Shadows of Men (The Watchers Book 1) (30 page)

Chapter 24

T
he cold walls of the castle loomed over him menacingly, mocking him in his hopelessness.  It had seemed so easy on the journey there- sneak in, rescue Terryn, sneak out.  But now that he stood looking at the large stone walls, it seemed impossible.

              The castle was a fortress, fortified with the hardest of stone- impenetrable.  Its walls jutted upward so high, it hurt his neck to look.  There were no windows within his reach; he would have to scale the walls to sneak in that way and that was something he was not about to try.  Gaining entrance to the castle would be impossible to do without being noticed.

              Emeric sighed with frustration as he sat shielded from sight in the shrubs.  With his cloak and the cover of nightfall, he knew no one would see him there unless they walked right up to him.  He lowered his gaze to the front doors of the castle and decided he needed to come up with a strategy.  The doors remained closed at all times and Emeric knew there was no way of getting in other than the front doors. 
At least no way that I have ever heard of. 
He wondered if he should stalk around the castle and search for another entrance.  He knew he would need to do it quickly while darkness still shrouded him.

              As he stood to leave the confines of his hiding place, he stooped once more and watched as the front doors swung open suddenly and someone stepped outside.  His cloak covered his face and he walked with quick purpose.  Emeric’s eyes followed him all the way to the stables and when he looked back to the doors, they were shutting.

              Without thinking, Emeric thrust himself forward, rushing through the tall grass and leaving his horse behind.  He raced to the doors and slipped inside just before they closed.  The two guards who watched the doors shouted with surprise and held their spears to his chest.  Emeric raised his hands in the air, signaling that he meant them no harm.  He cursed himself under his breath for acting so rashly. 
What a fool I am! 
He thought as he stared into the eyes of the castle guards.

              “Who are you and what are you doing here?”  One of them asked and suddenly, Emeric had a plan- he decided to tell the truth.

              “I am Sir Emeric Lanslet, Protector of Ylia, and I have come seeking an audience with the King.”  His heart began to pound inside his chest with the thought of being sent before the King but he had no other chance of saving Terryn.

              “The King is away.”  The guard told him and this news took Emeric by surprise.

              “Away?  Where is he off to?  I have urgent news for him!”  He tried to sound disappointed.

              “No one knows.  Tis a secret where he’s gone.  If you have news, you must share it with the Queen.”  Emeric found the King’s absence disturbing. 
Why would the King suddenly leave without telling anyone where he is going? 
As much as he wanted to know the answer to this question, he knew he had no time to investigate.  His priority was Terryn.  Then another horrible realization came over him-
What if Terryn has told the King of the rebellion and he is already moving his forces to Ylia? 
He tried to hide the shaking in his hands as he lowered them and nodded to the guards.

              “I will speak with the Queen then.”  He allowed them to lead him to the throne room where one of the guards stood and waited with him while the other left to fetch Queen Scarlet. 

              So far, Emeric’s plan had worked.  He was inside the castle and hoped that he could convince the Queen to let him stay the night.  What he was going to say to the Queen, he had not figured out yet.  His hands and brow began to sweat as he pondered what reason he would give for intruding.  Nothing came to mind.

              A few moments later, the Queen sauntered into the room with two servants and the guard who had fetched her traipsing behind.  She wore a long, black nightgown that left a trail dragging on the floor.  Her red hair had been left down and uncombed and Emeric found it hard to look away from her beauty.  When she spun to face him and sat in her throne, her green eyes captured him and made him feel as though he was already a prisoner.  Then she smiled.  It was not as he had always remembered, menacing and mocking, but rather, warm and encouraging.  She almost seemed happy to see him standing before her and suddenly, his heart grew calmer and he felt a new wave of confidence rush over him. 
I can do this! 
He told himself with excitement.  He knew now what he would say as well.  He decided to get as much information as he could from the Queen without her realizing it.

              “Good evening, Protector Emeric.”  She said in her waspy and timid voice. 

              Emeric bowed gracefully and replied- “Good evening, your majesty.”

              “And to what do I owe this most surprising pleasure?”  She asked, her smile never fading.

