by R Cavanaugh
“Good.” He exclaimed, “Then I will return to Heartington Castle, where I will be awaiting your report.” Only after I have dealt with my brother’s treachery, he thought. “After I return from the Stipes’ summer home I will grant you an audience, after which I will start my research on the Tiara of Emerald Thorns.”
Exotius sent half of his men with the king, with the women on their horses and them walking. The rest of his men were awaiting his orders.
“Search the place for clues as to where these people have disappeared to.”
His orders were followed as soon as he had finished giving them. He turned to watch the king fade into the distance. He smiled, more to himself than to anyone else. The king would trust his word over his brother’s, which was convenient because the story was true; there were just some minor differences. He had decided to lie about the family being dead, and his brother was afraid of his wrath, the wrath that would be presented if they were caught.
“Poor Jonathan.”
Chapter 7
The Secret Passage
Somewhere under the city HawThorns
It was dark and cold in the tunnel of earth that the Draughtningrs were now traveling in. They had only had a few minutes’ warning from their maid Marina, who came running from the end of the drive, explaining that the king himself was coming toward their home. With all possible haste, they made a grab for their weapons and most precious valuables and fled to the secret passage that had been there since the fight for the throne. Never had the family thought that they would need to use the now-ancient passageway again. Devin led his servants, along with his son and daughter, down the passage. They had sent a message to the other members RTET that they would be assembling in the Forest of Promise. Their hiding place was a clearing there and was well hidden. All this would be where they would plan their resistance and train Rose to fight and be the leader that she needed to become. This would have to be done quickly, as the king was already onto something.
“Father,” Liam said from behind, “were we supposed to be waiting for the Tungstons at the intersection that we passed?”
Devin looked around at his son and the passage that he had just walked past. Sighing, he turned around and walked back toward the tunnel entrance, their servants groaning slightly under the weight of their loads. Marina Griffen, her mother, Pricilla, and her brother, Dathen, all were carrying items of great value, and a quick change in direction wasn’t easy. They had the same animal, a Cocker Spaniel; however, all the animals were waiting for them in the forest already.
“They should have been here by now!” Aphra exclaimed, her face reflecting the fear that her father felt. The longer they all waited, the harder it became for them to stay still and calm.
“We can’t stay here forever,” sighed Devin. “They might not have made it. They might have been caught off guard, and they just might not have…” His words trailed off into space, as there were footsteps that could be heard from down the tunnel that they were gathered around.
“Hide quickly,” Devin whispered. He had no idea who that could be, and he wasn’t about to chance that the footsteps are the friendly sort. After all, they had been tricked once before, and that was how he and Neil had lost their wives. They would forever been haunted by their mistake.
“Where is Devin!” said a voice belonging to a man. “He said to meet him right here!”
“Don, calm down. They may just be running a little behind, so just calm—” The man’s voice was cut off so quickly that part of his sentence clashed with that of a woman’s.
“You know I think that panicking right now is completely justifiable, since we seem to either have gone the wrong way or the person who was supposed to have met you has been caught.” The snap that was behind the words being spoken rang throughout the tunnel. There was then a long silence that followed, in which both groups seemed to be considering what they would do next. The group in the tunnel seemed to have made their decision, as they were now moving toward the Draughtningr party’s hiding spots. As the strangers came into view, they were revealed to James, Don, Topaz, and a young woman that Devin assumed to be Rose.
“There isn’t anyone here!” Rose said in a panic. “You said that those other people would be here to meet us and lead us to the new place of hiding.” Her panic was reflected in the eyes of the other three. They all seemed lost as to what the next plan of action was.
Devin gave the signal signifying that it was safe to come out. As he stood up, relief spread over three of the four faces. Don walked right up to him and pulled out his sword.
“What was the code of which only the two of us would recognize? Answer me!” Don was staring right into Devin’s eyes, his sword pressed against Devin’s throat.
“A rosebud covers thorns like a cloak covers a sword.” As soon as these words left Devin’s mouth, Don’s features eased, and his face showed relief.
“Sorry, but it was necessary after seeing that the tunnel had been empty the whole time that we had merged with it.” His apology was genuine, and he seemed to be feeling a little guilt.
“I understand,” Devin replied, “but now is not the time. The king was heading to our home, and I take it you met up with some of his men.”
“Not just his men!” Don exclaimed with a look of revulsion. “Exotius came and paid us a visit with them. He killed our father and was after our brother James. I heard him talking to our dad before getting into the passage. He said that treason was punishable by death. I heard Father cry out and then silence. We barely got away.” Don’s story wasn’t gripping by any stretch of the imagination; it was what was in it that was scary. Igneous was looking for those people who had gone to Earth to get the young woman in front of him.
“Do you think that he knows?” Devin’s question hung in the air like a fog that was just thick enough to be visible. Everyone could feel it; it clung to the skin as though made of spider’s silk and heightened fears. It was James that spoke first.
