Fools Gold
A week after the Award Ceremony. Will sat with other advisers, the Crown Prince stood and looked pensively.
"I received a report, my brother is in the East. He's gathering an army of mercenaries but lacks funds. He is currently sheltering between the families of the eastern lords. What is your advice?" the Crown Prince sad sadly.
"I say, if he wants a war, we gave him a war. By your command, I'll march east and raze every noble house until I find him!" Marshall vont Smith said devotedly.
"Your highness, that would only create more animosity toward the Royal Family," said Dean Trevor vont Lawrence, the civil adviser.
"What do you suggest?" Prince Roland asked.
"I would attempt diplomacy," Trevor said.
"You would have me bribe my nobles to return my brother? What say you, Will?" Prince Roland asked upset.
"Your majesty there is nothing wrong with bribery, it is simply the cost of business. But, I agree with Marshall vont Smith, a show of strength is what's needed," Will recommended.
"You would suggest I burn noble households and kill families?" the Crown Prince said shocked.
"Heavens, no! The Dean vont Lawrence is right, that is a bad idea," Will said.
"Then speak plainly, what is your recommendation?" Marshall vont Smith said frustrated his plan was shot down.
"I think Marshall vont Smith should march his army east, with a wagon full of my gold intended to bribe the first prince into exile," Will paused.
"Would he not use that money to fund his army instead?" the Crown Prince asked sincerely.
"I hope so because the money shall be fake. Knowing your brother he'll take the money, but refuse the imposed exile. When that happens the Marshall shall place a bounty on your brother's head for violating the law.
Unmown to your brother the bribe money shall be alchemic fools gold. Once the mercenaries and noble houses learn they have been paid in fools gold they'll retaliate against the first prince.
I believe, the mercenaries and nobles shall fight each other to deliver your brother to Marshall vont Smith. They may even welcome Marshall vont Smith's brigade with open arms and hand over the prince. I suggest a bounty of 100,000 gold dead or alive, the same amount as the fake bribe we'll hand over to your brother," Will recommended.
"Very clever!" the Crown Prince brightened.
"What does this fool gold require?" Prince Roland asked.
"An alchemist that can turn lead into gold. To make the plan work we need to know how long the spell rouse will last," Will said.
"Bryson! Immediately summon the Royal Alchemist!" Prince Roland commanded
"Yes, your highness," Bryson immediately relayed the information to his subordinates.
A short while later, a floor-length bearded alchemist walked into the prince's study. The wizard wore half-moon glasses above his long crooked nose and a purple pointed hat, bent at the tip.
"You summoned me Crown Prince?" the alchemist bowed his head in submission.
"Can you turn lead into gold?" the Crown Prince asked.
"Yes, that's a simple parlor trick. Any alchemist can do that," the old wizard said.
"Show me!" Commanded the prince.
The alchemist found a lead object and turned it into gold. It looked like a real gold nugget.
"How long until it reverts?" Prince Roland asked nervously.
"Almost two days?" the alchemist said rubbing his chin.
"Will it work?" the prince asked Will.
"We need to know four things, your highness. If the alchemist can make it look like gold coins and not nuggets. How much can he turn to gold and how long it will take. Finally, is he fit to travel?" Will questioned.
"Your highness, we don't know if he's loyal to you or your brother yet? Marshall vont Smith interjected.
"You fool, if I wasn't loyal I could have killed him by now! I'm a loyal retainer of the king.
To your questions Baronet, I can but the lead first needs to be cut round to look like gold. I can turn a lot to gold in a short time. And yes, I'm fit to travel," he said.
"You honor me alchemist for answering my question," Will bowed.
"Pish posh, none of that. Thaddeus is a good friend and classmate!" the alchemist said.
"Bryson, order the castle blacksmith to cut 100,000 pieces of lead the same size as a gold coin. Marshall vont Smith, I command you to gather your troops and race east. Follow the plan, if you deliver my brother back to you, treat him with grace and dignity. If this plan works you three will be rewarded," Prince Roland directed.
"Where you point your sword, I'll attack!" Marshall vont Smith said fanatically.
Two weeks later, in the Eastern hills, Marshall vont Smith's army of 15,000 soldiers moved slowly along the road. They raised the flags of the crown prince.
When the army arrived at the Eastern region they made known they wish to parlay with the first prince.
A few nights later Marshall vont Smith arranged a meeting with the first prince.
