The Battle for Astodia

by Maryam Durrani

  At first, I was only ordered to carry out his assassinations when the victims slept at night, posing as a servant or a maid. It made things easier since no one expected a little girl to be a threat. But, after the queen’s death, a lot more people started dying. The king was angry, and this was his way of getting revenge.

  Suddenly, the sound of a lone horse’s hooves snapped me out of my thoughts. I crouched, pulling a dagger out of my belt slowly, the other hand pressed against the tree for balance. The horse was coming into view. I couldn’t see the face of the rider, so this was a do or die situation. Nobody was supposed to be riding in this part of the forest.

  The horse was going to be right under me in five seconds.

  Four seconds.

  Three.

  Two.

  I leaped, wind whipping against my face. And that’s when I realized that the rider was none other than the bratty prince.

  I tried to stop mid-fall. I knew it was impossible, but there

  was no way I was going to sit behind Xavier on a horse willingly. He’d tease me about it for the rest of my life.

  My foot slipped against the saddle as I landed, a hard shock running through my tailbone. I slammed into the seat behind Xavier.

  “Where did you come from?” he questioned over his shoulder, a cheeky grin spreading across his lips.

  Suddenly, the horse whinnied and reared. I clutched Xavier for dear life as we were almost thrown off the thoroughbred. When the horse fell back on all fours again, Xavier was chuckling. And that’s when realized I was glued to the back of the prince, my eyes squeezed shut. Xavier knew my one fear. The silliest fear anyone could ever have, assassin or not.

  “I see our little assassin hasn’t gotten over her fear of falling.”

  THREE

  He had the nerve to laugh at me. The horse was slow now, at a trot. I gripped his waist tightly. He was causing the horse to rear on purpose, pulling back on the reins as the bit cut painfully into the corners of the horse’s mouth.

  “Stop the horse.”

  “No.”

  “Let me down.”

  “No.”

  “I’ll jump off.”

  “Go ahead.”

  He whipped the reins as the horse fell back on all fours, urging her forward. She began to gallop.

  “Enjoying yourself?” he yelled over the wind beating in our faces.

  “You just wait,” I growled. “Wait until we come to a stop, I’m going to destroy you.”

  After what seemed like an eternity, he slowed the horse to a stop and slid off the saddle.

  “Get down,” he said as he rolled his eyes. “You’re so childish. Afraid of a horse.” He reached out to help me down.

  “It’s not the horse, and you know that,” I said coolly, ignoring his outstretched hand, and hopped off by myself. Putting weight on my legs made it difficult to walk as jolts of pain ran up my spine.

  “You’re afraid of falling. Not heights, but falling. How does that make sense?” He smirked.

  “As much sense as not brushing your hair in the morning makes,” I retorted smoothly, turning painfully on my heel, but having enough strength to keep my dignity and not show a limp.

  He laughed behind me. “How are you going to get back in time?” he said, grabbing my elbow and turning me to face him. I stared into his golden eyes for a second, frowning at the smirk on his face, and then yanked it away.

  “By walking.” I paused. “Wait a moment—in time for what, exactly?”

  “Father is having a royal feast with the King Adrean of Dystalphi. Most of the guards will be with him, making it easier for you to reach the duke.”

  “But won’t the duke be with the king?”

  “Ah, true,” he nodded, “but only the highest royals have been invited. That only includes the king, queen, and their daughter,” he explained.

  “So he actually thought this one through,” I muttered under my breath, and he raised his eyebrows.

  “Excuse me?”

  A blush crept up my cheeks. He wasn’t supposed to hear that.

  “You’re red again,” Xavier grinned. “Do I have that much of an effect on you?”

  “Xavier. . .” I warned. I turned my attention away from him for a moment. Usually, I did most of the king’s planning. This time he managed to do a pretty good job by himself. “But if the duke just dies mysteriously, won’t King Adrean suspect that something’s going on?”

