After seeing how much Richie enjoyed being on a horse, it became routine for them. When the knight returned from a mission, he would rest for a couple of days and then bring Richie to the same place to ride Sterling. They’d been so many times in the past three years that the path had been worn down to dirt, no grass daring to grow over their special place.
Richie’s heart was pounding as he neared the clearing. He had a feeling inside of him that was unfamiliar. Fear? No, that wasn’t it. Anger? No. Excitement; that’s what it was. He was anticipating what was about to happen. He knew it would be something amazing; surely this feeling bubbling through him couldn’t be a lie.
As Richie stepped into the clearing, his heart skipped a beat and his breath caught in his throat. Aston was there, sitting in the center of the clearing on a stump. He smiled as Richie drew near, and the boy mimicked the expression.
“Richie, I have to tell you something,” Aston began, but the boy raced toward him and threw his arms around Aston’s waist and the words caught in his throat.
“I was so worried about you, Sir Aston! I just knew they would find you and hurt you!” Richie cried, tears slowly falling from his eyes.
“You don’t have to worry, Richie. I’m fine. I am going to find the man responsible for this and then everything will be okay again. I will teach you to write and you will be a fine man someday,” Aston promised. “Right now, though, I need you to listen to me, okay? This is very important, Richie.”
Richie looked up at him and nodded, excited. Aston had always said he would take Richie on a grand adventure, away from Fridel, someday when he was older. The boy had a feeling that adventure was about to happen.
“Talbot and I were sent to find The Rogue Royal, but something went terribly wrong. Prince Talbot messed up the mission, and The Rogue got away. Now, don’t you dare say anything to anyone about this. You can’t tell Prince Talbot, King Donn, or even Madam Louise, okay? I don’t want you getting hurt. Do you understand?” Again, Richie nodded, desperate to hear more. “Good. Now, what I want you to do is keep an eye on Talbot. See if the king gets any more messages from other monarchs about the Rogue Royal. If you get word, come find me here on the full moon. Do you understand?”
“Oh, yes, Sir! I will be the best spy ever!” Richie exclaimed.
“Don’t be spotted. Don’t let anyone know what you are doing. I don’t care what happens to me, but I won’t let anything happen to you, do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir Aston. I understand.” Richie smiled, bouncing lightly on his feet. He was going to be a real spy. He was going to get to help Aston, and he’d been right all along about the knight being innocent. Of course he’d been right. He’d known all along.
“Good. Now, run along and find Madam Louise. Tell her your shoe came untied and you fell behind. Remember, you never saw me here.” Richie saluted and laughed, giving Aston one last hug before skipping off into the trees, humming lightly as he left Aston hidden in the forest behind him.
“Life can either be accepted or changed.
If it is not accepted, it must be changed.
If it cannot be changed, then it must be accepted.”
- Unknown Author -
Seven
Jade scowled at the woman staring back at her from her mirror. The woman was beautiful with her auburn hair curling to her thin hips, emerald eyes shining in the morning sun, and a diamond tiara sitting atop her head. The dress she wore was elegant, all white lace and corseted middle. She looked fit to rule, and her father planned on giving her away that evening.
Cringing at the thought, Jade turned, struggling to breathe in the too-tight dress. If there was one thing she disliked about being a princess, it was always having to look her best. If she was in a bad mood, tired, or just generally lazy, no one cared; she still had to act like each day was a gift. As she made her way across the room, Jade reached behind her and started pulling on the corsets bottom laces, loosening it enough to allow her lungs to expand. She took a huge gulp of air before turning around and falling backwards onto her bed.
The ball the night before had lasted until eleven. At that time, everyone had retired to their rooms for the night. The Rogue had come at midnight and taken Duke Aeron’s life, but still her father wanted the marriage to continue. Now that his father was gone, Jacob was being rushed to the palace; they were to be wed immediately. She grimaced, thinking about the man she was to marry. Jacob was just entering his twentieth year but still acted like a child. He was conceited and needy; Jade wanted nothing to do with the man.
