Chapter Eight: Uncertainty and Hope
By the time Marrissa had seen Prince Avery to safety, the midday sun had been replaced by the rolling clouds of the coming afternoon and evening thunderstorm. She had promised to do a little delivery for Earl Cedric, who Avery had appointed acting guard commander. It was fortunate that two thirds of the guard were off duty and in town when the attack had come. They wouldn't be enough to take back Odyssey, but they would be enough to contain the invaders. As a light rain began, the remaining guard were beginning to converge on Avtra's Ducal Residence in town, where Avery was.
Marrissa had stopped in many of the Inns in town, the Red Lion, the Blue Wyvern, the Silver Eagle, and now was on her way to the White Dove. This wasn't one of her stops for Earl Cedric. At her last stop, she'd sent word to Commander Riker about the attack, via Ensign Ikari, one of her security officers. Here, her objective was to stack her deck.
Sitting in the corner of the main room of the Inn, next to one of the corner fireplaces, was another young girl, dressed in a simple tan tunic. Her bare feet were tucked under her body, as she sat on her knees, drying herself. The girl's long black hair was strung together in black pleats, dripping water. Apparently she'd gotten caught in a downpour, which Marrissa had thus far avoided.
"Clara!" Marrissa called out, heading towards her friend. Clara looked up, and seeing Marrissa, clambered to her feet.
"Marrissa, boy am I glad to see you," Clara replied, as Marrissa lead her over to a nearby table. "Sister Beverly is missing and I didn't know wear to find anyone."
"I guess I should have told you where the rest of us were getting lodging," Marrissa replied, sitting down behind the table, facing the door. "But now we've got more problems. The King and the Captain are being held hostage in the Odyssey."
Clara took a seat to the right of her, and signaled for the waitress. "What does this do to our investigation?"
"It's now storm-tossed, and I'm not sure any of us will be able to make heads or tails of it unless the King comes through okay," Marrissa said as the waitress arrived at their table.
"What will you girls have?" the plump waitress asked.
"How are the meat pies?" Marrissa asked.
"Fresh out of the oven, and the meat was just killed yesterday," the waitress said. "Helped cook them, myself.
"Then I'd like a plate of it, and a cup of milk, if that's possible," Marrissa said. "I missed lunch."
"That will be two pence," the waitress said.
"Can you make change?" Marrissa asked, pulling a gold coin out of her pouch. At the waitress and Clara's stare, she continued. "Third Officer on a merchant ship pays well, and by the time you get the post, you've proven that being a girl isn't a problem, so you don't have to hide it anymore."
"Change will be no problem, ma'am," the waitress said. "And what will you have, Miss Clarrissa."
"Do you still have that delicious red vegetable stew, today?" Clara replied.
"Most certainly, it's the cook's speciality, after all," the waitress smiled.
"Some more of that, and that yellowberry juice," Clara said.
"Put hers on my tab," Marrissa said, before the waitress walked away.
"So, what happened today?" Clara asked.
"The King is being held hostage, and some how the Captain and the Doctor end up with them," Marrissa said. "I was with the Prince when it happened. He barely got out of it. We think it's some Lord Henry, heir or possibly Duke of Fasstime. I've secured a place with Prince Avery, and I'd like you to join me. I want to see if I can get you inside the Odyssey. After all, that was what you're here for."
"How are you going to convince the Prince to trust me?" Clara said. "After all, his father is currently being held by a noble that I've heard called everything from cruel to perverted. It's rumored that he was behind the late Earl of Dunsen-on-Fasstime's death, and the four children on the Earl's three daughters."
"I thought those children were those of the late Earl Drake of Avtra," Marrissa said.
"Lord Harlan met someone here last night and I happened to over hear," Clara said. "The oldest has green eyes and red hair, just like Lord Henry. The Countess of Dunsen-on-Fasstime has blue eyes and brown hair, and Earl Drake had blond hair and blue eyes. It can't be Earl Drake's child."
"Now that puts an interesting spin on things," Marrissa said, as their food arrived. "Now, what's this I hear about you and Bert Manning on the ship?"
"He's just a friend," Clara said, before digging into her food.
A long drum roll of thunder filled the room, and in the silence that followed, the beat of pounding rain could be heard on the windows of the inn.
* * * * *
Lightning streaked the sky outside the room in the Avtra Ducal Residence that Avery and Hayley had been assigned. The room was on top of the building's central tower, and not really that big. Just room enough for the bed, a night stand, a fire place, and that was it.
Avery stood next to the window, candlestick in hand. The thick window pane was streaked with rivulets of the pouring rain, but even so, he could just make out the Odyssey when lightening lit up the sky. Most of the people that Avery felt he could trust were gathered in this edifice on the edge of town.
For a moment his eyes were drawn to Hayley, who was trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in. She'd definitely get to sleep before Avery did. He had too much on his mind. Tomorrow, he was taking charge of things. It was his right, his responsibility, his duty. True, he wouldn't have his majority for another year and a half, but there were precedents.
His own namesake, King Avery II, had led an army to rescue his father, King Ferrel IV, when the Duke of Avtra at the time had held him hostage. That probably wouldn't help him though. Avery really had no idea what he was going to do, so he stood by the window, watching the rain and lightning, and listening to the patter of rain between the peels of thunder.
"Are you going to stand there all night?" the soft voice of his intended came from the bed. Avery turned to see Hayley sitting up, holding the covers up against her breasts.
"I can't sleep," Avery said. "I've got too much on my mind."
"Well, you need sleep, and you're not going to get it standing by the window," Hayley said as a lightning flash illuminated the room.
"Maybe not, but I'm not sure I'd get it in bed either," Avery said.
"I promise that I won't do any of the things that my mother suggested," Hayley said, as the distant roll of thunder reached the tower room. "I don't want to have a wedding like mother's."
"How's that?" Avery asked, as he walked over to the night stand.
"Mother was six months gone with me by the time that they finished arranging the wedding to my father," Hayley said, laying back down as Avery placed his candle on the night stand.
"Okay, not tonight then," Avery said, pulling back the covers a little and sitting down on the bed. "My mind is elsewhere, anyway."
"I know," Hayley said, as Avery blew out the candle and crawled under the covers. "Why don't you tell me about what's on your mind? Mother always said that talking to Father helped her sort out things. Maybe I can be... what did she call it... your sounding board."
