As the sun rose upon the horizon, four figures strolled over the cold stone parapet of a castle set against the bluffs. Rolling green hills and bubbling brooks below were warmed by the dawn's waking light, but the bleak grey rock structure was left wanting in the shadows of an overhanging promontory. The small pack of beings ceased their traveling as the more prominent figure halted to rest upon the battlement, gazing over the luscious land as the sun's rays lengthened their stride in attempt to broaden their reach even to the deep shadows. His mahogany mane streaked with invading grays was accented by an eminent aureate crown, its vibrant hue mocked the modest emerald tunic and the rubies that adorned the diadem's bejeweled face put his scarlet dyed cloak to shame. The king, as his garb could proclaim no other title, turned his blue-grey eyes from the fields to his companions, his upturned lips only partially hidden by his simple mustache. He went by the name of Thaine, and wherever it was uttered, the people would grow quiet with respect and reverence. Fear spread like wildfire amongst his foes, and wrongdoers would tremble. His children held him in the same high regard that they might respect a God who rained fire daily from the heavens. "So, gentlemen, for what reason might I be honored to walk with thee on such a fine morning?"
Directly to his right strode a strapping young male in his prime, dark hair drifting in the breeze as it was left unhindered by crown or collar. His simple maroon tunic and plain buckskin breeches clearly displayed his lower rank, he being the youngest present and newest at court, though nonetheless held in high regard. The male was hardly shy about his dislike of the chilly weather, and openly sought warmth in the depths of his brown cape. He was of a more southern hemisphere, so much was evident by his smoothly tanned complexion and lithe build. Even as he spoke with grave sincerity and honest loyalty, his teeth chattered behind pale lips as he shivered against the breeze. "Your Majesty, we had thought that perhaps it might be a delightful change to take counsel out in the open air rather than the dusky depths of the meeting chamber."
Thaine turned a disgruntled, though half-heartedly amused gaze upon the lord, his grin broadening as he observed the younger male's malcontent, "But it might seem that counsel would have been better taken upon a warmer ground. Aye, Jasos?" the king slapped the smaller form over the shoulder with a jovial laugh, sending the lithe lord stumbling over his own feet and nearly knocking the breath out of him. Thaine's hand shifted easily to grip the slender shoulder and keep Jasos from falling flat onto his regal visage. Meanwhile, another of the present trio of lords stepped forward.
"Actually, my Lord, we were seeking more of a clandestine counsel." the man to his left, who had spoken, seemed more rat than man, his brown eyes bloodshot and glittering deep in the depths of his sunken eye sockets. His skin appeared clammy and almost ghostly pale in the fading shadows, the cold having no affect upon his oily exterior. Raven locks were swept back more than likely by pig's fat, transparent against the folds of his ebon robes beneath which he was garbed in a simple black and blue tunic and breech combination. "Our affair is something of deep concern and would be wrong to discuss if not in secret."
The eldest of the present, a man with blazing white locks pulled back in an elegant style, spoke with a grave earnestness. His long slender hands were folded patiently before him, as if he were speaking to a child. In truth, he had been Thaine's right hand since boyhood, and had advised Thorne, Thaine's sire, before then. "You see, Your Highness, there seems to be a rumor - involving a hidden. conspiracy, if you will - reverberating about the court. Something that should have been brought to your attention long before now."
At this point, Thaine's brow was thoroughly furrowed and his expression exhibited severe doubt and confusion. If something was amiss in his castle, it truly must be a secret for nothing escaped his attentions. And what was this about a conspiracy? "A conspiracy, you say? As in, perhaps, a plot against my throne?"
"Only in a way, Your Majesty," here Jasos stepped forward once more, offering open palms in a gesture of apologetic explanation. "More of a conspiracy revolving around the future of your throne, and the reign of Tadna after your death."
"For the Gods' sakes, Jasos don't sugarcoat it." The king threw a hand in exasperation as if wiping evil thoughts from his mind, turned a narrowed gaze on the lords, "So? What is it? You might as well come straight out and tell me, rather than stand about looking foolish while you try to break it gently. What's being planned now? An assassination attempt? Someone planning to knock me off?"
At Thaine's bluntness, the rat man spoke once again, his head downcast though his glossy eyes remained trained on the impatient form of his Lord. He appeared almost sodden with annoyance and grease, sulking so that his back was bowed as like a hunchback or an elderly peasant. "King Thaine, we've regretfully discovered a plot against your heirs." the lord's lips twisted in a suppressed sneer as he continued, ready for whatever reaction the king might express, "There has already been two assassination attempts by arrow and by poison on the second heir."
Thaine whirled on the lord, gripping him by the neck of his tunic and lifting him so that he dangled just above the stony walk. The king's teeth were gritted in reigned fury as he glared into the rodent features of the formerly speaking male, "Xenon, I would suggest that you tell me such events have not been kept from my knowledge for too long a time lest you do not value your head." He shifted his grip on the grimy fabric, causing the lord, Xenon, to strangle momentarily before the King began to speak once more, "I demand details, immediately, Lords. And be well advised to never keep such information from me." As he finished, Thaine threw the sulking figure from him so that the lord stumbled on his feet but remained standing only to regain his dignity before sweeping back to the enraged royal's side.
