Rise of the Traitor

                A young man was studying some scrolls. He had nicely brushed black hair, stern clever eyes, frowned eyebrows and an air of arrogance. He was sitting behind a table with the many yellow sheets of parchment and books around him, but you could tell he was tall enough and quite muscular. His special attire of red and gold indicated his being nobility.

                The man was working in the Royal Library placed in the palace at the capital of Morcia. As a noble of high class, not only did he have access to the Library, but also he was a resident of the palace. His relation –and his family’s–, though distant, to the King ensured high respect towards him.

                Now, the young noble had picked a scroll that made his eyebrows frown increasingly and his eyes to look more and more upset as they went down.

                “… Yet, Arstus had gotten old and it was time to decide who would be his heir to the throne. The Land of Morcia never had a well defined system of succession, so each King decided as he saw fit, who would be the successor. However, Arstus came to a dilemma. He, like many, believed that the right and responsibility of the reins of a kingdom lies to the first-born. But Arstus’s first child was a daughter, the maid called Joanna. So, his dilemma was whether to pick her as his heir or his second-born son, Verdik the Murderous, who as a male seemed fitter.

                “As the matter became known throughout the nobility, they started to side with either Joanna or Verdik. Through the nobles, the peasants and militaries, too, split in two sides. While tension rose, the Kingdom was on the verge of a civil war. There were already many acts of violence between the two sides. One night especially, the supporters of Verdik set fire to the houses of many of their rivals across the capital. The others were not slow in responding. Soon, the city was in chaos. When the army was called to restore order, they wreaked even more havoc as the soldiers started fighting each other. The losses were calculated at about two hundred minifigures smashed and the property of even more destroyed.

                “The King knew this had to stop. If he delayed any more, civil war would indeed be reality. So, he tested his two children to see who was more skilful. It was Princess Joanna that won. Thus, two days after the aforementioned events Lady Joanna was announced as the future Queen. To avoid any further conflict, Arstus also announced that anyone who objected to his choice or caused trouble due to this matter would be accused for high treason. After winning in the wars against Britay and the Easterlings and restoring the kingdom’s economy, Arstus had earned the respect of his people. That respect, in combination with the fear for the punishment, led the matter to eventually die down, even though there were some more incidents. The one who was more outraged than anyone was Verdik. Despite that, he remained loyal to his father.

                “The decision was timely, because one month later Arstus deceased. Joanna rose to the throne and she reigned justly trying to achieve the best for her people. Thus, she was called Joanna the Just. Rumours of the time had it that Verdik was conspiring with the Aquilone King, Rardrak, against Joanna. However, no betrayal was ever realised, was it being planned or not, because soon Verdik fell ill and followed his father…”

                The man stopped reading. He had a feeling he knew who that Verdik was. He thought he remembered his name being mentioned by his father. He needed to check it. He searched for the book “The Royal and Noble Family Trees of Morcia”. He soon found it and started looking at its pages.

                It didn’t take too long before he found the name “Verdik Moracol the Murderous”, son of “King Arstus II Moracol the Defeater” and brother of “Queen Joanna Moracol the Just”. The three of them were placed historically about a hundred years ago. The noble traced his finger below the name of Verdik to his descendants and found the last of his line. The name was “Vladek Verilus” .

                So, it was true! Verdik was the rightful successor of Arstus, but he had been wronged and Joanna, a woman, had become Queen in his place. And he, direct descendant of Verdik, Lord Vladek Verilus, was the rightful heir to the throne, but was ruled by others. This was not to happen. Vladek would take revenge! And he would be King!

 

Rise of the Traitor

 

                The Knights of the Olde Speech, Lady Jonna, King Matthias and all who accompanied them, including MajorQ the 10^th Hero and Squeaky the Guppy, were riding south towards Elepharia. thedude had conquered the capital of Morcia, so they were intending to visit the Elephanters and ask for their help. None of them knew how tragically this journey would end, but this is not the subject of this story.

                Jonna was riding on a horse that might or might not have been Hwin. I don’t really know whether she and Deadbeat were with them at the time. But I suspect they were. Anyway, Jonna approached her father on her horse. She looked at him for a moment and then spoke.

                “So, dad! I have been thinking!” she started and King Matthias looked at her “I know how thedude came to our land and started fighting us, but… I don’t really know the story behind Vladek. When did this war between you and him start and how?”

                The King looked at his daughter with eyes indicating sorrow and he hesitated for a moment.

                “Jonna, I have never told you how I met your mother! Well, it’s about time you learnt!”

 

                                                                      ~ ~ ~***---***~ ~ ~

 

                They were all silent in sorrow. Only one person was speaking; speaking in memory of the lost soul. The gathered people, all wearing black, many crying, were mourning their lost King Marcus III. He had mysteriously smashed under unknown circumstances two days ago. Most people considered it was something natural, because the man had gone peacefully during his sleep.

                There was only one person that knew it was poison that had caused all of this. He was standing there, in the midst of the crowd, staring sternly, almost angrily, at the black and silver coffin with his red eyes. Lord Vladek did not feel any shame joining the mourning crowd, even though he was the cause of it all.

