Fractured Families (The Pearl of Wisdom Saga Book 2)

by Jason Paul Rice

  “I heard somebody call uncle Marcel a bad man. Is he a bad man?” the four-year-old asked. “Huber, even within a great family like ours, there can be bad people. We are a reflection of humanity.” “What’s that?” her little brother wondered out loud.

  “Let me try this,” she paused for a moment. “Every family is like a garden of flowers. There are some beautiful ones like us and then there are weeds. We are the orange snap-dragons and mother, father and uncle Marcel are the prickly jaggers. Someone needs to pull the weeds or the entire garden can be ruined.”

  “Even snap-dragons? Can’t they eat the weeds?” the naïve boy asked. “It doesn’t quite work that way and sometimes there can be so many dangerous weeds that even the mighty dragon can be overtaken. It seems as if uncle Marcel is one of the weeds that needs to be pulled,” Leimur informed him.

  “Why?” Huber asked. “Because he thinks I embarrassed him. I only followed the laws of our kingdom. Now it sounds like his feelings are hurt. Men don’t like to be shown up by a woman,” she told her brother. “Sir Orah says that kings don’t have feelings,” he responded.

  “Oh, many strong kings have feelings and mercy and love for their wife. When you let your feelings make decisions for you, there is a problem. A wise king will always put personal feelings aside to make the correct decision. More kings have been killed in the name of false revenge than I could ever count. I could take an army up to where uncle Marcel is hiding but it wouldn’t be wise. The smart choice is to wait until he sticks his head out of the snake hole. Once I take care of him I will have to leave again if I can find the coin to pay for it,” she softly informed the young boy. “Why?” his angry voice echoed through the room.

  “Because, I need to prepare our great realm for the Tiger King. You will learn someday that it is hard to get gold without spending gold. It may seem silly but everything comes at a price, now or later,” she said. “I can help you,” Huber stated. “I’ll bet you can.” She humored the boy.

  Huber turned to look at her face and his tone became serious, “I can help you.” She asked, “And how can you help?” “You have to promise you won’t get upset with me, promise?” the boy asked. “Yes, I promise, Huber.”

  “It’s over by the Rocky Falls. And we have to take a torch,” Huber told the Queen. She wondered why they would need a torch at mid-day but grabbed one nonetheless. The two left the palace and walked north on the smooth, packed dirt on Leluc Road. The pair got about a half-mile from the palace and Huber veered right down the steep, burgundy soil incline. Leimur followed with the torch into a patch of level golden grass with the water falls ahead. The wind from the dropping water cooled her down on this sweltering summer day. Her hair rippled back and she narrowed her eyes for protection from the unshielded sun. A trail of fragrant purple delphiniums tickled her nose and led straight to the waterway. The main fall had a hundred-foot drop, creating a booming sound when the cascading water hit the bottom. A series of raised rocks peeked out of the river and Huber hopped out onto one. The Queen noticed the rocks led to the other side. After the catastrophe on the Rushing River, Leimur didn’t want to do this. She tentatively followed her younger brother as he navigated the boulders, seemingly oblivious of the whitewater tides sweeping by. He landed on the other side and the Queen barely made the last jump. She understood why he’d made her promise not to get mad. If he had missed a rock, the boy could have easily drowned if he’d been alone.

  The hillside next to the main fall had much smaller springs of water gushing out and falling in random areas. Huber walked up to a fall that rushed over gold bramble. He pulled it forward to reveal an opening in the hill. “You go first,” the boy instructed and held the brush for his sister. The Queen of Goldenfield barely squeezed into the muddy tunnel. She quickly came to an opening the size of a small room. Huber appeared a few moments later, covered in mud.

  Leimur looked at three openings on the walls of this room. “Let’s do this one,” Huber said, pointing to one tunnel. They squirmed through the narrow passage. The Queen had difficulty controlling the torch and hoped it wouldn’t go out as she rubbed it on the top of the tunnel by mistake. She saw brightness ahead and thought it was daylight. Leimur came upon another opening and realized the glow wasn’t the sun. Gold engulfed her vision and a wide smile crossed her lips. Huber popped in and the regent ruler and future King of Goldenfield looked at an ancient burial tomb. The gold sarcophagus must have been one thousand pounds of solid gold. She looked in awe at a six-foot boat made from gold and a real-sized horse and wagon crafted from silver. The room glimmered with scattered jewels. Teamed with the gold and silver, the sight became nearly blinding.

