Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance) (25 page)

27

Ruyen arrived at his father's hunting lodge, hoping for the peace and tranquility he had often found there in the past. Today, however, that tranquility eluded him.

Chaos raged across the island, and his people were suffering. They needed his direction, but how could he help them when he was floundering himself? Someone had to stop his mother, and it must be him. But he could not do it without the support of the people. Would they follow him and take up arms against their queen? More importantly, could he destroy his own mother?

He took the path that led up a steep incline and stood atop the cliff that jutted out over the sea, offering a magnificent view of the island.

To his left, he could see the Talshamarian ship far out at sea, its crimson sails weaving in the harsh breeze. That ship took Jilliana away and he would never see her again.

Well, good riddance to her. She had been nothing but trouble to him since their first meeting. She did not need anyone. That woman would always be in command of her own fate, and if life did not conform to her expectations, she would merely find a way to bend the circumstances to her will.

An intense sea breeze cooled his face as his thoughts turned once more to Falcon Bruine and the troubles that faced him. He glanced back at the lodge, remembering happier days when he had hunted with his father. They had ridden over the green hills in pursuit of stag and boar. But because of his mother, those days were gone forever.

In defiance, he tossed a stone into the sea and watched it skip across the waves and drop into the churning tide. He took the path that led down to the sea and walked along the beach, his footsteps leaving imprints in the sand that soon disappeared in the ebbing tide.

A fine spray of water dampened his face and it seemed to clear his mind. He knew what Jilliana would do if anyone threatened the peace of Talshamar. She would gather her forces and dispatch the Judas, and that is what he must do. Ruyen smiled reminiscently. Jilliana was glorious, there was no doubt that no woman, living or dead, could equal her in tenacity.

He suddenly stood stock-still. When had he begun to love Jilliana? Had it been that first day when she stood before Henry, defying him so courageously—or had it been the first night he had taken her body to his? He blinked his eyes as his mind cleared even more. How could he have allowed her to leave without telling her how he felt? She was his wife, and if he lived through this war, by God, there would be no annulment!

He climbed back up the cliff with determination. When he reached the hunting lodge, an awesome sight met his eyes. It seemed that the whole village had gathered there. He looked from one familiar face to another, and the men, women, and children bowed to him as he walked slowly among them.

"Why gather you here?" he asked of no one in particular.

An older knight stepped forward. It was Sir Piermont, whose son Byran had died fighting beside Ruyen in England. The man's care-worn face was pale with age, but his dark eyes were alive with the light of rebellion.

"I knew your son well," Ruyen said. "He was a valiant soldier, who brought pride to his family's name."

"That he did, Your Highness. And if he were here today, like the rest of us, he would offer you his sword arm, his loyalty, and his life," the old knight said.

Ruyen was overwhelmed by such devotion, for he had not expected it. As the moments passed, the number of people continued to swell. Knights, peasants, and villagers stood together united in a common cause—to fight beside the man they considered their rightful king.

Ruyen was quiet for a long moment as he chose his words carefully. "Know you all who stand within the sound of my voice that civil war is the ugliest of all wars, for we shall be fighting against many of our own countrymen, even our own families."

"We have thought of this," Sir Piermont told him, "but nothing could be worse than the conditions we are forced to endure at the hands of the Castilians. Yes, and those of Falcon Bruine who have turned against us to side with our enemies."

"There will be great casualties," Ruyen warned.

"There are casualties every day from starvation because of the high taxes imposed on us," a woman called out, and the multitude murmured their agreement with her.

"You are our rightful king," Sir Piermont stated with feeling. "We will have no other in your stead. What we want to hear from you is whether you will stand with us against your own mother."

In Ruyen's heart there burned the fire of long-dead kings. These were his people and they were offering him their fealty and their trust. He unsheathed his sword and pointed it to the heavens.

"I will fight with you though the enemy be my own mother. This I swear!"

A deafening shout went up among the people and there was jubilation on each face. The flame of patriotism swept through the crowd, making them all one voice.

Ruyen turned to Sir Piermont, knowing the old knight had fought many campaigns with his father and was a seasoned warrior. "You will be my commander. Have the women and children sent to the far side of the island where they will be safe. Gather weapons and have new ones forged. We must be prepared."

"Aye, that we must, Your Highness," the old knight agreed with a spark in his eyes.

"I am depending on your superior knowledge, Sir Piermont. Set up camps in the woods and post guards to alert you should danger come. Put men to work building ladders and amassing ropes, chains, and weapons. It will be nigh impossible to breach the walls of the castle, but we shall gather our forces and cut off the castle's source of food and water, forcing them to surrender."

"I will see to it at once, Your Highness," Sir Piermont said with certainty, mentally selecting the strongest men to carry out his orders.

"We need to build our defenses carefully," Ruyen continued, "even though my mother is not a strategist in warfare and Escobar is certainly no great brain. I calculate that the castle will fall before winter loosens its grip on the land."

"Aye," someone in the vast crowd yelled. "We'll starve the devils out."

Ruyen's eyes saddened as he thought of his sister. "That we will, but you must all realize that many of our own people work in the castle and they will suffer hunger, maybe death, before the siege is over."

Sir Piermont proudly raised his head, his faded blue eyes moving over the faces in the crowd. "I stand ready to serve the son as I served the sire."

The loud roar of assenting voices was heartwarming and chilling at the same time. Ruyen realized that the results of his actions here today would ripple across the island and none of his people would ever be the same. They would be victorious, of that he had no doubt, but at what cost?

