by Demetri Grim
“That's the blacksmith’s kid.” Another guard chimed in from behind the pair. Beka swallowed hard. Was her plan already blown? How could she get out of this now? Her thoughts ground to a halt as the guard spoke up again. “She use to run with that urchin who married the tailor’s boy. Ain't that right?” The guard came up next to the pair and lifted his visor.
She had the sense that she recognized him but her mind was drawing a blank as she responded. Some hesitancy in her voice she wished would go away.
“Yes, but that was a long time ago. I'm just helping out an old friend with an order today.” She hoped her half-bluff held enough truth to not raise any more suspicion in the guards. The familiar one rubbed his chin and nodded.
“You don't remember me do you girl?” Beka shook her head and he chuckled. “Typical. I use to be the captain of the guard that oversaw the market row. Up to a few years ago that is. You and your little friend used to cause me no end of trouble you know that?” She blushed and faltered for a response. That's why he looked familiar. Recognition finally coming to her. This was Guardsman Ringo, or Squeaky as they called him as kids. His armor always had a rusty squeak when he turned his head, a dead giveaway when he came looking for them. The old guardsman had been there arch nemisis, their villain in their games. The focus of their pranks when it came to causing mischief. He would always put an end to whatever they were up to and then haul them by the scruff back to the smithy. Every time with a stern lecture and a warning about a more severe punishment. It never came, he always just dumped them back off at home no matter what they did. Many times they even let themselves get caught just to call it a day.
“Im sorry, I didn't recognize you without your squeaky helmet.” Beka suppressed a grin, though it must have still shown in her eyes as the guard’s face turned red and he huffed.
“I'm glad to see you finally learned your lessons Rebeka. I see you’re still attached at the hip to that urchin.” He frowned. She had always suspected his grudge was more against Lizzy than it was at her. With Lizzy under her family's protection as a kid. The influence her mother had as a noble and magister was too great for the guardsman to risk getting on her bad side.
“Yes, I still help out my friend, Elizabeth or Lizzy, in case you forgot her name.” She turned her brightest smile at him and he sighed as she continued. “At least I try to help as often as I can, she's pregnant again by the way, that's why I'm out with her delivery.” Beka groaned internally at her rambling and put on her best smile. She hated using her friend’s pregnancy as leverage but she was quickly running out of time.
“Bah! She's harmless,” Guardsman Ringo declared, throwing his arms into the air and moving to the portcullis. The guards blocking her way looked to each other before shrugging and stepping aside. The heavy iron gate lifting into the gatehouse with a shuddering clang. “Hurry through, and don't dawdle. Remember I know where you live if you start anything.” He cautioned her with a jab of his finger as she slipped past. Her chest tightened; he was right. If she did run into trouble he knew were she was, who her mother and uncle are. Perhaps that would be in her favor. If she failed to return would he come check up on her? Beka shook her head; she could not rely on that. She had to get her warning to her brother, that's all that mattered.
Sliding past Ringo with a coy smile she turned to peer into the palace grounds. The palace loomed above the rest of the city as a beacon guiding all eyes to the center of the kingdom. Each spire of the nearly one hundred foot tall palace towers that marked the four compass points of the world were topped with glittering golden shingles that glinted brightly in the afternoon sun. Backlit by the blue crescent of Septa, Beka took a moment to marvel at the sight. Acres of well-groomed hedges complete with many sculptures of animals, monsters, and fey lined the pathways that wound around the base of the heart stone, the massive monolith of granite the castle was built upon. All along the grounds countless servants and gardners worked tending to the blooming fields of exotic plants and hundreds of planters filled with golden flowers their petals blooming like a cross. The magically grown flower of the kingdom spread out in all directions marking the paths through the gardens before joining together on the grand boulevard that wound upwards along the hillside to palace proper.
