Mist Rising by Eve Langlais
Chapter Forty-Three
The night passed without incident.The breakfast provided was hot and filling. Their guide was more than happy to escort them to the Hall of Learning, their rooms, the courtyard—under surveillance. In other words, public areas.
Forget wandering around on her own. The moment Agathe opened her door, she saw the silver glint of armor. Heard a creak of metal. Knew she’d be stuck with a shadow that wouldn’t let her explore anywhere interesting.
How could she sneak off to be alone?
The answer was…she couldn’t. Not without a distraction. For that, she needed help.
She exited her room, ignoring the soldier, and knocked on Hiix’s door. It opened right away, and she noticed her Soraer not dressed for bed. It caused her to arch a brow. “Going somewhere?”
Her Soraer stammered and blushed. “No. Just not ready for sleep yet.”
“You combed out your hair.”
The remark brought a scowl to Hiix’s lips. “If you must know, I am expecting a visit from Baer.”
“Is that wise?”
“I’d say it is, or have you not noticed we’re currently locked inside a castle? It might be useful to have a friend or two.”
“These people aren’t our friends. If they knew—”
“But they don’t. And they won’t.”
“You’re awfully interested in Baer.”
“Not to the point I’ve forgotten I’m a Soraer of the Shield.”
“Good.”
“Why are you still dressed?” Her Soraer pointed.
“I want to go exploring, but the King’s men won’t let me.”
“You want a distraction?” Hiix caught on quickly.
“Got an idea?”
“Don’t I always? Return to your room and be ready.”
The moment, when it arrived, involved Hiix screeching about a mouse. The Maeder opened her door and hollered, “Get it! Quick. Before it bites me!”
The soldier left his post and entered the room long enough for Agathe to bolt.
She’d worry later about how to get back to her room undetected. Now that she was free to roam, she had to pay attention. She also needed a disguise, which was why she shadowed a servant who was sweeping the halls. Sure enough, she led Agathe to a storage room with buckets and a broom, even some spare clothes and aprons.
Broom in hand, it proved a lot easier to wander around, head ducked and not meeting anyone’s eyes. She swept away, glad no one actually paid attention to the fact that she lacked a bin for the dust.
It proved a little too easy to move around, there being fewer soldiers than expected. It was a known fact that boys usually outnumbered the girls at the festivals.
She’d begun by searching the wing she was in with her Soraers, heading upstairs first and finding hall after empty hall and bedrooms, some with sitting areas. She discovered the Citadel was divided into a three-piece pie. The section she was in had only up or down as options. There was no way to search the entire floor. Although, she was convinced there had to be secret passages between them.
Three levels above, she came across a room full of dusty furniture fit for a nursery. A shiver wracked her, and she hurriedly escaped.
She couldn’t go any higher, so she went down, moving quickly, wondering if Maric and his spies had noticed her missing yet.
There were more people around, mostly servants going about their day. They chatted amongst each other, relaxed, content. Seemingly happy even though they’d been sold to the King as chattel.
Perhaps for many, this life appealed. Luxury and no real hardship, only the loss of some magic they never knew they had—and possibly couldn’t use.
Trying to go past the ground floor level proved tricky, Agathe quickly realized. All the stairwells were guarded. Could she possibly brazen her way past the men?
Perhaps, but more likely she’d be detained, questioned, and then Maric would arrive. She’d lie, but he’d know she had been spying.
Then what? She’d screw them out of a chance to make a real difference. Especially since she remained more conflicted than ever about the King’s fate. What if he didn’t have a choice?
Ditching the broom, she found a hall that didn’t lead her back to where she expected. Rather it spilled into a massive corridor with alcoves containing suits of armor that gave her a start until she realized they were decoration and not actual soldiers.
A distant noise had Agathe ducking behind the last suit of armor before the arch to a new room. Just in time. A woman carrying a tray came into sight at the far end of the hall. A snood hid her hair, and yet her neckline was wide enough to bare her shoulders. Someone kept pace by her side, wearing a floor-length hooded cloak.
As they neared the end of the hall, she heard the woman say, “Don’t you worry. I’ve got this. Be ready.”
“I will.” The voice… It sounded familiar.
They turned the corner, and Agathe quickly followed, hugging the edge to listen. A quick peek showed an expanded space with columns and a long-dry fountain in the middle, with a stone bench around it. The person in the hooded cloak crouched out of sight as the servant with her tray weaved around the dead fountain and headed for a pair of silver-clad soldiers standing watch by a door. What did they guard?
