Chapter Six: Part Four

Potsfurt

"They're approaching."

Gwenette pressed a hand to her throat. "Approaching? Ah…what does that mean, Your Highness?"

"It means an Alliance warship is going to enter our waters," Kion said. He pointed two servants to different areas of the master bedroom. "You'll need to pack, Gwenette. We're taking one of our warships to go out to greet them."

"This order was passed down by the King?" Gwenette asked.

"Why else would we go out to engage an Alliance warship? The King called Philomena back to the capital for other preparations as well." He scoffed and shook her head. "Astraea has made a mess of things. It wouldn't surprise me if she was responsible for this."

Gwenette brow rose, and she clasped her hands in front of her. "Your Highness?" she said finally.

"What is it?"

"H…How would Astraea arrange for a warship to approach us?"

"She's aligned herself with a member of the Council of Five, did she not? You saw the reports—they were seen together in Életfény." Kion shook his head in disgust. "She was recognize, and no one stopped her! No—they let her act in a play and dance in a damn ballet!"

Gwenette choked, reflexively laughing. "Is something funny about this, Gwenette?" Kion demanded, though his tone was not unkind.

"I-I'm just puzzled, Your Highness," Gwenette said. "Astraea is wanted for treason…but she participated in a theatre production and a ballet production?"

"She's a frivolous girl, as I've always said she's been," Kion seethed through gritted teeth. "Because of her selfishness, we cannot deal with the Bianca Alliance with our full force. No, we have to divide our forces to fight them both!"

"Your Highness!" Gwenette exclaimed before she could stop herself.

Kion stiffened and turned to face her. He held her gaze as he waved his arms. "Leave us."

The servants quickly left the room, closing the door behind them. "If you have something to say Gwenette, go ahead and say it."

Gwenette shook her head and hugged her arms. "I-It's nothing—"

"You are my assist," Kion interjected, pointing to her. "So you cannot be afraid to speak your mind in front of me! Say it now! Do you believe Astraea is innocent of the charges against her? Do you think the King—my father—is lying?"

"I have been your assist for almost five years, Your Highness," Gwenette said, unable to keep the emotions from her voice. "I have seen the best of you and the worst of you. And I—I believe I have seen the best and worst of A-Astraea as well. I have known her since just after her test with Bhayankar. I know her, Your Highness. Just as I know you."

Kion stepped closer, his brow furrowing. "And?" he said after a moment.

Gwenette sucked in a breath and blurted it out before she lost her nerve. "I don't think she did it!"

Kion said nothing. His expression did not move. "I don't think she did it," Gwenette said, tears filling her eyes. "I—If she was truly guilty, then w-we wouldn't have so many people defecting to her, would we? P-People wouldn't see her in a ballet and say, "Oh, there's the Princess!"—they would attack her, yes? Try to apprehend her?! But she—" she gestured with her hand, fumbling on her words. "People believe in her, Your Highness! She's been blamed for the massacre of children, but she has garnered supporters nonetheless! If she was guilty, d-do you think even the lowest serf would side with her? B-But people of every social standing is standing with her! And I know—I know her, okay?! I've always known her to be a sweet girl! She's compassionate and she loves her family! She knows who all of her illegitimate siblings are! I-I'm not even sure His Majesty the King knows them as well as she does! I truly, truly don't think that she—"

Kion finally moved; surging forward and pressing a hand over her mouth. Gwenette stopped talking and her eyes widened when he leaned in close to her face. "You are speaking treason," he said, his tone low and full of warning. "You know the seventh core rule of Zelant, Gwenette; the King's word is law above everything. His Majesty has said that Astraea is a traitor, and so it is so.

"Morever." He leaned in closer, their noses almost touching. "I believe in the King. I see Astraea as a traitor. You are my assist, Gwenette. Our beliefs need to align. If I believe her to be a traitor—an enemy—then you must believe it, too. If you believe it, then we do not have a true partnership."

He leaned back and withdrew his hand. Gwenette swallowed thickly, tears blurring her eyes as she ducked her head. "…Are you dismissing me, Your Highness?"

"No," Kion quickly said. "I don't want anyone but you to be my assist. You're the only person I fully trust. I may as well have no assist if you're not by my side. But you need to support me, Gwenette. There may come a time where I face Astraea on the battlefield. If you're going to stand at my side, then your faith cannot be in question. Can I rely on you?"

Gwenette quickly nodded, blinking back tears as she met his gaze. "I will never betray you, Your Highness."

Kion nodded. "Call the servants back in to finish my packing, and send others to pack your things. The King wants us to be on the water for as long as we need to either repel the Alliance warship or sink it. Pack enough for a week's trip."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Gwenette left the room. She was relieved to see no one outside eavesdropping, but she saw four servants approach from the stairs. Two of them had been in the middle of packing Kion's things earlier. "Please resume packing for His Highness," she told them. She turned to the other two. "I'll need your assistance to pack my belongings."

"Yes, Milady," the four of them chorused.

Gwenette led the way to her own room, but she couldn't escape the feeling of weight on her chest.

