The Mad King's Throne

XV. Sealed Fate

Cadman roamed the halls frantically trying to find Marcus. Cadman without looking where he was going bumped into Marcus.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Cadman didn't recognize him at first since he had his hood and cloak on.

"You're looking for someone?"

Marcus asked revealing himself.

"Oh, I'm glad I've found you. Beatrice is looking for you."

Marcus followed Cadman into the queen's study where she would usually be and noticed a very angry queen sitting at her desk in deep concentration.

"You called for me?"

Beatrice broke concentration and looked up from her desk.

"Cadman, leave us."

Marcus could feel the angry in that room just boiling up the queen wasn't happy she looked miserable sitting there.

"As you may know that fool Conrad sent his ambassador to belittle me and my kingdom."

Marcus rolled his eyes at her knowing she messed the negotiations up.

"I take it you sent him his way?"

"Wouldn't you?"

Beatrice said in frustration.

"Well, if you would have sent me into the meting maybe I would've made a deal."

Marcus said in confidence believing he would make a real deference while Beatrice only grew in frustration now with Marcus.

"You really think you could have made a deference? As far as I'm aware it sounds like you would have compromised with the enemy you would have probably even give up the throne to Conrad. This is why you are not ready."

Beatrice saying these things at the top of her lungs in angry only made Marcus lose faith in Beatrice he no longer in this moment respected her and her choices. He slammed his fist into the desk which spooked Beatrice and he looked her in her eye.

"Maybe you're not fit for that throne. If you're not going to do something I will."

Beatrice froze the two were just starring at each other until Marcus turned away and walked out. Beatrice only just realized the words she used accusing him as a betrayer to the throne. Only then is when she realized she needed to stop him. She ran out to stop what he had planned Marcus however ignored her and took a captain with him by the name of captain Gerald later Marcus's friend and he rode out towards the enemy's camp. Beatrice called for Cadman.

"Did you try to stop him?"

Cadman shook his head. Now Beatrice was filled with regret.

"I hope he doesn't do anything to this kingdom he might regret later."

Marcus and Gerald arrived at Conrad's camp where they were greeted by a general and his men.

"You are Marcus's heir to the throne are you not?"

The general said standing tall like a brick wall.

"I come to negotiate with the coward."

The general smiled sinisterly.

"He's been expecting you. Your friend stays outside."

Marcus and the general enter into the main tent where a great table full of luxury foods in the center of the tent. Conrad arises from his chair and welcomes his guest.

"It's a pleasure you came. Please sit down."

Conrad signals Marcus to sit next to him at the great table. When Marcus sat down a servant brought out a plate of potatoes and pork and sat it in front of Marcus.

"I see you came in Beatrice's place to negotiate, I figured that they would send someone who could negotiate better than the hot-headed queen."

Conrad laughed and Marcus laughed with him.

"You know you are right Conrad maybe you have always been right from the start."

Marcus said which caught Conrad off guard. Suddenly the queen's heir was on his side? he thought.

"I have to say you surprise me, Marcus."

Marcus smiled and put his hand on Conrad's shoulder in good gesture.

"So... how about the negotiation?"

Marcus asked. Conrad put his utensils down after taking a bite of pork.

"I was hoping you would want to eat first but I get it, peace first food later. I purpose that you and your mother hand over the throne, I will then destroy that accursed throne and us vassals will go our way in peace."

Marcus hearing this now curious.

"What about me and my mother, what do we get out of this?"

Conrad smirked.

"I almost forgot, you will get all the riches from the keep and live in a life of luxury for the rest of your lifes."

Conrad reached out his hand.

"So, what do you say, we got a deal?"

Marcus reached for his hand and pulled him in. He quickly grabbed a fork from the table and stabbed Conrad in his eye.
Conrad yelled out in pain, but Marcus quickly reacted by grabbing Conrad's sword and swung at him taking his head completely off. Marcus stood there trying to catch his breath, he reached down to pick up the head of Conrad and put it in his satchel and he took one of the candles stands and knocked one down to catch the tent on fire. Fortunately, the flames engulfed the tent creating a panic in the camp making it easy for Marcus and his captain to sneak away from the camp and head back to the keep." Beatrice, Claudia and Marcus's children waited in the throne room worried at what Marcus was up to. When suddenly a solider came in

"My queen the enemy's camp. It's on fire."

Marcus walked in shortly after covered in blood Claudia ran up to him only realizing the blood drenched Marcus.

"What happened are you okay?"

Marcus didn't answer his wife he only kept his gaze at the queen. He slowly approached; Beatrice now concerned at what he might do called for the guards. Marcus reached into his satchel and took out the head of Conrad holding it up to show Beatrice. Beatrice's eyes widened.

"For Nera's sake, what did you do."

Beatrice turned away sickened at what Marcus had done. Everyone else was shocked Marcus only smiled and threw the head at Beatrice's feet.

"Your war is finished. I think I've proven myself."