"So King Archimedes has already made his first move, it seems that he cannot hide the desire to take my crown" - Sitting in the throne room, rocking a cup that was filled by a one-eyed slave, Rafael watched from high to the noble gentleman who rendered his report prostrate with his knee and fist to the ground.
-" It is as your majesty informed us. My men and I were able to corroborate firsthand the preparation that the Tigris knights have"
-" And like a dog that returns with its tail between its legs, you dare to show your face to me in this way!" – Rising from his seat throwing the glass against Sir Alfonso's head, the sour wine mixed with the blood that flowed from his forehead. Rafael showed a disjointed face, clenching his jaw as he looked around at the guards , who kept their gazes avoiding his eyes.
The men in the service of the king's escort tried to hide their dissatisfaction with the treatment received by a subject as loyal to the crown as Sir Alfonso was. Who had returned from a mission that was practically a suicide.
Not only because of the adverse conditions of the terrain to be explored, but also because a petty hand had been involved to the point of laying a trap for them; Completely exposed, Alfonso's men found themselves surrounded by a contingent of soldiers from the kingdom of Tigris in the dead of night.
When the informant had finished his part, Alfonso was about to dismiss him when he was alerted by the sound of a trumpet in the silence of the night. The soldiers who were gathered around the fires of the bonfires, took their swords to repel the combatants who entered the camp in a frenzy of blood and steel.
The smell of gunpowder from the guard rifles of the kingdom of Antioca permeated the cold air to the point of turning it rancid by the sulfur triggered by the flash of ammunition. Sir Alfonso watched as one by one his men resisted the onslaught, maintaining their position in order to give him time to flee to report what had happened.
They had sworn their loyalty to the lieutenant, regardless of who wore the crown, Sir Alfonso's men were gentlemen who saw within the military discipline who they should serve and follow.
With a heavy heart, Alfonso took the reins of his horse, leaving through the thick mist of cold and gunpowder. Being hit by an arrow that he could barely dodge thanks to his steed, leaving a mark on his face that ran from his cheekbone to his forehead. Narrowly saving the sight of his left eye.
Rafael did not take his eyes off that knight, who even prostrated on the ground, inspired the gallantry and courage of a man who has known the glory of the battlefield. Sir Alfonso knew that the king would not let him go clean from that event; for a lieutenant to leave the enemy camp, whatever the reason, was a dishonorable act.
"Guards, take Sir Alfonso prisoner and bring him to the west tower! He will remain locked up for the next few days until parliament decides what to do with him" – Feeling upset by those orders, the guards looked at Sir Alfonso with deep sorrow on their shoulders.
"It's nothing personal lieutenant" - One of the guards muttered that as he placed the handcuffs on the hands of the gentleman, who in absolute silence could only nod his head understanding that it was part of the duty of a soldier.
Sir Alfonso was taken by the guards and walked down the corridor of the throne room until he crossed the threshold of the great door that opened with a creaking noise that echoed off the walls of the room.
As the doors closed, Raphael was left standing where Sir Alfonso had been kneeling. Bringing his hand to his chin, as if a sinister machination were lucubrating in his mind.
Silently approaching, Julia bent down to pick up the glass and with a cloth wiped away the spilled wine that had mixed with the knight's blood. Lowering his eyes while biting his lips in impotence, seeing how the monarch took in such little esteem the knights who swore to serve the crown.
"How's your eye doing?" – Surprisingly, the monarch had bowed until he was at the height of Julia's face, who could not utter a word due to surprise. Grabbing her chin and lifting her face a little, Rafael scrutinized every expression in her eyes.
"Do you think I have been unfair to Sir Alfonso? Should I have acted differently? – With a different tone than usual, Rafael questioned Julia as if he really wanted to know her opinion. During the years that he served as a knight under the identity of Andrés, the monarch had never been interested in knowing the feelings of the maiden.
Perplexed by the direction that event was taking, Julia did not know what to answer for the first time in so long of knowing each other. There was a silence between the two, like an abyss that was widening as the seconds passed.
