Griselda began to weep harder, nodding through her sobs as she could not speak. “Very well.” Anne then turned to see Ella. “Ella is my lady-in-waiting and betrothed to King Morgan. I would prefer if you stayed my dear, but I shall leave it up to you.”
Ella rose slowly and cut a glance at Morgan who smiled at her. Ella curtsied to Anne. “I shall remain, Your Majesty.”
Anne smiled. “Excellent.”
Ella continued. “But perhaps Your Majesty would be so kind as to allow me to return home for an extended stay prior to the wedding?”
“My darling, that is a marvelous idea. Of course you may.”
Anne turned back to Griselda. “The monster is dead,” she said. “You have nothing to fear from us as long as you remain loyal.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Griselda replied and bent over and kissed Anne’s hand. “When Ella comes, please send her by ship. I am afraid the roads are plagued with rebels.”
Anne drew back quizzically. “Rebels?” she asked. “What rebels?”
“Apparently they have a camp in the Great Forest and attack our wagons.”
Anne turned toward the crowd scanning it. “King Edward!” she shouted, clearly agitated.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the young King said as he ran out and knelt before Anne.
“I shall not tolerate resistance to my rule, is that clear?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What is being done to route out and destroy these rebels?”
“We have searched for them, Your Majesty, but the Great Forest is expansive.”
“It is Lord Hansel, Edward’s uncle and my late husband’s brother, who is in charge of fighting the rebels,” Griselda volunteered.
Anne smiled. “Oh, I see.” Her gaze turned to the right of the thrones, to the darkest shadows behind the tapestries in the corner. There she saw Rayfen staring at her and she returned his gaze.
Chapter 10
Breston and Sephene found the rider in the kitchen of Castle Greynault sitting at a small, wooden table and gnawing the meat off of a recently plump chicken leg before washing it down with a deep swallow of goat’s milk. He wiped the milk from his formidable mustache with the sleeve of his tunic and nodded a greeting to the Lord of the manor before returning to his meal as a desperate dog might.
Breston turned to look at Sephene who appeared to be suppressing a chuckle, before turning back to the rider. “You’ve come from Avonvale, I’m told,” Breston said and the rider, a man many years older than Breston himself, nodded.
“Yes, m’Lord, just arrived,” the rider said and then took another swig of milk.
“And you’ve a message for me?” Breston asked eagerly.
“Oh, yes, m’Lord.” The rider laid the now meatless chicken bone down on his plate and looked up at Breston. “Sir Terrance sent me himself, so he did.”
Breston and Sephene both stood staring at the man as he tore a piece of bread and shoved it into his mouth. “And what was the message from Sir Terrance?” Sephene asked.
“Oh, well m’Lady, you’re not going to believe this,” he said, but left them waiting a bit longer as he washed the bread down with the remainder of the goat’s milk. He smacked his lips, leaned back in his chair and patted his belly. “That’s better. I hadn’t eaten in two days,” the rider smiled.
“What is the message?” Breston asked impatiently now.
The rider held up his hands, his eyes wide with excitement. “You know that Wizard that took over Avonvale?” the rider asked and refused to continue until answered.
“Yes, of course, what about him?” Breston asked.
“Well, he got himself killed.”
“Killed? How?” Breston asked.
“By his very own wife, she cut his head right off of his body, so she did,” the rider said.
“His wife?”
“And on their wedding day no less!” The rider began to laugh. “That is exactly why I never married.” Sephene could think of many reasons why this man had never married.
“Do you mean Lady Anne?” Sephene asked.
“Yes,” the rider said. “Well, she is Her Royal Majesty the Empress now, but yes it is the same.”
“Are you certain?” Breston asked.
“I wasna there meself, so I can’t be completely certain, but that is what Sir Terrance said. It’s what everybody said. She apparently did it in front of all of the guests at the wedding. Lopped his head right off his shoulders and he fell down dead, plop!” The rider punctuated the last bit with a clap of his hands.
