Chapter 5

Clothed in a brown hooded cloak, Viera and Sir Rowry snuck out of the castle, deep past midnight. She hoped the cloak was enough to hide their identities, for her status forbade her from going to a brothel at this dead hour. It was no place for a lady, much more a princess. Finding her there would question her innocence and virtue, and no lord wanted an unpure lady.

The city was warm and awake with voices, drums, lutes, and movements. Local bards sang gracious as common folks danced delighted. Illusions and folk play had the crowds voices even louder, and opened bars filled men with drunkenness. It was an unusual sight for the princess, and her first time at the city at night.

She knew the writing on the letter too well, It was Raemona, and she was certain, but what truth could she know about her uncle's death? She wondered. She and the lady were once close as sisters, sadly they now lacked the time to get acquainted, slowly drifted apart by adulthood, and responsibilities.

She stopped before the brothel door, hesitant to go in. What if it wasn't Raemona who sent her the letter? She became unsure, but even if it wasn't, she needed to know the supposed truth, for if Veha was poisoned, she must know the man responsible. Summing her courage she turned to Rowry.

"Wait here" she said.

"Princess" The knight meant to refuse her words but she spoke to cut him off.

"I'll be fine Sir Rowry" she assured, still, he shrugged a resilient look, not pleased to leave her alone in the brothel. Anything were to happen to her, the king would have his head on a spike, but that wasn't what made him uneased, it was something else, his own desire to keep her safe. Unable to go against her will, he gave a slight nod in obedience and stayed guard at the door.

The princess walked in slow, to a gathering of naked whores and men, drowning themselves in the lustful pleasures of their bodies. It pricked her nerves, for she had never before seen such act except in books. The moaning in the place was loud and harsh, evoking an unusual sensation inside her. She walked past them uncomfortable, looking around in distaste, as she tried finding Raemona.

A woman sat at an empty table in a black hood, waving her way. Viera failed seeing the face clearly, but picked up her pace towards the woman. That must be her, she thought.

She sat opposite the table, facing the woman on a brown chair, wary as a cat. Capturing clearly the woman's face, a relief slashed through her chest, as her nerves loosen.

"I apologize for the late hour princess" Raemona said faint with smile.

"Why here?" Viera asked, looking away from the promiscuous acts behind her.

"No one will expect us at a whore house?" The lady told. Her sitting posture was graceful. Her long brown dreads dripped down past her shoulders of tan skin colour, and her eyes were brown as mud.

"I see married life is treating you fairly" Viera noticed. The lady was once thin, you would fear a little hit would break her, but the woman before the her now, was thick with great shape.

"I wish it was" Raemona responded, pulling her hood further, over her head. She was as disturbed to be here as the princess. "You would understand soon enough."

Viera looked away upset. It was enough she was forced to condone the union, she needed no reminder of it. "Tuthfully I do not wish to be married yet, more so to the lord of Grimstone" she admitted, rolling her eyes.

"You'll be married into the most wealthy family in the realm, do you know how many would gladly trade position with you?" Raemora said as though scolding the princess.

"Only a foolish nobel born would crave wedding that whore of a man"

"Viera!" Raemona called almost shouting, surprised by such absurdity from the princess. "Lord Ross is as nobel as any lord in the realm."

"And yet still you went for my uncle" Viera said annoyed, and they both looked away from each other for a moment, quiet as a snail with a brief silence flowing afterwards.

"What truth do you speak of in your letter?" Viera asked, bold.

Raemona turned her face back to the princess, staring strong into her eyes. "Prince Veha was poisoned" she said without flinching, without delay, brave in her accusation.

"By whom?" Viera asked hesitant, afraid of knowing the truth. She had shoved off Irene's word on the matter, refusing to believe any man would be brave enough to have the prince killed, but yet a man since then had her mind occupied. A man she fought not to believe could do it.

"Odis" Raemona confessed, and then looked around to be certain no ears held their discussion. Viera's heart leaped from her chest, it was him afterall. Still she failed accepting it as the truth. She had seen the tight closeness of the two brothers, Odis could not be capable, he showed no motive for the throne, or had they been blind to his hidden desire to be king?

"I have the confession of the servant who poisoned him, she fears for her life. Forgive me but I must maintain secrecy on the identity" Raemona added, with a plea in her eyes for Viera to believe her words, but the princess did not falter from her disbelief.

