September 14, 1840
Curses and threats raced through Anna's mind. Her jaw clenched, to keep them from escaping. She'd known Reino was a brute, but she hadn't considered him a traitor. The thought brought her internal rant to a halt. If he was a traitor, who else was?
She lowered the glass, turning to the men scattered about the room. Were any of them involved? No. She shook off the thought. They would never hurt me. You said, the same thing about Elsa, and she froze you. Mocked a small voice. Shut up! Her eyes closed against the memory of ice seeping into her bones. She shivered. Elsa would never hurt me on purpose, and neither would my men. I trust them.
They'll abandon you. Just like Elsa has, again. Taunted the voice.
Anna's eyes opened. Her gaze was drawn to the snowflake suspended over the castle. "She'll come."
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, did you say something?"
"No, I…" Beyond the far window Anna's attention was drawn to fluttering bright cloth. "They've reached the fjord wall." She hurried to the window.
Morten came to her side.
Blocked by the fjord gate, the Lienz ship turned hard on its starboard side, bringing its cannon to bear on one of the towers. Fire and smoke bellowed from the ship's cannon.
Anna could feel the rumble of the cannons in her chest, as the defenses along the wall returned fire.
Stray cannonballs sailed pass their targets. Most fell short, splashing into the fjord. One punched a hole through the wall of a building, and another embedded itself in the docks.
Unable to withstand the coastal canons, the ship turned out to sea, circling to make another run.
The farthest of the Lienz ships was listing hard to one side, smoke and fire bellowing from her belly. Between her and the second ship the Agdar sailed toward the fjord. Tattered sails caught enough wind to keep the Arendelle flag ship speeding along. It bore down on its prey.
Anna wondered if the first ship would attack the Agdar. Would the ship be able to withstand a double attack?
"There's more ships approaching." Morten pointed out three dots on the horizon.
Anna raised the spyglass. Her heart sank as Lienz flags came into focus.
"Are they ours?" Halvor strained to see the distant vessels.
"No." Anna lowered the glass, pressing it closed.
"Have we lost the fleet?" Adrian looked to Morten.
"I don't know. But, we can't wait here to find out." Morten stepped away from the window.
Anna flinched at the crack of a gunshot followed by sounds of a scuffle from the stairwell.
"Get up there!" Peder climbed into view, dragging the young tower guard by his collar. He tossed the man into the center of the room. "He tried to shoot Lauris in the back, sir."
Morten reached the man a step ahead of Anna.
Grabbing him by his jacket, Morten pulled him to his knees. "Who are you working for?"
"I'm a member of the guard, ju…just like you."
Hardened knuckles struck the man's cheek. His head snapped to one side, blood flowing from a busted lip.
"I'm not a traitor." Spit flew from Morten's lips. The man cringed as it splattered his face. Morten pulled him closer. "Who sent you?"
"He showed up this morning, sir, with orders to replace, Corporal Bakken." The other tower guard said.
"What orders?" Morten's eyes narrowed, his hand twisting in the jacket fabric, for a better grip.
The guard went to a small table, and rifled through a pile of paperwork. He pulled out a paper and hurried to hand it to Morten.
Anna snatched it from his hands, reading over the short command. Her breath caught at the name signed across the bottom. She read it again to be certain. Her eyes rose to meet Morten's. "Tollak send him."
"Tollak?" Something dark and dangerous flashed in Morten's eyes. He pulled the man in closer. "Why did he send you here?"
"I…I don't…." Another punch caused his eyes to roll upward, before coming back to settle on Morten. "He…he stopped me in the courtyard this morning and gave me the order. He said, he wanted me to keep watch on the main road."
Anna placed a hand on Morten's arm, staying it before he could land another blow. "What were you watching for?"
His eyes darted between her and Morten's raised fist. "You, ma'am. I was to signal the raiders when you were back in town."
Anna's mind whirled through the events since Hans' escape. So many little things she had ignored fell into place. There was only one answer.
"Tollak's the traitor." Halvor gave voice to her fears.
"Halvor!" Adrian snapped. "Watch your tongue with such talk."
