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Have you missed an episode? See Previous Chapters |
©2002 by Carolyn Ann Aish
All rights reserved. No part of this story may be copied or downloaded for profit.
Scripture quotes from King James Version Chapter 28
The ball was officially closed soon after midnight, to the sound and sight of an amazing display of fireworks set off from the battlements, lighting the sky, and the city.
The city was alive with people, watching the wonder, shouting their cheers and kudos.
Lord Dragmore was one of the last to take his leave from the royal three and their court family as they farewelled their guests in the castle foyer.
“I thank you for a successful day and a worthwhile night,” Lord Dragmore said as he took his leave, having received and given the expected blessings and quotes from the royal three.
The prince followed his mother and father up the great castle stairway. At the top, the queen turned to him, and offered, “Do you wish to talk about it, Son?”
“I wouldn’t wish to keep you up, Mother. You both must be exhausted.”
“I admit to being weary,” the king said, “it was a great day; and the ball; it was successful was it not? By the way, what happened to that young lady I danced with? You did too, Arpius--Miss Liliana?”
The king was oblivious to the distress of the night.
Although Arpius did not wish to detain his parents from their rest, the queen insisted, “Our dilemma must be discussed and a positive decision made as to what we might do on the morrow. Let’s go to the small sitting room.”
“We’ll all rest easier after talking about it,” agreed Pippin, who joined the growing group.
The king listened as his wife, with Lady Bradley’s assistance, explained Liliana’s reaction.
“We cannot just leave her, thinking of you, like that!” the king declared, feeling responsible. “It was my idea to have ‘Apples’ disappear, not yours.”
The prince did not want to tell the king all of Liliana’s words to him in the castle foyer, but Philip, who had also entered the chamber, gave a graphic account of both her facial expressions and her words.
“She loves you very much, Arpius,” the queen said, softly; “And she has missed out on a mother’s love; she has no one to talk to, about it. And...and I understand how she believed in you; even then, many years ago, you were a prince among men. She understood all that we have only just accepted...”
“We shall go and see her, tomorrow,” the king decided, firmly.
The prince did not speak; he was unsure, and wondered if anything would make Liliana change her mind about him. She is burning her diary, ‘our book,’ he remembered, wishing he could see it. Perhaps the diary holds something to bring back my memories of her...
“We should all go and see her,” Philip declared; adding, “We’d all be able to tell her a thing or two, wouldn’t we?”
With the decision having been made, that the king and queen would go to Chester Castle on the morrow, to speak with both Liliana and her father, everyone went to bed feeling that a resolve was on the way.
***
It was half after one in the morning, and Captain Karl shook Prince Arpius awake, telling him, “I’m sorry to wake you, Your Highness, but Lord Chester sent a messenger down here to our castle. The messenger says that Lord Chester is almost beside himself. He waited up for his daughter, Miss Liliana; but the carriage came home empty, he said. He wants to know where his daughter is--and Nance the maid who was with her, is also missing.”
Arpius jumped out of bed, and Vance appeared. The latter snatched up the Prince’s coronet, ready to place it on his head as he had been commanded not to allow the Prince to leave his chambers without it.
“I’ll dress first,” the prince said, then, “Liliana left in Dragmore’s carriage, Karl. What do you know about him?”
“Not much; he’s one of the richest barons; a widower, I believe. Keeps to himself; has a well-trained army out there, I’ve heard. But...he was the last to leave, wasn’t he? And it was the same carriage. It had returned.”
“Don’t wake the king, or queen; come with me; let’s ride out to Chester Castle; it’s only two miles; we’ll be there in a few minutes, with Bandit and Wanderlea, won’t we?”
Philip joined them, and a groom fetched the horses.
***
Lord Chester was sleeping when the prince, Captain Karl and Philip, arrived. The guards would not wake him. “He needs his sleep, Sirs, he’s very frail. It took him all this time to fall asleep...”
The pre-midnight duty castle guards were summoned.
“You’re absolutely sure that no other carriage came in here, other than his lordship’s?” Captain Karl asked.
“Yes, only his,” one guard replied.
“And Lady Liliana is not in her room?” Arpius asked.
“We didn’t check, Your Highness. We were told by Lord Chester, that she was not in the carriage, it was empty.”
“That carriage would have been empty,” Philip said, “and if Miss Liliana was crying, as I saw her when she got in the other carriage, she may have gone straight to her room. Perhaps Lord Chester had been slumbering and missed her; and he woke to believe she had not come...”
