by Jasmine Walt
“Did she just nod at you?” Andre asked.
“He was trying to lick her ear earlier,” Reyn joked. “They seem to speak each other’s language.”
“Whatever it takes to get us out of here.” Andre punched Marrok lightly in the arm as they slipped into the hallway.
“We’ll take the sewer out,” Reyn said as Marrok and Elba disappeared down a small alley.
“I guessed, based on the cat’s cologne,” Andre said.
“Which means they will probably figure it out, too,” Marrok said over his shoulder. “Let’s move.”
The others nodded. “I wasn’t about to sit down to tea,” Reyn said.
The smell inside the tunnel was ten times more atrocious than the laircat alone, but the knights followed the great beast into the sewage pipe.
“Step it up,” Andre called from the back as the guards’ shouts descended into the pipes after them.
Marrok cringed. They were going to need all the saints covering their arses if they were going to make it through this. The knights and the laircat broke into a run, with Elba leading the way through the pipes, the guards close on their heels.
The beast screeched to a halt, almost knocking off Taron, who lay groaning, strapped to her back.
“The exit is blocked.” Marrok peered into the dark.
Reyn had his hand up in the air as if feeling for a breeze. “There’s another pathway over there.” He pointed.
“Let’s do it,” Andre said. “They’re close.”
They raced as fast as they could down the sloping corridor until it came to a sudden and severe halt at the very edge of a looming cliff. Marrok and the laircat barely stopped in time. Andre and Reyn slammed up behind them. The sound of the guards ricocheted up the tunnel. The knights and the laircat peered cautiously over the edge. It was easily half a league down.
“Good thing Bruno isn’t here,” Reyn said, no trace of a smile on his worried face.
“Scale the cliff up?” Andre asked, twisting around to see if that was an option.
“If we fall, we won’t survive,” Marrok said.
Andre slapped him on the back. “Then don’t fall.”
Marrok calculated both the drop and the echo of clanking metal and footsteps that fast approached. “We may well die trying,” he said, “but it’s our only option.”
The laircat let out a roar and swiped at the knights, pushing them towards her back.
Andre grimaced at the beast. “This isn’t exactly the time for a group hug.”
Marrok scrutinized her. “She wants us to get on.”
“Can these things climb?” Reyn asked.
The laircat growled again, showing her claws and teeth as she pushed them towards her back. She squatted on her haunches, clearly trying to make it as easy as possible for them to get on her back.
“I don’t think she’s taking no for an answer,” Marrok said.
“Get the fuck on the cat,” Taron groaned, scooting up closer on her shoulders to create room on the back of the massive beast for his fellow knights. “I’d rather die from a fall than at the hands of those bastards.”
“Well said.” With a single leap, Marrok launched himself behind Taron.
Reyn leapt on close after. Andre looked a bit dubious, but at the clash of metal at their back, he followed suit. No sooner had his legs wrapped around the haunches of the beast than Elba let out a mighty roar and turned back down the tunnel, running directly towards the men who were trying to capture them.
“What the fuck is she doing?” Reyn hollered, clinging onto Marrok for dear life. “She’s running the wrong fucking way!”
“Swords ready,” Marrok said, unsnapping his blade. He wasn’t sure what the damn beast was doing, but he felt like they had to trust her. They were out of options and committed to the ride. The beast’s howls, echoing through the tunnel, were answered by screams from the soldiers.
Andre erupted in a joyous war cry. “I’ve got to get one of these in battle!”
Just as they saw the glint of the enemy’s steel, Elba turned on the spot and galloped away from the guards. In the sudden about-face, they were hurtling back down the tunnel towards the opening at the edge of the cliff.
“Holy fucking saints,” Reyn yelled.
Marrok reached back and grabbed him, holding him tightly onto the beast. “I think she’s going to jump,” Marrok choked out, leaning lower over Taron and firmly gripping the beast.
Elba took to the air, lunging forward out of the tunnel and sailing over the ravine.
“Bruno would not have loved this!” Reyn shouted, glancing down at the raging waters below them.