"How can you deny it?" Halvor refused to back down.
"Do you realize what you're saying?" Adrian seemed less sure of his defense.
"Halvor's right." Anna felt all eyes turn to her. "For months Tollak's been doing little things to under mind Elsa." She looked to Morten. "That's why he tried to take you and Halvor off my protection detail. He wanted his men in place. It's why he's fought so hard to keep Reino close by."
Morten nodded. "And he's been reassigning men throughout the castle and town. We've no way to know who's working with him." He pulled the guard up. "How many of you traitors are in the ranks?"
"I'm not a traitor." His head snapped back from a blow.
"Answer me, or I'm going to start cutting off parts of your traitor hide and tossing them in the fjord."
Anna could feel the rage radiating off Morten. It fueled her own anger.
"I…I'm not sure." His eyes darted to the men surrounding him. "But, he has a plan to bring down the witch."
"My sister is not a witch." Fists at her side, Anna took a step toward the man.
"What has Tollak promised you, boy?" A hard shake drew his attention from Anna.
"He says, Prince Hans will protect us from the wit…Queen Elsa's magic."
"Hans!" Anna spit the name. "Hans doesn't care about you! He doesn't care about anyone but himself! He'll use you, then cast you off to die!"
His eyes darted between the enraged Princess and Morten. "But what of the witch?"
"Elsa's not a witch!" Her fist cracked against his cheek.
The force of the blow caused Morten to take a step forward to keep his grip on the man.
She ignored the pain in her hand, drawing it back for another strike.
"Princess Anna." Morten's voice was soft.
Fist raised, teeth clenched, her nostrils flared with each breath. "What?!"
"We need to focus on getting you out of here."
Pent up rage had found its release. She had little desire to contain it. Her hand trembled as she forced it down. "How?"
"We need to get to the castle, ma'am." Morten shoved the dazed man away, allowing him to collapse on the floor.
"Tollak's at the castle." Halvor pointed out.
"True, but so is the Admiral. I believe we can trust him." Morten said.
"And if we can't?" Adrian looked between the men.
"What choice do we have?" Morten waved toward the fjord windows. "The enemy is blocking the sea, and there are raiders in the mountains. At least, in the castle we can make a stand. We'll never last here."
Silence settled over the room. From the street below horses clip clopped about, as men called to each other.
"Flares." All eyes turned to Normund. He waved toward a large wooden crate tucked in one corner. "We've got signal flares. We could use them to signal the castle for more men."
"And Reino will send them back." Halvor leaned against the table.
"Not if it's a Crown distress signal." Anna looked to the men gawking at her. "You know, a red flare followed by a purple one to let them know a member of the royal family is in trouble?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Morten said. "I know what it is. If I may ask, ma'am, how do you know that?"
Anna shrugged. "I got bored one winter and read the signal code manual. Spent an entire month writing my homework assignments in code." She waved it off with a little chuckle. "Drove my Latin tutor mad, till Mother made me stop."
Several of the men laughed shaking their heads.
Morten chuckled, a hint of affection in his soft gaze. "You never cease to amaze me, Your Highness."
Blush tinted Anna's cheeks as she ducked her head, fingertips swiping at polished metal instead of hair. She'd forgotten about the helmet. "It could work. Everyone will see the flares. Reino can't turn them all away."
"And we'd be telling Tollak exactly where you are." Morten dismissed the suggestion with a shake of his head. "No, we can't risk it. We don't know how many men he has among the ranks."
"But, the flares would be visible throughout the town, and even, from the mountains. If Elsa sees them, she might be able to…" Anne's eyes widened. "Oh no."
"Princess Anna, what's wrong?" Morten said.
"Tollak sent scouts to look for Elsa. She doesn't know they're traitors."
"They may not be, Your Highness." His grim features did nothing to support the attempt at reassuring her.
"No! He said, he chose his two best men. He sent them to kill her. We have to warn her."
"Your Highness," Morten raised his open hands, easing closer, trying to calm her. "there is nothing we can do. Our focus must be on getting you to the safety of the castle. I'm sorry, ma'am, but the Queen's fate is out of our hands."
