Realm of Knights

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  When she came to a bookstore, she pushed the door open and went inside. A woman was sitting on the floor, shelving the books scattered all around her. “Are you open?” Reid asked.

  “Yes.” The woman smiled. “I’m just organizing these two shelves here.”

  Reid walked down one of the aisles, her finger trailing over the spines. “You have an ample collection.”

  “We do. Is there anything in particular you’re looking for? A love story? A book on history?”

  Reid entered the aisle the woman sat in. “Actually, I’d like a map of Axian. Do you have one I can purchase?”

  The woman stood, adjusting her pants. “I have a couple you can choose from.” She went over to a cabinet and opened it. Several stacks of papers were piled inside. She started moving some around. “Ah, here we go. I have three.” She set the maps on a table.

  One was large and rolled up. It would be too inconvenient to carry. Another one listed some of the main cities, but that was all. The third was the smallest—and also the most detailed—of the three. It showed cities, terrain, and roads.

  “How much for this one?”

  “Seven kells.”

  Reid whistled. That was quite a lot of money. But she needed it. The map showed how to go from here to the City of Buckley without crossing through the Modig Mountains. It even showed how to get from here to Ellington. Pulling out her money, she quickly counted it and determined she had enough. After paying, she exited the store, the map tucked in her pants.

  About a block away, she found a store that sold pre-made clothes. She went inside, purchased a few items, and then shoved them in her bag. As she did so, a man walked past the window. He looked familiar. Reid was certain she’d seen him at the bakery and on the street once or twice. Most likely, he was following her. Good. She exited the store, making sure to walk slowly so her pursuer wouldn’t lose her. When she reached the bakery, Harlan was already there waiting for her.

  “I have plenty of food,” he said. “Did you get a map?”

  “Yes.” Reid snatched the last cookie off Harlan’s plate, shoving it in her mouth before he could object.

  He stood, hitching up his bag. “I was saving that for you. You didn’t have to eat it like a starving dog.”

  Smiling, she wiped the crumbs from her mouth. “It was more fun that way,” she mumbled around the mouthful of food.

  He shook his head, and they left, taking the west road out of the city because neither wanted to head directly toward Alder. The road was crowded. After a mile, they turned north onto a lesser-populated one.

  “Since your mission was a failure, are we going home to Ellington?” Harlan asked, walking with a slight bounce to his step.

  Glancing around to make sure no one was nearby, Reid lowered her voice and said, “You know I can’t go home until I’ve completed my mission.”

  He stopped, his bag falling to his feet. “You don’t plan on leaving Axian, do you?”

  She set her bag next to his. “I am leaving, just not quite yet.” Facing her friend, she hoped he understood. “I’m returning to the city. I plan to sneak into the palace during the party for the Sun Festival tonight.”

  Harlan groaned. “They won’t be as nice if they catch you a second time.”

  “I know, and I’ll be extra cautious. They had someone following me today, which means he saw us leave. I’m sure he has already reported to the royal family that we’re no longer in the city.”

  Harlan pinched the bridge of his nose. “There’s no talking you out of this.”

  “No, there’s not.”

  “I know.” He sighed. “I said it more for me than you.” He sat on the ground. “Let’s talk.”

  Reid thought that was what they were doing. Instead of pointing it out, she sat and waited for him to continue.

  “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

  She was about to argue when he held his hand up.

  “However, I understand why you’re doing it.”

  She was about to respond when he glared at her, so she snapped her mouth shut.

  “I’m worried the princes are using you.”

  King Eldon was using her.

  “I’m afraid your father won’t be pardoned. That’s why you’re doing this, isn’t it?”

  She nodded. “I agree with all you’ve said. I’ve been trying to figure out how to make sure the king follows through with his end of the bargain.” It would be so much easier if she could tell Harlan everything—including what was in the box. He’d managed to piece a lot of it together.

  “Let’s say you’re able to complete this mission and the king pardons your father, then what? Will you return home?”

  “Probably not.” She was a Knight. Originally, she’d thought it would provide a level of freedom. Now she wasn’t so sure. However, she couldn’t tell Harlan any of that.

  He took her hands. “Why not?”

  “What’s there for me to do at home now that everyone knows I’m a woman?” Her father would probably marry her off. Why trade one prison for another?

  “Your father hasn’t told anyone. You can return and continue the farce if you want.”

  “I appreciate your concern.” She squeezed his hands. “And we can talk more about this on our journey home. But right now, I have to complete this mission.”

  “Do you want me to go with you or wait here?”

  “I’m going on my own.” That way, if something happened, her friend would be safe. “If I’m not back here by tomorrow morning, I want you to use this map and go straight to my father. Tell him everything.” She handed the map to Harlan.

  “You got it. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

  “I promise.” She made Harlan look the other way while she changed, putting on the clothes she’d bought earlier. Instead of her usual straight pants, she’d selected form-fitting ones. She’d ditched the large tunic for a blouse similar to what she’d seen Nara wearing the other night. Over the top of the blouse, she put on a leather vest. In her new ensemble, she felt strong and capable. Like a woman who could accomplish anything.