              Emeric stood up tall and smiled back.  He tried his hardest to make his voice sound sincerely worried when he spoke.  “It was Lord Ivran’s desire that I come here and give your majesty a warning.”

              Queen Scarlet’s smile suddenly faded.  She leaned forward in her chair and Emeric could see he had made her uncomfortable.  “Go on.”  She urged, eagerly wanting to hear his news.

              “Word has reached our ears in Ylia of some trouble in Tyos.  Something has gone terribly wrong there and Lord Ivran has stated that he is prepared to send a small party to their aid.”

              Queen Scarlet sat back in her chair and Emeric noticed the look of panic leave her eyes.  She suddenly smiled again and Emeric could not help but smile back.  He knew the Queen had no way of knowing he was already aware of the High Protector’s journey to Tyos. 

              “We have already addressed the issue in the north.  The High Protector left weeks ago to lend her aid.  Tell Lord Ivran that his concern is much appreciated and his willingness to help will not go unrewarded.”

              “I shall.”  Emeric replied enthusiastically.  “And when do you expect the High Protector to return?  Has she sent any news of what has happened in the north?”

              Queen Scarlet shook her head and sighed.  “There have been no reports as of yet and I suspect the High Protector to return within the month.”

              “May she return safely.”  He said.  The Queen smiled at his courteous remark but the only reason he would want Rhada to return safely was to allow Lord Ivran the chance to kill her himself.  He knew that his Lord was anxious for the opportunity. 

              “My apologies for troubling you at this late hour, your majesty.  I shall deliver word to my Lord and please, I beg, send word of any news that reaches your ears.  Lord Ivran shall be anxious to hear it.”

              Queen Scarlet seemed extremely pleased with Emeric’s remark and just as he bowed and turned to leave, she stopped him.

              “Must you go so soon?”  She asked, standing from her throne.  Emeric smiled to himself, knowing that his plan had worked.  As he spun back around, his smile faded and he replaced it with a look of solemnity. 

              “Aye.  I would not want to encroach on the throne any longer.”

              “You have had a long journey.”  The Queen replied.  “And the hour is late, as you have already stated.  I will have the guards show you to a guest room.”

              Emeric bowed again.  “Thank you, your majesty.  I am rather exhausted.” 

              Queen Scarlet clapped her hands and one of her guards stepped out of the shadows.

“Show Protector Emeric to a room that is befitting a man of his stature.”  The guard nodded and soon Emeric was following him down the dark corridor.  As he left the throne room, he happened to glance back at the Queen and saw her gaze following him to the doors.  He could not help but notice how her eyes seemed to long for him.  They shone with brilliance in the candlelight- an image that stayed with him as he traveled through the cold halls.

              When he reached his room, he thanked the guard that led him there, shut the door quietly and threw his traveling pack onto the bed.  He sat down on the edge and removed his wet boots then tried his best to rub the soreness from his tired, achy feet.

              After a few moments, Emeric stood and walked across the room to the wine cabinet.  He poured himself a glass of sweet red and moved to the large window that overlooked the forest.  He could see the outline of his horse under the moonlight, still happily grazing in the grass.  He knew the beast would not wander far.  He took a sip as he looked up to the stars. 

              As he stood, he thought he could feel Terryn’s presence below him, hidden in the bowels of the castle.  His torment stretched up to Emeric and sent a shiver up his spine.  His only desire was to rush down to the dungeons and rescue him but he knew he needed to wait.  The castle was not yet quiet enough. 

              Several hours went by and twice Emeric caught himself dozing off.  Both times he jolted himself back to consciousness and stood to pace the room until the sleepiness wore off. 
If I fall asleep, I will sleep through the night and my chance to rescue Terryn will pass me by. 

              Finally, when his wine was gone and there were no more sounds outside his door, he decided to slip outside and begin his search for the dungeons.  He grabbed his traveling pack and threw it over his shoulder, strapped his sword to his belt and pulled his hood over his face.  He stepped to the door, grasped the handle and took a deep breath before opening it. 

              Instead of stepping out into the dimly lit hallway, Emeric jumped back in surprise as he stared into the Queen’s eyes.  She stepped back as well, surprised by his presence in the doorway.  Her hand had been raised to knock on his door but she lowered it as she stared at him then frowned.  As she looked him over, she noticed his pack over his shoulder, his hood over his face and his sword hanging from his belt.

