“The king will have retired by now, my lord,” one guard said. “I dare not disturb him.”
“I promise no harm will come to you. Tell him my gift is priceless and will heal his wounds.”
The guard glanced over Jack’s shoulder and raised his eyebrows. He disappeared and returned a few minutes later.
“His majesty will see you now,” he said.
“Thank you,” Jack said.
Anna peeked around Jack to see her father slouching to his throne chair. He eased himself down in it, coughing as he went. Anna had never seen him look so old, thin and tired. She cast her eyes down under the veil which still guarded her face. Her long cloak swept the stone floor behind her as they made their way to the throne.
A side door opened and Anna’s heart jumped as a tall man strode to King Vilipp. His dark eyes narrowed upon them. Seamus!
They stopped before the throne and bowed low. Anna peered up. Her father’s graying hair fell around his face and across his drooping shoulders. He was unshaven.
“Why are you disturbing the king at such an hour?” demanded Seamus. “Have you no manners?”
Jack squared his shoulders and straightened up.
“If it were not an urgent matter, I would not have traveled so far and fast to bow before his Highness. This cannot wait, sir.” Jack’s tone was curt. He was not backing down.
King Vilipp raised his hand to Seamus. “Peace, Seamus.”
He glanced down at Jack’s taut face. “Sir John. What news do you have from the south?”
“Sire, first I must return someone most valuable to you.” Jack stepped to the side, leaving Anna still low in a curtsy. She was shaking all over. The moment had come.
She straightened up, tore off her veil, and rushed three steps forward. “It’s me, Father, Anna.” She gestured toward Jack. “This man has saved me from many cruel deaths and risked everything to bring me back.”
King Vilipp leapt from his throne and gasped, clutching his chest.
“My God, Anna. Is it truly you?” His eyes took her in and settled on her hair.
“Yes, Father,” said Anna, choking back tears. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t run away. I got hurt and some men found me and…”
“Shh—shh-I’ll hear all about it later,” he said, throwing his arms around her and stroking her hair. He finally pulled back to look at her again. “I cannot believe I’m seeing you! I thought you were lost forever.” He wiped his own tears. “I missed you so much.”
“And I missed you, Father.” It was true.
Jack stepped back. The king waved him up. “You have saved my life, young man. Mine and my daughter’s, of course. I was beginning to die of grief. I cannot thank you enough.”
Jack bowed. “It was my pleasure, Sire.”
Seamus took a step forward. He bowed before Anna. “Your Highness,” he said, taking her hand. “May I be the first of your loyal subjects to welcome you home?” He bent to kiss her hand. She snatched it back, and Seamus straightened uneasily.
Jack’s jaw tightened. Anna could sense waves of bridled fury radiating off Jack.
“Seamus, as happy as I am to see you again, I would truly treasure this moment if I could be alone with Father. You wouldn’t mind, of course, giving us a few minutes?” Anna forced a fake smile and stared at him until he dropped his eyes.
“You may not understand, my dear, your father depends on me greatly now.” His voice dripped like syrup. “I am at his side constantly to serve him. Unfortunately, He is in much pain now.”
“Seamus!” said the king. “I don’t need a nursemaid! Anna will have what she wants tonight.”
Seamus didn’t move.
“Please,” said Anna. “Sir John and I can surely watch his health for a few minutes.”
“I thought you wanted to be alone?” He nodded to Jack. “He can leave.”
“No, Jack stays.” Her voice did not waver. She would not be afraid. Seamus took one step backward. His eyes traveled over her and to her hair.
“Where have you been all this time?” he asked with sudden alarm. His eyes flicked to Jack and grew wider. “Were you in the desert, with him?”
Anna stole a quick glance at Jack. His teeth were clenched.
“Leave her be,” Jack said with quiet intensity.
Seamus glared at them both and backed through the open door.
“Father, there’s no time to lose,” Anna said. “We rushed to warn you. An attack is coming from Anwar.”
