Rogue

by Robyn Wideman

  Finding a window, Rogue used one of his knives to open the interior latch. He lifted the window and put his head inside the dark room. The room had the light smell of perfume. Silently, Rogue closed the window and moved to the next one. Again, he opened it and put his head inside. This room had the smell of flour and herbs. A pantry. Pushing the window higher, Rogue slipped into the room. Taking his time, he felt his way through the room. On the far side of the room he could see a sliver of light on the floor coming in from underneath the door. As he slowly made his way through the room, Rogue listened for any noises from beyond the door. The house was silent.

  Opening the door, Rogue was now in one of the mansion’s hallways. He worked his way down the hallway until he found the main set of stairs leading to the second floor. Finding the baron’s bedroom wasn’t difficult. The path was lit by barely flickering candles.

  ...

  Baron Levy woke with a start. Something had interrupted his sleep. His brow furrowed as he listened for any outside noises, but his room was completely silent. Still he felt something. Like the air was thick or a cold draft had entered the room. Turning in his bed, he reached for the candle on the side table.

  “Leave the candle unlit,” said a voice from the edge of his bed.

  Baron Levy froze as a chill ran down his spine. He knew that voice. It had haunted his dreams for years. “What? What do you want? I’ve done everything you said. Not one of my men has set foot in Riverside in years.”

  “You are sure about that? No hired assassins slipping your mind?”

  Baron Levy shook his head violently. “No. No, never. I’ve no desire to cross you again. I do very well now in the lands to the south. I’ve no desire to be your enemy.”

  “Are there any new players in the local mining industry? Anyone who’d want to kill Jasmin Grant?”

  Baron Levy frowned. “Jasmin? You mean Lady Elizabeth?”

  “No, I mean Jasmin, Lady Elizabeth’s daughter.”

  Baron Levy was confused. “Her mother owns the land. What would be the point of killing the child? Besides, there are no new companies here. I don’t see any reason to kill Lady Elizabeth’s daughter.”

  “What about the daughter of Gabriel Grant?”

  Baron Levy scratched his head. His initial fear of his unwanted guest was wearing off now that he knew Rogue was looking for information and not to kill him. “That is a different story. Jalen Drake was killed last week. There are talks of it being murder.”

  Jalen Drake, son of King Liam Drake. It could be the connection Rogue was looking for. “Any other mysterious deaths among the royal families? Now that Jalen is dead, who would be next in line for the throne?”

  “Guinevere Hobbs would be next in...no, wait, she was killed last fall. I don’t know who would be next in line to the throne. But I can see where you are going with this. If someone did try to kill Jasmin Grant, it had nothing to do with mines or lumber. It would be the royal bloodlines.”

  Rogue was afraid of that. The moment the baron had mentioned the death of Jalen Drake the possibility of it being a royal matter had become very real. It still didn’t tell him who was behind the attacks, but at least now he had a why. “Thank you for your help, Baron. I do appreciate you being willing to talk to me on such short notice. Please don’t share what we’ve talked about with anyone.”

  Baron Levy chuckled nervously. Short notice, what notice? “I’m just glad to have been of assistance.” He paused for a moment. The shadow by the end of the bed was gone. “Rogue?” The baron turned and lit a candle. The room was empty. Rogue had left as silently as he’d come. Baron Levy swore to himself. He never should’ve gotten involved in Riverside. It had seemed such low-hanging fruit. Gabriel Grant had just died, and the Lady Grant was alone and underfunded. Taking over her lands should’ve been a simple affair. How had she been able to afford a man like that? How had she even known about him? Only a few people close to the king had known about the deal the king had made with Rogue and his comrades. Even fewer knew his identity. The last time that bastard had shown up, the baron had almost soiled himself. He still woke up in fear knowing how close he’d been to dying. And not just dying, but a slow and anguishing death. When a man made an enemy of Rogue, he was inviting the devil to play. Baron Levy didn’t know how the Lady Grant found him or got him to work on her behalf, but it didn’t matter. The baron knew Rogue’s true identity, and that was all that mattered. The morning after Rogue’s first visit the baron had made the arrangements to get his men out of Riverside as quick as possible. From that point forward he’d had nothing to do with Riverside or the Grant family.

