Villain's Assistant

by Carley Hibbert

  “What is this?” Denny asked.

  “We were hoping that Benjamin or one of you could enlighten us.”

  Benjamin scanned over the lists, maps, and sketches. “It looks as if he was keeping record of everyone in the fortress, and even some people who had regular business with Shreb or Mouthrot.”

  “That sounds like Baldo,” Denny uttered weakly. “He was always scratching away on paper somewhere. He called them his observations.”

  Benjamin flipped through the stacks of papers, many of which were clearly written in different hands. “Looks like he was intercepting people’s messages.” He studied a sketched map of the fortress grounds with an assortment of symbols scratched in various corners. “He knew all the secret passages in, out, and around the fortress. You’ll want to pack this up and take it to Branwen. It might help locate any allies Shreb or Mouthrot had at court.”

  Keston blanched. “Allies in court? Surely not.”

  “I believe Mouthrot was a former nobleman himself and a distant relation to the king’s family.”

  “I don’t understand.” Denny traced the contents of the wardrobe with his eyes. “If he had all this information, why didn’t he use it against Shreb as well as Mouthrot? Why did he go through such lengths to save Shreb? Shreb is useless.”

  Benjamin set a stack of papers down. “He was studying both villains. He’s not finished with Shreb…not yet. I can’t imagine what advantage he’d have sticking with Shreb, but there must be one.”

  “Like what?”

  “Money? Connections? Protection, perhaps?”

  “But Shreb doesn’t have any money. Not anymore.”

  Benjamin nodded to this absently. “Don’t worry, he has money.”

  Denny kicked at a pile of yellowed paper. “Why can’t you admit it? You took the money!”

  The accusation felt like a physical slap. Benjamin blinked several times before he could respond. “Because I didn’t take it! You think Baldo, the brilliant, who fooled us all, would allow someone to steal money from him and push him down a cliff? No. He wanted you to think that was what happened.” Benjamin squeezed his fists, painfully tearing the fresh scabs forming on his knuckles.

  “It was an insurance policy against you!” Denny pointed an angry finger at Benjamin.

  “Right! To ensure no one will completely trust Benjamin ‘the villain’ who helped the king overthrow two archvillains. Meanwhile, poor Baldo, the villain’s assistant, ensures one escapes!” Benjamin growled through clenched jaws.

  Denny rushed toward Benjamin, raising his fist, but stopped just before Odie stepped in. Benjamin stumbled back into Keston, who helped him back to his feet.

  Benjamin opened his mouth to yell, I am not a villain! But the words choked him. He clamped his mouth shut and retreated from the room, an ache blossoming in his chest.

  FIFTY THREE

  Every morning after the boys abandoned her, Rebecca rolled out of bed, pulled on her servant clothes, and dropped off the laundry. She picked up breakfast in the kitchen, where she was able to exchange gossip with Molly. It was the highlight of her day, and she thanked Branwen, Dally, and Sir Wendell every day for it. She sometimes even helped Molly with some of her tasks around the kitchen so they could chat more easily. Plus, she found Molly more forthcoming about castle news when she was in motion.

  Martha, the head cook, was pleased with her eagerness to learn the inner workings of the kitchen and one day even gave her an approving nod as she handed her a tray. “You should use a cart. Then you can pick up the laundry at the same time. Save yourself a trip.”

  Henry would sometimes secretly slip a warm roll or cookie into her apron pocket. It felt so good to be a part of something and to have friends. Molly was certainly her favorite. Rebecca had never been around other girls before and found a hole had been filled in her heart.

  Rebecca was even able to visit Jalene without her aunt hovering in the corner. She found the quiet lady a kind and intelligent woman. Jalene freely talked about her family and their drafty old manor. She clearly missed them both dearly. She also filled Rebecca in about court life, both the good and the bad. She was a fountain of information.

  “Jalene, you have helped me so much, if only to keep me from going mad locked away,” Rebecca confessed. “All my future efforts can never repay what I’ve received from you.”

  Jalene tilted her head. “A few stories?”

