Crown of Crimson

by Rose Reid

  I nod. “And heard of your gathering here at Laeves’ estate. I hope you don’t mind I managed to get in, do you?”

  Anik chuckles. “Of course not, my dear. You always did have a knack for sneaking into places you weren’t supposed to be in. I must admit, you have changed quite a bite since last I saw you. For one thing, you had a different fellow on your arm.” Anik’s watchful gaze moves to Lyom and I see the recognition in his eyes. Anik offers a smile that is as inquisitive as it is polite. “Who might this be?”

  I consider feigning ignorance but just shake my head, taking an elegant drink of my champagne. “A Swordmaster, I believe.” I look back at Lyom, pretending to silently appraise him. He looks as though his head it about to fly off, yet he manages to remain composed. “The Swordmaster, if my memory does me justice.”

  Anik nods. “Your memory is perfect, love.” He extends his hand to Lyom, which the Swordmaster shakes in kind. “Good to see you again, Swordmaster Livingstone. I trust the king is doing well.”

  Lyom nods his head. “The king is doing marvelously, and he sends his thanks for your good work.”

  Anik chuckles and looks at me, winking. “The king is always appreciative of men who will not grovel at his feet and tell him not only what he wants to hear.”

  “Oh?” I inquire. “I would have thought the opposite.”

  Anik shrugs. “Most do.” He frowns at me. “I must inquire, whatever happened to that Haslett fellow you were with last?”

  I laugh sadly. “Haslett left me long ago. Strangely enough, I miss his company terribly.”

  Anik smiles sadly and takes my hand, kissing it lightly. “Haslett was a fool to leave you. Though I believe we already knew that.”

  Lyom looks between us curiously. I can tell he is itching to ask what our relationship is, who Haslett was, and how Anik knows me by another name, but he fights the urge to spew his questions and remains silent.

  “I’m not sure if I should reveal this but,” Anik contemplates his next words. “Haslett was in Helmfirth recently.”

  I feign surprise and gasp. “He was? I am infinitely curious to know why.”

  “And all shall be revealed to you in good time.” Anik’s gaze goes back to Lyom. “To what do I owe the pleasure, Swordmaster?”

  “I am here on business.” Lyom answers. “I must speak with you at once.” His blue eyes cut to me. “Privately.”

  I am opening my mouth to tell Anik that I also request an audience with him when Anik says, “Yes, yes, we’ll get around to it. First, I have much to discuss with Lady Forefall. I’m sure she would like to catch up on recent affairs, hmm?”

  I nod graciously and don’t hide my smile towards Lyom before nodding. “Of course.”

  Anik chuckles. “I’ll make time for you before the night is over, Swordmaster.”

  I can feel the animosity in Lyom’s stare as Anik and I turn and begin to walk away.

  “You know the Swordmaster?” Anik inquires.

  Knowing we are still within earshot of Lyom, I groan and nod. “Unfortunately so. We have crossed paths on many different occasions and our paths always lead down the same road.” I sigh as if reflecting upon a lost love. “But I suppose all good things must come to an end. What is your relationship with the Swordmaster?”

  Anik laughs in that calm sort of way. “Decidedly different than yours, dear Sabel, and quite honestly I’m astonished that he ever could have made you look twice. I did not think you to be the type of woman drawn to hostility. But I have been in the Keep around the same time as him and have been introduced to him by the king on many occasions, though I cannot fathom why he would be here tonight.”

  “I may know,” I admit, glancing around before pulling him towards a powder room.

  Anik chuckles when I open the door and walk him inside, closing it behind us.

  “It would seem we always end up here.” Anik says coyly. “Though we never travel much farther.”

  I turn around, facing him. “Tonight will be different, I assure you.” I take my mask off. Anik begins to move towards me but I position myself and hit him on the shoulder hard enough that he goes stumbling backwards into the wall.

  Anik hits the wall hard and looks up in disorientation. A confused look lights his face for only ten seconds before he begins to realize what is going on. With a harsh laugh, Anik picks himself up and dusts his hands off before returning my stare.

