by R A Lewis
Roguelyn knew Alden was a great swordsman, but she had no idea of the skill of this new man, perhaps he was a good swordsman as well. The man certainly seemed more comfortable with his sword than the last man. This man was better built, all lean muscle rather than bulk like the last one. The man came in swinging, and Alden barely blocked his first strike before the man swung again. This man kept Alden on his feet, with strike after strike, aiming both high and low, forcing Alden to move, and to tire. Soon, Alden was breathing hard, his blocks becoming slower and slower. Roguelyn bit her bottom lip until she tasted blood. Had she just doomed Alden to death?
Alden kept fighting, but his movements were coming slower and slower. Finally, the man was showing signs of tiring, too. He lunged in, trying to skewer Alden through the thigh. Alden leapt out of the way, landing off balance, but the man was also thrown off balance by his lunge. Alden saw his opportunity and slashed forward. His sword bit into the man’s collar bone, almost severing his left arm. But the white powder the man had been given had given him extra strength, and he swung around across his body, his sword catching Alden in the side while Alden tried to dislodge his own sword from the man’s collar bone.
Both men were gravely wounded, but the man more so than Alden. The sword in Alden’s side had not entered with much force, and while the wound bled profusely, it was not mortal unless he didn’t get treatment. However, the sword Alden had slammed into the man’s collarbone had penetrated the man’s lung and severed his artery, and he was bleeding heavily, his breathing becoming more and more labored. Alden was slumped on his side, the man was lying on the ground dying. Roguelyn’s stomach bucked, and she heaved but held it in, grateful she hadn’t eaten anything that morning.
Finally, the last of the man’s life slipped away and Alden was declared a part of the Eternal Ministry. Roguelyn felt as though she was in a daze, as she stood there watching these men don the cloaks and be handed silver masks. Too soon it was her turn. A man came out of the darkness and clamped his hands on to her arms, guiding her across the floor to a doorway carved in the rock on the other side. Liam and Alden were told to follow. Roguelyn tried to take some comfort in Liam’s steady presence behind her. She followed the man’s pushing directions, as they travelled through a short network of tunnels and then up a set of stairs and through a wooden door.
Once they were back at ground level, Roguelyn realized they were inside a richly appointed manor home, probably one of the nobles’ owned it and allowed the cult to utilize it as their headquarters. It confirmed for Roguelyn how high the cult had already managed to penetrate. They led her upstairs to a richly appointed bedroom with a four-poster bed, and black curtains on the windows, blocking out the light or any indication of where they were in the city. She knew they couldn’t be too far from the shop but in what direction?
The man sat her on the bed, and then went around the room, lighting some sort of incense in braziers and lighting candles. Soon, the room was filled with a heady smoke that was beginning to make Roguelyn light headed and dizzy. She began to panic and looked at Liam and Alden who had been instructed to stand alongside the windows, next to the bed. The man left them alone. Roguelyn struggled to think clearly and organize her thoughts.
“Alden, what do you see outside?” Her words were drawn out and sounded like they were coming from far away. Alden took a moment to respond, but then he peeked through the thick curtains. He stared out them for what seemed an abnormally long moment and Roguelyn began to worry. Her head swam and she desperately wanted a breath of fresh air.
“I can’t see anything specific, my Lady. I can see what might be a tavern down below but the sign is just out of sight.” Roguelyn cursed under her breath. Alden let the curtain drop just as the door opened. Roguelyn stiffened, fear thrilling through her. Her hand went to her bodice, underneath which was a hidden blade. If Alden and Liam couldn’t act, she wouldn’t hesitate. There was no way she was going to allow herself to be used the way King Hargrave had used her.
Chapter 34
The man who entered was large, almost comically so, his head was covered in a large silver mask that encased his entire head. He had broad shoulders, a small waist, and almost spindly legs. His upper body was so large compared to his legs, but Roguelyn could see the muscles standing out in his arms. Fear thrilled through her, making her almost breathless. She gasped, trying to dispel the terror and only succeeded in sucking in more of the smoke-filled air. She became suddenly dizzy and swayed, catching herself on the side of the bed.
