Shadows and Kings.

[Rhalius]

((thanks everyone, Prince Edward has been up to quite a few things indeed...))

While the conversation between the kings and queens is proceeding well, an uninvited guest arrives..

With his four bodyguards, he approaches the gates where Sir Jory stands.

Prince Edward: "So your king is hosting secret meetings behind my back? Is this how he repays my friendship? Open this door, I must speak with him and the other kings straight away."

Sir Jory: "This is a meeting of kings, prince Edward. Once it is concluded you may request an audience with them."
Prince Edward: "In my father's absence, I AM the leader of my people."

The other knights and the vikings are quite alert, and quickly move closer.

Sir Godfrey: "I suggest you wait here quietly, before we decide to take you inside the castle as a prisoner. This meeting was a secret and you are not meant to be here."
Prince Edward looked behind him at the approaching knights. "Your kings have gathered here to discuss me, then I should be present. And I am going to walk in right now."

It seems the gatekeeper heard him, he opens the gates for Prince Edward.


As Prince Edward walks in, Sir Godfrey and Duke Alymere are quick to block the way for his bodyguards exept one.

Sir Jory: "If you are going to walk in here, it will be with only one bodyguard just like everyone else. And I am watching you so don't try anything foolish."
Prince Edward: "Yes yes, now run along and stop bothering me." He waves his hand dismissively at Sir Jory.

With a confident stride, he walks into the meeting to speak to all the gathered kings and queens. Everyone is quite surprised by this sudden appearance. This meeting was secret! how did Prince Edward know about it?!

Prince Edward: "So this is what an alliance with King Phillip is worth? First you host a grand tournament to celibrate our alliance, and now you are spreading lies about me, and trying to get rid of me? And the rest of you, did not tell me about this either?"

[Rhalius]

King Phillip: "You hired the Blue Shadow to kill me, the Dread Baron to kill Cedric, and a third man to protect the Blue Shadow. The third man talked, and told us you hired them. Now that you are standing here in front of me, I want to know why. Why did you try to have me killed?"

Prince Edward: "My kingdom was taken away from me before it was my time to rule. Now I will carve out my own kingdom, and I will be king!"

He continues. "And now that you are all gathered here together, I will take the lands of the others as well! I will rule the entire continent!"

Not caring for this one bit,  everyone suddenly grows quite upset and knights are moving in to arrest Prince Edward.

Queen Morina: "And just how where you planning to do that?" She does not seem impressed in the slightest.
King Ragnar: "The only way you will see my land will be in chains!"
Queen Valeria: "Lancelot, arrest the Prince!"
King Oberon: "This cannot end well for you, young prince. Please.. surrender yourself quietly."
King Phillip: "You will be treated fairly in prison."
King Miguel: "I trusted you! You where my guest many times!"

While the situation is heating up in the courtyard, Sir Gregorius looks down in silence, trembling with fear since all this time, the Dread Baron was standing right behind him with his sword in hand. Standing ready to step in if Gregorius had tried to alarm his guests. He kept smiling nervously towards his guests from up there.

Sir Gregorius whispered: "P.. please.. don't go through with this.. just walk away and let them take the Prince.."
Dread Baron: "That prince is going to make me a very wealthy man, wealthier than any of those kings would willingly offer."

Sir Warren: "Surrender your sword Prince Edward, and no one will need to be harmed. I have no problems with hitting a Prince so don't force me."

Prince Edward: "A mere knight cannot tell me what to do, no one can. Perhaps it is time for you to meet a good friend of mine."
He gestured towards the balcony, where the Dread Baron was standing clearly in sight now, causing many of those gathered to look up.


Dread Baron: "We can do this the easy way or the hard way.. surrender your weapons and form a line in front of the prison, or you will have to fight me."

How did they manage to learn of the meeting, and even managed to set up this trap? Will the kings, queens and their knights be able to get out of this?
These answers will come soon..

((will be continued soon.))

[Birdie]

I loved this line: "I fail to see how this is my problem"  Nice shots!

[PlaymoMan]

What an exciting turn of events! Can't wait for more, this is quite the plot twist!

[DrDalek6]

  You are a veyr good storyteller, I certainly wasn't expecting that Prince Edward is certainly a clever and sneaky enemy with many tricks up his sleeve well you've certainly left us on a good cliffhanger cna't wait to see how they deal with this 

[playmovictorian]

Your narrative is one of the best I have seen to far as you really capture the attention of the reader 

Karim

[Mr Raven]

Great story, it got me hooked since i became a member here! Can't wait to see how this will end. Great photography aswell.

[Pynedor]

Great new story, Rhalius! I finally had a chance to read through what's been posted so far and enjoy the pictures. It's always exciting to see what your characters go through in these tales.

[Tiermann]

Wow, was not expecting this turn of events at all. Great storytelling! 

[Rhalius]

((thanks everyone, sorry for the delay. Been taking the last pictures this week. Also welcome to those new to the story, there have been more installments before this one. ))

Taking no chances and not awaiting anyone's response, Sir Warren is quick to grab Prince Edward and take him hostage.

Sir Warren: "This ends here right now. Surrender and the Prince won't be harmed."
Edward's bodyguard is quick to lay down his sword and surrender. Prince Edward himself is shaking in his boots, seemingly quite affraid suddenly. He did not expect this to happen at all!

King Oberon: "Sir Warren! I cannot approve of this, release him!"
Queen Dominique: "Let's not lower ourselves to their level."

Prince Edward: "Yes, listen to them! let me go!"
Dread Baron: "Do you really think I care that much about him? I'll just hold you all here for a nice ransom then. I don't need him for that."

Warren releases Prince Edward, but keeps his sword aimed at him. "Looks like there is going to be a fight after all then.. I had hoped to prevent it.. Still, this one is not going anywhere."

Sir Jory: "Some fight's can't be avoided, we are ready for him."
Prince Edward smiles again. "Do your best, you can't defeat him."

Dread Baron: "Darn right they can't. Might as well give up now."

King Phillip: "You are not invincible, Ranulf. You will be stopped. We all meet our match some day."
Ranulf the Dread Baron laughs: "Muhahahaha, not today!"

While letting out his boisterous laugh, he jumps down on the table, his visor dropping down over his face.

The knights stand ready to face him in battle, forming the last line of defence before their kings and queens.

Outside, Prince Edward's other bodyguards have been forced to lay down their weapons.