  Baron Levy started to ponder the implications of the death of Jalen Drake. He’d never thought about the line of succession. King Liam had ruled for so long and seemed in good health despite his years, but with his only son dead the throne would eventually move to a different branch of the Drake family. And someone was trying to kill off family members. Whoever was behind the death of Jalen Drake had made a grievous mistake. After all these years, the Grant family still had Rogue as their ally. Trying to kill the daughter was like waving a red flag at a bull while you were chained to it. It was not going to be pretty for whoever was behind the attacks.

  But there was something else to be considered. If Jasmin Grant did end up being next in line to the throne, his own position could be in jeopardy if she ended his contracts because of their history. He needed to mend fences with the Grant family or start considering other options.

  11

  Jasmin

  “There I was, surrounded by the girl’s family. Her father, her three brothers, and a couple of cousins they rounded up for the event—they all were giving me the old stink eye. A few already had knives out. I knew I was done for unless I agreed to what they wanted. So, I said yes. I would marry her. That night I packed my bags and slipped out the window. I never looked back.”

  Jasmin slapped Alonso on the thigh. “You’re terrible. That poor girl.” She shifted on the garden bench so that she was closer to him.

  Alonso shrugged. “I don’t think she was any more interested in marriage than I was, but when her father caught us in the bar, there was little she could say. Truly, I did her a favor by disappearing. Her family spent months searching for me, giving her plenty of time to be the victim of a heartless bastard instead of a floozy forced into a marriage.”

  “And did any of her family ever catch up to you?”

  “Unfortunately for him, one of the cousins did find me one night in a bar in Morento. I give him full credit though, he came at me like a man and challenged me to a duel. Most of the men in that family would’ve waited until I was drunk and tried to stab me in the back in some dark alley. It was a shame he had to die. The only one of that bunch with backbone, that is the most regrettable part of that sad story. But enough about me. Tell me more of Jasmin Grant.”

  Jasmin sighed. “What is there to tell? My father died when I was young, and my mother and I’ve lived here in Riverside ever since. I do household chores and help with the family business. There are no exciting tales of adventure or romance in my life. And certainly nothing as scandalous as your life.”

  Alonso gave a hearty chuckle. “Ah, a pity. A little scandalous behavior is good for the soul.”

  Jasmin blushed. In the few days they’d been back from Golrog, Alonso had been at her side constantly. His presence was a comfort. The rest of the men her mother had hired were so serious all the time, as if an assassin were hiding behind every tree. Alonso held an air of confidence that said he was ready for anything and that there truly was little to worry about. It didn’t hurt that he was so gorgeous. His stories of adventure and romance were exciting and made her heart beat a little faster each time he told one of his tales. “Will you walk me to town? I want to check on the supplies I ordered for the fishing camp.”

  “It would be wise to ride into town. It’s much quicker and if trouble came you’d be home quicker,” Alonso said.

  Jasmin s
hook her head. “It is a lovely day, I like to walk when I have the time and no one is going to attack me when I have you around.”

  Alonso winked. “No one who wants to live, that is for sure. We’ll walk if you like but I must let Marcos know before we go. He’ll want to scout ahead.”

  “Is that really necessary?”

  “You want to discuss it with your mother?”

  Jasmin shook her head. “No, I don’t have the patience for another lecture right now. Tell Marcos we’re walking to town.”

  Alonso winked at her. “Smart girl.” He then went to find Marcos.

