Chapter 118 Loyalties
Isla Real
Four Pegasi were ready to fly. Nestor tried to tell Grey Wing that she needed one more day, but the matriarch was determined to serve. He could feel her anger.
Grey Wing: Do I need to pull a cart?
Nestor: I understand. I am sorry. They need food, and you are very strong.
The Pegasus projected an image of her rider cooking over a bonfire. Then, a vivid image of people eating him.
Nestor: My sweet girl, it is just some food for our army. It will help them kill those who harmed your family.
Grey Wing: Very well. Ready.
Nestor: Riders, have a good flight, good luck.
Hernando: We fly for the queen.
Floriano: We fly for the Goddess.
Chara: We fly for Folker and Corsino!
Danilo was standing by the side of the road with many others: Riders, messengers, heroes! Fly!
The four took off running and launched into the air at different times, separating and each taking their own path. Snowfall flew directly north, high above the mountains. Grey Wing traveled west and slightly north. White Stockings headed northeast, and Golden Arrow flew directly west.
On the ground, the queen held the hands of Kerstin and Lupita. Wulfhelm stood behind them, looking up at the sky like the others. His hand rested on the shoulder of the queen to show his concern. When they could not see any Pegasus, they returned inside the castle to wait.
The royal castle.
The son of the king was in a room with several captains of the guard and knights. The men had dark hair, similar eyes, and skin almost as white as that of the men from Puerto Blanco.
Victorino: Guards, find men in the city and arm them with whatever you can find. Begin training them in the fields outside the defensive walls. Pay them with a silver coin from the king and provide them with food. Warn them that desertion is punishable by beheading.
The guards nodded and left to begin their duties.
The Count of War: Your companies will go with the soldiers from Colina Verde to the Greenwood. Deliver these scrolls under a flag of peace. If they show aggression, fight only if necessary and do not harm the Unicorns.
Some of the knights looked at the others.
Victorino: I need the Unicorns. I have knights as powerful as those of the Blue, but without the Unicorns, Aurelio will end up winning. My father will not live for more than a decade, if that. When I am king, you will be my counts and my court. If possible, get Esteban to promise that he will speak to his soldiers. I want to use his honor against him.
The knights departed after drinking a cup of wine and swearing allegiance.
The city.
In many neighborhoods, the news spread through whispers. The news of a new king was unusual, especially so soon after the news of a queen. The most debated topic was the new law. Faith in the Pegasi was what sustained the people during the days of hard work and too few coins.
In one neighborhood, people sought the opinion of the elders. In another, they spoke secretly with priests who no longer held official positions. In the neighborhood of hunters, they bought beer at a tavern owned by Fausto.
The innkeeper was over sixty years old. He had fought in every region of the kingdom. He wore a silver necklace with the figure of a Pegasus. And most importantly, he knew some people at the castle.
Fausto: Tonight, I am going to the castle to see some people and ask them about some things. This necklace will never leave my neck.
In the air, above Isla Fortaleza.
Golden Arrow and Chara were flying at a great height over the island. The rider dropped a message wrapped in a white cloth flag. It landed near the castle. The queen, the young lord, and the counselors had discussed it for two hours the previous night. Finally, Olivia decided to send it.
On the island, a guard picked up the message, ran to the castle, and handed it to the captain. The captain opened it and read it to his other commanders.
Prepare yourselves to serve the queen in a war against the traitor Valero of Colina Alba. My warships will arrive in the morning. They will take you to the peninsula to fight under the command of Lady Marisela. If you do not answer this call to arms, you will lose your lives. The ships will destroy the castle and every traitor within.
The royal castle.
The elderly Octavio was sitting in his mobile wooden chair which was finely decorated with precious stones, silver, and gold. He was looking at an unfamiliar young page. The young man was wearing a royal vest that had some blood on the sleeves.
Octavio: Boy, what happened to you?
The young man: The fight. I hid.
The old man laughed: A boy of few words.
The young man: Yes.
Octavio: Okay. Can you read?
The page: A little.
Octavio: If you can read names, that is enough. This scroll contains lists of names of prisoners. When I write a scroll with the punishment, you will have to find the name and underline it. Can you do it?
The page: Yes.
Octavio: Fine. After that, you will take the scrolls to the building the servants sleep in and give them to the guard in charge.
The young man nodded.
Octavio: We will start tomorrow at lunchtime and work for an hour. We will work every day until we finish the list. That is all for today.
The young man left the room and went to the quarters of the servants. He entered the small room and sat down on the bed. The vest bearing the royal standard had been stolen from the corpse of a boy who died in the battle. The young man managed to go unnoticed by the nobles and guards for a while, but he eventually received orders to serve Count Octavio, as there were now fewer pages.
If they did not discover him in a few days, he might find a way to escape the castle. But now there were soldiers everywhere, in every corridor and at every door. He was worried about his family and was afraid of dying.