Twang! The arrow hit Miguel in the hip and he hit the ground in pain. Francis ran to his side to help him while Sebastian fought off Tomas. He knocked Bash to the ground and his wound tore open. Tomas pressed his sword to Bash's chest when someone jumped from a tree, knocking Tomas to the ground.
"You think you can beat me?" Tomas spat. "A woman?"
"Who's the one pinned to the ground?" Ellyana retorted. She pulled out her dagger and plunged it into his jugular.
"You alright Bash?" She asked. "Can you ride?"
"Of course I can." Sebastian smirked, attempting to stand.
"Francis, how is he?" She called over to the prince.
"He'll have to ride with one of us." He replied. "But he should be alright."
"Keep him with you. I'll take Tomas with me." She tossed Tomas onto her horse and rode to the castle, Bash and Francis in tow.
Back at the castle, Emilia nervously walked through the hall. She knew Tomas was bad news from the beginning. She just hoped he didn't do anything irrational to Francis, Bash, or Ellyana. They had told her to remain here to convince the king to hold off the execution of Simon. Of course Kenna could do that on her own.
"Emilia," Aylee said, coming up behind her. "Do you know where Mary is?"
"I haven't seen her since before the ball." Emilia lied.
"Odd. Tomas isn't here either. Neither is Francis."
"I'm sure they're fine." The doors burst open and Mary, Francis, Bash, and Ellyana rushed into the room with Miguel, the prostitute, and what appeared to be Tomas's body.
"What happened?" Aylee cried. "Is he dead?" Ellyana nodded.
"We caught him in the woods about to kill Miguel." She explained, dropping his lifeless form on the floor.
"These two have information for the king and queen." Mary said, leading Miguel and the prostitute to the king and queen.
Emilia sighed in relief as the guards began to unchain Simon.
"Thank you Ellyana." Mary said.
"Of course Mary." She bowed and left the hall. No doubt to the stables.
The king dismissed everyone and Mary, Aylee, Greer, Lola, Kenna, and Emilia disappeared into the queen's chambers.
"That was amazing what you did." Greer complemented Mary.
"It was the right thing to do for me and Scotland."
"What I want to know," Lola said. "Is how Ellyana knew of Tomas's plan." The other women shrugged.
"We never know how she knows these things." Emilia replied simply.
"Just like you never know when I'm right in front of you." A familiar voice drawled.
"Elly!" Mary jumped. "How long have you been standing there?"
"Not long." She shrugged.
"I thought you'd be back in the woods by now." Kenna commented.
"I was. But a storm is headed this way. I figured I'd come back."
"And not at the stables? Or the weapons room?" Emilia raised an eyebrow.
"Not tonight. Believe it or not I enjoy spending a night in every once in a while."
"Well, if you'll excuse me," Kenna said, rising from her seat. "I have somewhere I need to be." She left the room with a wave.
"Where's she off to at this hour?" Mary asked, a note of sarcasm in her words.
"I wonder." Aylee giggled.
"She acts as if they're so discreet." Emilia said. "Half the castle could see it."
"What are you talking about?" Lola asked, genuinely confused.
"You're telling me you haven't seen it?" Greer asked. "The stolen glances? Nothing?"
"No. I haven't."
"Kenna and the King have been seeing each other in secret since you six arrived." Ellyana said, obviously not as into the gossip as the rest of them.
"Apparently, he's making her his new mistress." Emilia added.
"And what of Diana?" Aylee asked.
"Who knows. But she better be careful." Greer said. "If the queen is to figure it out, who knows what will happen."