Disclaimer: Katei is mine-- no one else, I think, at least no important characters. Oh and the whole 'How... For Dummies' is not mine, belongs to a book series thingy (How to do something for dummies and what not)
Author's Note: Thanks to reviewers! This is two days or so later, when Katei is about to break in. Also I decided to make the font a bit bigger, because I checked the story on the f.f. site and it was a whole lot smaller than it shows up like on Microsoft Word, hope this makes a difference. All right, done with my incessant babble, on with the chapter!
Chapter 7: How to Kill a Prince For Dummies
There was a slight breeze that night, and quite coincidentally, a full moon out. Yes, it was not what you would call, 'a night for lovers' because it really wasn't. It couldn't be anymore opposite than that. Walking outside, you would want to run indoors as soon as possible because you would get that creepy feeling that something or someone was watching you, ready to attack at any moment.
But no one was outside, since Katei of Nirason had been lost from the palace and was rumored to still be in Corus, no one felt safe. So, naturally, the guards at the palace entrances were uneasy.
But, they needn't of worried, for not a soul was anywhere near the ground entrances. High above, however, in the large, thick branches of the trees, a dark figure leapt with nimble ease from branch to branch.
Katei was dressed in all black, helpful to him in a way of being able to blend in with that shadows and dark of night. Inside his black tunic was two daggers, tucked away in his inside pocket. He had another knife in his boot and his brand new long sword hanging by his belt in a jet black scabbard.
Gripping his last branch with his feet, he prepared himself to jump. Bending his knees, he sprung up and hurdled toward his goal: the balcony. His hands seized the railing and he flung himself up with the ease and grace of a deadly tiger.
Sauntering casually to the door, he was about to open it, when he had a better idea. Backing up, he looked up at the castle wall, a broad, insidious grin graced his face. He leapt up onto the railing again and flung himself effortlessly at the wall. Grabbing hold to the outhanging rock, he placed his foot on the next rock and began to climb.
Once he had reached the roof, Katei glanced around. He had stolen the original architectural designs for the palace knew where each room was. And first room on his list was none other than Prince Roald's. What he didn't know, was what room he was currently above.
Slipping down a glass window in the ceiling of one of the many libraries, Katei strode out the door and into the large hallways of the palace.
~~
Kel's Room, her POV:
Kel awoke from her restless sleep with a start. Kel had been tossing and turning all night, and now she had a bad feeling, sort of like she knew something was going to happen. Getting up, she changed briskly from her nightdress into a pair of plain green breeches and light white shirt that she usually used for practice clothing during her time with the Shang horse and wildcat. Stopping to grab a green tunic, she made her way out the room.
Her stocking feet padded softly like a cat's against the floor as she crept quietly through the halls. She couldn't shake the feeling that something bad-- very bad-- was going to happen.
She shrugged to herself; might as well go check up on Roald, as long as Doanna of Fenrigh wasn't there. Knocking lightly on his door, she stood waiting. She didn't expect an answer, but to her surprise, Roald opened his door and glanced out. Opening it wider, he sighed with relief.
~~
To Katei, the hallway creeper:
The palace was way to big! Katei had passed the exact same portrait three times! 'Way to go, Katei! Your big dramatic entrance, and what do you do? Get lost!' he thought bitterly to himself.
He took a left a crossing in the halls and lengthened his stride a bit. "Miserable rat warren!" Katei mumbled, meaning the palace, as he passed yet again the same portrait.
Cursing under his breath, Katei slid along a wall and froze when he heard voices. He would've ran for it, but recognized the voice of Kel. Glancing around the corner, he saw her talking to Roald!
'Perfect.' he thought gleefully and slid into a nearby shadow, waiting for his opportunity.
~~
Back to Kel and Roald, Kel's POV:
"I couldn't sleep, kept thinking about what is going to happen to me." He whispered out at her, running a hand nervously through his hair. She nodded and said, "Just checking up on you, I couldn't sleep either."
Roald was about to reply, when a voice caroled out at them from the shadows, "Aw, how sweet. The faithful squire and commanding Prince. To bad this will all end so sadly."
Kel and Roald turned and stared at the young man who had stepped out from the shadows. Dressed all in black, he stood, with wind-tousled black hair that matched his attire and green eyes, gleaming out at them. In front of them stood Katei, and judging by the weapons he held, he wasn't there to chat.
Without glancing at him, Kel ordered, "Roald, run. Get away from here." When Roald didn't move, Kel practically yelled, "Now, damn it!" The prince didn't need telling a third time, turning, he ran hard down the hall.
Kel followed Roald, needing to get away from Katei. Katei ran after the two, looking particularly murderous.
"Kel, get out of my way and let me kill Roald!" Katei called up to her. Kel stopped at a ladder, and followed Roald up it, calling back, "Never!"
The ladder turned out to lead directly to the roof of the palace, much to Kel's displeasure. Roald stopped at the top, waiting for Kel. Once they were gathered together, they started to run across the stone roof.
They stopped at a gap, where one part of the castle was separated from the rest of the roof. It was only a few feet, but it scared Kel.
Katei crept up behind them and said, "Kel get out of my way!" Kel whipped around staring at Katei.
