“I saw him a few minutes ago, on the lower floor. He may be visible from here. I’ll go check.”
Aisling took a deep breath, and watched as the prince surveyed the crowd. He turned to her and signaled with an imperceptible nod. She stood and joined him.
“He’s there, by the entrance. We may be able to catch him.”
They navigated through the assembly, until Erik came into view. The prince caught his eye, and the advisor approached.
Aisling leaned in and spoke in a low voice. “I must speak with you and your friend. It’s urgent.”
Erik nodded. “Same place and time?”
“We’ll be there.”
Aisling and the prince left the ballroom, leaving the sounds of merriment behind them.
The prince paced across the chamber. “It sounds dangerous,” he said.
“I agree. If this is to succeed, I’ll need your help.”
“What’s the risk?”
“We have a few problems. King Chauncey must take immediate action to eliminate the threats against him. If he doesn’t, all our lives will be in danger.”
“What else?”
“In the fight for his kingdom, one of his most treacherous enemies is himself. I saw him defer major decisions to his corrupt advisor. He’s leaking his power.”
“So others are siphoning off his magic?”
“I believe so. Some of his special energy is drifting. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that he bartered his wand, and it was used by evil people. I must shut the hidden door, to foil the conspirators.”
“How can I help?”
“I’m worried about the immediate threat. Based on my last vision, Lord Thrain is planning an attack to steal my daggers.”
“When?”
“From what I heard in the library, I think the timing has become more urgent. My guess is that he’ll strike later tonight.”
The prince brushed back his hair and nodded. “All right, I’ll alert our soldiers. We’ll need two teams. The first will hide near our chamber and capture Lord Thrain. The other group can come with us to the garden.”
“That makes sense. If you can rally your troops, I’ll shut down the feral power source.”
The prince nodded. As he left to organize his men, Aisling headed to the adjoining sitting room, to stop a formidable enemy.
Dark, roiling clouds covered the moon in twilight. As lightning lit up the skies, torrents of rain swept across the landscape. The windows rattled from the vibrations of the storm.
Aisling withdrew her swords and took a deep breath.
“I decree that the illicit door to King Chauncey’s power will no longer be breached. From now on, no evil person shall have access to his magic.” The strength sprung from her hands, into the atmosphere, the aura circulating around the wand.
There was one more thing she needed to do.
“I command that all of Lord Thrain’s power be decimated. Any stolen energies that he is siphoning off to King Gardari, ambassadors, or other conspirators will also be terminated, to immediate effect.”
She clung to the instrument as it swung in various directions. With her eyes closed, Aisling could feel the surge of raw vitality as it flew in the air and formed a mist across the room.
A few minutes later, the translucent glow from the dagger faded. With her wands secured, she retrieved her cloak, and waited for the prince to return.
They exited through the side door, to avoid crowds from the masquerade ball. The music and dancing was in full force, and distant sounds floated across the garden. The prince and his men were already scattered throughout the area, with a clear view of the princess.
She breathed a sigh of relief as her visitors came into view. Neither had on their masks, and although it was raining, she recognized their features.
The king was the first to speak. “Erik said you had an urgent message.”
“Your Majesty, there’s a plot to remove you from the throne.”
“Who’s behind it?”
“The dowager, the Marquis of Rancid, Irsen, Lord Thrain, King Gardari, and at one point, King Floe.”
“Where did you get the information?”
“I heard it myself from the dowager and your councilors. They didn’t know I was in the room.” Aisling proceeded to describe the essence of the conversation in the library, as the men frowned and shook their heads.
“In a way, it doesn’t surprise me,” said the sovereign. “I suspected it, but did not have any proof.”
“There’s more. You’re being poisoned. The dowager mentioned that Lord Thrain has people who are adding mercury to your diet, to increase your confusion.”
The king put his hand to his head, as if trying to erase the permanent worry lines that resided there.
“We’ll need to move now,” said Aisling. “I believe that Lord Thrain is planning an attack tonight. Your Highness, if you approve, the prince will hunt him down, and I’ve taken steps to eliminate his power.”
“Good,” said the king. “I will take action tonight against the dowager and my advisors.”
“What about the treachery from Insula and the Realm of Ice?” asked Erik.
“Without access to the Penge inner circle, many of their advantages will be eliminated. I’ll work on ways to minimize threats from those regions,” Aisling said.
“My dear, I can’t tell you how much your help is appreciated. Please thank the prince as well.” The king turned to Erik. “We have a lot of work to do. It’s time we got started.”
After hasty farewells, Aisling hurried to the edge of the garden, where the soldiers were cloaked in darkness.
The prince and his men scanned the perimeter for Lord Thrain. Drayaen tapped his fingers against the hilt of his sword. He was convinced the monster would surface, and was looking forward to neutralizing another dangerous adversary.
Aisling needs some rest, he thought, as he frowned and looked into the distance. For more than a year, he realized, they had been involved in one battle after another. He hoped there would be a break in the action soon.
