Sienna nodded with a sigh. “Right. Um… When you caught up with the librarian, did he say anything to you?”
He shook his head. “Not really. He was muttering some gibberish about the missing prince and the Agents of Cyran.” His shoulder tingled where his scar was. “Something about him still being alive, it was nonsense.”
Eli shrugged, trying to brush it off. He was unsure if he should tell Sienna the truth, as he promised Merrick he would not tell another soul it was him.
“Yes,” she said, nodding. “I know who you mean. My mother was Hector’s father’s ward. They became like siblings, I suppose. It made sense that my parents took over the kingdom after… well, you know. My mother didn’t want to have an active role, so my father took over.”
“So you think he is real?”
“I know he was real. Whether he is alive now is something no-one can ever prove. There’s been more and more gossip about him being alive, it’s no wonder the Agents of Cyran are attacking again.” Sienna caught her breath as she looked deep into Elijah’s eyes. He hadn’t realised how intensely he was listening to her until she blushed.
“Do you need another drink?” He asked, breaking the silence. She shook her head.
“The story goes that someone betrayed their trust, led the Agents of Cyran here to the castle and they slaughtered everyone.” Sienna went quiet and looked at the floor. “But that’s all I know. My father doesn’t like to speak of the details. He blames the attack for so many deaths.”
Sienna looked away and fiddled with the edge of her cup.
“Why are you here, princess?” Elijah asked, standing up. She stood too, stepping closer to him. She had beautiful eyes. A deep brown colour, with flecks of gold that caught the tiniest bit of light. Elijah’s palms began to sweat as his heart beat faster in his chest.
“I still think about our first meeting,” she confessed, placing a hand on his chest. “You were arrogant, yet charming.”
Elijah’s entire body tightened at her touch. “Sienna,” he breathed her name as the scent of her hair hit his nose. He gulped. “Nothing can happen between us. You know that. Let me escort you back to your room.” He tried to move past her, but she didn’t move out of the way.
Princess Sienna looked up at him; she was only a few inches shorter, but Elijah could have rested his head on hers. She didn’t listen to him and took another step closer. Her arms pushing past his and ending with her head on his chest.
“You make me feel safe. Don’t leave me.” Her request didn’t need an answer. His hands tangled in her long hair, and he allowed the embrace to continue for a few moments longer. Aching to kiss her, he forced himself to pull away.
“If anyone finds you here… You father will have me removed from the Elite I’ve only just been assigned to.” He looked at the door. “Let me check the hall and then I will take you to your room.” He felt her nod of agreement on his chest.
Breaking the embrace, Elijah crossed the room to the door and opened it. A shadow moved in the dim candlelight and he pulled himself back inside the room. If I go the servant’s way out of the kitchen, no-one should see us.
He looked back at Sienna and smiled. “Come on,” he said, taking her hand.
Getting through the castle was easier than expected. Being the dead of night, there were hardly any servants around. The guards on duty saw the princess and bowed their heads and nodded to Elijah as he was two steps behind. The right distance for a bodyguard escort.
Jaxon was on Sienna’s door. Elijah rolled his eyes; here we go.
“Your Highness,” Jaxon said as they approached. “Maevine is inside waiting for you.” His eyes landed on Elijah. “Thank you for escorting the princess back to her room.”
Sienna walked past and opened the door to her room. Through the gap, Eli could see Maevine, who stood up as the princess entered. Jaxon closed the door and raised an eyebrow.
“Are you out of your mind?”
“She came to my room,” he hissed, trying to keep his voice down. “What was I supposed to do, Jaxon?”
The guard shook his head. “Be careful, you’re walking a fine line.”
“I know,” Eli said, cutting him off. “Nothing happened, but I couldn’t let her walk back on her own.” He bowed his head and turned to walk away before Jaxon could say any more.
Banging on Elijah’s door woke him from his dreams. A cold sweat clung to his brow as he shook the sleep from his eyes. The knocking grew more frantic with each hit.
