by Zizi Cole
She knelt by Luquin’s body and covered her face. The guards rushed into the room with weapons drawn. They looked around, then their eyes settled on the scene before them.
“What happened, Your Majesty?” One of the guards asked.
She looked up. “He lost his mind and attacked me. I was defending myself. I didn’t mean to hurt him. He was going to kill me.”
The silence in the room was deafening as the guards stood there, indecisive on what to do. The guard that had spoken to her, knelt beside her and took her hands.
“I am so sorry, milady. We have to take you to the dungeon until it can be decided what will happen next. We need to talk to the priests and advisors. This is something we’ve not dealt with before,” He lowered his voice where I could barely hear him. “I will make you as comfortable as possible.”
Malina nodded as she stood up. The guard looked her up and down, then looked around the room.
“I want everyone out of the room so the queen can get dressed. It isn’t proper to make the lady leave her chambers in her night clothes.” He looked down at Malina and spoke softly. “I’ll have Rosa come in and help you.”
Malina nodded. She stood tall and proud, while she waited for Rosa to come in. I couldn’t bring myself to walk away yet. I stood and watched her. She turned once she was alone and looked at the panel.
“I still love you, Tobias.”
She turned back when Rosa rushed in the room. I diverted my eyes while they worked on getting Malina dressed.
“What happened, Lina?” Rosa asked.
“I killed Luquin. It was an accident, but it happened. He came at me and I was trying to ward him off. They are taking me down to the dungeon.”
“Are you okay?”
Malina nodded. “I’m fine.”
“I’m scared for you, milady.”
“Don’t be afraid, Rosa. Everything will be okay. It doesn’t matter what happens to me. Just remember that I stood with my head held high and do not regret anything that has happened or is going to happen after this. Be strong, Rosa. Take the chest with you, so it is safe, if I am executed.”
The two women hugged after Malina was dressed. The guard walked back into the room. He held his arm out to Malina. She took his arm and walked out of the room with him, head held high, just like she said she would. Her eyes were dry, face solemn. Once she left the room, Rosa collapsed on the ground, in tears.
I gently closed the panel and headed back to my room, in order to figure out a way to save Malina from the predicament that she was in. She wasn’t going to get out of this alive on her own. Regicide was a serious crime. It was also considered treason. She was going to be executed for something she didn’t do, but took blame for anyway.
The news of the incarceration of the queen and murder of the king spread like wildfire. The priests were talking about it during dinner. We were sitting at the long wooden table, eating soup, when the discussion of the queen had come up.
“Father Lopez, can you believe that the queen actually murdered the king?” A young priest asked from the end of the table.
“Well, Father Matthews, she did confess to the murder, so I suppose that I do.”
“Why do you think she did it?”
Father Lopez looked directly at me as he answered the question. “I believe that her reasons are her own. She had never shown a violent nature before, but the why doesn’t matter.”
“She’s going to go to hell for it.”
“Her soul and her damnation are between her and God. Let this be the end of the conversation.”
The room fell silent as the conversation ended abruptly. I wondered why the father had looked in my direction when he had answered the question of why. It made me think that he knew more about what happened than he was letting on. He had been making odd comments since he told me not to raise suspicion.
Father Lopez then spoke again quietly. “We will continue as normal.”
Chapter 9
M y footsteps echoed through the corridor as I made my way down to the dungeon. I had to see how she was doing. I couldn’t get her off my mind and I worried about how she was being treated. I knew that my job was technically done, but I couldn’t walk away from this, or her, until I knew she was safe.
I approached the guard, holding my Bible out so that he could see it. No one ever questioned priests roaming around like this. Most of the guards were uncomfortable around anyone besides other guards. He opened the door without saying a word. I nodded my thanks and continued.
Once I made it to her cell, I stood outside the door and watched her silently. She was sitting on her bed, staring at the wall. Her back was straight, shoulders squared. She had her hands folded in her lap. She wasn’t happy, but she wasn’t withering from being locked up.
Her head turned slowly and she looked at me. She didn’t speak and her expression stayed the same. She waited quietly for me to speak.
“Are you alright?” I asked quietly.
She gave me a slight nod.
“Are they treating you okay?”
She didn’t respond. She just kept staring at me.
“Your Majesty?” Her silence made me uneasy.
She simply blinked at me.
I turned and looked at a guard, who was standing at the door. “Why isn’t she speaking?”
“How would I know, Father?”
“Open the door and allow me to enter the cell.”
“Are you sure you want to do that, Father? She is a murderess.”
“I do not fear the queen, now let me enter.”
He opened the door and held it open for me. “Holler when you are done.”
“Thank you.”
Walking into the room, I could see her more clearly. The right side of her jaw was swollen and there was light bruising. I knelt before her and examined it. It was clear that she had been struck as some point and I knew that she hadn’t been touched there, when she left the room the night she was arrested.
My blood boiled. I would kill every single guard. I gently slid my fingers up her jaw.
“Does that hurt?” I asked quietly.
She gave me a slight nod.
