Chapter 10
As soon as the battle finished, servants flooded the courtyard, their work only beginning. While they did not wail, the grief was clear in their eyes. The bodies of the men who had once protected them and patrolled this castle were lying in pools of blood. Wordlessly they placed the dead in wagons to be transported out of the castle. From there I knew a mass grave was being dug – far enough away that the smell of rotting corpses would not contaminate the air. Tears fell down cheeks but the servants continued. They could try and fight back, but they knew as well as anyone that they would have no chance. As simple townspeople they would live if they silently obeyed orders. If not, they would not leave with their lives.
Servants dragged pails of water out of the well and began dousing the cobblestones. The water trickled leftwards, between the gaps in the mortar and then drained into the moat. Others came along with straw brooms, washing away the red stains and all memory of the lives that were taken merely hours ago. Soldiers began to whistle, as if the haunting screams of dead men could just as easily be drowned out.
With the adrenaline draining out of my system, I became aware of a sting in my left arm. The white sleeve of my shirt was soaking in blood from a gash. It curled around my flesh, as long as my hand but not too deep. I made my way to a nurse station where I was bandaged up.
"I think you're starting to owe me," Riley said, sitting opposite me and having his own wounds attended to.
"I've lost count but the time I didn't slit your throat should count double," I replied.
"Sorry I didn't tell you the truth earlier. I wanted to be certain before doing anything."
This entire situation was his fault but then again if it wasn't for his interruption my body would probably be languishing in the riverbed.
"You saved my life, twice." I grinned. "You're my hero, oh brave knight."
He chuckled and waved his hand in mock theatrics. "It's my pleasure Lady Monique."
"Lady Monique?"
"Well unless you want me to call you Lady María."
"No thanks. That's my mother's name, not mine." It was slowly hitting me. I could never be the same person again. It wasn't just the last minute misdirection of my knife. My whole identity had changed. I came from an entirely different place. I had fought for so long to have my abilities recognised, but now I was one of those people who had life handed to me on a silver platter.
As the nurses moved away, Riley lowered his voice. "You were going to kill him weren't you?" He knew. This wasn't good. I kept the horror off my features and quickly thought through a response. What if he told el jefe? He was the traitor and for some reason he and his father were working closely with the Iberian's despite being Baron Quinn's men.
Don't reveal anything if the evidence against you is flimsy or you'll just be throwing yourself off a cliff.
The wise words of Halt rang through my head. "What are you talking about?"
"When you held that knife up. I was watching you. You were going to hit him and at the last minute you hit the Baron instead."
"That's ridiculous," I retorted, rolling my eyes. "You knights know nothing about distance fighting."
Riley let it go with a shrug, but I had a feeling that it wasn't the end of this conversation. He got off the cot and strapped on his weapons. Blood still coated his blades and I still wondered how he could take the lives of men that he had gone to Battleschool with and who his father had trained. It was sickening. A voice in my head reminded me that I was going to do the same thing. I was going to help Araluen in the end, I told myself, trying to justify it.
"Do you want me to take you to your quarters?" Riley asked.
"I have quarters?"
"Right next to Señor Romero. The top floor of the keep. It was one of the baron's rooms. I think you'll like it. A big fireplace and four poster bed." Riley led me a floor above where el jefe's office was located. The room was decadently furnished with two plush chairs and a settee facing an ornamental fireplace, and a bed big with heavy curtains to hide the flickering of the flames.
Riley stood at the door, watching me like a hawk.
"Is there something else?" I asked, feeling uncertain but needing to imbue confidence.
"Señor Romero wanted you to meet him in his chambers for breakfast tomorrow morning." I hated how he called him Señor Romero. El jefe seemed more distant, but using his full name, he was suddenly more real.
The rest of his sentence then hit me. Breakfast with him alone. Oh god. No I couldn't go that long in a room with him. I wanted to plead with Riley to come with me again, but I swallowed the words. I had to do this myself and find a way to get over it.
"Okay," I answered, not trusting myself with any more syllables.
"I'll see you around," Riley said, with a reassuring smile, closing the door behind him. Were my feelings that evident? Should I be more forceful and sure of my position? Did I look nervous? Could he somehow see what I was planning? I was going to have a nervous breakdown with all this worrying.
