ANUNDR: THE EXODUS (26 page)

Gisilfried rode through the castle gates and stopped at the steps. A guard matched down to him and said, ‘My lord, the king has asked for you in court.’

Gisilfried’s heart skipped.
Viden must be in there
. He jumped down from his horse and bounded up the steps just as Gyron burst out with a large bag slung behind him.

              ‘I’m glad to see you before I leave.’ he said, going down the steps.

              ‘I don’t understand.’ said Gisilfried, following him down. ‘Where are you going?’

              ‘Óut of the city.’ he said as he dropped the bag on his horse.

              ‘But you have a wedding tomorrow.’

              ‘I called it off.’

              ‘What? Why?’

              ‘Because I would be treacherous if I married her when I know Merith is with child—my child.’

‘Merith, the kitchen help?’

              ‘Yes.’ Gyron turned to face him. From the hardness of his eyes, Gisilfried knew he was serious.

              ‘So what did father say?’

              ‘He disowned me—with Garmar’s support of course.’

‘What of mother? Maybe she could speak to him.’

‘She’s not my mother and I don’t need her help. I would rather lose the throne than beg.’

‘But I thought you’ve always wanted to be king.’

Gyron patted his shoulder. ‘No, brother.’ he said. ‘I’ve always wanted to fight. Fighting is in my blood, but ruling, no. It’s always been in yours.’

‘Maybe there’s a way to mend this.’

‘I don’t want it mended.’ He got on his horse.

‘So you would pick Emelie?’

‘Yes, a thousand times yes.’ He held the reins. ‘One day, you’ll understand.’

‘But how will I see you again?’

‘I won’t be far away when you need me. Goodbye brother.’ he said and rode out of the gate.

‘Goodbye.’ Gisilfried said as he watched him leave, feeling a heaviness descend within him.

He walked into the court dazed.
How could his father do such a thing?
He clenched his fists as he felt rage well up in him. The court was empty except for Lethman, Priscine, Garmar and Seraphin who were on the dais discussing in low tones.

‘Father, I need a private audience with you.’ Gisilfried said.

Lethman frowned. ‘If it concerns him, do not speak of it.’

‘But father, Gyron--’

‘You shall never mention that name here.’

‘Father--’

‘Have I made myself clear?’

Gisilfried fell silent and gritted his teeth.

‘I’ve not heard a response.’ said Lethman.

‘Yes, my lord.’

‘Good, then we forge ahead.’ he said and leaned forward. ‘We were discussing the wedding arrangements.’

‘Shall I inform the messengers of the unfortunate events?’

‘No, because a wedding will hold tomorrow.’

‘How? Her betrothed has released himself from his oath.’ said Gisilfried, looking from one face to the next.

Garmar said, ‘Seraphin wasn’t betrothed to your brother but to the heir of the throne. Since your brother has thrown away his birthright, she will--’

‘No!’

‘What impertinence. Lethman, your sons have gone mad.’

‘Forgive me, my lord,’ Gisilfried said, ‘but I cannot marry Seraphin.’

‘Why? Are you also in love with a servant girl?’ asked Lethman.

Gisilfried smiled.
How he wished Natalia was a servant girl
. If his family found out who she really was his fate would be worse than his brother’s.

‘He doesn’t answer, maybe it is so.’ said Seraphin with a mischievous smile.

‘No, I’m not in love with a servant girl but I would like time to think and mourn the loss of my brother.’

‘He’s not dead.’ Lethman said.

‘No, worse, he’s been exiled and I’ll live with the reminder of what my father did. If I’m not given time to think then you can cast me off as well.’

‘I have no time for this.’ Garmar said, rising and descending the dais.

‘Cousin.’ Lethman rose.

‘I leave for my kingdom at dawn. When your son has made up his mind, you can send for me. Seraphin, come.’ He headed for the door.

Seraphin stood gazing at Gisilfried.

‘Seraphin?’

‘I’ll stay and wait for his decision, grandfather.’

‘Do as you wish.’ he said and left the hall.

Lethman turned to his son. ‘Do you know what you’ve done?’

‘Yes, I do.’