  “You’ve obviously never lived cooped up with spies who talk only of conspiracies, knives, and food—when they talk at all.”

  “Well, in that case, we'd better cover the art of female warfare.” Jalene laughed, her long fingers tangling in her black curls. “That information may not save your life, but it will keep you from being eaten alive!”

  Rebecca endured the fitting of gowns and the twisting of her hair in the afternoons because she could silently review all the stories and events of the morning.

  In the evenings, Sir Wendell would stop by for their lessons. He stared wide-eyed when she easily rolled out of his grasp the first time. He then helped refine her skills and taught her plenty of new things. He assured her that a princess was entitled to use any dirty trick she wanted, if it meant staying alive. She smirked and imagined practicing on Benjamin, and then immediately prayed all of her boys were safe.

  Sir Wendell had his men smuggle up a training dummy so that she could practice various stabbing techniques with both knives and swords. He discouraged her from throwing her knife, even after several impressive demonstrations. “You might hit someone, but then you’re without a knife,” he said.

  So she practiced throwing after he left.

  FIFTY FOUR

  It was Rebecca’s idea to coordinate her gown with Jalene’s for the upcoming banquet. The king wanted to present Rebecca to court and announce his engagement to Lady Jalene at the same time. The future consort of the king should outshine everyone, especially the king’s niece. With Dally’s help, Rebecca picked a secondary color from Jalene’s dress that let Rebecca blend into the background. They kept her dress simple but still not out of place for the occasion. Something no one would think about, just see and move on. If Rebecca wanted to sell the supportive role, she needed to start now.

  Rebecca arranged for a few smaller knives she could strap under her sleeves easily. She knew most of the servants by sight and would notice someone out of place. Rebecca and Jalene arranged the settings at the banquet so that they would sit next to each other. Hopefully, at first glance, they would think Rebecca nothing more than a lady-in-waiting. While there was danger to both of them, Rebecca’s existence was so uncertain to everyone, including the nobility, that she was sure Jalene would be more of a target than she was.

  As Rebecca stood in front of a three-paneled mirror for her final fitting, she heard a scuffle outside her door. Dally set down a chest of jewels, and Rebecca reached for one of the knives up her sleeve. She was glad she had insisted on trying them on with her dress; she had wanted to see if they would be hidden and accessible. The door burst open, and a disheveled Benjamin stumbled out of two red-faced guards’ grasps. They each grabbed an arm and apologized for the intrusion.

  “Benjamin!” Dally barked. “You should not be allowed in a room when a lady is changing.”

  He rolled his eyes. “If you’re talking about Rebecca, she looks dressed to me.”

  “You’re back!” Rebecca slipped around Dally to see Benjamin for herself. He was dirty and scuffed but in one piece. Denny was not with him. She waved the guards away.

  “Good news: we got Mouthrot. Bad news: Shreb is on the run.”

  A huge wave of relief washed over her, and Rebecca nearly hugged Benjamin, but his stench stopped her. She smoothed her expensive new dress and stepped back.

  “The Lieutenant? Denny? His brothers?” Her eyes darted to the empty space behind Benjamin.

  “They’re fine,” Benjamin said, rubbing his hair out of his face as he scanned the room for food. “Well, Denny did get a knife
to the shoulder.”

  “What?”

  “But he’s fine. I think the shock—” Benjamin bit his lip. Rebecca held her breath. His hesitation was unnerving. He never stopped to think before he spoke.

  “Just say it. What’s wrong?”

  “You know Baldo?”

  “What happened?”

  “Well, he’s the one that got Denny with the knife.”

  “What? Denny’s little brother stabbed him?”

  Dally gasped at this.

  “Well, threw it, actually. But I think he was aiming for me, if that makes you feel better.” He kicked at a chair leg with his dusty boot and frowned.

  “Why would that make me feel better? Why is Baldo throwing knives at anyone?” Rebecca pressed her hand against her locket.

  Benjamin looked away. “Because he’s a bad guy. He helped Shreb escape.”

