"Aye, me lord priest," he replied cautiously, straightening to attention.

"The body of the prince must be taken to the chapel, at once," Theobold said.

The captain hesitated just a moment, not altogether sure if he should be taking orders from this priest who had been banned from the royal court only that morning. He quickly realized, however, that someone had to take charge of things in the king's absence and with the prince now dead, Theobold was the next in line to give orders. "Of course, me lord," the captain said. "I will see to it immediately."

"The king should also be notified of this tragedy, as soon as possible," Theobold added, with as much compassion as he could fake.

"Aye, me lord. I will see to that, as well."

"Good," Theobold said, as he turned to gaze down at the body of the dead prince once again. "We will all need to be strong in the coming days. I hope I can rely on yer support, Captain." He turned back to the man and nailed him with his piercing eyes.

The captain took a step back from that intense gaze, but soon found his voice. "Of course, lord priest. I will do me best."

"Very well, Captain," Theobold said, turning back to the lifeless body. "That is all anyone can ask." He then moved forward and knelt next to the body, making a show of giving a final blessing to the fallen prince, but silently wishing that Valyrae's soul might rot for all eternity in hell. Finished, the priest stood and allowed the captain and several other soldiers to place the body on a plank and followed them as they made their way slowly to the chapel. There, the prince's body would lie in state until the king could arrive and the burial be completed.

Yes, Theobold thought, smiling to himself once again. Things are working out just as I had planned.

#

He was somewhat surprised to hear, just ten days later, that the king and his retinue was fast approaching the castle. Theobold had not expected that the king could return so quickly from his battles. No matter, though, as he had accomplished all that he had set out to do after Valyrae's untimely death. His power in the castle once more secure, Theobold changed into his greeting robes and went down to meet King Kroydon.

The entire population of the castle was gathered to greet the king; usually a joyous occasion, but today the people were muted with sorrow. Theobold, once again confident of his position, stood on the upper steps of the chapel, flanked by his black robed priests, and waited for the king to come to him.