“I’m assuming it hurts to open your mouth. I’m sorry. I’m going to see if I can feel any breaks.”
I gently probed her jaw, but didn’t feel any breaks. I felt her take in a quick breath. I knew it hurt, but I had to check to make sure that it wasn’t worse than it looked. I did feel a knot on her jaw by her ear. I figured it was from being struck.
“Can you tell me who struck you?” The barely controlled rage was lacing my voice. I could even hear it as a I spoke.
“Magneson.” Malina told me, her voice barely above a whisper. I had to lean closer to hear her speak.
I nodded. I would figure out which one he was, and he would be truly sorry for hurting Malina. That was unacceptable. She was supposed to be fine. No one was supposed to hurt her while she was in the dungeon. I heard the head guard say so himself.
“I’ll take care of it,” I promised. She gave me a curt nod and looked away.
I placed a hand on top of hers and squeezed her fingers lightly. She looked back at me, tears beginning to pool in her eyes. I hated seeing her like that. I was going to get her out of there, even if it killed me.
I leaned over and whispered in her ear. If I were overheard, we would both be dead. “I am going to get you out of here. Bear with me.”
She didn’t react, just sat there. I stood and kissed her on the forehead. Walking to the door, I knocked on it and called out that I was done. The cell door opened, and I walked out without glancing back. I didn’t want to raise suspicions, so I had to act as if I was just doing my job.
“The queen is dirty, she needs one of her ladies to come in and help her bathe and change. It is inappropriate to leave your queen looking like that. Also, I’m not sure who struck her, but that is unacceptable as well. The Lord does not approve of violence against women. I will be discussing what I’ve observ
ed with the head of the guard.” I turned on my heel and walked out, without giving him a chance to rebut my demands.
After speaking with the head of the guard, I headed back to the rectory. I was going to change and go take care of this Magneson character. He should have never touched Malina. Hurting her was unacceptable. After I took care of him, I was getting her out of there. From what the guard told me, there was very little chance she would be acquitted of the murder; she would be executed. I couldn’t let that happen.
He had told me something else that interested me. He said that Father Lopez had also asked about her and had went to the Cardinals and Judges to say something on behalf of Malina. He had never mentioned having a meeting with Cardinals and Judges. That was something that should have been mentioned at some point.
I knew from experience that if a priest backed an accused, it was likely they would be acquitted or found innocent of the crime they were suspected of committing. Either he didn’t try very hard or he said something that made Malina look undeniably guilty.
I changed out of my robes and put weapons in their holsters and sheaths. I had a mixture of guns and swords. I even had a couple of laser guns that were used during the war that had started the Dark Days.
I slipped out the window, since I heard someone walking around. I made my way to the guards’ quarters. I knew that it was risky taking him there, but it had to be done. I didn’t have time to be subtle. I was going to have to make a show of it, if I were going to get Malina out of the dungeon.
I walked into the bunker to see half a dozen guards, asleep on their cots. The cots were worn, the room smelled of piss and vomit. Apparently, the guards didn’t take care of their quarters and the maids didn’t come in here.
I had to hold back a laugh when I realized they made my job a lot easier. The bunks were labeled. I found Magneson’s cot and stood over him. Grabbing a dagger, I slit his throat in one swift movement.
He gurgled and choked on the blood as he opened his eyes. Staring deep into his eyes, I watched the life drain out of them. I couldn’t suppress the smile as the light faded from his eyes and the gurgling stopped.
I turned to see one of the other guards shifting on his cot. Reaching into the bag I had brought, I pulled out a small incendiary device. It was a bomb on a timer. After setting it for two minutes, I placed in under Magneson’s bed. I was going to have to get out quickly, before it went off, without waking the other guards. I was almost to the door when it swung open, and the head of the guard walked in. We stared at each other for several heartbeats. I waited to see what his move would be. He stepped forward, and I shifted to the side.
He glanced over my shoulder, most likely seeing the dead body occupying Magneson’s cot. He lunged at me; I dodged. I had to get out of there before that timer reached zero. If not, I was a goner, too. The guard got ahold of my neck and began to strangle me. I used the palm of my hand and thrust it up into his nose. There was a satisfying crunch as the bone crumpled under my hand. Blood spurted everywhere, covering my hand and arm in the warm liquid.
He yelled, causing the other guards to stir. That’s when I knew that I was in deep shit. The guards rolled off their cots, in anticipation of a fight. Deciding to give them what they wanted, I dove into the middle of them, throwing punches.
In my head, I was counting down the time, waiting until the last second possible to escape, hopefully unscathed. When I hit ten, I glanced around for an exit. Jumping and grabbing the beam above my head, I swung with all my might, and crashed through the window.
Hitting the ground in a roll, I regained my feet just as the explosion happened. The ground shook and heat warmed my back. I hit the ground from the impact of the explosion. I turned to look in time to see debris and body parts falling from the sky, like rain.
I got up, making my way to the shadows. I could hear shouts of servants and members of the court as they looked out to see what caused the rumble. I took the opportunity to slip into the dungeon and pull out the keys I had managed to slip off the head of the guard when I dodged one of his punches.