  As Alonso walked away, Jasmin couldn’t help but think about how nice it would be to just disappear with him. Go on a wild adventure and not worry about assassins, miners, or logging camps for a while. Perhaps they could go south into Chambia, visit the southern coast and see the sea. Surely no assassin would follow them that far.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  Jasmin, so caught up in her daydream, hadn’t even noticed that Alonso had already returned to the garden. “I’ve just got to go inside and grab my coin purse.” She jumped up and made her way into the house. She went into her room and grabbed the small coin purse. There were only a few coins in it, but she didn’t anticipate needing more than that. She might stay in town for dinner with Alonso, but all the supplies were paid monthly. She was on her way back outside when she walked past the open door to her mother’s office. She peeked inside and saw her mom staring out the window. “Mom, I’m heading into town. I’m going to check on the supplies for the fishing camp. Do you need anything?”

  Lady Grant shook her head. “No, I have everything I need. Did you tell the guards you are going?”

  Jasmin bit her tongue. She wanted to comment about not needing protection, but she knew that might not be true, and her mother worried. No matter how much of a pain in the butt it seemed to have all the new guards around the estate, Jasmin knew it made her mother feel safer. “Yes. Alonso is walking me, and Marcos will be with us as well. He’s riding ahead to make sure no one is hiding in the bushes.”

  “That is good. I wouldn’t want Alonso and you to have to worry about who’s lurking in the bushes. Have a good day, sweetie.”

  Jasmin didn’t know if her mother was mocking her or teasing her but she couldn’t come up with a witty comeback to either scenario so she just ignored the comment. “See you later, Mother.”

  Rejoining Alonso outside, Jasmin was happy to get out of the house. The estate was a busy place now, between all the new men and their families. It was good to have more bodies around. Before it had been her, her mother, and a few helpers like Lilly. Now it felt like they were starting their own little village. The downside to all the new faces was Jasmin had less time to herself.

  “You are quiet,” said Alonso as they walked.

  Jasmin smiled. “I’m sorry. I was just thinking of how things have changed since you and the others have arrived at the estate.”

  “You are not happy with the intrusion on your life. That is understandable.”

  “It isn’t that. Well, OK, it is partially that. It’s just an adjustment. I enjoy having you here, and having more people at the estate isn’t a bad thing. I’m glad for it. There are a lot of projects around the estate that never got started because there was no one to do them. And if having you and the others here keeps me and my mother safe, then it’s worth any inconvenience. I just am used to things being a certain way. I used to spend much of my day alone or with Lilly. Now I am only alone when I go to bed.”

  “You and Lilly are friends? I thought she was one of the servants.”

  “Very good friends. I haven’t been able to spend any time with her since we’ve been back, so it might not seem like it to you, but she’s more than just a servant. And I suspect she’s a little put out right now. It isn’t often she isn’t the center of attention of the men around her, and ever since we’ve returned everyone has been focusing on mother and me.”

  Alonso laughed. “She is pretty, but nothing like you. Only a fool would choose her over you.”

  Jasmin’s cheeks heated at the compliment. It had been like this ever since she’d met Alonso. He flirted with her unabashedly, yet he didn’t try to push himself on her like some boy with a crush. It was very different from what she was used to.

  When they arrived in the village they were stopped by the voice of Paulo, a local food vendor who Jasmin often visited. “Where have you been, Miss Grant? You don’t visit your old friend Paulo anymore? And who is this hulking young man at your side?”

  Jasmin smiled at the wizened vendor. He was a fixture of Riverside, a cook of extraordinary talent who fell in love with the mountains of the region and made Riverside his home. He traveled between Riverside and the mining and lumber camps. “Hello, Paulo. I haven’t seen you in forever. This is my friend, Alonso. What delectable treat do you have for us today?”

  “Greetings, Alonso. You are in luck, friend. Today I have a delicious treat for the both of you. Skewers of slow-roasted wild boar with baked apple and ceeda chunks.” Paulo handed them each a skewer.

  Alonso eyed the skewer of meat and fruits skeptically until Jasmin laughed and took a bite. He then hesitantly bit into his own. His eyes opened in surprise and he took a second, more enthusiastic bite out of the meal. “This is delicious. The boar melts in your mouth, and the apple and the ceeda give it this combination of sweet and tangy.” Alonso pointed at Paulo. “You, sir, are a man of talent. This is a meal for kings.”

