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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 4.6 Thaddius

Thaddius reclined lazily across the small wooden bench on his balcony just to the left of the double-doors that led back to his bed chamber. The evening air was crisp but, then again, he considered anything less than freezing to be 'cool'. His father had despised the cold, so he attributed his affinity for cool weather entirely to his mother. She had been an angel made flesh; pure white fur, heavenly smile, and the singular grace of an entire celestial choir.

He understood the loss his sister felt without the Queen Mother, though they each had an entirely different way of showing it; Noriene had forsaken the church for their inability to save their mother's life while Thaddius embraced the Church because they had been able to save the Queen Mother's eternal soul. Truth be told, he pitied his sister for her inability to understand anything but what lay in front of her. Thaddius often found himself wishing that she were more like Malcom.

Malcom... the merest thought of his young brother brought a smile to the Wolf's muzzle and a wag to his tail. The Prince Regent brushed his claws through the fur on his arm, considering the many thoughtful messages they'd shared and the numerous visits together they'd enjoyed. Malcom was not one to be concerned with ceremony and had, on more than one occasion, shown up without invitation or announcement; he was welcome each time... until Brother Maynard pointed out that it simply wasn't proper.

After that point the public visits had stopped... and that's when the adventurous young Wolf started showing up mysteriously on his balcony-- thirty feet above the ground. Thaddius had still never quite figured out how he did it. Of course, those visits had ended once the issues began in Newport, and, after that, their connection had been limited to missives delivered by pigeon. Unfortunately, however, those messages had also stopped, and Thaddius was not just disappointed; he was worried.

He hadn't heard from his brother for over a week, thus the Prince Regent began spending more and more time staring at the empty perches where pigeons should have been standing ready. Thaddius had numerous pigeons set aside for contacting Malcom; his younger brother traveled between several different Tribal camps at regular intervals so it was never hard to figure out which pigeon to use... until he stopped getting replies. Now, with no pigeons left, all Thaddius could do was wait... and fret... and stew-- the sitting bench found its way into the air and over the side of the balcony-- he could also throw quite a tantrum.

The satisfying crunch of the bench landing on the cobblestones below gave the Wolf some small measure of comfort. If nothing else, his choice of stress relief would provide income for a loyal wood worker but, in the long term he realized that would be one more thing for which Brother Maynard will require an explanation. The old Priest was a Godsend for the haunted Prince Regent, but sometimes the poor Dog just didn't have the insight that it seemed Thaddius alone held. He often tried to explain the portents, visions, and prophecies floating around in his mind but it always seemed to be beyond Brother Maynard's understanding.

Then there was Malcom. His younger brother was just as blind when it came to the messages that Thaddius' second-sight provided, but at least the young prince was willing to listen, and that simple act, along with his open acceptance of them and eagerness to discuss their meaning meant the world to Thaddius. Perhaps that was why he was so restless; he certainly missed having that camaraderie.

Restless-- yes, that was the word; Thaddius was restless. He hadn't received any information from his brother and Brother Maynard was, as usual, quite tight-lipped about anything and everything that took place outside the castle walls. There was no limit to the Prince Regent's frustration at being left in the dark; he thought many times that he was going to lose his mind from not knowing. Thankfully, Brother Maynard was generous enough to at least let him know that Sir Umberto got Evelyn safely to his sister's... which, he was reminded by the old priest at least a dozen times since, was a very bad idea.

Brother Maynard went further to say that the steam carriage had been attacked on the road. He reinforced the foolishness of the decision by pointing out that the driver had been killed and the vehicle destroyed. Nevertheless, Thaddius was eager to counter that Sir Umberto had proven that the Prince Regent's trust in him was well-founded, and pulled through, getting Lady Evelyn to Newport safely... to which the old Priest had no counter. In the end, the discussion had been something of a stalemate, and Brother Maynard had left Thaddius' chambers with a calm-but-distinct-glower.

The Priest had apparently considered the discussion complete as it had been nearly a half day since anyone had stopped by to speak with Thaddius, but the Prince Regent hardly considered the matter settled. Not only had Lady Evelyn been attacked, but it was readily apparent that the situation seemed more displeasing for the Church because Thaddius hadn't checked with them rather than an innocent woman's life had been threatened. No, he decided, such an affront to common decency could not go unanswered. Heading back into his room, the Prince Regent decided that it was time for him to act.