                A man, slightly younger than him with golden hair and beard, was standing next to him crying most of all. His name was Matthias Moracol and he was scheduled to be crowned the following day, being the son of Marcus Moracol. Vladek considered him. There were many types of kings. There were the ones who were very good strategists, always doing well in military affairs and such. There were kings who strived on the financial field.  There were even tyrants, cruel, but effective. Matthias was none of these. He was mediocre, mellow-tempered and one of those stupid people-lovers who thought that they should do their best to serve their people. He was not fit for a King. Vladek, on the other hand, was much better.

                His plan was simple. He had gotten rid of Marcus, who was more capable than his son, and let Matthias deal with the crisis. He would certainly outdo the useless man. He just had to pull the right strings and use the right tactic.

                Vladek had never liked Matthias. However, now that he knew that he was stealing his own right to be King, he had started to hate him. He’d take pleasure in crashing him. The game was on. And Matthias was already losing.

 

                It was late the same day. Matthias had to keep aside his pain for now to make sure that all the guests who stayed for the night were alright. As he ran to the kitchen to make sure that dinner had been prepared appropriately, a servant stopped him.

                “Sir!” he called “Lord Mirabus and his daughter Lady Amelia, of the Calibus Tower have arrived and they do not seem very happy!”

                “I’ll go see them immediately! Where are they waiting?” Matthias responded.

                The servant answered and Matthias changed direction for the room he was directed to. Inside he found two minifigures, wearing black, of some prestige. The man, who was about fifty years old, looked quite angry. His young daughter only seemed tired.

                “This is outrageous! We were on our way here to honour King Marcus with our mourning, when bandits stopped our carriage in the middle of a forest! We barely made it here with all our pieces!” the Lord complained.

                “Bandits?!” Matthias was surprised “We had no such problem recently near the city!”

                “Well, now you obviously do!”

                “Do not worry! I will immediately have two rooms prepared for you and will have some food sent to you, if you are not feeling like joining us in the dining room. As for anything you lost, I am willing to make up for it. Do not worry; we will take good care of you, so that you forget this disturbance!”

                “Good! That is the least you can do!”

                “Now, if you excuse me, I have to see to some matters, including yours, and will have to leave you. A servant will soon come to lead you to your rooms!”

                As he made for the door, the young lady approached him and told him “Do not mistake my father! He is only annoyed by all that we’ve been through today!”

                “I am sure he is!” Matthias replied gently.

                “I will come back to see if you are comfortable!”

                And Matthias passed the rest of the day seeing to his guests. Most of all, he tried to please Lord Mirabus and Lady Amelia, to whom he considered he was obliged to make up.

                The next morning saw many of Matthias’s guests leaving after the coronation, so as to return to wherever they’d come from. However, some were to stay longer. This included Mirabus and his daughter.

                Finding some time to rest, now that the guests to attend to were much fewer, Matthias went to a balcony of the palace and looked from it the view of his city. He put aside his crown. It felt heavy and uncomfortable on his head. The young man was uncertain of himself. He was not sure he would be able to fit in his father’s shoes; he was certain that he was not ready for being a King, yet. Despite the fact everyone seemed to consider him the King now, he alone had not come to terms with it. He kept forgetting of it and was constantly reminded of it, with surprise, when the guards and other people addressed him as “his Majesty”. Matthias did not feel majestic at all and that made it even worse.

                To add to that the thought of not seeing his father again always brought tears to him. You couldn’t say they were the closest of father and child, but Matthias had lost his mother when he was still young and Marcus was all he had had. Now, he was alone. A tear rolled on his cheek as he thought of all that.

                “It’s a beautiful view!” said a sweet female voice.

                “I should think so!” Matthias replied wiping the tear and turning to see Lady Amelia.

                “I am really sorry about King Marcus! He was a good leader and I’m sure you’ll miss him most of all, though I didn’t know him personally. I would like to give you my condolences. It’s a pity we lost the funeral!”

                “Thank you!” Matthias answered, though having turned slightly paler “Indeed he reined well!”

                Amelia seemed to understand something was bothering him “Is something troubling you, your Majesty?”

                “Please, just call me Matthias! Ever since my father… well, everyone treats me in a way like I am a different person they just met. I just can’t stand everyone calling me my Majesty and stuff!” he seemed to feel better after admitting this.

                “But this isn’t what’s worrying you, is it?”

                Matthias looked at her “My father was a good King and he fitted the role. I’m not quite sure the same can be said for me!”

                Amelia smiled in an understanding way “I, on the contrary, think you’re going to do great, perhaps greater than your father!”

                Matthias smiled back. Somehow, having a person that believed in him made him feel better. Then, suddenly he seemed to remember something and was very upset.

                “But Lady Amelia, how was your night? Did you sleep alright? Was everything okay?” he said in a hurried way, as if this would make up for the delay of the question.

                “Everything was splendid! Do not worry, Matthias!” she said smiling again, stressing the last word as if to indicate that she indeed remembered his request and that’s why she addressed so intimately “But if I am to call you Matthias, you are to call me Amelia!”

                They spoke for another two or three minutes when Matthias finally announced “I am sorry, Amelia, but I will have to leave you now, as I have to attend to a job!”

                “Where are you going then?”

                “This actually concerns you! I had some men search the area where the bandits attacked you. I am going there, now, to learn what they have found out or personally investigate the matter!”

                “Oh! Then, I want to come with you!”

                “What about your father? I do not think he would permit this!” said Matthias thinking himself it was not a good idea.

                “My father is not the master of me! He cannot stop me! Especially if he doesn’t know! Besides this matter concerns me and I deserve to come, if I want to!”

