Thyracia was still reeling from the betrayal of the Lord Chamberlain when Prince Vaughn of Æmsys stopped at a small country inn a week later. He and his companions had been riding hard for two weeks, not taking the time to eat anything more than the cheese they carried with them.
Today they were only hours from Erinnyes, the capitol of Thyracia and their destination. It had been the prince's intent to push on without pause, but his cousin had wisely suggested they stop for a meal and to wash some of the grime away before the crossed the final miles.
"You may be a prince, Cousin, but today your smell more resembles that of a stable hand," Sir Eric Weiss had pointed out teasingly. "Your own father would make you bathe before permitting you in the throne room, do you think King Jack will be any different?"
The tension lines around Vaughn's eyes had tightened at the mention of his father, but he had reluctantly ceded the point. And as he stepped out of his room and went below-stairs, he had to admit that the bath and fresh clothes had been much needed.
Vaughn smiled at his cousin as he entered the dining room. "This was a good idea Eric. Thank you. I wouldn't have stopped at all if you hadn't pushed," he admitted. "I would have kept on till I could not ride any farther."
"Why are you so anxious to get to Erinnyes?" Eric asked as Vaughn sat across from him at the rough hewn table. "Would it matter so much if we arrived tomorrow instead of today?"
"I can't say for certain Eric," Vaughn said, a frown creasing his brown. "There is just something inside me saying there's no time to waste… I suppose I just have an instinct."
Eric stared at his cousin for a moment, taking in the weariness that had settled on him over the past months. "Well, your gut has never led us astray in battle, so let us eat quickly and then press on," he finally said as a servant girl set their luncheon down in front of them.
"Rabbit stew and ale for two," she told them with a smile.
"Thank you, Miss," Prince Vaughn said solicitously. "Could you make sure our servant eats as well?"
"He's already in the kitchen," she said over her shoulder as she sauntered off.
Eric took one bite of the stew and sighed in contentment. "I've died and gone to Heaven," he declared, shoving his spoon back in for more.
"It's that good?" Prince Vaughn asked in amusement before he took a bite of his own. A second later, his eyes widened in amazement. "Do you think it is simply our hunger that makes it so appetizing?" he asked.
"Either way, I intend to enjoy it!"
The two royals were just finishing their repast when a few local men wandered into the inn. "Hello Susie," one of them said.
"Well good e'en to you Mark," she said. "What will you and Jacob have tonight?"
"Just the usual, but we brought the news this time," Jacob boasted.
"That's good, gossip's been slow around here lately. Fill me in," she requested as she drew two tankards of ale and set them down on the table in front of them.
"Sir Daniel was killed last week," Mark replied.
"Princess Sydney's fiancé?" Susie asked, her eyes widening in shock. "But how… do they know who did it?"
Jacob leaned back against the wall, holding his ale in one hand and gesturing with the other. "They sure do… it was the Lord Chamberlain," he said assertively, punctuating his announcement with a few waves of his hand.
"Lord Sloane killed him?" Susie asked, still unable to believe what she was hearing.
Prince Vaughn and Sir Weiss had been listening to the conversation disinterestedly, not thinking the local gossip would provide any news they might need. But when they heard the name of the villain they both sat up straight, ears tuned to the words flowing around them.
"That's what we were told," Mark said. "The princess sent her guards after him, but they haven't found him yet."
Jacob nudged his friend, trying to get his two cents in. "And one of my friends who works in the castle says she heard that Lord Sloane had been working against the king with some… some Lady. I can't remember what her name was…"
"Was it Lady Irina?" Vaughn asked, his voice tight.
"Yes! Lady Irina! Do you know anything about her?" Jacob asked, eager to learn more.
"Not much, just enough to know that she's dangerous," Weiss replied as they rose from their seats.
"Thank you for your hospitality Susie," Vaughn said, tossing a few gold coins down on the table. "We need to be leaving now if we're going to reach Erinnyes by nightfall."
"You gentlemen have a safe ride, all right?" she insisted as she picked up the mugs and bowls from the table. "I'll let Malcolm know you're ready to go."
"Thank you ma'am," Weiss replied as they walked out the door.
