The Silent Queen: Chapter 4-5

Here's the next part to my story. Hope you like it! Please Crit. (oh, and keep in mind that this was written extremely hastily... heh.)

Chapter Four

I woke to Blade shaking me wildly. “Wrrr?”

“Get up! I have to tell you something! It's important!”

I sat up, nearly smacking him with my head. “What?”

“Get up, I don't want the kids to hear this. This is serious,” Blade dragged me to my feet and allowed me to lean on him as he led me out the back door to where we had wrestled earlier.

“What is it?” I asked. I started to sink down onto the grass, but he hauled me back up.

“I went and checked the meeting spot, and I found the king.”

“What?”

“King Bridge! He has a request for you. He wants to meet you and tell you what he wants stolen personally,” Blade told me urgently.

“Uh oh.” I was fully awake now, and my mind was racing. He either wanted something illegal, or he wanted to arrest me. “Did he say anything else?”

“No. He seemed nervous though, like he didn't want anyone to see that he was there.”

“So you think he wants me to steal something for real?”

Blade thought for a moment. He nodded slowly. “If he wanted to arrest you he wouldn't have been acting like he was doing something wrong.”

“Yeah. I guess.” Then a thought struck me. “Why were you up so early?” I looked around at the gray, early morning sky. I noticed dew beneath my bare feet, soaking my pants.

He shrugged. “I just thought that we were missing too many clients since we're only there a few hours a day.”

A stared at him. “You're supposed to be there all day! What do you mean only a few hours a day?”

“A lot of people want to meet us at night, when they won't be seen,” he explained.

“Ah. Wait--why are we even talking about this? What am I going to do about the king?”

“Do what you want,” Blade shrugged again.

I nodded. “I'll meet him. But I'll need a mask or something to hide my face. I don't want him to be able to find me again.”

“Alright. I'll tell him. He's coming back at dusk tonight for an answer.”

“That's when he'll tell you where I should meet him?” I asked.

“Yes.”

I nodded again, trying to convince myself I was doing the right thing.

“I hope you know what you're doing....” Blade muttered, walking away.

I let out a long breath. “So do I.”

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“You won't believe it.”

“What?”

“Ha, you thought Sayk's information was a goldmine, just listen to this.”

“What?”

“King Bridge wants her to steal something.”

“Bridge? What would he want her to steal?”

“Do you really think I know? The king's conniving with thieves, don't you think I would've spilled the gossip already if I knew? You wouldn't be able to stop me from talking!”

“I can't stop you now, Scarlet.”

“Good point.”

“So are they going to do it?”

“Yep. I heard the Queen and the older accomplice talking it over. They decided she would meet with him and he would tell her what it was he wanted her to steal.”

“Hm. Interesting. Let's just see how this plays out before we put our plan into action. It wouldn't be bad to have the dirt on King Bridge.”

“By the way, it's a shame that we have to lock that boy behind bars.”

“The older accomplice? Why?”

“Because. He is so--”

“Wait. I'm afraid I'll be sick if you go any further.”

“Wise move.”

“Just do your job, for once, Scarlet. Don't get distracted by the prisoners.”

“Oh please, I was born to be focused.”

“Riiiight. Now go get me some more information. I want you to follow... scratch that, I don't think it's such a good idea for you to be following the older accomplice anymore.”

“Aww, party crasher.”

“Tell Sayk to follow him, and you can tail the Queen.”

“And Frizz?”

“He has his orders. You'd just better stick to yours.”

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I waited nervously for Blade to return, pacing up and down the warehouse. I knew I was driving Tater mad with my constant movement, but I couldn't help it.

“Got any sevens?”

“Nope.”

I ground my teeth, wondering why I had ever taught them how to count, let alone how to play that stupid game.

“Got any fours?”

“Nope.”

I swung around to face them. “Got any news from Blade?” I snarled.

Fuschia looked petrified, and for a moment I thought she might cry.

Tate on the other hand looked annoyed. “Nope. Try again,” he replied calmly, staring me in the face.

I looked away, ashamed. I'd had powerful clients before, why was I so worried?

“Cal. Come play with us,” Fuschia offered, gesturing to the crate next to her.

“No. I wouldn't be able to.”

“Cal. I won't stop bothering you until you do, so you might as well,” Tater put in.

I threw my hands up. “Fine! I'll play the game!” I stumped over and sat down on the box.