                Matthias saw that there was no point arguing with this dynamic girl. He did not like it very much, but he said “Can you ride?”

                “Oh, I do love horses!” she replied.

                “Very well then! Go change your clothes and meet me at the Hall”

                Ten minutes later, the two young minifigures met at the Hall and Matthias led Amelia to the Stables. Matthias approached a great muscular brown horse and caressed its neck.

                “Choose any horse you like!” he said to Amelia, who was scanning the stables.

                “I actually have my own here! We brought Aurora with us” she said while spotting the white mare.

                “Okay then!”

                Matthias mounted his horse and talked to it “Alright, Ventequo! We have a job to do now!”

                Ventequo neighed and that woke the stableman, who apparently was asleep until then. He was terrified to see Matthias there.

                “Your Majesty! I am so sorry! Do you require any assistance?” he stammered.

                “No, thank you Bert! I’ll be off now and so will Lady Amelia! Expect us when we come!”

                And so the two riders had their horses start galloping and left the frightened Bert thanking his luck he did not get any severe punishment.

                The two minifigures talked a lot throughout the journey. Matthias found they had a lot in common and that he seemed to rather like Amelia. She seemed to be an intelligent and talented girl with a dynamic character; she was a woman that could not be oppressed by the patriarchal society and that heard the call of adventure. She also seemed to have an opinion in everything. She certainly was unlike any other woman Matthias had ever met.

                They reached their destination in the evening. There, they found the soldiers Matthias had sent for investigation.

                “Your Majesty, King Matthias! We were about to send a carrier pigeon to you! We captured some bandits that are possibly the men we’re after!” said their commander when Matthias dismounted Ventequo.

                “Thank you, Decurias! Can we question them?” Matthias replied.

                “Of course, Your Majesty!” Decurias told him side-looking at Amelia.

                Decurias led him to the part of their camp where six bandits were tied on a tree. Some of them looked more afraid than others. One of them actually had a look of defiance.

                “Do you recognise them?” Matthias asked Amelia.

                “It’s hard to say! But I think it was them!”

                “We’ll find out easily!” Matthias turned to the bandits “If you are cooperative now, your punishment will be more lenient! Did you rob a passing nobilities’ carriage just yesterday?”

                They did not speak. Matthias looked at them sternly.

                “Do you realise I am the King?”

                They remained silent for a moment and then one of them cracked.

                “Yes, we did! How couldn’t we since that man hired us to do so?” the bandit said anxiously.

                “Bill, you fool! Why did you speak? They had no proof! You condemned us now!” the defiant one yelled at him.

                “Who hired you?” Matthias questioned them more loudly, as if to remind them he was the one that had the power.

                “We don’t know!” said another bandit; since Bill had admitted their crime, there was no point not speaking anymore.

                “What do you mean?”

                “He did not give a name! He just had us meet him in some well-like hole at the north of the capital! He just gave us some golden pieces to do our job near the city, especially during these days!” one of them explained.

                “Is there anything you could tell me about that man?”

                “He certainly was rich and he seemed to be an important fellow! He had that air, you know!”

                “Anything else you could share?”

                They spoke no more.

                “Very well then! I will think about what to do with you!” Matthias left them.

                “What is the meaning of this?” he asked Amelia.

                “I don’t know… Perhaps, a conspiracy!” Amelia suggested hesitantly.

                “A conspiracy?!”

                “Against you!”

                “That is terrible then! More terrible than I imagined!”

                “You have to keep it secret that you came here!” Amelia instructed him.

                “Why?”
                “If someone is indeed conspiring against you, they’ll be more cautious if they know you know something!”

                “You’re right! I have trust in Decurias and I will make sure Bert does not mention anything, though he doesn’t know much anyways. But what about the bandits? If I send them to jail, the conspirators might learn about it or even try to speak with them!”

                “Is there any isolated place where you could send them without people knowing?”

                Matthias thought about it and then said “There is this tower at the south of Morcia! I could have Decurias take them there!”

                “Very well!”

 

                                                                            ~ ~ ~***---***~ ~ ~

 

                “Your Majesty, where might you have been, if I may ask?” a slow voice greeted Matthias shortly after he entered the palace.

                “Hello, Vladek! Good to see you! I had gone for a ride, so that I could think and relax!” Matthias replied.

                “With Lady Amelia?”  the man seemed to be enjoying this “Might you have taken to rather like the particular woman?”

                “What are you suggesting, Vladek?”

                “Nothing, your Majesty, nothing!”

                “Where did you see us?” Matthias and Amelia had parted at the Hall.

                “I saw you coming through the window!”

                “Of course!  Well, Vladek, I’ll see you later!”

                “Goodbye, your Majesty!”

                Matthias walked away. Vladek watched him leaving and his eyes narrowed.

                On top of things, the fool has found a girlfriend, too. I just hope they don’t go have any children! I will have to take care of her! She could even complicate things in other ways.

                Vladek started walking himself. He went searching for one of his trusted servants. It was not long before he found the man.

                “Come here! I want you to find out all about that woman Lady Amelia, daughter of Lord Mirabus! Keep it secret, though!” he instructed the man.

                “Secrecy might cost ye a bit moar, sir! Ye know, ‘t’s hard te keep secrets!” the servant replied.

