The Law of the Kingdom
an excerpt

PROLOGUE
Twins separated at birth
One the heir to the kingdom
The other heir to an ancient curse/blessing.
One girl
One brother’s sister by heart
The other’s destiny
A Kingdom in the balance
A Usurper on the Throne
And the rightful heir has no memory of his past.

Chapter Nine (ending)
A while later Andrey lay and watched the moonlight caress her sleeping form. He softly brushed aside the tangles from her brow and kissed it softly. “Farewell my Lady, this will be our last night together.”

Andrey packed his rucksack with all of his personal belongings and prepared to leave the manor. He left a short note for the manor staff and a much longer missive for the Lady Soriana. He knew she would understand his need to be true to the woman he had fallen in love with. He also could not leave without a final word of thanks to the woman that had provided him with a place to stay when he had nowhere else to go. They might end up on opposite sides though he hoped it would not happen, but even so, she would remain a special woman in his heart, just not the one he loved. He knew she would understand for in a way they were two of a kind, both loyal to the fathers they loved.

He borrowed a handcart from the carriage house and set out for the orphanage. He would return it in the morning but for now, he had an arrangement with Mistress Janyce involving a spare room at the orphanage and a bed in which to sleep for as long as he needed it.

Soriana awoke to find the letter along with two of her hothouse pink roses on her dresser. She smiled softly when she read the letter. Andrey might be gone but she had what she desired of him. She had the memory of many nights of pleasure in his arms and more. The midwife had confirmed her condition just that morning. That was more than enough.

Chapter 10 The Western Kingdom

Plans moved forward swiftly. Stefan defeated all comers and was made arms master of Kensington Garrison. Girard was doing well with the accounts and Andrey felt he had done the right thing for Soriana and the responsibility he had accepted from her. Soriana for her part guarded her secret carefully. No one knew of her condition and soon she was going to Central Kingdom to spend some time with LeAndro. Whichever way the kingdom went, she would have the lever her father desired.

A deep snow fell in the 13th Moon and all communication between Kensington proper and the orphanage was cut off. It was during this time that Prince Lysandre, Lady Janyce, Lady Toriana, and Lord Sinclair decided to leave. They departed through the forest and into the Western Kingdom. Lady Janyce’s six mounts provided horses for transport and packing. It was time to leave.

Toriana gazed at the forest with delight. The ice storm from the previous evening had dressed the woods in its finest lace and a white expanse of unbroken snow stretched before them. She sat by the crackling fire with a mug of hot chocolate and toasted cheese and bread on a stick. Things didn’t get much more perfect for her.

“Isn’t this beautiful Harri? How long has it been since we camped in the snow? I almost forgot how wonderful it could be.

Harri smiled at Tori’s enthusiasm. He could always depend on her to find something to like about the current state of affairs. Personally, he was glad they would be approaching their first town by this time tomorrow. Personally he preferred toasting by a fire to sleeping in the snow. “It is beautiful Tori, but it was you and Aunt Alicia that liked camping in the snow. As for me, I like my personal comforts such as a warm bed and a pretty serving maid.”

Unexpectedly Harri found his observation met by the impact of a snowball. “Tori calm down now. Did you really forget how much I dislike camping in the snow?” He was bombarded by a second snowball but the third one missed him and hit Andrey in the face.

Soon Andrey, Harri, and Tori were in the middle of a snow fight and Janyce stood at the edge of the battleground and watched them play. Each of them knew the journey could turn serious if not deadly at any moment but for now they existed in the moment. She had no problem with a bit of fun when it could be found.

Suddenly a lithe blonde figure dropped into the center of the clearing and joined in the fray. The three combatants were surprised but didn’t let up on the attack. After a while all four of the young people lay gasping and laughing in the snow.

“Thanks for not jumping me when I joined in; I haven’t had so much fun in ages. My brothers think they are too good for snow fighting.” The blonde young man spoke with a bit of an eastern kingdom brogue. “By the way, I’m Kearney MacGregor.”

