Warrior
Page 14
The Regent sighed and let his hands drop at his sides and paced again. “We are doing many things, Highness. Valk has dispatched the best of his Warriors to clean up the immediate mess. The Councilors have been in discussion nearly nonstop with visiting dignitaries.”
“And what are we doing in preparation for war?” asked Alina.
The Regent halted and stared down at Alina. “I beg your pardon?”
“This is an inexcusable act of aggression,” she said, nudging Nin aside and standing up. “We have no other option. To let another kingdom take our resources and people without retaliation invites further abuse.”
“Your Highness,” said Velora, his expression wearisome. “The situation is more complex than that.”
“Really? Because the way it was explained to me, it sounded fairly simple.”
“We cannot simply spring into war whenever a problem arises—”
“What would be an appropriate problem, then? The assassination of a monarch?” Velora avoided making eye contact with her. Her voice rose. “People are being taken against their will and killed!” The Regent froze. Alina released a breath she had been holding. It felt good to finally yell. “I will not stand aside and let Osota be trampled into the ground. You and the rest of the council may believe me to be a defenseless, stupid girl, but I see what is happening. I just thwarted an attempt on my own life.”
“Your Highness, I—”
She cut the Regent off again. “I am not helpless!” She paused. Her throat hurt from holding back tears and frustration. “Neither is this country, and if you do not bring this evidence to the Council and demand their action, I will.”
Velora turned red in the face. He looked down. Alina noticed his hands clenching tightly into fists. “I will present this to the Council and demand...stronger action,” he said. “But you must have the Warriors testify, especially the one that saved your life just now. The Councilors are scared, your Highness. This kingdom is not ready for full-scale war, especially with anyone capable of producing these weapons. At the moment, we negotiate or perish.”
Alina shook her head. “A kingdom enslaved by its own hand is no better than enslavement by an enemy’s. I will speak to the Council when you are ready. The young Warriors will be there.”
Velora held her gaze for a moment. He nodded. “Very well, I will inform you of the Council session details when it draws nearer.” He looked down at Nin. “Keep her out of trouble.” He ordered a guard to stay within arm’s reach of Alina and walked out the door.
With Velora gone, Alina sat down beside Nin and buried her head in her hands. “That was dreadful.”
“He thought you were going to die.”
Alina shook her head. “No, I was never in danger. If you…if you saw what that Warrior did, how quickly she acted. Oh, by the Almighty, I don’t know why I thought I would be fine with this.”
“Are you hurt? Did she do anything to you?” Nin asked, lightly touching Alina’s arm.
She shook off her maid’s attempts to coddle her. “No, no. I’m the one at fault. That woman, I used her to an end…” She glanced over at the guard who stood by her room entrance. “I need to think through this. See what you can do about getting the guard out of here.”
Nin nodded. “It may be beyond my abilities at the moment. But I will try.” She rose and exited the room.
Alina ignored the guard, the only person remaining. She settled deeper into the armchair. Soon, the Councilors and lords and ambassadors would be flooding her with concern and incessant questioning, none of which would be in an effort to help Osota. She sighed and shook her head. The Warrior, Senri, had barely looked eighteen turns. What if I had underestimated her ability? What if the assassin had killed Senri? This thought, not that of her own mortality, haunted Alina far more than anything else that had come to pass that day.
Chapter Ten
“YOU DID WHAT?” ASKED Graus. Senri shrank back from her mentor, though nowhere in the field offered her any protection. She had put off the meeting as long as possible, aided by the paranoia of the palace guard. She had successfully gone two days without confronting him about what happened in her Highness’s quarters. Finally, the summons came for her to meet him and she could think of no readily available excuse.
“I pulled the energy from the assassin’s body,” Senri said. Graus only stared at her. “I didn’t have time to think. I just did!”
“Of course, you’re just fortunate you were able to do something.” Graus paced the field. “Of all the things… why could you do it on a person and not an actual flame?”
