Unyielding (The Ashborne Trilogy Book 2) (3 page)

“
Highness?! Are you all right?” Penelope said as she walked cautiously to my bedside.

I was so consumed with emotion that I hadn’t even noticed her come in. I quickly hid my tears, wiping them from my cheeks, and looked up to see Penelope’s concerned face. Although I quickly pulled myself together, I was a mess inside, and I could feel the rage and darkness in me taking over. It felt as though all the abuse and pain I’d grown up with was becoming too much, tipping over the breaking point because of this situation with Emoren.

“Why are you crying?”

I didn’t want Penelope around me like this, not for a moment. “Penelope, I need you to do something for me. I need you to go and schedule a meeting with Gentry. Tell him we
must
have dinner at the tavern tomorrow night.”

“
All right, but what’s going on? Are you all right?”

It became clear to me that Penelope hadn’t been made aware of anything that had happened, and I was in no condition to tell her about it, at least not right now. The further away from me and my darkness she was, the better; I just needed to be alone.

“Penelope, I don’t feel well. You don’t need to be around me. Please! Just do as I ask!”

She jumped and clenched her hands against her chest as my raised voice startled her, and I watched as fear and worry filled her eyes. Never before had I been broken down like this in front of her, and the last thing I wanted to do was take my anger and frustration out on someone so innocent.

With her small hands still clenched tightly together against her chest, she bowed before leaving. “Yes, Highness. I’ll go right away.”

As she closed the door behind her, I collapsed back to the bed, still gripping Emoren’s cloak with all my might. I tried desperately to start formulating a plan to save him, but all I could think about was how he was down in that cold, dark cell, hurt and alone; how all of this was my doing; and how I was tired of the feelings my father had instilled in me with his piss-poor parenting - that my existence was nothing but a burden to others.

“Get it together, Amber!” I commanded myself. “Think! Now’s not the time to be an insane bitch! Save him! No one knows this place better than you do.”

My mind raced, trying to remember all the times I had spent playing inside Ashborne as a child, trying to remember all the times I got lost inside the castle grounds, and trying to remember all the times I got in trouble for sneaking into places I wasn’t supposed to go. I knew there was no way I would be able to do reconnaissance without arousing suspicion, so I did the only thing I could do: I laid there for hours, my face buried in Emoren’s cloak, going over every inch of the castle grounds from memory.

As I lay there thinking and analyzing, I realized there was so much of my life that I just couldn’t seem to remember. It seemed that in order to protect me, my mind had blocked out much of my dark past. But even if I had to relive every traumatizing moment my mind was trying to protect me from, I wasn’t going to stop. I would find a way to get him out of there. And I prayed that if searching my mind wasn’t going to lead me to the answer, that meeting with Gentry would.

I walked quickly along the inner-streets of Ashborne on my way to meet Gentry at the tavern. My watchful escort followed only a few steps behind me. The torch-lit streets were filled with traders, peasants, servants, and soldiers. Despite evening having already taken hold of the skies, and having the hood of this Shadowbark cloak pulled over my head, it felt as if everyone noticed me as I passed them, and I couldn’t help but take notice of them as well. They were living their lives, having fun, feasting, arguing, drinking and falling in love all around me.

I was jealous of them; I almost hated them. Seeing their blissful ignorance made me feel as if the one thing I wanted in this world - to be normal - was something I would never get to experience. They had no idea how lucky there were to lead the simple lives that they did, or what prices were being paid so they could continue to do so. So many of them seemed to take that precious gift for granted. The dark, hidden, royal underbelly of Ashborne was my world; a world I was forced to endure so people like them could live happily in this one.

Despite my envy, I knew that now was not the time to let my mind dwell on such things. I had a mission to complete. And as I continued walking along the cobblestone streets of Trader’s Square, passing a seemingly endless mix of White Torch knights, Royal Guards and commoners, I realized that I had never fully appreciated just how vast Ashborne’s army really was. Now that each and every soldier was under orders to ensure my detainment - even the ones I had risked my life to protect and had been trained to lead - they were now my enemy, and they seemed to be everywhere I looked. It brought back dark memories of the siege of Alkanamor, where Gentry and I had disguised ourselves as Alkanamor guards and made our way inside the castle walls. We walked among thousands of men who were ready to kill us in an instant, should we be discovered. The fear and anxiety I was feeling now was far too similar to what I had felt then, and it only served to bring me that much more relief when I finally reached the tavern.

As I stood inside the tavern’s old, wooden doorway, I gasped silently at the sight that lay before me; the room was filled with knights, just as it always was. It was a sight that once brought feelings of comfort and camaraderie, but now, it only served to fill my heart with nervousness and fear. I looked over the sea of bustling people, trying to locate Gentry inside this crowded building. Maybe it was my dark, abused mind tormenting me, but each of the soldiers seemed to take their turn glancing at me with either pity or contempt. At this point, it was impossible for me to discern between the two.

