by M. D. Laird
“If she wants to waste her life then who am I to stop her?”
“You really have gone soft.”
“It is as well, or the king would be making himself cosy in my guild by now.”
“True. What news of the queen?”
Thomas sighed. “I am not going through with the king’s quest, but I’m still trying to figure out how to get out of this mess without losing my guild. She wants to stay at my guild and meet with the king to formalise her allegiance.”
“Have you informed her of the king’s intentions?”
“No,” said Thomas. “I don’t know what to do; if I inform her and she attacks Axandria, then my actions will have started a war. I won’t risk my decree.”
“There is a greater risk if she meets the king without possession of the truth.”
“I will not have played a role, and it will not affect my decree.”
“Is she usually reasonable? I have not heard that she is the warmongering type.”
“She is reasonable—apart from the time she tortured me with magic—but I don’t want to take the risk.”
“What about Calab? He is usually level-headed.”
“I haven’t spoken to him. I still find it laughable that he has regained his feelings and lost his guild.”
“You still haven’t asked him about the loopholes? You need to get over your ego.”
“It isn’t just that—he is behaving rather oddly lately. The queen also says he is preoccupied. She hasn’t told him of the origins of her magic and does not wish to bring him to Axandria with her.”
Nathaniel sighed. “At this rate, our hopes will rest on your princess’ revolution.”
Eleanor had sent her coded message to Jack via lolite stone, and having received a response, she prepared to leave. The rebels held their meetings near the Guild of Rexalis. Eleanor planned to use the aerial vector to travel, though she did not want the vehicle to be seen in the vicinity and set out early to allow her enough time to walk the last portion of the journey.
She wore her plainest dress and a shawl over her head. She was pleased to be blessed with a heavy downpour of rain meaning that the streets were quieter than usual and she could hide her face without looking suspicious.
After several hours of walking, Eleanor arrived in Rexalis. The town had originally been called Pocalsizk which meant bladesmith or metalsmith in the old language before the common tongue was adopted. Rexalis still had a high concentration of alchemists specialising in metallurgy, and its occupants were still known as Pocz, though the old language had not been spoken for around five thousand years. Eleanor’s father had changed the name of the town when he inherited the throne. The replacement of a name that was thousands of years old in favour of his order’s name was just one of many examples of her father’s arrogance.
It was dark when Eleanor arrived in Rexalis, though she still had a couple of hours before the meeting began. She was starving, and most of the shops were now closed. She did not dare venture into an inn. A man could easily go unnoticed into an inn alone but not a woman. She would likely be accused of soliciting for business and thrown out or worse, she could be recognised as the princess. The local inns were often frequented by guild staff and her father’s guards.
Instead, she made her way to the meeting point early. Getting to the meeting point was the worst part of the trip. Each of the rebel bases were located above a sewer vent, and access to the bases for the meetings was only ever granted through the sewer so no one could be seen coming and going from the streets. Eleanor made her way to the beach. Several tunnels fed the town’s waste into the sea, and she had to enter there. She could not decide if it was better or worse that it was raining. The smell wasn’t as bad as it usually was but the level of the water was higher.
She groaned and hitched up her dress. She wore breeches underneath and folded her dress and tied it around her waist. She also wore the knee-high leather military boots she had had Ramiel buy her after her old boots were lost. She could never risk leaving the boots in her room at her father’s guild—especially as she had stolen them from the guards’ barracks—and when her things were packed for her to leave, her boots were left behind.
After checking there was no one around to see her enter the sewer, Eleanor began to make her way through the dark and foul-smelling tunnels towards the rebel base. It took her around thirty minutes to traverse the sewer, and it was still only six o’clock when she entered the basement of the base.
This rebel base was in the cellar of an ordinary house. There were seven bases in Rexalis and they were all in basements above sewer vents. The stations were owned by many rebels. This one was owned by Harris who lived in the house above. The basement was soundproofed, and Eleanor could not hear if Harris was upstairs or not, but, despite her hunger, she could never venture upstairs into the house. Instead, she waited amongst the boxes and crates. She had a quick look around to try and find a leftover bottle of ale or wine, but there was nothing.
It was a little before seven when Harris entered the basement, and the rebels began arriving. None of the rebels ever greeted Eleanor particularly warmly and today was no exception. They always worried about having a princess in their ranks. She knew too much about them for comfort and whatever she did, she had never fully earned their trust. It was James they trusted. She was introduced to the rebels through him.
“So it’s true, Elea?” Jack, the leader of the rebels, asked. “James is dead.”
Jack had discerned the rumours were true from Eleanor’s attendance at the meeting alone.
“How did you know?” she asked sadly.
“A contact in the south told me that James’ father has been given a duchy in the south to compensate him for the loss of his son and to thank him for his loyalty to the throne,” said Jack. His eyes turned fierce, and he glared at her. “My contact also seems to believe that James was executed because the king learned of his affair with you. He said James’ own father had told the king about you months ago.”