“I think that they may be curious to know why we left. I am sure that they are unaware that Rose is the daughter of Nicholas V.” After this statement they fell into a deep silence once more. They all seemed to want to believe that the last part of James’s statement was true, but the fact was that it was more likely than not that the king knew who Rose was.
“Well I hope you won’t mind me being rude, but there are people after us, and I think that it would be a good idea to keep moving.” Rose had broken through the silence with the sharpness and precision of a blade. Her eyes were moving from Don to Devin, waiting for the answer.
“Yes, she’s right,” Devin said, sort of off-balance, “if we stay here, we could very well get caught, and we do have a long way to go. The farther we get, the safer we are.”
Rose was satisfied with his answer, and it showed in her eyes, for they had lost some of their electricity. As Devin and Don led the way out of the tunnel crossroads and into the tunnel that had been to their direct right, he wondered how the king would handle the situation that he was in. Never had the king ever dealt with disruption in his kingdom.
Devin looked at the woman who could certainly, with the right amount of training, lead a nation to freedom. But there was a lot that was still left to be done. They had to get everyone in the same place and still be hidden from the eyes of the king. The question still remained, however:
How did the king find out about Rose?
With this last question teasing his mind, he led them deeper into the underground system, with the last rays of light falling on the tunnel crossroads.
Chapter 8
Jonathan Stipes
Stipes’ Summer Home
Constance was lying on an expensive sofa and sunning herself. Constance was Jonathan’s great white leopard with red spots and was the animal that had chosen him many years ago in the Forest of Promise. While she was sunning herself with her
amber eyes closed with pleasure, the heavy sound of footsteps alerted her that someone was entering the room. She opened her eyes and watched as Igneous Stipes, Jonathan’s older brother and the king of Aquamarine, entered the room. He was looking about the room, obviously looking for his brother. It took him a few minutes to see Constance and give her a reproachful look.
“Where’s Jonathan?” he asked with his voice revealing the anger that his face was successfully concealing.
“How frustrated you look, oh great and mighty king.” Constance loved to taunt and pester him, especially when she had something that he wanted. She could tell that she was getting the best of him. Flames were dancing in his eyes. At this sign she smiled, revealing her white and pointy teeth.
“I’ll ask again,” he said, straining to keep his face straight, although he was starting to show his frustration. “Where’s Jonathan?” His eyes were focused upon hers, and in seeing that she could, she decided to push him a bit further.
“But Your Majesty,” she said, an evil grin replacing her humored one, “you are so smart that you should already know where to find him.” The look that she received was venomous. She was loving every moment of it. However, she knew that she would have to tell him what he wanted or risk having something thrown at her. There was also a good chance that he would yell at her as well. The thing was, she couldn’t help but continue to smile while he tried to calm himself to prepare for the next question that he was about to ask.
“Constance, where is my brother? And don’t ‘Your Majesty’ me.” His eyes looked as though flames were actually shooting out of them, and his mouth was twitching slightly.
I shouldn’t, she thought, but I’m going to; it’s just too hard to resist.
“But Your Majesty,” she said, her smile widening with each word she spoke, “you’re supposed to know all and see all.”
At those very words, Igneous, with the swiftest of hand movements, sent a very expensive vase flying at her. Although he ended up missing, he had a look of great satisfaction on his face. One that said, “Don’t push me next time.”
Baring her teeth menacingly, she moved into the center of the room and glared at Igneous. She shouldn’t have pushed him, and she knew that, but he’s like a spoiled brat that gets everything that he wants.
“Where,” he said between heaving breaths, “is Jonathan?” His eyes didn’t leave hers. He continued to breathe heavily as he waited for her imminent answer. His eyes were losing their fire as he continued to breathe and she knew that he would most likely throw something else if she didn’t answer him, and soon.
“Jonathan’s rather attractive maid was granted a visit from him this afternoon. He told me to take messages, should there be someone that wanted to see him and should they wish to leave a message.” At the end of her statement, she took a look at him, and deciding that now was as good a time as ever, she asked him,
“Would you like to leave a message?” Constance got the look commonly associated with more throwing.
“Go and get him.” He said, “Now!”
His look is very convincing, she thought, but not really. But in deciding that it was better this way, she walked out of the room and started down the hallway. Why was she the messenger for the two of them all the time?
As Igneous waited, he thought about what he was going to say to his brother. He wanted to be terrifying and to make sure that his brother got the message that he was about to be sending. After all, he had been lied to for twenty-one years, and that was just unacceptable.
Constance was reentering the room and had a reproachful look upon her face. Her demeanor suggested that she was, in some way, in trouble.
“He will be in shortly and says that you could have waited at least an hour more.” She watched as flames reentered the man’s eyes.
“Also, he wants to know what was so urgent at nine o’clock in the evening. Jonathan feels that he is entitled to some enjoyment every now and then, just like you. That he had been planning this for a few days now.” She looked back up and saw that he was getting ready to toss something at any moment.