“Lord Kearney, aren’t you quite a ways from home?”

The young man looked at the beautiful woman with the lavender eyes and grinned…”you could say that. Father said that when I turned 18 I could travel anytime I wanted to, even in winter when my brothers wanted to be lazy in their beds so…I’m 18 and here I am. Fun isn’t it?”

Harrison spoke dryly. “Depends on your definition of fun…my sister will probably agree with you.” He dodged the snowball Tori aimed at him that time. “I’m Harrison Sinclair. This is my sister Toriana. She turned 16 last Fifth Moon. As for my companions…”

Kearney looked at Lysandre carefully. “I know you…but you are supposed to be at Zhongnan Palace wasting away from some unmentionable disease. You look quite healthy to me, Prince Lysandre” He knelt in the snow in front of a surprised Andrey. “I still remember you sneaking away to play with me when I was in Central about six years ago. That was one of the best trips I was ever on.”

Lysandre’s features lit with recognition. “Lord Kerry; that was the name you called yourself that time. Please rise. I am happy to see a familiar and friendly face. If you plan on traveling with us, I’m Andrey for now. Understand?”

Kearney’s face turned serious. “I do. You have enemies. Your absence of almost two years hasn’t helped increase people’s confidence or won you any new supporters.”

Andrey nodded. “The last two years has been a little out of my control. I suffered from a prolonged bout of amnesia and am just now beginning to regain my memory. It was quite a shock to recover my past only to find out that I am supposedly languishing away in Zhongnan Palace and not expected to live to see my 28th birthday. The people that may have known me but chose not to tell me who I am labor under the illusion that I still have amnesia. I want to try and keep it that way for a little while longer.

“That does make sense but while you are here in the Western Kingdom you may want to disguise your appearance. There are a lot of people here who know you quite well.”

I don’t think I will do that though the suggestion is a good one. It’s not that I truly want to be anonymous, it is just that I want the story of my journey to spread slowly in the beginning.”

Kearney thought for a moment and brightened. “The rumor that you have been traveling the kingdoms incognito may work in your favor. The average citizen is going to believe that you undertook such a journey so that you could learn more about how they live and possibly provide solutions to better their life.”

“Exactly, but meanwhile I’m Andrey or Lord Andrey if that is easier for you. You’ve bowed to me once; that is sufficient until the day that I ascend the throne as Emperor.”

“Or if you are officially appearing as Prince Lysandre. We don’t want our young friend in trouble with his elders.”

Kearney took stock of the older woman who until now had been silent. “I don’t believe I know you my lady.”

“Mistress Janyce Idylwyld if you please. I am chaperone to Lady Toriana.”

“It will be as you say Mistress Idylwyld. “ Kearney bowed gracefully from the waist in acknowledgement of the introduction.

Janyce considered the young man carefully. He was Ian MacGregor’s son and would bear watching. He also seemed to have some idea that she was someone other than who she claimed to be. He was much too intelligent to be fourth in line of succession in the Western Kingdom.

With the introductions completed, Kearney turned his attention to Toriana as the group moved out once again. Lysandre kept glancing sideways at the two youngest members of the party. It seemed they hit if off immediately. Harrison had to fight to contain his grin as each time Andrey looked their direction his lips would tighten into a slight frown. The prince was going to be in for some bad moments over the next few days it seemed. He caught Janyce’s eyes and swore she winked at him. Obviously he wasn’t the only one to have noticed Andrey’s preoccupation.

Lysandre tried to keep his mind on the business at hand but the laughter and chatter of Toriana and Kearney was a constant annoying buzz on the edge of his consciousness…or perhaps in the center. He made it a point to carry on conversations with both Harri and Janyce but found it impossible to ignore the happy sounds emanating from the other two as they rode side by side. The camaraderie between them was that of long lost friends picking up immediately where the friendship last left off. He was annoyed and he knew it was just a knee jerk reaction but he wanted to strangle the blonde lad with the mischievous brown eyes. It was understandable that Toriana prefer Kearney’s company. It really was…and if he said it enough he might believe it. After all they were closer in age and both embodied the enthusiasm of the young. He arrived at his breaking point and knew he had to do something.
“I’m going to scout ahead and find out what’s in front of us. Keep an eye out for a good camping spot.” He ignored Harrison’s protest as he urged his horse into a trot and moved ahead of his companions. He heard a horse cantering up and turned to look. “Oh, it’s you Harrison.”

