The Queen (13 page)

Queen Valasca busied herself by instructing
the maids on where to store the linens and various clothing, along
with the food they had brought with them.

The chamber was large and spacious, with
pillars throughout to support the great weight of the mountain that
loomed over their heads. There was even a small room off to the
side to house the chamber pots and buckets to clean with.

The maids stored items in large trunks, all
lining one side of the room, while Meg set to work making up the
beds that had been brought in.

Baylin’s mother crossed the room to Luana.
“May I hold him?”

Luana gently passed the baby boy into the
Queen’s arms.

Valasca sighed as she cuddled her grandson.
“There is nothing quite like the feeling of a baby in your arms.
Even in such horrible times they bring a sort of peace to your
heart.”

Luana nodded and forced a smile.
I feel
no peace at all. My heart breaks with fear that I will lose him.
That somehow Mirstone will come and Isla will take him from me. I
can only think of protecting him and his father.
She ached to
be at Baylin’s side and had contemplated trying to sneak out of the
castle to aid him. However, she knew she was the only one who could
protect her son, and she was certain beyond a doubt she would get
lost.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud
banging on the door.

The two guards by the door drew their
swords. “Who goes there?”

“It’s Ferric.”

Luana recognized his voice, but the guards
still kept their swords drawn as one of them slid a small window on
the door open to check. Once they saw it was, in fact, the captain
of the guard, they opened the door.

“What is it?” called Queen Valasca, making
her way to Ferric. “Has it begun?”

“Nearly, Your Grace,” Ferric replied with a
bow. “I’ve come to speak with Luana.”

Luana’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Me? Is
it Baylin? Is he well?”

“Yes, quite well,” Ferric confirmed. “There
is a matter he would have me discuss with you. In private, if that
is agreeable.”

Valasca nodded. “Let them pass.”

The guards moved away from the door,
allowing Ferric to escort Luana into the next room.

Once the door was closed, Luana turned to
Ferric. “What is it?”

“Baylin would be furious if he knew I was
here,” he said. “But I fear the fate of the Kingdom lies in your
hands.”

“Mine? But why?”

“Because of your…” He couldn’t seem to
finish the statement.

“Because I’m an elf, or at least, part of me
is.” She smiled. “Because I have powers?”

Ferric nodded. “Actually, a bit of both. You
see, the generals don’t trust King Rydel. Neither does King Ashmur.
He has made the decision not to call for aid from the elves, but I
know they are on our side. I know they care about this Kingdom. Why
else would they have saved us in Fagin Forest? Why would they have
taught you such magic if not to keep you safe?”

“Yes, the elves seem to want to help balance
the scales,” Luana agreed. “But they also feel too much
interference will anger the gods. They are wavering, at best.”

Ferric placed his hands on her shoulders,
drawing her gaze. “But if you were to go to them and plead for the
Kingdom…”

“You want me to ask for their help?” Luana’s
eyes grew wide. “But that would mean entering Fagin Forest.”

Fear gripped her heart as she thought of the
trolls and the dark sorceress.

“I would not ask this of you if I did not
feel it was necessary,” he said, looking guilty. “I know Baylin
would never ask, and he would be right in doing so. I do not wish
you any harm, but I know if the elves do not help us, Grasmere will
be lost. Baylin will be lost.”

Luana’s eyes flashed to Ferric’s at the
words. “Lost?”

“We’re surrounded, Luana,” Ferric said,
shaking his head. “Mirstone and Kardell were enough of a threat,
but this dark sorceress… If she comes down on us with the trolls
while we’re already in battle…”

“They could destroy the Kingdom.” Luana
shuddered at the thought. “Of course I will ask for help. I can
leave immediately.”

“Not alone you won’t,” Ferric said. “Come
with me. We will get you suited for battle just in case.” He guided
her down the hall. “Baylin taught you how to use a sword?”

Luana nodded as she ducked through a hidden
door. “Yes, though I wouldn’t say I am skilled at it.”

“He’s a good teacher,” Ferric said, leading
her down a winding, dark stairwell. “Plus, you have your… your
light thing you do.”

Luana stifled a laugh. “Yes, there’s
that.”