Fuschia slid a cluster of rocks to me and I looked them over, counting the number of dots on each one.

“Got any threes?” Tater asked.

“Nope.” I sighed. “Look, guys. I'm sorry I snapped at you. I'm just worried that Blade's gonna get hurt, and it's going to be my fault. I'm the one that told him to go talk to the king again.”

“It's okay, Cal,” Fuschia said. She stood up and climbed into my lap, even though she's almost as big as me. I stroked her white-blond hair out of her face and squeezed her tightly.

“Thanks, hon. I'm okay now.” I smiled at her and she hugged me back. “Got any Sixes?” I asked.

“I do!” Tater handed me his six and I set the pair off to the side.

The door burst open and I leapt to my feet so fast that Fuschia tumbled off and landed on her knees on the floor. Blade walked in, shaking his head in amazement.

“What happened?” I asked, rushing over to him.

“Thaaaanks, Cal,” Fuschia groaned from the floor.

“Sorry, hon.” I only felt guilty for a moment before the thought fled and my mind returned to Blade.

“Tell me!” I demanded.

Blade wordlessly took my arm and led me outside, shutting the door behind us. “The king's going to meet you tomorrow at noon, in his castle.”

Great. The very place I had just raided.

“Okay... okay, that's good.” I nodded reassuringly to myself.

“Listen, Cal,” Blade started, putting his hands on my shoulders. “You don't have to do this. If you get caught you could be in more trouble than you ever imagined. The king would blame everything on you to save his own skin. I don't know what it is he wants you to steal but it has to be something that could get him into a ton of trouble if anyone found out about it.”

I nodded again. He was wrong. I did have to do it. We were running quickly out of money, and I don't like the idea of not being able to buy water from the well. I don't think I can steal every drink, every meal, every day, and still not get caught. It seems as if all the things worth stealing have run out. “I know. I'm still going to do it. I can always refuse once he tells me what it is I'm doing.”

“No, that's just it! You can't refuse! If you don't do it, he'll throw you in the dungeon.”

I chewed the corner of my lips. “Hm. I probably should've thought of that.”

Blade shook me by the shoulders, trying to get the message across. “This is dangerous, Cal!”

I grinned at that, and stepped back from his hands. “My life is dangerous, isn't it? What's another little twist gonna do to me?”

He shook his head hopelessly, but I could still see his smile.

“I'll be fine. I promise.”

“And if you break your promise?”

I laughed. “Then I'll let you beat me in a wrestling match.”

Blade took a swing at me but I danced out reach and back inside.

“What's going on?” Tater asked immediately.

“I've got an important job tomorrow. That's all,” I told him.

Blade came in behind me, and Tater turned to him. “What's going on?” he repeated savagely.

“Ask Cal,” he replied, grinning, and holding up his hands defensively.

“I did!” he whined, following Blade to his room. “She won't tell me anything and I want to know what's happened. You guys are so mysterious lately! I'm thirteen, I can handle it!”

“Me too!” Fuschia piped up.

I sighed. There was only one way to stop them from asking questions. It really was a shame that I had to use it on a day when we had already been able to buy ourselves thick slabs of juicy meat with the money from the princess's cloak. I went into my room and retrieved a slab of toffee I had hidden under my bed. “Hey guys, you hungry?” I waved the toffee around, spreading its scent.

“Ohhh... that smells sooo good...” Fuschia moaned, and both kids came over to me like I was the pied piper.

“I've been saving it for a while. Here,” I held it out and they both took it and brought it over to the table, hunching over it so they looked almost like those hoarding little rats that come out at night and eat all your leftovers.

I waited until their mouths were cemented shut with the sticky candy, then winked at Blade and went into my room. I heard his quiet laughter as I slipped under my blankets.

I looked out over the side of my bed and noticed something gray sitting on the floor. Frowning, I leaned out and picked it up. It was the newspaper, and it was still open to the page about Gabriel.

Despite myself, I began to read it, desperate for anything to take my mind off of King Bridge.

[i]

Prince Gabriel of Calas, first son of King Evan and brother of Prince Tristan, is gracing the humble city of Tell with his presence for a full two weeks. He will be staying in King Bridge's castle, and touring the city throughout the two weeks. Sources tell us that he is here to negotiate the construction of a new merchant path from Spaerick to Calas, so the two kingdoms can trade more easily. He is spending most of his time at the East side of the city, scouting out the best trade path....[/i]

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“You found him already?”

