Kingdom of Dragons Read online

  “My friends and I have been out of town.”

  “Well,” said the old man. “The regent passed away. The Duke of Redforte is now king. He claims King Edward is dead. He said he would have returned by now. These men were aids of the regent and were found to be guilty of treason. If I were you I’d turn around and head back out of town the way you came for what hope is there now? Luther Wyvern is king.

  “And a good king he will be,” said the man next to him.

  “And you believe him, the Duke?” Lionel asked.

  “Well he made promises to better our lives, cut taxes and he said he would rebuild the old Cathedral of St John’s.”

  “I see,” said Lionel who could see right through the lying scheme of the Duke. He had won the people through flattery, lies and if that didn’t work he used threats.

  “Let us quietly move away from this scene,” said Sir Jamie. “There are a group of allies awaiting us at Richmond Castle.”

  The four men turned from the crowd and retrieved their horses and were quickly on the road again riding towards Richmond, an estate on the outskirts of London owned by Sir Simon Balfour. The ride there seemed long and unnerving for the road was clamouring with king’s guard and when they reached the city gates, Lionel turned around and saw dragon banners flying from the tower tops of the king’s castle. He paused momentarily and watched as the form of a dragon rippled in the soft wind and all he could he think of was his dear Elizabeth. There had been no word from her for months now and he had sent her several. Had her love grown cold or was she ignoring him completely? “I must stop and see Elizabeth,” said Lionel most anxiously. “I must see her before joining you at Richmond. Please give my apologies,” he said as he turned his horse and galloped away before Sir Jamie or his companions could say anything.

  Lionel galloped his horse along a tree lined road that led towards the estate of Stratham which belonged to the Wentworth family and Elizabeth had been there some months now attending her ill mother. It was just as Lionel had remembered it, a three story stone facade built more for appearances than fortification. It had elaborate leadlight windows, several romantic gables and a charming cobblestoned courtyard bordered in shrubs. Lionel hopped off his horse at the gate but something seemed amiss. There was no steward at the door to greet him, no guard at the gatehouse and the house was dark and vacant and no sign of life anywhere. He put his hand on the front latch and pushed it open and instantly the steward appeared. “Who is there?” he called out.

  “Sir Lionel of Berwyck,” he answered. “Tell me, are the family at home?”

  “Oh Sir Lionel, please come in.”

  Lionel moved in to the front hall and the steward peered around anxiously and then closed the door. “You shouldn’t be here sir. It’s dangerous. Lady Elizabeth was arrested.”

  “Arrested!”

  “Yes sir. She was taken into custody when all this trouble started. She’s been accused of treason and spying. They put her in the tower sir.”

  “And what of her mother?”

  “Her mother passed on some weeks ago. I thought you knew.”

  “No, someone must have been intercepting our letters.”

  “I’d be careful if I was you sir. The Duke is looking for you. Or should I say the new king.”

  “No, you shouldn’t!” said Lionel firmly. “Edward is returning soon.”

  “It’s too late,” said the steward anxiously. “His throne is gone. Luther Wyvern is king.”

  “Not for long.” He swung around and quickly left and was back on his horse before the steward could even make it to the door. Lionel galloped his horse back towards town in the direction of the tower.

  Peace Tower

  Lionel left Stratham and headed straight for the Peace Tower. It was a tower that had been built by King Frederic as a place of safety for the king and his family. But since Luther Wyvern had taken over it had now become a place of imprisonment for members of the nobility who rejected him. The Snow was just beginning to fall around the tower when the guards changed their shifts that evening and they moved in a straight line barely taking notice of a man wrapped in a cloak and lurking in the shadows. He walked past them and disappeared around a corner and slipped in through the gate. He knew he had a few moments while the guards changed shifts and he quickly made his way up the stairwell to the second floor and he pounded on the first door. “Elizabeth, are you in there?”

  There was no reply and so he carried on down the hall and checking the door knobs and pounding on the doors when finally near the end of the hall he heard a soft voice. “Lionel

  “Elizabeth, don’t worry. I’m here to get you out.”