Andre let out another holler of excitement. “Take that, you bastards!” He laughed over his shoulder, waving his sword.
The soldiers screamed as they tried to come to a halt, grabbing onto each other as they piled forward and some careened over the ledge.
Elba slammed into the wall of the ravine. Her gigantic talons stabbed into the rock. The air was knocked out of all of them as they hung there, trying to breathe. The animal let out a whimper as the knights grappled for a hold on her back, their nails digging into her skin as much as she sought purchase in the escarpment.
Slowly, ever so slowly, she crawled up the side of the cliff.
“There’s no way she can hold us,” Andre yelled. “I’m going to jump!”
“Like hell you are,” Reyn yelled, tightening his knees and locking an elbow with Andre. Andre let go, but Reyn held one arm to him and one arm around Marrok, who hunched forward with his arms clinging around Taron.
Elba tore one paw after another out of the wall, raising them and slamming them back into the hard rock. She dragged herself ever upward as the guards regrouped and shot arrows towards them. The arrows seemed to inspire Elba. With a sudden burst of energy, she pushed forward, each leg ripping at the cliff face, pulling them all up until she propelled them up and over the edge of the cliff, throwing them against the ground. The knights hit the top of the cliff, but with no respite. Arrows showered down on them from the ramparts of the castle. They all bolted up and ran into the nearby shelter of the trees, where they lay down and rested against the dark trunks.
Marrok looked over at Elba. “What the hell are you?” he muttered. “I’ve never known a beast to do something like that.”
“There will be time for science studies later,” Andre said, crawling to his feet. “The soldiers know exactly where we are. We need to keep moving if we’re going to make it to the queen.”
13
The stars soared across the sky in magnificent swirls, but Lorelai barely noticed. She strained forward as if rowing the boat herself, trying to outpace the king’s ship following them the last few hours. They had left the shantytown and raced back to the boat where the men were already drawing sail and preparing to get back on the water. It had seemed over. They would end up back in the dank prison of Castle Ashford, but the men and the skiff surprised her. What she had thought of as a piece of floating wood with a sail was impressively fast when put to oar. The men who had been lounging on the sides of the boat had become back-breaking rowers, plying the waters with broad paddles that pushed the skiff rapidly upstream. They had quickly pulled away from the royal guards, and though still pursued, they made good time.
Her body was taut with fret. She was not a fan of battles. She didn’t know where, when, or how the knights battled. Even when they came back with grand tales of bravery, she hated hearing about it. It had always been difficult to accept the reality that her knights faced death. The thought of them not returning from the fight always gave her flashbacks to when the mist took her family. But now, after the sun set, the men grew tired and their pace slowed. In the darkness, Lorelai couldn’t gauge the distance of the royal boat from the shore.
“It’s not much farther now.” Bruno grunted as he pressed his back into the oar. “We will soon be safe inside the walls of Lord Perigord’s castle. It is not large, but it is on a high escarpment
and easily defensible.”
“But what of the town?” Lorelai asked. “And the lord? We cannot enter with Guntram’s agents upon us.”
“Will you stay out here to be assaulted?” Bruno asked. “We don’t know how many they have. But I would bet it’s more than a few.”
“We can’t endanger the people in the town,” Lorelai said. “We don’t even know if they will support me. What if Taron and the others don’t even make it out of the capital?”
“They will make it out.”
“We cannot endanger Cateline’s family,” Lorelai insisted.
“We need to keep you safe,” Bruno said.
“Not if it means bringing the king’s army into their stronghold.”
“That is not the king’s army.” Bruno motioned at the black river flowing behind them. “King Guntram won’t want people to know the queen escaped his prison. He has only sent one boat. Maybe ten assassins.”
Lorelai stared down at the waters eddying off the stern. Her finger twisted the amethyst ring of House d’Anjou.
“There will be no trial or great battle,” Bruno said, moving behind the queen and placing his hands on her shoulders as he leaned urgently towards her ear. “They won’t even arrest you. They will kill you like an animal on a hunt overwhelmed in the mud.”
