The King's Folly Read online

  It was mid morning before Lorriel finally spoke, “Are you angry with me, little brother? I know you wanted to go with Edward to the Prescott Dukeship. But for the life of me I can’t figure out why you would want to go. Those events are too formal.” As she said this she glanced at Raven to see him scowling at her and she burst out laughing.

  This made Raven angry, “You think this is funny, don’t you? Well, thank you for ruining my plans.”

  Lorriel quit laughing and tenderly looked at her brother, “I will make it up to you, I promise, Raven. I really will. Next month is my birthday and father lets me invite guests, and I will invite Rebekka Prescott to come if it will make you happy.”

  Raven looked shocked. He had not told a soul about wanting to see Rebekka, not even Rebekka knew.

  This caused Lorriel to laugh again, “I have been watching you, Raven, and have seen the way you have looked at Rebekka Prescott.”

  Now Raven blushed. Why did his sister always have to needle him and make fun of him?

  He looked at her and she was grinning again, “Tell me, Lorriel, if you knew I wanted to go to the Prescott Dukeship, why did you request of father that I should accompany you?”

  Now Lorriel looked shocked, “Why, Raven, I enjoy your company most of all. You always make me laugh. You’re fun to be with, and well, after mother died, you are the only one who understands how hard it’s been for me. Father is too busy, Edward is too serious, and on this trip I needed someone special to be with me. Going to the falls will be hard, but I want to go. It was the special place that mother used to take me,” and with that, she was silent once again. Raven could see a small tear run down her cheek. If they hadn’t been on separate horses, Raven would have given her a big hug. He had been wrapped up in himself lately and had forgotten how much he enjoyed his sister’s company, even with her constant teasing.

  “I’m glad to be with you, Lorriel. Let’s make this a great outing in remembrance of mother.”

  Lorriel gave a faint smile and the gloom that had hung over Raven’s head lifted, and he could see it was a wonderful day. As they journeyed up the river, they saw a few herds of Tor grazing contentedly, reminding Raven of the upcoming summer feast at the castle. All the dukes and their families were invited to the great king’s feast. Wild Tor would be barbecued on an open pit with plenty of food for everyone. All the thoughts of roasting Tor was making Raven hungry when he thought he heard the faint sound of the falls. He stopped his horse, and Lorriel stopped hers as well. He listened for a moment, and sure enough, the distant roaring of the Brickens’ Falls could be heard. He could tell Lorriel heard it too, because she had that far away look in her eyes of both nostalgia and excitement.

  “About ten more miles and we will be there,” Raven said as they rode on. Soon, the water falling from an impossible height into the valley was clearly visible. Raven wondered what was on top of the cliff. As far as he knew, no one had ever been to the top of the falls before. Maybe someday he would find out. The falls grew louder and as they approached, and a double rainbow could be seen in the mist. To see so much water falling from the sky to form a giant pool, out of which the Halfstaff flowed still amazed Raven. The whole side of the cliff face was wet as far as he could see up from the mist. This gave rise to all kinds of ferns and mosses, and some vines growing anywhere their roots could gain a purchase in the immense granite rock. Brilliant flowers sprouted from the vines and were blooming-- oranges, blues, purples, and yellows, forming the backdrop on either side of the falls. They rode as close to the falls as they could without getting wet from the mist, and then they stopped, staked out the horses and laid out their blanket for their picnic lunch.

  Raven gave Lorriel a big hug.

  “What was that for?” she asked.

  “Oh, I don’t know, Lorriel. You’re a great sister and I’m really glad to be here with you today.”

  She smiled as they set out their lunch and began to eat. They ate in silence for a while absorbing the beauty of their surroundings. Food always tasted good on days like this out in the open.

  When Lorriel finally spoke, she had a puzzled look on her face, “What’s going on at home, Raven? Ever since Mother died things have been, well, out of balance or something.”

