“It is the truth.”
“Sire, shall I show them out?” asked the advisor.
“Yes, do,” said King Sol. “Enter Mar! Why would anyone enter this cursed kingdom when so many within it would sell all that they have and resign themselves to a life of servitude for even the faintest of chances to leave?” he asked, not directing his words at anyone in particular.
“We know of a way to free your land and your people of their chains,” yelled Kaia, as she and the others were being taken away.
“Stop! Bring them closer. What did you say?”
“There is a way to lift the curse. That’s why we came.”
“Impossible.”
“The Utdrendans saw it—the original utterance. The Zavonians had it wrong. The Utdrendans told them so.”
“Does a Speaker walk amongst you?”
“Aylin Spokehwel, Your Highness. Daughter of Councilor Lady Whistney Spokehwel. It is true,” said the fire-haired, young lady.
“Sire, do not believe her empty claims,” implored the advisor.
“Sire, she is one. My men and I saw it. She shielded the bridge,” said the head guard.
“Be still! And why not send word by other means?” asked King Sol.
“The information had to be delivered in person,” answered Aylin.
“King Robert sent five of his sons to ensure that it was done; two remain and stand before you—Prince Warrin and Prince Lyon. I, too, come at King Robert’s behest,” said Pelliab.
“Say no more,” said King Sol loudly. “You think me a fool.”
“What?”
“The Iostonans warned me of your schemes. So desperate for crowns. In Darlbent you should have stayed, nephews of my uncle. Lock them away.”
“Wait!” said Warrin.
“King Sol, please listen!” begged Kaia.
“Away!” commanded the king. He snapped his fingers at the guards and motioned to Aylin.
“No! Stop! Leave her!”
Three armed men toppled Aylin to the ground. One pinched her lips shut whilst the other two fastened a leather halter of sorts around her head. The halter completely immobilized her jaw and covered her mouth. It was tightened so greatly that a swollen mass of flesh formed under each of Aylin’s eyes. Aylin squirmed and whined furiously. Her hands were tied behind her back. The others could not help her.
***
Kaia tried the individual railings of her door. She paced in her cell and pressed up against the walls, searching for an infirmity in her container. She examined every crevice for a way by which she could escape. It was futile. Even if she managed to get out of her cage, she would not be able to sneak past the gaolers that waited above. Kaia sat down and angrily kicked at the ground.
She felt her face grow scarlet. Her voice had not gone unheard. No. Elania had heard her and had chosen to ignore her. Kaia felt powerless, and that distressed her dearly. She yearned to cry, yet she knew that she was incapable of it—her eyes ran dry, their tears stolen by her heart’s wrath. This was her task. Elania’s involvement had not been needed. What had happened to her was her own fault. Had Kaia not tried to dissuade her from coming? Had she not pleaded with her? What more could she have done? Elania, in all her obstinacy, had insisted!
Oh, but there had been so many missteps! More precautions should have been taken. Elania never should have found out about her plans to leave Fiaru. And even if she had failed on that front, she and the rest should have been more vigilant crossing the bridge; they hadn’t even considered the possibility of danger!
They will not let her die, Kaia told herself. Regardless of it all, they won’t do it. They’ll fight for her, else another turned one will be loosed upon Mar—maybe even upon Enbeck. Kaia shuddered as she recalled Raelon’s transformation. And would it not be immoral for them to do nothing? She made no attempt on anyone’s life. But what if they try and they can’t help her? Kaia felt her chest tighten; her heart relented. She took short breaths and squeezed her hands as she stifled her weeping. She could not fathom a life without her sister. The mere thought of it was a crippling affront to her entire being, making her feel as though her insides had been saturated with abscesses and sores.
Kaia crawled to the opposite end of her cell. “Ani,” she mustered. “Can you hear her?”
Chained—for it was feared that her tiny frame would allow her to escape—Ani was in the cell immediately next to Kaia’s. She was quiet. They could not see one another—none of the prisoners could.
