The Queen Read Free Page A

faces. Many of them had recently
returned from Mirstone, having escaped the clutches of his
treacherous uncle, Lord Cadman. Had his men not been there to
defend him, the Prince was certain he would still be held captive
by the Mirstone royal family.
    As he ascended the stairs toward the throne,
an anxiety gripped his stomach. They look to me as though I am
already their King, yet I am not. I am going to command them to go
against the orders of their true King. This was not the kind of
ruler I wanted to be.
    “Men,” he called out. “We have important
matters to see to. I do apologize for not allowing the much-needed
rest that so many of you deserve after returning from
Mirstone.”
    “Your Grace,” called out a soldier. “May we
all extend our congratulations on the birth of your son?”
    The room echoed with the cries and applause
as the men shouted, “Long may he reign,” as was custom to any new
Prince or Princess born to the Kingdoms.
    “Your sentiment warms my heart. Long may he
reign, indeed.” The Prince smiled, nodding. He raised his hands to
quiet the men. “However, we must move to the matter at hand; there
will be time for celebrations later. As many of you who attended me
in Mirstone are aware, Lord Cadman has betrayed the Kingdom.”
    The room erupted in murmurs and hisses at
the sound of the name.
    “I have relayed this information to the
King, and he has requested that I send for Lord Cadman,” Baylin
continued.
    “Cadman is a traitor!” shouted one man.
    “Bring us his head!” shouted another.
    The men erupted in shouts and curses,
sounding bloodthirsty in their cries.
    Baylin raised his hands, attempting to calm
the murderous crowd. “There will be time for a trial soon enough,
however the King wishes to simply talk with Lord Cadman. He is to
be apprehended unharmed.”
    “Unharmed?” Ferric voiced. “Your Grace, with
all due respect, he was ready to murder you. To murder all of
us!”
    Baylin sighed. He agreed with his men’s
anger, with their feelings of betrayal. He felt no one could
possibly want to see his uncle dead more than him. Especially
after threatening the life of not only Luana, but my son. However,
diplomacy is required if I hope to, at the very least, delay the
attack of Mirstone.
    “I understand you all feel betrayed and are
untrusting of the man,” Baylin bellowed, quieting the loud room.
“But your King wishes to question him. If you kill him there will
be no chance to stopping the attack from Mirstone.”
    “Let them come!” called out a soldier.
    “We outnumber them!” cried another.
    “Enough!” the Prince boomed. “Should he
arrive on our borders, he is to remain unharmed. Is this
understood?”
    All the men lowered their heads, bowing and
showing respect for their Prince.
    “I will send a bird to Mirstone, requesting
an audience with Cadman. He is to come through Fagin Forest and be
brought to the castle,” Baylin instructed. “After the King has
spoken with him, I have promised that he will be kept safe and will
have free will to return to Mirstone should he choose. I would ask
that you men keep me a man of my word.” Baylin swallowed hard, his
heart racing in his chest. “Any man found disobeying this order
will be hanged for treason.”
    He could see the surprise forming on the
faces in the room; although none was more apparent than that of
Ferric. Yet, no man dared to argue. Baylin felt as though he had
betrayed all his men with one sentence. They deserve vengeance;
they deserve to be rid of that vile creature.
    “Your Grace,” Ferric asked. “If you wish, I
will create a rotation for a group of men to be camped at the road
on the border of Fagin Forrest. When Lord Cadman arrives, they can
escort him— safely —to the castle.”
    “Yes, that would be good.” Baylin
nodded.
    “I will see to it today, Your Grace,” Ferric
said with a bow.
    “Men, before I dismiss you, I must inform
you of one other matter,” Baylin called out. His heart