THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 16

Some few nights later in the king's study, a man sneaked inside. There was only one guard outside the study and when he left presumably for a call of nature, the man found his chance and got inside the room. He would keep vigil all night while hiding until a guard left his post or slept. This was a habit the guards had and were constantly warned about but some did not listen . He opened the drawers and went through the papers stamped with the king's seal. He had carried a candle to help him with his search at night. This time, he didn't want to leave any trace of his presence and so he took a quill and began to quickly copy what he saw on the important papers that told of a new strategy to protect the kingdom's boundaries. It was his third time to do this.
The door flew open and Fabian entered the room together with many soldiers who lit up the room. There was no way the man could escape. The warning bells were rang as a sign that there was an intruder. When there was light, the man's face was revealed. It was Eugene.
Fabian had to act fast.
"Arrest him!" he commanded and Eugene was tied up instantly.
Anthony had heard the warning bells ringing and he rushed to see what was going on. A soldier led him to his study and he saw Eugene. So this was the traitor. "Take him to the dungeons and make sure he doesn't escape," the king ordered.
In the morning, Eugene was brought before the council in the throne room. On the thrones sat the king, Therese, Charles, Aretha and Astrid. Fabian stood among the guards and those of the court officials. Julian came in shocked from the news of his father's arrest. Eugene was brought in the room bound by chains. All eyes were on him.
"Father," he cried as he tried to reach out to his father but two soldiers restrained him.
" So you are the perpetrator," Anthony asked.
"What do you think ?" Eugene asked boldly.
" This is the third time you sneaked into the study to steal. You are a really foolish man and I'm glad that I disposed you from the privy council long ago. You failed to honour the one thing everybody should have towards the kingdom and that is loyalty."
"Foolish is not something that I am. You are the fool here Anthony."
" Hurling insults won't do you good and so I'll ask you some questions. You'd better answer them well. What were you doing in my study yesterday ? "
" Nothing," he responded.
" Nothing ? Then what is this ?" Anthony threw some papers on the floor. They were the ones Eugene copied from the main scripts stamped by the king.
" What do you think ?"
" Whom were you going to give them to ?"
Anthony demanded.
" I am not answering you !"
" When you stole the papers the second time, where did you take them ?"
"I didn't take them anywhere. This is the first time I was in your study. I only got in because I wanted to study what you had planned because I am never included in your plans anymore."
"Liar!" the king shouted as he stood up from his throne.
"If I am a liar,then what is the truth ?"
"You stole the papers the first time and you passed them over to the enemy. We discovered that it was you when you were spotted twice walking around my study in the name of wanting to see me when nobody is allowed to access the room and it raised suspicion. We had you followed and our hunch was right. You were the traitor. You gave those documents to the leader of the gang that has been terrorizing the people at the border. You did that the second time as well and handed the information to the gang leader but what you didn't know was that it was a set-up. I intentionally left the papers where I knew you would find them easily which you did. My men followed you secretly but you gave the wrong information. Many men in that gang were killed by my loyal soldiers and you thought of coming back here to find more information but you were caught. Do you have anything to say to defend yourself ?"
With that Eugene knew that he had been caught and there was no escape from what would be his fate.
" I find you guilty of treason and I sentence you to death. You shall be beheaded at noon today."
Eugene fell to the floor I shock. He would most certainly meet a sticky end on that day.
" Nooooo,"Julian shouted." Please don't do that, your majesty."
" He should have thought of the consequences before aiding the enemy. Court is dismissed."
The king began to walk away but Astrid fell on her knees in front of him.
"I beg you for clemency. Don't have him executed," she cried.
"The law is the law Astrid and he committed treason. It is unforgivable."
"I'm begging you to please spare him," she cried more as everybody watched her.
" Get her out of here," Anthony ordered Luciana who stepped forward and helped Astrid stand up before escorting her out of the throne room.
"If you really set your heart on doing something you will,won't you ?"
Eugene said." You have always wanted to get rid of me and now is your chance to do so."
"Get him out of my sight."
The guards brought Eugene to his feet and dragged him out of the throne room as he shouted," You don't know what's coming for you Anthony. You will regret this!"
Julian followed behind his father as he called out to him. Aretha was at a loss of words at what had happened. She wished to help Eugene because he was Julian's father but she knew that she was  powerless. Soon everyone left the room.
Outside Astrid couldn't help but cry. Julian would be distraught and she felt pity for him. But again. There was nothing she could do. Only the king would revoke such a punishment but from the anger he had,no one including Therese would convince him otherwise.

In the dungeons Julian watched in horror as his father was bound by chains.
"You need to be strong boy," Eugene said when they were given some privacy by the guards." You have to do what you must and make me proud even though I won't be there to reap the fruits of our hard work."
"I can't lose you father."
" Listen to me. After I'm gone, Astrid will show you mercy and love but make sure that you don't believe her. Hide your rage inside and when you are forced to compromise in future,use your rage to fight it. You are my son and you should not let me die in vain. You must do what you have to do Julian."
Julian cried and the guards came in and dragged him out.
When it was noon, the people had gathered outside the castle to witness the execution. Anthony stood on the balcony above the execution site and looked down at the people. Eugene was brought out. When he looked ahead,the headsman stood on top of a wooden dais holding a well sharpened sword. He had worn a black veil as was the practice of the time.
What a gruesome death he'd face.
He walked on mastering courage and stood looking at the people. He took in his surroundings because it would be the last thing he saw and knelt down. Julian was at the front of the crowd looking at his father helplessly. They looked at each other with sadness in their eyes.
"This is what happens to anyone who dares betray the kingdom. It should be a lesson to everyone that I will not tolerate traitors in this kingdom."
With those words the headsman held the sword up after Eugene placed his chin on the wooden block. The headsman swang the sharp sword and with one clean blow on Eugene's neck,it was over.