Spinning around a few times Beka took it all in. Slowly inhaling the sweet scent of the crown flower, a mix of honeysuckle and rose. She smiled and refocused on her task. Moving quickly towards the western side of the palace. Passing along a less obvious but still well-maintained path to where a cluster of maids and servants worked in a small courtyard drying the day’s linens in the warm sunlight while others washed the dishes from the noontime meal. I’m going to guess that's the scullery.
With the bundle of cloth held tightly to her chest she pushed inside. Eliciting a few questioning glances and murmurs from the maids. Thankfully they were all too busy with their own tasks to stop her. Following Lizzy’s direction out of the scullery and down to the linen closet. Beka stopped at the end of a line of maids. A sour-looking matron stood by the door marked bedding with a picture of a bed carved above it for the illiterate. The matron haughtily checked off the parcels of bedding and linens from a rolled up parchment and well worn clipboard.
“Who are you.” Her haughty and authoritative voice that very much matched the woman's severe mannerisms snapped sharply as she was pushed forward by a servant. The head maid tapped her foot on the well worn stone floor. Looking down on her as if she was a mongrel needing to be broomed out the door.
“Ahh, I'm the…” She faltered under the intense gaze of the head maid who almost growled irritably and yanked the bundle from her grasp. “I'm the delivery girl for Miss Brown at Twice Stitched Tailors on market row.” Beka recovered and straightened herself, trying not to let the woman's intense stare unnerve her. She had glared down a Kathani savage this morning; she would not falter because of a scullery maid. She pursed her lips into a flat line and held the maid’s gaze. Despite her mental pep talk her legs were starting to tremble in the awkward tension and low rumble of gossip coming from the press of servants behind her.
“I was going to send for these tomorrow.” The maid broke eye contact at last and turned over the bundle, eyeing the embroidery along the corner before nodding. Beka felt herself relax and she let out a breath she had not known she had been holding. “Very good you're dismissed.” The Matron checked something from her parchment and turned away from her, continuing with the task at hand. And just like that, she was free inside the palace.
Sliding out of the line of maids Beka moved to the far end of the room and did her best to keep avoiding servants as they rushed about on their tasks. Ducking into the large central stairwell set in the corner of the room she headed upwards. From here she knew where to go on her own. The few times she had come to the palace was to see Lavets in the barracks. Though the last time she was with her mother who had led her through the many corridors and stairwells of the palace’s main entry to reach the Kingsguard barracks on the fourth floor. “Strategically positioned directly over the throne room and grand hall of the palace,” Beka mumbled to herself, taking on a snobbish tone of a noble. Remembering the stuck-up butler who escorted her and her mother on that visit. He deemed it necessary to provide a history lesson of the castle as he escorted them on what was clearly the long way around. The elite guard could be deployed to anywhere in the palace within moments from its central location via a set of massive spiral stairs that wound up and down each of the four cardinal towers of the palace. It made it easy to get to where she wanted to be because each tower opened into the kingsguard barracks through a set of reinforced doors. Beka only hoped the barricade doors would still be open.
Rounding the top of the fourth floor Beka let out a sigh of relief. The doors to the Kingsguard barracks were indeed open. The room beyond was packed with people despite being an open bunkhouse. Running at least a hundred feet long on each side between the cardinal tower entrances. Lines of bunks sectioned off with
small wooden screen filled all available space. All but the center of the room. A wooden sparring ring dominated the center, its edges lined with practice dummies and archery rings that had all clearly seen extensive use.
Sliding into the room she backed herself up against the open barricade door. The door’s metal sending a chill up her spine before she froze and stepped away, turning to scan the room. The chill she felt pricked her skin with goosebumps as a sensation of spiders trailed down her arms. Her brow wrinkled as she scrunched her nose. The shiver that ran down her arms was far too familiar. Ducking her head, she moved onto the row of bunks hoping it was not what, or rather who she feared. It was mid day, in summer, in a crowded stone room. Nothing should be making her feel chills. Nothing except one murderous elf she knew, whose every gaze sent a chill up her spine.