Cannon fire erupted along the fjord wall, drowning out Anna's protest. The Lienz ship completed its pass, turning once more to the open sea. More stray cannon balls peppered the town and docks.
"Princess Anna!" Bellowed a voice from the street below.
Anna's brows arched upward, disappearing beneath her bangs. She spun and hurried to the window, Morten close on her heels.
Below several riders approached the tower. One carried a rifle with a white cloth tied to the barrel. They parted as a man moved forward.
Anna's eyes narrowed. "Baron Ulstein."
"Your Highness," He dipped his head to her in a mock bow. "surrender to me, and I promise I will leave your men unharmed."
"He's lying." Halvor's teeth grit on the words.
Morten leaned in whispering to her. "He's hoping to use you as a hostage, once the Queen returns, ma'am."
Anna was grateful he hadn't said, if, she returns. It was comforting to know she wasn't the only one with faith in her sister. "Why should I believe you?"
"You haven't any choice, Princess. We have you surrounded."
"We've the high ground, and a town full of soldiers. You're the one outnumbered." She hoped, she sounded more confident than she felt.
"Once the Lienz ships dock your soldiers will be too busy to help. You'll be cut off, with no way of reaching the castle. Don't make this harder than it needs to be."
Her eyes narrowed, glaring at the man. I'd pay a handful of gold Krones for a chance to knock that arrogant ass off his horse.
"My patience is growing thin, Princess."
"Set off the flares." She whispered.
"Your Highness, I don't…"
"Someone out there will help us." She looked Morten in the eye. "They'll come. I know they will."
She couldn't read the emotions stirring in his eyes. Relief washed over her as he nodded, turned and gestured to several men.
They moved to the crate and set about arranging two flares.
He turned back to Anna with a bow of his head.
"Thank you." She whispered.
Ulstein's voice dipped into a low growl. "Don't make me come after you, girl. If you do, I promise I'll make you, and your men, suffer for it."
Anna's jaw tightened. How dare this arrogant bastard threatened me or my men. If Elsa were here, he wouldn't be so brave. She sobered at the thought. But, Elsa's not here. Her back stiffened. She folded her hands atop the window sill, glaring down at Ulstein. No, this is my fight.
"The flares are set, sir." The tower guard announced.
"Light the flares, Captain." Anna didn't take her eyes from Ulstein.
Morten gave the order with a wave of his hand.
The air sizzled with the burn of gunpowder laced fuses.
There was a whoosh as the first flare leapt through the window. It was quickly followed by the second. Her gaze never left Ulstein as his attention turned skyward.
Smoke trails marked their path across the sky. The first exploded in a burst of red sparkles, high over the fjord. A moment later a purple burst appeared.
Anna's lips curled up into a satisfied smirk, as she watched Ulstein's bravo fade. "My men are coming for you, Baron."
His face hardened, dark eyes glared up at her. "Have it your way, little girl." He jerked the reins hard, causing the horse's head to snap to one side. The animal protested the abuse with a sharp whinny, turning away from the tower. "Take down that door." Not looking back, he rode off.
Musket fire riddled the tower. Halvor pulled Anna from the window, pressing her into the floor under his weight.
Most of the shot bounced off or embedded in cracks along the outer wall. A few rounds managed to find their way through the windows. They whizzed by like angry bees, before embedding in the wooden support beams. Some ricocheted off stones and back out windows, others bounced from the stones seeking softer targets. They found none.
Anna's men jumped back to the windows, returning fire.
"Hold them back!" Morton ordered, firing on a rider who rushed the door with a rope in hand. The man dropped from the saddle. Three more took his place.
Halvor kept Anna pinned to the floor as another barrage of musket balls whizzed through the tower. She could do nothing as the men around her fought back. Her ears rang from the rifle fire, causing a pain to build behind her eyes.
