Shaking her head, Katarina walked over to the window and opened it. It was still raining. “So much for getting warm,” she muttered, then climbed onto the roof. She glanced around before she started running.
*
“I’m so sorry,” Adam said. “I had no choice.”
I was scowling at Adam, angry at his betrayal. After a brief struggle, we were dragged to the dungeons and dumped in the cell with Job.
Job tilted his head. “So the escape plan didn’t go as planned?”
“No.” I glared at Adam. “There was a complication we didn’t know about.”
“Go easy on him, Max,” Evin said, laying a hand on my arm. “He’s just a kid.”
“The king made me,” Adam whispered. “He said that if I didn’t, he would hurt my sister. I had no choice.”
I sighed, bowing my head. After a moment, I made my decision. “All right. I forgive you. Now we need to find a way to get out of here. Any ideas?”
Job looked up at me, his teeth flashing white in the gloom as he smiled. “Well, we don’t have many options. I have already searched the cell. There is nothing that we can use, other than that pile of bones.” He jerked a thumb at a shadowy corner where the bones lay.
Evin pulled a brooch pin from his shirt. “Can this be of any use?”
I took the pin, turning it over in my hands, then glanced at the wooden door with the barred window. Turning to Adam, I asked, “Can you fit your arm through those bars?”
Adam’s face brightened, and he leapt up. His thin arm fit through easily, and he beamed at me. “Yep!”
“Now, can you reach the lock?” Adam’s face twisted with concentration as he pushed his arm further through. He nodded, and I asked, “Do you know how to pick a lock?” Adam shook his head, and I sighed. Twisting the brooch pin into the shape I needed, I held it out to Adam. “Don’t drop it. Now, if you want to pick a lock, you need to put this into it and feel for the tumblers inside.” Adam nodded as I explained how to pick a lock.
Adam took the crude lock pick and thrust his arm through the bars again. We all held our breaths as he fiddled with the lock. Finally, there was a click followed by Adam’s cry of triumph. “Got it!”
I smiled at him as he gave me the twisted brooch pin. “Good job.” I pocketed the make-shift lock pick and opened the door. We all filtered out and ran down the dark corridors, the promise of freedom luring us on.
Two guards stepped out in front of us, and we slid to a stop.
“Uh oh,” Evin muttered.
The guards gaped at us, then both drew their swords with a faint hiss of steel on steel. I glanced at the people around me and came to a decision. After taking a deep breath, I charged the guards and knocked them down. “Run!” I yelled as the guards tried to clamber to their feet, hampered by their swords and armor.
Job and Adam, after a slight hesitation, ran on down the corridor. Evin stopped at my side, starting to draw his sword, which he had found outside the cell. I gave him a push that sent him staggering. “Run!”
“I’m not leaving you!” Evin shouted back. “I can help!”
I stepped closer to him and grabbed a fistful of his shirt. Looking into his eyes, I said, “I am not letting you die with me. I know that you aren’t a coward, and I know you want to help me. But I don’t matter; the rebels do. You need to lead them; help them. Now go!”
I pushed him again, and he started running. The two guards who I had knocked down were swinging their swords at me as I turned, and I had to drop flat to avoid them. One of the soldiers raised a boot to stomp on my head, but I rolled to the side and into a crouch.
Once again, they attacked, both lunging with their swords. I jumped over the deadly points and kicked them down. The blades clattered to the ground, ripped from the guards’ grasp, but the momentary contact allowed me to spring off them and perform a graceful flip over the two guards. I rolled when I landed, then jumped up to run down the corridor.
Behind me, I heard the guards’ shouts and their heavy boots tramping after me. Capture, I knew, was just around the corner, so I wasn’t surprised when I came to the exit. Dozens of soldiers blocked it, all with naked blades and grim expressions.
I slowed to a stop, scanning the room. None of my friends were in it, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Now I could only hope that they made it away from the castle as well.