My things were placed on a side table and I rifled through, looking for clean clothes. I found a woollen lapis tunic and off-white leggings. A warm bath was waiting for me and I took my time. Even so, afterwards wearing Evanlyn's old tunic and walking through the Baron's quarters I couldn't help feeling dirty. I just wanted to scrub my skin red raw and try and wash it all away.
I pulled my knees to my chest, sitting in front of the blasting fire but still feeling a chill in my bones. Wolf inched closer, sharing his body warmth. He didn't say anything but was silently there for me. Suddenly the heat was stifling. I wanted to pull the tunic over my head and have a cold bath. Instead I opened the heavy shutters and let the cold winter air flood the room. Maybe with slightly thinner air and the cold abusing me I could make sense of what I was going to do. I didn't deserve the comfortable warmth anyway.
"What should I do Wolf? They all think I'm for the Iberians. I can't go back anymore."
"Then play the dutiful daughter and the loyal recruit. Get all the information and send it back to Halt," Wolf said. "You had them fooled. They believed every word that came out of your mouth. I know you're strong enough to do this. Somehow we can tell Halt everything and change the course of this war. You were right not to kill him. Replacing a leader is easy enough. That woman, Silvana could have been next and you would never get close to her. This way it'll be you and me stopping this properly."
"But at what cost Wolf? Did you see the look of disgust on Baron Quinn's face? And I don't think Riley believes me."
"You saved his daughter from growing up without a father. When this is over, he'll see it. And Riley is a traitor, so not exactly the most trustworthy source."
I was too miserable to point out that I was a traitor was well.
"And what exactly is 'this'."
"You're going to be Araluen's Spy."
"I am?"
"And a damn good one at that. Just imagine: everyone who doubted you will think they were right to when they hear the news. They'll congratulate themselves and think of ways to capture you."
I stared at him. "This is not sounding appealing Wolf."
"The King of Iberion is never going to let this go. When the final battle comes, and it will, Araluen is going to struggle. He's been planning this for decades so he won't come unprepared. You will be the one who turns the tide. You can sneak places and steal maps and help people, like you saved the Baron's life. I'm sure he won't be the first good person that you can save. Imagine the difference you can make."
I chewed my lip as the idea began to sound better but I wasn't entirely convinced.
"You and me, against the world."
"I'll be a daughter and a traitor and a spy and a loyal Iberian and everything I need to be. But when it's all over they'll see that I had Araluen in mind all along," I said with a devious grin.
Wolf bared his teeth back in a devilish smile. "Now that's my girl."
"Mistress," I corrected. "Or master. Or just owner."
He snorted. "Who said that you weren't my pet. A token human."
"Not how the world works Wolf."
"You better watch it or I'll tie a leash around your neck and start walking you down the street like all the fashionable ladies do."
"You're turning into a fashionable lady now?" I raised an eyebrow. Wolf glared back but shut his mouth.
† † †
I climbed down the stairs carefully, my nerves growing as I descended. The whole act needed to be perfect or they would see right through me. I adjusted my tunic and checked the clasp of my cloak. I ran my fingers through my hair and neatened my long bangs. I pulled my shoulders back and lifted my chin. There would be no more skulking in the corners and trying to be invisible. I needed to be seen and act like a girl who had just discovered that she was Iberian nobility and the daughter of one of the most powerful men in the world.
When the morning light hit my face, I didn't shy away from the open gawking. I met their eyes with my own until they were the ones who had to lower their gaze. They bowed their heads as they passed or tried to seem occupied when in fact they were waiting for me to pass by just so they could stare into my back. I had half a mind to turn around and glare at them, but then Lady Monique would never do that. They were nothing to me. In fact, their only use was in meeting my needs.
An older man servant carrying a crate of carrots passed right in front of me.
"You with the crate," I called. He instantly stopped and turned to face me. I watched as the recognition dawned on his face and he bowed his head.
"Lady Monique," he answered.
I raised my voice so that they would all hear. "Is there a seamstress in these parts at all? Or is this backwater town devoid of any of life's necessities?" I vaguely remembered the answer from my childhood, but I wanted to stretch this conversation so more people would cast their nosy eyes.
