The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1) (7 page)

"King Edward?" said Howard Cane. "Why do you wait on justice? Hal is a threat as long as he lives."

"I know that. He lives to soften James' resolve. My nephew will be a thorn that must be plucked carefully, else you prick yourself. The matter of James allows for no mistakes. He must not have room to maneuver. I have always hated the way he smirks at me, knowing he was ahead of me in the succession. But no more!"

The Queen did not believe what she was hearing. She looked around for someone to tell her it was a joke, but her eyes met no one who could save her sanity.

"Eslenda must be strong!" shouted Edward. "We shall cast out the Nunari and seal our borders against them. We shall prepare for the Turucks from the south and cripple their army. Eslenda shall lead the world. There shall be no place for the weak." His supporters cheered.

"You are a monster!" cried Queen Mary as she tried to strike him. Sir Plucker held her back.

"It does no good at this time, your Highness," he whispered to her. "Wait."

Queen Mary allowed herself to be restrained. Blood pounded in her temples.

"I am a monster?" asked Edward. "Are you not my mother? Did you birth a monster?" He slapped her hard, her face reddened, and tears filled her eyes. He leaned close to his mother.

"Why did you never support me over Hal? You could have swayed father to send Hal away, to banish him, to give me the throne. Am I really your son?" He stared at her with cold eyes and tension in his jaw.

"Sir Plucker, I think the Queen Mother needs to retire for the evening while I host the feast," said Edward. "Plucker, I hold you responsible for her safety."

Edward turned away from the Queen to greet his supporters.

"You still will go on with the feast?" asked Sir Howard Cane with a smile playing on his lips.

"Of course, Sir Howard. Please sit near me. We must discuss your efforts to the north. We may have to re-direct your men to Far Greening. I need James under control prior to addressing the Nunari nuisance."

"With pleasure, your Highness."

Edward rearranged the seating to compliment his supporters and the meal continued. He allowed no one to depart except accompanied by his guards and those people were detained for a later audience with the new king.

"Play!" said Edward to the musicians. "Come on. Play that merry little number you were playing when my father died. It is infectious." He turned toward the doorway where Hal was staring back at him. He waved his fingers at Hal and turned to Howard Cane.

Queen Mary Islen took a long last look at her son, and then turned her back on him forever.

The bolt thudded loudly even on their side of the door. Hal waited until Plucker's footsteps died away then quickly looked through their belongings but the swords and other weapons were gone. Edward's men had searched their quarters. He looked out the windows and saw archers stationed on the walkways and parapets. The red and gray colors showed they were Edward's archers. Hal opened the window and leaned out to see the entire courtyard. An arrow struck the stone above his head. Edward's man grinned and waved.

He slammed his palm on the sill and pulled the window part way closed.

He saw several of the King's Guards led to a storeroom at sword point and locked inside. He saw only one man with his own blue and white colors, but he was dead, lying near the garden path with an arrow rising from his back. For a moment he wondered who the man was and if he had a wife and children waiting for him in Far Greening

The castle gates to the city were closed and guarded by Edward's men. One of Edward's captains addressed the merchants with carts and stalls within the castle grounds, evidently explaining the law of the new king.

"He really planned this out," said Elizabeth. "How long ago did he start?"

"I don't know. He has certainly been laughing at us over the years. Even the fight this morning was part of his plan - just to show nothing out of the ordinary."

"It was risky. You might have killed him."

"Edward loves risks. Might have been fun for him to put his planning on the line versus my dagger. It probably heightened his enjoyment. I grossly underestimated him; Henry did too. Edward is more calculating than I imagined. He seemed so compulsive and hot headed, I wonder if it was a ruse all along. This was a masterstroke by Edward. Father's death at my feet and all Edward's opponents locked up. Why did I not foresee it? Am I a fool?"

"I am your wife. I cannot speak against you."

