by GG Shalton
She jumped at his anger. The knocking continued until he jerked the covers off and walked to the door. He opened it a cracked and spoke to someone in hushed tones. After a moment, he came back into the room and lit another candle. “Forgive me, my dear. But it is a messenger from the border that must speak to me at once. I will dress and meet with him.”
Joslyn watched him leave, quickly dressing as soon as he walked out of the room. Sneaking out the door, she hid in the shadows of the corridor that lead to Andre’s solar. Waiting outside, she hid outside of the door and listened to the voices inside.
“Merle and Humphrey are under attack. We didn’t have the man power to stop them. Burra has sieged their towns and the cotton harvest belongs to them now. We need to send reinforcements from Locket and the mining towns to take back the lands.”
Joslyn’s listened, shaking in fear. She pressed her ear closer to the wall trying to hear Andre’s response.
“Insignificant. They are trying to get us to divide our forces and draw us away from the mining towns. We will not divide our army. There will be no help for Humphrey or Merle.”
“Understood, Your Grace. But what about the Mallard citizens in Merle and Humphrey? They say Burra is making them slaves and putting them in prison if they don’t comply with giving up their harvest. Should we try to rescue or ransom the citizens?”
“No, those are spoils of war. My concern is the mining towns. That is our wealth and livelihoods. We can’t let them fall to Burra. I will sign the betrothal papers from the King of Delbert and send a messenger tonight. We need their armies to hold Burra back.”
Joslyn could not take any more. Her people were suffering and were now being made slaves to a foreign army. Her parents needed her, and she had to find a way to reach them. Sara may have been caught in the siege as well.
Trying to find the strength, she emerged from her hiding place and knocked on the partially opened door. The man looked at her, startled at the interruption. “Your Grace, please forgive me for the interruption. I didn’t realize you were still engaged with company,” she lied.
He tilted his head. “What is it?”
Clearing her throat, she tried to think of a viable excuse. “I wanted to inform you that I will retire for the night. I am not feeling well. Again, I apologize for the interruption.”
He stood and walked toward her, touching her face in concern. “Are you running a fever? You look a bit flushed.”
“I do feel a little warm.”
He looked back at the messenger. “If you will excuse me, I need to attend to Miss Rhodes.”
The man’s face was visibly annoyed. “Understood, Your Grace. But we must finish our conversation soon about Merle and Humphrey. I need to send word of our plans.”
Joslyn furrowed her brow, hoping her acting skills looked believable. “Did you say Merle?”
A scowl grew across the duke’s face as he looked back at the messenger. “Silence! We will not discuss military plans in front of her.” He reached for Joslyn’s arm to escort her out of the room. She looked up at the duke not wanting to lose her opportunity for answers. “Is something wrong in Merle?”
Sighing in frustration, he shot the messenger a dirty look. “It’s not for you to fret about. I have it under control.” He patted her arm as he reached the door.
Joslyn hesitated, looking back to the messenger for a response. “But he said Merle.”
“Joslyn, stop badgering me about Merle.”
He looked at the messenger as his jaw flexed in anger. “Leave us.” The man took his leave, avoiding eye contact with the couple.
The duke studied her face while contemplating his response. “I won’t lie to you. There has been some military movement by Burra into Merle. But I have it under control, and I want you to trust me to take care of it.”
She looked up at him knowing he was lying but unable to call him out on it. He would know she was eavesdropping if she said too much and would take it out on her. Instead, she wrung her hands in worry thinking of her parents. “Andre, if I could just write to my parents and make sure that Burra has not harmed them, it would do so much for my sanity.”
“Impossible. I will inquire about your family, but you will need to be patient. I am sure if anything were to have happened, they would have let me know by now.”
She nodded not wanting to upset him further. He held out his arm and she took it to leave. Thinking about Merle made her remember Sara. “Andre?”
“Yes?” he said sharply, visibly annoyed.
“I forgot to mention that Sara had to stay in Tomko. She took ill and I took her into the village to the healer’s house. Hopefully she is well when I return and back at your residence by the time I get back.”
“What kind of illness? Could she have passed it on to you?”
Not wanting to make him suspicious, she replied calmly, “I don’t believe so. Sara has a condition since childhood that inflames from time to time. With enough rest and herbs, she does fine after a few weeks.”
He looked at her suspiciously but didn’t say anything further. When they reached his chamber, he leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “I must meet with some of my advisors and will see you later.”
Joslyn nodded and gave him a weak smile. “Of course, I will be waiting.” He smiled and walked away without another glance back.
Chapter 22
The next morning the duke met again with his advisors and military commanders, including the elite royal guards who came from Locket the night before.
Sir Gregory, the king’s favorite commander, stepped forward and said, “Your Grace, we received a missive from King Herrick that our cotton harvest was not delivered according to the terms of the original peace agreement. Therefore, they have seized two of our villages that produce the cotton as part of their payment promised to them. They have sent messengers to the other countries surrounding Mallard that they did not violate the peace agreement, but that we did not deliver as promised, therefore, the other countries cannot interfere with their military action against us.”
