by Rachel Angel
The young man shrugged. “It wasn’t me,” he said simply.
“Yes, Timothy,” I said, ensuring I said his name with velvety softness. “I’m sure you had nothing to do with it. I’m sure that you’re the sort of young man who follows orders and never goes astray. Am I right?”
A crooked grin curled the young man’s lips. “I’m a very loyal soldier, miss.”
I looked beyond the young man. The older, more experienced men were growing more and more restless with every passing moment. With no one to give the official order, they all seemed reluctant to carry out what they truly had in mind.
To kill me and my small army.
I looked back to Henry. Behind him stood Avery and Axel as well as Ollie and Reggie.
Bringing my gaze back to Timothy, I smiled and reached out to gently pat his arm. “I think there may be something that I can do to appease you,” I said softly. “Give me a moment to talk it out with my men.”
Frowning, Timothy fidgeted uncomfortably under my gentle words and soft touch.
I winked at him before turning to return to my men.
“What are you doing?” Axel whispered. “Are you getting chummy with them?”
“I’m just trying to buy us a little bit of time,” I said. “If, in that attempt, I manage to find out what they are really doing here in Arcadia, well… all the better.”
“Trying to find a peaceful end to this is the best option,” Ollie said. “Aside from the fact that they outnumber us fifteen to one, they are also heavily armed and who knows how many more of them are up there in the trees just waiting for a battle to start.”
Agreeing with him, I nodded. “That’s right. I hadn’t even thought of that. If they were able to surprise us with their army hidden in the trees, they can do it again.” I glanced up at the treetops to see if I could spot anything unusual.
I could see nothing.
“What do you want to do with the bodies?” Ollie said looking down at Barnaby and Flamish.
I looked down at the pair. “I don’t know yet,” I said. “I think we should leave them here for the time being. There’s no point in bringing them back to the castle. Perhaps we can dig a shallow grave…”
Chapter 2
Violet
“I thought you might like your sparkling
“What do you think we should do?” Axel said.
“My men have arrived,” Henry said to me. “If you wish, we can escort them all to their point of entry, but I can’t guarantee it would go well. Even with my added men, we are still outnumbered.”
“Outnumbered or not, I do not want to bring this to the point of battle,” I said. “If there is a peaceful way to bring resolution to this issue, I would much prefer it.”
“How do you want to find a peaceful resolution with a band of men who are hungry for blood?”
I glanced back at the scrawny men wearing tattered clothes and, like Timothy, rags bound around their feet in lieu of shoes. The more I looked at them, the more I empathized with them. Did they really come to the island to look for trouble, or were they simply victims of their circumstances?
“I don’t really think they’re as hungry for blood as we think they are,” I said.
I suddenly remembered the conversation I’d had with Barnaby. He’d spoken of his difficult childhood, of growing up with nothing and of the envy he’d felt towards those who had so much.
Did these men all have the same story? Did they all come from a kingdom that was poor, that lacked the fertile soil to grow adequate food?
“What are you plotting, Violet?” Avery said. “I know that look. You have a plan in mind. What is it?”
“Arcadia still has a lot of land that is not tended to. The island is rich and fertile and awaits more families to settle here.”
“What are you saying?” Henry said with a frown.
“I want to make them an offer that will settle this dispute for good. It could prove to be a winning strategy for all.” Without waiting for the agreement of my men, I turned and headed back to face Timothy.
As he saw me approach, he cast his gaze to the ground.
“I have a proposition for you,” I said.
Timothy gazed back at the men behind him. “I’m not the leader,” he said shyly. “I’m not the one who makes the decisions.” He raised his arm to point to a man to his right. “He’s the one you should be speaking to.”
“I like you, Timothy,” I said gently, offering him a friendly smile. “I like talking to you and I think you’re smart enough to listen to what I have to say and to come to a conclusion.”
Nonetheless, I looked to all the men behind Timothy and raised my voice so that all could hear me.
“Your men seem hungry,” I said.
Loud grunts were accompanied by the nodding of many heads.
“You all come from a land that is harsh and cold. A land that is unwelcoming in the best of times,” I went on.
The nodding continued.
“On the other hand, here in Arcadia, we have more land than we know what to do with.” I looked out at the men who now seemed eager to hear what I had to say.
“We have much land on which corn and wheat and barley can be grown. Land on which cattle and sheep can graze. Land on which families can grow and prosper.”
The few men who still held their weapons at the ready, finally let them fall to their sides as they listened to my words and came to fully understand where I was leading them.
“In addition to all this fertile land, there is much work to be had here at Arcadia. If tending the land does not suit you, perhaps you are a talented swordsmith or baker or leather maker. We even have room for you in our talented and highly trained army.”
The men nodded in enthusiastic agreement.
“I can clearly see that many of you are already very talented in this field, and I think that Arcadia could use good men like you.”
