A/N: New chapter! Thanks for your patience guys!
Disclaimer: Read Ch. 1
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." – Confucius
Ch. 11: Maura's First Command
"Maura…" she heard him breathed.
"Rest, Patrick. Please rest."
"My…Maura…"
Constance cradled his head gently, wiping the blood from his face with her dress. She didn't watch the torture for she was in another cell but she heard the cries of agony and the taunts. Charles Hoyt showed no mercy and now, she understood why Hope's guardian didn't want Hope to associate with her.
I wish we believed her before everything happened, she wondered. She then looked up to see the moon shinning through the window high in the dungeon. "Be safe, Maura," she whispered. "Please be safe."
"High king," Maura mumbled quietly as she took the parchment from Jane's hand.
She gazed down at the parchment in displeasure before she handed it back to Jane. She began to walk away and Jane called after her, "Maura, wait." She was about to follow after her until she felt a hand grabbed her wrist. "I have to go after her," Jane commented.
"No, she needs a moment," Alexandra retorted.
"She needs support right now."
"The best way to do that is give her a moment to collect herself, Rizzoli. It's something I learned from your father." Jane looked up at Alexandra at this comment then down at the parchment. She nodded finally before she handed it to Korsak. "Just wait in your tent or somewhere until she returns," Alexandra suggested.
Jane nodded, handing the parchment to Alexandra and walked away, disappearing into the crowd that gathered. The tavern owner looked down at the parchment then handed it to Korsak. He gazed down at it and asked aloud, "What are we going to do?"
"I'm not sure, Vince. I'm not sure at all."
Everyone disburse and began to clean up while Maura walked into the little city of tents established in the woods. She watched as a mother called for their children and entered the tent. She then looked over at another tent that was illuminated by candlelight, showing shadows of parents kissing their child's forehead.
Maura sighed, feeling a tear run down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly and continued to walk until she stepped out of the forest to see a lantern glowing by a tent. She began to walk over until she stopped at the sight of Alexandra stepping out of the tavern with Korsak and Cavanaugh. The princess noticed that they looked around the area as if they wanted to make sure that they were alone. Quietly, she hid behind a tree that was close by and began to listen to the conversation.
"Feels like old times," Cavanaugh chuckled. Alexandra grunted and Cavanaugh's small smile dropped as he commented, "You've been bitter the last couple of days. We are almost out of your hair."
"What do you mean?"
"Your deal with us was one week here and the week is almost up."
"Forget the deal," Alexandra retorted softly.
Korsak raised an eyebrow and said, "You said you wanted us out."
"It's different now. You are going to stay until we liberate the people."
"We?"
Alexandra leaned back, gazed up at the sky and pulled out her medallion around her neck. She gazed at the sky then stated, "I can't ignore it anymore. For a very long time, I stood on the side, watching as people sheltered in my tavern because of Hoyt and his men. I'm growing very weary of it."
"There's more," Cavanaugh pointed out. "There has to be more to your reason."
Alexandra's eyes focused back at the two men. "You two are my oldest friends besides Angela so you should know my reason," she retorted. Cavanaugh and Korsak gave somber looks at this comment, surprising Maura completely. "Though I don't wear the robes anymore, I still live and die by the blade. That oath hasn't change even with them gone," Alexandra informed them before she opened the door to the tavern and walked inside.
Cavanaugh sighed, "And we thought I was worse…"
"She won't let go. She blames herself for everything," Korsak retorted.
"No one couldn't stop Hoyt, not even Alexandra MacCoughlin," Cavanaugh completed.
Maura watched as they followed after Alexandra and closed the door. She then stepped out in pure surprise at what she heard. "She knows more than she's telling Jane and I," she concluded before entered the tavern and disappeared into her room.
The seasons passed after that night at the ball with the princess and her guardian becoming closer. Hope arranged that Alexandra's room was across from hers and even arranged that she would join her during her lessons, learning that Alexandra was able to read only so much. Almost a year passed exactly with Alexandra walking along the hallways, waiting patiently for Hope to return from her recent travel in the village.
"You know if you keep pacing that you might actually breakthrough the stone," she heard.
Alexandra turned to see Samuel smirking at her as he walked up to her. "Afternoon traveler," he greeted with a quick bow of the head.
"Hello to you too, Sam," Alexandra greeted back with small shake of her head. He chuckled but opened his arms to her, making her walk over to him and hug him briefly.
He held her briefly before he pulled back and asked, "When did you return from North?"
