167 Vanadian Coup 3 (2/2)
”Where is Silverback?” he asked a chained mercenary from the top of his horse.
The man flinched and showed a nervous expression ”Sir, Silverback didn't join us”
”Didn't join? Where are they?”
”I don't know sir. I truly don't know. We were supposed to meet before we reach the walls of Holm. But they didn't show”
Erik frowned. The reason why Timothy entrusted him with the bulk of their forces is because of Silverback. Now they were missing. He had seen Timothy wait all day for Prince William's reply but it never arrived. So they just assumed that they would have to fight Silverback today. But what if the Prince was doing things on his own again? What if he… Erik stopped his thoughts and just moved.
”Everyone with a horse on me!” He shouted as loud as he could. His men on horseback came riding towards him.
”Scour the forest!” Erik shouted ”Not a single tree unchecked. Not a single rock unturned. Find Prince William or any signs of battle. Go. With haste go!”
**********
Arthur was sitting in the garden. The grass pricked his bottom.
”They will come right?” He asked his mother beside him.
”They will. Trust them Arthur”
”But they will be filthy and they will smell”
”Of course they will. It's the sewer they waddled in after all.This is not the time to be fussy Arthur. Those people are doing dirty things like going into the sewer just to make you King”
”To make me a puppet you mean”
His mother didn't speak back. She just frowned while shaking her head.
Footsteps approached them. His mother's eyes showed confidence.
”They're here” She said with glee.
But the people who emerged from the darkness were neither filthy nor smelly. They wore clean clothes topped with armor. They were royal guards of both Vanadis and Castonia. The leading person was a giant who could squash a skull with one hand. Arthur was once threatened by this giant.
His mother rose abruptly. ”What are you doing here!?”
”Shouldn't we be here?” Abraham replied. He looked at Arthur ”Prince Arthur, everything is ready”
”Arthur what is he saying?” His mother asked.
Arthur didn't mind her. ”Take my mother to the her quarters and guard her”
Two guards moved to hold his mother.
”Arthur what are you doing!?”
”My responsibility mother. Every citizen of Vanadis has a responsibility to defend the Queen.”
”Defend the...You have betrayed us!?” Her eyes were brimming with rage.
Arthur turned his head to her one last time before going with Abraham and the rest of the royal guards.
”Arthur answer me! You cannot do this to me! Arthur!” Those were her last shouts as she was dragged away.
Arthur sighed. His posture was firm but his hand was shaking.
”Are you nervous sire?” Abraham asked
”Can my armor shield me against a sword?”
”You're wearing plate with mail doublet underneath. You'll be fine sire”
Arthur shook his head and smiled ”I am a coward aren't I?”
Abraham patted his back. The force of the pat almost made him cough his lungs out. ”I was a coward once. I watched a little boy killed and did nothing. You, on the other hand, volunteered to join us. You are not a coward”
”Thank you” Arthur said. His heart was still beating fast and his hands were still shaking. But his body was moving towards the sewers.
He let out a silent curse and just gritted his teeth.