After waiting for more than two hours in the rain, there was a signal from his men. At last, something was happening.
A man dressed in dark clothing sprinted out of the palace through a side door, and headed toward the gardens. Drayaen signaled his men, and they closed in on the hooded figure. There was some confusion as the suspect disappeared, but there were shouts as he resurfaced. The prince surveyed the area and realized that all the possible exits were blocked, except one.
His men were stationed in front of the woods, but the forest was enveloped in murky shadows. He had underestimated the complexity of the surrounding areas and muttered under his breath.
I can’t let him escape, he vowed. Aisling won’t be safe until he’s captured.
The princess waited in a greenhouse, near the garden. She listened as rain splashed on the roof and trickled down the windows in rivulets. Despite the chill outside, the enclosed space was warm and comforting, with a scent of exotic flowers and plants. She paced across the stones for a brief time, but decided to sit after realizing the noise might give away her presence.
After hours of silence, she heard shouting. A figure was racing down the path, in her direction. As the person drew closer, she recognized Lord Thrain. He was headed for the woods. Aisling removed her dagger and raised it above her head.
“I command that Lord Thrain be pulled into a deep pocket of mud before he reaches the forest.”
Her hand vibrated as the wand turned vivid colors, casting a glow across the space.
The prince raced through the garden, followed by his men. All signs of their elusive quarry had disappeared. He shouted to his soldiers to reinforce their position near the forest. If Lord Thrain got past them, they’d never find him in those dense thickets, he realized.
Drayaen shook his head.
“There’s no way he slipped by us,” he murmured. He shouted to those closest to him. “Check the fie
ld. He’s here somewhere.”
The men advanced through the mire. In the distance, there was a call for help. As they approached, the prince realized it was Lord Thrain. He was trapped in a mud pit.
“Fish him out and tie him up,” he instructed.
There was a flurry of activity as the nobleman was pulled from the sludge. As the soldiers gripped his arms and marched him down the path, the conspirator turned to the prince.
“This isn’t over. I’ll get revenge. Your princess will never be safe. You have more enemies than you know.”
Drayaen clutched his sword and held back his rage. He’d been threatened countless times and shrugged it off. But a threat against his wife was a menace he wouldn’t tolerate.
One branch has fallen, he thought, but there are many more to go.
The prince walked back to the greenhouse after turning Lord Thrain over to the royal guards. He replayed the criminal’s threats in his mind. They did have a lot of enemies, he realized. More than he cared to count.
He opened the door to the greenhouse, and saw Aisling huddled next to the stone wall. She looked exhausted and pale.
“There you are,” he said. “It’s time to go.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her up into his arms.
“So he’s in custody?”
“He won’t bother us anymore.”
“Thanks for your help. You and your men did a great job.”
“Let’s get some sleep.”
“All right. Tomorrow, I need to figure out a way to defeat King Gardari.”
“Your health comes first.”
“I realize that.”
“Do you?” he snapped, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins from the recent chase. “I’m worried that we’re moving from one crisis to the next. Our list of enemies keeps growing. I can’t understand why your father put you in such danger.”
“It’s not his fault. It’s the nature of my legacy.”
“That birthright could get you killed.” He grasped her shoulders. “Find a way to get more support.”
“What do you mean?”
He took a step back and looked at her, trying to control his frustration. “There are other members of the secret society. So far, they’ve only asked for favors. It’s time they gave back.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“That’s not good enough. Find a way and do it now.” He looked at her hurt expression, and berated himself. “Let’s go. We’ll think more about this tomorrow,” he said, grabbing her hand and moving them both out the door, toward the palace.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
UPHEAVAL
The castle tower was a forbidding place, its crenellations and narrow passageways a reminder of historic battles and hard-won victories. As the princess climbed the stairs, she gripped the railing. The inside was damp and dark. To Aisling, it felt like home, where remnants of forts and ancient structures were scattered across the emerald landscapes, symbols of freedom against invasion, tyranny, and oppression.
She opened the door to the roof, and surveyed the view. Below her was the palace and sculpted gardens. In the distance, her ships were anchored in the bay. Although it was pre-dawn, the moon illuminated the water, and she was relieved to see the Saoirse and Cara, secure in the harbor.
Aisling thought about her journey over the past year, realizing the number of battles that she and Drayaen had fought. When he became angry about their situation after the capture of Lord Thrain, she had been hurt. It felt like none of her efforts were recognized. After the prince fell asleep, she couldn’t rest, and headed to the tower on palace grounds.
He’s right, she admitted to herself. Whenever there’s an issue within the secret society, I am the one who is tasked to solve the problem. It’s putting those around me at risk. She retrieved her wands and raised them into the air.
“I decree the presence of Chindor.”
The mist swirled about the instruments as she closed her eyes and envisioned the wizard. After a minute, she felt a presence behind her and turned to see her guide.
“Chindor, I’m so pleased to see you. Thank you for coming.”
