Chapter 4
Weeks had passed since he had last been able to speak to Cybil alone. Anothy stood seething at the edge of the training ring where he was watching General Williams training the newer knights for combat and battle.
The reasons were many, if he was not busy with learning his duties as a prince of Mornalva, Cybil was out on scouting missions or something or other that kept them from having a moment to talk. He hoped to rectify that soon.
"Anothy, you and Darren face off. I want to teach these girls their lessons of close combat fighting" Williams shouted, jerking Anothy back to the present place and time.
Nodding Anothy stepped into the ring with Darren. They set their 'weapons' of staffs and wooden swords aside. The two men faced off with just their hands and feet their only weapons for the lesson at hand.
While they fought William's booming voice told the younger ones the basics and pointed out what each man did to keep the other from doing maximum damage during a fight.
Andreas walked up to the ring, and watched his son fighting the other well built man. He grabbed a metal sword; "Grab a weapon of your choice son" he stated, as he entered the ring, his voice carrying to the two fighters.
Anothy and Darren stopped simultaneously to look at his majesty as he walked towards them. Both confused and a bit sweaty.
"Are you deaf son? I said grab your weapon of choice. I am going to spar with you and see what that old oaf from your mother's home has taught you while you were away" he said, his voice tinged with a bit of anger.
Anothy turned and grabbed a steel sword, and turned to face his father while Darren quickly exited the ring they would be using.
The sparring began, with Andreas leading off the attack. As they fought, Andreas strikes became more and more dangerous. Anothy's eyes narrowed as he realized his father was not sparring, but trying to kill him. If it hadn't been for his training he would be skewered right now.
Cybil rode into the bailey of the castle from one of her scouting missions, followed by the pounding hooves of a mass entourage of guards, and a carriage that had the crests of Grandula. She quickly dismounted and shouted to the stable boys to come and take the horses.
People gathered around the carriage, all murmuring their surprises as a woman, with flowing blonde hair, sea green eyes and a regal gown of green silk stepped out of the carriage. All those gathered knelt, curtsied or bowed their heads to the woman.
"My lady, we did not realize you were coming" the steward blubbered nervously; "His lordship will be pleased to see you have returned."
The woman sneered at the steward; "Oh jibberish, we all know that I can't stand that fool. I came because I wanted to be here with my son and ease his transition into his role as lord." she said, "Where are they Micheal?"
The reasons were many, if he was not busy with learning his duties as a prince of Mornalva, Cybil was out on scouting missions or something or other that kept them from having a moment to talk. He hoped to rectify that soon.
"Anothy, you and Darren face off. I want to teach these girls their lessons of close combat fighting" Williams shouted, jerking Anothy back to the present place and time.
Nodding Anothy stepped into the ring with Darren. They set their 'weapons' of staffs and wooden swords aside. The two men faced off with just their hands and feet their only weapons for the lesson at hand.
While they fought William's booming voice told the younger ones the basics and pointed out what each man did to keep the other from doing maximum damage during a fight.
Andreas walked up to the ring, and watched his son fighting the other well built man. He grabbed a metal sword; "Grab a weapon of your choice son" he stated, as he entered the ring, his voice carrying to the two fighters.
Anothy and Darren stopped simultaneously to look at his majesty as he walked towards them. Both confused and a bit sweaty.
"Are you deaf son? I said grab your weapon of choice. I am going to spar with you and see what that old oaf from your mother's home has taught you while you were away" he said, his voice tinged with a bit of anger.
Anothy turned and grabbed a steel sword, and turned to face his father while Darren quickly exited the ring they would be using.
The sparring began, with Andreas leading off the attack. As they fought, Andreas strikes became more and more dangerous. Anothy's eyes narrowed as he realized his father was not sparring, but trying to kill him. If it hadn't been for his training he would be skewered right now.
Cybil rode into the bailey of the castle from one of her scouting missions, followed by the pounding hooves of a mass entourage of guards, and a carriage that had the crests of Grandula. She quickly dismounted and shouted to the stable boys to come and take the horses.
People gathered around the carriage, all murmuring their surprises as a woman, with flowing blonde hair, sea green eyes and a regal gown of green silk stepped out of the carriage. All those gathered knelt, curtsied or bowed their heads to the woman.
"My lady, we did not realize you were coming" the steward blubbered nervously; "His lordship will be pleased to see you have returned."
The woman sneered at the steward; "Oh jibberish, we all know that I can't stand that fool. I came because I wanted to be here with my son and ease his transition into his role as lord." she said, "Where are they Micheal?"
The steward pointed a shaky hand towards the practice ring; "In the practice ring m' lady" he said with a squeaky voice.