His Highness wants me to stay by his side…but he wants me to agree with him about the Princess. But I…I can't agree with him.

Blutkrieger

"Your Majesty." Brendan presented himself before the King and saluted. "I have brought Princess Philomena home."

He stepped aside and Philomena stepped forward, wringing her hands a little. The Onyx Chamber did not have a large audience today but there was an audience nonetheless. "Your Majesty," she said, saluting.

"Welcome home, Philomena," King Franz said, smiling as he nodded to her.

Philomena reflexively smiled, but her smile slipped when Albert stepped forward. "His Majesty the King has splendid news. Princess Philomena will be reinstated to her previous military rank."

Philomena gasped, and joy filled her body as the Onyx Chamber filled with murmurs. Albert raised his hands for silence. "Prince Kion has set off to engage the Bianca Alliance. Prince Brendan will be setting off to engage the traitor Astraea Reiser. Therefore, His Majesty is calling upon you, Princess Philomena, to lead your forces to reinforce the security of Blutkrieger."

"O-Of course I will!" Philomena exclaimed, clapping her hands. She looked at Aravine, and her assist was wearing a rare smile. "Oh—thank you so much, Your Majesty!"

"Do not fail His Majesty again, Princess Philomena," Albert said in a warning tone. "If the enemy reaches our gates there will be nowhere for you to retreat. You will need to do your duty as a Reiser Royal to defend the people of the city. And to defend His Majesty."

"I won't fail you again," Philomena said to her father. But she was so happy that she raced up the steps of the dais and hugged the King while he sat on the throne. "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you for giving me another chance!"

The murmurs in the Chamber became warmer when the people saw the Princess show affection to her father. King Franz did not embrace her back though; only patting the center of her back. "I trust you not to fail me again," he said, though his tone was gentle.

"You are dismissed, Princess Philomena," Albert said. "Please ready the soldiers who have been under your command to defend the city."

"I will, Sir Albert!" Philomena kissed King Franz on the cheek and hurried from the Onyx Chamber.

"Aravine," King Franz called as the assist in question turned to follow her charge. "Don't allow the Princess to fail again."

Aravine pressed her lips together, but she nodded stiffly and saluted the King. "Understood, Your Majesty."

"Now, Prince Brendan," Albert addressed the eldest heir. Brendan stepped forward. "His Majesty wants to know if you have a plan of action."

"I do, Sir Albert," Brendan said.

"How many troops will you implement with this plan?"

"One thousand, Sir Albert."

Albert's brow rose in surprise. It did not go unnoticed by Brendan. "His Majesty has allowed me to utilize the entire Royal Army not already being utilized by Kion in my campaign," Brendan reminded Albert.

"That I did," King Franz said. He slowly rose from his throne and the room shifted. "Are these 1,000 soldiers ready, Brendan?"

"They have been briefed, Your Majesty," Brendan said.

"Then deploy now."

It was Brendan's turn for his brow to rise. Which also did not go unnoticed. "I want this nonsense with my traitorous spawn ended now," he said sternly. "If you have a plan, and the troops are ready, then get it done. Once they are gone, go to Potsfurt and give aid to Kion against the Alliance."

Brendan's jaw clenched. He was being ordered into battle immediately, and then as soon as that battle was done he was to travel cross-country to give aid to Kion.

If Kion needs aid now, then why doesn't Father send Philomena to help him?! But it was another reminder that Philomena was King Franz's favorite child. He did not even reprimand her too harshly when she failed in her war campaign with Vahan.

But Brendan held his tongue and nodded stiffly. "As you will, Your Majesty."

"Yes, I do," King Franz said. "Get your soldiers ready and march as early as possible."

"Your Majesty!" Yasmine protested, stepping forward. King Franz turned his gaze towards her, his eyes steely. "If I may, Your Majesty," Yasmine softened her tone. "But Prince Brendan and his entourage have been traveling nonstop. As His Highness's assist I must advocate that the Prince be given at least one full night of rest before heading into battle."

King Franz's eyes were still hard. Brendan shifted ever so slightly to move forward. But it was Albert who spoke. "Yasmine brings a good point, Your Majesty. Since Prince Brendan will be commanding 1,000 soldiers into battle, it is best that he is rested in both body and mind. One night will not deter the plans, as it will also give time for the soldiers to be properly prepared."

King Franz slowly sank down onto his throne. After a moment he nodded. "One night," he said. "But do not shirk your responsibilities by demanding more, Brendan."

"I will not, Your Majesty." Brendan bowed his head slightly. "Thank you."

"Go and get your forces ready," King Franz said, waving a hand. "And do not fail me like Vahan and the Magic Guild did. Understand the consequences if you do."

Brendan's upper lip rose in a snarl, but luckily the King did not see it. "Understood, Your Majesty."

"Why did you grant him an extra night?!" King Franz demanded. "Overstepping my authority in front of my people like that?! You insulted me, Albert!"

"I apologize, Your Majesty," Albert said, bowing his head. "But I had to think of the wellbeing of the Prince and his soldiers. I'm certain that you noticed that Prince Brendan looked fatigued."