"Sounding board?" Avery asked.
"It's a musical term from Uncle Cedric," Hayley said, snuggling her warm body up against Avery. "He once made a living as the Court Minstrel. It's the piece of wood on the back of a lute or violin that reflects the sound back out of the instrument. It improves the richness of the sound the instrument... I spent too much time talking to Uncle Cedric, did I not?
Avery turned to face Hayley before responding. "I don't know. My mother always said that a good ruler should always be well rounded. I play the flute myself."
"I play the lute, violin, and piccolo," Hayley said. "At least I do those well. Uncle Cedric gets tired of me asking him to teach me to play different instruments. He's good on over thirty, master of at least seven of those."
"So you're why he was always late coming back from Avtra," Avery said, placing an arm around her.
"He's not allowed to pass through Castrome without stopping to see Mother and Father," Hayley said. "It's Mother's orders, with Grandfather's concurrence, it's probably one of the few things they both agree on."
"Do your Mother and Grandfather disagree on almost everything?" Avery asked.
Hayley thought for a moment, before replying. "Not really. Mother has her positions that she won't give on, and Grandfather tried to push on those when she was young, but she held to them. Grandfather respects Mother for it, and generally they get along pretty well."
"That's not what I heard," Avery said. "I recall hearing about something called the Great Ducal Grape Fight."
Hayley giggled. "That was so fun. Would you believe it all started over the charge for transporting grain down the Castrome?"
"A Castle-wide food fight between Dukes started over grain prices?" Avery said. "This I have to hear. How did that happen?"
"It wasn't Castle-wide, just in the main hall, where Mother was inspecting the latest grape samples, trying to decide which crop to press into wine under the Ducal label," Hayley said. "Grandfather had just heard that some of the bargemen had raised their fees, and had ridden 4 days straight from his Castle, or at least that was what he claimed, he was entirely too clean to have ridden that far and long, to bring his people's complaint directly. Mother refused to do anything to stop the price raise, suggesting that they just get other bargemen to do the job, as she knew there were cheaper barges running. Grandfather said that only if you wanted them crushed, like some of these grapes, grabbed a hand full and demonstrating. He got some of the juice on Mother's dress, in the process. Mother wasn't happy, and decided to return fire, saying that of course some grapes would get crushed, and tossed a hand full of crushed grapes at him, nothing is perfect."
"I can't believe it."
"Believe, especially since Mother missed, and hit Uncle Cedric, who returned fire with a nearby wine skin. He also hit Father, who then returned fire and hit me. By the time we were all laughing on the floor, covered with grape stains, laughing, the argument was forgotten, though."
They were silent for a while, listening to the soft patter of the rain, and the distant rumble of thunder. "Hayley, what do you think I should do about my Father tomorrow?" Avery asked.
"What do you want to do?" Hayley asked.
"I want to go in there with my sword slashing, working killing everyone who dares to hold my father," Avery said. "But I can't. I don't know enough. I don't have enough men. Lord Henry has all the cards."
"No he doesn't, but you've got to find yours," Hayley said. "You need to get information. The Army has to join you. You can keep Lord Henry were he is, and time is on your side."
"Do you really think I can win?" Avery said.
"Yes, you are Prince Avery of Ellosia, son of King Richard from beyond the stars, you can do anything," Hayley said.
"I'm not that good," Avery mumbled, before snuggling back up to Hayley, and falling asleep. His last though was on how good it felt to hold Hayley's body up against him.
* * * * *
"Captain and Doctor have been detained. I'm investigating, and will report later, Marrissa." The note sat on the table in front of Commander Riker. It was all he'd received from Marrissa since she'd left the previous morning to explore the sewers. So, it sat in front of him on the table he and La Forge had taken in the main room. Her partner, Lieutenant Calgary, had not returned either.
"Why do I get the feeling that Marrissa is rushing off on some spur of the moment rescue plan?" Riker said, tossing the note off to La Forge.
"Maybe so, but I don't think we can do anything about it, Commander," La Forge said, looking it over. "Except be ready for whatever comes our way. I'll tell Ensign Gonzalez to prepare a team to do a quick rescue assault. It's about the only thing I can think of."
"I should have known that Marrissa would do something like this," Riker said. "She's just like James T. Kirk. Always taking it upon herself to solve problems without help or back up."
"One could look at it that way," La Forge said. "Of course, like Kirk, she's got extraordinary luck to go with it."
"She's also giving me gray hairs," Riker replied. "Especially when I have no idea where that little girl is."
* * * * *
Duke Nolan rode into the courtyard of the Avtra Ducal Residence on his deep blue stately rinnebeast. At his side was his squire, who went by Brett, everywhere but in this town. The squire was on a golden rinnebeast, a gift that was the envy of all the squires at Duke Nolan's Castle in Arm. As he came to a stop, Nolan looked up at the frontage of the Avtra Ducal Residence. The building had a black stone facing, with three towers along the front. Between them were carved black stone spikes. The Duke was in the majority when it came to the dislike of the looks of the building, but he had to agree with what Prince Avery had said in the message that had reached the Duke around midnight the night before. It was the easiest to defend of all the Ducal Residences in the City of Odyssey.
His squire dismounted first, and then helped Nolan off the rinnebeast. "Take the rinnebeasts to the stables, and unsaddle them," the Duke ordered. "Once you're done, you can resume your real identity." The Duke then turned to the main entrance, discovering Earl Cedric standing in it. "Good Morning, Earl Cedric. May I hope that events have not conspired to worsen our situation since His Highness's dispatch to me?"
"So far, no, but it's pretty bad," Earl Cedric said, as he opened the door for the Duke. "We've got them contained inside Odyssey, but that's all we can do at the moment. My sister-in-law, the Duchess Castrome, is in the main hall going over the reports as they come in. The Prince and Lady Hayley have not gotten up yet."
"We'll send Her Royal Highness to wake the Prince then," Duke Nolan said, entering the cool air of the stone building.
"My niece will no doubt enjoy the interruption," Earl Cedric said, leading the way the main hall, a two story tall room, lined with the shields that the Dukes of Avtra had taken over the years. Duchess Desiree was seated at the table, not at the head though. That was pointedly covered with a dark blue cloak that had gold edging on it and the subtle insignia of the Royal House of York. A similar ladies green cloak was occupying a chair behind and to the right of the head the table.
