Chapter 48
The soldier stepped inside and closed the door behind him. My breath faltered as I backed into the wall.
"I shall fuck you first and then return you to the palace. To fuck Lady Naevia of House Ashcroft… what a delight that shall be."
My body began to tremble.
The door burst open once more. Someone entered with such swift force I scarcely saw more than a blur before the soldier was struck hard at the neck. He crumpled to the floor without so much as a cry.
Sir Lorcan.
A gasp tore from my throat. My legs gave way and I collapsed. A sheen of sweat broke across my skin. Sir Lorcan stepped back slightly and lowered himself to a crouch, raising both hands before him in a gesture of peace.
"I mean you no harm," he said.
There was sincerity in his voice, yet my fear only deepened. He bore the Queen's crest. I had trusted Queen Yseldra, and look where that trust had led me.
He unfastened the leather strap that bound his dagger to its sheath and slid it across the floor toward me. When it brushed against the tip of my foot, I flinched.
"Secure it about your waist," he said. "No… wear it diagonally." He gestured from his left shoulder to his right hip. "Use it to protect yourself… you must be brave, Lady Naevia. This man shall remain unconscious for several hours, so do not be afraid. Do you have an escape plan?"
I kept my lips sealed.
"I understand. I shall leave now. I will tell the soldiers that this area has already been searched, and draw them elsewhere. But be cautious. No more peeking from the windows. It was fortune alone that I saw you alongside him."
He stood and gave a noble bow.
"I wish you the best of luck, Lady Naevia."
He slipped away without another word.
Now alone with the man who had intended to defile me, I wasted no time. I seized the strap and fastened it across my body beneath the cloak, just as Sir Lorcan had shown. One hand gripped the sheath, the other rested upon the hilt. Should he stir, I would not hesitate.
My eyes remained fixed upon him for some time until the door opened. I rose swiftly and drew the dagger, gripping it with both hands, though I could not still the trembling in my fingers.
"Why is the lock broken?" came Sister Alethea's voice.
Relief washed over me instantly. She entered quickly and shut the door behind her. Her gaze fell to the blade in my hands, then to the soldier lying motionless upon the floor.
"By Ombrithar… what happened?" she asked in a hushed voice, rushing to my side.
I bit my lower lip, shame prickling at my skin. "You were right. I should not have looked out the window. He saw my eyes. He must have come to see if it was truly me…"
"Did you stab him?" she asked, kneeling beside him to inspect his still body.
"No. One of the queen's personal guards saw him enter and intervened. He helped me. Something feels amiss. I do not trust it. When are the men you hired to arrive? We must go soon."
She looked up sharply. "A guard of the Queen helped you? Why would he do such a thing?"
"I do not know. But I believe we are running out of time."
"Where did you get that dagger?"
"He gave it to me. For protection."
"We must leave. Now."
I nodded and returned the dagger to its sheath.
"Follow my lead," she whispered and I nodded again.
With our hoods drawn low, I followed Sister Alethea down the stairwell. The tavern had grown even more crowded than before, filled with laughter, singing, and shouts that echoed through the smoke-warmed air. We seated ourselves at a quiet table tucked into the farthest corner.
"We shall wait here," Sister Alethea murmured.
I gave a small nod. "My name is Anabelle."
"That is not a Dunverran name."
"But is that not the very point? If it is foreign, then surely we appear to be from elsewhere."
"Perhaps. But we are still within Dunverra's borders. A name so strange upon the ear might draw unwanted notice."
"Esme, then."
"Aelunira," she said with sudden pride.
I smiled. "So elegant."
"Indeed. If I must take on another name, I see no reason to choose one without grace. When I was seven, I begged my father to let me be called Aelunira." She sighed wistfully. "It is such a beautiful name. What a waste."
Sister Alethea had lost both her parents in a fire when she was only ten. The temple took her in, and that very same year, I offered my life to the faith and arrived in Dunverra. We were of the same age, arriving at the same time, and so Father Sorin placed us in the same chamber. I was most grateful he did.