“Tell him from the beginning, Anna,” said Jack.
She nodded, put her arm around her father and led him back to his chair. Anna quickly told him her story, from the moment she left with Farley, to the moment she returned.
“But Father,” she said in hushed tones. “There is one other thing. When I was locked in the closet in Kasdod, I knew the man who visited Anwar.” She took a deep breath and looked directly into her father’s blue eyes. “It was Seamus,” she whispered. “He is setting up armies and turning people against you. He aims to take over your throne and kill us all!”
“Seamus, you’re sure?” he asked. Anna glanced at Jack. He nodded encouragement.
Then Anna, through many tears, told her father about the day Seamus came into her room and all his threats and behavior since. She got up and paced with her arms folded in front of her. “Father, so many times I wanted to tell you, but I was so afraid.” Now the tears were flowing steadily down her cheeks. “I’m so, so sorry,” Anna stammered. “I should not have been afraid of him. If I’d only exposed him for what he was, none of this would have happened.” She waited for a response. She saw shock, pain, and disbelief on her father’s face. He ran his hands over his forehead. She ran to him and sat at his feet, not meeting his gaze. “Do you believe me, Father? I promise, it is all true.”
Her father did not respond for a moment. He bent down and touched her cheek.
“What I don’t believe is my own blindness. Why didn’t I see this? Right under my nose!” He gripped the chair with his hands, turning his his knuckles white. He nodded at Jack.
“How many men were gathered?”
“Perhaps five thousand.”
“I don’t even know where my armies are!” exclaimed the king. “I’ve let Seamus do so much while I mourned for my daughter.” His pale face flushed red as energy surged through his body. “But here she is, back from the dead. And so am I.”
King Vilipp leapt from his throne and grabbed his sword. “Guards! Guards!” he yelled. “Bring Seamus to me!” He turned to Anna. “He will account for what he has done.”
The guards spread the word among the guard to search for Seamus. After a time, they returned, declaring he could not be found.
“Sire,” Jack ventured. “It is quite possible he sensed something was wrong when Anna asked him to leave the room. He may have deserted.”
As soon as he said these words everyone in the room knew it to be true. A check to the stables found his horse missing and the guard at the gate reported Seamus galloping out minutes earlier.
“Stefan is in great danger!” the king said. “Seamus will go to him and kill him. He is the heir.”
“I will ride after him,” Jack volunteered.
“No. You guard Anna in case he’s still here. Get Geoffrey!” The king’s captain of the guard bustled in.
“At your service, Sire,” he said.
“Geoffrey,” said the king. “Where are my armies right now?”
“Sir Seamus sent orders to move Stefan further south and the rest to the west. They could not be further from you right now.”
“Listen,” the king said intently. “Send your fastest riders. Ride night and day and find our armies and bring them back here. If Seamus tries to stop you, kill him. He is a traitor. I don’t care if you shoot him from behind. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Sire,” he bowed.
The king explained to him they could be attacked any day from the east. Geoffrey’s face paled.
“How did we not
see?” he asked.
King Vilipp closed his eyes and turned away. “How? My most trusted friend. My daughter’s godfather. Plotting against me. Taking advantage of my daughter, taking advantage of my grief.” He was the one pacing now. “Anna,” he said, putting his large hands on her shoulders. “I love you, no matter what. You know you needn’t fear me.”
“I know that now,” Anna whispered.
“Tell me everything you know.”
King Vilipp asked her many questions about Seamus, his activities, the conversation with Anwar, the gems, and the soldiers they found in the forest. She hadn’t told him about Nicholas’s gifts yet, but how could she hide them from her father?
“There is one other thing.” He stopped pacing. “The priest gave me some gifts—a sword and a bow. He said he saw me wielding them.”
“Yes?”
“Well.” She swallowed hard. “They were from his great-grandfather, and they have gems of power in them.”
