Castle Walls (20 page)

"Aye. Just be careful and you'll be fine." To the bigger man, he said, "Let's go."

Katerin fought once more, her captor carrying her like a sack of squiggling puppies before him.

"Here!" the smaller man shouted at the guards as they rounded the corner. "I've a present for the Invader!"

An ornate chair had been brought out for the occasion and the Invader lounged upon it, a canopy raised above him to keep he and his guests shaded. A handful of the highest lords and their ladies were honored to sit on the makeshift dais, watching as yet another circus set up before them.

Biting back a yawn, the Invader scanned this newest offering.
I certainly hope Dominic gets on with it
, he thought.
The sooner this is quashed, the better.
His eyes fell on the circus leader and his boredom washed away.

It was the woman he'd seen registering in the field a day or so earlier. Tall, thin, a mop of blonde hair that apparently couldn't be tamed, she looked as much a rogue without her weapon as she had with it.
I wonder if she knows how to use that sword I saw her with?
he idly mused. Noting her swagger, he concluded she probably did.

The woman made a formal bow to the crown before beginning her speech. Her voice was rough, deeper than the Invader expected, and filled with a vigor he found surprising. Heedless of her words, he leaned on one arm and waved his hand servant closer. "Who is she?"

"I'm not sure, Sire. They were announced as the Adamson Circus."

Adamson.
The name didn't ring a bell. However, the longer he watched the woman, the more familiar she became.
Who are you?
"Find out a name," he ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Bowing, the servant backed away.

The Invader leaned back in his chair, ignoring the nervous glances from those seated closest to him. When the woman finished her introduction, bowing to one side as a family of three began riding trick horses, his eyes followed her.
From where do I know you?
His mind puzzled over it for some time, all avenues of search failing him. He was beginning to believe the woman simply had one of those faces that reminded him of another.

Trick riding over, she returned to the center of the courtyard and began another speech. Something about 'flights.' He paid her words no mind, hearing only the voice, an eerie memory echoing the tones. The Invader almost jerked when an aide thrust a silver tray with a parchment in his face from behind.

Scowling, the Invader snatched the paper and glanced inside. All concerns regarding the blonde woman were gone in an instant. Oblivious to the performance before him, he looked over his shoulder at the aide. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, Sire," the man bowed. "It's her."

So. The Princess Sabine is involved in this.
Slowly scanning the courtyard, the Invader noted the many unfamiliar faces, wondering which were involved in Dominic's little scheme.
When will you attack? Do you know she's been taken? Or is this a ruse?

"Sire? What do you wish us to do with the prisoner?"

Yes, Dominic. What do you wish me to do?
The Invader finally said, "Bring her here. Now." As the aide left to do his bidding, he stroked his beard in thought.

Ros introduced the next act, one that she would be participating in. Her troupe crowded forward and began creating a human pyramid, using their strongman as the base. Their time was limited, a full three-hour show uncalled for, and she'd chosen those things that would take the least in the way of props. Once this was finished, Cristof would bring the tiger out for a quick bit and they would leave.

The Invader's initial overt interest in her was distracted by a message and she breathed a sigh of relief. That his interest was in her specifically was unsettling and Ros wondered how she would get through this. It was bad enough being in the den without drawing the undue attention of the lion.

Ros watched an aide scamper away and the Invader's eyes return to the performance, though without the intensity of a few moments ago. Martim and Tommaso were linked arm in arm, standing on either of Abdullah's shoulders, free arms out to balance one another. Amar, a thinner man, was clambering up the human chain with the help of the others.

Working out the angles, Ros waved Minkhat closer and the pair made a show of fixing the fulcrum and board they would use for their trick. Once it was in place, she checked on her peoples' progress. Habibah and Sati were now balanced upon Amar's shoulders and the dwarf, Sameer, was clambering up the chain. Once he was set, he gave a yell and Abdullah at the base turned slowly, gaining applause for the mass of humanity on his shoulders.