"We must disperse now," Ruyen urged the people. "My mother has her spies and they will become suspicious if they learn of this gathering." He turned to the women who would be most affected by war. "Go to your homes and gather only what you will need to survive. Each of you will know hardship for a time."

The women were silent as they pondered his words. "Better to starve with a friend than dine with the enemy," one of them called loudly, drawing vigorous nods from the others.

Ruyen turned away to gather his shield and armor. He must warn Katharine to leave Falcon Bruine with all haste or be caught up in the war—he owed her that much.

It was dusk when Ruyen rode into the gates of Greenleigh Keep. A servant led him immediately to the garden, where he found Katharine. She wore a pale green tunic and a darker green surcoat, and her golden hair hung freely down her back. She was a very handsome woman, but Ruyen was not moved by her beauty as he had once been.

When she saw Ruyen, Katharine's mouth rounded in surprise and her face paled. "What are you doing here? It is not safe for me to be seen with you."

Ruyen tensed. "Why say you this, Katharine?"

"There is talk of war. It is said that you will fight against your own mother."

"That's why I came to see you," he said.

"Why must you do this, Ruyen? Can you not accept things as they are? Your mother cannot live forever, so if you only bide your time, you will be king without this silly little war."

Disappointment showed in his eyes. "I had hoped you would understand, Katharine."

She glared at him. "Did you think what this would mean for us?" she asked accusingly. "Have you no thought for our future?"

Ruyen's voice was cold. "There is no future for us, and I confess that I thought only of the people who are suffering under my mother's rule."

Katharine felt her heart contract. How had she lost Ruyen's love?

He looked at her as if seeing her clearly for the first time. "I only came to warn you that Falcon Bruine will no longer be safe. You and your father still have time to leave if you make haste."

Her lips trembled and a lone tear trailed down her cheek. "Why should you care what happens to me?"

He felt uncomfortable. "I have a high regard for you, Katharine, I always have had."

She lifted her eyes to him, deeply ashamed of the way she had behaved since learning of his marriage to that Talshamarian woman. She could never have him as her husband, but perhaps it was not too late to redeem herself in Ruyen's eyes.

Her smile was etched with melancholy. "Do you not know that a woman needs more than a man's regard? She needs to be madly loved, to be his only love. I realize now that you never loved me as much as I love you. I believe you have fallen in love with your Jilliana."

"I never meant to hurt you, Katharine. Can you forgive me?"

She visibly flinched, then smiled sadly. "Pity, Ruyen, I would have made you an admirable wife."

He shook his head. "Alas, I fear I would have made you an abominable husband. You deserve better."

She shook her head and then pressed her hand to his shoulder. "Ruyen, have you tried to settle the differences between you and your mother without bloodshed?"

"My mother listens only to the voice that comes out of Castile, but I intend to speak to her again."

"You should be careful, Ruyen. Father says that there are strange happenings at the castle."

"What kind of happenings?"

Suddenly her eyes took on a look of concern, reminding him of the old Katharine. "There is talk that Queen Jilliana never left the island. My father says that her men have either been captured or put to death, and that she is being held prisoner by your mother. Go at once to your wife, Ruyen. I fear she may have need of you."

He stared at her in disbelief. "My mother has gone too far this time. If she has harmed Jilliana—"

"You will be careful, Ruyen?"

He hardly heard her words. What a fool he had been for not seeing Jilliana safely aboard her ship. He had known the way his mother's mind worked, and he should never have trusted her.

Anxious to leave, he spoke hurriedly to Katharine. "Thank you for telling me about Jilliana. You should leave Falcon Bruine in all haste."

"I shall. My father has said that France is lovely this time of year."

"Good-bye then, Katharine. I wish you happiness."

She came to him and placed her hand on his sleeve. She realized that even if Queen Jilliana had not come into his life, she would never have held Ruyen's heart.

"Your mother is dangerous. Watch out for her and Escobar." She kissed his cheek in farewell, but he seemed to look right through her. She knew that his mind was with the woman he loved.

Ruyen hurried out of the garden and mounted his horse, riding like a man possessed. Rather than approach the castle from the front gate, he rode to the side where supplies were delivered to the kitchen.

"Admit me at once," he called up to the lone sentry who guarded the gate.

Immediately the gate was thrown open and Ruyen rode inside. As he dismounted, he observed that extra guards had been posted in the outer courtyard, so he entered the castle by the kitchen. As he hurried across the stone floor, he drew several startled looks from the cooks and their helpers. No one could ever remember a time when the prince had been in the kitchen. He spoke to no one as he climbed the back stairs that led to the private chambers.

Ruyen's steps were hurried as he rushed down the dark corridor. He stopped at the corner and then dropped back, pressing his body into the shadows. A Castilian guard stood before Jilliana's chamber, and the man seemed alert to all that went on around him.

"Your Highness," an oily voice Ruyen despised spoke from behind him. Turning, he looked down into the cunning eyes of Escobar Hernandez.

"I have been expecting you, Your Highness."

"Where is my mother, Castilian swine?"

Escobar's eyes narrowed just the merest bit at the prince's insult. "She is resting at the moment and does not wish to be disturbed."

Ruyen watched as Escobar's hand moved to the dagger he wore at his waist, and the man toyed nervously with the jeweled hilt.

"I would not do that if I were you, little man," Ruyen warned. "I could slice your throat from ear to ear before you could brandish that toy."

"You mistake me, Highness. I would not be so foolhardy as to draw blade against one of your strength and might. I have no wish to sacrifice my life when there are others who can prevent you from reaching your wife. You did come to free Queen Jilliana, did you not?"