"There is one on the main street. Mistress Danielle's. She is open today."
"Good. Get a carriage prepared. I'll be leaving after noon," I ordered, walking off as soon as I had finished the instruction. I doubted the man I had chosen had any idea how to order a carriage. I didn't even know if Caraway had a stock of carriages but that didn't matter. I could hear the servants whispering as I passed by. I was already earning a name for myself and that was all I wanted.
I turned on my heel back up to el jefe's chambers. I knocked on the door and then let myself in. If I was going to be his daughter, then I was going to come and go as I pleased. While my own room had been well furnished, it was on the small side with only the bedroom and then attached bathing chambers. El jefe had, of course, taken for himself the Baron's own quarters. The main room was large enough to accommodate a long dining table with eight chairs. To the side was a chaise settee in front of a fireplace with bookshelves lining the walls. Five doors led off the main room. It couldn't compare with Castle Araluen, but for a Castle Keep it was likely one of the most comfortable in the country.
El jefe was seated at the head of the table, with a small book in one hand and a fork in the other. Seeing me, he immediately put everything down and pulled out a chair for me.
"Good morning Minny," he greeted. I wanted to sit as far away from him as possible – preferable at the other end of the table – but forced myself to go the proffered chair. Wolf nudged my leg reassuringly as I made the dreaded walk. With each step I felt like I was being bogged down in marshy clay, holding me down and trying to keep me from doing it. But eventually I reached the table and bent over to give el jefe a kiss on the cheek. I amended the thought. To give my father a kiss on the cheek. I didn't know if that made it worse or better.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked. "I'm sorry about the chambers. This must be nothing compared to Castle Araluen and it certainly does not compare a Castillo back home." Home? Iberion certainly was not my home and I hoped he would not bring up the idea of my going there again.
"Knowing that I had my parents back, I slept like a baby." I saw the satisfied smile on his face. I began spooning eggs, sausage and bacon on my plate. I hadn't eaten a decent meal in days.
"Your dog?" he asked, noticing Wolf for the first time. I could see Wolf's hackles rise as my father tried to stroke his fur. I realised why he was being so quiet. It took all of his self-control not to bite that hand and maul its owner.
"Wolf," I answered. "He's a very good protector."
"From what I saw, you can protect yourself. I'm very proud. Seeing a daughter of mine kill men with such ease… it's like you're the son I never had." I bristled at the comparison. A girl could fight just as good as any man.
"Mother would not be impressed."
He chuckled. "She would have a nervous breakdown. Did you train with Ranger's?" Bells began to go off in my head. Was he trying to get information about Ranger's out of me?
"Ranger Halt trained me a bit but the Corps didn't let me in." If el jefe recognised the name of the Corps most famous ranger, I didn't see it in his eyes.
"Were you close to them?" Of course I was. They were my family. Maybe they still were. If they would still accept me. But then Halt had never done anything to wrong me. It had only been Edmund and the Corps itself. Everyone else had been endlessly supportive.
"As close as one can be without sharing a blood bond." I didn't know where that sentence came from but I knew I had said the right thing. My father seemed to believe blood forged a bond stronger than any allegiances and loyalties. He had expected me to blindly support his cause when finding out who I was.
"Father," I said, drawing out the two syllables in a sing-songey voice. "Can I have some money to buy new clothes? I didn't bring much with me." My father's eyes narrowed for a second, surprised with my suggestion. Never in the time we had been together had I ever enjoyed shopping for clothes. It had been the bane of my existence. However, that didn't mean he was going to deny my request. He put his utensils down and unlocked a draw in the side table, retrieving a leather bag, which he threw in my direction. I caught it easily and was surprised by the weight. Opening the drawstring all I saw was gold. He had handed me a small fortune like it was nothing. I did some quick calculations. Gorlog's beard. Forget a few tunics and capes, I could probably buy horse with this type of money. A well-bred horse.
"If you need any more just send a messenger and I'll have Riley or someone come down," he added. "Mistress Danielle's?"
"Thank you and yes," I answered.