"A couple nights ago. It wasn't a very pleasant return however…"
Samuel noticed grief cross her face, making him ask quietly, "What happened, Alex?"
"Cavanaugh's wife and son are dead."
"How?"
She ran her hand through her hair and retorted, "Murdered. Sean, Vince, Frank and I were all in Italy until a falcon came from the Order saying that someone was looking for Cavanaugh, threatening to hurt his family. We rode most of the night, taking small breaks but when we arrived, it was too late. Nothing but ash…and… Sean hasn't been the same."
Samuel wrapped his arms back around her, hugging her once more. "I'm sorry," he told her. Alexandra nodded her thanks to her then looked up with their eyes locking. Realizing how close they were to each other, Alexandra and Samuel pulled away with blushes rushing to their cheeks.
"I…I should go wait for Hope," Alexandra told him.
"Right," he then cleared his throat. "I should go and handle…lord things."
Alexandra nodded again and turned quickly, walking down the hallway. She ran up the stairs then stopped in middle of the stairwell, knowing that no one would be there. She took in a couple deep breaths before she heard someone clearing their throat causing her turned swiftly, activating the small switch on her hidden blade to reveal the blade coming from her wrist. "Peace! Peace," she heard and huffed in annoyance at the sight of Frank.
She unclenched her fist, released the switch and blade disappeared. "Don't do that," she said sternly.
"Aren't we tense?"
"A bit shaken from Sean's incident and how did you know I was here," Alexandra questioned.
"I know you and also, only other place I thought about besides your room or the princess" He then noticed the blush on Alexandra's cheeks. "There's something else besides the incident," he pointed out.
Alexandra frowned, "There's not anything else."
"Sure…" He stepped off her window ledge, landing on the stairs while Alexandra took a seat at a step. "We're best friends, remember? Related not in blood but in loyalty. You can tell me and I won't say a thing."
Alexandra looked around, checking if anyone was approaching before she looked back at Frank. "The Master, Hope, the prince or the king cannot know about this, Francesco," she confessed to him quietly.
"My lips are sealed, my dear friend."
Though she tried to sleep in her room, Maura was restless. She slipped out of the bed and walked toward her window to see Jane's tent. She checked it out a couple of moments before she opened her door and snuck out, walking down the staircase and out of the tavern. She walked quietly toward Jane's tent, opening it to reveal Jane sleeping on the floor.
Slowly, Maura entered the tent and approached the sleeping warrior's side, crouching down to the floor. She touched her cheek with her finger causing Jane to move a bit but didn't open her eyes. Maura gave a warm smile and suddenly, she lowered her body next to Jane's. She curled into Jane's side, wrapping her arm around her.
As she began to doze off, Jane began to stir and opened her eyes tiredly to see Maura, resting her head on her shoulder with her eyes closed. Jane wrapped her arm around Maura, placing the blanket over them. She then kissed Maura's forehead and whispered, "Don't worry, Maur. We'll figure this out together."
I promise.
"Maura…" the princess turned to see that she was in a meadow then noticed that in the distance was a figure with familiar wavy yet beautiful brown hair.
It was a stature that she knew immediately.
"Jane," Maura called out to the figure but they didn't turn. Instead, the meadow began to darken with the figure disappearing and Maura began to hear loud breathing. Her eyes darted around as she drew her dagger then noticed out in the distance, someone was running through the forest. The princess began to chase after them, watching as they ran many trees and jumped over many obstacles until they stopped. "Who are you," she questioned, seeing the dark hooded person.
"Don't worry, little princess. I got you. You're safe," she heard. For some reason, she couldn't place where she heard the voice before but it sounded vaguely familiar.
But also, she realized that her question wasn't answered. "Who are you," she demanded, moving closer until she realized why the person wasn't responding. The hooded person placed a young Maura down briefly, resting her on a log as she slept. Her eyes darted from her younger self to the hooded one as she mumbled, "The assassin."
For the first time, she took in the sight of the person. This must be a repressed memory, she thought, but why would now? What triggered it?
"You'll be okay, Maura. We just need to reach Korsak's…"
"Vince's? I went to Vince's that night…"
She watched as the assassin pulled down the hood to reveal the ponytail. The assassin turned and Maura's eyes widened at the sight of the gray eyes looking at her, twirling the small medallion on her neck.
"It can't be."