It sounded feasible, and Captain Karl asked; “Perhaps someone should look in the lady’s room?”
“I can’t authorize that, Sir; only Lord Chester may do that, Sir.”
Summoning Lord Chester’s aide-de-camp, he reaffirmed that they should not wake the old man.
“Well, go to Miss Liliana’s bed-chamber, and check if she is there, man!” Karl said, feeling tired and impatient.
“Oh, I can’t do that Sir; it is against the rules for one man, alone, to go to the young Miss’s quarters.”
“Then fetch a women servant!” Karl commanded.
“But they’re all down in the city; celebrating the new prince; only Nance was here; and she went, too...”
“Then, perhaps, you’ll escort us to Miss Liliana’s room,” Arpius suggested.
“Come,” the man said, taking up a candlestick bearing five glowing candles. As he followed the aide-de-camp, the prince collected another candelabra.
Liliana’s quarters, which included the servants’ quarters in the lower chambers, totaled a quarter of the castle. Lord Chester with the men-servants and castle guards, occupied the other three quarters.
Liliana’s quarters were not dark and dingy like the rest of the stone castle, but the walls had been plastered with a mix of white mortar in which the whitest of crushed marble had been mixed. This gave the walls a crystalline appearance, reflecting light from many facets.
But the prince’s attention was not upon the walls, or the beauty of the pastel shades of the furnishings, nor on the four-poster bed, unslept in; he held his candelabra up to light a huge silver frame upon one wall, in which sat a metallic golden apple. Beneath the frame was a heavy scroll, and on the scroll in large script, were the words, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” then beneath the verse; “In loving memory of ‘Apples of Gold’--Joseph--A prince I will never forget--Liliana Lois Anne Chester.”
“Miss Liliana’s bed has not been slept in,” the aide-de-camp announced unnecessarily; and moved across the room to an alcove. Drawing back a curtain, to reveal a narrow bed, he said, “and Maid Nance has not been here, neither, Sirs. What are ye going to do?”
But the attention of the three was upon the scroll beneath the silver frame. “How amazing,” Philip whispered; and the prince said, “to think she didn’t know...mine was the same...” He referred to the verse, remembering now, he had chosen the same one. It seemed a lifetime ago.
Captain Karl said nothing; Arpius had always been a prince to him...a true prince, serving God, and men...he reflected.
They moved around the massive chamber, which included sitting and dining areas. All around the walls were heavy scrolls like the first they had read, and the prince recognized verses he and Liliana had shared, many years ago, now written in beautiful script like writing.
Believing they were looking for clues, the aide-de-camp placed his candelabra on the small round dining table and stood waiting, by the outer door.
“I remember all these verses,” Arpius said softly.
“You’ve been here before?” Philip asked.
“No--I never came inside the castle--these were verses we memorized to share when we met in the garden. I remember her now...I remember...” his eyes misted with tears; he remembered being an orphan, a pauper, who wore sun-bleached rags; but even then, she had thought of him as a prince! He recalled many things she had said to him about their verses, reminding him to think of her, to pray for each other.
“Your Highness; don’t you think we had better go back to our castle and organize a search for Miss Liliana?” Captain Karl asked.
Arpius moved to a bookcase besides which was an ancient letter writing desk. Lifting the lid of the desk with one hand, he held the light closer to its contents. A large book, covered with white satin took his attention. In the middle of the cover, in gold embroidery, was an apple.
Opening the book, and carefully leafing through the thick pages, he saw, that on each page, a leaf, or a flower had been carefully pressed. The pages were interleaved with tissue paper to protect the delicacy of the pressed foliage. Each page contained two verses, one with the name, ‘Joseph’ beside it, and one with ‘Liliana.’
A few times, they had chosen the same verse, and the last entry was the verse that he himself had chosen, and which Liliana had beneath the silver frame on the wall. No flower had been pressed and included for the last entry. She had written her name beneath the verse, not knowing that he had chosen that same verse.
“It’s a real work of tender love, it is,” Philip said softly in the prince’s ear.
Closing the book, he returned, softly, “It’s not going to be burned. It is not over--it never will be.”
Taking the book with him, he said, “Yes, we must organize a search for Miss Liliana; but, where to begin?”