I brought my gaze back to Timothy. “So, what do you say, young Timothy?” I said with a grin. “Do you want to partake in the riches that Arcadia has to offer? Do your men want to lay down their weapons and come try their hand at a different way of life? One that fills their bellies as well as their souls?”
He grinned. Clearly, he was interested in this new way of life even if it meant abandoning his homeland. “I think that sounds awfully nice, Miss Violet.”
“What do you all say?” I called out. “Are you ready for a new way of life?”
The men cheered and raised their fists to punctuate their enthusiasm.
I turned to look at my men who simply stared at me in disbelief. Henry and Avery looked particularly perplexed by my offer but I simply smiled and winked at them before bringing my gaze back to Timothy.
“That is a very generous offer, Miss Violet,” Timothy said as he looked at Henry then Avery. “But will your men agree?”
“Let me talk it over with my men,” I said quietly.
I left Timothy and headed back to my growing army. More of Henry’s men had arrived, ready for battle.
“So, what say you?” I said to my men. “Arcadia could use a few dozen strong and capable men.”
“But, Violet,” Ollie said. “They are the enemy. They came here with ill intent. How can we trust that they won’t attack in the middle of the night?”
“Attack in order to gain what?” I said. “If we give them the opportunity to build a better life for themselves, to build a future here on the island of Arcadia, why would they want to attack? There would be no need to.”
“Men can be strange beasts sometimes, Violet,” Reggie said. “Greed can do much to trouble a man’s soul and lead him to do unthinkable things.”
“Reggie’s right,” Axel said. “Today it’s shelter and shoes and a bit of food in their bellies. Tomorrow it’ll be a grander home, fashionable satins and feasts like that of a king.”
“Well,” I said. “If any of them are prepared to toil and work in order to achieve any of those things, then good for them. I
will make it clear to them that this is not charity. This is not a hand-out. They must work to succeed.”
I heard grumblings behind me and glanced back to see them fidgeting uneasily. Then I noticed Henry’s men who had spread out along the perimeter, virtually surrounding Gerr’s men as well as those who had accompanied Flamish and Barnaby.
“Tell your men to stand down, Henry,” I said in a stern and authoritative tone which surprised them all.
“But, Violet,” Henry argued. “It’s just a precaution in case any of them decide to do anything funny.”
I looked at the row of men who surrounded the intruders. “Okay, then. We’ll find out right now who intends to join our army.”
Henry’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Now? No, Violet. We can’t just allow strangers to join our army.”
“We can, and we will,” I said. “You will tell your commanding officer to set up small training sessions. Keep a close eye on them if you must, but they will be trained.” I turned to face Timothy and his men. “Who among you wishes to join a real army?”
A dozen and a half men eagerly raised their hands into the air while another dozen considered their options a moment before finally raising their hands as well.
“And are there any more men hidden up in the canopies that would like to join us on this new venture?”
Like a sudden rainfall, dozens of men jumped down from the treetops, their eyes bright and eager as they looked to me with hope.
“Please come forward,” I instructed them. I then looked for Henry’s commanding officer and signaled for him to come to me.
“Captain Brasheer, at your service,” the tall officer said.
“I want you to escort these men back to the barracks, get them settled in, feed them, and get them adequate uniforms,” I told him. “Bright and early tomorrow morning, they should start training.”
“Yes, Miss Violet.” The captain waved the new volunteers over. “Follow me,” he called out.
The men, in their tattered cloths, followed him out of the forest.
“The rest of you,” I said as I turned back to the waiting men. “We will lead you to the outskirts of town, where we will see about getting you set up for your new life.”
I turned back to Henry. “Please lead the way, Henry. I want to get all the paperwork ready for them to sign their allegiance to Arcadia.”
He nodded and we headed out of the forest. Like a small and tired army, we walked slowly until we were just beyond the castle walls.
It was an area usually reserved for playing or just passing the time. Several picnic tables were set up along a gurgling creek where many young boys and girls came to fish or capture frogs while their parents ate a leisurely meal at one of the tables.
Today, it would serve as an open air office to get these new recruits ready for their new lives.
“Stay here with them,” Henry said as he stopped and turned to us all. He looked at me. “I’m going to head into town, get the paperwork set up and I’ll be back here within the hour. Stay with them and figure out who wants what; a farm, a pasture, a commerce.”
I nodded. “See if you can’t bring a bit of food out for them as well. Some bread, maybe some cheese.”
“Will do.” Henry saluted me and walked off.
I turned and looked to Ollie, Reggie, Axel and Avery. “Will you guys stay and help me question every one of these men?”
They all nodded.
“Of course, we will,” Ollie said.
“Good,” I said with relief. A part of me had feared they’d resist and refuse to help me get it all figured out.
I turned to the large group of tired and hungry men. “Food is on the way, which I am certain will help you all to think more clearly. In the meantime, we are going to separate you into several groups.”
The group of men nodded their understanding.
“Those who desire to run a small animal farm to raise chickens, pigs or cattle on a parcel of land, come stand before me,” I called out.
