You'll Believe the Devil's Llies

Reginald sat at his desk, quill and ink in hand, writing a story about a great warrior deceived by the devil into killing his best friend. He was in the mist where the devil spoke with a silver tongue and filled the warrior’s head with lies and-

“My lord?”

He raised his head and almost knocked over the ink jar. Maggie, a servant woman. A young, blue-eyed woman in her thirties. She always had on a dusty apron from cleaning something in the castle. Reginald had done his best to be kind to her as she was a widow in desperate need of work.

“Your brother has summoned you to the hall for dinner.”

“Thank you, Maggie,” He picked up his things and looked at his ink-smudged fingers. Quickly, Reginald looked for a rag to clean up before dinner. Maggie offered her apron to him. He wiped off his fingers, leaving behind black streaks on the apron.

“Thank you.”

Warin was sitting at the head of the dining hall table, surrounded by family and friends. There was a vast spread of meats, breads, birds, ale, and wine. In the center of it all, was a mighty bore roasted whole. Warin lifted his cup to his brother as he entered, “My brother, if you were any later, we would have eaten everything.”

“I sure hope you all would have the manners to savor this fine swine.”

The whole room erupted in laughter as Reginald took his seat next to Warin and was served a cup of wine.

Warin put an arm around him, “Indeed, by the time the devil went down, I shot so many arrows he looked like a hedgehog.”

“I ought to join you on your next hunt.”

“Of course!” Warin raised his cup, “Another glass!”

One of the servant boys came and poured Warin another drink. Reginald didn’t immediately recognize the boy. He couldn’t have been older than fifteen, and there was an odd look in his eyes. What sharp blue eye, Reginald thought. The bright color was a good mask for emotion, but a little leaked out, and it was anger. Before Reginald could ask who the boy was, he pulled a knife and stabbed Warin in his upper chest. “My father will be avenged!” shouted the boy as guards tackled him.

Warin fell back and out of his chair; blood started to pool under his clothes. Reginald rushed to put pressure on his wound. It was difficult to tell how much damage there was, fortunately bleeding was manageable. He cupped his brother’s face, “Warin?”

He let out a grunt through gritted teeth, “It didn’t feel like it went deep.”

Reginald turned to the guards, “Quickly get him to bed and send that boy to the dungeon, we’ll deal with him later.”

Warin was laid in bed with bandages around his chest. His face had gone a little pale, but he was awake. Family and friends surrounded him nervously, twiddling their thumbs or praying. The doctor used whatever salve and elixir to treat the wound for speedy healing. He told Reginald it was a flesh wound; his ribs stopped the knife from going deeper.

“How are you, brother?” said Reginald.

“Fine. How did he get in?”

Reginald tilted his head, “Pardon?”

“That boy, do you think someone helped him?”

“It wouldn’t be impossible that he found an unguarded door, or he was brought in, no one knowing his true intentions.”

He nodded slowly, “I’m not sure if he could have done it on his own, find out if he was on his own.”

Reginald, judged by how sloppy the attempt was, he acted alone, with no plan, only driven by rage. Yet he agreed to his brother’s request. The doctor ushered everyone out so Warin could rest. Peter, the captain of the guard, gave a protest that someone should watch over him incase if there where more attackers. The doctor agreed. Peter stood at attention in his gambeson and had his hand firmly planted on the hilt of his sword. He was a rough looking man, with an ugly scar across his face.

The captain cleared his throat, “It was only by the grace of God that you are alive, my lord.”

Warin’s eyes sprang open as they were almost closed, “Thank you, Peter. I never thought I would ever be attacked in my own home.”

“I know your brother believes you’re paranoid.”

“Don’t speak ill of him.”

“I would never, but with respect, he doesn’t understand the severity of this attack because his life wasn’t at risk. I consider your life to be my own. Don’t you feel it? Do you think this sudden attack was random? Maybe we should take precautions?”

“What do you suggest?” Warin’s eye shifted from sleepy to suspicious.

“Increase the guard. Both around the castle and to keep men with you at all times. I know some good men we could put to work.”

He nodded. His suspicion left with every nod, “I’ll trust in your judgment.”

Reginald entered the dungeon, and the young man who assaulted his brother sat alone in a sobbing wet cell. Unhygienic even for rats in the pantries. The boy had a hard look in his eyes and curled his lips into a disgusting form when he saw Reginald. Even then, his blue eye hid most everything he truly felt.

“Are you here to torture me? Kill me?”

Reginald pulled up a stool and sat in front of his cell door. “I’m just here to talk, for now. No real damage was caused, so I’m willing to compromise with you. But I need some questions answered.”

“Why should I? You killed my father.”

“Pardon?”

