by Jacey Sturch
“Simple. Clarina, you said that the only people let in or out of the city are the guards?” She nods her head, still looking confused. “Yes, they are the only ones that can go through the gates.” Xavier looks back down at the map. “If we put on the guard uniforms of the caravan guards after the ambush, we can walk right into the city. We will be able to bring the whole caravan into the city and then get the supplies into the base with ease.”
Everyone stills as the suggestion set in. The plan is genius in its simplicity. Willem’s face soon becomes grim. “And how do you suggest getting a group out of the city? It’s hard enough to get into the city, and that’s when you can watch the movements of the patrols. Leaving the city, where there isn’t a good view is near impossible.” Even with his plan challenged, Xavier is relaxed. “We can cause a distraction. A big distraction. We know the queen’s extra supplies are stored in the storehouses in the market. If another group were to slip in there and light the supplies on fire, that would draw the guards’ attention enough for the raiding party to leave the city.”
While Willem still seems apprehensive, we move forward with this plan, working out the details on who will be with which team. Soon a group of three resistance members are selected to accompany Raina to the storehouses. Meanwhile, Xavier, I, and two others will leave to ambush the caravan.
The next day we leave the base and wait in the tunnel. Soon we hear the sounds of running feet and a bell being rung as a signal. Chaos seems to reign outside the tunnel door, as the guards seemingly scramble to put out the fire that is no doubt raging at this point.
Once it becomes quiet outside, we slip out of the tunnel and race to the tree line. Once we have reached the shadows of the trees, we pause to catch our breath. As we turn back, we see the black smoke rising from the market square. The supplies in the storehouse must have been destroyed by the fire.
We continue further into the woods, approaching where the caravan is supposed to be. We arrive at the road where the caravan will soon pass through, and we lay in wait in the bushes. It isn’t long before the sound of approaching carts can be heard.
We wait until the caravan has just passed us, and then we leap from the bushes. The guards have no warning. We quickly have the guards incapacitated and tied to a nearby tree so they cannot sound an alarm before we get into the city. We replace our clothes with the guards’ uniforms and get the caravan moving towards Embergrove again.
The sun is beginning to set as we arrive back at Embergrove. We can see faint smoke rising from where the storehouse would be. The gate guards call down to us from upon the city walls. “It is good timing that you have arrived now. Much of her majesty’s stockpile of supplies was destroyed in a fire today. Supply shipments will be stored in the old tavern in the market square. Proceed directly there and await further instructions.”
Just as Xavier had planned, the gate guards did not scrutinize our group and open the gates. The city is crawling with guards, who are still searching for Raina’s group that had set the fire. Thankfully, with the guards distracted by their search, it is mercifully easy to slip the caravan off the main road and towards the cellar entrance to the base.
Once we arrive at the cellar doors, we are greeted by several members of the resistance who help to bring in all the supplies. The other two members of our raiding party take the carts to the other side of the city to protect the location of the entrance to the base.
Xavier and I go back into the planning room and see Raina standing there with a proud look and soot spotted on her face. “Those supplies burned well. There is hardly anything left.” As we are discussing how everything went and what supplies we got, the door to the room bursts open with a bang.
Standing on the other side is Geron, looking haggard. Willem is the first to collect himself. “Geron! Are you all right? We haven’t heard from you since you left?” Geron takes a few deep breaths to compose himself. “I am fine. I just haven’t been able to move freely with all the guards about. The commotion today caused by the fires gave me the opening I needed to come back.”
Geron comes closer to the table, dropping into a nearby chair as though he no longer had the strength to stand. “More importantly, I got the information we need. I know where the next acquisition will be.”
Chapter 12
Everyone’s attention is now entirely focused on Geron, forgetting our victory with the supplies. Once Geron has collected himself, he points to a small village to the west of here. “Ambury. That is where the queen is having the next acquisition. And it will be soon. It will happen in two days. The queen is in urgent need of new kitchen staff. Seems several members of the kitchen staff met untimely ends recently.”
The sickening implication of what happened to them was not lost on anyone. Willem is the first to break the death-like silence. “While it is horrible what happened to them, at least we have a way to get Leora into the castle. But how did you get this information, Geron?”
Geron seems startled by the question, but answers it quickly. “I have my sources in the castle, but they asked me not to reveal their identities for their safety. They sent me the information saying they heard it from the queen’s mouth. We can trust the information.”
This seems to satisfy the group, but Willem still regards Geron with thinly veiled curiosity. As a group, we start planning our next move, Geron telling us a bit more about what kind of people the queen is looking for in Ambury. “She is looking for younger people, specifically women. A lot of the people she is looking to replace were young women.”
That will hopefully make this easier, at least I fit the demographic that she is looking for. “I will leave first thing in the morning for Ambury. Hopefully I will be able to blend in with the other villagers easily. I should be selected since I am a young woman like the ones the queen is looking for.”
Raina nods, but looks grim. “The hard part won’t be getting you into the castle. The hard part will be getting the Hyxyl into the castle with you. People selected in the acquisitions are never allowed to bring anything with them, only the clothes on their backs. And I imagine that the guards search the new staff when they arrive. What do you think, Clarina? You were in the castle for a time after all, and you have been through the acquisition as well.”
