"I did not doubt your abilities, for you have shown yourself to be a worthy knight. But I saw what happened after Hugh the Great passed and in my love for you, I wished to do something to help. I found two young knights. They had not yet built a name for themselves, but they are good Christians and good knights. I swore them to secrecy and set them to watch over you."

"You did what?" Erec asked in disbelief, wondering who he could mean. None of his men came to mind.

...and when could he have sent them? The king had Erec away from the garrison for so long...

"The young Sirs Gil and Dermot." The bishop smiled warmly and paused for a very long time.

Erec thought the man was asleep and moved to set the bishop's hand upon the bed when the old eyes sprang open.

"But I have also sinned, and for that I shall answer. Let me confess all to you, that you may judge me fairly in your heart and remember me only with fondness. In my youth, shortly after I became a bishop, I was sent to council the King. I served him well in matters of finance, for I was knowledgeable in such affairs. Unfortunately, I was not so wise in matters of war."

Once more the bishop rested but this time Erec waited through the long pause. He understood that the bishop needed to rally his strength to finish the tale. Although Erec thought he knew the sin to be treason, he kept silent to allow the bishop reveal the tale in his own way. And there was plenty that was revealed to him that he wished to think upon.

"It was at my urging that Hugh entered into the war upon the sea with the kingdom of , the kingdom that was over the sea to the south, but is no more. Hugh the Great was victorious and he divided the lands with his ally, the king of Vilamout."

"Our kingdom doubled in size and prospered. But the expansion came at a dear price. Crown Prince Bruce fell in that war." Erec quietly remembered.

"Aye. And because of that, his brother Hugh now wears the crown. Hugh is not a good man and he will never be a good king. It is because of me that the innocent people of this kingdom suffer at his hand. I had not long left to live with my mistake, but I prayed most fervently for the people. It was then that I learned, quite by mistake, that there was another who should be king."

"It is treason to speak of it, and I shall not hear it. I shall not let you damn your soul to hell after you have devoted your life to serving others. Grandfather...please." Erec's eyes burned with unshed tears as the old fingers curled against his own.

"I speak of one who is of the ancient bloodline. He who has more right to wear the crown than Hugh II. It is said that the ancient bloodline ended with King Marek, a good king who died without issue. Upon his death, the crown was passed to his cousin Xavier, he that was great-grandfather to Hugh the Great. But the crown was never Xavier's to take."

"Are you saying that Marek had a son?"

"I am saying that Marek had a brother, Norek. Norek was a well-kept secret, as he was not born to the Queen. Norek's line has prospered. You well know the family's worthiness, my beloved grandson."

"How can I possibly know a thing such as that when I had no knowledge of Norek before you spoke of him."

"But you do know the heir. Our good Lord Brecken is Norek's great-grandson."

"Lord Brecken?" Erec was incredulous and turned to his friend who stood a few steps back with his wife. They nodded.

"So that is why you have been visiting. That is the reason for the secret letters and all the messages. You were trying to get him to claim his birthright."

"Aye. But he was a stubborn man. Like you, my dear boy, he is loyal to the crown. He knew better than I that a king— king, good or bad—is but a moment in in the history of a kingdom. When Hugh II dies, another king shall take his place, just as he took up his father's place. Lord Brecken is wise and helped me to see that no good would come of a rebellion."

"Yes, my friend is a good and wise man. You spoke truth. For I can think of none other who is so worthy to wear the crown that he will not take."

"He has sworn me to secrecy of his connection to the crown and it was only with his permission that I tell you now. It is so that you may understand what I have done, and why. It was my desire to right the wrongful death of Prince Bruce that I hired men to stir up unrest in the kingdom."

"That was you?" Erec could not help but smile. "It was good to help the people find their voice, but I am afraid that a man who is far worse than even Hugh has taken advantage of the unrest to place himself one step closer to seizing the crown."

"When you toss a pebble into a pond, you cannot control what effect it will have. It was my hope that the people would demand Hugh II be removed. That we could have a new king without bloodshed. I did not see that my actions would give King Axel the means he sought to take our kingdom. It is only by the grace of God that you managed to keep the peace."

"King Axel is not the villain that I spoke of, but do not worry. He shall be dealt with." Erec paused, and with a proud smile, he admitted: "Grandfather, it was not I that kept the peace. Twas the Lady Gwyndolyn who worked this miracle. Twas her idea for me to disappear after the ambush. Twas her idea to return with the full moon. Twas also her idea to sue for peace."

"God has given you a good and wise woman to wife. She is your very own Athena. That is good." The bishop smiled thoughtfully. Erec saw the old man was pleased with Erec's choice of wife. The Bishop drew a shaky breath and continued. "There is one last thing I must tell you before I rest. You must understand that my father's family an old and noble one."

"I remember this from Bishop Morchat's letter."

"In this lifetime that I have been away, there were many struggles at home...which is Vilamout, over the sea to the east." The bishop added the last helpfully and paused a moment.

Erec saw the struggle in his grandfather's eyes, but he could not tell if it was hesitancy to tell the thing, or difficulty in finding where to begin the telling. The bishop drew a long and shaky breath and continued.

"I have paid handsomely over the years to stay well informed of my family. I admit, I was rather surprised to learn that many years ago, my father became king. I am the eldest son and the crown is mine by birth, but they thought me to be dead. My brother is King now, there is much unrest. His sons are dead and enemies are many and strong."