  “Your name is not Sabel Forefall, is it?” Anik guesses.

  “You always were a perceptive one, Anik.”

  He shakes his head. “I always knew there was something off about you. We always parted on the strangest of circumstances. And Haslett?”

  “Dominik Giovani,” I reply, expecting the blank expression that graces Anik’s face. “Another assassin. He is my reason for being here.

  I catch Anik’s posture relaxing slightly, indicating he is thankful I did not come to kill him. It is slight enough that he doesn’t expect me to notice but I do.

  “Never fear, Anik, I have not come to assassinate you. I search only for Dominik.” I continue on quickly, knowing that Lyom could burst through the doors at any moment. The laws of propriety protect me from him outside this powder room but without anyone to see his doings in here, he could barge in and prove himself the Swordmaster he is. “What did Dominik want from you? Why was he in Helmfirth?”

  Anik adjusts the cuffs around his wrists. “He wanted to know where the storehouses were kept and where he could find weapons. I’d thought he was loon, of course, asked where you were, but he ignored me and left.”

  “Where did he go?” I demand. “Adaai?”

  “Likely.” Anik answers. “It is the only place I could imagine he would go. I assumed he was in trouble with the king’s men but now I understand why he fled.” Anik raises a brow at me, as if daring me to explain why I want Dominik found.

  “How long will his supplies last him?” I inquire.

  “My records indicate he stole enough for a week’s journey. Long enough to reach Adaai through the Menca Denu.”

  “Agreed,” I reply. So Dominik is in Adaai. I had my suspicions but could not know for sure. But I did not seek Anik just for confirmation of Dominik’s flight.

  “I met with Zenith while I was in Helmfirth.” I begin.

  Anik sighs. “Please tell me my finest trader is not dead on the floor of the Cask.”

  “Zenith is fine.” I answer. “She mentioned something, however. You have been eavesdropping in the king’s court, and you know they search for Princess Cress, yes?”

  Anik arches a curious brow and skepticism is written all over his expression. “What is this about?”

  “I want to know what the king plans to do with Princess Cress. He wants her dead, of course, but why?” I demand.

  Anik shakes his head in an attempt to recall information he does not seem to have. “I suppose because she is a threat. She could reclaim the throne of Lydovier.”

  I frown. “He would not search tirelessly for her if that were the only reason.”

  Anik chuckles and smirks slightly. “Never underestimate the power of greed.”

  I bite my lip. “Do you know where Princess Cress is?”

  “In the ground.” Anik answers with a casual shrug. “I’ve no reason to believe otherwise. I am not deaf, I have heard the rumors, I just believe them all to be ridiculous.”

  I study Anik for a moment, waiting for a crack in his honest façade, but find nothing. Any grip fear had on me is loosened and I breathe easier. He does not know who I truly am, and now that he knows I am Aerietta Elony, he will assume that is the only secret I hide

  I incline my head to the record keeper. “Much obliged, Anik. I’m sure we shall see each other around.

  Anik chuckles but nods his head in agreement. “I look forward to our next meeting, Aerietta.

  I wink at him before strolling back out into the ballroom. Assignment accomplished. Now to find Lyom.

  X

  “In a word
, I was too cowardly to do what I knew to be right, as I had been too cowardly to avoid doing what I knew to be wrong.”

  — Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

  Finding Lyom proves to be incredibly painless. Actually, I don’t so much find him as he finds me. I’ve barely made it into the frolicking bodies when Lyom snatches me by my waist, dragging me off to the side of the gathering where it is far less crowded. He won’t risk dragging me into a powder room for fear that someone will notice and perceive something less than innocent is taking place, and if there is one thing the Swordmaster wishes to preserve, it is his name and reputation, though I don’t see how hauling a seventeen-year-old girl into a washroom could butcher his reputation further.

  Lyom grabs me by the neckline of my dress and brings me close enough to his face that I can see silver flecks in his eyes of indigo and smell the leather and cedar on his skin. He practically lifts me off the ground and it happens so quickly that I gasp, grabbing his wrist involuntarily and jolting when I feel how cold it is.