“Nonsense. At my cousin’s wedding, my uncle presented them with a new peace agreement that was fairer and more favorable to Mallard. The King of Burra gave the impression it would be signed until my uncle’s unfortunate accident. Now they have refused to consider it and have violated our understanding. The King of Napery promised his support to our cause and agreed to speak to Burra on our behalf during the wedding. That was part of the bride price for my cousin.”
The man shook his head. “That was before your uncle’s accident. Their loyalty is with Burra, and they said you humiliated the country of Mallard and they would not honor the terms of the new treaty.”
The duke pounded his fist on the arm of the chair. “I will not be threatened by Burra any longer. I have sent a message to the country of Delbert. In exchange for my betrothal to his daughter, we will receive over a thousand of his men.”
“It won’t be enough, Your Grace. Burra has over ten thousand men just on the borders. That is not including the armies they have strategically placed near the waterways or the overwhelming support they have received from neighboring countries.”
“What are you suggesting? We just give them our country?”
The commander looked at some of his men before answering “Your Grace, with all due respect, the council and many of our noble citizens feel it may be time to have a vote on the sovereignty of Mallard. The other countries refuse to negotiate with Mallard if you are to become king. We must think of our future—of our existence.”
The duke’s face turned shades of red as he slowly stood up from his seat. “That is treason! How dare you speak of taking my throne away. I am the rightful heir, and none can dispute that!” He looked over at his guards standing by the walls. “Take the military commander and place him in the dungeon. I will not tolerate anyone speaking of over
throwing the crown.”
The guards looked at each other unsure of how to respond. The military commander was the highest-ranking official in the Mallard Army and best friends with the king. He was powerful and unforgiving in his military duties. They were caught between their duties to protect the crown and the wrath of their commander. If the king awoke from unconsciousness, they would pay for their role in placing him under arrest. But if he did not wake up, they would face death for disobeying the acting king.
“Now!” The Royal Duke yelled at them as he pointed at the military commander.
The commander looked at the guards as they approached them. He noticed their dilemma and put his hands behind his back. “Let him have his way for now. Soon his power will be stripped. I put no blame on you.”
Enraged by his statement, the duke rushed toward the commander as his hands were being tied behind him and punched him in the jaw.
As he fell backward, the commander spit out blood “Always the tough guy when your opponent’s hands are tied. You will be the death of Mallard if you don’t stop this bloodbath going on in your own country. Your spoiled childish ways will come back to be the ruin of Mallard.”
“Take him away.” The duke stepped away from him, ignoring his jibes as he left the solar.
The duke woke up the next morning in his chair with a wine glass beside him. Joslyn met his eyes as she laid across the bed watching him. “You’re awake?”
“Forgive me, I couldn’t sleep and never came to bed. I have the weight of the country on my shoulders.”
She fluffed her pillow as she stretched out on his bed. “When do you leave?”
He stood up and walked toward the bed to lay beside her. “Later today. I apologize, I wanted to spend more time with you.” He put his head on the pillow and stared up at the ceiling. “There is treachery in the ranks of my men.”
Joslyn was quiet before asking, “What are you going to do?”
He looked over at her, open honesty in his eyes. “What would you do?”
Surprised by his question, Joslyn took a moment before responding, “I would listen to their concerns and see if I could help.”
He laughed. “That is why women don’t lead armies.” Reaching for her, he pulled her closer to him. “Will you miss me?” he whispered next to her ear and she felt his warm breath across her cheek.
Swallowing hard, she didn’t want to upset him, so she lied, knowing she would never crave his touch nor give him her heart. “Of course.”
He rubbed her arm. “When I claim victory, I will make everyone pay, including Sir Gregory for their insolence. My uncle’s cronies will pay for their blatant disregard of the throne. I will create my own laws and make them all regret ever turning against me.”
She looked up into his eyes, frightened of his tirade. He recognized her fear, squeezing her hand in reassurance. “We only have a few hours. Let’s not discuss this now. I want to be with you. You will go back to Tomko in the morning and I may not see you for a while.”
Chapter 23
The next morning Joslyn looked out her carriage window while on her way back to Tomko. It was getting dark outside, the hint of a storm threatening. It was fitting given what her life was like now, not remembering what normalcy was any longer. Andre had professed his devotion the night before with a promise to come back for her. He was returning to Locket to gather more men and wait for the promised soldiers from Delbert. Most woman probably would have had a fit of anger over their lovers plans to marry another, but not her. Spending time with him was not something she enjoyed, always on edge with his twisted thoughts. His mood swings were famous throughout the country and she was his weakness making her his favorite prey.
They traveled for several more hours avoiding the rain. She finally heard the men speaking of their approach to the manor. Joslyn quickly looked out into darkness, spying a bonfire that illuminated the silhouette of the home. She shifted in her seat relieved she would have a soft bed to sleep in soon. She also prayed Sara had returned and was waiting for her.
