6. Plans-1
789 Words
Six
Plans
Summer 960 MC
King Andred sat at his desk, staring down at the list before him. The names of the nobles of the realm were there; all sworn to his service and yet he knew that some of them must have been complicit in the rebellion. The Earl of Eastwood had raised an army in an effort to take the throne, but he wouldn't have attempted the task without the tacit approval of at least some of the nobles. The fighting was now over, the earl dead and buried, but still, the question lingered; who could he trust?
There was a knock at the door, and he called out absently, "Enter."
Lady Penelope Cromwell, the king's mistress, peered in to see what he was up to. He stared blankly at her, upset by the interruption but a smile from her softened his mood.
"Come in, my love. I need a distraction."
She glided into the room, "Why, whatever vexes you so, Andred. Surely the affairs of the kingdom can be handled by lesser men."
"If only," he groused, "but since the recent uprising, who can I trust? The earl couldn't have acted alone, he must have had help, but who?"
"A valid question," she agreed. "But he is defeated now, surely it is no longer an issue?"
"Ah, I wish it were so. I have to send Margaret to Westland to keep them occupied while I root out the rot in my court."
"And why is that a problem, Andred? Do you think her unsuitable for the task?"
"It is not the sending that has me so worked up, it is the guarding."
"Please explain, I'm afraid such matters are beyond me."
"I must send knights to protect her, she is a royal, after all."
"Then send knights, where is the problem?"
"I need all my knights here, Penelope, don't you see? There's bound to be more to this rebellion than just one earl. We must root out those responsible. I need men I trust to carry out my will and yet I cannot send untrustworthy men to guard my daughter."
"Perhaps there is another solution," she offered.
"You have me intrigued," he said. "What are you suggesting?"
"Tell me, is it imperative that Margaret, herself, be the one who visits?"
"I have committed to a royal, I see no other choice."
"What about Princess Anna?" she suggested.
"She is too young," he replied. "They would see it as an insult."
"Was she too young to lead the defense of the realm? She did win two battles, did she not?"
King Andred sat for a moment, absorbing her words. "I suppose she did," he admitted at last.
"So she is more than capable of looking after herself."
"Still, she would be representing the kingdom to our enemy," he persisted, "and she has little experience in such things."
"Send advisors," she countered. "She's already gathered a few of her own. We can make sure we have agents in their midst to report back on her progress if you're worried about it."
"And if they take offense?" he asked.
"Then let them. She is a Royal of the House of Merceria. Surely that is enough to guarantee her safety."
"And if they don't?"
"Tell me, my love. If such a thing were to come to pass, who would you rather lose, the daughter of your own blood or Princess Anna?"
Andred smiled, "A perfectly valid point."
"So there you have it," said Penelope, "you have come to your own conclusion."
"I still have the same problem," he growled. "Who do I send to guard her."
"Didn't you let her raise some knights?" she asked.
"I did," he admitted.
"Then she is already guarded. You must insist that she fills out her roster of knights before she leaves."
She walked closer to him, placing her hands upon his shoulders as he sat. "All the arrangements can be made by her people, freeing you up for more pleasurable pursuits."
"And if she is placed in danger?"
"For goodness sake, Andred. Send the Life Mage if you must, he certainly would be small loss around here."
"The Life Mage? Surely not!"
"Your Majesty," she purred, "he has shown himself to be quite lacking in skill. You, yourself, have said as much. With the rebellion crushed you are quite safe. When was the last time you needed healing?"
"Many years ago," he replied.
"You see? He is quite unnecessary. Do what you know is right and send young Anna to Westland."
She moved to his side and held out her hand. He took it, rising from his seat. She pressed her body close to his, bringing their faces together in an intimate embrace. "Now," she cooed, "let us concentrate on more pleasurable pursuits."
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