by Jody Hedlund
Truthfully, I didn’t want to send Christopher away. He’d just returned, and I selfishly wanted more time with him. On the other hand, I didn’t want Mitchell to feel slighted if I spoke against him and included Christopher in our plans.
Even now, his eyes demanded my loyalty to him above Christopher.
As my attention returned to Sister Katherine, to her deformed body, I realized exactly what she’d endured over the years. She’d languished in prison suffering the worst possible torture. For me. She’d sacrificed her life to keep me safe, just as my aunt and uncle had.
If she believed in me becoming queen, how could I not do the same? The possibility seemed so remote, even outlandish. But I couldn’t dismiss it. Neither could I reduce our predicament to a sibling squabble.
I squared my shoulders, knowing I must make a decision quickly. “We are too outnumbered to refuse any help. To do so would be foolhardy. We will graciously take Christopher’s proffer of assistance as long as he is able to give it.”
Christopher bowed his head in deference before spinning on his heels and continuing on his way.
Mitchell did likewise, but not before I glimpsed the hurt in his eyes. I hoped he’d soon see reason and put his anger toward Christopher aside as I had. There was no sense hanging on to the past hurts, especially not when we needed each other so much now.
Tall John had moved to follow Christopher. “Saddle a horse for Sister Katherine,” I called after the faithful steward.
“No,” Sister Katherine said. “I am not going with you.”
“Of course you are. You must stay with us, and we shall protect you.”
“I will only slow you down—”
“That does not matter.”
Sister Katherine shook her head. “No, Your Majesty.” Her face was lined with a fierceness that told me she wouldn’t go unless I physically picked her up and made her.
“What will you do?”
“I will do whatever God asks.”
Before she could protest, I bent forward and wrapped the frail woman into a hug. Her body was broken, but I could sense her spirit was not.
She resisted the embrace for only a moment before sliding her arms around me and holding me tightly.
“You will one day be a great queen,” she whispered in my ear. “Not because of what you accomplish, but because of who you will become as a woman of God.”
With that, she released me and took a halting step back.
I had so many questions I wanted to ask about my parents, my sisters, the hidden treasure, and how I could possibly defeat King Ethelwulf. But our time was short. She needed to leave now, too, if she had any hope of evading recapture.
I could only pray one day soon our paths would cross again.
“God go with you, Your Majesty.” She lifted her hood over her disfigured head and limped away.
Chapter
7
Christopher
“We must make haste,” I said to Adelaide as she conversed with an older peasant man and his sons inside the thatched cottage.
Adelaide nodded then pressed the coins into the older man’s hand.
The only light in the one room hovel was from the low hearth fire, which showed the few ragged belongings of this poor family—nothing more than a few pallets, stools, and blackened pots.
For once, Mitchell and I had agreed on the need to ride directly away from Langley. But Adelaide had insisted on first stopping at a trusted elder’s home and giving him a few coins that he could use to aid the peasants on Langley land until she returned. She’d charged him with buying supplies and distributing them.
I’d learned she and Mitchell had won the gold in a jousting tournament. From what I’d gathered in the argument between the two, Adelaide had been largely responsible for the winnings due to her participation in the tournament disguised as Mitchell.
Upon hearing the news of Adelaide’s involvement in the joust, I’d wanted to thrash my younger brother for allowing Adelaide to do something so dangerous. Not only had she put her life in peril but her reputation as a noblewoman.
And as the queen.
I studied her features again, awe still mingling with surprise at the news the haggard old nun had delivered. The girl I’d grown up with, the one I’d wrestled and played with, was one of the lost princesses, the true queen of Mercia.
I’d been but a lad of five when Adelaide came to us, yet I recalled the secretive nature of her delivery by a nun. I also remembered my parents’ whispered conversations, especially in those early days, and then how drastically my father had changed. He’d gone from a man who’d loved the previous king—King Francis—to a man who pledged his loyalty and life to Ethelwulf. I’d eventually despised him for the way he’d chosen to serve the new king with such fervor and devotion.
When I’d grown old enough to see the full effects of Ethelwulf’s reign, the terror and cruelty with which he ruled his subjects as well as the exorbitant taxes he demanded from rich and poor alike, I’d questioned my father even more. How could he bow his knee to such a man?
Until this moment, it hadn’t occurred to me that perhaps he’d only been playing a part. For surely Sister Katherine would have taken extreme care to place Adelaide with a family loyal to King Francis. Did that mean Father hadn’t been as devoted to Ethelwulf as I’d assumed? That perhaps he’d remained a loyalist all along?
Outside a short distance away, Mitchell motioned at me from where he stood with Tall John by the horses, holding the reins of Adelaide’s mount. He hadn’t wanted Adelaide to give away any of the winnings, had asked her to save the gold for supplies we might need on our journey. I had agreed with him, and his unease matched mine.
Sister Katherine had indicated we had two hours and already we’d taken up the better part of one in readying to leave. Although I admired Adelaide’s desire to ensure the well-being of the tenants who relied upon her, we were wasting precious time.