  The peep hole opened and a pair of enchanting green eyes appeared. “Lionel, don’t be foolish. Get away while you can. We both knew it was a risk when I made the choice to spy on Wyvern.”

  “Don’t worry Lizzie. I’ve got a plan.”

  “Lionel, are you crazy! Save yourself!”

  “I could never live with myself if I didn’t try. Now stand back from the door. The guards are changing shifts.”

  Elizabeth obeyed her husband and stood back from the door. First Lionel prodded the lock with a small metal pick and then he pushed at it with all his might and the third time he lunged at it. The door burst open and he rolled in on the floor with a thud. “Lionel,” said Elizabeth. “Are you alright?”

  He stood up and embraced her cupping her long black curls in his hands and his arms wrapped around her slim figure. “I’m fine. Are you alright?”

  “Yes,” she nodded.

  “Let’s get out of here.

  It seemed as though luck was on their side as they crept down the stairs and towards the door, but the guards were now returning. “What do we do now?” asked Elizabeth with anxiety.

  “Back up the stairs. We may have to escape through the window.”

  “How will I do that?”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll help you.”

  “I’m not Gwendolyn.”

  “It will be fine,” he assured her.

  They went back up the stairs and into the room they had just escaped from and to the small window opening. Lionel secured the rope and then peered out the window again. The guards were moving around the base of the castle.

  “How will we get out?”

  “Don’t worry. As soon as they pass by the window, out we go. I’ll go first and then help you down.”

  They waited for the guards to come around again and as soon as Lionel saw them he made his way out the window and slid down quickly like a spider on a silk thread. “Alright, come on, you can do it.”

  “I’m scared.”

  “Elizabeth now!”

  She took a deep breath and placed her legs outside the window and grabbed onto the rope but this was not her expertise and she slid down very quickly burning her hands on the rope as she went and she let out a loud yelp. Lionel grabbed her in his arms but the guards had heard them. “Quickly we need to move!” said Lionel. He grabbed her hand and they moved towards the bushes in hopes of sliding out the gates unnoticed.

  “How will we get past the guard?” she asked.

  Lionel looked around anxiously for an idea and suddenly he was hit with a revelation. There was a carriage parked near the castle which was used for transporting goods and food and he knew they were there temporarily to stock the kitchen and then leave. “That wagon over there. We’ll hide in the back.”

  Before long they had slipped into the back of the wagon and hid conveniently under a large canvas cover. They waited anxiously for the driver to return from his delivery errand and once the carriage started moving they could hear guards in the background and dogs howling but the carriage kept rolling and went right through the gates to freedom.

  It was late evening and Richmond Castle glowed like a beacon for a lost traveller. Being situated over Mount’s Bay, many a weary traveller often beckoned at its gates. It was a welcoming place surrounded by large trees and hills. It was the family ho
me of Sir Simon Balfour, a good friend of Lord Godwyn. He was known for being a loyal supporter of King Edward, a gallant warrior, a knight of the realm of Penzance but he was most well known as a heart-warming soul who always opened his doors to the weary traveller, the rejected, and the forgotten. He was one to take orphans under his wing, like a doting hen.

  Upon arrival they were taken directly to the Solar where they were seated near Sir Simon by a roaring fire in the hearth.

  “So tell me all the news,” said Sir Simon.

  Jamie sighed wearily. It seemed he had been riding through-out the kingdom for weeks without a break. It was nice to sit down and have a sip of wine. “Well, sir the situation near Whitehaven is heating up. I hate to say it sir, but the Southern kingdoms are falling under the reign of Luther Wyvern.”

  “Just as we had calculated some time ago. But we must stay focused on the plan and seeing Edward back safely on the throne.”

  “Yes, but the weather is our enemy as well,” said Sir Alfred. “The sooner the king’s army arrive the better.”

  “Did you see Lord Godwyn?” Asked Sir Simon.

  “Yes,” said Sir Jamie. “He doesn’t really believe us about the dragon.”

  “I feared as much,’ said Sir Simon.