In the years since, she rarely spoke of her family. And when she did, I listened with reverence, storing each word within my heart. I knew the memories still wounded her. That is why I never asked. She would speak of it only when her heart allowed. There was no need for me to press a needle into a scar not yet healed.
"Aelunira… it glides from the tongue like silk, does it not?"
"Aelunira… yes!" I replied.
"We shall buy a modest home in the countryside of Ivoryspire, and live quietly. I shall remain by your side always. And should you ever fall in love again, your beloved may join us."
"Fall in love…" I echoed, the words tasting strange. The heavens had grown weary of my heart's desires.
We carried on our quiet conversation for a while longer, until at last, four men entered bearing a large wooden crate.
The time had come.
"My vegetables!" the innkeeper snapped, waving her arms to scatter the crowd and clear a path. "What kept you lot so long? I am nearly out, can you not see how many guests I have? Do you mean to starve them all?"
"Terribly sorry, ma'am!" one of the men replied with cheerful ease.
As they vanished into the back kitchen, and the innkeeper returned to her place behind the counter, Sister Alethea and I rose from our seats and slipped quietly through the same door.
"No guests allowed back here!" one of the cooks barked, brandishing a ladle at us with suspicion.
"They are with us," one of the men called out in a friendly manner. "We shall handle the unloading. Pay us no mind and carry on."
To keep up appearances, Sister Alethea and I set to work helping them unload the crate. There were far more goods than I had expected, and I quickly found my strength faltering. I had not eaten since yesterday morning.
Sister Alethea noticed. With practiced swiftness, she snatched a warm bun from the table and pressed it into my hands, to which I tucked it beneath my cloak.
Strangely, I felt no guilt for the theft. I was hungry. And with Sister Alethea beside me again, my appetite began to return. Just as it had in those sweet, careless days when we roamed the temple halls.
I took small bites whenever the cooks turned away, and when their eyes were upon me, I used my free hand to help as best I could. The men assisting us cast me knowing glances. One of them even winked and gave a subtle nod toward a teapot resting on the counter. Beside it sat a single cup, waiting.
"I paid them ninety gold," Sister Alethea whispered close to my ear. "Your gold, of course. I researched them thoroughly. They belong to a reputable guild and accept any task, so long as coin is offered. Their pride lies in pleasing their clients, that their services might be sought again. So eat, drink, and fear nothing."
"You are so clever, Aelunira," I whispered back, my heart swelling with quiet affection.
"I know," she replied with a modest smirk.
Once the vegetables had been fully unloaded, Sister Alethea and I climbed into the crate without difficulty. The men sealed it shut and carried us to their cart.
It was dark within, but I felt no fear. I knew we were safe. I leaned against Sister Alethea. The soft rocking of the cart lulled my weary body. And in that warmth and quiet, I drifted into sleep.
---
I was roused by gentle shakes. My eyes fluttered open to darkness. We were still within the crate. Sister Alethea clutched my hands tightly, and I felt the dampness of her palms against mine.
"I thought you said this path was clear," one of the men whispered.
"It was," another replied in a hushed tone. "I walked it myself. There is never a soul here. This road has been abandoned for years."
My heart began to pound. I held my breath, straining to listen.
"Who are those women?" the first man asked sharply.
Sister Alethea's grip grew firmer, and I returned it with trembling fingers.
"We do not question our clients," came a reply. "I say we kill those men. Two against four. They will not last long."
A violent shiver passed through me, and Sister Alethea drew me into her arms.
Then another voice rang out, calm yet commanding.
"Gentlemen," he said, "this road is abandoned. What business have you here?"
"Sir, we are humble merchants," replied one of our men with feigned ease. "I ask you kindly, let us pass."
"What is in the crate?"
He was right beside us now.
My body went rigid.
Suddenly, steel clashed with steel. The sound was deafening. Dread surged through me like a rising flood. Cries of pain followed. I heard groans and curses. My entire body was slick with sweat, and I feared the sound of my heartbeat might betray our presence.
Oh Ombrithar, protect us.
"A soldier, and yet your swordplay resembles that of a common farmer," one of the men sneered, just before another violent clash of steel rang out.
Then the lid above us was thrown open. Daylight poured in, blinding us.