Dueling Kingdoms - Part 8

If you have not done so, please read part 7 written by Rowan Finley! This story has a lot of twists and surprises, so if you're just finding this please go back to Part 1 written by Rowan Finley!

Kris in her disguise hobbled until she was well past the wood line. Believing she would have plenty of time to escape, shed her disguise and shoved the cloak in her satchel. With Coy being distracted by my untimely death and the death of our child. Kris’ eyes stung with a burning pain she could not shake, their child, future King Embry Lincoln Murphinite, was the only thing, the only person Kris was tied to. She forced her heart to believe Coy, to love him. There was a gentleness with him, but it was only seen by her. Kris struggled with pretending to be in love, living a facade with Coy, but she would rather have given up on her life to raise her son properly, with his birthright rightfully his! She couldn’t force Embry to live in the shadows as she did. If Embry hadn’t been stillborn, Kris would be there, nursing him, hoping that the child could soften Coys heart and possibly rule with more justice and mercy to their people however, when Mitzi's grave expression and the silence after his birth deafened her ears, the pain, the rage, everything that Kris had suppressed rocketed out of her in primal cries. Mitzi couldn’t ease Kris’ sufferings. Kris knew Coy and the King would provide Embry a proper burial, and she, hoping he hadn’t discovered the truth. However, she still feared that it would only harden Coy’s heart and she feared for the future of his Kingdom. This was why Mitzi’s idea, the only comfort she could provide, was that Kris should return home. She secretly planned with a few maids and butlers, securing Kris a donkey, the disguise, and even supplied some rations for the trip. Mitzi planned everything! She had been listening intently and even Kris was surprised when she provided a pathway for her escape, knowing if Coy ever discovered the truth, she’d more than likely be executed for her treason.

