Chapter 17: Politics
Marius, and Borak rode together along the road outside of Veluca into the forest to hunt Deer and Rabbit.
"Look there Marius." Borak said pointing to a proud Stag standing in a small clearing. "This one is yours I'll go to the south and search for more game."
Marius nodded and watched as Borak rode away. Marius dismounted and crouched down readying his bow his hand on an arrow from his quiver. Off to the side Marius heard a loud snap, the stag stopped grazing and looked around then turned tail and ran into the forest.
"Well well what do we have here?" Said a voice to Marius's right. "A lost little lord."
"Who are you?" Marius asked turning to the man.
The man wore a green tunic and a hood with a mask over his face.
"Lordly types shouldn't be in the forest alone never know what could happen you could disappear and no one would know you were out here or where you were." The man said as he drew a dagger from its sheath.
"Just get on with it." Said another man wearing identical clothing to the first.
Marius drew his hunting knife. "Do you know who I am?" Marius asked as he backed up.
Marius's horse gave a loud neighing sound before being cut short as a third man appeared and slit the horse's throat.
"Oh we know we just don't care." Said the third man flipping his dagger in one hand and catching the handle as it spun in the air.
Marius continued to back up until his back was against a tree,The three moved in a semicircle around Marius each one with their daggers ready for the killing blow. Then two arrows slammed into two of the men's heads. The third turned to face the new assailant. This time Marius stabbed the man between the ribs the man turned and tried to stab into Marius, but was stopped as an arrow hit the man in the throat. Marius kicked the man away as the man fell clutching the side of his neck and fell still.
Marius looked to where the arrows had come from sitting on his horse breathing hard Borak sat on his horse.
"Good thing I was close bye otherwise you would be dead now." Borak Said as he put his bow on his back. "Are you alright?"
"Yes Borak thank you." Marius said smiling at his friend. "When father returns he will see you rewarded."
"Once he hears of this he will ride here immediately to find who did this." Borack said chuckling.
"We should get the guard to examine the body's." Marius said as he looked at the three dead men on the ground.
"You ride back to the Castle my prince I will stay here and look for more of these assassins." Borak said as he dismounted.
"Are you sure Borak You could be outnumbered if there are more." Marius said with concern.
"Don't worry Marius I can handle my self." Borak said with a confidant smile.
"Very well." Marius finally said.
Marius embraced his friend and mounted Boraks horse the horse shifted unsteadily as Marius sat atop of it.
"Don't worry Shira." Borak said patting his horse's neck. "Take the prince to the castle."
The horse snorted then calmed down. Marius turned the horse and rode away toward Veluca.
What seemed like an eternity passed before Marius came back with several guards and Firentis and Borak's horse following closely behind Marius. Marius led them to where Borak waited leaning against a tree the three men now had flies buzzing around them and the men began to smell in the hot sun.
"Search the dead." Marius commanded as they came into the clearing.
Borak's horse sped head to Borak and nuzzled him. Borak petted his horse's muzzle and whispered softly to the horse.
Three of the guards dismounted and began to search the dead.
"I found something my lord." Said one of the guards holding up a blood stained paper.
"Bring it here." Firentis commanded.
The guard quickly obeyed and handed the paper to Firentis who unfolded and read it then folded it again furiously.
"What is it?" Marius asked curiously.
"Read my prince." Firentis said handing the paper to Marius.
The paper read.
By order of King Harlaus I command you Lord Regas to hire assassins to kill the newly crowned prince Marius Beltasus
Sincerely King Harlaus of the Kingdom of Swadia
"Why would King Harlaus want me dead?" Marius asked curiously.
"You are the heir to a kingdom that is not recognized as an official kingdom since your father forged it by his own rite, but there is something amiss Harlaus and your father are on good terms why would he choose to have you assassinated." Firentis said almost to himself. " Regas was once a vassal of the Vaegirs then Swadia, and now Our kingdom. Come my Prince we must ride for Veluca and send word to your father immediately."
"What about the dead?" Marius asked.
"Oh yes, guard burry the swine with unmarked graves." Firentis said harshly.
Borak mounted his horse and followed Marius and Firentis as they rode out of the clearing, and toward Veluca. When they reached the Castle Firentis dismounted and stormed into the castle's messenger post. Marius went into the keep and into the hall, and to his bedroom. A servant came in and ran a bath for him. That evening at dinner Bernatys kept staring at Marius as they ate their meal, the castle put on high alert since the attempt on Marius life earlier that day.
"I heard some men tried to have you killed must have been terrifying." Bernatys said as she ate.
"Yes, but fortunately Borak was there to save my life." Marius said with a grim smile.
"A prince should learn to fight and not rely on others to help them." Bernatys said pridefully.
"What about father he has all his companions who have from what I've heard have saved his life more than once." Marius pointed out.
"Your father might be a King now, but he was once a Hired Blade like many in this land." Bernatys said. "Then Harlaus made him a Lord and even then not all in Swadia accepted him as they do not now."
"Yes I suppose. Firentis and I read the note that the guard found on the assassins that It was Lord Regas, who was ordered by King Harlaus why would King Harlaus want me dead?" Marius asked looking at Bernatys.
"Politics, you are the heir of one of Harlaus's rivals he wants to undermine this Kingdom so he can march his armies in with little to no resistance and no heir to the kingdom." Bernatys said. "But you needn't worry you have me, your Father and the guards and none of us will let any harm come to you."
Marius smiled, when he was finished with his meal he stood and kissed Bernatys on the cheek. Bernatys smiled.
"Goodnight love." Bernatys said.
"Goodnight mother." Marius said before leaving the hall.
Bernatys sighted. "Brother what have I drug us into." Bernatys said to herself quietly so she wouldn't be overheard. "To have a harmless child murdered so that my brother can be king."
Bernatys rose from her chair and walked to the bedchamber and pulled out a piece of parchment, quill and ink and wrote letter to Mirchaud to be sent in the morning she then rolled it up onto a scroll roll and sealed it with red wax and used her ring which had a rose on it to seal it. The she blew out the candles and went to bed.