The Duchess looked up. "I hope she doesn't," the Duchess said. "I had them together for a reason. Ellosia needs more heirs soon. Lord Henry's coup attempt shows us just how badly."
"So security wasn't your only concern last night," Earl Cedric said, taking a seat across from the Duchess. "You better not let Avery hear about your other motive."
"Is someone trying to hide something from my brother?" said a new voice. It was Duke Nolan's squire, who had unbound her breasts, and switched her tunic to the light purple and silver one she favored as a member of the Royal Family. "Maybe something I can tease him about?"
"Just about encouraging him to produce an heir," Duke Nolan said, turning back from where he'd been about to take a seat by Cedric, closer to the head of the table. "Which reminds me, I should talk to your father about you and my son Treavor. And don't you go denying the ball two months ago, Princess Brittany."
Princess Brittany blushed and looked away, refusing to meet anyone's eyes as she replied, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Perhaps I can refresh your memory, the balcony over the garden and a certain discarded sword of my son's that you threw off it," the Duke said. "But I've already told you about my middle son's ways. Earl Cedric, where is Prince Avery quartered?"
"At the top of the middle tower," Cedric said. "If you'll take the main stairs to the next floor, then a right, the stairs to the upper parts of the tower are straight ahead. Wake up the Prince and his intended. He's supposed to be in charge here."
* * * * *
Lord Henry strode into the throne room, as his men began to search the King and his gathered friends from the fleet. He stroked his medium length red beard, as he approached the throne. Before he took sat down, he paused, looking over the chair. It was a high backed chair, with golden rinnebeast hide. The arm rests were supported with engraved silver rods. It wasn't the traditional one that all the Kings of Ellosia sat in during their coronation.
"Where is the real throne?" Lord Henry said, turning fast.
"If you're talking about five century old throne of kings," King Richard began, from his seated position, not even facing Lord Henry, "it's under repair, if it can be repaired. I'm afraid it didn't stand up well to Brittany's last visit home."
"Where is it being repaired? And where is Princess Brittany?" Lord Henry asked, approaching the King.
"The throne is at William Woodsmith's on Salisbury Street," Lord Harlan replied for the King. "Under guard of course. You can't leave such a historic object without protection. Who knows who might march in and steal it."
"Like I just marched in and took your castle?" Lord Henry replied. "So much for your vaunted protection. Sir Walter! Prepare a plan to pick up that throne. We're going to need it soon. Sir Edward! I find out whose in charge in the city, and deliver our terms for the surrender of the city to us."
As the two knights exited the throne room, King Richard spoke up. "My condolences on the death of your father, your grace, but we don't believe assaulting your liege lord is a very good way begin ones rule. In fact, it's quite likely to prevent your confirmation as Duke of Fasstime."
Lord Henry turned walked back to the throne, and sat down on it before replying. "I don't think you get it Richard. I'm not here to ask to succeed my weak father, who could not stand up to an interloping foreigner and let the throne slip through his fingers. I'm here to replace you. By the end of the week you and your son will be dead, and your daughter will be starting her life as the mother of my heirs."
Not a single sound came from the King or his advisors for the next ten minutes.
* * * * *
Prince Avery awoke to the pounding on his door and a familiar voice calling for him to wake. As he woke, he pulled Hayley closer, like he would have normally done to his blankets. It was Hayley's mumbling of "morning already" that finally woke him up fully to his surroundings. He looked slightly down at his intended, before moving in for a kiss. As he pulled away from that kiss, he spoke, "Time to get up Hayley."
His intended's eye's slowly opened, taking in the view as he got out of bed, and reached down to where his tunic and trousers were. "What we aren't going to try any of those things Mother told me about," Hayley said, in a tone that Avery was beginning to classify as teasing.
"Avery, get up and open the door now, or I'm going to take the door down!" said his sister Brittany from the other side of the door.
"I would, my lady, but I'm afraid that my royal sister would interrupt us before we got any where," Avery replied. "You better get dressed before she takes down the door." Then Avery took a deep breath and replied to his sister. "I'm up Brattany! I'll be out as soon as I get dressed."
"I'll believe it when the door opens!" Brittany yelled back. "And don't call me Brattany!"
Avery swiftly put his clothes on, and walked over to the door. He looked back at Hayley, who was still in bed. "Better stay there until I handle Brittany," he said, before jerking the door open. Princess Brittany immediately tumbled into the room. "Really, sister, you shouldn't lean on the doors like that. You never know when I'm going to open one."
"Humph. Is this any way to greet your sister whose been away for six months?" Brittany said, as she stood up.
"When she tries to barge into my room, yes," Avery said. "Let's step outside to finish this conversation, so Hayley can get dressed."
As the door closed behind the two, Brittany replied with a saucy smile, "Get dressed? What interesting and perverted things did you do with the Duchesses's oldest daughter?"
Avery sat down on the steps down to the floor below to wait, and said. "We just cuddled last night. We're not scheduled to get married for another week. Though I think the Duchess wanted us to do some of those things."
"Mom did tell us about where she found the Duchess during the Council on the Castrome succession," Brittany said, idly adjusting her sword belt. "It was darn right stupid to exclude her from that discussion, and even stupider to let her and Lord Elden go without any escort."
"I heard you nearly got caught with my friend Treavor in Arm a couple weeks ago," Avery said.
"So I got a little carried away," Brittany said, slumping against the outer wall. "He's one of the few people I encounter that know I'm a girl when I'm posing as Squire Brett, and I can let the act down around him."
"That's not all that I heard went down!" Avery replied.
Brittany blushed, as she stammered her reply, "We just kissed."
"And one of your bindings ended up in his quarters on the Godspeed, how?" Avery asked.
The door opened to reveal Lady Hayley, saving a red-faced Princess from explaining. Lady Hayley had been fortunate enough to get a change of clothes. Avery was still wearing his riding clothes from the day before, minus the cloak, which he'd left behind in the main hall. Lady Hayley, however, was now dressed in a deep green frock, with golden clasps holding a similarly green cloak, emblazoned with the golden Latin cross of Castrome. "Good Morning, your highness," Lady Hayley greeted her future sister-in-law.
"Good Morning Hayley," Brittany said. "I'm sorry if I interrupted your sleep when I woke my brother."
"I needed to get up anyway," Hayley said. "I hope you don't plan on waking Avery up like that every day, though."
