Ch 58: The Prince's Plan

The moment Astasha and Helia disappeared into the forest, Calder turned to Talib.

“And now for the hard part.”

He headed toward the castle as his Captain shook his head. “I thought that was the hard part.”

Cal knew he would be waiting for them, and so he was. Standing like a pillar of doom near the servant’s entrance, was the Highest Sorcerer.

“We will find them, you know. And now, thanks to you, both have been marked as traitors to their kind, punishable not only by the stripping of their powers, but by death.”

The Prince stopped only inches away from the man he was growing to loath more and more. “Thanks to you, *Your Royal Highness*.”

Alaric cocked his head ever so slightly, a sneer fighting to cross his face. “Your Royal Highness.”

Calder looked him dead in the eyes. “You will never find them. But mark my words, once you have exhausted your resources trying to do so, I will personally make sure that all the land knows, you wasted precious time chasing after a young, innocent woman, rather than focusing on the real threat at hand.”

And with that he stormed past him and into the castle, Talib on his heals.

It was not a pleasant scenario that he faced in his father’s War Room the next day. Those that had sought Tasha’s punishment were incensed that she had escaped, even more convinced that she had bewitched the Prince to aid her. But there were the few who seemed to be concerned that if she was not the mastermind behind everything that had happened, the true enemy was still at large.

Those were the ones he needed to get to.

He knew he had placed the King in an impossible situation. But he also knew there was more to the old man than many gave him credit for. Josnen had controlled the situation for the most part, until the vile head of the High Council unleashed his ultimate weapon.

“The traitor Astasha is with child. A royal child. An abomination to every law that governs the land both magically and otherwise.”

Silence fell and Cal’s heart felt as if it had stopped.

There was no way. If she had known, Tasha would have told him. But he thought through the time frame, and if she was, there would be no way to know just yet.

“That is a dangerous accusation to make.” Said the King. “Where is your proof.”

“It rode off, into the night, thanks to the father of the child and his right hand man.”

All eyes turned to Calder, but he remained silent. Anything he said now would only fuel their conspiracies.

“Can you not see?” Alaric continued. “This entire thing has been orchestrated by this dark witch to obtain power, the ultimate power.”

“And can you not see how ridiculous that is? You weren’t there, the night the demon was set free. I saw what it did to the Prince, and Sorceress Astasha. Why would she inflict that on herself, on the so called father of her child, if she was the one behind it?”

Cal knew his Captain had good intent, but he also knew it was only making things worse.

“It’s exactly what I would do if I wanted everyone to believe I was innocent.” Responded the Highest Sorcerer.

Talib’s fists tightened. “And I say that says more about the kind of monster you are than she.”

The Prince put his hand on his friend’s shoulder as the room once again exploded in argument, counselors and captains demanding answers.

“Silence!” Bellowed the King. “I have not achieved so much in this lifetime by taking everyone at their word, so you will excuse me Highest Sorcerer, but I would like to confer with my own resources before taking you at yours. In the meantime, there is still a demon, potentially several, that have made known threats to this kingdom. Whether controlled by the sorceress or not, it is an enemy we must prepare for. Now, I will give you all a moment to collect yourselves and remember that you are grown men and women, not children squabbling at the supper table, while I speak with my son alone.”

Josnen looked at Calder and headed to one of the anti-chambers.

“Find Errant, bring him to my father and I immediately.” He whispered to Talib before following.

Poor Errant. He had recovered from Helia’s blow easily enough, but Alaric had still insisted he remain in the healing ward, no doubt to keep him from this very meeting.

Cal entered the room and closed the door.

“Please, tell me there is no merit to his words.”

His father’s head was bowed as he leaned heavily on the back of a chair.

“You know as well as I do that not enough time has passed to know for sure. But, I have sent for the one person who might be able to tell us if there is a possibility.”

Cal refused to be ashamed, or guilty. In his mind, Astasha was his Queen. If they bore a child together, he would face whatever was necessary to protect them both.

Josnen looked at him and took a deep breath. “I do not want to know more than I must. Your actions last night have created quite a mess. In fact, your actions since you met her, have put this entire kingdom in a very precarious position. But, if there is one thing to fight for, I suppose love would be a good candidate. It was, after all, the reason I encouraged her to do the blood magic ritual in the first place, my love for you. So, I guess none of us are completely innocent in all this.”

Father and son stared at one another in silence for a moment. “I am sorry, father. I wish I could say, if only I had met someone else before her. But the truth is, there has never been anyone else for me. She is my one true love, I have known that since the moment I saw her.”

The King considered this for a moment and nodded gently. “I suppose then, you know where she is?”

“The less you know.” He responded.

Another nod. “Well, I would suggest then, you formulate a plan, and a smart one, for whatever it is you two are going to do. If I know my son as well as I think I do, you’ve already worked out where it is you need to go, and how it is you are to defeat the enemy.”