Cannon fire from the Lienz ship merged into defensive fire from the wall. Anna could feel the floor shake beneath her. Among the musket fire she heard the whistle of stray cannon balls. Somewhere in the distance they struck along the docks. Anna released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
The weight lifted from her back. Before she could draw a full breath, strong hands caught her under the arms and lifted her. She bit back a yelp, as her feet swung out before settling on the floor.
With several quick steps Halvor crossed the room, placing her near the stone hearth.
Rifle fire and shouts began drifting in from the windows facing the docks.
Careful to shield himself with the window frame, Halvor leaned forward.
Anna eased up beside him.
Arendelle Marines rushed across the docks toward the tower.
She tugged at Halvor's sleeve, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "I knew they'd come." Her joy was crushed as two men crumpled from rifle fire.
"By Odin's balls, now what?" Halvor moved to the window facing the next building.
Any other time, Anna would have relished one of Halvor's curses. The gravity of his oath made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
He raised his rifle and fired.
Anna reached the window in time to see a raider spin away from a sandbag pile. His partner continued to fire on the Marines, unaware of the threat from above.
Before she could reach for her bow, Halvor reloaded and sighted in on the second man.
The bullet entered at the curve of his neck and shoulder, passing through his body to exit just below the opposite ribs. He dropped to the ground.
With the path clear, the troops on the dock charged forward. They took up positions at the sand bags, firing on the raiders. Gunfire aimed at the tower eased as the raiders were forced to engage the Marines.
Cannon fire drown out the rifles as the Lienz ship made another pass at the fjord tower. Stone blocks yielded to the metal balls. The old tower held as the ship passed.
Anna released the breath she'd been holding. Her relief was short lived as one side of the fjord gate began a slow descent from the tower.
No. She leapt to the window, watching in horror as the gate splashed into the water. The other half hung useless from the opposite tower. "The fjord gate is down!"
0000
Torches placed at wide berths along the tunnel wall, provided enough light to allow one to find their path. Still it left large sections of the wall in deep shadows.
Frode and Margit clung to the safety of the shadows, as they worked their way down the tunnel.
This is stupid. With each step the voice grew louder in Margit's head. It had started the moment she agreed to Frode's plan. He had insisted they needed to make sure the ice gate was closed.
You're listening to a child. She wasn't sure what bothered her more, the words or that the voice sounded like Gerda. She shivered, holding the rifle to her chest. Stupid or not, they couldn't let more enemy soldiers in.
They paused at a curve in the tunnel, beyond it the light grew brighter, with a faint yellow glow. Margit's head cocked to one side at the sound of metal clinking against metal.
Frode looked to her with a cock of his head.
She shrugged.
The boy eased around the corner, jumping back a moment later. He pointed at her rifle and raised a finger.
She mouthed, one soldier?
He nodded.
They exchanged several hand gestures and shrugs trying to communicate a plan of action. Frode wanted to attack. She wanted to retreat.
Margit's raised a hand. Her head cocked to one side as she strained to hear over the pounding of her heart.
Frode stopped to listen.
The faint crunch of boot heels against dirt moved from one side of the tunnel to the other. There was a rustling of clothing, followed by the sound of something splashing against the ground.
They frowned at each other before easing around the wall.
In the far corner, the guard stood with his back to them, whistling as he pissed.
Heat rose in Margit's cheeks. How did I let myself get talked into this mess?
A hard tug on her sleeve, brought her out of the thought.
Frode gestured toward a pile of packs. The guard's rifle lay against the pile. He pointed at his chest, then to the rifle.
No. Margit shook her head mouthing the word.
The boy scowled at her before darting around the corner.
Lunging for him, she caught only air. Silent curses begged for release. She looked between the boy and the soldier. This is stupid. Gerda's voice warned. Yes, ma'am, it is.
With a breath to steel herself, she eased forward raising the rifle. It was almost to her shoulder, when she remembered to cock it. Unable to pull the hammer back from a raised position, she rested the stock against her thigh. With the proper leverage she pulled the hammer back. It locked into placed with a loud snap.
Frode froze his eyes wide.
She winced at the sound, struggling to bring the stock to her shoulder.
Yellow water sprayed across the wall and ground as the man spun to face her. Her nose crinkled in disgust at the sight.
