The Apprentice

by Thomas Rouxville

  “You already know why I didn’t say anything about Sluforn,” Abigast said. “And since I couldn’t talk about him, I couldn’t talk about my life here either. I’m sorry I let you worry so much, Rue. It was unfair and cruel to you. But the good news is that I do have a plan to get in the castle.”

  “This whole time, you were so adamant about coming on this journey – it wasn’t just because you cared about me was it. You wanted to come because you knew the castle, and you knew how to get in.”

  Abigast smiled. “You catch on quickly.”

  “I’m mad at you, Abigast. I can’t believe you just let me worry like that for days. Don’t you think there was enough to think about with losing Thane?”

  “You think I didn’t think about that, Rue? You already know how I feel responsible for Thane’s death. You and I both have been battling demons, there’s no point in getting mad at each other. I’m here to help you and I intend on doing that. I made a promise that I would help you and I won’t back away from that promise. Please don’t be angry with me.” Abigast walked down the road, heading straight towards the monolith of the castle in the distance. He didn’t wait for Rue to answer him, so she simply followed behind, his words sinking in. They had both been in dark places recently, there really was no point in being angry.

  Coming upon the castle courtyard, instead of going straight up to the large doors, Abigast took a sharp left. He pointed towards a wing of the castle jutting out – the soldier barracks. “I was once friends with a soldier here. He’s old and retired now, but as a reward for his services to the Kingdom, he got a nice apartment above the barracks. He’s been sending me letters over the years, talking about how Slyfort has changed since I was here, and also how it hasn’t changed. Unfortunately, there’s more of the latter in his letters. I stopped replying a few years back; I was just torturing myself by reading reminders of my miserable past. After I stopped writing, he stopped too.”

  “You think this old friend will want to talk to you now considering you just started ignoring him? Did you give him a reason?”

  “No,” Abigast whispered. “I should have said something.”

  A man dressed in military garb was approaching them. Rue’s first instinct was to hide, but Abigast smiled widely and extended a hand. “Hello sir,” he said, “do you happen to know a fellow named Arrol?”

  “That’s not a common name around here,” the soldier said. “There’s only one I know of - he lives right up there.” The soldier pointed upwards at the probable location of the apartment. “Ah yes, that’s who I’m looking for! He’s an old friend! Can you take a message up to him for me?”

  The soldier nodded. “I can have him come down here if you’d like; he’s not a very busy man. Just sits up there knitting like a grandmother.”

  Abigast laughed. “Sounds like Arrol. Yes, that would be great, send him down here!” The soldier hurried down the path leaving Abigast and Rue alone. “That’s the fakest enthusiasm I’ve ever heard,” Rue said.

  “It worked though. That young soldier wasn’t alarmed or suspicious in the slightest. Arrol will be here in no time. And all I have to do is be as nice to him as I was to the soldier. I’m sure he’ll forgive me for ignoring his letters.”

  Rue rolled her eyes. She could already see this heading to a very bad place. When Arrol arrived, Rue expected him to look similar to Abigast, but he looked not even remotely wizard- like. Arrol’s hair was cut short, and his face was clean-shaven, a true military man. “Abigast, long time no talk.” Arrol didn’t smile – in fact, there was no expression whatsoever.

  Abigast pulled him aside, away from Rue and they talked for a few moments. Rue could see Arrol nodding and eventually smiling. Whatever resentment Arrol might have held seemed gone, as when they walked back to Rue, Arrol was laughing. “I’ll get a message sent to the Princess right away. I know a place where you can meet her in secret. I’ll lead you there right now.”

  “So you’re friends again?” Rue whispered.

  “He thought our letters were getting lost. Apparently, they actually were, because he never stopped sending them to me even though I stopped receiving them.”

  Rue laughed. “Well, I’m glad he’s happy. You didn’t tell him the truth then, that you stopped writing?”

  “Definitely not. He doesn’t need to hear that.” Abigast chuckled, and they followed Arrol to an abandoned room in the barracks, an annex.

