Cage of Destiny

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  “Stealing,” the man beside her said. “I was on my way to work when I saw her stealing tangerines from a merchant at the Bilarie Market.” He patted her torso where she’d hidden the citrus.

  “How do you plead?” the man behind the desk asked.

  “Not guilty, sir.”

  “I saw you shove the tangerines in your shirt.”

  She turned to face her accuser. “I had no other way to carry the items.”

  “Why did you run away from the scene of the crime if you didn’t steal them?”

  “I had to meet my father and was running late. As far as I’m aware, that is not a crime.” She lifted her chin in the air, wanting to show her social standing and prove she was not a common thief. “Did you discuss the matter with the vendor?” she demanded. “Did he tell you I stole the items?”

  “Well, no.”

  She looked pointedly at the man behind the desk.

  “One of you go and speak to the merchant while the other one of you escorts her to the holding facility.” He picked up his quill and began writing.

  “I’ll go,” the man to her left said before turning away and leaving. The man to her right grabbed her arm.

  “I am not going to sit in the holding facility with criminals while your man runs across town to prove my innocence. If you expect me to remain here, you will put me in an empty office.” Her hands shook, so she clutched them together, trying to remain calm and in control.

  The man at the desk peered up at her. “Fine. Put her in one of the empty rooms.” He nodded to his left.

  The man at her side grunted and led the way down the corridor. At the third door, he opened it, shoving her inside. Without saying a word, he slammed it shut, leaving her alone in an empty room with nothing but a small window serving as the only light.

  Going over to the window, she peered outside. She was on the first floor; however, it was elevated and she estimated the drop to be about fifteen feet. Nothing she couldn’t handle. Best to be quick about it before someone came and checked on her. She unlatched the window and pushed it open. It was going to be a tight fit. Hoisting her body up, she slid her legs out first. Not wanting to smash the tangerines, she pushed them around to her back and then slid out of the window. When her body was fully extended, she let go, dropping to the ground and landing on her backside. Quickly standing, she started walking, trying to blend in with the crowd of people around her.

  A moment later, Nathenek joined her. He didn’t say a word as they made their way along the street. After two blocks, he tilted his head to the left, and they headed in that direction. Her back itched and she wanted to turn around to see if anyone followed, but she knew not to. It would only make her look guilty. They continued in silence, turning several times as they made their way through the city. They finally reached the dirt road leading to Nathenek’s house on the outskirts.

  She rounded on him. “I did not appreciate that test. And I don’t believe my mother would approve of such behavior.” Stealing, lying, escaping arrest. She was used to putting people like that in jail.

  “You’re just upset because you failed.”

  No, she didn’t. “I met you at the guard station with six tangerines.” She patted her torso, showing him where they were stashed. She’d done everything he asked.

  “You were arrested.”

  “You didn’t say anything about not getting arrested. Technically, I wasn’t formally charged, and I managed to get out of that situation.” She folded her arms, challenging him. She didn’t go through all that to fail.

  He sighed, observing her. “You were caught.”

  “I allowed myself to be taken into custody,” she explained.

  He unwound the scarf around his face, enabling her to see his facial expressions. He raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

  “I didn’t want to make a scene, so I went with the guard knowing I could escape.”

  “You got lucky and managed to escape.”

  “No. I knew I couldn’t be processed without an eyewitness account or documentation—neither of which he had. I also knew there is always an empty room or office for meetings. So, I asked to be taken to one, which would allow me to escape without notice.” In reality, the entire situation had been a gamble, which had paid off. Going in, she figured she had a fifty-fifty chance of it working.

  “You’re resourceful and fairly competent, I’ll give you that. However, you are not deft enough to travel into Russek to find and rescue Prince Odar.”

  “How dare you!” She raised her voice as exhaustion and anger took over. “You gave me a task to do, and I completed it.”

  He went to move around her.

  “You’re not being fair.” She stepped in front of him, blocking his path. “You wanted me to fail so I’d have to stay in Emperor’s City where it’s safe. But I’m not a frail woman who needs to be protected. I’m going.”

  He walked away.

  “That’s it? You’re not even going to discuss this with me? I passed!” How in the world had her brother been raised by this insufferable man?

  Nathenek turned around to face her. “You’re reckless and act without thinking. You just rushed into the situation with no idea how you’d complete the task, no plan.”

  “You didn’t give me time to prepare.”

  “And if I had? Would you have made a plan? And then a backup plan? Or would you have run through the city like a gazelle, giving no thought to what you looked like? What kind of attention you attracted?” He sounded an awful lot like Marek right now.

  Those things had come to mind. She’d taken them into consideration and acted accordingly given the circumstances.

  “We’re not going into Russek until I feel confident you can handle these sorts of situations. If you had a plan today, you wouldn’t have floundered so much. You would have made it to the guard station in the time allotted, and you wouldn’t have been arrested.”

  At least he hadn’t said no outright. “What do I need to do to gain your confidence and prove I can do this?” She’d been to Russek. Had survived the dungeon, being tortured, and the deranged royal family. She’d journeyed to Fren severely injured. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do.