“So, what happened then?” Breston asked.
“Then?” The rider scratched his chin as he thought. “Well, I suppose they canceled the ball seeing as how the groom was dead and all.”
“I mean what happened to Anne? Who is in charge of Avonvale?”
“Well, I just told you, Empress Anne is in charge of Avonvale. But she prefers Andalynn now I’ve been told. Sounds more regal, I suppose.”
“Empress Andalynn,” Sephene spoke the words quietly and with dread. The thought of Anne ruling a goat’s pen made her skin crawl, much less Avonvale.
“What did the Black Knight do? He didn’t kill Anne?”
The rider shook his head, his mouth turned down into a thoughtful frown. “Oh no. He made everyone kneel down and swear fealty to Her Majesty right there on the spot, blood still drippin’ from her sword blade.” The rider chuckled. “Oh I wish I’d been there to see that old bastard get his.” Then his expression turned dour. “His bloody lizards killed my brother and a lot of other good men when they took the city.”
“What else did Sir Terrance say?” Breston asked.
“He’s heard that the Black Knight and his draks are gonna be marching north soon. We’ll retake the city then.”
“Returning to Beagonia?” Breston asked hopefully.
“Don’t know m’Lord. They don’t make me privy to their imperial ambitions. Sir Terrance has just heard that the Black Knight is anxious to march north. But I do know that Duke Andrick of Libetha is in Avonvale and has been pushing for them to take over Libetha and place him on the throne for months. And rumor has it that he has…” he paused as his eyes darted to Sephene. “Er…that is, the Duke apparently has the Empress’, um…ear, if you know what I mean.”
“I think we all do,” Sephene said with a roll of her eyes.
Breston nodded as a smile spread across his lips. “Anything else?”
“Just to wait for word from him, but have your men ready to move quickly.”
Breston patted the rider on the shoulder. “Good man,” he said. “Eat your fill and have someone make you a bed for the night. I may have a message for you to take back to Sir Terrance in the morning.”
“Yes, m’Lord, thank you.” The rider then returned to the bread and stamped his cup on the table demanding a refill from the kitchen staff.
***
The door to the study opened slowly and Anne watched as Ariana entered the darkened room. Anne sat gracefully on a red velvet, cushioned chair in a light pink dress which came off of the shoulders. The braid of her long reddish gold hair fell over her shoulder, the tip resting on a bare patch of cleavage. She wore her golden crown upon her head as if it had been there her entire life.
Ariana smiled as she stepped inside closing the door behind her. She then rushed to Anne falling to her hands and knees at Anne’s feet, her lips pressing against each of Anne’s pink velvet slippers. Anne smiled down at her. She had long feared that Ariana was a threat to her. Her primary rival for power. Now she realized that Ariana worshiped her and she adored it.
Anne looked down at her lady-in-waiting. “Rise, my darling,” she said with a gentle smile and Ariana slowly stood.
“You summoned me, Your Majesty?” Ariana asked as she rose to her feet.
“Yes, I have a mission for you.”
“Anything, Your Majesty.”
“I need you to travel to the White Fortress.” Ariana tilted her head quizzically
. “Prince Tythan is there, yes?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, but so are Artur and Gwyndalin,” she began, but Anne cut her off.
“You shall go to Tythan. You shall tell him you escaped Avonvale when Tamesis was killed. That Tamesis had treated you horribly. That I was jealous of you and you feared I would kill you. He will believe you. Artur and Gwyndalin will believe you. You will beg for their mercy on your knees if you have to, but you will get inside the White Fortress.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” she said with a bow of her head. “What shall I do once inside?”
“Tamesis had an agent there. A Shebath worshiper, like yourself.” Anne handed Ariana a folded and sealed piece of paper. “His information is here. Find him. Make sure he is still loyal. Ensure that he will still follow the plan.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
There was a knock on the door. “That will be Morgan,” Anne said. “I will see you later,” she told Ariana.
