Isles Of Lies

Chapter VII: Hard And True

Six years and nine months into Edward's reign

Edward

I fix my crown to my head and tighten my belt around my waist. I wear a lovely green blouse, red dragons and gold lions are stitched into the collars and sleeves. My white pants are clean of wrinkles. My red coat is perfectly lined and embroidered. My brown shoes are clean of dust. A black belt holds my outfit together. Today is the twins' birthday, a dinner is being held in their honour. I didn't invite anybody, with the threat of someone trying to kill me I can't take any risks. " Interesting attire, my liege", A soft male voice trembles. I turn around, John bows fervently. I raise my eyebrows, " Sir John Prescott, such a man you are. How old are you?", I ask softly. The Royal Advisor smiles, " Sixty seven, sir". I take a sip of water, it cools my throat. " Wife? Children?", I ask. John scratches his cheek, his eyes point at the ground. " Smallpox took her and three of my children. My daughters comforted me through the ordeal", John informs me. I frown, " I'm sorry Johnny, you and your family will always have a place in my court". John nods, " Thank you for your hospitality, My King. Congratulations on the Prince and Princess' birthday. Life must be cherished, for it is gone too soon".

I strap The Steel Terror to my waist. " Must you always carry around that sword? The war is over", John mutters. I nod, " Yes. The war is never over, there will always be enemies; foes of the realm". John wears his blue outfit, a red cloak drapes over his left shoulder. His shiny silver eagle brooch clips glistens in the sun. John opens the door and bows once more. I walk through the halls with John following close behind me. I saunter down the stairs, three guards stand huddled in the corner. They curse and laugh. The three don't take notice of me as I approach. I slam my foot on the ground, alerting the three. " Your Royal Majesty", a guard says with a short bow of his head, his hair is a tannish brown. " Why aren't you doing your job?", I ask firmly. " We're sorry sir. We'll get back to it", the guard says, his head hung in shame. " If I catch you like this again, you'll lose your balls boy", I mutter as John and I walk into the dining room. " Do you want me to take your weapon sir", a guard asks. " No", I answer firmly. Granny sits with the twins on her lap, Isabella and Mummy are absent. " Granny, where's Belle and Mummy?", I ask softly as John bows and scurries off.

" They're out in the glasshouse, Isabella seemed very excited", Granny informs me, I smile and sit down next to her. Four guards stand in each corner of the room, all wearing their terrific armour. I grab Cadell and hold him in my arms, I kiss his short blonde hair. " Where are the lions?", Granny asks. I shrug, " I don't know, I think the library". " They're perfect, in every single way", I mutter as I smile down upon my children. Granny smiles, " They really are. You and Isabella should be proud of yourselves, you'll make great parents". I return the smirk, " Did having kids make you happy?". Granny leans back in her seat, she takes a sip of wine. " Unbelievably, it changes you. Yes, I loved Morgan, but having my children made me love him ten times more", Granny answers. " Was Grandpappy a good parent?", I ask softly as the children fall asleep. " Oh yes, he allowed them to flourish in their interests. Morgan let them marry whomever they liked, even Joann. Your Father and your Mum loved each other very much. Joann was entranced by James, she loved him. And Andreas was obsessed with Mary, war and her is all he ever spoke of", Granny informs me.

" I hope I go soon. I can't bury another child, it'll break me", Granny mutters, her voice frail. " Your Father was still so young, it came so quick. One week he's fine, and the next week he's coughing up blood and clamouring for water", Granny adds. I frown, " He apologised to me, for leaving the biggest royal duty. Blood swirled around his mouth, his face was pale, he looked like a ghost. I kissed his cheek, his pockmarks were covered in crimson blood. I bowed, I couldn't carry on without him", I reminisce, my heart breaks once more. Granny grasps my hand, " But you did, and you've done extremely well". I shake my head, " No, I stole the throne from Michael. He was first in line, then his sons were second; third; and fourth. Then Mummy at fifth. And finally me at sixth". " Henry chose you, David. He skipped everyone else because he loved you, you were always his favourite cousin", Granny tries to comfort me. " And then I pushed the realm nearly a million pounds in debt, which must I say has not been paid yet", I add.

