Chapter 28

 

This chapter has been transferred from the original posting and may have typos and grammar mistakes.

~*~

Dinner was served promptly at 6 every evening; you could set a clock to it. Amelia had read the recipe nearly every night before leaving the kitchen every night after she washed the dishes and the cook had departed for the night to get a nightcap and get some sleep before having to wake early to make breakfast.

The recipe took an hour and a half to take effect, so if the king took his usual 40 minutes to eat, he would be asleep by… 8:10?

She set the king’s plate down in front of him. The good thing about the recipe for the drug is that if done correctly, there would be no taste and it would be effective in most dishes. Amelia went back to the kitchen, hoping with every fiber of her being that the king ate his whole meal and didn’t notice that he was feeling tired later.

He shouldn’t notice, though. Amelia had changed the time on the clocks in his study to an hour faster than the actual time, so he would think that he was tired at the appropriate time. Alice had clued her into that little idea.

“I feel like I can almost break him, I can almost taste the knowledge he possesses about the Islands, I can almost make them pay for what they did. A few days more, I’ll have him begging for his life.” he took a swig of his wine. “It’s funny, I’ve done the math on how long he’s been a prisoner, and I don’t think I’ve ever had one hold out this long. We spent a month at sea, then we spent three months getting back home, now it’s been two months here, that’s six months. Half a year! If the man didn’t deserve a hanging, he deserves a medal.” the king gloated at dinner.

“Well, there goes my appetite.” Alice said quietly, pushing away her plate.

“I’m proud of you, Galant. After what happened to Anwyn, you have every right to sink those islands into the sea they rose out of.” beamed the duchess.

Amelia, who was listening in from the other side of the door, tried to stop her stomach from abandoning her body. Soon it would be over. Liam would be safe, and Amelia had decided that she would go with him. He would need help, and she had nothing left for her here. Wherever they went after here was anywhere better than here, and she wouldn’t miss any of it. Sure, Alice was alright, but a bit cold. The guards were nice enough when they weren't’ passed out in their bunks from drinking too much. Liam and Romeo had been the more interesting people to be around, people who cared.

Amelia stepped away from the door and tried to calm her nerves. She had set aside some provisions, written a note to the nice cook saying she wouldn’t be returning, stole some of the guards’ trousers so that she could move easier, and had tied up her hair so that she didn’t have to worry about it getting in the way when she was doing things. She took a deep breath and took mental lists of everything they would need.

The duchess wasn’t much of an issue in this equation. While she liked the idea of violence, she didn’t have any interest in doing it with her own hands. She had gone to gaze at Liam a few times, even entered the cell once or twice while the king was there, but she didn’t make it her routine. She would go to her wing after dinner, listen to her fairybox, probably check on Lucas, her son, then go to bed while scheming about how to grab more power.

The way should be clear, no one would stand in her way.

Dinner was cleared, and Amelia looked at the clock. They were right on schedule. Since the lawyer had come today, the king would be looking over papers, checking that everything was as it should be, and that he agreed with what they were passing as laws.

Amelia took about an hour to wash all of the dishes; her hands didn’t want to work right. “Come on, you. It’s just a dish.” she scolded and tried to soothe her nerves. “Focus on one thing at a time...”

Half an hour to go, and she walked up the stairs, trying not to run. Her legs felt like they wanted to jump out from underneath her, and her heart felt the way warbly voices sounded. This was insane, she wasn't brave, she wasn’t a knight, or a heroine that she had read about in a book. There was still time to back out-

-But this was the right thing. She couldn't let Liam rot for saving the woman he loved, he had to be saved. There was no backing out.

Ameila changed into her incognito clothes, slipped on some quiet boots, and headed to the king’s wing. She had a bit of time before the drug took full effect, but there was a chance that the king had already decided to head to bed because he was starting to feel tired. Ameila listened to one of the doors, knowing that the king read aloud in a low voice when reading the legislation, and if you listened very carefully you could hear him.