Dawn came and Maura began to wake up slowly. As she opened her eyes, the dream still lingered in her mind. It was fuzzy but she had a strange feeling that everything that she heard Korsak, Cavanaugh, and Alexandra triggered a memory. Can it really be, she thought but she didn't want assume for it was possible that she formed the dream due to everything that happened.
Was it a dream or a memory?
She then became aware that she wasn't in her own bed. Instead, she noticed that she was on the floor and not alone. She turned her head slightly to look up and see Jane was awake and gazing down at her. "Morning," Jane greeted softly at the sight of Maura looking up at her. Maura was about to move away but instead, Jane held her in place by squeezing her waist. "Don't move, please," she requested softly.
"I'm in your space," Maura whispered back shyly.
"If you move, you will only hurt my pride," Jane retorted smoothly. A blush rushed on Jane's cheeks, realizing what she was saying but, for an odd reason, it didn't bother her too much. With Maura, the hard armor she had seemed to have a small crack in it that only Maura could squeeze through. Maura smiled at the comment and relaxed against Jane's body.
Though there was a silence between them, it wasn't uncomfortable or awkward but it spoke volumes about the bond the two held. "I need to save my father," Maura said aloud for Jane to hear.
"We'll figure something out," Jane assured her. She raised her hand, pushing a strand of Maura's blonde hair behind her ear. Maura nodded quietly with Jane noticing that Maura had an expression that seemed very focus. "What are you thinking about," she inquired.
"I had this dream…I think it was a dream. I'm just not sure about it."
"How come?"
"It started with me in the meadow…your meadow," Maura smiled. Jane smiled at this while she listened to Maura continue, "I saw you and I called out to you but you didn't respond. Instead, you disappeared and another person appeared, running through the meadow. I began to chase after them into a forest then they stopped. I questioned them who they were and they didn't reply to me but talked to someone else."
"Do you know who?"
Maura nodded and sat up a bit with her knees touching her elbows. She ran her hand through her hair and retorted, "They were talking to me, Jane. I was a little girl and I was asleep, placed down on the log."
"They had you…"
"It's like a memory. It was the assassin, Jane and I saw their face."
Jane sat up and wrapped her arms around Maura's waist and asked, "Who was it?"
"It can't be…"
"Maura, who can it not be? I'm not as smart as you here."
"They had grey eyes almost like…"
"Rizzoli, have you seen," Alexandra barged in with Tommy trailing behind. The older woman stopped Tommy before she stopped halfway in then stopped Tommy before he could see them. Her eyes widened at the sight of Maura and Jane on the floor together. Maura and Jane stood up quickly and Alexandra raised an eyebrow briefly before she turned around and retorted, "Never mind, my question has been answered."
Blushes reached Maura's and Jane's cheeks once more then Jane looked back at Maura and asked, "Who was the assassin?"
Maura kept her eyes on the tent entrance and answered softly, "They looked strangely like Alexandra."
R&I
"Now why did Drake want to have us all gather? We got other things to worry about," Frankie commented. Jane shrugged, glancing over to see Maura standing next to Frost. Sensing someone was gazing at her, she turned her head slightly to see Jane. They exchanged small smiles at each other before she heard a clearing of the throat.
They looked over to see Drake standing in front of the group consisting most of the fighters as well as Angela, Alexandra and the barmaids. "Drake, why are we here," Lieutenant Frost questioned.
"My good lieutenant, my newest invention is done," he announced happily. He lifted the contraption up, revealing it to be the object that he was working on earlier at the old camp.
"What is that," Jane questioned.
Maura tilted her head to the side while everyone seemed to be lost. "It looks like a bow and arrow," Tommy stated, examining its weird design from a distance.
"Well yes and no," Drake answered. "I made a special switch where you can load the arrow like this," he demonstrated with placing the arrow on the sling shot contraption. He released it, making most of the group hide behind a couple of trees and tents. "Relax," he assured everyone. "It won't fire."
"You said that about that fire arrow and we ended putting out your tent."
"It was a small experiment!"
"Utter failure," Crowe mumbled. Suddenly, he yelped as he got hit in the back of the head. He rubbed the back of his head, knowing it was Jane.
"Watch," Drake told everyone as he raised the invention then released the switch causing the arrow to hit the tree in rapid speed.
Small cries of oohs and awes came while Maura commented, "That's impressive."
Jane walked up to Drake and asked, "May I see it?" She looked at the crafted bow and did the motions that Drake did and fired the arrow at a tree. She lowered it and handed it back to Drake, "It's very useful."
