Revolution (Cartharia Book 2)

by Spencer Reaves McCoy

  Penny watched Erin storm away to the furthest corner of the cell where she stood near the wall, shaking from head to feet.

  Robert shook his head and climbed to his feet. He quietly made his way over to Erin. When she turned to look at him, he pulled her into a hug.

  Penny watched Erin break into renewed sobs as her brother held her tightly to his chest. She couldn't stand to watch the scene. It was heartbreaking.

  "Go talk to her," Eldrin said, "She needs you too, Penny."

  "Leave me alone," Erin said as Penny approached her and Robert. Robert hadn't said anything the rest of them could hear but he kept her hand tightly in his, protectively.

  Penny shook her head, placing a hand on the other woman's and squeezing. Erin looked up into her eyes briefly, "I was wrong. I can't forgive you Erin. Because there's nothing to forgive. You betrayed us, but it wasn't your fault. You're right. They're the enemy, not you. Them."

  Erin hesitated for a long moment and then pulled Penny into a tight hug. They stood there like that for a long moment. Penny stiffened when she felt other arms but looked over to see Ryan joining. A moment later, George was clapping her on the back. Even Kevin and Joanna joined in with their own awkward ways.

  Eldrin waited by the door.

  When the moment was finished, George reached over and wiped the tears from beneath Penny's eyes, "We can't give up little lady. Buck up. Smile."

  Penny shook her head. "It's over, Simons. George. All of you, though, I just want to thank you. For what you've done. For what you've sacrificed. Maybe others will--"

  The door opened again, cutting her off. They all turned to see who the new visitor was.

  Chrissa Stone strode in, her face livid.

  "Chrissa," Penny started to say, moving quickly towards her. The others joined her, "Chrissa, are you alright? Did they hurt you? Question you? What happened?"

  "How dare you speak to me," Chrissa said, her tone cold, "How dare you."

  Penny stared at her, shocked.

  "I can't believe people like you," Chrissa hissed, "I can't believe people would watch our homes and families burn and then just go about trying to instigate more violence. What were you thinking?"

  Penny frowned. "You don't mean that," she said. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. They'd worked together. It didn't make any sense. Chrissa had supported them, supported the resistance. She'd been their poster child.

  "Tonight," Chrissa said, her voice raising even higher, compensating for Penny's interruption, "Tonight the soldiers have to the rebuild the Chapel-- because of you. They said you did that. You burnt our Chapel to the ground. You must hate us all."

  Penny couldn't stand to listen to this. She started to move away but Chrissa shouted out at her, "Don't you walk away from me!"

  Something about the way she sounded caught Penny's attention. She turned back for a moment.

  "The soldiers will be working together to rebuild the Chapel with the help of volunteers from the city. It will be a bonding experience for all. It will bring Valishna together. I can only hope they will not be lax in their duties tonight while so busy." Chrissa said this in the same cold tone she'd been using before, but there was something glinting in her hand.

  Understanding bolted through her. With some embarrassment, she realized the others had already caught on. Robert was smirking. Eldrin looked pleased.

  "What is that?" Penny asked, stepping up to the grate. She put both hands against it for support.

  "You're nothing," Chrissa said. She pressed herself against the bars. Penny felt a small object press into her hands, "You'll realize that soon enough, though, I imagine. There will be people coming by tonight, in pairs, to tell you how much they hate you. People that you knew. People that you used.

  "The guards that are there, well, the citizens will help them, of course. The same that I did that night, when I saw you on the street, when you were so cruel to Joanna."

  Without another word, Chrissa turned and fled the cell. The door clanged shut behind her.

  "It was--" Erin started to speak but Eldrin clamped a hand over her mouth. She glared at him but he was already yanking her into a corner. The rest of them followed.

  "They might be listening," Eldrin said in a barely audible voice.

  Penny nodded. When she spoke, her voice was just as quiet. "She gave me this."

  She opened her hand and showed them a long, bent piece of metal. It was serrated on one end. It looked like a deformed key. There was a pice of paper wound around it. Penny took it off, read it, and then passed it around.