“Bring them to me,” he said.
Jack retrieved the weapons and presented them to the king.
“I could not use them without your consent, Father,” Anna said, simply.
“How dare he keep such things?”
“He says it’s not the tool, but the heart of the person using the tool that makes it good or evil,” Anna said. “And he does not live within the borders of Sunderland.”
He grunted and examined them closely. He checked the sword’s balance.
“And you wish to keep them?”
“Yes, Father. They were a priceless gift.”
“Very well. I will not hold you to the law considering the urgency of the moment. Please, Anna—use them only as a last resort in your own protection. I have no desire to see you in battle.”
“Of course, Father.” She bowed her head. “And thank you.”
Great humility poured through her as she felt her father’s love. She glanced up at his shining eyes. He held his arms open. She stepped forward and welcomed his embrace.
“When do you think they will strike?” he asked Jack over the top of Anna’s head.
“I don’t know,” Jack answered. “Seamus’s plans will certainly change. He might strike sooner—or even call it off and go into hiding.”
The king’s face lit up. “Even with war on our doorstep, I will sleep better tonight than I have in many months.”
Anna returned his grin and caught herself yawning.
“Why don’t we call Mary and let you rest after you’ve had a good meal?” said the king. “It’s late.”
“Jack, I can find you a room,” Anna said.
Jack shook his head with a small smile.
“Our servants will take good care of him,” said King Vilipp. “I want him in the room next to yours. It should be empty.”
“Oh—of course, and Father?” asked Anna.
“Yes, my dear.”
She leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Father, Jack—I mean Sir John William bought me a horse, food and many supplies. He needs to be repaid.”
The king chuckled. “He can have half the kingdom if he wants it. Don’t worry, my dear, he will be rewarded—soon.”
Anna’s eyes met Jack’s for a moment. She hadn’t taken ten steps toward her room when Mary burst through the door. She nearly squeezed her to death in a warm embrace. She led Anna to her room, fussing all the while about getting her something hot to eat.
Anna’s thoughts drifted back to the throne room.
“Mary—whatever you fix for me, please make sure Jack receives double portions. He’s with Father.”
Chapter 17
The next day all was quiet in the castle. Riders had ridden out the night before to bring the army back. The guard put a few fighting men on watch. The rest were resting and waiting, except for servants who were bustling about, preparing and storing food in the castle cellars. Huge quantities of salted meat, dried fruit and potatoes were set aside for the armies that would hopefully come the next week. In addition, servants were busy preparing a feast to welcome Anna home that evening. It would be a bit more subdued under the circumstances, but the king wanted to honor his daughter’s return.
As Anna walked through the grounds, people fell over themselves to bow to her. It was starting to get embarrassing. Anna crossed the garden and entered the stables. She took a deep breath and inhaled the smell of horses, hay and feed. It helped her deal with her rising nerves. Armies were on their way to conquer Sunderland. Her chest tightened at the thought.
What if they kill us all?
One of the dogs greeted her with licks and wagging tail. Anna kneeled down and buried her chin in the soft fur around his neck as she patted his side. He pushed up against her, drinking in her affection. Tension slid out of her with every stroke. The dog stared up at her with warm, honey brown eyes. So trusting. She gave him a final pat, and he followed her to Farley’s stall. It was empty. She had a sickening thought. Maybe they had gotten rid of him for what had happened to her.
“Farley’s out in the far pasture, if you’re looking for him, Your Highness,” said a familiar voice.
“Bart!” She threw her arms around his neck, laughing. “How are you? I hope you didn’t get into too much trouble on account of me.”
Bart turned bright red as she lowered her arms. “No, no one blamed me. I felt terrible, of course. I’m so glad you’re back.” He nodded to the empty stall. “I hope you don’t mind, but he’s actually letting me ride him now.”
“That’s great! Can you please bring him in for me?” She bounced on her toes. “I can ride him tomorrow. I see you are all healed up from our last venture.”
