Chapter 141 - So Close, so far

Instead of answering, Gutard, who kept his hand on Lex's shoulder like firm claws digging into his flesh, snorted,

"I'm more interested in the reasons the Church is suddenly so interested in the Princess. As for the arrival of a sibling, I feel that she would be happy. But at the same time, the disclosure of this connection would ruin our LOVED Princess's reputation. Let's take it easy with each step."

Narses swallowed, and Lex rebelled under the hand of the Sovereign Prince, trying to free himself,

"Well, but since Narses is here ..."

Gutard, however, easily controlled the princess in the Prince's body, putting his arm around Alexander's shoulders.

"As I understand it, he will be here while the Prior is, and we will have a new meeting soon. In fact, I am sure that I will have many meetings with the Bishop and the Prior, too. But there's no evidence that the body they found is Alexa's. Is that what we're doing here, next to the ossuary? They buried a person as if it were Alexa, without my consent?!"

"In that case, it would be appropriate for the princess to go public and dismiss the rumors," said Reuben, softly.

Then Lex understood the colossal problem they were in.

"Just in time," Gutard used his position to end the conversation when it became inconvenient for him.

Narses took a step forward, but didn't advance as all the Sovereign's men, including Balbo, moved towards him. 

But Alexa's sibling pleaded,

"Your Majesty, please let me know the truth. Allow me to see my sister! "

But Gutard, forcing Lex to follow him, didn't respond and continued to lead the 'Second Prince' with a firm grip.

Lex looked over his shoulder as 'he' was being removed to see his brother looking at them with an expression of unspeakable suffering. 

She felt a lump in her throat, but the Sovereign Prince, sensing that she would try to let go, spoke in a low voice, and that for Alexa, it sounded threatening.

"Don't make a fuss, it will be worse for you."

When they reached the Tower, Lex turned to the Prince, containing his fury as much as he was prevented from speaking further with his brother.

"My brother needs to know the truth."

"After I'm sure he shall know the truth, Alexa. You may not have noticed, but the Prior monitors what he does. It can mean a lot of things, one of which is that they don't exactly trust your brother."

Lex swallowed,

"But… I trust Narses! He's not going to put our secret at risk."

"Beautiful little thing, listen to me just this once. The Princess's absence is an annoyance. Everyone wonders where she is! Now the Church certainly wants to question her about everything that happened, from the incident in the villa to the spiritual battle in the Cathedral. For many, you are a saint, and for others ... You know very well. But if your brother speaks in confession what he knows, do you believe he will be safe? That Alexander will be safe?" Gutard seemed to search the bottom of his chest for a drop of patience to explain her.

"He won't say anything. You don't know him!" she countered, knowing she couldn't blame him for doubting.

"You are right, Alexa. I don't know him. But I know the look of a man. And your brother ... Maybe we can't trust him. I won't take any chances until I'm sure. So you are not going to reveal anything to him! " exclaimed the Prince.

"You can't stop me!" Lex yelled, against her own nature rebelling against him. Gutard narrowed his eyes, and snarled,

"Really? I already said, you won't reveal this until I'm sure! For anyone, not even your brother! And if I have to use force to keep you silent, I will! It's for the good of everyone!"

"You always say that, but what are you really doing ?!"

Gutard took the Prince and sat him forcibly in a chair, shaking his shoulders as despair fell over Alexa's heart. 

She couldn't bear it anymore, starting a convulsive cry. 

The prince ran his hands through his hair, aggravated. Turning to Balbo, he ordered,

"Cerdán, you witnessed all this nonsense and are responsible for the Prince's security. If she tells someone who no longer knows about the condition she and Alexander are in, you will both be punished. But you will be responsible. You will be killed for not stopping it. Are you understanding me?"

Balbo nodded, his face impassive.

"No!" Lex yelled, but the Prince had already turned his back on him.

"That's not fair!" Lex still whimpered, not understanding what the Prince meant by 'knowing that kind of look' ...

ºº

Feeling overwhelmed by not being able to do anything at that moment in Holstein, Alexa swore that at least there, in her real body, she would not fail to act. That was why, early in the morning, without waiting for Cymric to wake up, she and Alexander, in the shape of a bird, set off for Tanbury.

Although she was being cautious, and using the Red Lady's fast horse, her heart was pounding with fear. She knew it was a risky operation. But on the way, she told Alexander about what was going on in Holstein, and also shared her concerns about Magnus with him.