A small smile touched Calder’s lips. His father had taught him well. But he put on a serious face and looked him in the eye. “I swear to you, I will protect this kingdom. But there is one thing I need of you.”

Josnen raised an eyebrow. “What is your request?”

“Keep the wolves busy while I gather my flock.”

It was now the King’s turn for a faint smile. “A wild goose chase?”

“A distraction, to the South. If Alaric wants so badly to find his enemy, let him and his supporters have their hunt. Call in reinforcements from the West to protect the castle,” He swallowed hard. “And, begin to prepare the trials for the Transfer of Houses, should I fail.”

He had thought a lot about this since his return, had truly considered it the night his father had told him it would be his last with Tasha.

The Transfer of Houses was a precaution taken to secure a ruler should the current King fail to produce an heir, or, the heir die before ascending the throne. Only once before in all the ages of the land had it been implemented because a Prince had chosen to step down. But if it was the only way for him to be with Astasha, it was something he was willing to deliberate.

Each of the noble houses of the kingdom would send their eldest male heir to compete in the trials, a series of tests which would determine who would become the next heir to the throne of Trenue. The victor would be named Prince, and at the current ruler’s death, King, forever changing the bloodline of succession. It was not to be taken lightly, and most of the Kings of history had done everything in their power to produce a male heir before their end. If their wife was beyond child bearing years, a surrogate would be obtained. If she had passed, a new wife was taken. But if all else failed, the Transfer of Houses would begin.

Josnen looked hard at his son.

Calder knew his father had loved his mother too much to take another wife. Their bloodline would end with him.

“I have a request of my own then.” Said the King finally. “If it comes to it, do not sacrifice yourself to save another. I’ve already had to face the possibility of losing my son once…”

“If you could have sacrificed yourself to save Mother, would you have?”

There was no need for Josnen to respond. The look on his face said it all.

A knock from the door leading to the hall broke the somber atmosphere.

“Enter.” Said the King.

Talib and Errant came into the room.

“High Sorcerer.” Cal exchanged a look with the man who he knew had put his position and his life on the line to help Tasha escape.

“Your Highness.” He said bowing.

The King stepped toward him. “Errant, I hope you are recovering well enough. I am guessing the Captain has filled you in on Alaric’s latest accusation.”

The sorcerer nodded. “I am, and he has.” Another glance toward Calder.

“Tell me, honestly, is it possible?” He tried to hide it, but there was clearly worry on Josnen’s face.

Errant looked between father and son. “Your highness, every sorceress in service of the throne, is required to take certain… medicines… as it were, to prevent such a thing from happening, so as not to hinder their duty. I do not believe Sorceress Astasha to be foolish and drastic enough to cease such a thing considering the implications she knew she already faced.”

Secretly, Calder let out a breath he did not know he had been holding. Though, in relief or disappointment, he couldn’t tell.

The sigh that came from the King, however, was clearly that of gratitude.

“Thank you, Errant.”

“Your majesty,” The old man looked frailer than Calder had ever remembered him being. “If I may, The Highest Sorcerer, he knows of these rules. He is also aware of the timeline in which these events have occurred. If he is convinced of this to be fact, it would mean…” He looked at the Prince. “It would mean Astasha either confirmed it, or refused to deny the accusation. I don’t believe she would do the former, and whatever her reasons are for the latter, there will be no swaying of his mind now.”

“Then it is all the more important that my plan work.” Responded Cal.

“I cannot do much, but, I will take my dying breath defending this kingdom and my King.” Said the High Sorcerer.

Calder knew it was true. Errant held his post in the highest regard. “And that is all I ask of you. Stay by my father’s side, and continue to advise him as you have done all these years.”

Errant bowed to his Prince in acknowledgment.

“Well,” said the King. “Now that I have my answers, I can only imagine what Alaric has twisted my other advisors’ minds with in my absence. I need to return before the damage becomes too great.” He turned to his son. “You will have your distraction. But I suggest you execute this plan of yours sooner rather than later.”

And with that he headed back into the War Room.

“I should take my leave as well.” Said Errant. “If I am to stay in my post, I cannot be party to anything that might be construed as, well…”

“Thank you.” Said Calder. “Truly, for everything.”

The High Sorcerer bowed to him and turned to leave but stopped. “Your highness,” He looked back at Cal with his brow furrowed. “Astasha is strong, and kind hearted, but I fear even the most docile and loving of creatures will lash out to defend themselves if tormented enough. Keep her from the darkness. It is easy to find solace there when you feel the world has turned its back on you.”

“I will.”

Errant nodded and left, leaving the Prince and his Captain alone.

Talib turned to him. “So, what now?”

“Now, we build an army.”