The Betrayal of Ancestry
Book One in the Betrayal Series
A Short Story
Copywrite 2011 By Amy Lunderman
Smashwords Edition
If you knew of someone’s future plans, would you try to twist them to your liking? Find out, when two children of feuding Lords, take matters into their own hands.
Chapter One: The seeds of discord
It all started on a Wednesday night, sometime in late August. The royal family and I were just being seated for dinner when the door man came in with a message for father. Father, being thoughtful of his family asked for the man to be dismissed. However the man insisted that is was very urgent. After my father, Lord Asher, gave us his apologies for his rude colleagues he left the room quickly.
Not to look nosy to others, but wanting to know what was going on. I asked to be dismissed to my room, for I had a terrible headache. After I convinced my company, I eased out of the room and to the door of my father’s study. I walked to the door on tiptoe, so that I wouldn't be given away by the creaky old floors. As I drew nearer, I could hear heated voices coming from within. I knew at once that one of the voices was not only my fathers but his adversary, Lord Damian. There were also two more voices that I wasn't quite sure of. To try to hear better I rested me cheek against the door and listened.
"My Lord, I beg of your forgiveness. But I have some grave news for you this night." replied one of the men, he paused as if he really didn't want to give the message at all.
"Go on and continue, Sir Michael, I wish to hear this news of yours." urged my father calmly, as if not to frighten him away.
"Well, two nights past, when I was on guard shift over in Lord Richard's manor, I overheard him and his men speaking. They are planning a revolt My Lord."
I couldn't see what was going on, but from the sound of things I knew my father was to shocked to speak. About a few months past, my father and Lord Richard have been having trouble communicating with one another. This has been true ever since King David put them in a higher station of life. Now however, I believe that Lord Richard is having some of his own plans. Not sure of the plans myself, I continued to listen.
"Thank you Sir Michael, I appreciate this notice. Is there any more information about this?" Again my father spoke calmly, but the strain in his voice held volumes of his feelings.
"Lord Asher, how can you act so calmly about this! I urge you as your second in command that we get to the bottom of this at once!" This was from Lord Damian. His outburst didn't go unnoticed; however he is usually very emotional about political issues. So his outburst was explained away by habit.
"Lord Damian, I greatly insist that we do get to bottom of this issue very quickly. However, I do not think rushing into this would be very wise. As of yet we do not know any more of this, now if you'd let me continue, we will."
"Yes, My Lord. My greatest apologies." From the different range in Lord Damien’s voice, I could picture him kneeling on the ground with his head bowed.
"That is all, my friend, all is forgiven. Now, Sir Michael, please continue."
"Actually, My Lord, all I can say at this point is not very much. Lord Richard has taken it upon himself to branch out his beliefs. From what I heard he and his many followers, believe that there is a better God to be praised. They believe that it is not The Lord Our God All Mighty that we pray to, but a more solid human form." I could tell that he rushed quite quickly saying this, for I imagined he was nervous.
"I'm sorry, but are you saying that he is not following our great King David but someone else. This someone else is being treated as if a God?" My father’s voice had an urgent plea to, as if he wanted Lord Michael to prove him wrong.
"That is correct My Lord. From knowing that, I also believe that they, meaning Lord Richard and his men, will try to recruit some men that also believe in this. So, the revolt that I mentioned, I fear will come from this testimony."
All was quiet for a moment after this. I dared not breathe for a moment, in chance that I might miss ones voice, but I still didn't hear a thing. Down the corridor from hence I came, I heard some footsteps heading my way. Not wanting to get caught spying I fled to my rooms. Once I was inside, I closed the door and leaned against it. I began to think on what I overheard in the study. Evidently, Lord Richard is up to some nasty little plans. After a moment I felt a sting of betrayal, for I should have been informed of such things. After all, I have been contact with Sir Micah, Lord Richards’s eldest son.
This relationship all began some time ago, for once I was allowed to witness one of my father’s meetings. At this meeting I was introduced to Micah, at first I thought he was an arrogant suck up. Then I came to realize, that he was good at paying attention to others and foiling there plans. I took this bit, as something we had in common. So, since then we have been exchanging news to each other on political babblings. So this news of a future revolt came to me as a great shock. However, knowing that Micah and I are kindred spirits, I should have expected a double cross. I decided I would confront Sir Micah, come tomorrow and let him tell me the truth of the situation.
