Once

by Alyson Serena Stone

  "Damn you, Dak!"

  Dak's smile danced off his eyes. "What are you doing out here?"

  Ryanon kicked him hard in the shins. "You know why I'm out here."

  "Ah, I see. You were studying the prince's movements to see whenever he was going to take off for Trelia." Dak pulled her closer, as if they were forbidden lovers sneaking a moment together. "I've already told you, I will not forget about you."

  She eyed him. "It wouldn't be the first time that you have taken away my glory. Whatever happened to the whole woman aren't supposed to be assassin's business a few years ago?"

  "That was a different time and place." Dak looked over his shoulder. "I don't have much time, but I have secured a uniform for you to wear to Trelia. It's masked so no one will know the difference. You will need one to actually get into the castle tonight though. Just make sure that whenever you kill the guard you do it quick and make it look like a suicide. Make sure you get in the castle before first light tomorrow." He paused. "Oh, and don't forget his uniform."

  Ryanon nodded. "I know. Do you think the prince will decide to leave any earlier?"

  Dark shook his head. "No, I think he's praying that he is not the one to break the spell. He has eyes for a duke's daughter." He looked down the alley as a couple of his men appeared. "I have to go, but just make sure that you are in the castle before first light." He turned on heel and marched down the alley, his uniform shinning in the sunlight.

  Ryanon kicked a pebble with her boot after him, hoping it would hit him. Tomorrow night was it. The day after tomorrow, she and Dak would ride with the prince to Trelia with the hopes of breaking the spell. However, she and Dak had another mission. Xandria's king viewed the King of Trelia as an enemy and wanted to put his own son on the throne. She and Dak had to kill the king before he woke up from his spell.

  That was if they got through the barrier surrounding the kingdom first.

  Ryanon pulled the hood of her cloak up as the skies darkened and rain started to drip down. She walked out of the alley, acting just like a maiden in love with the captain of the guard. A few of Dak's men smiled at her like she was a piece of meat. She gave them an innocent smile back instead of ripping out their throats.

  Dak stood in the centre of the Commons, laughing with the prince. If Ryanon didn't know any better, she would had thought they were one big happy family.

  Ryanon stared at the window, as Dak slid in, his boots clunking against the floor. "Why now?" she asked, not looking away from the window.

  Dak looked up from righting his cloak. "Why not what?"

  Ryanon turned to look at him. "I thought it was too risky. We still don't know which of the nobles knows what we are doing." She crossed her arms over her chest. "Do they even know which king we are going after? We could be walking into a trap." She bit the inside of her cheek. She really hadn't meant to ramble like that.

  Dak moved closer to her. It looked like he wanted to reach out and touch her, but he held himself back. "Vicar just wants to get this done and over with."

  "So, does that mean the other job is on hold?"

  "It would seem so." He lowered himself down into her reading chair. "I don't like it, but if we are going this quick, maybe there's a chance the plan won't get sabotaged."

  Ryanon nodded. "There's just something very messed up about the whole thing."

  Dak looked up at her from his seat. "I don't know what you want me to do about it. If we don't go through with the job, the king will know something is up and he tends to start taking people's heads when things don't go his way."

  Ryanon smirked. "Kind of reminds me of this place."

  "We've come this far. It's kind of too late to back out." Dak stared right into her eyes. "Everything will be okay."

  Ryanon looked away. "And if it's not?"

  "Then, we will know that we didn't go down without a fight." He sighed, sitting back further into the chair. "Just think, in less than a few days' time this will be all over."

  Ryanon pulled her clothes closer to her. "Don't you think it's wrong?"

  Dak's head jerked back up. "Think what's wrong?"

  "Killing a man in his sleep."

  "We've done it before."

  Ryanon's eyes shifted out to the window as the clock chimed two. "I know, but there just is a wrong feeling about this. The king has been asleep for so long; it just doesn't seem right to kill him without giving him a chance to fight. Besides, how do we even know the people are still alive?"

