Hidden Knights

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  Chapter Four

  Ackley sat next to the fire. “You asked me how I became a Knight.”

  “I did.” Reid positioned herself beside him. Since Anna hated the Winstons and blamed them for her family’s demise, Reid couldn’t understand why her mother would have wanted Ackley to be a Knight.

  Duke Ellington, Gordon, and Dexter also sat around the fire, no one saying a word.

  Ackley stared into the flames, not looking at anyone as he delved into the past. “When I was eight years old, I loved to sneak around the castle. I’d eavesdrop on my father and his men during important meetings. I knew all the hiding places. That was about the time I noticed a woman who also appeared to be hiding in the shadows, listening in on conversations. I knew she didn’t work at the castle, so I asked Mum about it. But Mum didn’t know who the woman was.” He twisted the stick the rabbits were hanging on, so they cooked evenly. “I decided to hide and wait for her. A few days later, I crouched behind a door. When she passed, I confronted her. I demanded to know who she was and what she was doing there. She smiled kindly, then said she could use someone with my unique skills. She told me she needed my help to protect the kingdom. Since I was only eight and didn’t know any better, I said yes.”

  Reid swallowed, trying to process the information. Her mother, Anna, had been in northern Marsden, spying on the royal family? And she’d recruited Ackley to be a Knight when he was only eight?

  “Over the next couple of years, I was Anna’s eyes and ears in the castle. Every three to four months, we’d meet in the city. I’d give her a full report, mostly focusing on who was visiting and why.” He turned the stick again. “One day, Anna asked about my father. She said something about my mother not being true to him, and she asked if Eldon was even my legitimate brother. It was all my twelve-year-old brain needed to start snooping into my family’s past, searching for things that may or may not have been there. I had no idea Anna was manipulating me. It wasn’t until I turned fifteen that I even thought to question her motives.”

  “Why then?” Reid asked, wondering what had changed.

  “That’s when I went to the Knights’ headquarters to train. While there, I snooped.” He smiled wryly. “I figured I should put the things Anna taught me into action. One night, I picked the lock to her desk. I found an old, worn letter addressed to my father. The writer expressed her love for him, along with her dissatisfaction with his upcoming wedding to a foreigner. It was signed by Anna. When I returned home, I discussed it with Idina. We both agreed Anna had to be using me for something—we just couldn’t figure out what. Then Anna kept telling me things about Eldon…things that made me question what he was doing and why.”

  Ackley rubbed his face. “As the years went by, Anna managed to convince me that Eldon was a power-hungry, self-serving, conniving man. I even found evidence Eldon had killed our father. And I believed it all.”

  “What are you saying?” Reid whispered.

  “Something just didn’t add up.” Ackley stared directly at her. “Did you know Hudson was poisoned the same way as Broc?”

  Reid shook her head.

  “All these years, I thought my father had killed my grandfather. Then I believed my brother had killed my father. But that’s not the case. I think Anna killed them both.”

  Reid wasn’t so sure about that. Henrick had explained how erratic Hudson was being before their father’s death. “Maybe you’re looking for something that isn’t there?” she suggested.

  He shook his head. “I don’t know. I need to talk to Idina. She always sees and understands things quicker than I do.”

  Grease sizzled in the fire, and Ackley removed the cooked rabbits.

  “Reid once said something about being a pawn,” Dexter mumbled, his deep voice echoing in the space. He glanced up, meeting her eyes. “I fear we have all been pawns.”

  Gordon rubbed his face. “I think we should alter our plans. Instead of splitting up, we’ll all go to Ellington. Once we’ve fetched Mum and Idina, we’ll travel to the City of Buckley to get Ackley’s fellow Knights and my soldiers. Then, we’ll retake Marsden.”

  “I think that’s a wise idea,” Duke Ellington said.

  Reid didn’t think it would be that easy. Especially if Eldon wasn’t the mastermind. If Anna had devised some elaborate plot, they’d have to deal with her. The problem was that Anna had years to perfect her plan.

