze and waited to see if she confessed anything. She didn’t move but waited for him to speak.
“I must ask you, Princess, what your interest may be in the boundary line. Samuel says he finds you there quite often.”
Elizabeth felt the air leave her lungs. How could she reveal her lessons with Edward? Her conversations with Edward? Her private oasis of escape?
“It is complicated, I’m afraid.” She stated softly. “Do the other members know of my interest in the boundary?”
“No, milady. I left that part out. I just made it known you were being watched.”
Grateful, Elizabeth reached over and squeezed his hand in thanks. “Thank you, Prince Clifton.”
“Do not thank me yet, Princess.” He cleared his throat and glanced down at her hand on his and then back to the horizon. His gaze travelled to the tree line. “I wish for you to tell me.”
Elizabeth followed his gaze towards the river and nodded. He needed to know. He had already proven to her he was an honorable man. He did not share with the rest of the Council of her interest at the boundary line. Perhaps he could help her and Edward.
“I can do better than that, Prince Clifton. I will show you.” She raised her chin confidently as she clicked her reins. “Follow me.”
Clifton inwardly sighed in relief. He was afraid his request would insult or upset Elizabeth, but it seemed, he believed, that she was quite relieved. Henry followed behind Lenora as they made their way to the edge of the tree line. Elizabeth swung down from her saddle and tied her reins to a low-lying limb. He did the same. She watched him carefully, her blue eyes weighing his every move. She stepped close to him and looked up, the sun casting a sparkle in her bright blue eyes.
“May I ask for your discretion?”
“For now.” He replied.
She lowered and shook her head. “I’m sorry, Prince, but I need more affirmation than that.”
“Princess, it is all I can offer you. If there is something beyond the trees that wishes to harm you, I will raise every flag in the kingdom to draw attention to it.” He spoke fiercely and had her smiling. His brow furrowed in confusion.
She reached for his hand and squeezed. “Nothing harmful is awaiting us, Prince Clifton. I can assure you of that. But I thank you for looking out for me. I wish for you to keep this location secret from the rest of the Council.”
“May I at least see what it is you are wanting to hide before I make a decision?” He asked.
“No. That would not be very fair for me, now would it?”
He rubbed his chin in his hand and studied her beautiful face. Her eyes pleaded for his agreement.
“Alright. You have my word.”
A wide smile spread over her face, her dimple flashing. She kissed him on the cheek and pulled him towards the tree line. “Thank you, Prince Clifton. Now just follow me in here.” She grunted as a twig snagged against her dress skirts, but she fought through the brambles into a small clearing. The river rushed by them, a mere thirty feet from the tree line.
Clifton turned to see Elizabeth walking towards the boundary line. A man stood on the other side with a large smile at her presence. Did she have a love living on the other side? It all made sense, he thought. She refused to marry, denied betrothals, because this man held her heart. He watched as she stooped to lift a small rabbit from beneath some clover. She turned to him and waved him forward. The other man’s eyes widened in surprise. Elizabeth handed Clifton the small rabbit and removed a piece of parchment from around its neck. “This is my oasis, Prince Clifton. I come here daily, if possible, to escape the confines of the castle. It is my personal place of reflection.”
Clifton stood silently. Words failed him as his gaze darted from one thing to the next. He caught sight of the small arena, the deep red marks in the earth near the boundary line, the river. He struggled to comprehend what he was actually being introduced to.
She placed her hands on either side of his face until he glanced down at her. She smiled warmly. “Calm yourself, Prince. I promise it is safe here. Allow me to show you around.” She nodded waiting for him to nod in agreement. He held the small rabbit in the crook of his arm as she lightly guided him towards the arena. “This is where I have my lessons.” She winked at him as understanding dawned on his face.
“You are studying swordsmanship?”
“Indeed. You were close when you guessed fencing.” She smirked at his dumbfounded face. Turning him towards the marks in the ground she pointed to them. “These marks— I carved these over five years ago. They help me gauge the strength of the kingdom.”
“How so?” He asked curiously, bending down to rub his hand over them.
“As the Unfading Lands strengthen, the boundary line consumes some of the marks on our side. If the Realm strengthens, the boundary line gains marks and pushes over those on Lancer’s side. You would be surprised at how little, every day events can change a kingdom’s overall strength.”
