Chapter 22: Unexpected Death
Two days passed and the fifty men Movna had promised to commit to the battle ahead then Movan and his men were tied together with ropes their Clansmen allies brought each one of Movan's and his men's swords on the sides so that Movan's men would be able to grab them when the time came. Marius, Borak, and Borcha accompanied Movan along with several of movans guards they were all tied together and marched to Veluca. After two days they reached the open south gate of Veluca. They were stopped and waited for what seemed like an eternity for a group of swadian footman to come and see what the Clansmen had brought.
"What is this?" asked the Sergeant as he and his footmen approached.
"We have Captured the King of the Kingdom of the Roses and several of his guards." Shamus said proudly.
"I see, well then come with us the Count will want to see you immediately." Said the sergeant in surprise before turning to his men. "Alright we'll escort them to Count Delinard at the keep lets not keep the Count waiting."
"Are you sure this will work?" Whispered Marius from behind Movan.
"Well it's too late to turn back now so it will have to." Movan whispered back.
Movan and his men and Birk's Clansmen were escorted through the streets several of the citizens of the city stopped and kneeled as Movan passed.
"So Delinard is in charge of this garrison great another chance to knock him on his arse." Movan though as they walked through the streets.
As they approached the Keep the gates opened and let the group through. they crossed the courtyard and entered the Castle and entered the hall. As they entered the room seemed to stop and stare as Movan and his men came escorted by the Clansmen. from behind Shamus high up on the Balcony that overlooked the hall Movan caught a glimpse of his wife. Movan smiled and nodded. All over the hall the two headed Eagle of Count Delinard hung.
The front of the hall where the King's table once stood a single throne like chair sat and Delinard sat in that chair intrigued by the scene in front of him.
"The Mighty Movan Beltasus brought to his knees and captured by the the Mountain Clans my how the times have changed come to surrender?" Delinard said snobbishly
"Delinard still arrogant as the day I knocked you on your arse in the tournament at Suno." Movan said. "How little you have changed."
"At least I did not Abandon my king." Delinard said pridefully.
"Don't you mean queen." Movan said sarcastically. "I will still knock you on your arse by the way."
"How do you propose doing that?" Delinard said with a laugh. "From where I sit you are bound by ropes and a prisoner."
A few of the Clansmen left the room while the others stayed.
"Oh I'm working on it." Movan said smiling widely.
"Come now my lords surely there is no reason to fight." Said Bernatys as she entered the room.
"Ah your queen has been a gracious host to me and my men of late since we took your capital." Delinard said.
"Movan it is good to see you my husband." Bernatys said smiling at Movan tenderly.
"And you as well my queen." Movan said winking at his wife as he smiled at the sight of her.
"Well enough discussion lets on to the execution." Delinard said.
"The clans men formed a shield wall between Movan, Marius Borak and Borcha, and his guards and armed them. and cleared cleared away as Movan and his men burst through unbound and into the guards. the Clansmen drew their weapons and began to attack alongside Movan. Sheamus pulled a mighty warhammer from his back and began to smash his way through the guards.
In the confusion Delinard drew his sword and and grabbed Bernatys.
"Stop this now Movan or I kill your queen." Delinard said as he held his sword to Bernatys throat.
Movan and Marius turned to Delinard. the rest of the Guards halted and the Clansmen stopped all Eyes turned to Movan.
"Let me leave with my life and I will not harm her." Delinard said walking forward holding Bernatys tightly in his swordless arm. Movan stepped aside as did the Clansmen and his guards. Delinard and his men filed out Delinard waited until he was to the door then let Bernatys loose.
"One last parting gift Delinard said before stabbing his sword through Bernatys throat and withdrew it quickly.
Bernatys fell to her knees clutching her throat as it bled out. blood ran from between her fingers and onto her blue dress. Movan ran over to his wife and held her in his arms. Marius gave chase with Borak in tow and Shamus after Delinard who mounted one of the Clansmen's horses and was riding away from the scene. Movan wept as he held his dying queen in his arms. the Clansmen all stood back.
Bernatys tried to speak but couldn't from the bleeding. instead she could only mouth the words her last words being I love you and then her body slumped never to move again. Movan held his now dead wife and stood with her corpse in his arms. The Clan leaders except for Sheamus stood in shock by what had just transpired.
Movan looked up to the heavens and gave an enraged and anguished yell to the sky. Marius and all who had given chase entered the hall as Movan roared to the sky. When he was done Movan fell to his knees sobbing with his head against Bernaty's body.
"Delinard escaped father." Marius said grimly and sadly as he walked up.
"I swear by the gods I will have my vengeance." Movan said loudly. "I will bring the man who did this to justice , I will burn his lands to the ground for what he has done."
"That won't bring her back my King violence will only beget more violence." Borcha said.
"He has to pay." Movan said grimly.
"And he will, but in the meantime you have a kingdom to run you can't go running off on some personal vendetta without dragging the rest of us down with you." Borcha said touching Movans shoulder. "What about your dream Movan to make the world a better place, having your own kingdom and not having to answer to anyone else."
"Borcha I wanted to share it with her." Movan said sadly standing up. "What would you do if someone murdered Klethi or your son?"
"I would probably do the same thing you are planning on doing, but as your advisor and I advise you sleep on it, and we will plan how to deal with this in the morning." Borcha responded.
"I cannot rest not with her gone." Movan said looking at Bernatys body. "Clan leaders we will talk in the morning about what to do next agreed?"
The clan leaders nodded and watched as Movan carefully carried Bernatys body away