Chapter 27

 

“Milady?”

“Yes Rose?”

“What do the horses’s names mean?”

Marie thought back to a happier time. “King Derek presented the horses as gifts to his sons on the occasion of Nathaniel’s birth. They were both young males from the king’s favourite breeding mares, sired by the king’s mount Beowulf. Truen, which means “Mighty One”, he gave to Alexander, reminding Alexander that he would be a mighty crusader for Caledonia.”

“And the other?” Rose asked, not remembering the strange name.

“Ruairidh he presented to John, but John did not like the name. He begged his father to change it but he would not.”

“Why? What does it mean?”

“It means ‘The Red King’. John, with the fiery red hair, is destined to rule Caledonia, but only at the expense of his father’s life. John did not want a name that would remind him of his passing father, but King Derek said the name was chosen for the people, not for John, and so he accepted.”

“Aye, that is a good story. We must make sure The Red King rides again, milady.”

“Aye, we must.”

 

Edward found the children in the south wing, touring the knights’ armoury. The servant boy Fitzgerald was explaining the weaponry and the history of some of the more treasured pieces won in combat. Nathaniel challenged Fitzgerald to a mock duel and the two picked up sharpened swords. They practised their thrusts and parries, never coming close to one another.

Savannah was off in one corner. She struggled with the Morningstar, a heave mace capable of penetrating an armoured knight. Edward frowned. No doubt it was Alexander who was drawn to the weapon. Savannah set it down and wandered over to look at the array of archery mounted on the wall. There were crossbows, short bows and long bows. She picked up a crossbow, and a bolt from a quiver, and expertly loaded it by pushing down on the lever, tightening the string until she heard it lock in place. Edward glanced at Winston of the Watch, who leaned back against a wall, amused by the playfulness of the children. But the smile left his face when Savannah pointed the loaded crossbow at him.

“Savannah, here, point that down,” Fitzgerald cautioned. “You really have a knack for crossbows, but they are very dangerous. I am surprised you were strong enough to draw back the string.”

“Thank you. I do not really know what I am doing,” she replied as she panned the room. She casually raised her arm, triggered the release and the metal arrow flew across the room and into a portrait of Prince Hadwyn. “Or perhaps you are right. I do seem to have a knack for this.”

“Oh my Lord!” Fitzgerald wailed. “The prince will be angry.”

“He is already angry,” Savannah replied.

Nathaniel put back the sword he had been swinging and took his sister by the arm. “Alexander, stop it,” he whispered. “We are in enough trouble. You may be beyond Prince Hadwyn’s reach but we are not.”

Savannah pouted, but handed Nathaniel the crossbow. “Yes, you are right.”

Edward spoke up. “The prince asked if I could continue the tour. Fitzgerald, Winston, see if you can do something about that portrait before anyone else sees it. Come children. I have much to show you.”

 

Edward could see that Winston was not pleased. First a child threatens his life and now his prince may have his neck. Edward maintained his serious expression until they had left the armoury. “Hurry. I have another room to show you. But try not to destroy the castle. At least not yet.”

There was more activity than before on the main level. The Watch had completed their sweep of the perimeter and grounds and were now converging on the castle. They began on the main level, planning to flush their prey to the upper floor where the only escape was jumping through a window to certain death.

Edward stopped across from the kitchen door and waited for staff to pass him in the hallway. He glanced both ways to ensure no one was looking his way. Then he opened the door to the stairwell and ushered the children inside before closing it silently behind him. “Follow me and make no sound.” Edward led them up the wet and winding staircase.

Where is Edward taking us? Nathaniel wondered. Edward had moved stealthily through the castle like a hunter stalking prey in the woods. Nathaniel felt chilled, partly from the dampness of the castle but partly from the knowledge that they could soon become the hunted.

Savannah felt a mix of fear and excitement, but the latter was stronger because Alexander was breathing fire throughout her body, remembering old times as though it were yesterday. She heard the sounds of beer mugs clanging on the banquet table and the voices of young knights singing their praise to King Wadanhyll. She looked to the head of the table and there stood the king, holding the Golden Orb high above his head for all to see. And there, flanked on either side of the king, stood two young men. The one she recognized as a young Prince Hadwyn. The other stood grim faced, his demeanour calm, his red locks framing his clean-shaven face. Prince John did not join in the celebration. He looked straight at her, disapproving. She set down the glass of beer and stopped singing “Hail To Kesselring”.

