Chapter Thirteen - Duke to King

Sir Rupert rode into the camp. It didn’t take long for him to find the tent of the King. Dismounting, he strode over there as fast he could move when wearing the heavy armour he had on. Stopping at the door to the tent, he waited until the squire went in to inform the king. A few minutes later the black haired squire reappeared.

“King Eldor will see you in a moment, sir,” the boy said.
“Ah, yes. Thank you . . . what is your name lad?” asked Sir Rupert.
“Octavian, sir.”
“How long have you been a squire to the King?”
“All my life sir.”
“Mayhap you will become Duke of the Seventeens before you expect, young Octavian.”
“Mayhap sir,” Octavian responded quietly.

Sir Caspian, one of the Eleven, emerged from the tent, and nodded by way of greeting to Sir Rupert. He then whispered something to Octavian, and with another nod, made his way to his tent. Octavian turned back towards Sir Rupert.

“The King is ready to see you now, my lord Sir Knight.”
“Thank you, Octavian. I shall watch your progress with interest.”

Cynthia looked up from her spinning wheel as her friend Margaret entered, her face white with shock, and her breathing hard.

“What is it Megs?” Cynthia asked, curiously.
“You have to leave. Now!” Margaret cried breathlessly.

Cynthia stood up immediately, noticing the urgent pleading in her friends eyes, and went for her cloak. Tying it around her neck she questioned Margaret more closely.

“What’s going on? What is happening? Why are you white? Why do I have to leave?” the questions flowed quickly.
“It’s the Duke! He’s proclaimed himself king of Elenaesia!”
“He what? He can’t do that! He doesn’t have the right! And what about the proof of the torc? And the Stone?”
“No one knows where the Stone is, so he won’t have to worry until he finds it.”
“But they will want proof. The people won’t just blindly let him come in and take over without a cry of protest.”
“He’ll take over by might I’m sure. He’s already preparing to send an army against King Eldor.”
“But why am I leaving? Where am I going? Why do I have to leave now?”
“Come with me!” Margaret cried, hustling Cynthia out the door, and down a side alley. “I’ll explain as we go. I can get you out of Merisna, but it is up to you from then on.”
“What is? Explain, Megs, please explain!”
“The Duke has ordered the deaths of every girl or woman or babe named Cynthia, Cindy or some variation on that name. And any unnamed girl child. Once he eradicates them from the Seventeens, he intends to go and do so throughout the rest of Elenaesia. That will put Princess Cynthyana in danger. You have to leave, and go to Aiulindale and warn the king! It is up to you.”
“He’s doing what? He can’t do that! He . . .” she felt a hand clamp over her mouth.
“Shhh! You have to be quiet. He is doing it, and he can. Not because it’s right, but because he has the power to do it. And there will be times when people have power, they will use it, just for the sake of using power.”
“That is true, Megs. But what has made him wish to do this? I don’t understand.”
“Am I supposed to?” Margaret responded with a shrug. I don’t know what he was thinking, or why he wanted to do this. But he is doing it and there is nothing we can do to stop him. You must go to tell the king. Our hope is in you Cynthia. Go now! And may your journey be ever safe. I love you Cynthia.”
“I love you to Megs.”

The two girls threw their arms about each other, wrapping themselves in a warm embrace. Tears welled in Cynthia’s eyes. Could she do this? Why was this happening? Just a few hours earlier her day was perfect, life was beautiful. Now, it was as if a terrible stain had come. It was up to her to save Elenaesia, at least at this point. She squeezed Margaret tighter, and then slipped out the door, not even looking behind.

The Bachelor Bears hadn’t taken too long in releasing the four, and soon they were on their way again. Within a few hours, Edmund, Kathryn, Jessica, and Yoran had exited the mountains and were on their way towards Eirtue. Once they reached the city, they intended to look at some maps and try and see if they could find where in the north the lair of the Ligon would be. As they came over the rise of the hill, they looked down over the city. And were shocked at the sight below.

There below them was an army, with the colours of Orlando DiCaprio and the Dukedom of the Seventeens. That could mean but one thing. DiCaprio was taking Elenaesia into civil war. But why? What was it he wanted? If he wanted civil war, then why did he not attack Aiulindale? Then, suddenly, it hit Edmund. DiCaprio was attacking Eirtue for a reason. If he controlled Eirtue, Ge’irdae, which had nearly had an attack already, and Minelido, taking Aiulindale would be much easier than otherwise. And if he wanted to control it, and take it easily, he would want the kingdom. He wanted the throne. He wanted to rule Elenaesia as king.

“He wants to be king,” Edmund breathed aloud, not realizing he was voicing his thoughts and fears.
“Who wants to be king?” Kathryn asked quickly. Her ears were always sharp, and she caught onto pieces of conversation easily.
“The Duke,” replied Edmund, not caring who knew his musings now.
“You mean Orlando DiCaprio, Duke of the Seventeens?” asked Jessica, not quite believing it.
“The one and only Duke in Elenaesia.”
“Why is he attacking? Why does he want to become king? What is he thinking? How can he do this?” Jessica burst out, trying to register things through the shock that had come over her.
“I don’t know!” Edmund cried exasperated. “All I know is that we’ll have to go around the city then. Far enough around to stay out of sight. I don’t know how we’re going to do this.”
“Perhaps to travel north the best thing is,” offered Yoran. “Look for the Stone ourselves we can. In the Drimvue Forest the lair of the Ligon is, I believe.”
“Very well,” agreed Edmund. “We will go to the Drimvue Forest. Follow me.”
With that the four travellers rode north towards the Drimvue Forest. Hopefully they would find the lair of the Ligon there.