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Chapter 7

I was relieved to be able to leave. I hated him. The next two days Azkul seemed to keep a closer eye on my doings so that I could not further my investigations. On the third day I finally got the chance when Azkul was called by some of his men to discuss a certain matter. I went into the rooms which Azkul was using. It wasn't very clean. A lot of stuff was just lying around. Spoils? A portrait lying on it's side, the frame cracked and the canvas partly torn, made me freeze in my tracks. Tears welled up as my father's face gazed at me from the portrait. Well, the part of his face that was left.

I heard Azkul shouting angrily at his men. This woke me from my thoughts and I hurried to the desk in the one corner. In the drawer I found my father's seal, which Azkul undeniably used to send fake letters in my father's name. I had hoped to perhaps also find the key to the chains around my ancles, but had no luck. I discovered some letters, written very badly, stating that enough forces had been gathered and that they would finally be able to strike king Williams castle and take ruler-ship by force.

"You finally found out my little plan?" I jumped.

"You see what can be yours if you marry me? You could be my queen. Nothing can stop me now." He came closer. I realised that I would have to play it smoothly now. I turned my back on him, still holding the letter.

"You must be very persuasive to have so many flock to your cause," I spoke in a tone I hoped would sound like I am admiring him.

"Seems like your eyes are finally starting to open, my dear," he said as his hand stroke down my neck and shoulder. In the meantime I reached for the knife I kept hidden, swung around slashing his throat. It didn't cut deep. He moved quickly away from me.

"What...you devil!"

My eye caught sight of a pistol in the open drawer I had just taken my father's seal from. I grabbed it and aimed it at Azkul. I wasn't sure if it would fire, but I was willing to take my chances. A small stream of blood ran down his neck. He just wiped it with his sleeve, cursing.

"I demand that you free me from my chains at once!"

He sneered at me. "You wouldn't use it."

"Try me," I said glaring at him while tightening my finger around the trigger. If it isn't loaded, I can still resort to fighting with the knife I had. It wouldn't do much good against his sword which he hadn't unsheathed until now. I saw his hand reach for it.

"Stop! I warn you, I will shoot."

"That pistol isn't even loaded, silly girl. Now stop your nonsense or I will have you whipped!"

I felt a cold wave wash over me. What should I do? What if it isn't loaded? I noticed he was still reaching slowly for his sword… which meant the pistol was loaded. He was bluffing!

Then he suddenly pulled his sword out and launched at me. I pulled the trigger…

I left in a hurry, sword in hand.

"You're making a big mistake! Soon I'll be ruling and you'd be sorry that you didn't choose me, you'll see!" he shouted as I ran down the stairs. I had wounded him in his hip. He had dropped his sword, which I had taken and used to force him to give me the keys to my chains, and was clutching his side in agony. He cursed some more and then shouted for his men. I knew they would soon be after me.

There were some of Azkul's men outside, so I tried to sneak through another of the mansion's exits. It seemed clear. Just as I went around the corner someone grabbed me from behind, covering my mouth. I wouldn't scream, because I didn't want to attract attention. I kicked hard on his foot.

"Ouch...wait! It's me!" a familiar voice whispered.

"Aiden?"

"Yes!"

I was so happy to see him that I hugged him.

"We have to get out of here!" I whispered.

"I know. There are quite a number of men outside. Follow me."

We actually succeeded in sneaking past and escaping to where Aiden's horse grazed lazily, unaware of the danger we were in. It had become quite cold, the first winter snowflakes started falling. Aiden gave me his cloak to fold around me. The dress didn't provide much warmth. We rode for several hours, until the last daylight faded. Then we found a place to camp for the night. A huge tree with its thick roots provided protection from the wind and snow. It would be too dangerous to light a fire. Aiden helped me off the horse.

"You're ice cold!" he said concerned. Strangely his hands were warm and he wasn't even wearing gloves.

"How come... yours...are so warm?" I asked through the shivers.

"Elves are invulnerable to the elements. Come, we must get you warm."

After he unsaddled his horse, he came to sit by me and folded the cloak around us both. It didn't take long before I fell asleep, exhausted.

The next morning I woke to find myself alone, curled up with the cloak wrapped around me. I got up and looked for Aiden. No sign of his horse or the saddle.

"Aiden!" I whispered, then called a bit louder," Aiden!"

"Shhh!" he said as he pulled me down. From the bushes we could see riders in the valley below. Aiden had avoided the main path in case we would be pursued. We watched them as they rode slowly, examining the path for any clue, but with the snow that had fallen during the night it would be a lost cause.

"Darn the snow!" one shouted to his mates.

"She couldn't have gotten this far without a horse, we might as well turn back."

"No! Azkul said we must bring her back...onwards men!"

We watched them until they disappeared in a distance.

"I almost thought you left without me!"

"Why would you think that?"

"Aiden...about what happened the other night. I didn't want to deceive you. I only came to tell you the truth..."

"I know."

"You know?"

"Your friend, Yolandi, told me a lot of things."

"Is she alright?"

"Your...mistress doesn't know that she spoke with me. I tried to find you, but she told me you had left without a trace. I didn't quite believe it. Later your friend came to me and told me what really happened. I promise that the Contiers will be dealt with as soon as we get back."

I remembered of the letters I had taken.

"I have proof that Azkul is planning an attack on king William's castle with a large force, to take the throne by force. These letters must be taken to the king's council!"

"Are you sure? I've heard the city is heavily fortified. It would not be an easy task to infiltrate. "

"I'm sure. One of the letters was written by my father, to warn the king of the conspiracy 8 years ago. He was murdered for it and the letter was never sent. Now it seems they have gathered enough manpower to put their plan to action." I took them out and gave them to him.

"Now you've lost me. How did you get this letter?"

"The house we came from now...it used to be my home...my father's home. I had thought it was destroyed, well...that was what I've been told... It has changed a lot...but when I found the letter and this seal...it is the same as the sign I have on my hand.

Aiden read the letters, then gave them back.

"If this man is your father...then you are related to the king."

"It is all starting to make sense to me now. My father wanted to warn the king, but was murdered. Azkul had been faking letters in my father's name to keep the king from getting suspicious. Then, two years ago, king William was assassinated. Most probably Azkul's doing. Perhaps he hoped that the people would turn to him and make him king. All near relatives to the king started disappearing."

"Maby he had been trying to kill off all possible relatives to the throne in the meanwhile so that no one could challenge him to it."

"That wouldn't help much, because the king's council and soldiers will still fight him."

"Or maby he tried to find a legal way to claim the throne...by marrying you."

I was shocked at this revelation. "That is disgusting! That...that mean old coward! No wonder he's been asking me to marry him every day!"

"He did?" Aiden asked amused.

I blushed a little. "Yes..."

"Well, I think it is safe for us to continue on our journey. We must just stay off the main path. We must speak with princess Elana. She might be able to offer assistance."

"Yes..." I couldn't understand why I felt so upset at that moment…

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