                “You…!” Vladek could not find words as he got a pouch that contained some golden pieces and handed it to the man, who smiled greedily.

                “You won’t be disappointed!” and he ran off to do as he was ordered.

                “As if I don’t have more trouble than greedy simpletons!” Vladek mumbled to himself.

                Yet, his plans were indeed going well as of yet. He had just visited some nobles during the absence of Matthias and they had agreed to help him. It seemed they didn’t like Matthias either. One of them had an important military position, so he would now have access to a major part of the army. He was also recruiting bandits throughout the land in order to sabotage Matthias’s rule and turn everyone against him. If he was lucky, by the time he openly fought him the people would be for a new leader. Meanwhile, he had sent some men to Aquila and the Wastelands, at the east of Morcia. He intended to find allies in Aquila that would help him, too, while he was also hiring mercenaries in the Wastlelands.

                Thinking all that, his mood got better and he continued walking smiling. He was rich, so there was no problem with greedy servants. He, then, headed back to his bedroom. It was night.

 

                                                                            ~ ~ ~***---***~ ~ ~

 

                On the next day’s afternoon, Vladek’s servant reappeared to share his first findings.

                “Sir, that Amelia ye assigned me te find about she is a beautiful, yet clever woman! People also say she’s quite chivalrous and adventurous. She can ride well, knows archery and even a little sword fighting. She is known te have often run away from her father’s tower, intending te return though. Her father’s a strict man and doesn’t like her behaviour, although she was taught te fight, because he wanted her te be able te protect herself. However, they say she’s still a charming girl, even though she sounds like trouble! She reads books a lot, too!”

                “You’re better than I thought!” Vladek was pleased

                “’t’s just the network of servants knowing everything! I did nothing!”  the servant pretended to be humble.

                “You can go now! Wait! Spread the word that the woman went out of the palace for the whole day yesterday, so that her father hears it!”

                Vladek now was certain he had to get rid of the woman. She could be a bad influence on Matthias. They might even try to prevent his plot. He would stop that. Amelia wouldn’t have much more time there.

 

                                                                                  ~ ~ ~***---***~ ~ ~

 

                Sure enough, soon Lord Mirabus came to know of Amelia’s little venture and he went furious. He called her to his room and asked for explanations. The woman tried to explain she had gone with Matthias, but he wouldn’t listen or wouldn’t care. In the end, he concluded they should head back home the same day.

                Matthias was sorrowed to hear this news. Despite not admitting it to Vladek or perhaps even to himself, he had indeed grown very fond of the young lady and did not wish her to leave. He did realise, though, that she would leave anyway at some point.

                “Hello, Matthias!” a voice called to him as he sat by the windowsill in a random hallway thinking.

                The King knew immediately who it was, not only because he remembered the voice very well, but also because she was the only person calling him Matthias anymore. Amelia had joined him by the windowsill.

                “Hello Amelia!” he replied, not as cheerfully as he would have in a different case.

                “Why, are you sad that I’m leaving, Matthias?” the girl teased him.

                Matthias was surprised. Had she not been affected at all by the whole incident? This must have shown on his face, because she said “I do not leave with no reluctance. I would have liked to stay more! But, we have to face what lemons life gives us without losing our courage or our cheers!”

                “I guess you’re right!”

                “By the way, I don’t understand this saying! I like lemons!” she said tongue-in-cheek.

                Matthias smiled.

                “It’s stuff like that I’ll miss when you’ll leave!” he said.

                “We could stay in contact, you know! Via pigeons!”

                “Yes indeed! Let’s thank god for giving us these blessed creatures!” Matthias then looked more serious “Are you leaving today?”

                “Yes! The servants are getting the carriage ready! Are you intending to continue your search?”

                “Yes! I have had some men looking for that hole, in case I get any clues there!”

                “Will you notify me when you find it or if you find anything else?”

                “I will!”

                “But be careful not to reveal any information someone else will get in your letters! They might be stolen!”

                “You’re right! I’ll make sure I do that!”

                “Another thing! You should send soldiers to the north!”

                “Why so?” Matthias was surprised by the sudden change of subject to military actions.

                “I believe the Aquilones will want to test the new King! See if you are a strong strategist or a weak leader whom they could exploit on Morcia’s expense. If you show them you can deal with them quickly and drive them off, then you might have peace with them for the rest of your reign! It’s also important to give a good image to the people and the nobles!”

                “Wow! You seem to have given it much thought! I appreciate your help!”

                “I just wish you to do well and Morcia to have prosperity!”

                Matthias opened his mouth to talk, but a servant appeared at the very moment.

                “Sorry to interrupt you, your Majesty, milady, but I have been sent to fetch the lady! We’re ready to leave!”

                “Goodbye, Matthias! Hope to see you again soon!”

                “Farewell, Amelia!”

 

                                                                       ~ ~ ~***---***~ ~ ~

 

                Matthias saw the Tower appear behind the hill. He was travelling in a carriage on a road going through a forest. He had urgently left the palace for the Calibus Tower after he had received some news.

                The news he had received was that the hole had been found. A month had passed since Amelia had left the capital and they had shared two or three letters. However, when Matthias had sat down to write this important letter, he could not find a way to write it without possibly revealing anything to someone who might get the letter. Thus, it had not been very hard for the King, who longed to see Amelia again, to decide to go there himself. He had considered that it might be considered suspicious of him to leave like that, but he thought that people would probably think the same as Vladek, that being that he was fond of the Lady.