That catches me off guard. Clarina worked in the castle? Clarina sees the look on my face and gives a deep sigh. “I was selected in an acquisition when I was nine. They said they needed someone to help the chef in the kitchen. It’s where I learned about food and how to cook. I saw such horrible things in my time there. You cannot fathom the cruelty of the queen until you see it for yourself. One day, I managed to escape by hiding in the garbage that was to be taken out of the city. Once I was free, I found the resistance immediately. I’ve been here ever since.”
Clearly not wanting to discuss it anymore, Clarina turns back to Raina, focusing instead on the mission at hand. “They do search any visible pockets, but they aren’t very thorough. If there is a hidden pocket in the clothes, somewhere the guards couldn’t immediately see, Leora should be able to smuggle in the Hyxyl plant.”
Isabelle perks up hearing this. “I think I have something that could work. I designed it as a way to smuggle supplies through the city, but I’m sure it could work for this.” Isabelle rushes from the room, quickly returning with a simple looking skirt.
Xavier looks at the skirt skeptically. “That looks like a normal skirt to me.” Isabelle smiles at him. “That’s the idea. It looks normal, but-” She flips the skirt up, revealing the inside lining of the skirt, which is covered in pockets. “There are several hidden pockets on the inside. If Leora wears this, she can hide the Hyxyl plant in the pockets to get it into the castle.”
“Then all I have to do is find a way to get the queen to ingest the Hyxyl. Should be easier if I’m working in the kitchen. I’ll gather what I need and go straight to Ambury. The rest of you stay here and prepare in case I am caught. Aetheria will likely want my execution to be public
if she catches me, so the whole kingdom will know I am dead. You will definitely know if I am caught.”
Everyone looks grim at the possibility of me being caught. But soon they appear determined as they help me prepare for the journey to Ambury. By nightfall, everything I need has been gathered and I am entering the tunnel to the outside.
It is decided that Willem will come with me, to confirm that I am selected to work at the castle. Willem is neither young nor a woman, so it is unlikely that he will draw any attention at the acquisition this time.
Before we leave the tunnel, I turn back to face the others who have come to see us off. Their posture is stiff and they are clearly uneasy. Though I am nervous as well, I push those feelings aside, hoping to reassure them. “The next time we speak, I will be bringing good news. Be safe.” I turn to leave, but feel someone grab my wrist in a firm hold. I turn back, seeing Raina staring at me. “Be safe as well, Leora. Do not take any unnecessary risks.”
I nod, promising not to act rashly. Then I turn and approach the tunnel door. We listen for a moment to make sure there are no guards outside. When we are sure the way is clear, we race from the tunnel, into the dark night. We continue to rush through the night, racing to Ambury to arrive in time before the guards arrive in the village.
We have to stop to rest, too tired to continue our trek. We sit at the fire, listening to the sounds of the night from outside the cave. We sit in silence, eating the evening meal. “So, Willem, how did you end up being the weapons master for the resistance?” Willem sighs, staring into the fire as though mesmerized by the dancing flames.
The silence stretches on for several minutes, before Willem speaks. “It’s a long story. I became interested in weapon making when I was young. I grew up in one of the few noble houses of Asinia, so I had plenty of resources to hone my craft. I had a comfortable life for several years. A happy life, a loving family, everything I ever wanted.”
I have a sinking feeling that I know how this story will end. Willem shakes his head and finally looks in my direction. But he looks through me, as though I am not there at all. “One day, almost a year after Aetheria assumed the throne, things went wrong. She started to believe that the noble houses were plotting to overthrow her. So, she moved against us. She gathered the families of all the heads of the noble houses. She had them imprisoned somewhere in the castle, to ensure none of the noble houses act against her. She left me and the other heads of the noble families free.” That confused me, knowing Aetheria she isn’t one to leave perceived enemies running free.
“Why did she leave all of you free? Wouldn’t it have been better for her to have you all imprisoned?” Willem sighed deeply. “This was still relatively early into her reign. She was trying to quell public outrage against her and likely thought if the noble houses supported her publicly, that it would help her cause. With their families held hostage, the other noble family heads felt they had no choice but to comply with her wishes.”
Willem pulls an old pocket watch out from his jacket. When he opens it, I can see a faded picture of a smiling woman and young boy. “I haven’t seen my wife or son since the day they were taken from me. I don’t even know if they are still alive in there. But I didn’t want to stand by idly, waiting for someone else to fix the problem. I was going to do anything I could to get my family back, so I joined the resistance and put my hobby of blacksmithing to work.” Willem just stares at the picture reverently, smiling back fondly at the woman and the boy in the picture.
I reach over and put a hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. “I am sure they are alive, and that you will see them again soon.” He closes the pocket watch and smiles at me. “Thank you Leora. I think I am going to rest; it has been a trying day. Rest well Leora.”
Willem retreats further into the cave and falls asleep. I follow soon after, tossing and turning all night, worrying about what is to come in the morning.
