The Unfading Lands The Complete Set

by Katharine E Hamilton

  Ryle, not wanting to seem ungrateful for the pardon, kept his mouth shut. However, in his mind’s eye he kept the fact that Edward was not releasing him at the forefront. He remained a prisoner, only this time, instead of being Lancer’s prisoner he was Edward’s.

  Edward shoved him out the doorway into the stables, the stable boy just about to unmount his horse. “Leave it.” Edward barked. He hoisted Ryle up onto the horse and covered his head with a saddle blanket. He then saddled up behind him and slapped the reins.

  “Is this necessary?” Ryle asked under the heavy blanket, as the smell of sweet hay and horsehide flooded his nostrils.

  “Yes. Now keep quiet.” Edward rode fast and hard putting as much distance between the castle and himself as possible. When he felt comfortable, he dismounted and pulled Ryle down beside him, the Eastern prince stumbling to gain his footing. When he righted himself, Edward whipped back the saddle blanket, Ryle blinking against the bright sunlight.

  “Where are we?”

  “That is no concern of yours. All you must know is that this is where you will remain until the exact moment I need you.”

  Edward extended a rope around the base of a tree. “This should give you enough length to gather water at the river and to find shelter should it rain.” He tied the rope to the shackles at Ryle’s wrists.

  “You are not removing these?” Ryle asked.

  “No.”

  “Come now, Edward.” Ryle clinked his wrists together. “How am I to live outdoors with my hands bound? Can you not tie it to my feet?”

  “You will just untie it.” Edward nervously ran a hand through his hair. “At least this way, your hands cannot untie the rope. I will check on you daily, so you do not need your hands for hunting purposes any way. Here.” Edward cinched the rope tightly. “You’re welcome.”

  “For what? Leaving me to live outside like a wild animal? You’re right, I am so thankful.” Ryle’s sarcasm caused Edward’s hand to lash out and slap him across the face. Both princes stood in surprise at the action. Edward looked at his hand as if it betrayed him. “I am sorry. You cannot speak to me that way.”

  “Why? Or the darkness will apparently manipulate you into lashing out?”

  Edward clenched his fists. “You do not know the struggle, Prince Ryle. I am trying my hardest.”

  “Are you though?” Ryle asked. “I mean, you only grow stronger, and it seems you like it.”

  “I only like that I am stronger than Lancer. That is all.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Are you baiting me? Do you want me to kill you? Because that is what the darkness wants. It wants me to kill you, and I am trying really hard to fight that urge.”

  “Go ahead.” Ryle stood with his hands in front of him. “But something tells me you are not so much of a coward as to kill an unarmed man.”

  Without a word, Edward abruptly turned, jumped into his saddle and rode away.

  ∞

  “My allegiance has not changed.” Cecilia planted her hands on her hips as she glared at Samuel. “I will remain loyal to these lands. You cannot force me to follow your cause.”

  “Actually, I can.” Samuel pointed out as he laid the basket of food before her. “Here is a supply for you for now.”

  Cecilia did not move to take the basket.

  Samuel sighed and sat upon the nearest boulder and looked to her. “Prince Ryle saved you because he feels you are an important asset to us. We can utilize you in the upcoming battle.”

  “Prince Ryle does not know me.”

  “He does.” Samuel challenged. “He is not blind. He sees where your ties remain. However, if he says we can use you, I trust him. Therefore, I will do my best to keep you hidden until that time.”

  “I should not have to hide.” Cecilia spouted. “I am perfectly safe in these lands from Lancer.”

  “True enough, but you are not safe from Edward. He will kill you if he finds you. And I am sorry, Cecilia but we cannot let that happen.”

  “Edward loves me. He would never kill me.”

  “He did love you, yes. But you betrayed him. He threw you in prison, Cecilia. I do not think he cares for you any longer. Ryle believes he will kill you given the first opportunity.”

  “I would think your Realm would wish me dead. I betrayed all of you, not just Edward.”