  At the main road, Reid started limping, pretending she’d hurt her leg. A man driving a horse-drawn cart pulled to a stop beside her.

  “Can I give you a lift?” the man asked.

  “That would be great.”

  He scooted over, making room on the bench seat for her. She climbed up to sit next to him. The horses resumed walking, and the cart jerked as it started moving again.

  “Are you going to the City of Radella for the festival?” the man asked. He was in his fifties and wore thick pants with a matching tunic.

  “No. I’m going to join the army.”

  He nodded. “A lot of people are worried now since Eldon has been crowned king. Hopefully, he’ll follow in his father’s footsteps and leave Axian alone.”

  “Did you like the late King Hudson?” Reid asked. The sun had started to set on the horizon, casting the land in a beautiful orange.

  “I always thought it a shame what King Hudson did to Prince Henrick. But Prince Henrick, being the man he is, did the right thing in letting his brother take the throne to avoid a civil war.”

  Reid pinched her lips together so she wouldn’t ask a question that would give her northern heritage away. Prince Henrick let his brother be king? Wasn’t Hudson the older twin and the one bequeathed with the title? Perhaps picking up a book on the history of the kingdom would be a good idea—one written by an Axian who told the history of Marsden from a different perspective. Because right now, Reid had no idea what to believe.

  They rode in silence for several minutes.

  “I’m taking the south road into the city since I have my cart with me,” the man said.

  “That’s fine. When you stop, I’ll get out and walk the rest of the way. My leg feels better now that I’ve rested it a bit.”

  He steered the cart around a group of people.

  “I assume you’re going to the city to make a del
ivery?” she asked, pointing at the barrels behind her.

  “You are correct. I come here twice a week. I own a farm about ten miles west of here.” He steered his cart onto another street and entered the city. After a couple of blocks, he pulled the cart into a large barn. There were several other carts being unloaded inside. Some had fresh produce. Others had cut wood. One cart even had several chickens.

  After parting ways, Reid headed toward the palace, easily blending in with the people around her. The streets were more crowded than usual since it was the last night of the festival. Most of the stores had closed to allow everyone to join in the festivities.

  When the palace came into view, Reid hovered close to the people in front of her as they headed toward the food vendors. Not having time to wander around, she moved from group to group, gradually making her way to the front entrance of the palace. She had to get in and out before the royal family or sentries saw her. Then she needed to make it out of the city and back to Harlan. They had to be as far away as possible before Henrick noticed his box was missing.

  The front doors of the palace were wide open. A handful of soldiers stood at attention on the steps. Around fifty people lined up to enter, so Reid joined them. “How does this work?” she asked the two older women in front of her.

  “A tour guide will take a dozen people at a time in for a tour. Then the group goes to the great hall where dancing takes place,” the woman on the right answered. “I do this every year.”

  That seemed easy enough. A soldier counted off twelve people before leading them inside.

  “The royal family is so kind to open their home up,” the other woman said.

  “Is the royal family in attendance?” Reid asked.

  “Prince Henrick and Princess Nara are always in the great hall to greet everyone.”

  Which meant they weren’t in their bedchamber where the box was located. Reid couldn’t help but smile.

  As the guards led the next group of people inside, Reid continued to chat with the two women while they slowly made their way to the front. Finally, a soldier approached, admitting the next twelve individuals, Reid included.

  Inside the palace, the tour guide introduced herself. Since there were only twelve people, Reid didn’t think now was the best time to slip away, she needed to stick with the group until they reached the great hall. Then she’d sneak into the servants’ passageways to head for the fourth floor.

  First, the tour guide took them to the art gallery. There were hundreds of intricate paintings hanging on the walls and statues perched on pedestals. Some of the pictures were dull, as if painted hundreds of years ago and faded by time. Many statues had tiny pieces missing, again hinting they’d been around for decades. Reid felt as if she was standing in a history book, only she didn’t understand the written words.

  Next, the tour guide took them to the palace library. The room was four stories tall, and the guide claimed there were over a thousand books. Scholars from all over Axian had invitations to use the library whenever they wanted. Reading, studying, and the pursuit of knowledge was encouraged. Reid had never seen so many books before. The sweet smell of leather was heady in the dim room.

  After that, the guide took the group to an interior courtyard filled with hundreds of roses and a dozen water fountains. Everything was perfectly manicured, the vibrantly colored roses practically glowing in the soft moonlight. Reid remembered the nightmare she’d had on her way there. Based upon everything she’d been told, she’d expected to find a monstrous ruler living in a neglected castle. Instead, it felt like a beautiful dream she didn’t want to wake up from. It didn’t make any sense.

  The tour guide finally led the group to the great hall, extending invitations for everyone to meet the royal family and partake in dancing.

  Reid was out of time. She had to find a way to slip away unnoticed. “Is there a privy I can use before I go in?”

  “Yes,” the tour guide responded. “There is a privy right around this corner.” She thanked everyone for coming, then left to get another group of people.

