Chapter 26: Breaking Ranks

Mercia

The table was set—a meal fit for the royals before their departure. The Kings and Queens engaged in idle conversation. The Princess was quiet and so was Lady Darleen. Prince Oswald shoveled his food down to end the meal and depart.

Queen Godgifu suddenly took notice of the young ladies’ demeanor toward one another. She took a deep breath and smiled, “So Winfred I know you must be excited for the little one coming.”

“In deen I am.”

“You and Darleen will have so much fun watching the baby grow up in the castle.”

Winfred stopped eating, “The Lady Darleen will not be returning to North Umbria.”

The Kings paused. Queen Margret remained silent. “And why is that?” Queen Godgifu questioned.

Darleen interrupted, “No need to worry, Your Majesty. I had no plans to return to the north. I have more important things to attend to here in Mercia.”

“Such as?” King Charles and Queen Godgufu asked.

“Important things, uncle,” she said as she stood, “I hope you all will have the most pleasant journey back to North Umbria Your Majesties,” she added with a bow before leaving.

The Princess stood, “I’ll go get the last of my things so we can leave.”

They looked at Prince Oswald. He shrugged.

****

She found Prince Oswald as he walked. She grabbed him and took him to a secret place, “Tell me what has happened.”

He sighed, “Something that was bound to happen sooner or later. Darleen is a piece of work and I can’t say that I’m sad she won’t return to the north.”

She shook her head and touched him. He was already stiff, “Look at that... you're ready for me.”

He chuckled, “I don’t know why you have this spell over me.”

She turned and hiked up her dress. He pushed into her moist corridor and stroked, “You are saying that I have bewitched you.”

“Hmmm, something like that.”

Her hand caressed the back of his head as he made quick work of her cunt and left it filled with his swimmers.”

“Thank god I’m already pregnant.”

He adjusted himself, “Yes, and possibly with my child.”

She touched his face, “You need not worry. He or she will never know.”

He nodded, “Until next time Queen.”

*****

Wessex

He was happy to have found a horse along the way. Fleeing from the Northmen after killing his former **** driver brought about peace and satisfaction. He felt like everything he wanted was within reach. He rode through the town and finally, he was there.

He saw a group of thirty men at the ready outside the castle. Yet, it didn’t stop him from continuing to the entrance to request an audience with the King.

He waited eagerly. The guard told him to wait and he walked off to find King Edwin who speaking with his son Michael and the artist Darcy.

“Your Majesty, Lord James is here to see you.”

Darcy’s eyes popped, “Lord James?”

King Edwin eyed him, “I do not know of any Lord James.”

Darcy chimed in, “He’s a Mercian. I know him but it was feared that he had died years ago.”

The King sighed, “And what does he want with me?”

“He is the Lady Darleen’s father.”

The King looked at the guard, “Send him in.”

Moments later Lord James entered looking rather rough. The King scanned his attire, “And you are Lord James of Mercia. The Lady Darleen’s father. I was expecting you to be more polished.”

James tugged at his ragged clothes, “Yes, your Majesty. I am usually more polished. I have been through hell these past few years.”

“And what are you doing here? One would think you would have gone to see King Charles.”

“About that. If we may speak alone.”

The King looked at his son and Darcy. They nodded and left. “What is it?” he asked the man who looked ****.

Lord James gave the King the abbreviated version of his ordeal, and even that was a tad much. The King stared at him and sighed, “I don’t fancy getting involved in petty family squabbles. Things can get messy...after all, blood is blood.”

“I assure you King Edwin that if you help me do this I’d gladly submit to your rule.”

He rubbed his chin, “In exchange for?”

He cleared his throat, “I would govern the land under your rule...of course.”

“I like it.”

Lord James smiled.

****

Listen. The sound of the waves. Peaceful under a clear day’s sky. “Pull, Pull, Pull!” the lead oarsman sounded. They had a beautiful rhythm that harmonized with the sea.

Ida smiled. The wind was behind her which aided them on their journey. Armod looked on to what was ahead. Astrid approached. “Mary said to give you this,” she said as she handed him a cup of water and some bread.

