✽ ✽ ✽
"Everyone! Orderly lines please, remain calm and keep quiet."
Stiller towered above the long line of stooped people forcing their way through the opening in the city walls. His eyes surveyed the area, as he reigned in the tension vibrating through his body. He had men keeping watch, but it did not stop him from being worried. As it turned out there were a few from the community who were willing to take up the king’s offer and he could not blame them. Most of them were single mothers who had lost their husbands to Dravia’s cruel ways. Mothers who wanted a better life for their children, as much as he was convicted otherwise he could not ask them to stay and risk their lives for his cause.
Regardless, such an exodus as large as this one was risky, a risk they had never taken before, but with the king’s warning looming over them, they had no other choice but to make it happen. It saddened him that this meant that the community in Arduway was going to greatly reduced, he was still thankful to El that he still had some capable fighting men.
"Come along," he shouted, looking over the small group making their way to a secret exit he often used to smuggle in Aldorian spies. Now it was being used to sneak out most of the women and children of the community he had devoted so much of his years to building.
It was then that he noticed Nyla's over-confident gait. The carefully cloaked figure was making its way toward him in the fading light of the evening. She wore a long cloak over her warrior's garb, but it did not hide the fact that her hand was resting on her short sword. Her expression was unreadable as always.
"Nyla!" He lifted his hand above his head and waved. Her curt nod was the only indication that she had seen him.
"All is well?" He questioned.
She nodded, "All is well."
It had been a while since he had used the Aldorian greeting, but it would be a while before he used it back in Aldor again.
"What is happening?" She asked gesturing to the dreary procession.
"The King has extended an invitation to the community. These are the ones taking him up on it."
Something flashed in her eyes, but that was it, her stoic expression remained in place. The Nyla he had had first meal with and had stayed up late telling tales about the olden days of Aldor, had returned to the safe haven of this tough soldier's exterior, even as she had laid down her servant girl disguise.
"War is on the horizon?"
"Maybe, but regardless of what happens if anyone wishes to find refuge in Aldor after tonight it would prove quite difficult.
She nodded, her lips a thin line, "I understand. How do you feel about that?”
“If I agreed with it I would be going with them,” he replied.
“The king will do what the king thinks is best,” she said.
He nodded, “Nyla I know you are grateful to the king for what he has done for you, but do not place him in a place where he is unreachable. The king has ears to hear, he can discard decrees just as quickly as he passes them.”
She frowned, “what are you saying?”
He smiled, “I am saying, honour your king but remember that he is only human and human’s make mistakes. Only El is perfect.”
“You think this is a mistake.”
Stiller stepped further away from the crowd, “I believe there is a great task here in Dravia, but it is a cause worth fighting for. These are people worth fighting for Nyla and I will not give up on them. The king’s invitation is greatly appreciated, but I serve a God whose light does not only shine in one kingdom of this world.”
Nyla frowned, “You want to bring the light here?”
Stiller smiled, “it already is, in each and every person who believes. But that is not why you are here. The boy? Did you find him?"
She nodded, the corners of her lips curving slightly, "he is fine. He waits around the bend. He fears you."
Stiller chuckled, "he should."
"We are going to find Deswald," she said matter of factly.
"We?"
"Ben and I," she lifted a hand to halt his protest, "he is fine Stiller. He wandered off and could not find his way back. His only crime was curiosity and I believe he has learned his lesson very well."
Stiller exhaled, his chest rising defiantly in response, "I admire your courage,” he said, “I did not expect anything less of you… and your friend. But before you do anything rash, always have a strategy.”
“Who says we do not.”
“I know you have nothing planned besides charging in swords waving and arrows flying.”
“Hmm,” she grunted, folding her arms across her chest.
“Stay with me, let us get the refugees settled in a camp outside the walls to await the king’s men. Then accompany me to a meeting with prince Jasper. Then you may decide what you will and will not do to save Deswald.”
