Chapter 5: The Brotherhood of the Free Imperuim

the Brotherhood is back in town

                He shuddered in his seat sinking lower wishing he could have stopped the girl from taking Caleb. "What am I going to do now?’ He thought to himself. He listened to the carriage as it pulled away once he could no longer hear it his mood changed from fearful to anger.

          “This is not what I had in mind.” He said slapping an open hand on the desk. He stood, pushing back his chair, squaring himself at the shoulders.   

          “Might as well have dinner before I put everything n motion. E made his way back to the library and found Tristan curled up in a chair reading Faust.

          “Tristan it is time for dinner.” He growled.

          He stood and bowed, “As you wish master, “as we speak Master the entire Army is on the move. The inner circle will be here this evening.

          “That is music to my ears.” He smiled as he made his way to the dinning hall with Tristan close behind him.

          They sat down to dinner as his mother entered, “Horace!” she gushed arms wide open to embrace him around the neck from behind. She kissed the top his head, “ I saw Caleb leaving and acting properly you did so well with him while I was away your father would be so proud of you!” She hugged him tighter making it hard for him to breath.

          He starred at his plate trying to find a way to not snap at his mother. Yes Mother, I beat it into him.” He was still trying to say as little a possible to hide his anger, “Why don’t you eat? I know you’ve had a long trip.” He suggested changing the subject.

          “While I was at you uncle’s he mentioned that he would be by tonight he wanted you to know.” She said matter-of-factly.

          Ma entered the room carrying three bowls of soup. “Good evening Master Horace, Master Grimscribe, and Lady Deborah, I trust the ride home was well? Is there anything I can get you this fine winter evening?” She chattered on as she always did.

          “Everything is excellent as always dear thank you.” Lady Deborah gushed.

          “I agree the soup is splendid, oh and Merriam should anyone come to the door and I assure you that many will tonight take them directly to the grand hall will you?” He ordered more then asked.

          “Yes master as you wish, and may I inquire as to when Caleb will be back Caleb will be returning not all of his chores are completed.” She reported faithfully as a posed a look of disappointment like she herself had failed him.

          “Hopefully tomorrow night and I will deal with that I thought he had learned his place.” He muttered angrily to his soup bowl.

          “”I’m sorry Master I never meant to displease you. I will finish the chores myself tonight.  Will be need more Ale?”

          “Yes actually go ahead and bring more out, and Merriam where are the biscuits?” He said coldly

          Coming Master I did not want them cold again so I waited fifteen minutes to put them in but next time I will only wait ten.” She bowed deeply then scurried out of the room to the kitchens checking the oven to see if the biscuits were done yet. Satisfied wit how they looked she pulled them out laying them on the counter to cool long enough for her to grab a basket from the cupboard to place them in. Once done she walked down the stairs into the dank cellar to grab another bottle of ale. “He is acting off.” She thought to herself as she picked up the basket on her way her tattered skirt catching the preparation table and tearing one of the patches on the headed back to the dinning hall she stopped as she heard Caleb’s name.

          “… Caleb? It would be easier to get rid of him, oh Merriam is that you?” The master said sickly sweet catching her off guard.

          She shut the door to the kitchen loudly and walked in quickly. “Here you are master I am so sorry that I was not faster.” She lied as she laid down the biscuits and refilled the glasses.

          She then quickly walked back out the door after bowing and hid next to the doorway where she could not be seen to hear the rest of the conversation.

          “As I was suggesting it would be easier to just be rid of the boy.” Master Carrinbreak hoped.

          “But sire, should we do that we have no leverage over the King.” Tristan said sounding panicked.

          “Horace, darling, your father would be most displeased if he were still around. You must not kill the boy yet.” His mother quipped

          “He sighed, “The Chrystal Mountain Islands then?” He ventured for a better solution to the problem.

          “That very well may work sire, but it does take both King’s to pardon someone from the Islands. Do you have followers that are not accounted for?” Tristan got excited

          “Who ever said I wanted him to come out of there again. He is just a pawn in the scheme of things. We could send both the king’s after him and waltz in a take Aldrayas like candy from a baby. All we have to do is arrange for King Derrick to not return.” He smiled evilly.  

          “Are still going to bomb the palace?” Tristan asked excitedly.

          “Yes that is the plan, as of late.” He talked as if were calming going to market.

          “Wonderful I will send several of our men to take care of Caleb.” Tristan ventured.

          Master Carrinbreak nodded, “That will come in due time, but see to it then when everyone arrives.”

          Tristan nodded and raised his glass, “To the true King of Aldrayas!”

          “Here, Here!” Called his mother all three raised their glasses high and then drank deeply from them.

          “Tonight we remove the thorn from our side! Caleb goes to the Chrystal Mountain Islands.”

          Ma gasped from the doorway but managed to cover her mouth and not be heard. “Could he be….” Tears welled up in her aged eyes as she crept through the door. She hastily began to clean the kitchen in denial of what she had known for so many years.

          An hour had past when Tristan stood and spoke boldly, “Majesty I feel it is time to begin out rise to power. By now several people must be near the door.” Tristan then proclaimed, “We start your reign of power tonight!”

___________________________________________________

          Ma answered the door for the hundredth time that night, “Good evening,” she greeted gritting her teeth in the fake smile she had used all evening. “His majesty resides in the great hall and is anxiously awaiting your arrival .” She bowed and stood again putting on the best disposition she could muster.

          After an hour of greeting guests she returned to the kitchen and began pulling ale from the cellar. She carried the Ale to the great hall distributed it around the table with the glasses then headed back to the kitchens. Shaking her head finally realizing her master was wrong.

          Tristan stood and smiled, “To our great King Horace Carrinbreak!” He motioned with his right hand the room erupted as he stood and nodded to those around him as if he truly were the king. Cheers filled the room, “Tonight we show this country just who is in charge and they will have to pick a side!” He bellowed.