Bernard burst into the servants' quarters with four soldiers in tow. It was a tunnel-like room, with bunks built into the walls and private rooms at the end of the hall for the oldest of the servants. The walls were white plaster with small cracks spider webbing throughout the length of the room. The ceiling was a faded light green. There were blankets and clothing strewn about the floor. Empty liquor bottles occupied a portion of the bunks, while small children slept in others. The room went still as everyone watched Bernard and his posse. They shoved through men, women, and children looking for Olivier.
About halfway down the tunnel one of the soldiers called Bernard's name. He turned quickly. The soldier had one hand on Olivier's left shoulder. The other was holding a sword at the center of his back.
"Is this him, sir?" The soldier asked.
"Yes. Good work. Tie him up!" Bernard ordered. The soldier forced Olivier to his knees. He tied his wrists behind his back and put a towel in his mouth so he couldn't speak. He then blindfolded him and hauled him out of the servant's quarters with Bernard and the others followed him out. Olivier's body was limp. The heels of his bare feet dragged on the floor as the group left.
—
Thérèse pulled a black dress out of her closet. It was simple but elegant. It reached the floor and the skirt dragged behind her. The material hugged her body. The dressmaker made it for her so she could practice working with a new material. Thérèse's mother had never let her wear the dress in public. She left her hair down and pulled a fur-lined cloak around her shoulders.
Bernard was waiting for her outside her room. She took his arm and held up the skirt of her dress with the other. They walked down the main hallway and into the courtyard. A platform was set up in the center with a small group gathered around it. The crowd parted as Thérèse and Bernard approached and took their place in the front. A soldier standing on the platform watched Bernard, anxiously awaiting his instructions. With Thérèse still on his arm he nodded once to the soldier. He felt Thérèse stiffen next to him.
The soldier turned and roughly pulled Olivier up the wooden steps. His hands were still tied behind his back, and he had a black hood over his head. Time slowed down for Thérèse as she watched one of her closest friends stumble up the steps. The soldier shoved him across the platform. An executioner stood near the middle. He pulled Olivier into position and fastened a rope around his neck. Once he was done, the soldier pulled out a sheet of paper and began to read aloud.
"Olivier Monkstead, you have been convicted of treason, crimes against the crown, murder of a member of the royal family, and one hundred and twelve counts of murder; one count for each life lost during yesterday's massacre. Because of your crimes you have been sentenced to hang by the neck until dead. God have mercy on your soul."
Grey clouds hung overhead, casting a dismal shadow on the scene. A large gust of wind blew through the area. Thérèse's black dress billowed behind her. Her long hair fluttered over her shoulders. The executioner pulled a lever and a square of wood swung open underneath Olivier's feet. His body plummeted and a deafening crack fell over the silent crowd. Thérèse's fingers tightened around Bernard's arm. A single tear ran down her cheek. Its warmth melted the cold snow as it fell to the ground. Olivier's body twitched for a moment, and then went still. The crowd began to disperse. Somewhere, a priest said a prayer for Olivier's soul.
When they were ready to leave, Bernard nodded to the soldier again. The executioner cut the rope and Olivier's body fell to the ground. The soldier and the executioner picked him up off the ground. The soldier held him under the shoulders while the executioner had an ankle in each hand. As they began to carry the body away Thérèse stopped them. She pulled the hood from her beloved friend's head. She reached out two fingers and gently closed his eyes. With tears streaming down her face she leaned down and lightly kissed him on the forehead. She let out a shaky sigh. The executioner took the hood from her and they continued on with Olivier's corpse.
As Bernard and Thérèse walked back to the castle they heard the thunderous sound of horse's hooves. They turned together to see a black Clydesdale galloping down the path towards the castle gate. The unknown rider stopped before the guards and announced himself as a messenger, who was here for Henri. After checking him for weapons, one of the guards ushered him inside. Thérèse and Bernard ran after him. They caught up to the messenger at the top of the entryway's steps.
"Henri?" He cried. "Where is Henri?" His portly frame whirled around, searching for Bayonne's prince.
"I can take whatever message you have for him." Thérèse said. She held out her hand to take the envelope, but the small man pulled back from her.
"No. It is only to be read by Henri."
"This is my kingdom, good man, and I can take whatever messages are meant for its residents." Thérèse took another step toward the man. He held the envelope back with his left hand and slapped Thérèse's outstretched arm with his right. Bernard stepped forward and shoved the man to the ground. Bernard stood over the messenger as he shook with fear, still clutching the letter.
"There's no need for violence, Bernard." Henri was now standing at the beginning of the hallway that connected to the entrance of the castle. Thérèse gently pulled Bernard away from the man. Henri stepped forward and helped the messenger to his feet.