Ariana smiled and curtsied low. She then straightened, turned and stepped to the door. She opened it and smiled at Morgan. She stepped past him and Morgan watched her go, enjoying her feminine attributes as she walked away. Then he turned back to Anne who bade him inside with a wave of her hand.
Morgan took a few steps toward his sister and then stopped and turned back to the door. Realizing that no one was following him he returned to the doorway and reached through, pulling a reluctant Geoffrey into the study. The boy had his face turned to the floor, head hanging low and his scruffy hair fell over his face obscuring his eyes.
“Come on, Geoffrey,” Morgan said as he pulled the boy forward into the room. “There is nothing to be afraid of.”
Anne’s eyes widened. “Geoffrey, why are you afraid?” she asked. She saw him glance at her briefly before hiding his eyes again. She realized he was trembling. He made no words. Anne’s eyes cut to Morgan who shrugged.
“I told him that you wanted to speak with him and he started trembling like a dog about to be beaten with a stick.”
Anne rose to her feet gracefully and stepped forward to Geoffrey and placed a hand on his shoulder. He jerked back in fear. “My darling, are you afraid of me?” she asked. Geoffrey nodded, but refused to meet her gaze. “Is it because I killed Tamesis?” she asked. He nodded again.
Anne slid her finger under the boy’s chin and forced his face up toward her, but his eyes refused to meet hers. “Look at me,” she said softly. Geoffrey reluctantly turned his eyes toward her. “Tamesis was a monster who deserved to die.” Geoffrey’s eyes widened. “He hurt me. He hurt Ariana. He hurt your mother. He hurt Morgan.” Tears began to well in his eyes. Anne placed her hands on either side of his face. “Did you know that he ordered the deaths of every person in Elophdale?” she asked and his mouth flew open in shock as he shook his head.
“They’re all dead?” he asked as the tears spilled down his cheeks. Anne nodded.
“I had to kill him, Geoffrey,” Anne said, “but I would never harm you.” She pulled Geoffrey into an embrace and laid his head upon her bosom as she patted his hair. “Morgan and I love you like a little brother. In fact, Morgan will be your brother once Ella marries him. Your mother and brother, Edward, are close allies of ours. I have even agreed to let you go home to Elwood.” Geoffrey lifted his face. “Would you like that?” she asked.
“Yes,” Geoffrey said as he nodded.
Anne smiled down at him. “Come,” she said as she took his hand and led him over to a chair. She sat in hers and then motioned for him to sit beside her. “Ella is going to be Queen of Avonvale. Edward is King of Elophborne. It seems only fitting that a loyal subject such as yourself should receive his own crown.” Geoffrey smiled as he wiped tears from his face. “Would you like a crown, Geoffrey?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Geoffrey said.
“Well then, how about the Stromland?” she asked. Morgan shot her a glance. He had hoped that the Stromland would be absorbed into Avonvale for him to rule. “The Wizard destroyed it, but I intend to rebuild it and I shall need someone I can trust to rule over it. Can I trust you, Geoffrey?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“Good,” Anne smiled. “I have decided not to send you home aboard the ship with your mother and brother.” Geoffrey tilted his head to look at her quizzically. “I shall send you overland in a carriage because I have a very special mission for you.”
Geoffrey’s eyes brightened with excitement. “What kind of mission?” he asked.
Anne leaned in close to him. “It is an extremely secret mission that could help Edward defeat the rebels that have been harassing him,” she whispered. Geoffrey nodded, eager to show Anne that he could be relied upon, especially since he would be assisting his brother in the process. “But first I need you to write a letter to your Uncle Hansel telling him that you are coming home.”
Chapter 11
The sky was dark as Morgan made his way into the garden looking for his sister. He found Anne sitting alone, a table set beside her topped with a bottle of wine and two glasses. He saw no one else with her, but was sure she was speaking to someone. As his boots crunched on the pebble path, Anne turned to see him and Morgan felt certain he saw a shadow of a man before it faded away into the darkness.