“I can do that now, as well,” Senri said. Somehow, she did not think this would help her case.
Graus stopped pacing and stooped to the grass. He grasped handfuls of it and ignited the dry strands. He straightened. “Do it.”
Taking a deep breath, Senri stepped forward and lowered her hands into the flames. She blinked and saw the heat of the flame in its pure form. She took a deep breath, then another, and drew the heat of the flame in with her until it cooled to the point of vanishing. She blinked again and stared at the smoking remains of the grass. She stood and brushed off her hands. She expected a lecture from Graus. Instead, he laughed.
Have I singed my clothes or something? “Sir,” said Senri. “Sir, if you don’t mind me asking, why is this funny?”
Graus tried to stifle his chuckles. He managed to bring himself under control. “Looks like all you needed was someone to be courageous for.”
Senri blushed and looked around, trying to see a possible route of escape rather than suffer her mentor’s abuse. “I didn’t find it funny at all. I could have killed him.”
Graus took a few deep breaths and soon a grim expression set on his face once more, though a small smile tugged at the corner of one lip. “No, girl, I suppose it’s not funny at all. I suppose I’m more overjoyed than anything.”
“At an assassination attempt?”
“At you,” he cried, gesturing at Senri. “You’re a natural hero. Think on it, you couldn’t do squat with your powers when asked to because you’re too nervous. The second someone else is put in danger, your fears burn away, pardon the turn of phrase.”
Senri stared at her mentor. What was so special about survival instincts?
“You’re courageous, Senri,” he said, smiling. “One of the most courageous recruits I’ve seen in a long time. Most of these imbeciles, you have to hammer it into them over years, but you pushed aside a woman you barely knew to take the full brunt of an attack without a second thought.”
“I wasn’t thinking,” said Senri. She felt awkward from the sudden appraisal.
“That’s what I mean. Your instinct is to protect. That is what makes you a good Warrior. No amount of skill with a blade or your powers comes close to good instincts.”
“I...thank you, sir,” she said. She glanced over to the barracks. It would be nice to get off the field and somewhere quiet.
Graus must have noticed where she looked. “Getting tired of an old man’s rambling, eh?” Senri did not respond. Instead, she snapped back to attention. He smiled. “I suppose I can let you go early today. But we resume training at first light tomorrow.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Senri, giving Graus the slightest bow before turning and walking away.
Senri had initially thought of heading to the barracks, but the more she dwelled on returning, the more she realized she would be swamped by admirers once again. As secret as the meeting with her Highness had been, nothing could stop the rumors of Senri’s heroic act. Someone had asked her if she fought off five men at once. So she had two choices, turn right and go to the barracks where she would punch Nat until he stopped singing the new ballad he had composed of their deeds, or turn left and leave the palace through the rear gates. She went left.
A lady lingered at the entrance to the field. She wore a cloak with the hood drawn up, nothing unusual for the weather. Senri nodded as she approached the woman and muttered, “my Lady.”
&n
bsp; “That was a rather short training session, Warrior,” said the woman.
Senri stopped and turned around. She knew that voice. Her Highness Alina smiled at her from under the hood. She winked and raised a finger to her mouth. Senri panicked. “What are you doing out here, your High—”
Alina grabbed hold of her by the chest plate and swung her around to the other side of the wall, pushing her up against the stone surface and pressing into her. Senri’s eyes widened, realizing how close Alina’s face was to hers. Could they chop off my head for this? “Not a word about that, understand?” Alina said, her voice low.
Senri gulped. “But you’re out here with no guards and clearly in danger and I—”
Alina pressed a finger against Senri’s chest. To the Warrior’s relief, she backed away, but only slightly. “I am Lady Cecile, the most recent noblewoman to gain the favor of the Warrior’s newest celebrity.”
“Who’s that?” asked Senri. She found it very hard to think with her royal Highness pressed against her. Alina stepped back and released her from the wall. Senri exhaled.
