Heart of the Crown

6. Plans-2

Gerald's armour jingled as he walked through the Palace, the sound echoing down the long halls.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked.

"Absolutely," replied Anna. "I've made up my mind. Just think about it, a chance to see a foreign country."

"I don't think he'll send you. He seems to have made up his mind to send Margaret."

"Nonsense, Gerald. I intend to convince him that I am the better candidate."

"But it could be dangerous, Anna," he said.

"You mean like the battles we fought in?" she reminded him. "I doubt it would get more dangerous than twisting an ankle dancing. We have a chance to make history; bring about a lasting peace between our kingdoms."

"We don't know much about Westland and its people."

"Precisely," she retorted. "I can't do this without you, Gerald."

"Well," he said, "if you can convince the king to send you, I'll be by your side. Just how, exactly, do you intend to do that?"

"Simple, I'll draw on my recent success in the rebellion and remind him how we saved the kingdom. He knows I've assembled an outstanding group of friends."

"You should refer to us as followers, Anna."

"But you're my friends," she objected.

"Yes, however, your father would be more impressed if you refer to us as followers. He's a king, remember?"

"I could hardly forget, now, could I?"

"What if he says no?"

"Then we're no worse off than we are now."

"You want this badly, don't you?" he asked.

"Of course," she replied, "it's the chance of a lifetime."

They arrived at their destination; a blue door that led into the king's private chambers. Two knights stood guard, their breastplates bright and unblemished.

"I'm here to see the king," announced Anna.

The guards looked down, towering over her small frame. Gerald was about to say something when the door suddenly opened, revealing Lady Penelope Cromwell.

"Princess Anna!" she exclaimed. "What a pleasant surprise. Is there something I can help you with?"

"I've come to talk to the king," the princess replied.

"A happy coincidence," said Penelope. "I was just talking to him, myself. Come along, Highness, I'll take you to him. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."

Gerald took a step forward to be met by Penelope's palm, held in front of him. "You can leave your bodyguard here," she said, "you won't be needing him."

"I'll wait here, Highness," he mumbled, bowing his head slightly.

Anna stepped through the doorway with the king's mistress, while Gerald watched as the door snapped shut.

He paced back and forth in the hallway, trying to kill time, but his mind was whirling with worry. What would the king say? Would he let them go to Westland? Would her arguments convince him? He heard the shuffling of feet and turned to see the two knights watching him as he paced. He arrested his movement, turning to face them. Distracted by their attention, he wondered if they had fought at Eastwood. Of course, he could just ask them, but he sensed an air of contempt for him and felt slighted. He wanted to lash out, but realized they had done nothing; he was simply imagining things.

The door opened unexpectedly, and Anna reappeared.

"That was quick," he said, surprised.

Anna marched back down the hallway and Gerald struggled to keep up with her pace. He was beginning to wonder what had upset her so. Had the king refused her offer? They exited the Palace by the back, into the elegant gardens, and then Anna finally slowed.

"Anna," he begged, "what happened?"

She turned to him, breaking out into a big grin. "We're going to Westland!" she yelled.

"What?" he responded. "You were only in there for a moment. I thought he'd refused you."

"On the contrary," she replied, "he quite agreed with my reasoning."

"That quickly?"

"Yes, it took me completely by surprise."

"When do we leave?" he asked.

"Soon," she said. "We have a few things to see to first. We need to get everyone together and start making plans."

"You've already been making plans, Anna. I know you."

"Of course, Gerald, but now we need to start moving forward on them."

"Who should I gather?"

"Let's start with Beverly, Arnim, Revi, and, of course, Lily. I would also like Baron Fitzwilliam to be present."

"What about Lord Greycloak?" he asked. "The Elves were quite helpful to us."

"I know they were," said Anna, "but I'm sure the king would not want Elves going on the trip with us. He's never been comfortable with them, but I will send a letter thanking Lord Greycloak for their help."

"And Dame Hayley?" he asked. "She is a Knight of the Hound, after all."

"I don't really know her yet. I think it best I stick to those I'm more familiar with."

"And where would you like them to gather? No doubt you've got somewhere in mind already?"

She smiled, "Why Sergeant Matheson, you know me all too well. I thought we might impose on the baron. He has a house in the city, does he not?"

"He does, though he doesn't use it much. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to host a get-together."

"Find Beverly first and have her arrange things. I'll want you to escort me there when you're done."

"What will you be doing in the meantime?" he asked.

"Changing out of this very stiff and formal dress," she said, tugging at her waist bindings.

"All right," he agreed. "I won't be long.

"You'll have to find Beverly first; it's a large Palace."

"It's just after mid-day," he remarked, "she'll be in the practice yard."

"I should have known," said Anna.

"That's what I'm here for," replied Gerald.

The food was cleared away from the table, leaving the baron with a glass of wine. He waited as servants brought forth drinks for his guests and smiled as he saw Gerald marvel at the tankard of ale placed before him.

"You see," he said, "I remembered. You don't like wine."

Gerald blushed, "It's not that I don't like wine, my lord, it's just that I prefer ale."

"After all these years, surely you can call me Fitz."

