Hidden Knights

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  “What is the matter?” Gytha asked, sword in hand.

  Reid grabbed the warrior woman, pulling her head lower. She whispered, “Someone was in my bedchamber while I was sleeping.”

  “The two posted guards told me you hadn’t been disturbed.”

  “We both know there’s more than one way in and out of my room.” After she spoke to Harlow that one day, the woman had left through a hidden door Reid had no prior knowledge of.

  Gytha sheathed her sword, then started pacing. “That means it was someone with knowledge of the passageways.”

  Few people knew the labyrinth of tunnels that existed in and below the palace. “I think it was Anna. She was talking to another person, although I don’t know who. Anna wants Owen killed tonight, hoping it starts a fight between Melenia and Marsden. Then, in the chaos, she wants the royal family assassinated.”

  “We have to stop it.”

  “I agree. But we have to be smart. Anna can’t know we’re trying to foil her plans.”

  “You’re right,” Gytha said, still pacing back and forth. “I have an idea. Come with me.”

  Reid marched beside Gytha. The warrior woman had managed to steal two Melenia uniforms. The pants were a little long, so Reid had folded them up. “Dexter is going to be livid,” she mumbled as they wound their way through soldiers and past tents, pretending as if they belonged there.

  “Next one on the left,” Gytha muttered under her breath.

  When Reid came to the correct tent, she cleared her throat. “Commander?” she said, using her best male voice.

  “Enter,” Seb replied.

  Reid ducked inside while Gytha stood watch.

  “I was wondering who it was,” he said. “No one calls me that these days.”

  “I need your help.”

  “Figured as much.” He sat on his bed, papers in hand.

  “An assassin has been sent after Idina, Nara, and Leigh.”

  “Why haven’t you told your husband?” he asked.

  “I think he’s being watched. In order to stop the assassinations, someone outside the royal family and army must intervene.”

  “When did the assassin leave?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Then I best get to work.”

  “Should I tell anyone else?”

  “No. I have Dexter’s men if I need them.” He placed his hands on Reid’s shoulders. “I’ll do my best to stop the assassin.” With that promise, he exited the tent.

  Reid waited a minute before joining Gytha outside. The warrior woman tilted her head to the left, so Reid went that way.

  “Owen’s tent is to the right of the command tent,” Gytha whispered.

  Walking through the camp, Reid made sure to extend her stride in order to mimic a man’s. She easily fell into the role she’d played her entire life. Gytha, on the other hand, appeared stiff and rigid. While the woman normally wore pants and felt at home around an army, she’d never had to pretend to be a man before. Since Melenia only employed men and the two women needed to blend in, this seemed the easiest solution.

  Reid pulled out the piece of paper she’d stashed in her pocket. “I have a message for Prince Owen,” she said to the guard outside the command tent.

  “He’s changing for supper,” the soldier replied.

  Reid dipped her head, then went directly to Owen’s tent. “Permission to enter,” she said, hoping that wasn’t out of line.

  Owen pulled the flap back. His eyes locked with Reid’s. After a minute, he waved her in. Again, Gytha remained outside keeping watch.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked.

  Quickly, Reid explained how she woke up and overheard someone giving the order to assassinate Owen to try to start a war between their kingdoms.

  “Any idea who it is?” he asked.

  “I believe I know who gave the order, but I don’t know who will be executing it.”

  “And you’re here to warn me?”

  “I am. It’s supposed to happen tonight while you’re sleeping.”

  He sat on the edge of his cot. “I’ll be on guard, and I’ll have extra soldiers stationed around my tent.”

  “I fear that won’t be enough.” All the assassin had to do was give the nearby soldiers a sleeping tonic, then enter and kill Owen.

  “What do you suggest?”

  “I think I should be in here with you.” Since it appeared Reid’s mother wouldn’t allow any harm to come to her.

  “In order for me to cooperate, I want the entire story.”

  “It’s long.”

  “It appears we have the time.”

  So Reid told him everything about her life growing up—her forced engagement to Dexter, the Knights, her mother, and why Melenia was sucked into Anna’s twisted plan. It took hours to get everything out. Owen patiently listened, asking only a few questions here and there.