“You, silly,” she said.
“And why are you out here?” Senri asked, trying to corral her thoughts. She had to convince Alina to return to the safety of the castle.
“Because I needed to talk to you in private,” Alina said. When Senri opened her mouth, the princess shot her a glare. “In secret.”
“What happens when the guards find you missing?” Senri asked. Something would go horribly wrong at any second.
“They won’t,” said Alina. She stepped back, but still blocked Senri’s path if she tried to run for the barracks. “They will find the real Lady Cecile enjoying the hospitality of my maid. Incidentally, she and I sound very similar when yelling.”
Senri’s head reeled. What she would give to be stationed anywhere but the palace. “I suppose she looks like you?”
Alina smiled and gestured to the dress she wore. “We even traded clothes for the day. Though she does not know the true purpose behind it. Poor thing thinks I traded because I loved the shade of violet.” She made a face and picked at the overly-floral pattern on the gown. “As it is, she thinks I’m at my studies.”
Senri rubbed her forehead. The whole ordeal sounded like a mess.
“I’m not a fool, Senri,” Alina said.
Senri looked up.
“I would never...I try to avoid putting others in danger for me.” The apparent glee vanished from Alina’s face. “I actually wanted to talk to you about that.”
Senri might have run for it, but the princess looked so troubled that Senri nodded. “All right.” She bowed for extra effort. “Where do we go, Lady Cecile?”
Alina looped an arm through hers. “Out the palace’s rear exit and for a stroll in the fields. And please, try to be less formal around me.”
“Won’t a guard recognize you, though?” asked Senri. She walked where Alina pulled her, down the side of the palace to where the hedge garden lay.
“They won’t if you act like I’m the flirtatious little noble you’ve absconded with.”
Senri’s stomach did a flip. Perhaps she should have run. She felt trapped now. If she tried to tell a guard she had the princess on her arm, she would be in just as much trouble. “And how do I do that?” Senri asked. They approached the garden. Palace staff would likely linger nearby, waiting for a chance to catch the rogue princess.
“Brag about yourself. Boast of your deeds and exaggerate your accomplishments.”
Senri grinned. She still felt as though a guard would snatch her up at any second, but the tension began to wear off. “You sound quite familiar with this form of wooing,” she said. If she was going to be prisoner of Alina for the day, she might as well enjoy it. Better than listening to Nat sing of how she fought off a chimera with only a bucket and rope.
Alina nudged her. “I’ve had to entertain a few suitors in my life, even in exile.” They walked within the garden. Senri could not believe the leisurely pace Alina kept. Senri would be more comfortable making a run for the gates, but she supposed that looked too suspicious. The second time she tugged on Alina’s arm the princess arched an eyebrow. “So eager to have me all to yourself, Warrior?”
Senri almost tripped over her own feet. “No, never! I mean yes, but it’s not like that and—” Alina’s laughter cut her off. She took a few composing breaths, trying desperately to get into character. What would Nat do? “My lady,” she began, trying to keep her voice formal, “are you familiar with the latest ballad regaling my deeds?” They walked past a fountain and Alina turned towards the gate.
“Perhaps a little,” she said. “But not nearly enough. Tell me what it sings of.” Alina sounded so serious and interested, how did she act so well?
The guards and gate waited in the distance. Senri readjusted the arm Alina clung to and tried to maintain the easy-going demeanor Nat would have. “Well, one verse claims that I fought off a bristlebear single-handed at age ten.”
“Quite the feat,” said Alina, nodding her head.
“But that’s wrong,” said Senri. “I was actually nine, and there were four of them.”
“Oh I don’t doubt it,” said Alina. “A Warrior as strong as you must have been on hundreds of adventures. It all sounds so...” Senri felt Alina’s hand squeeze her forearm. “Daring.” The two of them stopped at the gate. Senri tried to smile in a lofty way.
“Hello,” she greeted the guards. They nodded at her.