The cold air stung Lorelai’s throat with her sharp intake of breath.
“We must stop here,” she said. “I will go no farther.”
“No, Lorelai.” Bruno’s voice was heavy.
She shook him off her shoulders, straightening her back and turning to him with a regal stare. “Am I your queen or am I not?” Her pale blue gaze shown up at him.
His jaw clenched in revolt, but as a knight of the realm, he was too well-trained in obedience to stand against the wife of his king, even a deceased king. He bowed his head, twisting towards the men who strained against the oars. “We will stop here and ambush them,” he growled.
The men exchanged looks, but lifted the oars from the water. Bruno pointed towards a rock ledge above the river. It was as if the river had cut through a cliff. The bluff was dotted with dark, pointed shapes of trees. “This marks the entrance to Cateline’s village,” Bruno said. “We haven’t got much time, maybe five minutes, to take positions.”
“Thank you,” Lorelai whispered.
“Lorelai,” Bruno said, his breath coming in bursts as he uncovered their weapons and threw them to the men. “I’ve seen you on the hunt. You’re decent with the bow and arrow.”
“Decent?” Lorelai was insulted. “Next, you’re going to say, ‘for a woman,’ or something stupid like that. You know damn well I’d be the best marksman in the kingdom if I had time to practice and compete in your games.”
“I promise, if we survive this, we will have a competition,” Bruno snorted as he pulled the boat up on the shore and threw some branches over it. “And you can show the entire kingdom, if they don’t want you dead, how wonderful a markswoman you are. But in the meantime, you take this.” He thrust a bow into her hands. “Climb up on the cliff and shoot as many of those fuckers as you possibly can before they get here.” He pointed to two of the men. “You go with her. You two come with me.”
“And what will you do?” Lorelai’s voice squeaked as she suddenly understood the plan. She was about to be alone without a knight in an unknown part of her kingdom with assassins upon her. For all her capabilities, Lorelai’s hands shook. She took a steadying breath. This wasn’t the time for cowardice.
“I’m going to get all the ones you miss.” Bruno smiled and added, “At least that’s the plan.”
“But…” How could she just walk away from him without some form of comfort? The next time she saw him, he could be dead. Without stopping to think, Lorelai stepped towards him, boosted herself to her tiptoes, and brushed her lips against his.
He startled back, every muscle in his body tense.
His wide-eyed look made her smile. “Saint’s speed and good luck,” she whispered.
He bowed his head slightly, then was gone.
Lorelai watched the shadows swallow him.
“Your Majesty?” One of the men hesitantly drew her attention.
It was up to her. “Let us go.” Grabbing her quiver of arrows and pulling the bow over her shoulder, she turned to face the cliff. They wound their way up the narrow path. Lorelai wondered if this would be the last thing she would do.
Die here alone?
She had no real idea where the assassins were. Bruno had given her the bow and arrow for a reason. He was expecting her to need them. If the assassins got up the cliff, it would be only her and these two men. Her heart battered. Was this really her destiny? After all she had been through? Her family destroyed, husband dead, and escaping prison…Had it come to this? Killed out here alone without the protection of even one knight.
They positioned themselves at the top of the precipice, and in the shadows the assassins’ boat drifted silently down the river. She took aim, but she knew the moment she loosed an arrow, her position would be known. Still, she let it fly. But the arrow bounced off the side of the vessel and plunged into the water. Voices went up, but to Lorelai’s horror, they were not from the boat.
The assassins were already ashore, behind her and very close. A whizzing buzz sailed through the air, and both men with her fell.
As the clanking of steel on steel rang through the night, Bruno shouted from below, “Lorelai, run!”
But it was too late. Three of the king’s private guard came into the clearing. Lorelai was ready. She planted her legs firmly on the ground and let two arrows fly in quick succession. They found their marks perfectly in the hearts of two of the assassins, who dropped to the ground in an instant, looks of surprise on their faces as they died. She tried to knock another, but before she could, the burly man in the center grabbed her by the elbows, restraining her.