  “Have you ever heard of the Tantu, my Tiger Prince?” Leimur asked as she stared at the treasures. “No.”

  “They lived on these lands long before Goldenfield was even a kingdom. He must have been a ruler to deserve this burial structure,” she told her brother. Huber smiled at her, “The others are better than this one.” Her heart skipped a beat, “What others?” “The two other tunnels. One has a silver elephant and the other has two golden tigers. They would look nice next to our throne. One for me and one for you,” the boy said with a toothy smile. She leaned down and hugged her brother tight. Leimur kissed him on the cheek and said into his ear, “We need to get one for your brother, too, but you may have just saved our kingdom, my Tiger Prince.”

  The Queen immediately started excavation after they returned to the palace but she faced a conundrum. How would she remove the huge pieces through the small tunnels without collapsing a hillside of waterfalls? She left one hundred guards watching the passage. She made sure not to tell anyone except General Rigby. Leimur even kept constant watch on her brother so the excited little boy didn’t inadvertently open his mouth. The guards wondered what they were protecting, knowing it had to be something of great value.

  The process took about a week, but the Queen eventually located a large opening on the other side of the hill that led straight to the opulent tombs and exposed four more similarly decorated rooms. By day’s end Queen Leimur had removed most of the valuables from the tombs. They needed a bigger crank and pulley to get the heaviest items out. Now Leimur had all the money to afford the best swords in the kingdom and beyond for her war.

  The Queen floated back to her palace on a cloud of renewed hope. Leimur walked past the throne room and admired her new golden friends on either side of the ruling chair. She laughed at his innocence when Huber talked to the statues like they understood his words. The boy told them that if anything happened to his big sister, he would eat them for supper. She became emotional thinking about her brave brother’s promise.

  As the Queen neared her room, she spotted Ali-Tiste Wamhoff. The petite woman smiled as Leimur spoke, “Could I have a word with you in my quarters, please?” “Certainly, your grace.” The red head followed Leimur in and the Queen slammed the door shut. She pushed Ali-Tiste up against the wall and kissed her luscious lips. Leimur’s hands invaded Ali-Tiste’s aroused body. Their tongues danced in ecstasy as the Queen leaned down and aggressively tugged at Ali-Tiste’s dresses. She pulled up her dress, underdress and chemise. Leimur planted her palm on the center of her partner’s radiant excitement. Ali-Tiste rubbed Leimur’s bicep as the Queen teased and pleasured her new friend with her long fingers.

  “Wait, wait, wait,” cried Ali-Tiste through the passion. She pushed Leimur away. “I have to get the boys. We can save this for later,” she said. They kissed for a moment and the red-faced woman composed herself before leaving.

  Ali-Tiste and Queen Leimur had become romantic on her second night in the palace. Ali-Tiste had claimed she was scared during a thunderstorm and asked if she could sleep with Leimur. As soon as Ali-Tiste accidently rolled into Leimur, passion broke the dam. They had slept together every night for the past two weeks. In Goldenfield it wasn’t suspicious behavior for two women to sleep in the same bed. It was not acceptable and severely looked down upon for men.

/>   The Queen loved the girliness of Ali-Tiste Wamhoff. Leimur liked to dominate in the bedchamber and her new partner seemed to enjoy every moment. The Queen also felt a kinship with her having to raise two young boys by herself. Leimur also knew what it was like for your family to try to kill you. She promised to let Ali-Tiste kill anyone she wished after they sacked Donegal. Leimur also liked having other boys of the same age around her brothers.

  Leimur entered the meeting with thoughts and smells of Ali-Tiste on her mind and body. General Rigby, Pippen Mallory, Bero Sandway, Harold Ritchie and Birney Ferur sat around the oak table. She sat across from General Rigby and started, “What songs do our birds sing for us today?”

  “Have you heard Ali-Ster Wamhoff has ousted the half-wit?” Lord Bero Sandway asked. “I have. When will ruling families learn to get along?” the Queen smirked and continued, “He is more able, this is certain, but their kingdom still lies in ruins. The Duchess Ali-Tiste has told me how weakened they are. With proper coin behind us now we will conquer Donegal without matter of who is king or queen. I will leave at summer’s end and return by winter with another crown. You can fight over who should be King of Donegal once we take over.”