The wind blew harder, causing everyone's hair to whip around. The moonlight shone upon the three, making the whole situation that much more climactic. Kel's green hazel eyes were narrowed and she had to blink rapidly; a result of the wind.
"You'll have to kill me before I'll let you get to him." she said defiantly. Fists balled tightly her sides. She looked at him determinedly and waited for a response. Katei couldn't think of anything to say, so after a few moments, Kel turned her head so she could see Roald out of the corner of her eye and commanded, "Roald, jump the gap, get to the other side, now."
Gulping, Roald placed one foot slowly onto the stone railing and hoisted himself up, bending his legs, he jumped onto the next wall. He made it safely, but just barely. Kel backed up one step, eyes locked on Katei.
She knew what was coming next. She was acutely aware of where she was, and as she looked at the frozen Katei, she knew what she would have to do.
Turning abruptly, she jumped onto the railing, and would've jumped up, but made the harrowing mistake of glancing down. Her eyes widened, and her ears roared, she legs were frozen, poised to jump.
Her thought's lashed through her mind angrily making her inwardly flinch in shame, 'This is pathetic! Kel, look at yourself! You can't even jump a few feet! This is it, Kel, you have to jump. Otherwise, Katei will get to Roald! You can't have the prince-- and you friend-- be killed just because of your ridiculous fear of heights! On the count of three, you're going to jump. Ready? One... Two...--'
"Three!" she said the last word outloud, vaulting off the railing, she slammed against the other wall. Her footing had slipped! She gripped the wall hard, panic sweeping through her. It was even worse than it had been at the Balor's Needle those few years ago, at least then she hadn't been hanging from a wall.
Everything happened in slow motion in those moments for her. Her clammy hand slipped and before she could even scramble to clutch it again, she was falling. But then two hands reached out for her. One, gripped her right hand, the other, gripped her left wrist.
The two hands hauled her up onto the side she had been trying to jump on. One of the hands belonged to Katei, and the other belonged to Roald; making a temporary truce in order to save her. Sitting up, still a little shocked, she blinked. Her hair flapped constantly against her face from the wind, obscurely annoying her.
Suddenly, she realized where she was and who she was with. Leaping to her feet with sudden energy, she yelled for Roald to run. Without any hesitation, he ran and Kel after him. Katei bared his teeth and sprinted swiftly after the two Tortallans.
Looking back, she was startled to see Katei, at the moment, he resembled a wolf; teeth bared, eyes gleaming almost hungrily. 'What a nutcase' was what she wanted to murmur, but couldn't spare the breath.
Then, they came to a dead end, Roald cowered in a corner, whimpering in spite of himself. Kel stood infront of Roald, blocking him from Katei. Katei arrived, looking smugly about at them.
"Well, looks like we have a dead end." he said, as if Kel couldn't see for herself. "Please, Kel, move out of the way."
Kel shook her head and said without pausing, "You'll have to kill me to get to him!" she didn't realize until after she said it that she actually meant it. Tortall was important to her, and it was her duty to protect the crown and realm. Afterall, that's what being a knight was all about, protecting those who cannot protect themselves, protecting the crown. If she wanted to be a knight, this was the kind of deeds she would have to perform. And she would even sacrifice herself to save the Crown Prince.
Katei stared at her and said tightly, "Kel, I don't want to have to hurt you... please, please get out of the way!" he was almost begging her!
'Does he really feel that strongly about it?' Kel wondered briefly. She shook her head, pushing the thought away and said, "No Katei, it's my duty to protect him, he is the prince of my country. I will not abandon my duty." Her voice was firm, even if her thoughts were not.
"You tell that murdering son of a bitch, Kel!" yelled Roald, than quickly recoiled because of the glares Kel and Katei threw at him. "Well he did murder a lot of people." he muttered in response.
Katei's eyes were full of pain as he pulled his gleaming long sword out from it's sheath. Shaking his head remorsefully, he rose it--
"Stop right there! In the name of all that is good and pure, put the sword down!" guard's voices came from behind Katei.
All three of them turning, Roald, Kel, and Katei spotted at least twenty guards assembled behind them.
Katei closed his eyes in shame and let his sword fall to the ground. The clatter of the steel meeting the stone rang and echoed against the palace walls. He hadn't done it, he hadn't killed Roald, and this time he wouldn't have a chance to escape.
Kel would never forget that night. Standing infront of Roald, cold wind whipping at her face, watching as Katei let his sword drop to the ground and be taken capture.
Without resistance, Katei allowed himself to be taken away by the guards, eyes locked with Kel's. He then hung his head, and walked away with the guards surrounding him.
What he didn't see was Kel walk slowly up to his fallen sword, pick it up somberly, and sheath it into her own scabbard. Blinking back-- was it-- could it be-- tears? Kel hadn't cried since her parents had died, she wouldn't permit herself to do so.-- Kel turned to Roald and escorted him back down to his room. Then she returned to her own room and let shameless tears roll their way down her face as she stared out at the stars in the dark sky.
~~
Author's Note: Nope, it's still not over, sigh, there is still one or so chapters left before the story is done, I haven't decided if I'll lengthen it out or not. After the story is done, I'm thinking about writing a sequel to this, what happens later on. Or maybe an epilogue? Dunno yet, have absolutely no idea. Please Review!
Review!