Chapter 2 forming the plan
"What has happened that we had to come post haste?"
"The Dark Duke has taken the palace."
"So then I was correct in my assessment of the situation." Lord Winterford nodded as he took ale from a servant.
"Aye," Lord Samuel replied
"Do you know if their were any survivors?" Prince Leonardo asked and Lord Samuel nodded.
"To my current knowledge only the three of the princesses." Lord Samuel told them.
"Only three, weren't their four?" Lord Winterford asked.
"Aye, but unfortunately Princess Pheona was left behind." Lord Samuel told them and King Benjamin frowned.
"They left the princess behind!" He exploded angrily, just the thought of someone leaving one of his girls behind sent his blood to boiling and the thought that this child's father's own fate didn't help one bit. Who would stand for the child now?
"Aye and I believe that there is a chance that she may still be alive." Lord Samuel told the men gathered about him.
"You honestly think that the Duke would let an heir to the thrown live?" Lord Andrew asked frowning, either his friend was very wise or very naive.
"Aye he would." Prince Leonardo spoke up a frown marring his young face.
"He'll want a hold of the heir, at least to have a real claim to the throne." Lord Samuel said and the king nodded.
"He'll have to wed her for that." Lord Andrew remarked thoughtfully.
"Nay, he could try to wed her to his son." Prince Leonardo said and Lord Samuel nodded.
"That's crazy, Jeremy's not but a child." King Benjamin replied frowning thinking that the young man in question could not be more than a year older than his own Coleridge.
"He's two and twenty and ready by many standards for the alter." Lord Samuel said grimly.
"But the princess is not but seven." This from Prince Leonardo seated at the end of he table.
"Aye and so…" Lord Andrew began but King Benjamin cut him off scowling.
"He'll hold her until the age of consent is reached." The eldest member of the assembly growled.
"We can not let her be given to that brute." A voice growled and all turned to see Prudence standing not four paces from the end of the table, dressed in only a dressing gown and wrapper.
"Princess you should not be worrying yourself about this matter, you should be resting you have had a harsh time of it yourself." Lord Samuel told her.
"Nay my Lord, in truth I can not sleep knowing that my little sister is still there, being held or even…" Prudence's voice trailed off as her soft eyes went distant
"Very well highness, a seat then." Lord Samuel said and Prudence nodded taking the spot on the bench that he made for her.
"Now then, what shall we do?"
"Storm the castle." Lord Andrew suggested.
"Nay, they'd expect that and be ready." King Benjamin replied thoughtfully thinking as if he'd been the one to storm the palace. He'd have the guards doubled and…
"Not if you take the dungeon first." The princess spoke up reminding them all of her quiet presence.
"And how shall we do that highness, do you know of a secret passage?" Lord Andrew asked and she nodded solemnly. It struck him that she looked as if she'd been crying and he had an odd urge to go to the girl and offer what ever comfort he could.
"Aye, it's located in the forest just past the lake path."
"It is a good thing you are here then highness." Lord Samuel said and she nodded.
"I know." She then said and looked at her hands wishing she could do something for them, something to make up for leaving her little sister behind.
"Alright, so this is what we shall do."
"One thing first my lord, I shall be coming along on this mission." The princess said and all eyes shot to Prudence's face.
"Nay lady!"
"Highness no, it is not safe for you to…'
"Think sirs, I know the palace like none other, I alone know of the passage and I'll not tell."
"So blackmail it is to be?" Lord Andrew felt a tiny smile nudge hiss lips. This one was clever and if he was not mistaken determined to make up for leaving her sister behind.
"If I must use such tactics than I shall." Prudence said slightly
"Well, I still will not have it; you are going to be the queen once we get rid of the duke so…"
"Pardon me uncle but I am of age now and I will pull rank if I must."
"And may I remind you highness that although we hold you as more than a woman you are not but a female with all of the limits which go along with it." Prince Leonardo broke in and Prudence nodded and was surprised when he found himself laying flat on his back on the stone floor.
"A woman is it." Prudence was standing over him her fists in fighting position.
"Alright so you're a little less limited than…"
"Well, we best be preparing then." Lord Samuel said and the others nodded.
TBC
***
What do you think? this is my first attempt at a Charmed story, so please be kind.
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3. Forming the Plan
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