Iron Crowned Chapter 16

Kiyo asked no questions when I called Enrique linchpin and told him Id be away of town and tabu of cont travel for a while just now that I trusted him to aim on. Really, Kiyo tell little at all as we hurried back to my ho persona. Within minutes, I had a small satchel packed, and then we were dour to the nonnatural crossing. nary(prenominal)matter what ups and downs had occur cerise in our relationship, he knew me well. He knew I had to act on this immediately.The questions began once I reached my castle.How the hell, I began, did this happen?I was in one of the receiving rooms, Kiyo by my side as I stared down Shaya and nearly of the soldiers who manned the grounds. Rurik was with them, which gave me mixed feelings. I was glad he was back from Dorians. I trusted him more than both other military guy approximately here. That being said, there was a petty fortune of me that held him responsible. How could nearlyone as capable as him direct permit this happen?He grimac ed, as though blastoff my thoughts. A small group sneaked onto our grounds, oerpowered her guards and took her. He hesitated. She scarcely had two with her, Your Majesty. As youll recall, her escort was lightened. Still. There is no excuse.I hadnt witnessed this merciful of diplomacy and respect from Rurik since well, actually, Id never in truth witnessed it. With Dorian? Yes. Not with me. Jasmines abduction had really gotten to Rurik, no question. I was somewhat sure he was taking it personally. plainly Id also caught the slight meaning in his carefully worded comment intimately her lightened guard. That had been my call. I had done it in response to her good behavior and had let her outside more. Id known it was a potential security risk just now non one that involved her leaving against her will.Were at war, I said. heedless of her guard, this whole location should adjudge been under lock-down.He nodded, face emergence grimmer. As I said, theres no excuse. I take full responsibility.I waved a bowl over dismissively. Its too late now. I know youre doing your job. Dont disgrace yourself out for the slaughter. Volusian said there was a none?Shaya handed me a piece of rolled parchment. Kiyo leaned over my shoulder as I take in it silently to myselfTo Eugenie, Usurper ottoman of the Thorn Land, Daughter of Tirigan Stormi, KingAs you no doubt know by now, I have your infant within my custody. If you wish her returned to you alive, you and the Oak King will surrender categorically to me. You will cease hostilities immediately, withdraw your armies, and cede your lands. Additionally, you will turn over the alleged Iron Crown to me.If you do not comply with these terms, your baby will be executed at noon, three days from the put across of this letter. For now, she is alive, and I have given her into the keeping of my nephew Cassius.I await your response.Sincerely,Katrice, Queen of the Rowan Land,Beloved of the GodsI look fored up at the mever y reflection eye. Given her into the keeping of my nephew Cassius. Does that mean what I think it does?Shaya grimaced. That is the nephew she regarded you to marry. wherefore execute Jasmine then? I demanded. Why not marry her by to Cassius? Isnt that a waste of one of Storm Kings daughters?Katrice hates you, said Kiyo softly. At this point, she credibly doesnt even care somewhat the prophecy. She wants to ready back at you, faded you, and if that means killing Jasmine, then its probably an acceptable loss oddly if she tries to then give you to Cassius subsequently this surrender.So Id get to live?Kiyo shrugged. endless suffering.Why choose her as a hostage though? I didnt know why I was arguing the logic here. None of it mattered. hardly the out list did. Everyone knows we dont get along.Everyone also probably knows thats been changing a little, said Kiyo. You brought her to Dorians.And, added Shaya, a royal family member usually makes the best hostage in these situation s.These situations. For a moment, I nearly swayed on my feet, wanting to close my eyes and pass out. It had nothing to do with the heat. It was this. All of this. This situation always retell itself. Me and Jasmine, cursed by our blood, always to be used and captured as possessions in a greater game. Id hated Aeson, but at least hed lured Jasmine into some pretense of love sooner taking advantage of her. provided what more or less this Cassius? Hed make no attempts at kindness. This was all near punishment and revenge, after all. Had he already raped Jasmine? Was he doing it now? A churn up memory of Leith came to mind, one sharp and clear in spite of the medicate state Id been in during my ordeal with him. Moments later, it was replaced by an image of this faceless Cassius weighed down himself over a cowering Jasmine.I pushed my weakness aside, steadying myself and involveing the earth back into focus. I turned to Rurik. How far are our armies spread out? How soon could w e get them together and march on her? I want to raze that bitchs lands and burn her castle to the ground I want to have the fucking wrath of heaven rain down on her and I cut myself off, as startled at my words as the others were. Where had that violence come from? Well, the situation, obviously. I wouldnt want anyone thrown to Katrices nephew to begin with facing execution. But it occurred to me in that moment that my reaction was also personal. Somewhere, in the ups and downs of our dysfunctional family, Id come to care about Jasmine. My anger came from the loss of her.Easy, Eug, said Kiyo, resting a hand on my arm. There was a nervous note in his voice, reflect by the others expressions. Id once been told that when I was angry, I resembled my father. I took a obscure breath and pushed back any further outbursts.Leading a immense army in while deserved wouldnt be Rurik was hush treading lightly, still choosing words carefully. Well, Katrice was already in wartime mode, heavily guarded. After this? The lands outside her office probably have triple the guard they did before.But if our force was self-aggrandising equal I began.Rurik nodded. True. Its possible. Especially if especially if my lord Dorians armies were involved. He looked unquiet at mentioning Dorian, but I could see a considering look on Ruriks face. I had a feeling we shared the same puzzle. Would Dorian confer forces to help me? Possibly not, not if his anger overrode any devotion to me. On the other hand, Dorian was still in this war, and I knew him well enough to think he readiness welcome a full-out march on her castle. Rurik knew that too. With his forces, its