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“Thank you.” My voice thickened with tears.
“I won’t ask what other parts you have in motion, but do you have someone gathering information for you?”
I nodded, fighting a smile as I thought of Brex and how much her skill to hunt and gather gossip reminded me of a bloodhound. She’d get whatever I needed out of whomever. Brex hadn’t failed me yet, and I wouldn’t put it past her to use every dirty secret she’d learned to get it for me.
“I’d rather have the loyalty of a few than the fear of many. Fear and desperation make people choose the only choice forced upon them. While loyalty is a choice freely given, and it is stronger than iron. Remember that Arrow.”
My heart warmed as I remembered my father’s words. He was right of course. I’d do anything for those I cared about. Even defy a King.
Before I departed, I thanked Little John again, promising to meet with him soon to finalize our plans.
The walk back to the castle was uneventful, and I slipped through a servant’s door unnoticed. I hurried back to my room, being careful to keep my face hidden. The hallways were shadowed, and I expected to run into Captain Rekker around every corner, but after a small eternity, I made it to my rooms.
Quickly, I slipped in, being sure to lock the door upon my entry. I had three rooms in total. A small sitting room so I could entertain guests, which I rarely used for that purpose. Will would sleep in there sometimes, but the furniture wasn’t meant for growing men to sleep on it. Next to that was my bedroom that consisted of a washroom and closet. The closet we’d converted into a room for Brex since it had two doors one to my room and one to the rest of the castle. That way, she could slip in and out without disturbing me.
Pushing the hood away from my face, I glanced around at the closet room that Brex called hers. Most maids and servants were housed in the servants’ quarters, but I liked having Brex close by and this awarded her some much-deserved privacy. Also, the room was a good size bigger than what the servants were given.
I hung Brex’s cloak on a hook next to the door, then made my way to the opposite door that led to my bedroom, but paused, listening to be sure no one was in there. When I heard nothing, I opened the door a crack, and once I’d assured myself it was empty, I entered. The room was silent, and nothing seemed out of place, but I still did a thorough inspection to be sure.
Satisfied, I walked to my bed, lifted the and undid the clasp on either side of the frame, pulling out the secret trundle bed from beneath it. Not for the first time, I mentally thanked my father again for ensuring I had a big enough bed to allow sufficient space underneath for a person to lay comfortably underneath. Will smiled up at me from his reclined position, his hair splayed across the pillow, and I made a mental note to ask Brex to trim his hair.
Will’s letter had been a simple one. It explained what I knew and the ‘reward’ the King had given me. It also explained that his life, and possibly mine, were in danger. Will had survived and I had witnessed them trying to cover up, so he needed to stay hidden. He was free to laze about in my room or my sitting room when Brex was here, but if we both had to leave, he had to be locked away in the bed.
“Are you feeling alright?” I asked him as he sat up and stretched.
“Yeah, had a nap and read a bit,” he answered around a yawn while holding up a book.
“A good use of your down time,” I teased, knowing all too well how much he would most likely get restless after the first couple days, regardless of an endless supply of reading material.
Smirking, Will shrugged before rising and grabbing parchment, an ink pot, and a quill. Once he finished writing something, he handed me the paper and quill.
“How did it go?”
A heavy sigh left me, and I sat down and began to write out everything Little John and I had discussed. While I was doing that, Brex returned by way of my bedroom door. She locked it behind her and took off my red cloak, hanging it while being mindful of wrinkles.
I handed the parchment to Will, and Brex approached to read it over his shoulder. Once done they both nodded with smiles on their faces. We had at least one ally, and I hoped that Brex had learned a bit more about the Bruralians.
Without needed to be asked, she took the paper and began to write on the other side. It took her longer to write what she had learned. I’d taught her to read and write, which maids did not need to know, but I felt she did, and she was willing. She was a fast reader but a slow writer, yet she was proud of her accomplishment as was I.
As she handed me the paper, Will drew closer so we could both read what she had learned.
“The Bruralians are absolute slobs. Their servants haven’t been seen much because they’ve been so busy cleaning and mending. A maid witnessed them hauling buckets and buckets up to their rooms for cleaning. They returned covered in sweat and mud. A footman mentioned strange noises came from their area at night. They also commissioned fabric and thread for mending. How much mending could twelve ladies need? Also, it’s rumored that the stable boys have returned, saying they were sick with fever, but they didn’t look sickly at all.”
I nodded then walked to the fireplace and tossed the parchment inside, making sure that it had burned fully before turning away. There were strange things happening, there was no doubt, but one thing was for certain—they weren’t normal people. A bad feeling twisted my stomach every time I thought about them.
Of only one thing I was sure, they were not here for peace.
The next 2 weeks passed in a blur of stress and stealth.
I nursed my tankard of ale as I waited for Little John in what I now considered to be “his” tavern. I’d never understand his fascination with the bitter drink, but I was thirsty and didn't trust their water. The energy in the tavern was quietly buzzing, and I tried to resist squirming in my seat. As I waited, I mused over the plan for the thousandth time. The time to depart was drawing closer, and as apprehensive as I was, I was ready for something to change. Will had become increasingly irritated at being cooped up, and I couldn’t blame him. I was too, truth be told.
Brex, bless her, had been single handedly scouting the Bruralians, but had yet to find much new or helpful information. She claimed she felt close to a breakthrough, so we were patiently, or not so, in Will’s case, waiting.
“Oi.”
The now familiar greeting interrupted my thoughts when a heavy body thumped into the seat across from mine. Irritated at myself for not paying better attention, I pulled myself back to the present. I should’ve noticed Little John when he entered the tavern, not when he plopped down in front of me.
Little John stilled at my expression. “What is it?”
