During the next couple days, Baylin waited for word from his uncle in Mirstone while he readied his men to defend the Kingdom should there be a surprise attack. He spent a large portion of his time in the war room studying maps, or out in the Kingdom, strengthening numbers and trying to put the villagers at ease.
It was early when the Prince made his way through the castle, planning to ride with some of his men to Rivermouth to fortify the ports. Suddenly, he heard a crashing commotion coming from the Great Hall.
He took off at a run, rounding the corner to find the room filled with flowers and banners. Several young maids stood over a pile of metal trays on the floor, quickly picking them up.
“Never mind about those,” said the Queen to the girls. “Have them sent back to the kitchen to be cleaned and start bringing in the candles.
“Mother?” Baylin asked, striding toward her. “What is all this?”
“Have you already forgotten?” she laughed. “The celebration? To honor Luana and your son?”
He studied the room. The large columns, adorned with their own unique sculptures in the stone, were wrapped in beautiful garlands of fir tree branches and berries. Tables were lined up, being prepared to hold large quantities of food. Understanding came over him. “The celebration, yes, of course. Apologies, Mother, I have been… preoccupied.”
“Of course you have. Your duty is to protect the Kingdom,” the Queen replied, pulling a rose from an arrangement as a steward carried it by. “My duty is to the morale of the Kingdom. Hence why you’re riding off to the villages and I am planning a celebration. It will take several more days to get everything in order.”
Baylin sighed. “Are you sure this is the best plan?” He stepped closer to her, so the servants would not overhear their conversation. “Mirstone could attack at any moment.”
“I refuse to hide like a frightened child,” Valasca snapped. “This celebration is not only for Luana, the baby, or even you. It is for all of Grasmere. We owe it to the people! Besides, it’s not every day that a future King is born in this castle.”
He could see the joy in his mother’s eyes. “Well, at least I know I am leaving it in your capable hands.” He leaned over and kissed his mother on the forehead. “I’m off to Rivermouth. I hope to be back before dark.”
He turned, leaving the hall at a quick pace. He had reached the stables when a steward came running up, holding a parchment in his hand. “Your Grace! A bird arrived from Mirstone; Lord Cadman is coming to Grasmere!”
Baylin grabbed the parchment from the boy’s outstretched hand. Breaking the red wax seal of Mirstone, he read the letter.
My dearest nephew,
It warms my heart to know that you
arrived safely in Grasmere. It has been my
utmost hope to return home to my family. I
do so miss my dear brother.
Thank you for extending such a generous
invitation. I will leave Mirstone at once and
should arrive shortly after you receive my bird.
Isla sends her love.
Your devoted uncle,
Cadman
Baylin clenched his teeth so hard they began to ache from the pressure. “Venomous snake.”
“What has he said?” asked Valasca, her brow furrowed in worry.
Baylin handed her the parchment. “See for yourself.”
As his mother read the letter, he turned to the steward. “Send for Ferric at once. There isn’t a moment to lose.” He turned back to his mother, who finished reading the note and wore an expression of anger and nausea. “We can only hope that we still have time to enforce the guard at Fagin Forest. He’s mocking us and this letter shows it.”
“What does he have to gain from coming? Really?” Valasca asked, crumpling the note in her hand. “He must know that everyone here wishes him dead.”
“Exactly,” Baylin growled. “He wouldn’t come unless he felt it benefitted him in some way. Even with his close relationship with Father, he knows his life is in danger. This visit is a benefit to him in some way. A chance to set a plan in motion, I’m sure of it.”
“If that is the case,” Valasca whispered, “why not kill him on sight?”
“No, Mother,” Baylin spat. “As much as I would like to be rid of him, I gave him my word he would not be harmed as long as he did not give provocation.”
“His presence is provocation enough!” Valasca cried.
The servants in the Great Hall all stopped and turned to look at the pair. Baylin smiled and nodded at a nearby maid, faking interest in her flower arrangement. He gently put his arm around his mother and guided her from the room.
“Mother,” he whispered. “We do not know if he has spies in the castle. It is best that we assume that anyone could be in league with him, and therefore we must keep this information as quiet as possible. Even the steward that brought the letter could have connections with him.”
“They wouldn’t dare!” Valasca said, shocked. “Most of our servants have been with us for years.”
“Mother, please, you must calm yourself,” Baylin soothed. “I do agree that most of them have been very loyal. But as a child even my riding master was swayed by Cadman. He has a silver tongue when it comes to getting what he wants. Besides, we had a handful of new kitchen staff and maids come in after the bed wife ceremony, remember? Any one of them could be influenced by him.”
“But how do we protect ourselves if we don’t know who to trust?” Valasca asked, startling as a steward walked by toward the Great Hall.
“We hold close to those we can trust,” Baylin said. “Like you said, we can’t hide like children. We must keep moving forward until there is reason to pause.”
“Perhaps, though, it might be prudent to make a list of all the new staff?” Valasca asked. “We could make sure only those who have been with us a very long time have access to the King and Luana… and you and I, for that matter.”
“I think that is an excellent idea, Mother,” Baylin said as Ferric sauntered up.
Baylin kissed his mother on the cheek. “I must get moving to Fagin. I will be back as soon as I can.”
“Be careful, my son,” she said, turning and walking back to the Great Hall.
“What’s a good idea?” Ferric asked as he and Baylin turned, walking swiftly to the gate.
“I’ll fill you in on the ride,” Baylin said. “Right now we must get to Fagin before my treacherous uncle does.”