"Alexander, there's only one plausible explanation for why Magnus hasn't found us until now. He just didn't come to us."

~ I have suspected this recently. He's usually shrewd, and would be looking for us in normal circ.u.mstances, ~ Alexander agreed. 

"Spring celebrations are important everywhere, and more isolated people tend to celebrate in a particular way in each part. It's also the time of many fertility rituals ... Of many special births, too," Alexa said. Dallassenos who had the gift used to be born only in the spring. This was a strong indication of a newborn's special nature.

"We have to find out why Magnus didn't go after us. it's our priority. And I think it's, as Cymric said, exactly because the Red Lady wants a replacement," she said emphatically, as she rode across the prairie with Alexander in her saddlebag.

~ I don't understand! What exactly does she need a replacement for? Does she think about sacrificing him to the gods? ~ Alexander asked.

"Perhaps. But I don't think he's there willingly, of course. However ... I think the main reason for the duel, etc, wasn't about honor or whatever. She's just replacing her unwanted partner in a fertility ritual. Surely the Baron of Brentford was chosen, and she hates that."

~ WOW! Alexa! ~ Alexander was shocked. ~ Well, it makes a lot of sense! I heard that even in our region, in the past, there were many connected traditions and this kind of... ritual. And I also read that, in the past, there were gods and goddesses of fertility, for whom they did all kinds of strange things trying to improve harvests and ask for good births, and things like that. But... You are saying she wants Magnus to take part as... ~ he left the question hanging in the air, and he was really getting a little dizzy and breathless from the speed with which Alexa rode.

slowed down, remembering the incident before the trip, when the bird got so dizzy, that only the breath and embrace of a tavern maid recovered it.

"Yes, it's exactly what you are thinking. I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem for a non-Christian to be chosen for that kind of thing. I even suspect that you, for example, would like it very much, as you demonstrated that time with the tavern maid…"

~ Hey, don't blame me! I couldn't help her from squeezing me between her b.r.e.a.s.ts! I didn't want to, I swear! ~ Alexander appealed to her common sense.

"Humpt, it didn't seem to be a pain."

~ In any case, besides being an act for pagan gods, it is something planned by the woman who tried to kill you, and who killed our friends! ~ Lex changed the course of the conversation.

They could already see the castle towers in the distance, and Alexa decided to enter the forest to avoid being seen when approaching.

"Yes, that's why I think your brother is not a volunteer. Because Johannes and Ulrich died. "

~ So it's obvious that they took him, prisoner. How are we going to get him out of there? ~

"I still don't know, but I must find a way. Unfortunately, I can't just reach the castle gate asking for him. We will have to invade, and you must help me. You need to find out where he is. Although Cymric doesn't believe that the Red Lady has any kind of power, we can't take any chances."

~ I will do that and you will be waiting for me here in the forest, ~ Alexander said, also looking determined to help. He flexed his wings, which had been shrinking inside the saddlebag all this time.

"Please find him as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I can't wait for the darkness to act!" the princess reminded him. That would be very dangerous.

Romeo flew and Alexa looked for a good spot to climb a tree and view the castle's surroundings, and make her own plans. She saw that there was unusual activity in a meadow near the castle. They were setting up tents and pavilions, and the peasants were opening ditches where they would surely roast for some kind of festival. 

And it certainly wasn't Easter.

Her stomach had already roared with hunger a few times, and the sun had walked a good bit across the sky, when the little nightingale returned to Alexa.

~ Alexa! Magnus is somewhere inside the castle, I overheard the castle servants talking to each other. I came back when Jennifer saw me and shouted, 'ROMEO!' ~

Alexa was uneasy, and asked,

"What else do you know?"

~ A woman named Dierdre is in charge of making him a drink. The people of Tanbury are afraid of him, and no one is very happy or safe about the ritual which will take place in two days. You were right, Alexa! Some say that because he's a foreigner, Magnus shouldn't be the Horned God! They say it will offend the god, and it will be a great tragedy. They are a little resentful of the Red Lady and hope that the priests who are about to arrive will give their final opinion, ~ Alexander spoke of a single breath.

"Of course, this is a bad idea. Mainly because he's not a volunteer! " the princess grunted.

~ Alexa, they hope the priests decide to kill him, since he 'doesn't deserve' hosting the Horned god they are expecting. ~ Despite the explanatory tone, the princess noticed the anxiety and concern in Alexander's voice.

Alexa looked at the sky. There were maybe four hours before sunset.

Would it be enough to get Magnus out of the castle and into Cymric's?