  To that Raven agreed. Things were not quite right at home, but he couldn’t really put his finger on it, nor could he tell Lorriel of his father’s suspicions.

  “I don’t know, Lorriel,” and that was the truth.

  They finished lunch and Raven laid back upon the blanket. The sun was warm on this wonderful summer day. Raven relaxed and closed his eyes. He could feel the thundering waterfall faintly vibrating the ground, and the sound was soothing and mesmerizing. Before he knew it, he was fast asleep.

  Lorriel wanted to go into the mist like they had always done with their mother. She looked at Raven, started to say something, then noticed that he had fallen asleep. He looked so peaceful she decided not to wake him. So Lorriel got up quietly and headed for the falls. She smiled to herself as she remembered her mother always saying, be careful, the rocks were wet and slippery.

  As Lorriel entered the mist, it cooled her face. It was a warm day and the mist felt good. She started around the pool to get closer to the falls, picking her way carefully among the rocks. She came to a large boulder, stopped and looked back but couldn’t see Raven. In fact, she couldn’t see out of the mist at all. Looking back at the large rock, she saw some footholds at the bottom near the water’s edge. Picking her way carefully, making sure her feet were secure, she inched her way around the face of the rock. Coming to a bulge that made her lean backwards, she reached forward grabbing hold of some moss. She instantly knew that was a mistake as the moss came loose in her hand and she started to fall backward. She clawed at the rock trying to find some grip or hold, but failed. An instant later she splashed into the water. Lorriel came up breathless because of the cold water. She tried to swim back to shore, but her feet were tangled in the garments that princesses wore. The long dress of heavy fabric wasn’t allowing her very good movement.

  “Curses on these official garments,” Lorriel thought.

  All of a sudden she realized she was moving backwards toward the falls. The undertow of the falls was dragging her back toward them, the heavy dress acting like a jellyfish billowing with the current. Now she was frightened for if she were sucked back into the falls, she would be dashed to pieces, or at least held under by the current and drowned. She screamed for Raven fearing that he could not hear her above the roar of the falls. She screamed again as loudly as she could, while struggling against the current. Her arms felt like lead, something that happens to everyone who is faced with certain death. The kind of fear that drains your strength. She began to cry when all of a sudden she saw a splash and someone swimming toward her.

  Raven, she thought, thank God you’ve come to save me.

  But then she realized it wasn’t Raven but someone else. The person had blond hair and blue eyes and seized hold of her with such strength it surprised her. He began to efficiently make his way back to shore with her in tow. When they reached the shore and climbed out, she recognized who this blond stranger was. It was Andrew Crestlaw, the son of Duke Sauron Crestlaw, with whom they were to spend the night.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by Andrew's sharp assessment of the situation, “Those are not very good clothes to be swimming in, Princess Lorriel.”

  He walked over and picked up his cloak that he had dropped prior to diving in the water, and placed it around Lorriel, for she was now shaking violently from the cold and fright of the ordeal. She didn’t know why but she started to cry.

  Andrew walked up and put his arms around her, pulled her close and said, “It’s all right. You’re safe now. Let’s go out into the sunlight where it’s warm.” Somehow, down deep inside, she felt safe and comforted by his embrace.

  Raven heard voices and sat up immediately seeing Lorriel and a stranger coming from the mis
ts. He jumped to his feet and ran to Lorriel. He noticed she and the stranger were all wet and Lorriel was shivering.

  “What happened?” Raven asked Lorriel.

  She looked kind of sheepish and said, “I fell in, and because of the swift undertow I could not make it back to shore. I was headed toward the destruction of the falls until...” and she looked up at Andrew, “this gallant man saved me.”

  Raven, at first, was concerned for Lorriel, but now he felt shame and was becoming angry. His father sent him to watch Lorriel and keep her from just this kind of trouble and where was Raven when she needed him, sleeping!

  Raven allowed his anger to turn on the young man, “What are you doing in these parts, son of Duke Crestlaw?” He said it in such a demanding tone that both Andrew and Lorriel stopped short and looked at Raven.