  It read: We're underground. M's false shop. Destroy.

  George shook his head. "She's a brave girl."

  Penny smiled at George, "So she was telling us that they're going to be busy tonight, everyone in the city. Men from the resistance are going to come and kill the guards. We'll have two hours before the new ones arrive."

  "Mike's cellar, right?" Ryan said, examining the slip, "That's what she means."

  "It must be," Penny agreed, "But it doesn't explain how we're going to get out."

  Eldrin took the piece of metal from Penny's hand, and flashed her a boyish grin, "I told you once that I could pick any lock with anything."

  He turned the small object over and over in his hand, feeling every groove on it. "I would suggest you all get some sleep. It's going to be an interesting night."

  FORTY-NINE

  And His Commission To Employ Those Soldiers

  IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT WHEN MATILYN, Samuel, and Ra'sha arrived in Lamonte. Matilyn wondered if it felt the same to Samuel; like coming home.

  They'd cut off Ra'sha's hair in the middle of the night during the trip and given her different clothing to wear. They'd presented her as one of the servants they'd been traveling with. They sent her to Matilyn's chambers in the castle to wait.

  They met with King Sullivan almost immediately.

  Sullivan stared at them from behind his desk. "I want an update on everything that's happened in Terifille," he said.

  Matilyn and Samuel exchanged a long look.

  "You were delayed," Sullivan said. "I expect an answer as to why. From the beginning."

  Samuel cleared his throat, "The princess was attacked, sir," he said.

  Sullivan's eyebrows shot up, "Catherine?"

  Samuel nodded, "We thought, at first, that it was an attack by someone that wished for her to have no place on the throne. We couldn't risk having the wedding immediately, not with her life in danger."

  "I see," Sullivan said, frowning. "Is she alright?"

  "She's fine," Matilyn said, "Full recovery. They were married just before we left. The alliance is complete."

  "Good," Sullivan said. "Is there more?"

  Matilyn nodded, "Just before we left, sir, the king was killed."

  Sullivan came to his feet, "What?"

  "King Sanders was killed," Samuel repeated. "He was stabbed to death just after the wedding."

  Sullivan sank slowly back into his chair, his face void of any color, "Lee Sanders was a childhood friend of mine," he said, "I was his servant. We knew each other very well. You'll have to forgive me, but this comes as quite a shock."

  Matilyn and Samuel said nothing to that. Matilyn's nerves felt like live wires, tightening and singing out in agony. This wasn't going to be an easy conversation.

  "Who did it?" he asked. "Did they catch someone? You should have stayed and offered your services."

  "They arrested someone," Samuel said, "Though we don't believe her to the guilty party."

  They'd argued long and hard on the way home about how to present the situation to the king. In the end, they'd reached a sort of compromise. They would tell him the truth -- most of it.

  "Who?" Sullivan asked.

  "Ra'sha Swin," Matilyn said. "She's the daughter of one of their most influential businessmen. She would have married the Prince if not for Catherine."

  Samuel nodded. "They believed her attack was out of a deep rage directed a
t the king for backing out of the marriage she believed was promised to her."

  "Yet, you don't believe this," Sullivan said.

  "No," Samuel and Matilyn said together.

  "Why?" Sullivan asked.

  "We met the woman," Matilyn said, "She doesn't fit the profile. She had no interest in becoming queen."

  Sullivan sighed. He stood again, and turned to fetch three glasses from his liquor cabinet. He filled them all with an expensive brandy, putting one in front of each of them. "If not her, who?"

  Samuel said, "We have no concrete proof, but we both believe that it was Prince Oliver who committed the act. We believe he was so enthralled with Catherine that he decided he didn't want to wait to make her into a queen. We think it was some misguided attempt to impress her."

  "Oliver," Sullivan said, "I met the boy. I didn't think he had it in him to kill his father. If you believe he is guilty, why have you returned?"

  "Catherine did not share our views," Matilyn said, "She was angry at the mere suggestion. She sent us home. Without your advice, we had no choice but to follow her commands."