We continue to Ambury early in the morning, before the sun appears on the horizon. We arrive in the village by midday and go directly to the village elder. Since the village is so small, almost the entire village is involved in the resistance. When we arrive at his house, we discuss the plan. “Willem, you should stay to the back of the crowd, try and avoid attention. Leora, if the guards ask, you recently moved to this village which is why you haven’t been seen here before. Hopefully they won’t question anything and this will go smoothly.”
With everything decided, all that is left to do is wait. The hours seem to drag on, my anxiety growing as we wait. I change into the skirt that Isabelle made and make sure to hide the Hyxyl in one of the many hidden pockets, praying that it won’t be found.
Finally, the bell from the village meeting hall is rung, signaling that the royal guards have arrived. After a moment to prepare ourselves, the village elder leads Willem and me to the town square.
The members of the village file into the town square, waiting for the guards to give instructions. Willem stands at the back of the crowd, while I move closer to the front. The captain of the guard squadron steps forward and yells out, “Today, the glorious Queen Aetheria has tasked us with finding new serving girls for the kitchen staff. All young women in this village are required to step forward and present themselves now.”
All the young women of the village reluctantly step forward, hoping they won’t be picked to work in the castle. I join the group, waiting for the guards to come to me. The guards go from girl to girl, making their decisions. Some girls are spared and almost collapse in relief. Others are chosen to go to the castle and are dragged away by the guards.
It isn’t long before the captain of the guard is standing in front of me. He looks me up and down before asking me, “What is your name, girl?” I take a deep breath to steel my nerves before responding, not wanting to seem frightened. “Leora.” He stares at me for a moment before asking me a few more questions. “Do you have any skills that might benefit the castle? Answer me honestly.”
“I am good at making tea and keeping things clean. I helped to serve at an inn in the last village I lived in.” The captain looks at me consideringly. Finally, he signals to a pair of guards. “She is coming to the council. Take her to the carriage.” The guards seize my arms and take me to where the other selected girls are waiting. From the corner of my eye, I see Willem nod at me and slip out of the crowd.
The other girls are crying or shaking, terrified of what is going to happen. The fear in the air is intense. Some of the girls are trying to comfort the younger ones, others are begging the guards to let them go. Several of them are screaming their goodbyes to their families, sure they will never see them again.
Soon, the captain has finished choosing from the girls and returns to the cart. The rest of the guards mount their horses and get ready to leave. Soon the carriage starts moving, bringing me closer to the castle. Closer to Aetheria.
Chapter 13
The carriage ride to the castle is bumpy, all of the girls in the carriage are thrown around by the bumps in the road. The ride seems to drag on for ages, the cold wind whipping around us.
The girls huddle together for warmth and to comfort each other, trying to help each other through the fear. Soon after the sun has set, the city walls loom in the distance, casting a shadow over us all.
We pass through the gates and continue toward the castle. The air grows thick with dread the closer to the castle the carriage draws. We pass under the portcullis at the castle gate. Once the carriage pulls into the courtyard, the portcullis slams down into place, cutting us off from the outside world.
The carriage is pulled around the side of the castle to a side door, coming to a stop and the guards dismounting from their horses. The captain of the guard comes to the back of the carriage and opens the door.
The rest of the girls and I are pulled from the carriage, one by one, and passed to another member of the guard. The guard in charge of me grips my upper arm tightly and drags me through the side door into the castle.
I am dragged through halls and brought into a room with another guard, this one is a woman. The guard who had brought me here releases my arm and leaves me in the room with her. She has a severe look on her face as she approaches me. “I will be searching you before you proceed to the servant’s quarters to receive your assignment. You will stand still and not resist. Do you understand?”
I nod my head and she begins searching me. I hold my breath, hoping that she doesn’t find the secret pockets and the Hyxyl. She reaches my skirt and I try not to give away how nervous I feel. Thankfully, she does not discover the pockets hidden in the skirt.
She turns away from me and retrieves some clothes from behind her. She roughly shoves the clothes into my arms and points at a corner of the room with a folding screen. “That is your uniform. Go behind that screen and change. Once that is done, you will be shown to the servant’s quarters.”
I go behind the screen, thankful to have some privacy while I change. After I get changed, I move the Hyxyl from the skirt pockets to the pockets in my uniform. I step out from behind the screen and am greeted by the guard who first brought me to this room. He grabs my arm in a tight grip once again and drags me from the room.
As we walk through several halls, I notice the death-like silence that fills the air. No one speaks in the halls, as several servants go about their daily chores. Fear permeates the air, almost suffocating me. After several twists and turns, we arrive at the kitchens. When we enter the kitchens, there is an older woman standing at the door.
The guard shoves me toward the woman. Once again, the guard leaves without saying a word. The woman glares at the guard’s back. She turns to me with a weary smile. “I am sorry about the cold greeting. My name is Alma, I am the head of kitchen staff. Now we need to discuss business. You will be serving the queen her tea. Your job consists of bringing her the tea and serving it to her. When you are not serving tea, you will help keep the kitchen clean. Understood?”