4. Chapter Four Brannoc
Chapter Four: Brannoc
Over the next couple of days, we all continued our stay in Gerard's hidden cellar. Little more than dirt walls with wooden furniture and very little space. All of us were going stir-crazy, filled with pent-up nervous energy that desperately needed an outlet. We were men built for action, honed for decades as fighters, who were now stuck waiting on news from others that would help us develop a strategy to get Rhowyn back.
I was used to situations like this. Planning, watching, waiting. It was all part of an assassin's skill set. I should have been doing fine, but I was surprised to find that I wasn't. My nerves were just as fried as the others. Resisting the urge to pace, I sat on one of the cots with my forearms on my knees as we waited on a report from Gerard. That final piece we needed in order to begin our plan to rescue Rhowyn. In the meantime, I thought about why this mission was so different for me.
Perhaps it was because I was usually the one gathering the information, the one watching and surveilling. However, that brief transport carrying so many had left my magic depleted and unable to complete the reconnaissance on my own. It was slowly returning over the last few days, and I was almost at full power again. I could have easily been the one to go out today, but the guys had agreed that I should save my strength for the actual plan.
I suspected my restlessness was more likely due to a dark- green haired vixen that had wormed her way into my life. What had started off as a simple curiosity, a shiny object that lured me in like my namesake, had quickly devolved until she was almost an obsession. Somehow, she'd taken a man who was emotionally stunted and preferred to remain uninvolved in squabbles, often seen as cold and calculating by those who hired me, and turned me into a bundle of nerves. Not knowing her condition or status had us all worried.
Granted, I considered myself attached to Arryn, my oldest friend and the only person who saw the real me. But it wasn't the same. I could walk away from Arryn and not fear his fate. I wanted the best for him and didn't want to see him fail, which is why I had originally joined his rebellion.
At first, Arryn had tried to convince me that I should take a more active role alongside him, but we both quickly realized that I wasn't built for that. I was not a leader. I needed to be on my own, to answer to no one but myself. A leader might be in charge, but they answered to everyone underneath them in the organization. Too many people to depend on you, too much responsibility. It never sat well with my flighty nature.
And yet, for the first time, I found myself wanting to stay, to be a part of this group. Admittedly, I didn't care for the other men outside of Arryn. Their own egos, pride, and issues often caused more problems than not, but Rhowyn did care. Which meant that they were now another complication. Something else to look after, but I'd do it for her. And that thought puzzled me.
I'd met many fae women throughout my work, had enough money from my contracts to live comfortably, and spent time with many of them. I'd even sampled some of the better-looking men out there, but none of my lovers had lasted more than a night. My interest faded quickly as I found the next shiny object to distract me.
The thing with Rhowyn was that there was something more about her. I couldn't put my finger on it, and that bothered me. I liked having the answers, and she simply puzzled me on every level. It was more than that, though. She was honorable, feisty, strong, and caring. She wore her heart on her sleeve, and you always knew what she was thinking. Not one for games, she told it like she saw it, and yet was humble enough to admit when she was wrong. It was refreshing in a world full of women and men who lived for the game.
A series of knocks sounded on the trap door, a predetermined pattern to let us know that Gerard was back. All of us stood, hands on our weapons and ready to spring into action, as Arryn pulled back the lock and allowed the giant man to enter.
Seeing that he was alone, we all relaxed and made room for him. Since adding the table with maps of the area and the castle's floor plan, as best could be determined, we were cramped and quickly running out of space. Since the Cashel Rí itself was pure magic and could shift at any time, it was difficult to really get a feel for what we’d be walking into. However, it seemed to always have the same main rooms, which Lennox helped us to determine.
“What'd you find?” Arryn asked Gerard, the rest of us hanging on his words but remaining silent.
“The Queen's beefed-up security and has sent search parties out ta look for ya. They've been going door to door, so I ‘spect they'll be by here at some point. However, that trapdoor is well hidden, and no one 'sides me knows yer here,” he reported as he handed over a list of the patrols he’d been tasked with obtaining.
“Okay. When they come, try to let us know so we can remain silent,” Arryn instructed.
“Will do, boss,” Gerard said with a grin.
