With all haste, Amenadiel and I walked the hallways "Where is he?" I asked, my throat was dry, and my heart raced, "The council chambers" we veered left and descended the stairs to the council chambers. The oak doors were pushed open and my brother sat at the head of the table, flanked by two of his elite guards, Frederick stood before my brother and lowered his head in a bow.
Ramiel fixed his gaze upon me "Ah! Dearest sister, how kind of you to join," Frederick looked at me, those icy blue eyes piercing into my soul, I recoiled at the sight.
"Frederick, this is my older sister Natalya Kastillion. Sister, this is Frederick Waylon, Bounty hunter" He smiled and bowed lightly "It's an honor to meet you your highness"
Ramiel took a sip of his wine and snapped his fingers to grab Frederick's attention "Have you come bearing gifts Waylon?"
"I did your majesty, a druid girl," Ramiel's eyes glistened with excitement "But she was freed, there was no way for her to use her magic because she was too weak. Someone says they saw two figures running with her in the night"
My heartbeat quickened, and my palms suddenly became sweaty "They could not saw who precisely"
Ramiel did not seem displeased "No need to worry, she'll be found," he gestured for one of his guards to approach, and he did so without question "Tell Bane to double the guard on all entrances and exits of the city and lend some men to Frederick here to aid him in his search. Find this girl and her accomplices, all of them will be put to the sword."
The guard and Frederick bowed and left the chambers. My brother looked up at me "Is there something you needed sister?"
I righted myself and tried not to look as flustered as I felt "I wanted to inform his majesty that I will not be able to attend the jousting, I suffer from an illness, and might be spending my day in the physician's office"
I could've sworn I saw something like concern on his face, but I dismissed it, deeming him unable to muster such emotions, at least towards me "Very well then, you're dismissed" I bowed slightly and exited the room. Amenadiel stood in the corridors and waited "Does he know?" I shook my head, and I saw his shoulders sag in relief "We need to get her out of the city as soon as possible" he said.
"We can't do that now that my brother has ordered the exits to the city to be supervised till she's found" all I need to do now is be more careful and make sure she regains her strength.
All the essentials for Cynthia were packed, and I decided to leave as soon as the knights started pouring in, the distraction would be too great for anyone to notice.
I pulled the hood of my cloak above my head and exited the castle, I followed paths that had the most people in order to blend in with the crowd, I continued to take crowded routes until I reached the tunnel that Amenadiel led us through.
Cynthia was still wrapped in the cloak and still shivered from the cold, I reignited the flame and gently shook her awake, she was startled at first, but calmed down when she saw it was me.
"You came back" she said, I smiled slightly "Did you have any doubts?"
"People in my life tend to disappoint" she said.
I didn't answer as I opened my bag and removed the packed food and placed it before her, as well as the water and fresh clothes. She ate the food greedily, stuffing her mouth with as many fruits as her mouth could carry "It's good" she said, savoring the taste.
"How long have you had magic? I don't think this kingdom's distaste for magic has disappeared" she drank from her waterskin and emptied it "I've been a witch for a few weeks now, an if my brother found out he'd kill me, or at least try to" she nodded.
"If you could leave this kingdom where would you go?" even though we couldn't get her out now, I needed to be prepared for the time where I could. "I have nowhere to go now that my family is gone, but I'd like to live in a hut in the woods, like my family did" I took her hand and looked into her eyes, I could see so much sorrow and hurt, and though I haven't been through half of what she has, but when I look at her, I see strength and endurance, and an opportunity to do with her what I couldn't with Regina. My heart stung at the thought.
"I'll get you out of here, out to the woods and build a hut for you myself if I have to, but a hut we will find" she laughed, something I knew she hadn't done in a long time "I promise"
I snuck back into the castle at noon, everyone that cared to know where I was believed I was in the physicians quarters, so I took care not to be seen by just anybody. Acrisius was already in my room, he sat at the edge of my bed, a small brown book on his palm. "Did the physician take care of your illness?" he asked with a tone. I rolled my eyes at him "You and I know that I wasn't at the physicians place" I answered.
"Tell me you have nothing to do with the druid girl's disappearance" I saw no need to lie to him, so I didn't "I have everything to do with her disappearance" his eyes went wide in surprise "Natalya what were you thinking? There are guards leaving the castle as we speak to join bane in patrolling the city looking for her, and dare I mention that if you're discovered, you, your accomplice and the girl will be killed?"
"Don't talk to me like I'm a child," I snapped "I very well couldn't just let them bring her here to be beheaded, I saw an opportunity and I took it, and if you wouldn't do the same for someone else then we shouldn't be having this conversation." He left the room without another word, I didn't reach out to stop him because it was pointless. I've thought about the risks involved in keeping Cynthia hidden and I know its not enough, but I hoped that place was enough to keep her safe. It had to be.
Though I had not gone, I could hear the sounds of hooves on the floor, people clapped, and I could imagine how many knights had fallen, and how many had died just because they wanted to amuse my brother and his soon to be bride. But the reward for such competitions are always grand, it comes as no surprise to me that knights would risk their lives for a few hundred golden coins.
I spent the rest of my time practicing spells I already knew and feeding Regina. I snuck out of the castle in haste to give Cynthia some food and water, I made sure to avoid Bane and his gang of fools. I made the visit short and brief and promised to return tomorrow and find a way to get her out of the city.
The best place for her to stay for now would be Sundara, at least until all this blows over, I know Kaida will keep her safe. If they cannot find her, they'll give up.
Goddess knows I had no idea when I fell asleep, sweet dreamless sleep. One I haven't had in a while and hoped I'll have more of, at least when all this nastiness was over.
The moon was up, and the sky starless. Bane and his men had stopped their search, at least via horseback as I heard no sound of hooves against the cobblestone path in the city below. My door burst open, and my guard was up. I had sent Amenadiel to his quarters for the night, no one would dare enter my chambers with such audacity if he stood guard….. no one could enter my room like that.
Robert Bane stood in front of my door, flanked by at least twelve men. He smirked maliciously as I spotted one of the men flanking him holding iron cuffs "Princess, your brother has asked for you"