“Drop your weapon,” he growled.
Lorelai glared at the guard, drawing in her breath and straightening her back. “I am your queen.” Her voice was commanding, but the assassin didn’t care. He cracked his palm against her face as he pushed her to her knees in the dirt. The clanging of the sword fight rang in the night, then the sickly, wet sound of a blade slicing through flesh, followed by a cry.
“Bruno!” Lorelai cried.
But there was no answer.
The assassin pushed her to her knees, looming over her. “King Guntram gave me express orders,” he said. “Take the bitch dead or alive.” He drew his sword to her neck. “I’d just as soon take you dead.”
The blade pressed against her neck with a sharp prick of blood. Lorelai drew a tremulous breath, but she wouldn’t shut her eyes. She would stare the murderer down. He would know he killed the queen, not some timid victim. The assassin scowled down at her, frowning at her open expression. But suddenly his mouth shot wide open and blood poured over his tongue. He fell forward, and Lorelai dodged out of the way just before he slammed into the dirt. She coughed as the dust flew into her nostrils and the copper taint of blood filled the air. A spear shaft jutted from his back.
“We’re going to have to work on your aim, Your Majesty,” Reyn, her golden knight, said with a slight smile as he strode into the clearing.
Lorelai’s strength dissolved as Reyn stepped forward and pulled her to her feet. She leaned into his chest, unable to control her tears.
“You are well, my queen,” Reyn murmured against her head as he wrapped his arms around her. “You are safe.”
“Bruno?” Her voice was hollow in the night.
“I’ve never been mistaken for him before,” Reyn chuckled.
“Is he alive?” Lorelai asked, looking up wildly as Andre stepped into the clearing wiping blood off the blade of his ancient sword.
“I think he’ll be all right.” Andre smiled as a giant roar shook the night and the screams of men followed.
“Elba?” The word was a whisper on Lorelai’s lips as she pulled away from Reyn.
> “She’s a hell of a fighter,” Andre said.
“Though she could use a bath,” Reyn added.
“I think we all could.” Lorelai’s laugh mingled with a sob as Elba nudged Lorelai’s back with her head, and Lorelai scrubbed through the filthy fur of her laircat’s ears. “Taron!” she exclaimed when she realized the injured knight rested on Elba’s back. He slid down the side of the beast and into her arms. Lorelai’s heart ached as she hugged him close. “What have they done to you?”
“Nothing I won’t get over.” His mouth tugged in a crooked smile.
She reached up and stroked the jagged cut on his forehead as he closed his eyes.
“There’s another injured sod here,” Marrok said as he came towards them, helping Bruno limp into the clearing.
“Bruno! Is he okay?” Lorelai turned, but didn’t leave Taron’s side.
“I took an arrow in the calf,” Bruno said. “I’ll be fine.”
Lorelai gazed at the knights. They exchanged jokes, as always. This was a normal part of their world. Living in danger, but they did it together. She smiled, for she felt it in her heart also. This was where she was supposed to be. With them. With her knights.
Guilt stabbed at Lorelai. “Cateline?” She looked from Reyn to Marrok. “Did she...” Her voice trailed off as they exchanged a look.
Marrok, blending with the shadows, stepped forward as Reyn turned away. He shook his head. “She was executed,” he said simply.
It felt like someone had punched Lorelai in the stomach. Taron, standing nearest her, wrapped his arm around her waist. She clasped her hand over her mouth as she bent over. She tried to gasp, to cry, to do anything at all, but nothing came. Inside, she was hollow. Taron gently led her away from the others.
“Come, sit down.” He motioned to a tree trunk lying on its side.
She curled up on herself, rubbing her hands against her arms.
“She gave her life for me,” Lorelai said. “It should have been me they killed.”
Taron pulled her towards him and made her look him in the eyes. “No,” he said. There was a ferocity and intensity about his face Lorelai had never seen before. “No, it should not have been you they killed. I am very sorry your friend is dead, but it is better her than you. Better any of us than you.”