Amelia took a relieved breath. He was still in his study, and she had time to get into position. There was a fake bookcase in the king’s sitting room that led down to the guard’s wing, and she quickly made for it.

Standing in the dim, she could hear the king open his door and faintly hear him shuffle around, changing into his night clothes. The floor creaked when he laid down on the bed, and after a few minutes Amelia knew she was in the clear. The king should be fast asleep now.

Amelia very slowly opened the door, and peered inside. The keys had to be near the king, he wouldn’t leave them just lying anywhere. Amelia checked the bedside table first. They weren’t there.

Maybe they were in the dressing area. She walked over to the little room, an exact mirror image of the previous queen’s room, only everything was gold. The bathtub was even inlaid with the stuff, had he no shame?

There they were! Hanging on a hook by one of the displays, she grabbed them and prayed to the creator that they were the right ones. As large as this palace was, there weren’t many locked doors, only the personal rooms had keys, and there weren’t that many of those. Besides, those were all decorative and had elaborate heads, these keys were utilitarian and plain. They had to be for the dungeons.

Amelia grabbed the clump by the keys and not the ring so they didn’t clink, and made her way out of the king’s bedroom, knowing that she would never have to return if this went right.

She made her way down the hidden stairway, down to the guards’ wing, and made her way to the dungeon by way of back hallways, It was the safest way; none of the staff would stop her and the duchess, Briella, and Remington found them below their station to use such passages.

Slipping into the dungeon, Amelia held her nose. She knew that Liam hadn’t bathed in several months, but had he also not been allowed to use the toilet? Still, she couldn't let a smell stop her now. She had to press on.

Liam was the only prisoner in the place, so he was easy to find. At least they kept some lanterns lit in his cell, otherwise he would be in total darkness. Apparently the king didn’t want to be tripping when he felt like visiting his prisoners.

“Liam! Liam wakeup!” she said quietly. Why was she being quiet, she knew that sound didn't penetrate these walls. “Liam! For Creator’s sake, wake up!”

His head moved slightly, like he was trying to lift it. He licked his lips, cracked and dry. “Women aren’t usually allowed down here…” he mumbled.

“It’s Amelia, remember me? I’ve come to get you out of here.” she said, trying to reach his cuffs.

“Amelia? I think I remember an Amelia. But that was so long ago…” He still didn’t open his eyes.

“About a year, and I’m sorry I didn’t get you out sooner.” She reached way up and was just able to fit the key in, and turn it. The cuff sprang open, and suddenly he was hanging by only one arm.

He yelled out in agony, then whimpered. He was half the size he had once been, scrawny and devoid of any muscle, but he was still taller than her. How she was going to get him up the stairs, through the halls, and down to the beach was becoming more and more of a concern.

She quickly unlocked the other cuff and he fell to the floor, not able to move his arms or legs. The things that the king had done to him must have been truly terrible, to break such a strong man.

“I hate to rush you, but can you stand? Or move your legs?” she said as she tried to get her arms underneath him. “We have to get down to the shore. I have a boat waiting for us.”

“I have bad luck getting to boats…” he muttered as he tried to move his leg, but it wouldn’t be of any help. The knee bent a bit, the foot flopped around, but they wouldn’t be supporting any weight.

“Then I’ll carry you. Come on-” she let out a short huf as she tried to lift him from under the arms, when she heard a step behind her.

Her blood ran cold. No one but Alice knew of her plan, And the only people who came down here weren’t the good ones…

She turned around, and saw Sir Montoya in casual clothes, looking at her with an unreadable face.

“Please, you don’t have to tell the king, you know this is wrong-” she began.

He paused her with a raise of his hand. “I saw how Liam looked at Anwyn when they returned from the manor, and I did nothing. I heard that the king could not bear children due to a charm from the cook there, and I said nothing. On the journey, I noticed that the queen was with child, and I knew that the child was Liam’s, and still I did nothing, said nothing. I stood by while the band of natives fought the king and Templars, and I did nothing. I didn’t stop Liam from escaping with Anwyn, I didn’t fight the natives, I watched. I stood by as the king beat Liam in the camp, I stood followed as he led him back to the palace. I have stood here for long enough, it is time I did something.” he stepped forward, a grim look on his face.