King Franz did not argue. The sight of his eldest child swaying ever so slightly on his feet bothered him. But he pushed away the feeling. "And how are we supposed to do that while Brendan is here?!" he demanded. "We got away with it because we had a convicted murderer we tried to use, but this—!" He gestured angrily with his arm. "If Brendan knew what we were trying to do, he would—!"

"We will simply delay it until he is gone," Albert said. "By the time he hears anything about it, there would be nothing we can do."

"What about Philomena?" King Franz rasped. "She…" he let his voice trail off.

"The Princess will not know because she doesn't pay attention to such things," Albert said. "It will be fine, Your Majesty."

King Franz nodded. He wrung a hand through his hair before he spoke again. "Will it be enough? Spilling the blood of an…innocent?"

Albert nodded. "I believe so. And we have the perfect innocent."

"Prince Brendan?"

Brendan was heading towards his chambers with Yasmine when he heard the voice behind him. He turned and saw Elly Drake approaching. She was wearing a new pair of glasses to replace the ones she had broken during the Royal Army's previous battle, but her new pair looked like the previous one. "Are you accompanying me as an advisor, Miss Drake?" he asked.

"I am not," Elly said, sliding her hands into the pockets of her trench coat. "But nonetheless I would like to make a suggestion to you."

Brendan folded his arms over his chest. "I'm listening."

"I would like to recommend that you send a peace envoy to Astraea Reiser."

Brendan's brow rose. "Vahan and Philomena tried that and it failed," he reminded her. "Furthermore, Vahan betrayed the Crown and joined Astraea. Why do you think an envoy would help me?"

"Because Astraea Reiser is becoming popular, Your Highness," Elly told him. "We've all heard reports that she acted in a play and then danced in a ballet—and not only did no one report her but these actions actually gained allies for her! There is something—magnetizing about her," she said after a moment. "That people are throwing their support behind her. They are supporting an eighteen-year-old girl instead of our sitting Monarch! There has to be a reason for this!"

Brendan was silent for a long moment before he spoke. "And what would sending a peace envoy do for me exactly?"

"It will show that you are reasonable, Your Highness," Elly said. "That you seek compromise. It will show the people that you are trying to communicate with your siblings instead of seeking their blood."

"But I am seeking their blood."

"Yes," Elly agreed. "But showing the people—and your siblings—that you are willing to compromise will earn you respect, Your Highness. And you are the eldest sibling. Who knows…they may be more open to you during negotiations."

"You believe the people will respect me if I show leniency to traitors?" Brendan asked her.

Elly glanced over her shoulder, looking down the empty corridor. Then she looked back at him. "It's not a secret that King Franz will be lifting your Royal Combat punishment if you defeat Astraea, Your Highness. From what the Intelligence Bureau has heard from the populace…there are those who are looking forward to it."

Brendan stared at her for a long time. Finally, he spoke. "I need to get going. Have a good day."

"Yes, of course," Elly said, nodding. "Good luck, Your Highness."

Brendan reached his door, but his hand stilled on the doorknob. He glanced at Yasmine, who wore an unreadable expression. Elly's words sank in. People…want my punishment to be lifted? Is this also why Astraea's following is growing?

But he remained silent. He opened the door and went inside, Yasmine following behind him.

Elly left the East Wing, pausing at a window overlooking the garden. She let out a shaky breath and took off her glasses, pulling a cloth out to clean them.

"Elly Drake?"

Elly looked up and slid her glasses back in. Two castle guards swiftly approached her. "That's Miss Drake to you," she admonished him.

"Come with us," one guard said. Without waiting for her reply he seized her arm.

"W-What are you doing?!" she snapped.

"You are hereby under arrest, Elly Drake," the second guard said, grabbing her other arm.

"Under arrest?! On what charge?! Let me go! Let me go this instant!" she shrieked as she was pulled down the hallway.

From a nearby corner, Taiwo watched with a grim expression. After a moment he pulled out his pad and scribbled a note onto it. "What a disturbing turn of events."

"Werewolves."

They had finished crossing the long and massive bridge when the single word was uttered. Edge paused in his tracks and glanced over his shoulder. "Werewolves?" he echoed.

"There are many werewolves nearby," the familiar raspy voice whispered to him. "For so many to be so close this island must be infested…or the wielder of the Red Moon Rune is here."

Edge frowned. "The Red Moon Rune? Not the Blue Moon Rune?"

"I do not sense the Blue Moon Rune. Or the undead."

Edge exhaled quietly and looked at the path before them. He could see a forest; no doubt where the werewolves could be found. "If they have the Rabid Fang Rune they should be okay, right? Viktor knew someone with the Rabid Fang Rune."

"The Rabid Fang Rune prevents werewolves from falling to madness," came the reply. "Birthed directly from the Red Moon Rune."

Edge nodded. "I can deal with werewolves. I just don't want to deal with vampires."

"There are no vampires here. But…he is surely here."

"Right," Edge said. "Then we will keep going."

The Investigations will go up with the next chapter.