  “No, because he doesn’t know you exist. And oh, change of plans, you’re going after him today.”

  “I guessed that part.” Plans changed all the time.

  There was one important rule royalty always went by—it was to never stay in one place for more than a day. That way, it made them harder to track.

  “So, are you going back with me?” he asked, grinning. I really had no choice. “It’s alright. You can sit in the front if it makes you comfortable. I’ll hold you from the back.”

  I rolled my eyes, wondering when I’d get rid of this nuisance.

  That night, I prepared myself.

  I strapped my belt and slipped on my boots with the hidden pockets for weapons. My dark hair was bound in a braid down my back.

  I turned to the mirror, brushing a few strands loose strands of hair behind my ears. Steely gray eyes stared back at me.

  I brushed a hand against the jeweled hilt of the sword that hung by my side. I barely used it, but it was a good luck charm. The sword was given to me as a present from the queen when I’d gotten old enough to carry something this heavy. My name was engraved on the hilt. It was the only thing I had from her.

  I heard a knock.

  “Come in.”

  The door opened, and I took a deep breath, seeing Prince Xavier walk in. “Take this.” He handed me a mask to hide the lower part of my face, along with a black cloak.

  “Thank you,” I nodded, and he leaned against my bedpost.

  “You look like a murderer.”

  I raised my eyebrows, slipping on the mask.

  Xavier rubbed his eye, peering up at me through his long lashes like a child. Again, I found myself inhaling slowly. “I mean, you look terrifying. Like a child’s worst nightmare.”

  I turned to the mirror consciously and stroked the end of my braid. I caught his eye in the reflection.

  “This is why people avoid you.” He shook his head. “It’s because of this deadly vibe you send off. Smile a little sometimes. Relax. You look nervous. I have never seen you nervous.”

  I pushed past him, making sure I brushed my shoulder against his. He took a step back, giving me space. “Don’t tell me what to do.” But I did feel nervous. Something was bothering me, making my fingers twitch every couple of seconds.

  “Is something wrong, Adalia?” He watched me as I pulled open the windows and crouched, wrapping the cloak around myself. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “I don’t need to. You have all the answers already, don’t you?” And then I jumped, leaving him alone in my room.

  I landed on a balcony where a handmaiden was serving her lady as she enjoyed the fresh night air. The girl shrieked and tipped over a goblet of wine, splattering the woman whom I recognized as Lady Katherine, one of the snarkiest people to ever roam the halls of the castle. I continued my way down since I had the highest room, at the top of a tower. I ran over the rooftops as silent as a night owl.

  Xavier knew everything. He knew too much about me, all because of that one night where everything went wrong. I was

  only twelve years old.

  I had failed a direct order. I thought my life was over. That night, Xavier sat beside me and just listened to me ramble for what seemed like hours. He was the only one who knew anything about me.

  I neared the grand building that the duke was staying in and watched him through the open balcony doors as he laughed with a woman. The sound of glasses clinking rang in my ears.

  He had guards around him, and four were positioned on the balcony itself.
>
  He disappeared from view. I crouched in the shadows, slipping out my bow. I nocked in an arrow, waiting for an open shot. Aiming at one guard from so far, I let go. It sailed in the air right towards his heart, meeting its mark. Then, I made way to the other side. The distances between the sources of each shot were far apart so they wouldn’t know where the arrows were coming from.

  Before any of the guards were able to warn the others, I nocked in another arrow and watched it pierce the second guard’s chest. I rolled onto my knees and let two more fly one after another as they met their targets. The passage was clear.

  I leaped onto a pole sticking out of a building and pulled myself up, lodging my feet in between bricks as I started a quick climb to the top. I grazed the wall like a lizard.

  I lay flat on my stomach, peering over the roof, the balcony now below me. The duke was supposed to be wearing a silver necklace with a cross that he carried everywhere with himself. That was the only way I’d recognize him.

  I waited fifteen minutes, but he didn’t appear. Voices were

  coming from inside, laughing and talking.