"Be sure my things are taken to the white chambers, and have a bath ready. My maids will see to the rest I also want a meal." she said, before setting off towards the practice ring.
Cybil followed the lady, her eyes wide. She had never met the woman before and she doubted that this was going to be the most friendly visit that she was going to have with the woman.
The two of them approached the ring where shouts and jeers could be heard from only meters away. Immediately the queen broke into a run. When she pushed through the throng of onlookers, she gasped. "Dear god no.." she said, her eyes wide with fear as she saw her son and his father in a sword fight with real swords.
Cybil came up to stand beside her; her eyes wide as she watched the two men. The men seemed to think that this was just a sparring match but to Williams who was biting his lip, Cybil and the queen they all saw it for a life or death situation.
"OH someone stop them" the queen stated, "He's going to kill my son."
Williams started at her voice, then he looked at the two men and shook his head with indecision. It was Cybil who grabbed her sword at her waist and rushed between the two men the moment a break was given.
She raised her sword and deflected both their blows; she swirled and moved keeping between them.
"Step aside Cybil," the king demanded; "Now."
Cybil fought the compulsion to do as she was told, using her training to the most extent as she faced them; "Not until this foolishness stops." she snarled.
The queen came rushing up to Anothy then; "Oh, oh my son. Are you hurt?" she asked her voice breathless with worry.
Anothy stepped back like he'd been slapped; "Elizabeth?" he asked stunned to see his wife, standing there; "What in blazes are you doing here?"
The queen turned glacier eyes on her hushand; "I came to be sure you didn't try to kill your heir, and my son" she snapped, "Come Anothy, let's get you cleaned up and I wish to talk to you."
Anothy nodded; "Give me a moment mother." he said, and approached Cybil. His father's gaze narrowed on him, and he just glared right back; "Cybil I need to speak with you in private!"
"She has nothing to say to you, and she has duties to attend to" Andreas snapped, stepping forward.
The queen stepped between him and Cybil.
"She will speak to my son, and you will leave it be" she snapped back; "Get in the castle where you belong and I wish to speak to you about this new arrangement with our son."
Andrea's face turned beet read with anger but he nodded briskly and led the way back to the castle with his wife following behind with just as angry of an expression.
Cybil turned her gaze to Anothy, "Let's find someplace private" she stated, "I suggest we leave the grounds on horseback."
The two of them headed to the stables and got two horses which they saddled and rode out of the keep towards open fields. She galloped for a bit, not looking forward to hearing what was going to be said.
Finally she slowed so they could match strides and talk. She looked at Anothy, "What do you want to talk about?" she asked.
Anothy turned his attention to her; "What spell is placed on you?" he asked.
Cybil bit her lip, then sighed and told him the story of how her brother had fallen in love with his wife who had actually been spying for Andreas and he had ruthlessly used their love to gain what he wanted. Her.
She had the spell put on her after had been betrayed by her brother who had taken her to a grove of trees where Andreas waited to cast it upon her.
Andreas listened and his anger flew hot and red. He gently grabbed her horse's reigns and looked deep into her eyes; "Cybil, is there any way to undo it?" he asked.
Cybil shrugged; "My family tried everything they could think of but found nothing to help," she said, then paused, "However I do know someone who may help. She used to be your father's psychic advisor before he banished her from the castle, because she had given him a warning that he did not like. She lives in Blackwood Forest. We could talk to her, I'm sure she might have something to say."
Anothy nodded; "Then we should go see her, do you think you can escape tomorrow? While the others go on a scouting mission?" he asked.
She bit her lip thoughtfully and nodded; "I think I can, I'll tell the others to cover for me. Telling his majesty that I had decided to keep scouting until morning. It wouldn't be the first time I've done it." she said.
Anothy nodded; "It's settled then, tomorrow we will see this woman you speak of and see if she can help you." he said, as they continued to walk their mounts around the fields; "I don't like what my father has done, and it's obvious he is looking for something more than just a great battle warrior. He's looking to get you in his bed. Unwillingly."
Cybil jerked a bit, "I have managed to hold him off for the past few years. I can keep him at bay as much as I can." she said, "I have not lost yet."
Anothy gave her a look; "He's been patient these past few years. He won't wait much longer, not with me now in attendance."
Cybil frowned, she didn't know why Anothy's presence in the castle would change the king's advances but she didn't argue. They continued to ride and spend time talking out the plans before they headed back to the castle.
Queen Elizabeth stood on the stone steps of the castle, looking peeved, but determined to stay. She watched as her son and the young woman who had led her entourage back to the castle dismount and split up.
The look her son had on his face told her much that he didn't realize it said, that he was attracted to the young lady. Hope bloomed in her chest, perhaps things would not be as problematic as she thought.