Amelia stumbled back in fear. “Sir, please, don’t turn us in, he’ll hang us if the king finds out!”

Sir Montoya paid her no mind, and instead hoisted Liam up from the floor.

“It is time I do the right thing.” he said with gravity, and turned and pushed the cell door open with his foot, Amelia scrambling after him.

“Sir, but you have so much for you here. You can’t leave all of this behind, your station as head guard of the king’s palace, one of his military advisors, of his trusted friends. If you choose to be an ally to us, you are more powerful here than away from it.” Amelia said, walking along beside him.

“I am not leaving with you, and you did not see me this night. I am and always have been the quiet strength of the king, and none of that changes. But in this action, I am doing the right thing. I am saving an innocent man whom I admire for his bravery, kindness, and his will to never give up.” he said plainly. The exertion wasn’t even showing in his face, he must be in good shape.

“That’s why I’m doing this too.” Amelia said quietly. “I’m doing the right thing for someone who would do the same for me.”

He didn’t respond, he simply walked on keeping an even stride.

They exited the palace from the back, making sure that they weren’t seen, and then walked from shadow to shadow. Now that they were clear of the wall, they weren’t afraid of being seen by a guard, but they didn’t want to be seen by anyone who may be looking out of a high enough window.

The boat was waiting for them, and while the lawyer seemed to give Liam a weary look, he opened the sail of the small ship and turned towards the mainland, where they would be able to breathe a bit easier. Time to put this old life physically behind them. Amelia didn’t know where they would go, or where they would find shelter in this hostile world, but they would have to flee quickly. The king would have the cities crawling with soldiers looking for them by evening, if not sooner. It wouldn’t be easy, but surely one of the hardest steps was done already.

~*~

Four years after the Cupshires arrival at the Islands

“And that’s why we put commas in after clauses, so we can make more complex and interesting sentences and just subject, verb, and noun.” Anwyn said as she saw Midshore out of the corner of her eye. While an open air school seemed like a paradise dream come true, it was very easy to become distracted. How was she supposed to scold the students from daydreaming if she was distracted by one person?

“I want to see six complex sentences by Friday, extra credit if you use a semicolon correctly!” Anwyn called out as the clock struck three. The kids all ran out of the classroom, ready to go home after a studious day.

Anwyn smiled and turned to Midshore. “How can I help you, Midshore? I don’t normally see you all the way on this side of the cluster.” she asked while packing up the papers she had to grade.

Midshore looked at her as if she couldn't decide how to say what she had to say, which made Anwyn hesitant. Midshore always knew what to say, always had the words ready and eloquent.

“Midshore?” she asked again. “Cat got your tongue?”

“The council wants to see you immediately. I’m here to deliver you.” she said. Was that a quiver in her voice? What was so bad that the council wanted to see her so quickly and urgently? Nothing had happened with a student, had it? Milly had been absent, but she was just home with a fever, nothing life threatening. Did she have a sudden turn in health? But why would the council need her immediately if it was about a student? Anwyn’s mind swam, but she nodded, grabbed her bag, and took Midshore’s hand.

***

The boat finally docked on the warm sand, and the weary passengers stepped off and were greeted by an old woman with bright paint splashed on her face. They had heard that the Island people did things differently here, it must be part of their culture to show their wild side? Lily tried to breathe easy, knowing that they were in the land of freedom, where they could be anything they wanted, and didn’t have to fight for the right to live.

“Oh my, quite a group here, how many is that? Seven of you? That’s quite a number. We usually get them in smaller groups, but we’ve had larger than you. Where do you come from, travelers?” the old woman asked.