                Now, he was arriving in the Calibus Tower and he couldn’t wait to see the woman. The only thing that troubled him was that he did not know how Lord Mirabus would welcome him. He hadn’t even notified them he was coming. Now, he thought that was a mistake, but in his rush he had forgotten to.

                The carriage soon entered the Calibus Park. It was a sudden change from the forest to the garden-like park. The carriage slowed down as it followed the path leading from the entrance to the park to the gates of the Tower. Matthias could see a minifigure near the Tower quickly getting in through a side-door, very probably to inform the Lord of the incoming royal carriage.

                Soon, the carriage stopped and Matthias disembarked. At the same time, the gates opened and three minifigures got out followed by some servants. It was Lord Mirabus, Lady Amelia and some younger girl that must have been Amelia’s sister. Matthias walked towards them, hoping for a warm welcome.

                “Your Majesty! What a pleasant surprise!” Lord Mirabus said bowing.

                “Your Majesty” Lady Amelia and her sister genuflected graciously.

                Matthias wasn’t sure what to say and he smiled awkwardly. In the past, he would have bowed, too. But now he was a King and he didn’t know whether he was supposed to.

                “What bring you here, your Majesty?” Mirabus asked.

                “Well… I was passing by the area and I thought I could spare some time to visit the Calibus Tower! If, of course, you want me!” he replied somewhat awkwardly.

                Mirabus didn’t seem to notice “You are more than welcome here, your Majesty! Let us go inside, shall we?”

                “Lead the way!”  Matthias was happy Mirabus was over the events of the time he had visited the capital or that at least he had remembered Matthias was indeed the King now.

                Meanwhile, Amelia remained silent just looking at the two men discussing. She seemed happy, though.

                “Come, we will soon have dinner! I’m sure your Majesty will be hungry from the journey!”

 

                Two days later, Matthias had still not found an opportunity to talk to Amelia. During his time there he had been given a tour through the Calibus Tower and the Calibus Park and he had had some enjoyable meals. However, at all times Lord Mirabus was with them not allowing them to speak about the matter Matthias had come for.

                Yet, there was something more that troubled Matthias. Amelia seemed distant ever since he’d come to the Tower. She rarely ever spoke and she never approached Matthias. Matthias was worried whether the interest she had shown back in his home had been true.

                Then, the third day, while they were having a walk in the Park, a servant approached their company. The servant said that Lord Mirabus was needed for something.

                “I am sorry, your Majesty, but I will have to leave you with my daughter! Unfortunately, I am needed!”

                And suddenly, Matthias found himself alone with Amelia –Charlotte, Amelia’s sister was often elsewhere– for the first time ever since he’d come to this place. He slowly turned towards Amelia afraid of what he might face.

                “I am sorry that I have been so… distant these days!” Amelia said a bit awkwardly and suddenly hope lit inside Matthias’s head “You see, my father doesn’t expect us, my sister and me, to talk with guests, mostly men. He considers us inferior because we’re girls. Let alone he doesn’t wish for us to know other men too well for fear we might do something crazy with them”

                Matthias was almost radiant. So, this didn’t have to do with him!

                “You don’t have to apologise, really! It seems like this is more of a problem for you rather than me!” Matthias replied.

                “So… what did you really come here for?” the girl said after a while.

                “What do you mean?”

                “What you said to my father about passing by and thinking to visit, I didn’t believe it! There seemed to be some other reason!”

                “How do you know everything?”  Matthias joked “Well, I received news that they found that hole we were searching for! I couldn’t find a way to write a letter without raising suspicions of someone possibly reading the letter, so I came here myself! I just… sort of rushed here and forgot to inform you I was coming!”

                Amelia laughed at the last bit.

                “Well, Mr. King! Something tells me you were too eager to come here to tell me myself!” the girl said jokingly.

                “So, did you investigate it?” she asked then.

                “I actually came here first! Thought you might want to know first or even come, too. Is there a way to persuade your father?”

                “Of course I’d like to come! But don’t worry about my father! So, we’re leaving today?”

 

                Matthias had a suspicion. It seemed to him like they were escaping rather than just leaving. Amelia had arranged for them to meet later that day in a particular spot of the Park where his carriage would wait. Matthias had informed Mirabus that he had to leave for urgent matters. So, all of this seemed to Matthias a way for Amelia to leave without her father realising.

                So, when Amelia appeared coming from a side-door, Matthias asked “Amelia, does your father know you’re leaving?”

                “Weeell!” she said “He doesn’t really have to know! He wouldn’t understand!”

                “Amelia, I can’t just run off with you not caring what your father says!”

                “Come on, Matthias! My father never lets me do anything! Please, don’t side with him!”

                “But Amelia I can’t just take you with me! What would your father think?”

                “He doesn’t have to know I came with you! I could tell him I left alone!”

                “You’re going to lie to him?” Matthias was surprised by the relationship Amelia had with her father. Everything seemed so complicated.

                “Please!”

                Matthias couldn’t see her like that. He wanted to take her with him. He did not want her to be unhappy. In the end, he couldn’t resist.

                “Okay! Come on! But just so you know, what we’re doing isn’t right!”

                Matthias helped Amelia in the carriage and then entered himself.

                “What my father is doing isn’t right!” she argued.

                “Take us to the capital!” he said to the driver.

