Deck of Cards

by Johnson, ID

  They had been sitting inside of the prison wagon in the courtyard for about an hour. Even though it was a warm morning and everyone was tired of being in the cramped confinement, no one complained. The expressions on the other women’s faces were more of concern than fear, except for one younger girl who was sobbing, her head buried in her hands.

  Katey heard a small commotion behind her and to her right. Glancing around Rose’s head, she could see a group of soldiers, officers, huddling together in conversation, their gestured indicating they were delegating tasks and creating a plan. She wasn’t sure but she thought that the man with the light-brown hair who seemed to be doing most of the talking might just be the king. He had his back to her so she could not see his face just yet. She was curious to know whether or not Caleb looked like Matthew. Though she hadn’t ever seen Matthew’s entire face, she would recognize his eyes anywhere, those warm-brown eyes, the kindest eyes she had ever seen. As if he felt her heavy gaze on the back of his head, he turned around just then, not looking at her but in her general direction. She gasped, an audible gasp that caught Rose’s attention next to her. She also turned her head to see what had caused Katey to make an utterance. And Rose did a little gasping herself.

  He had only just glanced over his shoulder, just a brief turn of his head, and yet Katey knew immediately that he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. She sat back against the wall, practically hiding behind Rose, trying to keep the warm red sensation that was creeping up her neck at bay. He did not have the same eyes as Matthew, in fact, quite the opposite. His eyes were blue, icy blue, penetrating and solicitous. The rest of his face was equally as breath-taking, perfectly proportioned features, with light tan skin and an air of elegance fit only for nobility. He had been smiling when he turned and she found the way he crinkled his right eye and raised the right corner of his mouth as he did so both charming and intoxicating. She closed her eyes tightly, remembering that he was Matthew’s brother. Matthew whom she had prayed for, whom she had longed for. She was able to regain her composure for now, but she was determined not to look directly at King Caleb again if she could help it.

  “So, that’s him,” Rose was saying beside her, turning back to face her. “Oh, sure, he looks like he just flew down from heaven, but, well, I’m sure you’ve heard the stories.”

  Katey had heard the stories, lots of them, in fact, personal ones, from Matthew. But she was confused. The expression on her face must have told Rose she didn’t know what stories she was talking about so she continued.

  “Oh, he’s dreadful!” Rose said, leaning in and whispering so as not to alarm the other ladies in the wagon. “The way he treats aristocrats from other kingdoms. I’ve heard some pretty awful stories. Thank God he doesn’t know who you are. If you think Matthew suffered being locked up in the tower prison for all of those months, well, that’s nothing compared to what would become of you here.”

  Her plan seemed to be working. Though Katey looked more confused than scared at this point, Rose knew that she was making progress. “Thank goodness there’s no way for him to know that you are royalty. No one here seems to know except for me.” Katey peered up at her with questioning eyes. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything.” Then, Rose feigned a startled gasp, “Wait! Your ring! He can’t see that,” she said gesturing at Katey’s hand.

  She held her ring up to look at it. She had worn it for as long as she could remember. Would she dare take it off and risk losing it? She was having so much difficulty imagining that Caleb could be so evil. Matthew had described him much differently. But then, he was speaking of his brother, his best friend, and someone he hadn’t seen for a very long time. What if Rose was correct and Caleb threw her in a tower or prison, or worse an oubliette? At least, if he just thought she was a servant girl, she would be safe until Matthew arrived. Then, perhaps, Rose would help her relay a message to him. Assuming that Rose was still at-hand. If Caleb was truly so malicious, who knew what he might do with King Philip’s paramour.

  “You know, I could hold on to it for you,” Rose whispered assuredly. “If I had it, he would never suspect you were the true princess. And I could just keep it until the timing was right. I’ll just slide it into my, uh, Philip’s pocket.”

