The Assassin's Mark (Skeleton Key) (12 page)

Despite our initial distance, our horses began to get tired. We’d pushed them harder than we should have and the storm had taken its toll on them. Already beaten by hail and tired from the day’s ride, the horses were little match for the trained cavalry’s fresh horses.

“They’ll catch us soon enough, Your Highness. When they do, you can’t resist. They might outright kill us otherwise. The less aggravated they are, the better for both of us.” Tabitha pulled one of her knives from the satchel to somewhere inside her clothing. It seemed she had no intention of being violated without having a chance to fight back.

They caught us within a few more minutes, cutting off our escape, and forcing us to dismount.

One of the officers wore regalia depicting him as sworn to Doyle’s cause. He appeared to be in charge. He had an air of arrogance to him, but also attentiveness, a dangerous combination in an enemy’s follower. It meant he was dedicated to thoroughly completing his mission no matter what.

"Come with me peacefully, princess. I don't wish to hurt you. I was instructed to bring you back with me alive. There were no indications on what condition you should be in, so long as your face is unharmed and you're capable of providing an heir for my lord." His words shook me to the core. This was far worse than anything I'd imagined. Not only would I be dragged away to Doyle, but I was supposed to surrender my kingdom to him and provide him an heir.

My legs trembled, but I forced myself to stay upright. "I'll come with you. Please, just don't hurt my maidservant." I reached for Tabitha, but the officer before me grabbed my hand and pulled me away from her.

"So long as you don't give me any reasons to look unfavorably upon her, then I'll try to make sure she's unharmed. You're the only one my lord cares about." He winked at Tabitha, then lifted me onto his horse. "Gerald, take this one with you." He pointed at Tabitha. "Try not to have too much fun."

The other mercenary stalked forward and grabbed Tabitha by the upper arm, yanking her in the direction of his horse without a word. Tears formed in Tabitha's eyes, and my shoulders slumped forward. All of this was my fault. Perhaps if I'd taken a larger force to storm my family's castle none of this would be happening now. Instead, I'd tried to take stealth, and my uncle had continued to outwit me. What good was I as the Queen of Freehaven if I couldn’t even evade capture?

My heart lurched in my chest as I thought of Edward, Sir Alan, and the other two knights. Had they even managed to make it out alive? What if they were dead? Why? All because they were trying to protect me. Was my life worth them giving theirs away?

The officer climbed onto the horse behind me, but I barely paid him any attention. My turbulent thoughts kept me occupied as we rode toward Darkview.

How had I been so stupid?

Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I held them in check. I suddenly wished for the obnoxiously oversized cloak to hide my face again. At least I would've been able to sort through my emotions in private. The men who'd captured me and Tabitha pushed their horses hard as they rode. What seemed to have taken a lot longer on the journey to my cousin’s stronghold was over by nightfall. We'd ridden almost the whole day, but it meant I'd have this chapter in my life closed sooner than later.

Perhaps I could bargain with Doyle. I could meet with my advisors and give him something he wanted. A title or some land? What was it he'd wanted from my mother and father that caused the rift in our family? I shook the thought away unable to remember since my mother hadn't spoken of that time in her life much.

We rode through the front gates, and violence was all around me. The men and women who lived in the capital were being slapped around and abused by Doyle's mercenaries. This wasn't the way to treat people, but perhaps he didn't care. He was a slaver after all. Would my people become his slaves too?

Nausea overwhelmed me, and I clenched my stomach feeling a prick of pain as my fingers brushed the spot on my side where I’d been narrowly cut. I bit my lower lip to hold in a cry.

The people around us stopped what they were doing and started shouting. "Princess! Princess! Help us, princess!"

I lowered my head, not wanting to look at them. How could I help them when I couldn't even help myself? "I'm sorry," I muttered under my breath.

The officer behind me leaned in a little. "Don't be so glum. Act like a princess for them, not a coward. They look up to you. You're only making yourself appear weaker."