Realization stopped her in her tracks. She only had the spidery sensation when he was looking directly at her! Where was he now? He had to be watching her. Her eyes darted around the room jumping from face to face, none she recognized immediately but with over a hundred people filling the room it might already be too late. She was one of only perhaps a dozen women in the barracks and the only one not in a guard’s uniform. "Damn I must stick out."
Scanning the room her eyes met with a flash of blue. The sensation of spiders stung her spine as she locked eyes with Takagi Kindredstar. Standing half-shadowed in a back alcove of the barracks. His hand was lifted partly in the air as a sigil flickered out of sight. His eyes were the same cold, hard gaze he had when punishing Red. His expression being schooled into neutrality for the public. The intensity of his cold glare kept her rooted in place. A flicker of motion cut against the crowd of mulling guards as Lavets circled around the narrow pathways, heading in her direction. Kindredstar must have sent him to grab her. For a moment she hoped she could get to her brother and talk to him, to hand off her note before Takagi got to them but when her eyes turned to Lavets her hopes died. He looked pissed practically bullying his way through the other guards with an unamused look on his face.
She paled and shrunk back on herself. His usual green glint in his eyes sparked with a blue glow, the same cold gaze as Kindredstar. Forcing a sheepish smile to her face as she tried to surreptitiously slip the letter into her hand hoping to leave it with him regardless.
“You should not be here,” Lavets growled as he caught her by the arm, squeezing hard enough to cause her to yelp in pain.
“Ouch! Lavets you’re hurting me!” She pulled at his grip uselessly as he yanked her into motion.
“This area is off limits to civilians, you know that.” He turned a cold gaze to her, the warmth of his usual expressions gone. She felt the blood drain from her face.
“Lavets I have to talk to you. Stop!” She yanked her arm free and pulled back from him. Rubbing the bruised part of her arm and glaring at him. “Lavets what’s wrong with you! Takagi is doing something to you. Lavets he's a monster! He's going to do something terrible to our mother I just know it!” She turned her eyes to his unnaturally cold eyes. They locked with hers as he shoved her into a private alcove. With an effort she pulled her gaze away. “I have proof!” She said, holding out her sealed letter.
Ignoring her and the letter, Lavets clamped his fist around her outstretched wrist instead, pulling her along with him once more. “You should not be here.” He repeated, his uncharacteristic behavior terrifying her worse than anything she had experienced so far with the murderous elf lord. What has he done to him? Her mind raced for answers as she fought against her fear. “Master Kindredstar will decide your punishment.” Lavets voice was cold and hollow, inflected more like the mages than his own. Beka could only stare up at him in shock as he forcibly dragged her to his master. He was being mind-controlled; that was clear. But how? The fey races, half-elfs included, were said to be impossible to charm. How had Takagi taken over her brother?
“Since when was he your master Lavets? He's done something to you! I've known you all my life you have never been like this. Please Lavets, stop! Fight him!” She felt her tears streaming down her face as she pulled against his unrelenting stride. Desperate to make him slow. To make him listen. The other kings guards gave them only passing glances. She was clearly someplace she was not meant to be and they trusted one of their own to deal with the situation. The looks of exhaustion from preparing for the coming tournament was clear on all their faces.
Coming to the last alcove her shoulder was practically ripped from its socket as Lavets threw her to the floor in front of the magister. She cried out in pain and looked up at the mage. Holding her wrist to her chest she glared at him. His glowing blue eyes flickered with power as he regarded her like an insect. And then he smiled his far too-wide smile and kneeled. Taking the letter from her grip. She tried to resist but her wounded arm did little to prevent his cold fingers from prying the letter free.
