"That's why King Sullivan plans on changing society," Matilyn said.
"Yes, yes," Kenneth said, "I know all about his plans. He's a good man for what he wants to do. I know it, you know, there's no reason to get defensive. But sometimes the way, it's the way that matters. You know?"
Matilyn said nothing. She knew what he meant, of course. Hadn't she had the same thought a time or two? She chased the thought out whenever it came. She didn't like questioning King Sullivan, not now, not when her eyes were finally open. Perhaps the attack had been wrong, but the why was right, and that's what mattered to her. The why. The intentions.
Kenneth patted her hand. "Now now, you look so torn. I'm not suggesting anything that people all over the world aren't suggesting. Perhaps he acted the only way he could. I wouldn't know. I'm not a king. I don't have to make those kinds of decisions. All I know is that I loved Butterbees when I visited."
"I loved it too," Matilyn said in a small voice.
Before Kenneth could say more, Ra'sha stepped up to them. She was wearing a long, pink gown that hugged her in all the right places. Her hair was on her shoulders, curled into loose ringlets.
"Lord Jest," she said, "What a pleasure to see you this evening."
"Ah, Ra'sha," Kenneth said, "You look beautiful. You always do. Just like your mother. Your sister, too. Is she here?"
Ra'sha shook her head, "No. She had an art exhibition this evening that she was hosting. She was unable to attend."
Kenneth shook his head, "Shame. I enjoy her company quite a lot. Wonderful girl, your sister."
Ra'sha smiled. "I wondered if I might steal Commander Malevus away for a dance."
Matilyn blinked at her. "A dance?"
"A dance," Ra'sha said, amused. "You do know how to dance, don't you?"
"Of course I do," Matilyn said.
"Then will you dance with me?" Ra'sha asked.
"Don't let me keep you," Kenneth said, "Go on then."
Matilyn nodded, and took Ra'sha's hand, following her back out to the floor.
Ra'sha smiled at her, "You look lovely this evening, Commander."
Matilyn glanced down at the blue dress she was wearing. It had been so long since she'd had to dress up for a party, that she'd almost forgotten what it was like. It felt weird to wear the light, floating material. Her hair was loose as well instead of its usual ponytail. And she was wearing a necklace and earrings.
"Thank you," Matilyn said, "You look very nice as well."
"I'd like to think so," Ra'sha said. She put her hands on Matilyn's hips and began to sway to the music. "You know why I asked you to dance, right?"
"Why?" Matilyn asked.
Ra'sha gave her an exasperated look, "I can't just talk to you," she said, "It would look suspicious to Catherine's men. The Left Hand, she calls them. There's nothing suspicious about a dance, though, is there?"
"Oh," Matilyn said, "Then you have information."
"Not much," Ra'sha admitted, "But she trusts me. I'm on the inside. I wanted to tell you in person. I've already told Commander Frien -- I danced with him first. He's quite smooth on the floor."
"You danced with Samuel?" Matilyn asked. Her eyebrows shot up.
"I'm dancing with everyone tonight," Ra'sha said. "Less suspicious. Besides, it's expected. I've always danced with everyone."
Matilyn nodded.
"At any rate, you're right," Ra'sha said, "I do believe she's planning to kill the king. She hinted at it, though she didn't outright say it."
"I knew it," Matilyn whispered.
Ra'sha sighed, "We knew it," she agreed, "But I still don't know how she's planning on doing it, just when."
"It'll be after her coronation," Matilyn said, "She'll want to make sure her place is secure first."
"You hit it on the nose," Ra'sha said, "Which is why she's in such a hurry to marry Oliver. They marry, she's declared Princess of Terifille officially. They're going to plan the murder for the night of her coronation. With all the chaos, it'll be easy for them to get away with it."
Matilyn nodded, "That's my thought as well. She'll want Samuel and I to leave right after the wedding. She doesn't trust us. We're going to have to find a reason to stay."
Ra'sha nodded. "I thought about that too. I have an idea for it..."
Matilyn raised an eyebrow, "What's that?"
