The Final Redemption by Michael Manning (novels in english .TXT) 📗

point was to be forced to jail the most prominent of hisnobles, but Tremont had left him no choice. “Captain, have himtaken away.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” said Mathiasbefore signaling the hidden watchers to send in theguardsmen.

Andrew Tremont merely laughed, a smileon his lips. The doors opened as the guardsmen on duty entered, butrather than putting hands on him, they raised crossbows, pointingthem at James Lancaster.

Chairs clattered as the men seated atthe table abandoned their chairs, moving to the sides of theroom—out of the line of fire. Captain Mathias stepped in front ofhis king, sword drawn. Lord Airedale had stepped back, but seemedvisibly confused, shifting his gaze repeatedly between thecrossbowmen and his monarch.

The air was taut with tension whileTremont smiled triumphantly at James Lancaster. John Airedale wasthe first to break the silence. “What are you doing Andrew?” hesaid, addressing Duke Tremont. “Have you lost yourmind?!”

James answered him in even tones,“It’s pretty clear what’s happening, John. Tremont is planning totake the throne of Lothion. The first step is regicide.”

Andrew Tremont laughed. “It appearsyou have a choice to make John.”

Earl Balistair spoke then, “You toldme Airedale was with us.”

The Duke of Tremont glared at himangrily, “He will be. I knew John would vacillate, so I felt itwould be better to present our proposal as a brute fact, ratherthan a vague possibility. It’s amazing how people’s opinions willfirm up under pressure.”

“How very like you, Andrew. You liedto each of them didn’t you? Telling each in turn that the othershad already agreed to your plan; do you think they’ll be happy withsuch a treacherous king?” said James loudly. He could sense somehesitation in the other lords, and he knew the longer he kept themtalking, the more likely they would be to lose their nerve. “Youneed not side with him gentlemen. I will pardon your treason now ifyou abandon his conspiracy.”

“It’s rather too late for that,James,” replied Andrew Tremont, gesturing to the men with crossbowshe ordered, “Shoot him.”

No one moved. The guardsmen holdingthe weapons looked visibly shaken. “No one said we’d have to killthe King,” announced one of them nervously.

Andrew swore and took one of hisguardsmen’s swords from him. “I’ll do it myself then, since no oneelse has the balls.” Facing Mathias he ordered, “Out of theway!”

The captain of the royal guard refusedto step aside. “One step closer and I’ll gut you like the pig youare Tremont!” he shouted back.

The Duke of Tremont looked at hisbowmen, “Kill him.”

His men had no problems shootingnon-royalty; four bolts appeared in the captain’s chest. Hecollapsed with a wheezing sigh, unable even to cry out, his lungshaving been pierced. He died quickly.

John Airedale’s eyes wereon James, and the former Duke of Lancaster could see desperation inthem. In that moment James wondered if his own eyes looked likethat. He wants to live, and he knows if hesides with me they’ll kill him. Lookingback at the man James silently tried to forgive him, beforereaching down to reclaim the guard captain’s sword.

The guardsmen’s weapons were empty,for they had all fired on the captain, and Andrew Tremont knewbetter than to let the King arm himself. Both Tremont and Lancasterhad trained with swords since their youth, but he doubted his ownability to overcome his old rival in a one on one confrontation.Leaping forward he stabbed the King of Lothion as he tried to prythe sword from his dead bodyguard’s hand.

The long blade passed through James’midsection, missing his lungs and heart though it tore through hisliver and stomach. With a surge of adrenaline he made it to hisfeet, sword in hand, even as his shirt turned red from a wash ofblood. “You were always afraid to face me weren’t you Andrew?” hesaid, spitting the words at the Duke of Tremont. “You are a cowardeven to the end.”

“This is your end old friend, notmine,” said Andrew Tremont with a sad smile before adding, “Itisn’t Ginny’s end either. I’ll be paying her a visitsoon.”

James’ eyes went wide, “You bastard!She won’t have you.”

“I won’t give her much choice, and thepeople will accept the transition better if the old queen marriesthe new king,” gloated Andrew.

James Lancaster took a step forward,trying to reach his murderer, but Tremont danced back nimbly. Theother man knew it was only a matter of time now, better to letblood loss and fatigue do its work.

The next minute was a grotesquemockery as James tried to reach his opponent, bleeding and turningpaler by the second as he lost blood. He gripped Mathias’ sword inhis right hand, while holding his belly wound with the left, vainlytrying to keep his intestines from pushing outward as he moved.John Airedale stood to one side, silent even as tears streaked hischeeks.

Eventually James could no longermaintain his posture and grabbed a chair, trying to remain on hisfeet. Andrew stepped forward then, thrusting through the cushionedseat-back to pierce the King’s chest once again. Falling backwardin a futile attempt to escape the steel that had already woundedhim, James collapsed on the floor.

Leaning over him, Andrew looked downwith a pitiful expression. “How the mighty have fallen,” heannounced dramatically.

The King’s eyes were glazed now, buthe still managed to speak, “Spare my children, Andrew,please…”

Tremont smiled, “Your children aredead, and I’ll be fucking your wife before your blood finishescooling.”

“I’ll see you in…”

Andrew silenced his monarch withanother thrust of cold steel, driving through the base of James’throat. “Fools should be dead and not heard.”

Wiping the blade off with James’cloak, Andrew looked up at Count Airedale. “Have you made up yourmind yet, John?”

John Airedale’s voice warbled as heanswered weakly, “The King is dead. Long live the King.”

The Duke of Tremont grinned insanely.“I like the sound of that. Now, I wonder what our good QueenGenevieve is doing this morning.”

Chapter 18

“If Your Highness would give me somemore time, I’m certain we can sort out any discrepancies in theledgers,” said Willard, rubbing absently at his bald pate. It was anervous habit he had developed in the years after losing his hair,though some teased him that he’d lost his hair because of hisconstant fussing with his head.

Ariadne gave him a severe look, “Iunderstand that you’d prefer