  Katey did not like the idea of pretending she was someone else. She wanted to be honest with Caleb, to seek his assistance, but she was also fearful that Rose might be correct. After all, this woman had access to lots of private conversations amongst royalty and other members of the nobility. There was a good chance she knew what she was talking about. And she had been so helpful. Katey was certain that she could trust her. However, she was worried about Rose’s safety. What if she was caught with the ring and Caleb took his anger out on her? She was wearing Philip’s robe after all. Just as she was about to indicate to Rose that she would be keeping her ring, there was movement behind her. Caleb and his men were coming over.

  “Quick, give it to me!” Rose demanded, practically ripping the ring off of Katey’s finger. Though Katey wanted to protest, she also did not want to cause a scene. She acquiesced to Rose’s plan, at least for now. As soon as they were out of sight of the king and his men, she would be getting her ring back.

  “Ladies, can I have your attention, please,” one of the officers was saying. The group of men had walked around to the front of the wagon and most of the women were crowding together, trying to get a glimpse of the king and to hear what was being said.

  Dale continued, his accent a bit difficult for most to understand, “We will be opening the gate in a moment. Please step out carefully and spread out. We have some questions for you and we will be giving you some information. Welcome to Arteria.”

  The gates opened and the women took their time climbing out, most of them stiff from such a long journey. The guards were standing near the exit, helping them down as necessary. They formed a few pseudo lines in front of the wagon. Katey was one of the last ones out, Rose behind her.

  She would quickly learn not to turn her back on Rose ever again.

  “Now, ladies,” Dale began but he was interrupted by a voice from the back of the group of women.

  “Your Majesty,” the pretty woman with fiery red hair yelled over the crowd, “I am Princess Katherine of Placidia. I request amnesty and a private audience with you so that I may relay to you information I have obtained from the former king, Philip of Clovington.”

  Katey was startled; in fact, everyone seemed shocked, including Caleb. The only person who seemed confident that she truly was Princess Katherine of Placidia was Rose herself. But that was all that seemed to matter. Katey looked on, feeling betrayed and befuddled, not sure what she could possibly do. She did not have her ring to prove her identity and, in fact, Rose was now holding it out in front of her as she made her way to the front of the crowd, who parted for her, some of them curtsying out of respect for the alleged princess.

  Caleb looked at Dale and his other officers. She seemed to be telling the truth. They had heard that Katherine was a beautiful redheaded girl and she certainly fit that description. It appeared as if she were wearing King Philip’s robe and that would make sense since she was his betrothed if not yet his wife. It appeared as if she were holding out a ring of some sort. Rather than stepping forward to check it himself, Caleb signaled for another man to do so. He nodded his head, yes; it appeared as if this ring had the Royal Seal of Placidia. “Well, then, Princess Katherine, we will grant you amnesty and I will meet with you shortly to determine how we should proceed.”

  Rose smiled broadly. Her plan was working. And not a sound from that dumb girl in the back row. “Thank you, Your Highness. I am very much looking forward to meeting with you,” she said curtseying and looking up at him through her eyelashes, coyly.

  Her tone did not go unnoticed and Caleb thought it was a bit odd under the circumstances but he dismissed it. He did have one more question for her, however, “Princess Katherine, did you, by any chance, see my brother, King Matthew, while
you were at Castle Blackthorn?”

  Rising back to her full height, Rose shook her head, “Oh, no, Your Majesty. King Matthew was kept locked away somewhere, in a tower. No one ever saw him. No one.” She stressed those last two words with great intent, which made Caleb raise his eyebrow with skepticism.

  “No one?” he repeated.

  “Well,” she explained, “No one except for the guards or perhaps the servant boys. We, the members of the nobility, were certainly never allowed to see him.”

  He nodded in understanding, taking a step back, glancing at his officers, and sighing in frustration. He had been hopeful that Katherine would have some information for him. “Very well,” he replied. Then, turning to the crowd, he asked, “Did any of you see my brother, King Matthew? Or hear anything about his location? Anything at all?”

