BOOK 3: One True Destiny

Chapter 6

                                                                                     King Philip

King Philip of Spain is a man of many talents; the monarch of the most prosperous and supreme empire of the world. He had successfully extended his reign as far as Asia Pacific through financing expeditions and discovering unknown territories. ("Las Islas Filipinas," also known today as the Republic of the Philippines is named after him.) He claimed Italy as part of his empire which then caused dispute with King Henry. France and Spain are at war for decades and only recently that both kingdoms have settled to divide Italy in half. But despite having a written agreement, sporadic attacks to the French territory by Spain still occurs, which then forces King Henry to retaliate and to protect his realm at all cost. A truce may not be easily established with this foreign ruler, but Francis, Bash, and the Duke of Guise are eager to achieve just that; Mary's life depends on it. Upon entering the Spanish court, the they cannot help but admire the display of King Philip's wealth. They have to walk through Spain's famous garden before they can enter the palace. The garden's magnificence have made many visitors compare it with that of the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The castle is as grandiose as that of its outside surroundings. The ceiling is fully painted with images depicting Spain's successful foreign campaigns and all the walls are decorated with either gold or silver. In the middle of the court sits the Spanish King, waiting for their arrival. "My Lords and Your Majesty, Prince Francis and Prince Sebastian of the House of Valois, the princes of France, and their company Francois, the Duke of Guise of Scotland. "Says the herald as the trio present themselves at court. They walk anxiously towards the throne, and bowed before Philip. The king stands up and immediately welcomes his guests by hugging each of them, much to everybody's surprise! "Your Majesty, we are deeply honored by your gracious hospitality." Says Francis, who did not expect such a warm gesture. King Philip smiled and replied, "The honor is mine, young prince. I have been looking forward to this meeting for quite some time. I heard so many great things about you two from Queen Elizabeth. She sent word through her English envoy requesting for my assistance regarding your plight. Come, we must talk in private." They left the courtroom and proceeded in the council chamber. Francis, Bash, and the Duke of Guise settled themselves while King Philip prepared them drinks. "We share the same predicament." Says the Spanish King as he pour wine for his guests. "I have done so many things during my youth, things that I am not proud of. Now the past is here to haunt me." He added as he offer each of them a glass of wine. Then Bash asks, "Your Majesty, if I may ask, is it true that you are --" He is interrupted. "Yes! I was. And please call me Philip... I am a former member of The Order." The King replied as he took a deep breath. He then sits down and begins to tell them his story. "A week after I sent my son to Asia to explore our territories, I received news that his ship did not arrive as planned. My generals searched the seas for days only to find the floating remnants of his vessel.  Initially, we thought that pirates had launched the attack and that they took Carlos as hostage to demand for ransom. But when I found an unsigned letter with the red "X" mark with his signet ring left in my chamber, I knew then that The Order is responsible for my son's disappearance." Francis anxiously asks, "Philip, is there any way that we can negotiate with them? Or for us to at least know what their demands are?" The king stood up, and briefly paced back and forth. He looked at Francis in the eye. "I have enlisted my best spies to track them down, but there's been no sign of their whereabouts. Young prince, you must understand that we are dealing with an organization whose power extends beyond anyone that you know. I have witnessed their cunning ways as they try to control the fate of the world." The Duke of Guise stood up. "Philip, how did you free yourself from The Order?" He asked.  With a sad smile he replied, "When I decided that I wanted to leave, they held me captive. My father, King Charles, gave them majority of our territories in the New World, granted them titles, and offered huge amount of gold in exchange for my life. I truly am lucky that my father was able to convince them." The trio became silent as they begin to fully understand what they are up against. "Whoever is behind my son's disappearance and Queen Mary's abduction is a man that we all have to fear." Says the king.