Several of the grim-faced soldiers came at me. My eyes narrowed as I glanced at them, then I dove into a forward roll. I bounced up next to the guard closest to me, my hands flashing towards his exposed neck. He dropped his sword with a cough as I jabbed him in the throat, and I scooped it up.
A few more guards came at me. Small cuts appeared on my arms and chest as I retreated from the onslaught, then a sword slipped past my guard and slashed me across the ribs.
I dropped the sword with a cry of pain, clutching the wound. Instantly, I was surrounded by a ring of swords aimed at my throat. As my arms were being secured behind my back, I thought I glimpsed Katarina up on the ceiling beams.
Chapter Nine
I was dragged before the king and flung at his feet. He kicked me, and I struggled onto my knees as I caught my breath. I refused to look up at him, so a guard grabbed my hair and pulled my head back. Daveen sneered at me. “How mighty are the fallen, eh?” He turned and beckoned, and my sister walked forward, biting her lip. Disgust filled me as the king placed his arm around her shoulders in a fatherly gesture. “Is there anything you would like to say to your sister, Max?”
“She’s not my sister,” I said quietly. “Not anymore.”
Ella flinched, tears glimmering in her eyes. The soldier behind me released my hair, and I looked away.
*
Katarina stood, and the quiet murmur of voices stopped. “Max has been captured.” Several of the people in the room groaned. “He hid his identity from us because he was posing as Chance, the healer’s apprentice.”
Randall went white, his eyes darting. “How do you know we can trust him?”
“We can trust him,” Katarina snapped. “He got captured so we could escape. Now we need to repay the favor.”
Wesson, an old man with intelligent brown eyes, snorted. “How do you propose we do that? The castle is a fortress, the dungeons even more so. We won’t be able to rescue him.”
Katarina shook her head. “Nothing is impossible. There must be a way.”
Suddenly, the door flew open and the king’s healer strode in. Everyone in the room gaped at the tall man. He threw back the hood on his cloak and raised his chin. “My name is Larpsen. I am a spy for enemies of the king. I know how we can get Max out of the castle.”
*
The king laughed, his hand clamping onto my sister’s shoulder. He fluttered his fingers at the guards, who then hauled me to my feet and to the dungeons. Ella and the king followed, Ella’s weeping mixing with the king’s laughter.
In the dungeons, I was forced into a room that had a hooded man and a table. A fireplace in one corner had several hot fire pokers, and there was another table with several instruments I recognized. Torture.
I didn’t put up a fight as I was gagged and chained to the table. The king released my sister and stepped closer to rip off my shirt. Ella’s eyes went wide as she raised a trembling hand to her mouth. The hooded man bowed to Daveen, asking, “What do you want me to do with him, Sire?”
Daveen shrugged, turning to go. “Break him.”
The hooded man laughed, pulling on a glove before picking up a fire poker. He held it over my chest, turning his head to address the frozen Ella. “You should stay, dear. This is going to be fascinating.”
Ella looked like she was going to vomit. The torturer touched the red hot metal to my chest with an expectant chuckle. I screamed into the gag, my hands clenching. The torturer removed the metal, then put it back on.
*
Ella stared at Max, horro
r clogging her throat. Tears ran down her cheeks as she watched her younger brother being burned. The third time the torturer touched the burning metal to Max’s skin, she turned and ran out of the room.
Ella ran to the queen’s room and entered without knocking. Jane turned, concern shining in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Ella as fresh tears coursed down her cheeks. “He’s being tortured,” she said in a broken whisper. “He’s going to be executed.”
Jane stroked her hair. “Your brother is a criminal. He is not the same person you once knew.”
The king entered the room and saw the weeping Ella. He came and laid a comforting hand on her arm. “He would have killed us, Ella,” he said in a gentle voice. “He would have killed you. You saw the look in his eyes. I am afraid that his mind snapped when he was supposed to be executed the first time. He is dangerous, and must be stopped.
Ella sniffed, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Jane held Ella’s hands, looking at the king. Daveen nodded, and Jane smiled at the young woman. “Ella, you know that Daveen and I cannot have children, and Daveen has no heirs. We would like to name you as our heir. We have the paperwork, and will be announcing it tomorrow.”