“I hope the carriage did not leave the road, Sir,” the aide-de-camp offered, “our carriage is sound, but not so some of those that has to travel a long ways.”
“Your carriage is here,” the captain said, frowning, “tell his lordship that we’re mounting a search for Miss Liliana. At first light, we’ll search the roadsides between here and the city,” Captain Karl said, adding “we’re looking for a different carriage, and we’ll look for signs of that carriage having left the road.”
***
As Arpius gave the satin covered book to the Captain to place in his mount’s saddlebag, he said, “We’re tired. We’re missing something about this matter, Karl...”
“You mustn’t be anxious Your Highness, we’ve no evidence yet that an accident did happen. In my life-time, I’ve discovered that there is usually a logical explanation for something like this--perhaps Miss Liliana, being so mightily upset, decided to go to one of the houses in the city where one of her servant women had gone for the night...”
Philip interjected, “Then the man who drove the carriage, the one who returned for Lord Dragmore, I saw him; he’ll know where she went...and, and...”
“That means there was no accident,” Arpius concluded.
“Exactly,” Philip agreed.
“We’ll send a quad out to Dragmore Castle and question the groom and the footman,” Karl said.
“I’d like to go out there, wherever it is,” Joseph said, “We should ride out there now. Which way is it?”
“I’ll show you the road, when we get to the crossing; but we’re not going out there, Your Highness, not without informing the king of our intentions.”
“That’s wise,” Arpius agreed.
Chapter 29
Just before they reached the Western Crossroads, where the five roads joined with the one leading to the city, the trio saw ahead, silhouetted in the light of the moon, riding towards them, a small band, about a dozen, led by Captain Randell.
To their surprise, Lady Bradley rode among them.
Drawing her horse close to the prince’s she explained; “I wasn’t sleeping very well, Your Highness, and when I heard about Miss Liliana, I decided to join Captain Randell’s posse to lend you any support that was required; especially as the lady was so distressed when she left the ball. I thought, perhaps, she might need a lady to talk with her, one who knew the truth...”
“Thank you, Lady Bradley, you’re most thoughtful,” Arpius said sincerely, then, “However, Miss Liliana is not at her home castle, and we wish to ride to Dragmore as she was last seen getting into his carriage.”
“She...she did not arrive...home?” Lady Bradley asked, obviously upset. Turning, she looked meaningfully at Captain Randell.
“What is it?” Arpius asked.
“Dragmore has a reputation,” Captain Randell said, hating to voice it, “it was rumored, but never properly documented, that he abducted one of the young ladies he later married, a lady in a similar position to Miss Liliana, her father a sole parent. After having been detained in his castle for a few nights, she then had to marry him, or suffer a ruined reputation. It was about six years ago; she died in child-birth.”
“You said one of the young ladies,” the Prince asked, “what happened to the others?”
“One other; he married her soon after the death of the first; and it was recorded that she accidentally drowned in the deep moat that surrounds the castle.”
“Suicide?” Philip asked, feeling shocked to the core. The man had been widowed twice over, and he had been smugly conversing with the lovely lady who, he was sure, belonged to his prince.
“I want to ride there, now,” Arpius said firmly, adding, “to Dragmore Castle.”
Captain Randell said, “If Miss Liliana was not at her home, we would have suggested that.”
“And Lady Bradley?” the prince asked.
“Count me in,” the Lady said, “I know it’s quite a ride, but as I ride most days, I’m well equal to it.”
The prince turned to Captain Karl, saying, “You’ve been on duty all night, Captain; I’d like you to take Miss Liliana’s book to the queen, and then to speak with my father, the king. Perhaps, if we have not returned soon, he should send a larger company to assist us.”
Captain Randell laughed, saying, “It will likely all prove to be a proverbial chase after wild geese.”
“That’s exactly what I said,” Karl agreed, looking forward to finding his bed, to get some needed rest. He could not count the hours since he had slept last; but knew that it was more than twenty.
“Claude: raise the standard of His Highness, Prince Arpius; and lead the way!” Captain Randell commanded. A young rider raised a pole with an elaborately embroidered pennant attached to its gold tipped pointed end. The flag depicted a golden lion with a red heart. Placing the blunt end in a leather holder at the side of his saddle, Claude supported the pole with his left hand. Riding to the fore of the band, he trotted his horse across the wide crossing named Western Crossroads, taking the northern-most road.