As Kris walked deeper into the forest, a path she had traveled many times before, feeling sheltered by the canopy of tree branches above her and the shadows it provided. She allowed her thoughts to wander, unsure of what to do, but to return home. Kris slowed her steps and froze as she heard angry men yelling, and a thunderous sound of hooves. Kris wouldn’t be able to outrun them, or escape by donkey. She could hear them approaching quickly, too quickly to put her disguise back on…it was the Renegades! Kris panicked, until she saw that cottage again, one she had hid in before. She tied the donkey to a fence post near the door and ran inside. It was still warm, lit like before. “You’ll be safe here…Princess.” An old woman’s voice piped behind me, the way she inflected her voice on “princess” sent a shiver of fear down Kris’ spine! “Oh! I’m…” “Hush! Before they realize more than just an old woman is here!” Her long frail finger pointing to Kris and then over her lips, a warning to remain silent. A thunderous banging on the door caused Kris to shudder. “Go to the back, throw a blanket over yourself!” Kris quietly and quickly ran and found a thick old quilt to hide under in a corner. “Can I help you old fools?” The old woman answered the door to the men outside “There’s a fugitive on the loose, a young woman hobbling like an old hag! You wouldn’t know anything about that now would you? You witch! One of your tricks maybe?” His voice sneered as the scuffled sound of boots entered her home, and rummaging had occurred. “I’m not a witch, you people and your fairytales! You banished me from the Kingdom because I look to be what you believe, but I am simply an old woman.” “Right, like I’m supposed to be easily persuaded by you?” Kris placed her hand over her mouth, preventing any soft sounds of breath as a pair of boots stepped dangerously close to her, Kris could feel his weight on the wooden floor, sensing his presence towering over her. The suspense brought a tension, a thickness of air or lack thereof under the quilt. Kris could feel his weight shift, almost as if he had squatted down, his presence still hovering over the blanket. The corner of the blanket was gently grasped, until another one of the men piped up “Alright, we’re done here. It’s just this old hag and her ass!” The corner of the blanket dropped to the floor and Kris only let out a breath when she heard the men exit and the door shut behind them. The biggest sigh she had ever had, exited her lips, her body weak from her tensed muscles. “Come on out Kris!” The old woman’s mused tone comforted her, as the old woman removed the quilt from over Kris. “They’re gone!” “Thank you…” “No need, child. You’ve been through so much already.” “Why are you helping me?” She paused for a moment, as she began to go into her small galley of a kitchen. Returning with two small cups. “Drink.” She demanded, as she sipped on the other. Kris hesitated, slowly bringing the cup to her lips, she took a small sip. The warm taste of tea brings color back to her cheeks. “Why don’t you take a seat, Kris.” She motioned, as she sat on an old arm chair, watching Kris carefully. “I really must…” “If you want to return to your parents, you’ll need rest.” “How did you…?” The old woman raised her hand, silencing Kris again. “No need for questions, you’re safe here. That’s all that matters.” Kris continued to sip on the tea in awkward silence, feeling more and more rejuvenated the more she drank. “This tea…” “I know dear. It’s my best recipe.” “It’s like magic…are you really what they say?” The old woman took Kris’ words, a sort of assessment on her face. “Child, it’s merely herbs. You’re drinking ginseng tea. Known to provide energy. I understand nature's remedies, I do not dabble in magic or potions.” Kris felt a little embarrassed for asking such a question, slightly lowering her head and finishing the little bit of tea in her cup. “It’s only natural you should ask dear, I don’t hold it against you.” “How is it that you know? How can you read my mind like that if you’re simply a gardener?” Kris asked, her interest piqued by the old woman. The old woman laughed under her breath, “I’m an old woman, I learned patterns between people's emotions and their subtle movements, it’s all the same really. Everyone shows similar signs of how they feel. I cannot read your mind like you think, but instead I watch keenly on body movements and expressions.” “That’s amazing!” “Surely you do the same, maybe in a different way, with you being the fierce knight that you are.” “What do you mean?” “Well surely you look for movements from your enemies, are they reaching for their sword? Or watching their footwork, perhaps?” She was right, Kris had done those things! A small smile crept along her lips, “I apologize, I…what’s your name?” “I am Mathilda Thistle, but you can call me Maddie.” “Thank you, Maddie.” Kris stated, her confidence and the feeling of safety bringing relief and comfort to her again. “Now, what do you plan to do when you return home?” Maddie asked Kris, as if challenging her for an answer. “Well…” “Oh, don’t tell me you’ve escaped your destined love, abandoned him in his darkest hour, only to wander aimlessly home and not have any idea of what you’re doing.” Kris wasn’t sure of her plans, she only felt that her best option to find any peace, any healing would be to confront her parents, to claim her birthright stated in the treaty. Yet, Maddie's comments lingered dangerously in her mind, was she really helping me? Kris thought. “My destined lover?” Kris challenged the comment. “Ah! Yes, I know all about your arrangement to the first born son, to Prince Coy. You’re the child holding peace between your birthright Kingdom and ours.” “Who all knows of this?!” Kris questioned, “Well, everyone! At least, everyone here in the Murphinite Kingdom, I do not know what Roy and his wicked mother have said to their people.” “Everyone here knows?” “Yes, but to be fair, they didn’t know it was you! As you were kept hidden from everyone, disguised as Queen Grundel’s knight. It wasn’t until Prince Coy brought you into the throne room, and the King declaring your birthname, when the maids and knights truly understood who you were.” Kris sat in shock, I had been forgotten, used by Queen Grundel, and then Roy?! Roy knew and never told me! He’s just as vile as Coy! At least Coy did tell me! Perhaps, Coy wasn’t as vile as she had thought? Yet, that doesn’t excuse him raping me! Making me with a child out of spite. Coy was equally as manipulative! The rage brewed in Kris’ mind. “Breathe dear, you’re getting awfully disturbed over there.” “I will return home at once. I must inform my parents of this wicked, vile betrayal! I will take on my role as Queen, a bylaw according to the peace treaty, a loophole for me to be heir to my Kingdom!” Kris rambled, rage fueling her confidence. Maddie's eyes glowed in amusement as she watched Kris’ rage bring sight to Kris’ stormy eyes! A confidence that emboldened Kris. “They will be saddened by the news of their late grandson, but they need to see me! All of this must end!” “Yes!” Maddie exclaimed, almost dropping her cup from her lap as she hopped up from her chair. “I only ask one thing.” Maddie stated, “You’ve proven your alliance with my protection Maddie, state your demands and I will see that they are honored.” Kris spoke with authority and eloquence. “Spare our kingdom. You can destroy Grundel’s Kingdom if you wish, but please leave ours in peace. We’ve suffered enough already.” “Maddie, you live under vile and destructive control…” Maddie raised her hand, “You see only the worst in them, because Kingdom Grundel, that Prince Roy and his wicked mother have been sending relentless waves of knights to our lands. Twisted your fate like wool, and led you to believe you were nothing but an adopted knight! An estranged lover to Roy, who kept your identity a secret! We live in fear of being ransacked, in fear of a never ending war!” “Maddie, they’re both equally guilty!” “If you must, then at least spare our lives. I am here, alive, because of Prince Coy, because of you!” “What?” Kris stood in shock, a deafening silence in the room. “When you returned here with Prince Coy, you softened his heart. I was sentenced to death, declared a witch by the people. I was granted a trial by Prince Coy. A rarity and one the people did not necessarily agree with.” Kris continued to stare blankly at her as Maddie’s tone went calm again, “You see, everyone believed me to be a witch, but I showed Prince Coy my stores, my plants, and even offered him that same tea you drank earlier. He understood, saw me as an asset. To appease the people, he banished me away from the Kingdom for my protection from skeptical eyes, but he’s been buying my stores for his kitchen, he’s brought me hope that I can live and die in peace as an old woman. He even sent a maid, Mitzi. I think that was her name, nevertheless, she was sent to me to learn about plants and how to use them.” Kris couldn’t believe what she was hearing, Coy? Sparing her? Mitzi secretly sent to learn from Maddie? That did explain where and how Mitzi always had the perfect teas for Kris’ aches and pains. The world became dizzy, and Kris quickly sat back down, her hand holding her head up on the arm of a chair. Maddie sat back down as well. “I only ask that you spare him dear, I understand why you faked your death, why you must return home, and frankly I’d been hoping to see the day. But, I ask that you only consider sparing Coy as he spared me.” Maddie patted my knee, and left to clean her kitchen. “You said a maid, Mitzi came here to learn?” Kris stated, remembering the motherly love she felt from her during her time in the castle and especially nearing the end of her pregnancy. “Yes, a sly woman she was, but a quick learner.” “Sly? No, you must be mistaken! Mitzi was like a mother to me! She’d never hurt anyone!” “Was she one of your maids?” Maddie’s expression twisted, firm look in her eyes. “She was the only one I trusted!” Kris retorted, A grave expression grew over Maddie’s wrinkled face, one of fear and pain. “Forgive me if this is forward of me Kris, but how troubled was your pregnancy?” “I beg your pardon?!” “Mitzi spoke of how she grew worried for a young woman, burdened with child, a pregnancy plagued with many complications?!” Maddie’s tone grew challenging, demanding. “I was believed to have a healthy pregnancy! When the contractions grew strong, Mitzi gave me a tea to soothe my pain, a tea you must’ve told her about if your story is true.” “What tea did she give you?!” Maddie’s eyes grew dark with fear, “I…I’m not sure. Why does that matter?” “It matters! You believed to have had a healthy pregnancy, yet you delivered a stillborn. What did she give you?!” Maddie couldn’t believe the accusation she was hearing, did Maddie truly believe that Mitzi, my most trusted maid, would have poisoned my child?! “What are you getting at?” “I am missing a recipe, one I kept hidden from everyone! I only gave it to her, because she insisted this woman she spoke of was violently ill! If you don’t know what it was, do you recall what it tasted like?!” Disbelief and an uneasiness bubbled in Kris’ stomach, surely she hadn’t been tricked into a soothing remedy only to have killed her son?! “Try to remember!” Maddie insisted, breaking Kris’ thoughts. “It was rich, sweet. Although, I do seem to recall a slight bitterness to it.” “Licorice…” Maddie spoke in a breath, shaking and sitting down, a grave expression on her face. “Maddie?” “You didn’t deliver a stillborn by chance Princess Kris.” “What are you saying?!” Kris’ voice rose in demand, hoping to not hear the words soon to leave Maddie’s lips. “Mitzi purposefully gave you licorice tea, a potent concoction that should be avoided by pregnant women for its toxic effects on the unborn.” Maddie explained with a heaving chest, clearly upset at this revelation. Kris, slouched back, grief returning to her as she recalled how Mitzi smiled when she drank the tea, a smile she thought was from love. “Why would you give her the recipe knowing it would harm my child?!” “The recipe is a mere desperate attempt to save the mother! The way she described your pregnancy, describing you to be violently ill, I…” “You were fooled! As was I!” Kris’ pain of Embry’s death stung with new hatred, one she felt equally as guilty for. “I drank it willingly! I…” “You didn’t know Kris. You mustn’t blame yourself!” Maddie’s fierce tone demanded me to see reason. “You’re right. And you mustn’t either. If what you say is true, then, you were merely trying to help.” Kris spoke with an anguished breathlessness. Maddie and Kris sat in silence, mourning together for what felt like eternity.