The aged fingers pressed Erec's own and Erec saw the earnestness in his grandfather's face as he urged. "My brother is your family by blood. He is your true king. And he needs you. Your own people need you."

"I? A crown prince?" Erec laughed.

It was too ludicrous to give credit. Surely...but a look at the old man was enough to see he was not speaking falsely.

"I have with me a leather pouch. It bears the seal of Duplechain and within it are the documents that provide all of the proof you will need. They are wrapped in oilskin to protect them. You will find also the documents you need to claim your fortune. You are a very wealthy man. Even if you should not return to claim your throne, you shall never want for anything again."

"But I am not a king!"

"You are a good man. You are a soldier. You have courage and much knowledge in matters of war. You can save your kingdom and protect your subjects. Your wife is a good woman and you have already seen her courage and wisdom. She will not cower in fear and she will be of great help to you in all matters of peace, if you would only listen to her voice."

"But I..." Erec sighed. It was simply too much. "I am sworn to serve the crown... here. I am bound by a death-bed oath to serve Hugh II as I served his father, long and well. I cannot..."

"You are my grandson. I have ever loved you. I give you my blessing and all that I possess. You are Lord Erec, the grandson of Lord Cleve Joseph Duplechain and Crown prince of Vilamout. You have wealth and privilege and a kingdom should you wish it. But my dear child," the old fingers had so little strength left that they merely twitched against Erec's.

"When you have saved the people of this kingdom, perhaps you can set your heart to your own subjects, the people of Vilamout. They are pressed in every direction and they have suffered greatly. Once the crown here is once more securely set upon Hugh's brow, you must travel east and take up your own crown. Your people need you, my prince."

"But..." Erec began but his words died in his throat as his grandfather died upon the bed before him.

Could so much be true? How was it that he had lived his whole life thinking he was an orphaned child when he had a grandfather that clearly loved him so dearly for all of his days.

His grandfather was bound by a vow—a vow that forced his silence. And Erec was bound by a vow to serve the crown—a crown that now sat upon the brow of a most unworthy king.

Erec took the old hand in both of his as leaned over his grandfather and wept. His tears fell upon the breast of the old man, as did the pieces of Erec's broken heart.

It was not fair that he should find his true family and the long abiding love of a grandfather, only to lose it almost in the same breath. It was not fair that...

With a trembling sigh, he slowly rose and swiped the tears from his cheek. He tenderly placed the bony hand upon his grandfather's chest and bent to place a kiss upon the wrinkled brow. It was yet warm, as if Grandfather were only asleep. His heart stuttered at the deception, for he knew that Grandfather had given his last breath to bestow his love and legacy upon his grandson.

"My Lord," Erec turned to Brecken, "it would seem that we are both far more than either of us ever imagined."

"So, it would seem. But this is good, for we are now equals. You must no longer call me my lord. You must call me Brecken, or if we are alone, you may call me Nor—Norbert." Brecken stuttered; his face turned in deep frown.

The Lady Alexandi smothered a laugh behind her hand and he winked at her. They both understood how well Lord Brecken disliked his given name.

"Brecken, then." Erec stepped forward and embraced his dear friend. "I am honored to call you also my friend."

"You are the only mother I have ever known." Erec smiled affectionately at the lady, "It is my keenest wish that you will let me continue to give you the love of a son."

"It is my heart's dearest wish that you do so. I have ever loved you as a son, from the first day that you came to us all those years ago." The lady held out her hand and Erec took it, but pulled her into an embrace that lasted for several moments until Brecken cleared his throat.

"We shall leave a servant to prepare the body and I will send a man tonight to fetch someone from the Monastery. They will know what is to be done with...your grandfather's remains."

"I wish that I could take him home to his family, but there is too much to be done here. Aside, he gave up his life as Cleve Joseph to become Anouk. I will honor that sacrifice and give him over to the church in death as he gave himself over in life."

"The depth of the grief that he carried for the whole of his life would demonstrate such devotion to his wife that he should be near her in their eternal rest. Would that I knew where Lady Althea was laid to rest, I would see his remains placed next to her." After a moment of respectful silence, Brecken turned his wife toward the door, but she stopped just short of it and turned to Erec.

"What will you do about Vilamout?" she asked softly.

"For the moment, there are two kings in peril right here, and thus two kingdoms in peril. It will mean a long and bloody war if this peace not be made. Peace first. And there is still a threat to the crown. Lord Neron must be dealt with. After that...I know not. As my grandfather so wisely said, when you toss a pebble into a pond, you cannot control what effect it will have."

---

Sufficient time had passed from the Champions reappearance and the announcement of a treaty to allow for the news to spread to all corners of both kingdoms. On the morn following the death of the bishop, the courtyard at Brecken Moors Hall was full near to bursting. To alleviate the congestion, tables and merchants' booths began to appear outside of the walls.

The first of them attempted to set up next to the walls. However, when word reached Erec, it was immediately ordered that they be moved away. Guards were placed outside the gate wall the same as inside. Additional archers were set to watch outside the walls, even as the best were watching inside the walls.

Through this throngpassed a ring of soldiers bearing shields and surrounding the BaronBrecken. They were a moving wall to clearthe way and soon Brecken reached the steps to top of the wall. Ahead of him went two trumpeters, and twofully armored guards, and the same followed behind. At the center of the gate wall he stopped, liftinghis hands in signal.