I turned a little in the saddle to look at him, but regardless of his loyalty to my uncle, he was right. If I acted like a prisoner, I'd be no better than one and my people might lose all hope. That was the last thing they needed right now. “I’m beaten and your prisoner, what do you care?” I spit the words at him with venom in my tone.

“It’s not for you but for them. They need to have faith that there is still hope for the future. Furthermore, you’ve been captured. You’re not dead yet, princess. Trust me. There are things worse than death, but as long as you live, you are bound to the kingdom. How dare you let your people down? Some here still remember your father and the sacrifices your family made to ensure Freehaven’s safety. Some of us don’t have the option to stand up and fight against our lord, but that doesn’t mean we’re bad people.” He grinned. “You’d be amazed to know how many follow him due to blackmail and his iron fist. None have stood up and said enough yet. When that happens, his line of pledged officers will likely abandon him.” The officer in spoke whispers, but his demeanor was outwardly arrogant as if he was nothing more than a commander in Doyle’s army.

Passion resonated in his words, and some of them matched what my father had taught me. Humility, honesty, and duty to your kingdom were the cornerstones of my family. The officer was right. I’d let the people down if I rolled over for Doyle. Despite the situation, I was still the Princess of Freehaven and the kingdom’s rightful ruler.

I was beaten but alive, and my people needed me more than ever. I pushed down the pain and fear of what was to come and put on a brave face as I looked into the crowd.

There was a subtle change in the masses as I did. None of the guards near me seemed to notice, but what had been a beaten down people began to pull themselves together slowly. A crying mother holding her child walked away with determination on her face. A desperate blacksmith with his hammer clutched in his left hand lifted it with renewed hope.

“The seeds of rebellion are born out of bravery and tyranny,
”
the officer said as he reinforced the idea into my head.

Doyle was a slaver, a tyrant. As long as I was alive, the people had reason for hope. And as long as they had hope, they’d push back against his new rule. He might sit on the throne, but he would not rule the kingdom. The people might pay his taxes, but they’d hide their profits. Sons and daughters that he’d draft and train would rise against him with cold bitterness in their hearts.

It was a bittersweet realization.

I wasn’t worthy of such people to look upon me. I was one woman. They’d sacrifice their lives for a cause but would likely have little impact. Their deaths would be meaningless as long as I was his captive. Doyle knew this too. The moment he had an heir, he wouldn’t need me alive anymore. He’d execute me. Without a worthy cause, the people would slowly surrender and let go of their hope. Either way innocent lives would be lost for an ideal, an icon.

I didn’t want to become their martyr. But if the people had nothing to believe in, they’d lose hope. If they lost hope, the kingdom would lose its soul and its future would fall into the hands of a tyrant.

The officer turned my head and raised his eyebrow at me. “It seems you’ve begun to understand what it means to rule. There are many tyrants but few rulers.” He released my face and stared back into the crowd. For a moment I thought I recognized him. A scar ran along his chin similar to a knight who’d been banished from my father’s court when I was young. His name eluded me, but I knew I’d have lots of time to think about it.

We rode on in silence to the grand castle looming over us. The great walls that once had kept my home safe would now be my prison. On the pristine grey stone hung the bodies of loyal knights displayed to show everyone the price of loyalty for the old king.

Guards stood along the road with sunken eyes as they continued on their duties, never looking upward to the oncoming riders. It wasn’t until we’d reached the courtyard that a soft murmur seemed to spread.

“It’s her.” The whispers spread from those handling the horses onward as if the gossip was a wave racing toward a beach.

Doyle strode out into the courtyard with a grin on his pitch-black face. His bodyguard of drow mercenaries wore their skull-shaped helmets. Their piercing red eyes shone like fire and were enough to intimidate anyone who dared get too close. Each of them carried a greatsword and had an assortment of smaller blades attached to their belts, as if prepared for any kind of combat.

Doyle wore a deep green tinted mail. His features might have been handsome if they weren’t twisted. His lips seemed curve in a permanent grimace. It likely reflected his corrupted soul, but saying something like that wouldn’t be wise. Both of us knew he needed me alive for the time being, but I wasn’t going to make it easy for him.

