Menelt’s chair clattered onto the stone floor behind him. He stood with his chest heaving and hands clenched into fists. This time both Princess Estina and Weldlan wrapped their hands on either side of Menelt’s arms and squeezed hard, urging calm. The skin on his temples were red, and his eyes narrowed. She could see the veins pulsing in his forearms. His hands were mere inches away from the axes that hung off his belt. It would only take a fraction of a second for him to unleash his axe across the room and then chaos would rein down on them all. Something must be really wrong for Menelt to respond in such a way.

Prince Yernal took a long step back. “Is there a problem mountain man? Although, I can’t really call you mountain man anymore, can I? Not when you don’t have any mountains.” He chuckled loudly at his own joke. A smattering of laughter reached Princess Estina’s ears, although some in the audience were looking a little unsure after Menelt’s sudden movements.

She looked back at the man who Prince Yernal had called Jale, and wondered at who he was to Menelt. She had very little recollection of the name, maybe hearing it once or twice in her childhood.

Weldlan spoke firmly in mountain dialect. “Sit. We’ll put an axe in his head later. We can’t now without putting Jale at risk.”

Princess Estina frowned, understanding Weldlan’s words. Just who was this Jale? Out of the corner of her eye, Weldlan let go of Menelt’s arm and turned to pick up his chair. Sensing his body relax somewhat, Princess Estina released her grip.

Slowly, Menelt sat down, and Princess Estina turned her attention back to Prince Yernal who, for a brief moment, eyed Menelt with caution.

“I have never seen this man in my entire life,” she stated.

“Of course, you haven’t,” Prince Yernal responded. “He has spent the past ten years hiding in the Talbecan Empire, bedding the Emperor of Talbec and selling all of our secrets. He was even bedding the Lombock!” He pointed viciously to Teal in his cage.

Princess Estina frowned, but she was unconvinced. Selling secrets? Which secrets and to what end?

“What do you plan to do with Prince Jale now?” she asked, more for Menelt’s sake than her own.

Prince Yernal contemplated for a moment. There was no doubt in her mind that Prince Yernal had already determined his fate. He just didn’t want to reveal it at present.

“I will disclose that later,” he replied, confirming her suspicions. “For now, he is sentenced to one hundred lashes over the next ten days.”

The crowd booed. It was obviously not what they had expected.

Menelt stirred next to Princess Estina again, but Princess Estina let Weldlan do the restraining this time. She pursed her lips at hearing the punishment. This was a mean drawn out act. Depending on how it was carried out, a hundred lashes could kill a man if given in one day. And one hundred lashes over ten days was only designed to drag the torture out, prevent his wounds from healing and allowing infection to set in. He would be exhausted, in excruciating pain and unable to rest and heal. Most likely, Jale would die a slow and very painful death over the next couple of weeks.

“Has this been determined by the council in the capital?” Prince Alain suddenly spoke up, his voice loud, even and steady.

Prince Yernal’s face turned red, and it was his turn to clench his fists.

“A severe punishment such as this would certainly require permission from the council with absence of a King,” Princess Alain continued. “Especially since he is a member of our royal family.”

Princess Estina wanted to smile. Prince Alain’s memory of Keglan Law always impressed her.

“Of course, I have sought their approval,” Prince Yernal spat.

“May I see their written proof,” Prince Alain asked, holding out his hand. “A scroll with the council’s seal would suffice.”

“How dare you accuse me of lying!” Prince Yernal shouted. “I am the second most powerful man in this kingdom!”

“It’s a simple request,” Princess Estina argued, unperturbed by his yelling. “Until we have seen it, Prince Jale should be locked in the prison cells. No one can lay a finger on him beforehand.”

Prince Yernal drummed his fingers over the table, his eyes gazing at her. It was obvious he was trying to make up his mind. “Fine then,” he seethed. “Put him back into the cage.”

