Betrayal

A great roast from the kitchens was being carried out to the Grand Hall along with steaming vegetables, buttery breads, roasted roots, and sweetened fruits to enjoy. I smelled it all and salivated. So hungry!

Later. There would be time for that later. I couldn't wait to find Lukas and Waverly and ask how it went with the king.

I followed the pages into the Grand Hall, making sure the royal seal around my neck was visible. It guaranteed my safety but even so, it was hard not to stick to the shadows. I flinched whenever humans glanced at me. Lukas had said it was alright to be seen in the castle, but I wasn't sure if I'd ever get used to being seen. It made me feel vulnerable. Exposed.

So I did what I always did, pretended I was not important. That I was invisible. As always, it worked. People glanced at me then looked away.

Many nobles had gathered for dinner, talking and laughing as the food was served by the pages. They picked up their food daintily with silver forks and knives, inserting small pieces into mouths one at a time. I chuckled at the sight. Waverly and I used our sharp teeth to tear into food. The first few times she had done it in front of Lukas he had been shocked but then he got used to it.

I searched for my friends but didn't see them at the long tables. They must be closer to the throne. Lukas was a prince so it made sense he would sit there. I walked through the hall carefully, keeping out of sight as much as possible. There was a small platform, just in front of the thrones and a few steps higher than all the other tables. They must be there.

I snaked my way over when the noise level dropped noticeably. A man had stood up from the head table. At first I thought it was Lukas but no, he was too big. It was the elder of the brothers I had seen earlier. He looked very different now, wearing crimson robes trimmed in mink fur and a silver ringlet around his head. He smiled down at the assembly of nobles, it was a satisfied smile of one with no challenges to his power.

"My subjects!"

I jumped. I was not the only one. Some of the nobles flinched at the thundering voice.

"We are once again a safe, prosperous kingdom. The thief of my father's tree has been captured and it will no longer terrorize our homelands."

There were nods of agreement all around. I wagged my tail, relieved now. He was going to announce how Lukas, Waverly and I had captured the Golden Bird.

He surveyed his audience, reading their anticipation. "On such a joyous occasion, we honor the one person whose bravery made all of this possible–"

One person! I thought with wrath. Was Lukas taking all the credit for himself?

"-my younger brother, Prince Frederich!"

He clamped a hand on the shoulder of the braided man sitting next to him. The man stood and waved proudly, despite the light applause all around. I stood there, shocked, as the prince continued.

"My brother risked his life, traveled across legions of land, all to ensure the safety of our kingdom! And he will have the highest office in the land, after myself—the king of course!"

There was more applause but now the crowd started whispering, leaning towards one another. Many faces looked confused. They were certain the youngest prince had been the one to capture the bird, not this one. More suspicious whispers could be heard among the castle staff onlookers.

The older brother continued regardless of the confusion. "-and I know you have all heard these rumors of a mad Emperor, thinking to extend his life with the flesh and blood of Golden Mermaids. Can you believe that?" He let out a laugh. No one else laughed along at the poor joke until his narrowed eyes bore down from the high table. Then, there was a titter of laughter.

"The swords of this kingdom will not be wasted on such rumors of madness," the prince continued. "These monstrous creatures of the seas are soulless beasts; they exist only to spread vice and discontent. They are agents of the Devil and corrupt good men to evil ways. We will not hinder their destruction; we will encourage it."

The false king leaned forward over the table. His voice hardened.

"My youngest brother fell victim to their evil ways. These creatures take into their service the false, the unwary, and the weak. That was my youngest brother Lukas. He will be punished accordingly, as will any who are found to have raised their hands in opposition to my father's kingdom, soon to be mine."

He raised his goblet into the air and the hall emitted a cheer.

"Now let the feast continue! We have much to celebrate tonight." He settled down, grabbing a huge hunk of lamb, and gnawed at it with veracity.

I staggered slightly with shock. The light in the hall was suddenly intense and the noise of the feasting amplified painfully. I was feeling sick and dizzy. How could this be happening? This, this…false king proclaiming all these lies? How could anyone listen to this?

And where was Lukas? He should have stood up, defending us against this liar. Where was Waverly? She should be presenting her case. But they weren't there. No one was here. No one was doing anything. Now I was angry, so angry.

I reeled a little but a sound—a very familiar one—came and forced my back to reality. A snarl.

My fury found a target: the king's hunting hounds. The hounds did not care that I bore the royal seal. All they saw was an enemy.

The trio sprang at me, but my rage usurped their size and numbers. I killed the mutts easily and would have killed more if I'd had the chance. I was so angry.

My muzzle was bloody and my eyes hard when I heard the shout: "The wolf! The one my deceiving brother brought with him. Kill it!"

Men in armor tried to circle, drive swords into me, but I was too fast. The energy I had diverted into wrath now redirected into evasive action. I leapt away, dashing underneath flaying weapons, and made it out of the hall. Then I faced a decision. Back down through the kitchens, or through the courtyard? The kitchen aides coming out of the double-doors with a large cake quickly made the decision for me.

I dashed through the tall iron doors, dodged underneath the legs of a pike-wielding guard, sprinted down the wide stone steps and across the terraces. Dashing through the outer garden wall I finally made it into the forest, to safety. To freedom.

But then, just as suddenly, I stopped. My friends were in that awful castle.