"The day after the wedding," Ra'sha said, "They'll go to the city, it's tradition. They'll be visiting the common folk as husband and wife. We need to incite the crowd. Make them violent. If they're attacked, or even if they believe they might have been, it gives you a reason to stay to protect her without raising more suspicion."
"Perhaps," Matilyn said, "But the city loves her. Why would they turn against her?"
"Crowd mentality," Ra'sha said, "I've seen it before. Things start to get out of hand, and then suddenly the entire crowd is involved."
"And how do we incite such a riot?" Matilyn asked.
"My sister," Ra'sha said immediately, "I'll ask her and her husband for help. They stay away from court, and they've got plenty of friends. I'll tell them what's going on--"
"You want to involve more people?" Matilyn demanded. "We need to keep silent on things and--"
Ra'sha waved an impatient hand, "My sister isn't going to tell anyone," she said, "I trust her with my life."
Matilyn sighed, "I don't know."
"Well think about it," Ra'sha said, "Commander Frien believes it to be a good idea."
"I'll think on it," Matilyn promised. She started to say more, but the music was fading, and suddenly the song was over. Ra'sha stepped away from her.
'Thank you for the dance," she said.
There was a loud tinkle of glass in the silence of the room. Matilyn and Ra'sha both looked around. The King was tapping against his wineglass, calling for silence. They both gave him their full attention.
"Tonight," he said, "We are celebrating the birthdate of Catherine Sullivan, Princess of Lamonte. Soon, she will be more than that to us. Soon, she will be the Princess of Terifille, and the wife to my son. Please welcome and honor my future daughter-in-law, the lovely and beguiling Catherine Sullivan."
The doors to the room came open. Oliver stepped in first, and Catherine followed. There were several gasps of surprise and a sudden murmuring swept through the room like a gentle wave.
Catherine had dressed herself in a long, rich, black gown that seemed to shiver as she moved. Her blonde hair was intricately braided and looped to sit upon her head. It seemed almost as if she were wearing a crown.
The people that were there that night would say the same thing in the following days: Catherine hadn't looked like a princess. She'd looked like a queen.
THIRTY-NINE
Run Barefoot Up and Down
"WE'RE ALMOST HOME," SEAN SAID. HE GRINNED over at Janice and Will. He felt better than he had in a long time. For the first time, he actually believed they might make it.
"Where is this exactly?" Will asked, looking around, "This isn't Valishna."
"No," Janice said, "We're about six hours away, I'd say. We don't want to go to Valishna. That would be dangerous. No, I think we're near Westwood."
Will considered silently.
"We should start in Corrigan," Sean said, "We need to get Will home to his family and to the King."
"You have family that you want to get back to, too," Will pointe out, "They're in Westwood."
"We've been away from family for a long time," Sean said. That was certainly true. He thought of his sister, dead somewhere. It wouldn't matter how long he took. "We can wait a bit longer."
Frowning, Will nodded. "Alright then. If you're sure."
Janice smiled, leaning over to clasp his arm, "I'm sure," she said, "It'll be fine."
"Well, well, you think so?" a voice interrupted, "No, no, don't draw your weapons."
Sean turned around, his heart dropping. There were several dozen guards watching them. They were dressed in Lamonte military uniforms.
"Sneaking out of Valishna. Well, you got further then most, I'll give you that. Five full hours. You must have thought you were in the clear."
Sean shot Will and Janice a look and then nodded at the soldier.
"Put your weapons on the ground," the guard said, "All of you now."
"Alright," Sean said, "Okay. We can do that." He carefully pulled his stave from his back and lower it to the ground, followed by his sword. He looked back at Will and mouthed the word 'run'.
Will shook his head. He pulled his own sword out and lied it on the ground. Janice stripped herself of all weaponry.
"You know what happens to people who try and sneak away," the guard said, "you're lucky it was us. Some might have just killed you outright. I'll just toss you in the bunk room for a while."
Sean nodded. The guards approached, picking up the weapons. One grabbed Janice's hands, pinning them behind her back. The other grabbed Will's, doing the same.