Eleanor turned her eyes to the floor and tried to dismiss her tears.
His own father turned him in? He was always a vile man but to turn his own son over to the king! It’s true then, my father did know before he married me to the prince.
“I didn’t know his father turned him in,” she said sadly. “But it is true, my father executed him because of his affair with me.”
“So, it is your fault!” Jack snarled.
“Yes,” she said. “It is my fault, but I intend to see that my father pays for what he has done.”
“I’m sure he is terrified.” He sneered.
“Look,” she said softly. “I know this is tough, but we have to stick together. My father is up to something. There is a reason why he waited so long to punish James.”
“And what’s that?”
Eleanor did not think it wise to tell them Prince Thomas’ theories about their marriage, the queen’s powers or the adamantine. “I don’t know yet,” she said. “But I intend to find out.”
“You seem to be intent to accomplish a number of great feats, Your Highness,” said Harris. “Has James’ death suddenly made you capable of more than just stamping your feet?”
Your Highness! They’ve never called me that.
They wished to end the throne, there had never been any sense for them to use her title.
“I want to see the king removed from power just as much as you,” she snapped. “I’m as capable as any of you.”
“Princess, we’ve never trusted you,” said Jack. “And we trust you even less now.”
“Why?” she exclaimed. “I have more reason than ever to hate my father, surely you should trust me more.”
“And perhaps we would if you weren’t married to a demon.”
“What’s that got to do with anything?”
“You’re not going to be able to sneak around him like you did your father. He will find out and then he will tell y
our father because they can’t breach their decree. It’s too dangerous to have you with us now.”
“It is easier for me to get out now,” she said. “I don’t have to sneak out. The prince thinks I am visiting a friend and he allows me to do that.”
“He will know you’re lying to him.”
“I am careful,” she said. “Demons depend upon smell to distinguish lies from truth. I can disguise my scent.”
“That’s just a myth.”
“I thought so too, but it is true. Plus, the prince is not used to having a wife. He is quite naïve, and that works to my advantage. It’s not in his nature to get jealous or suspicious, he only deals with what I tell him, and if it makes sense, then he will accept it.”
Jack considered her words. She had thrown in a few truths about demons and exaggerated a few common misconceptions in the hope that the rebels would believe that there was no risk from the prince. She could not risk telling them that he knew. Prince Thomas probably would whip her if she did that.
“Fine,” said Jack. “Just be careful. You’re going to have to try and get away more frequently to attend training as you’re behind.”
“That’s fine,” she said, relieved. “I can pretend I have a regular activity—embroidery class or something—the prince will not be interested in seeing my work and nor will he check up on me.”
Another rebel, Hannah, began to update the group on their weapons. Weapons were relatively easy to buy in Axandria and even more so in Rexalis with its abundance of alchemical workshops. However, weapons were not easy to buy anonymously and whilst a regular citizen could easily purchase a bow, they had to have a good reason to own a blade. Even metal was accounted for, and the alchemists in their ranks could not risk producing weapons in large quantities. As a result, the rebels had to go through the celan or secret underground market to acquire them. They had been stockpiling swords, bows, knives and armour for some years and were almost fully equipped. Hannah estimated they would need one more shipment and they would have enough weapons to arm all the rebels. That was good news.
Next, the topic turned to the most contentious item on their agenda: the government. The rebels argued about how it would work and who would be in charge and did not come any nearer to reaching a solution than they had the last time Eleanor had attended. The only thing they agreed upon was having the king, and the throne removed.
“Can I make another suggestion?” Eleanor asked.
They turned to her as though they had forgotten she was there. She never involved herself in these arguments—she had no desire to be in charge.
“I wonder if it may be better if we locate the Crown and allow them to take natural rule,” she said hesitantly.
“Don’t be absurd,” exclaimed Jack. “How is that any better than what we have?”
“The Crown is supposed to be the person worthiest for the position. Now we have a usurper on the throne who only remains in power by satisfying the wealthy and powerful. If we had a natural rule, then that would benefit everyone.”
“And what would stop the wealthy and powerful from just removing them? It’s a stupid idea, Elea,” he replied, dismissing her and continuing his debate with the other rebels.
The meeting ended with no further progress made on the terms of their government. Eleanor tramped back through the sewer. After cleaning her boots as best as she could in the sea, she released her dress, pulled on her shawl and prepared herself for the long walk back to the vector.
Eleanor had left the town and was walking through the dark moorlands when she felt arms grab her waist and take her into the air.
“Prince,” she hissed. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”
He chuckled. “That will teach you for calling me naïve and saying I fall for your lies.”
“I should have known you’d follow me,” she said. “Would you rather I told them that you knew? I had to tell them something to get them to believe that there was no danger from you. So, what do you think?”
“I think the country is doomed if they win,” he said. “They just want to play at being in charge.”