My lips started to form Adelaide’s name. But I stalled. As the oldest of the three lost princesses and as the queen of Mercia, I could no longer simply address her as a young noblewoman. I had to give her the proper respect due her station.
“Your Majesty,” I said with a bow. “Shall we be on our way?”
Her eyes flashed to mine and filled with censure for revealing who she was.
“Your Majesty?” said the elder, his eyes widening.
If Adelaide had any chance of regaining the throne from Ethelwulf, she could no longer hide who she was. She had to reveal she was queen, especially to those who loved her. She would need their aid.
“Shall I tell them or will you?” I asked Adelaide.
“I do not know if this is the proper place—”
“You must do this now everywhere we go.” I was overstepping my bounds, but I was unable to stop myself from being straightforward with her as I’d always been. “You will give people hope for a better future, and in so doing will rally their support.”
She contemplated my words only a moment before nodding. “You are right, my lord. You may tell them the truth.” She didn’t wait for me to speak but instead ducked past me out into the darkness of the night.
I made brief work of explaining that Adelaide was the queen of Mercia, the oldest daughter of King Francis and Queen Dierdal. Then we were on our way before the elder and his sons could ask questions or even pay their proper respects.
“We must find a safe place to hide,” I called out once we were riding away from the village. I positioned myself alongside Adelaide while Mitchell and Tall John led the way. A sliver of moonlight provided ample guidance, although on Langley land, we could find our way well enough without it.
“Where do you suggest?” She was riding low, her cloak flowing behind her, covering her armor. Gone was the gown she’d worn earlier in the evening, the one that had taunted me with how grown up and beautiful she’d become.
Even so, I couldn’t keep from picturing her again, so regal and dignified, already so queen
ly. Though I’d had no right to react to her, my heart betrayed me with a desire for her I couldn’t explain.
“We could ride into Norland,” I said, forcing myself to remain objective. “You would find sanctuary there. King Draybane is a kind and noble ruler, one who would welcome you and support your quest to regain the throne.”
Ethelwulf had made a certain enemy of King Draybane, especially after plaguing Norland for years with attempted invasions. While Ethelwulf hadn’t been able to penetrate the mountainous Highlands on their shared border or Norland’s rocky cliffs along the shoreline, he’d resorted to terrorizing Norland’s ships through blockading and pirating. In fact, Ethelwulf had attacked Norland for so many years that King Draybane would welcome anyone who might be able to bring an end to the greedy king’s reign. At least I hoped so.
The pounding of our horses’ hooves filling the night air nearly drowned out Adelaide’s question. “Is it my quest to regain the throne, Christopher? Sister Katherine believes so. But is it really possible for me to prevail against King Ethelwulf?”
Was it? I didn’t know. There was no denying Ethelwulf was powerful and always had been. I’d been only a young child when he’d conquered Mercia. All I’d ever known was the lawlessness, danger, and poverty his reign had wrought in both Mercia and Warwick. Although I hadn’t liked it, I’d tolerated it like most people.
Until one of my trips with Father to Delsworth shortly after turning seventeen.
We’d happened to ride into the capital city after several noble families had been accused of disloyalty to the king—disloyalty for once having sons in King Francis’s elite guard unit. As we’d ridden through town, we hadn’t been able to avoid passing by an entire noble family hanging from poles that lined the main thoroughfare, from the nobleman all the way down to his infant grandchild. I’d been sickened by the sight of the bodies swaying lifelessly, rotting under the hot summer sun, the ravens already pecking the decaying flesh.
When another of the accused families had been paraded on the city street before their hanging, I’d pleaded with Father to stop the brutality and the injustice. How could Ethelwulf punish these families for something their sons had done years earlier?
But Father had hardened his face and looked the other way. He hadn’t raised even the slightest breath of protest.
My youthful anger had taken control of me. I’d called my father a coward for his unwillingness to defend the family. I’d believed Father was wrong for not taking a stand against Ethelwulf and had let him know exactly how I felt about him.
I’d left Mercia shortly after that. I’d wanted to do something about the injustice, to raise an army of other discontents to fight against Ethelwulf. But I’d known I would need the assistance of someone greater than myself if I was to have any chance at succeeding. So I’d gone to King Draybane of Norland and offered him my services. Over the past five years, I’d not only defended Norland against Ethelwulf, but I’d organized concerted raids against Ethelwulf’s ships.
Meanwhile, I’d bided my time, hoping and praying one day I could form an army from those who’d fled from Mercia—an army who, with the help of the king of Norland, would be able to surround Ethelwulf and force him into surrendering his hold on the country.
While I’d made progress in uniting other exiles into the beginning of a formidable foe, we’d never gained the momentum we needed. Was our failure because we’d lacked a true leader, someone worthy and capable, someone the people would love? Ultimately, someone they’d be willing to die for?
Could Adelaide be that person? I glanced at her riding next to me, her fortitude evident in the set of her shoulders. She’d always been a strong and determined girl but was even more so now that she was a woman.
More important, her kindness and compassion toward the people who made their home in Langley knew no bounds. She’d also continued in Father’s footsteps, taking care of all the laborers at the Everly iron smelter. If she had already shown herself to be just and merciful and fair here, she’d surely have compassion for the rest of her kingdom.