No one accompanied the man into the room, but he was breathing heavily, the same way the men who had taken the white powder had. He crossed the room to stand before Roguelyn, her heart pounding in her chest. He motioned to Liam and Alden.
“Stay where you are. You must watch everything.” His voice was deep and resounding, bouncing off the surfaces in the room, and filling Roguelyn’s ears. She winced at the sound, flinching back from his presence. The man loomed forward, pushing her back onto the bed. Roguelyn sat heavily, all her focus on those enormous hands. He told her to lay down, and Roguelyn found herself complying, despite her inner voice that was screaming at her to fight back, to run. Her mind went blank with panic as the man climbed on top of her.
She glanced over at Liam, his face was obscured by the silver mask he wore. He began reaching for the sword that was currently strapped to his waist. Roguelyn turned her attention back to the man, whose hands were beginning to unbutton his own shirt and then his trousers. His lower body pinned her waist, his legs straddling her, and despite his size, she knew she could throw him off if his hands remained occupied. Her own hands inched towards her corset, and she began fumbling for her knife that was hidden there.
The man looked down at her, and must have seen the knife because his hand shot forward, gripping her hands in his, pinning them above her head so that she could not remove the knife. His other hand continued to work at the buttons of his trousers. Liam now had his sword drawn, and he had removed his mask. Alden beside him was reaching for his sword as well. They both moved slowly, as if they were confused about whether or not they should act. Roguelyn cursed her own stupidity. The smoke in the braziers was dulling their wits, making them more inclined to obey orders than act.
Finally, Liam took a few steps forward, and Roguelyn knew she couldn’t wait any longer as the man’s hand began to hike up her skirts. Roguelyn bucked her hips, throwing the man’s balance off and he began to tumble from her, his free hand flailing, while his hand on her gripped her fingers tightly. She felt more than heard a snap, as his grip broke her left middle finger as he fell, and she screamed out when his hand finally released her and he fell heavily to the floor beside the bed. Liam was on the man in an instant, and he drove down with his sword, spearing the man through the chest. Roguelyn was sitting up now, and Alden was behind Liam, his sword drawn but hanging limply in his left hand, his right hand clutching his side where the blood was drying. Liam held the sword, his body straddling the man’s chest, holding him down as the man writhed, the white powder giving him strength and life beyond a normal man.
Finally, the man lay still, and Roguelyn stood from the bed, her entire body shaking. She kicked the silver clad head viciously, and it rocked away from her at a sickening angle. Liam stood, leaving the sword in the body now still on the floor. He reached for her and hugged her to him as she cradled her injured hand.
“We need to get out of here so I can think,” Roguelyn said, her head was pounding now. Liam turned to Alden.
“Open those windows.” He released Roguelyn and walked to the braziers. One by one he carried them to the window and dumped the contents outside. The chill winter air blew in, dispelling the smoke and sending a bracing breeze across Roguelyn’s skin. Her head cleared slowly. Liam came to stand in front of her. He held out both his hands, indicating that she give him her injured one. He took it gently when she offered, and quickly but surely yanked on her finger, setting the bone. Roguelyn gasped in pain, a wa
ve of nausea rolling through her. She doubled over and wretched, once again, nothing coming out. He tore a strip of cloth from the bottom of his black cloak and wrapped her finger with another unbroken one to stabilize it. It throbbed horribly, but less than when it had been at an odd angle. Roguelyn looked up at him gratefully. Worry was etched across his face.
Roguelyn turned to Alden. “What about his side?” She pointed and Liam turned, about to offer aid.
“I’ll be alright.” Alden brushed him off. Liam nodded and turned to her, putting an arm around her waist to steady her.
“We need to get out of here.” Liam’s voice was low and husky as he looked at her. Roguelyn pointed to the windows.
“Can we go through there? How far off the ground are we?” Alden leaned out again.