 

                “Leave us here, Jonathan! Thank you!”

                They had finally reached the spot where Matthias had been informed the hole was. Actually, they were a little farther from that. Matthias and Amelia had had a stop at the capital to rest and eat, but then had headed immediately for that place. They got out of the carriage and Matthias led the way.

                Soon, the found it. It seemed to have once been a well, but now it was ruined, only a pit in the ground, and it had no water. Matthias looked around. There were minifigures going about in whatever business they had, but no one was looking at them. They checked the well. They looked around it and then into it, but it was quite deep for them to see well what was in the bottom.

                “You think we actually may find something important here?” Matthias asked. There didn’t seem to be anything significant.

                “I don’t know, but it’s worth the try!” Amelia answered.

                While they were absorbed looking inside the well for any sign that could tell them something about this conspiracy, they did not notice someone approaching them from behind. Thus, when they were both pushed inside the pit, it was a total surprise to them.

                Matthias did not have time to think that this was the end. Before he realised what had happened, it was all over. It had all been too sudden. Luckily, his reflexes did work slightly and he put his hands in front of him to stem the fall. Then, there was pain. It was all over his body, but mostly his right arm. He realised there had been a crack during collision. Had he broken his arm?

                Something moved on top of him. He realised Amelia had fallen onto him. That was good. That meant she had not been hurt too much. The weight of her body on him disappeared and Matthias thought she must have gotten up. He tried to get up, too. He leaned on the ‘wall’. He looked at the girl on the other side of the well.

                “Are you alright?” he managed to say with a rough voice.

                “Forget about me! What about you? You had a hard fall!” Amelia sounded worried.

                “I think I might have broken my arm! I heard a crack and it’s in a lot of pain! But I think I’ll survive!” Matthias tried to joke, but his voice did not sound very humourous.

                “Oh my brick! We need to get out of here! You need a doctor!” Amelia tried to climb the well’s ‘wall’, but she couldn’t.

                “You can’t climb!” Matthias said after she tried a few times “I’m sorry!”

                “Sorry for what?”

                “For bringing you here! I shouldn’t have done that! What was I thinking? Now, you are in danger because of me!”

                “No, don’t say that! I wanted to come! Besides, let’s be optimistic! I don’t think we’ll stay here forever. Jonathan will come searching for us, won’t he?”

                “But will he find us?”

                “Are you in a lot of pain? You arm?” she said after a while.

                “Not so much now!” he lied.

                “Don’t try to lie to me, Mr. King! Remember, I get it when you lie!”

                Matthias smiled.

                “You know! We should be happy!” Matthias said “At least we’re not in Wonderland!”

                Amelia laughed, because she didn’t see, in the dim light, Matthias’s frown caused from the pain.

                “You know, Matthias, I like your company very much!”

                “I like yours, too! At least our end will be together with each other” he said the second sentence jokingly, but he actually expressed what he was thinking at the moment.

                They remained silent for a while. Matthias was thinking. If they got out of there, what would he like to do? Probably, still be with Amelia. Well, that was good that either way he’d have her with him. But he was sad he’d led her to the same fate.

                “Amelia… I think I love you!”

                “What did you say?”

                “I love you!”

                “I love you, too, Matthias!”

                “And if we get out of here, I’d like to marry you!”

                “Me too!”

                They were silent again, but this time out of the emotion of the moment.

                After a while, Matthias noticed Amelia seemed to be feeling the wall with her hands.

                “What are you doing?” he asked.

                “I’m searching! Isn’t that what we came here for?”

                Now, Matthias realised what she was doing. The light was somewhat dim down there, so she also used her hands to search for clues. Little by little, she moved further in the wall searching other areas. Matthias watched her. He tried to help, but his arm pained him and he stopped.

                “A brick is missing here!” she exclaimed after a while.

                The well was built out of rock bricks. Amelia inserted her hand in the space the missing brick left and searched inside it. Her hand located something that felt like a stone. She tried to bring it out, but when she pulled it, it only moved slightly and stopped like some sort of lever would. Meanwhile, some bricks next to her moved and disappeared, so that an archway was made.

                “Bingo!”

                “Amelia! Great job!”

                Matthias ignored his pain due to his excitement and followed Amelia through the archway. They walked through a dark hallway. Amelia found her way touching the wall and Matthias followed Amelia. In the end, they found themselves in some room that had an oval table with chairs around it. The room was lit by skylights. There was a door on the other side of it.

                Amelia and Matthias searched through the room for any clues. It was not long before Matthias exclaimed “Hey, what’s that?”

                He was pointing to what seemed like a piece of fabric under a chair. Amelia looked at it and then picked it up. It was a glove. There was an emblem on it.

                “What’s that symbol? I can’t see it well in the dim light!”  Amelia said.

                Yet, Matthias recognised it immediately. He knew it too well not to. It was the royal emblem, the emblem of his family. And that could only mean one thing. Someone from the palace was involved in all of this…

 

                At the other side of the door, they discovered a stairway, which led to a trapdoor. Opening the trapdoor they found themselves in sunlight. They had made it out.

