SWNOVELS Chapter 24
Hennesy was frightened, having no idea what was happening to him. Although his descent had slowed, it seemed he had been falling forever. Was he in some kind of tunnel? Now able to turn, he twisted his body this way and that as he fell. Unable to grab on to anything to stop his fall, he wondered in panic where he would end up and when he would reach the end of this horrible journey. He could never have imagined anything like this ever happening.
All at once, he felt another presence. He was no longer alone. Someone now occupied the tunnel space above him. Relieved that his plight may be ending, he called out with all the strength he could muster, “Who is there? Help me! I cannot stop falling!” Completely amazed,Hennesy heard an all too familiar voice respond.
“Father?”
Tarcey? How in the world had they both managed to get into this predicament? Flipping on to his back, he yelled upward, “Tarcey! What is happening? How did you get here?”
“That Syntaba did this. He used to serve the D’Arragon Kings, centuries ago!” bellowed Tarcey, fearfully. Syntaba made sure that Tarcey D’Arquille knew exactly who he was dealing with before he sent him, with a flick of his jeweled fingers, to join in his father’s peril.
Feeling bewildered at the turn of events, he had no idea what his son was talking about. Hennesy filled Tarcey in on what happened to him. “One minute I stood in my room and the next I fell through the floor to here where I have been falling ever since! I cannot stop myself! Now it seems we are both in this same predicament!”
Tarcey became extremely frightened as he listened to his father’s tale. “Maybe we will never stop!” he cried out.
However, at that moment, without warning, the pair felt a fierce gust of wind spring up around them causing the speed of their fall to increase. Before they had time to protest, they landed abruptly on their feet and, strangely, without harm.
“Where are we?” Hennesy shouted, looking around fearfully.
Hanging on to one another in case they began descending into another fall, father and son looked carefully around them in the darkness. They heard a voice, solemn and stern.
“You are in the throne room of the D’Arragon Kings.” It was King Roger who spoke from the darkness.
The room immediately brightened and the D’Arquilles saw at last where they had landed only moments ago. Roger, King of D’Arragon, sat upon the ornate throne, wearing the jeweled crown that D’Arragon kings had worn for centuries. Its numerous rubies and diamonds sparkled brilliantly in the rising sun that shone through the many windows.
Seated on his right hand side was Queen MaryAnne and on his left sat the twin princes. All wore similar crowns and robes that befitted their roles in the royal dynasty.
Hennesy, noting the grave expressions of those facing him, began to worry. How was he to get out of this precarious situation in one piece?
Beginning to explain, his voice faltered at times. He rambled on in his attempts to get into the good graces of his cousin. Clearing his throat at intervals, he tried to minimize his treachery, offering to give up his claim for his own son to sit on this very throne.
Tarcey interrupted his father, his face red and furious. “But that throne is rightfully mine, father! You promised!”
Nudging his son sharply in the ribs, Hennesy managed to silence him. “A misunderstanding, my King,” he blustered, while Tarcey kept silent, but continued to stare furiously at the D’Arragons.
“It seems you have carried your treachery a bit far for a mere misunderstanding, cousin. You would have brought real harm to my sons, had you succeeded in your treason.” Roger’s voice was cold and unyielding in his anger.
Queen MaryAnne, her voice just as cold, agreed, “Treason is no small matter, Hennesy.”
Ivan and Quinn, who looked every bit as regal as their father, added their own thoughts on the matter.
“You must be dealt with for your treachery,” said Ivan.
“You and your son. You showed us no mercy,” agreed Quinn. The young princes were as unyielding as the king.
A voice sounded behind the pair of traitors, who were just beginning to realize the extent of their treason and its potential, severe consequences. They spun around.
Facing an older man with greying beard and hair, they noticed his long flowing robes. He sat at a small, round table with two others. Even though no crown sat upon his head, his bearing was as regal as those who wore the D’Arragon crowns.
Beside him sat a young woman, her shiny, dark brown tresses coiled around her head. Her gown was long and trimmed with sparkling sequins. Across from her was a child, dressed in a gown fit for a princess. A small, jeweled tiara sat on her head.
Hennesy stared. Who were these people?
Tarcey whispered, “Syntaba! The one I told you about! He put us in the tunnel somehow!”
Hennesy felt a chill come over him and stood shivering with fear.
Syntaba spoke. “It seems your son still believes he has a right to the D’Arragon throne, Hennesy. I wonder who put that idea into his head.”
“That throne is mine. My father’s army will see to you!” the selfish Tarcey retorted, determined not to give up his claim to the throne even though it was a false one.
“I am afraid your father’s army has deserted you both and run for the hills. They are no more,” the king informed them.
The pair stood silent, one shivering in fear and the other furious.
“We do have a throne for you Tarcey, if you
want it.” Turning around, the D’Arquilles faced King Roger again, their faces hopeful that the king would relent.
“Yes, we do,” said the Queen.
“I want it! I want it now!” Tarcey demanded.
Hennesy remained quiet, not knowing what to
expect. King Roger rose up from the throne, as did the rest of his royal family. Krikkit and the sorcerers did the same.
“You are therefore banished to a place where
you will cause no further harm to the D’Arragons or anyone else. You will be king of your own kingdom as you have desired. You should be very happy.”
Tarcey’s face lit up at the king’s proclamation. “I
can’t wait. I have known since childhood that I am destined to be a king. My father has prepared me well.”
“Then King Tarcey you shall be. Your father can help you rule your very own kingdom,” King Roger added.
“Wait! Where is this kingdom my son is to rule?” asked the elder D’Arquille, fearfully.
The answer, however, was not forthcoming. Everyone in the room remained silent and grim. Before Hennesy could ask again, the throne room grew dark. Then, a brilliant light surrounding
Syntaba glowed and shimmered. Nodding his head, the D’Arquilles vanished into the air around them. All traces of the D’Arquille’s existence disappeared with them and only a solemn silence remained.