Deck of Cards

by Johnson, ID

  ***

  Philip wanted to know immediately when Katherine had been recovered. He assigned a courier to dispatch the message, insisting that everyone else stay with the princess and keep her safe from the Arterian forces. Landres Hill was a nine-hour ride from the castle in Gradenia by horse, at least fourteen by carriage. He insisted that his courier make the ride in seven hours or he could deliver the news and then find his head on the end of a lance. His forces had been a sorry lot on the battlefield but now, they were returning to what they did best, pilfering information and using it to catch the enemy completely off-guard. Surely, they would be successful at this.

  Hopefully, Princess Katherine would be safe in his bedroom by the time Leopold realized he had swiped sixty of his cavalry uniforms.

  ***

  Just as Philip’s courier was flying back towards Castle Graden, the one that James sent was hastening to Queen Nichole. James was making his way as quickly as possible across Clovington, wishing to reach Arteria before dusk. If he ran into Arterian forces, he would allow them to escort him to Castle Caine. It was imperative that he reach Caleb as quickly as possible and they begin to device a plan for recovering his sister. If anyone could empathize with his plight it was Caleb and he had to reach him before Katherine disappeared inside the Gradenia mountainside, never to be seen or heard from again.

  ***

  The pace was slow going for Matthew. The terrain was unfriendly and rations were hard to come by. After leaving Rebecca’s cottage yesterday morning, he began to head due south. However, he quickly decided to change tactics again after discovering large forces of Gradenian Cavalry. Almost everywhere he turned, he ran into more and more enemy troops. He was growing greatly frustrated. He didn’t understand why his brother’s forces had not located him yet.

  He had been out of water for almost two days. He was growing desperate to quench his thirst. Much of the ground he had been covering was rocky and did not lend itself to the proposition of water. However, late in the afternoon, he spotted some trees off in the distance. He was hopeful that he could find a brook or a stream near by. He had to traverse out in an open space for some distance before he reached the cover of the trees. He looked around carefully, pulled his cloak up over his head and took off a quickly as possible, hoping to reach the woods before another group of Gradenians reached him.

  After about an hour’s trek through open ground, he was relieved to finally reach the shelter of the trees. As he began to pick his way carefully through the overgrowth, he listened for the sound of running water. Eventually, he began to hear what sounded like a brook in the distance. After a short walk, he spotted the source of the sound. It was indeed a little meandering brook, breaking through the tree line and winding through the forest. He sighed with relieve, happy to finally be able to relieve his parched throat. But he needed to proceed with caution. He studied the bank on the other side, glancing up and down in both directions. He listened intently for any sound that might give away the presence of troops. Hearing nothing, he proceeded, slowly, deliberately out into the exposed area along the bed. He reached down, cupping his hands and drinking deeply. He splashed his face, so thankful to have water at last.

  Just then, he heard the sound of twigs breaking across the bank. He looked up to see three crossbows trained on him, Gradenian Cavalrymen; their horses apparently anchored somewhere awaiting their arrival out of earshot.

  “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Bloody King of Zurconia,” one of the men across the way shouted. “We’ve been looking for you!” his thick accent was difficult to understand but the message was delivered loud and clear.

  Matthew contemplated running but Leopold’s men seldom missed, especially at this close range. He dropped his head in defeat. Perhaps death might be better than returning to prison. But the short taste of freedom he had experienced was enough to make him long for more. If he had escaped once, perhaps he could find a way to do so again. Perhaps Angel was with Philip and he would get a chance to see her once more. At any rate, it did not matter. The sound of footsteps behind him let him know he was surrounded. And these men had likely been ordered not to kill him. A resounding blow to the back of his head with the butt of a crossbow let him know that they were not forbidden to make him suffer however. The last thing he saw before he passed out was a rapidly enlarging steal gauntlet headed directly for his face.

