The night quickly turns to day. Several attackers were captured from the previous night's ambush. The king has yet to determine what will happen to them. Surely King Dominic knows he cannot kill them. The answers to the children's whereabouts reside in those that have been caught.
The king, four of his heirs, and I stand in The Great Hall alone. Not even a guard in sight. William scanning the map, Severin sits drinking tea, Bryce stands sharpening his blades, and Rosalie watching to see a change in King Dominic's expression. Not a single soul ready to speak.
"Do we know who ordered the attack?" I realize I should not be the one to break the silence, but we cannot sit here in our own minds without coming up with a way to fix this.
William quickly glares my way, "Of course! I rounded up every person in the country and they gave me all the names of the ones who orchestrated this. I'm just searching the map to find the best vacation spot for Alice's birthday." He scoffs.
"Now, brother. Calm yourself. You know in which her words meant." Severin laughs letting her tight composure soften. "Since you mentioned it, I could rally some commoners to hear what they've seen. They may speak to me before they would to you."
Rosalie tightens her muscles even more now that Severin is mocking William. Bryce's eyebrows furrowing more and more at the sounds of blades crashing against one another. "Prince Bryce! Can you stop that noise!" William yells.
"I'm sorry. Did my daggers distract your tiny brain at work? For a brute man built for battle, why is it you cannot handle a little commotion every once in a while?" Bryce smirks. Clearly Williams siblings have gotten under his skin, because in no time at all he has Bryce against the wall, daggers still in hand. "Don't take it easy on me simply because we're brothers."
"That's enough!" Rosalie finally speaks after remaining quiet for hours. "We cannot locate all of the children if we cannot even be in the same space as another." She glances towards King Dominic, "Father, did you see the brands of the men? I couldn't recall whether they were The Rebellions or of Ausilin descent. The symbols so closely resemble each other."
The king slowly rubs his face, "They couldn't have been either. The Rebellion wouldn't attack now that their heir is here to take the throne and Ausilin would have stolen her, not six children that mean nothing to them."
"There's a third party at play?" William questions as he lets his brother free from his grasp. "It'll be impossible to find where they are. At least before there were only two main locations to search! Now you're saying there's an entire world?"
"Watch your tongue, child." King Dominic whispers, getting his point across. "I want all of you out of the castle. Secretly searching for the children. We cannot let our enemies know you've left. I will stay to torture the ones captured for answers. Take any resources you need. Do not tell anyone you are leaving except those of highest rank in the guard."
"All of us?" I risk asking another question.
"Yes. You all leave at dusk." The king answers assertively as he exits the room. We stare at each other for a moment, then take our stances to follow.
As I'm packing for my next endeavor, Elizabeth wanders into my quarters. "Princess, I know last night was scary, but you can't leave!"
"I'm only going to stay a few days in town, Elizabeth." I hold onto the demands of the king. No one shall know we're leaving.
"I came to bring you this. It was Laila's, I figured she would want it once you find her." She gives me a knowing yet comforting smile along with a black teddy bear. "Your secret is safe with me. Just please bring the little ones back safe. We do not need another hopeless eighteen years." Not giving me a chance to stifle a response, she leaves.
A few more hours pass and I'm back in The Great Room meeting with my princes and princesses. They've gathered a dozen knights to assist us. Severin and Rosalie are now wearing mens clothing to prepare for the seemingly endless feat. For the first time in my life, I'm the one that's shown severely overdressed. Seeming to notice my confusion, Rosalie slides up to meet me. "Do not worry, Cosima, I've packed enough clothing for you as well."
"Enough small talk. The guards have given us room to leave unnoticed. We leave now or risk being seen." William demands. We gather around to the back of the castle. Horses readied for every one joining. I ride with Bryce on Midnight, allowing for Snow to carry some luggage. The princesses share a horse, following my steed. William leads the lot. I can imagine how someone of his standard has become captain of the guard, aside from being a prince and the recent heir to the throne, he's a marvelous leader. Everyone looks to him for guidance and they listen when he speaks.
"Is Prince William as bad as he acts?" I interrogate Bryce.
He's quick to smile, "And by 'acts' do you mean 'does he have a sword so far up his arse that you can see it from the next kingdom?' I'll give you the short answer, he does. He's a good man despite his anger. He wants to protect us all. He wants to protect you. So do we all."
"So I can choose one of you and protect you from exterior forces."
He shakes his head, "We notice your compassion, Princess Cosima. We all admire you for it. Especially William. Sometimes even my father." I remain silent for the rest of the ride. We come to a stop in the middle of the woods. I notice the sun beginning to rise. Such a shame that I've missed the end to the sky every day since being in the castle.
As I begin setting up a place to sleep for the day, William approaches me, helping me unpack some of my belongings. Never speaking a word.
"Are you two going to speak to each other or shall I relay the messages?" Severin passes the remark towards us as she sets up her own bed. Still no response from the prince. Once we finish putting my things in order, he gives me a small smile and walks to set up his own things.
"I should let you know, we're heading for Aloric tonight. Do you believe your farm could stand as our base while we make our way to all the locations? It's in the center and it's currently vacant." Bryce wonders. I give him a slight nod before settling into my impromptu bed on the ground. I let myself finally succumb to sleep after the long nights I've endured.
YOU ARE READING
The Lost Heir
FantasíaCosima is a simple farmer's daughter. She's grown up in the Kingdom of Eradonia. Raised near a small town called Aloric. She's never even dreamed of leaving Aloric until her whole world changes.