###
The following Morn', after breakfast was served, I told my mother I needed to take solace in my God and go to church to pray. After her appraisal, I hurried to the stables and rode in the opposite direction of the church. Lord Richards’s manor was quite a ride a ways, but I knew this meeting was of great importance and rode on anyway. Once I reached the outer gate of the manor, I spoke to one of the guards and asked him to bid forth Sir Micah. After some talking to, he finally went in search of him. As I waited, I pondered what I would say to Micah. Even though we do not express any feelings of kindness to one another, I still felt as if we should be able to trust one another. Should I forgive his forgetfulness to tell? Should I begin yelling about his betrayal, or should I act calm and let him speak his mind first? All these things couldn't be pondered long, for Sir Micah was hurrying across the way to me.
Once he reached me, he engulfed me in a hug and spun me around. I was surprised at first, and then he began whispering in my ear.
"Lady Prudence! You should know better than to show up here, my father has eyes all around." He whispered this and still held me all at the same time.
"I'm sorry; Sir Micah, but my father received some distressing news last evening. I came to ask if it was true." I played his game and whispered in his ear as well. To anyone looking at us, it would seem that we are showing a display of affection of one another.
"Sweet young Prudence, did you actually believe that I betrayed you in some way? What is this news that you speak of?" The way he spoke this, made me feel like a child, and being at the almost old age of seventeen, I didn't like it one bit.
"Not at all, I was just implying that I didn't hear this news from you, before it reached my father. I overheard that your father has great plans of getting followers to try to get rid of King David and start a new foundation." When I said this, I tried sounding coy. I knew however that Micah didn't believe it for a second.
For a moment Micah didn't utter a word, just breathed into my ear. He started to shake after a second more. Instantly I knew he was angry, and from that I knew he didn't know of this either. At once I was both relieved and nervous. Relieved, that my fears were untrue. But nervous that the best spy, my Micah had not heard such news. This is taken that Lord Richard, is taking great lengths to stay very secretive of his business. I also began to surmise that maybe after all this time Lord Richard has begun to notice Micah and his choice of activities.
Chapter Two: The blooming plans
After Prudence spoke, I began to get very angry at my father. Who does he think he is anyway? He's not a king, nor a great leader, and he never will be. My whole life is based on lies; honestly I don't even know the man that is my father. I was raised by nurses and maids, and some woman who believes herself to be my mother. This isn’t true. My mother died when I was very young, it was some freak horse accident. My father never talked about it, he just moved on and found another wife to give him children.
After I was old enough to know better, and not be my father’s shadow, I began to find my own cause. This cause is to make sure my father’s false purpose, is always under the surface. If it was to mean that I would never see my childhood home again, I would still bring my father down. It seems that he put himself and some others on a high pedestal, for which they do not deserve. I am going to make it my new life's goal to bring my father down in ruins.
For the longest time I just sat back and watched my father make a fool of himself. No one ever knew I was even in the shadows watching. No one thought twice to say things they shouldn't in from of me. Until now that it. I must have underestimated my father and his worth. He's been paying attention to me, and now he knows he has to be careful. Well, I will have to change that.
I let go of Prudence, and stepped back to just look at her for a moment. This girl, no women, will have to be the one that I marry. She alone, matches with my desires, to bring wrongs to ruin. We've never talked of such things, and we both thought marriage of convenience is absurd. Now I'm beginning to think otherwise. No one will ever see things as I do, only her.
As I looked at her a second more, I whispered. "You must go now; no one can know we've been in touch. We have to keep that secret till the opportune moment, where we will reveal everything."
"Of course, I understand. However, I need to know where we will go from here." I could tell she didn't completely trust me still, and that thought made me trust her even more.
"We cannot continue to talk of this here, for there are many ears that here all. Meet me at our spot; you know the one, just after sundown and we will talk about plans." I waited for her to understand what I said. Then I turned around and left her to leave.
###
Since the first moment I met Prudence, I knew we would connect. Our relationship is different than others, we don't love one another, and we have a more platonic feel on things. I know we care for one another, but it'll never be real love. We both have common interests in politics, and our minds are very much alike. After we began to communicate with each other, we both knew we had to keep it private. We than came to a place so hidden from others, where we could talk of such things.
