Marcys: The Announcement

February 15,

            Today I stood before the entire city of Bathum and listened to Ardythe lie to them. Hundreds of people now believe Kaplan is Ardythe’s legitimate heir—a great nephew or something like that. Though I am not the one to speak the lie, I know I am just as guilty for not saying a word to contradict the king. But what good would that do? Ardythe would have had me beheaded and the people of Bathum would still believe his lies. Soon the entire nation will believe that there is an heir and therefore nothing to worry about.

            For many weeks now, essentially since the real prince’s death, there had been heavy grumbling among the landed gentry. Many of them had once known someone who had lived through the war with Odrar; they have heard the horror stories. They feared, rightfully so, the idea of a civil war between likely candidates for the crown. Ardythe’s announcement will calm these fears, even if it isn’t true.

            Of course, no one but a few select people know that Prince Kaplan is no relation what so ever to Ardythe; even the other adopted children believe it’s true to some extent or another.

            I can’t help but wonder when Ardythe will explain to them what he intends to do with them. We expect a letter from Mallawi any day now, meaning we will be sailing soon.

            But I digress. I’m sure you are wondering how Ardythe has lied so successfully to so many people, because of course just announcing it is not enough. Papers are required. Lords meet and discuss. It is a complicated procedure to claim an heir that is not your own child.

            Well, four days ago Ardythe called me down to a small, half destroyed room in one of the lowest basements of the castle. If I recall correctly the damage was done in my youth at the hand of an earth quake. One corner of the room is half collapsed, supported by extra beams that had been put in place after the quake. We never use it, in fact we haven’t used it in decades.

            Ardythe stood just outside the door way when I arrived. I frowned into the room. It was just as I remembered it to be from the last time I’d seen it, probably seven or eight years ago.

            “I need you to get this room cleaned up a little. Someone will be staying here.”

            “Here?” I asked, dumbfounded.

            “They cannot be seen. There is a private exit down that hall.”

            “Am I allowed to know who?” I asked, cautiously.

            “Two scribes. I need new paper work created for Kaplan.”

            I nodded, understanding what he needed. If anyone found his scribes they would know that Kaplan wasn’t really his heir.

            I did the work myself, not trusting a servant to not get suspicious and start asking questions, or worse sharing the experience with the other servants. The next day I opened the small door and lead the two scribes to their new quarters. It wasn’t much and I was ashamed to have them staying in this dingy room with nothing more than cots to sleep on. In the corner near a break in the wall, which allowed natural light to filter in, I had placed a large, collapsible work desk. I also gave them two foot lockers for their scanty belongings and a third that held rations for them. Of course they couldn’t join the others in the great hall for meals.

            Two days later I joined Ardythe and the scribes in the small room. They had drawn up the necessary documents—family trees, new patents of nobility and some other documents I didn’t take the time to look at. Ardythe glanced over them with a knowing eye before handing them to me.

            Before I could react, the king had drawn the short dagger concealed under the folds of his tunic and thrust it into the stomach of the nearest scribe. The second scribe stared in wonder for a moment before trying to bolt towards the door. Ardythe was faster. Like the first, the scribe was soon sprawled on the floor, slowly bleeding out.

            Ardythe knelt to wipe his dagger clean. “Deal with the bodies,” he ordered as he stood up. He took the papers and left the room.

            That night I enlisted Alek, my nephew, to help. I didn’t want to expose him to the acts of the king, especially since he already had many very real doubts about our mission, but I didn’t know who else to call upon. Jehan was spending his time before our journey with his family on his estate and Haddock couldn’t help me carry a body with his bad leg. This left Alek.

            The sailor didn’t say a word when I showed him the small room that smelled of death, blood and dust. Instead he simply took hold of the first man’s shoulders and waited in silence for me to take the feet. I did and we hauled the body out to a hidden corner in the enormous bailey, where I had already dug two deep holes.

            I cannot even begin to express my grief and uncertainty. What have I gotten myself into? I should have resigned the minute Ardythe’s son died. But once, long ago, Ardythe had been my friend. Or at least I thought he had been. Maybe I’ve been wrong all these long years. Either way I’m stuck now. I must see this through to the end, even if it is just to keep these innocent children safe.

Marcys

Revew of Events

Review of Events

Hello,

Again, thank you for reading A New Lineage. I realize that sometimes a week or two is missed in

our busy lives. Here is a review of events including the plot at large and the more specific events since the last review.

            The Island is a small nation ruled by King Ardythe, who recently lost his only child. The nation is on the brink of war with Odrar, the country who, up until a few generations ago, ruled the Island. In an effort to gain supporters and keep his citizens from breaking out into civil war over the lack of an heir, he forcefully adopted a number of young people. (See previous review to learn about them). What do I mean by “forcefully adopted?” He manipulated them into coming by threatening their families or offering trades to their fathers for unpaid taxes. His plan is to take these young people to a distant nation and marry them off in the hopes of gaining allies and wealth.

            Since the last Review of Events some important things have occurred. The first is that Forlaith, the youngest of the adopted people, was injured while trying to teach Sadon to dance. Sadon, being raised by a noble family deep in debt, was not educated like the others. During the resulting chaos King Ardythe lets it slip that he considers Forlaith as the most beautiful and most likely to achieve what he needs from them, though they are still in the dark as to his intentions in regards to their future.