“Much obliged.”

She stared into his eyes, “You know, don’t you.”

“Know what?” he asked somewhat confused.

“The story of what happened to Ida and Sigurd’s family.”

He cleared his throat, “I know what I’ve heard through reliable sources.”

She nodded, “There will be a time for you to speak on it but not too soon.”

“How will I know?”

“I trust the Gods will tell you when it is time. Until then let us focus on one mission at a time.”

He watched her walk away. Ida looked at him. He nodded.

****

East Anglia

She found him in his room packing frantically. “Brother.”

“Save your words Yande, I do not need to hear that you warned me” he barked.

Slowly she walked to him and stopped. He looked into her eyes. She reached for his hands, and suddenly, a sharp intense energy flowed through them. They were frozen, “I need the two of you to listen to me,” the voice sounded.

Their eyes were white. A cloud formed around them, “Yande?” Samba said with his mind.

“Do not panic. It is our great-great grandmother.”

“There is something awful coming. You two will need to be ready.”

The voice and cloud vanished as quickly as it appeared. Their connection dropped. Samba gulped, “Did you do that?”

“No. I swear it.”

“You do not want me to leave but I don't see a reason to stay. You don't need to use your tricks on me. I am telling Father that I am ready. ”

“Samba. I had nothing to do with that message. It was the Ancestors. We must take heed.”

“How long will I have to stay here and be reminded of my foolishness?”

“When this passes, you will be free to return to Portugal.”

He made a face, “Why do I get the feeling that you’ve seen something?”

The door opened, “You’ve returned. I saw Prince Liam at breakfast and he spoke of your attack last night.”

Yande nodded, “It was nothing.”

He hugged her and then Samba. He looked into his son’s eyes, “I take it things did not go well with the King. He rejected your proposal?”

“It was she that suddenly changed her mind.”

“Then she wasn’t the one.”

“You are right Father. She was not and I am ready to return to Portugal.”

He gasped, “I was hoping to stay a few more days.”

He grumbled.

“I agree with Father. You should stay a few more days.”

His eyebrow lifted, “What has happened?” he asked

“There is something on the rise and I am certain it has to do with the men who attacked us last night.”

Joaquin sighed, “How can I go and tell the King to ready his men based on your visions? He will think me mad.”

“You’re right. All I can say is that we can’t leave. He will need every one of us. And still...it may not be enough.”

He gulped.

“What did you see?” asked her father.

“Chaos, bloodshed, I saw both kings fall.”

“Were they?”

“I cannot say for certain. The vision wasn’t clear but maybe I can ride out and stop whatever it is before it happens.”

They both objected, “Are you out of your mind? There is no way. If anything were to happen to you, your mother would kill me.”

“It is not a good idea, Yande.”

She sighed, “We have to do something. I feel this may be the only way to avoid total turmoil.”

Joaquin shook his head, “There has to be another way.”

“King Oswald and the others should arrive soon. Perhaps we can secure ourselves within the walls and ward off the attack.”

They nodded, “Let’s hope they arrive soon and before whatever danger arrives.”

*****

Yande left the room and ran into Liam, “My love, there you are,” he said merrily; He reached for her hands. He scanned her face, “Is everything alright, your brother, has he calmed himself?”

“Samba will be fine.”

“Then what is it? You haven’t changed your mind...have you?”

“Don’t be silly,” she replied, Her hands caressed his face, “It’s just. The men who attacked us last night.”

He nodded, “I know. I told the King. He has sent riders out to scan the area for anything suspicious. I'm sure it was nothing.”

“What if it is something? Have you any news about your parents, your brother, or Princess Winfred?”

“They should arrive soon. I was hoping to leave now. I would love some private time with you.”

She blushed, “I would love that as well. I do think we should wait. It would be a shame for them to arrive to find us already gone.”

“As you wish my love.” He pressed his lips to hers, “Let’s at least go for a walk in the garden.”

