Chapter Nine: Truth and Turmoil
"Have a seat, Princess. We must talk."
Deirdre glared at Donovan before confidently turning on her heel and sitting on his own throne. They stared at each other in opposition for a few moments before Donovan sighed, "Very well, then. Have it your way..." and retrieved his chair from his writing desk. Deirdre smirked and made herself comfortable, lounging sideways in the chair with her legs thrown over the armrest. Donovan said nothing as he placed his chair to the left of the throne and sat down facing her. They stared at each other for several minutes, daring each other to be the first to speak. Deirdre began to get a bit weary with those blue eyes piercing into her soul. She was the fist to break the staring contest.
"So then. What in the name of Dagda do you want, you impostor?" She smiled sarcastically.
Donovan closed his eyes and counted to ten. He knew this wasn't going to be easy, but he had hoped it would have been easier than a one-on-one confrontation with the stubborn woman. "This, Princess, is what I want. And in this order. Number one, peace on this island. Number two, to improve the lands and the lives of the people before I am taken from this world. And number three, I want you to quit antagonizing me every step of the way!"
"Oh please!" Deirdre said, rolling her eyes. "The others may believe your lies but I don't. You have no proof that you are who you say you are! For all we know, you could have brainwashed Rohan to write that letter! The fact that he isn't even back yet is proof enough to me that you are not the real heir."
Donovan sat up, alarmed. "Draganta hasn't returned to Kells yet? He was supposed to arrive a week ago!"
Deirdre stared at him in shock. "He what?"
Donovan leaped out of his chair. "Gavin! Gavin!!" he bellowed.
Heavy footsteps echoed behind the throne before the door opened and Gavin appeared. "Yes, your majesty?" he bowed.
"What news on Rohan of Kells? Has he not returned yet?"
Gavin stared at the stone floor. "No, my King. We have had no news since we left port almost a month ago."
Deirdre sat up in the throne, listening closely to the conversation.
"And the fleet?" asked Donovan. "The rest of the fleet has returned?"
"Yes, highness, they returned last week, almost a fortnight behind schedule. The captain reported that Draganta had not boarded the vessel. They created a search party and searched the entire port, but there was no trace of him."
Donovan started to pace. "This does not bode well. Gavin, I want you to send word back to the port...send it with our fastest ships. I want Rohan found! Mystic Knight or not, it is dangerous for him to be alone in that country without anyone else to help him. Foolish man! As soon as he is found, have it arranged to put him on the first ship out of there, and as soon as he arrives back, send him to me. I don't care how close our friendship is, I will lecture the curls out of his hair!!!"
"Yes, my King!" replied Gavin before scampering off to complete his King's orders.
Donovan groaned and fell back into his chair. Looking over at Deirdre, he saw her burning a hole in the floor with her eyes.
"Don't worry, Princess. I'm almost positive that Rohan is merely attempting to locate his long lost family. I'm sure he is just fine."
"What makes you so sure?" she whispered.
"Because I've seen him in battle. He can handle himself."
Deirdre nodded silently and returned her gaze to the floor, her stubbornness forgotten.
"Come." Said Donovan as he stood from his seat. "I think it is time we had your questions answered."
Deirdre stood without a word and followed him silently through the door behind the throne. After several twists and turns, she found herself in front of an ornate looking locked door near the bottom of the castle.
"Aren't these doors a little fancy for a dungeon?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Donovan laughed. "That they are, Princess! Which is why this is not the dungeon. This is the royal treasury. Here," he said offering her a gold key shaped like a dragon, "open it and see for yourself!"
Deirdre took the key and placed it in the lock. She tried to turn it, but it wouldn't budge. "It's not working. It doesn't fit."
Donovan took the key back and motioned to a nearby guard. The guard bowed and withdrew a dagger, handing it to the King before returning to his post.
"This is proof that I am Maeve's son. Remember it well." With that he took off a red glove and revealed his strong hand. Taking the dagger, he sliced his palm and placed the key in his bloody hand.
"What are you doing!" exclaimed Deirdre.
"The Kings of old made the treasury impenetrable except by the blood of the royal family. Back in that time, there was trouble with advisors and other nobles stealing from the King. This way, no one could enter without the King's permission. Their methods were disturbing, but effective."
Donovan took the key out of his hand and placed it back in the lock. "Try it now." he said fisting his hand to stop the blood flow.
Deirdre grimaced at the gory traditions of past Temra Kings and carefully turned the key. The door opened with a loud click. Deirdre gasped at the gold and silver behind the door.
"How can all this be here when Rohan gave it all away three years ago?" she asked.
Donovan closed the door and pocketed the key. "In case you haven't noticed, I've been working hard to rebuild this kingdom. Commerce has soared since I have arrived. My ties in the east have actually paid off."
He returned the dagger to the guard and continued down the hallway. "Now do you believe me, Princess?" he said, not turning to face her.
"Well, yes." She said, almost running to match his long stride down the hall. "But I still don't understand why you are not forcing me to marry you. You are aware that you will die otherwise, aren't you?"