  “We decided it would be beneficial to seek the aid of the Earl of Dinefwr but we haven’t been able to locate him. I traveled to Dinefwr and he was not there and I we ended up going in circles looking for him.”

  “Really? Where did you go?

  “To Pembroke, to Cardiff, Chepstow! All over the bloody place!”

  “Try Carreg Cennen. It’s a favourite place of his for some reason. You just may find him there.”

  “Thanks I’ll go there after we leave here.”

  “Is that all the news you bring from Godwyn?”

  “Oh,” said Sir Rhys. “His son Lionel traveled with us all the way to Whitehaven and then he departed and went his own way.”

  “Where did he go?” asked Sir Simon with alarm.

  “He went to find his wife Elizabeth. We heard she is being held in the tower,” said Alfred.

  “I can’t believe he took off like that,” said Sir Jamie. “He’ll be thrown in chains for sure. If the rumour is true and Elizabeth is in the tower he’s in grave danger.”

  “Well he raced down the road like the devil was chasing him,” said Sir Alfred.

  “What on earth am I to tell his father?” said Sir Simon.

  “You can tell him his son is safe,” said Lionel standing in the doorway.

  “Lionel?” said Sir Simon. “Thank God you are here. When Jamie arrived without you I didn’t know what to think. And Lady Elizabeth, are you alright?”

  “Yes I’m fine sir.”

  Sir Simon got up and poured them both a goblet of wine. “Here drink this. I’m sure your nerves must need it by now.”

  “Thank you sir,” said Elizabeth as she sat down by the fire and Lionel joined her.

  Sir Simon glanced from one to the other and he knew the circumstances of being at Richmond weren’t safe. ”What will you do now? It won’t be long before the Duke’s men trace you here.”

  “I know,” said Lionel. “I thought as much.”

  “Where will you go?” asked Alfred. “Surely not North. You’ll never make it. The Duke’s army are swarming everywhere.

  “No, not North,” said Lionel. “I was thinking perhaps . . . across the channel to France.”

  “Across the channel,” said Sir Simon. “Are you mad?”

  “What else can I do? If I stay here we’ll be hounded like rabbits. No place will be safe and I’ll put others in danger as well. The Duke’s a clever man. It won’t take long to figure out that I was the one who freed Elizabeth and he’ll put a price on my head too and he’ll sift this place from top to bottom. You know what he’s like. He won’t rest until he finds us.”

  “It may be a good idea until the king returns. I can help you get on a boat to France,” said Sir Jamie.

  “Where will you go once in France?” asked Sir Simon.

  “I’ll go to the house of my father’s old friend, Baron Henri Marchant. I’m sure we can stay there for a while. “You’ll tell my father won’t you?”

  “I’ll send message straight away.”

  “No,” said Lionel with concern. “You must tell him in person. One of you here must tell him and tell no one else. I don’t want my father or anyone at Berwyck dragged into this. But you must tell him in person. Sending a handwritten message is too risky. I’m sure that’s how Elizabeth was caught.”

  “I’ll go,” said Sir Jamie. “I’ll tell your father.”

  “Thank you,” said Lionel.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Caenarfon Castle, Wales

  Gwen’s journey to Caenarfon was long and tiring as the carriage travelled across the centre of the Island over rough terrain and low valleys. Her father had insisted they take an alternative route for safety reasons. Gwen had never been so far before on her own but she was now a young woman and she travelled with a carriage and guard who rode beside the carriage. “We’re just about there, mi’lady,” said the guard. Gwen peered out the carriage window and from the top of the hill where the carriage now covered ground she took her first view of the castle. Just beyond a cluster of trees the great towers of Caenarfon came shooting into the skyline. She had heard many tales of the huge fortified structure that sat on the mouth of the River Seiont like a beautiful gemstone with several white stone cottages clustered around it. It was the home of the princes of Gwynedd and Prince Pryderi’s family had lived in it for many years and claimed they were direct descendants of Cadwallader, a legendary king of Wales. Gwen knew there were several prophecies written about Cadwallader and his descendants but the one she remembered the most was that his descendants would fight a great war against the Black dragons of Britain and join houses with the Lion. She pondered the prophecy many times wondering of its meaning or if it really meant anything at all and as the carriage passed through the gatehouse Gwen’s eyes shined with astonishment. The towers were angular in shape and made of white and grey stone and sitting on the turrets were eagles carved out of gold.

