~ 21 ~
SAbrI
“Your Highness!” The captain exclaims. He races forward, his armor clanking in his frenzy. Behind him, the haggard-looking company is a bit slower to drag their heels into action.
“Captain!” I call back.
I wanted to believe that Anya and her guild wouldn’t actually do anything to the company, but seeing them again—tired, but alive—puts the final sliver of doubt to rest.
“Thank goodness you’re safe!” The captain reaches out as if to clasp my shoulders, but holds off at the last second. With a meek smile, he retracts his hands. The wrinkles on his forehead deepen. “Why is your hair wet?”
“It’s no matter. I’m fine. How are you and the others?”
The captain unclasps his cape and before I can protest, swings it over my shoulders. He takes a step back. “All still standing. We had a bit of trouble with some slippery criminals while trying to pursue you, but it looks like we found you all the same.” He gestures to one of the torchbearers.
The woman hurries forward with her torch. The heat from the small flame is barely enough to feel, but I smile at her in thanks.
The captain looks up and down, as if checking me for injuries. “The council will be furious with us if you catch a cold,” he says with a frown. “What happened after we lost sight of you? Did you fight with the thief?”
“Yes,” I reply, keeping my voice aloof. I adjust the cape around me. It’s only been a few minutes since we left the hot spring but, although my clothes dried slightly, the chill of the underground tunnels is returning. “I’m afraid she got away.”
The captain nods. “It’s not a problem. We’ll get them another time.”
I focus on fastening the cape to my armor, not meeting the captain’s eyes. I want to tell him, if only to let them know that the Thieves’ Guild is no longer a threat. But I remember Anya’s insistence.
“That we will.” I glance over at my soldiers. Somehow, they look far more exhausted than I feel. The torchbearer’s bangs are slicked back with sweat.
Anya’s thieves must have given them quite the runaround.
I make a mental note to appeal for a bonus for everyone present. “Let’s head out.”
The relief on their faces is immediate.
“A good call, Your Highness.” The captain falls back into his standard place of hovering by my side. “We found a way out earlier. Allow me to lead you.”
I conceal my hesitation at his words and instead gesture for him to take the lead. He eagerly steps in front and sets a quick pace through the tunnel.
Mention of the council used to bring me reassurance. Now, picturing the collection of noble elders who had watched over the country since my father passed brings nothing but unease.
My arrangement with Anya is the opposite of what the council wants me to do. Not to mention that teaming up with the Thieves’ Guild does would appear on paper to be a violation of royal behavior.
But if even some of the things Anya said have a grain of truth in them—from nobles taking advantage of the common people to, perhaps, the council hoarding power unfairly—it’s my duty as future queen to right the wrongs and see justice served.
The irony that I came here for justice on the Thieves’ Guild and am leaving with a new focus for my justice is not lost on me.
Oh, Anya , I think with just a little exasperation. You’ve left your mark.
Now we just have to wait and see if it’s for better or for worse.
- - - - -
The sun hangs on the horizon as we step out of the ruins. It had only been an hour or so, yet I feel like an entire lifetime has passed. Despite the exhaustion, there’s a new sense of energy and purpose. It’s enough to carry me through the hustle of checking in with the rest of the army and packing up our temporary camp. Another hour passes in a whirl of orders and commands.
I step into the stirrup and hoist myself onto my gelding, catching the reins as the horse tosses his head.
“Easy, boy,” I say. I’m sure he’s restless from waiting around all day, but I’m wound up for a whole different reason.
I look back at the ruins for the last time. The evening sunlight paints the crumbling towers in gold. For just a moment, I can see a hint of the prior magnificence. A bittersweet taste lingers in my mouth.
Anya said they were moving out—and she refused to tell me where to. I know we’re just ‘allies with benefits’, but still. After everything, I want to know; I can’t help but wish for her safety.
Anya.
My hand lifts to my neck before I stop myself. I bring it back to grasp the reins, but it’s too late. My mind fills with flashes of the past few hours: seeing Anya’s face for the first time in ten years, fighting in the icy lake, and a different kind of sparring by the hot spring.
My cheeks are heating. I shake my head and tighten my grip on the reins. The gelding snorts in protest, and I ease up a little.
With the clarity of distance, I can’t believe I said some of the things that I did to Anya. My thoughts and feelings around the Thief Lord changed drastically over the past few hours and the feeling burning inside me might not be revenge anymore, but it’s turning out to be just as hot and fiery. I’m going to need to be more careful with controlling my emotions the next time we meet.
I turn my horse away from the ruins, facing the wide plains between us and the capital.
At the end of this ride will be a tense meeting with the council. I’ll have to be very careful in what I say—both to protect Anya, and to remove any suspicions.
It will take work, but suddenly, I don’t feel alone. I have a friend in a shadowy place to help bring about change.
Anya , I vow, looking straight ahead to where the towering palace will eventually appear. I’ll do my best within the palace, so keep doing your best out here.
As my eager gelding jerks into a trot, I can’t help but add one more bit to my internal prayer.
Stay safe—until we meet again.