Ferric held her arm as he led her farther
through the maze of tunnels and stairs.

“Ferric, what if we do encounter the
sorceress?” Luana asked, her voice bouncing off the walls.

“Then let’s hope your lights are brighter
than hers.”

*****

Ferric took Luana through the kitchen, to a
back tunnel leading to the stables, avoiding the main entrance the
soldiers would use.

Once in the stables, Ferric tossed a large
leather satchel he had been carrying at her feet. “You’ll want to
change.”

“What?” she exclaimed. “Why do I need to
change?”

“We don’t know what this journey will hold,
but I’m pretty sure that silk dress won’t make it through Fagin
Forest unscathed,” Ferric laughed dryly, guiding two large black
horses from their stalls. “It’s time you dressed like a Lady of
Grasmere. Even the Queen wears riding trousers when she must go out
on horseback.” Ferric lifted a saddle onto one of the horses with a
great heave. “Use the horse stall. No one will see you.”

She glared at him in defiance.

“Good gods, I won’t look if that’s what
you’re worried about.” He laughed as he grabbed a saddle for the
other horse.

Luana hid behind the tall walls of the horse
stall as she quickly undressed herself. She was a bit embarrassed
for having fallen out of practice when it came to dressing herself.
When she finally wiggled out of her dress and petticoat and slid on
the riding trousers and long tunic, she felt ready for the task
ahead.

“Are you done yet?” Ferric called. “We don’t
have much time.”

“Just,” she said, coming out of the stall
once her tall riding boots were secure.

“Good. Here, put these on,” he said, handing
her leather gloves and silver metal gauntlets. “I know you’re not
used to being prepared for an attack, but it would certainly give
me some ease.”

She slid on the gloves easy enough but
required his assistance with the gauntlets. She pulled on her
hooded riding cape and mounted the horse.
At least I don’t look
so feeble once I’m on the horse.
She was still embarrassed at
her inexperience. She hadn’t noticed it with Baylin since he had
been so patient. Ferric, on the other hand, though not unfeeling,
did not mind pointing out her shortcomings.

The pair took off down the road toward Fagin
Forest. The horses kicked up clouds of dust and rocks as they tore
up the ground.

Luana knew the chances of someone seeing
them once they left the castle grounds was likely due to all the
guards keeping watch at posts along the mountain walls. She hoped
their head start would give them the edge they needed to get to
Fagin Forest first.

*****

They arrived at the forest edge while the
sun still shown high in the sky. The day had been rather warm, yet
the path leading through the forest had an icy chill to it.

“So how do we find the King?” Ferric asked,
dismounting his horse.

“It’s not as easy as finding him,” Luana
said, dismounting. “He will not be found unless he wishes to be. We
must trust he will come to us.”

“Are you saying we just have to wait here?”
Ferric snapped.

“Not exactly,” Luana said, pulling a dagger,
some bread and cheese from the satchel Ferric had packed for them.
“We must venture into the forest.”

Baylin mounted his horse, preparing for
battle as the sun winked its final light on the horizon.
This is
ludicrous.
He surveyed the men as they finished their
preparations.

The King had finally come to the conclusion
to march on Rivermouth during the night. It was true, the night
would give them the benefit of cover, and his men knew these lands
well, even in the dark. However, it also gave them a greater
disadvantage should the trolls make any move.

Baylin urged his horse on, moving to the
front of the line. He felt exposed, almost naked, without Ferric at
his side. Since they were young boys, they had always been by each
other’s side during any mission.
Ferric, where are you?

“Your Grace,” greeted General Derwen,
bringing his horse up beside the Prince.

Baylin nodded. “Are the men ready?”

“Ready?” the general laughed dryly. “Is a
man ever really ready to die?”

Baylin’s eyes flashed to the soldiers lining
up on horseback. “I will not let my men fall… not if I can help
it.”

“But you can’t, Your Grace,” Derwen said
mournfully. “No man has the power to stop death. I love your
father, he is my King and also my dear friend, but this plan is
likely a suicide mission.”

