Chapter Thirty-four

Chapter Thirty-four Isobel smoothed down her gown frowning at the wrinkles, it was one of the gowns Marcus had brought for her and far fancier than the gown she’d been wearing when she’d been kidnapped or her boy’s breeches, but still she was seeing her king and wanted to look her best. Alex gave her an amused smile as if knowing her thoughts while he handed his reins to one of their men. “You look fine my love.” “I know you think me silly but he is my king as well as my uncle.” Isobel looked around the courtyard of the royal keep and frowned, it like her home was dirty and ill-kempt. When the queen had been in residence the keep had been spotlessly clean and the inner walls had been covered with hanging baskets of bright crimson and white fingers. Isobel’s gaze slipped to the guards on the gate and standing before the main doors, their uniforms were wrinkled and stained and they were giving the princes and their companion’s evil stares. “Something is wrong the keep is filthy and the guards are staring at us oddly even though they recognized the princes,” Isobel said softly so only Alex would hear her. “I agree with you. Marcus guard the horses and keep the men ready.” Alex said. “Aye, you sense it too then, something isn’t right,” Marcus said looking around. “You would think that the guards would be happy to see their princes and their men returned safely home, instead they are acting like we all have the pox,” Alex replied as Bowden and Giles stepped up to him. “They weren’t too happy to let us through the gate either, what are your orders?” Giles asked. “Stay close to Isobel and watch our back,” Alex replied as prince Berne strode up to them a scowl on his handsome face. “I am glad you insisted on coming lord Alex, this is not the home we left. If you would follow me I meet to find my father at once.” Berne said. “Of course Lord Berne, what do you want to do with him?” Alex jerked his thumb over his finger at Dagda who they had brought with them in manacles. “Bring him with us; I would have him admit his crimes to my father before he is punished,” Berne said before turning and striding across the flagstone yard towards the wide double doors of the inner keep. As he and Aldwin approached the two guards on duty moved to block the door, hands on their swords. “State your name and business.” The first guard demanded. “I am prince Berne and this is my brother Prince Aldwin, now get out of my way,” Berne growled. “Prince Berne and prince Aldwin are both dead they died fighting the demons to the north.” The second guard stated “Nay they died fighting the wild north men.” The first guard replied. “You are both mad, I’m Berne.” Berne snapped. “I recognize both of you. You are Max and Joseph; you have both served my family since you were boys.” Berne pointed at the first guard who was now eyeing him suspiciously. “Max your mother worked in the kitchen as the baker’s assistant and use to make the best honey cinnamon buns in all the seven kingdoms. One day your mother caught us stealing buns and beat us both with a copper ladle.” “Prince Berne, by the gods it is you they told us you and prince Aldwin were dead,” Max replied. “Who said we were dead?” Aldwin demanded. “Why he did, lord Dagda. He told everyone you were dead.” Joseph said. “Why am I not surprised,” Alex said coming to stand beside the princes. “ Now that you know we are telling the truth will you let us through?” “Of course my lord.” Max turned and using his fist banged on the huge wooden door. A loud low booming sound followed as Max and Joseph stepped aside, a few moments later there was the sound of a bolt being shot. The right door opened and an annoyed guard wearing a rumbled and stained tunic scowled out at them. “What is it; you know no visitors are allowed per orders of lord Dagda.” The guard looked past Berne, and Aldwin to see Alex and then Dagda at the back. “What is the meaning of this, who are these men, why is lord Dagda in chains?” “Tis Prince Berne and Prince Aldwin and their guests, now let them in Gus,” Max replied. “Nay they are dead,” Gus stated his face twisting in puzzlement. “That’s it I’m just going to start killing idiots.” Aldwin snarled and grabbing the hilt of his sword started to step forward when Alex stepped before him “As you can see the princes are not dead. I am Duke Alexander Thorbrand from Glomma here with my companions to negotiate a trade between our countries; I can also assure you that these gentlemen are Prince