Donovan stopped in front of large double doors. "Yes, I am aware of the consequences. I shall address that next." He opened the door and signaled that she proceed him into the room. Deirdre gasped. All around her were shelves of scrolls and books. The entire wall was lined with them, save one wall, which had a grand stone fireplace. Soft-looking furniture faced the fireplace with a table in the center.
"What is this place?" asked an awed Princess.
"Welcome to my collection." he whispered. "On my journey back to Temra, Rohan and I started to collect all kinds of scrolls and books on many subjects. Literature, warfare, trade, something called 'mathematics,' inventions...you name it. It was his idea to turn this place into a haven of learning. I plan to teach my people to read and write...before I go, that is."
"You and Rohan did all this?" she asked in wonder.
"Yes. And that brings me to our next conversation. Please, sit."
Deirdre sat on a cushioned bench next to Donovan.
"About three months ago, I was in major trouble. I was traveling through the country when I was ambushed by bandits. My horse galloped as fast as it could go, but it wasn't fast enough. I was hit in the back with an arrow. I was resigned to my fate, but then Rohan appeared and saved me. I was somewhat upset at the time, I was looking forward to death, in reality. There is no future in the east for an orphaned peasant. Death is almost a gift. To make a long story short, I owed him a life-debt. Even though I am now a king, I am even more prepared to die. Maeve's line must end. I repay my debt to him by allowing you to marry who you wish."
"But...why??"
"Because, Princess. As far as I am concerned, I am already dead. That, and Rohan is like family to me. I don't want him to suffer."
Deirdre's head snapped up. "What do you mean, suffer?"
Donovan sighed. "Rohan loves you, Princess. To marry you myself would eventually kill him."
Deirdre looked shocked. "He...he loves me?"
Donovan cocked his head sideways. "You mean you didn't know?"
"I...I, no. No I didn't. I mean, I had hoped that..." she stuttered.
"Well," said Donovan. "Now you know. Gavin!" he called. Gavin ran into the room.
"Have one of the faster horses readied for the Princess's departure."
Gavin bowed and went to send the message along to the stables.
Deirdre turned to Donovan with tears in her eyes. "How can I ever repay you for your sacrifice?" she asked.
Donovan stood. "By living a full life and ruling well, Princess. Nothing more."
Gavin opened the door. "The horse is ready, my King!"
"Good." Whispered Donovan, not taking his eyes off of Deirdre.
Slowly, she stood on her tiptoes, and kissed his mask where his cheek should have been. "Thank you for my freedom." she breathed before running out the door.
Donovan stood there, staring after her. Gavin closed the door and cleared his throat.
Startled, Donovan asked, "Yes? What is it?"
"You didn't really want me to send that message, did you?"
"Of course not! It would be a waste of our resources."
Gavin eyed the King. "That was quite the lie you came up with just now." he said.
Donovan chuckled. "I should have known that you'd be listening in, Gavin."
"Permission to speak freely, Sir?" He asked, hands clasped calmly behind his back.
"Granted." he moaned, collapsing onto the bench.
"Are you crazy?!?!" Screamed Gavin. "The woman obviously has feelings for you! Just tell her the truth and marry her for goodness sakes!!!"
Donovan turned a hardened stare to his advisor. "Gavin, I freed her. She would have married me not by choice, but by duty. It's better this way. She will forget me eventually, and she will marry someone worthy of her. Just leave me be."
Gavin looked at his King and noticed his hand. "What happened to your hand?"
"I opened the treasury. It hasn't stopped bleeding yet."
Gavin rushed over to look at the wound. He dug through his tunic and found a handkerchief. He wrapped it around his hand and replaced his glove. "You need to be more careful."
Donovan looked at his friend. "Perhaps. But in the meantime, we have work to do. I want that treasury cleared out. Have it transfered to a normal vault with a normal key."
"Why? What for?"
Donovan looked at his hand, it had finally stopped bleeding, but not before soaking through his red glove.
"Because it is already starting." he whispered. "I signed the scroll this evening. I don't know how long before I can stop the bleeding anymore." Gavin turned and left his King, sitting on the dark blue cushions, staring at the drops of blood dotting the fabric.
Gavin entered the treasury using the key and the King's blood that had fallen on his hand. He passed on the orders and also commanded that the treasury door remain unlocked until all the gold hand been transfered. He then entered his rooms next to the library and sat down on his bed to think. He had to do something. His King was determined to perish. Gavin knew that this was not his true destiny. He had proven himself a competent ruler and sympathetic man. He had to get him to tell the Princess the truth. But how? One thing was for sure, they were a great match. The King was just as stubborn as she was! Gavin stood and began to pace. He wasn't going to let his friend commit suicide.
He was going to save Rohan's life.
Note: Y'all were lucky that I didn't have work or class today! Otherwise, you would have had to wait longer for this one. I'm debating doing another story after this one. It depends if I can think of a good enough scenario. So review and send me some ideas!