  Setting out early the next morning, the group rode fast in order to reach the Gast River as soon as possible. If they wanted to thwart the king’s plans, they didn’t have a lot of time.

  “Do you think Victor is still tracking us?” Reid asked, glancing over her shoulder. There was nothing but flat fields for miles. If her second cousin were pursuing her, she should be able to see him.

  “He won’t be a problem,” Ackley replied with a grin.

  “What did you do?” she demanded.

  “When I went hunting, I backtracked, found him, and slipped him something.”

  “Did you kill him?” Reid asked, horrified.

  “No.” He sighed. “I knew you wouldn’t want me to. I simply gave him a sleeping tonic to ensure we could get far ahead of him before he woke.”

  “It’s not hard to figure out where we’re going,” Dexter pointed out. “I’m sure he can catch up.”

  Reid eyed Ackley. He was acting far too confident. “What else did you do?”

  He winked. “I may have given him a little something extra.”

  “What?” Reid and Dexter asked at the same time.

  Ackley rolled his eyes. “Nothing that will harm him. Just something that’ll throw off his vision for the next week or so.”

  Reid wondered if Ackley traveled with these tonics or if he’d managed to acquire them that quickly. She decided she was better off not knowing. “Remind me to never get on your bad side.”

  “Oh, my dear Reid, I only have a bad side.” He smiled wickedly.

  Two days later, the Gast River came into view. They’d been traveling west in order to cross the bridge directly into Ellington—it was the same one Reid and Harlan had used what seemed like a lifetime ago.

  Once Duke Ellington, Ackley, and Gordon had each crossed the bridge, Reid steered her horse onto it.

  “Are you good?” Dexter asked from behind her, still safely on solid ground.

  “Yes.” A mixture of trepidation and relief filled her. Uncertain of how much weight the bridge could hold, they’d decided to cross one person and horse at a time. As scared as she was to be on the wooden bridge with rushing water beneath it, the thought of being back in Ellington was enough to propel her onward.

  The river below drowned out the creaking bridge. Her horse whinnied, so she murmured a few soothing words to him, hoping he heard her.

  “Welcome home,” Duke Ellington said when Reid joined him.

  She breathed in the crisp air. As good as it felt to be in her homeland, it came at a price. Pulling her hat out of the saddlebag, she put it on, concealing her hair. Now was not the time to attract unwanted attention by gallivanting around Ellington as a woman. While here, she needed to blend in. Once Eldon and the Melenia army were dealt with, she could work on turning Marsden into the kingdom she wished it to be.

  With little fanfare, they made their way north. Each mile they traversed, the landscape dulled, the green rolling hills turning brown. The towns and homes they passed were all wooden structures in dire need of repair. The farms were scarce. In many places, the land was rocky and barren. The air turned cool.

  Even though Dexter didn’t comment on the scenery, Reid felt him stiffen when they passed a home with a lopsided roof, its doors hanging off their hinges, and children running around with holes in their clothes. She wanted to assure him it wasn’t her father’s fault—that he was doing his best. It was the infertile land, the harsh weather, the heavy taxes, and the restrictive laws.

  “How about we go into the next town?” Ackley suggested.

  “We’re only a day away from
my castle,” Duke Ellington said. “There’s no need to stop.” They had enough food and water.

  “I want to hear what people are saying,” Ackley explained. “Has word reached them that a foreign army is here? Do people have any idea things are amiss?”

  While Reid thought it was a good idea, they could glean that information from the town closest to her home.

  “Ackley’s right,” Dexter said.

  Reid narrowed her eyes. Dexter was agreeing with Ackley? That was a first.

  “If we wait until we reach the City of Dorsot,” Dexter said, “people will already know we’re there. They might be more reserved with their tongues.” He nudged his horse, riding alongside Ackley, both speaking in hushed whispers.

  Gordon positioned his horse next to Reid. “If you don’t want to go into town,” he murmured, “I can wait on the outskirts with you.”

  “Why do you think I don’t want to go?”