              “Are you leaving so soon?”  She asked disappointedly. 

              Emeric took in a deep breath to calm his panicked heart.  He nodded and replied- “I could not sleep so I thought I would get an early start home.”  He hoped that was believable enough.

              Queen Scarlet smiled and stepped into the room without being invited.  Emeric watched her throw her hips from side to side as she walked past him.  He leaned out of the doorway and searched for her guards but quickly realized she had come to his room alone.

              “Perhaps I can help the weary traveler get some rest.”  She said slyly.  Once she was near the bed, she spun back around to face him, pulled the front tie on her robe and let it fall to the ground. 

              Emeric swallowed hard as he stared at the naked Queen.  Her body was solid and smooth and Emeric felt stirrings he had not felt in years.  He tried to pull away, to turn and run down the hall and never look back but his eyes were fixed on the Queen and when she sat at the edge of the bed and laid her head on the pillow, he found himself slowly closing the door.  He heard it shut with a soft
click
and cursed himself for being on the wrong side of it. 

Chapter 25

K
ing Firion tapped his finger against the side of his head in rhythm with the pounding that came from within.  It had started the moment he woke that morning and never ceased.  He had drunk far too much ale the night before and woke with an aching in his belly and a throbbing behind his eyes. 

              Every night it was the same- Lady Ashryn would stumble into his tent with a bottle of ale or spirit in each hand and they would drink until their vision was blurred and every night they would make love under the blankets next to the warm fire.  King Firion smiled as he pictured her naked body in his mind.  She was beautiful and her body reminded him of Scarlet’s. 

              The King, however, felt no desire to drink with Lady Ashryn tonight and sat patiently awaiting her arrival to tell her to leave him be, when suddenly the flap of his tent was thrown open and in walked Lady Ashryn with Protector Zane at her side.

              “You have returned.”  King Firion noted.  He hoped that Zane had brought him the news he was waiting to hear. 

              Zane bowed slightly before the King then looked to him regretfully.  “I have.”  He replied.

              King Firion turned to Lady Ashryn and waved her away.  “Leave us.”  He said and noticed the disappointed look she shot him before stepping out of the tent.

              “Well?  Has the prisoner confessed?”  He asked before inviting Zane to sit down.  Zane merely shook his head and took a seat across from the King anyway.

              “He will not.  I have tried everything, your majesty- everything I could think of.  I even tried to bribe him in my desperation but he will not talk.  His love for the traitor Lord Ivran has made his resolve strong and he has decided to stay defiant until the very end.” 

              King Firion felt rage begin to build inside of him.  He looked across the tent to the man who had failed him and wondered how he dared be in his presence. 
How dare he look me in the eye now and tell me he could not accomplish the simple task I have set him to?  He should be trembling in fear! 
King Firion stood, walked to his flagon of ale and refilled it from the decanter.  He ignored the pounding in his head as he took a hard swallow.  His sudden urge to strike Zane needed to be quelled and ale was the only way he knew to do that. 

              “I am disappointed in you, Zane.”  He said quietly.  He turned back to Protector Zane and saw fear in his eyes- a satisfied feeling washed over him and he sat back down.  “I will strike Lord Ivran regardless of the information you syphon from that traitor but I will be better prepared if I know what I am up against.”

              “Majesty, may I suggest that we strike now?  Lord Ivran has many allies, yes, but they are divided at the moment.  He is no more prepared to attack us than we are him.  If we strike him now, it may make the others afraid enough to stay hidden.”

              “I do not want them to stay hidden!”  Firion shouted.  He stood tall and let his looming presence shroud Zane in fear.  “I want them all captured and brought to justice!  Every man, woman and child who dares defy their King will feel my wrath!” 

              Zane tore his eyes away from the King and looked down to his hands in shame.  “Forgive me, majesty.”  He whispered.

              King Firion drank the last of his ale and threw the flagon aside.  He stooped down, grasped Zane by the collar and pulled him from his chair.

              “I want that traitor brought back here.  If you cannot do your job properly, then I will do it for you.”  With that, King Firion pushed Zane away from him, towards the tent door.  Zane fell to the ground but quickly stood and bowed to the King.  When he spoke, King Firion could hear his voice trembling.