"A very good seamstress," he said. "If I recall it was the only place your mother found acceptable." I nodded. My mother had been Mistress Danielle's most frequent and loyal customer.
"You look so much like your mother," he said after a long silence. He had finished his meal while I had taken another spoonful of eggs just so that I would have something to occupy the time, other than talking.
"Thank you," I answered, stiffly. I could have slapped myself. What a stupid thing to say.
I was saved from my own awkwardness by a knock on the door.
"Come in," my father called, and Captain Grant and Riley shuffled in. I narrowed my eyes, taking in their demeanour. They seemed nervous for some reason. As if they were just about to beg el jefe for something and weren't sure what the outcome would be.
"Señor Romero, sorry to interrupt, but we were wondering when we might see them," Captain Grant asked, bowing his head in respect. Actually it was more like fear and an inability to meet el jefe's dark blue eyes.
My father looked at me and I hurriedly stuffed the remaining egg in my mouth, before wiping my lips on the back of my sleeve.
"Well you are fortunate that you haven't disrupted our breakfast," he said. "Very well, you've done your part so I shall honour my side of the agreement." My interest was piqued, but I turned my attention to them slowly, not wanted to appear too interested.
My father stood up, brushing the crumbs off his pants before buckling his sword around his waist and retrieving a key from his pocket.
"Will you be fine for a few minutes, Minny?" He asked.
"Can I come see?" I asked, hopefully. I gave him my best impression of the conspiratorial grin we used to share when getting up to mischief together. He gave me the same grin back.
"Might as well show you how we Iberian's work," he said, leading the way out. I feel a few steps behind, expecting Riley to walk with me, but he was just as determined as his father and was practically running beside el jefe.
"What's he so excited about," I whispered to Wolf.
I followed them down all the flights of stairs and to the garrison. Then down more stairs. We were going to the dungeons. Now I was even more confused.
The dungeons were dark and musty, the air so thick that it was almost choking. I covered my mouth and nose with my sleeve, to provide relief from the stench of unwashed bodies and the faecal matter that must be gathering in the cells. The first inmates we passed were still bloodied from the battle of yesterday and swore loudly at el jefe and the two traitors as they walked past.
"We trusted you!" one man cried, lunging towards Riley and almost grabbing him by the neck before an Iberian guard struck him with a spear and pushed him back inside. The others, seeing the brutality, began to walk out of weapons reach but continued their jeering.
The further we went, the quieter it was. Men sat slouched in defeat, their hope of rescue from Baron Quinn taken, leaving them with nothing but this darkness illuminated by oil lanterns which were few and far between. I squinted behind the metal and made out some familiar faces and others so sunken from lack of food that they barely looked like men.
Reaching the end, there were more lanterns and even a hole carved into the roof of the dungeon to allow sparse natural light in. The floors of the cells were covered in fresh, clean straw and there were cots and even basic furniture inside. These cells were lavish, if you could ever call a room in a dungeon so.
Baron Quinn paced behind the bars while a woman rocked a whimpering baby in her arms. I could tell that she was beautiful under all the dust that coated her skin and hair. She was wearing animal furs to protect against the cold from the stone walls which chilled even me to the bone. Without a rabble of other prisoners to cause stifling body heat, these cells were even more freezing.
Seeing us, the baron just shook his head in disdain.
"Shame on you," he called. "Look what you've done. Are you happy now Grant?"
"I did what I had to," Captain Grant whispered, his voice so low that I had to strain to pick up his words.
"Speak louder man!" Baron Quinn shouted, disturbing his baby who began to cry in earnest. "My wife and child have been in this godforsaken dungeon for weeks! Weeks! This is no place for women and children. Don't you have any humanity?"
Something was tugging on my heart. I wanted to let the poor lady out. Watching her husband stand up for them, she stood by his side, refusing to cower. She held her chin up and held her child closer to her chest. I couldn't stop myself from concocting ways to get her out, but I had a feeling that she would not leave her husband's side.
"You've been beaten," Captain Grant said, louder this time.
"I know I've been beaten!" Baron Quinn bellowed. "What I don't understand is why you turned against your country and why my wife is in this place for criminals. She has done nothing and should at least be given the courtesy of a locked room in the Castle Keep. She's pregnant, bloody hell!"
