Silverbrook
Page 13
Up ahead was another group of soldiers who saluted him as he walked by. Then he quietly exited back into the snowy city streets. In the distance, the crowd of hundreds of people at the prison gallows chanted and roared. The most relief Kyan had ever felt in his life spread over him like a warm blanket in the frozen, snow filled air.
◆◆◆
~The Morning of February 10th
Eston woke up in a sweat. Soft light filtered through the canvas of the carriage he rode in. A hundred memories flashed through his head at once as he tried to figure out which body he was in. What happened? Eston lifted his body up and flinched in pain from his bruises, but mostly from his stabbed foot. He looked around the carriage. The flap of the door let in wisps of freezing cold air that made Eston shiver even beneath his blankets.
The generals had put him in a carriage as soon as the battle at Stoneheart was over . . . ten days ago. He and the soldiers protecting him and the carriage horsemaster traveled almost non-stop through Endlebarr and the forested hills of Ferramoor, headed for the Palace where he could get treated for his stab wound. So much had happened to his other bodies since that battle. As Tayben, he had crossed the mountains and now rested in Miss Silverbrook’s forest sanctuary; as Calleneck, he had journeyed to the goblin capital with Borius; and as Kyan-. Eston’s heart pounded again, remembering escaping from the Nightsnakes, going to the Palace, but then the courtroom and his failed escape. Hyperventilating, Eston called out for his servant.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Is it your foot?” The little boy said.
Eston shook his head and tried to breath slowly. “Te- tell me what day it is.”
“I believe it is February 10th, Your Majesty.”
Eston tried to remember. It’s the same day . . . it’s the same day. Eston searched his memories. Riccolo will come to the Palace today . . . then the trial will be held . . . then I’ll try to escape but get captured . . . Eston tried to remember if it was in a dream or reality that someone came to his prison cell and let him go.
“Your majesty?” said Eston’s servant.
Eston whipped his head and looked at the boy with wide eyes.
The boy, who sat on the other side of the carriage, slid away from Eston. “You’re breathing very heavily, Your Majesty, that’s all . . . I was worried. You should lie back down.”
Eston shook his head. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure it’s not your foot that’s hurting again because-”
“I’m fine!” Eston shouted. The carriage went over a pothole on the dirt road that spanned from Nottenberry to Aunestauna. The cold air filtered in along with several snowflakes that landed in Eston’s long and uncombed hair. The little servant boy looked at him in fear. Eston bit his lip from the pain in his foot and then his mind jumped back to the events he knew would occur today. I need to stop all this . . . I don’t know where Raelynn or Vree will be after the trial. I need to catch Riccolo . . .
Eston turned to his servant. “Boy, how long until we get to Aunestauna and the Palace?”
“We’re supposed to get there by next morning, one full day.”
Eston shook his head. “No, no, I need to get there today.”
“Your majesty, I don’t think-”
Eston slammed his fist down. “I have to get there today! I have to be there!”
The carriage was silent, and Eston breathed heavily, feeling the cold air in his lungs. It had been nothing but cold and bumpy for ten days as he lay in the back of the carriage that took him to Aunestauna. Lying there bloody, infected, and sick to the stomach, Eston fought with himself. The whole way, he had argued for them to take him back to the front lines; but now, all he just needed to get back to Aunestauna as soon as he could — to stop Vree and Raelynn from leaving the Palace, to stop the trial.
The boy looked out a window of the carriage wall. “The snow isn’t helping us go faster. And plus, I don’t think-”
“Shut up!” yelled Eston. Who pulled at his hair and clenched his teeth. “I don’t care, I need to get to the Palace!”
“Your Majesty, our horses are tired and-”
“I am your Prince! Whip them or spur them or get new ones. There are plenty of farmers out here just take theirs and-” Eston stopped, hearing himself. The boy looked at him in concern, and Eston shook his head. “Just go and tell them that we mustn’t take breaks and we have to be back to the Palace this afternoon. Do whatever it takes — lighten the carriage, attach the soldiers’ horses. Go!”