  The women were silent, most standing perfectly still, looking at the ground. No, they had not seen or heard of Matthew. Some of them didn’t even know he was being held at the castle.

  Just when Rose thought her plan was going perfectly, there was a shuffling noise in the back of the group. She turned to see Katey stepping forward, her hand up, signaling to the king.

  Caleb was about to turn and leave in frustration when he saw movement in the back of the assemblage. As she stepped forward, the crowd parted again, as they had for Rose. At first, Caleb had trouble remembering himself, he was so taken aback by her stunning beauty. The crown of red locks flowing down her back and around her shoulders was an auburn hue; her pale blue eyes and snow-white complexion caught him off guard. She was far more beautiful than even the princess and, for a moment, he forgot all about his brother, as he watched her meekly step forward.

  She had debated whether or not to let Caleb know but she felt the information she had may be of use to him and she owed it to Matthew to do everything she could to help him. As she made her way to the front of the women, she kept her eyes down, out of respect, fear, and the overwhelming feeling that she must not look directly at King Caleb. She wasn’t quite sure how she was going to let him know the information she had without speaking but she hoped to find a way.

  Just as she reached the king, Rose came flying at her, embracing her roughly and pulling her back towards the group. “Oh, Your Majesty, “ she began, speaking to Caleb, “This is Rose. She’s a well known, how should I put it, harlot. In fact, I’m quite sure she frequented King Philip’s bed on several occasions. You really can’t trust her. In fact, she won’t be able to tell you anything anyway. You see, she’s dumb.” She said the last word as if to indicate that Katey was stupid, not mute, and Katey tried to pull away from her, glaring in her direction. Feelings of betrayal quickly turned to anger and she considered pushing Rose away, except for the fact that she was, allegedly, her superior right now.

  The confusion on Caleb’s face was apparent as he looked back and forth from one redhead to the other. “Dumb?” he asked, looking puzzled. “You mean, you can’t speak?”

  Rose had loosened her grip on Katey and she shrugged free. She took another step forward, still staring intently at her boots, Rose’s boots. She shook her head. No, no she didn’t speak.

  Caleb’s frustration level was about to hit its limit. Finally, he had found someone who might have some information as to the whereabouts of his brother, and yet she could not tell him anything because she couldn’t speak! “But, you did see him? You saw my brother, King Matthew, in the castle at Blackthorn?”

  Katey nodded again, eagerly. She glanced up at him, quickly, trying to assess his level of irritation. Though she did not dare look at him long, she was able to ascertain that he was about to lose all patience and, if what Rose said about his temper were true, she would probably regret ever having identified herself as one with information. Nevertheless, she was pressed to do the right thing.

  Dale could see that Caleb was losing his tolerance. “Sir,” he said quietly, “Why don’t you let me handle the rest of the civilians out here. Go, rest, gather your thoughts. We’ve got this under control.”

  Caleb knew that was probably for the best. “Very well,” he said. “Keb, take Princess Katherine in, find her suitable accommodations, including some clothing.” He turned back to Rose and said, “I will be by to visit with you shortly.” She nodded, curtseying again before giving Katey one last glare and taking the arm Keb offered and heading off in the direction of Castle Caine. As they exited, Caleb continued, “Gordon, take Rose in. Make sure she’s comfortable and we’ll see what information we can gather in a bit.”

  Gordon was a short dark-headed fellow, quick on his feet, but with a kind smile and Katey was pleasantly surprised by his gentle nature, despite the fact that he was a warrior. As he led her back to the castle, he rested his hand reassuringly on hers and Katey felt that, despite her betrayal, everything was going to be all right.

  Caleb retreated back to his chamber to gather his thoughts and determine what his next move should be. He knew that Dale was fully capable of over-seeing the operations in the courtyard and he was not worried about that. He was praying that word from Noel would come soon, that Matthew had been found and that they would all be reunited again.