Thaddius had over thirty years of experience using a sword; if push came to shove he was a capable swordsman and knew four different styles of combat with a blade alone-- that number increased to over seventeen once other weapons and unarmed melee were taken into account. While he could have chosen any martial weapon, he realized that his greatest strength was not in cutting down the brigands himself, no matter how much he wanted. Taking a seat at his writing desk, the Prince Regent selected his tools of choice: a quill, an ink well, and a scroll. He went to war immediately with no reservations about preparing the most firmly-worded decree that he had ever chosen to pen.

Thaddius had little doubt in his ability to compose something worthy of the royal pen and create a presentation that would inspire and guide his people-- but, he knew his limitations and was well aware that his penmanship was atrocious. His letter was comprised of three parts, made specifically so that Brother Maynard would be well-informed by the first section and the royal scrivener would be able to copy the royal decree contained in the second and third portion for general distribution.

The first portion of his letter was two paragraphs in length, informing Brother Maynard that he was to take the second part of the letter in no less than a thousand copies, and that each copy was to be distributed to every bulletin board, every inn, every marketplace, and every town crier in Lehsunia. The third part of the letter was to be recreated as many times as needed so that a copy sent to every household, business, or organization that had at least one woman of age within its walls.

The second portion of the letter called for an increase of soldiers patrolling the main roads of Lehsuia. It had an open invitation for young men wishing to serve their royal family and country to report to the nearest barracks, town center, or militia hall and enlist. The letter also pointed out in no uncertain terms that all true and noble travelers within Lehsunia were specifically and forever under the kingdom's protection. Any highwaymen, cutthroats, brigands, thugs, or miscreants caught harming, threatening, or stealing any such person would be charged with treason as if they had attacked a member of the royal household.

Finally, the third section of the letter, perhaps the most important part, addressed an even more serious problem that had continued to gnaw at the Prince Regent's brain, keeping him up at night and causing him to fret during the day. Although Brother Maynard had done as Thaddius had asked and announced to the people of Lehsunia that all within the kingdom were to wear undergarments of red and red-like hue, the thoughtful Priest had provided him ample warning that there was no reasonable way to ensure that the decree was being followed. To this end, the ever-diligent Wolf realized that balance would best be kept with a follow-up announcement.

Doubtlessly those most loyal to Lehsunia would do as they were told but, Thaddius was a realist and knew that not everyone could be counted on. So, to make up for their messy oversight, he would decree that all women should tie their hair back with red bows. True, the bows were not undergarments, but he reasoned that participation from all women would make up for the shortcomings of some wretched few who refused to don the appropriate color beneath their over-clothes. Yes, he reasoned, finishing off the royal decree, the entire kingdom would benefit from such a perfect plan.

The Prince Regent slammed his open palm down on the desk when he realized the downfall in such a design, "Damn! Short haired women wear no ribbons!" Thaddius jammed the quill back in the inkwell as he started pacing; had all of his careful thought been for not? What of the women who did not wear their hair long? They could be executed... that would certainly solve the problem-- but... no... too drastic. They could be convinced to wear their hair long, yes... but what of the breeds that could not grow long hair? Exile? Yes... they could be shipped off to a foreign nation where far-away lords can worry about their lack of locks.

A soft, reassuring voice interrupted the Prince Regent's maddening search for an answer, "Just have them wear bracelets, dear brother."

Thaddius turned immediately, the stress of finding a solution melting off of him the moment he saw Malcom standing in his chambers, athletic physique accentuating each and every feature of his young body, clothed only in a simple loincloth and the swirled fur-paint of the savages he chose to live among. It was a breathtaking image, and the older Wolf felt just a little weak in the knees by his little brother's lordly presence, "Malcom... oh, dear brother... I'm so very glad you're here... I've felt so lost without you."

The brown-furred wolf accepted his embrace warmly and, despite being shorter, still somehow managed to dwarf Thaddius in the hug. The Prince Regent knew it was just as he belonged; there was something so comforting about Malcom... something so wonderful and soothing. He always felt better when his little brother was close. Thaddius closed his eyes, shivering slightly when his younger brother's paw slipped down underneath the back of his britches, "I've been waiting to see you for too long, big brother."

Thaddius let out a gasp, arching his back at Malcom's touch, eagerly moving his tail aside as his younger brother's teeth closed possessively around the Prince Reagent's throat, "Oh, little brother... there is no life without you."

The Prince Regent awoke with a start as the door to his chambers opened. He pulled the smudged letter off the side of his face, wincing as a few pieces of fur stuck to the scroll. He grumbled a greeting as Brother Maynard entered, gruffly pushing at the disobedient firmness in his breeches; it wasn't the first time he'd had the dream and he knew it wouldn't be the last-- he hated himself for it but, at least the key to his salvation had arrived. Folding the letter, he turned to address the priest, "Father... it's a good thing you are here."