The prince stared at the standard, feeling greatly honored. He knew the king had a standard; it depicted the same lion; but he had not been told that one had been made for him.
“How far is it?” Arpius inquired, as he followed, walking his horse in unison with Captain Randell’s. Soon they would be cantering, perhaps galloping for some of the journey, and conversation would be restricted.
“Twenty miles,” the captain replied, adding, “we’ll have to rest our horses before we return, but I’m sure that though Dragmore is considered at bit of a blue-beard, he will pour out all his best resources when he realizes that he has the honor of entertaining the Prince of Justiceburg at breakfast.”
Arpius had not considered his visit to Dragmore Castle in this light. He grinned.
***
It was dawn when they rode over the rise, and Dragmore Castle was in their view. As the moon was descending, the sun was rising, and all in the band drew deep breaths of appreciation of the beauty of the morning. The moat around the castle was so still that it was a perfect mirror for all in the perimeter of its view.
As they approached, the moat bridge was lowered, and grinding chains heralded the rising of the portcullis.
Walking their horses over the bridge, the captain said, “The guards have seen the standard; and I believe Lord Dragmore will be summoned; see if I’m not right; he will be falling over to be there when we ride into his courtyard.”
Lord Dragmore was there, waiting in the courtyard, a group of ten soldiers making a half-moon behind him.
As the last of their band rode under the portcullis, it unexpectedly dropped with a thunderous crash. Captain Randell and the soldiers in the prince’s band, looked back in shock; beyond the bars of the portcullis, the moat bridge was being raised.
Riding his horse in a circle, around his unit, as if inspecting the line-up, Captain Randell intended to ask the meaning of the closure; it was against all protocol. His eyes contacted dozens of men, Dragmore’s soldiers, all with loaded crossbows; pointing at the backs of the prince’s company. Step by step, they drew closer.
Quickly calculating their position, Captain Randell steered his horse beside Bandit, his eyes upon Prince Arpius. To all appearances, the prince did not seem perturbed. Then, as the noise of the rising moat bridge began to subside, he said, “I had the dread feeling that I’d been here before; but now I’m sure, Captain. There is great trouble here in this place.”
“Welcome! Your Royal Highness; Prince Arpius Joseph Lemuel Justice of Justiceburg; Captain; and company,” Lord Dragmore said, his smug face changing into a grin. “We’ve been hoping you’d come, but we weren’t sure; now you’re here, we trust you’ll enjoy your time with us.”
The lord commanded, “Take the prince’s standard, and place it on the Southern Tower.” Turning back to his visitors, he said, “Our grooms will take care of your mounts; and you shall leave all weapons at the door. Come, take breakfast with me. After your long ride, and at this hour, you’ll be hungry.”
Lady Bradley, having dismounted, hurried to the captain’s side, asking, “What on earth is going on here?”
“It is all in Lord Dragmore’s hands, Lady Bradley; I advise that we do as he says, and perhaps he’ll explain himself.” Turning to his men, he said; “We’re outnumbered; I command that you all stay close to Prince Arpius; do nothing that would jeopardize his life.”
As they were herded into the great hall, and the prince saw that food awaited them on the table, he spoke softly, hoping that only those in their band would hear, “Take care; it may be poisoned. I believe Dragmore is responsible for the poison in my father’s throne.”
Captain Randell turned sharply to Arpius, asking, “How do you know that?”
“I rode here,” the prince whispered now, “I swam in the moat and I overheard the plot in the courtyard when Faidor arrived. My saddle and boots will be out in the woods to prove it all. Pass the word around; don’t eat or drink...”
However, Claude was very thirsty and snatched up a waiting goblet, downing it before either the prince or the lord of the castle had been seated.
“Let’s be seated and take your repast,” Dragmore said, then, “Perhaps His Highness shall honor me by sitting at my table?”
“Keep an eye on Claude,” Arpius urged as he left the captain’s side, Philip shadowing him.
Lady Bradley, usually a patient soul, could keep silent no longer. The voicing of perhaps being poisoned was too much! If the men accept this without a squeak, then I shall not. Still standing, she called, “Lord Dragmore; before we accept your enforced hospitality, perhaps we should discuss the reason we are here?”
“Oh, I know why you’re here, Lady. Is it not to seek the location of Miss Liliana? Do not fear, dear lady; she’s safe, quite safe.”