“I’m glad to see you, too, Princess. How can I help?”
Aisling proceeded to tell him about her struggles. He nodded in agreement.
“You were chosen to be the leader of the secret society. But that doesn’t mean that you alone must carry the burden.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Your father insisted that members go to him for all issues. That might not be the best solution, or the right one for you. Look at ways for the secret society to help each other. Define what their membership means. Right now, they have a privilege, but there are no expectations. You can change that.”
“How?”
“Start by seeking their help to solve your current problem.”
“Do you have any other advice?”
“Create allies, within and beyond the secret society. Think about sharing your power. You’ll become stronger, and will be able to accomplish even greater good,” he said, as his visage began to fade.
“Thank you, Chindor,” she said, as she watched him disappear from view.
The king’s private chamber was filled with treasures from his global travels. Ornate marble sculptures and oil paintings brightened its light blue walls and gold carpets. Aisling and the prince sat across from King Chauncey and Erik. Despite the lack of sleep, all of the parties looked energized.
“Thank you for coming,” said the sovereign. “I have some news for you this morning. The dowager has been removed to one of our remote castles. Advisors Rancid and Irsen are also gone. In exchange for their cooperation, they were granted exile.”
“That’s good news, Your Majesty. Have you uncovered any other conspirators?” asked Aisling.
“We have. At least a dozen others, including councilors, pages, and staff. We’re in the process of selecting replacements.” He turned to the prince. “I appreciate your effort to capture Lord Thrain. It seems the traitors were planning to create alliances between Insula, the Realm of Ice, Land of Penge, and Bengal.”
“Bengal?” asked Drayaen. “Do you know who their contact was there?”
“The Nawab’s stepmother. She and Floe colluded to destabilize her son’s territory.”
Aisling’s brows furrowed. She knew her trusted ally was battling forces close to him, but she was still surprised to learn it was a member of his immediate family. Her mind raced, as she thought about her previous vision, and the image of the woman in the Nawab’s estate.
The woman in the portrait—on the staircase. That must have been her, she concluded. She tried to refocus. “Your Majesty, I am working on a plan to eliminate Gardari as a threat.”
“I’m most grateful, but it won’t be long before the King of Insula learns about the upheaval here. When that happens, you’ll be in more danger. To stay safe, you must leave after our meeting.”
“I’ll escort you to your ships,” said Erik.
“I won’t forget everything you’ve done for us,” said King Chauncey.
Aisling and the prince bid their goodbyes, and hurried back to their chamber, as they prepared to leave the palace.
King Gardari was filled with rage. His loyal retainer had failed in his assignment to find the magic wand he needed. It was my brother’s, he fumed, and now it should be mine. That alone was enough to fill him with bitterness. To make matters worse, his chief enforcer was being hunted like a common criminal. Well, two can engage in that game, he thought.
He sent a message to Lord Thrain. “Don’t let the prince and princess leave Penge,” he ordered. “Block their egress. Steal their ships. Destroy them.” He tapped his fingers together as he paced in the royal chamber.
This was a mere setback, he told himself. His powers were still intact. He had an ability to distribute accurate information, but found it more profitable to tell lies. As king, he recognized corruption and instability in government, because he, himself, w
as tainted. When there were signs of conflict within a country, he moved in to destabilize the leaders, the government, and trade, exploiting his findings for profit. It was a formula that had worked well over the years. It had made him a fortune, which he used to wreak more havoc.
“I’ll get what I want,” he muttered, “no matter the cost.” He looked out the window at the dark clouds looming on the horizon, and thought about ways to eliminate his enemies.
The carriages left the palace and headed to the bay, as dark clouds loomed overhead.
Aisling turned to Erik. “Thank you for your help during our stay in Penge. You were an excellent guide.”
“It’s you I need to thank, Princess Aisling,” said Erik. “Without your assistance, I wouldn’t be here.”
“I’m glad things have been resolved.”
There was a sudden tap on the roof. The prince opened the window.
“What is it?” he asked, straining to see the road ahead.
“There’s a mob at the wharf.”
“I know another route,” said Erik, as he masked his alarm, and talked with the servant.
The caravan made their way through a number of narrow streets. The prince glanced at their procession, reassured that his soldiers were behind them. As they neared the water, the Saoirse and Cara came into view. Aisling gasped.
“Drayaen, it looks like the crowd has targeted our ships.”
He scanned the area. An angry throng blocked the gateway to the dock, while the crews defended the vessels.
He turned to Aisling. “It’s risky to try and navigate through the crowd. Our best bet is to have Ryen send rowboats to our location.”
“Let’s do that. There is one thing in our favor. It looks like there’s going to be heavy rain. That may deter some of the protesters.”
“I’m sorry,” said Erik. “The king was afraid this might happen. He told me that Gardari excelled in spreading lies. These people must have been told something dreadful, if they’re threatening your ships.”
Princess of the Emerald Valleys Page 13