  Suddenly, two guards walked out. As their eyes fell over

  their dead comrades, they unsheathed their swords and surveyed the area. I put the bow down next to me, silently pulling out my sword. Before they could look up, I rolled over the edge of the roof, landing on my feet, and drove the sword into his chest. I sheathed the beautiful weapon as he dropped to the ground, dead. The other one let out a battle cry, running at me. I flipped in the air, using my arms to push off his shoulders, landing behind him. I pulled out the dagger and plunged it into his back.

  Meanwhile, the duke heard the commotion, approaching the doorway. Upon seeing me, he dropped his glass. It shattered on the floor as his eyes widened. The cross necklace glinted on around his neck.

  “Please—”

  I gave him what I imagined to be a cold smile. I flipped the knife in my hand and then threw it with perfect aim as it pierced his heart. The duke fell to his knees and landed on his chest, pushing it deeper inside. He was definitely dead.

  I turned around, pulling up my hood jumping from the rails of the balcony. My job was done.

  FOUR

  I slipped into my room and changed into a beautiful navy blue dress that one of the servants—Lorelle—said brought out my eyes. I slid on the toe-pinching heels I had taken so many lessons to be able to run in, and then worked on putting my hair up into an elegant bun.

  I walked out, taking a deep breath to calm myself. I had to find the king. He needed me by his side.

  Automatically, I reached down to feel if my spare knives were strapped to my thighs.

  I hurried across the polished floors towards the doors to where the kings would be. I stood outside, inhaling, exhaling.

  As I opened the doors to walk in, I crashed into Xavier’s hard chest.

  “Where have you been?” he hissed.

  I strode past him and into the grand ballroom to find groups of ladies and lords drinking and chatting away.

  Xavier yanked my arm back in a steely grip. I tried to pull it away, but he wouldn’t let me go.

  “Adalia, who did you kill?”

  I ripped my arm out of his grasp. “Duke Charleston,” I whispered, confused as to why he was asking me that. I walked past him and took the empty seat beside the king of Astodia. I glanced at his face for a sign, and I immediately knew something was wrong. He looked tense—more than usual.

  “What’s wrong?” I muttered under my breath, taking in everything around me. The princess sat at the long, polished table, blond curls falling perfectly below her shoulders. Her blue eyes looked bright and bubbly like the sky, and she was wearing a white and soft blue dress made of the most exquisite silk.

  The queen of Dystalphi wore a deep crimson dress. It matched her lips and the cruel glint in her dark eyes, her brown hair twirled above her head. A glittering gold crown rested atop her head.

  I made a quick note to self: stay away from her.

  The king of Dystalphi, on the other hand, was a blond like his daughter. His hair was cropped short, and he had a small beard. His face was hard, but he had a soft side—I could immediately tell by his shining blue eyes that were so similar, yet so different from his daughter’s.

  “Who did you kill?”

  I heard it again. That question.

  His lips barely parted as he murmured the words.

  “Duke Charleston,” I replied for what felt like the hundredth time that night, but even I heard the hesitation in my voice.

  It was too obvious.

  Was it happening again? Had I made another mistake?

  I scanned the room again, racking my brain. Why was it so full? I thought it had been only the royal family that was invited.

  Or at least that’s what Xavier had said.

  I gently rubbed my throat as if it was parched, and one of the servants immediately appeared at my side. Once he’d come, I tapped his shoulder and motioned for him to bring his ear close.

  “Bring me the invitation that was sent out to King Adrean,” I whispered as he pretended to refill my already full glass. He nodded and hurried away, reappearing moments later with the spare invitation in a goblet. I pretended to take a sip, sliding the page out and into my lap. As I read it, the truth dawned on me. It was addressed wrong.

  The duke was here, laughing in front of me, with his place beside the king of Dystalphi. I’d killed a decoy.