Kris’ blood was boiling, lost in her thoughts. She wanted to burn both Kingdoms to the ground, to destroy the Murphinite and Grundel crests and start a new Kingdom. She wanted Mitzi executed for the death of her son! And Kris wanted to be the one to do it! It seemed no one deserved my loyalty! I may have loved both Roy and Coy, at some point, but now, she had to love herself, to heal from all that has burdened her. Only then would she be able to think clearly, but still hearing of Coy’s mercy with Maddie sparked hope in her, and a slight feeling of guilt for faking her death. A new fear that she may have destroyed the man who may have had a change of heart. Kris could have sat and questioned herself, but nothing could change her actions, she could not undo what had already been done. If Coy does have a changed heart, a softer heart, he’d understand her motives, and until then, Kris had to continue on her mission. She rose from her chair, striding into the kitchen as she wiped her face dry from the burning tears that had made her face wet. Maddie had left her chair at some point, quietly cleaning her kitchen where Kris met her. “I put some ginseng in your satchels dear. I know you’re leaving, you must! But do consider mercy once you’ve claimed your birthright.” Maddie’s eyes pleaded with Kris, silent, watery. “Maddie, you ask me to make a tough decision. I can promise you only this. I will ensure your safety and I will buy your wares to provide you financial security. However, right now, my judgement is clouded on the fate of these Kingdoms. I have borne too much pain, too much betrayal, too much bloodshed.” “Then understand one thing Kris.” “Yes?” “Those who fight with fire, only end in ashes.” Her words brought a heaviness to Kris’ heart, and words she would ponder on while she returned on her journey home. Slipping back into her disguise, wielding only her gnarled cane, she mounted her donkey and continued on the path home, to her Kingdom, to Kingdom Haus.