I stopped. Oh god. Peering through the bars I saw the beginnings of a bump under her furs. She needed to get out of here now. I was not going to let this happen.
"Quinn, it's alright. As long as I'm with you I'm fine," the woman whispered.
"No it's not alright sweetheart," Baron Quinn continued. "Those two are traitors and that girl fought by my side against this very threat and now stands beside her father, suddenly loyal to him. What happened to your boyfriend, Prince Edmund? Our queen took you in, and this is how you repay her?"
The words hit me like a slap to the face, but I kept my features straight, refusing to show how much they hurt.
"I have found a better cause," I answered and smiled internally. Not that anyone other than Wolf knew exactly what that cause was.
"I wasn't told that your wife was with child," my father said, also noticing the truth behind Baron Quinn's desperation.
He turned to me. "What do you think we should do Minny?"
I stared at him, caught unawares by his question. He wanted me to decide what would happen to Baron Quinn's pregnant wife. Me? He would give me power to dictate lives just like that?
"Should we cut off his head like I originally suggested?" I watched as el jefe's eyes lit up at the prospect while the poor woman gasped and grabbed her husband's elbow.
"Or should we torture them until we get as much information as we can from the baron?" I felt sick. Physically sick as the bile rose up my throat. He wanted to torture innocents? This couldn't be my father. He seemed to be alright one second if you forgot about the whole conquering thing, but the next he was a monster.
His final suggestion confirmed my observation. "Or we could move them to the upper floors, just under lock and key."
"I think we should move Baron Quinn's wife and the child to the living quarters. A nice room with a big window and warm fire. Perhaps a nurse maid can be arranged and a midwife can visit from time to time. Also we should allow guarded visits with the baron. When this is all over and as long as the baron remains as helpful as possible, there is no need for unnecessary spilling of blood," I said, coming to a decision. "No child shall ever be made to suffer for the actions of adults, especially an unborn babe."
My words seemed to stir something in my father who immediately looked guilty.
"Very well," he said motioning to a guard. "Let it be done." With that he walked away, leaving me standing in Baron Quinn's close scrutiny.
"What are you doing?" he asked. He couldn't know about anything.
I flipped my hair and continued to walk as if he was worth nothing to me. "Don't look a gift pony in the mouth." Had I gotten the phrase right? I had heard Will mutter something along those lines to Gilan.
The Baron seemed to understand what I meant and when I glanced back he gave me a thankful smile.
I jogged to keep up with my father's pace as he reached the last cell. Captain Grant and Riley immediately launched themselves at the bars, trying to reach towards whoever was inside. I squinted to make out two figures huddled in a corner. Noticing what was happening they both got up, their legs shaky, but nonetheless reached for the outstretched hands. It was a woman and a young girl around twelve years old. With gaunt faces and sunken blue eyes they must have been in captivity for months and maybe even years. They shivered as too thin arms slid out of threadbare sleeves.
"I am a man of my word," my father said opening the door.
"Thank you Señor," Riley said rushing to the opening. A hood fell backwards and pooled around the girls neck. Immediately I noticed her long golden hair. It was scraggly in places and unwashed but the colour was unmistakeable.
It was Riley's mother and sister.
Everything began to fall in place. How could I have been so stupid? No one just betrayed their country and Baron on a whim. El jefe must have captured Riley's family years ago and forced him and his father to work for him in exchange for their lives. I had been disgusted at his actions, as had Baron Quinn but in light of this I didn't think I could feel like that anymore. Captain Grant caught his wife as she stumbled out of the door, holding her close as she sobbed in his arms.
"I'm so sorry you had to do all that for us. I'm so sorry," she apologised over and over again.
"Why are you apologising Sibyl? Nothing is your fault. It's okay. We're alright now and we can be a family again," Captain Grant assured her.
For a second everything was alright in the world and then with a clank el jefe closed the door again, leaving the little girl separated from her family.
"What are you doing?" Riley asked.
"I agreed to release them when my daughter was found and this war was over. My daughter has been found, so half of the deal has been completed," el jefe answered, looking pleased with himself. The girl didn't even cry or scream. She just accepted her fate and slinked back into the shadows. That made me angry. I could hear Wolf growl beside me. He wanted a piece of el jefe. An actual piece out of his leg, or perhaps even his torso.