"This was a mild one. Usually I barge in and throw some water on him," Brittany replied, as they reached the bottom of the tower stairs.
"Yeah. It's a good thing that my bed dries quickly," Avery replied, as they turned passed though the archway that opened up on main hall. "Good Morning, your graces." Avery called from the head of the stairs. As he descended, he continued. "I supposed it's too much to hope that events have improved our situation since her grace suggested that I get some sleep with her daughter."
"I am afraid not, your highness," Earl Cedric said, as Avery walked over to the table. "No one really is sure whose in charge. Lord Henry is still holding your father and most of the privy council hostage. We have at least confined him to the Odyssey."
Prince Avery reached his chair, and picked up his cloak, putting it on before taking a seat. "Your grace, Nolan, Duke of Armedge, and your grace, Desiree, Duchess of Castrome, I request that as two of the senior dukes of Ellosia, a determination on my Father, his Majesty, King Richard's ability to rule the kingdom at this time," he asked.
"As the King is currently being held hostage, I believe that he is not able to rule as long as that condition remains," Duke Nolan responded.
"I agree, with his grace," Duchess Desiree said. "Though I fail to see how that helps us."
"I do," Earl Cedric said. "As a member of the Privy Council, and a representative of my father, his grace, Murdock, Duke of Avtra, I move that a call for all members of the Council who are available be summoned, and that per the determination of Castrome and Armedge, rule of Ellosia has devolved onto the shoulders of his highness, the Crown Prince, Prince Avery and the Privy Council until the King is freed."
"He's still short of eighteen," Duchess Desiree said. "He can't rule yet."
"I can't rule alone, yet," Prince Avery replied. "I can head the Privy Council, though, now that I'm sixteen. Now can we get onto business?"
"Certainly, your highness," Earl Cedric said. "What would you like to hear about first?"
"Let's start with what forces we have available around us, and their loyalties," Avery said. "Earl Cedric, any problems with the guard force in the city?"
"I haven't found any, yet," Cedric said. "They are some what demoralized, given how the Odyssey was taken. I don't know how Lord Henry got all those men within our layered defenses."
"I do," came a voice from the door. It was a young girl who looked sort of like Lady Hayley, accompanied by a younger dark-haired girl. The elder of the two was wearing the tunic and trousers of a merchant ship's officer. "Marrissa Picard, third mate of the merchant ship Stargazer, at your service. This is my friend Clara, whose going to be attending the Royal School soon."
"Please join us, Marrissa," Avery replied, pointing to a couple open chairs. "Marrissa helped Hayley and I escape from Lord Henry's men at the stables."
"Hayley told me about your sword work," the Duchess said. "Most impressive work, even if you did lose your lunch afterwards."
"Thank you, your grace," Marrissa responded.
"So, just how did Lord Henry get five hundred men inside our defenses?" Earl Cedric asked.
"He used the sewer," Marrissa said. "I barely escaped from him when I came across him there and barely escaped him early yesterday."
"What were you doing in the sewer?" Duke Nolan asked, with a suspicious glare.
"Dad, my Captain, wanted to see if the reason he was being undercut when he sold his goods was because someone was sneaking goods in without paying the harbor tax," Marrissa said, with a grin. "He was right, and I bet Lord Henry was running that operation as a cover, as it looked like it was being taken down."
"Cedric, get some guards on those sewer outlets," Avery ordered. "And if you get Dustin, in the City Services Office to work on something to prevent people from using them as a way into the city again. He taught me how they work a couple years back, and might be able to fix it without backing the sewers up. Duke Nolan, since we're in your Dukedom, perhaps you can tell us about the forces we have here?"
"I've got most of the forces on the move at the moment," Duke Nolan said. "Oswald is talking a detachment to the Fasstime border so Lord Henry can't send any reenforcements. Geoffrey is collecting the Armedge Army between here and Arm, and should arrive early tomorrow I hope. I don't know about the disposition of the King's forces."
"We've got a significant force at the fort on Point Sapphire," Avery said, looking up at the ceiling, where a map of the Kingdom was painted and trying to recall what he'd heard a couple days ago. "There is the garrison at Hammer Pass, but we can't move that. The rest of the forces are either in small forts along the coast, or in the field in Avtra for the annual training and ducal tourney."
"Didn't Fasstime decide not to send anyone to the tourney this year?" the Duchess asked, picking up her quill to make some notes.
"Yes, which I found strange, especially since they cleaned up last year when it was their turn to host it," Duke Nolan said.
"Yet another sign of Lord Henry's planning," Princess Brittany said. "I wonder how many pieces of the puzzle we've missed. Avery, I'd like to get in contact with some of Lord Harlan's staff in town, if you don't mind."
"Fine, in fact, I want you to run our intelligence operation," Avery said.
"Please, Avery, I'm only thirteen," Brittany replied.
"Brit, you're the only one of us that Lord Henry and his ilk wouldn't spot," Avery replied. "The Duke and Duchess are well known, and Earl Cedric has spent his life at court. Marrissa encountered Lord Henry in the sewer. Where as you look nothing like you did a year and a half ago at court, the last time Lord Henry was here. In fact with that short hair cut you've got now, Marrissa's friend looks more like you did."
"You've got a point as far as a front line operative, as Lord Harlan calls them, goes, but I'm not ready to step in for Lord Harlan," Brittany said, pushing her back her short hair. "I certainly wouldn't be recognized by anyone. I spent lots of time perfecting disguises."
"She does a pretty good cabin boy," Duke Nolan said, with a big smile. "I think my son's last ship's crew was totally fooled."
"Sister, when we're out of this, Father and I will be talking with Duke Nolan," Avery said. "Maybe we can even make it a double wedding." Princess Brittany's face was rabidly turning redder. "I can't have my little sister taking a chance of having children out of wedlock, after all. Treavor may claim to have a lady in every port, but if you're going to be one of them, you're going to be the legal one."
Suddenly the main door to the hall opened with a bang, as it's well oiled hinges allowed it to swing all the way open. Standing in the doorway was an army courier, identified by his tan and olive tunic and cloak. The insigna on his left breast identified him as part of the direct royal controlled unit, and attached to Lord Palmer's command. The man quickly took in the room, and noted Prince Avery sitting at the head of the table. The heavy breathing courier approached and kneeled. "Your highness, I bring bad news from Army Command. Lord Palmer is dead."
