The Path Of Destiny (18 page)

Thoughts of adventure made her think of Darius’s friend,
Kelln, as she slid through the hallways, looking for the King’s quarters. He
would have found a way through this maze. The thought made her smile and relax.
She let her boldness still smolder beneath; it gave purpose to her actions.

She passed a few servants who eyed her but said nothing.
Acting the part of a noble and ignoring them seemed to work, though she hated
herself for it. Her white cloak was nice enough to blend in, and it covered her
homespun dress. No one wanted to ask questions and risk offending someone who
may be a guest. Discreetly, she asked a few questions of servants to learn
where the king and councilor’s offices were.

With cautious movements she headed towards the east wing.
The halls became narrower and there were fewer places to hide. She began to
catch a glimpse of more nobles in this part of the castle. Her heart raced with
nervousness. She ducked into a closet as she heard voices reach her from around
a corner.

The small closet was full of clothes. A small window
opposite the door let in a stream of dusty light. She noticed the clothes to be
those the servants wore. “They must be extra clothes,” she mumbled in a
whisper. She started grabbing some off the shelves as a plan formed in her
head. It was bold and dangerous, and could land her in the dungeon, but she had
to try. 

CAUGHT

F
arther down the hall of the
large castle, Sean San Ghant entered into councilor Richard’s private study.
Richard wasn't necessarily fond of this young man, but he knew as long as he
kept rewarding him more than another would, he would be true to his needs.

“How are you today, sir?” The young man bowed, almost in a
mocking motion.

“I am fine, Sean. Now what is your report?”

“I hear that the farmers have been giving you problems.”

“I didn't ask you to report on the farmers. I am familiar
with their concerns.” He walked up close to Sean and glared at him. They were
of similar height. “What about my son?” He was not in the mood today for Sean’s
arrogant manners.

“Well you know he became the first junior commander over a
month ago.”

Richard let himself almost smile.

“He has continued to work with a fierce determination and is
preparing for his final wilderness test to become the first full commander of
the Elite.”

“You must keep an eye on him. He must be kept safe.”

“I have others helping me, but it is hard sometimes sir.
They . . .”

“And who are they?” Richard raised his voice. “I am in
charge here. I tell you what to do and what to say. If anyone questions you, I
will have him or her in this office within the week. Now go and make sure my
son stays safe. Let me know when he is ready for full command.”

Richard pushed him towards the door, but before he opened it
he added, “And take this. I am sure you could use the coins, couldn't you?” He
threw a bag of money towards Sean. He knew money was only extra insurance to
ensure that Sean followed his commands exactly.

Sean turned back to him before opening the door. “Ah,
councilor. One more thing.”

“There always is with you.”

“There are rumors about your son.”

Richard gave his full attention. People couldn’t possibly
guess about his son and his heritage. No one knew except for the King and
himself. Where would rumors come from? “What rumors?”

“Some think he has powers.”

“Powers?” Richard relaxed. “Is that all? He has had a lot of
training. You know that. The men are just jealous of him, I suppose.”

“Maybe that’s all it is.” Sean shrugged. He seemed to not be
telling him something.

“But?” Richard prodded.

“The men talk of a glow about him sometimes, and the power
in his sword. He excels at every test placed before him. He seems to push
people back with little physical touch or effort, almost as if summoning the
wind to do his bidding.”

Richard’s mind jumped back in time to the day Darius had
left. He remembered his son putting his palm on his chest and pushing him back.
Was the force more than normal strength? His son was strong.

Sean continued. “People say he may be a wizard.”

The notion was so ridiculous to Richard that he actually
laughed.

“Sir?” Sean seemed flustered for the first time since Richard
had met him.

“Sean. You are still young, aren’t you? You must learn that
whenever one rises to leadership, others try to discredit, ruin, and tear him
down. It’s human nature. Things like this happen all the time. Someday there
might even be rumors about you.”

“Me?”

Richard stroked Sean’s ego. “Yes, Sean, you. There are
surely those who admire you and want your position of trust. They will try to
bring you down.”

