Unyielding (The Ashborne Trilogy Book 2) (9 page)

These two men had no idea how lucky there were. Because had they recognized me, I would have been forced to use another way to elude their watchful eyes; a way that probably wouldn’t have left them alive.

# # #

It wasn’t long before I found myself hurrying along the night-covered streets of Ashborne. Even though I was careful to avoid the main streets and pathways of the castle town, I never let my cover waiver. As I passed people and soldiers along the streets, I wasn’t nervous; in fact, I was eerily calm. Just as in any battle before, my soldier-trained mind was clear and hyper-focused on the task at hand. The usual stares and glances I was used to receiving as the Princess of Ashborne had been replaced by ignorance and aloofness. An new, unfamiliar feeling to me.

Before long, I had made my way to the large stables that housed much of Ashborne army’s steeds. Still careful to keep the shadows as my home, I made my way to the rear of this elongated building, where I had written for Gentry to meet me. And as I approached the back of the building, I found myself praying that he would be there waiting with a ready plan.

I stealthy peeked around the corner and gazed at the pastures and unlit darkness that lived behind the stables. It was so dark, that I could barely make out the figure of a shrouded man standing behind the building. I could only assume it was Gentry. Unable to see his face, I approached him cautiously. I wasn’t going to break this facade until I knew for certain who this cloaked man was. Once he noticed my presence and turned to face me, he spoke, sending a wave of relief washing over me.

“Penelope? What are you doing here?”

I ran up and embraced him, which he seemed surprised by. “Whoa, what’s wrong? Where’s Amber?”

I looked up, smiled, and showed my face to him. “Gentry, it’s me.”

“
Amber?” He squinted as he examined my face under the moonlight. “Well, I’ll be damned… I was wondering how you were going to elude your escort. That’s pretty clever. Are you all right?”

“
I’m fine. I’m sorry I worried you, staying locked up in my room like I was.”

He kissed the top of my head as I continued bear-hugging him. “Ah, never mind that. I’m just glad you’re all right and that you came to your senses about leaving this place. I- I’m very sorry I couldn’t help your friend, Amber.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s all right. I’m sure he’s escaping as we speak. I’m meeting him as soon as I get outside these walls.”

“
What?! How’s he getting out of there?”

“
It doesn’t matter. Did you really find a way to get me out?”

“
I did. You’re not going to like it, but it’ll work,” he chuckled.

“
What is it?”

“
We need to move quickly. Who knows how much time we have before someone realizes that you two are missing. Come. I’ll show you,” he said as he held my hand and led me through the darkness to the far side of the stables. “We’re going to smuggle you out by wagon.”

“
What? Gentry, that’s not going to work. You know how paranoid my father is. The guards have always inspected any haul coming or going through the gates.”

“
Yeah, but not this one,” I couldn’t see the mischievous smile he was wearing as he said that, but I could sure hear it.

I didn’t understand what he was planning, but my mind was busy dealing with a new concern. “Who’s driving the wagon out? You? That’ll be too suspicious, Gentry. The moment Father realizes I’m gone, he’ll question everyone. They’ll know you helped me.”

“Would you relax? Have you forgotten who you’re talking to? Trust me.”

He was right. Throughout all our journeys and battles together, Gentry and I had orchestrated and executed many a plan before; some where our lives were the wager, and others where we simply needed a room and a hot meal. If there was anyone who I could entrust my life to without reservation, it was certainly him. Much like the parent he had become to me over the years, no matter the problem or situation I was struggling with, he always seemed to have the uncanny, father-like ability to find a way to make everything all right and put me at ease.

As we rounded the far end of the stables, torch light revealed a horse and wagon sitting just outside the open doors of the wooden building. I stayed against the shadow-covered walls as Gentry walked out and signaled to someone inside.

“
Amber, I’d like to you to meet Abigail and Henry, but I believe you’ve already met,” he smiled.

I was confused and shocked to see the same couple I had rescued from the dungeons emerge from the stable doors in front of me, their older faces brimming with excitement. I shot Gentry a look of confusion and concern as the couple hurried over and knelt before me.

“Highness, we’re so glad you’ve come,” Abigail said quietly. “Don’t you worry. Henry and I will get you out of here without a hitch.”

Anxiety and fear filled me as my mind raced. With everything that was at stake, how could Gentry entrust two commoners with the fates of everyone involved.

“Gentry, what the hell is going on? These people are innocent. Why did you involve them in this?” I growled.

Abigail and her husband gave each other a dispirited look as they heard me question Gentry. But he didn’t seem phased by it as he walked over with a proud, fatherly smile on his face.

“These two showed up about week ago wanting to buy a horse and wagon so they could run manure to the farms for work. When they handed me two gold coins from the Ashborne royal coffer, I couldn’t help but question how they obtained them. They were pretty reluctant to tell me how they got them, but when they finally started talking, they told me about what you did for them.” As he told his story he looked as though he was literally going to burst with pride.

“
I didn’t believe them at first, but after hearing them pledge their loyalty to you the way they did… Well, eventually one thing lead to another and when I made mention of using their work as a cover to help you escape, they wanted to help. No, they insisted on helping.”

I looked down at the older pair still knelt down in front of me. I was touched - I was - but I couldn’t let this happen.

“Please, stand up,” I said. They rose to their feet and stared at me, waiting for approval. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do this. Your lives will surely be forfeit if anything goes wrong. That’s not a burden I’m prepared to bear.”

The seemingly soft-spoken Henry objected immediately. “Forgive us, M’lady, but our lives were already forfeit. You know they were just going to keep us in those cells until we starved or they got tired of looking at us. Because of you and what you did for my wife and I, we vowed to repay your kindness by making the most of it.”