“What else? Were you able to find out where they're holding Rhowyn?” I asked, my impatience growing as this man took his sweet time to relay his information.
“Aye. I was,” he answered with a grin. He knew he was aggravating me. He was either brave or stupid to annoy a Raven, especially one with my reputation. Finally seeing that I meant business, he continued, “She's bein' held in 'ta dungeons until the final trial. The Queen plans ta make her compete without you four to help her.”
“Seriously!?” Baer exclaimed.
“She knows that Rhowyn's failure would be effectively guaranteed. And if Rhowyn fails, she can't be the next Queen and will be subject to punishment at that point,” Arryn said matter-of-factly. There's a reason we were friends. He was one of the few fae who could separate himself from his emotions like me. Always thinking logically instead of emotionally. Unlike me though, he could turn those emotions back on, which was why he was a good leader.
“So, what do we do?” Lennox asked.
“There's rumors going ‘round that the next trial is about to be underway. It should be ready in the next couple o’ days; the fields are being prepared now,” Gerard chimed in, his expression no longer jovial.
“Fuck,” Lennox said. He was right. There wasn't much time to get our plan into place. With Rhowyn being in the dungeons, it was unlikely we'd get her out of there. The spells and iron kept me from being able to enter them. We'd have to wait for the trial to start.
“And Arryn,” Gerard continued, his face solemn, “Tis also being said that this next trial is combat.”
“We have to get to her. There's no way she can take on the other Chosen and their Consorts. Not alone. She needs us there watching her back like we swore to her we would do,” Baer said vehemently.
“We'll get to her. I'm not sure how, but we won't let her face that alone,” Arryn swore, somewhat appeasing Baer's fear. “Thanks, Gerard. I'll let you know if we need anything more. Let us know if you hear anything else or if the guards are searching.” Arryn clapped the big man on his back.
“Will do, boss. Good luck with yer planning. If you need my help, just say the word,” he vowed before disappearing back into his tavern and leaving us all alone to stew over his news.
All of us remained quiet as our minds raced. Our options were limited, and none of them were good. All that mattered, though, was getting Rhowyn out safely. Arryn went to the table, running his hands through the maps as his mind worked to sort out a plan. I could see the wheels turning in his mind as he discarded one idea after another.
“I need to do my own searching,” I stated, crossing my arms over my chest.
“No. We all agreed that you needed to save your energy for getting Rhowyn out,” Arryn said, not bothering to look up at me.
“That was before we realized that there were no good options. Don't get me wrong, your man up there is good, but I'm better. I can find us a way to get inside, a way to get her out. You know this. That I'm the best for a reason.”
Arryn stilled, his head drooping with a sigh. He knew I was right but didn't like it. Normally, doing what I did was second nature, but being as low on power as I was, it was a risk either way.
“He's right,” Callum said, the big, brooding ginger finally joining the conversation. While I was absent of most emotions, this man was my opposite, positively teeming with feelings that controlled most of his decisions.
“I know. Doesn't mean I have to like it,” Arryn said, looking up at me. “Fine. But don't expend too much energy and get back here as quickly as you can.”
I smiled mischievously, the rare emotion flitting across my face as I dipped my head in acknowledgment. “Of course.”
With a whoosh, I became the smoke, easing through the cracks in the trapdoor and out into the village, keeping to the shadows. My first stop would be the castle dungeons. Realistically, I knew that I wouldn't be able to get in, but for once, I had to ignore the cold logic and at least try.
Creeping through the halls of the castle, I followed the contingent of guards as they headed toward the dungeon, listening to the conversations of the staff and courtiers alike as I passed them unknowingly.
The group stopped just outside the dungeon doors. “Lucas, why are we here? Surely you don't need all of us to guard one little human?” one of the guards asked the other.
“The Queen ordered it. She's planning to visit, and we're to wait here until she does,” Lucas answered his buddy, just as displeased with the waste of their time.
Having heard enough, I got ready to leave, to try to squeeze through the door, when a servant came in with a tray of food. I tilted my head, which was hard to do in this form, as I briefly recognized the older fae woman but couldn't quite place where I remembered her from.
“Juniper,” Lucas said, a warning in his voice. “You know you shouldn't be here.”