  “I did not say we didn’t.” Samuel stood and walked towards his horse. “Should Edward kill you, we lose him. We do not wish for that to happen. It is not for your sake we wish for you to live. Think on that.”

  “So are we all to be pawns in the Realm’s games? You yourself are a pawn, living here in secret? What if I tell Edward of your location? Will he kill you? Will he kill me then?”

  “You will not have the chance to spoil any of the Realm’s plans. If you do, I will kill you myself. You will remain right here.” Samuel’s words, though not as forceful as the other men she encountered, still made her heart drop to her feet. The young king was willing to do anything to protect his realm, even kill her if necessary. Did he not realize she was willing to do the same for her home?

  She walked towards the basket and sifted through the food and supplies. She refused to believe her life was forfeit to the plans of the Realm of Queen Alayna. She loved the Lands. She would not aid the Realm in any way. If what King Samuel said was true, Edward did not love her anymore. She refused to believe that as well. She was the reason he crossed the boundary in the first place. She was the reason Lancer found him to be worthy of Captain, and it was her loyalty that brought Lancer’s trust in Edward to new heights. If Edward or his realm thought they could brush her aside, they were sadly mistaken. Cecilia had worked too hard to be where she was, and she would not allow them to take her life away. Even a life in the Lands without Edward was still better than the life she would have in the Realm. She needed to figure out a way to sneak away and talk with Lancer. He had to know about Edward’s true allegiance. And he had to know about King Samuel’s purpose in the Lands.

  CHAPTER 11

  “A baby?” Isaac shook his head in disbelief.

  “I know.” Elizabeth stated. “It is quite overwhelming news.”

  “Clifton seemed thrilled last night.” Isaac grinned as they both reflected upon Clifton’s shouts of joy throughout the castle. The Eastern Prince had walked around telling everyone the news, even the servants.

  “He is quite excited.” Elizabeth confirmed with a tender smile.

  “But you do not seem to be.” Isaac’s brow furrowed as he studied her. Her long sigh cluing him in even more so.

  “I am excited.” Elizabeth stated without much enthusiasm.

  “Is this what excitement looks like?” Isaac jested.

  Elizabeth’s nervous laugh had him narrowing his gaze. “Tell me what bothers you, Elizabeth. Are you not happy?”

  She nervously bit her bottom lip. “I am happy. I am just nervous is all. I mean… a baby changes everything.”

  “I’ve heard that.” Isaac agreed.

  “What if I’m not ready for things to change?”

  “You have quite a while.” He pointed out. “I hear it takes months before the baby actually arrives.” He winked at her and he saw a small tilt to her lips that told him she was slowly coming out of her stupor.

  “I know that. I just- I just want to be of use when the time comes for us to take on the Unfading Lands. Now that I am with child my role has changed. Clifton would not have me fighting. I am too delicate.”

  “No one would have you fight.”

  “Exactly my point!” She waved her hands in frustration. “It is not like me to be cast aside when a battle is waging. I wish to fight alongside everyone. I always fight. It’s my purpose.”

  “Not anymore.” Isaac watched as she pushed herself off the bench and began to pace.

  “How would you like it if you were no longer able to participate in battle?” She asked.

  “I would assume there would be another role offered to me. A differen
t way I could be of use. You should consider that as well. You are not useless now that you are carrying a child. You have other strengths besides your fighting.”

  Elizabeth thought back to her father’s letter and the words he penned to her about her strength. She brought people together is what he said. And she helped others see the strength within themselves. Was that still true?

  “All I am saying is that you may find a place here that is more beneficial this time around. This battle will be different than the others. We risk everything going into the Lands. We need you here in the Realm should the worst happen. It is important the Realm maintain strong leadership should Clifton or I not return.”

  “You plan to cross the boundary?” Elizabeth looked to him in shock. “You cannot. You cannot cross back freely. You would be trapped.”

  “Not if we win.” Isaac pointed out.

  “But what if we don’t?” Elizabeth seemed horrified at the prospect. “You are the future King of the West. You must stay on this side of the veil.”

