The Rogue Knight (30 page)

He followed her to a neighboring door, where she summoned Jace. Once he was with them, they went and got Mira. She fell into step with Jace and Cole behind Hina.

“What are you, Hina?” Cole asked. “Are you a seeming? Like a figment? Or a semblance?”

“I'm a woman of Elloweer,” Hina said. “I've served Trillian for many years.”

“You don't look very old,” Mira said.

“It's an advantage of dwelling here,” Hina said. “If you three survive the trial, you might join us.”

“I've been this age for long enough,” Mira said.

Hina led them to the front door of the castle. “Here we are,” she said, reaching for the handle to open it. “Let the games begin.”

C
HAPTER

 30 

THE PEMBERTONS

F
ingers on the handle, Hina looked to Mira.

“Ready?” Mira asked the boys.

“Die bravely,” Jace said.

“Here we go again,” Cole muttered.

Mira gave a nod, and Hina opened the door.

They stepped out into the courtyard of a castle. It looked nothing like either version of the Lost Palace that Cole had seen previously—neither decrepit and burned nor gleaming like pearls.

This castle was huge. Only one side of it was presently visible, but a massive wall topped with walkways and towers enclosed the expansive courtyard. The side of the castle Cole could see was broad and solid, rising through multiple levels of battlements, balconies, and turrets to the highest towers. Guards in immaculate uniforms stood on the walls and around the perimeter of the courtyard.

“Mira, hurry up,” called a woman from farther out in the courtyard. Tall and graceful, she had auburn hair and a playful expression. Beside her stood a young woman, equally tall and if anything more lovely. Her hair was a shade darker, and she wore combs in it. A younger, shorter girl had long straight hair and a bored expression. She stood with her arms folded and looked a year or two older than Cole. The youngest of the group had to be a couple of years younger than Cole. She wore a plain dress with an apron and had dark, soulful eyes.

Mira gave a little gasp. “No, no, no,” she whispered.

With a start, Cole saw that Mira had long hair and wore an elegant dress. He and Jace were dressed nicely as well.

Suddenly, Cole realized what he was seeing. The women and girls looking toward Mira all bore a resemblance to her. They had to be her mother and her sisters!

“Hurry up,” the eldest daughter said. “It'll take all of us to convince Honor to come.”

“One moment,” Mira called. She turned to Cole and Jace. Cole didn't think he had ever seen her look so rattled. She wiped her eyes with trembling fingers.

“It's your family,” Cole said.

Mira nodded, saying nothing. “I mean, it isn't really them,” she said, as if trying to convince herself. “But, you know, it all looks perfect.”

“That's your mom?” Jace asked.

“My mother and sisters,” Mira confirmed, getting a little more control over herself. “Queen Harmony, Ella, Costa, and Tessa. Call Mother ‘my queen.' It's the day we were supposed to go to the Fall Festival in Lindenwood. The day Father staged our deaths.”

“Tell your friends you have to go, dearest,” Harmony called.

“They're joining me until we leave,” Mira called back.

Costa glanced at Ella. “You want better company than us?”

“I like that one,” Tessa said, pointing at Jace. “He'll protect us.”

“All right,” Harmony said. “Come along.”

Mira's family waited while Mira, Cole, and Jace hurried over to them. Staring off into the distance, Ella showed no interest in their arrival.

“I don't believe we've met,” Harmony said to the boys.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Cole saw Mira pantomime a slight bow. With a bow, Cole said, “I'm Cole Randolph, a friend of Mira's.”

Jace bowed also. “I'm Jace.”

“How did you meet my daughter?” Harmony asked, not unkindly, but with interest.

“Their parents are visiting actors,” Mira said. “Very talented. You know how I enjoy the performances in town.”

“Very well,” Harmony said, looking at the boys. “Come with us for now. If Mira likes you, I'm certain you're not dull, though I'm afraid you won't be able to join her in the coach to Lindenwood.”

“You wouldn't want to ride with us,” Mira said. “That coach will end up in the river.”

“Enough nonsense,” Ella snapped. “Mother, shouldn't Mira say farewell to her friends now? Nori is already making us late.”

“Don't send them off yet,” Mira said. “I'll behave.”

“Come along, then,” Harmony said, starting across the courtyard. Ella caught up to her mother. Costa and Tessa followed close behind. Mira went slow enough to let them get a few paces ahead.

“This is when Father takes us,” Mira whispered hurriedly. “In the practice yard while we're fetching Nori. He brings us down to the dungeon and takes our powers while doubles of us go to the coach and get drowned. I could strangle Trillian for making this part of his game.”

“Should I slip away and look for Honor?” Cole asked. “This is the first place, so I make the guess here.”

“We're on our way to meet up with Honor,” Mira said. “Could she be playing herself in this delusion?”

“Trillian wouldn't make it that obvious,” Jace said.

“Who knows?” Mira said. “We should check. Honor wouldn't play along with a re-creation of this day. If it's really her, she'll be acting funny.”

Costa dropped back to walk beside Mira. She wasn't much taller than her younger sister. “What are you three whispering about?”

Mira gave a weak smile. “Cole and Jace leave tomorrow for a new town.”

“You shouldn't make friends with actors,” Costa said. “They're always coming and going.”

“How far to the practice yard?” Cole asked.

Mira pointed ahead. “That door leads to a hall. The practice yard is at the other end.”

“Do we want to go there?” Jace asked.

“If you want to come with us,” Costa said.

“Do we have to keep playing along for them?” Jace complained to Mira, ignoring her sister.

“What do you mean?” Costa wondered.