"Put me back in then. Release my daughter," Sibyl said, the weak woman somehow finding the strength to stand up tall and challenge her captor. She was skin and bones and I wondered if she'd been giving her daughter a greater share of the food.
El jefe laughed, but it was not a sound I ever wanted to hear again. It was harsh and unforgiving. The laugh of a man who couldn't care less about a little girl. The same laugh that had filled the house when he had been a drunkard.
"If I release her, I can't guarantee that Grant and Riley won't leave. I still need them."
"You bastard!" Riley screamed launching himself on el jefe. "You promised." He only had the time to get in a punch in the gut before guards were at the cell, holding both Riley and Captain Grant back. Riley would have been better off with a sword but I guess he wanted to hear the satisfying crunch of skin against skin.
"When the war is over I shall let her go," el jefe repeated, not injured in the slightest. "And I'll also overlook your misdemeanour."
"Let's go Minny," my father said, offering his elbow to me as if nothing had happened. "We have a lot of time to catch up on."
Riley looked at me, his eyes pleading, begging me to do anything. I had helped Baron Quinn and now he wanted me to help him. But what could I do? It's not like the girl was pregnant and she wasn't a small child either. If I let her go there would be no one to keep Captain Grant and Riley on the side of the Iberian's. I knew that they would probably try and get out of Caraway if their entire family was together and el jefe wouldn't allow that. They would all be executed. I quickly racked my brains, knowing that time was not working for me and at the same time if I started freeing prisoners on mass, my head would be on the chopping block. El jefe and my father were two parts of the same person and I didn't want to face the former.
"What would Lady Monique want and need," Wolf suggested and suddenly it came to me. That dog was a genius.
I put on my best snobbish tone. "How old is the girl?"
El jefe shrugged and looked at Riley.
"She's was thirteen last summer."
"Small for her age. What is her name?"
"Everly."
"What does she know about dresses?" Riley gave me a funny look wondering what in Gorlog's name I was talking about. I raised an eyebrow at him, trying to tell him to trust me.
Understanding dawned as he replied. "She used to make her own dresses and has quite a taste for fashion."
"Good," I answered before turning to my father.
"Daddy," I said using a less formal term. "I need a lady's maid. If I'm going to go to Iberion I need to have the proper servants." Riley looked shocked at the suggestion. Even I was shocked at my own words. Since when did I need someone to help me dress and do my hair. Also I did not want to be dragged all the way to Iberion, but I knew the suggestion would make my father happy.
"Very well," el jefe conceded, seeming bored that this was taking so long. "You all have freedom to roam Caraway but the girl will stay with Monique. If you try and escape, her head will be the first to roll." He opened the door but Everly didn't move an inch. She eyed me warily and I realised that she was scared of me.
Slowly I walked into the cell and then sat beside the shivering girl. She looked like she wanted to run from me but to her credit sat stock still. I again marvelled at the strength of these women who had been locked up for so long. They were still so loyal to the Crown. I took off my cloak and she flinched at the movement. Gently I draped it over her shoulders.
"Don't be scared," I whispered. "I'm doing this because it's the only way that I can think of getting you out of this cell."
"You're his daughter," she accused, but still in a lowered tone. Her voice was strained and scratchy and I could see the outline of her bones through the rough material of her dress. She would not survive the winter in here. I needed to convince her to come with me.
"I owe Riley a debt. He's saved my life quite a few times."
"Why would he save your life?" Those clear blue eyes practically bore into my skull.
"He knew who I was and wanted to free you," I answered.
"And now I'm going to be your servant?"
"More like a friend." I needed her to like me so that I could save her.
Everly sighed and tried to get up. Riley immediately rushed to her aid, carrying the lithe girl in his strong arms. She rested against his chest and closed her eyes, at peace.
"Thank you," Riley whispered. "I will never be able to repay this debt to you."
Watching the family walk out of the dungeons as Baron Quinn's wife clutched her belly and followed, I knew that somehow I had made the right decision.
I may be a traitor, but at least I had saved some of the innocent.