  “You know Anik.” It is an observation, not a question.

  “I don’t believe that’s any of your business.” I state, wriggling out of his grasp.

  “I am your superior.” Lyom growls. “You’re a ruthless assassin and you have made friends with one of the king’s most loyal record keepers. Yes, I’ll consider it my business, and even if it weren’t, your business is as good as mine.”

  “If it’s any consolation to you,” I begin. “I have never even considered assassinating him. Believe it or not, I do not kill everyone I see.”

  Lyom glares at me. “Tell me you gleaned the information we need.”

  I hesitantly nod. “Dominik is headed for Adaai.”

  “And Anik?”

  “Still breathing.” I bite out.

  Lyom’s gaze reads, Watch your tone. He grudgingly nods his head before speaking again. “We must move tonight. I will gather the supplies we need from Laeves’ stock. He’s a loyal enough record keeper that he will not mention our swift departure to anyone.”

  “We leave for the Menca Denu?”

  Lyom nods tersely. “It is about a week’s ride but it will not be like the ride from Adandyrl.”

  “I’m well aware, Swordmaster.” I say stiffly. “I’ve made the journey once or twice.”

  The Menca Denu is a harsh no man’s land between the two kingdoms, Evrallon and Adaai. It is filled with treacherous terrain, ghastly beasts, and creatures that seem to prey on your in your sleep.

  While Evrallon and Adaai are close geographically, they are not close in politics. Adaai fears that King Dryden will soon invade them, which is why the no man’s land was established. Slipping under the radar into Adaai would be easy if it were only me but with Lyom’s envoy tagging along, it will be considerably more challenging.

  Lyom frowns. “If we are lucky we will be able to catch Dominik before he crosses the border into Adaai,” comments Lyom. “You would be able to dispense of him in no man’s land, saving Adaai the political mess.”

  “Luck will have nothing to do with it, Swordmaster.” I say confidently. “As long as your troops stay out of my way, I should be able to infiltrate Adaai either way. But do remember, Swordmaster: should we need to infiltrate Adaai, you will have to follow my lead. Just going on a hunch here, but I am willing to bet that you have never stepped foot in your neighboring land.”

  A muscle pulses in Lyom’s jaw. “I haven’t.”

  I smile at my newfound power. “Excellent. Well, all the more reason to let me lead.” Motioning to the party behind us, I say, “Shall we?”

  Lyom appears annoyed but follows me back into the dancing bodies. We begin to make our way to the entrance, avoiding being thrown around by the turbulent dancers. As we find our way to the door, I look over my shoulder, watching the happy people. Once upon a time, I would have watched them with sadness in my heart, yearning to be like them. I would wonder when my fairy tale ending would take place, when my knight in shining armor would waltz in and dance my heart away. I would want to be a part of the festivities, and would even ask Dominik to dance with me, and sometimes he would. But now all of that has changed. As I watch the festivities, some of that yearning is still there, but it has mostly been suffocated by reality.

  There is no such thing as a fairy tale ending, knights in shining armor do not exist, assassins do not dance, and Dominik is a betrayer.

  The guards at the doors watch as Lyom and I let ourselves out. They take special note that there is no carriage waiting for us. Under their scrutinizing gaze it will be difficult to regather my clothes and knife I have left with the unconscious woman back in the shrubbery of the estate’s main garden. I will them to turn around and watch the festivities but they do not.

  Groaning inwardly, I grab Lyom like a radiant newlywed might and force myself to giggle. Lyom immediately tries to pull his hand out of my grasp but I won’t let him, urging him with my eyes to play along. Lyom continues to scowl at me and does not get the point of my trying to pull him into the shrubbery and I’m momentarily worried he’s going to shove me away. Somehow, the thought seems mortifying to me. How is it possible that I can still be embarrassed?

  I cut my eyes to the trees behind us and Lyom finally understands. He returns my giddy smile as best he can — which is quite the poor effort — and follows me towards the shrubbery, slipping his hand around my waist. I feel the chill of his hand at my back and try to ignore the shooting tingles that run from that spot throughout my body, try to ignore the lingering question of: Why in the world is he so cold? Lyom even throws a scandalous look over his shoulder, at which the guards quickly turn their attention elsewhere. I drag Lyom back into the shrubbery.

