The King & The Prince

Shocked

Prince Kane

The road to Northwood was long the rocky terrain was hard on the horses, snow began to fall a week into the journey almost killing an older mare pulling one of the wagons loaded with wheat and corn from the capital. We had to swap and let a younger stallion pull the cart with the mare walking behind slowing down our pace slightly. Thankfully the snow had kept all of the thieves elsewhere. After ten days we were all miserable, the rations were running low and the snow had turned the roads into a mud pit which slowed us down even more. We were finally approaching the castle I could see the outer walls and two of its four guard towers. The horns blared signaling our arrival and the outer gate was raised so we could enter, the towns’ people bowed at the sight of the King’s golden banners. Children stopped running around to stare at the royal party in awe; it had been twelve years since any royal had traveled to Northwood probably well before any of them were born. We made our way through the outskirts of the village towards the Northwood mansion that sat in the center. Once I dismounted my black stallion a young boy came and grabbed the reins from me.

“Your Grace, I will take him to stables.” He couldn’t have been more than ten, with shaggy blonde hair and he was almost as scrawny as Adam.

“Thank you lad.” And with that he was on his way to the stables.

 The steps of the mansion were covered in a thin layer of snow as I made my way to the heavy wooden door; a grey headed older woman dressed in a maids garment opened the door.

“Your Grace, I am Mary the head maid of Northwood mansion, right this way Lord Harlow is in his study.” I followed her down the dim lit hall.

The mansion was not as well decorated as the Bellicus castle, it lacked the gold trinkets and royal family portraits adorning every wall but still it was inviting. Iron scones lined the walls every candle on them lit yet it was still darker than I was used to. She opened the double doors to Lord Harlow’s study and I stepped inside welcoming the warmth from his fireplace, he looked almost the same as I remembered him. Only now his beard and what hair he had left had turned grey, he looked a lot bigger than he had been fifteen years ago at the capital. I suppose that is what happens in a man’s retirement.

“Your Grace it’s a pleasure to see you again, I hate it is under these circumstances.” His voice held so much sadness I knew his next words before he spoke them.

“General Samuel passed in the night Your Grace, I am sorry.”

“I wish to see his body Lord Harlow.” That was all I could manage to say damnit I had been too late.

“The priest should have brought him to the great hall by now Prince Kane, follow me.” We headed to the great hall, there were people everywhere all busy preparing for the funeral feast.

The hall was massive, there was a long aisle way leading to the altar benches were lined up in rows to each side for the commoners to sit. Sam was the General of the royal army; a funeral this elaborate was to be expected for such a well loved man. I walked towards the altar where his body laid, he looked so much different than I remembered, and his long grey hair was brushed back the priest didn’t even attempt to hide his sunken cheeks. He was skin and bones it must have been weeks since his last meal. The letter had said he had caught an injury from a wild boar and infection had set in, it must have been bad enough to knock him unconscious for at least the past week. He was just a shell of the man who had taught me everything I knew.  As I stepped closer I noticed his body smelled of clove with a hint of…vanilla? Odd choice of oils to cover the scent of a rotting body I thought to myself. Even though it would take longer for his body to start truly rotting in this frozen environment. I silently spoke my goodbyes and prayers to my mentor and returned to Lord Harlow’s side; the hall soon began to become crowded as people began enter to pay their respects to the late general.

It was evening now, everyone had made their rounds and we headed towards the dining hall for the feast.  The smell of deer stew filled my nostrils as soon as I stepped through the doors, this must be the most well lit area in the entire mansion. Six fireplaces were burning in the circular room, candles lined the walls and every table had ten candles lit in the center. The room was filled with the giggles of small children and the chatter of women. Servants filled every cup with wine or ale while the others ladled the stew into bowls. I headed to the noble table where Lord Harlow sat at the front of the room on his right side were two young girls and a beautiful young woman with golden hair sat to his left in a very revealing purple dress. Our eyes met and she gave me a seductive grin this girl knew she was beautiful.