“We come from, well,” she paused “We come from all over. Most of us are from the northern border, a few of us are from the mainland. We won’t be any trouble, we’ve seen enough of it to live a life of peace after what we’ve been through.” Lily assured.

“I’m sure you’ll get along here fine, dear. Is there anyone here that you know? We’ve had quite a few refugees over the years from the north and mainland, perhaps you have family that has fled?” she asked.

“I don’t think so-” Lily started.

“Have you heard of any Cupshires?” Asked a gruff voice from the back of the group. “They’re like family to me, though it’s been some time since I’ve seen them. So long…” he trailed off.

The old woman considered for a moment, scratching her head. “Cupshires, Cupshire… Why, yes! A large family that can’t stop growing, I believe I know who you’re talking about!” she exclaimed.

The man just about looked like he was going to melt from ecstasy. “You have?! Can I see them? They were my fiancé's family, the closest thing I still have of her left. And a guard, was there a guard with them?”

Lily’s cheeks flushed at the long gone thought of the guard who said he was Liam’s friend.

“Calm, child. First, before you see anyone, you should bathe and wear a change of clothes.” The old woman said, and she led them to a house for new refugees.

***

Lara’s whole family had been summoned into the council room, along with a group of people she didn’t recognize, but based on their lack of body fat, they were new refugees.

One person she did recognize was Liam.

“You’re-you’re not dead!” she exclaimed as Romeo embraced him, holding on for several moments. It was like holding a solid ghost, if you let go, the vision may fade again.

“I was close to it a few times, though I’d rather not have to think about that. I’m so relieved to see you all made it. Mrs. Cupshire, Are those your grandchildren running around? They look just like Lara, they must be hers!’

“Yes, I’m a grandmother, and I have a toddler of my own running around. You remember newborn Benjamin? He’s four years old now!” she laughed, tears in her eyes.

“What a wonderful thing! I’m so happy that he survived the trip.” he said, his shirt becoming wet from Romeo’s tears.

“We all survived, thanks to you. We could live our lives over and still not be able to repay you for what you did for us.” Mr. Cupshire thanked in reverence.

“Your lives well lived are payment enough.” his face darkened, and old grief showed on his face. “Is- I heard that Anwyn had died on the journey. Is there a grave I can visit? I want to be close to her, to know where she rests.”

***

Play this music

The curtain hung across the windowed door of the council room, an odd occurrence. The room itself rarely had it’s curtains drawn, and it was the Island custom to make matters of the government public, represented by the many windows. If they had closed off the room, it could only mean that whatever they wanted to talk to her about wasn’t a public affair, which set Anwyn’s mind even more in a panic.

“Midshore, what is this about? You can tell me, I’ll act surprised when they talk about it, I promise. Just don’t send me in there blind.” Anwyn tried to play into her good side.

Midshore held Anwyn by her shoulders and turned her so that her back was facing the door. She smiled, tears forming puddles in her eyes. “Someone has been working on their demons.” she cooed in her soft voice as Anwyn heard the curtains be lifted on the other side of the door. The voices that had been bubbling on the other side stopped suddenly, which made Anwyn panic even more.

As she looked at Midshore with confusion plastered on her face, she was turned around and the door was opened.

In the middle of the room was a tall, red haired man with broad shoulders. He turned to see why everyone had stopped talking, Romeo revealed behind him, his face a sobbing mess.

Anwyn would have recognized that sharp nose anywhere, those golden brown eyes, the red fluff that grew from his jaw.

Anwyn felt her heart stop. She couldn’t breathe. Her lungs had forgotten how to function. How many times had she turned a corner and thought she would see him there? How many times had she dreamed of him, could have sworn she felt his gentle embrace like the last night at the ruins as she slept?

She didn’t see her family, or the council members, or the other unrecognized people in the room, she only saw him. If she blinked he’d be gone, so she had to take all of him in now, before he vanished.

He seemed just as shocked to see her. All these years, he had come to the realization that she was dead, as the king had repeated over and over all those years ago. But here she was, with color in her cheeks, waves in her hair.