Prince Arpius watched Claude as he sat, steadying himself, with his two hands grasping the edge of the table. Then, as if in slow motion, he slumped forward, his face in a plate of fruit, then, releasing his grip, he began to slide backwards.
The men either side of Claude supported him, then, dragging him off the bench they lay him on the stone floor. Feeling for the jugular vein, one man felt a slow heart beat.
“He’s breathing,” said the other, relieved.
“You poisoned him,” Lady Bradley cried, pointing at Dragmore.
“Not poison, dear. Don’t be melodramatic. Just a little sleeping draught,” Dragmore said, then, “Well, well. We’re touchy, aren’t we? You’d all have been much easier to handle if you’d complied. Perhaps we should dispense with the breakfast and get on to other matters.”
Signaling his guards, he said, “Take the lady upstairs, with Miss Liliana. Then help put all the rest below, as we discussed. Prince Arpius and I shall take some discourse together.”
It was useless to argue or resist. However, one young castle guard drew a short sharp dagger from his boot. Holding it erect between his forefinger and thumb, he calculated his target and aimed it at Dragmore’s throat. With a swift action, Dragmore ducked sideways and the dagger hit into the stone wall, bouncing back and landing with a clatter on the floor.
Using the flat of his crossbow, one of the soldiers clouted the culprit on the back of his head, rendering him unconscious.
Prince Arpius stood, feeling deeply upset, watching as the loyal soldier was dragged from the chamber by his feet.
He watched Lady Bradley being marched from the room, a soldier on each arm.
“I’d like to remain with Prince Arpius,” the captain called as two men hauled him off the bench upon which he had sat.
“You’re not here to do as you like,” Dragmore said, shaken by the dagger. “Who are you?” he asked of Philip.
“A servant, Sir,” Philip replied, wanting to remain with the prince.
“Well, make sure you keep silent and serve,” he growled, turning his attention back to the prince.
“I’m glad you came, Arpius, and I’m hoping that your father will soon follow your lead. Do you think so?”
“I hope not,” Arpius replied, then added, “He won’t leave the city.”
“Why would he not come for his son?” Dragmore asked.
“He has militia to take care of crimes that are committed,” the prince said, wondering if he could somehow bluff this evil man out of his evil plans. “I’ve never known him to leave the royal castle when there’s danger involved.”
“But how will he know there is danger?”
“And how do you know that I’m truly the Prince of Justiceburg? Perhaps I am part of a collusion, sent to discover how far you’d be prepared to go to gain the throne that you once conspired against?” Taking off his coronet, the prince placed it on the table.
“What? What are you saying?”
“Do you not realize, Dragmore, that for several months now, the king has been working at discovering who was behind the plot involving the throne upon which he almost sat? Now we know for sure who contrived it.”
Dragmore frowned deeply and asked, “If you’re not the prince, why were you wearing his coronet?”
“I wanted you to believe I was he. Perhaps you should ask Miss Liliana if I’m truly the son of the king of Justiceburg.”
“Everyone knows the prince is adopted...”
“Do they? Miss Liliana did not accept me; did you not hear us arguing last evening? She knew me before I was assigned to this task, and she recognized me.”
Dragmore was silent, confused.
“You did everything to expose your guilt, Dragmore; you took the opportunity last evening, to steal the prince’s ‘lady’ as bait. Admit it, you were hoping the prince would ride out to your castle, as I have done; then, the prince would become bait for the king. You’re hoping, Dragmore, that the king will follow me; but that’s where you’re wrong. If we don’t return soon, he’ll know that his suspicions are correct. You want his throne. Don’t worry; King Lemuel won’t buy your plot. You will not sit on his throne.”
Dragmore gave an unearthly cry. Drawing his sword, he pointed it at the prince who began backing away. With a sweep of the sword, the lord sliced all of the candlesticks in a candelabrum, in half. Running towards the prince, he circumnavigated a table. Kicking out with his foot, he pushed another table over, sending goblets and plates of food in all directions.
Prince Arpius circled a third table to put something between himself and the crazed man, looking around to see if there was something with which to shield himself. A row of knights’ shields decorated the front of the main table, and he wondered why he had not seen them before.
The soldiers, their crossbows at the ready, did not advance, but watched as if this were their lord’s normal behavior when enraged.
Collecting a bowl from the floor, Philip also snatched up the dagger that had fallen. With it hidden beneath the bowl, which he cradled in one arm, he approached behind Dragmore as the latter kicked over the third table.
