Castle Walls (19 page)

A deep sigh of relief echoed around the table.

"More importantly, Sire," Torlief said, "
you'll
be alive to enjoy your victory."

Dominic regained their attention. "Then it's agreed? Noon tomorrow all will be in place. I'll arrange a distraction in the courtyard."

There was consensus. The sound of chairs scraping the floor filled the room as the men prepared to leave. They went out the door at intervals, going in different directions.

As Dominic closed the door on the last man, he thought,
I know just the distraction. I'm sure the Invader would be more than happy to have Princess Sabine in his hands.

Liam stared into the fire once more.
No doubt about it. I'll be in the courtyard at noon, regardless of Dominic's wishes. I
will
lead my army to victory.

The armored man pulled off his helmet. His air of command reminded her of her father, though he wasn't as handsome. An ugly scar ran across his face from the base of his nose to curve down and around his cheek. He was saying something, his voice so low that she couldn't make it out.

When the blade pierced her mother's chest, pinning the babe to it, her scream matched theirs.

Fighting out of her nightmare, Katerin struggled with the blanket. Hands on her upper arms startled her and she gave a small shriek, batting them away.

"Shhhh," Ros whispered. "It's a bad dream, Kat! You're safe!"

Realizing the truth of her lover's words, Katerin slumped into the embrace with a shaky breath. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I hope I didn't wake anyone else."

Ros leaned back, taking the brunette with her. "I doubt any of us are getting much sleep this night," she said.

Katerin snuggled the blonde, draping her arm across the lean belly. She pillowed her head on Ros' breast, tentative feelings of safety washing over her as her lover encircled her long arms. "You, too?" she asked.

Reluctant, Ros nodded. "Aye, me, too."

Curiosity drove away the dwindling fear. Katerin's nightmares were her own, the reason for their existence self-evident. Despite many nights spent discussing them with Ros, all attempts to relieve their severity met with limited success.

Her lover's nightmares, while less frequent, were just as uncompromising. Ros would wake, sometimes with a yell and always terrified. The few times Katerin tried to gain insight, her lover insisted she couldn't remember the dream.

"Do you remember this one?" Katerin asked on a lark.

"No," was the immediate answer.

So fast. No pause. You
do
remember.
Squeezing the blonde, Katerin let the suspicions go. "Tomorrow night we'll be away and all will be well."

"Aye," Ros said, returning the hug. "The last of the packing will be done in the morning. We'll leave when the performance is finished."

Katerin smiled. "A reverse parade," she said. "Everyone in costume and make up as we flee with festive abandon."

Snorting at the image, Ros nodded. "Let's just hope Usiku has time to don his breeches first," she said, referring to the dark skinned man's fig leaf clown act.

The women chortled in the darkness, holding each other for strength and support.

Looking over Firemount Field, he could see the fires of various camps. It appeared that a few troupes had gathered together, singing and dancing the night away. Tomorrow will be my celebration. Drinking from a cup of wine, the Invader contemplated the view, unseeing.

Given the circumstances and information from the discovered spy, he was certain Dominic would attempt a coup fairly soon. The exact time, of course, was unknown but the Invader doubted it would be much longer.

To that end, he had prepared his finest archers to be present along the ramparts of the courtyard. In addition, a good number of the Royal Guard were instructed to wear civilian clothes and mingle with the lords and ladies of court during the days performances.

You're no match for me, traitor
, he thought.
Strength of arms will prevail.

"That one?"

"Aye. That's the wagon," Dominic agreed, his voice as low as his comrade's. ""She's small boned, dark of hair and eye."

"And the prince wants her taken to the Invader?" the greasy man asked, tugging at his ear with a frown.

"Isn't that what I said?" Dominic shook his head. "The less you know, the better if you get caught. Just get the girl and bring her to the guard at the castle. She's to be a diversion."
Fool! Do as you're told!

Now he was sucking his teeth. "I'll not be responsible for an innocent woman's death," he said.