  When Reid finished, she guessed it had to be close to midnight. It sounded as if the activity had died down outside the tent, indicating most soldiers had retired for the night.

  Owen nodded off. Since Reid had taken a nap earlier, she felt refreshed and able to stay awake. She sat in the middle of the tent, diligently keeping watch. Gytha had said she would remain outside with the tent in view at all times.

  As the night wore on, it became harder and harder for Reid to keep her eyes open. The candle died out, so she lit another one, wanting to be able to see all corners of the tent. When the guard passed by every ten minutes or so, Reid counted his steps—usually thirteen—until she no longer heard his boots brushing the grass. Voices would laugh from some far-off part of the camp, a dog would bark in the distance, or a whistle would ring out as guards changed positions or communicated with one another. She’d gotten so used to hearing these sounds that when they faded, an eerie silence descended over the camp causing the hairs on the nape of her neck to rise.

  Things were quiet. Too quiet.

  Crouching, she went over to Owen, gently shaking him awake. When he opened his eyes, she put her finger to her lips. He nodded and withdrew a knife, alert and ready to fight. They sat back to back in the middle of the tent, each watching. Waiting. Not the hoot of an owl or even the chirp of crickets could be heard. The only sound came from Reid and Owen breathing.

  “Where’s Lady Reid?” a delicate female voice asked, cutting through the silent night. “I must speak with her at once. There’s an emergency at the palace, and no one can find her.”

  Reid recognized the voice as Harlow’s.

  Someone mumbled a reply, too low for Reid to hear.

  “No, you don’t understand,” Harlow said, her voice filled with urgency. “King Dexter is injured. I must find Lady Reid at once.”

  Reid jumped to her feet. Dexter was hurt? If Anna had done anything to harm him, Reid would kill the woman herself. She lifted the tent flap. “Harlow?”

  “Oh, Reid!” Harlow exclaimed, rushing toward her. She pushed the hood of her cape back. “You must come at once. Dexter is asking for you.” She reached her hand forward.

  Reid was about to take Harlow’s extended hand when an eerie sensation filled her. If something had happened to Dexter, wouldn’t Ackley or Colbert have come for Reid? Deciding to trust her gut, she took Harlow’s hand, yanking Harlow toward her. She twisted, wrapping her arms around Harlow and pinning the woman against her body. As she shoved her inside the tent, Reid covered Harlow’s mouth.

  Owen’s brows drew together as he stood there, knife in hand. Slowly, he turned to face the back of the tent. The bottom lifted up, and someone slid inside. When the person stood, Reid looked into the cold and furious eyes of her mother.

  Reid removed her shaking hand from Harlow’s mouth and reached into her sleeve, pulling out a dagger and placing the tip at Harlow’s throat. Reid made sure to keep Harlow’s body in front of her own, trying to protect herself as much as possible.

  “Reid,” Anna said, her voice firm and commanding. “Take Queen Harlow and get out of here. Now.�
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  “What’s going on?” Harlow demanded. “Are you the one who tried to kill King Dexter?”

  “That’s none of your concern,” Anna snapped. Then, to Reid, she said, “Get out of here.” She palmed a small blade in her right hand.

  The tent flap opened, and Ackley entered. “I thought I saw you go by,” he said to Anna.

  Reid stepped to the side with Harlow still in her arms. Owen moved to the other side, allowing Ackley to have a clear line of sight to Anna.

  “At least I can take care of you both at once,” Anna hissed. She whipped out a dagger with her left hand, throwing it at Owen.

  He deftly blocked it. “That all you got?”

  She unsheathed a small sword.

  Owen ran at her, knocking her to the ground.

  “She has a blade in her right hand,” Reid yelled, hoping Owen heard her.

  Ackley lunged for Anna, grabbing her right arm and forcing her to drop the blade.

  Reid released Harlow. “You better get out of here.”

  Breathing fast, Harlow ran from the tent.

  Anna managed to wrap her legs around Owen’s arms, pinning them down. Ackley picked up the discarded blade, tossing it farther away. Anna raised her small sword, about to plunge it into Owen’s side.

  The tent collapsed.