“Yep. It was easy. The newspaper told me right where to find him.”

“Good work, Frizz. I thought it would take at least until the Queen had already visited the king.”

“Yes, sir, I'm more clever than you thought, eh?”

“Shut up.”

“Sorry sir.”

“Now tell me, why do you think he's here?”

“Well, the newspaper has its own ideas, but I say that he's just here to connive with the Queen. He didn't seem to be doing anything important but just ride around the edge of the city looking at stuff.”

“Hm. But why would he need to alliance himself with her? His kingdom is across the continent from Spaerick.”

“I don't know.”

“That wasn't directed at you.”

“Sorry sir.”

“Maybe he's done something illegal? No... Evan's family has always been honorable.”

“Of course your father's always been honorable too.”

“Shut up. My father's a fool and always has been. Come to think of it he is a lot like Evan. They just have no imagination. Now King Broadmere... he's got what it takes.”

“Isn't he who we're robbing?”

“Yes.

“Then why...?”

“It doesn't matter. Just do what you're told and everything will work out, but try to think, and you might hurt yourself.”

“Sorry sir. I won't do it again, sir.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chapter Five

Noon was fast approaching and I was starting to get nervous. I had nicked a mask from a vendor on the other side of town, and was wearing it, but I still didn't feel like it was enough to hide my identity. If King Bridge found out what I looked like, everything was over. Even if I did what he said, he would probably find me too dangerous to be left on the loose.

“Nice mask,” Tater commented.

“Thanks.” It was rather nice, I had to admit. It covered my whole face except my eyes, and was painted black, with two red feathers coming out the top.

“You look mean with that on,” Fuschia put in, studying it critically.

“Thanks.

“The sun's almost at it's peak. We should probably go now,” Blade said. He was wearing his usual mask that he always wore to meet clients. It was only an eye mask, so it didn't cover anything below his nose or above his eyebrows. His was silver, with SQ painted on the forehead in gold. That was actually done by me, with the same paint I used to write on my little cards. But that's okay, he still thinks it's real gold leaf.

“Alright. Wish me luck,” I hugged Fuschia and Tater both at the same time, then turned to follow Blade out the door.

“Good luck!”

The wood shut behind me with a strange finality and I swallowed hard.

“Last chance,” Blade said quietly. “This could all blow up in your face.”

I smiled. “I know. But I also know that it won't.”

“And how do you know that?”

“Because I'm the Silent Queen. I'm the best there is.”

Blade put his arm around my shoulders, grinning, and started to walk. “Yes, you are the best.”

I let him propel me forward and laughed. “You'd think you would have learned that by now.”

As the castle came into sight I pulled my hood up to cover my face in shadow, and Blade and I both took on a forbidding look. The guards looked as though they wanted to stop us from entering, but a servant was waiting just outside to gain us special entry.

The guards were probably right to wonder why two masked boys were going into the castle, but it made me worry that we were too conspicuous. It's kind of ironic that we stood out by hiding ourselves.

I stepped inside the entrance hall with faked confidence, following after the servant.

“Right this way, milady. The king waiting for you.” the man told us. He hurried up the steps to another set of large wood doors at the top, a large crown carved into them. He struggled to pull the doors open, and I unthinkingly moved him aside and threw them open for him. He stared at me in surprise, then bowed and left.

“Ah! Right on time, my Queen,” a voice boomed.

We stepped inside and Blade closed the door behind us.

“Please, don't be shy, come up here,” King Bridge beckoned us closer.

I walked up the red carpet path, but stopped a good distance away from him. We both surveyed each other, sizing the other up.

King Bridge was a tall, broad man, with a small brown beard and short brown hair. He was clothed in a rich, red, silk shirt with a red fur cloak draped around his wide shoulders. He smiled at me, but his eyes were small and narrowed, and I could tell he was calculating something.

I stared intensely at him, waiting for him to make the first move... just like in wrestling. I almost laughed out loud at that.

The king inclined his head to me respectfully, and I nodded to him as well.

“Well then!” he said briskly, rubbing his hands together. “I'll get right to the point.”

I didn't say anything.

His smile faltered but he recovered it quickly enough. “I want you to steal something for me.”

No, really? I wanted to roll my eyes but I didn't say anything.

“This... object... is very important, and must be delivered to me with the utmost of care.”

I didn't say anything.

“Can you do that, without getting caught?”

