The Prince’s Execution

All the rest of that week, the Prince waited anxiously. He had not much hope that Queen Jenelle would find out, but what hope he had, he clung to.

He wasn’t afraid of death, but he was worried about his people. If the Duke succeeded in his evil purpose and got the throne of Tierney, the people would be left without a ruler who truly loved them. For Queen Jenelle had enough already, with the trouble in the neighboring countries, to bother with the doings of the Duke. Though the Duke would probably get some punishment for executing the Prince.

* * * * *

The day before his execution, the Prince stood at his window.

He knew that it was almost too late to save him; he was going to be executed the next day. He watched the final preparations for his execution.

The Prince couldn’t sleep that night, he tossed and turned on his bed, and then he got up and paced the room. The knowledge that one was to be executed was something to provoke many thoughts.

The Prince had found out that her majesty, the Queen, was ill and was confined to her room. The Prince suspected that the Duke had slipped something in the Queen’s food to make her ill. But no matter how she had become ill, the Prince’s last hope of being saved was destroyed.

Finally, at about five in the morning, he sank onto his bed and fell asleep exhausted.

The Prince slept late into the morning, he was awakened by the guard, and the guard gave the prince his breakfast, but the Prince had lost his appetite. For he was to be executed at dusk that evening.

All morning he paced the cell.

A bit before noon, a page came down with a note for the Prince.

The Prince read it quickly; it said that unless the Prince renounced his throne to the Duke, he would be executed.

After he finished reading it, the Prince turned to the page.

“What is your answer, sir?” asked the page.

“Tell him that I will never willingly place a tyrant in charge of my people. I would rather die than do so.” The Prince answered, scornfully.

The page left. After several minutes he came down again. “Sir, the Duke wishes to see you.” The page said.

“Tell him that if he wishes to see me, he will have to come to me.” Said the Prince fearlessly, then he added “And he won’t change my mind one bit.”

He heard no more from the Duke.

A few minutes before dusk, the Prince heard the door of his prison open, upon looking up he saw two guards. “We have come to escort you to your execution.” One of them said.

The Prince grew pale.

“The Duke says that you may change if you wish.” The guard said.

The Prince glanced down at what he was wearing, a dark brown cloak, brown leather boots, clothes of forest green embroidered with gold and he had a green hat with a feather, he had been wearing these when he was arrested.

“I’ll wear these.” He said quietly.

“Yes, Sir, if you wish.” The guard said.

Then the guards produced a cord to be bound around the Prince’s wrists. The Prince looked at it in disgust. “I give you my word that I won’t try to escape. Just don’t put that on me, I’m not a criminal!” he said, frowning.

“Yes, of course, sir.” The guard said.

With one guard behind, and one in front, the Prince left the dungeons.

After walking for a bit, they reached the courtyard.

To the surprise of the Prince, he saw not only people from Sirine, but people from Tierney also. The people cleared a path to the stairs. And the Prince mounted the steps. At the top the Duke and the Executioner stood waiting for him.

When the Prince reached the top, the Duke stepped forward. “Prince, this is your last chance, will you do what I asked, or will you rather be executed?” the Duke said.

“Duke, my answer is the same as before.” Replied the Prince calmly, “Now, I have a few things to say.”

And raising his voice, the Prince addressed the crowd, “My people, I go to my death wishing the best for you. I have worked hard to bring happiness to the land, to help you prosper, and I hope that after my death you will continue to do so.

I hope that Queen Jenelle will place someone who loves you in charge of Tierney.

Now I have a favor to ask of you, do not bear any malice towards the Duke, I have forgiven him entirely. And now my people, I say good-bye.” And with that the Prince turned to the Executioner.

End of Chapter Four

(Goodbye, Prince, it was nice knowing you for four short chapters! :P)