"It needs minor adjustments but it can be helpful for distance and some other ideas I have."
Jane gave his shoulder a small pat and praised, "Good job, Kent."
"Thank you, Jane."
As Jane walked away, Drake began to collect the arrows from the trees then entered his tent. He placed his new invention on his table, going over his other blueprints. Suddenly, he heard a clearing of the throat causing him to turn. At the sight, he bowed and greeted, "Morning milady."
"Don't be too formal, Drake." He watched as she walked over to his desk and looked up at all of his designs. A small smirk formed on her face and stated, "I haven't seen this much intelligence in a very long time."
"Thank you?"
"It's a compliment. But I have an inquiry, Kenneth." Drake bowed his head, signaling her to proceed in her inquiry. "If I gave you new projects, would you able to take them and get them done promptly?"
"Depends on what they are."
"Old weapons. Very old weapons."
"Come on, Maura. You can take me down," Jane told the princess as she swung the wooden sword at her. Maura kept her defenses up as Jane hit her sword then she returned the attacks before she tried to do a stab but instead, Jane went for a head strike, stopping at Maura's neck causing to let out a sigh of relief and fall back a bit. Jane lowered the sword and moved a bit closer, steadying her by wrapping her arm around Maura's waist. "You were good up to the moment that you got your head chopped off," she praised.
"Yes, I noticed that and I see you are much better than yesterday," Maura retorted with a small smile.
"Head's pounding though," Jane commented but seemed to ignore the headache as she gazed down at Maura. Those eyes, she thought about. I can get lost in them. God, I'm already lost with her. I have the urge to be near her all the time.
Suddenly, they heard a clearing of the throat causing them to break apart. They turned to see Alexandra walking over with her sword attacked to her hip. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, giving Maura a flashback to the dream before she shook her head. "Princess…" Alexandra called out once more.
"I'm sorry, Alexandra. I didn't hear the last thing you said," Maura admitted embarrassingly.
Jane watched a small smirk formed on Alexandra's face then she turned her head slightly to reveal the dark scar along her neck. "Where did you get that," Jane gestured to the scar.
Alexandra's smirk faded a bit then retorted, "Tortured." Maura and Jane gaped at this confession and she continued, "Alright, you want to train or no?" She then walked passed them and pulled out a blue sash from the inside of her tunic.
"What's that for," Jane asked apprehensively.
"You two already have a close bond," Alexandra informed the two as she placed Jane's right hand out then Maura's left hand in another. She began to tie the sash as she continued, "It's an old technique about how you two need to be in sync. It will become an important later on."
She then stepped back and gestured for them to pull back. When they tugged on the sash, they noticed that it had a tight hold on them with Alexandra nodding in approval. She then stepped back and drew her sword then gestured for them to pull out their swords. "Don't you think that we should have wooden weapons," Maura inquired, watching Alexandra twirl her blade.
"Is wood going to be used by the Centurions or Hoyt?"
"No," Jane answered, drawing her sword.
"Being realistic is the best. I promise that I got better control than you think." Maura nodded at this explanation, drawing her sword before Alexandra raised her sword then tapped on Maura's sword gently. Maura reacted and returned it before they began a flow with Maura sparring with Alexandra. Jane watched closely until Alexandra swung at her making her jump back, causing Maura to move back as well.
The older woman continued her assault at Jane before Maura intervened blocking one attack and pushed Alexandra back. It shocked her enough but gained her balance as she lunged for Maura while Jane tried to move as fast as she could. Slow your world down, the words echoed in her ears.
She looked at the two people and watched at what seemed to be fast pace, slow down with Alexandra's sword about to make contact with Maura's. Jane placed her sword out and Alexandra's connected with it. Suddenly, Alexandra pushed Jane back with Maura and both heaved their swords at Alexandra, making it connect loudly on contact.
I get it, Jane realized, as her world seemed to be slow as she fought but it was also going at fast pace at the same time. It was impossible and yet, it was happening right before her. A flow began between the three of them and it seemed that Alexandra was starting to hold up on her own, making the sight incredible.
People began to gather, watching in awe at the combat. Korsak, Cavanaugh and Angela appeared with Lieutenant Frost soon after and the trio watched in amazement for it seemed Alexandra never lost her touch.
