"Oh," she said snapping back to their current terrifying situation.
✽ ✽ ✽
They waltzed back into the ballroom where the celebrations were in full swing. With each woman perched on either side of Deswald, they almost seemed to belong. He was trying very hard to keep upright and look like a jubilant participant, but the hot pain emanating from his side was growing more intense while the closeness of the princess burned into his good side. He looked down at her, her arms were looped into his and she was playing the part of the enamoured companion well. On the other side Serin's sword was lodged between him and Evra, hidden within the folds of her dress. The dim lights were a welcomed distraction from Ruby's own stale dungeon attire, but her beauty and elegance shone through all the grime. Deswald admired that about her, she was truly a princess.
Her brown eyes rose to his then as her grip on his arm tightened, "I never did say thank you," she whispered.
"I was only doing what was required of me," he replied.
"This was not required of you Deswald," she said matter of factly.
The way his name sounded on her lips sent a current from where her hands clung to him up to his heart and he lowered his head in her direction, willing her to say it again. With her gaze now lowered she did not comply to his silent request, instead she continued to match his steps through the boisterous crowd of dancers. He grunted against Evra's jostling and looked over at her briefly, she seemed to be scanning their surroundings while listening to their conversation. He dipped his head toward Ruby, so she could hear him above the raucous environment.
"There are others," he said, "others like me who believe in you, who have risked their lives for you," he squinted against the pain he was trying to hide, "you fled your duties because you were afraid, we came after you because we believe you are capable of doing them."
She lifted sad brown eyes to his, “I am glad you think so Deswald, but… you saw me I do not look like any Aldorian you have ever seen. I can never truly be a princess.”
Deswald frowned, “You will always be a princess to me, and if people cannot see past your uniqueness just as they cannot see past my heritage, then they are all fools.”
“Then I guess people like us need to stick together,” Ruby smiled and something within him soared. Her leaving Aldor was not just about Serin but rather she was looking for a place to belong, he understood that more than anyone else. Relief washed over him, maybe she was not as hopelessly in love with Serin as she had appeared. Just then, Evra elbowed him in the side causing him to jerk forward slightly, he felt his head go light as the pain shot through him.
"Look alive you two," she hissed, she gestured to the dark corner from where Deswald had entered, "you two go ahead, I will join you later."
She turned hard eyes on Deswald, “do not forget your promise to me.”
Deswald winced, “I always keep my promises,” he replied.
The moment Deswald and Ruby were safely behind the heavy wooden door they separated. Ruby could not believe that this disguise had worked. As Deswald had said there was a servant girl wearing a chef’s cap standing near a cart. When she turned toward them she wore a stern frown, which only softened briefly when she noticed Ruby.
“Princess,” she said, bowing slightly. She turned to Deswald, and nodded respectfully, “did it go smoothly, are we being pursued.”
Deswald shook his head, “but we need to move, we have someone coming with us,” he glanced back at the door, with a concerned frown that Ruby thought was too much for a stranger. With a sigh he scrambled toward a trap door that looked like it had not been used in ages. She noticed him struggle with the weight of it and dashed over to help him, it was not difficult to lift at all. She glanced up at Deswald with worry, something was definitely wrong; he was a pale, perspiring mess.
"Deswald," she started, just as the stern spy spoke. She grabbed the handle of the trap door.
“I will descend first.”
She slipped through the small space with the grace of a dancer and Ruby knew she had to be a spy. One of their own, no doubt sent by her father.
"Hurry up now!" the spy called up to them, “it is clear.”
She looked over at Deswald and he gestured for her to go first, just as the door behind them opened but a crack and a frantic Evra slipped through. Ruby felt her heart drop to her feet and back, as her body shook at the fear coursing through her. The reality hit her that at any moment one the Prince’s men could walk in on them and it would all be over. The thought of being in the prince’s clutches again frightened her immensely.
“You have to go princess,” Deswald said weakly. She managed to slip through the opening clumsily, scraping her shin bone against the edge.
"The guards are on high alert. They are on the lookout for an escaped prisoner," Evra said frantically, just as Ruby had slipped through the narrow trap door.
Deswald motioned for Evra to hurry, "a promise is a promise, let us get you out of here."
She gave a short nod, gathered the folds of her dress and eased herself through the open trap door through which Ruby had just climbed through. Deswald eased himself down after her, feeling like he was using the final reserves of his strength. He dropped down into the dusty tunnels and the spy yanked the door shut above them.
"We must hurry," she turned toward them, her eagerness to leave was clear, if her change of attire was not any indication, the eager look in her eyes confirmed it. She had changed into a leather suit of black with a sword belt strapped around her waist. Without her baker’s cap her simple boy-cut was visible. Deswald’s eyes fell on her sword, a sword fight in this small space would prove disastrous, he prayed it would not come to that. It was Deswald’s last thought as he felt the last of his strength seep from him. Deswald slumped to the ground and leaned back against the red mud wall of the tunnel, his eyelids drooping.
"It seems like... this is as far... as I go," he stammered, swallowing hard. The look of resignation on his face alarmed them all, even the stoic soldier looked concerned.