  He shrugged. “In town, you will have to play a role you thought you’d no longer have to. Axian was your freedom. This is your cage. I can see it on your face.”

  Her cheeks warmed at his astute observation—he’d always been good at reading her. However, he was only partially right. Her hesitation also stemmed from Dexter. She didn’t want him to see how uneducated her people were, the rampant poverty, or the poor living conditions. Most of all, she didn’t want him to see her bend to society’s laws.

  Facing Gordon, she forced a smile. “This cage is one of your father’s making. One whose bars I intend to break.”

  Gordon snorted. “Normally, I’d argue with you, but I won’t. You’ve accomplished more than I thought possible. If you say you’re going to change things, I believe you will.”

  He tended to side with the old ways, believing a woman’s place was beneath a man’s—in more ways than one. “I know you weren’t in Axian long, but you must admit it is a beautiful county. Women work, own property, and are treated equally. It’s prosperous—and everything I want northern Marsden to be.”

  He scratched the back of his head. “I guess.”

  “You guess?” she said a little louder than necessary.

  Dexter glanced over his shoulder, eyebrows raised.

  Reid shook her head, indicating everything was fine. As Dexter turned around, he paused, then looked at Gordon. Brow creased, he turned his lips downward before facing forward again. Reid wondered what had caught his attention.

  The road turned to the right, then the town came into view. Nestled next to the forest, the buildings were mostly two-story structures, some leaning precariously to the side.

  After tying their horses up, they headed into the first tavern they came across.

  Dexter wiped his brow. “Is this one of your smaller towns?”

  As Reid’s eyes adjusted to the darkness inside, she headed to a table in the center of the room, hoping they’d be able to hear more conversation from that location. Taking a seat, she cleared her throat and lowered her voice. “No. This is one of our larger ones.”

  “Why aren’t the streets paved? Why aren’t there any stone buildings?”

  The notion of a town not having those luxuries seemed like a foreign concept to Dexter. Reid tried her hardest not to smile at his naïveté. “We don’t have those amenities here.”

  When the bartender came over, Gordon ordered a round of drinks.

  The man wiped his hands on his apron, eyeing Reid. “Where’d you say you’re from?”

  “We didn’t,” Reid replied, her voice not as deep as it should have been. Not using her male voice for so many weeks had gotten her out of practice.

  The man opened his mouth to argue when Ackley slapped his shoulder. “Don’t mind my brother. He can be a pain in the arse. We’re hoping he finally gets some hair on that dainty chest of his. I’m tired of watching out for him all the time.”

  The bartender nodded. “I have a younger brother. He’s a pain. Make sure you don’t let him drink too much.” With that, he turned and lumbered away.

  Dexter scanned the room. “Women are honestly not allowed to be in here?” It sounded like the mere thought was ludicrous to him.

  “A woman is only allowed out in public with the proper protection—meaning a man at her side.” Ackley leaned back in his chair, smiling at the absurdity of it.

  “If Reid is allowed to be here so long as she’s with us, then why the disguise?” Dexter whispered.

  “Because even though it’s allowed, it is frowned upon. Women should be home tending to the children, not at a tavern drinking.” Ackley winked.

  “And women aren’t allowed to wear pants,” Gordon reminded him. “It’s against the law.”

  The bartender returned, passing each a mug filled to the brim.

  Dexter took a drink. When he set his mug down, he studied Reid. “You are starting to make more sense to me.”

  Ackley laughed. “There is no making sense of Reid.”

  Reid whacked him. He only laughed harder.

  Reid’s castle came into view. She hadn’t realized how much she missed this place until seeing it again. Tears filled her eyes. It was like a warm blanket offering comfort after a chilly day. This was home. Gray clouds covered the sky, promising rain.

  Royce stepped out of the stables, blinking. “Lady Reid?”

  “The one and only.” She dismounted, handing the reins of her horse to her longtime friend. “How are things around here?”

  He glanced at the others before answering. “The same as always.”

  “I’m sure you remember Prince Ackley and Prince Gordon.”