"What the hell?" His hands were still at his crotch as he faced her.
She leveled the rifle at him. The weapon felt heavy and awkward in her hands. "Stay where you are!"
Frode moved toward the packs, sword in hand.
The soldier's lips curled upward as he got a better look at his assailants. "Easy now, girl. Why don't you put that down before you hurt someone?" His hands moved out to his sides as he eased a step forward.
Margit felt her cheeks burn red hot at the sight of the limp flesh hanging out of his trousers. She kept her eyes on his face, trying to ignore the rest of him. "Don't move."
"I'll close the door." Frode rushed toward the leather gloves.
Too late Margit realized what he was doing. She watched in horror as the soldier lunged, snatching the boy from the ground.
With an arm around Frode's throat, the soldier used him as a shield, while trying to wrestle the sword from his hand. "Give me that, you little brat."
"Let him go!" Margit lowered the rifle, afraid she might shoot Frode by mistake.
Arms and legs flailing, Frode strikes had no effect on the man. His hand brushed something soft. He latched onto the appendage and pulled with all his might.
The man's head arched back, his painfilled howl echoing off the walls. His knees buckled, dropping him to the ground. Fresh pain shot through his groin as Frode hadn't released him yet.
"You little, bastard!" Blinded by tears, he lashed out with an arm.
It caught Frode across the chest. The blow sent the boy sailing. He landed among the packs. His foot struck the guard's rifle, knocking it deep into the pile.
Beyond the ice wall came distant voices and the sound of running feet.
Frode sat up. He looked to Margit.
Soldiers. Icy fingers of fear brushed down her spine. Run, we need to run.
Seated on his knees, the man began to laugh. "I'm going to skin you brats alive."
Scrambling to his feet Frode started for the gloves. His fingers brushed against the leather, then they were gone.
With a lunge the soldier snatched them up. "You ain't getting off that easy, boy." He drew back his arm to toss them through the doorway.
"No!" Frode reached out to stop him. He flinched at the sharp crack of a rifle shot.
The soldier jerked as the bullet shattered his spine. He dropped face down in the dirt.
Margit never saw the bullet strike. The rifle fired, and her world exploded in a flash of color and pain.
As the world came back into focus she found herself staring at the tunnel ceiling. Something warm trickled over her mouth and cheek. Blood. She rolled to one side, spitting it out. Her nose and jaw ached where the rifle barrel had slammed into her face from the recoil.
It will bite you, Gerda's voice echoed in her head. That was an understatement. Blood dripped from her nose to the ground.
"Margit, help me!"
"Frode?" She tried to shake away the last of the fog from her mind. Pain throbbed harder at the motion.
Head down Frode pushed against the door with all his might. It would not close.
Margit's pain addled mind took a moment to realize the problem. The dead guard was blocking the door.
"Faster!" Came a cry from beyond the wall.
Fear brought Margit to her senses. She stumbled to her feet.
Frode grabbed the man's booted leg pulling at it with no effect.
"He's too heavy for that. Help me roll him." Margit squatted twisting her fingers into his uniform jacket and lifted. Muscles strained as she rose rolling the man to his side.
"They're getting closer!" Frode dropped to his knees beside her.
"Push!"
It took two more rolls to get him clear of the doorway.
"That's good. Shut the door!" She grabbed a limp arm, pulling it out of the way.
Frode rushed to the door. With a hard shove, it glided forward.
Margit turned to find two soldiers sprinting toward her. Their grim, determined faces sent a fresh jolt of fear through her. "Close it!" She scrambled to Frode's side. Hands out reaching for the door.
"No! You need gloves!"
She pulled off her jacket, wrapping her hands into it. Even through the layers of wool she could feel the cold.
The door closed with a soft swoosh. Before either could reach for the lock, they were knocked back as the soldiers slammed into the opposite side.
Beyond the door they heard both men scream as bare flesh froze in an instant.
With a final push, they slammed the door closed. Margit held it as Frode slid the large bolt into place securing it.
She stepped back, pulling Frode away from the door.