  “Princess Maia will be here in about an hour. I’ll get your message to her right away.” Arrol bowed slightly. “It’s good to see you again, Abigast. We should get a drink together from my favorite tavern. You’ll love it.”

  “I’ll take you up on that offer soon,” Abigast said. When Arrol left, Abigast shook his head. “He’s always liked drinking. Too much if you ask me.”

  “Are you completely sure Princess Maia will want to help us?” Rue asked. She had heard about how Adaranth mistreated her, how he blamed her for being barren and not bearing him an heir. It must have been horrible to go through that, but Rue couldn’t help but wonder why Maia would deal with that instead of just leaving. As a royal, surely she could find a way to leave her husband. She had more resources and power than anyone in the Kingdom besides Adaranth. Perhaps she was secretly on his side, and that was why she hadn’t left him. Of course, Rue knew she was probably just being pessimistic. Maia’s loyalties most likely lay with Rue and Abigast. Maybe she wanted Adaranth dead more than anyone else.

  “Maia is perhaps the only other person in this Kingdom who understands just how evil the Prince is,” Abigast said. “She knows even more than we do, more than Thane did. She has to wake up next to her monster of a husband every morning, and there’s no escape for her.”

  “Why is there no escape for her?” Rue asked.

  “Think about how bad it would look, how much it would damage Adaranth’s reputation. He could never stand for something like that to happen. He would have Maia killed immediately, and she couldn’t run the way Thane did. She’s no mercenary with decades of experience running and hiding, she’s a woman who has grown up with her every whim being met. She’s never lifted a finger; Maia is like a porcelain doll easily broken.”

  “So if Adaranth is killed, then Maia will be free? It’s her only way out of the marriage?” Abigast nodded. Suddenly, the door opened, and a woman wearing a gold-colored dress with velvet sleeves smiled upon them. She was radiant, with golden hair and the brightest blue eyes Rue had ever seen. “Arrol has told me about you,” Maia said to Abigast.

  “Princess Maia, it is good to finally meet you,” Abigast said, bowing. “And who is this?”

  Rue bowed. “My name is Rue, I am Abigast’s apprentice.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Maia said. She turned to Abigast. “Arrol is the best general Galbar has ever seen, also the best knitter. He’s been teaching me for a few years. He likes to tell stories about the old days, before my husband caused so much suffering.”

  “Maia, we need your help. We need to kill your husband.”

  Rue was shocked that Abigast would just blurt it out like that. Maia smiled, apparently unfazed. “You look distressed, Rue.”

  “I can’t believe Abigast just said that. You’re not going to throw us in the dungeons now are you?”

  “I know better than anyone the evil that Adaranth is,” Maia said. When Sluforn cursed me to be barren, Adaranth wanted nothing to do with me. He didn’t love me, he loved power, and without an heir, some of his power was taken away. He hates me, absolutely despises me for not giving him what he wants. He doesn’t even speak to me anymore, just leaves me alone in my quarters, doesn’t allow me to come and go whenever and wherever I please. The servants treat me like I’m some delicate flower that will be crushed if not handled with the utmost care. They act like I’m ill, like there’s something wrong with me. I’m sure Adaranth has told everyone I’m cursed, that’s why they’re so cautious.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Rue said. “What a miserable ex
istence.”

  Maia shrugged. “It’s the only existence I know. I don’t even remember what it was like before Adaranth ruined my life. I know there were other suitors, other Princes in distant Kingdoms. I chose Adaranth because Galbar had the prettiest castle. What a silly reason for choosing a husband. My life could have been different – better. But instead, I’m stuck here with a man who hates me and no child to hold in my arms.”

  “If we kill Adaranth, you’ll be set free,” Abigast said. “You can live wherever you like, do whatever you want with your life.”

  Maia smiled. “I like that idea.”

  “Did you know about Adaranth’s involvement with the plague?” Rue asked. “What?” Maia’s brows ruffled. “Was he responsible?”

  Abigast and Rue both sighed, and began to tell the Princess, Thane’s story.