Ella’s jaw dropped, her brother’s suffering forgotten in the shock of this new announcement. “Really? I—I would be honored.”
Daveen nodded, pleased. He had just acquired another pawn.
*
There was a soft touch on my shoulder a few hours after I was deposited in a dark room, and a familiar voice said, “Max.”
I opened my eyes, squinting in the light from a lamp Evin held. Katarina smiled in relief, reaching forward to remove the gag that cut into my mouth. Evin placed the lamp on the floor and undid the ropes on my wrists before helping me sit up. I tried unsuccessfully to hide a groan, and Evin looked concerned. “Are you all right?”
“No.” My voice was hoarse from screaming. I looked at the burns on my chest. “No, I am definitely not all right. What are you two doing here?”
Katarina smiled, a dangerous light entering her eye. “We are going to bust you out.”
I raised a brow. “And how do you propose to do that?”
Evin grinned, twirling a set of keys around his finger. “The ah…torturer is in for a long nap, and Job has taken his place. He is going to get you out.” He glanced at Katarina, who nodded. “The king has requested another ‘therapy session’, as he calls it. He will be coming down any minute now.”
The door opened, and a hooded man came in. “It’s time,” Job said. “The king has just arrived.”
I nodded and stood, barely stifling another groan. Katarina and Evin stood as well, and Katarina shot me a tight smile. “Good luck.”
Job grabbed my arm, pulling me out the door and down a corridor to the torture room. The king and my sister stood in it, and fresh hatred coursed through me as I saw the unpleasant smirk on Daveen’s face. That smirk quickly turned into a scowl. “Why isn’t he bound?”
Job didn’t answer, releasing me and turning to the fire instead. Daveen’s brows drew together and he opened his mouth, but I punched him before he could say anything. He fell back against the wall, raising a hand to finger his split lip. Ella shrieked, her eyes going wide as she clamped a hand over her mouth.
Ignoring her, I grabbed Daveen’s expensive silk shirt and pulled him to his feet. As I cocked my fist for another strike, I met the king’s terrified gaze. “This,” I said quietly, “is for my parents.” The blow landed on Daveen’s jaw, snapping his head back. I released him and he sagged, semiconscious, to his knees.
My kick landed on his abdomen, making him double up with a grunt. Before he could recover, I jerked my knee up. Daveen’s nose broke with a dull crunch, and more blood ran down his face. As I kicked Daveen again, Job quietly slipped out, leaving me alone with my sister and the king.
After I kicked the king a few more times, Ella ran forward and placed herself in front of him. Tears were running down her face. “Stop it, Max.”
I laughed. “Why should I?” Pointing at the cowering king, I asked, “Would he have stopped murdering those who opposed him? Would he have stopped torturing me? No. He is getting what he deserves.”
Ella shook her head. “No, he isn’t. Daveen hasn’t murdered; the executions were of dangerously unstable people. People like you.”
I stared at her, speechless. When I finally found my voice, it was filled with disbelief. “You actually believe that? Ella, I watched a baby be burned alive. That is murder.”
Ella’s eyes narrowed. She pointed at the door, saying vehemently, “Get out. Now.”
I glanced at the king one more time, then exited the room. Job was waiting outside, and handed me a shirt. I took it and pulled it on, wincing as it rubbed against the burns on my chest. “Let’s go,” I said, marching off down the corridor.
Job matched my long strides, glancing at me. “What about your sister?”
“She isn’t my sister.”
*
Ella waited until the door had closed behind Max before turning to Daveen. He smiled weakly at her, his nose smashed flat. “Thank you, Ella. You will be a good queen someday.”
Ella gently touched the bruise that was forming on his jaw. “I can’t believe he did this to you.”
Daveen shook his head. “Your brother isn’t the same person you once knew. He is dangerous, and must be stopped at all costs.
A chill ran down Ella’s spine as she recalled the burning hatred in Max’s eyes, and she nodded in silent agreement.