  I was out, faster than anyone could see me. My throat was closing up, lungs tight. I had killed the wrong person. I pushed past the massive doors, my heart thudding in my chest. I escaped outside and inhaled deeply, kicking off the damn heels, and resumed running. I needed to get away and think.

  I slumped onto the grass in the courtyard, taking deep breaths to relax.

  I had killed the wrong person. There was a difference between killing someone on order, someone who deserved it, and murdering someone innocent.

  He’d followed me again. I knew he would.

  “Your dress is getting dirty.”

  “Does it look like I care?” I snapped.

  Xavier didn’t say anything else, but he took the spot next to me. He smelled like cinnamon and roses. What a peculiar combination.

  “It’s not your fault,” he said quietly.

  “I killed the wrong person.”

  “You kill everyone. What does it matter?” He realized

  what he said as soon as the words left his lips. I got to my feet, infuriated.

  “What does it matter? How could you ask me something like that?”

  He ran a hand through his hair, clearly confused at what to do. “I killed someone who wasn’t supposed to be killed, and the real man is staring at my face mocking me.” I started pacing. “He knows about me. I know it. People are finding out. The man I killed a few days ago—he knew I was coming too.” I looked up at Xavier.

  “How can you be sure—”

  I slammed a dagger into the tree. Feelings or not, the tree was probably already numb from the cold to cry over a stab wound. Did trees bruise? Sticky sap gathered around the blade of the knife.

  “I failed my mission.” Maybe the sap was its tears and blood.

  “My father gave you wrong information.”

  “I can’t keep making these mistakes.”

  “The last time this happened, you nearly exposed yourself. This time, it was my father’s fault.” He sighed. “You’re still disturbed by the failure, but you have to let it go,” Xavier continued. “You’re older now. More professional. You’ve done this countless times. You can even get him on his way out.”

  “But why does the king want the duke anyway?” I asked, rubbing my temples.

  “I wish I had the answer.”

  He wanted this man dead a lot more than I’d realized. The look on his face was one of horror when he’d seen the duke alive and breathing next to King Adrean.

  Damn it. He’d given his necklace to someone e
lse as a de-

  coy. He knew about me.

  But how?

  “Did he change the invitation?” I said, gritting my teeth. “He knew. He has someone inside the castle, working for him.”

  “He’s important,” Xavier nodded. “He’s definitely important.”

  “We have to get inside. We have to do something.”

  “How? The ballroom is full. The king will be blamed if the duke dies. It’s going to raise many eyebrows.”

  Suddenly, I had an idea.

  I sat at the table next to the king as everyone had their meals.

  King Sadim was smiling, but you could see the frustration in his eyes. Xavier was sitting next to the princess who was giggling and laughing, twirling her springy blond hair around her finger. Xavier was grinning and looked as if he was telling her a joke. His golden eyes found mine and he winked.

  I swallowed, turning my attention to the kings. They were talking. The queen of Dystalphi, on the other hand, sat alone. She kept everyone under her steely gaze, as if she was looking for something. Her crimson fingernails tapped on the polished wooden armrests.

  My eyes fell on the duke.

  I stood up, making my way over to him.

  “You must be the king’s personal adviser,” he bowed. He looked very much like the man I’d killed. “A pleasure to meet you,” he said, taking a sip from the goblet in his hand. Politely, I motioned for one of the servants to come by and refill it.

  “And you,” I nodded, and he offered his arm.

  “Let’s talk, shall we?”

  “Of course,” I smiled, taking it.

  We talked about the drinks and the food for a long time, and then he asked about the king’s plans, taking a sip from his gold goblet. The red rubies that decorated it flashed warning signs. I took a deep breath.

  “The king’s plans for what?” I asked playing dumb. I batted my eyelashes innocently.

  “The rebels,” he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “They’re causing quite an uproar, I’ve heard. They set fire to one of the shops down Westwick Lane, protesting. The guards came to collect the taxes and ended up killing three commoners. I don’t even know how many were injured. What will he do about that?”