Hal laughed. "That would be the first time. You put me in my place better than any foe. Edward has us in a fix, but we shall find a way. We must wait for assistance. Fortunately, Edward does not have all my supporters under lock and key. We shall be safe here for the moment. I think Edward fears James more than me and needs us hostage to force James to submit. I cannot think of any other reason that I still live. Father would have executed me himself for such an offense. He was a stubborn fool, but I loved him."

"Will James submit to save us?"

"No." He snorted. "We will die before James submits. Duty to Eslenda runs in his veins. James will gather our people together and lay siege to this castle. If we die, Edward will die. There will be no swift attack of revenge, rather a calculated military maneuver to bring Edward to his knees. James will detach himself from the situation and make the correct decision for Eslenda without regard to his personal cost. That is why my father favored James over Edward or myself. That boy has nerves of iron and he is far smarter than Edward is. James must take after his mother." He smiled. She kissed his cheek.

"Gathering a war host will take time," said Elizabeth. "Edward will be ready before James."

"Unless James is told today!" Hal slammed his hand on the table. His expression softened and he looked quickly around the room.

"How can we do that?" asked Elizabeth. "Neither of us can fly, unless you're keeping something from me? The archers would feather us if we tried to escape by the window. How can we send messages through the air? We have no pigeons."

"We can't, but Lockwell can. If I can get word to him, I shall ask him to send word to James. Once James has prepared the defense of the castle, he can send scouts to track movement of armies. I doubt that Howard Cane would be late to the field. He will set his soldiers upon any Nunari near the borders and he may look toward Far Greening. I know how much he was in Edward's trust; he may already have soldiers in place."

"I don't like it, Hal. You know James will take to the field himself. He must not risk himself as long as you are captive. He is the heir. He must keep himself to the castle."

"I agree. Do you think he will listen to either of us?"

"No. He's too much like you."

"Was Edward in the hall the entire time I met with father?"

"I believe so. I know he did not leave after I sat down. Who actually stabbed King Henry?"

"I don't know. It could have been a number of Edward's supporters. I do not even know when my dagger went missing."

Hal smiled his tired smile.

"We must get you out of here at least. I do know your secret."

"What?" said Elizabeth.

"I am your husband. I know your moods. I am very happy."

"Good," she said. "I wanted to wait to tell you when we returned home. I've only been sure for a few days."

"It's all the more reason to you to leave this place. If Edward knew you were pregnant he would execute you immediately."

"Well, too bad he's ignorant."

"Ha." Hal sat down at the table and rubbed his forehead. He had to think clearly or they would not get out of this trap."

They had finished their meager meal. Hal was surprised that Edward even remembered to have them fed. They must be in more trouble than they knew. If only he could get a message to James.

"Well, evening falls and we are still here," said Hal. "If we cannot contact anyone we are helpless until someone decides to help us. It will be another day or two before James gets the news and if he rides south immediately it will be four days before our situation can change."

Someone coughed behind them.

Hal pointed to a corner where the growing darkness seemed to billow without a breeze. The air seemed to cool. The shadows corner a wide area and seemed to ruffle as if in a breeze.

"We are alone in here," said Elizabeth, following his gaze.

"No, Queen Elizabeth, you are not." Lockwell unfolded out of the shadows and bowed. He rose to his full height and smiled at them. The wizard stood nearly seven feet tall and rail thin. He gestured with his long bluish fingers as he spoke. His eyes flashed a deep violet and his long stringy hair had a copper sheen to it.

Hal and Elizabeth stepped back as the tall figure appeared.

"Queen? Why do you call me Queen?" She turned to Hal.

"Henry is dead and Hal is the heir. Hal is now King and you are the Queen," said Lockwell. "That is the way of things. I have already sent pigeons to your son and to Lan Tagjet telling them of Edward's treachery. Tagjet is a good man and should be warned of Howard Cane's plans."

"That is good news. Where do you stand, Lockwell? You do not believe I killed my father?"

"No, I do not, King Hal. All the clues point to you but too obvious. I believe you too smart and too sane to contemplate such a move. You were Henry's heir; you were to follow him as king. It makes no sense for you to kill him. At the same time, if such a thing were possible for you, it would have been better planned." Lockwell chuckled. "That was a compliment."