By the time Marrissa had seen Prince Avery to safety, the midday sun had been replaced by the rolling clouds of the coming afternoon and evening thunderstorm. She had promised to do a little delivery for Earl Cedric, who Avery had appointed acting guard commander. It was fortunate that two thirds of the guard were off duty and in town when the attack had come. They wouldn't be enough to take back Odyssey, but they would be enough to contain the invaders. As a light rain began, the remaining guard were beginning to converge on Avtra's Ducal Residence in town, where Avery was.
Marrissa had stopped in many of the Inns in town, the Red Lion, the Blue Wyvern, the Silver Eagle, and now was on her way to the White Dove. This wasn't one of her stops for Earl Cedric. At her last stop, she'd sent word to Commander Riker about the attack, via Ensign Ikari, one of her security officers. Here, her objective was to stack her deck.
Sitting in the corner of the main room of the Inn, next to one of the corner fireplaces, was another young girl, dressed in a simple tan tunic. Her bare feet were tucked under her body, as she sat on her knees, drying herself. The girl's long black hair was strung together in black pleats, dripping water. Apparently she'd gotten caught in a downpour, which Marrissa had thus far avoided.
"Clara!" Marrissa called out, heading towards her friend. Clara looked up, and seeing Marrissa, clambered to her feet.
"Marrissa, boy am I glad to see you," Clara replied, as Marrissa lead her over to a nearby table. "Sister Beverly is missing and I didn't know wear to find anyone."
"I guess I should have told you where the rest of us were getting lodging," Marrissa replied, sitting down behind the table, facing the door. "But now we've got more problems. The King and the Captain are being held hostage in the Odyssey."
Clara took a seat to the right of her, and signaled for the waitress. "What does this do to our investigation?"
"It's now storm-tossed, and I'm not sure any of us will be able to make heads or tails of it unless the King comes through okay," Marrissa said as the waitress arrived at their table.
"What will you girls have?" the plump waitress asked.
"How are the meat pies?" Marrissa asked.
"Fresh out of the oven, and the meat was just killed yesterday," the waitress said. "Helped cook them, myself.
"Then I'd like a plate of it, and a cup of milk, if that's possible," Marrissa said. "I missed lunch."
"That will be two pence," the waitress said.
"Can you make change?" Marrissa asked, pulling a gold coin out of her pouch. At the waitress and Clara's stare, she continued. "Third Officer on a merchant ship pays well, and by the time you get the post, you've proven that being a girl isn't a problem, so you don't have to hide it anymore."
"Change will be no problem, ma'am," the waitress said. "And what will you have, Miss Clarrissa."
"Do you still have that delicious red vegetable stew, today?" Clara replied.
"Most certainly, it's the cook's speciality, after all," the waitress smiled.
"Some more of that, and that yellowberry juice," Clara said.
"Put hers on my tab," Marrissa said, before the waitress walked away.
"So, what happened today?" Clara asked.
"The King is being held hostage, and some how the Captain and the Doctor end up with them," Marrissa said. "I was with the Prince when it happened. He barely got out of it. We think it's some Lord Henry, heir or possibly Duke of Fasstime. I've secured a place with Prince Avery, and I'd like you to join me. I want to see if I can get you inside the Odyssey. After all, that was what you're here for."
"How are you going to convince the Prince to trust me?" Clara said. "After all, his father is currently being held by a noble that I've heard called everything from cruel to perverted. It's rumored that he was behind the late Earl of Dunsen-on-Fasstime's death, and the four children on the Earl's three daughters."
"I thought those children were those of the late Earl Drake of Avtra," Marrissa said.
"Lord Harlan met someone here last night and I happened to over hear," Clara said. "The oldest has green eyes and red hair, just like Lord Henry. The Countess of Dunsen-on-Fasstime has blue eyes and brown hair, and Earl Drake had blond hair and blue eyes. It can't be Earl Drake's child."
"Now that puts an interesting spin on things," Marrissa said, as their food arrived. "Now, what's this I hear about you and Bert Manning on the ship?"
"He's just a friend," Clara said, before digging into her food.
A long drum roll of thunder filled the room, and in the silence that followed, the beat of pounding rain could be heard on the windows of the inn.
* * * * *
Lightning streaked the sky outside the room in the Avtra Ducal Residence that Avery and Hayley had been assigned. The room was on top of the building's central tower, and not really that big. Just room enough for the bed, a night stand, a fire place, and that was it.
Avery stood next to the window, candlestick in hand. The thick window pane was streaked with rivulets of the pouring rain, but even so, he could just make out the Odyssey when lightening lit up the sky. Most of the people that Avery felt he could trust were gathered in this edifice on the edge of town.
For a moment his eyes were drawn to Hayley, who was trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in. She'd definitely get to sleep before Avery did. He had too much on his mind. Tomorrow, he was taking charge of things. It was his right, his responsibility, his duty. True, he wouldn't have his majority for another year and a half, but there were precedents.
His own namesake, King Avery II, had led an army to rescue his father, King Ferrel IV, when the Duke of Avtra at the time had held him hostage. That probably wouldn't help him though. Avery really had no idea what he was going to do, so he stood by the window, watching the rain and lightning, and listening to the patter of rain between the peels of thunder.
"Are you going to stand there all night?" the soft voice of his intended came from the bed. Avery turned to see Hayley sitting up, holding the covers up against her breasts.
"I can't sleep," Avery said. "I've got too much on my mind."
"Well, you need sleep, and you're not going to get it standing by the window," Hayley said as a lightning flash illuminated the room.
"Maybe not, but I'm not sure I'd get it in bed either," Avery said.
"I promise that I won't do any of the things that my mother suggested," Hayley said, as the distant roll of thunder reached the tower room. "I don't want to have a wedding like mother's."
"How's that?" Avery asked, as he walked over to the night stand.
"Mother was six months gone with me by the time that they finished arranging the wedding to my father," Hayley said, laying back down as Avery placed his candle on the night stand.
"Okay, not tonight then," Avery said, pulling back the covers a little and sitting down on the bed. "My mind is elsewhere, anyway."
"I know," Hayley said, as Avery blew out the candle and crawled under the covers. "Why don't you tell me about what's on your mind? Mother always said that talking to Father helped her sort out things. Maybe I can be... what did she call it... your sounding board."