The ancient, Reynold was anxious to explain and begin speaking instantly, seeking to ebb the fire of Thaine's rage before it was released in full force. "The first occurred only a fortnight prior to yester eve, my Lord. Poison had been slipped into the heir's afternoon porridge, but was tested by a serving boy. The boy fell dead almost instantly, but was taken out of the castle to be disposed off and the prince only ate after another bowl was tested. The cook was imprisoned soon afterwards and is still being held in the dungeons for further testing." Jasos then stepped forward urgently, wishing to tell of the second attempt in his own words, as he had been present for the occurrence.
"Apparently the murder and his conspirators were not content with the failed attempt for yesterday during Rhys' play time in the court gardens, an arrow narrowly missed him and instead struck a statuette behind him. If he had not knelt to retrieve a toy only a second before, my Lord, he might be dead even now. I sent the guard to search for the perpetrator, but no one was found save for Lord Xenon on the parapet, and he was just exiting the guardhouse after a chat with the gatekeeper and so saw nothing." the youthful lord let his gaze fall to the fields over the embattlement when he finished recalling the event, every muscle in his being tensed and ready to react lest the King react violently once more.
Thaine, however, had become quite solemn and sober, his attention focused mainly on the grey expanse beneath his leather guarded feet. With a heavy sigh, he raised his features to look upon the figures of the three lords, each in turn. No doubt these events had been tossed around the heads of the trio since the first attempt, "And so? What is to be done? I'm sure at least one of you has devised a plan."
The lords glanced from one to the other before Jasos, with a creased brow, once again spoke his piece. "Actually, my Lord, I had come up with a single idea." he looked to Reynold as if searching for some reassurance before continuing, "I had thought that we might send the second heir away to be raised elsewhere, in secrecy. Perhaps we might explain to the kingdom that he was to be trained in his mother's home court in Mium, over the border, but in truth he might be kept in one of our own castles on the border." Thaine's worried features smoothed as he became interested in the youth's proposal, "Lord Michton of Hedenbyre fathered a boy who should be near Rhys' age. Hedenbyre is just inside the border of Tadna, not a mile from Mium."
"That's right! Lady Meghan requested leave from court nearly six years ago, now, wasn't it? She wished to give birth to her boy at home with her own midwives. She hasn't returned even now, has she? I've seen Michton about the place now and again, though. He never did bother requesting leave." Thaine looked miffed for a moment before he broke into a contented grin, "I must say, Jasos, you've outdone yourself. That is a splendid plan!"
Reynold grasped Jasos' hand in his for a moment, being his praise upon the young male before speaking, "Quick thinking, Lord Jasos, you've made us all proud during your stay here. I must speak on behalf of all the court when I say you will be missed when you return to Alfes in the spring."
A blush rose beneath the youth's browned skin; he was no longer shivering as the sun's rays had grown long to warm the expanse of grey stone. He clasped his own hand over his elder's with a modest smile, handling the praise as one accustomed to such compliments might, "Thank you, Reynold, but you all must keep in mind that I will be returning in a few years. There may be no doubt that after my training has been completed in my father's courts in Alfes, I will return."
While the king and two lords rejoiced in the plan that seemed to be devoid of any and all flaws, the rodent formed Xenon stood calmly in Thaine's shadow. His muddy eyes darted between the three figures, his hands, which appeared blue so thin was the skin pulled over the bone, were twisting with impatience at his front. A nervous sneer played with the corners of his thin lips, causing his cheeks to twitch ever so slightly. After allowing a few more second of back-clapping and hand-clasping to pass, he stepped from the shadows to speak, ignoring the sunlight which temporarily marred his vision and pricked his skin like a thousand heated needles. "My Lord, and who might break such news to the Queen. All know of Herale's undisguised affection for her middle child, The Queen's Own. To take the boy without her knowledge would invoke a rage similar to a dragon's when it has discovered missing treasure. When bearing such news, one might as well be strolling straight into a lion's den."
"A lion's gaping mouth, more likely," the good mood was shattered instantly as a foreboding haze fell over the group. Herale's temper was well known only to those closest to her, and those who had experienced her wrath did well to avoid it. Thaine, of all present, understood the threat better than any. His hand rose to tug lightly on one corner of his mustache thoughtfully, gazing out over the green landscape once again. Jasos, who had been blessed by the Gods to have not fallen upon the Queen's bad side during his short stay, looked from one man to the other in an evident state of awe and confusion at what could invoke such fear upon such bold men. At last Thaine spoke again, turning his attention round to face his companions, "I will not send good men unnecessarily into the line of fire, lest she order you beheaded or worse when I'm not around to shield you. Herale will do her worse and be denied when I deliver the news myself."