“I guess we don't have to,” Mira said.

“Is it smart to walk into a trap you know is there?” Jace asked.

Mira stopped walking. “It all depends where he would hide Honor. Would he put her along the path I took that day or stick her someplace obscure? The castle is vast.”

“What are you talking about?” Costa demanded, raising her voice.

Up ahead, Harmony paused and turned. “Is there a problem?” Ella and Tessa looked back as well.

“I overheard a plot,” Mira replied loudly. “Father plans to capture us in the practice yard and strip our shaping powers.”

Concern flashed across Harmony's features. “Miracle, what would possess you to tell such a tale?”

“The practice yard is secluded,” Mira said. “Nori will be there sparring against Galin. We'll try to convince her to come to the festival. Mother will tell her she doesn't even need to change her clothes and will give her permission to enter the archery tournament. She'll resist. Then a bunch of Father's men will capture us. Galin will die trying to defend us with a practice sword. Owandell will be there.”

“I knew today was the end of the beginning,” Tessa said, plucking at a ruffle on her apron.

Harmony took a step toward Mira. “Where is this coming from? How can you know Galin will die?”

“Mother.” Ella groaned. “You're not actually listening to this nonsense? Guess what you get when you let your daughter play with actors? Tall tales and false drama!”

“Is this some kind of game?” Harmony accused.

“I'm serious,” Mira insisted. “We need to hide. We should scatter. Don't let him take our shaping!”

“Look,” Tessa said, pointing. “Owandell.”

All eyes followed her finger to the top of the castle wall, where a man in a brown monk's robe strode purposefully, his cowl down to reveal his bald head and fleshy face. His eyes glared down intently at Mira.

“Who is he?” Cole asked.

“An adviser who worked for my father,” Mira said. “He led the men who captured us. I think he's the threat.”

Men in black armor emerged from doors up on the wall and down in the courtyard. Without pause, they charged the nearest castle guards and started butchering them.

“Enforcers,” Cole said, recognizing their outfits from the attack in the ravine.

“They're everywhere,” Jace said.

“Except up ahead,” Mira observed. “They're herding us toward the practice yard.”

“What's going on?” Ella asked, real horror behind her words.

Castle guards continued to die. After going down easy at first, they were fighting back, but the Enforcers were clearly more skilled.

“Traitors!” Owandell called from the wall, pointing a sword at Jace and Cole. “They mean to harm the royal family!”

“He's the traitor,” Mira yelled back, stabbing a finger at Owandell. “He's killing our guards!”

“Liar!” Owandell replied, face livid. “These intruders are your doing!”

“This way,” Harmony called, running toward the door to the practice yard.

“Do we go?” Cole asked, looking to Mira.

“It's that or get killed,” Mira said. “I don't see anyone who might be Honor.”

With guards falling on all sides, they ran across the rest of the courtyard to the door. Cole drew his Jumping Sword. Harmony and Ella ran faster than the rest and shepherded the others through the large doorway when they arrived. Once they were all through, Ella shoved the door shut and locked it with a pair of thick bolts.

Harmony glanced at Cole's sword. “You're sure of your allegiances?” she asked.

“I'm on your side,” Cole promised.

Harmony produced a short, sharp dagger. “This way.”

They ran along a wide corridor with an arched ceiling. Hefty torches burned in sconces. Their footfalls echoed off the bare walls. Another door awaited at the far end of the hall. Ella got there first and heaved it open.

A covered walkway surrounded the practice yard, separated from the bare expanse by a balustrade. Two figures battled each other out in the center of the yard, wearing leather armor and wielding wooden swords. The clacking of their simulated combat continued in spite of the intrusion.

“Nori, the castle is under attack!” Harmony cried.

The combatants stopped and turned.

“Very funny, Mom,” one of them said, practice sword resting on her shoulder. “I'm not coming to the festival.”

“Honor, our defenses are compromised,” Harmony called sternly. “Guardsmen are falling by the dozen.”

“You're serious,” Honor said, taking off her helmet. Her short, sweaty hair was mashed to her head.

“What can I do?” asked her sparring partner.

“Start by finding a real sword, Galin,” Harmony suggested.

“Is it her?” Cole asked Mira quietly.

“I don't think so,” Mira said. “She's playing it too straight. I can't imagine Honor going along with a charade like this.”

“Where should we go?” Ella asked.

“This way,” Galin said, running toward the far side of the practice yard.

The door he was heading for opened, and dark-clad soldiers emerged. Other doors to the practice yard burst open as well, admitting more Enforcers, most armed with swords, some with clubs or axes.

Distressed and flustered, Cole tried to harness his desperation by jabbing his Jumping Sword at a balcony and shouting, “Away!” The sword failed to pull him at all.

Stafford Pemberton emerged from one of the doors. A man of average height with hollow cheeks and a hint of gray in his dark hair, Cole recognized him, thanks to the fabricated version of the High King who had talked to Mira when they'd fought Carnag. Stafford raised both hands peacefully. “Please, everyone, stand down. This is all a terrible misunderstanding.”

The Enforcers held their ground. Already more than twenty of them had entered the practice yard.

“What's going on, Stafford?” Harmony asked, the edge in her voice showing she did not believe him innocent.

“I apologize for the grandiose show of force,” Stafford said. “We have traitors in our midst.” He thrust a finger at Mira. “That is no member of our family. It's an elaborate disguise! We have been betrayed. Owandell! Execute these spies immediately.”

The doors by which Cole and the others had entered the practice yard opened, and Owandell emerged, sword in hand. “Gladly,” he said. Several Enforcers followed him.