The boy bowed and jumped out of the carriage into the snow to go talk to the driver and the soldiers. Eston closed his eyes and bit his lip . . . the throbbing in his foot came back and his stomach rumbled. Eston leaned over, picked up a bucket, and vomited into it. Breathing heavily, he lay back down, feeling powerless — for how could a prince look or feel this miserable?
Eston shut his eyes and let images run through his head — the hundreds of corpses that were left behind after battles, the blood dripping from their noses and mouths, their glazed over, unfocused eyes. Eston clenched his fist as another sickening feeling spread through his body.
His mind wandered more — to the image of the monsters in Endlebarr he left behind. I’m one of the only ones who knows about them . . . The generals can’t control them . . . they’re useless to Ferramoor without me . . . not even weapons . . . Eston shook his head. What are they going to do without me? I was the one who helped make our army a success . . . and now they ship me back home, where I can sit passively like Fillian and- Eston stopped himself, and slammed his fist down in anger. The little boy came back into the carriage.
“Your Majesty,” said the servant boy, “we did what you said and lightened the load and attached the soldiers’ horses to help pull the carriage faster. But even so, the carriage driver says that we can’t possibly make it back to Aunestauna until nightfall.” The boy slid slightly away from Eston.
Eston slammed his fist down again. “Leave.” The boy obeyed and left the carriage, leaving Eston by himself.
Eston put his face in his hands, which were cracked, dry, and callused. I’m going home . . . to what? My city was destroyed and I’m not even king? What can I do? . . . Nothing . . . His mind played back the memories of what was to come later today to Kyan, Vree, and Raelynn. Riccolo’s smug grin stabbed into his brain and he screamed to make it go away. That bastard! thought Eston.
He felt sick, knowing what was going to happen, unable to stop it. He knew he couldn’t stop Raelynn and Vree from traveling into the city; he knew he couldn’t stop Riccolo from capturing Vree or the trial accusing Kyan as the leader of the Nightsnakes; he knew he couldn’t tell himself to not go into the courtroom, tell himself that it was a trap, tell himself to run sooner, tell himself not to turn the corner in the alley where he slipped on the ice, tell him to get out while he still can. I should’ve left Aunestauna when Vree told me to.
Eston sobbed silently into his hands and felt the tears turn cold on his face from the blizzarding air that blew into the carriage as it traveled along the road to Aunestauna.
◆◆◆
~Night, Immediately After the Trial
Raelynn rushed around the hallway corner carrying Vree’s unconscious body in her bloody arms, frantically heading for the Palace hospital wing. Vree’s eyelids were swollen shut and horrible gashes and bruises covered her body. Men and women ran through the Palace as the chaos from the trial spread. Raelynn’s boots clacked against the marble floor as she bolted through the Palace halls past groups of anxious officials and Guards, some of whom yelled out at them. Her heart pounded and her vision wobbled as she screeched to a halt in front of large doors blocked by Palace Guards in gold and scarlet armor.
The Guards, upon seeing Vree’s limp body, lowered their swords slightly as Raelynn approached.
“This is the hospital wing?” asked Raelynn, breathless from running.
The Guards nodded and opened the doors slightly, calling into the wing, “We’ve got a severe one.”
Raelynn nodded as Qerru-Mai took Vree in her arms.
“I wasn’t there,” said Qerru-Mai, “—getting the hospital wing ready for the Prince’s arrival. I found out about this all just a minute ago.” She saw Raelynn’s blood covered arm. “You’re in bad shape too. We’ll get you in.”
Raelynn stumbled in dizziness. “Thank you.”
Qerru-Mai stopped — the cold accent of Raelynn left the air around them frozen. The former Senator’s daughter narrowed her brow, failing to hide her internal conflict. “I- . . . you’re the Cerebrian girl staying in the Palace? This is the Nightsnake? Fillian cleared your stay with me.”