I actually found the spot the day I heard of my mother’s death. When the news reached me I ran, I must have been miles from my manor when I came across a cave deep into the woods. I hid there and mourned the loss of my mother. Ever since then, it’s been my refuge and now Aurora's as well.
As I waited for sundown, I went to the stables to think some. I have to admit, besides our land the manor sits on, the area that houses our stock, is the most beautiful. I would never admit to such emotions, but it’s the truth. Next to the cave, I am most comfortable here. This was my mother’s favorite place to be. Even though it was her demise, I feel as though she is still here.
I leaned against a post and watched the horses while I thought. I knew I had to stop my father before he went through with his crazy plans. However, I had to find out who the man is, that my father put his trust into before I do anything. As I actually put some thought into this, I realized I knew who the man was. About a month or so ago, we began to have some new visitors to our home. One of them being a traveler, which has put trusts into our village. I heard he goes by the name of Sir Ruben LeBoeuf. He's from a very distant colony in Scotland. Here in the great mother country, we rarely took interests in the Scotts. Now I know we really should have been. It appears that the Scotts are working from the inside to take over our territory. I quickly come to understand and fear that this situation is much bigger than I.
###
Later this night, I meet with my Prudence, and tell her the worrisome news. For a while she just sits in shock, she too knows that we are just small pieces of a very large puzzle. As she took stock of the situation, she reaches out and takes my hand in hers.
"Micah, do you really think that we alone, could stop such rivalry's and deceit. I believe that we are out of our league here." As she spoke, the hand of her I held was shaking.
"Sweet brave girl, I think we have to try some, even if we are afraid. I know of no other way."
"All right, I believe this is true as well. I think I may have an idea, as to what we can do. As we know, your father is in on this plan. But, as for my father, he is not. I think that if we come forward to him, he and his contacts may be able to help."
I thought of what she said and it’s a very interesting idea. It may be a bit dangerous, but that make life worth living a little bit in my mind.
"Do you think it wise that you return home to your father? What if he knows of your betrayal, and tries to stop you."
"Your right, but right now my father doesn't know that I plan to bring him down. All he knows for now is that I've been listening to his business."
"That’s true, but all this frightens me." after a pause she continued, "This night when I return home, I will inform my father of the grave news. He may not understand us, but I know him. He will do the right thing, and stop things before they go to far."
She lets go of my hand and stands up to leave. Before she could turn, I stand up and stop her with a touch of my hand on her arm. She turns and looks back at me. With a look, I was warn her to be careful on her journey and on her confession.
"I wish I could explain with you."
"I know Micah, I know."
Then she takes off towards the opening of the cave, and disappears from my sight.
Chapter Three: The rise of mysticism
Once I reached the gates to my home, I started to get terrified. I wasn't sure I could come forth to my father, it just seems so scary. I knew that if I didn't get his help, life would be more terrifying than it is. So I began to walk briskly to enter the manor, and get this over with as fast as I could. Once I crossed the barrier of the doors, I went straight to my father’s study. For I knew that he's always in their late at night, he rarely ever sleeps.
When I reached the door, I stood there for a moment to get my barring’s and courage. I drew in a breath and as I let it out I entered the room. Before the door hit the wall, my father was already standing up from his desk and looking at me with a confused look on his face. I crossed the room in quick strides and stopped in from of him.
"Father, we need to speak. It’s of great importance, and you may not like what you hear." I stood with my shoulders squared and put a determined look on my face.
"My little Pruddy, what are doing out of bed so late at night? And what could be so terrible that I wouldn't like?"
"Oh father. I fear there are some things you need to be made aware of about me."
"What-" Before he continued, I cut him off.
"No, you need to listen, please. Before you say anything more, listen to what I have to say."
I took some deep breaths before I continued.
"Father, as you know I've always been very interested in all you affairs, ever since I was a little girl. As I've gotten older I've been paying more and more attention of them. Some time ago, when I attended one of your political meetings, I was introduced to Sir Micah, Lord Richards’s eldest son. Ever since then we have been in contact, and were trading information on business between our parents. It was mostly all talk, for we never told anyone this information. Until now, that is.