  Andrew smiled and said with a laugh, “Why, Prince Raven, this is the territory of my father’s lands,” and he added hastily, “by the king’s grace, of course. I often travel to the falls. Besides, I knew you were coming and wanted to escort you myself to our castle. I rode along the cliffs and upon entering the mists, I heard Princess Lorriel’s cry for help.”

  How convenient, Raven thought, and then was immediately ashamed, for if the son of Duke Crestlaw had not been there, Lorriel would have perished.

  “Come,” Andrew said, “we must get Princess Lorriel back to the castle to be attended to.”

  Raven could think of nothing more to say so he turned and went to gather the horses and their things.

  On the ride to the Crestlaw’s castle, Raven was in a reflective mood, brooding over his failure while Lorriel and Andrew rode beside each other chatting away as if they were old friends. Raven rode behind them and thought that if anyone should be upset it should be Lorriel. After all, she was the one who almost drowned. With that he decided to stop brooding and learn more about Andrew. Kicking his horse, he moved up beside Andrew and began a conversation.

  “By the way,” Raven said, “has anyone ever been to the top of the falls?”

  Andrew smiled and said, “To my knowledge, it is impossible to get up there because of the sheer cliffs above and below. I know of no one who has even considered trying.”

  Then Raven asked, “How has God prospered the Dukeship of the Crestlaws this past year?”

  “Very well, indeed. In fact, the king should get a large tribute this year. Our wares of copper, silver and gold have been in high demand by the lands outside our kingdom.”

  Every dukeship had its own trade which they exported outside of the kingdom usually through their own passes to enhance the living standards in Glenfair. The Crestlaw Dukeship crafted intricate exquisite metalworks.

  “And your father?” Raven asked.

  “He is in good health,” Andrew replied, “though not young, he gives me trouble in sword play. He seems to still wear like iron.”

  To this Raven laughed, thinking of his own father’s uncanny ability to still outwit both his sons in sword play. That was the way it seemed to be with fathers, not as fast and flashy, but more wise, cunning and precise in their movements, making up for their lack in speed and strength.

  “And what of the forces to guard the pass?” Raven asked, feeling a little guilty because of the underlying motive behind such a question.

  Andrew, misunderstanding the intent of Raven’s question replied, “I assure you, Prince Raven. We have not shirked our kingly duty in the least to protect the pass. We still maintain two hundred footmen and our fifty cavalry men ready at a moment’s notice to hold the pass until reinforcements arrive. Has the king deemed it necessary to increase our numbers?”

  “No,” Raven said as he shook his head, “I was just making conversation.”

  “I have a good idea,” Andrew said, “We should drop in and check the pass protection unannounced, for we pride ourselves in the readiness to protect the kingdom of Glenfair and her king.”

  This does not seem like a conspiracy, Raven thought. He is so open and forthcoming with answers, inviting me to inspect his force of arms unannounced. But that may be what he wants us to assume.

  Raven shook his head to clear it of the tangle of thoughts that clouded his reason. Once a thought like conspiracy was planted in his mind, it seemed like every answer was suspect, and every motive weighed on that balance. Raven was close to cursing his father, for he had driven a stake of doubt deep into his heart and had robbed him of the innocent joy and love he had for the peaceful kingdom of Glenfair. Things will never be the same because of what you have done father, Raven thought. And he had no idea how true that would be.

  His thoughts were interrupted as they approached the gates to the small town that surrounded the Crestlaw Castle. The people seemed joyous to see the prince and princess riding with the duke’s son. They shouted greetings and bowed in proper formal reverence for royalty. Raven thought it seemed the people did not do this because they had to, but because they really wanted to pay respects to the royal house. Soon they were at the castle gates which opened for them as they rode up. They entered the courtyard and there immediately appeared groomsmen to take the horses. Raven dismounted and helped Lorriel down from her horse and noticed that Andrew was already shouting for some of the female servants to help Lorriel into a warm bath and some dry clothes.