 

                The man’s pieces fell and scattered on the floor. He had just brought him some of the worst news. But that was not the reason Vladek had smashed him. It was the man’s foolishness, which had contributed in Matthias and Amelia finding his secret base. He was the one who had pushed them in the well. He was supposed to guard the well, so no one would find his base, but he had helped them come closer to it. Foolish man. At least, they had not discovered the second level of his base. He knew that, because one of his servants had been there at the moment. That was a place he had made for his soldiers to gather. It also contained some more tunnels, so that they could gather from several places and appear in several places. But what Vladek was afraid of was that they could have discovered all the weaponry and armour hidden in there. Luckily, they hadn’t.

                Now, he knew that the fool and his girlfriend knew about his conspiracy, since they were looking. He had to be more careful, now. And he had to get rid of Lady Amelia…

 

                                                                       ~ ~ ~***---***~ ~ ~

 

                Matthias was in his study, behind his desk, which was full of maps and reports. The preparations for his wedding had ceased when the Aquilones declared war upon Morcia, as Amelia had foreseen. After the event in the well, Matthias had asked Lord Mirabus for the hand of his daughter and he had been more than happy to see his daughter married with the King. However, soon after their engagement war had begun.

                In the beginning, the Aquilones had been surprised to find a better army than they had expected –Matthias had listened to Amelia’s advice. However, they had recovered quickly and now they had the upper hand. Reports from the North said the Aquilones had already won a few battles. Matthias was very worried. It was the time to show whether he worthy of his position. Could he protect his people from this threat? Yet, he was perplexed as to what orders he should give to his army in order to avert the crisis. He was never a great military tactician.

                A knock was heard on the door.

                “Come in!” Matthias said after sighing.

                It was Lord Vladek. He came into the room and looked at the several pieces of parchment on the desk as well as the tired expression on Matthias’s face. Matthias tried not to show he didn’t want Vladek there. Ever since their discovery at the well, Matthias had not trusted any of the nobles that lived in the palace.

                “Your Majesty, I am sorry to bother you, especially at such a moment, but I was wondering whether you wanted some counsel. I understand that one could easily find himself at a loss with the war affairs and I thought that two minds are better than one. I want to see our Kingdom in peace again”

                Matthias smiled. Any help was appreciated.

                “Do you have any particular idea?”

                “Your Majesty, have you considered moving your army to the Athelas mount range?”

                “Wouldn’t that give the Aquilones the chance to go further into our lands?”

                “If the Aquilones do that, they will give our army the chance to attack them from behind and on our terms. So, they won’t do that. However, in the mountains we still have the advantage. Our men know the place much better and they can perform circling maneuvers and so on. Also, our archers will be on higher ground, thus having an advantage. Finally, the passages there are narrow not allowing many men to pass at a time. Thus, their bigger army won’t be a problem to us, especially since we mostly have better soldiers. Even if we don’t crash them immediately, that will give us time for the reinforcements to arrive, in which case they will have no chance”

                “Oh my brick, that is brilliant! Vladek, you might even have saved our land!” Matthias said jubilantly “Your help will be much appreciated! Now, I will have to send a pigeon to the commander! Thank you very much, Vladek!”

 

                Indeed Vladek’s plan paid off. Before long, the remaining Aquilones had to retreat. The King of Aquila had to sign a peace treaty which forced Aquila to pay a yearly tribute to Morcia. These were victorious days for Morcia and Matthias. However, Matthias did not forget Vladek. Due to his much valuable help during the crisis, Matthias announced him to be his personal advisor. And Vladek couldn’t have been happier…

 

                                                                                ~ ~ ~***---***~ ~ ~

 

                A year passed. Matthias and Amelia got married in much celebration. Soon afterwards Queen Amelia announced she was pregnant. Everyone was excited in expectation of the birth of a new member of the royal family. Only one thing seemed to concern Matthias now. There had been two attempts to smash Amelia, while there was also an accident which could have been deadly, but Matthias suspected it might not have really been an accident. Matthias was afraid that behind this was the same person conspiring against him. They were probably trying to take down his heir before they were even born. But Matthias would not have this.

                Now, Amelia close to giving birth to their child was protected more than ever. She wasn’t very pleased about it, but she let it go, because she understood the danger herself.

                Then, one day that Matthias was gone in order to speak with a noble came the time for Amelia to deliver the baby. Lord Vladek, in the absence of Matthias, immediately started the preparations for delivery. The doctor came soon.

                “Here have some water!”  one of the servants placed a glass of water in her mouth during the process and the Queen drank thirstily.

                “We’re going very well, your Majesty!” the doctor said.

                Amelia did not listen to him. There was something funny about the water. It had some weird taste. Then, suddenly, Amelia came to a realisation. She knew who was behind all of this. She had never liked him, but now she realised that it was him. She had stopped suspecting him, because of the trust Matthias had in him, but now she realised that Vladek had been the one to poison King Marcus, then tried to bring down Matthias, tried to smash her and now had… poisoned her, too!

                Suddenly, Amelia realised she was alone in the room. No, not alone. There was one minifigure there looking at her malevolently.

                “Where is the doctor? Everybody else?” Amelia tried not to panic before Vladek.

                “Oh! It seems they decided to leave you for a bit!” Vladek said smiling with malice.

                “You! How could you do this? You are the one who’s been behind everything! Why would you want to harm Matthias and me! Our child!”

                “I am the rightful heir to the throne! It should have been my ancestors that became Kings, not Matthias’s! His crown belongs to me!” Vladek said angrily.

                “You will never get it!”

                “No one can stop me!”