“Sir; I did not tell you, but I’m also an adviser, and I have many good ideas,” the lad began.
Swinging around, his sword extended, the lord shouted, “Keep out of my way! No one will stand in my way between the throne and me!” He turned back to Arpius, both arms flung out and the sword pointed again at the prince.
Philip did not hesitate. Dropping the bowl, he flung himself forward, grasping the man around his neck, the dagger at the man’s throat.
“Drop your sword!” Philip shouted. But Dragmore, with a backward thrust, spun himself around and around, moved so fast that he took Philip’s breath away, slamming him into the castle wall so hard, that Philip was almost knocked senseless. But as the lord was spinning, two guards released their bolts, targeting Philip.
Together, the tangled pair slipped to land in a heap on the floor. Two bolts protruded from Lord Dragmore’s back.
Staggering to his feet, Philip saw Arpius with a shield in each hand. “Catch,” the prince said as he vaulted the main table to collect Lord Dragmore’s sword.
Crossbow bolts clattered on their shields. The prince and Philip both knew that it took almost two minutes to reload the bows. Behind his shield, he called, “Make your way to the door through which Lady Bradley was taken.”
Looking out from the shield, he called, “Any of you who wish to join us may assist us to where Miss Liliana is being held...”
But most of Lord Dragmore’s men were loyal; now frenzied; they did not know whether their leader was dead or alive; but they were pledged to serve him, to protect him, to kill for him. Only two men decided to change sides, and as these two opened the doors, flying bolts brought them down.
Keeping their shields between themselves and the bolts, Arpius and Philip hurried to the exit. “Go first,” Philip urged, shielding the prince’s back. Together they dragged the two injured men the other side of the door. Pushing the door closed, and sending its bolt across it, Philip followed the prince up the winding step way.
Chapter 30
There were no guards at the door to the room atop the tower, they were not needed as a heavy crossbar secured it.
Prince Arpuis, followed by Philip, entered the chamber.
Liliana, still dressed in her beautiful ball gown, together with Lady Bradley and the maid, Nance, started in fear when Arpius and Philip burst in, the former carrying a sword and a shield.
A smashing noise from beneath made them jump with fright. After a few more thunderous bangs, the noise ceased.
“Barricade the door,” the prince urged, “it’ll keep them out and give us more time.”
Philip helped drag a wooden bed across to the door, and together they pushed the heavy table, Lady Bradley joining them to help wedge it behind the bed. An unfixed wooden closet was shunted to lie behind the wedged furniture. It would now be very difficult, if not impossible, for anyone to enter.
Panting, Arpius moved to look out the tower window. A smashing noise broke the silence. Shouts and curses sounded out. Then all was quiet.
The smashing, crashing, thudding began again, this time the splintering sounds ground on their nerves. It was impossible to talk, the sound was so loud.
Boots sounded out on the steps and the door was banged upon.
“Clear the door, or it will be the worse for you all!” a deep voice bellowed. When there was no answer, he spoke in a more normal tone, but threatening, “Unblock the door and we’ll not harm any of you!”
The Prince strode to the furniture at the door, calling, “Leave us in peace. We’ll wait in here for the troops to come from the city. They’ll sort you out.”
Silence permeated the tower chamber and the only sound Arpius could hear was his own heart beating, faster than usual. He stared out the large window opening, looking across the moat at the road, hoping his father would not come, but that his captains and soldiers would.
“Oh, no!” Liliana cried, “Look!”
Arpius turned to where Liliana pointed. Wafting between the furniture, drifting ominously from under the great steel braced wooden door, thin wisps of smoke rose like snakes, poising as if to attack.
Nance broke into uncontrolled weeping.
“Dragmore is so wicked!” Lady Bradley exclaimed, wringing her hands. “He’s going to suffocate us, or burn us alive. There is no way out of here!” Sitting down, she hid her face in her hands.
“Lord Dragmore is no longer in control of this castle,” Arpius said.
“We think he’s dead,” Philip said.
“You killed him?” Liliana asked, and the prince saw an accusation rise in her eyes.
“Two of his own men shot him,” Philip said, having understood Liliana’s question.
The five watched in horror as the smoke grew thicker, rising like black thunderclouds to fill the room.
Arpius leaned out the tower window, seeking to calculate the distance to the surface of the water.