“You aren’t suggesting that my father—”

“Of course not,” Derwen rebutted. “I’m
certain he believes this is the right thing and that it will
succeed. But, if you are right, and the trolls hit us, or Kardell
finds the hidden shore in Open Shaw, we will be slaughtered.”

Baylin’s heart felt like a heavy rock was on
his chest. It tightened in anticipation for what was to come.

“Your Grace,” called a steward, running
through the lines. “I just received word that General Ferric was
last seen at the secure royal chamber this morning.”

“What?” Baylin asked, turning his horse to
face the young man.

“Her Grace, the Queen, says he came this
morning and asked to speak privately with your bed wife,” the
steward explained. “The Queen permitted them to meet in the hall
outside the chamber. When neither of them returned, she sent a
guard to find them, but they have yet to be found.”

“My son?” Baylin uttered.

“The baby is with the Queen, Your Grace,”
the young man said.

“They’ve been gone since this morning and
this is the first I’ve heard of it?” Baylin boomed. “Why did no one
inform me sooner?

“I am sorry, Your Grace,” the steward said
with a slight bow. “I only know what has been told to me just
now.”

“Of course, thank you,” Baylin said, waving
a hand to dismiss the young man.

General Derwen pulled his horse close to
Baylin’s. “What would you have us do, Your Grace?”

Baylin’s heart and mind were a mix of
emotions—fear, betrayal, sorrow.
Why would Ferric take Luana?
Why would he betray me?

“Your Grace?” Derwen questioned.

Baylin straightened in the saddle, squaring
his shoulders. “We move on Rivermouth as the King commanded.”

*****

The trek to Rivermouth was a quiet one. They
kept their pace slow enough to limit the sound of horses’ hooves.
Though the sky was clear and the stars shown bright, the moon was
waning, providing little light.

As the army approached the outskirts of the
village, the men broke their formation, spreading left and right to
surround the area. Baylin remained centered, preparing to push
forward down the middle of the village with his men while the
generals brought up the left and right flanks.

Baylin’s stomach twisted in his gut, dread
and fear spreading over him
. If this does not work, we will all
die. The Kingdom will be taken, all of my family killed.
He
tried to push the thoughts away, but the vision of his tiny baby
boy in Luana’s arms flashed in his mind.
My son will be killed.
Cadman would not allow him to remain alive.
Cold sweat fell
down his back as he urged his steed on.

The village was alight with small fires
built by the soldiers who had been there. However, the army was
nowhere to be seen. Not one man stood in the village.

“Your Grace,” whispered General Derwen.
“What do you make of it? How do you hide twelve thousand men?”

“You don’t,” Baylin answered.

The only sounds were the crackling of fire
and the gentle rhythm of horses’ hooves on the hard ground. Baylin
could not see the docks from this side of the village, but he was
certain twelve thousand men were not camped out at the docks.

Baylin signaled to one of his men.

The soldier trotted up on his horse. “Your
Grace?”

“Take four men and head for the docks as
quietly as you can,” Baylin instructed. “If you see anything,
anything at all, do not engage. You are to turn back immediately
and report.”

The young soldier nodded. “Yes, Your Grace.”
Baylin could see the fear in the man’s deep green eyes. He knew
they may never return, that he may have just sent these five men to
their deaths.

“What orders, Your Grace?” asked General
Derwen.

“Send word through the lines,” Baylin said,
keeping a sharp eye at the village that fell before him. “Something
is amiss. We may expect an attack from behi—”

A loud explosion came from far behind them.
It shook the ground like an earthquake, causing the horses to rear
and buck; some bolted off with their riders in tow.

The Prince contained control of his steed
and turned it sharply to see fire rolling up the side of Mount
Shadowcast. “The castle!”

He watched as a great fireball was thrown
through the air, hitting the mountain and rolling down to its
base.

“Catapults!” called General Derwen. “They’ve
laid siege to the castle!”

Chaos ensued as men and horses began to
move. Baylin pushed his mount on as he overtook the men, leading
the army. His emotions mixed between duty and fear.
How can this
be? How could they possibly have gotten around us? Catapults are
not something that can be taken through the forest.
Baylin felt
the coldness of dark magic as he and his men raged toward the
castle.