  Dak just shrugged. "We don't know. As for the king, you have to think about one thing. He could be like my father. Do we really want another king like that in the world?"

  "Everything I've read, says the opposite." She paused. "And what about Amberfall, what is her role in this?"

  "I think my father thought she could break the curse. I really do think he's tired of waiting on her."

  "Is there any way you could persuade her to give us a hint?"

  Dak ran his hand over his face. "I don't think that's possible. I really don't think she has the power to break the curse."

  "But could she take down Nightstone? We are talking about the most dangerous fairy who ever existed. She did change the curse." Ryanon looked over at her bookshelf. "I mean, it is just possible that she has the power to end Nightstone, once and for all?"

  "She does seem pretty revenge driven," Dak pointed out. "I really do think it is highly possible."

  Ryanon inhaled. "Well, see if you can work your magic on her. I just wish we had more time."

  "Don't we all?" Dak got to his feet. "Let me see what I can do."

  Ryanon watched as he slipped back out into the shadows.

  Dak found Queen Amberfall coming out of her chambers. She was holding a piece of parchment, reading it with a frown. He moved toward her, so softly that most people would not have heard him. However, Amberfall was different. She heard him before he even knew what he was doing.

  "I see you've finally made it back," Amberfall said, her eyes scanning over him in a way that made him very nervous.

  Dak ran his hand through his hair. "Um, yeah, I've been back for a few days. The prince has been on a number of outings."

  Amberfall's eyes shifted back down toward her parchment. "I see. Tell me, has he killed any more elves?"

  Dak frowned. He couldn't recall Amberfall knowing about that. "Can you talk?" He leaned in close, but not close enough that the common observer would think he was trying to make a move on the Fairy Queen.

  Amberfall nodded without looking up. "When?"

  "How about now? I really don't have a lot of time and I could use your help."

  "My chambers are empty and I don't think there's any way for someone to listen in on us." She paused. "Although, I really don't think it would be best if anyone saw you come into my chambers." Her eyes shifted up toward the many cameras that seemed to line the halls.

  "If anyone asks, I'll let them know you had some security concerns," Dak said.

  "And what if they ask to see these concerns?"

  "I'll make something up."

  Sighing, Amberfall lead him into her chambers. Dak really couldn't her for being worried. She was a queen after all and she did have to think about her well being. Although he was pretty that she could take him in a fight.

  The chambers were neat, well kept. Dak wasn't sure how much of that had to do with the castle staff or Amberfall's personal tastes. A lot of people thought it was easier to hide things in an untidy room, but it was actually a lot easier to keep things hidden in an organized world. Too many things were spilled in a mess.

  Amberfall lowered herself down behind a table, motioning for Dak to do the same. His eyes shifted around, wondering where her personal guard could be. She reached under the desk, pulling out what appeared to a cosmetic bag. "You said you wanted to talk?"

  Dak stared at the bag as she started to open it. Inside, there were notes on Nightstone. "How did you know?"

  Amberfall smiled. "I have my ways." She handed him th
e papers. "I brought these just in case. I was wondering just how long it would take you to come asking me for help with Nightstone."

  Dak's eyes scanned the papers. "What about the king?"

  "What about him?"

  "I'm not talking about my father. I'm talking about the King of Trelia."

  Amberfall frowned. "What about him?"

  Dak leaned closer. "There's a plot to kill the King of Trelia. Is there any way to make sure he gets out alive without anyone knowing?"

  "A plot to kill King Rauffe?" Amberfall gasped, her face filled with horror, then anger. "How do you know about this?" Her voice came out hard, far harder than Dak had ever heard it. It was just a reminder that while she did look like a soft creature, she really did have fire in her.

  "I have my ways."

  Amberfall studied him with narrow eyes. "How do I know that you wouldn't carry out the deed yourself?"