Beyond the wall, they could hear muffled shouts and occasional gunfire. The door remained undamaged.
Exhausted Margit pulled him into a hug. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she clung to him, shaking with laughter.
His arms went around her waist, holding her tight. Laughing as he clung to her.
Satisfied they were both still alive and would be for a little longer, Margit released him. "Are you hurt?" She brushed frost from his hair where it had come too close to the ice.
"No, I'm okay." He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Thanks." She wiped blood and tears from her face.
"You're welcome." He moved to the pile and began digging through it. "We should stack the packs up."
"Whatever for?" Margit stumbled toward her rifle.
"We can hide behind them while we guard the door." With a tug he pulled the guard's rifle from the pile.
"We're not guarding the door." She chuckled, fumbling with the rifle till it snapped open. "Gerda, is already going to have our heads for coming down here."
"I'm staying. Someone has to keep the door locked."
"Don't be silly." Fishing out the spent cartridge she tossed it aside and slipped in a fresh one. "We can't stay here." She snapped the rifle closed. It felt more natural in her hands. With it cradled across one arm she moved to the boy.
"We have too." He plopped down beside the packs, the rifle resting across his lap.
"Frode…" She sighed, weary of arguing with the boy.
"This is our home. We have to defend it."
"It's not safe here."
"It's not safe anywhere, as long as those soldiers are in the castle." His gaze never left the ice wall.
"No, I guess it's not." Her shoulders sagged with the admittance.
"Do you think the ice will hold?" There was an ever so slight hint of fear in the boy's voice.
She sat down beside him. "Of course, it will. It's Queen Elsa's ice, what could break it?" She slipped an arm around his shoulders.
He rested his head on her shoulder. "I miss her."
"Me too." Margit lowered her cheek atop his head. Her thoughts turned to her family, and Viktoria. She offered a silent prayer for their safety.
0000
Morten rushed to Anna's side, in time to see the Lienz ship circle back out to sea. "We can't stay here."
"How are we going to get pass the men below?" Halvor said.
Anna stepped back. Something hard bumped the back of her legs, throwing her off balance. Flailing she caught Halvor's arm, saving her from falling into the open flare crate.
Mumbling a curse, she glared at the offending box. Frustration gave way to a plan. She pulled one of the flares from the crate. "What if we blast our way out?"
"What?" Drawn from his thoughts, Morten frowned at her.
"We could fire flares at them. Use it as a distraction."
Morten ran a finger over the paper casing. "I think you might be onto something, Your Highness." He began digging through the crate. "Hold this." He handed her a small leather bag.
She grunted at the unexpected weight, slipping a hand underneath if for support.
Morten stacked two cartridge pouches atop a small keg of gun powder, and carried them to the table.
"What are you doing?" Anna watched him pull a cork from the keg, and tilt it up, pouring a small pile of gunpowder onto the table.
"We're going to need something with a little more kick than a flare." He sat the keg aside and opened one of the pouches. Scooping up a handful of powder, he dumped it into the pouch. "I need some musket balls." He nodded to the bag in Anna's hands.
She sat the leather bag atop the table with a thud. Nimble fingers worked open the drawstring, and she reached in. Scooping up a handful of lead balls. She held them out to him.
"Thank you." He stuffed them into the pouch. Packing them down, he held out his hand for more.
Anna placed another handful in his outstretched palm. "You're making a bomb?"
"Yes, this should help clear us a path to the street." He packed in more gunpowder. "I need a fuse."
"Here." Halvor laid one of the flares on the table. He pulled a small dagger from his belt and cut the fuse free. "This should work." He held it out to Morten.
"That's too long. Cut it in half." Morten continued to pack the pouch.
Draping the center of the fuse over the blade, Halvor sliced through it with a tug. "I don't think you should go any shorter."
Morten took one of the halves, shoving it deep into the pouch. "No, I don't want it going off in our faces."
Musket balls riddled the tower as the enemy unleashed a barrage. Halvor pulled Anna down, dragging her under the table.
One of the guardsmen jerked back from the window. Blood and other matter exploded from the back of his head as a musket ball passed through his skull. He dropped to the ground.
