Nurum Would Not Hesitate to Kill Her
Scarlett was up by the time the sun began to rise, going about her duties.
“Scarlett.” Blade acknowledged her as she entered Brad’s room.
Brad turned to face her. “Uncle, please leave us alone.” He still sounded weak.
Blade nodded and left the room closing the door behind him.
“Did you find Liz?” Brad inquired struggling to sit up.
Scarlett fluffed his pillows up behind him.
He lay against the pillows. “By the look on your face the answer is clear.”
“No, we have not found her.”
“I should have tried harder.”
“Brad, you did everything you could.”
“If only…” he began.
“If anyone is to blame it is me. You should have had others with you.”
A tap at the door interrupted their conversation. Scarlett opened the door and Sweet Cheri entered carrying a tray of tea. She poured Brad a mug and motioned Scarlett to join her in the hallway.
Scarlett pulled the door closed before asking, “What is it?”
“Dominique has been brought in by his companions injured. His wounds have been cleaned and will heal in time, but he keeps asking about you.”
Scarlett nodded. “How is Brad doing?”
“Brad is getting stronger everyday. It has been hard to keep him in bed. He is anxious to get back to his duties.”
“Scarlett,” Blade joined them. Sweet Cheri smiled and excused herself.
“Yes?”
“I am sorry to intrude. Paul asked that you join him in Dominique’s room.”
“I need to let Brad know what is going on, and then I will be there.”
Blade nodded and turned to go.
She reached out and grasped his arm, “Please join me.”
“Of course.”
She smiled weakly. It was difficult to muster up a smile knowing that Alisza was in grave danger. Nurum would not hesitate to kill her just as they had killed Suzi. Her heart felt heavy in her chest, she yearned to give in to fear, isolate herself, and weep. But the safety of a kingdom rested on her shoulders, and she did not have the luxury to give in to grief.
Blade clasped her shoulders and looked down into her eyes with concern. “Did you get any sleep?”
Scarlett nodded. “I will be fine.”
ALL IS REVEALED
Extra chairs had been temporarily set up in the main hall, where knights milled around waiting for Scarlett to speak. She shot a disapproving glance at Brad who had stubbornly ignored her request to stay in bed.
Blade was apparently sticking close to his nephew and prepared to get him back up the stairs if he needed to.
Dominique kept his eyes focused on Scarlett as she moved across the room. He knew what it was costing her to present such a strong facade to those who depended on her. After many years of shadowing and protecting her, it was strange to be sitting in the same room with her now.
Bardo entered the room and spoke quietly to Scarlett, “There is a group at the main gate wishing entry. They have asked to see you and Paul.”
“Have they identified themselves?” she asked.
“No.”
Scarlett waved for Paul to join her.
“Are you expecting company here?” She asked Paul.
“No.”
“We have a group outside for you and I.”
Paul looked thoughtful.
Scarlett turned to the room at large. “I will return soon.” She turned, led the way into the hall, and out of the main entrance of the castle.
Paul stayed silent as they approached the gates.
The guards gave their commanding officer a nod as they stepped out of the way.
Scarlett looked questionably at Paul as they stopped in front of a group of men. Paul clasped the older man’s hand and looked at Scarlett. “Ni, this is Scarlett, daughter of King Ralph, Princess of Salza, former wife of Mar, and First Knight of Vandora.”
Ni looked her curiously.
Paul continued with his introduction. “Scarlett, this is Ni Borhem, leader of the brotherhood, and friend to the former ruler of Salza, your father, King Ralph. The men with him are more of our members.”
Ni approached Scarlett. “It is an honor to meet you.”
“Ni, what brings you here?” Paul asked, well aware that Ni had a purpose for everything he did.
“We are here to lend our support in any way that we can.”
“It is appreciated,” Scarlett said. “Please follow us inside for nourishment.”
Ni nodded, and the group followed Scarlett inside.
Queen Venom had arrived in the interim, stood in front of the room, and waited for Scarlett to join her. Scarlett took her place, and nodded to the queen, who sank down in her throne chair. Several moments passed as she waited respectfully for Ni and his companions to find chairs close to Dominique and Paul.