  "Why would I be trying to save him if I were going to kill him? Why would I have wasted all of my time checking the facts with you? Why didn't I just go to the king and tell him what you were up to?" Dak smiled. "You never intended to help us, did you?"

  Amberfall's frown deepened. "Well, it looks like both need each other."

  "It looks like it." He nodded toward her research. "Now, are you going to help me or not?"

  Amberfall shifted through the papers, handing him a map of the castle. "There is a way to get the king out, but you are still going to have to plant a body." She got up and walked over to one of her chests.

  Dak watched as she pulled out the first layer with ease. It had a false bottom. She came back to the table holding a vial.

  "Ekrourmum will do the trick." She offered Dak the vial. "Just have the assassin sprinkle this on the weapon and it will produce an illusion of the dead, while the real king is taken to safely. It should last for a week or so before the illusion fades."

  "What makes you think I will be able to give it to the assassin?"

  "Because I think you hired the assassin."

  Dak pocketed the vial without saying a word. "Are you sure it will work?"

  Amberfall nodded. "I'm positive." She nodded to the map. "There's a secret passage right behind the thrones. Just make sure you get him out before anyone sees."

  "What about Princess Jessimond?"

  "If the curse does break, I really doubt you will be able to get her away from Vicar in Trelia, but we can protect her here."

  Dak frowned. "Have you seen my father?"

  Amberfall smiled. "Trust me, I know it is only a matter of before someone takes down your father."

  Dak nodded. "Okay, then." He held up the vile before stuffing it into his coat. "Thanks for this."

  Amberfall smiled. "Anytime, just don't let me down." She paused. "Has there been any information on what killed that noble girl?"

  Dak just stared at her. "What noble girl?"

  "The one whose face and side were eaten." She looked him over. "You didn't hear about that? I thought killing was supposed to be your of expertise."

  "I haven't heard anything about that. How do you know about it?'

  "Because Frostfire and I were the ones who found her."

  "Um, right. I had best be on my way." He took several small steps back. Why hadn't he heard about this until now?

  Amberfall just nodded.

  Dak turned away from her, leaving the chamber. She knew...She knew he was an assassin. There was absolutely no doubt in his mind.

  And she thought he had killed some poor noble girl.

  Chapter Twenty-Six: Signs of Fire

  Ryanon made her way quickly across town. The castle stood proudly over the houses of the lesser people. While it's stone wall and moat kept most people out, there were guards stationed every couple of metres.

  She ducked into the shadows and watched as the guards stared out into the darkness. She looked up at the wall. Even though she could not see them, she knew there were cameras and bowmen hiding.

  Her eyes shifted around until she found just what she was looking for. There on the south end of the wall was a turn with one guard stationed. Dak had complained about this very turn a number of times. The problem with this turn was, besides the guard stationed there, no one could see who was coming and going.

  Ryanon fingered her knife. She really did hate to use the same blade twice, because human flesh and blood did tend to dull them. However, she could not count on Dak to be there.

  Keeping low to the ground, she carefully and quickly made her way across the land and down into the moat.

  She winced as cool water sloshed into her boots. Dak was going to pay for this. Keeping to the edge, she made her way along it. Though Dak had promised her that no one would see her, she kept watching for an arrow to pierce her.

  She scanned the wall again before darting across the cold and foul water to the other side.

  Now, the fun part, crawling up over the edge and into who knows what. Again, Dak had told her to climb in this spot so no one would see her.

  Rubbing her hands together, Ryanon stared up at the thick, muddy wall. Yeah, this was going to be real fun. Digging her hands and feet in, she reached up and grabbed onto the wall, hoping that she would not fall flat on her back.

  She kept staring up at the wall, but true to Dak's word, no one appeared.

  Once she reached the top of the moat, she pulled her knife out and carefully eased herself out of the pit. Her feet kept slipping on mud as if she was in a carriage on an untreated road.

