In the distance stood Schillingburg soldiers guarding the gates. Like a flash 6 soldiers were upon them.
“Halt there” said the first officer.
“You are about to enter Schillingburg castle territory, what business have you here?” he asked.
Thomas smiled and replied “I know where I am at, young lad, do not exert yourself.”
In a second, Thomas was surrounded.
“If you do not have business with the Monarchy, please disperse.” The first officer commanded.
Thomas looked back and nodded my head.
“Toby, let us go home.” He yelled as they rode off.
Halfway back they bumped into David.
“Where were you Thomas, you are not well enough to be riding.” David said.
“Please do not tell me you were finding trouble for us in Schillingburg.” He continued.
Thomas laughed and replied “Not at all, you cannot get close to that castle, there are soldiers everywhere.”
David became upset.
“Thomas, you must have patience, we are planning everything well and we will get Amelia back. Do not compromise our plan with your selfishness.” David ended.
Thomas nodded and rode quickly away.
Quickly Schillingburg Soldiers returned to the castle to inform the King about the intruder. Charles, Sir Guillaume and King Erich were meeting in the garden as they rode up.
“My Liege, there was an intruder at the northern sector of the Castle.” the first Officer said.
“Who was this intruder, did you apprehend him?” Charles asked.
“No my King, he remained at a distance” the first Officer responded.
“But I did recognize his face,” he added.
“Who was it?” The King asked.
“It was Thomas of Landford.” he replied.
The King got up and whispered, “This information remains only with you, no one should know about this intruder.”
The first Officer bowed and dismissed himself.
The King then turns to Sir Guillaume and says “Go be with Amelia. Do not mention this incident.” Sir Guillaume nodded and went off to Amelia’s quarters. King Erich then looked at Charles and says angrily “You need to find out what he was doing near here.”
Charles nodded.
“He has no business in Schillingburg, he does not have knowledge of Amelia being here and that is how it shall stay.” King Erich commanded.
Charles nodded and replied, “Yes, my liege, I will remove any doubt he may have.”
The King turned quickly and whispered, “If you have to kill him, do so.”
Sir Guillaume arrived as Amelia was exiting her room. “Lady Amelia, you must stay put, an intruder has compromised the castle.” Sir Guillaume informed.
“An intruder? Did they apprehend him?” Amelia asked.
“No my Lady, he rode away.” Sir Guillaume replied. Amelia pushed past Sir Guillaume.
“Then I shall be fine.” Amelia stated.
Sir Guillaume grabbed her arm and said “Lady Amelia, follow me please.”
Amelia struggled against Sir Guillaume as he pulled her into a room.
“How dare you, Sir Guillaume?” Amelia said angrily.
“My Lady, the intruder was Thomas.” Sir Guillaume whispered.
“WHAT!?” Amelia responded.
“Yes, my Lady but please keep it to yourself. I shall be killed for giving you such information.” Sir Guillaume whispered.
Amelia looked terrified. She began pacing back and forth.
“What was he doing here?” She asked.
“I have no idea My Lady. Please calm yourself. The King must not know you are aware.” Sir Guillaume replied.
“I will bury it deep inside me Sir Guillaume, you need to find out what he was here for, please.” Amelia requested.
“I will see what I can find out for you but please refrain from discussing the matter with the King.” Sir Guillaume asked.
“AMELIA” Yelled King Erich.
“I am in my quarters, my Lord” Amelia answered. King Erich entered the room looking nervous.
“Is all well my Lord?’ Amelia asked.
“Oh yes my sweet, just a small disturbance but all has been taken care of. Sir Guillaume may I have a moment with Amelia?” Said King Erich.
Sir Guillaume bowed and dismissed himself.
King Erich grabbed Amelia’s hand and kissed them. “What is wrong, my King?” Amelia asked.
“I do not know how to tell you. I need you to be relax and know that you are well protected here.” King Erich continued.
“An intruder was on the castle grounds. It was Thomas. We suspect he was here to kill you. We were told he has been around town asking about you and has mentioned he was going to finish what he had started.” King Erich added.
Amelia was troubled by this news.
“It has been so long, why would he want to harm me now?” Amelia asked.
“I could not tell you that, I have no knowledge.” King Erich replied.
He took Amelia in his arms and said “My Amelia, I will protect you from him and anyone who wishes to harm you.” Amelia just closed her eyes as they hugged.
Charles had to think of a diversion. What can he do to make Thomas believe Amelia was not in Schillingburg. The first thought to his mind was he needed a young girl to portray Amelia. He quickly rode into town to see the doctor. As he arrived, he looked around to make sure no one saw him. “Dr. Osgood, did you received a young dead girl here recently?” Charles asked.
The doctor seemed confused about his question. “Doctor, I ask you again, do you have a young girl who died of sickness here?”
The doctor moved some papers around and answered “I have three.”
“I must see them immediately, I am looking for my niece.” Charles replied.
The doctor motioned for him to follow him to the back.
“These three came in for cremation, no families.” The doctor said.
Charles looked at the girls, at the end of the hall he saw one that resembled Amelia.
“There she is, doctor, this is our Amelia.” Charles said.
The doctor did not ask any questions.
“Can you prepare her for travel? We will bury her in Willshire where she was born.” Charles said. The doctor nodded and walk to another room.
Charles walked outside the office and told the first Officer to return to the castle and let the King know everything was under control and he would explain later. He also commanded him to send an officer to Landford and Willshire letting them know he would be coming.
The doctor placed the girl on the small carriage. “There you go sir, my condolences for your niece.” The doctor said.
“Thank you my dear sir, here is some money for your work.” Charles said.
A few miles away, Charles stopped and got off his horse. He walked towards the carriage. He slowly uncovered the girl. He placed a small crown on her head and dressed her in a lovely gown.
As he dressed her, he whispered “Poor young girl, lived as a peasant but will be buried as a Queen”.
He quickly finished and started his way to Willshire castle.
As he arrived, the soldier met him at the gates. “Who goes there?” said the front guard.
“I am Charles of Schillingburg, here to deliver Amelia to her birthplace.” Charles said.
They escorted the carriage to the castle doors.
The Kings Advisor came out.
“Dear Sir, Lady Amelia died of disease in Schillingburg, her last request was to be brought home.” Charles added.
“Oh how sad, poor Amelia, we had not seen her in a long time. Let me inform the King.” Said the advisor.
Charles was nervous, he felt he could not get away with this deceit. Surprisingly, King Paul was led out by the advisor, he had lost a great part of his vision to disease so he could not see to well. He walked over and felt on the girls face. He could not say it was Amelia since he had not seen her in a while. He thank Charles for returning her and began preparing for her funeral.
Charles felt relieved.
The first part of his lie was complete, now to Landford to finalize it. Charles thought.