"Lamonte quality," one said, "You've been stealing from the soldiers too, boy? Well? Don't want to say? Looks like I'm going to have to kill you when we get back after all."
The soldiers began to march, leading them along.
"You won't want to do that," Sean said in a tight voice.
The head guard laughed, "I don't?" he repeated, "Oh gods, why not? Let me guess. You have money. Or a nice father with money."
"Because Sullivan wants to kill us himself," Sean said.
The guard paused in his steps, "Does he now? Why would he want to do that?"
Sean smiled, "Because," he said, "He's been looking for us."
"Right," the guard said, "Okay, keep walking, buddy."
"Sean Sweeton," Sean said clearly, "Ring a bell? Janice Akins."
This time, the guard yanked Sean to a stop. He stared at his face and then nodded slowly, "Don't hurt them," he said to the rest of the men, "If they are who they say they are, the king wants them in one piece."
"What about the boy?" the guard holding Will's hands asked.
"If this is Sweeton and Akins, that makes him the lovely little prince," the head guard said musingly, "The king is going to love us for this. We're going to be honored beyond belief. There is a large bounty on their heads."
Sean sighed, "Not really."
"No?" the head guard asked.
"No," Sean agreed. With a quick movement, he jabbed his elbow out and up, into the guard's sternum. In the instant of confusion, he drew the knife from the man's sheathe, spun, and threw it at the man holding Will.
It hit the man in the shoulder, causing him to leap back, yelling in pain.
"Go!" Sean roared.
Will hesitated.
"The kingdom needs you," Sean screamed, "Go! Get out!"
"Get him!" the head guard screamed.
Will found his feet, and sprinted away. Suddenly, an arrow shot near his side.
"Don't kill him!" the guard yelled, "Idiots! Just catch him!"
Sean laughed.
The guard whipped back around and then brought his fist up, slamming it into Sean's face hard enough to force him to the ground. He felt his nose break and a sickening crunch from his jaw.
On the ground, in pain, bleeding, Sean continued to laugh.
Sean was slammed into a chair. He could hear Janice being shoved into the one that was at his back. "Our own private accommodations?" he asked. He was sure that they were back in Valishna. They'd been on the road for hours, marched along by the soldiers.
"Stop," Janice told him.
Sean blinked at her tone and then closed his mouth, glaring at the guard. He knew Janice didn't find the humor in the situation. Sean did though. The guards had drug them back, forcing them into this room, making sure to brought them up a bit in the process. But Will had gotten away. He'd protected the prince. That was enough for him.
"That's right," the new guard said, "Listen to your girlfriend. Not that you'll have much of a choice."
"What's that mean?" Sean asked, raising an eyebrow, "Going to cut my tongue out? I think that's a terrible idea, personally, but maybe you can--"
"Sean," Janice said pleadingly, "Don't get yourself more hurt."
Sean sighed.
"I'm not going to cut your tongue out," the guard said, "Though I wish I could. I'm going to gag you. Okay? Okay. Let's do this." He pulled out a rage and quickly tied it around Sean's head, forcing it into his mouth, "Try not to choke."
Sean glared at him over the rag.
"There you go, some anger," the guard said, "I thought you were just retarded. Now time for the lady."
It wasn't so bad, Sean mused. They were here, sure, but they were alive, and they weren't being tortured too badly. I mean, they'd roughed them up -- made sure they were cut, bruised, that kind of thing, but he'd suffered worse. They were alive. And when he thought about it, they were home too.
The guard stepped back, staring at the pair. They were tied into chairs, back to back. "Now I'll come back and feed you in a bit," he promised. "Till then, why don't you try and nap?"
Sean stared at him, unbelievingly.
The guard shrugged at him and then picked up the lantern near the door and blew out the flame. The room was bathed in darkness.
Behind him, he could hear Janice start to cry. Suddenly, it didn't feel so funny.
"What do you mean, you had him?" Sullivan got to his feet, his face red, "How the hell did you let him escape? He's a fifteen year old--"
"Sixteen sir, almost seventeen," the soldier in front of him corrected.