“We’re two stories up,” he said looking at her. “I’m not sure I can go this way.” He looked down at his side to indicate.
“Is there another door?” Roguelyn looked around the room. A large tapestry hung on the far wall, away from the windows. Alden walked over to it and pushed it aside, revealing a servant’s entrance. He slowly opened the door, sticking his head out and looking down a spiraling staircase. It was dark and silent. He motioned for Roguelyn and Liam to join him and in a few moments they were quietly making their way down the stairs in the pitch black.
They came out into a stone hallway. There were doors off the hallway, and farther down an open door spilled light into the passage along with sound. As they crept forward, they could hear the sound of cutlery and could smell baking bread. Roguelyn stuck her head around the corner slowly, so as not to draw attention, and saw a large cook bent over kneading bread dough. Across the room were two maids busily tending soup and cutting vegetables, gossiping in low voices to one another. All three women wore their heads covered and had on high necked dresses. Roguelyn realized they must be some of the wives of the Magistrate. She waited until they were turned away from the door before darting across. She motioned for Liam and Alden to follow one by one and they made their way further down the passage.
It dead-ended in a doorway and Roguelyn silently pushed it open, revealing a generous larder packed to the ceiling with food stuffs. She pushed her way inside. On the far wall was a doorway meant for loading and unloading goods from outside. Liam moved across the room quickly and pushed open the outer door. A blast of freezing air entered the room and Roguelyn only then realized she’d left her cloak in the bedroom above. They made their way out into the snow, Roguelyn listening hard for an alarm to be raised.
Suddenly, the door behind them flew open, and masked and robed figures came pouring out. Liam grabbed Roguelyn’s uninjured hand, and together, they and Alden ran down the snow-covered street. The sun had set while they had been inside, and the ground had frozen solid. They slipped and slid, Roguelyn almost dragging Liam down as her feet skidded beneath her. While it almost ruined their escape, it also slowed their pursuers. The robed men were slipping and sliding as well.
Roguelyn, Liam, and Alden made it to the corner and ran around it. They kept running until they made it to the castle gates, realizing that they were no longer being pursued. Roguelyn paused, her hands on her waist, breathing heavily. Alden was clutching his side, his hand coming away stained with fresh blood. Liam had his hands behind his head, pacing as he breathed.
“That was a disaster,” he said. “We almost got killed, twice. Did anyone even take note of where we were?” Roguelyn nodded.
“I saw. They were a block away from that tavern. Hidden in plain sight.” Liam looked at her. She couldn’t read his expression. He was scared and angry, clearly, but something else was on his face. Finally, he stepped forward, his arms out. He wrapped her in an embrace and Roguelyn could feel his heart racing as his chest pressed against her face. Liam held her tightly for a few moments, resting his head on her hair, before releasing her. Finally, he pushed away and motioned to Alden.
“Let’s go tell the king.” And together they made their way inside the palace.
Chapter 35
The spring thaw came faster than was anticipated. The snows in the valley began to melt, filling the rivers to the brim with rushing brown water filled with silt. The Briff river overflowed its banks, partially flooding the farm land that surrounded it, depositing rich silt into the fields where farmers would begin planting in a few short weeks.
Roguelyn, Liam, and Alden had informed the king of the headquarters of the cult, and the king had sent in men who eradicated the cult at its source. There was a large public trial of the nobles and their houses and they were found guilty and hanged. The three of them were given special accommodations for their service to the crown, and Liam was once again a trusted member of the king’s council. The women and children were set free, some absorbed into the castle staff, while the rest were sent to a group home to recover from their traumas at the hands of the cult.
Roguelyn was grateful it was over. Her own trauma was still fresh in her mind, but she was learning ways to handle it, ways to get through the panic attacks and flashbacks. Liam had been a balm to her during those times, and often, when she had awoken in the night, he had been there to hold her until she had fallen back asleep. Their relationship had blossomed, Liam finally forgiving her for lying to him. They had spent many winter nights curled together by her fire, reading and discussing politics.
