Chapter 9
Planning
A spark spit from a fire, landing on the stone hearth. A large tapestry loomed overhead, depicting a bloody battleground. Shadows flickered along the walls, giving the war room a sinister look.
"Finally, I was beginning to believe the villagers had gotten the best of my men. Well? Is the job done?"
"Yes sire, the villagers are gone, not a single one survived."
"And you are positive?"
"Your highness, I personally lit the torch that burned the town to the ground. There is nothing left."
"Good, I cannot afford for past ghosts to haunt me, especially now."
"My liege?"
"Never you mind."
"Yes your highness." The captain bowed and left the king to his thoughts.
…
"What's going on?" Willow mumbled sleepily as she tripped out of her bedroom.
"We can't wait." Emmett stated, catching her elbow to keep her from falling. When she was steadily standing on her own, he went to wake up Sara and Daniel.
After they were all gathered in Willows sitting room, Emmett stood and told them why he had gotten them up in the middle of the night.
"We can't wait." He repeated for the third time. "If we do, it will be to late."
"What makes you think this?" Daniel asked.
"I just have a really bad feeling."
"Well," Sara said. "Since we are all up, we might a well start planning. It can't hurt." They agreed and Willow went to the kitchen to get snacks.
"Daniel, you know the castle best, right? And the king trusts you?"
"As far as I know, yes." The old man replied.
"Good. You will be our inside man. Willow and Sara? I want you to get everything you need together as quickly as you can. We are going to leave as soon as possible."
"Where are we going?" Sara asked timidly.
"I'm not exactly sure yet. We might start out at Emerald City, where Ayden and I got our supplies. We can plan our next move from there."
"Are you sure that's safe?" Willow inquired. "Since that's where you two first made a public appearance?"
"No one knew us there, and the guards didn't find us until we were a days ride from this city. I think we will be safe. Besides, even if the king does know we have been there, I bet he would think it stupid if we went back to a place we have already been. He seems to be the kind of guy who gets rid of connections, not goes back to them."
"You're right. Emerald City does seem like a safe option." Daniel said.
"Good. Okay, Daniel? You have the morning gate duty, right?"
"Yes."
"Let your wife and Willow out, and do not write them down in your book."
Daniel gave him and exasperated look as Emmett turned to the ladies.
"I want you to pack light, I don't want it to seem like you are going on a journey, especially a long one. Willow, I want you to take Rose, and Sara, take your horse. Ride a days journey and set up camp in the woods, but close to the rode so we can find you when we come with Ayden. Sound good?" The girls nodded as Daniel spoke up.
"And what exactly are you planning on us doing, lad?"
"When your shift ends, I will need you to help me sneak into the castle and grab Ayden."
"I can do that." Daniel agreed.
"Now can we all go back to bed?" Willow asked through a large yawn.
Chuckling, Emmett relented and the rescuers went back to sleep, their dreams restless.
…
"So, my dear, here we are again. You and me, all alone." The king bent down and thrust Ayden's head up to face him. Glaring at him, she spat in his face. Rupert looked at her for a moment, then slowly stood up, wiping his face as he went.
"I am going to kill you my dear. This, I know for sure, but how, I have not yet decided."
"You are a sick, twisted, evil…"
"Thank you for the compliments dearie," he interrupted. "But they are hardly appropriate in your current situation."
"Well, what should I be saying in this situation? Should I be begging for my life? I don't think that would help me. Besides, I don't want any favors or pity form you."
"Ha good, you are certainly not getting any. The only pity you will see from me is the pity for my poor men who have to endure killing you."
"What? I'm surprised your highness isn't going to kill me yourself? I thought you would have learned after my mistake not to trust other people?"
"That wasn't a mistake. That was blatant disobedience and un-loyalty. You were never loyal to me from the start; I should have seen it coming. But all my men I have now are completely loyal. They chose to be with me."
Ayden looked the hateful king in his cold blue eyes.
"I just want to know one thing," she said. "Why me? Why hunt me down and kill me? It's not like I was going to tell anyone what went on, that would get me in trouble too. Why couldn't you have just let me be?"
"I don't keep ghosts around to haunt me dearie."