  Chapter 10

  Maggie was growing stronger each day, Caleb could tell by the color returning to her cheeks and the way she was now able to carry on a conversation even longer each time he came to visit her. He loved to see the progress she was making but he hated having to answer her daily question about Matthew. “Had he been found?” No, not yet. She always responded the same way, however, “He will be. He’ll return to me. I know he will.”

  Caleb believed he would, too. He refused to give up hope of finding his brother. Reports from Noel came in periodically. They continued to shift their search. Perhaps he was farther north. Perhaps he was further south. Perhaps he had fallen into a giant cavern—no one could quite figure out what had happened to him. But they would continue to look until he was found.

  Maggie had asked about Matthew’s escape and Caleb relayed how Rose had helped him. He explained that Matthew had known her as Angel and Maggie thought it was humorous that the whole time she had been in his service, he had no idea what her real name was. She also noted that Caleb’s face lit up when he spoke of Miss Rose, which made him blush and smile sheepishly.

  “Do you like her?” she had asked in her weak voice. He nodded. “Good. It never hurts to have an angel at your side.” And then she had asked to meet her. Caleb couldn’t refuse his dear sister-in-law, so he went to retrieve her.

  Katey had spent most of the day in the library. Though she longed to see Caleb, she knew he was extremely busy and she didn’t want to be in his way. He found her there, late in the afternoon. As soon as he had come in the door, her heart began to flutter. At first, it crossed her mind that, perhaps, he was ashamed of her or that he did not feel the same about her as he had the night before. But, when he crossed the room and wrapped his arms tightly around her, those fears were alleviated. He kissed her softly and she felt her heart start to race. “I missed you,” he said smiling at her.

  She nodded, she had missed him, too. He had both of her hands in his and he looked at her bandaged fingers. “How are they doing today?” he asked.

  She shrugged a bit and nodded her head to the side. He smiled at her, realizing he was beginning to know what she was trying to say even without words. “A little better then.” She smiled, glad he was able to discern her message.

  “There’s someone I would like for you to meet,” he began. She looked at him curiously and he assured her, “Don’t worry. You’ll love her. And she already loves you.”

  He took her by the hand and led her to the staircase at the back of the castle. Katey knew immediately where they were going. She had been here before. Yet, she had no way of letting Caleb know that, so she continued to follow him up the stairs.

  As they reached the door, she squeezed his hand more tightly. The last time she was here, she had been in a completely different state of mind. She braced herself for a similar reaction, just in case old memories returned. He glanced back at her reassuringly and, before he pushed the door open, he affectionately kissed the back of her hand.

  She could tell that the ladies recognized her immediately. She was the servant girl who almost spilled Maggie’s dinner and ran down the stairs like she had seen a ghost. They said nothing, however, and Caleb led her over to the bed.

  Maggie had been reposing but now she pulled herself up to a sitting position. It was clear that she recognized Katey as well. She smiled. “Well, good evening, Rose. So nice to formally meet you.” Katey curtseyed and Caleb, who still held her hand, looked confused.

  Maggie turned her attention toward him. “Rose brought me my soup the other night, didn’t you, Dear,” she said smiling
.

  It was a little difficult to understand Maggie because her voice was raspy and quiet. She had been unconscious and near death for so long. It was just these past few weeks that she had begun to regain her ability to speak, to eat on her own, to sit up. She was hopeful that, one day soon, she would be able to walk again. “Tell me, Rose, what did you think of my husband?”

  The question was an innocent one. Maggie had no idea that Matthew thought she was dead. She now knew that what she had felt for Matthew was love, but that love had different forms. It was a living organism that ebbed and flowed and changed. It could be nurtured and grow. It could be starved and wither and die. She had loved Matthew in a way that she would never love anyone else. She loved him from a place of hope. They had relied on each other in so many ways. She may have been like an angel to him but to her, he was now a dear, sweet friend and someone she would always love.

  She could not answer Maggie’s question because it was not definitive. Katey had grown very tired of never being able to share her opinions. She knew she must find a way to relay her message. With her left hand, she made a “c” shape and with her right hand, she made a backward “c.” She pressed them together to form a heart.