  “Complete the task again. You have two days to come up with a plan.”

  “The same task?” She’d never be able to steal from the three brothers again.

  “The exact same task.”

  “You’re mad.”

  He chuckled. “You have no idea.”

  ***

  Allyssa and Nathenek stood opposite one another in the sandy training area behind his house. The wind blew, whipping sand around Allyssa’s legs, stinging her through the heavy pants she wore. The sun had not yet crested the rise. It was too hot in this blasted city. Loosening her grip on the sword, she prepared to attack.

  “You’ve already lost,” Nathenek commented.

  Ignoring him, she attacked, swinging the sword, only to find herself flat on her back. Blimey, that hurt.

  “If you plan to reveal your intentions before you strike, you’ll be dead.”

  She stood, brushing herself off. “How did you know I’d attack like that?” She’d carefully kept her eyes on his before she swung the sword, just like she’d been taught.

  He smiled and stepped closer to her. “Your entire body gave it away. You loosened your grip, your body tensed, and you radiated aggression.”

  “What should I have done?” Something hit her side. When she glanced down, she noted Nathenek’s sword rested against her hip. She hadn’t even seen him move.

  “You should have attacked when it was least expected.” He withdrew his sword and stepped away.

  That seemed rather devious. Whoosh. She found herself on the ground again, the wind knocked out of her. Groaning, she stood, brushing herself off. “I wasn’t ready.”

  “You should always,” he swung at her as he spoke, “be ready.”

  She barely had time to lift her sword to parry the blow. Her arms s
hook from the impact. “I’m used to practicing with wooden swords.” She hadn’t expected someone his age to be so quick.

  “You have a lot to learn.” He was always so calm and collected. It made her want to smack him. “Your technique is exceptional—which is the problem. You must learn to fight like a ruthless soldier, like a criminal, like you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

  Irritation coursed through her. She swung and found her sword on the ground several feet away. The rules she’d learned to fight by didn’t apply here with this strange man.

  “Don’t want to lose your sword in combat,” he mused, a ghost of a smile flickering on his face.

  “You don’t fight fair.”

  “And you expect your enemy to be fair? To wait for you to be ready? To play by a set of rules?”

  Well, no, she didn’t, and when he said it like that, it made her sound like a naïve child. She rubbed her head, debating if she should pick up her weapon or not.

  Nathenek chuckled. “Again, I can see exactly what you’re thinking. Your face reveals it all.”

  “Then what do you suggest I do?” she yelled. “Since I can’t wield a sword to your satisfaction, nor can I behave in such a way as you see fit!” She let the tears flow.

  Nathenek lowered his sword, considering her. She spun and kicked his right leg, picked up her sword, and faced him, ready to defend herself.

  “Now that I did not see coming. That was perfect.”

  ***

  “I want you to be honest with me,” Nathenek said, setting his mug on the table.

  Allyssa took another bite of potatoes, observing him. “With regards to what?”

  “What we’re walking into in Russek.” He shoved his plate away and put his elbows on the table.

  She overlooked his lack of manners and considered his question. “Besides a volatile civil war, the hatred between Kerdan and Jana is palpable.”

  “Explain.”

  She told him about how Kerdan dragged her out of the dungeon, about to execute her, when he saw how much Jana hated Allyssa. How personal that hatred was. So Kerdan asked for Allyssa, and the king granted his request.

  The muscles in Nathenek’s arms protruded, radiating tension, although his face revealed nothing. She didn’t particularly want to have this conversation, but it was necessary so Nathenek understood how insane Jana was.

  “Kerdan and I struck a deal—Odar and I killed Lady Eliza, Princess Shelene, and Prince Soma for him, and he ensured Odar and I reached Fren.”

  No longer hungry, she picked up the plates and put them near the bucket in the kitchen to be cleaned. Having never washed a plate before in her life, she shrugged and sat on the couch.

  After a few moments of unbearable silence, Nathenek joined her on the opposite end of the couch. “I have another question for you.”

  “Are you sure you want to hear the answer?” Did he want to know about her time in the dungeon?

  “What is your… relationship with Kerdan?”

  “We’re friends. He never hurt me in any way.”

  “Do you know why he hates Jana?”

  “He believes she is responsible for his mother’s death.” Nathenek needed to understand Kerdan’s motivations for helping Allyssa so he wouldn’t think there was more to it. Especially since she’d stayed alone in Kerdan’s private room with him. “Kerdan is a good man.” Despite his reputation.

  “You’re just friends?”

  “He did propose to me.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “That I’d have to discuss the matter with my mother and father.” Because she couldn’t rush into another marriage. She would think with her head and not her heart this time, and she would always put her kingdom first.

  “Is there anything else I should know before we go to Russek?”

  That she planned to kill Jana if she had the chance. That she wished she was there right now trying to assassinate the evil woman instead of Odar. That she would protect her family no matter the cost.

  “Okay,” Nathenek said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “As I’ve mentioned before, your face gives everything away. I saw your reactions, your emotions, and I have all the answers I need.” He stood and headed toward his room. Before he closed the door, he turned and said softly, “I promise we’ll save Odar and kill Jana. I will protect you with my life.” He put his fist over his heart, sealing the promise.