  Reid couldn’t see.

  She tried to regain her footing, but there was too much fabric weighing her down, making it hard to breathe. Something ripped above her. Reaching up, she pushed on the material until her hands found air. Someone grabbed her fingers, pulling her upright and out of the heavy canvas.

  Ackley had been the one to yank her to her feet. “Are you okay?” he demanded.

  Gasping for air, she nodded.

  A dagger sliced through the fabric behind them. They turned in time to see Anna’s head pop through the collapsed tent. Then she slowly stood, the cloth now at her feet.

  Reid searched for Owen, not seeing any movement under the collapsed tent. Was he still alive?

  “Why do you have to be so difficult?” Anna sneered at Reid. “Not only am I your superior, but I am also your mother. You should obey me without question.” She shoved her hair out of her face, her shoulders heaving. “I thought you were loyal. I thought you took your oath seriously.”

  Reid glanced around. The guards who’d been on patrol were on the ground, not moving. No snores or any other sign of life came from the eerily quiet camp. “What did you do?”

  “What needed to be done.”

  Out of the shadows, Dexter emerged behind Anna, a sword in hand. His eyes had a deadly glint as they remained focused on his prey. Slowly raising his arm, he prepared to make a killing blow.

  Even though Reid shook from the adrenaline coursing through her, she tried to remain calm so Anna wouldn’t know someone lurked only inches behind her.

  Ackley’s eyes widened. “No!” He stepped forward, ramming his sword toward Dexter. Only, the sword slid past Dexter’s right side, striking Harlow, who stood behind him. Harlow’s eyes widened. She dropped the knife she’d been about to kill Dexter with, grabbing Ackley’s sword and trying to remove it. As she tumbled to the ground, blood pooled around her body.

  Furious, Anna whirled, stabbing her knife straight at Dexter. Ackley hurled himself sideways to shield Dexter, the knife embedding into him instead.

  Shocked, Reid threw her own dagger, missing Anna’s chest. Instead, it sliced into her arm.

  Anna whipped around. Her eyes narrowed as she stalked toward her daughter. “I planned to give you everything. But you’re not worth it. You’re as useless as your father.” She swung a tight fist, punching Reid in the stomach. “You should’ve been born a man. You’re just as worthless.”

  Hunching over, Reid tried to breathe as pain pierced through her.

  Anna rammed a knee into Reid’s face, striking her forehead and flipping her onto the ground. Stars exploded across her vision. She wanted to roll over and cower, but, if she hesitated for even a second, Anna would strike her again, gaining the upper hand. When Anna’s foot came into view, Reid’s mother hovering over her with a knife, she summoned every ounce of strength she had. Praying it worked, she shot her hand out, grabbing Anna’s ankle and yanking as hard as she could.

  Anna fell to the ground, the knife knocked from her hand.

  “I am not useless,” Reid gritted out as she twisted, putting a leg on Anna’s body and pinning her in place. “I am not worthless.”

  Anna reached forward, clawing at Reid.

  Reid grabbed Anna’s arm, wrenching it. “What’s truly useless is a mother who abandons her daughters.” Her voice cracked with pain and fury as she spat the words.

  Screams rang out. Several people approached, looming over them. Reid recognized several of the faces—a combination of Ackley’s Knights and Dexter’s mercenaries.

  Two of the Knights reached for Anna. Not sure what to do, Reid released her.

  “What are you doing?” Anna demanded. “Let go.”

  “You are hereby stripped of your title,” the one Knight said, restraining her.

  “You’re taking my title? I gave you your title!” She ducked, then twisted, breaking the Knights’ hold on her. She darted toward Reid, her eyes wild.

  One of the Knights tossed a sword at Reid. She deftly caught it, barely having enough time to bring the sword up and ram it into her mother’s stomach.

  “What have you…done?” Anna asked, her voice fading as blood oozed from the wound.

  Reid didn’t let go of the sword. “What needed to be done.”

  Anna dropped to her knees, gazing at Reid with a mixture of anger, hurt, and love.

  The life faded from her mother’s eyes.