  “It did not stop us from sending Samuel. The King of the South is currently in the Lands serving us. Imagine what two of us could accomplish.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “No. We will have to think of other ways. Perhaps Clifton can lead the armies into the Lands. He can always cross back. You can guard this side of the boundary. Like last time.”

  “And we see how well that turned out.” Isaac waved his hand as if he held a solid point. “We cannot repeat the same battle plan twice, Elizabeth. I know you realize that. With great victory comes great sacrifice. I’m willing to make that sacrifice if it means the boundary line falls.”

  “If the boundary line falls. If.” She paced and flexed her fingers next to her sides. “We are not prepared for such a fight. Your father is still missing. Ryle is rescuing traitors. I’m with child. Edward is losing himself to the darkness. Samuel is in the Lands. Cecilia is free. What else could possibly come about?”

  Elizabeth looked up as her sister ran towards them, Alayna’s heavy skirts dragging against the small pebbles along the path through the gardens. “Prince Isaac! Elizabeth!” She called to them and waved a letter their direction. “Council Room at once!” She turned around swiftly and sprinted back towards the castle.

  Elizabeth looked to Isaac in confusion as he stood. “I believe we are about to find out the answer to your question, Elizabeth.”

  ∞

  Ryle twisted his wrists and pulled with all his might. Nothing. The rope Edward had tied to the center of his shackles would not budge and he could not find enough slack to wrench it free. He walked around the small alcove and hunted for something that might help him. His eyes landed on a sharp rock. Walking over to it, he sat on the plush grass and began raking the pointed rock over the rope. He heard hooves approaching and immediately climbed to his feet and walked away from what could be his savior as Edward hopped down from his saddle. He carried a linen sack and tossed it on the ground. “Your meals for the day.” He turned to leave.

  “That’s it? You come and dump food at my feet and then leave?” Ryle asked. “Any word from the Realm?”

  “No.” Edward continued on his way towards his horse.

  Ryle watched as he rode away.

  “Unbelievable.” He muttered, as he bent over to retrieve the supplies. Three small dinner rolls resided in the bag and Ryle leaned his head back in frustration. He could not live off bread and bread alone. His gaze wandered to the river and he wished for enough slack to wade in the water. Perhaps then he might catch a fish. But Edward had only allowed enough length for him to reach the edges of the river in order to drink or splash his face. He bit into one of the stale rolls and tried to be thankful as he walked back over to his rock. Sitting, he began rubbing the knot over the sharp point once more.

  He had lived in the alcove of trees for several days now, and he did not know which side of the Lands he lived closest to. But he knew that should he free himself he would run to the nearest boundary line and cross back into the Realm immediately. He was done with these Lands. He was done with Lancer. And he most certainly was done with Edward. The Northern Prince grew more and more distant with every trip, and Ryle barely recognized Edward’s gaze. Elizabeth and Edward had possessed the same crystal blue eyes as their father, but Edward’s now shadowed. A shadow that did not disperse, and Ryle knew the darkness lingered closer to the surface than anyone anticipated. Edward could not be trusted. Not anymore. He wished he could send word to Samuel. Perhaps once he crossed back into the Realm and found his way back to the North, he could send word to Samuel about Edward’s absolute untrustworthiness.

  A small snagging sound brought his attention back to his ropes and he spotted one of the small threads had come free. He panted from the effort and felt a faint hint of victory at seeing the small thread blow in the wind. It would take time, but Ryle now had a means of escape. He raked his hands faster across the rock and prayed for freedom.

  ∞

  “Now what is the commotion about?” Elizabeth entered the Council Room and walked towards her seat as Isaac took his across from her. They were the last to arrive and Clifton gripped her hand under the table, her husband’s nerves filtering through his touch.

  “We received a letter from Katarina.” Alayna began, her eyes wild with restrained fury.

  “Does she not wish to align with us?” Melody asked curiously.

  Alayna held the back of her hand to her lips, gathering her strength as she gripped the letter so tightly it began to crumble in her hand.

  “Alayna?” Elizabeth asked, worry causing her to reach out and touch her sister’s sleeve.