He looked at her in wonder as she sat upon a large boulder.
“This is why you wish to be a part of the Council, isn’t it? You study the transfer of strength and weakness.”
“Partly.” She admitted. She glanced to the man behind the boundary who wore the colors of the Unfading Lands, his arms crossed over his chest, and his stance unwelcoming. She gave him a small wave and then reached for a piece of parchment she kept in her skirt pocket. She wrote quickly and then tied the letter to the rabbit. She grabbed the rabbit and placed it near the boundary line and nudged it across.
Clifton’s eyes widened at the sight. “I….” He walked briskly over to the spot and waved his hand as if testing for a gap in the fog.
Elizabeth grabbed his hand quickly. “You must not touch the boundary line.” He turned to her in surprise.
“I have never seen the boundary line this close before. I— it amazes me that animals can pass so freely.” He watched as the man across from the boundary lifted the note off the rabbit and unfolded it to read. As soon as he had, his head popped up and an excited smile spread over his face and he waved.
Clifton, completely amazed at the fact he was conversing with someone across the boundary, felt his left hand rise and give a small wave in return. Edward pointed to Elizabeth and she nodded as he pointed back to Clifton. Edward wished for her to share his identity with Clifton now that she had explained Clifton’s identity to him.
“What is he telling you?” Clifton asked quietly on a whisper as if his words could be heard across the line.
She giggled, which caused him to look at her in surprise.
“You do not have to whisper, my Prince. No sound carries across the boundary, and there is no one who knows of this place but me. Well, and Mary, Samuel, and now you. It is quite safe.” She lifted her face to his and smiled. “He wants me to introduce you. I have told him who you are and he wished for you to know him.”
“Is this man…” Clifton paused, the words hard for him to say as his heart twisted in his chest. “Are you in love with this man?”
Her nose scrunched in distaste and she laughed as she shook her head. “No, not at all. Well, I love him, just not in the way you are thinking.”
Relief flooded through him as he watched her gaze lovingly at the man across the line. “Prince Clifton,” She turned to him and then gestured towards the other man, “I would like you to meet my brother, Prince Edward.”
Clifton’s jaw dropped. He could not help it. He stood in awe at the sight of the lost prince. Healthy, young, probably around Ryle’s age, he thought. He was… alive.
She nodded to Edward and Edward bow
ed towards Clifton. Clifton bowed in return. He placed a hand over his heart as he attempted to comprehend everything he had just experienced. “I must sit.” He announced and had Elizabeth nervously linking her arm in his as he eased himself onto the boulder. “Are you alright? You have gone pale, my Lord.”
He held up a hand to ward off her words. “I just need a second to… comprehend this, Princess.” He sat silently as she shrugged towards Edward. Edward paced nervously as he waited to see the Prince’s reaction. From what Elizabeth had told him, Prince Clifton was an honorable man. He prayed his sister’s trust in the man did not ruin their chance at meeting one another. “You come here every day?” Clifton asked.
Elizabeth nodded. “Mostly.”
“And this is where you come for your lessons?” He quoted her words.
“Yes, Edward is my teacher.”
Clifton gaped at her. She wound her hands nervously in front of her and nibbled her bottom lip as she awaited his reaction.
“How long have you been conversing across the boundary line with your brother?”
“Since he left.” She answered simply.
“Five years?” He asked in bewilderment.
“Yes. Five years. Five long years.”
“And he has not aged?”
“No. He is the same age now as he was then. I will pass him in a few years.” She softly chuckled at the baffling thought.
“He wears Lancer’s colors. Is he part of the Lands’ guard?”
“Yes. He has recently been placed as Captain of Lancer’s Royal Guard.”
Clifton stood swiftly. “Captain? So, he plans to take over his father’s kingdom?!” Anger flushed Clifton’s face red as he stormed towards the boundary line. He wished to pummel the traitorous prince right in the face. Elizabeth snagged his arm and pulled. “No, no, no. You cannot lose yourself just yet. Listen to me.” He turned towards her and lost himself in her soft eyes of pure hope. Hope for an ally. “He and I have been conversing for five years, my Lord. We have wished for this day many times. Don’t you see? Having Edward on the inside can only help the Realm. He knows Lancer’s plans. He controls Lancer’s guards.”
The Unfading Lands The Complete Set Page 11
