Chapter Twenty-Six - Allies #3
“And what will he return too? Hmm?” said Emrys, not backing down, “where will he go? He will have no home. No people. He will have nothing.”
“He will have his life,” Wulf slammed his fist on the table causing Marianne to jump.
“And what of them,” Emrys gestured to the people of the Veil; Hugo, Anders, Margot, “what of their lives?”
“We’ll hold them off,” said Wulf defiantly, “these walls will hold.”
Emrys let out a bitter laugh of frustration and ran a hand through his thick curly hair, “Stubborn as always.”
“Watch who you’re talking too poodle.”
“What did you call me?!”
Rosamund’s eyes flicked between them as they spoke, but she did not hear them.
What was she missing? There was an answer here, something someone had said had sparked something.
Her mind was racing with potential scenarios, each worse than the one before, but she knew there was an answer.
What would Dorian do? Pull up his walls, retreat, do as Wulf suggested and hold them off.
That would not work. Not this time. Perhaps she should think like her enemy.
Like Bastian. Find another scapegoat, another brother to take the fall; Osric would be easy enough.
She looked at Marianne, close to tears as the debate raged on around her. No. That would not work either.
What would Father do?
None of these men had the answer. None of them ever had the answer.
“Who would listen?”
That was what Elswyth had said when she had begged her to tell someone about what Bastian was doing to her. She looked to Marianne.
“I don’t know what it was, but things changed when you got here.”
“Aurelian was so happy to see his brother.”
Rosamund leaned forward in her chair, the voices around her continued to rage as she regarded the map in front of her. Perhaps there was a way to save more than one life.
“Emrys,” her voice cut across the room, silencing those around her, “I presume you would be able to secure the schematics to other buildings within the city.”
He frowned but nodded, “many of the architects make their home in Larkhill.”
“I’ll need them, though with some variations,” said Rosamund, she pulled a blank bit of paper towards her as Corvin pushed forward an ink pot and quill.
“It’ll be done,” said Emrys, “but why do you-”
Rosamund held out the paper to him, his eyes scanning it quickly and widening the further he read. He smiled at her and pocketed the paper as she pulled a fresh sheet towards her.
“Anders,” she said without looking up, the quill scratching across the paper, “I need a map of the tunnels, all the tunnels. Particularly anything that goes near these locations.”
She held out the paper to Anders, the sandy haired knight looking over his shoulder with a curious expression. “I can think of a few m’lady,” said Anders as he reviewed her list.
“Wulf, how good is that nose of yours?”
“The best,” said Wulf proudly.
“Take them with you,” she gestured to Dorian’s wolfhounds, “I need you to track someone down for me.”
Wulf looked confused but nodded his agreement.
“Marianne, Mrs Hawthorn, I will need your assistance in planning a salon,” said Rosamund as she again began writing on a fresh piece of paper.
“A salon?” gasped Mrs Hawthorn, equal parts surprised and pleased.
“Rosamund, whilst I appreciate you taking an interest, is now really the time?” asked Marianne anxiously.
Rosamund handed the princess the list with a smile and said, “I think now is exactly the time.”
As Rosamund stood, she said, “this won’t be easy, and it will definitely be dangerous.
The peace you have won is hard fought for and kept, and I will not begrudge anyone that wishes to return to it now,” she gestured towards the door, “but for those of you who wish to stay, I will be in your debt…let’s get to work. ”
There was a murmur of approval amongst those gathered, the volume rising as people began to discuss the task at hand and start to call out orders. Rosamund watched them, pride swelling in her chest, before she turned on her heel towards the foyer, “Tomas, prepare the carriage.”
“Yes Ma’am,” he said and headed off ahead of her.
“Rosamund,” called out Marianne as she followed after her, waving the list, “some of these people won’t attend.”
“They will,” said Rosamund as she headed towards the cloakroom, “they won’t be able to resist. A chance to see inside the monsters castle.”
Marianne worried her lip as Rosamund selected one of the large black velvet cloaks, “do you think it’ll be enough?”
“No,” said Rosamund as she fastened it around her neck, “but when they hear what I have to offer, they’ll listen,” she reached out and squeezed Marianne’s hand, “we can do this. You can do this.”
Marianne relaxed a little and smiled. She even managed a small nod as Rosamund swept by, and on seeing her attire questioned, “Where are you going?”
“Tidehall.”
Marianne’s jaw dropped, “is that wise? Bastian will be there. This is all his doing. He might try to-.”
“I have to see her,” said Rosamund firmly, though she had shared the same thoughts as Marianne.
What if he tries to keep me there.
She chased them away. She needed Elswyth.
And she needs me.