“Welcome home, my princess. You’ve had a long ride. Please, follow me to your chambers. There won’t be a trial today since I know you need your rest. Come over here, girl. There’s no need to be shy with your uncle. I’m just doing what the kingdom needs.” His voice carried easily around the courtyard, but his tone held zero warmth. It was like the blast of a cold wind.

I was under no illusions as to what he thought kingdom needed. But what he wanted wasn’t right. Dread built within me, but I forced my face to look uninterested as a way to defy him.

“What do you mean trials, dearest uncle? I’m sure you and your pathetic claim to the throne should be the ones in front of our judges,” I said, keeping my voice calm. It would do little, but even the tiniest of barbs might make him change his mind. Right?

“That’s strange. I’m merely here to ensure Freehaven is safe. After all, you must’ve been driven mad with grief for being so far from your precious parents when they died. That’s why you abandoned your duty to the kingdom and roamed the countryside. You’re a traitor, and you’ll be beheaded for shirking your duties. The trial might take years, though. As such, I’ll merely act as Regent, for now.” This time his voice carried a hint of humor.

The outside temperature seemed to drop as a shiver chased down my spine. The meaning of his words punched me in the gut. He didn’t plan to claim the throne for himself. He would get me pregnant and have his heir take the throne.

Edward

I’d walked all day and all night on the road going as far as it went before I found myself at a large city. Each gate had a number of guards to check the people who entered and the trade goods. They most likely worked for Doyle. While I had no regalia belonging to Brigit, there was still a chance that one of the knights or the women had been tortured and that my description was common knowledge. Still, it was a risk I’d have to take.

I pulled the tattered cloak tighter around me and waited in the small line outside of the gate to enter. The merchants in front of me were discussing the sudden demand for nuts and food for horses as well as rumors for increased drafting in the outlying cities. They also hated the return of an older vassalage system that would bind the hands of the nobles giving more power to the king. So, Doyle was recruiting more troops and making it harder for the nobles to turn against him. A noble without a substantial army would be noble in name alone.

The discussion had taken so much of my attention that I didn’t notice one of the guards approach me from the side. I halted my movement and took a half-a-step back to let the guard cross the road. I kept my head low but eyes alert. The guard went by without stopping, and I breathed a small sigh of relief.

A few minutes later, I was talking to the city guards themselves. They asked my business in the city, and I merely explained I was on a pilgrimage between the cities of the Founders. It was something I’d seen in Brigit’s books, but if they pressed me on the subject, I’d be at a loss on what to say. I had no idea who or what the Founders were or even which cities they had founded. It was a big gamble.

The guards shook their heads before waving me through with no apparent interest. As I walked by one of the guards called after me, “The city is under curfew, pilgrim. Don’t remain outside after dusk.”

Damn.
Although, the rooftops and filthy underground of any city might remain active despite it.
Or to spite it
.

I waved to the guard in thanks and walked along the road. It seemed my tattered clothes and bruised body had some use after all. I spent time familiarizing myself with the layout of the city. From the map I’d seen while at Skyhaven, I remembered the general quarters and sections of the city. Market squares were plentiful, but the biggest one was almost a third of the way into the city itself.

The castle dominated the landscape. Its moat and the natural protection of it sitting on a hill made it an imposing structure. Even from this distance, I could see that catapults were slowly being built on the walls as if to tell everyone nearby that attacking the castle would be futile. The outer wall of the city formed a secondary wall around the castle’s own, creating a double-ringed structure capable of withstanding significant damage, but they were on levels so that if the city walls were lost, the invaders would be unable to use them to strongly attack the castle itself.

Without a clue of where to go, I headed to the nearest tavern and asked where the thieves and burglars met. I used my pilgrimage story again, trying to convey that I was asked to deliver blessings to the poor and the outlaws that lived inside the city. After all, even they needed help, right?

As I lacked any significant amount of coin, I took my chances and liberated some from a few more inebriated men in the tavern. I’d built up a healthy buzz before the barkeep finally relented for price of four copper pieces to show me which direction to go. Knowing full well the bartender had seen the coins I carried, I was prepared for an ambush.