“That’s right,” Abigail added. “Thanks to you, we don’t have to steal to fill our bellies anymore. Even if it means our lives, we would do anything to serve our Queen.”

“
Thank you, but I’m no queen.”

“
Yes you are!” she objected. “We don’t recognize that man as the ruler of Ashborne. It’s because of his greed and ignorance of the people that we ended up like that in the first place. No… We serve the only one worthy of such a title, and that’s you, My Queen.”

I was dumbfounded. Never had I heard anyone speak so brazenly about my father, nor address me with such fealty. Their sincere words were filled with a white-hot conviction. Even if I wanted to refute their assistance, I had no other options. Even so, I knew it would be wrong of me to deny them the chance to regain the honor they’d lost. Reluctantly, I finally accepted their offer.

“Then I thank you. I leave my life in your hands.”

The two smiled at me and at each other before returning to their work. They hurried back inside the stables and began diligently shoveling a pile of manure into the back of their wagon.

“Gentry, I’m grateful, I am, but I don’t understand how a manure wagon is going to help us.”

He laughed and signaled me over to look at the bed of the large wagon. I tried not to breath as I walked over and looked inside. There, embedded in a layer of manure, laid a wooden casket. My jaw dropped as I looked back over at Gentry, who was now laughing heartily.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“
How else do you expect to get out of here? They may search every load coming and going from the Ashborne gates, but this is one haul they’re happy to leave alone,” he laughed.

I shook my head in disbelief, but I had to hand it to him, the plan was brilliant. Not only would this get me outside of the walls, but no one would have any idea that these two commoners were involved with me. After everything was said and done, to everyone else, it will appear as if Emoren and I will have simply vanished into thin air.

“We run this fertilizer out to Calligan’s Farm 3 nights a week. We’ve only been twice so far, but they don’t bother rummaging through what we’re delivering,” Henry smiled. “Speaking of which, we should probably get going. We’re ready to cover it.”

“
Here…” Gentry said as he handed me the initial-embroidered handkerchief that he’d carried for as long as I’ve known him.

Knowing this was the beginning of having to say goodbye, I looked up at him with misty eyes.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m just lending that to you. I expect you to return it one day.”

Despite the strong, father-like facade he was trying to maintain, he was getting a little teary-eyed as he spoke, and I hugged him with all my might. He hugged me back as he choked down his tears, refusing to show too much emotion, just like he always did.

“You save your tears for when you get out of here,” he urged. “If the guards hear a pile of crying manure, you’re gonna get caught. Now hurry up.”

I reluctantly climbed atop the wagon and placed myself inside the open casket. Gentry climbed up behind me as I laid myself inside. With the lid of the casket in hand, he took one more long look down at me.

“Amber, I love you. I want you to go and be happy…”

“
Gentry, don’t… Y- You’re going to make me cry,” I interrupted.

“
Just let me say this then. I’ve pledged my life, not to your father, but to the kingdom of Ashborne. It’s my duty to do what’s best for this kingdom. To me, there’s nothing better for this place than you taking the throne after your father. Even if you decide never to return, I’m going to do what I can to preserve that belief.”

“
Gentry…” I went to interrupt him, but he beat me to it.

“
And you tell that boy he better take damned good care of you! You tell him that if anything happens to you, I’m going to come looking for him.”

Never before had I heard him sound so much like a father. To my surprise, hearing him give his blessing like that didn’t make me want to cry; instead, it filled me with happiness. Not only was he supporting me, but he was supporting the man and the love I cherished; even though, in a sense, he was giving his only daughter to another.

“I love you, Gentry,” I said as I began to choke up.

“
I know you do, Amber. Just as fate continues moving it’s hand to get you out of here, it’ll bring us back together one day,” he smiled. “Time for you to get going. I’m not sealing you in, so you keep that handkerchief over your mouth and nose.”

I smiled and nodded as I brought the handkerchief to my mouth. I continued staring at Gentry as he carefully closed the casket lid and everything went black. I closed my eyes as I listened to the disturbing sounds of being buried alive. Even though I knew this wasn’t the same thing, the ambiance of it all sent an anxiety-inducing chill through my body.

Before long, the sound of shoveling stopped and I could hear Gentry’s voice outside. “You two take care of her, and I’m going to remind you, for all our sakes, after this moment, you’re never to speak of this again. Not to me, not to each other, not to anyone. Understand?”

And with that, I could feel the wagon begin to move. Despite not being able to see through the darkness, I could feel the close walls of the casket on every side of me. I kept my eyes closed and forced my mind to pretend I was laying in my bed. I fueled my heart and resolve with the knowledge that I would soon be holding and kissing Emoren, finally free of my father’s hand, finally free to be happy.

Even though I was still wrought with emotion from leaving Gentry and Penelope, my heart provided solace by letting me know, with unwavering conviction, that my future was to be with Emoren. Deep down, I knew I was doing the right thing. He, the blonde savior that fate had placed by my side to bring light into my world, was my undeniable destiny.

We traveled for a while, and as I thought of Emoren and silently prayed that he made it out safely, I could feel the cart’s movement begin to slow. I could only assume that we had finally reached the gates of Ashborne. My heart knew this one last obstacle was all that separated me from running into the arms of my love, and it raced accordingly. I laid anxiously in the darkness, trying desperately to hear what was going on outside.

“Heading to Old Man Calligan’s again?” I heard a muffled, approaching voice say.

“
That’s right,” Abigail replied. “Last load for the week.”