  Maggie smiled. “Me, too,” she said. “I love him, too.” Then she added, “You’re very clever.”

  Caleb kissed the top of her head. He agreed. She was very clever.

  Just then, there was a rapping on the door. One of the ladies answered it. It was Dale. “So sorry to interrupt, Your Highness, but you’re needed downstairs at once.” Caleb’s hopeful expression made him add, “No, it’s not

  Matthew.”

  Caleb excused himself and Maggie reached out to take Katey’s hand, letting her know that she was free to stay.

  Katey watched him walk out the door, completely unaware of her own amorous stare. She heard Maggie giggle and gave her attention back to the queen.

  Patting the bed next to her, Maggie said, “Sit down, Rose. Let’s chat some more, shall we?”

  Katey was careful not to sit too close to the queen. She didn’t want to hurt her. She was thin and frail but Katey could see the spark of light in her eyes still. She just knew that Maggie would be making a full recovery.

  “Now, my understanding is that you don’t speak. At all. Is that correct?”

  Katey nodded.

  “When I first awoke from my illness, I couldn’t talk either. It took a lot of time and patience. Do you know what the first word I finally said was?” Of course, Katey shook her head. “Horse shit!” Maggie said laughing. Katey looked surprised at first but then she laughed as well. “Do you know why? Because I was mad. Sometimes, that’s all it takes. One strong emotion. But that is, if you want to talk. If you don’t want to, that’s okay. You’re a clever girl and you’ll find a way to get your point across. But, I see so much behind your eyes. Don’t sell yourself short, Rose. Regardless of your past, you have a fresh start here. You can be whoever you want to be.”

  Katey listened intently. Maggie had been so near death and yet here she was alive and well. Her perspective was one worth listening to. Katey was very curious to know how Maggie had survived. She didn’t know how to ask that question. Normally, in such a situation, she wouldn’t have bothered to try and ask. But this was the new and improved Katey and when she had a thought in her head, she was going to do whatever it took to convey it.

  She thought for a moment. Maggie gave her full attention to the little redhead. Katey pointed at Maggie, and she nodded, cocking her head to the side as if to say she was following. Next, Katey made a gesture like someone falling asleep, hands folded and her head resting on them. Then, she pretended to wake up. Maggie nodded along, showing her understanding. “You want to know what happened to cause me to fall asleep? Or how I woke up.”

  Katey shook her head vigorously at the second question.

  Maggie took a deep breath. “You may know I was poisoned,” she said, reflecting on memories she didn’t necessarily care to discuss, but she could understand why Rose wanted to know. “It was Mandrake. Are you familiar?” Katey nodded and she continued. “I had only ingested a small bit but it was enough to cause severe vomiting. I lost consciousness. Russell, however, our family physician had been experimenting with different levels of Mandrake and various anecdotes. He had discovered a way to treat small doses of Mandrake poisoning but it involved placing the patient in a comatose state while the body healed. He was able to administer the proper dosage in time and when he believed I had recovered from the Mandrake poisoning, he began to bring me out of the coma. Unfortunately, it took a lot longer than he had anticipated. But I am alive and well now and ready to go on with my life. There’s just one thing missing,” she said, glancing down at her wedding ring and spinning it on her finger. Katey reached out and squeezed her hand, glad that Maggie had trusted her enough to tell her story and comforting her, knowing how desperately she must miss Matthew.

  ***

  “What is it?” Caleb asked Dale as he followed him down the stairs.

  “James of Placidia has just arrived at the castle,” he said as they reached the hallway.

  “What?” Caleb asked, following Dale as he made his way to the Throne Room where, apparently, James was waiting. “Why?”

  Dale opened the door for him and then followed Caleb in. James was standing in front of the throne, two men behind him, his attendants, Caleb assumed. He could tell by the expression on the prince’s face that something was clearly wrong.