"Sounding board?" Avery asked.
"It's a musical term from Uncle Cedric," Hayley said, snuggling her warm body up against Avery. "He once made a living as the Court Minstrel. It's the piece of wood on the back of a lute or violin that reflects the sound back out of the instrument. It improves the richness of the sound the instrument... I spent too much time talking to Uncle Cedric, did I not?
Avery turned to face Hayley before responding. "I don't know. My mother always said that a good ruler should always be well rounded. I play the flute myself."
"I play the lute, violin, and piccolo," Hayley said. "At least I do those well. Uncle Cedric gets tired of me asking him to teach me to play different instruments. He's good on over thirty, master of at least seven of those."
"So you're why he was always late coming back from Avtra," Avery said, placing an arm around her.
"He's not allowed to pass through Castrome without stopping to see Mother and Father," Hayley said. "It's Mother's orders, with Grandfather's concurrence, it's probably one of the few things they both agree on."
"Do your Mother and Grandfather disagree on almost everything?" Avery asked.
Hayley thought for a moment, before replying. "Not really. Mother has her positions that she won't give on, and Grandfather tried to push on those when she was young, but she held to them. Grandfather respects Mother for it, and generally they get along pretty well."
"That's not what I heard," Avery said. "I recall hearing about something called the Great Ducal Grape Fight."
Hayley giggled. "That was so fun. Would you believe it all started over the charge for transporting grain down the Castrome?"
"A Castle-wide food fight between Dukes started over grain prices?" Avery said. "This I have to hear. How did that happen?"
"It wasn't Castle-wide, just in the main hall, where Mother was inspecting the latest grape samples, trying to decide which crop to press into wine under the Ducal label," Hayley said. "Grandfather had just heard that some of the bargemen had raised their fees, and had ridden 4 days straight from his Castle, or at least that was what he claimed, he was entirely too clean to have ridden that far and long, to bring his people's complaint directly. Mother refused to do anything to stop the price raise, suggesting that they just get other bargemen to do the job, as she knew there were cheaper barges running. Grandfather said that only if you wanted them crushed, like some of these grapes, grabbed a hand full and demonstrating. He got some of the juice on Mother's dress, in the process. Mother wasn't happy, and decided to return fire, saying that of course some grapes would get crushed, and tossed a hand full of crushed grapes at him, nothing is perfect."
"I can't believe it."
"Believe, especially since Mother missed, and hit Uncle Cedric, who returned fire with a nearby wine skin. He also hit Father, who then returned fire and hit me. By the time we were all laughing on the floor, covered with grape stains, laughing, the argument was forgotten, though."
They were silent for a while, listening to the soft patter of the rain, and the distant rumble of thunder. "Hayley, what do you think I should do about my Father tomorrow?" Avery asked.
"What do you want to do?" Hayley asked.
"I want to go in there with my sword slashing, working killing everyone who dares to hold my father," Avery said. "But I can't. I don't know enough. I don't have enough men. Lord Henry has all the cards."
"No he doesn't, but you've got to find yours," Hayley said. "You need to get information. The Army has to join you. You can keep Lord Henry were he is, and time is on your side."
"Do you really think I can win?" Avery said.
"Yes, you are Prince Avery of Ellosia, son of King Richard from beyond the stars, you can do anything," Hayley said.
"I'm not that good," Avery mumbled, before snuggling back up to Hayley, and falling asleep. His last though was on how good it felt to hold Hayley's body up against him.
* * * * *
"Captain and Doctor have been detained. I'm investigating, and will report later, Marrissa." The note sat on the table in front of Commander Riker. It was all he'd received from Marrissa since she'd left the previous morning to explore the sewers. So, it sat in front of him on the table he and La Forge had taken in the main room. Her partner, Lieutenant Calgary, had not returned either.
"Why do I get the feeling that Marrissa is rushing off on some spur of the moment rescue plan?" Riker said, tossing the note off to La Forge.
"Maybe so, but I don't think we can do anything about it, Commander," La Forge said, looking it over. "Except be ready for whatever comes our way. I'll tell Ensign Gonzalez to prepare a team to do a quick rescue assault. It's about the only thing I can think of."
"I should have known that Marrissa would do something like this," Riker said. "She's just like James T. Kirk. Always taking it upon herself to solve problems without help or back up."
"One could look at it that way," La Forge said. "Of course, like Kirk, she's got extraordinary luck to go with it."
"She's also giving me gray hairs," Riker replied. "Especially when I have no idea where that little girl is."
* * * * *
Duke Nolan rode into the courtyard of the Avtra Ducal Residence on his deep blue stately rinnebeast. At his side was his squire, who went by Brett, everywhere but in this town. The squire was on a golden rinnebeast, a gift that was the envy of all the squires at Duke Nolan's Castle in Arm. As he came to a stop, Nolan looked up at the frontage of the Avtra Ducal Residence. The building had a black stone facing, with three towers along the front. Between them were carved black stone spikes. The Duke was in the majority when it came to the dislike of the looks of the building, but he had to agree with what Prince Avery had said in the message that had reached the Duke around midnight the night before. It was the easiest to defend of all the Ducal Residences in the City of Odyssey.
His squire dismounted first, and then helped Nolan off the rinnebeast. "Take the rinnebeasts to the stables, and unsaddle them," the Duke ordered. "Once you're done, you can resume your real identity." The Duke then turned to the main entrance, discovering Earl Cedric standing in it. "Good Morning, Earl Cedric. May I hope that events have not conspired to worsen our situation since His Highness's dispatch to me?"
"So far, no, but it's pretty bad," Earl Cedric said, as he opened the door for the Duke. "We've got them contained inside Odyssey, but that's all we can do at the moment. My sister-in-law, the Duchess Castrome, is in the main hall going over the reports as they come in. The Prince and Lady Hayley have not gotten up yet."
"We'll send Her Royal Highness to wake the Prince then," Duke Nolan said, entering the cool air of the stone building.
"My niece will no doubt enjoy the interruption," Earl Cedric said, leading the way the main hall, a two story tall room, lined with the shields that the Dukes of Avtra had taken over the years. Duchess Desiree was seated at the table, not at the head though. That was pointedly covered with a dark blue cloak that had gold edging on it and the subtle insignia of the Royal House of York. A similar ladies green cloak was occupying a chair behind and to the right of the head the table.