“Come now boy you need not be so rough. She is family after all.” His eyes flashed and he stood. Tucking her letter inside his robe. “Do help her up boy. If she’s not working she must have a good reason for being here.” He turned his gaze to Lavets. A flare of light flickered around the vile mage’s fingertips as his array sparked for only a moment. Lavets grunted as he hooked his hands under her arms and hoisted her up. “I will handle her now, continue your practices and remember to visit me tonight after your guard rotation. We must discuss your garrison’s abhorrent lack of security.” The mage turned his cold eyes once more her way. “We cannot be expected to entertain just any uninvited guest after all.”
Chapter 22: Trapped in Ice
“Do tell me, young smith, why are you not working on my project?” Kindredstar’s bony fingers closed around her arm. “You do realize the trouble you’re in? Your dear brother is correct after all, you’re not supposed to be here.” With his grip on her arm he pulled her across the barracks. A few curious guards watched them leave but a gesture from Lavets quieted any of their concerns as he escorted the two of them to the closest stairwell. The long stride of the magister nearly pulling Beka from her feet as she struggled to keep up.
Once out of the room the elf lord slowed his pace. Releasing her arm, he brushed his palms together as if trying to wipe off filth. His nose wrinkling as he sniffed arrogantly. A flash of light from his palm and a play of runes over his fingers and Lavets was walking back towards the training ring of the barracks. She wondered briefly what happened to Heartseeker. She had not seen the weapon since delivering it to the magelord and having Red’s assessment of it. Her thought, were ground to a halt as the reality of her current situation returned, along with the cold fingers of the mage closing once more on her shoulders. Turning her to look at him.
“I asked you a question.” His voice was hard and commanding. Her mind raced for an excuse that would be believable, anything to put the murderous elf at ease.
“I just wanted to check on Heartseeker,” Beka bluffed. Hoping her lie would be likely enough to pass the elf’s scrutiny. She actually was curious about the weapon. If she could convince him of that she might get out of this. “Lavets never said if we needed to move the hand grips or not. I was coming to check in case it took a few days to fix. My uncle wanted to make sure it was done before the opening ceremonies.” It was a likely bluff. Her uncle had mentioned adjusting the handles, she could only hope it had enough truth. Her eyes dropped from his glowing blue orbs to the folds of his robe, the rolled note visible from an inner pocket. That note on the other hand would be her death. She had to find a way to get it back from him, before he read it.
“Is that so...” He chuckled darkly. Turning to continue farther down the stairwell they had entered. Glancing at the doors around her Beka recognized the markings of the eastern stairwell. It led to the main hall and grand boulevard beyond. The fastest path from the palace directly to the colosseum. Directly to Lord Kindrestar’s Menagerie. “You certainly seem to keep busy, I have noted your work on the creature. It is... adequate, if a bit plain and uninspired.” Beka
bristled at his insult but bit her tongue, her words at a loss as he gave her no time to think. Rushing them from the stairwell into the audience chamber of the palace. “I assume if you have time to run errands you must be nearly completed.” His grip tightened around her shoulders, making it clear he wanted no trouble from her. “No calling out to a guard or servants now my dear. Let's go take a look at what you have achieved today shall we?” She turned a pained half-grimace and faltering smile up to his own creepy far-too-wide grin.
“I really should get back to my uncle... and return his work order if we don’t need to adjust anything.” She gestured to the noble’s pocket before shielding her eyes and flinching away from the sudden glare of light as the audience chamber door was pulled open for them to exit.
“No I don't think so young smith. You see, I arrived to speak with my champion just before you did. It's actually quite a short walk to the palace this way. Far shorter than along other paths. Takes but a moment really to reach my Menagerie. It is unlikely I would have missed you on the path here. You must have taken another. Tell me, little miss smith...” His voice dripping with vitriol. “Do you know what I saw before I left my office this afternoon?” His eyes blazed with cold light and his bony fingers dug into her skin, causing her to cry out in pain.
“I don't know.” Beka choked on her words, fear starting to overtake her. She had left this morning before he arrived, but after going home and then to Lizzy’s it was foolish to think he had not returned to the pits by then. She could only guess it had something to do with Goldenhorn and his vow to keep working on her project.