            While Forlaith recuperated from her sprained ankle, Kaplan, the eldest of the adopted, spent a great deal of time keeping her company. On one such occasion, King Ardythe arrived and informed Kaplan that his older brother had been killed in a terrible accident. Kaplan and Forlaith both suspect this information to be a lie, at least in part.

            Shortly after Kaplan’s brother’s death Ardythe announced to the nation that through a series of documents, forged of course, they had discovered that Kaplan is Ardythe’s next in line. Marcys, the steward and one of the journalers, felt guilty for lying to the whole nation but realized that there was no benefit in him trying to tell them the truth—Ardythe would just have him killed.

            The last, and perhaps most important event, was the arrival of a letter from Mallawi, the distant nation, to invite them to visit.

They will sail the next day.

            Please post any questions in the comments section!

Forlaith: More Secrets

February 12

I'm hoping that tomorrow will be my last day confined to this damn bed! Yes, I know I spoke coarsely just now, but I doubt my real mother will read this journal and be in any position to wash my mouth out with goldenseal. I have only experience the the punishment once, but no matter how I tried I couldn't get the bitter taste out of my mouth. Only time could do that. Well we'll just hope she never reads this journal.

Saying a bad word seems rather unimportant these days, especially today.

Earlier this morning I was sitting with Kaplan. To my astonishment he has been my most constant visitor. Oswyn has practically disowned me. Mind you, I'm not complaining, just stating a fact. My other siblings have visited on occasions. From what I hear, Sadon had to be prodded into doing it. I, of course, tried my best to comfort him. He feels terrible for what happened to me, though I have told him repeatedly that it was just an accident. This helped and he started coming to sit with me on occasion. Still, Kaplan has nearly been my constant companion. I cannot explain it.

Kaplan, I have found, is a very gentle man though there is a fierceness about him which sometimes frightens me. It has never been directed at me, but when he discusses something he is passion about, it consumes him. I've come to realize he is not someone whom I would want as an enemy, but I don't think that would ever happen.

As I hinted at before, something very sad happened today. While Kaplan was sitting with me, reading a book of poetry from Odrar—something we did in secret, of course—Ardythe and Marcys entered. Kaplan casually tucked the book away before they could see the title. We both looked up and noticed their expressions; Ardythe looked stern, but Marcys looked uncomfortable. I don't know how else to describe it. His hands were tucked behind his back, as though he didn't want us to notice how they shook, and he kept his eyes on the wooden floor boards.

I glanced at Kaplan, who was also staring at Marcys. Before we could ask the steward what was wrong, the king spoke. “A letter arrived for you.”

Ardythe thrust the folded paper into Kaplan's hands. It was sealed with a wax seal I didn't recognize. He opened it and began reading, conscious of our gaze. It was a short letter, but long before he reached the end I could tell something was very wrong.

“It-it's from my sister-in-law. She says my brother has died.”

“Oh Kaplan!” I blurted out before Ardythe motioned for me to be silent. I bit my lip quite hard to keep from making another unnecessary exclamation.

“I need to go, my lord,” said Kaplan in a tone devoid of emotion. I wanted to hug him and tell him it would be okay, but I had to remind myself that Kaplan was a grown man and would not take such ministrations well.

“You can't go!”

The king's surprised Kaplan and myself, but Marcys appeared unfazed by the news and Ardythe's response, almost as though he already knew what the letter had contained and how the king would respond.

“What?”

“I need you here Kaplan. Our mission hasn't changed. I'm sorry about your brother, but I need you here. I need an heir.”

“What about my family's land?”

“They can go to your second son. Surely your steward can manage things until your son come's of age.”

I stared at Kaplan. Did he have children? No. I was positive he wasn't married. What little I knew about Ardythe's mission suggested that he would be marrying us off to someone. Could he possibly mean the children Kaplan would have in the future?

“I-I should really be there for my sister-in-law. This will lay heavy with her.”

“I have no doubt. But like all of us, we must make sacrifices to save the Island.”

Slowly Kaplan began to nod. “I'll write to her now.” With that, the prince climbed to his feet and started for the door. His movements were awkward, as though his brain wasn't able to concentrate on things like putting one foot in front of the other, or opening doors.

Ardythe turned to me. “Forlaith, you understand that this doesn't leave this room?”

I nodded energetically; I wanted him to feel like he could trust me in the hopes that he might tell me more.

“Good. Are you feeling better?”

“Yes, my lord. Much better.”

Ardythe frowned at me until I realized my mistake.

“I mean father,” I whispered.

With that he nodded once and led Marcys from the room.

I can't say why exactly, but something felt off. Maybe it was just Marcys' awkward looks? Or maybe I'm over thinking things. Still, I can't help but feel that it is wrong for Ardythe to keep Kaplan here. Surely there is someone else who can pretend to be a prince, not to mention the other three “princes” he has on retainer here in the castle.

Everything about their conversation sounded as though something more wasn't being said and everyone but myself knew what that something was.

Well, I guess I will know his purpose for us when he chooses to reveal it and not before. I guess it is my time to learn patience.

Forlaith