Heir to the Throne

by Andrew G. Wood

  Having the princess now seemed all but pointless, and Lord Elthan felt her use was limited to but one thing, that being an important hostage. However, Lord Elthan was also fully aware that even holding her as a prisoner might yet seem worthless if the other nobles deemed her a traitor along with him and his family. While his son might have been useless, it appeared that the boy was somehow under some delusion that the relationship he had with the princess was real. Lord Elthan was no fool and knew that sooner or later she would work things out and come to her senses. He had already seen signs, and the fact that she had started leaving her suite alone to apparently go for walks was a testament to that.

  After listening to the scout's reports, Lord Elthan then summoned the commanders of his forces in Miranor. Numbering just a couple of hundred, he knew there was little chance of much support from the lesser nobles of Brenthelin, aside from those in the south that had already made agreements with him. The grip on the throne was slipping away by the hour, and there was little chance of it getting any better. Now he just needed to discuss his options with those in command, and while he didn’t think Frederick would have anything useful to add, he sent a request that he also join him immediately.

  Elysia was thankful that her husband had left the room, and the timing couldn’t have come at a better time. Frederick had wanted to get intimate with her again, for the second time that morning, and although Elysia had learned to shut herself off while he was on top of her, the thought of a repeat performance wasn’t something she really wanted. Frederick had told her to stay in their suite while he was gone and not to go wandering off. However, Elysia had caught word among the staff the previous day that something was happening and preparations were being put in place in case they needed to make a hasty escape from the palace. If this was true, then Elysia knew that she would likely be dragged along with them, and this was not something she was willing to tolerate.

  Sensing this might well be her last window of opportunity, Elysia bundled just a few items into a bag and took the coin purse she had noticed Frederick stored in the top drawer of his desk. As quickly as she could, Elysia headed out of the door into the corridor and headed the opposite way to which she knew Frederick had gone. Instead, she again headed for the staff section of the palace, a place she knew she could move about without the risk of Frederick or his father catching sight of her. Having dressed in a maids dress on her previous escapade, Elysia opted for the same plan again. Nobody had suspected it was her and even the guards on the gate had paid her little notice.

  Knowing that if she was to make an escape from the palace, she was going to have to do so quickly, before Frederick raised the alarm that she was gone, Elysia slipped into the room she knew staff uniforms were stored and hurriedly changed her clothes. With a real purpose in her step, Elysia made her way down the steps reserved for staff use and ventured out through the same side entrance she had used previously, and headed for the smaller tradesman’s gate. Thankfully the guards were always more interested in who was coming in than going out, so, after taking up a position behind a man pushing a barrow, she slipped out once more into the city. Knowing that Frederick could and likely would try to find her, she also knew that to make good her escape she would need to leave the capital. However, Miranor was a big place and getting to one of the main entrances would take time, something she wasn't certain she had in abundance.

  Trying her hardest not to bring too much attention to herself, but remain at a quick pace, Elysia headed for the western gate to the city. Having learned that her half-brother and sister were still alive, and knowing the latter lived in the Northern Marches, she had decided to head in that direction. Passing several small groups of soldiers while she hurried along the busy streets of Miranor, Elysia thought she could sense a certain unease in the air. It was hard to describe, but she felt that the people could almost sense there was trouble about to start, and while many tried to carry on with their everyday lives, there was something different about the place. There seemed fewer traders today than her previous forays out into the city, and the people only seemed to be buying from those vendors selling food and other everyday essentials, which naturally drove the prices up. Even in the short time since she had left the palace she had already heard several arguments, as customers vented their anger at having to pay inflated prices.

  Even though there were soldiers on the streets to keep order, it appeared even they were somewhat nervous, and with the people already panic buying food, Elysia felt the city could erupt into violence at any moment. Almost out of breath, Elysia caught sight of the western gate, and hurriedly joined the queue of people making good their exit. There were already hundreds pouring out of the city as if they knew trouble was approaching and the best way to avoid it was to get out. Joining the line of people making their mass exodus, Elysia kept her head down and shuffled forward hidden among the masses. Thankfully the guards on duty showed those leaving absolutely no interest at all, and just as she reached the gates, the city bells tolled.

  At first, nobody paid them much notice, but Elysia knew they were a signal for the city to be shut off. Knowing the route of her escape would be closed shut at any moment, Elysia barged her way past two elderly people who seemed not to understand what was about to happen. Just as she had suspected the guards on duty suddenly sprung into life and ushering just a few more people out, so they had a clear area to close the gates, Elysia found herself among them. One of the last to make it out, she turned her head as the large wooden doors slammed shut and just a few seconds later the sound of a portcullis being cranked down just behind them.