"Bleeding Sif," Dominic cursed. "She's
not
an innocent and she's
not
going to die! If we're to pull this off, however, you must do this by noon. Will you?"
Gods save me from well-meaning villains.

"You swear she'll be safe?"

Dominic barely refrained from rolling his eyes. Instead, he mustered all the sincerity he could. "Aye, I swear."
I swear she'll be put out of my misery.

With reluctance, the greasy man nodded acceptance of his task. "I'll have her at the gate by the appointed time."

Taking his leave, Dominic fairly cackled.
Soon, King Liam will be on the throne and I will standing beside him.

Chapter 13

Sitting outside Phizo and Em's wagon, Katerin fiddled with her project. She was learning to knit but it wasn't going well. Holding up a malformed sock, she tsked under her breath. "This is so much harder than it looks."

"Aye, it can be," Em agreed from her stool. She too was knitting, her endeavor much more aesthetically pleasing.

The brunette eyed the sock balefully before raising her eyes to scan the field.

Chuckling, the older woman said, "It's been less than an hour, Kat."

Katerin dropped her gaze, blushing, and sighed. "I know. But the waiting is hard. I'd much rather have it over and be gone." She made a halfhearted attempt at knitting.

Phizo, perched in the door of the wagon smoking a pipe, said, "Aye. As would we all; but no fears, Kat. They'll be finished in no time and we'll be long gone by nightfall."

"Yes, I know," the brunette murmured. She concentrated on her task once again, frowning in disgust. With a snort, she dropped her needles into her lap. "Oh, honestly! This is giving me fits!" Transferring the project to her basket, she rose and dusted off her skirts. "I'll return momentarily. I've a mind to work on my sewing instead."

"You want company?" Phizo asked, preparing to rise.

"No, thank you," Katerin said, mindful of the old man's aching joints. She gave a reassuring smile. "It will be just a moment while I fetch the other."

Masculine honor appeased, Phizo relaxed and nodded, missing Em's mischievous wink. Suppressing a giggle, Katerin picked up her basket and left them.

The immediate encampment was quiet, wagons packed in preparation of a speedy departure, the few horses not needed for Willem's performance already hitched to them. Beyond their troupe, other camps were rehearsing for their audience with the Invader or entertaining those brave locals who wandered the field. Only a handful had left and Katerin was glad to soon be joining them.

Opening the wagon door, Katerin stepped inside. There was little space to move because of the outdoor accoutrements; stools, small tables, an oiled canvas awning and poles cluttered the entry. She eased past them, reaching the cupboard she used for her ongoing handicrafts. Katerin quickly found what she was looking for, setting her knitting basket inside before closing the door.

Squinting in the late morning light, the brunette shut the wagon firmly. She found herself staring at the castle, a mix of emotion in her heart - wistful nostalgia tainted with a healthy dose of fear.
Just a bit longer and we'll be free of this danger.

"Milady!"

Startled, Katerin turned from her thoughts, grabbing her skirts in one hand, preparing to flee. A man, flushed and panting from running, slid to a stop before her.

Knuckling his forehead in respect, he said, "Forgive me, milady, I didn't mean to frighten you."

Heart still thumping, Katerin reacted to his deference with proper royal snobbery. "It's well you didn't then, isn't it?"

"Aye, milady," the man agreed, ignoring the lie. "I was sent when it happened. There's been an accident! You're to come to the castle immediately!"

"Accident?" Katerin blanched, her sewing project falling from numb fingers. "What happened? Is Ros involved?" she demanded, grabbing the messenger's arm.

"I don't know, milady," he answered, pulling back, drawing the woman with him. "I didn't see. I was only told that someone is calling for you."

Katerin felt a wave of nausea rush over her.
Oh, gods! Not again! I don't think I can handle more death.
Steeling herself, she said, "Take me to her!"

"Aye, Milady. This way."

"But,
Sire
," the lieutenant hissed.

"I'm not changing my mind, Ian," the dark young man said. "Save your breath and follow orders."

Silently cursing upstart princes, the sole remaining Dulce guardsman nodded. "Aye, Sire."