"You're right, in the end a king doesn't need to hear anything from a mere slave" - Violently, Rafael dropped Julia who felt that the strength had gone from her body due to the fear that the man inspired in her.
Snapping his fingers, the king ordered his attendant to take Julia back to the servants' quarters. Just watching her for another minute was difficult for the sovereign, who felt a slight tightness in his chest just being near her.
In order to clear up his feelings that had resurfaced in him since the day of the scaffold, Rafael had taken Julia from their ordinary activities within the palace to serve him personally. For the maiden that was not strange at all, since as a personal knight he had served the monarch day and night. But it was not the same for the king, who felt that something inside his mind was out of place.
Arriving the afternoon of that same day, Rafael was in his rooms reading the reports of the spies and the part narrated by Sir Alfonso. Maintaining a stern countenance with each line his eyes passed analyzing the text.
-" Sir, have you sent for me?"
-" Yes, Count Solera, I asked my servants to bring him to my presence. Sit down" – Like an elusive fox that has entered the bear's cave, Solera approached the table where the king was sitting and bowed to him.
-" Have you read the reconnaissance team report?"
-" I have read it, Your Majesty. And I consider that Sir Alfonso's words are extremely biased and I dare say a little exaggerated" – With a servile tone, Solera attacked Sir Alfonso without the slightest hesitation. Causing the king to feel confused by his words.
Count Solera was a man who, like Sir Alfonso, had served in battle under the orders of the royal house. The fact that a man-at-arms claimed that a fellow man's report was exaggerating was completely foreign to Rafael. Who having read the report, despite his differences with the lieutenant, agreed that the actions of King Archimedes were something that could not be overlooked.
-" Solera, since before ascending the throne I had seen in you a reliable adviser in whom I could deposit my concerns "
-" Thank you for such words my lord..."
-" However, I am afraid that I cannot take you seriously at the moment and I want to think that you are being light in your assertions" - Rafael kept his hand on the hilt of his sword, as if he was ready to brandish his edge waiting for the words that would come from the count's mouth.
Solera had read the atmosphere and cleared her throat a little, experiencing a legitimate fear before the imposing figure of Rafael.
"My king, despite the fact that there is an agreement between the kingdoms of Antioch and Tigris not to prepare regular armies, I believe that you are also aware that the threat to the kingdom comes from the east, but not from the lands of King Archimedes.
Since his father signed the pact with the king of Tigris, various territories belonging to the eastern monarchy presented their desire to separate from the central government. Those territories in these years have grown economically from a position alien to both kingdoms.
That is why this generated great concern in King Archimedes; that upon seeing that his counterpart had died, he felt the need to take precautionary measures in the face of the latent threat" – With a prodigious lip, Solera had led Rafael to a reasonable doubt in his thoughts.
The autonomous territories derived from the war between Tigris and Antioch , had reached the categories of principalities in the last twenty years. Focusing on serving as trade-trading territories, both grew as shadows in full view of King Edward.
"That still does not explain the reason for the behavior of King Archimedes" - Pressing Solera a little more, the young monarch kept his eyes fixed on the nobleman, who knowing that he had made the king fall in his oratory, continued his speech with an air renewed confidence.
"My Lord. I beg your pardon for what I am going to say, but in your wisdom you will know that it is without intent. If the man with whom you signed a pact dies, would you trust his successor to keep his word? The autonomous principalities have begun to employ mercenaries under the guise of escorting goods through wastelands. Understand Archimedes' position as one of his peers
If the situation were reversed, wouldn't we as a kingdom do the same in the face of a latent threat?" – As expected, Solera's speech had encouraged Rafael's psychotic side. Who thought it was logical that King Archimedes would seek to protect himself as he felt abandoned by the sudden death of King Edward.
"So what do you suggest Solera? How could I gain Archimedes' trust?" – With a smile on her lips, Solera kept talking to Rafael until late at night.
The west tower was a fortified structure of the palace, where the captivity of nobles who had committed an administrative offense against the royal house was held. Twenty stories high, thick walls overgrown with vines and moss, gave the impression of an abandoned fortification.