When the snows finally melted, Roguelyn, Liam, her parents, the king and queen, and certain other members of the court packed their carriages and readied them to travel to Wresley. Roguelyn, Liam and Gaillart had been in conference with the king about the state of the people in Wresley and the king had ordered wagons full of supplies to be sent along ahead of them to help.
Roguelyn decided to ride the first leg in the carriage with her mother, but a beautiful chestnut horse had been tied to the back of the carriage just for her. They stopped at an inn for the night, and the following morning, Roguelyn rode with Liam.
They came in to Wresley on the second day. Roguelyn was weary and her backside was sore. An entire winter spent inside reading had not done her body any favors. She vowed to begin sword practice daily once they had made camp. The king’s entourage set up camp just outside the city of Wresley, on the cliffs along the ocean. Here the breeze was fierce, but the views were spectacular. Roguelyn woke up early their first morning in camp, leaving Liam to sleep, donned a brand-new pair of riding pants and a loose cream-colored tunic and picked up her sword. She made her way out to the cliff’s edge just as the sun was bathing the ocean in golden light. She began her exercises there on the cliff. Soon she was sweaty and hot, and had to stop. The next day would get easier, she told herself as she trudged back to her tent.
When she got back, she dressed in nice brown riding pants, a loose red tunic tucked into her pants. Her mother would certainly frown at Roguelyn wearing pants to a formal meeting but Roguelyn didn’t care. Lastly, she strapped her sword to a new leather belt and she tied her now long brown hair back from her face in a braid. She looked at her reflection in the mirror while Liam dressed behind her. She looked regal, and serious, as if she meant business. Liam came up behind her and kissed her neck softly. She smiled at him through the glass.
“You look beautiful,” he murmured into her neck.
They joined her parents outside their adjacent tent, and her mother looked at her outfit disapprovingly. But Roguelyn finally felt like the spy master she was supposed to be, not some damsel in distress. She felt strong and capable.
Together they joined a small party of nobles and the King and Queen as they made their way towards the bridge that a few short months ago, Roguelyn, Liam, Henndo, and her father had barely been able to cross.
As they approached, Roguelyn could make out Queen Rohesia standing in the middle of the bridge with a small contingent of soldiers and courtiers around her. She looked small and fragile but her face told a different story. Her face was set and it made her look fierce. Roguelyn grinned as they approached, happy to see tha
t Rohesia had not lost any of her spark. The King and Queen of Rayaven stopped a half dozen paces from Queen Rohesia. They stood in silence for a few moments, each monarch eyeing the other. Finally, King Fairburn spoke.
“Queen Rohesia of Gadel, we come in peace.” He held up a hand in a gesture of friendship. Rohesia’s previously stony face softened and she stepped forward. The monarchs came together to clasp hands and it was as if a spell was broken. Suddenly, both groups on either side were coming together, shaking hands, patting each other on the back, and discussing the end of the war. King Fairburn agreed to meet on the Hoatam side of the river in Queen Rohesia’s tent.
Once seated, Roguelyn looked around the tent. It was furnished with rich carpets, and a long oak table had been set with many chairs for the king and queens’ council members. Rohesia studiously ignored Roguelyn throughout the proceedings, but Roguelyn didn’t mind. She had lied to the queen and killed her husband, and despite how the queen might feel about her dead husband, it would have been inappropriate to thank Roguelyn publicly for her act.
Roguelyn waited patiently in her seat, and Liam nudged her softly with his elbow, a gentle smile on his face.
“You did this, Roguelyn. All of this.” Roguelyn smiled at him, looking into his blue eyes, feeling like the bright sunshine of summer was shining on her.
“I did, didn’t I?” she paused. “You can call me Lyn, you know.” He grinned. A blossom of pride bloomed in her stomach and warmth spread through her. She slipped her hand into Liam’s under the table. He looked at her and squeezed her hand lightly and she knew everything would be okay.