  Chapter 5

  When they finished the story, Maia simply stared, eyes wide, a look of shock on her face. “Should we repeat anything?” Rue asked.

  Maia didn’t react for a moment, and finally she shook her head slowly as if still attempting to process everything that had been said. “I-I don’t know what to say.”

  “What are you having difficulty with?” Abigast asked like he was going to cure a headache.

  “My husband knew the plague would occur? He knew thousands would die and he didn’t care? I have trouble believing that. Didn’t Sluforn want him to suffer?”

  “It was Sluforn’s goal to make Adaranth suffer, but I think Adaranth spun it to his own advantage. He must have figured out the plague was happening and made sure to protect himself. He got revenge on Sluforn by surviving while others died,” Abigast said.

  Maia shook her head again. “And he allowed me to live? Even though he hates me?”

  “Maybe Adaranth still has hope you’ll bear him a child.”

  Maia scoffed. “Adaranth won’t so much as lay a finger on me. He pretends I don’t exist, and now I’m happier about that than ever. I couldn’t imagine having the child of such a monster. How could I look at them and not think about their evil father? I would see his face every time, I would remember his crimes. Perhaps it’s best I was cursed. Perhaps I’m better off not being able to bear a child.”

  “I’m so sorry, Maia,” Rue said. She could see the anguish on the Princess’s face. Maia wanted a child, she wanted a family, but not only was it impossible, it was also that she didn’t want the child of a murderer. Rue placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her. Maia let it stay there for a moment before shrugging it off.

  “Thank you for the pity, but I’d rather not take it,” Maia said as gently as possible. Rue nodded. “I know you’re strong, Princess. I don’t doubt it.”

  “Well, enough about how I feel,” Maia said. “What about you and Abigast? It must be so devastating to lose this man, Thane. He sounded like such an amazing person to have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

  “He was great,” Rue said wistfully. “I’ve missed him desperately every day since he’s been gone. I don’t imagine I’ll ever stop missing him.”

  “And you, Abigast? How are you coping?”

  Abigast attempted to smile, but it was obviously fake. “Part of me feels responsible. I made that potion, I gave it to him-“

  Maia cut him off before he had a chance to say anything more. “Don’t you dare feel responsible, Abigast. It was Thane’s choice to take the potion. You didn’t force him to. You’d better be thankful that he was willing to do it because I don’t imagine anybody else would have. It takes a special kind of person to be able to sacrifice themselves for the good of others. What Thane did was amazing.”

  “I’ve been trying to tell Abigast that, but he doesn’t fully understand,” Rue said.

  “I understand,” Abigast interjected. “It’s just that, it’s difficult to overcome things like that. We’ve already been over this. Maybe someday I will overcome it, but not today, not soon.”

  “I suppose we should change the subject,” Maia said. “I’m sorry, I’m not trying to make you both sad. Thane’s sacrifice should be celebrated. He is a hero, and I know I’ll do my best to make sure he is remembered that way by the Kingdom. He doesn’t deserve to be remembered as a mercenary, he redeemed himself from any sin in the end.”

  “Thank you,” both Rue and Abigast said simultaneously.

  “Now I think we need to get to the business at hand,” Maia said. “I need to get you two into the castle undetected. And I also need to make sure Adaranth is alone when you see him.”

  “How are you going to do that if Adaranth doesn’t even want to talk to you?” Rue asked. “It won’t be easy, but I should be able to persuade him. He has to at least pretend to be diplomatic when in front of other people. I’ll talk to him when he’s in front of his advisors. Do you know how to navigate the castle?”

  Abigast nodded. “After living here for decades, I learned the entire building inside and out. Don’t tell me things have changed since I left?”

  “Nothing’s changed as long as I’ve been here, and it’s been years,” Maia said. “I’m sure you’ll still be able to find your way around perfectly.”

  “Sounds good,” Abigast said. “All you have to do is be Adaranth’s distraction and tell us when to go inside, Maia. I think I’ll be able to do the rest.”

