A big warm thank you to Mazkeraide for adding this to your story alerts! The theme for this chapter is Palladio by Karl Jenkins

Chapter II- Understanding

The party careened through the woods at top speed trying to keep up with the stag. They had been chasing the animal for more than an hour but, darting here and there, he always seemed to be just out of their reach. Pulling up on the reins Gregory let the others ride past him. Standing up in the stirrups he looked around, searching between the trees for his brother. "Richard?" he called out to the empty space.

"Over here!" an answering voice called from a few yards away. The king turned and pushed his horse into a slow trot towards a thicket of trees and found himself in a fairly large clearing of the forest wherein, surrounded by foliage was a blue crystalline pool of water. Turning in a tight circle Gregory surveyed the area trying to find the source of his brother's voice until, finally, he dismounted and walked towards the water looking around him for any sign of life…nothing. He was sure he'd heard Richard's voice coming from this direction, but maybe he'd been wrong. Suddenly hearing footfalls nearby Gregory turned to look. No sooner had he done so than a fist slammed into his head and he fell back into the water.

Blood seeping from his nose the king tried to bring himself up to the surface, before feeling two hands wrap around his jacket and push him further in. Kicking and scrabbling at the fingers that held him they finally pulled him up and out of the water and onto dry land. He lay there for a moment or two, feeling the grass beneath his cheek as he tried to push all the water out of his lungs. Opening his eyes the first thing he saw was the blood mixed together with the mud and rocks. My blood. The thought came as though from a distance and he moved to wipe the fluid away from his face before looking up to see Richard standing before him.

"Richard?" he said, still gasping for breath.

Richard gave him a mirthless smile. "Hello Brother."

Gregory tried to stand, his clothing sticking to him uncomfortably, and even though he was now on dry land with the water behind him he still found it hard to breath.

Suddenly a lighter female voice spoke. "Your highness?" it said. They both turned to look. Behind Richard just on the edge of the clearing stood a young girl, no more than sixteen, dressed in common brown homespun wool. Gregory, even after being nearly drowned, noticed how uncommonly pretty she was. Her golden hair, gleaming white in the sunlight, was pulled back away from her face, allowing bright green eyes and pale cheeks to show through. She was small and stood in such a way that made her shrink in upon herself even more. She looked at the two men with her head bowed slightly, staring at them, then away, then back again, as if she didn't know if she should be looking but at the same time quite unable to help herself.

"Ah!" Richard said, striding over to the newcomer and bowing slightly, an action that made the girl stand a little straighter, before kissing her hand lightly. "Punctual as always my dear, I thank you for that."

"Richard, what's going on?" Gregory said. His tone, the one he only ever used on his advisors when they wouldn't give him a straight answer, was loud and commanding.

"All in due time, Brother." Richard said conversationally. "But first," he said, clapping his hands together, "introductions." Motioning for the girl to come forward the prince placed his hand gently onto her shoulder and said, "Gregory, this is Isabelle."

"Will you please…" but Richard cut him off.

"Isabelle, this is His Majesty, King Gregory the Third." Moving away from the prince the girl lowered herself into a small curtsy before straightening up again.

"I don't understand," Gregory said, looking from one face to the other. "What does this have to do with anything?"

"Oh Gregory," Richard said, slowly approaching him. "It has to do with everything."

He was so close now that Gregory could almost see the anger emanating away from him, surrounding them both, but he was still ignorant as to why. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you've stolen something from me," the prince replied casually before reaching towards him and yanking their father's signet ring off of Gregory's hand. Holding it up in front of him, his voice became more vehement and he said, "And I want it back."

Realization finally dawned in Gregory's eyes and for a moment he was struck by such a force of disbelief that he could hardly speak. But at last he found his voice, "That's what all this is about?" he asked, his expression incredulous. "You…you think I've usurped your throne?"

"Not think Gregory," Richard said, condescendingly, before turning away. "know."

Throwing out his hand the king grabbed Richard by the arm and forced him to turn around. "How dare you!" Gregory said, spitting out the words in a low voice before shoving the prince away. He moved as if to leave the clearing before turning back and walking towards his brother once more. "How dare you accuse me of this?"

"I accuse you of nothing that you are not guilty of." Richard said, the fury in his voice more obvious with each passing moment.

Visibly trying to restrain himself Gregory answered, "The only thing I am guilty of is trying to maintain this country while you run off in the dead of night to play soldier."

"I see." Richard replied, his voice laced with sarcasm. "So while I'm off fighting for country and crown, my crown, you decide to assist by taking on the burdens of the monarchy. Is that it?"

Running a hand over his face Gregory closed his eyes momentarily before continuing. "What was I supposed to do Richard? You left, you left everyone, everything. You left me at thirteen to learn what you had been studying since you were old enough to pick up a book! What did you expect me to do? Sit in a corner twiddling my thumbs together while Father lay dying, the kingdom in shambles? To tell everyone not to worry, that Richard will return soon? I thought you were dead. I thought…"

"You thought wrong."

"Richard, please." Gregory said, holding out his hand towards his brother. "I'm sorry. If there had been another way, if I could have chosen another path I would've taken it, but there wasn't."

Richard's manner softened slightly towards him and he took the proffered hand. In a quieter voice he said, "There is now. Give me back the throne, abdicate, allow me to take my rightful place as king, it will be more than easy."

Gregory removed his hand from Richard's grasp as if he had been burnt by it before slowly shaking his head. "No Richard, I cannot do that."

Richard frowned and, sounding almost frantic, said. "What do you mean? Why not?"

"You made your decision, you made mine. I'm king now, and I can't just turn my back on everyone."

"Like I did, you mean?" Richard said, bristling.

"I'm not blaming you Richard, it was a long time ago. Maybe if we could go back…but we can't."

Staring at him, eyes narrowed, the prince said, "And this is your final say in the matter? You will not change your mind?"

"I won't." Gregory said, shaking his head and stepping away.

"Then you've brought this upon yourself." Richard replied. Turning his back away from Gregory he walked towards the girl. "Do it Isabelle." He yelled out to her, pointing his finger at the king. "Do it now."

The girl nervously stared from Richard to Gregory. The feeling of uneasiness grew and Gregory wrapped a hand around the hilt of his sword. What did his brother have in mind? But before he could more to unsheathe the weapon he was hit by a blast of something bright and green. He was screaming before he hit the ground.

So things are starting to get pretty intense. Hope you liked the chapter! To see pics of Isabelle and more check out my blog at aworkoffiction . wordpress. com.