  Reid excused herself, hurrying toward the privy. When she rounded the corner, she glanced back. Her group was entering the great hall, and everyone had their backs to her. Without overthinking it, she ran to the adjacent corridor, quickly locating the servants’ passageways. Inside, she kept moving toward the center of the palace. When she came to a stairwell, she took the steps two at a time until she reached the fourth floor.

  Exiting the stairwell, she left the servants’ passageway and entered the main portion of the palace. Thankfully, she remembered how to get to Henrick’s bedchamber. When she approached his door, she saw it was unguarded. With a shaking hand, she reached out and grabbed the handle, turning it. The door opened, and Reid stepped into the dark bedchamber.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Reid closed the door behind her, then stepped farther into the room. The moonlight shone through the windows casting the place in an eerie glow. A chill spread through her body, and she shivered. Even though no one was there, she slowly crept into the adjacent room, not making a sound.

  She paused in the doorway and examined the bed, making sure it was empty. Breathing a sigh of relief, she tiptoed to the rear of the bedchamber. At the shelves, she knelt and reached for the box. Her hands slid around the cool metal as she picked it up. Standing, she opened her bag and gently deposited the box inside.

  “I knew that was what you were after,” a deep male voice said from the corner of the room.

  A combination of a scream and a squeal escaped Reid’s lips. Clutching the strap of her bag, she whirled around to see who was there. A large man emerged from the dark corner across from her. “Let’s go.” He nodded toward the other room.

  Reid did as he said, entering the sitting room. Now that her back was to him, she slid her hand to her belt and unsheathed her dagger.

  “I assume King Eldon sent you.”

  It sounded like he was about ten feet behind her. She spun, then threw the dagger. It sailed through the air, hitting the man dead center on his chest before clattering to the floor.

  “That was an impressive throw,” he said. “Too bad I’m wearing armor.” He took a menacing step toward her.

  Reid thought about everything Knox had taught her over the years. All the countless hours she’d trained. She needed to use those skills to escape from this room. The man took another step closer to her. When he was about five feet away, she twisted and kicked, aiming for his kneecap. He jumped, easily avoiding the strike, and lunged for her. She dodged out of the way, almost running into the sofa. Her back was now to the windows, the man blocking the door.

  Enough moonlight filtered in, allowing Reid to see her opponent. He was at least a foot taller than her and had shoulder-length hair. In an armored vest, which accentuated his bare, muscled arms with bracers around his wrists, everything about him radiated he was a lethal soldier.

  Glancing over her shoulder, she contemplated jumping through the glass and out the window. At four stories up, she’d probably break a bone or two and wouldn’t be able to run away. Why hadn’t she thought to bring rope with her? Not that she’d have time to tie it around something and make it safely to the ground. But still.

  “You wouldn’t,” the man said in disbelief. His face held a hint of youthfulness to it, putting him at only a couple of years older than Reid.

  “What other option do I have?” she countered.

  “Fight me.”

  She clutched her bag. “I’m not sure I’d survive. The window is looking like a better option.”

  “I’m disappointed. I thought Eldon would have sent his best.” He tilted his head to the side. “Please tell me you’re not it.”

  “I’m neither a soldier nor a spy.”

  “Then what are you?”

  She was about to say she was a normal person. However, that wasn’t true. Nothing about her upbringing or life was normal. “I’m a woman doing a job. That is all.”

&
nbsp; “Eldon doesn’t employ or trust women.”

  Quick as a falcon, the man darted forward, forcing Reid to move to the right, away from the window, to avoid being hit. But at least she was a little closer to the door now.

  “Are you going to try to make a run for it?” he asked, his deep voice rumbling, matching the darkness of the room.

  “Did you do that on purpose?” she asked. “To get me away from the window?”

  “Maybe.”

  Which meant he didn’t want her dead. “Are your orders to capture me alive?”

  “Prince Henrick and Princess Nara have some questions for you.”

  Interesting. “Did the princess tell you to come here and wait for me?”

  “Something like that.”

  Reid couldn’t believe she’d walked right into a trap. Again.

  “She did appreciate you pretending to leave,” he said. “That was a nice touch.”

  Letting out a frustrated sigh, Reid asked, “How’d Princess Nara know I was back in the city?” She thought she’d been careful.

  “Prince Henrick is the one who said you’d be back for the box.” He pointed at Reid’s bag.

  It felt as if someone had thrown a bucket of water on her. She blinked, stunned by what she saw. The man extended his left arm to point at her bag. His bracer had shifted slightly, revealing the top portion of a tattoo. Eyes widening, she stared. Was he a Knight? She couldn’t be sure since his bracer covered most of the mark.

  Something hit Reid from behind. She fell forward, flat on the floor, her breath whooshing from her. Someone yanked her arms back, tying her wrists together.

  A knee dug into her back. “Really, brother, what was taking you so long? Usually I’m the talker and you’re the one for action,” the man behind her said.

  “Father wants to talk to her. I was afraid she’d jump out the window and kill herself.”