Prince of Dragons

Chapter 29 - Crossbows

The line of people walking over the narrow mountain path was incredibly long. Maréin, who was walking at the head of the group, looked down into the valley, and he saw the line continuing all the way down. People upon people were marching towards the castle, all with the same desire: change.

"Duke Hadufried doesn't stand a chance if all these people manage to enter the castle," Maréin said.

"If they do, then yes," Vaciana said. "How are you going to make sure the archers won't shoot you?"

"As far as I know," Maréin said, "Arwund asked the deserters from Sir Tarnhald's group to use their shields to protect me against arrows as we walk up to the wall. Then I can address the archers and see if we can make an arrangement."

"And then we'll all march in and force the duke to surrender?" Vaciana asked.

"That's the idea," Maréin said.

"I see," Vaciana said. Suddenly, she grabbed the knight's wrist. "Please be careful," she said softly. "I don't want you to die."

"I promise," Maréin said. "Don't worry: this is not the first uprising I'm a part of."

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"So there's Amahilda," Arwund said, "and the children."

"Most of them have at least one parent with them," Hageriech said. "That should be enough people left behind in the town to protect it."

"With Maréin on our side, I doubt the duke will have any people left to attack the town for him," Arwund said, laughing. "He'll be busy enough defending the castle."

"I hope so," Hageriech said, sounding less convinced than Arwund. "I don't want to lose Adalmaer or Nibelinde."

"I'll try my hardest to make sure you won't," Arwund promised.

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Enorwin had resumed his reading of The history of the courageous Sir Elgass, slayer of Norvand, when he heard someone pound on his door. He raised his eyebrows. Was that much noise truly necessary?

He stood up from his bedside and walked to the door, pulling it open. A panting, red-faced young squire stood in front in the corridor. "His Grace requests that you prepare yourself to leave at any time, my lord. Apparently, the people in the valley have risen up and are marching for the castle. His Grace does not know whether it will be necessary for us to flee, but he desires everyone to be prepared, should the need arise."

"Those ungrateful peasants!" Enorwin exclaimed. "Surely the archers can fight the off?"

"That is the problem, my lord," the squire explained. "It is said that they have a man with them who can influence people's minds."

Maréin, you bastard! Enorwin thought, but he remained quiet, trying not to look to surprised. He doubted his success, for the squire gave him a rather strange look. However, the boy decided not to comment.

"Thank you for notifying me," Enorwin said. "I shall prepare myself at once."

"My lord," the squire said, bowing down.

Enorwin closed the door.

Only then did the message truly sink in.

So Maréin, Arwund and Vaciana had finally, irrevocably betrayed him. They had sided with those rebellious, disobedient commoners, who had unlawfully risen up against their lord and master.

Inwardly seething with rage, the prince of the Flaming Lands picked up his belt from his bedside table and fastened it around his waist. Looking for something else to do, he realised he had no other possessions to take with him: all that remained after the Servants of Darfith had captured him were his clothes, his boots and his belt. Not even his sword was left as a proof that he was indeed the crown prince of the Flaming Lands. So far, he had thought that his father's armies would travel to Dracherwold to aid him in battle against Darfith and that he would easily be able to acquire a new sword in the process. However, now his so-called 'companions' had gone and spoiled everything.