Shortly after leaving the inn, Vaughn and his men reached the capitol, quickly finding their way to the castle of King Jack. As they neared the door, Vaughn knew that they were not going to be let in so easily. Although they looked like the royalty they were, he knew far too well that he'd have to prove it to the guardsmen.
Therefore he was not surprised when the page at the door to the audience chamber said, "I'm sorry sirs, but their royal highnesses are not available for an audience today. Perhaps if you came back tomorrow…"
Undeterred, Vaughn handed his signet ring over to the page and said, "Show this to the king when you bring us to him. He will be willing to speak with us."
The page took the ring and opened the door reluctantly, knowing that if the stranger was wrong this would be the last mistake he would make in this job. "Your Highnesses," he said as he handed the king Vaughn's signet ring, "these men would like a moment with you."
Princess Sydney shook her head imperiously saying, "No Jeffery, not today." Turning toward the men she added, "I am afraid you will have to wait until tomorrow, we are not accepting audiences at this moment."
The lady was interrupted by her father's raised hand. "No. Sydney, let them speak. This is the ring of King William of Æmsys; I've heard his story. I assume that you are his son, Prince Vaughn. What brings you here to Thyracia?"
The prince quietly let out the breath he'd been holding since the princess had tried to dismiss them, ready to begin his story. "About a year ago, we started getting reports of raids on the border villages. My father sent a small group of men out to investigate, hoping to restore peace with minimal force. Two months later we still hadn't heard form them, and the stories from the villagers who were flooding Nerea were becoming worse. After much thought, he sent myself and my cousin Eric out with half of the army. Looking aback, I realize that was Lord Sark's plan from the start."
"He attacked the castle while you were gone?" Jack asked contemplatively as he leaned back in his throne.
Vaughn nodded, saying, "We did not learn what had happened until it was all over. He waited several days to ensure that we would not be able to return in time, and then he attacked. With only a few fighting men left guarding the city, it didn't take long for him to win.
"As soon as we heard the news, Eric and I turned our men and rode for the capitol, thinking we could force them out. But when we arrived, we were tired and sore from the hard ride, and they soon gained the advantage."
"And what happened to your father?" Sydney asked.
"In the course of the battle, I learned that Sark had thrown him in the dungeon and was sitting on the throne. I made a decision for long term victory over immediate glory and retreated. We sent our men home to protect their families and began looking for allies in our fight. I stand before you today in my father's stead, asking that you would help us take back what is ours and rid the land of this unnatural rebellion."
King Jack was quiet for a moment, considering the young man's implicit request. A quick glance at his daughter told him that she was eager for any action that might avenge her fiancé's death and equally determined to be involved in the process. Giving his full attention back his guests, he said, "Prince Vaughn, your father's struggles are not unknown to us. We agree with your assessment that it is in the best interests of the entire region for this matter to be dealt with once and for all. To that end, I will send a group of my men with you in search of Lord Sloane. When you find him, you will bring him to me and then we will restore your father's crown. Tonight you will be our guests and at first light tomorrow you will leave on your quest."
"Thank you, Your Highness, I bid you good night," Vaughn said, understanding that he had been dismissed. After giving a slight bow, he and Eric turned exited the audience chamber and went in search of their rooms.
As soon as the door shut behind him, Princess Sydney turned to her father, indignation rolling off of her in waves. "Father! Surely you aren't sending someone after Sloane without letting me go as well!"
"Of course not Sydney, I know this is important to you and I know you are capable. I've seen to that."
"Well then why didn't you make it clear to the prince exactly who would be accompanying him?"
"First of all, you will not be going alone. I will be sending five or six soldiers with you—enough that you'll be safe, but not so many that traveling quietly will be an impossibility. And secondly, how do you think the young prince would react if he knew a lady would be going on this journey with him?"
"All the better reason to tell him now."
"No, I think I'll rather enjoy watching you tear him down a few notches in the morning when he realizes you're joining him."
The princess examined her father's face, uncertain if he was serious. The glint in his eye told her he was, and suddenly the morning held new appeal for her. Picturing the prince's shocked expression when she presented herself, a smile crept across her face.i "This will be fun,"/i she decided mischievously.