Chapter 5- Framed
A/N: Sorry I've been gone so long everyone! I was just busy, then I was grounded for two weeks, so I didn't have a chance to update. Anyway, I won't bore anyone with a long a/n, I'll just thank anyone who reviewed or added me to their favorite's list. I'm honored!
Disclaimer: Don't flatter me. I'm not TP, that is why it's called f-a-n-f-i-c-t-i-o-n! She owns it all; I'm not trying to take credit for it.
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A prison cell.
You never think that you'll get caught and be told that you're going to be beheaded at sunset the next day. But it happens.
How did Iend up in this mess? All I tried to do was be a good knight and follow my orders. The last thing I had wanted was to be stuck spying for three weeks with my worst enemy, Joren. But I had done it anyway. Why? Because it was my duty. Somehow, duty didn't seem as important when you were about to die.
And it didn't even make sense. Being arrested and charged with spying, that would have been understandable. But this was ridiculous, being accused of a phantom crime. I guess this doesn't make any sense, does it? Well, let me start at the beginning, at our big chance to get some information on the Copper Islanders.
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Joren and I were hiding behind an ancient bookshelf in the designated meeting place, waiting for King Wardim and his advisor, Lillian, to arrive. I was beginning to get amazingly bored. I had been trained in the Yamani Islands to be patient and sit silently for long hours, but my training had worn off after all these years in Tortall. Sighing, I began to get up and strech my sore muscles. Suddenly, an arm flew out of nowhere and pulled me down roughly.
"Ow! Dammit Joren, that really hurt!" I complained, rubbing my arm where he had grabbed it.
"Shut up, Mindelan. Didn't you see that something moved over there? You're going to get us caught, you idiot!"He whispered loudly into my ear. Joren immediately turned around and devoted his attention fully to the corner where he thought he saw something move. After glaring at him, I also looked at the corner. Nothing. He was probably hallucinating or something. Growing bored again, I let my eyes trace over the elaborate designs engraved all over the library walls. Then I noticed something.
A tiny black hole appeared in the bottom of the wall I had been looking at. It grew larger until it was big enough to be a doorway. A dark figure that I recognized as King Wardim walked out of the opening and strode across the room to a plumply upholstered armchair. I only caught a slight glance at the dark staircase in the hidden corridor before the doorway closed up, looking just like any ordinary wall.
King Wardim was dressed in expensive silk clothing, probably for the ball that night. He flipped through the pages of a book lying on the table in front of him, but he didn't seem very interested in reading it to me. I was beginning to wonder if there was actually going to be a meeting at all when another doorway appeared on the opposite side of the room. This time, a woman who had to be Lillian glided into the room. Her long dark hair was perfectly straight and complimented her hazel eyes perfectly. She took off her black cloak, revealing an ivory dress, and sat down in the chair opposite of the King.
"Finally! I knew you had an errand, but I don't want to be late for the ball!" The King exclaimed. I winced- the King really was quite shallow. Lillian ignored his comment.
"Did you check the room for any spies? If you didn't, I'll do it, but it might take a while."she said.
"Of course I did. Do you really think I would forget?"King Wardim lied smoothly. I could hardly control my laughter. He probably just didn't want to make himself any later for the ball. What an idiot! I noticed that Lillian didn't look very reassured either.
"Well, we can begin our conversation then. I have just recieved word that all of the troops are in position to move. They will be sailing tonight at the eleventh bell. No other countries know of this. Victory is almost guaranteed!"Lillian said enthusiastically.
"Wonderful."I almost felt sorry for the Copper Islanders at that. I hated King Jonathon, but at least he cared (about himself, anyway).
"I think you'll be more interested when you here this bit. Our mages have come across a spell that will completely hide the army from sight. Animals, even immortals, will not be able to sense our army, so that slutty peasant girl won't be of any use to her precious friend, Alanna. Alanna is the one who killed your aunt, if you remember correctly. They will never be able to find out that we are going to attack them until they are under seige and forced to surrender!" Lillian spoke dramatically. It was obvious that she had been dreaming about the destruction of Tortall for quite a while.
"That is perfect. I am glad I have you, Lillian, to take care of all of this military stuff. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a ball to attend."King Wardim walked to a wall and right into a corridor that probably led directly to the ballroom. Lilliam let out a long sigh.
"This had better pay off." was the only thing she said before exiting the room out of the same passage the King had.
I turned and stared at Joren. It was impossible, that there was going to be a war this soon. There wasn't enough time! How could we ever get the message to the King before Tortall fell? "What are we going to do?"I asked him, my voice weak. "You heard Lillian! The troops are leaving by the eleventh bell tonight! We'll never be able to stop this war!"I was practically hysterical by this time.
"Calm down, Mindelan! You're only making the situation worse! I know that it doesn't look like we have much of a chance, but we will find someway to get the message to the King. I don't see why you are so worried anyway- you're not the one whose life is in danger."Joren responded.
I was shocked, that he could even think of saying such a thing! "Don't you even care?! My family and friends are still in Tortall and will be killed if I do something! Isn't there a single person that you wouldn't want to die at Stone Mountain or the palace?"
"No, I don't really care about any of them. But how is this your business? We have to get back to our chambers before someone discovers we are missing." With that, he began walking out of the room. I followed, speechless.
My mind was so caught up with the news of war that I hardly even noticed that something was amiss when I entered my room. All I wanted to do was fall asleep! As soon as I lit the candle, I saw what was so strange- my room was filled with soldiers!
"Wha- what are you doing here?" I asked, trying to seem innocent. But I had the feeling that they weren't all here to have a teaparty.
"You are under arrest by the order of His Majesty, King Wardim IV, for treason against the throne." I was promptly hit with the butt of a spear and overcome with a wave of darkness.
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I still don't know where they got that treason idea from.
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A/N: Sorry, that chapter wasn't that long, but it was important and I actually updated! Yay! Okay, I already have the next chapter planned out, so if you review, I will update really shortly. If you don't review, you can expect another long wait.
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Until next time!
~ The Dark Goddess ~