"I hear you have something for me?" Henri said.
The messenger kneeled and held the envelope up to Henri, bowing his head as he did so. Henri took the envelope from the man. Thérèse could still see dried blood under his nails. He broke the letter's blue wax seal and ran his eyes quickly over its contents. Something dark came over his face. Thérèse pushed past Bernard and the messenger kneeling on the floor. She gingerly placed her hand on Henri's forearm as he read the letter again.
"What is it, Henri?" She whispered. She could tell that something was wrong. Even though his mouth formed no words, just hung slightly open in shock, she could see it in his eyes. They were full of fear and worry. Henri folded the letter and placed it back inside its envelope. He tucked it into the pocket of his brown jacket. He cleared his throat. Henri reached his left hand up to cradle Thérèse's cheek.
"Thérèse, I need you to listen to me. Very carefully, okay?" Henri said. Thérèse felt her stomach drop as she nodded.
"What is this? What's going on?" Bernard asked. Henri looked back and forth between him and Thérèse.
"My father and step-mother are still alive." Henri continued. "They're being held prisoner in Bayonne. This letter is from Claude's contact there. His name is Rau, he's a well-known scholar in Bayonne. He must have been the one to help orchestrate this whole disaster. He's holding my step-mother and father in return for a ransom."
"What's the ransom?" Thérèse asked.
"Argence is very well-off, I'm sure whatever it is we can pay it. If not, we can call on our neighbors for help." Bernard offered.
Henri licked his lips and sighed. He ran his hands through his hair and looked at the ground.
"Rau wants Argence. He's determined to finish the domination that Claude started. His group took over Bayonne the same night your mother was killed and Claude tried to take Argence. He was promised a position of power when Claude took over both kingdoms, but now that Claude is gone, Rau wants it all for himself."
"Out of the question." Thérèse said.
"Yes, obviously." Henri retorted. "But there's more. Rau also stated that he still has mercenaries he and Claude hired waiting in this area. The moment they get the message, they'll move in and won't stop until you are dead, Thérèse. If we don't appear at Bayonne within the next week Rau will send in the soldiers."
"Argence's defenses are so drained right now we wouldn't be able to survive it. I've already requested help from two of the nearest kingdoms, but their armies won't be here for at least two weeks." Bernard said.
"Henri, we can't do that." Thérèse said. Henri pulled back from her, confused.
"What do you mean? We don't have any other choice, Thérèse." Henri responded.
"We can't give in to Rau. This is undoubtedly a trap. Are you really that naive? You think we can just walk in there and he'll give up? He'll surely kill all of us!"
"What do you want me to do Thérèse? He has my father!" Henri was yelling now. "We don't have any other options!"
Thérèse stepped forward and pointed her finger at his chest.
"No." She said, "You don't have any other options. I do. I'm not going. I'm not putting Argence at risk. If I am killed the kingdom would descend into utter chaos. I will not destroy what my family has built. I'm sorry, Henri."
"Thérèse, please." he begged. "I need your help. You too, Bernard, if you're willing. We need to save my parents, and my home. I have people who can help us. The group you saw me with in the woods, Thérèse, they're still around. I can get them together, they're some of my closest friends."
"How do we know they won't betray us as well? How do we know they're not also working with Rau?" Bernard asked. He was skeptical about this whole thing. How did any of us know this wasn't just part of the plan to steal Argence? Bernard thought. Could Henri also be working with Claude and Rau? Bernard narrowed his eyes at Henri.
"I've known some of them since I was a child. They would never betray me, Bernard. I would trust them with my life, and have on many occasions." Henri said reassuringly.
"I don't know, Henri." Thérèse shook her head.
"If we don't stop Rau from taking over Bayonne, what's to stop him from sending Bayonne's army here to take Argence next? You said it yourself, Bernard, that we won't have reinforcements for at least two weeks. We're vulnerable right now. We need to go to Bayonne." Henri urged. Bernard looked over at Thérèse. He bit his lip for a moment and uttered a quick Fuck.
"As much as I hate to admit it, Thérèse, he's right. I think we should go to Bayonne." Bernard said. Thérèse nodded silently.
"Fine." she said. "I don't like it at all, but if you think that's what's best, then we should go." Henri's face broke into a smile.
"Thank you. Thank you both."
Henri strode to the window and yelled out towards the stables.
"Ready our horses! We leave tomorrow at dawn!"
Henri looked at the messenger who was still on the floor on one knee.
"You, head into town and round up my companions. Check the taverns." The messenger scrambles to his feet and tore out of the castle.
Henri slipped his hand around Thérèse's waist and kissed her deeply. He pulled her body close and felt her sigh as he pulled away.
"You won't regret this." he whispered. "We're going to make things right."