“What is wrong Shyanne?” Thomas asked.
She lowered her head and replied “She seemed happy, my King.”
David looked upset.
“Either way we must speak with her but we have to do it tactfully, just in case this is an act and she does want to come home.” Greyson said.
Thomas nodded in agreement.
“The only thing is that this is going to take some time and that can be crucial. If we do not plan this correctly, it can cause war and we do not want that.” Greyson affirmed.
“Yes Greyson, very correct, we are not prepared for war at the moment,” David replied.
“My Liege, if it is to your liking, I can plan our strategy, I was a soldier for many years as you know.” Greyson volunteered.
Thomas nodded in agreement.
The relationship between Amelia and King Erich seemed to be growing strong. They earned each others friendship and trust.
After hours of talking with Amelia, King Erich thought he knew exactly what to do to win her affection but Amelia was still hurt by her past, she was not interested in the King’s advances. She vowed she would never fall in love again. King Erich was reconsidering love. His previous wife had died of disease and he also vowed never to love again.
But there could not be a relationship between them, no matter what King Erich did. This all started with a struggle for power of the kingdoms. A vengeance that really never existed but was created to cover King Erich’s tracks.
As he looked out his window, he saw Amelia in the garden. She looked up at him and smiled. He quickly got up and went and joined her.
“My lady, do you mind if I join you?” He asked.
She smiled and replied “Of course not, My Lord, it is your garden.”
“I hear you are an avid fencer.” King Erich said.
“I? Who has given you such bad information?” Amelia responded.
“Shall We?” King Erich said as he motioned at some fencing equipment.
Amelia laughed and grabbed a sword.
“On Guard” Amelia whispered as she posed to begin.
King Erich raised his sword and tapped hers. Amelia was a very good fencer but of course no match to a King.
“That’s two times, my King. Do you wish to lose again?” Amelia joked.
King Erich laughed and replied “I let you win, my sweet!”
As the fencing commenced and began a bit more intense. King Erich used a move that totally took Amelia by surprise and had her cornered. After a few seconds of staring in each other’s eyes, King Erich took the chance to steal a kiss. To his surprise, Amelia turned away.
Charles and Sir Guillaume were unhappy with this relationship.
Being the King’s Advisor, Charles felt the King was being irresponsible. Sir Guillaume just had a bad feeling about the King’s intension towards Amelia.
As they walked the grounds, Charles interrupted, “My King, I must have a word with you.”
King Erich responded, “At this moment, Charles, seriously?”
Charles nodded and replied “Yes, my King, I apologize Lady Amelia.”
King Erich kissed Amelia’s hand and walked away with Charles.
“My King, what are you doing? You are entrusting her too much. You are being irresponsible with the Kingdom.” Charles said angrily.
King Erich laughed and said “Charles, you are my advisor, but do not try to advise me on issues of my heart. The Kingdom is fine.”
Charles grabbed King Erich and whispered “What would Amelia do if she found out no one knew she was here and Thomas HAS BEEN looking for her?”
The King turned maliciously towards Charles
“How would she know? Are you going to tell her, Charles?” King Erich asked angrily.
“None of these men have the nerve to betray me like that and I am definitely not concerned about you.” King Erich added.
Charles nodded.
“And how do you know Thomas is looking for her?” King Erich added.
“Men in Schillingburg have commented on a man named David looking for his missing sister. She is that missing sister, my Liege” Charles confirmed.
“Nonsense Charles and do not go concerning her or anyone with your idiotic thoughts.” King Erich commanded.
Charles bowed and dismissed himself.
King Erich walked back towards Amelia. He watched her from a distance as she smelled the flowers in the garden. He thought what can he do to make her his Queen and forget Thomas.
“Is all well?” Amelia asked as she approached King Erich.
“Of course, nothing of concern. Shall we go prepare for dinner?” He said as he reached for her hand.
In Landford, David, Greyson and their men began to plan. They needed to confirm she was there.
“We need to send in someone they do not recognize,” David said.
“Charles knows me,” Greyson replied.
“But they do not know me.” Shyanne interrupted.
“Absolutely not Shyanne, this could be dangerous,” David affirmed.
“But my Lord, I can go in as to deliver a dress and this might give me a moment to talk with her.” Shyanne responded.
Greyson put his arm around her and said “I think this can work, my Lord. She is only doing a fitting or delivering a dress. There is really no harm in that.”
Shyanne smiled and added “I will be fine, Lord David. Please I want to do this for you, for Thomas.”
David nodded and said “I do not know Shyanne, I will have to confirm with Thomas, it is his decision.”
Thomas walked in during this discussion.
“What is my decision?” He asked.
“Whether we should send in Shyanne as a dressmaker to confirm it is Amelia,” Greyson said.
Thomas nodded in disagreement.
“I did not want to have another’s life on my belt. I do not know. Will you prepare her for this Greyson?” He asked concerned.
“Of course my King, it will take a few days and she can be accompanied by one of my men, he can carry her materials.” Greyson replied.
“Then do so Greyson but please prepare her well. If you feel endangered Shyanne, do not feel you have to do this. We will find another way” Thomas commanded.
She nodded, touched my cheek and said “King Thomas, I will be fine, my child.”
Once again Thomas’ life was turned about. His great love Amelia was alive. Night after night Thomas lay in his bed thinking of the moment he would first see her again. How would she react? Did she still feel love for him? His heart held on to that hope dearly.
Days passed, slowly.
To Thomas it was like torture, Amelia was just a few miles away but an eternity for him. This day Thomas woke up with a strange longing. He walked to the stable and prepared Toby. He was not sure where he would be going. He would just let Toby lead the way. At first, Toby acted as if Thomas was a stranger, very afraid but when he approached him with Amelia’s scarf, he automatically lowered his head. As Thomas put the saddle on him, he spoke to him softly, just like Amelia did. Thomas said “Toby, you lead the way, take me to where you want to be.” Thomas was hoping he would take me to Amelia. When he mounted him, Toby seemed nervous, confused. But when Thomas said “Toby, take me to Amelia”, he seemed to understand.
Toby took off with such fury. Thomas almost lost his balance. They rode it seemed for hours. Thomas remained quiet and let him lead. Suddenly Toby came to a slow gallop. To Thomas’ amazement, at his far left was Schillingburg castle. The gates were high and impossible to see through. The windows were covered enough to block vision. Toby began going in circles as if he was confused again.
7G