“Ani,” repeated Kaia, her voice a bit louder.
“She’s unharmed,” said Warrin.
Kaia could sit up no longer; she let her head rest on the floor and listened to the others.
“He thinks that we want his post! His post! What are we to do?” asked Lyon.
“We were right there. At his feet,” said Pelliab.
“So it was the Iostonans who attempted to block our entry.”
“If not them, then how many conspire against us?” asked Warrin.
“They had to have fired the arrows, too.”
“It couldn’t have been King Sol’s men. The shot came from below—from the rocks, not the towers.”
Kaia propped herself up. There was something on the floor, near one of her cell’s corners. She crawled to it.
“We need to get the message to King Sol,” continued Lyon.
“A meeting in person will be impossible to secure now,” said Pelliab.
“Perhaps if we got some parchment and ink.”
“Pelliab, do you know if the gaolers will come back down?” asked Kaia, picking up a small fragment of rock from the floor with one hand and wiping her dribbling nose with the other.
“Likely they will,” answered the kingsman.
“When?”
“In Darlbent, they make rounds to ensure that all is as it should be at least twice a day—in the morning and at night.”
“We can ask one of them when they descend,” said Lyon.
“They will not help you.”
“You don’t know that.”
“We are prisoners of the king. It would be treason.”
“Maybe we could have them ask the king.”
“Humph!”
“What alternative have we?”
Kaia examined the rock. An idea had popped into her head, and the more she considered it, the more she liked it. She held the rock to the center of her forehead and, applying pressure, dragged it to her right. Nothing. She tried again, scraping harder. Still nothing. It stung more than she thought it would. Kaia used both hands. It worked! Her fingers were dotted in red. It wasn’t enough. She would have to go deeper. Kaia bared her teeth. A whimper managed to get away from her. She bid her hands to move quicker. A warm liquid rushed down her face. Her nostrils filled with the scent of metal. Ah! The well had been dug! Kaia angled her head. None of the precious substance could get on the floor. She needed it all on her face. That would frighten them! That would make them take her away from the dungeon.
There was more blood than Kaia had anticipated. The room grew unsteady. She hurriedly hid the fragment of rock. Her right eye refused to open; there was too much blood pouring down. Starting to feel faint, Kaia leaned against her cage’s railing. The gaolers were bound to see her there.
***
Kaia awoke to the tinkling of keys. Her head was throbbing. She felt as if either her brain had swollen and suddenly become too large for her skull, or her skull had shrunken and was now compressing her brain. Was it the same day? Was it the next? She knew not how much time had elapsed. Her right eye was sealed shut; the blood that had dripped onto it had dried. At the very least, a few hours had to have passed. She could hear voices. Warrin called her name. Others, whom she did not recognize, spoke amongst themselves.
“And you have no knowledge of how this happened?”
“None,” said one.
“As I said, she was like this when we came down,” answered another.
The cell door was opened.
A man wearing a red tunic entered. He bent down and touched Kaia’s face. The physician, she thought.
“Are you certain that we cannot move her?” asked the man in red.
“Not unless her life is in peril,” said a gaoler.
“It is much too dark in here for me to see a thing.”
“I will bring another lantern.”
Someone bearing a basin entered the cell.
“Thank you,” said the physician. Dipping a piece of cloth into the water, he began to clean Kaia’s forehead. “It’s quite deep,” he observed. “How did you acquire such a gash? Did you fall? Trip? You bled a lot. Yes, yes, place the light right there. What was that?”
“The girl with the arrows,” repeated Kaia listlessly.
“Is she your friend? Yes? Gruesome injuries hers are. She is alive.” The physician submerged the cloth in the basin and continued cleaning. “Fortunately for her, the organs escaped unscathed. Do you feel alright?”
Kaia did not answer.
“You’re very pale. Bring her some water,” ordered the physician, slathering an ointment onto Kaia’s wound. Reaching behind him, he grabbed a bandage and wrapped it around Kaia’s head.
