Chapter 24

 

          Prince Hadwyn was less than an ideal host. He spoke not as he led Nathaniel through the square and the beautifully carved portal that greeted castle residents and visitors alike.

Nathaniel would have liked to admire the carpenters’ craftsmanship but he sensed this was not the time. He followed two paces behind Prince Hadwyn as the prince led him through hallways and past rooms with nary a nod to the castle staff. Nathaniel considered whether he could run.

“You would not get more than fifty yards before my men would take you down,” Prince Hadwyn commented offhandedly without breaking stride.

“Sire, it is the furthest thing from my mind.”      

Prince Hadwyn turned on Nathaniel. “So, you have begun to lie already. I appreciate the sentiment when people pay me compliments, but today I do not need my ego rubbed. I grow impatient for the truth.” He turned again, threw open the doors to the Great Hall and took his place at the head of the massive table.

Nathaniel followed, but then stopped to admire the tapestries. The vibrant colours attracted him, but then it was the artistry of the master weavers who could turn threads into stories that gave him pause. Instead of following Prince Hadwyn, Nathaniel moved from panel to panel, relishing the tale it told in pictures. One panel depicted the Omega, borne by the Caledonia flag bearer, now fallen to the ground, their soldiers vanquished by the might of Kesselring.

“Your mother stared at that tapestry as well,” Prince Hadwyn remarked. “What is it that attracts you so?”

 “This is Kesselring defeating Caledonia, is it not?” Nathaniel replied, deciding not to lie.

“It is,” Prince Hadwyn replied, curious that a peasant would know the sign of the house of Caledonia. “How did you know that?”

“It is the same symbol Savannah and I saw marked on the tree, the one that Prince John and Prince Alexander carved to mark the spot where they buried the Golden Orb.”

“And how do you know that?”

“Everyone knows that. They do not speak it so freely, milord, but you did ask for honesty.”

“Yes, I did. Come Master Nathaniel. Sit beside me. Your prince wants to hear more.”

Nathaniel began the slow march to the head of the table. He could not protect both his mother and his sister. He had to choose. He only hoped that Savannah would tell the same tale.

Duff, are you there? Mirabel, can you read thoughts too?

I am here Nathaniel, Duff replied. Calm your thoughts. Master Baldric is near and may overhear.

Duff, has Savannah told her tale?

Not yet.

Then I must go first. Can you relay it to her?

I can, if I tell Mirabel. Tell the Prince quickly and then I will be gone.

“My Lord, I will tell you what I know and trust that you have the wisdom to understand these things, for they do not make sense to me.”

“Proceed,” Prince Hadwyn replied, smiling.

Hmm. He does like having his ego stroked, Nathaniel thought. “Savannah and I came upon the marking when playing in Kesselring Forest. Forgive us for trespassing.”

“Yes, we can deal with that later. Continue.”

“Savannah, well, she became strange, as though bewitched.”

“Bewitched?”

“Yes. She stopped, then swooned and fell to the ground. When I woke her, she spoke in a different voice. She told me it was … Prince Alexander of Caledonia.”

“What!”

“I swear, my Lord, I swear it is true. And Prince Alexander said that he marked the tree. Savannah seemed possessed and we dug where he told us. We found the orb and took it home. We showed Mother, but she did not know what to do with it. She was afraid we could be killed for trespassing in the forest, but we did not eat anything, I swear.”

“Yes, yes, very well. Continue.”

“Mother said we must hide it, but then you came looking for it. Savannah and I played a trick on you. I am sorry, my Lord, but we feared for Mother. I said Savannah was hurt in the woods, but she slipped behind our cottage and retrieved the orb. She buried it again before we found her. Then that raven returned and everyone left us,” Nathaniel said, deciding to leave out the part where their benevolent prince was set to burn the village. “While you were away we retrieved the orb. Mother knew that your man Baldric could sense the orb, but not when it was buried. We took the orb to the river, covered it in mud, and gave it back to Mother. Then we crossed the river on a log that bridged the banks, and pushed it in so no one could follow. We did not know what to do next, but then your Captain came upon us later.”

“Yes?”

“I, well, I am truly sorry, but he threatened us, so I threw a rock and struck him in the head. He fell off his horse and broke his leg. We tended to him as best we could, but then Edward came from the south and captured us. Edward tied us and brought us here.”

Prince Hadwyn sat back, absorbing it all. Then he was hungry. “Fitzgerald!” he shouted. A servant magically appeared at the door to the Great Hall. “Our young guest is famished. Bring us some food.”

Duff, you should go and tell Mirabel.

I am away, Master Nathaniel. Good luck.

“So,” the prince continued, “what do you think of this Golden Orb?”

“Only what I learned in stories, my Lord, that it possesses great power.”

“Yes, but you possessed it for a time. What did you feel? Tell me.”