"Why are you telling me this?, Odis is your husband" Viera questioned her truth.

She knew Raemona to love Odis. Was her feelings towards him now different, as he planned on taking in a new wife? Could she hate him so much for that, as to lay this heavy accusations on him? The princess wondered staring strong at Ramona.

"Is it out of spite?"

Raemona turned away from Viera in guilt. The princess was right then. "Of course" Viera crossed her arms and legs, pressing her back further unto the coach. "You'll rather have him dead than share him with another woman."

"It is a shame you think so little of me" Raemona looked back at her. "nonetheless I tell you only but the truth"

"And what would you have me do with your truth?" Viera asked skeptical.

"Tell it to the king" Raemona replied. "You are sure to keep your head if you do, but if I dare, I would lose mine and we both know it"

Viera could only stare speechless. There was heavy truth in Raemona's voice, and now she feared she believed the lady. Could she trust this woman's words?, Raemona had never lied to her, even with matters concerning her father, lord Vaerin. Viera could read through her eyes the clarity of her truth, and her motives of telling her. Raemona did not only spite Odis, but she wanted freedom from the man.

Someone approached them in a black hood and whispered to the lady's ears. It must be her guard, Viera thought. "I have to go now" Raemona said, standing hurriedly. "Goodbye princess" she told and rushed out, leaving Viera with a heavy decision. Would she tell her father?.

They returned to the castle unseen. Viera made her way to the king's chamber, gentle in her steps but with utter defiance. The hallway to his bedroom was quiet, making the clicking of her shoes, the only sound present in the hall. Had the guards outside her father's bedroom's door been braver men, they would have stopped her from entering his bedroom at this time, but seeing the intent look on her face, and hearing the command in her voice as she commanded they step aside, their minds drifted away from the consequences of letting her in at such an hour.

She met him seated on his green coach, staring into the burning fireplace. He held a goblet in his hand, with a wine jug rested on the table before him. He paid no heed to her presence, taking a long sip from his cup, and here she was, with intent to offer first her apologies for disturbing his slumber.

"I do not wish to be here, but I bring you disheartening news" she said stopping behind the coach.

Raides still stared at the burning fire, refusing still to acknowledge her presence. His mind still dazed partly in his thoughts.

"It concerns my late uncle" she continued and it snapped him out, making him turn to her.

"And what about him?" He asked.

She opened her mouth to speak but said nothing. It was no easy thing to say, how was she to tell him?. She walked up to the fireplace and stared shortly at the woods turn ash. "I have confirmed the late prince was poisoned" she fought her mouth to say.

"What nonsense" Raedis said, taking in another sip of his wine.

"If only it was, father" Viera opened up. "It brings me great discomfort to say this" she paused, "I believe Odis to be responsible" she turned to face him.

The man chuckled, almost coughing. The silliness of such accusations was overwhelming to him, but despite the seriousness in her face, he ignored pondering about it.

"Are you so desperate to be queen, that you would murder your uncle's reputation?, are you so mad with ambition to conspire such allegations against your blood?."

"Father" Viera said aghast, shaking her head in disbelief. How could he think that of his own daughter? Or was he speaking from his drunkenness?. No, the man was sane, he wasn't drunk, his eyes showed it clear.

"I expected much more from you child, your mother would be disappointed."

Viera clenched hard her teeth. Seething down her sudden rage in his words. "My mother would be proud" she dared say, bold to his face.

Raides sniffed out a smirk, standing to his feet. "Vena was a good kind hearted woman, and you dear child" he walked closer to her. "Are spoilt, stubborn and arrogant!!!"

The strength of his voice would have frightened anyone, but not his daughter. She still stood bold in defiance.

"I am your blood afterall" she said, wiping the smirk off his face.

He returned to his coach and refilled his cup. "I forbid you from laying such accusations against your uncle."

"Or what?"

"I will disinherit you from every thing in your name" he said with no bluff, and she knew he meant it.

"You would choose Odis over me?" she said questioning, but he gave no response, ignoring her yet again. "I hate the gods for making you my father" she said, and the king snapped in anger.

"Leave my chambers" he ordered, and she did gracefully, with her shoulders held high.