The Lead Crown: Ch 8.3c, The Great Illusion
#98 of The Lead Crown
Hello, readers, and welcome back to The Lead Crown!
This is likely the last time we'll be checking in on Brother Rhys, Runs-on-Air, and Prince Malcom for awhile as they make their way toward the climax of the story. After this post these three will either disappear for a time, or else join another group depending on choices made.
For now, we need to provide them direction until they're seen next!
As before, this vote is for Risus alone, and it will have a HUGE impact on the upcoming final chapter. The options are as follows:
a) Prince Malcom and his group will join Bishop Fulgaré on his trip to Newport. (Default)
b) Prince Malcom and his group will continue onto Vallara and the Bishop is welcome to join them while he waits for the Monk.
c) PRINCE MALCOM AND HIS GROUP WILL PART WAYS WITH THE BISHOP AND HEAD IMMEDIATELY TO GRADDIN.
d) Realizing that Bishop Fulgaré cannot be trusted, Prince Malcom orders him to surrender and become his prisoner, or else risk being put down.
Please note: Contributing Readers from other groups have the option to expend a Character Point and help direct Prince Malcom. In this case they receive 1/4th of a vote; five or more will be required to overturn Rocelin's decision but only one vote is necessary to vote in his stead if he does not. Note: Character Points are becoming increasingly important as we near the end of the story.
Decisions are due by midnight on Thursday, May 28th. The floor is now open for questions, comments, and critiques!
Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 8.3, The Great Illusion
Prince Malcom did not bring up the topic regarding what it was he had discussed with the Bishop and Brother Rhys did not figure it was his place to ask. What the Rat DID know however was that they did not wait in the Grass Tribe's lands any longer than necessary for them to help conclude the business at the battlefield, broker a parting between the allied forces, and then see to the burial of Henry Evans, the Human who had joined them for the battle against the Wyranese invasion.
There had been something to the man-- of that, Brother Rhys was certain. Yet, for all the care Prince Malcom took in seeing to the interment of the body and the carefully conducted ritual of its burial the Wolf had surprisingly little to say. He spoke the prayers for his fallen comrade in the Wyranese way, which was different than the ones which the Rat himself had been taught but he followed along as best as he was able, providing only what support he felt the Prince would accept.
While they waited, Brother Rhys and Runs-in-Air had selected a clear piece of ground on the outskirts of the Grass Tribe Village. Even though the Horses were tending to their own injured and caring for their own fallen, they remained excellent hosts, going so far as to bringing the Rat and the Buck a variety of nuts, berries, and tubers for their evening meal. Runs-on-Air did the talking in general and he assured Brother Rhys that suitable thanks was given for the hospitality.
As the day after the battle drew to a close, Prince Malcom finally took some time to sit with Brother Rhys and Runs-on-Air by a campfire of the Buck's making. The Wolf looked weary, but alert... as though the day had added years to his age but also brought with it a newfound sense of purpose. It was also the first time the Prince spoke of the future. "Bishop Fulgaré told me something before he left... something I had presumed, but did not know for certain before he spoke the words."
Brother Rhys finally found a way in which he could help; he would listen. "What was it, your Highness?"
Prince Malcom reached into one of the pouches at his hip and pulled forth a pawful of reddish-colored powder. The Wolf tossed it onto the fire, sending up a cloud of ruddy smoke and with it the scent of something akin to cinnamon and cloves mixed with sulfur. "My father was in mixed health when he died... the Priests had been seeing to his care as he recovered from Black Winter's Cough."
The Priest nodded encouragingly. "A horrible affliction to be sure, but not usually deadly in and of itself."
The Wolf's eyes rose from the fire to settle in, staring right at Brother Rhys. "Bishop Fulgaré expressed in no uncertain terms that my father was murdered."
The announcement caught the Rat by surprise; he had heard no rumors of the sort and he was certain that there would have been some word of it if there was even a chance that the King's life had ended abruptly in such a manner. "Why wouldn't anyone have heard of this sooner? Assassins are--"
Prince Malcom cut him off. "Not all killings of kings are suited to the spotlight... the good Bishop suggested that those involved have plans beyond the death of my father."
Brother Rhys sat up a little straighter, the Prince's eyes still on him. "King Hammond the Bold was well liked by his people and led Lehsunia through trying times with the nations abroad, your Highness... who would have reason to kill him?"
The Wolf finally looked away, paw coming up to rub at his chin in thought. "Someone who had more to gain by chaos and disorder... and, if the Bishop's warning is to be believed, they would not just stop at my father. Bishop Fulgaré urged me caution in that my family's entire bloodline is at risk... which means my sister and my brother both."