Suddenly, Alexandra ducked one of Maura's attacks then tripped Jane by knocking her legs. Alexandra was about strike Jane but Maura blocked it as she helped Jane up, moving her up fast enough to trip Alexandra. Everyone watched in awe as the tavern owner fell back onto the ground. She glanced over to see her sword on the side, making her attempt to lunge at it but she saw Jane's foot on it and Maura's sword pointed right at her face.
Alexandra raised her hands up in defeat with Maura and Jane smiling widely. Maura lowered her sword while Jane helped her up by taking her hand. She stood up and dusted her body from the dirt as she smirked, "Impressive."
"It works," Jane commented, prompting Alexandra to give a curious expression. "I slowed my world down."
Alexandra smiled at this and replied, "That's just the first step, Jane. You still have a long way to go but you might be as good as your father was." Jane stood taller at this comment before she noticed Alexandra's smile drop slightly and her eyes moved toward the sky causing Jane to look up as well to see a falcon flying in.
R&I
After removing the sash from Jane and Maura's wrists, everyone retuned to the tavern to see Nina holding the falcon. She handed the note to Alexandra who began to read it before her serious expression softened to one of sympathy. She looked over at Korsak and Cavanaugh, handing the note to them. The two read it before their expressions grew grim and looked over at Maura.
Sensing the trouble, everyone gathered at the table with Cavanaugh at the head of the table while Maura was on the other end. Alexandra stood behind Maura, resting along a beam as Cavanaugh spoke, "The coronation is tomorrow night. O'Rourke arrived at the castle and his men are all over the area and the king…supposedly…he's dying."
Maura gasped while Jane took her hand into hers. Alexandra bowed her head while people began to talk quietly among themselves. Tears ran down Maura's cheeks while she heard Lieutenant Frost asked, "What now?"
"We need to do something," Frankie stated.
"Something," the lieutenant scoffed. "What do you expect us to do? Run into the castle?"
"It's better than running or hiding," Barry retorted angrily.
"What about the people," Cavanaugh questioned.
"We have to protect them," Korsak piped.
Suddenly, everyone began to argue at the table. Jane looked at everyone in pure confusion then looked at Maura who clenched her hand. She then released it as she stood up from her chair and stated aloud, "We infiltrate the castle." People froze in mid argument and Maura continued, "There is no other way."
"So enter the lion's den to our own deaths," Lieutenant Frost questioned, breaking the silence.
"You heard what's happening to my father and to the kingdom."
"It might be a ploy. You want us to risk our lives on something that could be false information."
"The information is from a trusted source," Maura continued. "If Alexandra was able to get something, I'm trusting it."
"It could have been false also! You are insane!"
People began to argue once more with Crowe shouting, "We need to make a vote!"
"Maura's the next heir," Jane barked.
Korsak and Cavanaugh glanced at each other. "What do you think," Korsak asked.
"We can't just go in there," Cavanaugh retorted. "Oliver might be right about it being a ploy..."
"So we are going to stand there..."
The arguments were becoming very consistent and the room grew louder and louder. Half were on Maura's side and the other half weren't. There was tie on vote and in all honesty, it was the one person who outranked all of them unknowingly. "I say we go," they all heard.
Alexandra stepped forward, standing next to Maura. "A small group infiltrates the castle. Save anyone there and bring them back to camp," she devised. "My informant might be able to get us in."
"It's crazy," Lieutenant Frost commented. "You're crazy and what do you know about infiltrating? You're just a tavern owner!"
"I'm also the same person who saved you from a life of shackles and masters," Alexandra retorted heatedly. Those words stopped Oliver Frost in his tracks. He didn't indicate it but those words revealed many things and it even surprised everyone else. Korsak and Cavanaugh's eyes widened but Alexandra didn't bother to look. Instead, she looked at Maura and said, "I believe in her. I believe that she can do something and if she wants to do this, it's because she wants to try." She then asked aloud, bowing her head, "What do you need me to do, Princess?"
Surprised at the question and Alexandra's belief, Maura looked at everyone then back at Alexandra. She then looked down at Jane who stood up and said, "I'm behind you no matter what."
"Same here," Tommy confirmed as he stood up, holding his wife's hand.
"Us too," Frost announced, standing up with Frankie.
Cavanaugh and Korsak looked at each other before they stood up from their chairs. "We're with you too, Maura," Korsak told the princess.
Looking at those who were with her in this crazy plan, Maura beamed in pride then looked at Alexandra as she gave her first order, "Message your informant immediately. We leave immediately to reach the castle."
Bum! Bum! This is going to be interesting! Please review and I will see you all soon!