Finally, she began to speak. “Vandora is facing an enemy, more powerful and cruel than any we have battled before. They have attacked our allies, and posed as us when they did it.”
Queen Venom listened quietly.
“This enemy, Nurum, has been amongst us for years. Now they are seizing one kingdom after another all around us. Their atrocities include the murder of my father, the abduction of my newborn baby, the slaughter of Suzi and her driver, the kidnapping of Alisza Troy, who many know as Liz, the true queen of Nurum, who asked for asylum in Vandora against those who planned to assassinate her as they did the demons who posed as her parents. And Alisza Troy is also the child that was stolen from me at birth.”
Scarlett paused as she realized that her voice was trembling with emotion and hands were balled up so tight that the fingernails were cutting into her flesh. Taking a deep breath she continued. “Their crimes continue to mount. They become bolder and stronger every minute they are allowed to remain free.”
The queen was concerned for it was obvious to her that Scarlett was suffering from exhaustion, from worry about Alisza. Any mother would be.
“Recently Nurum almost killed Brad as he was returning from Rock Haven. They attacked us while we were on a mission to find Alisza. However, in all probability they are the ones who likely kidnapped her. Their military is now wearing the uniform of Vandora in order to confuse people in general and lay the blame for their vile deeds on us.”
Blade asked her, “What are we to do?”
Scarlett met his eyes boldly. “We are going to stop them.”
Paul inquired, “How do you propose we do that?”
“We are going to wage war against Nurum.”
Someone in the group volunteered, “Nurum out numbers us three to one.”
“Yes, and in view of this we gather our allies,” Scarlett said.
“Our causalities will be great.”
Queen Venom made it clear that she supported Scarlett’s decision. “If we do not protect ourselves and our families now, things will be much worse for us later.”
“We need your help,” Scarlett said.
“I will help in any way I can,” Dominique volunteered rising slowly from his chair. “As long as I can still wield a sword, I will join you.”
“We are in this together,” Paul said, standing beside Dominique.
“Scarlett, the brotherhood will stand behind you, and Vandora,” Ni said.
Scarlett crossed her arms and placed her hands on her chest. “I sincerely thank each of you.”
A cheer went up from the crowd. Most of those present knew how much she was suffering, and yet here she stood, strong, brave, and ready to do her duty.
Scarlett straightened and addressed the room in general. “We have arranged a meeting with Salza, and Benson. It will soon be held in Salza. We will try to gain their support against Nurum.”
“We will continue the search for Alisza, is there anything else Vandora requires of us?” Ni questioned.
“This is where I need your help the most Ni. Since Alisza has been in Vandora, the Nurum forces have continued to advance. They are overthrowing cities with little regard as to who is injured.”
Brad asked, “Since Alisza is the queen of Nurum, could she stop the violence if Vandora helps her reclaim her throne?”
Scarlett paused speaking to choose her words carefully. She hated the fact that Alisza would ever occupy the throne of Nurum. However, regardless of how she came to be raised as the daughter of the king of that realm, she was the legal heir, and ruler apparent. Only she could decide if she would rule Nurum or give it up.
“Alisza is their queen, and should be restored to her proper place. We will help her when the time comes. But at this point in time, we do not know if she still lives,” Scarlett’s voice broke on the last words.”
Queen Venom stood and spoke in an effort to give Scarlett time to regain her strength. “Vandora is undoubtedly facing a war. We need all the allies we can get.”
Ni slowly stood with help from Paul and bowed down to Scarlett and Venom. “We will be first in line to pledge our allegiance to Vandora.”
Scarlett watched silently as the group left the main hall. She breathed in deeply as she scanned the best of Vandora.
Exhaustion was beginning to creep up on her, and she knew she desperately needed rest. She noticed Blade staring at her with a questionable look in his eye. She smiled and nodded her head at him. She remembered lying in the warmth of his arms in camp, she had felt so safe and warm.
“I wish to address the group,” Venom said.
Scarlett nodded and took a seat.
“Nurum brutally murdered Suzi and left Brad for dead. As most of you know, Alisza and Suzi came to Vandora for sanctuary. Alisza Troy, the rightful Queen of Nurum, was brought to us by Paul for her own safety. Nurum’s military plotted to assassinate her and continue the evil rule the former king had instigated long ago.”
