AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER 24
The horses are walking the last furlong. We are very near the castle now, the troops as quiet as leaves blowing in the breeze. When we’re almost to the castle gates, Sir Victor motions for two knights to ride up ahead, then raises a fist in the air to halt the troops. We stop and wait, shielded in the cover of darkness.
When the lone riders reach the palace, the guard’s voice is faint, but I hear it. “Open the gates.”
“This is it,” Jordy mumbles, looking at me and gripping his horse’s reins tighter, obviously anxious. “They have no inkling there are games afoot.”
Sir Victor’s eyes are set on the darkness in front of us. I’m holding my breath. We hear the sound of the gates’ large door as it strikes the ground and look around at one another. The moments pass like hours.
“The riders are cutting down the guards at the gate as we speak,” Victor announces to myself and Jordy. He hesitates another moment then yells, “Charge!”
We storm the castle with great force and speed. Riders pass me, my legs crushed against my own horse as others graze me in their passing. My heart is thundering in my ears as loudly as the horses’ hooves pounding the earth. Once we’re inside the castle gates, our troops scout out the guards, most of whom are emerging from their barracks, no doubt still rubbing the sleep dust from their eyes. Only a dozen or so were actually on duty. Most of the townsfolks are abed, and the few folks still patronizing the tavern swiftly lock themselves inside it.
“We have you grossly outnumbered,” Sir Victor shouts to the emerging guards. “Go back to the barracks and await our victory, or face us and die. Your honor will remain intact. I have proof that King Urich is a traitor—”
“You’re the traitor, Victor!” a knight shouts in Sir Victor’s direction. “You were supposed to hang for treason. We will not stand down until we see you swinging. Long live the king!”
Sir Victor is resolute. “Then you will die.”
Victor and Jordy dismount from their horses and charge the guards. My eyes dart from man to man, mounted riders and soldiers on the ground in hand-to-hand combat are all around me. All I hear is the pounding of metal and my thudding heart. I notice a young man standing in front of the tavern, frozen in fear. I focus on his trembling body and wide eyes. The clanging of steel on steel and men moaning and falling to the hard ground assaults my ears and my sensibilities. It is beyond any nightmare and I’m thankful that Jordy and Victor are still standing.
“Milla!” Jordy’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. With one swing of his sword, he cuts down another guard and then calls to me again, “Milla, have you seen Malek?”
I glance in every direction. “No. Maybe he sought refuge in the bunker.”
“He is not one to cower like a dog,” Sir Victor calls out when he’s beside Jordy. “We have to find him. Milla, seek shelter.”
“No, I’m riding out to find Sir Malek.”
“Are you daft?” Victor says. “He’ll snap you like a twig. As your general, I forbid it.”
I turn my horse around again as a large arm comes across my chest and pulls me from my saddle.
“Milla!” Jordy’s screams fill my ears as my body thuds against the hard earth.
I scramble to find my footing when the palace guard responsible for my fall reaches to lift me from the ground. I hear the swing of a sword and the guard is cut down in front of me. Philip is behind him, holding a bloodied sword. He offers me a hand up.
“Allow me, my queen.” He takes my hand and tugs me from the ground.
“Philip, behind you!” Jordy yells as he runs toward us.
Philip turns and throws up his shield as a guard attempts to stab him. Jordy shields me with his body, pushing me away from danger. Philip is a clumsy fighter, but rushes the guard, attempting to match him blow-for-blow.
“I need to help him,” Jordy says, handing me his shield. “Cover yourself and don’t move, no matter what happens.”
Within seconds, Jordy is at Philip’s side, but it’s too late. He reaches him as the guard’s sword pierces Philip’s armor and sinks deep into his chest. Philip falls as Jordy’s screams fill the air.
“No, you bastard!” Jordy is still screaming as he plows into the guard, cutting him down within seconds.
We both rush to Philip’s side. Blood is dripping from his nose and mouth. His fading eyes nestle in mine.
“Did we win, my queen? Is Malek defeated?”
I cup a hand on his cheek and run a thumb over his scraggly attempt at a beard. “Yes, my good sir. We won because of you. You saved my life and our kingdom.”
He offers a weak smile and forces out the words. “I’m glad, Milla. If my death sees you queen, then it is a good death. Live long…my queen.” He pushes the last breath from his exhausted lungs, and I lean over his lifeless body, unable to stop my own tears.
Sir Victor calls out to Jordy, “A guard is making his way to the bell tower. Stop him before he reaches it. The guard barracks are empty, and the ones left fighting are nearly bested. We don’t need him to summon aid.”