Raelynn brushed aside her blonde, Cerebrian hair with a bloody hand. “. . . yes.”
Holding Vree, Qerru-Mai looked through the open door into the hospital wing. “I- . . . I can get her in, she’s badly hurt.” Qerru-Mai turned back to Raelynn with a face of pain. “—just . . . give me a moment.”
Raelynn waited as Qerru-Mai disappeared with Vree into the hospital wing, unsure of whether or not she would see her alive again. The Guards stood in silence, clearly uncomfortable and trying not to look at the disheveled, wounded Cerebrian girl.
After a moment or two, Qerru-Mai emerged holding a roll of cloth and a pail of water. She walked past the scarlet Guards and up to Raelynn, unrolling the white cotton. “Arm.” she prompted Raelynn to lift her injured arm. Qerru-Mai lifted the tin, pouring water mixed with some solution over Raelynn’s arm, splashing scarlet over the floor.
Raelynn grimaced from the sting. “Why are you helping me?”
Qerru-Mai set down the pail and began wrapping Raelynn’s arm. “You’re hurt . . .” She pressed down on the cloth and carefully spun the roll around the wound. “And I know Fillian is trustworthy . . . but you are Cerebrian, and there are many things going on in this Palace tonight that are out of my control — its my job to keep it safe.”
As Qerru-Mai finished rolling the cloth, Raelynn ripped the end and secured it. “You’re telling me to leave?”
“I’m not sure what’s happening or who is telling the truth, so I must take precautions. You must understand . . .” Qerru-Mai’s eyes showed sincerity.
Raelynn nodded. “Yes, of course.”
“I’ll make sure your friend is tended to,” said Qerru-Mai, picking up the pail and dropping the cloth in it, “and once everything is sorted out, once the chaos stops, we can revisit this.”
Raelynn took one last look through the open door to a distant bed where Vree lay. “Thank you . . . I have to find my friend.”
Qerru-Mai’s expression went somber. “I’m sending more of my Palace Guard after the person, it’s my job. . . you may get wrapped up in this. But go.”
The Cerebrian girl looked at the golden-armored Guards to the sides and turned, headed for the city in search of Kyan.
◆◆◆
~Thirty Minutes Later
By the time Eston and his Guards reached Aunestauna, the night had fallen, and dread filled him to his core; he knew the court trial was already over, Riccolo was gone, and he — as Kyan — was locked up in the prison. Eston’s carriage wound through the dark streets up to the Palace, passing buildings that had suffered no damage, and others that were still piles of ash mixed in with the snow. It was pulled by horses through the streets and up to the Palace steps, but Eston couldn’t think of anything but the cell in which he sat as Kyan at that very moment and the person who came to save him.
The carriage pulled through the giant gates of the Palace, and for a moment, Eston could smell the saltwater breeze of the inlet. A crowd of Palace servants gathered around the carriage as a crew of doctors entered the carriage and assisted him in walking on one foot. The doctors reassured him he would be alright once they gave him the proper medicine. Eston ignored them and thought about the prison and the gallows.
The doctors and servants guided him to the hospital wing where a large fireplace crackled near his designated bed to keep him warm. The nurses brought over various medicines to drink and the doctors resewed the stitches in his foot, pouring medicine over the wound. After they had tended to the largest of Eston’s wounds, he asked to go.
A doctor shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t let you go yet, Your Majesty. You were stabbed in the foot and bruised badly on your side and shoulder.”
A nurse placed a warm damp cloth on his forehead. “But the good news is, your wounds don’t show signs of bad infection. If you keep taking this medicine, you should be out of here in not much more than a week.”
Eston shook his head. “I need to go and-”
“Your Majesty,” said another doctor, “you need to rest and heal.”
The doors to the hospital wing flung open and King Tronum entered with Guards behind him. He walked over to Eston’s bed and smiled. “Thank the Great Mother, you’re alive.” he said.
Eston looked around the hospital wing. “Where is Fillian? I need to talk to him.”
