My gratitude, My death

KING ERIC BROKE THE LAW

   The attendant looked at him and the rolling of her eyes signified that Albert was a stranger. She kept Albert waiting for a reply while she continued arranging her desk full of used utensils.

“What do you want from them?” She asked.

“My daughter is seriously sick. My wife and her siblings are heartbroken. I desperately need help.” Albert quickly placed two solid currencies of high value on her table. The tangling of the coins created a smile on her face.

“You must be rich?”

“Not as you think. I have sold almost all my possession, pursuing the cure of my daughter.”

“Go that direction,” she pointed. “After the seven dead trees, turn your right and move a few yards along that lane; you will see two small houses, enter the one at your left. If you did not see anyone inside that house, come here again. I will show you a different direction.”

“Thank you so much. Some day, I will repay your kindness in many folds.”

Albert left at once with his horse and followed the directives of the young lady. He saw the houses and tied his horse to a living tree at the compound. The place was quiet and lonely. There were three steps into the house and on each step were a half-used red candle, standing in the middle. As he passed, he observed them. When he got to the door, he knocked twice. Then the door was opened by a woman in her late seventies. Her fair complexion had turned pale and the hair on her head had all turned gray.

“Albert! The son of Byron, a man of good heart, the servant of the King of Portsmouth; what do you want from me?” She walked back to her seat. Albert was amazed at such an accurate prediction.

“Come in.” Albert followed her step by step and she sat facing Albert but there was a wide space between them. The room was empty except for the folded mat placed against the wall, in one corner of the room. Albert was a man of significant height and on his face were some inherited black dots. He had been a servant in the castle many years back. At that time, King Eric was still a Prince. But his stewardship and dedication at the castle made way for him to become a close adviser to King Eric years later.

“I have here because of my daughter who is seriously ill. Please, I need your help.”

“How long will you stop deceiving yourself? How long will you tell me the truth? Why are you here?” She shouted at him.

Albert seemed terrified. He wanted to cover up everything and take the Princess as his daughter, removing King Eric from every of his plan.

“Wise ancient one, I am sorry. I am here on behalf of King Eric’s daughter.”

“She had been polluted with something that looks like a fruit. Her days and life hang on something beyond my reach and power. Go there for to your land where you think there are no more sorcerers. A handful of sorcerers still live under King Eric’s nose. Even in his castle, there are sorcerers.”

Albert stepped back and opened his lips. He was amazed.

“In the castle?”

“Don’t be amazed. They are there, but because of King Oakley, they have become inactive. Now, go straight to the village of Zoro, near the giant oak tree. A powerful sorcerer hides there. She might be able to help in saving the Princess. Active or inactive, know that hundreds of sorcerers are in your kingdom. You may start going, the Princess will soon stop breathing.”

“Thank you.” He turned, leaving the room.

“Hold on,” she stretched her right hand. Albert stopped as he was about to open the door.

"Do you think you can just go to her probably with your military appearance and think she will succumb to you? No weapon or threat can untie her spiritual prowess.”

Albert turned and walked back to her, and this time, closer.

"What may we do?” She kept silent and used her fingers to draw a triangle on the ground. Albert was still waiting. She was still looking at the ground when she replied Albert.

“Go in disguise. Tell her, the gods of the winds have sent you to seek her help. Touch her on her right shoulder as you speak.” She stopped speaking and Albert waited for her conclusion as he stood attentive.

"You have met me in a kind mood; fortune was on your forehead. Portsmouth is not worthy of my assistance or revelation. They tormented my parents, killed my siblings.” She shook her head grief and continued; “And King Oakley thought that our abilities would go into extinction, but they failed. I am native of Portsmouth, because of the resolution, I ran here for safety.”

“Great conjurer, may that kindness you show to me come upon you in hundred folds."

“Get out, you fool. She shouted at him. “Never, you come here again. Do you think your words can confirm me? ”

Albert briskly walked away when he saw the strange attitude of the woman. He jumped on his horse and rode away. He kept looking back.

In the evening of that same day, Albert went back to the King.

“My Lord, I have a secret to tell you.” He whispered to his left ear.

“A great sorceress lives among us. Are you sure Albert? Where does she live?” The king was surprised. Albert used his hand to demonstrate.

“My Lord, please reduce your voice.” They were in the king’s court. The king was sitting, while Albert stood near him on his right. Albert in a low tone continued.

“I have other things to tell you, but let’s solve our present situation.”

“Things like what?” The king asked again.

“Don’t worry. That will not change anything for now. In a village called Zoro, where she lives.”

“Go to Zoro right away and inquire of her, when you find her, we will go there in the notice of no one.”

Albert bowed his head and left the king in his court. He went to his apartment in the castle. His little abode was at the back of the castle. It was not attached to the king’s castle, but closer to the fence.

The next day, he went to the village on his horse and with fewer inquiries. He discovered the oak tree and went back to the king.

“I have found the place.” He was in the king’s room.

“Tomorrow, get ready, we will go there?”

“Both of us alone?”

“Yes.”

“But what about your guards? Would they follow you? You can’t go anywhere without them. No excuse can separate you from them.”

“Don’t worry. Leave that to me.”

According to the laws of Portsmouth which King Eric met, the king’s guards were like his shadow and they protect him wherever he goes. From that moment, the king’s attitude towards his guards became strange. His guards no longer understood him because of his ill-manner. Some of them thought that his daughter’s illness was responsible for his new behavior. He shouted at them whenever they followed him. They became more confused while performing their duty, either to obey the king and abandon their duties. Still, they would follow him far away soon as he leaves the King’s chamber. When the king saw that he could not distract the guards from their duties, Albert and the king strategized a new plan. They planned to get them drunk.

Some hours to leave the castle, the king lured the guards on duty into an unusual wine feast. They were surprised at King Eric's sudden behavior again. The king successfully got them drunk.

Albert took one of the common chariots and the king sat at the back and perfumed himself with a female fragrance. He veiled himself like a woman. When they got to the main gate, Albert came down and went to meet the guards. They were eight in number and spears and arrows in their hands.

“Great men of Portsmouth.” Albert hailed them and one of them walked out of their midst.

“Your report of diligence has reached my ears and also the king’s ears. The king is very proud of you.” They smiled and shook their heads and he continued again.

“Please, I want to take one of the females in the castle out for the night.” Albert ended his words with a smile. One of the guards walked close to the chariot and wanted to view the lady, but Albert responded fast.

“No! No!! She is a shy lady.” He gently stood in his way. Another guard wanted to be very sure. He took the standing lamp and walked very close to the chariot. He raised the oil lamp and saw the person covered, and the female fragrance deceived him. Albert turned and brought out a bottle of fruity wine from the chariot and gave them. In excitement, they opened the gate.

“Enjoy yourself,” they hailed him. They waved their hands as the chariot crossed the gate.

King Eric has been taken away like a w***e. Before his subjects, he tricked and negotiated for his pass. It was a moment without glory and recognition. In secret, he was breaking the laws of his father.