The two of them walked towards each other while the rest of the room watched on, many of them holding one another.

Liam reached out first, and he touched her face. She felt it, a shock going through her that jump started what had stopped. She breathed a gulp of air, filling her lungs.

In a moment they were embracing each other, a kiss to span the wasted time evolving between them.

They held each other for several minutes, holding onto their solid ghosts when Anwyn remembered. “Gloria!” she exclaimed.

Liam smiled with the corner of his mouth. “Gloria? Is that a new exclamation?” he asked.

“It will be once you meet her. Midshore- oh you planned ahead!” Anwyn picked Gloria up from the floor where she was standing, beginning to be a bit big for picking up, though she reckoned that she had some time before she didn’t want to be held anymore.

The red hair was unmistakable. “Liam, meet Gloria, our daughter. Gloria, this is Daddy! I know you don’t know him, but he was busy saving our world. He kept us very safe for a very long time, but he’s home now. He loves us very much.”

The child looked at the tall man, giving him the once over. “So he’s like a soldier, always keeping us safe?” Gloria asked.

“He was a soldier, for a time, but yes, he kept us very safe.” Anwyn confirmed as the word bounced around in her head. “There will come a soldier, who carries a mighty sword. He will tear down your doors but you will be happy when he comes” Midshore had prophesied. When Anwyn had heard the prophecy, after the ordeal she had been through, she didn’t think she’d ever be happy to see another soldier, but now she couldn’t fathom being happier. She opened her doors to him, he didn’t tear them down, perhaps the prophecy wasn’t as literal as it sounded.

Anwyn looked back into Liam’s eyes. He was here, whole. Four years is a long time to go without someone, and it’s easy to grow apart when you think you’ll never see the other again. None of that mattered to her right now, and as Gloria wiggled to get put down so she could play with her cousins, Anwyn kissed Liam again, just to make sure he was still real.

~*~

Lily met Romeo out on the sand. She had often thought about the guard with lots of guts and little spine, but now, seeing him as a piece that fit into the puzzle of the people he loved, it made perfect sense. He was a follower who wanted to make his own path, but found it easier to find a close spot where he was needed.

The few short days she had spent with him had been some of the most memorable she could recall. He had a sarcastic sense of humor that she saw parts of in Liam which no doubt is one of the reasons they were friends, and at the time it had been so new to her to hear different jokes.

They had flirted a bit then, and the attraction was undeniable, but their time had been so short that nothing had developed. And yet, here he was, standing so near to her, wiping tears from his face. The pair’s reuniting had rocked everyone in the room, and even Lily felt that she had teared up at their embrace. She had heard Liam murmur the woman’s name quite a few times in his sleep, and she knew that he had cursed his own life to save hers. To see him get his reward for his unimaginable pain was enough of an emotional shock to make a stone sprout water.

“Romeo, right? I’m Lilly. I bet you don’t remember me.” she introduced.

“You look familiar, you were in the band of natives when we stormed the King’s camp, right?” he asked, trying to speak clearly through his sore-from-crying throat.

“Yes.” she smiled, stepping closer. “I- I remember you clearly, which is why I hope you don’t mind what I’m about to do. I should have done it then. Consider it payment for saving my life.” she leaned in and kissed him, a delicate thing, not asking for anything more, willing to leave it at that if he chose to.

Romeo looked at her, perplexed. “If I remember correctly, you said that I would be avenged. Did you complete your mission?”

“You will be happy to know that I relieved the King of any way to make an heir.” she snickered.

Romeo took her by the waist and kissed her properly.

There's a bit of an epilogue to this, it'll be out today sometime. Fun fact: I once had a dream where I wasn't myself, I was playing a character and someone told me "Someone's been working on their demons" and then showed me my dream soulmate on the other side of the door who I hadn't seen in forever, apparently, so the phrase has been bouncing around my head forever and I finally get to use it!