“I know. But that was my assigned Chosen, and she still needs to eat, so I've brought her some food,” Juniper said in response.
“I can't allow you in there with her. Security reasons, but Fergus can deliver the food to her once we've deemed it safe.”
“Of course,” Juniper said, a fake smile on her face as she turned to leave, her eyes darting to me for the briefest second. I couldn't be sure, but she seemed to know I was there watching and waiting.
Once Juniper had left, the head guard started jabbing a finger in each item and swirled it around until it was all an unrecognizable mush, blended together. “No keys or weapons. Fergus, you can take this food to the prisoner.”
Taking the tray, Fergus opened the cell door, and Rhowyn's voice reached me for the first time in days, a balm to my soul even if she was singing off-key. Some song about fighting for your right to party. Whatever that meant.
I tried to follow, but as I neared the door, I felt the drain immediately starting on my magic. If I had been at full strength, I could probably force my way in to see her briefly, but I wasn’t, and I couldn't. Frustrated, I decided to follow Juniper. I suspected that she knew more than she was letting on.
I caught up with her quickly, following her at a distance as she passed other servants, stopping briefly to chat with them from time to time. Finally, she turned down the servant’s hall, walking until she reached the door to her room. I followed her into her home, no regard for the invasion of privacy. It had never bothered me before and wouldn't now either.
As I trailed behind her, she turned, her eyes meeting mine. “You can stop the ruse, Raven. I know you're there,” she challenged me, her eyes hard and guarded, her back straight with confidence.
Forming back into my main form, I stood before her as a man again. “How'd you know I was there?” For the second time in a week, someone had been able to spot me, an occurrence that had never taken place before. Either something was off with my magic, or these two were more powerful than they let on.
“Why were you in the dungeons?” she returned, ignoring my question completely.
“I was doing what Ravens do. And you?”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “My job. While she may be imprisoned, she's still my Chosen and my charge. I do my job well, which means that I still need to ensure that she's being cared for properly.”
If I wasn't as keen as I was, I would have missed the tick on her face, the slight shifting of her weight that belied her words as only a half-truth. “That's not the only reason, though, is it?”
“Why are you so interested in my Chosen?” she asked, pushing me for answers in our dance to determine the nature of each other.
“Why wouldn't I be?”
“Don't bullshit me, Raven. All of your kind have reasons for being wherever you are. Were you hired to assassinate Rhowyn? Are you working for the Queen?”
“I was not hired by the Queen, and I've currently not accepted any contracts. I was simply curious about the Chosen that had turned Avalon on its head,” I said as dispassionately as I could, keeping my face void of any other emotion except curiosity.
“You fool no one.” Before I could disagree, she held up a hand to keep me silent. “I believe you about the contract, but you're not simply here on a whim. You're working with her Consorts, aren't you?” I remained silent, and she laughed softly at me. “I can put two and two together. Rhowyn's Consorts disappeared into thin air from the throne room. Yes, we servants talk and gossip. There's none in this castle who knows more than we. The only way that would be possible is if a Raven transported them. And now here you are, back in the castle. It isn't simply boredom and curiosity which motivate you.”
“And you are not what you say either. A simple, powerless servant? We both know that as not being true. So, who are you really, Juniper?” I questioned her.
“That is none of your concern. I am a servant whose only job is to ensure the Chosen remains safe,” she said with conviction.
“Ah, but a servant to whom is the question.” A brief widening of her eyes was the only sign that I was correct in my assumption. She was a servant, all right, but not to the Queen. “Which master do you serve?” I pushed her. While I believed we sought the same goals, I needed to be certain. Anything less, and I'd be placing Rhowyn further into harm's way.
She paused, searching my gaze as I tilted my head and studied her just as fastidiously. Every movement and micro-expression was being processed as we took the measure of each other. With a sigh, she spoke, “My master is not important. Not anymore. However, my mission always has been and will be to protect Rhowyn. Not as a Chosen but for what she represents. The fate of Avalon and Rhowyn's are intertwined in ways we cannot understand. In order to ensure Avalon's future, we must keep Rhowyn safe. Should she fail, all of Avalon will fall with her.”