  Chapter Five

  Allyssa scratched her back, the layers of clothing making her sweat. She wanted to tear the fabric from her body.

  “Stop it,” Nathenek murmured. He peered around the corner of the building. Allyssa rolled her eyes at his back, wanting to strangle the unbearable man. “Let’s go.”

  She followed him into the Bilarie Market. The sun shone high overhead, beating down on them. Everyone wore clothing covering most of their skin. Walking side by side, Allyssa and Nathenek meandered past the various carts selling fish.

  “Up ahead,” Nathenek whispered to her. “Do you see the three boys you stole the tangerines from?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” He leaned in closer to her. “We stick to the plan you outlined. But I’m making one change.”

  Of course he was.

  “Instead of stealing another six tangerines, I want you to return the ones you took.”

  Reviewing the plan in her mind, she saw no reason it wouldn’t work. “I assume you have the tangerines?”

  “I’ve already put them in the pockets of your cloak.” It unnerved her that he could do such a thing without her realizing it. “We better split up before we’re seen together.”

  She nodded, and he melted into the crowd and out of sight. As she approached the cart, she tried not to laugh at the irony of the plan. Walking with her feet wider than necessary, she waddled, one hand on her protruding stomach—compliments of a rolled-up blanket. She didn’t have much experience with pregnant women, but the few she’d seen had walked this way.

  With the cloak on and the scarf wrapped around her face to conceal her hair, the boys shouldn’t be able to recognize her. She approached the cart. Two other customers were already there. Perfect. Letting her hands fall to her sides, she felt the tangerines in the pockets lining her cloak.

  “Good, fresh fish,” she said with a thick accent, eyeing the display. The smell made her want to vomit. “I love that smell. I’ll take three tuna.”

  “Yes, miss,” Larek said, grabbing three filets.

  When he turned to wrap them, she slid a tangerine out of the pocket and released it near her thigh. It rolled down her leg, landing between her feet. She pretended to rub her back, squatting ever so slightly so the cloak hit the ground, concealing the tangerine. She quickly did the same with the remaining five tangerines. With them all on the ground, she shuffled forward until she hit the cart with her fake belly. Using her right foot, she lightly pushed the fruit underneath the cart, hoping none of them were too big to fit through the small slot. Thankfully, they all made it.

  “Here you go,” Larek said, handing her the fish.

  At that precise moment, Nathenek bumped into her.

  “Ahh,” she cried out, clutching her stomach.

  “I’m so sorry, miss. Are you okay?”

  “I think so. Could you please help me sit in the shade for just a moment? I’m getting lightheaded.”

  “Yes, of course.” He took her arm, ushering her to the darkened alley. Nathenek called over his shoulder, “Keep her order set aside. She’ll be right back.”

  The second she was in the alley, she stood tall and hustled to the other end, removing her cloak, rolling it up, and tossing it to the ground. She unbuckled the blanket around her waist and threw it to the ground. Just before exiting the alley, she unwound the scarf and hung it loosely around her neck, exposing her hair and face. Turning onto the street, she headed south as Nathenek had instructed. Holding her head high, she walked slowly and with purpose. When she passed
the next alleyway, Nathenek slid from the shadows, joining her. He’d also changed his clothing.

  “I can’t believe that worked,” she said. “I thought for sure one of the boys would recognize me.”

  “People see what they expect,” he commented. “Your job is to play the part.”

  “Playing parts is something I’ve done all my life.” It was something she was good at.

  “Now that you are getting more comfortable changing your appearance and using the crowds around you for concealment, I want to teach you to steal coins.”

  “I’m not doing that.” She wouldn’t take someone’s hard-earned money.

  “When we’re in Russek and need food or supplies, how do you intend to procure such items?”

  Russek and Emperion used different forms of currency. However, under no circumstances, would she steal from another person again. It felt wrong, and she couldn’t stomach it.

  “Tell you what,” Nathenek said, turning onto a different street, one far less crowded. “If you do this, we’ll leave tomorrow.”

  She stopped and peered up at him, trying to figure out if there was a catch. “What about my training?” Surely he couldn’t have changed his mind so quickly.

  “It’s a long journey. I will continue to train you along the way.”

  “I won’t steal someone’s money.” She was done playing his games. Stealing from the hard-working citizens of her own kingdom went against everything she believed in. Turning, she walked away. She was resourceful and would figure out a way to do this on her own.

  Two blocks later, Nathenek caught up to her. “I was wondering how far I could push you. I’m surprised you lasted this long.”

  “Is everything a game to you? A test?”

  “I won’t be put in a life-and-death situation with someone I don’t know.”

  “You know my mother and my brother. Isn’t that enough?”

  “You’re far more reckless than Rema. You remind me more of your father.” He sighed and looked sidelong at her. “And you are nothing like your brother.”

  She wished he would talk more about Savenek.

  Several people ran past them. A roar of cheering erupted. “What’s going on?” she asked.