  Royce nodded.

  “And this is Prince Dexter, my fiancé.”

  Duke Ellington dismounted. “Everything under control?”

  “It is the same as when you left, sir.” Royce reached forward, taking the reins to the duke’s horse and eyeing the three princes.

  “Good. I’ve returned home with my daughter and Prince Dexter. Make no mention of the other princes. Do not allow anyone inside the castle without my permission. Understood?”

  Royce nodded. “Your squad of soldiers is still nearby.”

  “Let them know I’m home. Inform no one else unless they ask.”

  “Knox’s father fell ill, and Knox has taken up the watchman’s duties. He comes by every morning to see if you’ve returned.”

  Ackley barked out a laugh. He climbed off his horse before taking it into the stables. “He’d probably pee his pants if he saw me again.”

  Dexter also dismounted. “Do I even want to know what that’s about?”

  “No.” Gordon also got off his horse, leading it into the stables. “With Ackley, it’s best to not know.”

  “Reid, I want you to go see Knox first thing tomorrow. Inform him that I’ve returned.”

  “Will do, and I’ll take Dexter with me so I can show him the town.”

  Once they took care of the horses, they entered the castle.

  “Kamden,” Reid called. “I’m home!”

  Kamden came running around the corner, throwing her arms around Reid and almost knocking her over. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you, too.” Reid laughed. It felt good to hug her sister.

  Kamden released her, scrunching her nose. “What are you wearing?”

  “We traveled here from Axian. Please don’t start on my clothes.”

  Kamden pursed her lips. “You’re going to be a princess, yet you’re dressed like a commoner.”

  Dexter stepped forward. “Lady Kamden, I presume?”

  A slow, seductive smile spread across Kamden’s face. “Yes,” she purred. “And who might you be?”

  Reid folded her arms, not liking her sister’s interest in Dexter.

  He took Kamden’s hand, brushing his lips over her knuckles. “It is an honor to meet my new sister-in-law.”

  Kamden’s cheeks turned scarlet. Reid was secretly glad she wasn’t the only family member with that trait.

  “Not yet,” Ackley said, pattin
g Dexter on the back. “But nice try. You two still get separate rooms.”

  “Ackley?” a familiar voice said.

  Then Reid felt her. A force to be reckoned with. Idina stepped around the corner, observing their party with shrewd eyes. “I thought I heard your voice.” She smiled.

  Ackley wrapped his sister in a hug. “It’s good to see you. How’s Mum?”

  “Better.” She released Ackley, then hugged Gordon. “I didn’t expect you to show up here.”

  “Can we see Mother?” Gordon asked.

  Idina nodded. “She’s in one of the guest rooms.” She led Gordon and Ackley upstairs.

  “We don’t have any servants in the castle,” Kamden said. “When Leigh and Idina arrived, Father sent the cook away.”

  Reid laughed. “Don’t tell me you’ve taken over the duties of feeding everyone?”

  Kamden flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I have. And I must admit, I’m quite good at it. If you’d like to have a seat in the sitting room, I’ll make us some tea.”

  “Thank you,” Duke Ellington said, kissing his daughter’s cheek. “However, I am going to speak with my soldiers.” He headed toward the kitchen where the back door was located.

  “I’ll take you up on that offer,” Reid said. “First, though, I’m going to bathe.”

  Kamden nodded. “It’ll take about twenty minutes to prepare anyway.”

  “Come,” Reid said to Dexter. “I’ll show you to your room.” She led him upstairs to a guest bedchamber. “You can stay in here.” She pushed open the door, but remained in the hallway.

  He nodded.

  “Down there,” she pointed to her right, “is the bathing chamber. It’s not nearly as fancy as the ones at your palace.”

  “Do you want to bathe first or should I?” His deep voice rumbled through her.

  In the dim hallway, she had the sudden desire to brush her lips against his. However, there were too many people nearby to be so bold. “I’ll go first,” she replied, her voice breathy. “That way I can have a few moments alone with my sister before you join us, and she inundates you with questions.”