Sean puffed his chest out. “Yes. Yes. Of course you are
right, councilor. Surely they will.”

“And they will try to say lies and other ridiculous things
about you. But you won’t believe them, will you?” Richard asked.

“About me? Lies? No. No. Never. I am a loyal servant of the
Realm. “

“I’m glad to hear that. It’s the same with Darius. Others are
jealous of him being the first commander and being my son. They are spreading
rumors to discredit him. Now, no more childish talk of wizards. We haven’t seen
wizards in the Realm for generations and more. We will leave those likes to the
other kingdoms to deal with.”

“I understand now. Thank you for teaching me, councilor.”

Richard was irked by Sean’s patronizing tone. He knew that
the young man wanted power and prestige; it was not a hidden fact. He didn’t
trust Sean, but it was all he had to work with at the moment.

Sean moved towards the door. While looking at the money, he
opened the door and in a hurry stepped out. He had only taken a step when
someone ran into him from the side, almost knocking him over. Money spilled
from out of the bag. Richard heard the loud noise and walked towards the door.

“I am sorry, sir,” said a soft female voice. “I will help
you pick it up.”

Sean barely glanced at the servant. “Get out of my way. I
will get it myself.”

She turned to continue on her way as Richard reached the
hallway.

“What is going on here?” He looked at Sean.

“Some blind and stupid servant ran into me.” He pointed at
her as she continued to walk away down the hall.

“Come here,” Richard commanded. “Where are you going?”

The girl started to run down the hallway.

“Get her, Sean!” yelled Richard, as Sean took off running
towards her.

She had started to turn the corner when Sean caught up with
her.

Sean took her face between his fingers, and with a slight
force of his hand turned her towards him. “What is your name, girl?”

Richard couldn’t see the girl’s face through Sean’s body.
She said nothing. Sean stared at her for a moment trying to place her, then he
pushed back a small hat.

“How did you? Aren't you a farmer? I recognize you . . .”

She recognized him also and shuddered, but kept silent.

“I think the senior councilor would like to speak to you.”
She squirmed again but his tight squeeze on her arm made it impossible to get
away. He dragged her to Richard’s doorway and they all went inside.

Richard was astonished. “How did you get in here? You cannot
be here Christine.” Richard remembered what he and Sean had been talking about.
“What were you doing outside of my door? Were you listening to us? You could be
imprisoned for this, you realize.”

Christine stood shaking at the obvious failure in whatever
plans she had conceived.

Richard watched the young woman smooth her dress and close
her eyes for a moment. She breathed deeply as if to calm herself. Then her
features sharpened and her eyes popped open.

Richard almost stepped back at the look in her eyes, but he
held his ground. The King was right; there was power there. “I heard that the
King dismissed you. I ask again, what are you doing here?”

Christine held herself up tall and straight. Her eyes blazed
deep into the councilor’s eyes. “I needed to talk to the King or to one of his
councilors. He was supposed to answer us today. He didn’t have enough time
earlier.”

“The King has other things to think about besides you,”
Richard interrupted. “Are you sure you didn't overhear anything outside of the
door?”

She smiled at him with force. “Would you believe me anyway?”

Richard’s head snapped back as if being pushed. He fought to
keep control.

“How can you trust her? She is an outsider,” Sean said with
disgust. “What do you want me to do with her?”

Richard was happy for the distraction. “Nothing, Sean. This
isn’t your business. Just go and take care of what we talked about. I will take
care of her. “

Sean turned and gave Christine a leering look of utter
disgust. “Sounds fun.”

Richard saw a look of anger come over the girl. She stopped,
almost as if listening to someone. Then she calmed herself down and relaxed.
“You’re not worth it anyways.” She directed her comments towards Sean as he
turned to go.

“What?” Sean spun around.

“Oh, nothing.” Christine gave him a sweet smile. “Just
trying to convince myself not to hate you too much.”