  Rebecca stumbled backward. She remembered Baldo’s pale face watching, always watching. He was so small. Denny was always so protective of him and gave him everything he could need. He was heartbroken when Baldo had gone to work at the fortress.

  “He was so smart,” she said, shaking her head.

  Benjamin’s head fell, and when he looked up again, his eyes were red-rimmed.

  “Why didn’t I see it? Everything was arranged around me,” Benjamin said, collapsing in the upholstered chair. Dally grimaced. “I was Baldo’s competition. He wanted to be the villain’s assistant. He coordinated everything from the start.”

  “Poor Denny.”

  Benjamin rubbed his hair into spikes. “He’s not taking it very well. I’m not sure if he knows what or who to believe. He blames me.”

  “What? How could Denny blame you? You’ve never even met Baldo before!” she said, pressing a hand to the knot in her stomach. “I know you aren’t exactly friends, but Denny knows—”

  “Knows what? That I’m just a thief at heart? Baldo is very clever. He planted seeds of doubt.”

  “Just small enough to wiggle down deep?”

  Benjamin nodded.

  She closed her eyes. This could be bad. “Where is Denny now?”

  “I left him at the fortress with the Lieutenant and Odie.”

  Benjamin leaned forward in his chair, resting his head in his hands. Dirt and scabs covered his knuckles.

  Is Denny this scuffed up as well? she wondered. She didn’t dare ask. “I think Denny will be okay,” Rebecca said, lifting her chin and infusing her words with confidence. “No matter what he thinks, Odie will straighten him out eventually. It’s you I’m worried about.”

  Benjamin lifted his head.

  “Baldo is very clever, but he couldn’t know much about you. We barely mentioned your name.” She turned to examine her sleeves in the mirror.

  “But he knew I was the Lieutenant’s son…or at least Shreb did.”

  Rebecca spun around and watched Benjamin trace the scabs on his knuckles.

  He peered up, his brown eyes pained. “Odie he didn’t tell him either.”

  She turned back to the mirror. Her own gray eyes stared widely back at her, as she listened to her heart pound in her chest. “Didn’t Shreb know the Lieutenant when he worked for his father?”

  “Possibly.” Benjamin shrugged.

  Rebecca didn’t know what to think about this little twist, but it couldn’t be as bad as Benjamin thought. “Not everything revolves around you.”

  She moved slowly through some fighting stances Sir Wendell had taught her, trying to shake off the cold that gripped her muscles. She wanted full range of motion in her dress. She looked at the deflated boy in the mirror.

  “I don’t know what Baldo does or does not know, but if you sit around moping because Denny doesn’t trust you, or if you give up on this path you’ve chosen, you’re the one who loses.”

  Benjamin stood up straight. “I will not be outdone by him!”

  Rebecca smiled triumphantly. “Good! Now go take a bath. Maybe two baths. You stink!”

  FIFTY FIVE

  After making her morning rounds, Rebecca returned to her rooms to find a bleary-eyed Benjamin being fitted for a suit. Branwen was shuffling through papers, occasionally scribbling and crossing things out at her unused desk. He must have debriefed Benjamin this morning.

  Branwen nodded absently and continued scanning his pages. “I think that should do it,” he said, struggling out of his chair. He handed the pages to Dally and then turned to look Benjamin in the eye. “I want you to memorize all of these questions and comments that are appropriate for the banquet.”

  Benjamin rolled his eyes.

  “And if you do sound stupid saying them—all the better. Consider it your cover. Can you do that?”

  Benjamin sucked his lips in and agreed.

  “Good. Because I’m sure I could get approval to add a mute to His Lordship’s ranks.”

  Benjamin lifted his eyebrows.

  Rebecca snorted. It was nice to know others fantasized about ways to shut Benjamin up as well. Apparently that was a natural reaction.

  Benjamin scrunched up his face. “Don’t worry; I’d still figure out a way to drive you all mad.”

  “I wouldn’t doubt it for a second,” Branwen muttered as he headed out the door.

  “Do I even want to know where he’s going?” Rebecca asked as she unwound the scarf around her head.

