Chapter 9. Distruction
"Lord Andrew!" One of the workmen shouted and the man found his steward coming their way. He looked both exhausted and a mess and Lord Andrew just hoped he had good news.
"Mathews?" He asked and the man nodded him away from Prudence. Frowning Lord Andrew cast his companion a glance and she Nodded. He then dismounted and went off a ways. Not so far that he couldn't watch her but just far enough so she'd not hear their exchange. ``
"We've taken care of the servants and peasants killed during the siege but there is still the King and Queen." The freckled faced man told Lord Andrew wearily and Lord Andrew wondered just how much of the work his man had done on his own. True Mathews was a peasant by birth but he was a hard worker by nature.
"They shall have a state funeral. I will see to it. Hath Yee treated those injured?" Lord Andrew inquired and his man nodded once more.
"Aye, there were not many of the soldiers left." The Stuart explained grimly.
"Aye, what of the cleaning?" Lord Andrew understood the situation they were facing and knew that being straight forward with his man was the best way to deal with this.
"The women from the village hath finished the hall and the royal chambers." Mathews went on with his report.
"And the herbery?" Lord Andrew asked glancing over at Prudence who was looking at the palace itself. He wondered what i9t had to be like, seeing her home after such blood had been shed, and yet he knew.
"My lord?" Mathews asked in concern.
"Princess Pheona has gone into shock. We may need some herbs to treat her." Lord Andrew didn't have to explain but his long time Stuart had not said a word against this task so he felt he owed him this at least.
"I see what of the other princesses?" Mathews asked a frown marring his weathered features
"They are fine. How long do Yee think it will be before the rest of the palace is finished?"
"Two days."
"Alright, send word when it is finished." Lord Andrew told his man who nodded.
"Aye my Lord."
"Very good now about the herbery?" Lord Andrew asked again.
"We have not had a chance." Mathews made a harried gesture with his hands.
"Alright, well I can give Yee a few minutes; go see how bad it is." Lord Andrew instructed generously.
"Aye." With that the little man scuttled off.
"Well?" Prudence asked as he returned to her side to offer her a hand down.
"All is under control. My people hath buried most of the dead. I've given the order for a state funeral for your parents." Lord Andrew explained and she nodded gravely.
"Thank Yee my Lord, it has been a very hard time and Yee hath been a Goddess sent." She even managed a smile.
"Well, I take care of those in trouble."
"Then Yee are a champion of the people?" Prudence asked a brow raised in question and he was the one to smile.
"I would not go as far as to say that." He said and she knew she'd have laughed if this were not such a sad occasion. Lord Andrew was truly a charmer.
"Hmm…" She said thoughtfully.
"Now when shall we set the service?" He asked.
"This afternoon." She told him and he nodded.
"Aye, I shall see about talking to the priest."
"Very good." She nodded.
"The herbery tis safe." Mathews said when he returned and Lord Andrew turned back to Prudence.
"Alright highness?"
"Let us go."
***
The small work hut was silent; the only sign of the nights violence was the shambles of several of the plants.
"Oh my heavens…" Prudence breathed in horror. She'd never seen it like this. Her mother was always so meticulous. There was rarely even a leaf out of its casing.
"Highness?" Lord Andrew asked and she remembered the man at her side.
"I do not know if the items I shall need are still here." She only said. He didn't need to know her true distress.
"Well, why don't we see?" He offered and she knew it was what would have to be done. Still as she moved forward she felt as if she were disturbing a tomb.
***
"Highness should Yee Not eat?" Leo coaxed the young girl. The servant was still having no luck. She'd not had any since Prudence's departure and from what they'd said she'd not had any before either.
"Tis no good. She will not take a bite." Agnes said tisking the child.
"The shock hath been too great." Princess Piper said shaking her pretty head.
"Well, perhaps time is the answer." The prince mused.
"I do Not know, mayhap Prudence and Lord Andrew will find something to aide her."
"King Benjamin what's going on?" Prince Leo asked seeing the older man being half carried in by two men.
"The villains hath taken my keep." The king gasped.
"What are Yee sure?" Prince Leo asked frowning. What was going on now?
"They killed mother." Came another voice and they found Prince Coleridge standing not far away. He too looked the worse for ware, bruises marring his face and a wound oozing blood from his hand.
"Prince Coleridge?" Princess Piper was surprised to see the young man. He was her own years but now looked so young.
"How can this be? We killed Sedric." Prince Leo asked frowning.
"There must hath been more than just he and Winterford." King Benjamin said grimly.
"Mount up!" Prince Leo shouted and men went running.
TBC
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Well? What do you think? Do you think you see where the story is heading? PLZ RR and let me know what you think.