The Duchess looked up. "I hope she doesn't," the Duchess said. "I had them together for a reason. Ellosia needs more heirs soon. Lord Henry's coup attempt shows us just how badly."
"So security wasn't your only concern last night," Earl Cedric said, taking a seat across from the Duchess. "You better not let Avery hear about your other motive."
"Is someone trying to hide something from my brother?" said a new voice. It was Duke Nolan's squire, who had unbound her breasts, and switched her tunic to the light purple and silver one she favored as a member of the Royal Family. "Maybe something I can tease him about?"
"Just about encouraging him to produce an heir," Duke Nolan said, turning back from where he'd been about to take a seat by Cedric, closer to the head of the table. "Which reminds me, I should talk to your father about you and my son Treavor. And don't you go denying the ball two months ago, Princess Brittany."
Princess Brittany blushed and looked away, refusing to meet anyone's eyes as she replied, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Perhaps I can refresh your memory, the balcony over the garden and a certain discarded sword of my son's that you threw off it," the Duke said. "But I've already told you about my middle son's ways. Earl Cedric, where is Prince Avery quartered?"
"At the top of the middle tower," Cedric said. "If you'll take the main stairs to the next floor, then a right, the stairs to the upper parts of the tower are straight ahead. Wake up the Prince and his intended. He's supposed to be in charge here."
* * * * *
Lord Henry strode into the throne room, as his men began to search the King and his gathered friends from the fleet. He stroked his medium length red beard, as he approached the throne. Before he took sat down, he paused, looking over the chair. It was a high backed chair, with golden rinnebeast hide. The arm rests were supported with engraved silver rods. It wasn't the traditional one that all the Kings of Ellosia sat in during their coronation.
"Where is the real throne?" Lord Henry said, turning fast.
"If you're talking about five century old throne of kings," King Richard began, from his seated position, not even facing Lord Henry, "it's under repair, if it can be repaired. I'm afraid it didn't stand up well to Brittany's last visit home."
"Where is it being repaired? And where is Princess Brittany?" Lord Henry asked, approaching the King.
"The throne is at William Woodsmith's on Salisbury Street," Lord Harlan replied for the King. "Under guard of course. You can't leave such a historic object without protection. Who knows who might march in and steal it."
"Like I just marched in and took your castle?" Lord Henry replied. "So much for your vaunted protection. Sir Walter! Prepare a plan to pick up that throne. We're going to need it soon. Sir Edward! I find out whose in charge in the city, and deliver our terms for the surrender of the city to us."
As the two knights exited the throne room, King Richard spoke up. "My condolences on the death of your father, your grace, but we don't believe assaulting your liege lord is a very good way begin ones rule. In fact, it's quite likely to prevent your confirmation as Duke of Fasstime."
Lord Henry turned walked back to the throne, and sat down on it before replying. "I don't think you get it Richard. I'm not here to ask to succeed my weak father, who could not stand up to an interloping foreigner and let the throne slip through his fingers. I'm here to replace you. By the end of the week you and your son will be dead, and your daughter will be starting her life as the mother of my heirs."
Not a single sound came from the King or his advisors for the next ten minutes.
* * * * *
Prince Avery awoke to the pounding on his door and a familiar voice calling for him to wake. As he woke, he pulled Hayley closer, like he would have normally done to his blankets. It was Hayley's mumbling of "morning already" that finally woke him up fully to his surroundings. He looked slightly down at his intended, before moving in for a kiss. As he pulled away from that kiss, he spoke, "Time to get up Hayley."
His intended's eye's slowly opened, taking in the view as he got out of bed, and reached down to where his tunic and trousers were. "What we aren't going to try any of those things Mother told me about," Hayley said, in a tone that Avery was beginning to classify as teasing.
"Avery, get up and open the door now, or I'm going to take the door down!" said his sister Brittany from the other side of the door.
"I would, my lady, but I'm afraid that my royal sister would interrupt us before we got any where," Avery replied. "You better get dressed before she takes down the door." Then Avery took a deep breath and replied to his sister. "I'm up Brattany! I'll be out as soon as I get dressed."
"I'll believe it when the door opens!" Brittany yelled back. "And don't call me Brattany!"
Avery swiftly put his clothes on, and walked over to the door. He looked back at Hayley, who was still in bed. "Better stay there until I handle Brittany," he said, before jerking the door open. Princess Brittany immediately tumbled into the room. "Really, sister, you shouldn't lean on the doors like that. You never know when I'm going to open one."
"Humph. Is this any way to greet your sister whose been away for six months?" Brittany said, as she stood up.
"When she tries to barge into my room, yes," Avery said. "Let's step outside to finish this conversation, so Hayley can get dressed."
As the door closed behind the two, Brittany replied with a saucy smile, "Get dressed? What interesting and perverted things did you do with the Duchesses's oldest daughter?"
Avery sat down on the steps down to the floor below to wait, and said. "We just cuddled last night. We're not scheduled to get married for another week. Though I think the Duchess wanted us to do some of those things."
"Mom did tell us about where she found the Duchess during the Council on the Castrome succession," Brittany said, idly adjusting her sword belt. "It was darn right stupid to exclude her from that discussion, and even stupider to let her and Lord Elden go without any escort."
"I heard you nearly got caught with my friend Treavor in Arm a couple weeks ago," Avery said.
"So I got a little carried away," Brittany said, slumping against the outer wall. "He's one of the few people I encounter that know I'm a girl when I'm posing as Squire Brett, and I can let the act down around him."
"That's not all that I heard went down!" Avery replied.
Brittany blushed, as she stammered her reply, "We just kissed."
"And one of your bindings ended up in his quarters on the Godspeed, how?" Avery asked.
The door opened to reveal Lady Hayley, saving a red-faced Princess from explaining. Lady Hayley had been fortunate enough to get a change of clothes. Avery was still wearing his riding clothes from the day before, minus the cloak, which he'd left behind in the main hall. Lady Hayley, however, was now dressed in a deep green frock, with golden clasps holding a similarly green cloak, emblazoned with the golden Latin cross of Castrome. "Good Morning, your highness," Lady Hayley greeted her future sister-in-law.
"Good Morning Hayley," Brittany said. "I'm sorry if I interrupted your sleep when I woke my brother."
"I needed to get up anyway," Hayley said. "I hope you don't plan on waking Avery up like that every day, though."