  Rue cleared her throat. “What about me?”

  “Well, you’ll be going with me of course!” Abigast said. “We’ll wear disguises and find wherever Adaranth is. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “I’ll have you go to Adaranth’s quarters,” Maia said. “It’s the most private place since it’s where he sleeps. At night, he doesn’t allow anyone in, not even the guards to keep watch over him. He locks all of the doors, and of course, guards are posted outside the doors, but there’s never a soul inside the actual apartment itself. If you two can make your way in there, you’ll be able to do whatever you want to him. You’ll be able to kill him.”

  Rue shuddered. Of course her mind hadn’t left the thought that she would be killing Adaranth, but every time she heard it aloud, it sent chills running down her spine and caused a giant lump in her throat. She felt nauseous and dizzy. How on earth was she going to go through with this?

  “There are two guards always stationed directly outside Adaranth’s chambers,” Maia said. “Never more, never fewer. He doesn’t like too many posted or he gets paranoid. So it should be simple to fight your way past the guards if you have to. I’ll do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen though. There’s enough you have to deal with just with my husband.”

  “What are you going to do to get rid of the guards?” Rue asked.

  “I’ll create a distraction – a diversion to get the guards to go down the hallway, out of the way of Adaranth’s chambers. It’ll only be able to last for a moment, they would never abandon their posts, regardless of what happened. The castle guards are the best the Kingdom has to offer, very dedicated, very loyal. I can give you up to two minutes maximum to sneak into Adaranth’s chambers undetected,” Maia said. “If you don’t succeed, you’ll have to try again another night. Nighttime is the only time any of this will be able to work. The guards will be drowsy, easy to distract, and Adaranth will be alone without any advisors or friends. If we can pull this off late enough, perhaps you’ll be able to catch him asleep, and kill him without any hassle.”

  “That’s the best-case scenario,” Rue said. “As much as I would like to hope for that, I’m running a little low on hope at the moment.”

  Maia frowned. “You’re terrified, I can see it in your eyes.”

  “Wouldn’t you be terrified if you had to kill someone? Especially if that someone was the most vicious person in the Kingdom?”

  “I’ve slept in the same bed as the most vicious person in the Kingdom,” Maia said flatly. “Though I understand, Rue. I know how horrible it must feel. I am truly sorry for what you must face.”

  Rue sighed. “What if I can’t do it? What if I can’t go throu
gh with it?”

  “No one is going to force you to do kill him,” Maia said. “It’s a lot to ask of you.”

  “I’ll feel awful if I don’t go through with it,” Rue said. “If Thane was willing to end his life for the sake of the Kingdom, I should be willing to kill an evil man.”

  “Not everyone can be Thane,” Maia said. “No one can be him, and no one is asking you to, Rue.”

  “I’ll let the entire Kingdom down if I don’t kill Adaranth,” Rue said. “I’ll let thousands of more eventually die because I wasn’t brave enough to kill him.”

  “Then we’ll find someone else to kill him,” Maia said. “There has to be someone we can trust, someone willing to go through with it.”

  “Thane asked me to do it; it was his dying wish. I can’t let him down.”

  “Rue,” Abigast said, “Thane may have asked you, but he knew what kind of burden he was putting on your shoulders. He knew there was a chance you wouldn’t go through with it, and he understood. He would have accepted that.”

  “He would have been disappointed too,” Rue said. “What kind of person would I be to neglect someone’s dying wish?”

  “You would be human, just like the rest of us,” Maia said softly. “Please, Rue, if you don’t want to kill Adaranth, then don’t do it. We can cancel the plan right now. We can start searching for someone else.”

  “I won’t let you! I won’t let Thane down! No matter how scared I am, no matter how horrible I’ll feel, I have to do it. Adaranth needs to be stopped now, we can’t afford to waste time.”

  “All right, it’s settled,” Maia said. “Abigast will be with you too. You won’t have to do this alone. He’ll be by your side and if anything goes wrong or if you decide to back out, you’ll