When the first prince walked into the Army's camp, the 15,000 soldiers saluted him as a member of the Royal Family.
"Greetings your highness," Marshall vont Smith welcomed him.
"Quickly say, what my brother told you to say and leave," the prince reprimanded him.
"The Crown Prince offers you 100,000 gold to leave the county. You are hereby exiled, never to return!" Marshall vont Smith said undiplomatically.
"Was this the idea of the great Baronet that fraud, to bribe me to leave? Very well I accept your gold and I'll flee the country," the first prince lied.
The Marshall motioned and the wagon filled with gold was brought to the first prince.
"Tell your driver to leave," the prince commanded excitedly about a large amount of gold.
The prince sat in the driver's seat and drove the wagon out of sight.
"That imbecile, how naïve! How could father name such a fool as Crown Prince over me?" the first prince said out loud.
He pulled the wagon to a little alcove. All of a sudden dozens of men and women jumped out.
"What an idiot, he didn't even follow you!" one mercenary said in astonishment.
"Doesn't this seem too easy? They just give us gold and expect the first prince to leave," a mercenary asked in disbelief.
"It doesn't matter, we have 100,000 gold. Let's quickly get to camp and invite my benefactors over! Tonight, I'll show how gracious I am to those that stand behind me!"
At the first prince's camp money was passed around by the barrels. Each mercenary received 100 gold and each noble family 1,000. The first prince spent 25,000 gold on the Merchant and Blacksmith Guild. The mercenaries also spent their gold mainly at the local brothel.
The Eastern Region was a waypoint between kingdom and empire. It was a busy trading node.
Loud music, fresh beer, and lustful whores made for a rowdy party.
In less than 12 hours the fools gold exchanged hands twice or thrice. By 24 hours, the fool's gold had been exchanged eight to nine times.
The prince had already paid for 5,000 mercenaries. The eastern lords also had a combined army of 10,000 soldiers.
The first prince was ecstatic, he immediately took credit at every opportunity. He openly joked that this was his plan all along.
Mercenaries, soldiers, merchants, crafters, whores, and lords all applauded the first prince's cleverness.
Yet, a day later people noticed their gold has disappeared, and their creditors noticed as well. Lead replaced gold, and the entanglements of money saw mercenaries, soldiers, merchants, crafters, whores, and lords scrambling to pay their debts.
Immediately, everyone realized they'd been duped by the first prince. The prince passed out fools good, instead of real gold.
"It's not my fault, this is my brother's ploy. I'm a victim!" the first prince argued.
"You said your brother was naive, stupid, you claimed this rouse was your idea. Aren't you smarter than your brother?" an eastern lord asked.
"I am smarter than my brother, but he tricked me? Trust your future king!" the first prince said.
"Pay us what you owe. Our creditors have closed our accounts until we can pay in full" a mercenary said. The brothel refused to serve mercenaries until they paid what was owed.
"Yeah, pay us or die!" said another angry mercenary.
"If I die, you'll never receive compensation," said the first prince arrogantly.
"Quick listen! The army just announced since the first prince broke the agreement, and didn't go into exile they placed a 100,000 gold bounty on his head, dead or alive," said a mercenary who agree to spy for the army.
The first prince turned ghostly white. He stared at the eyes of the hungry wolves who saw a fat calf.
It was then the first prince realized his only chance of survival was with the army.
The first prince backed away slowly, scared to move afraid the starved wolf pack my attack.
Whoosh an arrow shot by the head of the prince and he took off running!
'No, not again. My plans are foiled again. Damn you brother to hell! I'm the main character of this story. I should be king!' the first prince thought as he ran.
Unfortunately, after 10 minutes he caught an arrow in his calf muscle. Injured, he did his best to run and dodge. But, the mercenaries were the first to reach him. A second later he fell dead.
The first prince's dead body was handed to Marshall vont Smith by the Mercenary Guild Master.
"Guild master, here is the payment. If you wish, I can wait three days to verify this is not fools gold," Marshall vont Smith said.
The guild master agreed. The money was guarded by one soldier and one mercenary. After the third day, Marshall vont Smith marched his army back to Yorkshire.
The first prince's body was wrapped in linen, and a royal robe and princely jewels. The first prince looked very dignified.
When the body was laid to rest in the capital. The king thanked Prince Roland for treating his brother's body as honorable. The funeral for the first prince was closed to the public.