Assassin

Aeralia discovers a plot to kill her.

“We must do it soon, maybe tonight.  Kill her before she learns magic.”  That voice was unfamiliar, deep. 

            “No, not yet!  Too soon.” 

            I began to shake.  That voice I knew.  Nell.  They were plotting to assassinate me!   What could I do?  I could run away, or I could tell Father. I chose neither.  Foolishly, I stuck around and listened some more. 

            The man was speaking.  “Nell, you must do it tomorrow night.  With this knife.”  There was a pause; presumably, he was giving her the knife.  “There is no other way.  You will be paid well.  And there will be other rewards.” 

            I shuddered at his voice.  Nell replied, “No reward needed.  She is a little brat and I will be all too glad to be rid of her.” 

            That was all I needed to hear.  I ran silently away from the two conspirators.

            I burst into the clearing and leapt onto Alonwyn.  Lynya glanced at me, obviously not particularly alarmed.  Oh, Lynya, Nell is trying to kill me!  What will I do, what will I do!  Help me, what if she finds me now?  I don’t have my sword or my bow, and I don’t know how to use magic! 

            I was panicked, and our earlier argument was forgotten, by me at least.  Lynya looked at me calmly and replied, Don’t worry, Alonwyn is fleet of foot, much quicker than your maid.  And do you think I am a dunce?  I shall protect you with my life if necessary.  Now hurry and ride to the stables.  Swiftness is the key here.  When Alonwyn is taken care of, wake your father and tell him of the plot, for he is wise and will counsel you well.

            I pulled on the reins sharply to turn Alonwyn and tapped my heels against his flanks.  Like a shot he was off, weaving gracefully through the trees.  I silently thanked my father for giving me his prize stallion, only a colt then.  Lynya’s ears flicked back and forth, listening intently.  The only sign of tension was in her tail, which was slightly puffed up.

            We rode in silence; the only sound was Alonwyn’s hooves pounding softly against the dirt.  Thud, thud.  Thud, thud.  The steady rhythm kept pace with my beating heart.  Finally, after what seemed like hours but was actually merely a few minutes, we reached the castle.  I trotted Alonwyn to the stable, and the stable hand, an old but spry man took the reins and helped me dismount.  Lynya jumped off by herself and ran to the closest door. 

            “Thank you, Colin,” I said.  “Mind that nobody knows I was here.”  Colin nodded and showed his few teeth in a smile.

            I followed Lynya, grateful not to be in a dress.  She ran up a flight of stairs, then through a door.  I was close behind, and I stared at her.  She had led me into a closet.  Or was it something else?  The white cat sitting at my feet yowled sharply, making me jump.  I watched as a secret door suddenly slid open.  Behind the door was a tunnel.  A lightless tunnel.  Lynya turned and looked at me, then bounded into the dark hallway.

            I kept my eyes on the patch of white in front of me; it was about all I could see.  I wondered if this led to where my father and mother slept.  My suspicions were confirmed a second later as we came to wooden door, simple, but very solid. 

            Lynya spun around to face me.  Well, Mistress?  He is your father after all… And I’m sure he will very much like to know about the maid that is planning to kill you.  I nodded in agreement and knocked on the door.

            “Come, in, Aeralia.”  It was my father’s voice.  I pushed gently on the wood, and it swung open easily.  Both of my parents were there; my mother was embroidering in her chair and my father was reading a piece of paper. 

            “Father,” I said.  “Mother.  I have discovered an assassination plot.  My lady-in-waiting, Nell, plans to kill me soon.  Do you have advice for me?” 

            Father’s eyes gazed at me, calculating.  “Explain,” he said.  Mother didn’t look surprised either.

            “…And then I came straight back to the castle.  I gave Alonwyn to Colin, then Lynya led me to you,” I finished my story. 

            Father nodded, saying, “Thank you, Lynya.  We are in your debt.”  Lynya acknowledged him with a nod. 

            I nervously bit my lip.  What would happen to me?  I noticed the fleeting look that passed between Mother and Father.  I also saw the tear that Mother hastened to wipe away.

            I waited anxiously.  Father said slowly, “We have always known that such a thing would eventually happen.  I would not have had it happen now, but it has and there is nothing to do.  Aeralia, you must leave the castle, live on your own for a while.  You are of an age when you are able to do such a thing.  When you return, you will have new wisdom and knowledge, and that is what will make you a true Queen.  Now go to bed.  It is late.”

            I nodded, scared but accepting.  “Father, Mother, I thank you.  I shall set out tomorrow at dawn.” 

            Lynya purred.  And now the adventures begin, Mistress!

 

Author's Note

Constructive criticism and compliments gladly accepted.

Reviews

[Clayton Wulfric Fernand..]

This is a fantastic read!
The insight into the world you create is amazing, I literally didn't stop reading until the end!
Good job, and keep it coming, PLEASE!
:D