  Sullivan sighed, "What are you planning on doing about this?"

  "After the war is over," Samuel said, "We plan on returning and launching a full-scale investigation. On Prince Oliver and on the Swin family. During the course of my investigation on Ra'sha, I discovered that her father has earned his wealth by ordering cheap materials from labor camps here in Lamonte."

  Sullivan scowled, "Dirty business ethics," he said.

  Samuel and Matilyn both nodded.

  "Is Catherine safe there?" Sullivan asked, "If the boy was capable of murdering his own father..."

  "Prince Oliver loves Catherine," Matilyn said, "He'd never hurt her. We're sure on that much."

  Samuel nodded his agreement.

  "Very well," Sullivan said, "I will take this all into consideration. You both have my gratitude for taking on this mission. I trust you've resolved your difficulties with each other?"

  Matilyn stared at him blankly before remembering what he meant. It seemed like a lifetime ago when her and Samuel were at odds. "Yes, sir."

  "Good," Sullivan said. "I'm sending you back to Arinford. Tomorrow. Samuel, I've decided to promote you to battle-master. Matilyn, you will serve underneath him. Is this acceptable?"

  Samuel blinked, "Tomorrow, sir?"

  "Is that a problem?" Sullivan asked, his eyebrows shooting up, "You've both stated how much you longed to return to war. Have you changed your mind so quickly?"

  Samuel forced the look of disappointment off his face, "It is not a problem, sir. Of course not. I'm very grateful for the opportunity, and I will do my best as battle-master. I only thought I'd have time to return home before leaving."

  "You will see your wife and child when you return with King Parnell's head," Sullivan said sharply.

  Samuel nodded.

  "Do you have problems as well?" Sullivan asked Matilyn.

  "No, sir," she quickly said. She felt a moment of disappointment for Samuel, but it was only a moment, and it was quickly replaced by excitement. Finally, she'd be back in the field where she belonged.

  "Good," Sullivan said. "Go rest, I imagine it's been a long journey. Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to the troops you'll be deploying with."

  "Congratulations," Matilyn said as she and Samuel stepped out of Sullivan's office, "on your promotion, I mean. It looks like you're my commanding officer now."

  "There was a time when I might have lorded that over you," Samuel said with a slight smirk. "On second thought, I still might. How do you enjoy washing pots and pans?"

  Matilyn rolled her eyes.

  "Do you think we were right, telling the king only about Oliver's involvement?" Samuel asked.

  "I don't know," Matilyn said, "I think so, though. It would only have worried him more. Or angered him. He might have thought us wrong, and punished us. We need to be out on the field, away from all this political drama."

  Samuel nodded, "Good. I'm on the same page. Now what are we going to do about our little friend? We can't tell King Sullivan she's here with us. He'll return her, or execute her himself."

  "We'll take her with us," Matilyn said, "She's always wanted to see the world. This will give her the opportunity."

  "Take her with us into a war zone?" Samuel said, "It's not safe. She might get killed out there."

  "She'll get killed here for certain," Matilyn said, "How long do you think it is before Catherine or Oliver gets the idea that she departed with us? They were already scouring the countryside when we left."

  "I don't know," Samuel said with a sigh. "It's a large risk, and I hate lying to King Sullivan."

  "I do too," Matilyn said, "but what's the alternative? Leave her here? Let her pretend to be somebody she's not? A servant? No. She deserves better than that."

  Samuel studied her for a moment, "You're falling for her, aren't you?"

  Matilyn sighed. "No."

  Samuel reached out, putting a hand on her shoulder, "It's alright if you are," he told her, "But it might color your opinion of things, Matilyn. I'm looking out for you right now."

  "We owe her more than this," Matilyn said, "She's in this mess because of us. We sent her to Catherine. We made this happen."

  "I know," Samuel said. He sighed. "I guess we let her come. But she can't ride to battle with us, and we start teaching her swordsmanship right away. I'll handle that. We know what happens when you teach ladies how to fight."

  Matilyn glared at him.

  Samuel smirked at her in return. "Go on, go tell her to prepare."