Someone handed the physician a mug.
“Excellent. Here you are, dear girl. No, no, drink more. Yes, that’s it. Good.”
“Is that all?” asked one of the gaolers.
“Yes. That should do,” said the physician, taking a step back. “It is no longer bleeding. Only the cut remains.”
The cell door was locked once more, and the men disappeared.
“Kaia!” called Lyon. “Are you hurt?”
“It was only a ruse—to get them to take me above.”
“That was more than a ruse.”
“It does not matter. It didn’t work. Any luck with the parchment?”
“No,” he said gloomily.
“Are you truly well?” asked Warrin.
“Yes,” answered Kaia.
“Elania lives!” celebrated Lyon. “She lives.”
Elated, Kaia felt herself grow lighter, so much so that she feared she would float away. Smiling, she let her eyes shut. An unexpected moment of enlightenment, however, suddenly jolted her, making her back go stiff.
“Perhaps she can get to King Sol,” said Kaia.
“How would she know to do that?” asked Lyon.
“Ani.”
“Ani?”
“Ani! Have you heard Elania? You need to tell her everything that has happened! Tell her that she has to inform King Sol about the transcription. She’s our last chance. Understood? Ani, rattle your chains if you’ll do as I ask.”
A clinking sound was heard. Kaia exhaled and leaned back.
“Ani’s the most confined of us all—aside from Aylin,” said Lyon.
“She doesn’t have to go anywhere. Elania just has to be conscious.”
“Maybe Elania can get us out,” grumbled Pelliab.
“That, or King Sol will have her thrown down here with the rest of us,” said Lyon.
Chapter Fifteen
King Sol
A gaoler descended. He passed by Aylin’s cell, then Pelliab’s, then Lyon’s, then Warrin’s. He stopped in front of Kaia’s.
“King Sol wishes to see you,” said the man, unlocking Kaia’s cage.
“Me?”
“Are you not Ms. Kaia Stone?”
“Yes.”
“The king requests your presence.”
Had Elania spoken with him so soon? Maybe the king had been informed of her head. As Kaia was led above ground, she noticed that Insee was near the dungeon door. Kaia crinkled her nose. Insee was not hiding. Seeing Kaia emerge from the catacombs, one of the gaolers turned to Insee and instructed her to notify the king that Ms. Stone was on her away. Insee made sure to establish eye contact with Kaia before departing. So that was why! What a crafty fellow she was.
A gaoler guided Kaia through the castle. Only after being released did she appreciate how dank and unsettling the dungeon had been; it made one feel as forgotten and as impotent as the dead. Now free, Kaia stretched her neck and turned her chin upwards, letting the warm, dry air envelop her.
Outside of King Sol’s chamber, four guards were posted. They were brawny men with expressionless faces. They wore silver helmets and matching breastplates and had swords hanging from their belts.
“He is expecting her,” said the gaoler. “Open.”
The guards stepped aside. As soon as Kaia crossed the threshold, the doors were shut behind her.
King Sol’s chamber had more than one room. Kaia found herself in its sitting area. Armchairs and short tables abounded, paintings of unfamiliar people colored the walls, and the ceiling featured intricate designs with various straight-lined shapes. An exaggerated fireplace took up the majority of one of the walls; it had undoubtedly been burning until recently, for the room was toasty, almost hot.
Kaia very carefully—so as not to attract the attention of those on the other side—bolted the doors behind her.
On the opposite end of the sitting area, there was a doorway. Kaia tiptoed to it and, holding her breath, popped her head inside. The second room, too, was empty; the large, canopied bed identified it as the sleeping quarter. A shuffling. It came from the adjoining room. Kaia did not know how to proceed. Was it better to go inside or to wait? Uncertain of what was concealed behind the drapes, Kaia decided in favor of the latter—for fear that it should be a wardrobe or washing room.