There were footsteps stampeding in my direction and I pivoted into a small alcove. Watching the guards, that were on duty, race past me to see what the commotion was, I continued down to the cells. The main door was standing open. I walked straight in and headed to Malina’s cell.
Unlocking the door, I threw it open and looked at Malina, who was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
“Malina,” I said urgently.
She sat up and turned to look at me.
“Come on, we have to go, now.”
She frowned as she stood up. “What’s going on?”
“I’m getting you out of here, before they decide to take your head. Now, let’s go. I want to be out of the kingdom before the fire dies down.”
Malina came over to me and I held out a hand to her. She took it and wrapped her fingers around my hand. I turned and pulled her out of the cell. We headed up the stairs and out of the dungeon. I heard the sirens blaring and realized that they knew there was something afoot.
Malina glanced around and looked me in the eye.
“Follow me. Don’t ask any questions, don’t talk, just do it.”
I nodded. If she could get us out of here unscathed, I would let her take the lead. She led me into the kitchen and out a door by the pantry that I hadn’t noticed before. The door led into the servants’ quarters. We walked at a quick pace. Malina stopped at one of the bunks and shook the girl awake. I recognized her immediately as the mute girl that brought me the broth after I’d been stabbed.
Malina leaned down and whispered something to her. The girl sat up and nodded. Reaching under the bed, she pulled out a satchel and slung it over her shoulder. She stood and led us to a closet. Inside the closet, she moved some stuff around and pulled open a trap door.
Malina climbed down into the hole, without question or hesitation. The girl signaled for me to go second. Feeling that I had little choice, I followed Malina down into the black hole. As I lowered myself down the ladder, the darkness swallowed me whole. When I reached the bottom, I heard the trap door shut and the girl came down the ladder. She slipped behind the ladder and pulled out a flashlight.
Turning it on, she led the way through the dark passages. There was no noise, besides our footsteps. The passage didn’t seem like it was going to end. We couldn’t see anything outside the light from the flashlight.
The girl stopped suddenly and turned to face us. She made some signals with her hands and Malina nodded.
Malina stood on tiptoe and whispered into my ear, “We are getting ready to leave the passageway, be on the lookout for guards.”
I pulled a knife and handed it to Malina. She nodded at me. She took the knife and slid it into the belt of her dress. We followed the girl up to the door of the passage. I tapped her on the shoulder to indicate that I would go first. As the only man and assassin, I should be the first one out the door, to make sure the women were safe.
I stepped out as a guard came rushing past. He turned and looked at me. I pulled out the stun gun and pulled the trigger. Electrodes shot out and attached to his chest. He convulsed and dropped to the ground. I walked up to him, taking out a knife and slit his throat.
I turned in time to see Malina stab a guard in the side of the neck and yank forward, almost decapitating him and severing the jugular. I was thoroughly impressed. As soon as the guard dropped to the ground, Malina turned and reached into the bushes, pulling the maid out. We took off across the grounds, towards the forest ahead.
Once we made it into the tree line, we slowed our pace to a brisk walk and carefully worked our way through the foliage. When we were a safe distance from the castle walls, I stopped and looked at Malina.
“May I ask questions now?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She shrugged with one shoulder. “Go ahead.”
“Why are we bringing the girl with us?”
She looked over at the girl in question
and made a gesture at her. The girl nodded and walked a few feet away. Malina turned and looked back at me. “She has no one except me. If I am not around, she will not survive there. The only reason she is still alive is because I have ordered her protection. Scarlet is a gentle soul. She was tortured; her tongue cut out, because she refused to bed down with Luquin, when she was thirteen. He accused her of telling lies and ordered her to lose her tongue for that, and for talking back to him.”
The thought that she was tortured, for not letting a disgusting older man put his hands on her, made me sick. I felt sympathy for the girl and understood why Malina felt protective of her. I nodded slowly.
“Okay, she comes. Let’s go. I’d rather be a little farther away before we make camp. If they come looking, we are too close for comfort.”
We continued walking through the forest. I knew our travel wouldn’t be safe and I would have to be on guard. I just had to get them back home, then figure out what our next move would be.
Chapter 10
W e finally made camp after walking for several hours. Malina and Scarlet were dragging their feet, but neither was complaining. That I knew of anyway… Malina hadn’t said a word about the long trek and Scarlet didn’t seem perturbed, just tired. I made a small fire.
Looking over at the women, who were huddled together on the opposite side of the fire, I nodded toward Malina. “I’m going to hunt for dinner. I’ll be right back. I’ll stay within hearing distance. If you ladies need anything, just holler.
Malina nodded and wrapped her arms around Scarlet’s shoulders. I turned and walked into the forest, looking for some prey. Spying a rabbit, I pulled my knife out and flung it toward the animal. It stuck in the rabbit’s neck and the rabbit dropped to the ground. I walked over, finished it off and killed another one before going back to the campsite.
As soon as I walked into the clearing, Scarlet stood up and rushed over to take the rabbits from me. She gestured for the knife. I shook my head no.