The soldiers obeyed, but the crowded hall was not pleased. Muttering and angry whispers carried around the room. Relief filled her, but it was only momentarily. Without a doubt, Jale would be subjected to more torture the moment they left.

She met Prince Yernal’s glare with her own vicious contempt. Her mind raced as her gaze darted back to the frail man been dragged across the floor back to the cage. All she could hear was her hearting beating in her chest. Princess Estina reached for her cup, trying to buy herself some time. It was hard not being able to discuss anything with Prince Alain.

“You say you want us to support you and to work with you?” she finally managed.

“Yes, I do,” Prince Yernal said quietly but firmly.

“What if we added a condition,” she asked, and from the corner of her eye, she saw Prince Alain give an ever-slight nod of his head. It was as if he knew what she was going to ask.

Prince Yernal leaned back and sighed impatiently. “What condition?”

“On the condition that you release Teal and Prince Jale,” she responded.

Prince Yernal froze, shock on his face. All of a sudden, he slammed his hand on the table and a loud peal of laughter racked his body.

“Never!” he finally managed. “These two are not up for negotiation. Never, sister.”

Princess Estina’s mind raced. They needed time to discuss their plan of action and next steps. “My brother and I need to speak in private to deliberate on this before we agree on anything. We will have some other conditions to present to you.”

Prince Yernal tapped the table impatiently with his hand and glared at Princess Estina. “Go away and come back tomorrow where you will tell me your decision and give me your other conditions.” He rolled his eyes. “Let me tell you though, Princess, the consequences for not agreeing would be most grave. As I said earlier, it’s a long journey back to Old Lake Tehlea. The alternative is a peaceful life where you can have that brute fuck you haggard until you’re an old maid.”

Princess Estina tried to keep her voice calm. “We’ll be back tomorrow,” she said, rising to her feet and not bothered that they were nowhere near finishing their meal. She heard the scrapes of the chairs beside her as the men accompanying her also rose to their feet.

>>

Princess Estina jolted back and bumped into Prince Alain as a chair went flying across the room. It smashed onto the opposite wall, breaking into pieces from the force and clattered to the cream stone floor. Princess Estina shook her head. The owners of their lodging would not be pleased. She eyed Ladet again as he paced the length of his small room that he shared with the other Talbecan men who had come with him. He was not taking the news of Jale’s capture and his condition well at all. It was the first time since meeting Ladet that she had seen him lose control.

She glanced at Prince Alain beside her. They had agreed to inform Ladet of their news. Menelt and Weldlan had stormed off to their own room as soon as they had arrived. Without a doubt, Princess Estina knew Menelt would have to cool off before they could reasonably discuss a plan of action.

“I’ll kill him!” Ladet shouted. “I’ll put an arrow straight through his heart!”

He raced across the room, past the beds and stopped in front of her. “Please let me do it. Please let me know you won’t hate me for murdering your brother!”

“I would not hate you at all, Ladet,” she said calmly. “In fact, I believe there is a long line forming as we speak of the people who wish to see his demise. The kingdom would certainly be better off for it.”

Ladet took a sudden step forward and placed both his hands onto her forearms, his grip tight. “Let me go back with you tomorrow. Let me get my hands onto Prince Yernal, and let me rescue Teal and Jale.”

Prince Alain moved closer towards Princess Estina. Ladet saw them and his eyes went straight to his hold on her. They widened in shock, and Ladet dropped his hands.

“I’m sorry,” he said, bowing his upper body deeply. “I’ve known Jale since I was a child. He is family to me.” He rose out of the bow but kept his head low. “I’ve known Teal for a much less time, but he has proven to be an honourable and brave man as well.”

Princess Estina shook her head. “There’s no need to say sorry,” she said, placing a gentle hand on his chest. “Join us later this evening. We’re going to meet with Menelt and Weldlan to discuss what we’re going to do.”

Ladet dropped his shoulders, but his eyes still held his eager determination.