“Yes it is me. You idiot, don’t you know that you shouldn’t be scouting alone? You are the most important person in this venture. You need to keep that responsibility in mind.”

Lysandre had the grace to look ashamed, at least for a moment. “I know but…”

“Then stop acting like a green schoolboy mooning after the most popular girl in the village. You’re a man. Act like one.”

“Shut up Harri. I will not have you talk to me in this manner. I don’t want a lecture and in case you haven’t noticed, I am a man and that is the problem. Your sister is…a woman. Do you really believe you’d act differently in my shoes?”

“Pardon me, maybe I should have said act like a mature adult. Would that be better?” Harrison snapped.

“Mind your own business…” Lysandre suddenly heard himself and began to chuckle. “Listen to me…Listen to us, we do sound like two schoolboys arguing.”

Harri joined the laughter. “I suppose I do have to include myself in this don’t I?”

“You do. Let’s slow down and let the others catch up. I think I’m done with my jealous pique…at least for now. I’ll try not to be an idiot for the next little while.”

“Good. I’d hate to think I was offering my loyalty to the village idiot. I do have higher expectations when it comes to my ability to judge people.”

The sun was riding low on the horizon when the other three caught up. Kearney spoke, “There is a vacant forest warden’s cabin just ahead. We can stay there for the night if you like.”

“A cabin and a place for an honest to goodness fire…I’m there.” Harrison declared.

Toriana sighed in disappointment. “I was hoping to sleep under the stars again tonight.”

“Not a good idea Lady Tori. It will be damp and foggy tonight. You’d be running the risk of falling ill and the visibility will be poor besides. Believe me. I know this land and its weather.”
Toriana accepted Kearney’s assessment without further demur. “Okay, there’ll be other better nights I’m sure.”

Andrey glanced over at Harri. “If I’m not careful my eyes will be the same color as yours…green.”

“But mine are naturally green.”

Andrey smiled. “Exactly.”

After a warm meal and hot tea every one prepared for the night. Even after the lamps were doused and the fire banked to glowing embers Lysandre still heard soft laughter coming from Tori’s direction. Kearney had somehow claimed the spot beside her and they were still talking. He pulled the blankets up around his ears to try and shut out the soft voices. Eventually things quieted and he was finally able to sleep.

The next morning he woke to a fire in the cooking hearth and the smell of frying venison and eggs. “Good morning Lord Andrey. I took the liberty of starting breakfast.” Kearney looked up from the pan in which he was competently preparing breakfast.

Lysandre groaned. “Isn’t there anything you don’t do well Kerry?”

“Haven’t found one yet, why?”

“No reason.”

Andrey vacated his bed and began assembling plates and utensils for the morning repast. Breakfast was a relaxed meal with everyone gathered around the warm fire. Afterwards Lady Janyce and Toriana did the clean up honors.

“Tomorrow you and Harri will have this privilege Andrey.”

“But Lady Janyce, clean up is…”

“Don’t you dare say it Andrey. In public you may be my liege lord but in private it is a different matter.”

Harrison noted Kearney’s interested gaze on the two once again. He assumed it was probably because the crown prince was not expected to give way to anyone, especially a woman who had no acknowledge land or title.

That day’s travel went smoothly. Lysandre joined Toriana and Kearney’s conversation and found it to be a pleasant way to pass the time. Once he ascended the throne he would definitely invite the young man to court and perhaps appoint him as an advisor after a few years.

That evening they booked rooms at the inn in Edenburg. It was everything Harrison hoped for with a large common room and comfortable beds in each of the sleeping rooms. The three men took one room and the two women took a second.