Berne and Prince Aldwin.” Alex gave Gus a smile. “I also have with me Lord Liam whom I’m sure you recognize and Lord Arrington and his sons as well as my wife the lady Isobel who is the king’s niece.” Alex took a step closer towards Gus still smiling. “Now why don’t you let us in, the princes are anxious to see their father, my lady wife wishes to see her uncle and I wish to speak with him, Alex said evenly wondering if he was going to have to kill Gus after all. “Gus who is there, I was told we had a large number of men in the courtyard.” A deep voice sounded from behind Gus. “It’s some men claiming that they are the princes and foreign lords and they have Lord Dagda in chains,” Gus replied turning to look behind him. “What are you talking about you fool.” A middle-aged man with dark hair and a fine clean tunic of dark blue appeared. “By the gods you idiot don’t you recognize your own princes and the lady Isobel the king’s niece.” “My lords welcome home, I am Bertram the butler of the keep. It is good to have you home my lords.” Bertram gave a small bow before motioning for Gus to step back. “Thank the gods I was thinking I was going to have to kill all these fools to simply get in and see my father,” Aldwin mumbled “Yes, there is a problem though my lords I can’t let you in with your weapons, or with all those men.” Bertram nodded to the men. “The king has left strict orders that no one carrying weapons be allowed into the keep, in addition, you shall have to remove lord Dagda’s chains.” “Out of the question, Dagda is my prisoner, he has been charged with treason as well as poisoning the king. He is only here because I want him to confess his crimes to my father before I take his worthless life.” Berne replied. Bertram stepped out the door nervously looking about him. “I would let you do as you wish but lord Dagda has friends and allies here, I fear for your safety if you march into the hall armed. You should know the king has not been himself in some time, and many of the guards are still loyal to him, there could be violence.” “And there shall be violence if we are not admitted,” Berne replied. “If I might speak, would it be all right if just the Princes, I, and the other lords enter?” Alex asked. “We would of course leave our swords with our men in the courtyard.” “Are you mad Thorbrand?” Aldwin snapped. “Nay, merely trying to gain us entrance without blood loss,” Alex replied. “That would be acceptable, but you would have to remove Lord Dagda’s chains,” Bertram stated. “And I could simply kill you where you stand,” Aldwin growled. “Aldwin calm yourself we shall not harm our own people, Bertram we shall do as you ask. Open the door wide so that we can see that no one lurks in the hall and I and the others shall leave our swords behind.” Berne said. “Of course my lord.” Bertram stepped back and pulled a bolt from the floor a moment both sides of the door swung wide open to reveal a long stone passage lit by lanterns and lined with several doors. “All right surrender your swords,” Berne ordered pulling his sword from its scabbard before stepping into the yard and handing the blade to Ralph who was standing before the rest of the men. “Guard this well.” “Aye, your majesty,” Ralph replied. “I think you’re mad, but very well,” Aldwin said as he surrendered his own blade as lord Arrington and his sons turned their blades over to their men at arms. Alex caught Isobel’s arm and tugged her down the steps then pretending to cough turned her as he slipped a dirk from inside his tunic and passed it to Isobel. “Hide this up your sleeve and be ready.” “You expect trouble?” Isobel whispered as she took the long thin blade. “Yes, I feel we are walking into a trap but unless we start killing everyone we can’t be sure, and I agree with Berne I don’t want to take innocent lives. Stay close to me or Bowden.” Alex leaned forward to brush a kiss against Isobel’s head while Lord Arrington removed Dagda’s chains. “I’ll stay alert, you be careful too,” Isobel murmured as she slipped the knife up her sleeve. Alex wished he could simply kill Dagda and be done with it all but he was not a murderer and this was not his kingdom. He stepped up to Giles and Bowden as they handed their weapons to a frowning Marcus. “I don’t like this,” Bowden growled. “Neither do I but we are not killers. Giles stay close to me, Bowden watch Isobel.” Alex said softly as Berne and Aldwin stepped back up to the door to begin impatiently waiting for Lord Arrington and his sons