“It isn’t fair, Kira,” she told her fluffy tawny feline. The cat had jumped onto her bed when Jade had collapsed and now sat curled by her side. The cat purred in agreement, rubbing her head along Jade’s arm, begging for affection. The princess gave in, petting her beautiful feline before standing and calling for her maid. She wanted out of this dress, and she wanted out of it now.
Moments after she called, a tiny woman with greying hair and dancing brown eyes entered the room, curtsying to the princess before coming to her side.
“What do you need, dearie?” the woman asked, her voice croaky and quiet. Jade loved the woman. She had long since dropped all formalities with the princess, aside from the required curtsy.
“Oh, Matilda. Father sent this dress up here to be fitted for when Marquess Jacob arrives. It fits fine, but now I wish to take it off until the ceremony this evening. Would you help me?” Jade asked, mentally chastising the women who had helped her into the dress before promptly disappearing. Likely on her father’s orders.
“Of course, dear. Turn around.”
Jade did as she was told and sighed in relief as the last of the corsets strings were pulled away and she could breathe again. Deciding Matilda was as good a person as any to talk to about her problems, she turned around once more.
“Matilda, may I ask you something?” The old woman nodded as she pulled the dress from Jade’s shoulders and slid it down to her waist. “What would you do if someone made you wife to a person you could not spend your life with?” The princess turned again as the old woman motioned her to, and she feared she would not answer her.
“Dear, your life is much more complicated than my own. I am free to marry whomever I want, but who would marry an old hag like myself? You are beautiful, child, and smart. Any man would be lucky to have you, and your father knows that, I assure you. He only wants what’s best for you.”
Jade sighed. A typical answer from a woman working in the palace.
Hearing her sigh, Matilda frowned. “Marquess Jacob is a fine young man, though he may be rough around the edges.”
“Marguess Jacob is a whiny toad who only wants me because he thinks I am beautiful. I want a man who sees who I am underneath all the dresses and rouge. The Marquess of Northsbury will not love me. He will wear me on his arm like a prize stag he just killed,” Jade replied, stepping out of the dress that now pooled around her feet. She bent to pick it up as Matilda grabbed a wooden hanger for the garment.
“Yes, child, that is all we ever want, is it not? You should feel very lucky. Your father has taken the difficulty of finding a husband off your hands. But, if you really want love, you will not find it in this lifestyle. If you were a peasant girl, love would always rule out over duty.” Jade faced the old woman again, her eyes widening. She hadn’t expected Matilda to give her such information. The old woman winked at her before leaving, taking the dress with her.
Jade stood motionless for a moment as Matilda’s words sunk in. The woman had given her an out. It took the princess only a moment to make her decision. When choosing between becoming Mrs. Marquess Jacob or being free to chose her own life, the decision was simple. An entire world was waiting for her beyond the castle gates; she intended to make it her own.
Ten minutes later, Jade was ready to go. She’d taken a leather bag from her wardrobe and rushed to her brother’s room, grabbing various garments from his closet. He’d been away for a few days now and she doubted he’d be back
anytime soon. The life he’d chosen upset her, but the decisions he’d made had led to her being free for the first time in her life, so she let it pass for the time being.
As she made her way back to her room, she watched her father’s servants scurry around the palace. These people weren’t truly free either. Working in the castle, no one had time to start a family. That’s why Matilda was nearing her seventies and still never married. She’d been working as the princess’s right hand lady since Jade was a child. Matilda had been her first nanny and Jade had clung to the woman like a security blanket ever since.
Hidden away in her room again, she tried to think of a way to sneak her bag past her father. She looked out her window, gauging the drop to the ground. Shrugging, she decided the bag and its contents would survive the fall and hoisted it over the ledge, watching it fall into the hedges below. She looked around her room one last time, making sure she had everything she needed, before looking down at herself.
Jade laughed aloud as she realized she hadn’t gotten dressed after Matilda had helped her out of her dress. She was dressed in nothing but undergarments. The princess went to her wardrobe and pulled out a simple yellow dress, slipping it over her head and reveling in the fact no corset was needed.