“My Lord, it was truly magnificent,” Nathaniel began, watching Prince Hadwyn close his eyes and smile as though he were re-living pleasant memories. Nathaniel had seen men in StagsEnd with the same expression after downing Mirabel’s special mushroom pain medicine.

“Go on.”

“I felt … alive … and powerful, as though I were stronger than I truly was.”

“Or that you finally realized your power,” Prince Hadwyn suggested.

“Yes, yes that is more like it.” Nathaniel dare not disagree with Prince Hadwyn but at the same time he was worried that he was fuelling the man’s lust for the orb. The image of Prince Hadwyn’s enraged face, his sword raised high above their heads, was still fresh in Nathaniel’s mind. He decided it best to temper the prince’s enthusiasm. “But I did not like how it came between my sister and me.”

“What?” Prince Hadwyn opened his eyes and reminisced no more.

“We fought over it all the time, and no longer trusted one another, because we always wanted it. At first we tried to share it, taking turns holding it, but we never wanted to give it up.”

“It is not a power that can be easily shared. One has to own it. Being older, and a male, it was rightfully yours. Why did you not claim it?”

“Because I was afraid I would lose my sister.”

“Hmm. That fear, Nathaniel, will keep you weak. A man who does not take what is his is no man. But it is a moot point. The orb belongs to me. And I am counting on your mother’s fear to see that it happens. Ah, our food arrives. Fitzgerald, do ask that Baldric to join me, and then find Edward and invite him as well. Eat up, Nathaniel. It may be your last meal.”

 

It was Duff’s passing thought that made Marie run back inside.

Princess, the Watch returns. You must hide.

Marie slipped back inside the castle just as the guards returned from the square to take up their positions atop the outer wall at the back of the castle. The guards risked much to leave their posts, but the trumpets that sounded Edward’s return proved too strong a draw.

Marie was fortunate that the hallway was still empty. Either Rose was an accomplished seductress, or she was sitting on the man, or both. Marie shook her head, dislodged the image from her mind, and opened the door to the stairwell to await Rose’s return.

 

Saphrasus did not relish having to tell his master the news.

Master, pardon the interruption.

Baldric was annoyed. He was desperate to hear news of Marie and the orb, and he was most anxious to converse with Mirabel. Tell me, but be brief.

Their mother has escaped, her whereabouts unknown. I have searched inside the castle grounds, and even outside the wall, but there is no sign of her.

But how did she escape?

There are cuttings on the door of her room. She took a knife and hacked out the wood surrounding the lock. She is much stronger than she appears.

Or she had help? I fear there is a traitor among us.

I fear so too. Her attendant, Rose, is nowhere to be found.

Ah, you did well Saphrasus. Search for both women. But if they cannot be found, then I must be convince the mother to come out of hiding. Be gone.

 

This man is strange, Savannah thought. So frightening, so eager to learn of the orb, but now he is suddenly gone?

“I have returned, Savannah. Thank you for your concern but my thoughts were on other matters. You now have my undivided attention.”

“I liked it when you were away,” she decided to say since she could not control that thought.

“Good. I see we understand each other. Before I hear of the orb, I want to ensure we are all here. Mirabel? Where are you? Would you be so kind as to join us?”

 

Duff called for Mirabel as he circled the grounds, making sure that his thoughts radiated away from the room where Baldric held Savannah. Mirabel replied immediately. She was in the woods, outside the gate. Duff went to her and quickly relayed the story Nathaniel had told the prince. Mirabel bid Duff farewell and wondered how to relay the story to Alexander. She ignored Baldric for as long as she dare. She knew she needed to distract him, if only for a short time.

Baldric, I am here, but I have a question for Savannah.

Yes?

Savannah, when Alexander awoke in you, why did you not come to me?

What? Savannah thought.

Did Marie not tell you of my powers? Did you not know that all of this would be avoided if you had confided in me?

Savannah sobbed. No! I did not know. This is all new to me. And mother told us you were strange. She said we should stay away from you!

In that instance when Baldric’s mind lamented the injustice that he and Mirabel shared, Mirabel connected with Alexander and relayed Nathaniel’s story. Savannah’s sobs grew louder, but it was not enough. Mirabel had to break her.

You foolish child! All my plans, all my years of hard work! And you ruin it all by not telling me!

“Yes, dear child. Do tell us now. What is the truth of the orb?” Baldric asked, staring through her.

“Retreat!” Alexander shouted. It was not clear if he was directing the command at Baldric, or Savannah, or Mirabel. “Can you not see that she is just a little girl? Savannah, you are safe. I will tell him.”

“Very well,” Baldric replied, his lips curling ever so slightly. “Whether it be Alexander or Savannah, it is the same experience. Begin.”

And he did. Alexander relayed the tale he learned from Mirabel. As he spoke he grew stronger and more confident, proud that he was able to protect Savannah, if only for a short time. And he learned something else about himself. He learned that he shared something of his brother. Both were strong enough to turn lies into truth.