The Priest glanced to Runs-on-Air, who asked a question of the Prince in the tongue of the Tribes. Prince Malcom replied, then stood and walked off into the darkness. The Stag stood as well before addressing Brother Rhys. "I ask what he will do... he say he will go back to Vallara... tonight... now."
The Rat got quickly to his feet, about to make some comment regarding the fire but, as the powerful aroma of spice continued to pour out of the smoky campfire, the flames fluttered and sputtered until they went out entirely. "Now? As in... right now?"
The Buck nodded as he followed the Prince into the darkness. "Yes... he will need help."
With little more on the matter to be discussed, Brother Rhys grabbed his traveling satchel and hurried after them. The small group traveled in silence and other than the occasional glimpse of Berro shadowing them through the undergrowth the Rat knew that they were alone on the road; he had spent so much time traveling as part of large groups it felt surprisingly lonely. And yet, at the same time, surprisingly not. Once Brother Rhys had caught up, Runs-on-Air changed his pace to match that of the Priest and the two followed the Prince along a path that held no road.
Prince Malcom's sense of direction turned out to be near-perfect as their direct line through the forest led them into a wide gravel road and deposited them almost right in front of a sign that had two arrows and two words; the first arrow pointed left and announced NEWPORT while the second arrow directed them to the right with a declaration of VALLARA. They had traveled through the night but it was the first time the Wolf had come to a stop... most likely because they were not alone.
Bishop Fulgaré sat on a good sized boulder off to the side of the road, sipping sparingly at a tea cup with steam rising from it. He waited until everyone had emerged from the tangles of brush and grasses before he spoke. "You made very good time, your Majesty."
The Wolf bowed his head in greeting. "I would say the same for you, your Excellency... especially considering you do not know these lands well."
The Dragon set the tea cup down in a saucer he held in his other talon. "You had mentioned during our discussion that Otter Rock was almost exactly east of Vallara and so I followed the coast until I had arrived, and then made the trip inland."
Prince Malcom flicked an ear. "Still quite a journey... I assume you must have flown to arrive here before us. Lord O'Dell could not have been pleased when you announced that you would break company with him."
The Bishop smiled, standing up off of his seat. "After the disagreement he and I shared I would assume that he could have cared less; he was interested in my presence as a morale benefit to his troops but they have no more fight in them and are returning to Wyra with their tails between their legs, so all he had to look forward to with me aboard his ship was day after day of condemnation and chastisement."
The Wolf glanced to the sign situated just a few feet from the Dragon's chosen rock. "I assume you are here awaiting your Monk?"
Bishop Fulgaré nodded, reaching down to pick up his tea cup. "Yes... in part... although I would be lying if I did not say that I was also looking to secure your aid as well."
Prince Malcom looked back to the Dragon, one ear up and the other sideways. "My aid?"
"Yes. I believe that our interests in Newport align."
The Wolf crossed his arms. "I had also considered traveling to Graddin... between both of my siblings I worry after my brother's welfare more than my sister's."
The Bishop cracked a wry grin. "Ah... so you play favorites?"
The Prince's tone held no humor to it. "My sister is much more capable of caring for herself while my brother is in the paws of those who may wish to do him harm. It is more a matter of necessity than preference."
The Dragon nodded thoughtfully, his smile disappearing. "You have many admirable qualities in you, Prince Malcom... and I cannot help but think that Lehsunia would do well having YOU as a King. I wonder then why it is you go to such lengths to protect those who stand between you and the throne."
The Wolf cocked his head to the side, an appraising gaze meeting the Bishop's in return. "How could I not? They are my family."
Bishop Fulgaré's smile returned. "Unconditional love, Prince Malcom is a funny thing. It is both a great strength and a great weakness. At one time I felt as though my own brother was incapable of doing wrong but I was forced to learn the hard way that despite how fondly we may feel for our siblings their actions are beyond our control and sometimes-- SOMETIMES we are required to act in opposition to their wishes."
Prince Malcom folded his arms across his chest, a spark of insight visible in his eyes. "Then you are here because for your brother... when the Monk you dispatched to Lehsunia mentioned a True Dragon you came here yourself to find him."
The Bishop nodded. "Yes.... and stop him."
Despite himself, Brother Rhys interjected with a question. "Stop him from what?"
Bishop Fulgaré glanced sidelong at the Rat. "That is a very good question indeed... what would be worth traveling half way across the world?"
Prince Malcom stepped up beside Brother Rhys. "Why ARE you here, Bishop Fulgaré?"
The Dragon, like many of the high clergy, had a knack for being indirect. "I can help you and you can help me, your Highness. Come with me to Newport and find out."