The last time Zack passed through this forest; it was on the scouting mission that went array. Lex sent him to discover the fate of his friend General Diamond but he found the ashes of Dragon Haven instead. The quaint village was Remo’s first test. His mind drifts through the events since then. Moira’s return, Kipling’s attack, Allan’s death, and the bloody battle outside the Gate. It’s all a blur, but he feels like a decade has passed since the day he left for Lollardum with Allan and Lex.

He rides ahead, trying to ignore the throbbing in his leg. The doctors say it’ll heal, but these days he isn't sure it is doing anything other than annoy him. Lex returned from battle alive but his old body took a beating. With him on bedrest it leaves Zack to keep the divisions running smoothly. And that means, spending more than an hour on a horse.

He curses the cramps in his muscles, the aching lower back, and the hard saddle that grows more uncomfortable with each mile. But she can’t go alone. Moira will slip into a rage once she finds out what he did. But he can’t let Nicole challenge her mother by herself. Especially after the assassination attempt on her life. More than ever, she needs someone she can trust.

The carefree chitchat behind him fades away. The closer they get to the lake, the more reality sets in. For him, its another venture they check off a list. For Nicole and her men, this is returning home to potential chaos. For the first time, they’re going to experience Bellavere with the blindfold off.

He’s not sure if he’s even ready for this. What lies has Margaret told, what state is the court in, most importantly, is anyone still alive. He sends Theo back to Nicole’s side; telling him to keep his guard up, not to trust anyone, until he can secure her position on the throne.

The trills of the songbirds lull him as he rides along the path. Rabbits scurry through the tall grass and squirrels race around the ancient tree trunks. The easy going pace of the forest, puts him at ease. It’s the breath before the horn signals the beginning of the tournament. He basks in the quiet calm; takes a deep breath to smell the moss and wildflowers.

But a crunch beside him snaps him to his senses. A snaking branch cuts through the air, rushing to the tree directly in front of him. His horse cries out as more branches spring to life. They slither over the dirt, trapping the frantic animal. He pulls his sword free, slashing at the one trying to capture his arm. But like his fight with Moira, when one falls two more takes its place.

Not this again…

“Captain!” Nicole shrieks from the path. Her voice summons even more to attack her and Kendra.

The branches swarm the clearing, blacking out the sky, and knock him off his horse. A searing pain shoots up his leg and right side. But they don’t stop. They jab at the ground; he rolls only to land in the waiting limbs of another. They waste no time. It’s a dog pile of slithering vines wrapping around his body. Restraining his kicking feet, squeezing his wrists until he drops his weapon. The girls are already captured. His last sight, before his vision is obstructed is legs jumping from the treetops.

The enemy is quiet, moving quickly but efficiently. His prison is a cocoon of vines, which squeeze and constrict as he’s carried to who knows where. The hot sticky air rolls over his skin and sticks to his under shirt. Slivers of sunshine pierce the small gaps, he’s out of the forest canopy.

But there’s a stench of rotting fish and burnt wood; a scent not usually associated with the area. There’re angry muffled cries from the girls, but they’re ignored. The footsteps change, clamouring over a wooden bridge; telling him they’re finally entering the kingdom.

He expected skirmishes with the soldiers; not Mages attacking them outside the kingdom walls. The branches squeeze harder each time he squirms. He can’t rotate his head to see where they’re taking them. The streets are quiet, and he’s not familiar enough with his surroundings to figure out a destination.

Did they attack Theo and the others? Or did they leave them alone to take Nicole for a ransom? If Moira must pay for his release, he’ll never hear the end of it. When they drop them on a creaky wooden floor, he’s grateful enough to be on the ground again.

“Forgive the deception.” A male voice enters the room. “We mean you know harm; I promise you.”

I’ll be the judge of that.

A cane taps the floorboards and the vines slither from him. He gulps the smoky air while his eyes adjust to the firelight from lanterns scattered around the room. Its damp, a basement of some kind, and there’s unmarked crates scattered around them. Their enemy stand against the wall, dressed in dark clothing with hoods and masks concealing their faces. But the man addressing them isn’t hiding.

He’s tall, about Zack’s age with dark hair tied in a braid down his back. He wears riding boots, a richly made but simple jacket and dirty shirt. What stands out is the diamond ring on his finger, the same hand gripping the emerald on top of his walking cane.

“Charlie?” he coughs, pulling himself to his feet.

“Zack, dear friend. Of all people, I didn’t expect you to come.”

He’s a shade darker than last time; no doubt he’s been in the field again, picking the crops with the servants. He may take his looks from his mother, but his chin and stature are his fathers. The diamond ring is the symbol of his lineage.

“My condolences friend, when Lex heard of your father’s disappearance, he almost stormed the castle himself.”

“No doubt he would have,” Charlie pulls him in, hugging him tight to his chest. Zack knew few people who had to live up to a legacy of a military hero; Charlie was one of the few who understood.

“You’re General Diamond’s son?” Nicole pipes up as Kendra helps her to her feet.

“Baron Barclay, Your Highness,” he bows, “my father was many things, unfortunately my mother’s family did not see his worth. When she gave birth to me out of wedlock, I was sent to prosper at my grandfather’s estate. As the only grandson (legitimate or otherwise) I inherited his upstanding name and title.”

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“What’s with the theatrics back there? Was it really necessary?”