They stopped at the top of the stairs. Edward opened the door. The hallway was clear. “Wait here,” he instructed them, and then he was gone.

 

“Nathaniel, I am scared.”

“Nonsense,” Nathaniel replied to his sister. “After seeing you with that crossbow, Prince Hadwyn is the one who should be scared.”

Savannah felt better. “Sometimes I surprise myself. And you were good with that sword. You could take Fitzgerald.”

“Indeed. When this is over I plan to do some serious training, but you have to promise to show me the crossbow. It will be much more fun than skipping stones in the water.”

“Yes,” Savannah agreed, wishing that they were once again skipping stones, with their only worry being that they might be late for dinner and have to do more chores.

 

The door opened and Edward whispered to them. “Follow me, but say nothing. And when we are in the room, you  must only whisper. Do not say any names. Promise me that, young royalty of Caledonia.” The two nodded their heads in agreement. Edward was pleased that they remembered to say nothing. “I am taking you to meet your mother.”

Edward hurried to Marie’s room and swung open the door that could no longer be latched. Nathaniel and Savannah followed and then Edward shut the door as best he could. When he turned around, Edward saw Marie wrap her arms around her children and hug them close. No one said a word. Edward walked over to the three of them and motioned for Rose to join them.

“We have little time,” he whispered. “The Watch has searched the grounds and are now working their way up through the castle. No doubt Winston will post guards at each door, so the stairs are now off limits.”

“Then we are trapped,” Rose said.

“Yes,” Edward agreed. “At least until nightfall.”

“What do you mean?” Marie asked.

“After the castle has been completely searched, the Watch will re-group and Winston will have the unpleasant task of informing Prince Hadwyn that the two of you seem to have vanished. At that time, I will slip away and steal clothing from the guards to disguise the two of you. Marie, Charles is the smallest so his clothes will be a close fit, although they may be a bit big. And Rose, well, I will see what I can do. I may need to steal leggings from Walters and a shirt and tunic from William.”

“But where will we go?” Rose asked.

Marie spoke up. “The stables. The Prince’s stable. We will spend the night with Ruairidh and Truen. The bedding of hay will keep us warm.”

“Yes,” Edward agreed. “That is a good plan. Now tell us. What is the rest of your plan?”

Marie had dreaded this moment but a vision popped into her head. She saw how they could escape, and then she worked her way backwards until the pieces fell into place. She smiled and motioned for them to draw their heads closer. “Listen,” she whispered and the others fell silent.

 

Edward began to pace across the floor, working through the pieces. It was a simple plan. That troubled him at first but then he felt more comfortable. It was better that it was simple, he had to admit, so what was troubling him? He continued to pace until he admitted to himself what caused him doubt; the plan relied on him and Nathaniel, but mostly on him. He needed to take advantage of his heightened stature with Prince Hadwyn and then betray him. It came as a surprise to Edward that he still had feelings of loyalty even after his prince left him for dead in the river. And even now the prince has not sent aid for the Captain, so why did he still have these feelings? A lifetime of adoring his king and prince was not lightly set aside.

Edward stopped his pacing. He had little time for regrets. His path was set when he left the Captain and took up with Nathaniel and Savannah. He felt a stirring deep inside, one that he had never truly felt before. He had never been in battle for Prince Hadwyn. He had never done anything of value for him, apart from threatening villagers to hand over more food from their hidden stores. But now he felt a true sense of purpose, a true quest. This family needed him to protect them. This, then, would be his first test for his new prince, Prince John.

“Nathaniel, Savannah, you must leave now and find Fitzgerald. Stay with him until I come for you,” Edward said.

“What will you do?” Nathaniel asked.

“I must stay here until the Watch arrives. I will rush out of this room and convince them that I have just finished searching this bedroom. Then I will usher them downstairs, leave them with Winston, steal the clothing, wait for nightfall, and lead your mother and Rose to the stables. And then, God willing, I will find you.”

“God be with you, Edward. Come Savannah. We must leave now.”

But Savannah seemed glued to the window overlooking the courtyard. The carpenters’ hammers rang out across the grounds.

“That is strange,” Savannah said.

“I know. I did not want to tell you, my loves, but Prince Hadwyn is building a second hanging post. He means to make us divulge the location of the orb and then he will kill us.”

“I know that mother, but that is not what I meant.”

“Then what is strange?” Marie asked as she ran to the window.

“Why is Mirabel crossing the drawbridge?”