“I’m up!” Elijah shouted. “Just give me a minute.” Getting out of bed, his sleepiness made Eli stumble towards the table. His balance was off; it was training day, and Merrick would work him hard. Splashing water on his face, the coldness shocked the sleep from his eyes. He grabbed his jacket hanging up on the door and straightened himself up. Yanking the door open, it surprised him to find Maevine standing there.
“Maevine? What time is it? It isn’t even light out.”
“Oh stop complaining, you don’t even know why I am here.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Why are you here?”
“I have something fun planned.” A smile crept across her face as she grabbed his arm and pulled him into the corridor. “You’re already dressed.”
Looking down, he realised he was still wearing his clothes from the day before. I need to change. He opened his mouth to speak, but Maevine continued.
“Plus, I found out what that symbol meant.”
“Just hold on a moment.” He held his hands up to stop her from talking anymore. “You wait here, I’m going to get changed and then you can continue with what you were saying.” He slipped back into his room before she could utter another word and ripped off his old clothes, quickly changing into something suitable for training.
“Hurry up!”
“Maevine, didn’t anyone ever tell you to let a sleeping man lie?”
“My father, but my mother told me not to listen to him.” Elijah opened the door and Maevine turned to face him. “Come on, I want to show you something. Don’t worry, you won’t be late.”
Elijah shrugged and followed his friend out of the castle. They went through the stables to visit Keela on the way. She neighed as Eli stoked her nose. Maevine tugged on his arm and nodded to the other door.
“Did you want to know about the symbol then?” Maevine asked as she looked over her shoulder.
“Only if you want to tell me,” he said as they walked. “I figured it was a threat or something. You know, because I’m protecting the princess now.”
She turned to him and laughed. “Seriously? I think someone was just trying to scare you. It’s the symbol for the Elven god Cyran.” Cyran… there’s that name again. “He was the god of fortune and trickery. For you could ask him for your fortune, but the answer could mean anything and be a kind of riddle.”
He nodded. “Right, maybe Gianna or Sahab will know something. They know I don’t have the same childhood stories as they do so they must do.” Her eyes studied him for a moment. “What?” He turned away from her gaze.
“Nothing. We’re almost there.” As they reached the training yard, Elijah could see the set-up of an archery target.
“What’s all this?”
Maevine reached forward and grabbed a bow. “I thought we could have a little practice, and you might teach me how to use it?”
“I’ve only really trained with a sword and my hands, but we can definitely have some fun. See who gets the most in the middle? Loser forfeits dessert?” He teased.
She smiled, her eyes lighting up with the morning sun. “You’re on!”
“First thing’s first, do you know how to use it? I don’t want an advantage over you.”
“I think so,” she answered, picking up the bow. She grabbed an arrow and tried to fire it. Elijah watched her grip slip on the string before letting go, and the arrow fell to the ground in front of her. “Maybe not.” She eyed him over her shoulder.
“It takes a while to get the techn
ique.” Stepping closer, he reached out for the bow, taking it from her. Picking up an arrow, he showed her how to draw it back properly. “Hitting a target like this, it’s better to stand. You want to be side on to the target with your legs apart for a better stance.” He demonstrated as he spoke. “Then, you let go in one swift movement.” The arrow flew through the air as Eli let it go, hitting the target on the left-hand side. “See, I’m not that good. Your turn to try.”
Maevine attempted to copy Eli’s movements, but her arrow fell to the ground again. Shrugging, she turned to face Eli with eyes full of despair.
“Oh, stop it, you’re not doing bad. You just need to practice. Try again and don’t let the bow go slack before you let go. You need to have it pulled right the way back when your release, not halfway.” Elijah waved his hand to indicate Maevine trying again. To which, she stuck her tongue out and pulled another arrow back. Letting it loose, she fired it straight into the centre of the target.
Eli cocked his head to the side. “I thought you said that you hadn’t done this before?”
“I may have exaggerated that slightly.” She smiled a challenge. “My father prefers to use a bow.”
“Best of three?” Elijah grabbed a second bow and drew an arrow. He fired another arrow, and it struck the target almost in the centre, brushing the feathers of Maevine’s arrow in passing.