“I’m afraid so,” he motions to the crates and they make themselves comfortable. “Since your escape, the queen locked down the kingdom. No one in or out. If that was it, then this story would have a different ending. Remo took over, no one knew for a while, but people began to talk. The queen had vanished but the royal decrees continued. Then he declared war on Alexanderia. We tried to protest, but they were cut down. Next, they pulled those heathen beasts from the bowels of the catacombs.”

“The dragons from Dragon Haven.”

“A waking nightmare before our eyes. The beasts tried to escape, some did and attacked our walls.” Nicole gasps but he continues, “Don’t worry Your Highness, they tried their best but we’re still standing. I assume your presence means Remo lost the battle.”

“We would’ve fallen without Lollardum’s assistance.”

“Lollardum? Miracles can happen.”

“What are the standings?” he asks.

“Look around you friend, this isn’t exactly a lavish drawing room? There’s no banquet. Hell, our wine is as depressing as the drapes. The queen is a recluse and the castle is guarded by every available soldier she has. She’s abandoned us. Or worse, dead and the lords have taken power.”

“This can’t be true,” she whispers.

“What is your role here Charlie?”

“There is an order to life, Zack. Just like we’ve talked before. A divine order that the Gods set out for us all. The queen upset that order. Remo tore it apart. And now the sheep are without their shepherds. What you see before you, are our pitiful attempt to restore balance.”

“The monarchy.”

“Without Order we fall. You know that better than I do.”

“What is your plan, Baron Barclay?”

“The same plan as you, take back the castle.”

As Charlie talks, he paints a grim picture. It reminds him of the months following the Treason. Everyone numb, confused, and scared. Directionless as their entire world was turned on its head. He couldn’t do much then, but age and experience are on his side.

He watched Allan and his uncle devise plan after plan to get everyone through it. To see Bellavere on the cusp of the same fate; he realises that no amount of experience is enough. Preparation goes so far, no one has a play book for the day after the world changes.

Nicole’s uncertain, but Charlie’s optimism is refreshing. He’ll get word to Theo and the rest and under the cover of nightfall sneak them into the kingdom. In the early morning they’ll make their way to the castle. The wine isn’t as bad as he claims. A bit to sweet for his taste but considering they’re in some old merchant’s basement he can’t complain. Nicole approaches him, sitting on a neighbouring crate while she fidgets with her pair of riding gloves.

“Why is he doing this?”

“Charlie? The Barclay’s never saw him as a son, more like a bastard child they ended up with. His father though, he paid for his education. Got him his first staff when his grandfather refused to have him trained. They weren’t close, but it was enough for him. General Diamond loved Bellavere. Loved your family. And I think that rubbed off on Charlie. He wants things to go back to how they were.”

“Do you think it can?”

“No, it’ll never be the same. But you can rebuild. Bring people together and hopefully usher in a decent life for those still here.”

“Is that what Allan did?”

“I think that’s what he wanted to do.”

“I have reservations…” she mumbles, fidgeting more than before. “This is all so complicated.”

“It is, but you’ll find your way. One step at a time okay.”

“I can see why Moira confides in you.” She smiles and squeezes his hand.

The sun dips behind the forest, casting a net of stars over the kingdom. When Theo and his men arrive, Charlie takes them to the far corner of the basement. Crammed in the crates are countless weapons, shield, and lanterns. He’s reunited with his own sword which he tucks into its sheath with relief. They found pants for the girls, to make the next trip easier. When they’re ready, Charlie motions to the back wall.

“The streets aren’t safe; the queen has her spies at every corner. If they catch wind of our plan then they’ll be on high alert and it’ll be impossible to reach the castle alive.”

“What do you suggest then?”

A knowing smirk crosses his face, as he taps his cane twice against the stone. They vibrate under the emerald; shifting on top of one another until a person size hole reveals itself.

“My friend, if we can’t go above, we go under.”

“The catacombs!” Nicole gasps turning to Kendra. “When your brother said they were scattered throughout the kingdom…”

“He meant it,” she replies.

“They extend miles underground, usually there’s exits under the churches. However most forget about the old escape routes under the castle. The queen’s too busy waiting for Alexanderia to attack from the shore that she isn’t watching the ground under her feet.”

The balmy air greets him as he steps through the doorway. His eyes adjust to the dim lantern light, as he follows behind Charlie. The shadows crawl over the damp walls while rodents chitter under their feet. The plump creatures scurry under foot, tripping him more times than he likes. Nicole whimpers the deeper they go. The cramped tunnel shrinks, and yellowing bones spill over the floor.

He eyes the broken skulls; their jaws laugh at him as they pass. Is this futile? To restore the monarchy. He said it with such conviction. The words passing over his lips like sweet nothings between lovers. His lower back aches, and he’s loss all direction from the underground maze. Nothing about this is easy. If he’s learned anything from Moira is people are complicated. And Margaret is as twisted as the maggots crawling through the eye sockets at his feet.

They stagger up a steep incline, careful not to bump their head on the low ceiling. The tunnel branches off into a off shoot that ends at the base of a moldy wall. Charlie motions them to stay quiet, as he uses his cane to shuffle the stones. The walls rumble, knocking dust and loose debris over them.

Unexpectedly, beams of the morning sun break through the gaps; flooding the dark tunnel. Fresh air mixed with frankincense invade his nostrils. Charlie’s the first to step out, motion for him to follow. Drawing his sword, he steps into the sunshine. Vibrant colours from tall stain glass windows pours over the marble floor. Before them is the back of the ivory altar decorated with gold and unlit candles.

The Royal Chapel? Shit…

The side door creaks open and a fat man in religious robes emerges.

“Who in the Gods name are you!” he bellows.