to drag Dagda up the steps. Alex motioned for the others to follow him and then stepping up to Isobel placed her hand on his arm as they followed Lord Arrington and his men into the keep. Bertram lead them down the long stone corridor and then through another impressive set of wooden doors into a large vaulted throne room with tall windows on both sides letting in the morning sunlight. The room was a good hundred feet long and forty feet wide, with a raised dais at the end upon which sat two wooden thrones. An elderly man, long gaunt, and frail with thinning gray hair slumped in the larger of the two chairs and watched the party approach with dark watery eyes. Standing behind the older man were three plump lords wearing fine tunics of dark blue trimmed with silver, they paused to examine Alex and the others with looks of annoyance and disdain. “Bertram, who are these people, you know his lordship and we don’t wish to be disturbed.” The largest of the men said. “My apologies Lord Jones but its prince Berne and Prince Aldwin returned from the north, and with them is Lord Arrington and his sons, three visiting lords from Glomma who wish to speak to his majesty and lady Isobel. I couldn’t refuse them entry.” Bertram replied. “Are you mad they are both dead, now call the guard and have this riff-raff thrown in the dungeon?” The second lord stated. “That’s it I’m going to just start killing people.” Aldwin barked. “Father it’s Aldwin look at me, don’t you recognize us?” The king stirred in his chair his eyes flicking from Aldwin to Dagda. “Dagda where have you been, all my medicine is gone and the pain is horrible.” Dagda shrugged off Lord Arrington’s hold and stepped forward. “These fiends and pretenders kidnapped me and have been holding me captive in my keep seize them and I shall bring you your medicine.” “You lying bastard, father it’s Berne, you must recognize me.” Berne snarled taking a step towards the dais only for two guards to appear from the back of the chamber with swords drawn and step before the king. “No, no stop this is a mistake. It’s the princes.” Bertram said holding up his hands. The guards paused looking from Bertram to lord Dagda and back. “Obey me, kill them, kill them all.” Dagda snapped wrenching free of Lord Arrington’s grasp. The first guard slowly slid his sword back into its sheath. “Wait it is prince Berne I would recognize those blue eyes and long nose any place. Welcome home my lord, we were told you were dead.” “No, no it isn’t them.” Dagda turned to slam his elbow into Lord Arrington’s stomach as he reached for him again sending him staggering into his son as Dagda pulled Arrington’s dagger from its sheath and lunged for Alex only to have his way blocked by Giles. Dagda slashed the blade across Giles’ chest sending him staggering backwards into Alex, then he lunged forward to grab Isobel and pressed the blade against her throat. “Now stand back all of you or I’ll slit her throat.” Dagda stepped back pulling Isobel with him. “You think you can beat me, you think I will submit to your will never. I was first born I was meant to be king.” Alex caught Giles as he sank to the stone floor as blood poured from the slash, then looked up at Isobel who rather than looking scared looked angry. “I’m okay, save Isobel,” Giles murmured as Bowden dropped beside him pressing his hands against the wound. “Are you mad Dagda, where shall you go?” Berne snapped taking a step towards Dagda only for him to press the knife hard against Isobel’s throat. “I shall go anywhere I wish. First bring me four bags of gold and five days’ worth of supplies.” Dagda said holding Isobel tight against him. “Is that little Isobel?” The king asked stirring in his chair and looking around the chamber in confusion. “Berne my son is that you or are the spirits playing tricks on these old eyes?” “It’s me father and Aldwin is here too, let us just deal with this vermin and all will be well,” Berne replied. “But Dagda is my friend, I think.” The king pressed his hand to his head. “I am so confused and my head hurts so much I need my medicine.” “Nay my lord you do not. Lord Dagda has been poisoning you.” Isobel said coolly despite the blade against her neck. “Shut up you bitch you shall pay for that later.” Dagda snarled taking a step back pulling Isobel with him. “You aren’t going anywhere with her, let her go and I shall give you a quick death,” Alex said evenly his eyes catching Isobel’s. He was surprised to see that she didn’t look frightened