"Be sure my things are taken to the white chambers, and have a bath ready. My maids will see to the rest I also want a meal." she said, before setting off towards the practice ring.
Cybil followed the lady, her eyes wide. She had never met the woman before and she doubted that this was going to be the most friendly visit that she was going to have with the woman.
The two of them approached the ring where shouts and jeers could be heard from only meters away. Immediately the queen broke into a run. When she pushed through the throng of onlookers, she gasped. "Dear god no.." she said, her eyes wide with fear as she saw her son and his father in a sword fight with real swords.
Cybil came up to stand beside her; her eyes wide as she watched the two men. The men seemed to think that this was just a sparring match but to Williams who was biting his lip, Cybil and the queen they all saw it for a life or death situation.
"OH someone stop them" the queen stated, "He's going to kill my son."
Williams started at her voice, then he looked at the two men and shook his head with indecision. It was Cybil who grabbed her sword at her waist and rushed between the two men the moment a break was given.
She raised her sword and deflected both their blows; she swirled and moved keeping between them.
"Step aside Cybil," the king demanded; "Now."
Cybil fought the compulsion to do as she was told, using her training to the most extent as she faced them; "Not until this foolishness stops." she snarled.
The queen came rushing up to Anothy then; "Oh, oh my son. Are you hurt?" she asked her voice breathless with worry.
Anothy stepped back like he'd been slapped; "Elizabeth?" he asked stunned to see his wife, standing there; "What in blazes are you doing here?"
The queen turned glacier eyes on her hushand; "I came to be sure you didn't try to kill your heir, and my son" she snapped, "Come Anothy, let's get you cleaned up and I wish to talk to you."
Anothy nodded; "Give me a moment mother." he said, and approached Cybil. His father's gaze narrowed on him, and he just glared right back; "Cybil I need to speak with you in private!"
"She has nothing to say to you, and she has duties to attend to" Andreas snapped, stepping forward.
The queen stepped between him and Cybil.
"She will speak to my son, and you will leave it be" she snapped back; "Get in the castle where you belong and I wish to speak to you about this new arrangement with our son."
Andrea's face turned beet read with anger but he nodded briskly and led the way back to the castle with his wife following behind with just as angry of an expression.
Cybil turned her gaze to Anothy, "Let's find someplace private" she stated, "I suggest we leave the grounds on horseback."
The two of them headed to the stables and got two horses which they saddled and rode out of the keep towards open fields. She galloped for a bit, not looking forward to hearing what was going to be said.
Finally she slowed so they could match strides and talk. She looked at Anothy, "What do you want to talk about?" she asked.
Anothy turned his attention to her; "What spell is placed on you?" he asked.
Cybil bit her lip, then sighed and told him the story of how her brother had fallen in love with his wife who had actually been spying for Andreas and he had ruthlessly used their love to gain what he wanted. Her.
She had the spell put on her after had been betrayed by her brother who had taken her to a grove of trees where Andreas waited to cast it upon her.
Andreas listened and his anger flew hot and red. He gently grabbed her horse's reigns and looked deep into her eyes; "Cybil, is there any way to undo it?" he asked.
Cybil shrugged; "My family tried everything they could think of but found nothing to help," she said, then paused, "However I do know someone who may help. She used to be your father's psychic advisor before he banished her from the castle, because she had given him a warning that he did not like. She lives in Blackwood Forest. We could talk to her, I'm sure she might have something to say."
Anothy nodded; "Then we should go see her, do you think you can escape tomorrow? While the others go on a scouting mission?" he asked.
She bit her lip thoughtfully and nodded; "I think I can, I'll tell the others to cover for me. Telling his majesty that I had decided to keep scouting until morning. It wouldn't be the first time I've done it." she said.
Anothy nodded; "It's settled then, tomorrow we will see this woman you speak of and see if she can help you." he said, as they continued to walk their mounts around the fields; "I don't like what my father has done, and it's obvious he is looking for something more than just a great battle warrior. He's looking to get you in his bed. Unwillingly."
Cybil jerked a bit, "I have managed to hold him off for the past few years. I can keep him at bay as much as I can." she said, "I have not lost yet."
Anothy gave her a look; "He's been patient these past few years. He won't wait much longer, not with me now in attendance."
Cybil frowned, she didn't know why Anothy's presence in the castle would change the king's advances but she didn't argue. They continued to ride and spend time talking out the plans before they headed back to the castle.
Queen Elizabeth stood on the stone steps of the castle, looking peeved, but determined to stay. She watched as her son and the young woman who had led her entourage back to the castle dismount and split up.
The look her son had on his face told her much that he didn't realize it said, that he was attracted to the young lady. Hope bloomed in her chest, perhaps things would not be as problematic as she thought.