Schillingburg
Meanwhile, The Soldiers from Schillingburg had
invaded and planned to overthrow King Michael of
Willshire.
Greyson rode back and forth with news about the
battle.
My Soldiers stood strong at the border of Landford
but Thomas was nowhere to be found.
My heart grew to believe he had been captured by
the enemy or killed.
So many nonsense casualties.
I'm not even sure they knew what they were really
fighting for anymore.
King Erich of Schillingburg created a battle which
he could not win.
He envisioned himself as ruler of all.
“Willshire has always been part of Schillingburg; it
was divided because the late King Adam had the
stupendous idea of giving both his sons a
Kingdom.” Said King Erich to his Army.
“Well King Adam has passed and King Michael
does not deserve to run a Kingdom, he has been a
pariah. Luck was bestowed to him when his Father
passed and he has not known how to run his
Kingdom”. He continued.
“I cannot tolerate this anymore. We will go in,
overthrow and remove him from power.
If he must be killed, so be it!
Willshire will once again belong to Schillingburg.”
He demanded.
The army cheered in agreement.
He raised his hand as to quiet them down.
“Go and prepared our borders. At dawn we will
invade.” he finished.
In Willshire, all seemed quiet. They did not expect
what was coming. They did not even have their
soldiers truly prepared. I deployed a few of our
soldier to watch over Willshire, in case they
needed help. Thomas rode up and down the
border. He was far off from Landford, which is why
there was no word on him.
One day on his watch, he saw an unusual sight. He
followed from a distance, a man and a maiden,
who were traveling deep into the woods. Of
course, this was not too strange; the strange part
was that the man looked a lot like David. Thomas
felt since he had been without sleep so long he
was seeing things. But he still followed to get a
better look. He followed them into the forest. After
a short walk, the pair arrived at a cottage. The
cottage Amelia's Father built her as a child.
“Could it be?” Thomas asked himself.
The cottage was abandoned and anyone could
have taken refuge there.
“I do not think Amelia had ever told David of this
place.” He thought to himself.
Thomas stood quietly in the forest, trying to get
another view of the man but to no avail.
He did confirm the maiden was Elizabeth, though.
“Could that be David? But how? David IS dead.”
Thomas questioned himself.
In a minute, he was turned around and did not
know where he was. He began riding north, or
what he thought was north. His mind was so
confused after this sight that he could not even tell
which direction he was heading. Suddenly in the
distance, he could see soldiers but he did not
recognize them.
“This must be Schillingburg” he thought to himself.
He jumped off his horse and quietly walked to find
an area to rest and hide. As he walked he could not
help but think and try to make his mind
understand what he had just saw.
“Was it possible? But how?
He asked himself.
“Amelia, could she have betrayed me in this
manner?” he whispered out loud.
As King Erich prepared his strategy. His soldiers
searched the parameter and lined up to protect
Schillingburg.
While aligning the troops, William, King Erich’s
first Officer heard an unusual sound coming from
the forest.
He turned to his soldiers and said “I’ll go this way;
the forest seems quite alive tonight”.
As he ventured in, he could not help but get an
uncomfortable feeling.
“Who is out there?” he shouted.
He could hear cracking of branches but due to the
fog he could not see anything.
After a few minutes, he turned to make his way
back and he heard a noise again.
“I hear you. If you were a bear you would have
killed me by now.” He said out loud.
“Announce yourself or I’ll be forced to protect my
land in the name of King Erich of Schillingburg” he
affirmed.
He quickly went and retrieved a few soldiers.
“Men, someone is hiding in our forest, it might be
a silent coup” he said.
“We must go in and fight for our borders”. He
added as they entered the foggy forest.
In a matter of seconds, fighting against the
soldiers and Thomas began. He was a very skilled
warrior but one man could not overthrow all of
Schillingburg’s soldiers. He had slain many by the
time Schillingburg overtook him. As the soldiers
apprehended him, William grabbed ahold of his
arm.
“I know you” he said.
“Oh do you?” Snickered Thomas.
“Yes, you are a Prince. Prince David of Landford, I
am sure of it” William answered.
“There you are wrong, my fellow man” Thomas
replied.
“No, no I’m correct, you are a Prince, and I know
you. I have seen you before.” William continued.
Thomas just smiled and said “Prince David is dead!
You have the wrong man, now release me!”
After a short struggle William grabbed Thomas,
pushes him down and snarled “Well, no matter
whom you are, Prince or not, you are now a
prisoner of Schillingburg”.
William excitedly returned to the Castle to advise
King Erich.
“Your highness, May I?” He asked.
King Erich turned towards him and motioned with
his hand to enter.
“I have a prisoner you need to see” he said
excitedly.
“Who is this prisoner, William?” King Erich asked.
“He is a Prince, a Prince from Landford, I am sure
of it” William answered.
“A Prince?” said King Erich.
“Well bring him in, this should be entertaining”
continued King Erich.
The armed soldiers accompanied the prisoner in
and kneeled before their King.
Thomas remains standing.
