The Noble Pirate

an unfinished Enterprise AU story by TexasAries

 

 

The throne room was filled to the limit, packed with lords and ladies of the realm as they waited for the council that was meeting behind close doors.  More than one face showed the strain of worry and fear as they mingled with each other.

 

Inside of the council room King Thomas, the Prince and his council were meeting to discuss the attack on the port town of Cornathe.  It had two days since the first reports had rolled in, telling of the total devastation of the town.  Where there had been a growing port city of close to a thousand now was now a giant hole.  It was if a large shovel had come down and scooped the town and a good portion of the surrounding area away, leaving not even a sliver of wood behind.  Even the boats that were moored in the harbor had disappeared.

 

The king had sent wizards and soldiers looking for any clues as to what had happened and trying to question the farmers that had surrounded the town.   The wizards had reported that the area was saturated with magic unlike anything they had encountered before.  The soldiers had found one farmer who had reported seeing a ship coming into the harbor just as the sun was setting, and from the description it could only belong to the traitor Reed. 

 

The debate over what to do had been raging for an hour, which finally caused the Prince to stand up and slam his hand down onto the table. “Enough!  We all agree that the traitor must be stopped.”  The prince paused as he looked around the table at the men and women that made up the council.  “There are only two men that can do this.  The first is Admiral Reed, but since the poor man has lost his mind then it falls to Lord Archer.”  Seeing the nods that had received the Prince straightened and looked towards the two guards at the door and commanded, “Please ask Lord Archer to join us.”

 

One of the guards slipped through the door to do as the Prince commanded.  The council started to talk among themselves as they waited, while the old king looked over at the prince.  “Son, I’m sorry that this happened.  I know Malcolm was your friend.”

 

“No father.  The traitor is no friend of mine.  Not after he tried to kill you.”  The prince’s attention was captured by one of the councilors just then, so he did not see the gleam of satisfaction nor the glint of madness in his father’s eyes.

 

 

 

This story is not finished