—

Meanwhile, back at Kingdom Murphinite, Prince Coy had ordered Kris and Embrys’ caskets to be brought to his room, so that he may have one final moment with them, as a family, prior to their burial. The public funeral brought forth a mountain of flowered arrangements and letters of condolences. A letter in a black wax seal sat on his bedside unopened, bearing the Haus crest. “Prince…” “Leave!” Coy’s voice boomed with pain and authority as everyone in his room scattered in fear, as his angered tone, one they hadn’t heard of in nearly a year returned like thunder. Coy’s face was wet in endless tears, eyes red from his pain and anguish. Coy walked as if drunk in grief to his son's casket, opening the small lid that held Embry in his eternal slumber. “My son, you had so much promise. You brought me so much joy, and I hadn’t even held you yet. You brought your mother to me, helped me to show her that I loved her. She changed me, just as you changed her.” Coy slumped over his casket, his finger caressing Embry’s forehead, as if comforting him. The way he envisioned comforting him whenever he cried or fussed. Coy looked forward to being a father, a husband, a King with an heir. “She named him Embry.” Coy, startled by the familiar voice, “Mitzi…I want to be alone.” “As you wish, I only thought you should know your son’s name.” Mitzi bowed, “Embry…” Mitzi’s steps slowed to a halt, daring a glance over her shoulder. Coy’s eyes moved back to Embry as he whispered his name, planting a gentle kiss atop his son’s head. “You may stay, Mitzi. You were her most trusted maid; it’s only right that you’re here.” Mitzi was stunned; she had heard of how Coy’s heart had begun to change, how he ruled with more mercy in recent hearings and trials, one in particular sticking out. The one about that old hag he banished, the same hag he sent her to learn from. “Prince Coy, I remind you of Princess Kris’ wishes; you mustn’t open her casket.” “Come now, I may have softened my rule, but I’m still as stubborn as a mule.” He stated, his voice plain, Mitzi rushed over, attempting to lay her strength across the casket’s lid. “Enough! Do not make me regret your presence here!” Prince Coy clearly agitated, his darkness he was so famously known for igniting in his eyes. “Please!” Prince Coy effortlessly pushed Mitzi off the casket’s lid, “I must see her one last time!” The grief in his words created a tension in the air, suffocating. With a swift motion, Prince Coy popped open the casket lid, revealing the linens wrapping Kris’ body. Prince Coy felt he was moving in slow motion as he grabbed the end of the linen to unwrap Kris’ face, desperate to see her one last time. Mitzi tried to make a run for it, but she froze in pure fear as Prince Coy’s voice turned from grief to rage, “You!” Knights stormed in the room, afraid that something was occurring, “Take her to the dungeon! Signal the Renegades! My love still lives, and I won’t rest til I find her! Surely my wicked brother is behind this!” Prince Coy tossed the empty casket over, as it landed on the floor spilling its contents of rags. “Sire, what of your son?” Prince Coy's grief over his son returned, “That is in fact my son?” Coy demanded Mitzi, a small, hidden blade he kept on him at all times, now across her neck as she was captured by the knights upon command. “Yes.” Mitzi said plainly. “Where is she?” “Who?” Prince Coy pressed the blade harder against her throat, “Don’t play games with me. Your time for play is over! Tell me where she is!” “She’s gone, where I do not know.” Mitzi stated, refusing to meet his eyes. “She will rot and pending torture, until she remembers.” Coy removed the blade from her neck and waved them off, as the knights began taking her to the dungeon. “Steward!” A young man scurried inside, “Inform the King. The Grundel Kingdom must be behind this! I sent word, out of love and respect, about Kris and me, about our son, Embry, about their passing. Yet, I get nothing, only silence from them! If Roy did in fact love her as he said he did, he would’ve attended her funeral! His absence alone leads me to believe he has her. My only answer now is bloodshed! I will not rest, I will not relent, until Kris is found.” “Yes, sire, I’ll inform the King at once.” “And Steward.” “Yes, sire?” “Inform the people, every able-bodied male will be drafted and trained, ready to defend our homeland. I will not send them to war, I need them here to protect their families and homes.” The steward hid his genuine appreciation of Coy’s demands, not sending untrained men into war, but only to train them to defend their homes and families, was a graceful move, one they’ve never seen before. “Yes, sire.” As the steward left, Prince Coy walked back to Embry’s still body, “I will find her, Embry. I’ll find your mother…” He motioned for servants to take Embry’s casket to his burial site, finishing the proper burial. While word of Kris spread like wildfire amongst the Kingdom. The people loved Kris! When news spread into the village, their hatred for Kingdom Grundel grew stronger, unifying them with Prince Coy’s declaration. “Are you prepared for what must occur?” Prince Coy turned to his father who had entered his room, a grave expression on his face. “Yes. Roy and mother must pay the consequences.” “Then we are in agreement.”