****

King Knud and what was left of his men led the way. They had rage in their eyes. Their hearts pumped blood rapidly. They were eager to spill blood even though that was not the mission they were on. Behind them were Jarls Sigurd and Erick, Sven, Loki, and Harald. Sigurd spoke to Sven, “How much of Einar’s story did you believe?”

He chuckled, “I believe only bits. I believe there was a fight. I do not believe they were attacked.”

“My thoughts precisiely. We have to watch them, They will cause us to shed unnecessary blood.”

“You’re right.”

Suddenly they heard yelling as the small group charged a group traveling in carriages and some by horses.

Necks were slit. The people cried out. They saw one carriage hurry off as the few men stayed behind to fight. Jarl Erick hurried to the scene. Just as King Knud was about to kill the last man he yelled, “Lower your weapon, King.”

Slowly, King Knud lowered his sword. He shoved the man to the ground and spat on him, “Filthy Saxon.”

“What is the meaning of this?” asked Jarl Sigurd.

“Who are you to question me? I am a King.”

“King of what? And of whom. You have less than a dozen men left from your kingdom.”

“I am certain these men were part of the group that attacked us last night.”

Jarl Erick grunted, “If we cannot work together then what is the sense of any of this? We may as well board our ships and head back to our lands in the north.”

“Please accept my apologies, Jarl Erick. I lost my head thinking of the men I lost.”

“Spillig more blood will not bring your men back. If we are to negotiate, we cannot start by burning bridges.”

King Knud nodded and walked away. The men sighed. They looked at the poor Saxn man sitting on the ground trembling, “We can’t question him. He doesn’t speak our language.”

Loki and Harald walked up and smiled, “At your service.”

“Ask him who were those people?”

Loki looked at the man shivering, “Who were those people?”

“Please don’t kill me,” he cried repeatedly.

“Have some dignity man and tell Jarl Sigurd who those people were and we’ll let you go.”

He nodded rapidly and told them everything, “They are royals from North Umbria. We were in Merica and are headed back to East Anglia to retrieve the Prince and his soon-to-be bride.”

“Bride? The woman with the green eyes,” Sigurd said to Loki.

Loki spoke and the man confirmed that the woman was of Portuguese and African descent and they were visiting family when she became engaged to the Prince.

Sven patted his friend’s shoulder, “There goes any hope for two wives.”

“Enagements can be broken.”

Sven chuckled, “Determined..I see.”

****

The carriage rolled through the gates in a blaze. The guard who had returned from detail yelled, “CLOSE THE GATES!”

The men hurried to secure the gates. Prince Oswald left the carriage first and then assisted his wife and mother who were still shaken by the attack. King Oswald exited the carriage. “That was a bold attack. On our lands while we were defenseless. Those are cowards. They are bastards!”

Prince Oswald told his father, “That was a slimy thing to do. They have no honor. We have to put an end to this for good.”

King Henry and Queen Olivia met them in the main room, “Prince Liam said they were attacked last night by Northmen.”

“How is he?”

“They are alright. He and Yande are walking about the grounds. What should we do? Can you send word to summon your men here to fight?”

“Indeed I will.”

****

Blissfully in love, they lay under a tall tree. Her head was on his lap and he played with her curls, “I hope our daughter will have these beautiful curls.”

“LIAM!” they heard Prince Oswald yell.

They hurried to their feet. Yande stared into his eyes as he spoke. He stammered. He paused. He started again. “One of us must ride to summon Aethebald and the others.”

“I’ll go.”

Yande gulped, “I’ll go with you.”

They scoffed, “Yande. It’s best if you stayed here safe in the castle.”

“We’re only going to ride there and back. I should be fine.”

Oswald sighed, “Liam, you must leave right away. I need to go check on my wife and our mother,” he said before marching off.

Liam stared into Yande’s eyes, “I love that you are fearless and outspoken.”

“But?”

“I want you safe. I’m sure Winfred will need your company.”

She nodded, “You’re right. I should go see her.”

He touched his forehead to hers. Their lips touched, “Please be safe and return to me.”

“I’ll return soon.”

She took her blade and cut off a small bit of his hair, “I only want a piece of you here close to me.”

He kissed her again and left.