29 King Gregorius
1542 Words
Janus hadn't completely healed yet, but he was able to stand using crutches. He couldn't delay any further, the men at the manor were in disrepair and he needed to be there for them as soon as possible.
Yvaine assisted Janus with the help of some of the housemaids to face the King.
King Gregorius looked more tired than ever. The look of disappointment was palpable in his face as he glanced at the battered and wounded prince.
"Look at you, bruised and battered. No better than when you tried to kill yourself. Are you satisfied? After pulling one stunt after another. Now you have the audacity to face me?"
"With all due respect father. Someone tried to kill me, your son. And you can't blame me for Mydir, you purposefully called off the marriage yourself."
"I do admit there was wisdom in your words, why bow down to them when we can rally all the other Kingdoms surrounding them. An avenue we have not explored yet. But no, there is one more thing. Serfs and workers sleeping at Gracewood mansion? I couldn't believe the audacity, even for you. That property has been held by noble houses for hundreds of years"
Janus's blood boiled. "You took everything from us, what do you expect me to do? Let my men sleep out in the cold?"
"Let them sleep wherever they please, but not at the mansion. You have grown soft. I do not recognize you any longer, the proud prince has gone meek and soft. As a consequence, the Holy See and the council have seen it fit to take Gracewood away from you. All proceeds will now be seized by the Bank of Galedon along with all of its assets."
"Very well, but I will take my men with me."
"Your men? Those are the Kingdom's men, none of them are under your direct servitude."
"But not if you command it yes?"
"No not if..." The King peered into Janus. "What are you saying?"
It was time to play his card.
"I have hired messengers to random parts of the kingdom, members from shady guilds you've seen me associate with before. They are carrying with them information on Galedon Castle, its overall layout, and vulnerabilities. It has blueprints on the kingdom walls as well, every part that surrounds it. Information that can make this kingdom easy to conquer with even just a minimal force."
"How dare you..." said the King. Janus could sense Yvaine trembling at his side.
"If anything happened to me or if you don't give me command of my men, those messages will be relayed and sent to every neighboring kingdom for them to do as they please."
"If I gave you your men, what then? Gracewood is lost, it is not of my sole control."
"I found a piece of territory on the outskirts of Galedon where I can build my own place with my workers. Those who are loyal to me and those who wish to serve me. I have learned that there is plenty of lands around are borders that are unused, much like the lands outside of Gracewood. I will continue to pay taxes to the crown, provided we are left alone in peace. You can call it an expedition or an expansion project and no one would be wiser."
"So you choose to be practically exiled?"
"There's a place that no one wants. In the far off west. In between the Brimstone Volcano and the Forest of Mist.
The King laughed. "A barren landscape with an active bowl of fire and a Forest full of Monsters, is this your idea of a good bargain for yourself?"
"There's a small patch of land that has enough for sustenance. Found 300 years ago by an exploration trip ordered by King Ignatius."
"And all but one caravan survived to tell the tale. You'd be as good as dead claiming a settlement there."
"Then I'd be completely off your hands. I'll cause no more harm to the Kingdom. The Volcano and mountain range will provide me no access to the other neighboring kingdoms. And you'll have taxes from previously unused land."
The King pondered this. "Is there something else?"
"Yes, Yvaine will come with me."
The King looked at the Princess.
"Is this your wish?"
Yvaine fell silent and nodded.
"Very well, get back to your room. I will think about this with the council and summon you once I have made a decision."
Janus left the hall, with a renewed light of hope.
While waiting, he spent nights planning and sending messages to his men in the manor. He prepared the terms for those who wished to work for him, something even better than their previous situation. He planned their basic needs, basic infrastructure. Janus practically planned a settlement from the ground up using books and records he found from the Golden Library. He only wished those resources were accurate. The records also said that there were scattered bands and villages around those lands, but no one bothered driving them away or collecting taxes from them due to the remote nature of the area and its hostile environment.
When Janus was summoned, the Great Hall was full of individuals from all around the Kingdom. The Holy See was in attendance, on a marble throne that they set up especially for him. He sat beside the King.
Both of his brothers were there, sitting on opposite sides of the room. They were dressed in their best garb, looking proud as ever. There were also members of the council, names, and faces that Janus didn't care about.
Around him were the managing workers from Gracewood. Master Ringo the steward, Captain of the guard Caleb, Sandor, and Mirna - the managers for the fields and head of the househelp.
Sir Arthan was there as well, along with Yvaine.
Janus sat at the center of the room with prying eyes left and right. It was as if he was in a trial, but he didn't mind so much. There were people in the kingdom who relied on him, so he had to show himself at his best.
The court herald stood up and announced in a commanding voice.
"This is a monumental time in the founding of Galedon. Prince Janus Blackwood, son of King Gregorius Blackwood, shall be leading an expedition to form a settlement on the outskirts of the Kingdom. The crown grants the Prince the entirety of the Forest of Mist, as well as portions on the base of Brimstone volcano as his territory to rule. This is a total landmass of 20,000 acres as specified in this document. The Prince is free to do with it as he pleases."
Janus was astounded by the sheer number of land granted, looks like he received more than he asked for. He saw Marcus smirk, no doubt thinking all of that land is useless.
"As for those who will accompany him. There are workers around Gracewood who signed up to the petition. First among them are twenty guards under the leadership of Captain Caleb."
The Captain of the guard bowed.
"Along with a total of two-hundred and fifty workers and serfs, accompanied by and not including their families."
Janus nodded. That was a good number.
"All of the goblins that are currently working for Gracewood, as they have been released by their new owners, will be under the servitude of the Prince. One hundred and sixty in total."
"Preparations for caravans are in order, as well as supplies that would last them during the initial stages of their journey. His Holiness also graced the Prince's journey with a pastor to accompany him."
A man in gray robes stood up, Janus could see that he was on his thirties but he looked tired and seemed to be shaking. He felt pity for the man, probably thinking he was being exiled as well.
"The Princess Yvaine will also accompany the Prince in his journey as per her request, although she is free to come and go as she pleases."
Janus was amused by this, she seemed to have struck a compromise with the King. Fair enough.
"Sir Arthan Kleinman of the Royal Guard is also relieved of his responsibility in guarding the prince."
Anders suddenly stood up and every eye looked towards his striking scarlet plate.
"Sir Kleinman, you have proven to be a worthy Knight with a good record of service towards the Royal Family. You are hereby invited to join us to the Crimson Blades if you so wish."
Sir Arthan took off his helmet and lay it down in front of him. He knelt down, in front of Janus.
"I stand by Prince Janus and swear an oath to be of service to him if he so pleases."
"You are a noble and honorable knight, Sir Arthan Kleinman, it is my pleasure to have you on our expedition." Janus said
"Then from here on out I am relinquishing my duties to the Royal Guard, and serve as a knight under you your highness."
Anders didn't look surprised, but there was a slight hint of disappointment as he sat down.
"Very well then." Said King unceremoniously.
The herald continued his proclamation.
"Therefore it is decided that Prince Janus is now formally relieved of all his rights to the throne, and this arrangement stands with the seal of the Crown and the Holy See. May he succeed in his journey, and tame the land for the Glory of Galedon."
Wise words Janus thought, a good alibi to cover up for his exile.
- Writer
