The Other Man

                                    

                                          
As Ferox thought about the evening before, he needed to come up with a plan for wooing Hilda. The King had said how important it would be for the town if they were married. 
                          
Through the trees where Ferox was walking, he heard shouts. 
                          
The blonde man hid behind a large oak and peered around the side. Up ahead there there was a group of five men. He recognized the leader - Duke. 
                          
He looked round the other side of the tree towards where Duke was riding to and saw a girl with long brown hair on a snowy white horse.
                          
Whatever the fuck is going on? Ferox thought. What is Hilda doing out by herself? And what is Duke doing rescuing her? This is bullshit.
                          
He cursed some more as Duke sent the men back so he was left alone with Hilda. 
                          
They started riding toward Ferox so he ducked into the deeper vegetation and hid. 
                          
Hilda and Duke dismantled just a few yards from Ferox. He watched as Hilda fired the arrow and it hit square in the tree. 
                          
Then it happened. Blink and you would have missed it. They had wrapped their arms around each other and had disappeared behind a tree, out of eyeshot. 
                          
Rage ran though Ferox's blood. Why had this happened? He was supposed to be Hilda's suitor. He was the man the King had wanted. Why was Duke with her now?
                          
He could not stay any longer. Silently and swiftly he made his way out of the bushes and towards the track that leads to the castle. 
                          
He marched up the stone path and to the grand oak doors. He knocked thrice and the doors swung open, revealing the grand, mahogany staircase. 
                          
"I wish to see the King." He said to the doorman, who bowed his head and told Ferox to follow him. 
                          
They turned down a dim hallway and stopped at a dark door. The doorman knocked and a muffled voice said they could go in.
                          
"You Majesty." Ferox said and bowed his head. "I ask for some your time."
                          
"You are welcome to it." King Malcolm said, sitting back in his chair. "But, before you say anything, I did try to find you, but you were not around, so I turned to Duke."
                          
He had answered part of Ferox's question, as if he could read his mind.
                          
"That was partly why I came to speak with you." He said. "I was out in the woods, not far from here, when I saw Princess Hilda out alone. I would have bought her back but I saw Duke riding to her." He paused. Should he mention what he had seen between the two? "I think they are getting too close." Was all he's said though. He was sure he could sort this out himself.
                          
"Well, do what I told you to do and all will be well." Malcolm said simply. "You will marry Hilda and gain the power. Then, when the time comes, you will take over the leadership of this town and accomplish what we have discussed."
                          
"Yes, your Majesty, I will do what is required." He said and bowed. He turned on his heels and walked to the door.
                          
"Ferox," the King said quietly, "you know what needs to be done and you must stop at nothing. Not even this man you talk about." He added, tilting his head downwards.
                          
"Your Majesty." Ferox said again, feeling the jolt in his chest that he relates to battle.
                          
Could he really do that if it came to it? Could he stop at nothing to achieve what is needed and feel no regret?