Anne smiled broadly at him. “I’ve been hoping you would stop by,” she said sweetly. As he approached, she motioned to the chair set up on the other side of the small table. “Please join me.”
Morgan walked around her and stopped before the table. His hand reached for the bottle and spare glass. “May I?” he asked.
“Please,” she nodded. “That is why it is there.”
Morgan lifted the bottle and filled the glass. “Were you speaking to someone just now?” he asked as he set the bottle back upon the small table.
Anne waved her hand dismissively. “Never mind that,” she said, which only caused Morgan’s curiosity to grow, but he did not push her on the subject. Instead, he lowered himself into the seat and crossed his legs.
“Something is bothering you, brother,” she said.
Morgan nodded. “You promised the Stromland to Geoffrey.”
Anne smiled. “And you hoped to have it for yourself.”
“Well, you are giving your lover both Libetha and Beagonia,” he said like an argumentative child.
Anne sat back. “Careful with your tone, brother.”
He looked down at the ground. “I’m sorry, I just…”
But she cut him off. “My darling, Morgan. You are my brother and I love you. When we have finished consolidating our power you shall be the second most powerful person in the realm after me,” she smiled. “We have an entire realm to rule, do not worry about which puppet I put upon the other thrones to keep order.” She reached over and took his hand. “I promise, you shall have as much land and power as you can stand,” she smiled.
Morgan laughed at his own nervousness. “You’re right,” he said. Then he held his glass up to toast. “To Empress Andalynn, ruler of the Middle Realm,” he said and she smiled before clinking his glass to hers. “You are already a much more beloved ruler than your predecessor.”
Anne laughed. “That is not difficult to do,” she said. “Tamesis was a little brat who finally gained some power and wanted to take his revenge out on a world he felt wronged him.”
Morgan tilted his head as he looked at her. “Isn’t that what you want to do?”
Anne shook her head. “No.” She looked down at her glass. “I thought I did. I thought I wanted to make everyone who ever spoke a bad word about me, called me a whore, or spoke evil about our family behind our backs, pay. I wanted to make them crawl on their bellies at my feet and beg for forgiveness as if their lives depended on it—because they would.”
“But not anymore?” Morgan asked before taking a sip of his wine.
“No, not anymore.”
“What is it you want now?”
Anne smiled a wicked smile. “I want everyone to love me. I shall be the one that s
aved the realm from the evil Wizard. Before, I thought it would be enough satisfaction for people to kneel before me out of fear. But now I realize I want them to bow down and worship me because they adore me—because I am a goddess.”
“A goddess?” Morgan asked.
“Yes, Morgan. I am a goddess.” He gave her an amused look, irritating her. “What did you see when I killed the Wizard?”
Morgan swallowed hard then shook his head. “It was all a blur. I was on my knees and suddenly you whooshed by and his head fell several feet away.”
Anne nodded. “Yes, I moved like a seraph.”
“Or a shedom,” Morgan said and drained his glass.
Anne sat back in her chair. “You know, don’t you?” she asked.
“Know what?” he replied as he stood and refilled his glass.
“Just before Father died the two of you locked yourselves in his study and spoke for hours.” Morgan nodded as he topped off her glass as well. “What did you discuss?”
Morgan retook his seat and shrugged dismissively. “We discussed his estate, some business matters, that sort of thing.”
“That’s all?” she asked.
“That is all,” he answered.
Anne’s eyes narrowed as she stared at him. “Don’t lie to me, Morgan,” she said.
Morgan looked down at the ground. “He told me that you were not Mother’s daughter.” He looked up at Anne expecting to see shock and surprise. Instead he saw her nodding, a knowing and frightening smile spread upon her face.
“Did he tell you who my mother was?” she asked.
“He only said that he had been seduced by some young woman.”
“But bless him he decided to keep me,” Anne said as she sipped her wine.
“He loved you enough to brave Mother’s wrath—but you know all of this?”
Anne nodded. “I have recently learned of it.”
Dragon's Keep: The Complete Dracengard Series Page 52
