A Kings Surrender

Chapter Thirty-Three

October 22, 1345.
Cassidy's Fort,
The Queen's Mound,
Imras.

Prince Hayden of Imras

As he strolled into the room, Alyn and his Lady Mother in tow, he looked over the Lords of the round table. Lords Hogan, Alastair, Michael, Boyden, Heimsworth and Gagdan.

These were the elected of the noble families in Imras to speak in their best interest. Usually they were all on the same page but in this matter of war, they dallied.

"I am the King..."

"You are still yet to be crowned." Lord Hogan interrupted but with a look from Hayden he bowed his head.

"I am the King and you are my advisors. I choose to either listen to your advise or not." He commanded. He could feel his mother and Alyn's eyes on him but he didn't dare look lest his facade slip. "I'm going to assist my friend in this war but I'm not leaving you defenseless. You can sit here in your castles where it's warm and quiver in your boots or you could die fighting as true Imraian men. Whatever you choose I do not care."

The Lords in question had the gall to look ashamed. They had just been scolded in front of women no less and he knew for a fact that they weren't going to let the insult go so easily.

A knock on the door interrupted their argument and it was in good time. He couldn't trust himself to sugar coat his words any longer.

A runty looking lad at about fourteen years of age, he assumed, walked into the room, staring wide eyed at the opulence all around him. Clearly, he had never seen surrounded by so much wealth in one place except maybe in his daydreams.

Hayden was impatient at this point, but he let the lad feed his eyes a while longer before interrupting him with a sharp cough.

"A thousand pardons Your Majesties." He said with a bow.

"That's alright lad." He said waving the formalities away, "What news do you bear from our allies?"

He knew he was one of Odeya's boys otherwise he wouldn't have been let this far into the castle.

"I'm sorry Your Grace but this message was for your ears alone." The boy stated with all seriousness, his earlier boyish curiosity replaced by a maturity that could have only come from life's harsh turn of events, "I was instructed by My Lady that I was to relay the message to you alone."

"Your Grace..." Lord Gagdan started.

"Don't worry lad. You can share whatever it is you have to say with everyone here. I trust the men and women..." He said with a look directed at Alyn and his mother, "here with my life."

"As you wish, Your Majesty." He started, "Your Majesty, the news I come bearing are the new occurrences as at 2 days ago. My Lady received word that Lord Felfar was marching down to Rothwell."

He was interrupted by Alyn's audible gasp but the boy continued eager to bear the rest of the news he carried. Clearly, there was no silver lining in these clouds.

"What other message have you come bearing?" He asked quickly.

"Is there any news of my brother?" Alyn asked from beside him.

"My Princess," he said with a bow, "My Lady will be glad to hear you're well."

"Thats not what I asked you." She said sharply causing everyone to wince and the boy to draw back.

"Alyn..." He started but a sharp look from her shut him up.

He sighed and waved the frightened lad to continue.

He shook then bowed before continuing, "My Lady received word that Queen Khasi had scheduled a day for Prince Nicolas' execution."

Everyone's head snapped up at that news.

"And you say this was 2 days ago?"

"Yes Your Grace."

"Thank you." He said, "Is there anything else I should know?"

"Yes Your Majesty." He said producing a tiny roll of parchment form between the stiches on the arm of his shirt.

'Smart boy.' He thought.

He waved the boy away and collected the magnifying glass his clerk had provided.

Quickly reading through the document, he took a deep breath before speaking. Odeya was reminding him of the plan. 

Her father was riding towards Rothwell at a speed neither of them had anticipated.

"Lord's Boyden, Heimsworth and Gagdan. Ready your men. We march at dawn."

"But..."

"I will not be delayed any longer." He told told rising from his seat. "You choose whether or not to ride with me. But I promise you, all who choose not to will find their heads on spikes upon my return."

"Hayden." Alyn asked as they stepped out of the chamber. "What did Odeya write?"

"She wants me to seek a peace treaty with the mountain clan."

Her gasp was loud in the silent corridor.

"Isn't that a suicide mission?" She asked. "You told me..."

"I know but we have no choice." He told her. "I know this clan. They kill but they'll make a sport of it."

"Hayden..."

"I know you worry for me but I wish you wouldn't."

"I can't help it." She whispered, tears filling in her eyes. "I've already lost too many people in this war. I can't lose you too."

His heart gave a lurch at her words.

That was the most she'd ever let him know that she cared more for him than just the lust they indulged in.

He put his arms around her as she cried.

"We need to ready ourselves, Alyn." He told her when her sobs began to subside. "Go and get some rest. The ride tomorrow will be trying."

She nodded and planted a small kiss on his cheek, turning to head to his chambers.

He waited till she had disappeared around the corner before making his way to the barracks where they housed their soldiers without families.

He felt a rush of anxious energy underneath his skin and needed to be rid of it unless he'd make a fatal mistake tomorrow.

Alyn was right about him going to the mountain clan being a suicide mission but he'd be damned if he didn't try.

Tomorrow he'd know if the gods were on his side.

Another chapter.

Sorry for the delay.

But I think its going to be like this for now.

A sort of 2 for 1 if you will.

If you've been following the story you'd see it has metamorphosed from a typical romance into...well...something I quite can't place my hands on yet.

I really thank you for coming on this journey with me.

It's been an awesome adventure with all of you.

I love you all.

Thanks for the votes, comments and even reads.

Ciao.

PearlOjo🌸