“Five years ago, a man was arrested for murder. Before he could have a trial, he died in prison. He was an innocent man; if he could argue for himself, everyone would have seen.”

“I am sorry for this injustice; it doesn’t change the fact that you attempted to kill the king. You could have been killed right there, and killed still now for attempted regicide. Do you understand how lucky you are that I’m willing to reason with you? I’m sorry for the hardship you endured. I truly am, but what is done is done. Now, set aside your wrath so you don’t get executed.”

The boy relaxed his shoulders and his eyes.

“Tell me your name.”

“William.”

“Fine, name. I’m Reginald.” He waited for William to greet him, but he kept sulking. “How did you get in?”

“Wasn’t hard, your guards are laid back. I snuck in, dressed like a servant boy, and brought out some wine.”

“What exactly was your plan?”

“To kill him.”

Reginald let out a frustrated grunt, “You knew you would surely get captured.”

“I wanted him dead. Why is that so hard to understand?”

“And none of the guards or staff helped you?”

He scoffed, “Why would they? They have no strife with the king; besides, I wouldn’t let anyone avenge my father.”

Reginald nodded, “as I thought.” He stood up, “I’ll send someone down with water and bread for you, and if it was a crime of passion, I should be able to reduce your punishment.”

Reginald reported back to his brother. He had high hopes that the new information would quell his brother’s mind. Peter was still alert as ever and saluted Reginald as he walked in.

“Are you feeling better?”

“The wine makes it feel better.”

Reginald chuckled, “Good. I talked with the boy; it was a crime of passion, his father was imprisoned, and he wanted vengeance.”

Warin nodded, “Are you positive?”

“Yes! Brother, if he were working with another, you would be dead, your food would have been poisoned, or have slit your throat in your sleep. It was personal revenge.”

“I spoke with Peter; I'm going to put more guards and guards around me at all times to be safe.”

“I see, I think it is unnecessary, but do what will make you feel safe.”

Peter put his hand on Reginald’s shoulder, “I think it is best to let your brother rest now.”

Reginald nodded his head and left.

He exited into the hallway, where Maggie was nervously pacing back and forth. She ran to Reginald with shaky hands, “Oh, please tell me our lord is well?”

“Yes, Maggie, it was only a flesh wound; he will be on his feet in no time.”

She put a hand on her chest, “Thank God, that boy, I saw him in the kitchen, I thought I didn’t recognize him, I should have said something.”

“There was little harm; no one could have known. Don’t feel bad, Maggie.”

“There are so many more guards now; does my lord think he is still in danger?”

“Yes, he does, but I’m sure his fever is making him a little delusional.”

“I see, I hope no one will take advantage of him in his state of disillusion.”

“I hope tomorrow it’s forgotten about. Good night.”

Reginald prepared himself for bed. He did light work on his writing. The devil that deceives the hero is a tricky beast; it comes to them as a friend. He offers his hand, but little does the hero know that the hand is the path to death, where the devil will stab them in the back. He blew out the candles and lay down. He was sure in the morning, Warin would be in a better mind, and they could discuss what to do with the boy.

As soon as Reginald left Warin’s room, Peter spoke, “My good lord, I would like to give my opinion, but you might find it offensive.”

“Speak your mind.”

“Your brother is not very wise.”

Warin narrowed his eyes, “Speak carefully.”

“I have seen war and spoken with prisoners. They don’t easily tell the truth. He might be a boy, but who says he can’t lie? I believe your brother has been unknowingly lied to or lied himself.”

Warin thought about the possibility his brother could be a conspirator. Would his brother be jealous enough to make attempts on his life? Quickly dismissed the idea. “Enough, talk only about the boy, do not suggest my brother is after me.”

Peter bowed, “Forgive me. But allow me to interrogate the boy; I will get the truth.”

“Do it.”

The rising sun warmed his room and ushered in a new day. Reginald came down to the hall where his brother was having breakfast. Peter and his men surrounded the hall and didn’t let anyone in except the two brothers and a single servant.

“So, has anyone tried to kill you?” Said Reginald as he took his seat.

Warin greeted him with a smile, “No, Peter kept me safe. And I am sorry to inform you, but you have been tricked.”

“Really? How?”

A servant brought out a plate of food and drink for Reginald. Before he could take a bite of food, Warin stopped him and motioned for a servant to come over. “Test his food.”

A servant boy tasted Reginald’s food and drink. “What’s this?”

“To see if your food is poisoned. It was Peter’s idea.”

“Poisoned?”

“Yes, after the boy was integrated, I learned there were more people who helped him and that they are still here, waiting for the right time to kill me. There were no names, but the information gained is invaluable.”

Reginald stood up, “What did you do to him?”

“I got my answers that you couldn’t.”

He slammed his fist on the table, “He was just a boy.”

“He tried to kill me!”