“You show no respect for Schillingburg” said King
Erich.
“Who do you think you are, that you do not have
to show respect for Schillingburg and its King?” he
continued.
“ANNOUNCE WHO YOU ARE!” King Erich yelled as
he walked towards Thomas.
He grabbed his face forcefully and repeated “WHO
ARE YOU? ANNOUNCE YOURSELF!”
Thomas smiled and answered “I am Prince Thomas
of Landford”.
King Erich began to laugh.
“Are you serious? We captured a real Prince with
not even trying” King Erich said amused.
“Well, Prince Thomas of Landford, I don’t care who
you are, show respect and kneel to YOUR King.”
Thomas did not move.
“You are NOT my King” Thomas responded.
“Very well” King Erich added.
“Soldiers, show Prince Thomas what happens to
disrespectful people”.
He said as he walked towards his throne. The
soldiers began hitting Thomas.
“ENOUGH” Yelled King Erich.
“Now that you are on your knees, that is better”
he said amused.
“So Prince Thomas, what were you doing in
Schillingburg? Is Landford planning a coup?” He
asked and then began to laugh.
Thomas remained quiet.
King Erich slowly walked back to Thomas.
“ANSWER ME?” King Erich yelled as he hit Thomas
with his staff.
“I am here on my own accord, Landford has no
such plan. I was just passing through” Thomas
replied.
“Wrong Answer, Prince Thomas” King Erich
groaned as he pressed his staff against Thomas’
neck.
“BUT I am glad to have you here; I have been told
you are a very knowledgeable fighter. I can use
that in my army” King Erich continued.
“I will not fight for you or Schillingburg”. Thomas
mumbled.
King Erich laughed.
“Oh, I think you will, Prince Thomas. You don’t
have a choice in the matter. Let us make a treaty;
you fight for Schillingburg and I WILL NOT kill what
is most precious to you. Your Mother? Your Sister?
Two beautiful women, if I remember correctly. Oh
what I’d do to be the first to bed your sweet
Amelia.” King Erich said as he made a thinking
motion.
Thomas struggled to be released from the arms of
the soldiers.
“Relax, Young Prince Thomas, I know you will do as
I say, now that you have an idea of what will come
to your precious family.” He added.
King Erich walked back towards his throne. He
motioned to the soldier and said “Show Prince
Thomas his lovely accommodations in our
dungeon”.
King Erich sat at his throne and began to clap,
“Good Job, William, The Prince will be a great
asset, I’m sure of it”. He says.
“You are welcome, your highness” William replied.
“I have the perfect plan, it just came to me.” King
Erich said in a low voice.
“We will put the Prince in the front line, I will coax
King Michael of Willshire to a meeting as if to end
the battles and when he is here, the Prince will kill
him” King Erich continued.
William remained silent.
“Trust me; this will end Willshire and Landford for
sure. Schillingburg will be triumphant over both
but this plan must remain between us, you betray
me and I’ll kill you.” King Erich added.
William nodded his head and dismissed himself
from the King.
Early the next morning King Erich visited Thomas
in his cell. “Wake up!” He yelled as he kicked
Thomas who lies on the floor in a corner.
“Today is a special day, my boy” He said.
“You will lead Schillingburg in battle, we will
attack Willshire”. He added.
“I will NOT fight for Schillingburg, did you not hear
me?” Thomas yelled.
King Erich shook his head in disagreement.
“We spoke about this already Prince Thomas, must
I visit your Mother or even better, the beautiful
Amelia. I will be sure to let her know you sent me
as she screams as I ravage her body.” The King
said ominously.
Thomas motioned to attack the King but his
guards stopped him.
Shaking his head the King said “No, No, Prince
Thomas, not a good idea, save your anger for the
battlefield.”
King Erich’s battle went on as planned. Thomas
was forcefully sent out to fight. But for Thomas, he
was not fighting for Schillingburg, but for himself
and his family.
At the same time, King Erich’s plan for King
Michael was set forth.
King Michael made his way to Schillingburg for the
meeting.
During the ride, his caravan was ambushed by
Schillingburg’s army. King Michael was stripped of
his royal uniform and placed in the middle of the
battle to fend for himself.
King Michael was not a soldier.
Like every man he had the basic skills but not
enough to battle against any man, especially
Thomas.
After fighting against a few soldiers, Michael came
face to face with Thomas. Thomas did not know
King Michael; this man was just another soldier to
him. The fight between them was quick and the
death quicker. King Michael did not suffer.
Not to Thomas’ knowledge, King Michael’s guards
had surrounded him as he threw the finishing
blow. There were too many to fight so Thomas
surrendered.
“Do you know who you have just killed?” A soldier
said.
“It’s the King, King Michael of Willshire” another
responded.
Schillingburg's soldiers had retreated quickly while
Willshire's soldiers attended to Thomas.
From a distance William could see that Thomas
had killed King Michael and was being led away by
Willshire’s Soldiers.
He immediately went and informed King Erich.