  “Quite wishful thinking for only a three-month war to conquer an established kingdom. And how much can we trust this Wamhoff woman?” Lord Pippen asked. “Do you doubt your Queen, Lord Mallory?” she asked back. “Of course not, your grace,” he bowed.

  “What other news is there?” the Queen demanded. “Some of the town’s people are complaining your tigers are eating their livestock,” Lord Birney reported. “Any man or woman who complains is more than welcome to take them back to the wild. They are lucky I cooped them up in the fighting pits and don’t let them roam free all the time. I didn’t bring them, they followed me. When we leave for war, the tigers will come with me.”

  “As you say, my Queen. It would seem your uncle is still holed up in Shellsmore. His forces haven’t grown recently from what I’m told,” General Rigby said.

  Lord Pippen Mallory spoke up, “My Queen, I have knowledge from a source intimate with Marcel. Your uncle would like to come to Sevring, pledge fealty and celebrate the day with a hunt.”

  “That didn’t take long at all. He must realize he could never win a rebellion,” Leimur cockily stated.

  General Rigby jumped in, “My Queen, I must advise against this. Allow him to yield but do not hunt with the man.” “I respect your counsel, General, but he is family. As long as he pledges fealty, I will gladly hunt with hm.”

  “My Queen, I implore you to rethink the matter,” the General pleaded. She calmly looked at General Rigby, “My mind is made. Lord Mallory, why don’t you set everything up?”

  “It will be my pleasure, your grace,” Pippen stated with a huge smile.

  The next day the Queen took her brothers to the family mausoleum. They entered the whitewashed building and saw all the relics of former kings and queens of Goldenfield. She took her boys over to the monument dedicated to the Warrior King. “Do you know who that is?” Leimur pointed to the red casket on a black marble altar. Neither of the boys ventured a guess.

  “That is the man everyone called the Warrior King, Marius Leluc. He is considered to be the best king Goldenfield has ever had. Do you know why?” Both her brothers shook their heads. She continued, “Because he was merciful but always punished those who broke the law, regardless of family or wealth. He was a man of conviction. Honor and justice were his cornerstones and that is why people still tell his stories of bravery in war and compassion for the citizens in times of peace. He has been dead for over one hundred years. He performed many great deeds to have people still talking about Marius Leluc to this day. What will people say of us one hundred years from now?”

  She stood between her brothers and leaned down with a hand on each boy’s back. “This is our kingdom, my mighty Tiger Princes, and we will decide whether they sing songs of the Tiger family that ruled Goldenfield like King Marius. Look around here and you won’t see mother and father. I want to be a part of this building and live on forever with the rest of the Leluc greats. The choices we make will determine if we will lie next to King Marius or in an unmarked hole next to mother and father. I will try to set the kingdom up for the rule of the Tiger King. You will learn how to be a proper king and you will help your brother rule with honor. I will teach you everything there is to know by the time that crown touches your head,” she aimed her final words at Huber, the heir.

  A few days later, Ali-Tiste asked, “Why won’t you wear a dress?” “You have come to know me better than most, but you are a fool if you think you will ever see me in a dress or gown. I would rather host a tourney or melee. We shouldn’t be throwing parties when there is a war to fight,” Leimur answered. “For one day, just one day, we need to let you forget about everything and simply have a splendid time. I have planned an entire day of events starting with a long walk in the Blue Woods with the boys. Then, you and I will spend some time alone by the waterfalls. We’ll have dinner with the boys and then get ready for the ball. Will you at least dance?” Ali-Tiste asked. “Ha, I don’t dance either,” Leimur said. “You never told jokes before you met me either,” Ali-Tiste countered and walked over to Leimur.

  The two women were alone in Leimur’s room and could feel the cool autumn preview. Ali-Tiste put her hand on the Queen’s side and grabbed her hand. She tried to lead the rigid Leimur but the Queen just remained stationary. She had no rhythm and Ali-Tiste quickly gave up on the project. Leimur had never enjoyed dancing classes or any of the princess training her mother tried to inflict on her. She hated dancing with boys but enjoyed holding Ali-Tiste tight. She quickly became turned on and threw her lover onto the bed. They pleasured each other for almost an hour before going to find the boys.