“Your Grace this is my eldest daughter Lady Carissa and my two youngest Bethany and Bridgette.” Lord Harlow introduced them, ahh eldest daughter which meant she is the lucky lady betrothed to my brother and off limits. Still I reached for her hand and pressed it to my lips as any royal should greet a noble lady. Her skin was as soft as silk and smelt of lavender.

“It is a pleasure to meet you ladies.” The girls just giggled but Carissa had definitely been used to men showering her with affection as my kiss did not affect her in the slightest way, not even a hint of blush crept up her cheeks.

“The pleasure is all mine Your Grace, I hope your stay at the Northwood mansion is a pleasant one, Mary makes the best stew you have ever tasted.” Even her voice was sultry and I didn’t miss the way she licked her lips as she said tasted.

      I gave her a smile and small wink hell it wouldn’t hurt to flirt a tad bit. This could help prove if she was good enough to be Queen I now had my doubts though, s**t the next few weeks alone with her may prove to be difficult. I took a seat next to her as the servants poured my ale and filled my bowl. The stew was still piping hot and tasted heavenly. I couldn’t help but notice how well everyone got along, the entire room was filled, and each table was engaged in conversation. In the castle the king dinned alone and I usually ate with my men in the barracks the people of Northwood all ate like one giant family. Adam was sitting at a table in the back corner with a few of my men and some of James’ men I’m assuming; damn I’m glad he wasn’t alone I had been too busy after our arrival to wonder what he had been doing all this time. Setting our rooms up near the guard towers hopefully because I wasn’t sure I could stay down the hall from Lady Carissa. I had only made it halfway through my stew and her leg had rubbed against mine twice. This girl is a tease, I had met her only moments ago and she was rubbing against me like a cat there was no way in hell I could stay in the mansion now. I may flirt but my loyalty is to my King, to whom she was betrothed, not only as his General but as his brother. I would let her play her little game pretending all the while I am interested, Roland was going to be disappointed to hear about Carissa he was looking forward to courting her. The other two ladies hadn’t met his standards and the third was too sick to even travel. Now the fourth was proving to be a w***e right under the table where we sat in front of the entire village of Northwood. Adam would have his work cut out for him keeping an eye on this one. Poor lad. She carried on her conversation with her father as if nothing was happening under the table.

“No father Evy hasn’t come out of her room; I haven’t seen her since this morning.” Carissa was whispering to James, she thought I wasn’t listening.

“I will instruct Mary to bring her supper to her chambers and to make her eat, she hasn’t eaten more than a bite of bread in three days.” He sounded pissed and was about to leave, hell no I would not be left alone at the table with her.

 “James could we speak in private? Excuse us Lady Carissa.” She looked upset by the notion but I needed to inform him of my brother’s upcoming arrival and to ask who Sam had chosen as his successor.

“Follow me your Grace, I just need to speak to Mary a moment.” I gave Carissa another smile when I stepped away following her father to find Mary.

She was busy giving orders in the kitchens, James walked up to her and they spoke of this Evy and her lack of eating the past few days she grabbed a bowl of stew and left towards the stairs. James and I made our way back to his study the warm room was welcoming after the long cold walk from the kitchens. James placed two more logs on the fire and turned to face me.

“Prince Kane what is it you would like to speak about?” Lord Harlow seemed a tad bit nervous, I’m sure it was all of the events that had taken place today maybe with Evy. I tried to choose my words carefully as not to offend the old man.

“Were you with Samuel during the night James? When he took his last breaths?” Surely it had been him, Sam never married nor even had any bastard children even though he was a regular at the local brothel, and James had been like a brother to him. I pray he wouldn’t have left the old man alone on his death bed.

“No your grace, it was Lady Evelyn my second born whom stayed with him day and night for the past weeks, she never left his side, the two were extremely…close.” His voiced was laced with so much sadness in his last few words. Close? I suppose because Sam and James were great friends. It didn’t make much sense to me why he would spend time with a little girl but stranger things have happened I suppose.

“I see, I would like to speak to her when she feels up to it, I understand if she is in mourning today… did he speak at all during his sickness about who he would choose to become his successor?” Hell I could understand her pain even though women are weaker when it comes to loss; I was also very close to the General myself before he left for Northwood.

