The Reformation Wars: A Shadow of Gloom

Chapter 11

Jude chuckled to himself as he and his companions escorted the Count of Viscungardi back through the capital and toward the royal palace. Their procession must have presented quite a spectacle to any onlookers, after all. A defeated and bound count, followed by a sweaty blond archer, a dark-skinned youth in a coat that didn't fit him, and of course, one of Monterayne's princesses. Many questioning eyes tracked their progress across the capital, and Jude would wager absolutely none of the theories bubbling in their minds contained a shred of reality.

Before long, they left the capital behind and entered the outer gates of the royal palace, at which point two guards jogged over to meet them. The confusion in the guards' eyes as they glanced over the group was no less than that of the townspeople earlier.

"Please do enlighten us, what's your business here?" one of the guards asked, his brow wrinkling even more upon spotting Cassie in the back.

"This man committed murder right under the king's nose." Jude replied, "We apprehended him under orders of Princess Cassandra here."

"Is this true?"

Cassie frowned. "Of course it's true! Why would he lie about me when I'm standing so near?"

"My apologies, your highness; I merely wanted confirmation." The guards exchanged a look. "Has he requested an audience with the king? Or why are you taking him here?"

Jude smirked. "I think you misread the situation. This is no ordinary murderer off the streets, or we wouldn't have bothered. No, this is the Count of Viscungardi, a recent visitor to the royal court."

"Oh. In that case..." he trailed off and whispered something to his fellow guard, who then sprinted toward the palace proper. "I've sent him ahead to find out whether the king is ready to see him."

"I hope you passed the message along that this request comes from me." Cassie said.

The guard lowered his head. "I neglected to communicate that part, your highness. Many apologies."

"All is forgiven. Let's not stand here and wait; this is my home and I can enter it when I wish. You three are invited."

Jude and Kyle shrugged at the guard, exchanged a grin, and followed Cassie as she led them into the palace itself.

Being a close friend of the crown prince for as long as he could remember, Jude was no stranger to the sights, sounds, and general atmosphere of the Monteraynian palace. Men and women adorned in fine cloth swished down the arched corridors while simply-dressed serving staff ducked and dodged around them to carry out their various tasks. Here and there, the hallway exited into a larger courtyard where a few nobles and their sons would assemble under the protection of their king's walls.

Despite his familiarity with his surroundings, Jude still fostered a sense of awe and appreciation. This palace represented the prosperity and power of the Monteraynian kingdom, a great civilization that had stood for centuries and influenced the rise of so many of her neighbors. As he and the group passed through a courtyard with an open roof, his eyes brushed over a circle of impressive sculptures representing the various kings that had made Monterayne great, as well as a few non-royal figures of note deemed worthy to stand among them.

Soon enough, Cassie ushered her entourage through the broad doors to the throne room. As Jude strode down the violet rug leading up to the throne, he cast a meek glance at the man sitting upon it, the father of his greatest friend. King Manfred Rickland sat tall in his throne, the skylight above him and candlesticks beside creating perfect shadow to lend him an intimidating aura. The Count of Viscungardi began to tremble; Jude felt it through the rope.