  “Prince James,” Caleb said as he approached. He offered his hand and James stared at it for a moment before he shook it as if he wasn’t exactly sure he wanted to.

  “What’s happened?” Caleb asked. Since Katherine was not present, he assumed something had gone terribly wrong.

  “My sister has been kidnapped,” he explained.

  Caleb looked at Dale, a look of disbelieve on his handsome face. Dale nodded, he already knew, of course. Turning back to James, Caleb said, “My God! What happened?”

  James sighed. He was clearly exhausted and extremely emotional. “We were at Landres Hill, had the carriage in view. Suddenly, a barrage of arrows came from nowhere, showering your guards, killing the driver. Then, Gradenian Cavalry came charging from around the back of the hill. They. . . they took her.” He paused looking down at the ground. “We had scoped the area, we saw nothing, no one. I don’t know how Leopold managed to do this. It was as if his men had a secret hiding place. Anyway, my sister is gone and I feel you are partially responsible. I am requesting your assistance in negotiating her safe return.”

  Caleb had been listening intently. “Of course,” he said, nodding his head. “Arteria will certainly do whatever it takes to return your sister safely to you. “ James nodded, extending his hand again. “What of my men?” Caleb asked.

  James, releasing his hand, looked down at the floor. “They were annihilated. No survivors.”

  It was Caleb’s turn to hold back emotions. Those were his men, members of the King’s Guard, all of them close associates, friends. Once again, he glanced back at Dale, who was solemnly staring at the floor.

  Caleb hesitated for a moment, regaining control before he spoke. “I know it has been a long night and a long ride for all of you, but please, join me at my table this evening and we will discuss precisely how we will retrieve Katherine.”

  James was exhausted but his foremost concern was getting Katey back. He wasn’t sure he could ever sleep again as long as she was in the clutches of Leopold of Gradenia. He accepted Caleb’s offer with a nod.

  Caleb turned to speak to Dale as James and his men waited to be shown to the dinner table. “Go make sure that Cook knows we have three more guests.” Dale nodded. “Also, have her fetch Rose from Maggie’s room. I would like for her to join us.” Dale looked a little startled. “What is it?” Caleb asked, daring him to say what he was thinking.

  Dale glanced away, uncomfortably. “Nothing, Sir. It’s just, if you’re going to be discussin
g Princess Katherine, perhaps, you should limit your guests.”

  Caleb appreciated his tactful response but disagreed. “Just follow my orders,” he said calmly.

  Nodding in loyalty, Dale went about fulfilling his king’s wishes.

  ***

  Maggie was just as avid a storyteller as her husband and Katey listened contently as she reminisced about her days with Matthew in Castle Ringley. As she listened, Katey began to miss Matthew even more. But she was so thankful that he would have Maggie to return to. Now, perhaps, he would be like a brother to her. And Katey could really use a brother right now.

  There was a knock at the door and one of Maggie’s ladies went to answer it. Katey was so entranced by Maggie’s story telling, she didn’t even turn to see who had entered. In fact, Val had said, “Rose” a few times before Katey realized she was speaking to her. “Rose, I’ve been sent to fetch you for super,” the young girl said once she had Katey’s attention.

  Katey nodded. Of course, she would be happy to help with the evening meal. Perhaps Caleb had been hurried out because he had unexpected guests, which would make it more difficult on Cook. The two girls rushed down the stairs and into the hallway. But Val wasn’t walking towards the kitchen, she was walking towards the king’s bedchamber. Katey was confused but she followed along.

  One of the other servant girls was exiting as the two girls entered Caleb’s room. She gave a little curtsey in Katey’s general direction, which seemed odd to her, but she nodded back, respectfully. “Here, you go,” Val said, gesturing at a beautiful gown, which apparently the girl had left hanging for her. “I will help you get dressed.”

  Once again, Katey was confused. She looked around the room as if there maybe some other noblewoman present who would need assistance. Val giggled. “You can’t have dinner with the king wearing that day dress!” she said.