Page 22 of Bewitched

“They have magic!” yelled the King, becoming very angry. “Sir Rhys, why did you bring fae into my courtyard?”

“They’re not fae. They are witches, Your Majesty. And I assure you they mean no harm. They only want to find a way to get back home.”

“Find them!” Osric called out to his men. Then he looked back at Rhys. “You better bring not only the witches, but the dragon back here to me. If not, you’ll be the one I’m throwing into the pit instead. Understand?”

“Aye, my lord,” said Rhys with a nod, knowing it would do no good to argue with his liege lord. He had given a command, and it was Rhys’ duty to carry it out.

He turned toward Zann and spoke in a low voice. “Go to the mews and warn Darium to get Talia out of here at once. It’s no longer safe for her. Then meet me at the foot of the Picajord Mountains.”

“Aye,” said Zann, taking off at a run.

Rhys looked up to see his mother standing near the gate. He needed to get her to safety as well. Since she was able to read minds like all fae can, he sent her a silent message. Go, Mother. Find Medea and Rapunzel and meet me at the caves.

His mother looked up and nodded slightly before turning and leaving the courtyard.

“Sir Rhys!” bellowed the King.

Rhys turned around, not wanting to hear more, but having no choice.

“I’m counting on you to bring back that dragon.”

“Your Majesty, you realize, I don’t have training in capturing dragons. No one does. We have never encountered one before, and there is no telling what will happen.”

“The beast is deadly and needs to be stopped. If you can’t manage to catch it... then kill it instead. As well as those witches. Catch and kill them all, do you understand? They’ll only cause us trouble.”

Rhys’ heart picked up a beat when he heard his new orders. He could never kill women. Besides, he liked Medea and her sister, and wanted to protect them, not harm them.

“I assure you, the women will be no trouble. They only want to collect their dragon and leave Mura through the portal that brought them here.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t believe that.”

“You said you were willing to accept magic again.”

“Well, I’ve changed my mind. It is apparent that magic only means trouble for everyone on Mura. I’m depending on you, Sir Rhys, to help me abolish it.”

“My King, with all due respect, how can you ask me to do that? You know my mother as well as my sister-by-marriage are both fae. I would never do anything to hurt them.”

“Then take the fae back across the mountains and leave them there. That is where creatures of magic belong, not here.”

“They are not creatures. They are people, the same as you and me. And you’re asking me to desert my family.” Rhys was torn. As a knight and right hand of the King, he had never disobeyed an order before. But this was a command that affected not only Medea and Rapunzel, but his family, too. He’d had hope that things would change when King Osric said he had finally accepted magic. Now he realized that the man’s words were naught but an empty promise. It was clear to see magic would never be accepted at Kasculbough, and this made Rhys very upset indeed.

“Sir Rhys, I admire you. You are my best and favorite knight. You know that. You’re like a son to me. A son I never had.”

“Thank you, my lord.” This meant the world to Rhys, since the King had been more of a fatherly figure in his life than his own father. He didn’t want to let the man down.

“My wife is deceased, and I only have daughters left,” continued the King.

“I know this, my lord. Why are you telling me?”

The King dismissed his guards with a shake of his head. Once they departed, he took a step closer. “Listen closely to me, Sir Rhys. When I am dead, I want you to be the one to take my place as King of Kasculbough.”

“My lord?” Rhys couldn’t believe his ears. “I don’t understand. You want me as your heir?” This truly surprised him, since he had no idea that the King valued him that much.

“I do. You are the son I never had, and I trust you more than anyone. I want you to carry on in my stead when I leave this world.”

“I’m flattered, My King, but it isn’t normal for a knight to wear the crown. Are you sure about this?”

“Of course, I’m sure. I am so certain, Sir Rhys, that I’ve had my advisor write up the papers already.”