Sullivan couldn't believe what he was hearing. These men had William, and Sean, and Janice, yet somehow they'd lost the prince. "You let a sixteen year old get away from you. How did that happen?"
"The other two, they distracted us," the soldier said. His voice was low and embarrassed, "There was nothing we could do. The prince ran fast, he was quicker than we were."
"You're all done," Sullivan said. He turned towards his head guard who was waiting nearby, "I want them executed. All of them. Kill them. Do you understand? Kill them all."
The head guard seemed all too willing to perform this task. He and his men stepped forward, preparing to do just that.
The soldier shook his head, stumbling back. "Please Your Majesty! Mercy! Give us another chance! We'll get the prince for you. We have the other two in Valishna. We have Akins and Sweeton. We caught them for you, sir. We got them."
Sullivan held up a hand towards his guard to stall him a moment. He glared at the man in front of him. "And why are they in Valishna? Why did they not come back with you? Why did you not bring them to me as my commands so clearly requested?"
The soldier shook his head and licked his lips, "I... I don't know sir. We didn't want to bring them back without the prince. We're looking for him. We wanted to bring them at the same time."
Sullivan was disgusted. Disgusted, and angry. They'd had him, the Prince. And they'd let him get away. He wanted to see all of these men dead. He wanted to paint their faces black and watch them rot up on his wall because they failed him. He didn't want an army full of failures.
But he'd failed himself. He'd failed to keep the prince in his own dungeons.
"Get out of my sight."
"Sir," the head guard began, but Sullivan waved him off as well. "All of you. Get out of my sight."
When nobody moved, he turned, his eyes blazing with that anger they all knew so well. "Now! Or I'll have all of your heads!"
This time, they went.
FORTY
Who Knows Save Heaven
PENNY BARELY MADE IT UP IN TIME to catch Eldrin before he left. He'd been staying with her, and he was almost always up and gone before she'd even opened her eyes in the morning. Today, he was already dressed for the day, and based on the dirty dishes on her dining table, he'd already eaten breakfast.
"Where are you going?" she asked, folding her arms. He was at the door.
"I told you. I have an early day," Eldrin said, looking back at her.
"That doesn't
tell me anything," Penny shrugged, "You always have an early day."
Eldrin frowned, "Do I need to be running my daily tasks past you now? I thought it was Whitetree being punished."
Penny rolled her eyes, "No, you don't. I'm just curious what you're up to."
"We found out," Eldrin said in a slow voice, "That they've been keeping people who try to escape from Valishna captive. A few days ago, they caught another two. Only rumor has it, they're not from Valishna. They've been holding them captive in one of the buildings. We don't know which it is, but I'm going to find out."
"Do you think they can help us?" Penny asked, hopeful. Because of their location, they had almost no outside news of the war other than what Peter Sterling would give, and that wasn't much, most of the time.
Eldrin shrugged, "I don't know. All I know is that they're from the front lines of Lamonte. They might have information I've been searching for." There was something about the way he said that made Penny doubtful.
Penny arched a brow instead of calling him out on his dishonesty. It never worked anyway. "What information is that?"
"Nothing pertinent to this conversation," Eldrin said, "and besides, they can give us some information about the war."
Staring at him for a moment, Penny shook her head. She had made a promise to stop badgering him about what happened while he was gone. "Fine. How'd you get this information anyway?"
Eldrin pulled a small scroll from his side-pouch, "One of my guys stole this from the tents and gave it to me yesterday afternoon. He was nearly caught but he got it out without anyone stopping him. Hopefully they'll believe it was just misplaced."
Penny held her hand out for the scroll, but Eldrin feigned not noticing it, and put it back away, "It talks about the soldiers they've caught; that's pretty much it."
"Well can I go along?" Penny asked as Eldrin made another step towards leaving.
"What?" Eldrin asked, pausing once more.
"I want to go with you," Penny told him.
"Why?"
Penny thought about it for a moment and then shrugged, "I don't have anything else planned for that day."
Revolution (Cartharia Book 2) Page 41
