Haven: Chronicles of Warshard (14 page)

“Please stop, Emeril. This isn’t you,” she whispered. “You’re just upset. You don’t know what you’re doing. You know we can’t be together. I don’t want children. I don’t want a husband. I don’t want anyone to have this curse of immortality.” Tears ran down her cheeks. She could barely speak, her voice trembling with every
word.

“But it isn’t a curse, Haven,” Emeril pressed his body against hers. “Don’t you see?” Haven turned her face away from him and he kissed her neck. “If only I could have given your gift to my father, then Salander wouldn’t have
burned.”

“What?” Haven gasped, trying to pull her wrists from his
grip.

“She said she would heal him if I just let her have my city. She said he would be all right, that I wouldn’t have to be king.” He left cold kisses down her neck. Haven thought he might be crying too, but she refused to look at him. Every inch of her skin burned with discomfort. “If only that
witch
had kept her word, then father wouldn’t be
dead.”

Emeril suddenly collapsed against her waist, his arms around her hips. He sobbed into her shirt, wet streaks falling on the dark red fabric. Haven slowly looked down at him. The soreness in her wrists was already dissipating, as were her tears. It took a moment to collect herself, as well as decipher exactly what Emeril had just confessed. Emeril made a deal with someone to heal his father. In exchange for that, Emeril let that person have Salander. Haven stifled a gasp, fingers turning to fists. Emeril had made a deal with
Kadia
to heal his father. In exchange, he opened the gates and let her burn Ithrendel to the ground. Haven stood stalk still in her shock, staring at the crying man before her. Her heart didn’t soften at the sight of his boyishly mussed hair, or soft blue-green eyes. It only contracted in disgust. Nausea rose inside her. She never knew her old friend to be so
selfish.

Once the tears and sobs began to quiet and Emeril stilled, Haven pulled away quickly, stepping far out of reach. She felt violated in more ways than one. It took a moment, but once Emeril composed himself he realized something. Looking at her, he saw his
mistake.

“Haven,” he breathed, tears springing to his eyes again. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean
to--”

“Emeril, enough,” she
said.

“Please forgive me,” he
begged.

“Do not ever touch me again,” Haven said, staring him in the
eye.

“Haven,” he said, standing. She took a step away, her guard up. Emeril stopped. “Please don’t be afraid of
me.”

“Goodbye, Emeril,” Haven said, turning to take her
leave.

“Haven,” he said, but didn’t follow. “Please,
Haven.”

She didn’t say a word, only continued through the trees and back to the safety of the fire and her guards. Never again would she be alone with
Emeril.

CHAPTER 14

“
E
meril is here to see you, Lady Queen,” Blythe said from the entrance of her
tent.

Haven stiffened. Her guards badgered her all night long about what had transpired between the two, but Haven wasn’t ready to discuss it with anyone, let alone her guards. Emeril would be lucky to escape with his life if she told
them.

“I don’t wish to see him,” the young queen said, pushing her breakfast around on her plate. She wouldn’t tell them of the horrible things Emeril had done – not to save his kingship, but to save his life. He had once been her friend, and though he had ruined that in a few moments of sorrow, she didn’t want him to lose his
head.

Lareina exchanged a look with Blythe. “Did something happen last night?” she
asked.

“I just don’t want to see him,” Haven
said.

Blythe relayed the information to Emeril before returning into the tent. “What happened?” her guard asked gruffly, seating herself at the queen’s
side.

“Nothing,” Haven said. “Do not concern yourselves, only keep him away from
me.”

“Haven, if he’s done
something-”

“Nothing has happened!” she snapped. “Just... keep him away. We aren’t friends anymore. I don’t want him near
me.”

Lareina laid her fingers on top of Haven’s clenched fist. Slowly she relaxed, and her guards let the matter go. Finishing her breakfast, Haven stood. “We should get everyone moving.” Her guards agreed and they all packed
up.

With the worst of the road behind them, it wasn’t long before Haven and the others reached the edge of Dagan. Once inside the evil queen’s kingdom, there was only so much forest left to protect them. They used it discreetly. Haven had the scouts running at all times with updates from ahead. Once their position was solid and their people were left to rest, Haven and Corrin moved to the head of the pack to discuss
strategy.

It was assumed that the first distraction had already been implemented since most of Kadia’s soldiers had been reported missing from Cidra. That meant the attack on the capital city was imminent and they had to be ready to
run.

“The people will not want to leave anything behind,” Corrin
sighed.

“They must. Trolleys will only slow us down.” Haven said. “This has to be quick. The people must run as if their lives depend on it because it very well
might.”

