Chapter Fifteen - A Puppet King

“Dismount, missy,” the rider said sharply, glaring at Cynthia. She did so, with a nod and a smile, forcing herself to act as if she had nothing to worry about. Whatever she did, she could not give her name as Cynthia. She flicked her blonde hair out of her face, and followed the rider to the camp. The Duke sat in a velvet trimmed chair in his tent, two small tapestries graced the sides. She could tell he was doing more than calling himself king now.

“Bring her forward,” the stern faced Duke ordered the rider, who led her towards the Duke/King. “What are you doing travelling alone girl?”
“I am going to visit my sick relative in Aiulindale, my lord Duke,” she responded slowly and carefully, but not too slow as to arouse suspicion.
“You will not call me Duke girl. That title is obsolete. I am KING of Elenaesia.”
“Yes, my lord . . . king.”
“What is your name, and what is the name of your relative?”
“My name is Jocelyn, my lord king. My relative is my cousin Ariana.”
“Hmph. Likely story. Do you wish to infect Merisna and the Seventeens with whatever illness this Ariana may have?”
“I assure you, that is not my intention, my lord king. I only mean to aid her in her time of ill health.”
“Really? Why are you going alone?”
“I live alone, my lord king. And I do not wish to risk the health of anyone else.”
“If health is at risk, then I cannot let you go, you understand?”
“My lord king, I do not believe it is at risk. But I do not wish to unnecessarily run the risk of ill health being a result of this visitation.”
“But if there is a slight chance that there may be ill health as a result, I can not have your assurance that all will be fine. And if I cannot have that assurance, how can I know that you will not end up sick as well? And if that, what is to prevent all of Merisna from becoming ill?”
“My lord king, if there was a great risk to my health, I assure you, I would not be embarking on such a journey. I do not however wish to burden others with this journey.”
“Likely story indeed, Jocelyn. I hereby proclaim you guilty of espionage and treachery. You shall be hung from the neck tomorrow morning at dawn. Guards, take her into your custody. Good day then, Jocelyn. So let it be written, so let it be done!”

The small company was silent during the long flight northwards, for it seemed to be northwards. The flight seemed never ending. Where were these Pegasi taking them? What was it that they wanted with them? Would they ever return? Was the quest over before they had even reached the Ligon’s lair? Yet despite their fears and worries, they were still filled with awe as they soared above the land. It all looked small from here, as if it was a giant map.

They grew tired as the day wore on, and Edmund watched as Kathryn and Jessica allowed themselves to drift away into sleep. A look towards Yoran told him all he needed to know. The squirrel intended to continue their normal sleeping and watching procedure. With a slight nod at Yoran, he watched as the squirrel closed his eyes contentedly, and fell asleep. He sighed as he glanced about him. It was beginning to get chilly as the sun began to sink down west of the Amandu Mountains.

Gareth rushed into the camp of King Eldor breathing hard. He had been running for two days now, and was nearly out of energy. He collapsed in a heap in front of the second sentinel.

“Must . . . tell . . . the king . . .” he said slowly, his breath coming short as he spoke. “Attack . . . Eirtue . . . farms burnt . . . No hope . . . must surrender . . . Duke coming . . . tell the king!” he gasped at the shocked sentinel.
“Yes … sir!” the sentinel cried, and burst off at a run towards the royal pavilion, and saluted smartly to Octavian who stood outside. “The King needs to come quickly! A messenger from Eirtue has arrived, running all the way I beli . . . your majesty,” he finished with a bow.
“Messenger from Eirtue, you say?” the king asked, acknowledging the sentinel with a slight dip of his head. “Bring me to him.”
“Right this way your majesty,” the sentinel said, and led the king towards the messenger. Another soldier had brought food and drink for Gareth, and was helping him to sit up.
“Now, no need for formalities, young man. I understand you are from Eirtue. What is your name, and what news do you bring?”
“I am Gareth sir. I was barely able to slip past the army from the Seventeens.”
“From the Seventeens you say? Speak up lad, and quickly now.”
“Yes sir. A General Hayden Potter is in charge of the army, sent there by Duke DiCaprio, who is now proclaiming himself king of Elenaesia. They have completely destroyed the outlying farms from around Eirtue, nothing is left except charred burning rubble and ashes. They have surrounded the city, and are ordering her to surrender or to be destroyed.”
“This is not good. Get some rest, Gareth my boy. Octavian, send for the Eleven. We must meet immediately in my tent. Proclaimed himself king? This is going too far, Orlando, too far. What can you be thinking? What is it you want? Only the throne of Elenaesia? Whatever it may be, you may be sure that you will not get it without a fight.”

King Eldor walked back towards his tent, musing over what he had just learned. King of Elenaesia indeed. This would change his plans quite a bit. Quite a bit. But first he needed to meet with the Eleven and discuss things with them.

Hayden Potter rode back to the camp after repeating the challenge and threat to Eirtue again. He hoped they would cave in soon, and surrender. If not, they would be put to the sword. He would give them until tomorrow evening, and then they would begin the onslaught. Potter nodded to his advisors as they walked back to his tent. Upon entering, he unrolled the map onto the table and swiftly jabbed his dagger in one end of the map to hold it still. His eyes rested briefly on Lieutenant Pevensie, and then turned back to the map.

“General Binks Vizzini will be reaching Ge’irdae tomorrow night. Whether or not he will began attacking then, or in the morning is not known. What is known however, is that we must be in control of Eirtue by the evening of the day after tomorrow. Duke DiCapr . . . King Orlando will reach Minelido tomorrow afternoon or evening, if they leave at dawn. He will attack then. Thus it is imperative that we hold Eirtue by the evening after. Once that is done, we control the major cities outside of the Seventeens.”
“What about the Port of Glasgow, though, my lord General?” Captain Glearis asked.
“The Port of Glasgow will be easily dealt with once we hold Aiulindale in our hands. And that will come quickly once Eirtue, Minelido and Ge’irdae are held. Which will be shortly. After we take Eirtue, I will be leaving Captain Glearis with a section of the army here, and going to join King Orlando in Minelido. From there we will converge on Aiulindale, securing the throne. Are there any questions?”

Silence enveloped the room in its invisible tendrils. Then, Glearis looked up, and spoke softly.

“Do we really want Orlando DiCaprio on the throne of Elenaesia?”

Hayden Potter glanced about the room before responding, each of the others silently nodded their head in agreement. “I don’t know, Captain Glearis. What is it about him that gives you doubts to wanting him on the throne?”
“He is selfish, he is not easy to control, and he is ruthless. He will kill anyone, even his own wife if he had one, to accomplish his goals. Life means nothing to him.”
“Does life mean something to us?” Potter questioned.
“In some ways yes, but we would not kill family members for the reason of furthering us. There is always another way. And family is valued in Elenaesia.”
“What would you propose to do, then, Captain?” asked Potter.
“Select someone else to put on the throne. Let DiCaprio win us the throne, and dispose of him. Then we have reign over whom it goes too. We can choose someone to put up there, someone who follows Elenaesia’s values, and is easy for us to control.”
“What do the rest of you think?” Potter asked, turning to the others gathered. All nodded their heads and voiced an approvement of the matter. “Any nominations on who we could choose to be our puppet king?”