“Can I ask you a question?” She bent down and picked up another arrow. “A personal one.”
“Uh, sure.” Eli shrugged, watching her as she took her position ready to fire.
Maevine breathed in and as she breathed back out, she let the arrow loose. It missed the target, and she looked to the floor. “When I came up to you at the funeral, did you recognise me at all?”
“I’m not sure.” He stepped up beside her and drew. “So much has happened since then. If you’re asking, I obviously didn’t. Should I have?” He let the arrow go and turned to face her, not caring where the arrow landed.
She fiddled with the bow and met his eye. “We used to play together when we were children. Sienna, too.” She lifted her right shoulder and cocked her head to the side.
The hair stood up on the back of his neck. She knows. “I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s fine. Your secret is safe with me, Elijah.” Her eyes darted behind him and she put the bow down, bending into a curtsey. “Your Highness.”
Princess Sienna and her handmaidens stopped as they passed. “Maevine, I didn’t realise you’d be out here. Come, I need to choose an outfit for later.” Elijah gulped as her brown eyes looked him up and down. “Elijah.” She clicked her fingers in the air and lifted her chin. The two guards who were walking behind them sniggered at Elijah and followed them.
“I better go. Thank you for this.” She shoved the bow into his hands and ran off after the princess. Behind her, Eli could see Merrick along with Gianna, Leon and Sahab walking towards him.
17
Double Agents
Gianna and Sahab had smiles on their faces as they walked into the training ring. Naturally, Leon had a deep scowl on his face as he stepped up. He eyed the bow in Elijah’s hand and then turned to Merrick.
“Glad you’re here already, Elijah,” Merrick said, closing the gate to the training yard. “Today you are here for mandatory training, and we are going to start small so I can get a feel for how you move.”
Leon cleared his throat. “Who is watching the royals?”
“The king and queen are with Princess Sienna surrounded by the king’s guard and Prince John has the reserve Elite stood outside his door.” Merrick raised an eyebrow. “Satisfied?”
Leon grunted in response.
“Great, let’s get started. Leon, you’re working with Elijah, Gianna, you’re with Sahab.” Eli saw Leon roll his eyes at Merrick’s words. “Today we are going to be using blunt swords.”
“Why can’t we use actual swords?” Sahab asked, frowning.
Merrick shook his head. “Do you want to be cut to pieces?”
Sahab gulped and shook his head. Gianna slapped him on the back and smiled. “I didn’t think so. Now you all know your purpose here is to protect the princess first and the king and queen second. Your job is to make sure that the royal line continues should anyone ever attack. When on duty, you’ll be required to attend all events, meetings, and day-to-day runnings of the princesses life.”
“And off duty?”
Merrick nodded. “The reserve team will do the same. You’ll have free time and training. Which is why you are here today, so grab a sword.”
Elijah and Sahab both reached forward to grab a sword each and then stepped back. Gianna also grabbed one before looking up at Leon. She gestured for him to get one.
“Please, we all know how to fight with a sword, Merrick. How do you think we got this position?” Leon boasted, picking up a sword.
“Is that so? How about you go against me then?” Elijah gulped at Merrick’s challenge. He hoped Leon said no, but he knew the arrogance in him would not allow that.
“Fine,” he said, swinging the sword around in demonstration. “Let’s do this. Want to up the stakes?”
“What do you propose?” Merrick folded his arms.
“If I win, I don’t have to train.” Leon smiled, a glint in his eye.
“And if you lose?”
“I’ll do an extra session.”
“That confident you’ll beat me, huh?” Merrick scoffed. Leon nodded in response. “Well, I guess we better find out how good you really are.” There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Elijah had seen Merrick fight, and with his elvish abilities, there was no doubt in Eli’s mind who would win.
Merrick picked up one of the blunt metal swords. Eli watched as he balanced it on his finger. The sword didn’t move, which meant the tang was the full weight of the blade. An even distribution of the weight would help Merrick out. Something seasons fighters check, whereas Leon picked one up without thinking.