Sean grunted and left, leaving only Christine and Richard
standing face to face. Christine stood in defiance, not moving a muscle as
Richard closed the door. He smiled inside at how she treated Sean. Maybe he had
misjudged his son’s choices. She was definitely more than she seemed.

He closed his door and motioned for her towards some chairs.
They sat down and he watched her look around his study and take in the
surroundings. Dark cherry wood, with maps of neighboring lands, covered most of
the walls. A semi-circle of chairs, a couch, and a small table took up about a
third of the room. This is where he led her.

“What do you know of my son?” he asked with a softer tone
after they sat.

“I know that he went away,” was all she said.

“You are trying my patience, young one. You are not allowed
here in this part of the castle. You have trespassed. There are men who, if
they behaved like you have done, would be sitting in a dark room awaiting
punishment. Maybe even death.”

“You sent him somewhere to train,” she said, keeping her
composure.

He could tell his words had affected her like he had wanted.
“You have not heard from him since?”

“I didn’t even see him the day he went away. I had gone to
Forest View with my father. From what I do know, he was only given a short time
to prepare.” The last statement, Richard realized, was an individual attack on
him. But he kept his mouth closed.

“I did not like the influence you had on him when he was
here, and you could be punished, but for the sake of my son, though he will not
believe this, I will let you go. Besides, the King is intrigued by you.” He
wondered why he had offered that to her. Why was her presence comforting?

Christine smiled. “How so? I am just a poor farmer girl.”
Sarcasm was becoming more natural to her in the councilor’s presence. She
should be more careful.

“That is what I told him. But now . . . ?”

“Now what, councilor? Do you actually see a person rather
than just an ‘outsider?’” She used his terminology boldly. She felt a small
gasp of amusement from Lightning.

Watch out, Christine. Your boldness could get you in
trouble.

Richard had to admire the girl. She was better at trading
barbs than many nobles he had met in a long time. “The King thinks there is
something more; however, I think it is just your level head and sweet
disposition that has made an impact on his thinking.”

Christine just smiled. “Now who is being sarcastic,
councilor?”

“There isn’t anything else, is there?” Richard raised his
brows.

The girl froze for an instant. Only for a blink of an eye,
once again as if listening to something. But before he could question it, it
was gone.

“Now what else would there be, councilor? I’m not an evil
wizard or sorceress sent to put a spell on King Edward,” Christine laughed.

For the third time that day, Richard was involved with
someone mentioning the old magic. He hoped it was only a coincidence, but
something tickled the back of his mind. The King had mentioned a power before.
Was this young lady bewitching them all?

“I think I should leave now,” Christine interrupted
Richard’s thoughts. “But the reason I came here was the petition.”

Richard didn’t believe the daring of this young lady. “As I
told you before, we will get to your petition when we have time.”

Christine stood up and her eyes flashed brightly.
“Councilor, time is running out,” she began. “I am only one of a few that want
to settle these matters of inequality and unfairness with peaceful means,
though that idea is quickly becoming unfruitful. I am probably the simplest,
easiest one you have to deal with.”

Richard laughed. “Nothing about you is simple or easy, my
dear.” He stood and motioned her to the door.

“Others are planning to take you to battle. I think it is
ridiculous. But others don’t. We will be heard one way or another.”

“To battle?” Richard said with laughing hostility. “Do you
not recognize that our army is the mightiest in all the lands? You would bring
us into battle? We would squash you like gnats on a horse. Now get out before I
change my mind.” Richard’s voice boomed as he opened the door. “And tell your
friends that if they try to fight us, there won't be any of you left to write a
petition.”

The councilor called for a steward standing at the end of
the hall to escort the young lady out of the castle.

Christine knew she had accomplished all she could that day.
The nobles and King Edward were blind to their cause. They used ‘we’ and ‘you’
as if the farmers and city people were not considered the same people. She
realized in her heart that many of the farmers were right. The nobles would
never listen to the farmers’ plight. They were blind to anything outside of
their power. She knew Richard was right also. The king’s army would beat them
away like flies.