  Alayna dropped her hand and turned to Isaac and Melody.

  “She has your father.”

  Isaac immediately bolted from his seat. “What?!”

  Alayna read Katarina’s words, and everyone sat with baffled expressions, minus Isaac, as he paced about the room punching the wall in various spouts of anger.

  King Eamon inhaled a deep breath. “It would seem Abner outsmarted us all.”

  “We will go get him.” Elizabeth stated adamantly. “It’s as simple as that. Her offer is ludicrous. If she does not wish to align with us under peaceful terms, we will not be peaceful. We will fetch King Anthony with the full backing of the entire Realm. Her armies will not stand a chance against us.”

  “We cannot proclaim war on the Valleylands. We need them.” Alayna stated.

  “But her demands are preposterous.” Elizabeth challenged.

  “I agree. But we will meet them.”

  “What?!” Isaac turned and faced Alayna in horror. “You place my father’s life in the hands of whether or not we find victory?! I will not stand by this decision.” He looked to Clifton.

  Clifton held up his hand for the letter and silently reread Katarina’s words, as everyone around him continued to argue over what the next step should be.

  “I believe I just found my next purpose.” Elizabeth declared. “I will travel to the Valleylands and personally retrieve King Anthony.”

  “And how would you manage that, sister?” Alayna asked with slight annoyance.

  “I will simply walk in and demand his return. Should she refuse, I will kill her.” The dark thought surprising everyone at Elizabeth’s boldness.

  “You cannot just kill someone.” Alayna pointed out.

  “Yes, I can. She is withholding one of our kings, Alayna. Her action is a crime against the Realm. I understand we wish to have her help against Lancer, but we should not put King Anthony’s life at such a risk. She should also know that such a request is unacceptable. I will demand she return him. And should she not, there will be consequences.”

  King Eamon sat silently as he listened to his daughter-in-law and the vengeful line of thinking she proposed. “Vengeance is never the answer, Elizabeth.” He stated. “Vengefulness is what caused this mess to begin with. It is what constructed the Land of Unfading Beauty. It is what prompted Edward’s crossing. It is
what prompted our first attack. And it has caused nothing but more pain and turmoil. Katarina is seeking vengeance now; let her learn the consequences of such an action. We know the consequences; therefore we must rise above that line of thinking.”

  “Then what do you suggest? We cannot just leave King Anthony’s life up to chance.” Elizabeth leaned forward as she waited for King Eamon to speak.

  “I say we agree to her terms.” Eamon said and had Isaac falling into his seat in defeat. Eamon lightly patted the prince on the back as he continued. “We cannot achieve victory without the help of the Valleylands.”

  “But what if we don’t?” Melody asked. “She will kill him.”

  “Should we not achieve victory, then we plan a rescue mission for Anthony. Let us try to maintain a peaceful alliance with Katarina while we need her. Should the time arise that the battle does not look to be in our favor, I will personally lead the fight against what little protection remains in the Valleylands and rescue Anthony. He is a dear friend; I will not let him die. But we must play our hand carefully to ensure our war with the Lands is successful. Let her think she possesses the upper hand. Meanwhile, we plan accordingly.”

  “Am I just to sit here and let my father be tortured?” Isaac asked.

  “She said nothing of torture.” Alayna pointed out.

  “But how do we know?” He asked.

  “I will send word back to her.” Alayna explained. “That we will accept her terms but that should King Anthony be harmed in any way before the outcome of the war is decided, she risks war upon her own kingdom.”

  “I cannot believe we are agreeing to this.” Elizabeth shook her head in dismay as Clifton squeezed her hand. “What do you think about this?”

  Clifton shifted in his chair. “I like my father’s plan. I realize we are asking much of Isaac and Melody in ways of trust, but again, we will not let her kill him. We will find a way to reach both endings that we desire. A victory in the Lands. And a rescue of Anthony. His fate is tied to the fate of us all. Should the Lands prevail again, we are all lost. So, I say, we rally our forces and begin plans against Lancer immediately so that our loved ones will no longer be separated from us.”