Chapter 19: True Traitor
A knock came at Bernatys bedchamber.
"Enter." Bernatys said.
The door opened a little and a messenger came in holding a scroll the Messenger quickly handed the scroll to Bernatys and left the room. Bernatys opened the letter with a letter knife and read.
The letter read
Dearest Sister
It troubles me that you lose heart, however you are in too deep if your husband were to find out about your involvement it will mean both our heads. The Prince Lives I want you to deal with him yourself.
Your Brother: Mirchaud
Bernatys held the letter into a nearby candle and watched it burn the letter.
"I will not be your pawn to throw away as you please Brother." Bernatys said to herself in the empty bedchamber. "But he is right Movan would have me killed along with my brother if word of our treachery were to get out."
Bernatys went to the window and below in the courtyard she could see two sets of banners one the Gold Lion of Count Regas, the Other Her Husband. she saw Movan sitting tall on his white horse pointing to Regas, before his guards dragged him away toward the prison tower and out of view. Then Movan entered the castle. Bernatys moved away from the window and hurried to Marius's room and knocked on the door.
"Marius your father is back." Bernatys said through the door.
"Father?" Asked Marius from the other side.
Marius hurriedly opened the door and followed Bernatys to the hall. The door opened an Movan and the remainder of his guard and companions entered Movan had an angry look on his face that softened as he came and embraced his wife and then his son.
"Are you alright Marius?" Movan asked as he hugged Marius tightly and didn't let go for a moment.
"Yes father thanks to Borak if he were not there.." Marius said slowly.
Movan rose and embraced both Borcha, and Klethi in his arms.
"Your son has done me a great service I will see him and yourselves rewarded for your service." Movan said as he embraced them both. "Name what you want and it is yours."
Movan released Borcha and Klethi and smiled at them widely.
"The boy deserves the credit Sire it was him that save your son." Borcha said looking at Klethi.
"As you will it he will be rewarded and a feast thrown in his honor." Movan said happily."
Movand turned and went behind his wife and son and began to speak.
"A great wrong has been done to my kin, and we have one of the criminals another is another king." Movan said commandingly. "To get him we will have to go to war. "However I can see when to fight and when to run we cannot go to war with this king instead I will let him respond to a letter of war I sent to shake him up, but he knows I do not want war with him and he will send a letter in response."
"Who is this King who would have children murdered while out on a hunt or in their beds?" Said a familiar voice from behind Movan's guards, and Companions.
The guards cleared the way, as King Harlaus himself walked through them in full armor and tunic.
Movan fell to one knee. "King Harlaus we were not expecting you why did you not send word?" Movan asked.
"I feared if I had you would have barred the gates your letter was most troubling, rise Movan you're a king now you do not bow to other Kings except for if you are surrendering" King Harlaus said.
"You are King Harlaus?" Marius asked stepping forward.
"Yes and you must be Marius." King Harlaus said smiling.
"You tried to have me killed as you can see I am very much alive." Marius said without fear in his voice.
"Now what would make you think a thing like that?" King Harlaus asked troubled.
"Firentis found a letter on my would be assassins that came from you to Lord Regas to hire assassins to have me assassinated." Marius. said.
"Well little prince I hope to get to the bottom of this as much as you." King Harlaus turning to Movan. "But I certainly did not order Regas to leave my service, just to strike at you my old friend. Both our kingdoms have had Peace for nearly four years now and I wish to see it remain so that is why I am here Movan."
"I thank you King Harlaus, we will wait four days and try Lord Regas." Movan said quietly.
Four days passed quickly and rumors of victory from the war front came that Mirchaud had taken the Sultanate's capital Shariz and Caraf Castle with little effort and Clais took Unuzdaq Castle which had been taken from the Khanate by the Sultanate two years ago. And word was circulating that Sultan Hakim was sending an envoy to beg peace as the Khanate was marching toward them. A message from Lord Mirchaud came to postpone the trial until the other lords could attend with the war now over. A week passed and Mirchaud and the other lords came for the trial. The hall prepared, and the tables were moved against the walls all except for the king's table which sat on a raised platform on one side facing the door seven sat. Movan sat in the center to his right King Harlaus, Lord Clais, and Lord Mirchaud on the end. to Movans left. Borcha, Firentis, and Jeremius. From the Table to the hall door Rhodok Sergeants with their large board shields with the emblem of the red rose on their shield stood spears in hand. The door to the hall opened and two guards escorted Lord Regas into the hall Regas's chains scraped against the stone when they were before Movan Regas looked up at his king.
"My king I have done nothing to deserve…." Began Regas before movan put up his hand to silence him.
"Movan picked up a paper and began to read. "Lord Regas you stand here accused of treason for making an attempt on Prince Marius Beltasus, you have been called here before this tribunal to peald for your life." Movan said before hitting a mallet on the table. "Let us begin. Lord Regas you have served the Kingdom of Roses for two years now and you have served faithfully, however you have not taken to the field of war when called upon by myself and our Marshal Lord Mirchaud and state that you have personal business." Mummers came from the table and around the room Movan continued. "Is this true?"
"Yes my king, but I have guarded my castle from many an attack and held the lands you gave me, although I do not see what this has to do with the attempt on your Sons life." Regas said calmly as he could.
"Yes and we thank you for that, however that shall not save you, Firentis found a letter on the would be assassins addressed to you from King Harlaus to hire assassins to murder my son." Movan said with conviction.
"May I see this letter?" Regas requested. "And Show it to King Harlaus."
"I can see no harm in that My king." Lord Clais said confidently.