“What’s your business beyond the gates?” asked the one closest to Alina.
“I’m just taking Lady Cecile on a stroll,” said Senri. Alina did not help matters by leaning into her. The warmth of her presence sent Senri’s heart racing.
“Hey, you look familiar,” said the guard next to Senri. At first, she thought he referred to Alina, but his gaze focused on Senri instead.
“I do?” she asked. She prayed her voice did not crack.
The guard smiled and his posture relaxed. “Yeah. You’re the Warrior everyone’s been singing about.”
“Oh, really?” Senri asked. She would strangle Nat later that night.
“It was the best tavern song I’d heard in a long time,” he said. “Her golden locks shone in the sun. Another battle finally won.”
Senri could not place this line. It must be new. She nodded like it sounded familiar. “Good, good singing voice.”
“You think so?” asked the guard. He looked over to his comrade. “Come on, let’s get the gate open.” Before he turned to begin his work, he leaned in towards Alina. “And don’t worry Lady Cecile, you’re in good hands.” He winked and helped pull the heavy wooden doors aside. Senri nodded at them as she and Alina crossed the threshold. She thought she would feel safer once they left the palace grounds, but sentries watched the field from atop the wall. She had to will herself to not look back.
As they walked, Alina sang softly, “A glorious beauty that’s never been beat, she stands ten feet tall in her stocking’d feet.”
“Where did you hear that?” asked Senri. She led Alina through the tall grass over to a wooded area where they might be better concealed.
“One of my guards sang it this morning,” she said. “Quietly, of course. Have you heard the refrain?”
Senri shook her head.
“None out-brave her, she’s our savior. Senri, the savior of the Queen!”
“That is horridly inaccurate,” said Senri.
“I agree,” said Alina. “You’re nowhere near ten feet tall.”
“And you’re not a queen,” said Senri. They had almost reached the forest edge. They would not delve deep into it, just linger by the fields.
“I will be,” said Alina. She pulled her arm from Senri’s as soon as they reached the tree line and noted the absence of contact. Senri had almost forgotten it was an act. “For the time being, it serves to give the people hope and enrage certain Councilors.”
Senri stopped and examined the trunk of a tree, finding this easier than
staring at Alina. Now that they were alone, Senri found the whole idea terrible, not because the princess could be in danger, but because it tormented her to be so near Alina. She did not want to acknowledge that she thought the princess was beautiful. In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, Senri had thought for a long time as to why she had reacted so quickly to save Alina. The princess, a decent person, had shown concern for her people, especially when Senri had mentioned the army taking slaves. Alina’s expression had been one of horror. Even if she wrapped herself in a web of political deceit, every action she made spoke of something more, something desperate, like she raced against time.
“Besides, you really did save me,” said Alina.
Senri turned away from the tree. Alina stood close to her once more. Senri shook her head. “I was doing my duty.”
“And you performed it admirably,” said Alina. “That is why, I’m afraid, I must call upon you again. We will present the evidence you and your comrades found soon. The Council will not want to listen, so we need as many people to testify as possible.”
Senri glanced around the woods. She feared the Councilors waited to leap upon them and accuse the two of sedition. “Why not send a letter to Valk and ask him—”
“There are those that would do all they can to bar you and the others from the meeting,” Alina said. “No one beyond you four can know of this.”
“But how will we even—”
“My maid will provide further details and will escort you and the others to the Council chambers when the time arrives.” Alina paused and smiled up at Senri. “Is this all suitable?”
Senri ran a hand through her hair. “I’m not one for politics. I wouldn’t know what to do, what to say.”
“Just be honest. That is all I ask of you.”
The plan sounded solid. Senri looked around like a way out might appear. She dreaded the idea of speaking before the Council. But Alina thought it would do some good. “What if they try to hurt us?” Senri asked. “I cannot risk the lives of my friends.”
“You will have my protection,” Alina said. “As well as that of the Regent. He asked for you personally.”