  Matilyn nodded, and moved away from Samuel to her chambers. They were still set up from her last stay in the castle. It was nice to walk the familiar halls. When she reached her room, Ra'sha was waiting inside, on the bed.

  "Did you speak with the king?" she asked immediately.

  Matilyn nodded, "We told him what we discussed. We made it sound like Oliver was the guilty one."

  "Well," Ra'sha said, "He is. He might not have planned it, but he definitely knew about it. He was part of it."

  "I know," Matilyn said.

  "We were friends since childhood," Ra'sha said, "I can't believe he was part of framing me. That must have been Catherine."

  "We can't know for sure," Matilyn said.

  Ra'sha shrugged but didn't argue that, "What now? Shall I be introduced as a servant?"

  "No," Matilyn said, "We've decided it's unsafe for you here. If you're agreeable, we'd like you to come with us to Arinford. It'll be dangerous but--"

  Ra'sha's eyes widened, "You want me to come to Arinford? With the troops? I'd love that. I've always wanted to travel. You know that."

  "I do," Matilyn said, finally relaxing a little. She sat down on the bed next to Ra'sha. "We're leaving tomorrow. You'll have to masquerade as an Officer Boy or soldier or something."

  Ra'sha nodded again.

  "At least till we're gone," Matilyn said, "We don't want King Sullivan to know who you are. He might have you sent back."

  She left out the part about the execution, not wanting to worry her more than she must already be.

  Ra'sha nodded, "Thank you, Commander Malevus."

  "I think it's time you started calling me Matilyn," Matilyn said. "We've been through a lot together, after all. Except on the field. Out there, I'm still Commander."

  "If you prefer," Ra'sha said indifferently. "If we're leaving tomorrow, we better get some sleep. I saw there are servants quarters attached to this room."

  "Nobody uses them," Matilyn said, "I turned down the offer of one when I first came here. I don't feel right, having someone wait on me."

  Ra'sha bounded to her feet, "I'll use them then," she said, and headed for the door. Before she left, she glanced back and said, "Thank you, Matilyn."

  Matilyn stared at her for a long time, thinking about what Samuel had said. Finally she cleared her throat and said, "You're welcome."

  FIFTY

  Chance Esca
pe

  NOBODY SLEPT. NOBODY HAD EVEN CONSIDERED ELDRIN'S words for more than a moment. He didn't seem surprised by that. They had all spread out in the cell again and gone silent so that there was reason to suspect that anything was going on.

  One of the guards had come in and slid a pot of soup with six bowls into the cell. They had split it up, eaten, and then returned to sitting quietly.

  Penny thought about getting out of the cell and how nice it would be see day light or smell something that wasn't urine. They'd all tried to keep it to one corner but it still stunk up the entire area. That was another way the soldiers had of degrading them.

  She shook her head and glanced down at her clothing. It would be nice to change too. Her clothes were smelly and uncomfortable. Because of her sweat, the paint had started to run and then had dried against the tunic. It kept peeling away from her skin. She couldn't believe that she'd once felt dark and sexy.

  "What are we going to do once we're out?" Erin asked Penny in a quiet voice. Penny nearly jumped; she hadn't seen Erin come to sit with her.

  "I don't know," Penny said honestly.

  "We aren't giving up, though?" Erin asked, "I know that I betrayed us -- but you've give me your forgiveness for that -- and I want to make sure this revolution happens. I want to make sure that nobody died in vain."

  "Erin," Penny said quietly, "the soldiers will be looking for us. They'll be trying to kill us. The element of surprise is lost. We won't be able to go back to our original plan."

  "Then we'll come up with something new," Erin said firmly, "We will not give up. Promise me."

  Penny bit back a sigh, "How am I supposed to promise something I'm not sure of myself?"

  "You have to be sure of it," Erin said, "you're our leader."

  "I'm sorry, Erin, I don't know."

  "You do know," Joanna interrupted. She had joined them as well. Despite their plan of staying separated, none of them could stay away from each other. They were all too nervous and lonely. "You know that you won't give up. You can't give up. I see it in your eyes."