"Neither can I Movan I see no reason why he shouldn't" King Harlaus said agreeing with Lord Clais.
"Very well." Movan said motioning to one of the servants who was holding a piece of paper the servant handed the paper to Movan who then handed it to King Harlaus.
King Harlaus read the paper and mumbled to himself as he read then he handed the paper to Movan.
"I do not remember having this written." Harlaus said as he handed the paper back to Movan.
"Guard show this to Regas." Movan said motioning for one of the sergeants to take the paper.
One of the Guards closest to the table grabbed the paper and walked it over to Regas and held it so Regas could read it.
Regas looked at the paper briefly then to the tribunal sternly. "I did not receive such a letter from King Harlaus in fact I have received no letters from Harlaus, or anyone from Swadia." Regas said with a straight face.
"Might I suggest we take a break to review what has been said." Mirchaud said leaning forward.
"Yes a respite would be nice." Movan said leaning back in his chair. "This tribunal is adjourned until later this afternoon."
The tribunal rose, the guards took Regas back to the prison tower and the tribunal left the hall.
"Husband If I could have a word in the study, Bernatys said as she walked down the stairs. past them.
"Yes I'll be there in a few moments." Movan said as he ascended the stairs.
Later a few minutes before the tribunal was to reassemble Movan was walking through the halls toward the study when he began to hear voices in the hall one belonged to his wife the other her brother Mirchaud who was speaking harshly to Bernatys. Movan halted and listened carefully but could only get bits and pieces of the conversation.
"This was your plan brother." Bernatys said harshly.
"And you will follow it to the letter do I make myself clear I want you to take this and kill the boy." Mirchaud said in a harsh whisper.
Movan smiled to himself and backed down the hall and fetched four of the guards from the hall and marched them to where Mirchaud and Bernatys were still arguing this time loud enough so they couldn't hear the clank of armor as the guards and Movan walked. around the corner.
"You will do as I say woman you will murder the boy then your husband." Mirchaud commanded as he rose his hand and prepared to strike Bernatys.
"I do not recommend doing that, she might be treasonous, but she is still my queen." Movan said loudly as his guards formed a shield wall with their board shields and advanced toward the two.
"My King this is not what it looks like… I was just." Mirchaud began.
"Save it for the tribunal you traitorous bastard." Movan said commandingly. "Guards arrest that man at once and my queen but be gentle with her."
Mirchaud drew his sword and grabbed Bernatys and held the sword to her throat.
"Keep back I will kill her." Mirchaud said as he backed up with Bernatys in tow.
The guards immediately stopped and looked to their king. From behind Mirchaud hands grabbed Mirchaud and took his arms away from Bernatys the rest of the guards came and took Mirchaud and Bernatys and escorted them through the castle and into the Hall where the tribunal was waiting. When the Guards and Movan came in the Tribunal stood.
"Lord Regas I find you innocent, however these two we found plotting openly wanting my Sons head and perhaps mine." Movan said as he entered the room.
"My Ki….." Mirchaud began before Movan gave him a look that could kill a man.
"You do not speak Mirchaud you traitorous bastard." Movan said harshly.
"These guards and myself heard these two plotting, I King Movan of the Kingdom of Roses hereby pardon Lord Regas and in his place shall stand Mirchaud and my Queen." Movan said calmly as he could manage. "Guard release Regas. Regas you shall take Mirchaud's place on the tribunal."
"Yes my King Regas said bowing as his chains were released and Mirchaud and Bernatys were chained to the floor together one arm and one leg in each foot and hand shackle.
Movan remained standing as the tribunal took their seats.
"Movan I do believe that we have irrefutable evidence to send these two to the executioner's block." Harlaus said glaring at Mirchaud. "I however will say I do not enjoy being framed for something I did not do."
"Yes I believe you are right Harlaus, however it will be Mirchaud who will go to the executioner's block. Queen Bernatys I shall show mercy since she acted as her brothers puppet she will be allowed to remain here or leave whichever she choose." Movan said.
"As you will it old friend." Harlaus said nodding approvingly.
"By order of the King Of the Kingdom of Roses Lord Mirchaud you are hereby sentenced to death by order of King Movan Beltasus of the Kingdom of Roses." Movan said as he glared at Mirchaud as he spoke.
"Thank you my King." Bernatys said sighing with relief. "You are very kind I promise you I will serve loyally at your side as your queen never again will I betray you."
"Noted." Movan said. "Now I declare this tribunal to be over and Mirchaud is to be executed immediately."
The guards unchained Bernatys and fully chained Mirchaud and escorted him away.
"Will you be attending the execution my king?" Asked one of the guards as they filed out of the hall to the executioner's block.
"No I do not attend traitors executions." Movan said coldly. "Traitors do not deserve the presence of their king."
"Yes my king." Said the guard before following the other guards.
Bernatys ran up and grabs Movan's arm to stop him.
Movan stops in his tracks and turns to his traitor wife.
"Movan I was going to tell you before that Mirchaud and I were the ones who.." Bernatys trailed off and broke into tears. "But he.."
"I know my wife it will take time but I will forgive you fully." Movan said embracing his wife briefly. "You had a change of heart that is why you refused your brother he shouldn't have put that on you."
"You are a good man husband thank you for setting me free of that monster." Bernatys said tearfully. "I will try to make you proud my husband."
"I already am you stood your ground against your brother I'm just glad that you are safe and he did not hurt you." Movan said reassuringly as he comforted his wife.
Movan released his wife and they went their separate ways for the rest of the day and spoke little to each other at the feast that was held in Borak's honor that evening.