"Thank you, I think," said Hal. "But now you are locked in here with us."

Lockwell chuckled. His eyes were shining. He leaned over Hal like a spider about to pounce on its prey.

"Do not fear such a thing. I can go anywhere I want in this castle. Even now, I am arranging for you to escape. Edward planned well, but not perfect. There are many 'loose ends' Edward has missed and he shall rue his carelessness. The Nunari are just one major mistake of Edward's. I will gather the loose ends for your service. I cannot tarry here with you. I have much to accomplish before dawn.

"I shall return later tonight. Your escape will be hidden behind a fire I shall set in the castle. I shall guide you to a tunnel I discovered leading out of the castle. Men and horses will await you. Do not try to escape on your own. The corridors are full of Edward's soldiers and although they are not are organized as they will be in the coming days, their swords are still sharp." He faded back into the shadows.

"Lockwell? Lockwell?"

Elizabeth brought the candle closer and the light revealed nothing. The corner was empty. She tapped on the walls but the sound was solid.

"Was he really here? He is like a ghost. Did you know he was here?"

Hal shook his head.

"This is a tremendous turn of fortune," said Hal. "Edward does not cultivate people. He wants power and gold. We shall find friends where least expected which is good since we sorely need them. And before today, I would not have expected Lockwell to help. I wonder what he will ask in payment?"

"Is it a trap?"

"Maybe, but what choices do we have?"

"You are reassuring, aren't you, you rouge," said Elizabeth.

"Me, a rouge? I am a prince and you are my obedient wife. Best remember that."

"Come here you rouge of a prince."

Later, there was a tap on the door.

"Is it Lockwell?" asked Elizabeth.

"No. He wouldn't have used the door." Hal walked to the door. "Who is it?"

"The Lady Oswald to see you," said the guard. "King Edward has given his permission. A quarter bell only."

"That's kind of him!" said Lady Oswald. She pushed open the door past the guard and curtseyed before Hal. She looked back at the guard and kicked the door shut.

"Sonia! What are you doing here?" asked Hal.

"I bring word from the Queen. She does not believe you to be a murderer. She wanted you to know how she felt. You had nothing to gain that wouldn't come to you in time anyway. She will support you against Edward."

"Against her own son? Can I trust her?"

"You saw Edward put her under guard. He doesn't care about her, only power. He sees her as Henry's Queen, not his mother. He is her enemy now. It is quite appalling."

"The scene could have been planned just to trick me," said Hal. "For Mary to gain my confidence."

"Why? He already has you in his power."

"She has a point," said Elizabeth.

"Queen Mary will back you in return for her safety, Hal. Is that not enough?"

"Very well. It still might be a way to uncover my supporters. Does Mary want to escape this place?"

"Yes. But not with you. She does not want to hamper your efforts. She will hide with Charles and me. Our castle is as safe as anywhere."

"But outside my control. I will be frank, Sonia; Mary is a threat to any who claim the throne. Perhaps she is not a direct threat, but she is a symbol with great influence. Edward was always a favorite of Charles and I cannot trust him at this point. Mary must come to Far Greening as my guest. Tell her I shall see to her liberation if she agrees to that."

"I will tell her. Charles is already on his way to see James. Edward won't wear the crown very long, I think."

"One question. Why is Charles helping me? It was no secret he believed his father should have been king. Edward is his nephew, I am not. Edward has Oswald blood."

"True. However, you are more likely not to kill the Queen. Charles cares more for his sister than his nephew. Charles may have voiced his disappointment in Edward's presence that his father, Norman, was not king, but he never suggested bloodshed against King Henry or yourself. Charles respected your father and his kingship despite his disappointment. I know I've heard him talk to his advisors when outsiders were not there. He would not admit it publicly, but privately Charles believes Eslenda was well served by King Henry."

Lady Oswald opened the door and glared at the guard as she passed into the corridor. The guard looked in, shut the door and threw the bolt.