“Your Majesty, it has been done, Thomas has slain
King Michael but Willshire Soldiers has taken him
prisoner, what do we do?” William explained.
King Erich looked content.
“We do nothing!” King Erich replied.
“I must say, Your Highness your plan succeeded but
Thomas is now a prisoner of Willshire, he will
blame Schillingburg.” William confirmed.
“It turned out better than I could imagine, now
Young Prince Thomas will be killed by Willshire
and not us. He will not speak and we have no
knowledge of him.” He laughed.
Greyson and William had their weekly meeting to
update each other about the battles. To Greyson’s
surprise William informed him that Thomas was
alive and fighting with Schillingburg. William
never mentioned Thomas was taken prisoner by
them and forced to fight to save his own life. He
also never mentioned Thomas had killed King
Michael either.
By this time, the bloodshed was vast.
So many innocent people had lost their lives.
I often thought about when my soldiers would
have to fight and it terrified me. They were there
to protect me but I was responsible for their lives. I
did not look forward to commanding them into
battle.
As I sat by the window looking north towards
Willshire, My lady in waiting tapped my shoulder.
“Your highness, your Father wishes to speak with
you”. Shyanne said quietly.
I got up and slowly walked towards his room.
“Yes, Father, is all well?” I asked.
“Oh yes, I wanted to consult with you on a battle
ending treaty I received from Schillingburg” He
disclosed.
“Father, I have no idea. I do not even know what
we are fighting for. And from Schillingburg, since
when do you trust King Erich?” I interjected.
Suddenly Greyson enters unannounced,
“Your Majesty” he said loudly.
Father and I turned towards him surprised.
“ I apologize Your Highness but I have news from
Willshire.”
Father motioned for him to enter.
“News from Willshire, Greyson?” I asked.
“King Michael of Willshire has been murdered.” He
said.
Greyson knew Michael was my birth brother, so he
thought I should be aware of his death.
“Your birth brother Paul wanted you to know the
murderer of King Michael had been apprehended
and he is being held prisoner at the Willshire
Castle.” He added.
I remained unaffected until he left the room.
“Oh Father, my brother has been killed.” I said.
“At least, you have solace to know that who did
this despicable crime will be punished accordingly,
you must travel to Willshire and grant the
punishment personally.” Father advised.
“I cannot Father” I sighed.
“Why is that? You are Queen; you can do anything
you desire.” He praised.
“I have no business in Willshire, especially to
award punishment to a murderer.” I continued.
“You must go show support for your remaining
brother and mourn for Michael.” Father conceded.
“But I am afraid Father. I do not remember them
as my family.” I confessed.
“We are all afraid my precious girl, but it is
something that has to be done. You are Queen of
Landford, you must show strength, power and
support for others.” Father proclaimed.
I lowered my head in agreement.
“Greyson and his men will accompany you, he will
protect you.” Father reassured me.
“I am not sure that is safe Emmanuel” said Mother
as she entered the room.
“Nothing in this world is safe, Catherine. We must
all take risks in life. Amelia is going in peace, to
mourn her brother” Father replied.
“Why is she allowed to mourn this brother she did
not know and not the brother who protected and
guided her?” Mother protested.
“Catherine, must you always speak of him” Father
replied.
“It is only true, Emmanuel! Mother added.
“Mother, I mourn David and Thomas every day of
my life and I think I will show them pride and
honor by doing this. Plus Michael and Paul are my
blood and I must honor them too” I proposed.
“I am not content Amelia, you are all I have left”
Mother wept.
“I will make you proud, Mother” I assure her.
“I do not need pride like this, I am already proud of
you.” She urged.
She turned to Father and said “And you. How dare
you condemn me for speaking about my first
born? Where has your heart gone Emmanuel? No
matter what David was accused of doing, no
matter what a monster you think he is or that he
betrayed you, which is completely false. He is still
your blood, a part of you, you cannot erase him.”
She began to walk away when Father grabbed her
arm and replied “Maybe you should go be with
YOUR son, if that suits you. You are NOT needed
here!”
I turned and shouted, “Father that is unacceptable
behavior, Mother does not deserve such treatment
and disrespect. How dare you?”
He raised his hand and slapped my face
“HOW DARE YOU? You are still my daughter under
that crown. May it never cross your mind again to
address me without respect!” He said as left the
room.
Mother ran to me and touched my cheek “He did
not mean that Amelia.” She said.
I said nothing.
I dismissed myself from the room and wandered
the corridors, as I did as a child.
It was my only consolation, all that was left of the
happy times in Landford Castle.
In the corners, I could hear the echoes of David
and Thomas chanting, playing and running behind
me. I could feel David raise me up high and spin
me. I could feel Thomas pull me into a corner and
kiss me. I could feel their presence all around me.
It was so loud in my head, it was driving me mad.
As I reached the end of the hall, I crouched in the
dark corner and began to cry.
I could not do this.
I was not fit to be Queen.
I needed my brother.
I needed my husband.
I tried to hide my broken heart under all this gold,
satin and lace but it has become too much to bare.
What should I do? Where should I go?