“He also says that if this is because you are jealous, that you had her first and that you had your chance.” She barely had time to jump out of the way as a second vase was sent in her direction.
“It wasn’t me telling you that! It was your brother, and I would appreciate it if you would refrain from punishing me when I am the one that is relaying a message.” Constance looked at Igneous, and after a few minutes of silence, he muttered a small apology that wasn’t, as far as she could tell, heartfelt.
“If you don’t mind,” Constance added, breaking the silence, “I am going to go outside and leave you to fume and yell at someone other than me.” At these words she turned toward the door and left without another word, her tail flicking gracefully from side to side.
“I thought that your animal was supposed to stand by your side!” he yelled after her, but she did not answer his taunt. He was left to wait alone in his brother’s sitting room for about ten minutes and was considering going after him when Jonathan walked in.
Jonathan looked nothing like his older brother. He had pale skin, soft brown eyes, white-blond, wavy hair, and was well built. He was also handsome, which was a department that Igneous was lacking in. He was what his older brother called “a ladies’ man,” with most of the maids begging to work for him.
“Igneous!” he exclaimed, clearly wanting to sound shocked and surprised, “When did you get here?” The question was a dumb one, and it did nothing but annoy him.
“You know how long I have been here!” Igneous replied angrily, “Constance told you that I wished to see you, and you sent her back with some very cheeky responses.”
Jonathan looked a little nervous now. Apparently he hadn’t actually expected Constance to repeat his statements word for word.
“Igneous, let me explain,” Jonathan pleaded, and in doing so breaking that dead silence that had fallen on them like a mist on a cool night, “I was enjoying myself and wasn’t pleased about being interrupted. You know that I don’t mean those things that I said, and I am sure that you would probably like an apology for my actions.”
“You’re right,” Igneous exclaimed in a dangerously soft voice, “I do. Especially for the lie that I received twenty-one years ago.” Igneous watched his brother’s features for signs of weakness, but all he received was a look of total and utter confusion.
“What did I lie about twenty-one years ago?” Jonathan inquired with a quizzical expression on his face, “I never lie to you, as I am afraid to do so.” Jonathan’s confusion was no act; he clearly had forgotten his twenty-one year old treachery, along with the much-older prophecy. It’s time that I reminded him, thought Igneous.
“Don’t you remember the task I assigned you related to the prophecy of the Tiara of Emerald Thorns?” Igneous waited before continuing in a slow, soft, and deadly voice, “The girl named Rose, her parents, Diane and Nicholas Heartington V. How I told you to destroy the last of the Heartingtons. Is any of this aiding your memory, or has all of this been lost to the past?” Jonathan’s face had been draining of its color steadily as Igneous spoke. Now that his older brother had finished, he looked as though he might be sick.
“You didn’t think that I would find out, did you?” Igneous continued to watch his brother’s reactions, and at this point his brother was turning a pale green in color. “If you did, you are sadly mistaken. It may have taken me twenty-one years, but I still found out. Yet you believed that you could get away with it and that they would never show up again.”
“No! That wasn’t what I was thinking at all!” shrieked Jonathan, whose voice was now high in pitch because he was no so panic-stricken, “It was Exotius’s idea to lie and say that we had disposed of them. I wanted to tell you the truth!”
“Liar!” Igneous screamed in fury, with his fury etched in
the creases of his face, “You convinced Exotius to lie! It was your idea! You didn’t want to experience my anger at that particular point in time! Well, you are going to face it now!” At these words Jonathan cowered in fear at his brother’s wrath.
“Now,” Igneous said, his voice a forced calm, “Rose Heartington, who was once a little girl, is now a woman.” Igneous’s calm was fading. “She is now somewhere in this kingdom, on this planet!” Jonathan was paying very close attention to every word that escaped from his brother’s mouth, with his eyes focused on Igneous himself.
“We have no idea where she is, and two of the most distinguished families have disappeared off the face of Aquamarine. They all need to be found, but more importantly that girl needs to be located.” Igneous was looking at his brother, flames flickering in his eyes yet again.
“You and Exotius have one more chance to finish what you started. After that you will face my displeasure.” Igneous glared at his brother. He wanted to make sure that Jonathan got the message that there would be no third chance. It was important that he did, or the whole point in coming to this place was wasted.
“What is it that you wish for me to do?” Jonathan asked. His voice resembled that of a man who was unsure that his head wasn’t about to be cut off: being careful to say the right thing.
“Find the girl.” Igneous said in a blunt and rather annoyed manner, “Find her before she has been chosen by an animal. If at all possible, before the resistance finds her. If they should find her, we won’t be able to get within a mile of her existence. The resistance may be small, but they hide people like her so well.” Igneous looked at his speechless and bombarded brother to see if he was going to argue with him.
“Then you are to bring her to me so that I may deal with her. Do you understand me?” Jonathan remained silent for a long time. Every few minutes or so, he would look at his brother. It remained like this for a while until Jonathan spoke.