She nodded, “fine,” she said.
He smirked at her, he knew she was bubbling with excitement at the idea of sitting down in a meeting with Prince Jasper.
“Wait for me at my wife’s inn.”
He watched as she turned and pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and blended in with the darkness that had slowly descended on them all.
✽ ✽ ✽
Nyla met Ben just where she had left him, sitting on short wall, hunched over and peering at Stiller a good distance away, like a child caught in a rebellious act.
"No need to cower," Nyla said, almost smiling.
Ben sighed, "you sure? The man could snap me in two with his bare hands."
"But he would not. Come on let us head back to the bakery."
He frowned, "what is he to you?" he asked, as he walked beside her.
Nyla shrugged, something had shifted within her when it came to Ben. He was so open, wearing his emotions in the open for everyone to see, something she could never do. She could not get over the look of remorse on his face when she had found him, or the joy in his eyes when she told him he was going to be okay. As far as she was concerned her debt had been paid to him, yet she could not restrain herself from trying to open up to him as well.
"Stiller is like the father I never had," she replied, "The king of Dravia..." she paused and sighed.
"I saw my father beheaded right in front of me, all he did was try to get a rare herb from the palace garden to help my mother. He did not know the garden belonged to prince Haddin, who went to the king and asked for his head.”
She turned her gaze away from Ben’s wide open sympathetic eyes, “My mother, my sister and I, were sold into slavery to pay off my father’s debts. Not long after that I lost my mother and our master kicked me out. I do not know what became of my sister, but from the way things are in Dravia, if she managed to escape the selection, she most likely remains enslaved in some way or another. I was all alone in this cruel place, living on the streets like a dog, trying to avoid the guards during selection time."
Ben's eyes grew wider as if he was reliving her past with her. His caring gaze almost made her lose her composure. She kept her gaze trained in the direction that her feet carried her.
"Stiller saved me. I ran away towards Aldor, not exactly knowing the way. Stiller found me miles outside the boundary, hungry, wounded, inches from death. He was on watch duty that day and raced to my rescue, saved me. He says I am the reason he chose to serve as a liaison after retiring from the royal army. Once he found Stacia, Dravia became his home and its salvation became his life’s mission."
She stopped now and turned to Ben, her hazel eyes unreadable, "this kingdom takes the life out of you bit by bit. To the casual eyes it is a wondrous city of sights and beautiful architecture but really it is a field of thorns and thistles and poison ivy..." she stopped abruptly, shaking her head.
“It eats away at your soul bit by bit until you are perfectly empty for the king and his priests to fill you up with their lies, and their gods, until the darkness consumes you unto death.”
"And here I was acting like I had found paradise," Ben said, lowering his
eyes, "and here you are, a flower which had grown up among thorns, beautiful and strong."
He lifted his gaze to hers then and to her confusion she found herself unable to look away.
“I am sorry,” Ben said.
She nodded, "I know. Now make it up to Deswald."
She lifted her cloak and withdrew his bow, the sight of it lighting up his eyes, "think you will have time to restring this before our meeting with the prince?”
His eyes widened, “the prince!” he looked utterly flabbergasted, “please please, do not play such games with me.”
She shook her head, “no games. Stiller invited us, they are going to help us with Des. Now stop hopping around like a jester and keep up.”
"Sure, thing beautiful," he said with a wink, his obnoxious grin back in place.
Nyla rolled her eyes, but as she turned away from him, her rare smile burst through.
CHAPTER 26
“Y
ou will not get away with this!” Serin shouted from behind the bars of what was Ruby’s cell. He clung to the bars of the door, with blind rage in his dark eyes, he was almost frothing at the mouth in anger as he glared at the trio standing before him.
Deswald picked up Serin’s sword and strapped it on, before slipping the very dagger that had wounded him into his boot because as Lord Drafer had taught him, you can never have too many blades.