“Yes.” He rubbed his arm. “There’s no fear of that again. Besides, now that Sir John William has returned, I will continue in my duty as squire.” He beamed.
“He is a good teacher. You will learn well under him.” Anna winked.
“I’ll get Farley now.”
“Thank you.”
Anna’s heart filled as she watched him go, grabbing some grain and a stable mate to help. Sunderland would make it. It must.
She needed to return to the castle to get ready for the evening feast. As her shoes clicked down the stone floors, Mary bounced toward her.
“Come, dear, come!” Her tone was sharp. “We’ve been searching everywhere for you. Almost thought we’d lost you again.”
“What’s the fuss?” asked Anna. “I was only checking on Farley.”
“That horse!” she exclaimed. “Isn’t he what got you into all that trouble?”
Anna didn’t answer. No, it was Seamus.
“We must get your dress ready for tonight.” Mary tugged her in front of the long mirror in her room. Anna saw several choices hanging up and a tailor standing by to offer alterations on the spot. Frances was here to help as well. She avoided Anna’s eyes.
“Let’s just choose one and be done with it,” Anna said. All the dresses were lovely.
“This will be a special night for you,” Mary said. “You will be the center of attention and your dress needs to be exceptional. Besides, you know at some point your father will offer your hand to the knight.”
“But after the battle, don’t you think?” Her throat tightened a little.
“Perhaps.”
The tailor left so Anna could undress. Frances gasped from behind. Anna whipped her back to the mirror where long, ugly red scars reflected on her thin back.
“By the gods, child,” Mary said. “What happened to you?”
“It’s too much to explain.” Anna blinked at her reflection. She remembered wanting to have Frances whipped after the race. Whipped for having fun playing dress up. She bit her lip. “Pick a dress that will cover my back.”
“Of course.”
They eventually settled on a pale pink silk dress designed to fit snugly around her waist. The tailor would have to take it in as she was still a little thin. The arms of the dress were long and flowing. The skirt of the dress was full, but did not over
whelm Anna’s small frame. The neckline was lower than Anna was used to wearing without being immodest. Mary placed a chain of jewels around her neck. The dress was perfect, but its beauty didn’t calm her nerves.
She caught Frances by the arm.
“I hope there are no hard feelings between us?”
The girl shook her head. “I felt terrible about that night—truly I am sorry.”
Anna stepped forward and embraced her. “All is forgiven. I’m sure I did not always treat you as well as I should have.”
Frances’s eyes lit up. Anna felt a new friendship forming.
As Mary and the tailor worked to fit the dress, Mary prattled. Anna stared straight ahead. The mirror reflected uncertainty in her eyes.
“I’m happy for you.” Mary chattered. “Though he can’t make you a queen, he comes from the finest of families. He’s handsome, brave, and must be in love with you from all the time you’ve been together.”
Anna’s stomach dropped. She wasn’t convinced.
“You’ll dazzle him tonight,” she said. Anna coughed as she pulled the sash tighter around her waist. “You couldn’t have chosen a better man if you’d searched the whole world over.”
Anna wished she would stop talking. She knew what Jack cared about right now was the coming war, and that’s all she should be thinking about as well. Finally the dress was ready. The maids helped her carefully remove it and hang it by the window. She washed her face and frowned. For someone supposedly in love with her, why hadn’t Jack even tried to see her one time since they’d been back? Was he preparing for the battle? She thought of the weapons stowed under her bed. It’s what I should be doing.
“I’ll be back two hours before feast time to prepare your hair,” Mary said. “Now, don’t wander off.”
Anna promised not to, but did see her father for a small request. A guard let her into his private quarters.
“Father?”
“Yes, come in.” His whole face lit up and his eyes sparkled as Anna entered. He appeared ten years younger than the night before. His face was shaven and his hair was cut.
Gems of Fire: A Young Adult Fantasy Page 18