"Of course, my lord," replied Gerald to the amusement of all around him.

"Perhaps, Father, we should get to the business at hand?" suggested Beverly.

"Of course," agreed the baron. "If you would be so kind, Highness?"

"Thank you, Baron," said Anna. "As you know, the king has selected me to travel to Westland on a diplomatic mission."

"What type of diplomatic mission?" asked Arnim. "Are we to become permanent ambassadors?"

"No," she replied. "We are to visit their kingdom, learn more about them, and show them we're not the ruthless mercenaries they think we are."

"I thought," offered Beverly, "that your sister, Princess Margaret was supposed to go?"

"And so she was," said Anna, "but I managed to convince the king to send me instead."

"And he agreed to that?" asked Fitz. "I find that surprising."

"He did," she responded. "In fact, he thought it was an excellent idea. I was quite surprised at how easy he was to convince. Not only that, but he insisted that I take Master Bloom with us."

The mage, who had been picking at some leftover food on a small plate, looked up in surprise. "He did? I find that quite strange. I would have thought he'd want the Royal Life Mage kept close."

"He was quite adamant about it. He said he didn't trust the physicians in Westland to look after me."

"Much as I am flattered by the opportunity," said Revi, "I am on the cusp of understanding a matter of great import." He looked around the room; save for the baron, they all knew he was referring to the Saurian Temple they had found at Uxley. "I should like to return to Uxley to study it in more detail. Perhaps, with Lily's help, I might be able to decipher the rest of the writings."

Lily chirped something in the Saurian tongue.

"What did she say?" asked Beverly.

"She said she'd be happy to," remarked Anna.

The entire room looked at her in surprise.

"I don't remember the mage casting the spell of tongues," said Arnim.

"He didn't," said Anna. "I've started learning some of her words."

Gerald cleared his throat to get their attention. "What if Revi and Lily were to go to Uxley and then catch up to us in Westland?"

"Good idea," said Anna, turning back to the mage. "How long would you need?"

"I would hope no more than a month or two," he replied.

"Could you join us in the Westland capital in the autumn?" she asked.

"Definitely," he agreed, "and I shall be sure to bring Lily with me."

"Excellent," said Anna, "then let us make it so."

"What about a detachment of knights," said Fitz. "You'll need some guards."

"Sir Arnim oversees my foot guards," she replied, "and my father has authorized the raising of ten knights. How is that going, Beverly?"

"Quite well, Highness," replied the redheaded knight. "Dame Hayley is interviewing two potential candidates even as we speak. If they're suitable, that will bring us up to five."

"We'll take them with us to Bodden," said Anna. "I should like to escort the baron home. From there, we'll head south to Kingsford where we'll take a ship to Westland. I would like to have the rest of the knights sorted by that time. Can we do that?"

"It'll be difficult," said Beverly. "There's not likely to be many candidates on the way to Bodden. No offense, Father."

"None taken, my dear," remarked the baron.

"I can see to the rest," offered Arnim. "I'll travel directly to Kingsford, and put the word out that interested parties should assemble there. I'll have them all interviewed before you arrive."

"Very well," agreed Anna, "though we will miss your presence, Sir Arnim."

"What about the baggage train?" asked Revi. "It's bound to be large, there'll be servants and supplies to sustain us, not to mention the coin."

"I'll look after the baggage train," announced Gerald, "with some help from Beverly. We managed quite well during the rebellion. I daresay a nice peaceful trip like this won't be much work. Might I ask how we're to pay for all of this?"

"The king has authorized a substantial purse. I have a letter in his hand allowing its release. I was hoping we might convince the baron to hold onto it for us while we're here in Wincaster. I can't say I fully trust the Royal Treasurer not to skim coins, but it would be convenient to have it close at hand."

"I would be honoured," agreed Fitz.

"There will be lots to do in the next few days," continued Anna. "I suggest you all get a good night's sleep."

As one, they rose from their chairs, bidding each other good night.

"A moment if you will, Master Revi," called out Anna.

They waited for the others to leave; only Gerald, Anna and Revi remaining.

"Yes, Highness?" said the mage.

"I want to know what you hope to find at Uxley," said Anna.

"I've had some time to pore over the books in Andronicus' library," explained Revi, "and I'm convinced that I can make sense of what we found. I need to return to the temple and study the runes again so that I can unlock them."

"Unlock them?" asked Gerald.

"We discovered new glyphs," continued Revi. "In order to use them, we must determine how to pronounce them; how to control their power."

"Do you think they are powerful, these new runes?" asked Anna.

"Yes, Highness. I'm convinced the magical flame represents a far greater power than we initially suspected, and unlocking the glyphs will allow us to control it."

"Meaning?" asked Gerald.

Revi looked from Gerald, back to the princess. "I'd rather not say at this time, Your Highness, but it is imperative that I be allowed to complete my studies. A discovery of this nature could have far-reaching consequences, and Lily's mastery of the Saurian tongue is of inestimable value."

"I shall ensure we leave you sufficient funds to continue your investigation, Master Bloom, but I expect you and Lily to join us in Westland in the autumn."

"Thank you, Highness," replied the mage, bowing deeply.