Seraphin strode to him. ‘May I speak with you?’

‘Of course.’ Gisilfried turned. ‘Father?’

Lethman waved him off and reached for his goblet.               Gisilfried knew he was going to be drinking all night.

As they turned to leave, the doors swung open and Viden marched in with soldiers holding the women of Flenos, tied up and bruised.

Gisilfried took a deep breath and said to Seraphin, ‘Leave us now, I’ll come up and see you.’ His eyes fell on the gold pendant she wore. It was the one Natalia had described. He had seen it on her many times. He narrowed his eyes as she smiled at him and left the room.

‘My lord, the prince,’ Viden said as he came forward, ‘it’s good that I find you here. Certain things I witnessed from the window were disturbing.’

Gisilfried kept his face expressionless. ‘Please speak so I may unburden your mind.’

Viden smiled and bowed before the king. ‘My lord and lady, I bring you the five witches that guarded the spy.’

‘At least the witches aren’t disappointing me
.
 
Come forward. ’ Lethman said. Viden came closer with the women

‘What is the house of Flenos doing here?’ the queen said, gaping at Anistral who knelt with the others. ‘They’ve served me for many years.’

‘My lady, their service doesn’t change what they are.’ said Viden.

‘Viden, where is the spy?’ Lethman asked.

‘My lord, I feel the prince should answer that since we saw him riding off with her.’

Lethman choked on his drink. ‘Do you know the accusation you’re making?’

‘Yes, I do. That’s why I make it.’

Gisilfried smiled and said, ‘And if the spy was with me, where would I have taken her?’

‘To the palace of course. My men saw you and her coming this way.’

‘I am the crown prince of this kingdom so why would I want to destroy it?’

‘A beautiful woman can weaken a man.’

‘That’s enough.’ said Lethman. ‘Did you find anything of magic in the house of Flenos?’

‘No, my lord, but I’m sure they knew we were--’

‘Shhh.’ Lethman said and turned to the women. ‘Lady Anistral, you’ve been in this castle long enough to know that my dungeons are swarming with witches and so-called. I have no space for you which means I’ll order your execution if it is proven, but I’ll give you this opportunity to redeem yourself. Tell me, was there a maiden living with you?’

‘We have many maidens, my lord. It is the nature of our work.’

‘What about that girl from Ashten?’ the queen said. Gisilfried’s heart raced.

Viden said, ‘That was where the spy claimed to be from.’

‘She didn’t look like a spy.’ said Priscine.  ‘Gisilfried, you saw her. Seraphin made her a lady-in-waiting.’

‘No wonder she was at the banquet. I saw her whispering something to the princess’ nurse.’ Viden said.

‘I have no time for this.’ Lethman rose. ‘I give you till dawn to find the girl. If you find her within the palace, I’ll deal with Gisilfried for his act of treason—but if you don’t, then you’ll be released from my service.’

Viden’s mouth dropped. ‘My lord--’

‘You speak as if you won’t succeed. It’s a gamble worth taking since you’ve already started playing when you accused my son. Time is no friend of yours so I suggest you start searching.’

Viden bowed and ran out, while his soldiers pulled the women to their feet and hurried them out of the court.

Lethman said to Gisilfried as the door closed, ‘This is one lesson Viden hasn’t learned in all his years; dealing with a more powerful enemy takes more wisdom than words.’

Gisilfried smiled. He knew that was the end of Viden.

Natalia held herself up by pressing her hands against the walls of the well. Her body was submerged in water and she barely kept her head out but she held on, looking up at the sky. Since the moment she had gotten into the well, she had asked herself why she was doing this—why she was risking her life for an enemy kingdom. She could have escaped when Gisilfried had placed her in but she didn’t. Instead, she had made her way through the tunnel to the castle well and there she was, waiting for a man who could either leave her to die or betray her.  But she knew it wasn’t about Gisilfried, it was about proving to herself that she could take charge of her life and the lives around her. She wasn’t going to let herself turn evil. Her mind went to Anistral and guilt swept over her. She had endangered the women of Flenos.

‘Natalia.’ She heard Gisilfried call. Her heart leapt. She looked up and saw the shadow of a head at the top. 
He had come back for her.