Arriving at the manor, she hurried to the kitchen. “Marissa has Sara returned?”
“No, Misses, she has not. Should I inquire at the healers?”
“No, I will check tomorrow. Thank you.”
Joslyn returned to her room and collapsed on the bed. Where was Sara? She hoped she was well and that there was a logical explanation for her absence.
The next couple of weeks went by slowly. Worrying about Sara and the news of the war kept her from eating or sleeping well. Rumors of forced slavery by invading troops frightened the household, making daily chores harder to complete. Everyone was anxious and hoped it would be over soon. No word came regarding Merle or her parents. If only she could know for sure if they were captured or even alive. Anything to calm her nerves.
The manor tried to go on as normal and the household planned a celebration for Mallard Rising Day—a traditional day where they served roasted pig and gave children sweets. Joslyn wore the country’s colors of red and white and put roses through her hair. It was traditionally what maidens did on this day as part of the celebration. She knew she was no longer a maiden, but in her heart, she felt like one.
She could smell the pigs roasting and her mouth watered as she straightened her bed. Not wanting to cause more work for the servants, she kept her own chamber cleaned to lessen their workload. She had just finished sweeping the floor when she heard a commotion outside. At first, she attributed it to the celebration, but when she heard the horns sounding, she dropped the broom and ran to the window.
She panicked at the sight in front of her. Burra soldiers were invading, and the men were struggling to close the gates. Without much protection at the small manor, the Burra soldiers easily overtook the gatehouse as she saw them scramble for their lives.
Joslyn’s stomach felt as though it went into her chest. Trying to hold back tears, she couldn’t block the sounds of metal hitting metal below nor the screams of the servants.
She ran down the stairs to find the captain. When she reached the great hall, she saw Burra soldiers already inside and hid quickly behind the wall. She inched her way to the kitchen and back up the servant’s stairs. Seeing no one, she wondered where they could be? Frantically, she tried to open doors to the chambers that were locked. Knowing in her head that servants were probably locking themselves inside, she didn’t try to break the doors. She kept pushing each door with the hope one would open before the soldiers came upstairs.
“Miss Rhodes?” Joslyn jumped at the sound of a male voice, turning toward him, she was flooded with relief to see one of the duke’s guards dressed in Mallard colors. “The manor is surrounded. You must hide in the duke’s chambers. There is a loose piece of wood by the window that opens. You must hurry.” The guard was a middle-aged man dressed in chain mail. His sword was out, and blood dripped from the blade.
“I don’t think I can make it back up there, I must find a place to hide.” Her voice shook as she pushed another chamber door.
The guard looked behind him and held out his free hand. “Come with me, I will help you to the duke’s chamber.”
She took his hand as they ran up some hidden side stairs to the duke’s chamber. The guard pushed hard. “It’s locked.”
“I didn’t lock it. There must be servants hiding inside.”
He pushed again and finally kicked in the door. Joslyn scanned the room and saw a few servants huddled in the corner. She glanced at the guard who looked at all of them. “You must hurry!” He went to the window and opened a panel below it. “This goes to a tunnel under the manor that leads to the woods. It’s a tight fit but will allow you to escape.”
After wishing them good luck, he walked out the door, running down the stairs to join the fight. Joslyn looked at the servants. “Come with me.” They slowly walked toward her, their faces drained of color. The first woman crawled
through the opening and the second woman hesitated as they heard several footsteps coming up the stairs.
“Hurry!” Joslyn yelled. As the woman lowered herself down to begin crawling through the wall, the first soldier entered the room. Joslyn turned sharply and tried to block her body from the searching eyes of the Burra soldier. Her time was up, and she took her foot, flipping the panel back into place to hide the servant who had just left. The soldier yelled at the men behind him and they all ran into the room, finding Joslyn huddled by the window.
“It’s a woman.” She heard one of them say. “And the way she is dressed, she is the lady of the manor or of some nobility.”
Joslyn made eye contact with them, shaking her head. “I am a slave and not of noble blood.”
One of the soldiers cautiously came forward with a smile on his face. He reached for her hair, running his fingers through it. “I know no slaves that look like you.”
Internally Joslyn shook with fear but refused to cower in front of them. “I am of no consequence, sir.”
Another soldier entered the room with gold marks on his shirt sleeve. She assumed he was someone of importance as the soldiers stood taller upon him entering. He looked at Joslyn then yelled at the guards, “Bring her down with the other prisoners.”
Joslyn felt short of breath. She was a prisoner? The soldier grabbed her arm, forcing her to stand and tied her hands in front of her with a leather strap, pulling her to the great hall.
The smell of blood invaded her nostrils as they entered the room. She saw bodies of Mallard soldiers in piles outside of the hall and in the kitchen storeroom. Lowering her eyes to the ground, she was unable to look at the death of so many innocents. She couldn’t stomach the atrocities happening to her people.
The soldier pushed her down next to other women and older male servants who they chose not to kill. No one spoke, all in shock awaiting their fate.