Anna found herself at eye level with the mutilated corpse. Blood and brain matter lay exposed at the back of his shattered skull. She squeezed her eyes shut against the image. It didn't go away.
As the last bullet embedded in a wooden rafter, Morten climbed to his feet and set about making a second bomb.
Halvor lifted Anna to her feet. "Are you alright, ma'am? You look a little pale."
"I'm fine." She lied, forcing down the nausea burning the back of her throat.
"We're ready, Your Highness." Morten brushed gunpowder from his hands.
Anna moved to his side.
"Listen up." Morten ordered. "We'll move downstairs and form up in two equal squads. Remember, there are two bombs. Once the second one goes off, first squad will move out into the street forming a firing line." He pointed to Anna. "Halvor, and I will follow with the Princess. After we're clear, second squad will fall in behind us. Form a circle around the Princess. Close ranks and fill gaps as needed. Once we're in the street we don't stop till we reach the castle. Understood?"
A chorus of Yeses, and nodded heads answered him.
"Sir," Adrian spoke up. "Who's going to throw the bombs?"
"I need three volunteers." Morten looked around the room. "Someone to toss the bombs, and two others to help hold the tower once we're gone. We can't let them take the tower, especially while the Princess is exposed in the street."
"Hold the tower?" Anna looked between Morten and the men. "No, we can't leave them behind."
"We've no choice, Your Highness. We must get you to the castle before that ship docks. I don't know any other way." Morten said.
"I'll stay."
Anna's heart dropped as she turned to Normund. "No, you can't."
"I can't run, Your Highness." He patted the bandage on his leg. "Carrying me will just slow you down. It'll be alright."
She hated lies. "Normund," moving to his side, she blinked back the sting of tears. "I…we'll send someone for you. I promise." She hated her own lies more.
"You mustn't fret over me, Your Highness." His eyes crinkled with a familiar warmth.
She threw her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry."
"Whatever for?" He wrapped an arm around her, drawing a shaky breath. "It has been an honor to watch over you, Princess Anna. Be safe." With a gentle squeeze he whispered to her. "Come now, it's time for you to go home."
Over the years those words had been his gentle way of shooing her from the training grounds, when she'd stayed too long. She pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you, Normund, for everything." Unable to meet his gaze, she turned away. Coward. Taunted a faint voice.
Peder and Lauris helped him to a window. They handed him the bombs, and placed a lit lantern beside him, along with a rifle. Each clasped his shoulder. He nodded to them in turn, before they stepped away.
"Sir," Adrian said. "I'll stay with him."
"No, Lieutenant, I need you with me." Morten looked to the men. "I need two volunteers to stay behind and provide cover fire."
Four men stepped up.
Pride shown on Morten's face as he looked to each man. It was replaced with regret as he pointed out two of them. "One of you keep an eye on the stairs. We don't want them getting the high ground."
"Yes, sir." They answered in unison.
Anna went to each man, looking them in the eye as she took a hand in both of hers giving it a firm shake. "Thank you for your bravery and service." The words seemed hollow and impersonal in her own ear. They're going to die because of me. Each man stood a little taller as he bowed to her, before releasing her hand. The guilt weighing on her shoulders grew heavier.
Outside Marines and raiders continued to exchange fire across the street.
"Halvor, once we start moving, you are not to leave the Princess's side." Morten ordered.
"Yes, sir."
"Check your weapons and fix bayonets." Morten pulled a bayonet from his belt.
Around the room, rifle chambers opened and closed. Bayonets snapped into placed.
"They've got a rope on the door!" Called one of the guardsmen.
Wood splintered with a loud crack. It was followed by shouts and gunfire. Two of the guardsmen moved to either side of the stairwell, pointing their rifles into the dim light.
Peder appeared, backing up the stairs, firing and reloading as he moved. "They've breached the door!"
Clear of the stairs, he stepped to one side. Lauris appeared and took a position opposite him. They continued to fire down into the stairwell.
"Hold your positions!" Morten fired on the men below, rushing toward the doorway. "Do not let them up those stairs!"