“Goodbye old friend,” Deswald said, before turning to the two ladies who were eagerly looking forward to leaving this dreadful place.
“Alright, let us get out of here.”
They made their way out of the dank dungeon, with Evra leading the way and Deswald stumbling after them, his arm discreetly hiding his wound. He had tried to hold Serin’s blade, but it was heavy and felt strange in his weakening hands, so he had to return it to its scabbard. He released a large puff of air and leaned his shoulder against the rough wall, dragging against it to keep up with the ladies ahead of him. His vision was growing dim and fear had taken a hold of his spine squeezing tightly; clearly this was no ordinary wound. He had been wounded many times during training, but never had he felt like this.
Evra stopped abruptly, causing Ruby to almost crash into her, "let us pause for a moment," she turned to look at Ruby, “we need to regroup.”
Ruby nodded in agreement, lowering her gaze, even in as much pain as he was in, he noticed that there was something going on between the princess and his new companion.
“Come, let us go in here.”
Evra pushed open a door and ushered them inside. She pushed the door shut behind them and turned to face them. In the brightly lit room, they could see each other clearly and they all looked a mess. The room appeared to be a lounge, it was elegantly decorated with curtains and day beds.
“I am not even going to ask what this place is,” Deswald muttered. Ruby must have heard his laborious breathing, because she turned to look at him. He tried to smile but knew he had managed nothing but a pathetic grimace on his ashen face.
"Are you alright," she reached for him just as he shifted his weight away from her.
He nodded, visibly wincing, "I am alright. We need to come up with a plan, the only way out is back through the crowd."
Evra was standing near her now, her expression showing that she too suspected that something was not right. Ruby's eyes followed her, she was beautiful and quick witted, but Deswald could see that Ruby did not trust her. Other than her accompanying Deswald to rescue her Ruby knew nothing of Evra. He wondered if this was the time to reveal that Evra might be more to him than a stranger he picked up at a ball.
“So, what do we do?” Evra asked, looking directly at Ruby.
“I cannot imagine going out there with her and not catching someone’s attention.”
Ruby shook her head, “the prince has not exactly introduced me to everyone, not even the guards are well acquainted with me. I think it was part of his plan to use me for whatever evil he is concocting against my father.”
Deswald nodded, “we still cannot take the chance princess.”
“Besides, that… piece of cloth on your head is absolutely filthy and nothing close to Dravian style,” said Evra, “maybe if you just…” she reached out to touch Ruby’s scarf, causing Ruby to jump back out of her reach, a fearful look in her eyes.
Deswald frowned, did her eyes become a darker shade of brown just now?
“What? I am not going to hurt you. I was just thinking that you could put on my mask. But the head wrap has got to go.”
Despite his pain, Deswald perked up at Ruby’s hesitation. He had always thought her head wrap obsession to be strange, but that was all he thought it was… another silly fashion obsession. There was a time most of the girls in the kingdom were wearing head wraps like Princess Ruby. But from the frightful look in her eyes now, Deswald was beginning to wonder if this had anything to do with fashion at all.
“Princess…” he started but she simply held up a hand. Out of habit it stopped him short.
“I… it’s fine,” she said finally, “I will take off my head wrap, but you two have to promise me that you will not speak of this to anyone else. No one but my closest family has ever seen me without it.”
Deswald felt like he was holding his breath as she reached up and started undoing the complicated stylish wrap. His eyes widened as the cloth fell away and bright red curls tumbled down with it. It fell over her face in unruly rivulets and she quickly pushed them back with her fingers, so that the length of it feel past her shoulders. The unusual hue suited her honey toned skin perfectly and for a moment Deswald forgot to breathe.
Evra was gapping openly, “what are you?” she asked.
Ruby shook her head, and Deswald could see unshed tears forming in her big brown eyes.
“She is beautiful,” he said, his heart doing an odd dance when she turned those mesmerizing eyes right on him, now they were a lighter hue than just now. He was not sure what she was exactly, but for sure she was not Aldorian.