“I haven’t seen her since daybreak Your Grace, but I can send for her if you’d like; Mary is taking her supper to her chamber right now.” I put two and two together Evy was short for Evelyn. He had avoided the second part of my question completely but I was going to let it be for now I needed to check on Adam.

“No need at the moment I must check on my men and settle in for the night my Lord.” I turned to the door but he stopped me.

“Mary has ordered the maids to place your baggage in the room across from my bed chambers, if you wish to sleep with your men I understand and I will have them sent to the barracks at once.” Damn I really didn’t want to sleep under the same roof as Carissa but prince or not I would not have anyone out the snow in the middle of night just for me to be more comfortable.

“No need James, it will be fine for the night. I will speak to you in the morning in your study please bring Lady Evelyn so I could speak to her as well.” He nodded and I headed down the hall and out of the mansion.

 Even with torches lighting the way the trail towards the barracks was dark the snow steadily crunching under my boots as I walked the long way around the mansion to the back corner of the village. Fires were burning all around with men sitting on huge logs drinking ale not caring they were in the freezing cold. They were loud, too loud even for drunk soldiers, I needed to find Adam and speak with him of tomorrow’s meeting and Lady Carissa before she put the boy under her spell. He would be an easy target for her, the little virgin squire hell I had almost let her make me a target.

Adam was nowhere in sight but I my eye caught a faint light in the General’s cottage that sat square in the center of the barracks. Anger rushed over me, which one of these bastards thought they had the right to be in there? His body was yet to be put in the ground and someone is rambling through his belongings. I made my way towards the cottage door the candle was burning low at the far end whoever was in here has been for quite some time. I expected to find one of Harlow’s men stealing weapons or coins to sneak off to the local brothel outside of town to say I was in shock at who I found would be an understatement. Sat behind the late generals desk was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Even the dim lit room couldn’t hide her beauty; auburn hair framed her freckled face that looked like it had been kissed by a thousand angels. I looked like the little virgin squire the way I was just staring at her enchanted by her beauty.

“I’m, I am sorry your grace, I meant no disrespect I was just, I was just…” her tear filled voice was muffled as she fought to get the words out.

Before I spoke I made my way around his study to light the surrounding candles so I could get a better glimpse of her. Once they were all lit I turned to gaze upon her. Damn, I thought Lady Carissa was a beauty but she could not hold a candle to the woman sitting in front of me. The green gown she wore looked like rags compared to her emerald eyes she was alluring. Her breasts were threatening to spill out of her tight fitting bodice. I had to snap myself out of my daze why in the hell had I come in here anyway? And what was such a beautiful woman doing in the old man’s cottage at this hour with hundreds of drunken men outside? She must be a w***e; why else would such a good looking woman be in his cottage at this hour knowing he was dead. I will admit she was the prettiest w***e I had ever seen; Northwood has been full of surprises today.

“What are you doing in here?” it came out a lot harsher than I expected it to.

“I… I came here to think.” She was a nervous stuttering mess. Up to something no doubt.

“To think? Am I supposed to believe that at this hour of night?” Who was she trying to fool?

“Yes your grace, General Sam and I were friends, and I would often come here and speak with him.” She spoke softly but I could hear the anger in her voice.

“Are you his official mistress or just another one of his w****s?” I just thought she was pissed before, I could almost feel the fire rising in her those emerald eyes shot open wide at me.

“Pardon me? I am no mans mistress and I am damn sure no mans w***e your grace!” Oh the little redhead is fearless cursing at her prince. She jumped up and headed towards the door brushing past me on her way. I grabbed her arm and turned her to face me. s**t what was I going to say?

“w***e or not a woman should not be walking about alone with all of these drunken soldiers, save that for the brothel where you will at least be paid, let me escort you to…” I looked at her and then at our surroundings.

“Wherever your home is.” Her entire body shook with anger but those eyes bore into mine like daggers, then in a flash she calmed and curtsied.

“Of course your grace, my chambers are three doors down from Lord Harlow’s.” she couldn’t hide the smirk on her face at my shock.