Two raiders tried to rush the stairwell, both were shot dead, tumbling out of sight.
More raiders made their way into the tower.
The traitor guard shouldered his way past the men at the stairwell. Before they could grab him, he started down the stairs. "Don't shoot! I'm one of you!"
Bullets riddled his body. Jerking with each strike his body tumbled to the landing. Settling into the corner, it sat upright like a macabre rag doll.
"How are we going to get pass them?" Peder fired at a face that appeared from the side of the stairs. It ducked back as the bullet passed by.
"Same as before." Morten said. "We'll use one bomb to clear below, and the second to clear the street."
"Won't we blow ourselves up?" Anna looked to the men for agreement.
"No, the floor should protect us." Morten stamped a boot against it. "Halvor, make sure the Princess is shielded."
"Yes, sir." He slung the rifle over his shoulder. With one hand, he flipped the table on its side and pushed it toward the fireplace. He held out a hand to Anna. "Over here, Your Highness."
She didn't argue, moving to the space, between the table and fireplace.
Halvor pulled the table to them.
They knelt behind it.
"Lieutenant," Morten looked to him. "As soon as the bomb clears I want four men down the stairs to secure the entrance. We need to move fast, before they have a chance to regroup."
"Yes, sir." Adrian pointed out four men. "You're with me."
They nodded in understanding.
"Normund, are you ready?" Morten asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Stand clear." Everyone moved back from the stairwell at the order.
Morten and several men huddled in behind the table, with Anna.
A lone guard stepped to the top of the stair, with a bomb in one hand and a torch in the other.
Morten looked around the room to confirm his men were ready.
Halvor pulled Anna close, shielding her with his body.
With a nod from Morten, the guard touched the torch to the fuse. It sparked to life, flames raced toward the pouch. He tossed the pouch down the opening. It hit the wall at the first landing and bounced out of sight. He dove away from the stairwell.
Below startled cries were followed by the shuffle of boots. The tower shook with an ear shattering explosion. Dust rained down from the rafters.
Anna curled in tighter as tiny bits of debris pinged off her helmet.
Smoke bellowed up from the stairwell, curling around Adrian as he started down. "Let's go!" His men fell in behind him.
Outside the fighting had stopped.
There were several random gunshots from below.
Adrian called up. "All clear!"
"Move out!" Morten ordered.
Peder and Lauris started down the stairs.
Halvor shoved the table aside with one hand. The other caught Anna's arm, pulling her up and toward the stairwell. She caught a final glimpse of Normund seated at the window, before she was forced down the stairs.
Her foot slipped, and she tumbled backward, catching herself on a step. Something warm and sticky coated her hand. She tried not to think about what, and from where it had come from.
Strong fingers wrapped around her bicep with a vice like grip. She bit back a yelp as the fingers grew tighter. With a jerk, she was lifted to her feet, and forced down the stairs.
Halvor pulled her along, guiding her through the bodies littering the floor. They reached a section of stone wall, well clear of the doorway. Men lined up on either side of the door.
Morten signaled Adrian who was standing at the foot of the stairs. He signaled the next man up.
A moment later the second bomb sailed from the tower window landing behind the cart a group of raiders were crouched behind.
Men darted from behind the cart to be shot down by the Marines lining the dock side of the street. One of the men grabbed the bomb and drew back an arm to throw it. It exploded in his hand, ripping him and those closest to him to shreds. Shrapnel tore through the raiders, and struck the tower, chipping away at the stone.
Anna's ears were still ringing from the blast as Halvor drug her through the doorway. She blinked against the blinding sunlight.
Encircled by her men, they ran for the dock side of the street.
With the enemy still reeling from the explosion, the Marines scrambled over the barricades, charging the raiders positions.
Men clashed into each other with brutal force. Normund and the others began laying down a cover fire from the tower.
In the distance Anna could see the flags fluttering along the castle bridge. More soldiers charged toward them to confront the Baron's men. From the opposite end of the street a large group of raiders appeared.
She and her men were caught squarely between them.