" I've been a horrid king. The great warrior king who doesn't know the ins and outs of running a realm", I admit. Granny shakes her head, " You've been a great king. Never compare yourself to others, it will only cause pain and anguish". The guard with tannish hair slowly shuts the door, he latches it and returns to his corner. Granny stares at me, her eyes swell in fear. " Your Majesty", the guard's words cut deep into my mind. I breathe heavily and hand Cadell to Granny. I stand, all four guards have their swords drawn. " Sheathe your blades, now", I command, my voice deep and firm. The guards slowly step towards me. I clasp Granny's hand and run for the closet, I shove her in and lock the door. I draw The Steel Terror and point it towards the four. The old guard has a large gut, his short hair is grey and messy. The other two guards are middle aged twins with matching long black hair, their faces are covered in various cuts and scars. " Let me at least know your fucking names before I kill you", I mutter as the men get ever closer. " Wiccam, Jackie, Charley, and Royce", Wiccam answers as his tan hair moves with each step. I back against the wall, " Fuck you traitors!", I scream as I swing my sword at Wiccam.

Wiccam ducks and charges at me like a bull. I roll out of the way and swing once more, Wiccam ducks again, my sword slams into the wall. One of the guards grabs my arms and holds me back, I kick the tan haired man in the stomach. I chew the grabber's arm, the man screams and releases me. I breathe heavily and swipe down the guard, the old man, Jackie. " Fuck you usurper!", Wiccam screams. A spear grazes off my waist, tearing a huge gash. I wail in pain and fall to the ground. I grasp my side, my hand is covered in blood. One twin climbs on top of me, he pummels my face with his fists. I gasp for air and yank the man's hair. The twin screams as I rip out a chunk of his hair, a piece of bloody scalp hangs off. I dig my teeth into the man's throat, I bite and chew like a mad dog. A boot slams into my stomach. I vomit and roll onto my stomach, I crawl away. Wiccam grabs my hair, " You filthy cunt". Wiccam pulls a dagger and puts it to my throat, I reach my hand to the man's face and stick my thumb into his eye. Wiccam screams and tries to pull away, I tug him back and grab his eye once more. A sword slams into my leg, I scream and release Wiccam. I flip onto my back, The undamaged twin climbs onto me, his sword in hand.

I clamour for The Steel Terror, the twin sticks the sword handle to my throat. I choke and peel at the man's face, he continues his hold. My fingers run along the etch of my sword, Dinefwr. I grab the blade and slam it down onto the twin, his head collapses from his body and falls onto me. Blood splatters onto my face and into my eyes. It burns like fire. I wipe my eyes and push myself to the wall, three dead men lie in front of me. Wiccam sits against the other wall, his left eye loosely pushed back into his socket. His hair is covered in sweat and blood. " Cunt! Cunt! Cunt!", Wiccam screams and he pulls himself onto his feet, I do the same. " Your were a knight of the Kingsguard, you're a fucking disgraceful traitor", I yell as I stare the man down. I twirl my sword as we get closer, our swords clash. We dance around each other, slamming our blades together. Wiccam kicks my wound, I fall to the floor. " Fuck!", I scream as Wiccam climbs onto me. I grab his throat and claw at it, the man rolls off of me. I grasp my sword handle and slit the man's jugular open, he claws at his skin. Wiccam draws his dagger and stabs my arm, I scream and cuss.

I crawl away and lie between all the bodies, my heart races fast, blood pours out of my waist and arm. The babies scream and wail. " David, are you okay!?", Granny screams as she bangs on the door. " John!", I yell over and over again. " Open the door Davey!", Granny screams. I cough and crawl to the door, I reach for the lock and unlatch it. Granny opens the door, her face full of tears. " Take the babes and get Sir John and Sir Bjørn", I order. Granny nods and scurries off with both kids in her arms. I breathe heavily and clutch my waist wound, stopping the blood. I pick the skin out of my teeth. " Fuck", I mumble softly. Isabella. " Where is my wife?!", I scream as footsteps stomp towards me. " My King!", John calls out as he and Bjørn race towards me. " Where is Belle?!", I wail. Bjørn kneels and clasps my waist wound, John bends down and plugs my arm wound. " Fucking traitors", I mutter. " The babes are safely locked away with The Queen Dowager. We're still looking for The Queen and The Queen Mother", John informs me, I groan and wipe the blood from my face. Greenhouse. " The Greenhouse, they're in the Greenhouse", I cough out. John stands and sprints out, as fast as an old man can sprint.

The world darkens as the blood stops flowing out of me.