Corrin met her gaze and nodded. They both understood what had to be done. They would address their people together. If the distraction came tonight as planned, they would make a run for it. Beforehand, they would let everyone know what to bring, and what to leave behind. Speed was paramount if they were to
succeed.

“We should address everyone soon, before they get too comfortable,” Corrin
said.

Haven agreed. They let their advisers know, and soon the masses were gathered as close as possible to listen to their king and
queen.

“Good evening everyone,” Corrin went first. Haven was shy at speaking to such a large group, but she tried to appear confident and sure. They had to stand together and be a symbol for the people. If they were to waver, so would their plan. “Our escape is imminent.” His gaze roamed the crowd. “The next distraction will come at any time, so we must be ready. The tunnel to safety is not far off. It is just beyond Cidra.” Haven couldn’t help but glance through the trees. The black spires of Kadia’s castle were visible over the tree line. “I know it will be hard, but I must urge you to leave your belongings behind. They will only slow you
down.”

Before a protest could mount, Haven added, “Take only what you can carry. Provisions for the coming journey would be preferable if we are all to
survive.”

“We will all get through this alive if we stick together and make haste. The sick and wounded will keep the horses to fly quickly over the land,” Corrin
continued.

Murmurs spread through the group around them before they could go on. Fear was
kindling.

Haven tried to move on to keep the panic at bay. “Soldiers will lead the way in case anything is to come. Do not be frightened.” This did seem to soothe the crowds. Haven exchanged a look with Corrin before continuing. “While the distraction is underway, we will only have so much time. We won’t be able to take the trolleys or carts any further. Any of the cattle, sheep, birds, or otherwise you have brought should be left behind. I know this may be inconvenient to you, but these material things will be returned to you one day. Right now, we need to escape with our lives. That is the
priority.”

Once a consensus had been reached, Corrin addressed the crowd once
more.

“We must be ready at a moment’s notice,” he said. “Once you are prepared, please rest and we will let you know when it is
time.”

The crowd dispersed and everyone set about their duties. Word trickled through the groups quickly to those who had not been present. Before they knew it, dusk was upon them and the masses were prepared, but the distraction had not yet
come.

“What is taking so long?” Corrin muttered, staring through the
trees.

“I don’t know,” Haven said, watching the moonrise and the stars appear in the
night.

They were silent for some time, enjoying the silence of each other’s company while they waited. They sat together for some time before the quiet was
broken.

“How did things go with the prince last night? He seemed quite distressed,” Corrin asked, still staring at the horizon, even though the sky was nearly black with the exception of the
stars.

Haven froze and forced herself not to look at him. She knew if he saw her eyes that he might read her again. She didn’t want anyone knowing what Emeril had done. It would be treason to harm another Royal. If Emeril was lucky enough to escape alive, he would be exiled from Warshard forever. She couldn’t wish that fate on anyone but
Kadia.

“Fine,” she said after a long pause. “He just needed a
friend.”

Ever the observant one, Corrin looked at her. “You seem quite withdrawn from your friend today,” he said. It was true; Haven had gone to all lengths to avoid Emeril. She blatantly ignored him at times, and even chose to run away at others. She wished Corrin hadn’t noticed. “Did something
happen?”

“No,” she said quickly. “He was just
upset.”

Corrin continued to stare at her while Haven continued to avoid his gaze. In this case, she may have made him more suspicious with her lack of eye contact. Thankfully, the young king left it alone. “I’m worried that the distraction has failed,” he
said.

This time Haven did look at him. “It couldn’t have,” she said, though she had been thinking the same
thing.

“What if it
did?”

They both sat thinking for a few
moments.

“If it did, we need a new plan,” Haven said
slowly.

Corrin nodded. “Yes, we would. But we can hardly spare the men for an attack of our
own.”

Haven agreed. “We couldn’t attack them ourselves. We need to come up with something smart, something that would divert Kadia’s attention
completely.”

They both agreed on that, but as they sat in thoughtful silence, Haven wasn’t sure what they could possibly
do.

“We should sleep on it,” Corrin finally
said.

“Until tomorrow then,” Haven said, standing to
go.

“Good night, Lady
Haven.”

Haven nodded. “Good night,
Corrin.”

When the sun rose early the next day, there was still no sign of the distraction. Haven and Corrin met in the same spot to discuss a plan of action. This time their advisers and Haven’s guard were in attendance. Throughout the night, the idea of a new plan had plagued her. There was something about Kadia that bothered the young queen. In fact, it almost scared her. The madness of the queen was palpable and should be played on. Thinking back to the letter Kadia had sent her, it wasn’t long before Haven came up with a plan of her own. The only problem would be that her guard would never agree to
it.