A handful of men came to my side, including Timothy.
“Those who desire to open a commerce such as a bakery, butcher shop or general store, go stand in front of Axel.” I pointed to Axel who had moved over to one of the picnic tables.
“If any of you wish to truly work the land on a larger scale to grow wheat or barley or oats, go stand before Ollie.”
Ollie saluted the men and nodded as he made his way to a picnic table with a handful of men behind him.
“Those of you who might have a particularly rare talent and who wish to put it to profit, go stand before Avery.”
Three men went to Avery.
“And finally,” I said. “If some of you simply wish to find employment either within the castle or anywhere else in the kingdom, go see Reggie.”
The remaining men went to Reggie.
My men settled in to interview one man at a time. I sat down to interview Timothy.
“You seem a little fearful,” I began, sensing his growing nervousness.
“I’m sorry,” he said with a shaky voice. “Where I’m from, we don’t have a lot of opportunity to talk with women, much less such a pretty one.”
“Well, I want you to feel at ease, calm down and tell me what you see here in Arcadia for your future.”
“I have always liked animals,” he said. “I’ve never been a big fan of hunting. I’d rather raise animals than kill them.”
“That’s good,” I said. “What kind of animals would you like to raise.”
He shrugged. “Sheep, I think.”
“All right,” I said, trying to estimate how much land he would require. “How many sheep would you start out with?”
“A dozen would be nice.”
“I know a woman, Miss Adleton,” I said. “She has hundreds of sheep and she always has a dozen or so lambs running around. I’m sure I could get her to give you a few. You could start with that and grow from there.”
“Sounds great,” Timothy said, daring a shy smile.
“And what would you do with these sheep?” I said.
“Shear them. Make wool.” He blushed suddenly and looked away a moment before looking to me again. “I would like to dye the wool, bright colors, like deep red, indigo blue and sundrenched yellow.”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
“And I would like to knit shawls and blankets and sweaters.”
I looked at him and smiled. “You knit?”
He nodded.
I smiled at him. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone so young who knitted. I think that is fabulous.”
“Well, I can’t just sit there and watch the sheep grow wool. So, I would knit, sell my blankets, but also sell some of the wool for others who like to knit.”
“Sounds to me like you have this all figured out,” I said, growing more and more impressed with this young man with every passing moment.
“It’s something that I’ve thought about for a long, long time, but never dared even dream that it could come true. Back in my land, sheep barely survive. Those who do have very coarse and unpleasant wool. I’ve knitted with that wool before. Your fingers become raw and chaffed from how scratchy the wool is.”
“Well, the sheep that Mrs. Adleton raises have the softest most pleasant wool you can imagine, and I’m certain you will enjoy knitting with it.”
He smiled and his eyes gleamed with promise.
Chapter 3
Violet
Henry finally returned with a satchel filled with the necessary paperwork to get all the new recruits formally signed in.
Axel, Ollie, Reggie, Avery and I all took the forms and got everyone assigned to the post they had requested.
“Does your father know about these new recruits?” I said to Henry.
As head of the army, Richard Honeywell had to give his okay about the unusual recruits.
Henry nodded. “I told him about them, and I must confess that he was a little perplexed. I told him your reasoning, and wh
ile he was still a little reluctant, he agreed to allow the men to join in on the training. But there will be a constant pair of eyes on them.”
“As there should be,” I said. “While I am eager to maintain the peace, I do not want to be foolish enough to blindly trust them all.”
Avery came up behind me and handed me a pile of forms. “Everyone is set up. We have their names, where they came from, what they are going to do while here in Arcadia and their signatures promising their cooperation and good intent.”
“Good,” I said.
“What is it?” Henry said, looking pointedly at me. “You look troubled.”
The rest of the guys had come to join us and I looked to them all. “What is your overall impression of these men?” I said. “Do you mistrust any of them in particular?”
“I had one guy,” Axel said. “Maurice, I believe his name was.” He glanced at the group of new citizens. “The big, bulky one with the flaming red hair and beard. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there was something about him that left me feeling uneasy. I would keep a close eye on him.”
“I had three small and wiry dark haired men,” Avery said. “They gave me a very bad vibe. Maybe we should put them through a more thorough interview process.”
“All looked good to me,” Ollie said.
“Same here,” Reggie added.
“The men I spoke to,” I said, “all seemed very eager and happy to get started with their new lives.”
“So, what’s troubling you?” Henry said once more.
“I had assumed, that somewhere in all these interviews, we would find a hint, a clue, a matter of proof that would lead us to who assassinated Barnaby and Flamish.”
“Someone wanted those rogue princes dead,” Reggie said. “But who and why?”
“I had hoped that we would learn something from these men. But if none of them did it, and if none of them are aware of who might have done it, where does that leave us?” I looked to them all, hoping to find an answer.
“Perhaps we need to return to the scene of the assassination.” Reggie said.
“Did anyone think to pick up one of those arrows to have it analyzed?” Ollie said.