“We could have let him off easy; he was emotional, not in his right mind, trying to right a wrong. You didn’t have to torture him.”

“I had to, I needed to know who else helped him.”

“You think he told you the truth? He told you he wanted to stop the pain; he sent you on a goose chase.”

“Peter said-”

“Enough, why are you taking so many orders from him? What has he been telling you?”

“Leave, he is a great man who wants me safe.”

Reginald had nothing else to say. Persistent arguing would get him nowhere. He gave his brother a disappointed look and left.

Peter spoke up, “Thank you for defending my honor.”

“Maybe I am being too hard.”

“Have you forgotten? It’s not about the boy anymore. It’s about the plot. He wasn’t alone, remember? He is a part of a whole; if you let up now, the other could see it as weakness and an opportunity. We have to act now when the sent is fresh.”

“My brother is a wise man; I don’t want to ignore his opinion.”

“I know how you feel about it, but it wouldn’t be the first time brother betrayed brother.”

Warin grumbled he hated to entertain the idea at all but it was on the table.

Reginald stormed. Maybe Peter had more influence than he thought. What was his brother becoming? Torturing people, having servants test his food for poison, always accompanied by guards. He had become a paranoid mad man. He heard footsteps coming behind him it was Maggie.

“My lord?”

“Hello.” He said in a somber tone.

“My I ask what is bothering you?”

“My brother is being unreasonable; he believes that there is an elaborate plot to kill him. Now that poor boy is bound for death, mercy was an option. I hope he chose it.”

Maggie looked around nervously, “I shouldn’t say this but I overheard our lord and the captain of the guard.”

Reginald’s interest was piqued. “What were they talking about?”

“It seems that Peter has be trying to convince our king that you are part of the plot.”

He clinched his fist, “He’s manipulating him, for what? Power? Now me, he wants to get rid of me? Thank you for telling me this. Me nor my brother are in the right mind, I will talk to him a little bit.”

Reginald turned to his room to do more writing. He wrote how once the devil has tricked the hero they must suffer the consequences. They will turn against their closest ally. To turning their back on them to killing them.

Reginald was in mid pen stroke when he heard screams. A ran as fast as he could to the hall where he saw as if guards grabbing servants. One of them was Maggie.

“What is the meaning of this!”

Maggie cried out with tears running down her cheeks, “Help me, I’ve done nothing wrong!”

Peter stopped Reginald, “Why don’t you go to your room? We have things handled, we have found our suspects.”

“It’s you! You are turning my brother against me!”

Peter raised his hand, “Men take him to his room.”

Before the guards could put his hands on him, Warin ordered them to stop.

Reginald rushed to his brother, “Please stop this, this is wrong! Peter is in your mind; he has tricked you.” He grabbed Warin’s clothes and shook him, “Please believe me, your own flesh and blood, I know, I know the truth, trust me. I am not your enemy!”

Warin took a deep breath, “You swear on your life and to God?”

“YES!”

“Men arrest Peter.”

Peter stood there, shocked, “My lord! No, don’t do this!” Peter fought as hard as he could with clenched fists. “Your brother is lying to you! He is your enemy!”

Reginald let himself breathe and dropped to his knees. Warin knelt down with him, “I should have known, he was trying to tell me you were part of the plot. I believed him more than I wanted to.”

“Thank you, brother,” Reginald said he wiped his face of tears.

“I think it is best we all get some rest.”

Everyone went to their chambers to sleep. Reginald didn’t write anything, the day had been long enough, and sleep came quickly. In the middle of the night, Reginald was awoken by footsteps. He kept following the sound the best he could. Suddenly it stopped, and he continued to creep though the corridors of the castle to find where the person had gone. He found his brother’s door cracked open, and he peeked in. His brother was sleeping Reginald almost left before he heard a gasp. He walks over to the bed and saw Warin gasping for air. He lifted him up in bed and saw vast amounts of blood. Reginald was paralyzed. Who did this? Was it the captain? Before shock could set in, a hand on his back made him jump. It was Maggie who had her hand over her mouth.

“My God! Who did this? This is horrible!”

“Quick, get every guard here now!”

Reginald held his brother to his chest. Warin had been stabbed countless times. He felt the warmth of his blood seep into his clothes; his heartbeat was nowhere to be found. Reginald brushed his brother’s head when he felt a sudden sharp pain in his back. It took away his breath, and he dropped to the ground. Something warm rushed up to his mouth. He coughed, and blood spat out. He looked up to see Maggie with a dagger in her hand.

“I don’t understand?”

“That boy, William, has a mother. Things didn’t go exactly to plan, my son gave in to his emotions, but in the end, all have been avenged.”

“No… no…brother, I’m sorry.” Reginald felt his eyes get heavy before it all went dark.