"The night before last, I overheard the message you received about the revolt with Lord Richard. I was just as surprised as you were, for Sir Micah never told me of this. I instantly went to confront him, but he was in the dark as I was. He also fears what his father will do, as well as the new company he is in. So here I am, standing before you. Begging; that you in some way, help in bringing down the treason that Lord Richard is making."
For a moment, my father doesn’t say a thing. He just stood there with a shocked look to him. The before I knew what was happing he swung at me. The force of his fist hitting my cheek sent me sprawling on the floor. I just lay there in shock, I raised my hand to my face and when I pull it back; there was some blood on it.
I slowly look up to stare at my father, for who knows what he'd do next. He is standing stock still with a horrified expression on his face. After a moment, he reaches his hand out to me to help me up. Not completely sure that it’s good idea, but placed my hand in his anyway. Once he pulls me up, he yanks me in for a hug; and sobs. I don’t know what to do. I never saw or heard my father cry. So I do the only thing I could think of, I hold him close to me and cry as well. I cry for my sins, and for my father as well as my country.
###
Sometime later, finds us seated on a lounger, in my father’s study still. He just sits so still with his face in his hands, not crying, but thinking. I on the other hand sit up straight with a cloth to my lip, to stop the bleeding. I still cannot believe my father hit me. But in a way I understand his reasons, he feels betrayed, and I made him feel that way.
"What else did Lord Richards’s son say to you? If he said he's worried about his father company, then he must know more." My father's voice sounded so loud in the quietness of the room. I turn to look at him, and his face hasn’t moved from his hands.
"He actually did tell me more, but I waited till you digested everything I had to say."
I continued on, "From the great number of people that have been coming to his home, there is one in particular that has been there a lot recently. He goes by the name of Sir Ruben LeBoeuf; he's from the distant villages in Scotland. We believe him to be working from the inside to bring down our King, ultimately to rule himself."
My father jerks up and glances at me. He has a gentle look to him now, as he reaches out to softly touch my cheek. He smiles sadly at me, before deftly getting to his feet. We share a look, one that I can’t really decipher, and then before I can try to question it; he walks out of the room without looking back. I know as soon as he left, that he must be going to go find someone to contact his second, Lord Asher. Knowing that my father was now going to be taking care of the situation, a great weight feels lifted from my shoulders.
Once my father left the room, I take stock of my currents surroundings. My father’s study was bigger than I had always imagined. Circling the room were book cases of old texts, my father collected throughout the years. From what my mother told me as a child, these books are full of spells and sorcery. Through generations of our family, witchery has always been in our blood. It has only been in the women's veins, and not in the men. My mother once told me stories of when she was a girl; that she would dabble in the arts. After my mother married my father, she swore she'd never practice again. She told me my father was terrified of the power she could create. I always loved when my mother would tell me tales, and I'd always pretend I was this great sorcerous.
And so, I gather up my long heavy skirts and I walked to the center of the room. Kneeling on the frayed rug on the floor, I ignore the way my long dark locks drag to the ground from my new position. With my hands I draw a circle around me in the air as I say a quick prayer to our God and one for the Goddess of power (my mother spoke of her, in her tales of magic, the one she always prayed to). Still kneeling, I lower my forehead to the floor and close my eyes in submission. When nothing happens beside a cramp in my upper thigh, I release a great breath I wasn’t aware I was holding. After a moment I lean back, and open my eyes. The room is just as I left it and I am just as alone. I’m not sure what I expected, but nothing wasn’t it. Maybe the tales my mother told me were just that; tales.
As I get to my aching feet to wait for my father’s return, I notice a sudden chill in the room. Glancing around, I search for where the draft is coming from; but the shutters in the only window are sealed shut. From behind me, I can feel the heat from the freshly stocked fire. That is when the whispering begins, and I realize the chill is coming from inside me.
To Be Continued…..
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The Betrayal of Magic
Book Two Coming Soon
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About the Author:
Amy Lunderman is a stay at home mom, with a passion to write paranormal romantic thriller's whether they be adult or young adult. She lives in Rhode Island with her fiancé and their beautiful daughter. She enjoys writing, reading, being a mom, watching movies and television, having dance party, YouTube, and status updates on Facebook.
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Connect with Me Online:
My blog: http://amylunderman.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/AmyLunderman