Haven had to hope that Corrin would come up with something
better.

“Good morning, Lady Queen,” Corrin bowed
slightly.

“Good morning, Lord King,” Haven smiled and they all sat at their makeshift table. She was reminded of their secret meetings in the mountains, only this time her friends were here and they were missing two kings and a
prince.

“I trust there is no new information from the scouts,” Haven
said.

Corrin shook his head. “It is disappointing
news.”

“Indeed,” Haven
agreed.

“Have you thought of a
plan?”

Haven tried not to squirm under the gaze of her friends. They knew her all too
well.

“You were up awfully late, Lady Queen,” Blythe
said.

“Surely you’ve thought of something,” Lareina
agreed.

“I’d like to hear your thoughts first, King Corrin,” she
said.

“Unfortunately, my own plan comes in the form of a very brazen attack that is sure to get all involved killed,” Corrin shrugged. “Which, of course, is not acceptable. In other words, I have no plan, My
Lady.”

Haven sighed. She had feared as
much.

“I do have a plan,” Haven admitted. “But you’re not going to like
it.”

“Why must your plans always risk your own life, Lady Queen?” Blythe asked from the queen’s left. Haven knew Blythe was simply being dramatic, she knew that her life would never truly be at risk – but there were things worse than
death.

King Corrin, Prince Emeril, her guards, and several remaining Wakefin guards accompanied Haven into the open. Haven’s plan was simple. They had to lure the queen out, so they needed a ruse. Not long ago, they’d sent a messenger ahead with a letter for the queen. Lies about bartering surrender were involved. Haven hoped that with Kadia’s over confidence, she would come herself instead of sending an emissary. While Haven and her little group distracted Kadia’s watchful eye, the rest of their people would safely run to the tunnel and escape. The deception didn’t need to last long, only long enough to get everyone
clear.

At first, her guards had nearly rioted about the idea. It was only when a small army of guards hiding in the nearby trees was suggested that they agreed. Still, no one liked the plan. It could get any number of them maimed or killed if they weren’t careful. If Kadia really did want Haven that badly, she would surely come herself, but would she leave by herself as well? They would have to do it to find
out.

Taking a stand just outside Cidra in the open plain, they waited. The great black city stood before them, daunting in stature. The city walls were tall; its towers even higher. Haven wondered suddenly how Kadia had kept her people inside this entire time. Surely they wanted to get away from their terrible queen. Just as she wondered how long this would take, the crack of the main gates echoed in the clearing. The heavy doors pushed outward, and the iron fence was
raised.

Riding from the open doors came a small party of eight with the blonde-haired, blue-eyed queen leading the
pack.

Haven stiffened, hands tightening on her reigns. They waited in silence. Haven was sure anxiety rolled off them in waves. Glancing around at her friends, she found they all couldn’t take their eyes off Kadia. She was magnificent to see, stunning each and every one of
them.

“How lovely of you all to come,” Kadia purred as she came to a stop. She smiled, that sort of sickly sweet smile Haven had seen once before. “You wish to
surrender?”

Corrin cleared his throat, “We wish to discuss
terms.”

“Terms?” Kadia threw her head back and laughed. “If you don’t mind me saying, I don’t think you have much to barter with.” Kadia’s blue eyes fell on Haven. Her eyes widened in the same way they had before. To Kadia, it was as if Haven was the most wonderful thing in the world. Or at least that’s what Haven saw in the sick queen’s gaze. Haven shivered. “Lovely girl,” she whispered, voice like velvet and honey. “You’ve finally come to me. I told you we would soon
meet.”

Kadia held out her gloved hand as if she expected Haven to come forward and take it. Haven did the opposite and backed away, fear gripping her heart like
talons.

“Queen Kadia,” Corrin cleared his throat again, trying to draw her attention away. Begrudgingly, Kadia turned to the young king. “We want our kingdoms back. What are your
terms?”

“I already have your kingdoms. I won’t give them back so easily.” Kadia’s gaze grew cold. “But if you and your people want to escape with your lives through the tunnel, be my guest. I will allow
that.”

Haven and Corrin exchanged a panicked
glance.

“Why would you let us flee?” Emeril suddenly
asked.

Kadia shrugged. “I do as I wish and now I have what I want. I will even be so gracious as to leave the rest of your people
alone.”

“That is good news,” Emeril
said.

Haven wasn’t so sure. She could sense a deal coming. Kadia wouldn’t let all of this happen without a
price.

“You won’t consider the return of our kingdoms? You won’t consider peace?” Corrin grew
irritated.

“I’ll have peace when you’re all gone, won’t I?” Kadia looked at
them.