only angry, her eyes locked with his and she gave him a small nod and Alex knew she was planning something. “Nay it’s you who shall die.” Dagda sneered taking the blade from Isobel’s neck to wave it at Alex. This was the moment Isobel had been waiting for, dropping her arms she let the blade Alex had given her drop into her hand. She stabbed the blade backwards into Dagda’s hip while she simultaneously slammed her boot heel on top of Dagda’s barefoot. Dagda bellowed in pain dropping his blade as Isobel darted forward and into Alex’s waiting arms. “What is the meaning of this, arrest those men at once.” Lord James huffed stepping forward to tap the closest guard on the shoulder. “No, it is prince Berne and Prince Aldwin you old fool I’ll not arrest my princes.” The guard looked over at the other guard who nodded. “Prince Berne what shall we do?” “Summon more guards and then lock the doors I want this vermin taken care of.” Berne snapped. “Wait, you can’t do that. You can’t just kill him it is against the law.” The second lord said. “What is going on? Why did Dagda hurt Isobel?” The king demanded looking around and blinking his eyes rapidly like an owl. “He has been poisoning you father, now just stay there this will all be over soon,” Berne said. “Someone bring me a sword, I will kill this vermin now.” “You wouldn’t, you can’t it is against the law. I’ve had no trial, no witnesses.” Dagda sniveled pressing his hand against the bleeding wound in his side. “The lady Isobel is a witness she can testify what you did to her family and we all heard your confessions,” Aldwin said. “But you can’t just kill him.” Lord James whined. “He is a valuable member of the court.” “Fine, I ask for trial by combat,” Alex said looking at the three lords on the dais. “He attacked and assaulted Isobel on more than one occasion, you all just witnessed him threaten her life. As her husband, it is my right to champion her.” “What, you can’t allow this.” Dagda took a step back looking from Alex to the lords on the dais. “I am Lord Robertson keeper of the laws; lord Dagda did just attack a young noblewoman and kin to the king. It is within her rights to ask for trial by combat.” The third lord stepped forward. “That is true. Give each of these men swords and every one step back.” Lord James said. The one guard stepped off the dais and handed his sword to Alex, while the other slid his sword across the floor to Dagda as more guards stepped into the chamber. “Everyone step back.” Lord Robertson said. “Let the gods grant the virtuous man victory.” Isobel reached for Alex as he stepped forward testing the balance on the borrowed sword. “I shall be fine, tend to Giles,” Alex said giving Isobel a quick smile. Isobel nodded and knelt beside Giles wincing at his injury before looking at Bowden. “I need something to stop the bleeding.” “Here, use this.” Bowden reached up and ripped off his left sleeve then handed it to Isobel, who took it with a nod. Alex looked at Dagda who’d gone pale and was looking towards the back of the chamber. “Take your sword and face me like a man,” Alex said tersely hefting the sword. The blade was shorter than he was used to and lighter but he liked how it felt in his hand, liked the reassuring weight of steel as he faced down Dagda. Dagda had the look of a trapped animal now as he snatched the sword from the floor and faced off against Alex. “After I kill you I’ll take Isobel and make her mine, I’ll beat her till she begs me to stop, till she promises to be my slave and do whatever and say. And if she is lucky I’ll let her live.” Dagda snarled his gaze going from Isobel to Alex and back. “I hardly think that likely, even if you manage to kill me somehow I doubt the princes or the king will let you lay one slimy corpse-like finger on her.” Alex twirled the blade loosening his wrist as he studied Dagda, who was now sweating heavily. It would appear that Isobel’s blade had done more harm than Dagda was letting on, he could wait the bastard out but Giles needed proper help and he wanted to make Dagda pay for what he’d done to Isobel. Alex saw the bravado leave Dagda’s face and he lunged forward lighting fast aiming for Dagda’s right side. Dagda blocked at the last moment and the tip of Alex’s blade lightly scored Dagda’s side making him hiss in pain. Alex stepped back sword up as he took Dagda’s measure again, he was now bleeding from two wounds and looking decidedly pale. Dagda let out a roar then lunged for Alex, who sidestepped and