I didn't say anything.

“Yes,” Blade replied for me.

“Good! Excellent.... Now, before I tell you what it is, I want to know if you're willing to do this.”

I waited for Blade to answer. He didn't.

Sighing I gave him a look so severe that he flinched away from me. “Y-yes,” he said, sounding like he would much rather have said no.

“And I want you to know that if word gets out that I had this object stolen... you'll be punished accordingly.”

Blade nodded, flashing me an angry look.

“Okay... here it is. I want you to steal Princess Holly.”

“WHAT!?” I burst out, unable to stop myself. “King Wester's daughter?”

The king nodded calmly. “Yes.”

“No. Not a chance. I'm a thief, not a kidnapper.” I said coldly.

King Bridge smiled. “I thought you might say that. It's a good thing I have motivation for you then.”

I eyed him warily. “What kind of motivation?”

His smile widened. “At this very moment the door behind you is completely blocked off by a regimen of soldiers. If you want both you and your friend to survive, you'll take the job.”

I nodded slowly, mind racing. Why would he want Princess Holly? I knew the two kings had always been rivals, ever since Wester beat Bridge in a battle for a large bit of land, but I didn't think he would go this far! Holly was Wester's only child, and she meant everything to him.

“What do you want the princess for?” I asked.

“To teach the king a lesson.”

“What do you mean?”

“He stole something of mine. He stole my most precious thing, which was my scepter. It's value goes beyond money, it was passed down from the very first king of Spaerick,” he explained.

I froze, my blood turning to ice. I know who stole his scepter. And it wasn't King Wester.

“What if... what if he wasn't the one who stole it?” I inquired hoarsely.

“Then who was, eh? Listen here, I have spies in his castle, and I have recently been informed that my scepter resides in Wester's castle. ,” the king spat.

I nodded mutely, glad that my face was hidden under a mask. “Why steal his daughter though?”

Bridge laughed. “Because. She's as precious to him as that scepter was to me.”

I couldn't breath. I was stuck in that position, staring up at the king in horror. I couldn't refuse, that would get me killed. I couldn't tell him that Wester hadn't stolen it, because that would get me killed as well. I also couldn't kidnap and innocent man's daughter.

“So, my Silent Queen, I'll give you ten days to retrieve her and bring her back here without her being seen.”

I nodded again. “I'll... I'll do it,” I whispered. I couldn't find a way out. For the first time in my life, I was trapped.

“You may go,” the king dismissed us, an unbearably smug look on his face.

I turned and numbly opened the doors. Once the king had given the order, the soldiers let us through and I stumbled down the stairs and out the door.

Blade was trying to talk to me but I couldn't hear him. I couldn't even focus on the ground under my feet and I had to lean on him just to walk.

We finally made it home and Blade helped me in the door and onto a crate. I sat there, staring at the ground.

“Cal, listen to me, this is important,” Blade was saying. He grabbed my whole bottom jaw and pulled my head up, forcing me to focus on him. “Did you steal the king's scepter?”

I sat for a moment, breathing heavily, with Tater and Fuschia watching me fearfully, not knowing what was going on.

“Yes.”

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“What happened, Scarlet?”

“I have no idea. The king had a whole army stationed outside his door.”

“What? Why?”

“I think he was afraid the Queen would refuse.”

“Why would she do that? She's never turned someone down the whole time we've been watching her.”

“That's just it, isn't it? That's what's so weird.”

“ What happened after she got out?”

“Dunno. I left after I lost sight of the Queen.”

“What about you, Sayk?”

“When the Queen and her accomplice came out, the Queen could hardly walk. She was leaning on the accomplice all the way to their warehouse, and she looked as though she might be sick.”

“Thank you Sayk. Finally, something useful. If that's all, you may go. Continue following the accomplice.”

“Yes, my prince.”

“See now, Scarlet, that's a good man. You should learn to be more like him.”

“Like him? He has no sense of humor. Not at all fun to be around.”

“Maybe, but that's not his job. And it's not yours either, if you remember correctly.”

“Oh, come on. You're almost as boring as he is.”

“You never learn, do you.”

“Nope. And don't you forget it.”

“I give up. Just follow the Queen, and don't you dare lose sight of her again, do I make myself clear?”

“Clear as the accomplice's eyes.”

“Scarlet, please.”

“Sorry boss, couldn't resist.”

“Get out of here, before I puke.”