              “Right away, your majesty.”  And he turned and bolted from the tent. 

              Firion stood and watched the door of the tent for a moment, expecting Lady Ashryn to come charging in but all seemed quiet outside and Firion decided to lie down and try to will the aching in his head to vanish.  As soon as he turned away from the door, however, he heard the faint sound of the flap opening and he spun around to see who had intruded. 

              Instead of Lady Ashryn, like he suspected, he was surprised to find Myranda standing in his presence.  She stood idly at the door, nervously pulling on her own fingers.  Her long, blonde hair draped over her shoulders in waves and her blue eyes were sparkling with wetness in the firelight.  When their eyes met, she bowed quickly and spoke with a voice so soft, it was near imperceptible. 

              “Majesty.”  Was all she could muster to say.

              King Firion’s curiosity grew exceedingly as he stared at the Sorceress that was now in his presence.  He wondered why she would come to him- if perhaps she had had another vision.  But even more so, he wondered how she had found him.

              “Myranda.”  He acknowledged her as he sat at the edge of his bed.  “Come in.”  He urged and she took a few shy steps into the tent.  “How did you find my camp?”  He asked, trying not to sound as angry as he felt.

              Myranda shifted from foot to foot nervously and forced her gaze back to the King.  She took a deep breath to calm the shaking in her voice as she spoke.  “Forgive me, majesty, but I followed Protector Zane.  I urgently needed to speak with you and had no other way of knowing where to find you.”

              “If it is a vision you wish to speak of, you could have just told the Queen.  I’ve no time for petty quarrels of the realm.”

              “I have not come to discuss a vision.  I have come to discuss something I have witnessed with my own eyes and heard with my own ears.”  King Firion saw the courage growing behind Myranda’s eyes as she spoke and she took a few more steps towards him.

              “Go on.”  He replied in a soft voice.  He was surprised to find that he was eager to hear what she had to say.

              “Back at the castle, I felt a very strong urge to follow Protector Zane into the dungeons.  I listened as he tried to bargain with the prisoner to get information from him.”

              King Firion suddenly stood in rage and glowered down at Myranda.  “How dare you?”  He shouted.  “It is not your place to eavesdrop on matters that do not concern you!”  He was about to call for his guards to arrest her when she bent down on one knee and bowed her head low.

              “Forgive me, majesty, it was not my intent!”  Now the shaking in her voice could be heard clearly.  “Lady Ashryn and Protector Zane mean to betray you!” 

              King Firion stopped suddenly and peered down at Myranda with harsh eyes.  His hands clenched into fists but it was not from the anger he felt towards Myranda- it was her words now that quenched him in a fiery rage.

              “What did you say?”  He asked, almost unable to believe her words.

              “I heard Protector Zane tell Terryn that he and Lady Ashryn are planning to kill you and the High Protector.  I did not hear how they mean to do it but you are in danger.  They have been lying to you all along.  They want the throne for themselves!”  Myranda could feel the King’s rage fill the space between them, heating the inside of the tent like a furnace.  It palpitated through the air, burning into her chest and making her eyes water.

              The King stood for a moment in silence.  Then, without warning, he rushed forward and threw himself from his tent. 

              Myranda did not move until her shaking hands were still.  She stood slowly and took another deep breath, turning to stare at the tent flap before her, not daring to leave. 

              It had been a difficult decision to make- telling the King of Lady Ashryn and Protector Zane’s treachery.  Though she had no desire to protect the King, she did not want an uprising in the castle to occur.  Even worse, she felt that the High Protector needed to be protected.  She could not explain her feelings- for if the opportunity arose, she would not stand in the way of an assassin.  But for reasons she could not explain, she knew the realm needed Rhada now.  So Myranda decided the only thing she could do was tell the King what she had heard and pray that he granted Lady Ashryn and Protector Zane a swift death.  When King Firion returned with three guards and Zane, whose face was already bloodied and bruised, she knew that mercy had been too much to hope for. 

              Captain Theodoric, who held tightly to Zane’s shoulders, shoved him forward into the dirt, making a cloud of dust rise up around them and settle on everything inside the tent.  Myranda could see Protector Zane shaking with fear and when his eyes met hers, she looked away in shame.