with a flick of his wrist deflected the blade driving it into the floor with a loud clang. Alex turned his wrist sliding his blade up Dagda's blade to lay open Dagda's bicep, then he stepped back to twirl his blade again. Isobel was torn between watching Alex and tending to Giles who was bleeding badly and needed his wound stitched and quickly. Bowden must have sensed her feelings because he placed his hand atop hers and when she looked up at him he shook his head. "Do not worry about Alex, he is playing with Dagda. Take care of Giles; his wound is beyond my skill." Bowden said. Giles gave Bowden a weak smile. "Tis but a scratch." He said weakly before passing out. Bowden mumbled a curse and turned to see Alex dance forward to deflect Dagda's blade and wide and lunge forward to lay open Dagda's left side before stepping back. "Alex stop playing with him and finish him already, Giles needs stitches." Bowden bellowed. Alex wanted to look at his friend but he dared not take his eyes off Dagda, who despite bleeding badly was still capable of delivering a lethal wound. "I had wanted to make you suffer as Isobel has suffered, to linger in pain as she lingered for days after you beat her." Alex his blade held before him watched Dagda over the tip as he winced in pain from the light wounds Alex had delivered. “I’d planned to give you one cut for every tear you ever made her shed but my friend is dying from your cowardly attack, so your death shall have to be quick." "You shall die by my hand." Dagda wheezed. "I think not." Alex lunged forward easily knocking aside Dagda's blade and rammed the blade through Dagda's stomach with enough force that it came out his back. Dagda gasped his eyes widening as Alex stepped back pulling free the blade and snapped it to shake off the blood. "I was to have been king," Dagda murmured as he dropped to his knees and then fell to the floor. "Had you been a better man, a better friend you would be living well now, but you let your hatred and your vanity corrupt your soul." Alex knelt hand on his sword beside Dagda. "You would have had friends and family at your side as you gasped your last breath. People to mourn your passing, to lay flowers on your grave, but you are reaping what you sowed, hate and loathing so no one will mourn you. No one will even shed a tear." Dagda struggled to speak he lifted his hand as if reaching for Alex then it fell and he breathed his last. Alex turned and handed the blade to the guard he'd borrowed it from. "Thank you for the use, I'd clean it well. My friend and the king need medical help now." The guard nodded then looked over at Berne who mumbled more curses. "You heard the man bring a stretcher and prepare a chamber, and get this filth out of the throne room." The guards hurried to comply as Berne and Aldwin stepped up to their father. Alex stepped up to his friends and knelt beside Giles who was unconscious and pale. "It looks worse than it is, he has lost a lot of blood but he shall recover if we act quickly. The wound needs cleaning and stitching as soon as possible and he shall need to rest." Isobel said. She looked over at Dagda's body and shuddered thinking it could have been Alex. Alex touched her arm. " It's over now, we will heal our wounds and then I shall take you home my love." "Home sounds wonderful," Isobel replied. "But anywhere you are is my home now." "I feel the same; now let's take care of Giles." Alex slipped his arms under Giles and lifted him effortlessly as two guards ran up with a stretcher. "Never mind about that just show us to a chamber and then bring us warm water, soap, bandages, and, needle and thread," Alex said. "Bowden go tell the others Dagda is dead and it's over, I wouldn't want them to attack the keep for nothing." "Right, I'll be back soon can I do anything to help with Giles?" Bowden asked. "Yes bring my saddle bag; I have medical supplies in it," Isobel said earning a nod from Bowden and a questioning look from Alex. "What I knew we might have to fight someone so I came prepared, I am a healer after all," Isobel said. "Aye, my love you are now let's go find Giles a bed so you can do what you do best heal the sick," Alex said and hurried after the guard. Isobel paused to look back at the King, once Giles was tended she would need to see to the king after years of being poisoned she didn't know what she could do for him but she had to try. With a determined nod, she hurried after Alex thinking of what she had to do first to help Giles.