Chapter Fourteen
Fighting Stone Mountain
Yvenne's stomach clenched and filled with butterflies.
She was waiting for the sparks that would signal the beginning of their attack. Kel hoped to catch them off-guard; they left time only to get the injured out.
Dom came riding through the circle, and Kel looked up at him. He nodded, telling her everything was in position, and she looked to Yvenne who nodded as well.
Ty she called in her mind, start with a flare.
Almost immediately a huge red flare shot into the sky.
Jess, go with a bang, something loud.
A sound two times louder than a cannon resounded from the south.
Liz, make a few men on horses charging toward them. Jake, can you manage some arrows to the east?
Anything you want, a smug male voice responded her, duck.
Yvenne gave the hand signal to lie low as the arrows whizzed above their heads, "My Lady, they can go now."
"Shields!" Kel called. "Will!"
Will took off to the north; three other men went other directions.
Now, as soon as the men move, Ty, shoot light into their eyes, Liz, make them look bigger. Jess, give them wolves, maybe they'll think Daine's with us. Jake, do what you do.
Got it, four voices responded simultaneously, as arrows began to pour onto them.
Yvenne tossed her magic around herself, Dom and Kel, protecting them from stray arrows, and the three watched unblinkingly as men, terrified men, began to rush onto them.
"Bows!" Dom shouted, and Mages began to light the arrows as they were shot into the sky. Men dropped left and right, more enemies than allies, but Yvenne heard familiar voices crying out in pain.
She said a silent prayer to the Goddess, drew her sword, dropped her shield, and kicked Argilla into a gallop.
The stallion was a jumper, and he soared easily over the sea of entangled people, landing with a heavy thud atop a man in Stone Mountain colors.
Battle fever raged in Yvenne as she fought, not for victory, but survival. Blood and dirt caked her clothes, but she realized it was all other peoples.
A man came up on her left while she fought another on her right; Argilla noticed and quickly turned his position to kick the man on the left and shatter the bones in the hand of the man on the right with his powerful teeth. Yvenne easily ran the man through and thanked her horse softly.
Kel would later tell her the battle lasted only fifteen minutes, but to Yvenne, it was more like fifteen hours. When the sparks had faded and the noise had ceased, they were left with a trampled world and the bodies of their dead.
"How can we go back to Corus without him?" Yvenne demanded heatedly. "That means the men died for nothing!"
Kel sighed wearily; she'd been thinking the same thing for days, but there was no choice, "We can't arrest him while he's hauled up in his manor; you know the laws. We don't have enough supplies to stay, and there are too many injuries to withstand another attack."
"Then send the injured back with Dom and we'll stay," Yvenne offered.
"You think we haven't thought of that?" Dom snapped, and Yvenne withdrew.
"Even if we do that we don't have enough supplies. We gave most of what we brought away, and we can't impoverish these people further," Kel explained gently. "We'll get him Yvenne; we just have to be patient."
Yvenne sighed, knowing she'd lost, and knowing too that Kel and Dom were right, no matter how much she hated it, "Of course," she muttered, and Kel watched her leave sadly.
"She's too much like Alanna," Dom mumbled.
"She wants to get him, no matter the laws. I suppose laws don't mean much to her anymore," Kel wasn't sure what that meant for her squire in terms of knighthood.
"Stop chewing on it," Dom ordered. "You swore to uphold this realm's laws."
"No," Kel shook her head. "I swore to protect the people who needed protecting, not the ones who hurt the people who needed help."
"We're going to Corus in the morning; our men need protecting now. You said it yourself, patience."
Kel laughed slightly and nodded, "You always keep me out of trouble."
"It's my job," he joked, and she shook her head at him.
Seven days later, the weary men trudged back to Corus, glad to be home even with disappointing news. Kel, Dom and Yvenne headed straight to Their Majesties to report. Yvenne was ordered to remain outside until Kel summoned, and she nodded and sat obediently as the two entered.
"Lady Keladry, Captain Domitan," the King beamed at them, Prince Roald by his side. "You've brought us our man."
Kel shook her head, and Jonathan's eyes flashed. Before he could reprimand them, Dom flung into the story, and by the end Jonathan looked like he could chew nails.
"It was supposed to be easy," he began to pace.
"Supposed to be, Your Highness," Kel responded, "but wasn't."
"100 men for a guard and a bandit squad?" Roald whispered softly. "How many did we lose?"
"Of seventy-five we lost fifteen, but at least five more have serious injuries and another twenty with some kind of battle scar," Kel answered unblinkingly.
The King winced but didn't abandon his pacing, "Keladry, call your squire."
Kel bowed and exited, "Yvenne," she called gently, and Yvenne sprung up and entered.
"Your Highness'," she bowed and kept her eyes lowered.
"Yvenne, I'm about to ask something of you that no King ever has; something no King ever should. Will you do it?" Jonathan's blue eyes stared in and through her.
"Not to be difficult, Your Majesty," she found it extremely hard to speak into those eyes, but she made herself do it all the same, "but, I don't know what it is yet."
He cracked the tiniest of smiles, "Very well, will you promise to keep this secret then, and never speak of it to anyone but those you have to?"
