Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

As the years passed, Alina grew into a beautiful young woman with a kind heart and a strong will. Her friendship with Liam grew deep and, when he came of age, she convinced her father to allow him to join the Academy of Knights, a rare exception for a man not of proper lineage.

            Unfortunately, the years were not kind to King Andrian, and he suffered many ailments, each one worse than the last. Each time he grew ill, Cassius would take on some of the king’s burden, making minor decisions in regard to the castle, and writing up decrees for bigger matters which the king would simply have to apply his seal to. Often times, Cassius would only give Andrian an overview of what he had written instead of having the king read the entire decree.

            Through this process, Cassius had managed to convince King Andrian to start a war with the elves. A dispute had arisen over an island that the two races had been sharing for decades, but Cassius felt that the elves were taking more resources than necessary, and the king was too weak to investigate further.

            It was on one such day that Cassius went to speak to the king as he lay ill in the Royal Chamber. As the advisor waited outside the door, a nurse opened the curtains, flooding the room with light from the morning sun. King Andrian’s pale and withdrawn face was a stark contrast to his former self. The red stone pendant still hung around his neck, and his signet ring sat loosely on his right index finger.

The nurse approached the bed with a tray and served Andrian his tea of herbs and ginger.

            ‘Good morning, Sire,’ she said. ‘How are you feeling today?’

            ‘Better than yesterday,’ he replied kindly.

            ‘That is good to hear,’ she said. ‘Sir Cassius is here to speak with you. Shall I let him know you are awake?’

            ‘Show him in,’ said the king.

            She curtsied, went to the door and opened it, stepping aside as Cassius entered. He carried with him a rolled up paper and a small stick of red wax.

            ‘Thank you, you are dismissed,’ he said to the nurse as he walked over to the bed.

            She curtsied half-heartedly and left, closing the door behind her. Cassius bowed low to the king.

            ‘Hello, Cassius,’ said Andrian.

            ‘Good morning, Sire,’ said Cassius. ‘I am sorry to disturb you at such an early hour.’

            ‘Is it about the war?’ inquired the king.

            ‘No, Sire,’ Cassius replied. ‘I regret to inform you that one of our knights has been found guilty of treason.’

            ‘A knight?’

            ‘You may have heard of him, Sire. His mother was an elf of Farendell.’

            ‘Ah, yes,’ said the king. ‘Trevin, if my memory serves me.’

            Cassius nodded. ‘Now that we are at war with the elves, it

would appear his loyalty is divided.’

            ‘What are the charges?’ the king asked.

            ‘He was spreading doubt among the other knights regarding your ability to rule in your present condition of health.’ Cassius paused a moment, then sighed. ‘He was even reported to have questioned your sanity.’

            ‘And you have witnesses?’ asked the king.

            ‘Yes, Sire,’ Cassius replied.

            Andrian did not respond right away, but stared at the ceiling, sadness filling his eyes. ‘What is your council?’ he asked, already knowing the answer.

            ‘In a clear case of treason, Sire, the only course of action is to send him to the Mines.’

            King Andrian sighed, causing him to cough several times. He took a sip of his tea and closed his eyes. ‘Do you have the sentence?’

            ‘Yes, Sire,’ Cassius said, gesturing slightly with the paper in his hand.

            King Andrian slipped the ring off his finger and held it out to Cassius who eagerly took it, lit a nearby candle and melted some of the wax stick onto the paper. He took the king’s ring and pressed it into the wax, sealing the knight’s sentence. Cassius then returned to the bedside and stood for a moment, holding the ring in his hand.

            ‘Your Majesty,’ he said, somewhat nervously. ‘Over the last several years, you have yet to disagree with any of my sentences.’

            ‘I suppose not,’ said the king.

            ‘Would it not be more convenient for you if I did not have to trouble you each time a criminal is convicted? If I were to keep the signet, Sire, you would not have to be disturbed for such grave matters.’

            ‘I appreciate your concern, Cassius,’ said Andrian. ‘But if a man is to be sentenced to slavery for the rest of his life, I can at least be inconvenienced enough to know the reason. I trust your judgment, but I will continue giving the final word.’

            ‘Of course, Sire,’ said Cassius, handing the ring back to the king. ‘I do fear I’ll be needing the pendant,’ he said as the king placed the ring back on his finger.

            Andrian nodded and pulled the necklace over his head before handing it over.

            ‘I shall return this to you as always,’ said Cassius, bowing low again.

            ‘Thank you, Cassius,’ said the king.

            Cassius bowed again and turned, leaving the king to continue resting.