“We’ll all have to jump and swim the moat,” he said, coughing as clouds of smoke funneled out the window.
“I can’t swim,” Philip said, in his ear, “but I can float, and perhaps paddle enough to get to the edge.”
“Lady Bradley?”
“I could stay afloat, too; but I’d never be able to jump that far...”
“Miss Liliana?”
“I’d prefer to wait here,” she said primly. “I did not like Lord Dragmore, but I don’t trust you; you know that.”
The prince strode to where she sat, on the floor out of the way of the rising smoke. Folding his arms to look down at her, he said, “It’s very tiresome, Liliana, to have to put up with your rejection when I’ve done nothing to earn it.”
“Hear, hear,” Philip said, coughing.
“Give one reason why I should trust you.”
“I’ve never asked you to trust me, Liliana. You know the things we used to discuss; our trust is in God, not in each other. ‘Not in kings or princes, but in God,’ remember the verse? Then, as we both trust God, we know we can trust each other...”
She made no reply.
“I’d like you to consider, Liliana, a proverb you shared, with me; it was the last time I was with you as Apples--‘He who answers a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame to him.’ Now, as we don’t want either folly or shame, perhaps it would be better to hear the matter, do you not think?”
Liliana would not meet his eyes.
“We have two choices,” Arpius said, “one is to stay here and suffocate to death, or to jump, and, with God’s help, save ourselves. I can swim well enough to help you all, so long as you can stay afloat.”
Crouching beside Liliana, he took both her hands and said, “If it would make any difference, Liliana, I can tell you truthfully, that I had no control over my so-called disappearance; and also, until early this morning, I did not remember you because I suffered a loss of memory due to a grave illness from which I almost died. I’m telling you this because I love you. I’ve never stopped loving you, and I want us to be happy, together. Now come, and be brave. I’m not leaving you here and if I have to carry you, I’ll do so.”
She rose, shaking him off her hands, trying to fan away the choking smoke. She went with him to the window. They coughed painfully.
Without speaking, Arpius helped Liliana up on the stone ledge. Gathering the white ball gown in her hands, she leapt from the tower window. Arpius pushed himself forcefully as he jumped, hoping he would not land on top of her.
The water was cold and very wet. From the height they had jumped, both Liliana and Arpius sank deep into the moat. Liliana thought she would never come up. She surfaced, a split second before Arpius.
“Don’t struggle, Liliana, just relax. Let me swim with you to the bank.” Arpius kicked hard, holding Liliana with one arm and paddling with the other. Just as they reached the clay bank, a loud splash sounded out. It was Lady Bradley.
“I’ll pull myself out,” Liliana said, “help Lady Bradley. And, Joseph, Arpius, I’m sorry...please forgive me.”
The prince swam to where Lady Bradley was thrashing around like a terrified cat in the moat water. She had swallowed a mouthful and would have drowned if Arpius had not been there to keep her afloat. He swam with the lady to the bank where Liliana helped haul her out.
Another splash sounded; Philip had pushed Nance out the window. He followed the maid.
Looking up, Arpius could see a pall of black smoke ascending through both the windows and crevasses in the roof of the tower. The enraged men must have lit a large fire to create so much smoke!
Swimming to Philip, who was dog paddling towards him, Arpius by-passed him to help Nance. In spite of being distressed, Nance was keeping herself afloat. With the prince’s help, she gained the safety of the bank where Philip was already climbing from the water.
They were all safe.
Then a shout spoiled their new freedom, “Hey! Hey! How did y’ get over there?”
It was a guard, peering over the battlements. He disappeared.
“Come. We must find somewhere to hide. That man will tell the others that we’ve escaped. They might shoot arrows from the battlements. I hope they don’t bring long-bows.”
They clambered to their feet and Arpius directed the way, moving away from the castle, following the canal edge. Lady Bradley, now assisted by Philip, was gasping. Hoping he was taking the right direction, the prince led the way through the woods and up the hill.
“We’ll follow the road, and if we hear anyone coming from the castle, we must hurry down into those trees,” the prince said, indicating the forest on the other side.
They made good progress, but all were out of breath.
“Someone’s coming!” Philip said, “I hear hooves.”
The sound made everyone’s heart beat faster, and they hurried down the incline to the forest.