  Moving along the road, Elysia found herself ushered along with the crowds unsure as to which way she was supposed to be travelling. Knowing the Northern Marches were north, and west of the capital, she realised she had no idea which way that was. As the larger group slowly dispersed into smaller ones all heading off in varying directions, Elysia tagged along with one that she thought looked safe. A Trader driving a small wagon, pulled by a mule who had a young boy riding up beside him. Although the wagon was laden with something, Elysia couldn’t tell what as there was as a large tarp covering the contents. Behind the wagon walked two other women, both of whom appeared to know each other well, and judging by their varying degree in age, Elysia thought perhaps mother and daughter. As to where these people were actually going she had no idea, but followed them in any case.

  Chapter 21.Fight or Flee?

  Knowing that the enemy was closing in around him, Lord Elthan had pondered over what was best to do. His son, Frederick, was in turmoil after the woman he claimed to love had seemingly just got up and left him. Despite an extensive search of the palace and a little further beyond, nobody had seen her. As a result, Frederick was left to wallow in his own state of self-pity in his suite while Lord Elthan set about putting his plans into action.

  Having seriously considered staying in Miranor and defending the capital from the nobles supporting the young prince, it had been one of his commanders that had strongly advised against it. Not because the man doubted it was possible, but more about what might happen If they didn’t head back to Endallen. The commander had explained that if he were in charge of the enemy, he would merely leave a few hundred troops to keep them penned into the city and move the rest to where they weren’t; that being Lord Elthan’s homeland of Endallen. Not a scenario Lord ELthan had even considered, the moment it was suggested to him, he knew exactly what he must do.

  Having already dispatched half of his force to leave the capital and head back to Bargsea, there still lay several possible problems. Leaving the capital would ultimately just hand the throne back to the boy, and he was fully aware that would mean them crowning him king at the first possible opportunity. Leaving the protective walls of Miranor behind also meant he had to travel some distance to his own lands, uncertain of where the loyalty of certain lesser nobles of Brenthelin lay. Having given orders for his men to head straight back, did not mean they would move withou
t impunity across Brenthellin lands. Moreover, the longer he delayed, the more likely that the enemy would have a chance to enclose him in.

  Frederick sat alone, a somewhat forlorn figure, who felt everything in life had been taken from him. Acting more like a child who had just lost his favourite toy, Frederick seemed to be dragging his heels in getting everything ready to leave. As a result, Lord Elthan had seen to it that his son’s belongings, at least those needed to travel were packed away onto the evergrowing number of wagons in the palace yard. Lord Elthan might be giving up the building and the city it was located in, but that did not mean he was going to go empty-handed. Not only did he plan on taking as much of the gold from the city treasury as he could, but as a final act of defiance, he also took the golden, bejewelled crown that would have been used for the next king’s coronation.

  With the day already passing him by much quicker than he hoped, Lord Elthan walked hastily down the corridor knocking over several vases as he went. Positioned on plinths, they were usually filled with fresh flowers to give the corridors a little colour and a fresh, fragrant smell. Now he was leaving, they were not needed, and so sending them smashing to the floor somehow made him feel just a little better. With his horse ready for him outside, he needed to get his sulking son from his room and make good their escape from the city while they still had time. Now bereft of guards and soldiers, the corridors of the vast royal palace were empty, and as Lord Elthan barged open the doors to his son’s suite, he shouted for him to get up.

  “I’m not going back, Father. I should wait here just in case Elysia returns!” Frederick said, his voice filled with emotion.

  “Idiot! Do as I tell you!” Lord Elthan snarled, marching with clenched fists over to where his son was sitting.

  Frederick, cowered slightly as his father yelled at him to move once more, and as usual, gave in to his wishes.

  “But what if she returns?” Frederick asked.

  “She’s not coming back. I told you…Now go!”

  Frederick stood up and begrudgingly ambled along, but was shoved by his father to make sure he moved quicker. Lord Elthan grabbed his son by the arm and all but manhandled him down the main staircase and out of the palace where their horses were ready for them.

  Frederick lifted himself up on to his horse before looking despairing up at the palace windows in some vain hope of seeing the woman he loved. Alas, there was no one there, and after hearing his father give the order for them to move out, Frederick turned his horse slightly and followed the long line of soldiers and wagons as they filed out of the palace gates. While not right at the back, due to the fact that two of his father’s guards had seen to that, Frederick did not feel much like riding up near the front as he ordinarily would. Feeling confused as to why his sweet Elysia would just get up and leave, Frederick knew that his aunt had played some part in making her go. Frederick was now certain that she had cast some other spell on the necklace that had made her change. Moreover, Frederick had now deduced she had only done that because his own father had upset her and ordered her out of the palace. As to who was really to blame, Frederick had whittled it down to just those two people, the two who should have been happiest for him. After all, he and Elysia had been in love and were trying for a family, but now all that seemed a lost, forlorn hope.