And it is that rarely since the arrival of Edward II to power, the tower was used as a prison. Due to the firm character of the former monarch and the assertiveness of his subordinates such as Duke Valera, the need to have a special prison for the nobility had fallen into disuse. Being used mostly as a warehouse for grains, in order to guarantee the subsistence of the royal capital during the winter.
On the top floor of the tower, a man sat in the shadows surrounded by a few rats that peered at his motionless figure. Sir Alfonso was in a deep post-traumatic trance, unable to fall asleep after vivid memories of his comrades-in-arms falling to enemy shrapnel.
– " My lady, we don't have much time. If the king finds out that we are here, it will be dangerous for you."
-" Eunice, a member of the crown is due to his subjects. But if they have been loyal as Sir Alfonso is. Any price to pay is small compared to the gratitude I have for him" – Head covered by the thick fabric of a hood, Elena approached the light of the lamp to the bars of the cell seeking to see Sir Alfonso in the darkness.
-" Alfonso! Are you okay? Answer to me!" – Despite the little light that reached him, the silhouette of the gentleman was seen battered and full of dirt. When Elena saw the state in which her knight was, she lowered the lamp to the ground and held on to the bars, sinking her face a little as if trying to reach him.
"My lady" - Raising his face when he saw Elena desperate for him, Alfonso dragged himself with the little strength he had left in his body until he reached the bars, falling exhausted from fatigue.
Within the knight corps, there was a sharp class division that resembled the caste system. On the one hand, the sons of the nobles of the kingdom who had graduated from the military academy. And on the other, the knights of commoner origin who had received their title due to their achievements in battle.
Sir Alfonso had been born in a humble cradle from a family of farmers in one of the provinces of the kingdom. When the kingdom of Tigris went into battle with the kingdom of Antioch fifteen years ago, he entered the fray as part of the royal draft.
At the end of five years of bloody fighting and bathing in the blood of both enemies and allies, the commoners who had rendered their military service were rewarded with the title of knights. With no land to inherit, that title was more of an honorific that allowed commoners to get involved with the nobility of the country.
Most of the knights of plebeian origin were scattered throughout the territory of the kingdom, serving as bailiffs of provinces or security forces.
The remaining knights in the capital all came from noble houses except for the two young men guarding the throne room. The moment Sir Alfonso's chain of custody passed into the hands of the knights of the noble faction, they had no qualms about secretly beating him within the walls of the tower.
-" This is all my fault! If you weren't involved with me, my brother…"
- " None of this is your fault my lady, I have failed as a gentleman and this punishment is fair"
-" But what nonsense are you saying! Where is the justice in this!" - The tears that fell from the face of the princess, reached the hands of the knight that protruded from the bars. Feeling that warmth, Sir Alfonso found strength to get up on his knees and sit in front of his mistress in order to calm her down.
"My lady, as you can see there is nothing to worry about with your servant. Please listen to Eunice and get out of this tower before the shift change comes. I really appreciate you honoring me with your presence, but if you stay here I won't be able to protect you" – Making a sign to the princess's servant, Alfonso ordered her to escort his mistress back to the castle without attracting attention.
Just as they were about to leave, Sir Alfonso took from among his clothes a piece of paper that he had avoided being snatched from him by the guards.
"My lady, in my report I did not include the details written on this paper. This information was given to me by my informant moments before the detachment of Tigris soldiers attacked us" – A folded piece of paper lightly stained with dried blood was handed to the maiden, who bowed her head in reverence to Sir Alfonso and then disappeared. with his mistress among the corridors at the top of the tower.
Exhausted by the effort to maintain his composure, Alfonso collapsed, hitting the bars with his thick back. Exhaling pitifully as he completely surrendered to exhaustion.