“I’m starting to agree,” she said. “They are greedy and lack direction. This all started because they wanted to improve the lives of everyone and now…now I don’t even know what their point is. It’s a mess.”
“Hmm,” he said. “You stink by the way.”
“Yes, Prince, thank you for pointing that out,” she said. “Though I am glad you’ve picked me up. I’m exhausted from walking, and I’m starving.”
“You’re worn out from a few hours’ exercise? How on earth do you expect to take over the kingdom?”
“Quickly.” She grinned. “And in time for supper.”
“I see we were right about your father, he did know about you and James before our marriage. We can be certain that he is using us now.”
“Yes, and it looks as though he has given away your duchy to James’ father.”
“There are others. Besides, I would only get that if Queen Genevieve marries your brother and I doubt that will happen.”
“The south is too hot anyway.”
“Hell is hotter.”
Zayn and Karim were slowly becoming skilled swordsmen, and Maol was making good progress with all of his new trainees except one. His name was Alessi, and Maol was beginning to despise him. He had already asked Niall to move him to another instructor, but Niall was reluctant and encouraged Maol to work with him.
Alessi was arrogant and obnoxious. He insisted on turning up for training each afternoon, though Maol wished he would not. Whilst there he would not listen to instructions and taunted the other trainees. Maol felt his rage simmering every time he saw the boy and each act to undermine his lessons enraged him further. Maol’s temper boiled over one afternoon.
He had been teaching the trainees the finer points of close combat when Alessi interrupted him. He had picked up a staff from Kyle’s group and was tormenting the other trainees.
Maol growled silently to himself. “Alessi, if you’re going to act like a child, then you can leave, or you can put the staff down and pay attention.”
“I’m not doing close combat. Why am I going to use close combat when I’m always going to have a weapon? Teach me something useful for a change.”
Maol bit his tongue. “We’re not using staffs today. If you don’t want to do close combat, then go.”
“You can’t tell me what to do, you’re a slave as well. You’re not in charge.”
“I am an instructor and if you don’t want my instruction then leave.” Maol snarled, and he observed that Kyle’s group had stopped training and were watching.
Alessi laughed. “I’m practising with this,” he said, waving the staff in Maol’s face.
Maol batted the staff away, and Alessi prodded him with it. Maol felt his rage explode. He grabbed the staff and kicked Alessi hard in the chest launching the boy across the pit. He landed heavily against the pit wall. Maol lunged at him and raised the staff. He delivered a heavy blow which was blocked by Kyle’s staff. Maol glared at Kyle, and raising the staff, he lunged towards him.
“Maol, no!” shouted Kyle, leaping backwards as the pit filled with thorian. “Put the staff down, Maol.”
Maol advanced on Kyle as Ben and Niall leapt on Maol and pulled him to the ground. Within seconds he was in chains and being hauled from the pits to a brig by the camp entrance. Ben chained Maol to the wall and left him alone with Niall and Kyle.
“I told you to get him away from me,” Maol spat at Niall.
“I know. I’m sorry,” Niall replied.
Maol pulled against the restraints. “You can unchain me. I’m not going to do anything.”
“Are you certain?” asked Niall. “You almost killed that boy, and you attacked Kyle.”
“I won’t do anything.” Maol slumped in the restraints. He had made the same mistake he always made. He lost his temper and lost the respect of ev
eryone around him. Kyle would hate him, and his trainees would hate him if he were even allowed to work with them again.
“I should’ve come over sooner,” said Kyle, releasing Maol’s shackles. Maol rubbed at his wrists where they had cut into his skin. “I could see the boy was getting to you and his behaviour was getting worse. Niall and I should have intervened to remove him from the pits. However, your response was excessive. His behaviour was certainly irritating, but he did not deserve to die.”
“I know that,” snapped Maol. “I don’t want to hurt people; I just can’t control myself when I lose my temper.”
“So do something before it gets to that point.”
“I did!” shouted Maol. “I told Niall the boy was getting to me.”
“I should have taken you more seriously. I thought you needed to try and make an effort to get along with people. You must have had to deal with difficult people during your career?”
“Yes, but most are in the army because they want to be there and when I climbed the ranks, people followed my orders.”
“We’ll see how we proceed from here,” said the commander. “I want you to apologise to the boy.”
“I’m not apologising to that little shit. I’ll apologise to Kyle, and that is all.”
Kyle shrugged at the commander. “Alessi had it coming.”
“Fine,” said Niall. “Consider this a warning. I will remove Alessi from your lessons, but I want you on your best behaviour, or I will take you off instruction.”
Maol left the pit the following day after a successful morning’s training. He was about to head towards the barracks when he heard the camp gates open. He turned to see Lord Rya’s convoy of wagons led by Rya herself on horseback.
Maol felt his stomach somersault. He had wanted to see her and prove to her that she did not need to sell him on. He wanted to relieve some of the uncertainty surrounding his future. But now he felt terrified. He had not seen her since he had broken her nose and she would hear about the events from the previous day.