“You are telling me you live in the mansion? And your chamber is on the same floor as the Lord of Northwood?” unbelievable this woman took me for a bloody fool I tightened my grip on her arm.

“You can ask him yourself or I am sure Mary would be kind enough to inform you that I am indeed telling the truth.” She jerked her arm from my grip; she wasn’t the same nervous woman that I had just stumbled in on.

“Lead the way …. What was your name?” I had been so enchanted then enraged I had completely forgotten to ask her for her name, she probably wouldn’t tell me now at least not her real name.

“Sarah, now it is getting late we best get going before the doors are locked your grace, I have work to do in the morning and need my beauty rest.” she blew the candles out and we took the dark trail back to the mansion.

Adam would have to wait until morning, I had to find out more about Sarah and why she was truly in the general’s cottage behind his desk crying. Even though I hadn’t seen her actually crying I could hear it in her voice, she would probably miss the all coin he had paid, Sarah was pretty and fetched a high dollar for a w***e I’m sure. She certainly knew her way through the trail as if she traveled it daily jumping over stones and roots I couldn’t even see. Weaving through the dead tree limbs that hung low over our heads, we traveled in silence me two steps behind her. We finally arrived at the back end of the mansion where the kitchen and maids quarters were, she didn’t even knock before she made her way through the doors. The rooms were dark not one person in sight but she knew where she was headed so I followed her.

 She came to a large door at the end of a long hall and knocked softly, for a moment I thought no one would come until the same woman from earlier answered clad only in her dressing robes, it was Mary the head maid. She looked to Sarah and then to me confusion clear on her face.

“Your grace may I help you with something?” she was very confused about the situation she was looking at. She must think I mean to bed the w***e in my borrowed chambers. Why else would I be walking the mansion halls with her at this hour?

“Mary, I found Sarah alone in the late general’s cottage this evening plundering and I am escorting her to her bed chamber, could you please inform me of which room is truly hers?” Sarah looked at the old woman with pleading eyes but it was treason to lie to the prince and I knew the old woman would tell the truth.

“Your grace this is Lady Evelyn, Lord Harlow’s daughter, I am not sure why she said her name was Sarah but I do apologize on behalf of Northwood for her actions this evening.” s**t, s**t, s**t I am a damned fool. I just accused a noble woman of being a damn w***e! Why in the hell didn’t she correct me? My angry eyes met hers but unlike anyone else she did not cower in fear she only held my gaze. My eyes never left Evelyn’s as I spoke to Mary.

“Thank you Mary that will be all, I am sure Lady Evelyn has a good explanation for her behavior, have a goodnight.” She nodded and closed her door leaving me and the fiery little redhead alone again.

“What bloody game are you trying to play Lady Evelyn?? You do know that it is a crime to lie to royalty?” I was pissed at her and at myself for not being able to read her body language, this was the girl that Samuel was close to. She was truly upset but I had thought that she was locked up in her chamber.

“I would have if told you the truth if you had asked before you chose to accuse me of being a w***e!” she was right I had assumed she was a w***e in that tight fitting gown, a beautiful w***e.  

“Your father said you were in your chambers and had not left it since this morning; I did not expect to find a Lady of Northwood in the cottage at midnight most ladies do not leave their chambers at that hour.” I whisper yelled I was still pissed this woman was testing what little patience I had left.

“Well I am not most ladies your grace I do not need a chaperone to walk me around no matter what hour it is. Now I am very tired so if you will please excuse me.” She turned her back to me for the second time tonight and made her way through the mansion to the staircase with me hot on her trail. She reached for her door but before she could open it I grabbed her arm and turned her to face me our noses almost touching. Her body smelled heavenly vanilla with a hint of clove, she had been the reason Sam’s body smelt of vanilla. We stared at each other a few moments before I spoke.    

“We have a meeting with your father in the morning to discuss General Samuel’s final moments, I trust you will more truthful tomorrow Lady Evelyn.”  I could hear her heart beat; her chest was rising and falling rapidly as if she had ran her way upstairs, she was nervous.

“Of course your grace.” I released her arm and walked to my own chambers all but slamming the door shut behind me.