In the meanwhile, Minkhat and Usiku took their place and joined arms, helping Willem climb above them. As they held him tight at the ankles, Ros made her foray up the smaller pyramid. It took some work to find proper placing and balance to get there, but soon, she was atop his shoulders, arms out in balance. Abdullah finally settled into place and, after a nod from him, Ros called out.

Young Wills scampered forward from among the horses. With mischievous grin, he tumbled about until he landed on one end of the board that had been placed between the two groups. He faced Ros' pyramid though he was on the opposite side, standing in front of Abdullah. When everyone gave the go ahead, Ros let out another yell and jumped.

Landing on the opposite end of the board, Ros sent the young lad flying. Abdullah shuffled about, keeping an eye on the airborne boy until he landed safely on Sameer's shoulders high above the audience. All of them posed for their applause, smiling before beginning the process of climbing down. When all were on the ground, they lined up and bowed to the crown as the clapping continued.

A door to the side opened and two guards appeared, towing a dark haired prisoner. Her wrists were bound before her and she struggled between them as she was dragged toward the Invader.

The applause faded at this new entertainment and Ros looked for the interruption.
Bleeding Sif! What's she
doing
here?
She took a step forward, Willem and Usiku having the presence of mind to hold her back.

Across the courtyard, Liam tensed as the prisoner was brought before the Invader and forced to kneel.
That can't be…

Dominic, a fleeting smile crossing his lips, firmly closed the door he was positioned by. With smooth precision, he slid a wooden bar into iron slots, locking it. Turning, he noted that his compatriots were doing the same. No one was aware as of yet, all eyes on the throne.

The Invader, a pleased smile on his face, rose and stepped forward. "Princess Sabine. It's so good to finally meet you." He drew his sword. "Unfortunately, your stay will be short."

Chapter 14

A long silence stretched into the distance. As the Invader prepared the princess' deathblow, Dominic watched, waiting for the proper moment. Katerin, refusing to bow her head to this usurper, glared at the man who massacred her family.

Liam frantically looked about, finding his aide and realizing with sick horror that Dominic planned to do nothing. Lips thinning in anger, the prince threw off his cloak and shouted, "For Liam! To me!" Pulling a short sword from his waist, he pushed forward to save his sister.

The call to arms sounded prematurely and Dominic swore, looking for the cause. "Damned royal bratling will be my undoing!" Regardless, he grabbed a hidden sword and waded into the fight.

The rebels echoed Liam's cry, firing crossbows at the overhead archers who returned arrows with deadly intent. Several people fell in the courtyard, both fighters and bystanders alike. As expected, there was an immediate stampede by the lords and ladies toward the now blocked doors. The only unguarded exit was the main gate and they wasted no time in finding it, leaving sword-wielding rebels to their posts with little complaint.

Ros stopped struggling against her friends as the courtyard erupted into violence. Arrows rained down from above and the scattered guard on the ground began fighting the rebels around them. The blonde pushed her people toward safety. "Get out! Don't stop! Protect the boy!" The troupe needed no further urging though Amar had to drag Cristof away from his tiger.

Daiki tried to bring the blonde along but she pulled away. "I have to save Kat!" Ignoring his glare, she shook her head. "I'll not leave her to him!"

The old man growled in frustration, ducking as an arrow barely missed its mark. "Be careful!" he warned, turning away to follow the others.

Seeing her people safely in retreat, Ros turned to the dais.

Three of the Royal Guard surrounded the Invader, determined to protect their liege. No thought was given to the prisoner who was outside their defensive circle. Katerin had fallen to one side, fighting with her bonds while the rebellion raged around her. Ros, recognizing her opportunity, leapt forward.
If I can just get her out of here...

The fighting on the dais was fierce as the rebels endeavored to win their cause. Katerin edged away from the proceedings, squirming under foot as she struggled to move along. She grunted when someone stepped on her thigh but didn't stop her attempted escape. Her only hope was that her friends and lover were able to make it out of the castle.

