Carefully, I toss another rock. Without a word or an investigation to see where the noise is coming from, the couple runs out of the darkness into a patch of light blue moonlight.
Tristen Marden perhaps? I’m not certain who the young woman with him is, she has beautiful, dark flowing hair that ends about mid-back, but I’ve seen her around before.
The blacksmith’s apprentice looks around. Trying to see if he can spot anything in the dark. My head goes back to resting against the stone wall that’s hiding me. My chest tightens and my shoulders rise ever so slightly.
As I concentrate on regulating my breathing, I hear movement.
“I thought I saw something,” Tristen says, and I hear him take a step closer to my hiding place.
“It’s probably one of the mill owner’s pesky cats. Let’s go before someone sees.” The girl with him pulls at his arm.
Footsteps scurry over the stone path, and I wait a few minutes until it all falls silent around me again. When I don’t hear or see another soul, I cautiously make my way to the steps of the council building.
I am too visible, even in the cover of night, so I move to the other side where the council garden is located.
Suddenly, a figure dashes across my vision running from one bush to another. “Mom?” I whisper and move closer. “Is that you?”
There is no answer, no movement, no sound, and it’s like my eyes saw nothing at all.
“Mom?” I whisper again.
“Why don’t you just scream my name through the streets.” I jump at the sound of someone’s voice behind me.
Turning around, I jump again. With the light of the moon, I make out a figure wearing what looks to be a fox mask and think the divinity Panntra has reincarnated before me.
“Mom?”
She whips off the mask. “Yes, It’s me Ariah. What happened to the rules?”
“I just saw you run across the bushes, that’s not exactly remaining unseen.”
“I wanted you to see me so you knew I was here.”
“Yeah, well, that message didn’t come through,” I loudly whisper back. “And why are you dressed as Panntra?”
“Panntra is the divinity of the night and someone I modeled myself after when I was recruited into the Foxes. Now, no more questions. Follow me.”
I do as I’m told and follow her to the outskirts of the village until we approach a familiar house. It holds the same gardens Luna was married in. It’s the Beetlerum Estate.
The windows are illuminated with a yellow light and together my mother and I watch figures dash in and out of various rooms in the house.
“There is a study on the third floor in the right wing.” I follow my mother’s finger. “It belongs to Sabbien Beetlerum, Morren’s father. There are whispers that he plans to reconstruct Foxhead, build more industrialized buildings for advancement. Uproot houses that have been here for hundreds of years, meaning dozens may lose their homes and will be forced to relocate to neighboring areas. I want copies of these papers, and you are going to be the one to get them.”
“What!?” I whisper too loudly, and feel her palm against my lips. Only when she removes her hand, do I continue. “How do you even know that?”
“I’ve been watching him for a while. The entire family actually.” She places a hand to my cheek. “I knew who the council had selected for you months ago. I learned everything I could about the Beetlerums after that. I also know you, and knew you were never going to go through with a forced betrothal, but I still had to make sure you would be safe regardless. It scared me at first because I know what men like Sabbien are capable of. But you’re a bright woman. If Cayleen wants you in her circle, it means you’re much more capable of things not even you know yet.” My mother doesn’t refer to her as a queen and says her name like an old friend, or possibly foe. “This is the final task I have for you. The last thing I can teach in our limited time. You must sneak in and find those papers. The rules remain. If you can’t do this simple task Ariah, you will be useless to the Queen and that won’t fare well for you.”
Suddenly, several figures collect in one room of the house. Silhouettes dance past the curtains.
“Okay,” I whisper. My chest tightens and I make sure my spray is tucked away in one of my many pockets.
My mother hands me her mask. “They have just begun supper. Now is the perfect time. They have three guards who roam the grounds. Four servants, who I suspect will be in the dining room with the family or in the kitchen, and two maids with undisclosed locations. You’ll find the papers within an office and know exactly what I speak of when you see them.” She nudges me and I put on the mask. “Foxes are to remain…”
“Wait,” I hold up my hand connecting all pieces. “You know exactly where the papers are and won’t tell me?”
“You think the Queen is going to spoon feed you while you’re in court? I’ve given you the assignment. It’s your job to figure it out. Now, Foxes are to remain…”
Taking in a deep inhale before releasing it with a bit of uneasiness, I reply, “Unseen. Unheard. Untraceable.”