"You are wounded!" Evra exclaimed, "I knew it!"
With wide panicked eyes, Ruby rushed to his side, "nonsense," she snapped, her panic making her breathing come in short huffs.
"We are not leaving you here."
“It is okay,” Deswald smiled weakly as his hand fell away from his side, his bloody palm turned upward. The princess’ beautiful brown eyes, up close and filled with concern was the last thing he saw as he slipped into oblivion. He could rest with that sight forever.
CHAPTER 27
Nyla entered Stiller’s bakery through a side door as they were instructed, with Ben following close behind her. She could almost feel the excitement radiating from him and she prayed that he would not embarrass them in front of the prince. The handsome prince with the kindest eyes she had ever known sat amidst a small company of men, two of them were clearly Aldorian Knights. You could tell from the way they held themselves, the alertness in their eyes and their intimidating frames. The prince was looking up at Stiller’s wife who was blushing profusely as he thanked her for dinner. Upon their arrival to the bakery as instructed by Stacia, they were firmly directed to head upstairs, freshen up and take a nap and that she would send for them when Stiller returned for the meeting with the prince. After resisting a couple times, Nyla came to understand that Stacia could be just as intimidating as her husband, even with that mothering smile on her face. So, they had complied.
Ben had collapsed the moment he sat down, allowing Nyla to refresh herself without his endless commentary. She imagined his mouth was grateful every time sleep triumphed over him. True to her word, Stacia did send someone to get them just at the point when Nyla was succumbing to sleep herself.
Stiller noticed them enter and stood up, “Nyla, Ben, come!”
He swept his hand towards the long table, “find a seat and take something to eat.”
Nyla for the first time was unsure of herself, she took a step forward tentatively, e
arning her the attention of the prince. He smiled warmly at them.
“My prince, this is Nyla and her other friend BenJeet.”
The prince stood, “oh so these are the brave ones who volunteered to rescue my sister. I hear you three have had quite a time of it, but I am happy to see that you remain well by El’s grace. Please, join us as we discuss matters of utmost importance.”
Nyla smiled and slipped onto the closest chair, Ben boldly pulled a chair across the small room and placed it beside her then sat with a wide grin on his face. Nyla elbowed him.
“Stop smiling so much!” she hissed.
He swallowed his grin and ducked his head as he reached for a bread roll on the platter in front of him, this too earned him a disapproving frown. He smirked at her as he bit into it, clearly amused at her discomfort in the prince’s presence.
“Have you heard any word from the young palace guard, Deswald?” the prince asked. Stiller shook his head, “Not yet, your majesty. Last report I got from Medina, our spy at the palace, was that he had gotten in safely.”
“Hmm,” the prince frowned, “come let us ask El’s protection upon them,” he said solemnly.
Everyone bowed their heads almost simultaneously, except Nyla and Ben who were a bit slow in responding.
“For the young Deswald, our royal princess Ruby and the brave spy Medina…” the prince said. A low reverent rumble rose from the rest of the attendees, “may El be their refuge, may El be their rescue, may El’s will always triumph and light always shine forth in darkness.”
They all lifted their heads and resumed. The prince looked over at Stiller, “shall we begin, or would you still like us to wait for this new friend of yours.”
“We should proceed your majesty, she has a way of not quite doing what you expect,” Stiller replied.
“Sounds dangerous to me,” the prince said as he turned to his men, “alright men… and woman,” he smiled at Nyla apologetically.
Nyla liked him even more than she did when she had admired him from afar.
Just then the door swung open and Stacia stumbled forward, “so sorry if I have interrupted,” her gaze when to Stiller, “she is here.”
From behind her a woman clothed in a black cloak, stepped into the dimly lit room. When she came close enough to the table and removed her hood the lamp light fell on a frown of stern uncertainty. She clearly was not Aldorian, with her ivory skin and raven hair. Her hair was pulled back into a long braid, accentuating her large emerald eyes and heart shaped face, in her eyes Nyla could see blatant discomfort and uncertainty.
Ben elbowed Nyla, “it’s her.”
Her gaze went to them and then to Stiller, a question in her expressive green eyes.
“My prince, this is Shadaya. Known throughout the city as The Shadow.”
The prince stood, “I have heard of your feats,” he said, “You are a woman with great heart and faith, how wondrous would it be to have you on El’s side.”
Nyla was no expert in men, but she knew that look in the prince’s eyes, he found the newcomer attractive, not just attractive, for so did the other men in the room no doubt, but he was intrigued.
“I know little of your God, nor do I do what I do for any other cause but that of the people.”
Jasper frowned, his disappointment too deep for a man who had just met a woman. He held her gaze, as if considering whether what she had said was a deal breaker. Nyla had to admit the woman was awe inspiring, standing amidst them dressed in her dark attire, not a drop of fear in her eyes. She could tell by the way she stood, eyes alert, feet planted, hands at her side, that she was prepared for anything, that she was not quite sure that she was safe among them. She remembered how she moved in that alley and she knew it was not just fanfare. She would be valuable to them.