Eight days after Sir Alfonso was imprisoned, the streets of the royal capital were plunged into a bustling atmosphere. In order to strengthen friendly ties with the Tigris kingdom, King Raphael arranged to hold a royal banquet with the visit of representatives and ambassadors from both the Tigris kingdom, as well as from the principalities of Almera and Elidora . All of this under the premise of reinforcing the pact celebrated ten years ago, exchanging promises of prosperity between nations.
Within the walls of the palace, the atmosphere was no different from that of the streets of the capital. Only with the contrast of the rush and stress that was felt by the servants of the royal family.
"Julia goes with Margarita to collect the eggs from the chicken coop!" – Wiping the sweat from her forehead with the sleeve of her dress, Dinora was stirring a ladle inside a large pot that was bubbling with the afternoon meal.
Despite the preparations to celebrate the great royal banquet, the daily tasks of the servants were not reduced in any way. Always needing many hands, trying to get their tasks done on time.
Although the celebration was still nine days away, the servants were working hard to please the headstrong monarch.
"Come on big sister, take your basket and follow me" - With a wide smile, Margarita was enthusiastic about the tasks assigned to her. Used to only running small errands, the girl was happy to be able to do things that were more complicated.
-" Margarita, don't pull Julia's clothes"
-" Don't worry, Mrs. Dinora, we'll be back soon" – With her sincere smile and her best-looking face, Julia took the little girl by the hand and led her through the corridors of the palace until she reached the rear part that communicated with the stables.
Near the cows and goats, the chicken coop was brimming with different specimens of chickens that had been brought from other provinces or kingdoms. The vivid colors of the plumage of some of them shone in iridescent colors as soon as the light passed through them.
Margarita could not hide her amazement and happiness at being in contact with those animals, staying distracted following her chicks as if she had forgotten the task that had been entrusted to her.
For Julia, seeing that girl happy with something as simple as playing with animals was something that reassured her after knowing the sad past that she kept secret.
-" Margarita, if you don't collect eggs I will tell your mother"
-" You're a bad sister, you shouldn't accuse my mom" – Holding a little chick with her hands, the girl threw a tantrum as she put it back on the straw to take her basket and collect eggs.
Finishing filling the baskets, Margarita and Julia went once more to the kitchen to deliver the baskets to Dinora. Overflowing with happiness while holding Julia's hand, Margarita walked along humming a lullaby that was engraved deep in her memories.
-" Did Dinora sing that song for you?"
-" I don't know sister. Every time I try to sing it I feel like I'm missing something, so I think that if I sing it once in a while, I'll be able to remember what that is." - With lost eyes while saying those words, Margarita seemed like a different girl than she was usually used to.
Julia felt that if she kept asking, it would make the girl more uncomfortable. Quickly changing the subject, to distract her and recover the atmosphere they had until a few moments ago.
-" Incompetent! I have told them clearly that invitations for dignitaries should be delivered by royal guards and not by servants."
-" We are sorry sir, please forgive us" – A group of maidens was on their knees on the floor of the palace in front of the figure of a man who did not stop raising his voice and attacking the backs of the maids with a whip.
"It's the other time, it's better to get out of here before Margarita sees us, Margarita?" – Trembling to the point of dropping the basket with eggs, the girl felt an inexplicable terror when she heard the timbre of that man's voice. With eyes full of tears, the girl's voice would not come out of her throat despite wanting to cry with all her might.
At that moment, Julia understood that the girl had recognized that man who hurled insults at the servants. Despite having been only two years old when misfortune struck her family, the girl kept that trauma deep within her.
"What are you two doing over there looking?" – Turning in the direction of where Julia and Margarita were, Count Solera walked slapping his heels on the marble tile with a face full of anger.
Seeing that Margarita did not stop crying, Julia stepped between her and the nobleman and with a defiant look she faced him thinking about the promise she made to Dinora.
"I see you are still as arrogant as ever, Miss Valera!" – With his gaze fixed on Julia's face, Count Solera pressed the whip against the palms of his hands while bending it in a threatening manner.
The crows that were resting in the pavilions near the west tower, instinctively began to caw as if something ominous was riding rampant to the palace; raising its wings in flight, giving the appearance of starting a macabre dance.