  Chapter 7

  The sound of horses had sent Matthew fleeing into the small copse of trees near the trail he had been following. It was the only shelter he could find and he was thankful that he had been able to reach it in time. A small band of cavalry flew by, clearly on their way from one point to another and not looking specifically for him. Nevertheless, he was certain that, if they found him, he would be taken prisoner again and he was trying to avoid that at all costs.

  He was hungry and thirsty. The rations Angel had packed for him had all been consumed the previous day. He could do without food a bit longer but he was going to need water in the next few hours or else he would start feeling light-headed and weak. Though he was desperate to reach safety, he was even more compelled to quench his thirst and so, once he felt it was safe to come out, he began his search, thinking, perhaps if he were to find a village he might be able to locate a well or small body of water without being detected.

  ***

  Leopold’s cavalry pouring into Clovington, seeping across the landscape as if an ink well had toppled over in the northeast section of the land. They had two missions. First and foremost, find King Matthew and bring him directly to Leopold. He was clear that the king was not to be killed, though there was not much he could do if His Majesty got himself injured in the abduction. Perhaps a little pain might teach King Matthew a bit about why one should not run away. His second order was to avoid combat with the Arterian forces at all costs. They were not in this fight yet and he wanted to make sure that, when an engagement happened, it was on his terms. He had put his finest cavalry officer in charge and he had extremely high expectations, as always, that both of his orders would be carried out post haste.

  Leopold did not like to be disappointed.

  ***

  Nichole crumpled the worthless paper in her hands, giving a shriek of aggravation and rage. The messenger from Gradenia had not dared seek an audience with her and now, having read the drivel, she knew why.

  “What is it?” Kenneth asked quietly, sure that from her reaction, he already knew.

  Nichole spun around, her strawberry blond hair in a tight French-braid. She was much older than her sister, nearly forty, and the streak of white at her widow’s peak made her seem even more mature than her age. “He does not have her!” she spat in frustration.

  Kenneth was Nichole’s voice of reason on most days, but in a situation like this, he did not know what to say. After a pause, he asked, “Does he have any idea where . . .”

  But she interrupted before he could even complete the question. “NO!” she shouted. “He has no idea where she is. How do you lose a PRINCESS?”

  She was standing next to a large window, looking out over the snowcapped mountains to the north and as she said that final word, she brought her hand down on the windowsill hard,
hurting her hand on the thick gray stone. He went to her, placing his hands on both of her shoulders and rubbing her gently as she cradled her stinging hand against her chest. “Perhaps we will hear from Caleb soon,” he said reassuringly. “If Philip does not know where she is, then chances are good that she is in Arteria. And if Caleb has her, I’m sure he will return her unharmed.”

  Nichole nodded. She had no reason not to trust Caleb. In fact, they would probably be allies if there were ever any reason for that. But Placidia did not share a border with Arteria. They were both port kingdoms and trade partners, but Placidia always tried to avoid conflict whenever possible, therefore, she saw no reason to align themselves with a nation known for having a strong military and a king not afraid to use it. Her father had arranged the marriage between her sister and the King of Clovington before Nichole even took the throne so she knew that, eventually, she would become allies with the nation that bordered her on the east. Even when Philip had requested assistance with the Arterians, however, she had hesitated. It was not her fight, not yet. She was confident in Philip’s ability to keep her sister safe, knowing that he had a strong ally in Gradenia and that Katherine’s location was not far from their shared border. It was no secret that the Arterians were making their way to Castle Blackthorn. Philip had plenty of warning. Nichole assumed he would have evacuated her to this safer location long before Caleb’s army approached his fortress. But Philip had let his ego get the best of him and now her sister was missing.

  “There’s more,” she explained to her endearing husband. “Philip claims that Katey is his wife, that, because the relationship was consummated, she is his queen and he wants her returned to him—not to me. He’s requesting that we send in forces to remove the Arterians from Clovington, restoring his kingdom to him, freeing Katey from the evil clutches of King Caleb, and cultivating our relationship as allies.”