  The moment the branches cover us, Lyom springs away from me and glowers. “What are we doing here, Aerietta?” he asks in an exasperated tone.

  I ignore him and walk back to where the girl lays on the ground. Lyom follows and groans when he sees the unconscious girl.

  “She had better be alive.”

  “She is,” I snap, wondering why the Swordmaster cares so much about the wellbeing of everyone around me. Isn’t he just as brutal as I am? “I just needed her clothes. You could be a gentleman and turn around.”

  Lyom grumbles something under his breath as I take up my clothes and knife, stripping the dress off as quickly as possible. The ruffles and lace get caught up in my fingers and I nearly tear the ghastly thing off me, hurling it back at the unconscious woman’s body. I pull my clothes over my head and slip the knife into my boot once I get them on. When I am finished, Lyom says, “We can’t just leave her here.”

  “She’ll wake up soon and when she does the record keepers will be more than happy to keep her company until an escort arrives for her.” I reply. “Come along. I thought you said we were in a hurry.”

  Lyom continues grumbling as we head out of the ornate gardens and back towards the inn. Upon our arrival, Jamas meets us at the door, his glower reading clearly. I smile at him as I pass and hear Lyom and Jamas exchange words behind me, though I don’t care to hear what slanderous things they say.

  It doesn’t take long for Lyom to gather his men and tell the innkeeper we are headed out. After that, he leaves for over two hours to procure supplies from the record keeper. He must have difficulty getting Laeves away from the party because it takes him quite a long time to acquire the items we need to cross the Menca Denu. By midnight, we have left Erod and are headed towards the border of Evrallon. It is an hour’s ride to the border from the inn but we make it to the no man’s land in good time.

  The air is cold and humid, the worst kind of chill in the air. The sky threatens another storm but hopefully it is bound for northern Evrallon and the Menca Denu will be out of its cold clutches. The moon is still small, providing only little light. Traveling into the no man’s land in the day is challenging enough, but at night there are far more bandits there than there are in Evrallon, and the toothy creatures of the Menca Denu rear their
hideous heads. If we had the time we would wait until sunrise but Dominik will not slow, nor will he stop to make camp. He will move out swiftly and will not stop until he has breeched the borders of Adaai.

  The border that has been set up is a great wall made out of chiseled stone slabs. Every three hundred yards or so is a tower built up tall enough that the guards atop can see for miles. Gates lie beneath the towers, the only access point. The Erod traders must pass through these gates every time they venture onto the trading routes.

  We stand beneath one of the towers waiting for Lyom’s return. When he finally returns and mounts his horse, the gates open before us.

  “What did you say to them?” I inquire.

  Lyom gives me a stern look. Right. Lyom wouldn’t have had to say anything. His superiority over them is obvious and even if it weren’t I’m sure one look from him would have them cowering. I scowl right back at him and realize too late that it makes me look juvenile.

  “Check your saddles.” Lyom orders to his swordsmen. “Ensure your saddle bags are tight. We ride through bandit country tonight. Criminals and wild animals will be around every bend. We move quickly or we do not move at all.”

  I dismount and check my saddle all the same. My mare stamps her feet in protest when I tighten her saddle but I just pat her on the neck and smooth her coat down.

  Time to ride swiftly and silently.

  I run my hand over the withers of my horse, feeling the strong muscle beneath. She is quick and limber, might even be able to outrun most of Lyom’s swordsmen, of course he probably kept the best steed to himself.

  I mount my pony and gather the reins up in my hands, preparing to ride out into the Menca Denu. Lyom is correct. I have traveled through no man’s land on several occasions and never has it been a smooth and easy ride. I have been stalked by burly brigands, attacked by bloodthirsty animals, and hunted by the worst sorts of people one could imagine. There have even been times while riding through the Menca Denu that I have actually believed in the magic that was supposedly extinguished years ago, and never did it fill me with wonder and delight.