She tried to look composed as she made her way through the palace, forcing herself not to bolt from the castle. She entered the throne room cautiously, smiling when she saw that her mother had chosen to accompany her father that day. Normally the queen spent her days in the library or the gardens.
“Hello, Mother, Father.” Jade curtsied as she reached the silver thrones, smiling at her mother. She then turned her eyes to her father. “I was going to take Bella for a ride. Is that alright?” King Aric never had a problem with Jade riding her black mare, but she made a point to always let her father know where she was. There were dangerous people out there, and it made her feel safer if her father knew where she was.
“Of course, child. Be back by supper, though. We wouldn’t want you to miss your big celebration.” Aric’s grin spread across his weathered face. It had been a rough couple of days, with Duke Aeron being brutally murdered in the palace and his son, Jacob being rushed to Adion. It showed on the king’s face that he hadn’t been sleeping. It was barely concealed beneath his excitement.
“Yes, Father. Good day, Mother.” Jade curtsied once more and forced herself to stroll out of the throne room at a normal pace. Once outside, she didn’t hold back, racing across the grounds, laughing as her skirt flowed around her. She was finally free, for the first time in her life. She could go where she wanted, do what she wanted. She could go for days without bathing or brushing her hair, let her clothes get dirty and not immediately change.
As Jade neared the stables she slowed, switching back to her princess persona as she ordered Sebastian, their old stable hand, to saddle her beautiful little jennet for her. She found her foot tapping impatiently as she waited for the man, who seemed to be taking his time with Bella that afternoon. As soon as the horse was ready, Jade hurriedly mounted, forcing herself to ride sidesaddle until they left the gates.
She directed Bella to the castle, sneaking her way around to the back. She leapt down, grabbing her bag before climbing back onto the horse. Using a rope she’d taken from the stable, Jade secured the leather bag to Bella’s saddle, giving it a tug to make sure it would stay in place. She used the extra large skirt she wore to cover the bag and smiled. She always had been a sneaky little princess.
“Come on, Bella. Let’s go and find an adventure!” Jade urged the horse into a steady gallop as soon as the castle gates were behind her, and soon even the town itself began to disappear. She felt a little bit guilty, leaving her father to deal with Jacob on his own, but the man deserved it. A woman deserved to pick her own husband; a woman deserved love.
Jade had every intention of finding it, somewhere out in the world.
“Listen to the musn’ts child. Listen to the don’ts.
Listen to the shoudln’ts, the impossible, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me…. Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
- Shel Silverstein -
Eight
Richie had been thoroughly scolded for leaving Madam Louise’s side in the market place. She swatted the boy on the behind several times on the way back to the palace, but Richie knew she had just been worried. He couldn’t blame her for her actions.
As they reached the palace gates, he stole a glance at the worn path through the trees, wishing he could disappear in the forest and stay with Aston. They would have grand adventures together, racing through villages, saving damsels, and reading every book they found along the way. But he had a job to do now.
Madam Louise sent him to his room as soon as they entered the palace. Richie decided to take the long way to his chambers, passing by the throne room on the way. King Donn was there, speaking with someone from the city whom Richie didn’t know, though he could not make out what they were saying. With a sigh, he continued to his room, wishing he could do more to help Aston.
“This stinks,” he muttered, kicking the door to his room closed. He winced as the sound echoed through the corridor; when no one came to scold him, Richie relaxed again. He made his way to his bed, plopping down on its soft surface and resting his elbows on his knees. He leaned forwards, placing his face in his palms, and swung his legs back and forth.
I have to find a way to help Aston, he thought. It would do him no good sitting around in his room. As much as he disliked the idea of disobeying Madam Louise twice in one day, he knew he had to leave to investigate. Richie stood again, tiptoeing to his door. He would have to be sneaky and sly, like Aston when he went on his missions. The boy grinned, making a game out of the job and turning it into an adventure.