                “Soon, you’ll be out of this world as well as your baby, while your foolish husband can do nothing to stop me, let alone realise what I’m planning!”

                “The guards outside will stop you! GUARDS! GUARDS! Arrest him!” she was slowly becoming weaker.

                “Oh, but the guards are unfortunately my people! Shout as much as you like, but you’ll achieve nothing! I am sorry, now, but I have to attend to other matters, too! Now that I’m sure you’ll smash, I’ll be off!” and so Vladek left.

                By now, Amelia was white as paper, she started feeling pain that had nothing to do with childbirth. No, this couldn’t happen! If she was to smash, at least her child had to survive! She had to deliver now! And she had to defeat Vladek. He could not rule Morcia. He would most probably be a tyrant! She had to do something.

                “Oh my brick! What happened?” it was one of her maids “Your Majesty, are you alright?”

                “V’a’ek!” she said when she tried to say Vladek. She was finding it hard to speak “No!”

                “I’ll fetch the doctor! Where the brick did he go?”

                Amelia was worried. If Vladek had left her with the doctor being able to return at any time this meant he thought she had no hope.

                “Paper!” she managed to say before the maid left “Pen!”

                “Yes, your Majesty!” and the maid left.

                Meanwhile, despite the fact she felt her body weakening slowly she tried to make the baby come faster. Soon, the doctor and a handful of maids were at her side. The doctor was trying to help, but he seemed to be pretty worried. Then, Amelia straining herself to the edges, the baby was born. Soon, the baby’s crying was heard in the room.

                “It’s a girl!” a maid called, but not happily.

                “Jo- Joa-, name Jo’nna! Lik’ t’Queen” she managed to say and then she stopped moving. Amelia was gone.

 

                “NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! No! No! It can’t be! IT CAN’T BE!!! AMELIA!”

                King Matthias had just learnt the news. He was devastated. His voices were heard throughout the whole castle. The people gathered in Amelia’s room could hear the voices getting louder as Matthias got closer. Then, he entered the room.

                It was only minutes after she passed. Matthias looked at his late wife with tears in his eyes.

                “It can’t be happening!” this time his voice was a whisper.

                They let him mourn. Most people got out. They all gave their condolences. Only one maid remained, the one with the daughter in her arms. The doctor had announced that at least she was fine.

                “Your Majesty!” the handmaid spoke after a while “Your daughter is healthy. Your wife’s last wish was to name her Jonna!” the maid had not realised Amelia meant Joanna “Would you like to hold her for a while?”

                Matthias looked at the maid surprised that other people still existed, surprised that a new life had just begun. He had forgotten about his child. But how could he?

                “Thank you!” Matthias held the tiny creature in his hands “Jonna! You have a beautiful name! It is such a shame that such a sorrow came to occur together with such a joy! But I’m still going to love you! And I will protect you! I’ll protect you forever! You’ll be safe, Jonna!”

                He then handed Jonna back to the maid “Here! I’m pretty sure she needs to feed. Can you arrange something for that?”

                “Yes, your Majesty!” and the maid was gone, too.

                Matthias was alone now. He kneeled by the side of his wife and cried. But as he looked at her, he noticed something odd. There was a piece of parchment in her hands. Matthias took it and unfolded it. There was one word written on it, hastily and with difficulty: “Vladek”

                At first, Matthias couldn’t understand the meaning of this paper. What did his wife want to say? And then realisation hit him and suddenly anger started to replace his sorrow like lava pouring out of a volcano and enveloping everything, burning fires everywhere.

                Then, a voice was heard behind Matthias. It was a voice he used to be glad to hear. He had considered it wise and friendly, giving helpful advice. Now, it only seemed greasy, meretricious and fake. It was a voice he did not want to hear again. He wanted to silence it forever. He wanted to destroy the mouth that produced, the man that spoke.

                “My condolences, your Majesty! It is a most sorrowful event! Believe me, I could not be sadder!”

                “Yooouuu!!!” Matthias said angrily turning around to face Lord Vladek, the source of all his troubles “How could you, you evil slime? You will pay for this!”

                Matthias ran towards Vladek to attack him, but he only smiled malevolently and punched Matthias when he arrived. Matthias fell on the floor. The crown left his head and clanged on the floor.

                “You are foolish, Matthias! You’ve always been! And talentless! You will never be able to defeat me!” Vladek did not even unsheathe his sword to threaten the King.

                “GUARDS!” Matthias shouted.

                This time the guards did enter. However, they only surrounded Matthias instead of Vladek. The traitor couldn’t but laugh at Matthias’s confused and betrayed expression.

                “Take him to the dungeon!” Vladek ordered.

                Before Matthias could react, the guards grabbed his arms and legs and placed a handkerchief in his mouth, so that he wouldn’t scream. And Vladek laughed as his men put Matthias in a bag and took him away.

                Yet, there was one thing that Vladek had missed. Jonna had been born. She was healthy. She was the heir to the throne whatever Vladek did. And the maid who had taken care of her happened to be returning to the room to inform Matthias that Jonna’s feeding had been arranged when Vladek entered. Thus, she heard the whole conversation.

                That’s why the maid made sure to keep Jonna secret and keep her safe. Meanwhile, she was the reason that later four knights discovered Matthias and helped him defeat Vladek. However, this was only the beginning of the civil war that was to shake Morcia for years to come. It was the Rise of the Traitor. . .

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