Tronum looked at the fireplace, his gray eyes reflecting the dancing orange light. “He left this morning to Abendale.”
Eston stared at his father in confusion. “What do you mean? Why?”
“I sent him to head government operations there for the next few months.”
Eston’s eyes widened. That’s why Fillian wasn’t at the trial. slammed his fist down. “Why the hell would you- . . . Father, he’s my brother you shouldn’t have sent him away half a day before I came back!”
Tronum shook his head. “He’ll see you in a few-”
“I have to talk to him!” shouted Eston. The whole hall went silent, and doctors stared at him. Who else can help? thought Eston. Fillian is the only one who knows the truth about Kyan, Raelynn, and Vree-
Eston stopped as he saw Vree’s bloody body lying on a hospital bed across the hall. She was clearly unconscious and doctors anxiously tended to her injuries. Where is Raelynn? he thought. No one here in the Palace will believe me. Why should they have any reason to think I know the truth about the Nightsnakes? . . . I need to get to the prison before the execution.
Eston looked up at King Tronum. “Qerru-Mai, she’s the new Palace Overseer, correct?”
The King nodded.
“Send for her. I can try and speak with her since Fillian isn’t here.”
Tronum looked at his Guards. “You, come with me. And you, send for Miss An’Drui. Eston, I’ll come back to check on you in a few hours.” The Guards bowed and did as he commanded as Tronum left the hall.
Eston impatiently waited for Qerru-Mai to arrive. All the while, scenes of the courtroom passed through his head. He looked over to Vree. I’m sorry this happened . . . but it’ll be alright, I’ll fix everything. Once I make sure I escape from prison, I’ll write to Fillian, asking him to vouch for Kyan and confirm that Riccolo is the head of the Nightsnakes and not me.
Qerru-Mai burst through the doors of the hospital wing and ran up to Eston. “You’re safe!”
“. . . Were you here earlier?” asked Eston.
Qerru-Mai nodded. “Yes, there were many people hurt after the chaos in the courtroom today, I’m sure you heard about-”
Eston pointed to Vree. “Did you see who brought her in? Was it a blonde, Cerebrian girl?”
Qerru-Mai looked over at Vree concerned. “Yes, I told her the Nightsnake girl could be treated here, but she had to leave.”
“Why?” asked Eston.
Qerru-Mai looked shocked that it was even a question. “Eston . . . She’s a Cerebrian . . . as Palace Overseer I can’t risk something happening.”
“Something did happen but it’s not them. It’s someone named Riccolo. That girl over there,” he pointed
to Vree, “she’s innocent . . . so is the person they accused today.”
“How do you know?” said Qerru-Mai.
Eston looked Qerru-Mai in her dark eyes. “You just have to trust me . . .”
Qerru-Mai looked around the hospital wing nervously. “What are you asking of me then?”
“I need you to mobilize the Guard to get to the prison and free the accused Nightsnake.”
Qerru-Mai shook her head. “I can’t do that without proof that he’s innocent.”
Eston shook his head. “Then get me out of the Palace; I’ll go to the prison and get him out. Send the Guard to find the Cerebrian girl and protect her.”
“You really have a thing for using the Palace Overseer to sneak you out don’t you?” said Qerru-Mai sarcastically, but with a grave face.
Eston closed his eyes. “You have to trust me.”
The hospital wing was silent, save for the soft crackling of the fire and the howling of the snowstorm outside. Qerru-Mai shook her head and bit her lip. “. . . okay.”
Eston whipped the reins of Qerru-Mai’s horse forward and passed through the gates of the Palace, where many people were being questioned by the Guard about the “Nightsnake leader” — Kyan. Eston lowered his head in his cloak as he rode the horse into the snow-covered city.
Riding the horse down the streets, he drove toward the prison. He knew nothing of Raelynn’s location, only that if something were to go wrong, he had told her — as Kyan — to meet at the inlet docks; but only one thought drove Eston forward — getting to the prison in the third district and making sure he got out, finding out what happened and who freed him.