—

On the other side of the land, Roy had been ruling with an arranged marriage set forth to Lady Helena. Although not yet official, Roy had resorted to his only option left to take over his Kingdom birthright from his mother. “You do not need to love, to rule with dignity.” Lady Helena’s snide comment, disrupting Roy from his thoughts. “I beg your pardon?!” Roy was not one to be rash, but having seen Kris returning her love to his vile brother, and then to hear of her untimely death, left him in a deep depression. One he had been failing to hide from everyone. “I know you loved her, Roy. But you cannot keep killing yourself. You have an obligation to your people, to me.” Helena begged him to break out of his depression, his lack of appetite slowly killing him before everyone. “Leave me.” Roy’s voice was plain, expressionless. “What?” “I wish to be alone.” “No!” “Sire!” Nathaniel, who had also been in a slump over the news of Kris’ death, had nearly broken down the door. “Sire. We need to speak. Now!” “Then speak.” “Sire, I dare say, this should be a private conversation.” Lady Helena, clearly agitated, rose and left Roy’s room on her own, not saying a word. “What is it, Nathaniel?” Roy’s voice brushes off the clear concern in Nathaniel’s tone. “It’s Kris…” “I…” “NO! She’s alive! And your brother believes she’s here! That you’re behind the death of his son, and have taken Kris like a thief in the night!” Roy had no expression on his face, no words to speak. Kris? Alive?! “Roy!” Nathaniel spoke his name boldly, hoping to capture his attention. “He’s coming?” “Their whole army sire.” “Is it true? Is she here?” “No one’s seen her.” “Give this to the leader of the Renegades. I fear that if what you say is true, she’s not here.” “Then where?” Nathaniel asked, as if in a plea. “She knows of the treaty.” A darkness covered Roy’s eyes, “Roy? I’ve never seen you shrouded in such darkness?” “She’s returning to her home.” Nathaniel adjusted his frame, standing tall, he too knew of the treaty, he knew what was at stake should Kris return home and the treaty not honored. “She mustn’t,” Nathaniel stated, a dangerous calm in his tone. “I know, Nathaniel, it’ll ruin everything!” “If I can speak freely, Roy.” “You know you can, Nate.” “I thought you loved her?” “I do, but if she returns home after losing a child. A pain so unbearable to even fathom, I fear for all of us.” “You don’t think she’d start an uprising?” Nate questioned. “If she does, we’d all better be ready.” “Understood. I’ll speak to the Renegades at once.”

*** I look forward to seeing what occurs next! Part 9 to be written by Rowan Finley!