              “So,” King Firion began, placing his hands behind his back and peering down at Zane with unforgiving eyes, “how did you plan to do it?  Were you going to kill me before the High Protector returned or were you planning to kill her first before coming to me?”  He smiled and leaned forward to stare directly into Zane’s eyes.  “That’s it, isn’t it?  You thought you could kill the High Protector and Bloodbinder would be yours.”  He sneered as he said this last part.

              Just then, another guard entered the tent with Lady Ashryn.  He held tightly to a scruff of hair on the back of her head and shoved her forward, causing her to cry out in pain.  When she looked up, her face was streaming with tears and she tried to grasp at the edge of the King’s robes.  He swiftly pulled away, making her fall forward again.

              “Please!”  She begged.  “Whatever you have heard is a lie!  I have sworn myself to you!”  She was not afraid to look in the King’s eyes like Zane was.  She let him see the tears that fell freely down her cheeks.

              King Firion grasped her by the chin and spoke in a whisper so soft- Myranda had to lean forward to hear his words. 

              “And none other shall have you- ever again!”  He let go of her chin and turned to Theodoric. 

              “Start a fire and have your men gather the torch oil.  We are going to light up the night sky with these traitors’ bodies!”  Theodoric bowed to his King before leaving the tent to carry out his commands.

Lady Ashryn was sobbing now and Zane had a gentle hand on her shoulder for comfort but a stoical look upon his face.  Myranda glanced in their direction then promptly looked away towards the tent door.  She knew the King had sensed her desire to flee when he turned to her and said; “you stay and watch.  I want you to see that a new rebellion has begun, but I have already started to extinguish the flames of vengeance the people of this realm wish to inflict upon us, starting with these two!”  Lady Ashryn’s crying became hysterical with those words. 

              They waited patiently for the Captain to return and by the time he did, the flames of the fire that roared outside could be seen glowing through the thin walls of the tent.  King Firion motioned for his guards to lift the two traitors off the ground and Myranda watched in horror as they stripped them of their clothing completely.  Myranda turned away embarrassed and shuddered when she felt the King’s hand on her back, shoving her forward and out of the tent.

              The night air had been chilly when Myranda first entered the camp but now it burned with the heat of the flames.  All the men of the King’s camp stood around the fire, having been told by the Captain to stand as witnesses.

              Several guards carrying buckets walked up to the traitors and dumped the contents over their heads.  Myranda could clearly see the black oil shining against the firelight that draped over Lady Ashryn and Protector Zane like a thick blanket.  Protector Zane shook his head from side to side, trying to shake the oil from his eyes and Lady Ashryn screamed as the black sludge oozed down her face.

              King Firion motioned for Theodoric to bring them forward.  He grabbed Lady Ashryn by the wrist and pulled her in front of the crowd.  Protector Zane was shoved next to her.  They stood naked before the King’s men, covered in black oil and trembling.  The flames of the fire burned menacingly in the dark night, lighting the faces of the King’s guards who stood around it, whistling and jeering at the two unfortunate souls about to be consumed in the conflagration.  Their faces became as daunting as the King’s in that moment- like demons dancing around the fires of eternal damnation.  The orange glow gave their eyes an eerie sparkle. 

Some of them began to whistle and call to Lady Ashryn, making crude remarks about her body.  She cried and wrapped herself in her arms, trying to hide her nakedness from the men. 

One of the guards stooped down and lifted a small rock from the ground.  He raised it above his head and threw it with precise aim, striking Protector Zane on the side of the head.  He grasped his head in his hand and ducked.  Another rock came flying through the air and hit his shoulder then another landed on the ground next to his feet, missing its intended mark.  Lady Ashryn was struck on the forehead.  She cried out in pain and fell to her knees.  Captain Theodoric stepped up behind her and pulled her back to her feet. 

Myranda could not watch the spectacle of torture any longer.  She turned to the King and saw that he was laughing at their misfortune.  His dark hair and dark eyes glistened in the firelight and his broad shoulders bounced with his laughter.  He laughed as though it were a joke- as if it was a jester before him, performing puerile tricks.  That was the moment Myranda realized she hated the King.