"This I will do Your Majesty," she answered.
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair before he continued.
"As I'm sure you know, the Baron George of Pirate's Swoop is my spymaster," he allowed room for surprise, but as he expected, there was none. "Now, both he and Lady Alanna are on a much needed vacation, and I'd rather not disturb them. Now, here's where you come in. I need to have spies both in Corus and Stone Mountain, and I think you know where to find them. I'm willing to pay any price, but I'd rather you not mention that. You can have them report to you or Lady Keladry, but this will be your operation."
Yvenne could barely breathe, "If you don't-" she had to clear her throat to continue, "don't mind me asking. Why would you entrust something so important to a squire?"
"Because George and Alanna need some undisturbed time alone, and I would rather not be put in the way of Alanna's tongue yet again. Besides, Lady Keladry seems to have utmost faith in you, and I have utmost faith in her. You have the right, or should I say, wrong, connections. And I dislike your parents to be quite honest, and this will spite them," he winked, and Yvenne jumped back in surprise. He laughed at her shock, "Remember who my spymaster is?"
Yvenne nodded weakly, "I'll see what I can do, Your Majesty," she bowed with weak knees and headed out.
"Lady Keladry, may I speak with you alone?" Jonathan called on their way out, and Kel smiled at Yvenne and Dom before she turned.
"Of course Your Majesty."
The other two left, shutting the door quietly, and Kel was left with the King and Crown Prince.
"Impressive," Dom told Yvenne as they exited, and Yvenne nodded numbly, still unable to believe it herself.
"Yvenne," her mother scurried forward, and Yvenne winced slightly.
"We've been looking for you everywhere, where have you been?" her father demanded.
"With the King," Yvenne answered simply. Dom winked at her and left with one pleading glance from Yvenne that said, don't leave me alone with them!
"The King?" her father turned her attention back to the situation, and she nodded.
"Yes, he had a new assignment for the Lady Keladry and I," she answered, trying to calm herself.
"New assignment?" her mother wasn't quite fidgeting, but something about her seemed…anxious.
"Can't say more than that," Yvenne grinned, but her father dismissed it.
"You're to meet with your fiancé tonight for dinner," he informed her.
"I can't," Yvenne shook her head, "I'm serving at that dinner."
"Then…" her mother stopped for her father's words.
"For breakfast then?"
Yvenne nodded, "Sure."
"It's all set," her mother smiled sweetly. "We'll find you in the morning."
"Very well," Yvenne bowed stiffly and headed down the hall.
"She'll abandon this ridiculous quest as soon as she sees him," she heard her mother assuring her father as she turned the corner.
It took Jonathan a long while to begin speaking, "Kel, you know I'm in a tight position right now. When Yvenne is knighted, she has to be knighted with a fief or the conservatives will take her shield and my throne."
"So you're the one who called her parents here," Kel had guessed they hadn't come on their own.
"Somewhat. When Yvenne was young, Amherst was struck very hard by bandits and her fief, Coltsbrook, took power of what was left of Amherst. Ever since then, Coltsbrook and Amherst have been knocking on Greenshire's door. Only, Yvenne is Coltsbrook's only surviving heir, so if she does not take her inheritance, Coltsbrook is turned over to Amherst."
"And the tables are turned," Kel muttered.
Jon nodded, "Naturally, it didn't take much convincing that they should come and collect their heir. Unfortunately, they're conservatives to the core, as I'm sure you know. Now, normally I wouldn't mind if Coltsbrook was given to Amherst, but the problem with that, is that all of Amherst and most of Coltsbrook was killed in an attack eight years ago. If Yvenne doesn't regain her titles, both Coltsbrook and Amherst go to the nearest fief."
"Stone Mountain," Kel whispered, and he nodded again.
"Coltsbrook is powerful, but Coltsbrook, Amherst and Stone Mountain united would overthrow Tortall. I cannot see that happen."
Kel took a deep breath, "And if her parents say she must first give up her shield?"
"Then she must," he answered firmly, and Kel tightened her Yamani mask. "I know you can convince her of this. I'm sure she has no love of me, but she'll listen to you."
"Of course, Your Majesty," Kel bowed and turned; her Yamani mask was shattering.
Kel was uncannily silent at dinner that evening, but then…so was her squire. As soon as the dancing began, she disappeared, and Neal and Dom exchanged worried glances before Dom rose to go find her. It didn't take long, but then, he'd known where to look.
Spring was soon becoming summer, and the night was hot, but Kel hadn't even worked up a sweat when Dom found her on the practice courts, lost in the glitter of her glaive.
"So what's on your mind?"
The blade never slowed as she responded, "It's easier to answer what isn't."
"Okay, then what made you leave?" he rephrased, and slowly her glaive came to a halt.
"Yvenne can't have her shield."
"What?"
Kel sighed and recited King Jonathan's story almost word for word. She'd run it over and over in her head in search of a way out, but the situation seemed bleak, "So I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place," she finished.
"If she gives up her shield the conservatives will tear you and Alanna to shreds, and if she doesn't, there could be a coup. Yeah, I'd say so," Dom shook his head. How did she remain so calm? "What are you going to do?"