  As they rode through the city streets, the people seemed somewhat confused as to what was going on. Moreover, anybody in the way of the long line of riders and wagons was merely brushed aside, as they all headed for the eastern gate. The ride back to Endallen would be a slow one, especially as they now had so many wagons with them. Lord Elthan knew that if the need arose, he and his soldiers might have to ditch the wagons should they be required to make a hasty getaway. The other option, of course, was to stand and fight, although, with only half of his force currently with him, that would depend on just how many he was up against. While he still had the numbers to take on any of the lesser Brenthellin nobles, if he came up against one of the other main nobles or a collective force, then things might not be so straightforward.

  As the line bottlenecked somewhat at the gates, Frederick came to a halt and let his gaze wander off to the distance. There were people seemingly going on with their business as if nothing was happening, probably unaware of the fact the palace was empty. Frederick was uncertain as to why, but suddenly that thought gave him an idea. If Elysia had left and gone back to her family, then they would all return to the palace, and being as he was her husband, then that is where he should be when they did return.

  Knowing that the hold up at the gates would only be a brief one, and the fact the two soldiers at the back of the line with him had probably been told to keep an eye on him, Frederick had to try and figure a way to have them move on without him. As those in front of him slowly edged forward, Frederick slipped down from his horse and pretended to check the straps.

  “The girth strap is a little loose, go on, I’ll catch up in a minute when I’ve tightened the billets,” he shouted up to one of the soldiers who stopped to check everything was okay. Not arguing or hanging around to wait, the two soldiers nudged their own horses forward to join the queue filing out through the gate, leaving Frederick to catch them up.

  Frederick took his time as he watched the two soldiers glance back his way and waved his hand to let them know he was okay. Unsure as to whether his plan was going to work, he was grateful for a slight distraction at the gates. A group of traders were also trying to make their way out of the city, causing some arguments as to who should go first. While there was no violence, there were a few heated words between some of the soldiers and the traders, which drew the attention away from Frederick. Seizing his chance, Frederick quickly clambered back up onto his horse and turned it around before galloping back the way they had just travelled. Knowing his darling Elysia would return to the palace at some point he had to be there to greet her and tell her everything was going to be okay. Having decided it was his father and aunt who had caused her to run off, Frederick was convinced she would return when word got out that both were now gone from the palace, and when she did, things could return to as they had been for the past few months.

  Lord Elthan, knowing that speed was of the essence, forced his soldiers and wagons to move as fast as they could. Once away from the capital the roads became a little bumpier and knowing he risked injury to his horses, Lord Elthan had no option but to slow everyone down. Thinking he was making good progress, one of his scouts came galloping back at speed towards him.

  “My Lord. There is a large force several miles south of our position.”

  “Who are they?”

  “From a distance, it is difficult to say, My Lord. But I assume them to be a mix of Scarwood, Eastern Range and Casillian Isle.”

  “Have the southern Brenthellin lords abandoned me as well then?” Lord Elthan replied.

  “I can’t answer that, My Lord. Although I didn’t see any among them.”

  Lord Elthan nodded his head and thanked the scout for his diligent work. Thankfully the army camped just south of his position did not appear to be making any move to intercept him. While he knew that his own scout had spotted them, Lord Elthan was not so naïve to know that the same would be true for the enemy. They knew he was there and which direction he would be heading, but it seemed they did not wish to engage him, or at least all the signs pointed to that being the case.

  Thinking time was on his side, and that the other nobles were appearing to be letting him return to his own lands, Lord Elthan was given some conflicting news. A second scout who had been patrolling their northern flank had spotted another large force heading their direction, swinging south as if about to cut them off. Apparently flying the banners of the Casillian Isle and Cardell, as well as a few from the lesser Brenthellin nobility, this was certainly a worrying development. Being burdened down with so many wagons, Lord Elthan now had to make a decision. Drop everything and make a dash to the relative safety of his own lands or else stand and make a
fight of it. However, with only about a hundred soldiers in his current group, and having a larger army to the south and another at least twice his size moving from the north to cut him off, his options were very limited.

  Pausing for just a few moments to discuss his options with his officers, Lord Elthan ordered that his son was to be moved to the head of the column. However, on hearing that Frederick was not at the back of the line as he had believed, another dilemma was now upon him.

  “Foolish boy!” He snarled. “I bet he has gone back to try and find that stupid whore of his.”

  “Should we turn about and head back, My Lord?” One of his men asked.

  “No…My son is an idiot…I’m not risking all our lives for his stupidity.”

  Lord Elthan paused once more as if contemplating his next move. Pushing any thoughts of his son firmly from his mind, he looked back along his lines, before gazing in the direction he needed to go.

  “How long before the force in the north cuts us off?”

  “If we don’t move now, My Lord, within the hour.”

  Torn between his greed for gold and the lives of his men, Lord Elthan reluctantly made the call.