Richie crept down the hallway on his toes, listening for guards and bandits as he made his way through the castle, he thought, narrating his adventure. If the guards saw him he would be locked in the dungeon, but he had to save the damsel from the ferocious beast. He was halfway down the hallway now, his face grim.
As he heard approaching footsteps, he crushed himself to the wall, sucking in his stomach and being as still as possible. As soon as the sound was gone, he resumed his mission.
He was almost caught by a dungeon troll, but managed to escape! He slowed his steps as he neared the throne room, listening for the King’s even breathing to suggest he was asleep. Due to living in the palace his entire life, Richie knew King Donn took a nap every afternoon, while the sun was at its highest position in the sky. The boy snuck into the room, leaving the doors open just a crack so as not to arouse suspicion.
True to his schedule, King Donn was asleep on his chair. Richie wasn’t sure why the king wouldn’t return to his room to nap, but he pushed the thought aside as he crept soundlessly down the carpet, stopping in front of the throne.
“If I were a clue, where would I hide?” he asked himself, keeping his voice low. The king was holding an envelope in his hand, but Richie didn’t dare try and take it. The rest of the room was clean. He searched around and under all three thrones, looked at all of the columns, and even checked under the rug. Nothing useful was hidden there.
The boy jumped as the door he’d left partially open started to swing inwards. He leapt behind Prince Talbot’s throne and made himself as small as possible, his heart racing at the prospect of being caught.
King Donn shifted in his throne, his head falling forwards toward his chest. He jerked awake, shaking his head to clear the last of the drowsiness from his mind. Looking up, he noticed Talbot walking toward him. The king cleared his throat before speaking.
“Talbot, son. What news do you bring?”
Talbot bowed his head at his father before taking a seat in his own throne. “No word, Father. Aston is nowhere to be found. The guard has their best hounds after him now, but we fear he may have crossed the river. If that is true, we won’t find his trail.” The prince’s voice was thick wit
h anger.
Richie cowered behind the throne, silently praying that he wouldn’t be caught.
“I am sure they will find him, Talbot. A traitor like that is bound to make a mistake. He’s probably still running, leaving this place as far behind as he possibly can. The coward.”
“Yes, Father. I am sure you are right. Any word from King Aric? Does he know where the Rogue will strike next?”
Behind the throne, Richie raised his head, his interest peaked. This was the lead he had been waiting for!
“Nothing from King Aric. However, Duke Roland of Northsbury sends word that his king has been targeted. They wish for assistance.”
“Do you plan on offering them help, Father?” the prince asked, his tone hopeful.
“I wasn’t going to. What do I care of a country so far from our own?” King Donn answered, dismissing the idea with a wave of his hand, which Richie could just see around the side of Talbot’s throne.
“Let me go, Father.” Silence. Then, Talbot elaborated. “If you were a knight who let a deranged murderer get away and then ran away to avoid your sentence, what would you do?” Another moment of silence followed, and the prince sighed. “Aston will be going after the Rogue, Father. He’ll think that bringing the Rogue here will help clear his name of all wrongdoings.”
This time, the king answered quickly. “You’re absolutely right, Talbot! Go, son. Take as many men with you as you think you might need. Bring Aston back here, alive. I want to speak with him.”
Talbot didn’t answer, and soon Richie heard the sound of his quickly retreating footsteps. He waited until King Donn fell asleep again, his gentle snores filling the room, before he emerged from his hiding place. Donn had set the envelope on a small table beside his throne and the boy snatched it, tucking it into the waistband of his breeches and pulling his shirt down to conceal it.
As he made his way back to his room, his smile grew larger and larger. Not only could he tell Aston where the Rogue would be next, but he could warn him about Talbot’s army too. It was more than he could ask for! Richie would be the greatest spy Aston had ever seen. In five days time he would be with the knight again, telling him all the wonderful news. His mentor would find the Rogue, bring him back, and live happily as a knight again!
Knight's End (The Knight Trilogy) Page 5