Liam grasped the man's upper arm. "When this is over, I'm making you captain of my guard. You've served me well and deserve a fitting reward."

"Thank you, my liege. But if you don't survive, I'll never see it," came the pointed reminder.

Chuckling, the prince released his man. "Then we'd best get on with it, eh?" At Ian's nod, he said, "I'll see you on the other side."

The guard nodded. "Aye, Sire, you will."

Liam watched him drift away in the crowd, preparing his peasant army to storm the gates.
An army I'm supposed to be leading from afar.

Loitering at the courtyard entrance, Liam searched for a way past the Invader's guards. No commoners were allowed inside, only those with royal invitations. The prince had been here most the morning, watching. At last he saw an opportunity.

As the next group of performers passed, Liam pulled his hood up and put his shoulder against the second of two wagons, keeping himself out of sight of the circus people. They were stopped at the gate, a blonde woman producing their invitation before being waved through.

"Here! Are you with this troupe?" a guard asked as Liam went through.

With a snort, the young man pointed at the tiger pacing inside. "You think I'd be pushing this cage if I wasn't?"

Accepting his claim, the guard waved him on with a sour expression.

Once inside, Liam eased away from the agitated cat with a sigh of relief.
Gods, I hope that thing's not loose when the call to arms sounds.
He kept his hood up, letting it partially obscure his face. While Liam didn't know most of the lords and ladies present, chances were good that some knew him. For all he knew they were a part of this rebellion, too.

"The Adamson Circus," a court herald announced.

Attention diverted to the center of the courtyard, Liam noted the Invader's location near the main doors. Ignoring the burst of adrenaline, he eyed the man responsible for his nearly mortal wound.
Have to keep him from escaping that way.
Liam forced himself to locate his people and the guards, a welcome distraction from his urge to run forward and kill the enemy.

Dominic, dressed in the Invader's livery, waved a lord through the door he was manning. "Be welcome, sir," he greeted with a slight bow. As expected, the courtier ignored him and sidled into the courtyard just as the next act began.

Withholding a sneer, the aide entertained himself with thoughts of how these people would treat him by day's end.
If they survive.

Dominic scanned the courtyard for the rebels, noting their proper placement. Above them were fifteen of the Invader's finest archers, casually watching the crowd. When the call came, the archers would be first to die. Secreted about the yard were several weapons, including crossbows. Liam's spies in the castle had smuggled them in weeks earlier and hid them over the recent days.

All we need now is our diversion
, he thought.
It's a shame she'll die in the melee.

They had gotten some way before Katerin's suspicions surfaced. She'd been raised in this city, this castle. The courtyard was in another direction, she was sure of it.
Would the Invader have the circus enter elsewhere?
Try as she might, the brunette couldn't see why.

Her guide ducked around a corner. "This way, Milady."

"I think not." Katerin looked about nervously. The man had led her to a little used lane.
This is the way to the servants' entrance.
If the princess didn't miss her guess, the guarded gate was only a few steps further.

Is this a trap?

Realizing she was no longer with him, the man returned. "Milady? We must hurry!"

"Who are you?" Katerin demanded, backing away.

"A valet, Milady," he said, "sent to fetch you. The accident..."

"You'd do well to explain this 'accident.' I don't recall you saying exactly what transpired."
My gods! Am I such a gullible fool?
She continued moving away, the man following.

His face lost its earnestness and he shook his head with a scowl. "I'm sorry, Milady, but my superiors insisted that I fetch you. You won't be hurt, I swear it."

That was all Katerin needed to hear. Grabbing her skirts she turned to flee, running directly into another man who held her firm. Her struggles were useless, the behemoth being three times her size and weight. She couldn't even make noise past the meaty hand held over her mouth.

Her pretended guide glanced about in search of trouble. Finding none, he turned his attention to the scuffling woman. "Be still," he insisted. "You'll not be hurt. By the end of the day, there'll be a new king on the throne."

New king! These men are from the rebellion!
Katerin froze.
Dominic!