Yes, I could see the potential in her. She still had much growing to do before she’d be ready to rule. But she was of royal lineage, with more rights to Mercia’s throne than Ethelwulf. Was it possible to bring the exiles, rebels, and other discontents to Adelaide’s side? What about the many who still lived in Mercia but despised Ethelwulf?
Adelaide glanced at me, but it was too dark for me to gauge her expression. “You have nothing to say, my lord? You think because I am a woman I cannot match King Ethelwulf?”
“Far from it,” I replied. “I was just thinking that perhaps you are exactly what the people need.”
“In what way?”
“I believe many have resented Ethelwulf’s rule. He has brought much pain and heartache to Mercia. Maybe not all have been as openly defiant as I have been, but they dislike the king’s presence nonetheless and will be ready to embrace you as a kind, good, and benevolent queen.”
“You have more faith in me than I have in myself.”
“I see now what I never saw before—that Mother and Father trained you to be more than ordinary.” I’d assumed they’d allowed Adelaide to participate in our tutoring, fighting, and leadership lessons because she hadn’t wanted to be left out. But by including her on so many aspects of running the estate, they’d been preparing her for the role she would one day assume in running the kingdom.
“What you lack,” I said, “you will easily learn.”
“I pray you are correct.”
“Then I shall take you to Norland to King Draybane.”
“You have no right to make the decision on where we will go.” Mitchell maneuvered his steed alongside Adelaide and now joined our conversation. “The nun said we must seek out Adelaide’s sisters, that together they will find the treasure.”
“Of what treasure does the nun speak?” I asked. If Adelaide had access to even a small supply, we would have the possibility of hiring mercenaries to aid our rebellion.
“King Solomon’s treasure,” Mitchell replied.
I couldn’t contain a laugh at Mitchell’s mention of the legendary fortune that all kings had sought but none had found.
“’Tis no laughing matter,” Mitchell retorted. “Mother gave Adelaide a key to the treasure, one she’d held secretly all these years. And I believe the other two princesses may each have one of the other keys.”
I had read the account of King Solomon’s wealth, but I’d never heard of keys and had always assumed the stories about an ensuing treasure were myths. After all, how could remnants of Solomon’s vast wealth, including chests of gold, survive the ages? If the legend was true, surely the riches had been found long ago. Or perhaps it was simply impossible to find. “What do you think, Adelaide? Do you believe such a treasure still exists?”
I expected her to scoff at Mitchell with me or at the very least to join in my skepticism. But she did neither and instead spoke in a low voice I could hardly hear above the clatter of our beasts. “Already I have had to believe things I never thought possible. Why not this too?”
Ahead our trail narrowed as it began a slow descent into the river valley and level plains. Adelaide nudged her horse forward to take the lead next to Tall John. I sensed our conversation was ending, that she no longer wished to discuss the matter of the queenship or elusive treasures. I could only imagine the shock she’d experienced when she’d learned her true identity as not merely one of the lost princesses but the heir to the throne. It would take time for her to accept the truth and all it entailed. We would need to be patient with her.
“We must follow Sister Katherine’s instructions,” Mitchell insisted. “First we need to find Emmeline in Inglewood Forest and Maribel at St. Anne’s in the Highlands.”
I shook my head. “We would do better to ride to safety in Norland and come up with a strategy—”
“Who placed you in command?” Mitchell’s voice contained the same bitterness I’d heard earlier ov
er dinner. Long gone was the younger brother who’d followed me around with admiration, and in his place was a man I hardly knew. I clearly had much work to do in repairing our relationship.
Before I could formulate a response. I sensed a rumbling through the earth below us. The slight tremor in the ground was followed by the heavy thundering of horses.
Our pursuers had found us.
Chapter
8
Christopher
My senses went into warrior mode. Apparently, Sister Katherine had miscalculated our lead. Either that or Ethelwulf’s men were faster than she’d anticipated. If they were a part of his elite guard of specially trained knights, they’d not only be swift but would excel at tracking.
Mentally I berated myself for not hiding our tracks better. I’d expected that once we left Langley land we’d follow Finham Brook as far north as it led. But I hadn’t thought we’d need to be careful so soon.
I attempted to gauge the size of the band on our trail. At the same time, my mind scrambled to find a way to elude them. I was a strong soldier and could fight off many men. But I didn’t want to take any chances around Adelaide.
“Ethelwulf’s men are already upon us,” I called.
“Can you tell how many?” Tall John asked glancing over his shoulder at the darkness behind us. The severity of his tone told me he’d sensed the pursuers the same as I had.
“My guess is less than a dozen.” Too many would slow down their chase and bring them unwanted attention. Rather Ethelwulf would work secretively, hoping to catch Adelaide before she could flee too far or gain help.
“Can we outride them?” Tall John asked.
“No,” I responded. “At least not for long. We need to take cover.”
“There is no place nearby that will afford us cover,” Adelaide responded, kicking her steed into a gallop. “We shall have to fight them.”