“
Hey!” I could see Gentry standing and waving at me from the far corner of the tavern.

I began walking toward him, and to my dismay, the two guards continued to follow behind me. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to discuss anything with Gentry if these two were hanging over my shoulder. I had to get rid of them. Fast.

“Can’t I even have a meal in peace?!” I yelled as I turned and scowled at them, purposely making a scene loud enough to turn every head in the tavern. “Are you that incompetent as knights that you have to hover over me while I sit and eat?!”

It was a desperate, shallow ploy, but as they turned and glanced at each other, it seemed to be working. I sighed with relief as they walked away and took up post by the tavern’s exit, and I hurried over to the table where Gentry was still standing. Without saying a word, he embraced me tightly before gesturing me to take a seat. I was grateful that Gentry was mindful enough to choose a secluded table where we could talk in private.

“It’s going to be hard to eat with that cloak covering your face,” he said as he took his seat across from me.

“
I feel like everyone’s looking at me.”

“
Hmm. Perhaps they are. But, I don’t think they’re thinking what you think they are,” he said as he signaled the barmaid across the room to serve us.

I reluctantly pulled the hood from my head as the barmaid walked over and placed two pints of ale and two hot meals in front of us.

“I hope you enjoy, Your Highness,” she bowed.

“
Yes, Thank you. Please, leave us.” While my words were polite, the tone in my voice made it clear that this wasn’t a request and that we weren’t to be disturbed.

Gentry wasted no time in starting on his meal. Emotions and stress were never something that seemed to keep him from enjoy either food or ale. But me, on the other hand, I just sat there silently for a few moments and stared at my plate. I had stayed up the entire night before, trying to figure out a way to save Emoren, only to finally pass out from sheer exhaustion just before mid-day. Despite my best efforts, I wasn’t able to come up with a way to save him on my own, and I was still battling the thought of asking Gentry to risk his life for that cause. As I stared at my food, I realized that I had been so consumed with figuring out how to save Emoren that I didn’t even think about how I was going to tell Gentry that I wanted to escape Ashborne with the blonde prisoner and never return. How was I going to tell the only father I’d ever known that I wanted him to risk his life, just so I could abandon him?

“I know you didn’t call me here to eat, but it would be a shame to waste a good, hot meal, Amber… And it doesn’t look like you’ve been eating much as it is.” he said, breaking me from my thought-induced trance.

“
What? Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry.”

I chewed little bites of food and returned to my thoughts. I already felt guilty for the conversation that had yet to take place; the one I was still trying desperately to figure out how to sculpt into words. I just didn’t know how this was going to turn out. Everything was such a damned mess. As I continued swimming through my thoughts, I unconsciously lifted my pint toward my lips. But as I remembered what was inside this mug, I stopped and stared at the dark liquid without taking a sip. Impairing my mind with ale wasn’t going to help me save Emoren.

“There’s nothing you can do tonight,” Gentry said as he noticed me staring at my pint. “I want you to drink that and try to calm down. It’ll make it easier for you to tell me whatever it is that you’re having a hard time putting into words.”

He certainly knew me like a father would, and it helped to warm my heart during this messed up situation. I smirked a little before bringing the pint to my lips and taking several gulps of the stout drink. Gentry smiled empathetically at me as I set the half-empty pint back down and returned to my food. It was obvious to him how much of a toll this situation was taking on me, and as odd as it seemed, he looked almost happy that I was drinking with him. It took me a few moments to understand why.

We sat there for a while, eating quietly and enjoying each other’s silent company. I think we both knew, without saying a word, that this may be the last time we get to enjoy a meal together like this. I always appreciated how perceptive Gentry was, and the way he never pushed me to discuss things with him. He always allowed me work things out for myself, but made sure I knew I could always come to him when I was ready.

As we finished our meal, Gentry signaled the barmaid to bring us another round of drinks. He stared at me as she cleared the table, leaving only two fresh pints of ale. His father-like glare was letting me know that it was time to talk.

“Are the Royal Guard treating you with respect?”

“
Oh, you noticed.” My words were brimming with sarcasm about the scene I had caused earlier.

“
Yes, well, word of your father’s orders spread through ranks pretty quickly.”

“
Where you able to talk to him?”

“
I tried, but he made it very clear very quickly that there would be consequences for trying to dissuade or disobey him,” he said. “He knows how close we are, Amber, and rather than give him a chance to renounce my position, I ended the conversation before it began. Remaining the captain of the White Torch will be helpful in getting you out of here.”

I quickly raised my head as Gentry finished that last sentence, and he chuckled at my surprised reaction.

