Isles Of Lies

Chapter V: The Findings

Six years and six months into Edward's reign

Edward

Someone shakes my shoulder, I hold my breath and reach for The Steel Terror. " Shhh", a boy shushes me. I open my eyes, Samuel stands before me in a black cloak, a hood is whipped over his head. " Sammy", I whisper as I lean up, removing Belle's hand from around my waist. " Come with me now", Samuel says firmly, an order. I stand up and grab my bedside candle, we walk out into the hallway, guards stand watch. Samuel grasps my hand and pulls me behind a wall. We slowly creep into my dressing room. " What is the meaning of this Samuel?", I ask as I rub my eyes. The Spymaster digs through a pile and hands me a yellow outfit. I swiftly slide on the pants, stocking and shoes. " Samuel, answer me", I command. The Prince sighs, " Brother, I have found insights on the murder of Duke Harold. We will discuss this further in the library", Samuel answers. Samuel helps me slip on my tunic and coat. I tighten the belt around my waist.

A low growling comes from behind the mirror, Abe approaches me. I kneel and kiss his head, " This is Abraham", I mutter as Samuel pets the now sixth month old cub. " Where'd you get him from?", The Spymaster asks. I smile, " The Hawks of Buckingham. Isabella has a girl, Naomi". " Come", Samuel urges me, we leave for the library, Abraham follows after us. I open the doors, thousands of books sit on dozens of shelves. The roof is entirely painted with our flag, a gold lion and red dragon wrapping around Strata Florida Abbey. Samuel and I sit down, Abe lays down and drifts off to sleep. " What's the news?", I ask softly as Samuel lights candles. " Duke Harold wasn't killed by bandits, he fell from a high place and had his throat slit", Samuel informs me. My eyes widen, " How can you be sure?", I inquire. " Because it's obvious, his body was destroyed. A carriage running him over doesn't cause that much damage. Duke Phillip and Earl Ardath were there, one of them had to", Samuel responds.

Ardath is a prick, and so is Phillip, but would they murder their father? Phillip was raised by Harold when he was orphaned, they showed a great level of love for each other. " Who do you think did it?", I ask. Samuel removes his hood, his hair matches the red hot candles. " I don't know. I believe there's a plot to kill you, my liege. I can't prove it now, but I believe it with all of my heart", Sammy suggests, his chin resting upon his knuckles. I've been kind to everyone I've ever met. Why would somebody kill me? " Pope Thomas Wilson is dead, he was murdered by Prince Michael and Earl Roger", The Boy informs me. I nod, " Good, how were they executed? Hanging? Beheading?", I ask Samuel. The Boy frowns and pours a glass of wine, " Neither, Michael demanded a trial by combat. He knocked out Prince Rudolph of Switzerland and escaped with The Princess Juliana and Earl Roger. Word is that he's returning home. A close friend of ours swears he overheard a conversation between Michael and Roger. Presumably Michael will be smuggled in by somebody", Samuel speaks slowly, I catch every word.

Blackfire is set to return, with The Man on his coattails. I can't allow another war, it will bankrupt the nation further and destroy all public support for me, if that's not already destroyed. I don't know how long I can carry on like this, fearing for my life at every turn. The pair need to die. " House Holmes fully supports us, so does House Kilton. The Angevins are of mixed opinion, Charles and Maria like me, but Ardath doesn't. And The Greys despise us, more than anything", I respond, my brain picks at the possibilities. Someone wants me dead, who? " House Light will support us. House Powys is fully behind you. House O'Brien is on the fence and so is House Dunkeld. Uncle James and Aunt Joann will support us of course, The Black Douglases will not", Samuel and I piece together the puzzle, I'm left more confused than before. " If we need to war, we'll win", I mutter. Samuel stares at me, his cold blue eyes sparkle in the moonlight. " They don't want a war, they want blood and ash", Samuel retorts.