  Prince Pryderi was standing on the stairs at the front of the castle when she arrived and with him Lady Anwyn and Sir Trystan and a steward. Prince Pryderi looked magnificent as usual dressed in dark colours and black fur edged cape blowing softly in the breeze which tousled his raven black hair. He grabbed her hand and kissed it as he bowed. “Welcome to Caenarfon Lady Gwendolyn. It’s a pleasure to have you as a guest.”

  “We are honoured to have you my dear,” said Lady Anwyn.

  Gwen smiled and she suddenly felt relaxed. Lady Anwyn certainly looked a very friendly and warm soul with white hair and bright eyes and a gentle face and she reminded Gwen of one of the angels in the stained glass windows at Berwyck. “Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here. I’ve never been to Wales before.”

  “Welcome Lady Gwendolyn,” said Sir Trystan and she smiled back at him.

  “Lady Gwendolyn, My dearest aunt, Lady Anwyn.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Oh the pleasure is mine, my dear. You are a sweet little thing. Isn’t she Deri?

  Gwen blushed as she met those bright blue eyes and did his brow slightly lift or was it her imagination? And did his aunt call him Deri? The prince had a pet name. “I hope your stay will be enjoyable,” said Pryderi.

  “I daresay it will. It’s so very lovely here.”

  Pryderi glanced upward to his stewards removing Gwen’s trunks and the little horse being led on a lead. “Oh, I see you brought the little fellow.” One of the trunks dropped on the ground.

  “Be careful,” said Gwen. “Those are my horse’s things.”

  “Your horse’s things?” questioned Pryderi.

  “Yes,” said Gwen in a serious tone as Pryderi looked at her strangely.

  Pryderi turned and looked at the horse just as strangely and then back at Gwen
. “He’s not sharing a room with me.” Gwen laughed and Pryderi joined her and Gwen was so glad he had a sense of humour behind that serious demeanour.

  “Excuse me sir,” said the Steward. “Might I have a word with you and Sir Trystan.”

  “Of course. Excuse me,” he said. “I’m sure you want to rest awhile anyway. You will be taken to your room where you can freshen up before dinner.

  “Thank you sir.” He and Trystan walked ahead of them and Gwen walked along with Lady Anwyn.

  “Come inside out of the cold my dear. You must be tired.”

  “I’m quite refreshed really standing out here in this crisp air.”

  Gwen followed her up the staircase and inside and they walked along the stone hallways in the dark except for a few candles that were dimly burning. “Have you always lived here?” Gwen asked.

  “Yes, I grew up here. Pryder’s father Aneurin is my brother. Well you see, my dear brother’s wife died young and Pryderi was barely two years old and she being one of my dearest friends, I promised her I would care for him and I’ve never had children of my own. Couldn’t have them so I have been like a mother to him and he like a son to me.”

  “Oh,” said Gwen with a puzzled look. Who were the children of Caenarfon then? Perhaps Pryderi’s father had remarried and he had young sisters and brothers but she hadn’t seen any children since she arrived. As they walked along the halls they paused by a window overlooking the courtyards below and they looked out over the landscape and breathtaking view and Gwen spotted Pryderi below talking with Sir Trystan.

  “Isn’t my nephew the handsomest young man you’ve ever seen?” said Lady Anwyn with a sweet glow in her eyes and she looked twice when Gwen didn’t respond.

  “Yes, mi’lady he is very handsome indeed.”

  “I heard about your run in with him. You managed to ruffle a few of his feathers.”

  “I’m sorry. Sometimes I am just too quick with my tongue. Marian says I should keep my opinions to myself. Ladies shouldn’t speak out. Ceridwyn always obeys her faithfully but I…I don’t know. I don’t know why I say and do the silly things I do sometimes.”