“Did you find anything else? Are there any more of these little bastards running around the countryside somewhere?”
“No he’s the only one I found. The others were destroyed when you exacted vengeance for your father’s death.”
“And where is this child?” I knew from his grin that I would like what he had to say. “I have him.”
“You have him? How did you pull that one off? As if I have to ask.” Nicholas and I had pulled many a prank in the past where we had passed ourselves off as anything other than what we were. I knew well my friend’s penchant for getting in and out of places like a shadow.
“Yes I have him. He’s here. I smuggled him in under cover of dark, not even my men know who he is. They probably think he’s one of mine.” I clapped him on the shoulder as some of my tension eased.
“Well done my friend. Follow me.” We returned to the hall laughing boisterously as we whispered loud enough for some to hear. Pretending once again to have interest only in bed sport. Beneath the smile the rage built.
I held it in check for the rest of the evening, never giving the guilty, who were all in attendance any reason to suspect that I knew what they had done.
“Your majesty.” I knew who was at my back even before her hand touched me. I felt the change in my body and was quick enough to control my response before turning to her.
“Little sister, how are you this evening?” There was something in her eyes when I called her that, but I put it aside for now. She was still grieving, as was I.
“I would ask a word with you at your convenience my king.” She curtsied and kept her eyes averted. I took her hand in mine and lifted it to my lips. “Of course. Come to me later.” I whispered the last and realized the double entendre in my words too late. She didn’t seem to notice as she curtsied once more and left my side.
I turned back to the discussion at hand, all part of my ploy to put my enemies at ease. The games and dancing were ongoing, laughter and music filled the hall.
Nicholas on my cue had rejoined the festivities and I searched the room for Hershey who was standing against the far wall with his eyes ever about the room. At my silent nod he inclined his head slightly, before moving off of the wall and approaching the two men.
I made my excuses and moved off as if I would join another conversation, making my way closer to the exit. Once there I once again slipped from the room and headed to the secret chamber where I awaited the others. I poured cups of wine and blew out all but one of the candles there before taking my seat at the head of the table.
It wasn’t long before I heard them arrive and I ran my finger along the blade of the dagger, testing its sharpness.
The four men entered the room. The guilty stopped short, their laughter dying when they saw me waiting there. Lord Crompton looked back over his shoulder but his way, was blocked by Nicholas, and Hershey, while his son took a little longer to catch on.
“Your majesty?” I did not answer the older man, but kept my eyes on his son. “Come in gentlemen.” I indicated the cups on the table as they were led to their seats. My two coconspirators stood back against the wall as I studied my prey.
“Do not fear; it is not poisoned.” I lifted my own cup for a sip, and they followed suit. “Tell me, did you really think to take my kingdom for a child?” The elder lord Crompton opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off.
“Before you open your lips to lie to me farther, the child is about seven in years is he not? So you were going to rule in his name I presume, since I can’t see you letting your milquetoast son rule so much as your livestock.” I turned my glare to the son now.
“You killed my brother. Admit it.” I wanted to hear him say it out loud before I dispatched him to the hereafter. His sudden outbreak of the sweats and the fear I saw roiling in his eyes were not answer enough for me.
“Your majesty it was…an accident.” He swallowed around the lie and turned pale when I lifted the hand with the dagger into view. He would’ve fair flew out of his chair had Nicholas not moved forward to hold him pinned there by his shoulders.
“Please your majesty, I beg of you, my son had nothing to do with this. It was I. I am the one who foolishly joined with the remnant of Whitley’s men…”
“Yes, but he was the one who put the arrow through my brother’s heart.” I stood then and walked around the table until I stood behind young lord Crompton.
“There was one thing my father taught my brother and I as young men that we held to. Never go on the hunt with anything but a clear head. Your lie that day that my brother was in his cups sealed your fate, all that was left was to find out the whys since I knew you were too much of a fool to have dared.”