  Jasmin couldn’t help but giggle at the transformation of Alonso from skeptic to admirer. She’d known Paulo forever and was used to his unique meals, but to see a newcomer react to one of his creations was fun.

  Suddenly, Alonso frowned and put his half-eaten skewer down on Paulo’s cart. He then stepped in front of Jasmin.

  Jasmin looked to see what had gotten Alonso’s attention. Crossing the street was a hulk of a man walking straight towards them with a determined look.

  “That’s close enough, stranger,” Alonso said.

  The stranger kept coming. “I need to speak with the young lady,” he said in a deep voice.

  Alonso looked back at Jasmin. “Do you know this man?” he asked quietly so only she could hear.

  Jasmin shook her head. She’d never seen the man before.

  Alonso turned back to the stranger. “If you’d like to speak to her, you can make an appointment to see her at her family estate. Now is not the time.”

  The large man made a dissatisfied grunting sound. “I don’t have time for an appointment. I need to speak to her now. I represent the king.”

  “I don’t care who you say you represent. Make an appointment or bugger off,” Alonso said as he went to push the man back.

  “Wait, Alonso, let him speak,” Jasmin said, but it was too late.

  When Alonso hit the stranger, the stranger didn’t back up. He struck back, slamming Alonso in the face with a hard jab.

  “Look, I don’t have time to fight you. I need to speak—” the stranger started to say before being interrupted by a charging Alonso.

  Jasmin watched in fear as Alonso swung a hard-right cross that the stranger ducked. “Stop,” she yelled but it was of no use. Alonso was being smashed in the face with heavy hands. The stranger was striking Alonso with ease.

  Alonso wasn’t giving up, though, and kept coming at the big stranger, but every hit he landed either glanced off or was ineffective. Meanwhile, the stranger was landing heavy blows to the body and face of Alonso.

  Finally, the stranger landed an uppercut that sent Alonso crashing to the ground. He didn’t stir.

  Jasmin flinched as the man turned and looked at her. She was afraid and ready to run.

  The stranger seemed to understand that she was ready to run away. He raised his hands. “As I was saying. I’m a representative of the king and I need you to come with me.”

  “She will be staying in Riverside.”

  Jasmin looked to her right
and there sat Rogue on his horse watching the fight. She turned her attention back to the stranger, expecting him to argue with Rogue, but the man had turned white and was looking at Rogue in shock.

  “Tell your king if he wants to speak to her he needs to come to the Grant estate or send the proper officials. However, she isn’t leaving until we know who is behind the attacks.”

  The stranger had gotten over his shock at seeing Rogue and was frowning. He clearly didn’t like what he was hearing but didn’t want to push Rogue.

  “The girl is needed in the capital.”

  “Perhaps, but not yet. She needs to be protected, and that is easier here where strangers are noticed.”

  The stranger pointed down at Alonso. “And this? This the type of man protecting her? An overeager boy with an ego.”

  Rogue shook his head. “More a companion. The man behind you is in charge of her protection.”

  The stranger turned to see Marcos standing there staring him down. The stranger looked Marcos over and seemed to like what he saw. He turned to Jasmin. “I apologize for striking your companion. I shall return to the king and let him know the situation. Next time I will come to your family estate.”

  Jasmin stared at the man as he walked away. The man had beaten Alonso like a grown man fighting a child, and yet he’d looked like a ghost when he saw Rogue. And then he’d listened to him with little argument. Why would a representative of the king be afraid of Rogue? He was a bandit and a fighter, but the stranger hadn’t even flinched when Alonso attacked him. The man was obviously a skilled warrior. What was it about Rogue that made the stranger leave? And why was a king’s representative wanting to speak to her in the first place? She needed answers, but she knew now wasn’t the time or place to get them.