“Take your position.” Leon took his fighting stance at one side of the training area. With a wink at Eli, Merrick walked over to the other side. “Begin!”
Merrick stood waiting for an attack, which Leon gladly provided and he did not hold back. With his sword coming from the left, Merrick caught the blade perfectly and took a step to the right. He deflected Leon’s attacks easily and when the opportunity came; he kicked Leon hard in the chest, sending him backwards.
“Don’t leave yourself open for an attack,” Merrick said, as he took two steps around Leon. Elijah was in awe; he saw the opening but never realised he should attack. He’d always waited for his attackers to make a move before engaging in combat.
Back on his feet Leon launched again, this time sword overhead. Merrick raised his own sword. They clanged together and left Leon with a dagger to his throat.
“If I was an attacker, you’d be dead. Therefore, you need training.”
“You cheated,” Leon snapped as Merrick took the blade away from his throat. “If you fought fair, then I’d have had more of a chance.”
“Your arrogance is unbecoming. The Agents of Cyran won’t fight fair, they will take every chance they can to take what they want. I can teach you to be ready, to defend against those attacks and win.” Merrick looked around at them. Elijah nodded. Gianna winced as she swung the sword around in her hand, but recovered quickly.
Merrick stepped up to Leon. “First, you were too quick to attack. You have more of an advantage over an opponent who is too eager to slice your head open then if you’re not the one going in hot headed.”
Eli noticed Sahab was watching Merrick intensely and hanging on to every word he spoke. He knew Sahab had knowledge of fighting with swords, but maybe Merrick’s demonstration was playing on his friend’s mind? Now that there was an obvious threat, there was a more urgent need to be prepared. And they had brought Merrick back because he was the best.
“As I said earlier,” Merrick continued, “you need to pair up. One of you as the attacker
and one as the defender. Eli, you go with Leon. Gianna, you pair up with Sahab. And go slowly, Naoko will have my head if you go back in there with your wound open.”
Gianna smiled. “I’m sure she won’t mind as long as you’re the one taking me in.” Merrick rolled his eyes and turned away, trying to hide his smile.
“Now, Elijah, Sahab, you two will be the attackers this round. I will watch and comment, then teach you technique.”
Elijah nodded. He knew how to win a fight he had instigated. Looking into Leon’s eyes, Eli could tell he was not about to lose another fight, so this was going to be challenging. His friend would not give him an easy win.
“And begin!” Merrick clapped his hands together.
Not wasting a moment, Elijah lifted his sword and took two quick steps forward. Leon raised his ready to defend the attack. Swinging it low, Leon caught his sword, and they went into a flow. They stepped together, countered each other’s moves. Elijah knew he would need to disturb the rhythm. Taking a step back, he raised his sword, then twirled and ducked below Leon’s sword, hitting him round the back of the legs.
“Stop.” Merrick’s voice echoed in the silent morning. “Elijah, why did you do that?”
“Uh… It got too comfortable, so I had to do something he didn’t expect.” He shrugged. The move simply came to him.
“Leon, did you realise you had left yourself open?” Merrick asked.
“He raised his sword up, I thought he was going to come down, not duck and spin.” There was a venomous twang to his words. Leon’s ego was clearly taking a hit today.
“Again.” Merrick folded his arms and leaned back on the fence closest to Elijah and Leon. Eli got the feeling he should let Leon win. Which was exactly what he did. Taking a kick to the back of the legs, Elijah fell backwards and had Leon’s wooden sword at his throat.
Merrick clapped slowly. When Eli looked at him, he frowned slightly. Great, he knows I let him win.
“No.” Merrick pushed off the fence and stepped towards Elijah and Leon. “You let him win.” Eli’s eyes widened as Merrick’s finger pointed towards him. Why? “Leon, you need to win on your own. Once more, learn from what he did last time. Don’t leave yourself open and take advantage of the other person’s weaknesses.”
Kingdom of Lies (The Kane Saga Book 1) Page 12