"This was a mild one. Usually I barge in and throw some water on him," Brittany replied, as they reached the bottom of the tower stairs.
"Yeah. It's a good thing that my bed dries quickly," Avery replied, as they turned passed though the archway that opened up on main hall. "Good Morning, your graces." Avery called from the head of the stairs. As he descended, he continued. "I supposed it's too much to hope that events have improved our situation since her grace suggested that I get some sleep with her daughter."
"I am afraid not, your highness," Earl Cedric said, as Avery walked over to the table. "No one really is sure whose in charge. Lord Henry is still holding your father and most of the privy council hostage. We have at least confined him to the Odyssey."
Prince Avery reached his chair, and picked up his cloak, putting it on before taking a seat. "Your grace, Nolan, Duke of Armedge, and your grace, Desiree, Duchess of Castrome, I request that as two of the senior dukes of Ellosia, a determination on my Father, his Majesty, King Richard's ability to rule the kingdom at this time," he asked.
"As the King is currently being held hostage, I believe that he is not able to rule as long as that condition remains," Duke Nolan responded.
"I agree, with his grace," Duchess Desiree said. "Though I fail to see how that helps us."
"I do," Earl Cedric said. "As a member of the Privy Council, and a representative of my father, his grace, Murdock, Duke of Avtra, I move that a call for all members of the Council who are available be summoned, and that per the determination of Castrome and Armedge, rule of Ellosia has devolved onto the shoulders of his highness, the Crown Prince, Prince Avery and the Privy Council until the King is freed."
"He's still short of eighteen," Duchess Desiree said. "He can't rule yet."
"I can't rule alone, yet," Prince Avery replied. "I can head the Privy Council, though, now that I'm sixteen. Now can we get onto business?"
"Certainly, your highness," Earl Cedric said. "What would you like to hear about first?"
"Let's start with what forces we have available around us, and their loyalties," Avery said. "Earl Cedric, any problems with the guard force in the city?"
"I haven't found any, yet," Cedric said. "They are some what demoralized, given how the Odyssey was taken. I don't know how Lord Henry got all those men within our layered defenses."
"I do," came a voice from the door. It was a young girl who looked sort of like Lady Hayley, accompanied by a younger dark-haired girl. The elder of the two was wearing the tunic and trousers of a merchant ship's officer. "Marrissa Picard, third mate of the merchant ship Stargazer, at your service. This is my friend Clara, whose going to be attending the Royal School soon."
"Please join us, Marrissa," Avery replied, pointing to a couple open chairs. "Marrissa helped Hayley and I escape from Lord Henry's men at the stables."
"Hayley told me about your sword work," the Duchess said. "Most impressive work, even if you did lose your lunch afterwards."
"Thank you, your grace," Marrissa responded.
"So, just how did Lord Henry get five hundred men inside our defenses?" Earl Cedric asked.
"He used the sewer," Marrissa said. "I barely escaped from him when I came across him there and barely escaped him early yesterday."
"What were you doing in the sewer?" Duke Nolan asked, with a suspicious glare.
"Dad, my Captain, wanted to see if the reason he was being undercut when he sold his goods was because someone was sneaking goods in without paying the harbor tax," Marrissa said, with a grin. "He was right, and I bet Lord Henry was running that operation as a cover, as it looked like it was being taken down."
"Cedric, get some guards on those sewer outlets," Avery ordered. "And if you get Dustin, in the City Services Office to work on something to prevent people from using them as a way into the city again. He taught me how they work a couple years back, and might be able to fix it without backing the sewers up. Duke Nolan, since we're in your Dukedom, perhaps you can tell us about the forces we have here?"
"I've got most of the forces on the move at the moment," Duke Nolan said. "Oswald is talking a detachment to the Fasstime border so Lord Henry can't send any reenforcements. Geoffrey is collecting the Armedge Army between here and Arm, and should arrive early tomorrow I hope. I don't know about the disposition of the King's forces."
"We've got a significant force at the fort on Point Sapphire," Avery said, looking up at the ceiling, where a map of the Kingdom was painted and trying to recall what he'd heard a couple days ago. "There is the garrison at Hammer Pass, but we can't move that. The rest of the forces are either in small forts along the coast, or in the field in Avtra for the annual training and ducal tourney."
"Didn't Fasstime decide not to send anyone to the tourney this year?" the Duchess asked, picking up her quill to make some notes.
"Yes, which I found strange, especially since they cleaned up last year when it was their turn to host it," Duke Nolan said.
"Yet another sign of Lord Henry's planning," Princess Brittany said. "I wonder how many pieces of the puzzle we've missed. Avery, I'd like to get in contact with some of Lord Harlan's staff in town, if you don't mind."
"Fine, in fact, I want you to run our intelligence operation," Avery said.
"Please, Avery, I'm only thirteen," Brittany replied.
"Brit, you're the only one of us that Lord Henry and his ilk wouldn't spot," Avery replied. "The Duke and Duchess are well known, and Earl Cedric has spent his life at court. Marrissa encountered Lord Henry in the sewer. Where as you look nothing like you did a year and a half ago at court, the last time Lord Henry was here. In fact with that short hair cut you've got now, Marrissa's friend looks more like you did."
"You've got a point as far as a front line operative, as Lord Harlan calls them, goes, but I'm not ready to step in for Lord Harlan," Brittany said, pushing her back her short hair. "I certainly wouldn't be recognized by anyone. I spent lots of time perfecting disguises."
"She does a pretty good cabin boy," Duke Nolan said, with a big smile. "I think my son's last ship's crew was totally fooled."
"Sister, when we're out of this, Father and I will be talking with Duke Nolan," Avery said. "Maybe we can even make it a double wedding." Princess Brittany's face was rabidly turning redder. "I can't have my little sister taking a chance of having children out of wedlock, after all. Treavor may claim to have a lady in every port, but if you're going to be one of them, you're going to be the legal one."
Suddenly the main door to the hall opened with a bang, as it's well oiled hinges allowed it to swing all the way open. Standing in the doorway was an army courier, identified by his tan and olive tunic and cloak. The insigna on his left breast identified him as part of the direct royal controlled unit, and attached to Lord Palmer's command. The man quickly took in the room, and noted Prince Avery sitting at the head of the table. The heavy breathing courier approached and kneeled. "Your highness, I bring bad news from Army Command. Lord Palmer is dead."