  Then he turned to Raven, “Shall we get fresh mounts and go check the pass guard? We can do it while Princess Lorriel refreshes herself.”

  Raven nodded assent and Andrew called for two fresh mounts. Soon they were out and heading north toward the pass. Andrew suggested they swing northwest to conceal their arrival and to surprise the guard in order to get the best assessment of their readiness.

  “I am as interested in their readiness as you ,Prince Raven. For I will not tolerate a lax guard at the pass.”

  Soon they were as close as they could get without revealing themselves and stopped there to listen for a moment. They could hear the calling of the guards down through the pass checking in from their positions.

  Very efficient, thought Raven. If any one of the lookouts did not respond, the others would bring reinforcements to investigate or send for help.

  Just then they heard the guards calling back to their detachment that a small caravan of merchants was coming through. The precise number of animals and people was relayed to the rear guard long before they would be even halfway through the pass. The merchant company would also have to stop at the reinforced walled gate in the middle of the pass which would stall any army’s attempt to come through.

  Raven was greatly impressed by the alertness and seriousness of the guard. He and Andrew then moved from their concealment to the main guard housing. In the corral, there were several saddled horses ready to ride in a moment’s notice to inform the Duke of an attack and to bring the bulk of his army to hold the pass. Inside, the soldiers were not sleeping but were busy cleaning weapons, working on leather harness, or practicing arms. Immediately the captain jumped to his feet and saluted the duke’s son.

  “Why weren’t we noticed by your guard?” Andrew asked the captain in a very curt tone.

  “Sir,” the captain replied, “we generally don’t watch what comes at us from Glenfair, only the pass.”

  “True,” Andrew replied, “but I want alertness and watchfulness at all times, is that understood?”

  “Yes, sir,” the captain replied.

  Raven could not imagine how they could be more alert, and the pass was secure beyond doubt in his mind. They could not have been forewarned of their appearance. The expression of surprise the captain wore could not be faked, nor the castigated look he had in response to Andrew’s rebuke. They took a short tour and inspected the facilities, then headed back to the Crestlaw’s castle.

  Andrew spoke as they rode, “I am sorry for the partial laxity of our guard. We will make the necessary corrections.”

  Raven knew why Andrew was so concerned, for the only attack on the kingdom of Glenfair was at
this pass two hundred years ago by the Wickshields. The Wickshields were known for their ambitious conquering, and ballads of battles past spoke of their aggressiveness. Glenfair was so close to their boundaries, that conquering it became an obsession to the Wickshields. The pass had done its job two hundred years ago, never allowing the attack to get through, and there had been no attack since. That did not mean the ambitions of the Wickshields had vanished, but only revealed they could not yet conquer the pass.

  Nor would they ever, Raven thought to himself. Because of this stalemate, there were no open hostilities, so trade proceeded on a normal basis through the pass as it always had done. But Glenfair would never trust the Wickshields for what they had tried to do.

  Raven turned to Andrew and said, “The pass guard is well in order to the satisfaction of the king. Do not chastise yourself, it is the best kept pass in the kingdom.”

  With that Andrew seemed to relax a little and spoke of the feast they had planned for their guests that night.

  “You really needn’t have gone to that trouble.” Raven said. “We are only staying the night.”

  “It is no trouble at all for such special guests,” replied Andrew. And he said it with such enthusiasm that Raven believed him. At that moment they were at the gates to the small town and proceeded through the streets to the castle. People were once again exuberant and graciously bowed to the prince.

  “Why are these people so delighted to see us?” Raven asked Andrew. Andrew did not answer but only smiled at Raven a mature knowing smile that told Raven he ought to know why. But Raven didn't know, nor could he think of any reason except... he didn’t want to go there with his thoughts. But what if this was all a ruse, put on by the people to fool them.