  “No, you don’t,” Dally said, looking up. “Your Highness, ladies do not undress in front of—”

  “Benjamin? He hardly counts. Besides, I only removed my headscarf. I didn’t disrobe.”

  Rebecca slouched into the couch and kicked off her thin-soled maid’s shoes and rubbed her feet. You would think the nobility who sit around all day would get the thin shoes, and the workers who were on their feet all day would get the better shoes.

  “I’m getting my kitchen maids good shoes when I have my own castle.”

  Dally laughed at that. “I guess you’ll have girls rotating in and out of your kitchens, depending on when they need new shoes.”

  “Perhaps, or maybe they’ll appreciate an employer who cares about their feet and comfort.”

  Dally shoved the list at Benjamin and then sat next to Rebecca. She lifted Rebecca’s feet into her lap and rubbed them. The old tailor removed the pinned material from Benjamin and put his things into his case.

  Dally thanked him and apologized for Benjamin’s sour tongue.

  “Forgive me. I’m still exhausted from—” Benjamin piped in.

  The old tailor waved off Benjamin midsentence. “Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”

  FIFTY SIX

  When the day of the banquet arrived, Rebecca held up her well-manicured hand in disbelief. She had spent most of the previous day soaking different parts of her body in this or that. Jalene had even come down to participate in the facials. Dally had slathered them in what felt like thick mud but smelled like lavender.

  Jalene just smiled quietly as she listened to Rebecca complain. “Trust me, as you get older you’ll appreciate it. How else do you think a twenty-five-year old caught the eye of the king?”

  “You’re that old?” Rebecca gasped.

  Dally glared intently Rebecca.

  “Oh, sorry,” Rebecca said, wincing.

  Jalene laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “I can’t believe you haven’t been married before. You’re obviously beautiful and refined, everything a noble lord would want.”

  “Well, the refinement came under the firm hand of my aunt.”

  Rebecca thought that would be the end of the subject, but after sitting in silence for a while, Jalene continued. “I was engaged once, but he died before we could marry.”

  Rebecca was thankful for Dally stepping in to remove the mud from her face and changing the topic. Everyone had sad tales in their lives, it seemed.

  Jalene soon left to dress in her own rooms. Rebecca wondered if Benjamin had to do anything so ridiculous to get ready for his introduction to court. He was p
robably stuffing himself with sweet rolls. I hope he remembers to take a bath and comb his hair at least. It might be nice to see him out of his depth for once. She’d like to know she wasn’t the only one.

  Dally hung her blue gown by the mirror and pulled out a corset, snapping Rebecca back to the present. “Okay,” the reluctant princess said, groaning, “let’s get this over with.”

  All of the air was painfully squeezed from Rebecca’s lungs as Dally tightened and clasped all the machinery that went into prepping her body for a formal gown—another reason Rebecca would rather have led the attack against Shreb with Benjamin and Denny. It couldn’t be more dangerous than a corset! Still, as Rebecca looked in the mirror, she had to admit she looked pretty—not quite herself, but pretty. She loved the deep blue of her gown. It didn’t shine as much as Jalene’s, but that was the idea. There were a few jeweled flowers around her neckline and sleeves. Dally applied another layer of powder to all her exposed flesh.

  “Just a hint of sparkle, I think,” Dally said, looking pleased. She placed a diamond collar around Rebecca’s neck. Spikes of sapphires grazed her collarbones and chest. Two matching sapphire earrings dangled from her ears. Rebecca smiled back at the princess in the mirror.

  Dally stepped back to take in all her hard work. She then turned to the mirror and smoothed her own graying hair that was twisted into a roll under beautiful curls, a much simpler arrangement than the knots and twists that Dally had spent hours perfecting in Rebecca’s hair.

  Dally fiddled with the diamond buttons that danced against the darkness of her own dress as she opened the door to admit Benjamin. He was wearing a trim-cut suit in a lighter shade of blue than Rebecca’s dress. His dark hair was pushed back in a masculine wave, which would have looked striking if not for his expression. He obviously felt ridiculous.

  “How long does it take to get dressed? Haven’t you been practicing all week?”