No voices came to her; the king was alone. Kaia stared intently at the curtains. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears. She would not fail this time. They bulged! Kaia lurched forward, ready to attack. No one entered. Breathing deeply, she took a step back and settled herself. She could not throw herself at him when he entered. No. That could be dangerous. The drapes moved again. King Sol, donning a long-sleeved nightgown, came into view.
“What are you doing in here? Guards!”
“Right the wrongs.”
“What?”
“That is all that you need to do in order to lift the curse. Right the wrongs.”
The king smirked. “And I suppose that relinquishing my throne will satisfy that.”
“I don’t—”
“What did they promise you?”
“Who?”
“The princes of Darlbent.”
“Nothing.”
“To make you queen? To make you wealthy? In exchange for what? I can see the utility of a Speaker and a kingsman, but you…what is your purpose? Perpetuating lies? Hmm, they are cunning; they know how to keep their hands clean. You, however, are not as sharp. Do you not know what awaits you if you continue? You will not be queen, nor will you be wealthy; you will lose your humanity, and you will be nothing. Guards!”
“The Iostonans lie to you!”
“The Iostonans have always been great allies of this kingdom.”
“They’ve risen to importance. They’ve become powerful in Mar’s absence. I doubt that they desire for the curse to ever be lifted.”
King Sol shook his head. Pounding, and a flurry of Sires, could be heard. “You bolted the doors?” he asked.
“Your Highness, if the princes wanted your crown, they’d already have it. They’d have made their presence known to the Marians first. They’d have won favor amongst them, fed them lies, and then watched as your own people tore you from your seat. They would have stayed far from Enbeck until the most opportune moment. What the Iostonans have told you is nonsensical! The princes came with no illusions, with no lust for power. They came here unaware of their uncle’s fate. They believed—as does the rest of Acu—that King Richard still lorded over this land. They came desiring only to help their father’s brother. Leave us in the dungeon. It does not matter. We were commissioned to deliver a message, and we have succeeded.”
The two stared at one another. The king scrutinized every line on Kaia’s face, as if there he would discover the truth. A thunderous clap was heard. The doors had been opened. G
uards rushed into King Sol’s bedroom, seizing Kaia by the arms.
“Return her to her cell,” he said.
***
“What did he want?” asked Pelliab.
“He didn’t send for me,” said Kaia.
“But—” began Warrin.
“Insee sent a false message.”
“Insee!” exclaimed Lyon.
“Were you taken before King Sol?” asked Pelliab.
“Yes. I told him,” said Kaia.
“Truly?” asked Warrin.
“Yes!”
“And? What did he say?”
“I think he’s uncertain as to whether or not he can trust us. At least now he has the Utdrendans’ message in full.”
“Was anybody else there? Did anybody else hear?” asked Pelliab.
“No. We were alone.”
“Not even guards?”
“No.”
“Why do you inquire, Pelliab?” asked Warrin.
“You don’t suspect that he’ll keep the information to himself, do you?” asked Lyon.
“For our sake, I hope not,” said the kingsman.
“So now we wait?”
“Now we wait,” said Kaia.
“Kaia, you were up above; is it day or night?”
“Night.”
“The lighting is always the same down here. How far into the night are we?”
“Not very.”
“How long have we been down here for?”
“Haven’t you been watching the gaolers?” asked Warrin.
“Who’s to say that they operate here as they do in Darlbent? What if the gaolers actually descend thrice a day—every eight hours?”
“It doesn’t make too much of a difference at this point—only one day’s time.”
Lyon sighed. “The dice have fallen so differently from how we expected.”
“That’s why it is better to abstain from predicting their behavior altogether.”
***
The following morning, a gaoler stopped in front of Kaia’s cell anew—keys in hand. He unlocked her door and let her out.
“Where are you taking her?” asked Warrin, rising to his feet.
Capering on Glass Bridges (The Hawk of Stone Duology, Book 1) Page 15