“Korvin!” the servant cooed.
“Anla, what a surprise to see you,” replied one of the guards. “I thought you were assigned laundry duty.”
“I was, but I convinced that prat Nenny to switch with me. I heard you were working and thought you might like some company.”
Korvin’s friend wasn’t happy about her appearance. “She’s not supposed to be here.”
“Going to tattle, Bergh?” Korvin sneered, his impressive mustache adding to the effect.
“Now, boys. No fighting. Only pleasure. Would it help if I said I brought a little something to warm the belly?” She waggled the tray.
“That does help a lot. And I’ve got a big something to thank you with,” leered Korvin.
“We’re gonna get in trouble.” Bergh still wasn’t convinced.
The rule-breaking guard had a response for that, too. “Only if we get caught. Give Anla a try. Believe me, she’s worth it.”
“Are we sharing tonight?” Showing a lack of inhibition, the woman shoved her blouse down over her shoulders, which led to wide eyes on the protesting Bergh.
Korvin might be licking his chops, but he had the sense to say, “Not here.”
“But if we leave our post…” Bergh was starting to crack.
“Ain’t no one going to try anything. Not this time of day especially. Anyone asks why we left our post, it’s ‘cause we heard something suspicious.” Korvin shoved his partner off the fence of indecision with the perfect excuse.
“I can make it as fast as you like,” purred Anla. The removal of the blouse stole any argument the guard had left.
It was ridiculous how easily they shirked their post, almost tripping in their haste to get her inside a nearby room. The woman had lured them on purpose, because the moment she disappeared, the hooded figure suddenly reappeared to slip through the now-unguarded door. Someone breaking the rules. Could it be…?
Before Agathe could think twice, she slipped inside in time to see the robed figure moving swiftly up some stairs to a balcony ringing a massive open indoor space meant to look like a garden. Could this be where they kept the Blessed? If yes, that meant Belle was around here somewhere.
Find her or leave? Belle had made it clear that this was where she wanted to be. However, that might have changed since their last encounter. Agathe might dislike Belle, but she had to be sure.
Belle wasn’t hard to find. Climbing the stairs, Agathe noticed the balcony gave access to three doors. The first two stood open, the beds in the room stripped bare. Not currently occupied.
The third and only closed one revealed a comfortable room with a bed topped with a thick mattress and one grumpy acolyte still removing her cloak. “What do you think you’re doing, barging in like that?”
“It’s me, Soraer Agathe.”
The recognition didn’t clear the irritation from Belle’s face. “What do you want?”
“To check on you. To see how you are settling in.”
“As if you care. How did you get in here? Guar—”
Agathe slapped a hand over the girl’s mouth. “Really? This is how you repay my concern?”
Belle shook free. “I am fine. Or I was. Now, I’m annoyed.”
Ungrateful chit. “Excuse me for trying to ensure your wellbeing.”
“Ha. You’re just jealous I’m going to meet the King and become his favorite.”
“You haven’t seen him yet?” That was a surprise. “Then there’s still time. If you want out, I will help you.”
“How many times do you have to be told? I want this.”
“Only because you’ve yet to realize what you have to give up.”
The girl rolled her eyes. “If you mean my virginity, I lost that a while ago. Or did you not wonder that the baker’s son delivered bread personally every month for more than a year?”
“What makes you think the King wants you as a concubine?”
“He’s a man.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Agathe asked.
“Then I get to live in the lap of luxury.” Belle swept a hand to show off her sumptuous room.
“Is that really all you want in life? What of a purpose? What about having control over your destiny?”
“This is me controlling my destiny, instead of some make-believe Goddess.”
“She’s real.”
“Show me proof.”
Agathe’s lips flattened. “That’s not how it works.”
“You tried to force me to believe in something you can’t show me or prove.”
“You act as if we kept you imprisoned.”
“Do this. Do that,” Belle taunted. “Seems like it to me. Now, at least, the food is better. As are the accommodations.”
There truly was no arguing with the young woman.
“You want to remain, then fine. But don’t be crying later if the reality proves harsh.”
“I’m destined for great things.” Belle’s chin pointed.
More like disappointment, but Agathe’s conscience could be clear. She’d tried.
Time to leave before someone noticed her presence.
She emerged from Belle’s room to find a spear pointed at her by a flushed Bergh, with his pants only half-buttoned. He huffed, “You are under arrest, by order of the King.”