*
After Job had escorted Max out, Katarina and Evin exited the castle. Evin turned to look back at it. “Are they going to be all right?”
Katarina nodded. “Father will get him out. You go on without me. I have something that I need to do.” Evin looked puzzled, but nodded and walked to the stables to fetch horses. Katarina located the king’s and queen’s room before going to the castle wall. She rubbed her fingers, then started climbing.
It was a grueling climb, and by the time Katarina made it to the room’s balcony, she was shaking and her forehead was sheened with sweat.
“Note to self,” she muttered. “Don’t climb that ever again.” She glanced to the west, where the sunlight was fading rapidly, before opening the balcony doors and walking into the room. No one was in it, so she hid behind the heavy curtains.
All light had faded from the sky by the time Daveen, Jane, and Max’s sister entered the room with a lamp. Katarina smiled as she saw the alterations Max had made to the king’s previously handsome face. Jane helped him to the bed before sitting by him and stroking his brow. Max’s sister sat on a chair and fiddled with her jewelry.
Judging that the time was right, Katarina slipped a knife from its sheath and stepped from behind the curtain. Silently, she crossed the room to where the king lay. The sister was the first to see her, and she cried out in alarm. Jane turned just as Katarina reached the bed, her eyes growing wide.
Daveen’s expression filled with horror as Katarina stabbed him, then his breath left him in a sigh as the knife pierced his heart. Both Jane and Max’s sister screamed as Katarina retrieved her knife and slammed it back into its sheath. She locked gazes with Max’s sister for a split second, then she sprinted for the balcony doors. After throwing them open, she jumped and caught the edge of the roof to pull herself up. As she started running along the roof, the enraged shouts of guards rose into the air behind her.
Mission completed successfully.
*
“The king?” I asked as Katarina stopped her horse next to mine.
“Dead.”
“Good.” I turned my head to look at the hated castle. “The royal line has ended, for the king had no heirs. It is almost finished.”
Job grinned savagely. “Freedom for all is within our reach.”
Evin nodded. “Once you get rid of the rest of the lords, it will be rel
atively easy to install a new government.”
“Nothing is that simple,” Katarina said. “But we are going in the right direction.” She spurred her horse forward, quickly disappearing among the trees, her father and Adam following her.
Evin and I gazed at the castle for a moment longer. “Are you sure you don’t want to take your sister?” Evin asked.
“Yes.” I turned my horse and followed Katarina, leaving Evin frowning after me.
We rode into the town, where Job stopped to pick up some things from a house. I watched the road to the castle, certain that someone was following us.
Sure enough, a dark shadow atop a ghostly white horse detached itself from the trees. I frowned, recognizing Larpsen’s horse. As he drew closer, I pulled my knife from its sheath. “What are you doing here?”
Katarina spurred her horse closer. “Don’t worry, Max. He is the one who came up with the plan to get you out of the castle. He is on our side.”
I hesitated, then sheathed the knife. “Why are you helping us?”
“He is a spy for another rebel group,” Katarina said.
Larpsen shot her an amused glance. “That is not entirely correct. I am a spy, but I never said I was a spy for rebels.”
“Who do you spy for, then?” I asked, once again grabbing my knife.
Larpsen smiled, and his voice filled with the thick brogue used in the country to the north. “For the king of Neander.”
I stared at him for a moment, then shook my head, chuckling. “Well, I have to hand it to you. You are a really good actor.”
Larpsen bowed, smiling. “Thank you. I have been spying on you, and I have been telling my king. He would like to meet you.”
Job exited the house with a bundle in his arms, starting with surprise as he saw Larpsen. “What is he doing here?”
“Taking you to my king,” Larpsen said. “Come.”
As we rode north, I asked, “He’s here?”
Larpsen glanced at me. “Yes. Our country is surrounded by nearly impenetrable mountains. How else could he direct his spies when messages can’t reach them?”
“But why would he do that?”
Larpsen guided his horse around some trees, then said, “He wants this country to change. Too long has it been ruled by corrupt people.”
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