She paused for emphasis and then continued.
“The night of the ball, when Brad was brought home close to death, Alisza left Vandora. For reasons we can only guess at. Bardo saw her ride through the gates alone. We believe that Nurum contacted her, told her Suzi was alive, and offered to set her free if Alisza surrendered. Alisza, concerned for Suzi’s life rode out unarmed, and apparently met them at a designated place where she was captured.
The queen took a breath and scanned the attendees to ascertain that she had not lost their interest.
“Nurum has now invaded our outer territory. They are endangering our citizens, attacking our troops, pilfering our villages, raping our women, killing our men, and wearing our uniforms when they do it.”
A rumble of out rage passed through the group.
“We have conquered enemies in the past, and we will overpower this latest threat as well.” Venom finished and looked at Scarlett. She could see that her friend was exhausted and needed rest.
Maryland stood and faced the Queen. “Liz is my friend, as well as my niece, and I will help bring her home.”
Lance stood, smiled down at Maryland, and clasped her hand. “We will bring her home together.”
“Liz is one of us!” Brad shouted.
“My men and I will do whatever we can,” Blade said looking directly at Scarlett. “We will bring the girl home.”
Scarlett blinked back tears and smiled with pride as the men and women of the Vandoran guard stood, one by one declaring their determination to find Alisza.
The queen ultimately held up her hands as a signal for silence. “You are dismissed. Maryland, Lance, and Blade please stay.”
The attendees moved out of the great hall in an orderly fashion.
Venom turned to Scarlett, “Go to bed. You are exhausted.”
“Venom…”
The queen shook her head firmly. “Blade, please escort Scarlett to her room.”
Scarlett sighed heavily, but gave in and allowed Blade to lead her up the stairs.
Lance, Maryland, and Venom, was the only ones left in the great hall.
Venom looked at the younger girl. “I am proud of the two of you. Your eagerness to find Alisza touches me deeply.”
“I have a request to make,” Maryland said.
“What is it?”
“Lance, Lecilla, and I, wish to accompany you and Scarlett to Salza.”
Venom looked thoughtful. “You may come, for Salza is your home. But Lance and Lecilla must stay here.”
“Mother?” Lance queried, perturbed that he could not join his fiancée on the excursion.
The queen frowned. “Lance, we could be attacked in route. Suzi is dead, Brad was left for dead, and the lower level of this castle is filled with those injured from this last trip. The Nurum troops outnumber ours. And we cannot afford to pull too many guards away from the castle.”
“Mother,” he said somberly. “You must not risk your life!”
“My presence is essential,” she explained. “However, in the event something happens to me, it will be up to you as the King of Vandora, to hold the realm until help arrives. And you will need Lecilla and Brad to protect your back.”
Lance shook his head. “I am not ready …”
The queen embraced him. “No one is ever fully ready son. We do what we must. When the time comes, you will find the strength.”
Lance looked at Maryland. “My love, do not go. It is too dangerous.”
“I must go and help Scarlett win Simon’s support.”
The queen said to Maryland, “Go get some rest.”
She nodded and turned to leave the room. Lance started to follow her but the queen hooked his arm with her own. “We need to talk.”
Mother and son spent the next few hours going over documents, strategies, and a list of allies that were expected to show up in Vandora within the fortnight.
“Father has been summoned?”
The queen met his eyes. “Allow him the responsibility of deciding the strategies of the battle. He is essential to the success of this war. He has faced many enemies in the past, and has experience that will see you through this.”
Lance said. “Or see you through it.”
The queen nodded. “Military might from Winchester, Bittersweet, Rock Haven, Blue Willow, Kolecea, Blackwing’s Cove, Wellingford, and other villages, manors, and communities we support, have been summoned, and expected to arrive.
“You expect Nurum to attack us here, with such allies lending their support?”
The queen nodded. “Yes, they still outnumber us. And they have grown arrogant.”
Lance clutched her shoulders and studied her eyes. “Mother, are we going to lose to Nurum?”