Ros ducked a sword, dropping to a protective heap over Katerin and startling the smaller woman into a muffled shriek. "It's
me
, Kat!" Her lover nodded recognition as Ros planned a course of action. Removing the brunette from her bindings was out of the question - there was no time. Instead, Ros began pulling them both out of the immediate melee, avoiding being trampled as best she could. Katerin toiled to help their progression, scrabbling along as directed.

At the same time, the Invader knew his prey was escaping. He couldn't leave her demise to chance; her tenacity already a burr in his side. The prophecy of his youth loomed over him and he knew the princess must die by his hand. With a rough curse, he pushed past his guard, looking for the woman he must slay to stay alive.
Ah, there she is! You'll not crawl away from me, Sabine! I have a destiny to fulfill!
Once more he raised his sword, intent on killing both women to insure his success.

Liam was almost there, heart in his throat, when Dominic stepped into his path. "Get out of the way, Dom! We must save Sabine!"

"No, Your Majesty," the aide said, raising a sword to block another's attack. "It's out of our hands!" He gutted the soldier and turned to the prince. "You shouldn't be here! We need you safe!" Dominic tried to grab the young man's arm, barely pulling away from the vicious slash directed at him.

Backing away slightly, Liam pointed his blade at the older man. "Is this why you didn't want me in the courtyard?" he demanded. "You
knew
Sabine was alive and that she'd be here today. You were going to
sacrifice
her to put me on the throne!"

Ros, concentrating on pulling them away from the storm of violence, looked up in time to see the Invader's gleeful face as he prepared to split them both. She froze in horror and their eyes locked. He faltered, an expression of recognition on his face. A rebel came from one side and distracted him, forcing him to defend himself.

Gods be damned, that was too close!
Ros scrambled further away, helping Katerin to her feet. Looking at the chaos between them and the gate, she cursed and scooped up a sword dropped by a fallen rebel.

Katerin realized their battle for survival had just begun and that she was utterly useless with her hands bound. She brought her wrists to her mouth and began prying at the ropes with her teeth.

Glancing past the aide, Liam could see that someone had intercepted the Invader.
I have some time. Not much.
"I was told you were here the day
after
my family was killed. That you had an audience with the Invader," Liam said, returning his attention to the older man. "Is this true?"

"Of
course
not, my liege," Dominic scoffed. "Now hurry! You must leave here!"
Bleeding Sif! How can I make this royal bratling see reason?

Narrowing his eyes, Liam knew Dominic for the liar he was. With no further word, he attacked the traitor.

"Are you all right?" Ros yelled over the clash of weapons.

Still chagrined at being tricked, at nearly dying, Katerin only nodded.

Ros pulled on her lover's arm, holding the short sword up. "Let's get you lose and to the gate! I told the others to get out! We need to find them!" Ros looked into her lover's frightened expression and fought the urge to kiss her.
Now is not the time!

Before she could follow Ros' direction, however, Katerin's eyes became round, looking over her shoulder. Ros turned, raising her sword, clumsily blocking the Invader's swing.

"The celebration is just beginning," he said with a smile. "It's not time to leave just yet."

Dominic blocked Liam's sword. "Your Majesty, this is pointless! I'm
not
your enemy!'' He struck another attack aside. "Please! Listen to reason!"

The pair circled one another warily. "Tell me true, Dom," the prince asked.

"I
am
speaking true, my liege," the aide insisted, his voice earnest. He snarled as he fended off another attack. "Bleeding Sif! Why won't you listen? You're as pig headed as your mother."

Liam, dark eyes cold, paused to salute Dominic with his blade. "I'll take that as a compliment."

It had been a while since Ros had fought with a sword and she was repeatedly driven back, Katerin behind her.

"And who are you?" the Invader asked. "I realize now isn't the proper time for introductions, but I'm sure I've seen you someplace before." He continued advancing, almost negligent in his attacks. Let us see how good you are with that sword.

Slowly, Ros regained her equilibrium, her defense strengthening against the onslaught. "I am no one, sir. Just allow us to leave and we'll not darken your door again." She parried a vicious thrust, barely avoiding the blade that whisked by her ear.