  Refusing to feel anything for the mother she never knew, Reid stepped back from the body. Wiping her brow, she observed the scene before her. Dexter and Gordon were kneeling on the ground beside someone. Reid ran over. Sprawled between them, Ackley sucked in short, raspy breaths. “What happened?” Panic and fear rose within her, making it hard to focus.

  “When Anna tried to kill Dexter, Ackley stepped in front of him,” Gordon explained. “Anna struck Ackley instead.”

  “Has a healer been sent for?” Reid demanded.

  “Yes.”

  Dropping to her knees, Reid reached forward, clutching Ackley’s hand. He couldn’t die. Especially not for doing something so selfless and brave.

  He tilted his head. “I’m sorry I didn’t stop Anna for you,” he wheezed.

  “Everything will be fine.” Reid pushed his hair off his brow. “You should have used your sword to deflect the blow, not your body.”

  The corners of his lips pulled up ever so slightly. “Couldn’t let Dexter die. Besides, I used my sword on Harlow.”

  Harlan ran toward them, a bag in hand. When he reached Ackley, he knelt, pulling out various jars. “How deep?”

  “He has leather armor on,” Gordon replied, “so the knife didn’t go too far in. The problem is the blade Anna used had poison on it.”

  “That’s what I feared. Let me see it.”

  Dexter stood, then pulled Reid away. “Let Harlan work.”

  She nodded, unable to believe everything that had happened. “How’s Owen?”

  “He was knocked unconscious. I think he’s going to be okay, though.” He held Reid at arm’s length, examining her from head to toe. “Are you injured? Did Anna cut you with her knife at all?”

  It felt as if a boulder had struck her stomach, and her head throbbed with pain. However, she didn’t have any nicks from Anna’s knife. “I’m fine.” Knights and mercenaries ran about, making Reid dizzy. “I’m glad you showed up in time.” If he hadn’t, the outcome might have been quite different.

  “Ackley had a feeling something like this would happen, so we’ve been monitoring the situation. When I saw you dressed as a man in a Melenia soldier’s uniform, I knew it was time to act. We followed you, watching from the shadows. Ackley said there had to be one Knight h
e wasn’t aware of. When Harlow showed up, we realized it had to be her. When she started to drug the camp, we had confirmation. I can’t believe she almost killed me.”

  “Harlow’s a Knight?”

  “Apparently Anna recruited her years ago. They’ve been working together for quite some time.” Dexter wrapped his arms around Reid, pulling her closer. “I don’t know what I would have done if something had happened to you tonight. It was hard to sit back and wait until just the right time to attack.”

  Thankfully, nothing had happened. To her, anyway.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “Yes. Just sore. And tired.”

  “I’m referring to you having to kill your mother.”

  “Oh.” Reid hadn’t had time to fully process everything. “I don’t know. But I do know you’re here if I need anything.”

  “Always.”

  “Where’s Gytha?” Reid asked, scanning the area.

  “She’s one of the soldiers who received the sleep tonic.”

  “She’ll wake up from it, won’t she?” Harlan had managed to wake up all her father’s soldiers before. Surely, he could do it again.

  “Reid,” Harlan called.

  She ran over to where he sat next to Ackley. “Is he all right?” Ackley’s eyes were closed, but his chest moved up and down. His tunic and leather armor had been removed and his undershirt torn open, revealing the wound near his ribs.

  “I’ve treated the wound and stitched it together. His breathing is getting stronger. I think he’ll be all right.”

  Relief filled her.

  “I need you to stay with him to monitor his progress. If he’s not awake and coherent within the hour, come and get me.”

  “Where are you going?”

  He glanced around. “I have hundreds of soldiers to rouse.”

  She nodded. “Gordon, help me get Ackley inside.”

  Gordon lifted his brother, carrying him inside the palace. He took him up to an empty bedchamber, carefully placing him on the bed. “I need to get back outside and help.”

  Reid nodded. “I won’t leave Ackley’s side until I know he’s okay.”

  “Thank you.” He left the room.

  Sitting beside Ackley on the bed, she picked up his hand, stroking it. His eyes remained closed. He looked so different like this. Younger. Innocent. His chest continued to rise and fall, the only indication he still lived.