“What? Don’t tell me you honestly thought I had any intention of letting you go through with this marriage, did you?” he smiled. “Just as I knew you were going to ignore my request to remain in my chambers, surely you knew I was going to ignore your request to not get involved.”

As I looked upon his warm, smiling face, a wave of relief washed over me. “I’m sorry, Gentry.”

“Don’t be.”

“
I stayed up all night trying to figure out a way to save Emoren, but I haven’t been able to come up with anything.”

“
Amber, we’ll figure out a way to get you out of here,” he replied. His words sounded caring, but I knew what else he was implying.

I looked him square in the eyes as I spoke my next words. “Gentry, I’m not leaving without him.”

The grit and determination in my glare made it pristinely clear that leaving without Emoren was not an option I would even consider. Gentry seemed a little taken back by the look I was giving him.

“
You really love him that much, do you?”

I nodded assuredly. “Without question. I’ll die for him if I have to.”

He continued staring at me for a moment. “Hmm. Of all the years I’ve known you, Amber, I’ve never seen that look in your eyes before. He must be very special.”

I glanced down and looked upon the gently glowing, fern ring on my finger, and a soft smile came over my face as I turned it with my finger. “Yes, he is.”

“Well… In that case, we’ll just have to get him from the dungeon and get you both out of here,” he smiled before taking a drink of his ale.

“
Gentry… He’s not in the dungeon.”

He looked at me curiously. “What? Then where is he? I assumed you went to look for him after leaving my chambers. Were you able to find him?”

I nodded dejectedly as I thought of Emoren still locked in that cell. “He’s in some evil place, Gentry, deep inside Old Ashborne, past the Royal Guards’ barracks.”

Gentry’s enthusiastic and reassuring demeanor quickly turned somber as he heard where Emoren was.

“Gentry, I’ve never seen such an evil place. The tables and walls were stained red with blood. We have to get him out of there. Why is there even such a place inside Ashborne?”

He let out a deep sigh as I stared inquisitively at him. It was apparent he knew what that place was, but as it tended to be with things he thought he should protect me from, he didn’t look interested in discussing it.

“Of all the places in Ashborne you father could have put him, he had to choose that one,” he sighed. “Amber… we may not be able to get him out of there.”

Hearing that, with my mind already coming unglued with everything that was happening, I couldn’t keep my fist from slamming down onto the table in protest. “No! No… Don’t you say that. We’re going to get him out of there. I know you know what that place is. You tell me!”

Gentry took another large swig from his pint, as if he had to prepare himself for what he was about to say. He knew he wasn’t going to get out of telling me this one, not when it involved Emoren. He looked cautiously around the room before speaking, checking to make sure that our conversation was still our own.

“
Before that part of the castle was fitted as the Royal Guards’ barracks, it was a dungeon. No- that’s not right. It was worse than a dungeon; it was a tomb. During The Great Purge, your father kept hundreds of druids there. He tortured and did unspeakable things to them in order to get them to reveal the locations of the rest of their kind. The room you described, the one where Emoren must be, is where most of those heinous acts took place.”

“
Why, Gentry? Were they really that dangerous? What could the druids have possibly done to deserve such a cruel fate, to be treated like animals?”

Gentry stared down at the table as he continued his sordid tale. “Do you know how your father came to be king?”

I shook my head. “I’ve only heard that he ascended to the throne after my grandparents were murdered.”

“
That’s right… When you father was still a young man, probably a couple years younger than you are now, he and I used to be good friends. He was admired and revered by everyone in Ashborne as the future king. He was a much different person than he is now. He was kind, moral and strong, the embodiment of a perfect Ashborne prince, and he had many friends in his life as proof of it. But, there was one who managed to get closer to him than the rest. Her name was Marrowen, an intoxicating, beautiful, raven-haired druid. I still can’t remember how or when they met, but once she found her way inside your father’s life, they were inseparable. I’m fairly certain she was your father’s first love.”

My father was a kind and honorable man once?
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “What happened to him?”

Gentry sighed reluctantly and continued. “One night, a little more than a year after Marrowen appeared in your father’s life, your grandparents were murdered in their chambers. The following day, after your father had discovered their bodies, Marrowen was no where to be found. Although he was overcome with grief, your father, always intelligent, wasted no time in investigating the crime thoroughly. He locked down the castle and questioning each and every one of your parent’s servants individually. Several of them relayed the exact same story to your father: that Marrowen had been invited to dine privately with the King and Queen, and after having much wine, she accompanied them to their chambers, where she seduced them both. Naturally, your father thought such a story to be preposterous, but when he found strains of Marrowen’s raven-colored hair in your parent’s bed, he had no choice but to accept her betrayal as truth.”