"Speak with her parents," Kel answered. "Noble to noble, tell them my conflict."
"They'll never…"
"I have to try," and indeed, he knew she did. Maybe, just maybe she could change their minds too.
"Do you want me to go with you? I could vouch for her," he offered.
"I was going to ask actually, a man believing in a female knight will definitely prove useful."
"You name it, and I'll do it," he grinned, and she thanked him. "Now, will you come back for a dance?"
She looked to her dress that was torn and muddy and refused, "Raincheck."
"I think the mud accents your eyes," he joked, and she glared sourly and pointed her glaive at him. He jumped back and held up his hands, "Gotcha, I retreat, g'night, My Lady," he bowed and headed back to dinner. Kel looked distastefully at her gown and went back to her own dance.
"Yvenne!" cries echoed all around her, and she smiled warmly.
"So you decided to crawl out of that hole you've been living in?" Blade teased and patted her shoulder. She laughed and nodded, so they still were her family after all.
"My Princess!" Merek called and came forward to embrace Yvenne.
"Your Majesty," she did a quick bow before she was pulled into a tight embrace.
"Come, sit, sit," he ushered her to her normal spot and had drinks served, "What brings you here after hiding in the palace so long?"
"Well, Lady Keladry of Mindelan asked me for her squire," Yvenne started.
"That we'd heard from Rispah," he simply glowed with pride.
"Where is grandmother?" Yvenne hadn't seen Rispah when she'd come in.
"Visiting family; she'll be sore she missed you."
Yvenne frowned disappointedly, but she had business to attend to, and she knew she couldn't linger, "I've come on assignment, Your Majesty, from Jonathan."
He gaped, "What? What would he want from the King of Thieves?"
Yvenne explained her mission, and Merek nodded slightly.
"I always knew he was a smart man, that Jonathan, good to hear he's looking out for George and Alanna too. We'll do what ye ask, but there'll be a mighty fine price."
"Name it," Yvenne grinned at him, and Merek grinned back.
"I knew you wouldn't cheat your own; you're a sly little fox, My Princess."
Yvenne spun nervously in the gown they had her in. It'd been so long since she'd had attendants she wasn't sure she knew what to do.
"What a beautiful young lady," one of them cooed as they adjusted her corset. She sucked in and tried to get her breath. No training would ever prepare her for what she was about to do.
"Yes, I'm sure she'll make her husband very happy," her mother babbled as she watched another attendant pin up her hair.
She had to allow a small smile in the full-length mirror. She was wearing a light green dress that fell just past her feet with her green slippers poking from under the dress. The shoulders were cut out, so the sleeves were connected by only a small strap on both sides of her arm. The neck was cut low but not indecent, enough to make the eyes linger but not stare. Silver lined the sleeves and Princess bodice, and deep green vines wound up a narrow slit that went up to her right calf. Her hair was pulled into a loose bun with curls hanging all about her neck, and her golden locks sparkled with emeralds and pearls. An emerald and diamond choker wrapped tightly around her neck while a sterling silver bracelet with a horse running on it was set in place on her wrist. Her fingers were bare, but she had diamond earrings for her ears.
The attendants pulled back and admired their work. She'd forgotten how make-up accented her dazzling green eyes and high cheekbones or the way a corset curved her body. She gasped slightly and pulled a manicured hand to her lips.
"There's my girl," her mother laughed lightly as Yvenne's father entered.
"Ah, right on time," he waltzed in, and Yvenne glanced at the velvet box in his hands. "Here you are darling," he opened it for her, and she stared down at the silver chain containing two emeralds on the left and right side set off by a good sized diamond in the middle. This was the symbol of her nobility and suddenly she craved only to have a hilt in her hand once more. Anything was better than what she was about to do. Before she could move, her father had the headpiece atop her hair, the diamond set neatly between her eyes, "Now you're ready," he kissed both cheeks and turned to take his wife's hand. "We've agreed to meet the boy and his family in their parlor."
Yvenne nodded submissively and followed them out, hiding behind them, her head hung low.
The whole way, she kept her head low; sure she would hear taunts all around her. Her fingers clenched as she held back tears and only the creaking of a door made her look up.
"Ah, you've arrived," a cool, familiar voice greeted them.
"Father-I-"
"That's it, I've heard enough out of you. She's come all this way to meet you, and you don't even have the time of day?" sheltered by her parents she couldn't see the speaker, but she didn't have to.
"Lord Cedmon," Yvenne's father addressed the speaker.
"I'm sorry, my son is anxious to go play soldier," Cedmon laughed, "please, come in."
"We'd like to introduce our daughter," her father moved away to let Yvenne enter, head to the ground, unable to meet his eyes. "Yvenne of Coltsbrook and Amherst."
"Long lost words whisper slowly to me
Still can't find what keeps me here
When all this time I've been so hollow, inside
Watching me, wanting me, I can feel you pull me down
Fearing you, loving you, I won't let you pull me down
Haunting you, I can smell you, alive
Your heart pounding in my head..."
Evanesence, Haunted