‘Gisilfried.’ she said. Her voice was low and rasp. She couldn’t believe it came from her.

He pushed a rope down to her. ‘Hold on to it.’

She stretched her hands and caught it, holding it tight. He pulled her up, his face grew clearer as she rose. She shivered and held him as he carried her out of the well. He placed her by the well and covered her with a dry cloak.

‘Forgive me. I could have killed you.’ he said, touching her cheek.

‘Don’t bother.’ She added, ‘What about Viden?’

‘He’s no longer a problem as I promised.’ Gisilfried chuckled. ‘He searched for you all night. As dawn approached, he looked like a dog chasing his tail. The soldiers threw him out.’

She smiled and said, ‘But what about Anistral and the women?’

‘They’ll be released. Come, we need to leave here.’

He covered her head with a hood and led her through the tall grasses into the back of the castle. She held onto him in need of more warmth and support. He took a few turns and brought her to the library.

‘What about the guards?’

‘You needn’t worry about them.’ he said, knocking on the library door. ‘I made sure most of them were at the gates watching Viden’s show.’

‘How many times would you search this place?’ said Ekrid as he opened the door. ‘She’s not—haw!’

‘We need your help.’ Gisilfried said.

‘Come in.’ He let them pass and closed the door behind them. He turned to them. ‘Eyan, what--’

‘He knows, Ekrid.’ she said, shivering as Gisilfried led her to a seat. ‘I need warmth.’

‘What does he know?’ Ekrid said, rushing through a door

‘That I’m the princess of Helmford.’

‘What other thing is there to know?’ Gisilfried asked, pulling her cloak tighter over her. She looked up at him, meeting his eye. She could sense his distrust.

Ekrid came out with a woolen blanket. ‘You know the worst of it already.’

He covered her with the blanket as Gisilfried moved away. ‘What happened to you?’ Ekrid asked. ‘How did you get into the castle?’

‘Through a tunnel that leads to the castle well. I thought the prince wanted to drown me.’

Gisilfried turned and said, ‘I saw Seraphin with the jewel you spoke of but I couldn’t get close enough.’

‘It was a triangle, wasn’t it?’ said Ekrid.

‘Yes, how did you--’

‘Princess Natalia came the day before to tell me about it.’

‘What does it mean?’

‘It’s the symbol of the elements; earth, water and air—the elements Ida controls.’

‘But I came here asking about everything about Ida and you didn’t tell me about this.’

‘No, you came here asking about anything in relation to Ida. Anything is a lot of things. I didn’t know it was her jewels that would catch your fancy.’

‘Ekrid!’ Natalia said noticing Gisilfried’s glare.

‘Forgive me,’ Ekrid said, bowing, ‘sometimes my tongue runs faster than me.’

‘Doesn’t everything else?’ Gisilfried said. Ekrid narrowed his eyes at him.

Natalia sighed and held her pounding head. ‘Where were we?’

Ekrid turned to her. ‘Ah yes, I found out that the jewel isn’t just a symbol of the elements.’

‘What else is it then?’ Gisilfried asked.

‘It’s a symbol of power, Ida’s power. Everything on the earth recognizes it, Naphdael more so.’ He went to his table and rummaged through his scrolls as he said, ‘You know the legends say if any jewel of Ida’s enters Naphdael, the city will be destroyed, but through my reading, I realized what they meant was if her symbol got in.’ He unrolled a scroll and showed them the symbol. Gisilfried stepped back, his mouth fell.

‘No.’ he said. ‘After all this time, she was the one. No wonder the gargoyle went straight for her.’

‘What gargoyle?’ Natalia asked.

‘Shhh.’ said Ekrid, watching the prince.

Gisilfried continued, ‘I thought the creature wanted to kill her, but no, it wanted to worship her.’ His hands trembled.

‘Gisilfried,’ Natalia said, ‘you must be calm.’

‘She was going to marry my brother!’

‘So what will you do?’

‘I must destroy it and you’re going to help me.’

‘How?’ she said.

‘First, I must find out what she knows. Ekrid, take care of her. I must be on my way.’ He hurried out of the room.