Lady Bradley sank to the forest floor, as did Liliana. Nance hid behind a tree. Philip returned to where the prince crouched behind a large stump, watching the road, knowing from the sound of many hooves, that it was a large company. He could not tell whether the sound came from the castle gates . . . or from the road leading to them.
“It’s Father!” Arpius cried in jubilation. “It’s Father. I can’t believe it! He did come!”
The prince rushed up from the woods, waving both hands, smiling broadly. King Lemuel pulled on the reins of his horse and with his hand up, he halted the company. Turning, Arpius beckoned the wet escapees to come from their hiding place.
Liliana found it difficult to walk up the slope with her heavy wet ball gown draping around her; it felt like cold soggy porridge. The beautiful dress was no longer beautiful. It was not white any more. The lace looked forlorn and pieces of moss and slime from the moat were caught in the fills and flounces. Dirt and clay from the moat bank clung to the satin like brown mould. Her golden hair hung in wet tendrils around her pale face. Liliana felt shy as she attempted a lame curtsy, Nance joined her.
Turning, the prince watched as Philip helped Lady Bradley up the slope. She smiled a wan smile, saying, “I pray I never have to meet you out on the highway again like this, Sire.”
The company broke into laughter.
“Come, Father; we have some friends to rescue,” the Prince said.
Chapter 31
Prince Arpius and Lady Liliana said their wedding vows beneath the tree, which was in full bloom. Petals drifted, dancing down on the couple, adding to the beauty of this breath-taking sunny spring day.
The prince had proposed to Liliana beneath this very tree, soon after she had returned home from Dragmore Castle. To know that his beloved daughter was betrothed to the crown prince who was her original first love, gave Lord Chester a new lease of life. “I plan to live to be one hundred,” he said excitedly, “so that I will hold my great grandchildren!”
Men closest to Lord Dragmore, those ‘in the know’ had admitted their support of the scheming murderer who had evil ambitions of taking the throne. In exchange for their lives, Dragmore’s men had told the whole story, making the jigsaw complete. King Lemuel realised how close he had been to losing everything, his throne, his crown, his kingdom, and his life. Prince Arpius had never seemed so precious, so valuable to him as now. Then, King Lemuel realised, this son would become dearer every day he lived. “I love you more today, than yesterday, but not as much as I will tomorrow,” he told his son.
Preparations for the wedding took everyone’s attention. The wedding ceremony was convened in the gardens of Chester Castle, then the banquet and celebrations were held in the royal castle. The road between was lined with people from all over the kingdom who paved the way with flowers upon which the royal carriages were driven, the bride and bridegroom leading the procession. Cheers and kudos erupted at ear deafening pitch as the carriage moved slowly on its course.
The couple took an extended honeymoon at ‘Allison’s Place,’ previously ‘Dragmore Castle.’ Liliana had been dreading returning to this place, but she had to agree that the widow had brought about so many changes that the castle had a whole new atmosphere.
Lavender grew everywhere, with rosemary, jasmine vines and many other fragrant and healing plants.
The prince taught his princess to swim, and together they swam under the moat portcullis where Arpius retold to his bride, the plot he had overheard.
A year later, there was rejoicing and celebrating for a different reason; the prince and princess became parents; making the king and queen, and Lord Chester, proud grandparents.
Queen Lois carried the newborn prince to meet his father for the first time. With tears in her eyes, she said, “I had no idea it would feel like this, Arpius Joseph; I feel as if he is mine; my own child, the feeling is completely overwhelming!”
“He is yours, Mother; as I am,” the prince said, looking down at the tiny baby boy. “Here, I want to take him to his grandfathers, I want to present ‘Prince Lemuel’ to them.”
King Lemuel wept unashamedly, as did Lord Chester. A grandson, a prince whom they both shared and loved.
***
Three more children were born to the prince and princess, two more sons, then a daughter. The little princess was named ‘Merola,’ after Arpius’ mother.
When each of them was born, Queen Lois felt as if each belonged to her.
“That’s how grand-parents feel,” Lady Bradley told her; “Our grand-children are our children’s children, and there is such a blessing in the heart that it takes the breath away. Each one of them is precious, a gift from the LORD.”
***
Even when they had been married for ten years, the Crown Prince Arpius and Princess Liliana, of Justiceburg continued to share verses; and each day, the prince brought his princess a flower; and each day she kissed him and told him that she trusted him, and that he would always be the ‘apple of her eye’ and the prince of her life. ‘Forever,’ she added.
End
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