“If I may speak your majesty?” Nyla said.
“Please, go ahead.”
“I have had the privilege of being rescued by this… shadow. She is a skilled fighter, definitely with the skills we need to get out of here without causing a catastrophic war.”
“She rescued you, you say?”
“Yes,” Ben replied, “both of us, she thought us mere villagers in trouble,” he turned to the woman who was looking at them with an unreadable look in her eyes.
Nyla knew the darkness behind her brilliant gaze, the woman had seen terrible pain in her life, and she could not have been older than eighteen.
“I remember you,” she said, her husky voice was firm but had the harmonic undertones of a genteel woman.
She turned to the prince, “if you would like my help I would gladly offer it. But to be clear, I know nothing of your princess nor your kingdom… nor you. But the people of Dravia are my people and if this gets out of hand, innocent people will surely be hurt. Therefore, I offer my services where I can, which I confess is more than my sword and footwork. You will have the full backing of my estate, which I believe will provide you with the resources you need to get your princess and leave my city.”
“Your estate?” the prince asked with unconcealed intrigue.
“Your majesty, Shadaya is the lady of Quadin manor, one of the seven pillar families of Dravia,” Stiller replied.
The prince bowed slightly, “my lady,” he said with earnest respect, “I would be honoured to have you fight amongst us.”
In response, she unclasped her hooded cape and slung it on a nearby peg, revealing more of her petite frame, and lowered herself onto a chair at the far end of the room. Her lady like gracefulness contradicting her overall somber demeaner.
“Alright then,” the prince said, openly appalled at her lack of warmth. Yet he was still slow in turning his gaze from her, “let us begin.”
✽ ✽ ✽
Jasper looked around at the strange and familiar faces in the small bakery and a sense of pride swelled in his chest. It gave him great joy to find that El had such a strong following here in Dravia, and he was sorry that his father’s decree had diminished their numbers so greatly. For the first time he felt a stirring for something he would like to investigate once he became king. He had never thought of what he would do as king before but looking at these people so loyal to El and hopeful for what he could do among them, he realized that when he became king he wanted to make that accessible for everyone, not just in Aldor.
His gaze found the strange beautiful woman again, her expression was unreadable but from the way she held herself he knew that she did not feel safe among them. It surprised him at how much he wished that she would feel safe among them, even more he wished that she was one of them.
“A couple days ago,” he started, “my father was attacked by black awks while on his private balcony in our castle. For those of you who do not know, black awks are Dark forest creatures. Aldor is a haven for many because of its special shielding against dark magic but somehow these creatures were able to breach our walls. We are aware of the prince’s affiliation with the dark arts, but the extent of his power has only now become a concern for us as he is to be the next king of Dravia. He has made it clear that he does not wish to continue the peaceful co-existence that we once enjoyed. Our spies have informed us that he has my sister held captive at his castle and he has continued to demonstrate mastery in dark magic. I say this to you to inform you that we are up against a great foe. Our weapons are not enough to go against him, so we must go in there with the power of El before us. El has directed my people in the early days of our kingdom’s establishment, in ways of overcoming the darkness in this land, what many call Aldorian technology or magic, is really the wisdom and direction of El at work.”
Jasper turned to Geoff who was sitting next to him, “this is Geoff, Geoff is one of our priests. He is also a scholar of prophecy and history. He knows what we are up against and what will give us an edge in this. Geoff?”
Geoff cleared his throat and leaned forward, “the prince is part of a greater impending problem. If we allow him to continue unchecked, we believe that we will have an even
greater foe to contend with. Therefore this has become more than a rescue mission. The princess’ safety is a priority, but so it is thwarting the plans of Haddin.”
He reached behind his chair and lifted a long item wrapped in cloth onto the table amidst them. He unfolded it and lifted from it a gem speckled staff.
“This is what will get us safely in and out of the prince’s lair. He will no doubt try to use his magic to subdue us. This priest’s staff is imbued with a drizzle of El’s power, his gift to Aldor and the secret to what sets us apart from others kingdoms in the land.”
The prince nodded, “we will need three teams, two distractions,” he said as he placed three rocks on the table, upon which Stiller had laid out a plan of the castle.
“Team one will be our look out, they will maintain a rendezvous position, once we get the princess this team will be responsible for getting her out of Dravian territory. Team two will be rescue the princess. Our numbers are limited, so from the castle to the edge of town, this team will be responsible for getting the princess to the rendezvous point in time to get a message to the king. Sir Enis has outlined three possible escape routes, that may be a bit precarious. Here, here and here,” he pointed to key points on the map, “glass windows that provide access to a row of buildings just outside the castle gates. It is a bit of a distance to grapple to, but it is the quickest route out.”
“How will we do that?” asked one of Stiller’s men.
Jasper knew that search and rescue was a large part of the community’s work here and that these men were adequately trained for such a task. With such a team he was confident in their success.
“We need a skilled archer,” Sir Enis replied.
“Do we have an archer with that kind of skill?” the man asked with a disbelieving frown.
Kingdom of Refuge (Gemstone Royals Book 1) Page 23