  Later that day, Leimur paced around her room in her party clothes. Ali-Tiste had the seamstress and tailor make a black pair of female pants and several under shirts with a silk surcoat featuring a growling tiger. Ali-Tiste wore a seductive red dress with a plunging neckline. The day had been perfect so far. This was exactly what Leimur needed to clear her head before leaving for Donegal. Even though the clothes weren’t extremely feminine, the Queen felt ridiculous. She never dressed up and didn’t really like large social gatherings. The two women went to get the boys before going to the Tiger Hall. Huber and Romer wore all black with the tiger symbol over each breast. Astrid and Butrel were dressed in black hose and red overcoats down to their knees. Leimur couldn’t get over how adorable the children looked. “Little lords, princes and kings,” she softly said.

  They walked to the hall as a unique family. Leimur understood the family dynamic was drastically different than most couples but she knew she and Ali-Tiste could raise the boys better than most traditional parents.

  Leimur entered the crowded room and found Captain Tetine and General Rigby. Leimur felt in the way with servers, performers and people carrying instruments moving around the room. About three hundred people had showed up to wish Leimur off to war. The boys ran off and Ali-Tiste became engulfed in the midst of people as Leimur migrated over to her friends. “Are you as uncomfortable as I am?” Leimur asked. General Rigby held up a silver chalice with red liquid running down the outside. He pointed at it and said, “This helps.”

  The Queen laughed and downed several goblets of red wine to loosen up a bit. Soft horns pleased her ears and gave way to the singers. She kept looking around for Ali-Tiste and wanted to kiss her in front of everyone but knew they must keep the relationship a secret. The poets and singers flattered their Queen with words of best wishes on her campaign. After a while, Leimur took the heirs to the throne of Goldenfield to their rooms as it was past their bedtime.

  She downed a few full goblets of spirits and her head started to spin. She had never been a big drinker and tended to get intoxicated quickly. She walked up to a circle with Captain Tetine and Salina, General Rigby and Ali-Tiste. “I must say, you do know how to throw a splendid
ball. To Ali-Tiste,” toasted Leimur as she raised her goblet. Everyone raised their drinks and cried, “To Ali-Tiste.” “Thank you, your grace, you are too kind,” the Wamhoff woman said. “I recall a ball like this at Staford Castle when Sir Randolph Hiesy or Big Bite as most know him, split the backside of his breeches and doublet after gorging himself for about twelve straight hours. We were all surprised the bench wasn’t stuck to his fat ass when he finally stood up,” General Rigby joked and everyone laughed. “Where is that fat bastard now?” Captain Tetine asked. “I heard he should be in town tomorrow to move out. I hope he has a strong horse,” Captain Salina said.

  Leimur drank and talked the night away until she realized only a handful of people remained. She hustled Ali-Tiste back to her room. The Queen lay on her back after making sweet, sweet love to Ali-Tiste. She was falling for the short woman from Donegal. The entire day had been orchestrated by Ali-Tiste, and Leimur couldn’t have envisioned a more perfect day. Ali-Tiste laid her dainty head on Leimur’s chest and the two lovers fell fast asleep.

  THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN SWORD

  The Man with the Golden Sword and Benroy went to check on the progress of the prisoners-turned-new-recruits. The Man instantly became incensed.

  “What the fuck have we here, Benroy? Is this playtime in the yard?” He raised his voice, “Where is he? Where in all blazes is that hog-bodied flea bag who calls himself my Training Master at Arms?”

  An older gentleman pointed to the Master kissing a woman’s hand by the water well. The Master noticed The Man and rushed over with his face already showing embarrassment. “My king, it’s an honor. I wasn’t expecting you,” the Master clumsily stated.

  “I can plainly see that. I wish I could say it’s an honor to see you. What is going on here?” The Man demanded. “I beg your pardon, my king?”

  The Man pointed around the yard. Men practiced lazily with wooden swords in one area. In another section, men lined up to practice with the lance on horseback. They were taking runs at a wooden dummy and not having much success. Another area consisted of men practicing with wooden staffs, one on one. The men ranged in age from twelve to fifty. The rag-tag group of prisoners was now forced to fight or die. Many men and women in Donegal found themselves swung from one side to the other in similar situations. Allegiance became secondary when the last breath of life was at stake.