  She got to her feet and made her way with hunched over to the ground to the corner. Sure enough, only one guard stood there and with his back turned to her.

  Shaking her head, Ryanon crept over to the guard, knife clutched tightly in her hand. She flattened herself against the wall the closer she got to him. His breathing was so heavy that it sounded almost as if he was asleep or almost there.

  She now stood right behind him, ready to put the knife between his shoulder blades. There really was something wrong about killing a man while his back was turned, but at this point, she really didn't see any reason for her to be noble. After all, she just wasn't someone who played by the rules.

  Without another thought, she drove the knife down, through the spine and into the lungs. The man gasped, but it was too late. Ryanon winced at the sound of him gagging on his own blood as he fell to the ground.

  She stared into the man's open, light blue eyes. He barely looked old enough to be out here. With shaking hands, she stared down at them. The knife no longer looked like protection, but a weapon.

  To make matters worse, she now had to bend down and touch the man. Wincing, she slowly began to take off his uniform, but her hands were shaking so much that she really could not do it.

  "Here."

  She jumped as a larger figure appeared over her own. Quickly as she could, she put her knife to the owner's throat.

  "Ryanon, it's just me."

  She didn't lower the knife until the face moved into the moonlight. "Dak, I could have killed you!" She narrowed her eyes. "Didn't you think I could do the job?"

  Dak bent down and started to undo the man's uniform. "It wasn't like that. I just thought this would be difficult for you."

  "Why?" Ryanon hissed, as she pulled off the dead man's boots.

  Dak looked sadly at her. "I didn't find out the rotations until it was too late. My men have a habit of changing shifts without me knowing." He pulled the guard's shirt off. "I would have never sent you here had I known."

  "Known what?" she snapped.

  "I know he looks like your brother."

  Ryanon didn't say anything as she finished pulling the boots off. "I'm over it."

  Dark rested his hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to hide your feelings. You can be open with me, you know that."

  "We are not talking about this right now." She pulled on the guard's uniform. "Now, get rid of him and let's get this over with." She leaned against the wall staring Dak down.

  Sighing, Dak t
ook a hold of the guard's feet and started pulling him toward the moat. Only when he was out of sight did Ryanon allow herself to collapse against the wall, finally feeling like a female. Male wasn't about pain, but female was.

  Dak eyed her as he came back, but didn't say a word. "I'm going to take you to my office. Keep your head down and act like you just got reprimanded for whoring around."

  Ryanon eyed him. "Really, you couldn't think of anything better?"

  Dak shrugged. "Men are men and women are women. I cannot change that. Most men view women as something to control when they really are our biggest weapon."

  "What is that supposed to mean?" Ryanon asked, darkly.

  "Women are not as weak as men play them out to be. Look at history." He paused. "Now, come on. The king will be rising pretty soon and you don't want to be in trouble in front of the king, now do you?"

  Ryanon glared at him. "You really are going to enjoy this, aren't you?"

  Dak smiled. "Yes, I am!" He pushed her forward. "Now, march!"

  She tried to shake herself out of his grip. "Do not touch me!"

  "You really shouldn't talk." He tightened his grip on her arm. "You sound too much like a girl."

  Ryanon brought her boot down hard on his foot. His yelp echoed off the walls. "Now, you sound like the girl."

  Dak glared at her as he started to limp forward. "Really if any of my men had done that, they would have been placed in the dungeon and sent to the firing squad."

  She flashed him an innocent smile. "Good thing I'm not in the guard."

  He grabbed her arm and marched her forward. "Now, act like you are trouble."

  She winced as he dug his nails into her skin. "You know you really do need to rethink your uniforms. These things are useless."

  "Shut up and walk," Dak hissed.

  Ryanon stared at her feet as he led her through the castle, but not through the front doors. It really wasn't a servant's door that they went through, but it wasn't one the royals and nobles did either. She smirked. Even the captain of the guard wasn't high enough to be equals.