“You are beautiful,” he said, “Why would anyone want to hide that?”
Ruby sighed, “You know why. Because then everyone would know that I am different, and we both know that different is not always good in Aldor.”
Deswald nodded, his understanding reflected in his eyes.
“Alright well. We will figure out what strange potion your mother drank later,” Evra interrupted.
“Now we need to get out of here, it would not be long before your little soldier friend is discovered; he has got quite a pair of lungs on him,” Evra said, tossing one last fascinated look in Ruby’s direction.
“In the meantime, let us see what we can do to make that magnificent hair of yours a little less loud,” she reached for a sheer curtain hanging from the roof. With a little effort she managed to tug it free and set about folding it. When she was done with Ruby she looked like one of the women Deswald had encountered lying around on the velvet cushions in the ballroom. Evra used the red sheer curtain as a fashionable head covering and lifted the loose end to cover her lower face.
“Hold it like this when we get in, no one would think twice about you.”
Even in her disguise Deswald found her breathtakingly beautiful, she radiated royalty and he prayed to El that no one else would see what he could not stop seeing in her, not until they were safely out of this place.
✽ ✽ ✽
If Ruby had learned anything during her time here, it was that people were hardly what they seemed. Her gaze traveled between an uncomfortable looking Deswald and the overconfident Dravian woman. She reached up and touched the sheer fabric Evra had covered her hair with and snuck another glance at her. Other than her family, Evra and Deswald were the only ones who now knew her secret. It felt strange taking her head wrap out in their midst, she had never felt so… naked before and vulnerable and… relieved. Then Deswald looked at her with those eyes of his and said the perfect thing. He thought she was beautiful, not strange, not an outsider, just beautiful. She did n
ot realize how much she had longed to share her secret, to for once stop hiding behind an identity her parents had concocted for her.
"Are you wounded?" Ruby jumped at Evra’s sharp demand. For a moment she was confused, until her gaze rested on Deswald, who had been quietly walking behind them as they made their way back to the party. Deswald was resting his shoulder against the rough wall of the palace hallway, sweat pouring from his brow down to the collars of his fancy tunic.
"There is a woman here...she helped me get in… she will help us get out."
He took a deep breath, "she will meet us back at the storage room across the ballroom... Once we get there we will escape through the abandoned tunnels."
Those words seemed to draw the life from him, Ruby narrowed her eyes, she knew he was trying to distract them from whatever was wrong with him. She also knew that if they persisted he would become even more like a fortified city. She had always known him to be stubborn, without even knowing his name she had often knocked heads with him numerous times back in Aldor.
"Come on..." he said, "We have to..." another deep breath, "we have to move quickly."
The look Evra gave him reflected the way Ruby felt, she did not believe he was alright either, but he was right, they were like sheep waiting to be slaughtered standing in the open, well-lit hallway of the castle like that.
Evra pulled the elaborate piece she had been wearing atop her head and without so much as a question reached for Ruby.
Ruby jerked away from her, her eyes wide, "the audacity," she snapped, glaring at the woman who was now scowling at her.
"Pardon me your majesty" Evra said sarcastically, "but here, you are merely a prisoner in need of rescuing. I belong here, you do not."
She lifted the mask to Ruby again and the princess shrunk from her bold blue eyes, "fine, but what will you wear?" Ruby asked.
"Do not worry about me," she yanked the mask over Ruby's new head piece, causing the stiff material to grate against her forehead, "no one ever thinks twice about the palace wench," she muttered.
Ruby's eyes snapped up to look at her, she felt horrible about what she had said in the dungeon, but it was too late to take it back. She turned to look at Deswald but he too had also pulled on his mask. The black leather resting on his cheekbones, highlighting his strong jaw and sky-blue eyes. It was only when he graced her with a weak smile did she realize she had been caught staring.
Kingdom of Refuge (Gemstone Royals Book 1) Page 22