possible, Rurik said at last. But Katrices would be defending. It would be bloody. It would be awkward.He didnt sound opposed to that, per se. He was a military man ugly battles were the way of the world. But we all knew that wasnt ideal.My mind spun. Part of me wanted that big(a) force to beat on Katrice because I thought she deserved it. This was about more than revenge, however. It was about Jasmine. I needed to go with the plan more or less likely to get her back, and an invading army wasnt it. It would take a smaller group, just as shed no doubt sent here, one that could carving in. We were heavily guarded, but with the assorted petitioners and refugees always coming and going, it was no venerate Jasmines kidnappers had slipped in. Katrice undoubtedly had a similar stream of people coming to her in these times, but shed probably be on high alert with them too.Imanuelle, I said, realizing too many moments of silence had passed. Can you get me Imanuelle?It was this, finally, that took the groups eyes off me because they all exchanged astonished looks. Kiyos face grew troubled.Thats your plan? Kiyo asked. Assassinate Katrice? Eugenie, youre erupt than that. Hed apparently heard of Imanuelle.I am, I agreed. And smarter. Get her for me. That was to Shaya, who nodded and then ray of lig ht a look at a hovering servant. He gave a headlong bob of his head and darted out of the room.Ready to repeat history? I asked Kiyo. Itll be like raiding Aesons all over again.Youre going No. Eugenie, you rouset go there.I gestured to Rurik and began moving for the exit. You heard him. We cant get in with a large force not easily.Yes, I get that, said Kiyo, undermentioned after me. But you cant go.I have to go, I countered.Rurik had hurried along after us. Hes right. Send someone else. Ill go. Well sneak in and take her.I came to an abrupt halt, nearly causing both men to run into me. Im going. This is my responsibility. Besides, who else somewhat here can match me magically? I peered back and forrard between their faces, daring them to challenge me.Even so, said Rurik, if youre discovered, youll be outnumbered. And youre an foeman queen. In wartime. Walking right into your enemys stronghold. I cant allow this.Its not your place to allow me to do anything I snapped. Or you either. I turned to Kiyo for that, guessing his words. We wont be discovered. Not if Imanuelles as good as she claims. I was so tired of men telling me what I could and couldnt do.I left them and pedunculate off down the hallway toward my bedroom. Neither followed me right away, but I just barely heard Rurik mutter to Kiyo, Well, if shes caught, she will get a massive army descending on Katrice, at least. My lord Dorian wouldnt permit anything less.The flaw in my plan, as it turned out, was waiting on Imanuelle. After our last meeting, shed left my kingdom, and finding her wasnt easy. You couldnt just openly impeach a famed assassin. Girard was at my court, however, and apparently had secret ways of send messages to his sister. I didnt ask any questions about his means, so long as she showed up.Waiting for her gave us time to plan strategy. Once my advisors grudgingly true that Id be going personally and once Rurik accepted that he would not be accompanying me they fell in line to pool their fellowship about Katrices castle. Id joked earlier to Kiyo about this being like our break-in to Aesons but really, it was true. This time, we had no guide personally to take us in. We had to rely on anecdotal knowledge from those who had been there and could make best guesses at where Jasmine might be held. And that was presuming Katrice was actually keeping her on-hand.Perhaps the most surprising part of all of this was Kiyos acquiescence. Id expected protests about my safety or perhaps a diplomatic solution. But, no. He realized the importance of saving Jasmine. And he too knew this was probably our best shot at least on such short notice.You should know, Rurik told us later, that you arent going to be able to bring Volusian. He, Kiyo, Shaya, and I were in my bedroom, which Id made my makeshift war headquarters.Why not? I asked. That was a surprise. Id been counting on his muscle, something I had to admit Id miss while fighting for the crown. What was the point of an undead minion if I couldnt put him to good use? He can go in with us invisibly.Rurik shook his head. Everyone knows about him. Katrice does. Shell have people on-hand who can sense him. Shell also probably have those with the power to kick downstairs him. Enough of them united together could.You have a lot of faith in her, I noted dryly. Volusian was hard to banish I couldnt do it but Rurik had a point. Get enough magic-users together, and they could lastly pull it off.He gave me a twisted grin. Shes not stupid. And she has advisors. Not as good as yours, of course, but they would have thought everything over before kidnapping Jasmine.A knock on the door interrupted any response I might have made, and after I called entry, a servant showed Imanuelle in.Finally, I said.She swept in, clad in billowing red silk pants and a matching, midriff-showing top. The assassin arched an eyebrow and gave me an amused look as she put her hands on her hips. I dont wait slightly on your e very command, Thorn Queen. And last time we spoke, you made it evenhandedly clear, you didnt want me around. Have you finally come to your senses? From what I hear, nows a pretty good time to get rid of Katrice. Imanuelle paused carefully. Although, getting rid of her before now would have been even better. Would have saved you and your sister a lot of trouble.I bit off any snide remarks. We cant have Katrice killed. Im pretty sure the instant her people found her dead, Jasmine would be next. I need you to sneak in and get Jasmine out of there.Imanuelles cocky smile dropped. Thats not what I do. I kill. I dont rescue.Ill do the rescuing. You need to get me and Kiyo in. Disguise us with this so-called power you keep bragging about. Or is masking more than one person out of your skill-set?I can do it, she said, narrowing her eyes. But itll cost you.We can afford it, I said, trying to ignore the pained look crossing Shayas face as she no doubt added up mental ledgers.Imanuelle said no thing for some(prenominal) moments as she pondered it all. Just you two?Yes. And you, of course, I added.Do you have any idea where youre going in there? she asked.Kiyo and I exchanged looks. diverseness of, I said.Kind of. Imanuelle snorted. Fine. Ill do it. But Im only there to disguise you. Im not fighting if you get caught.You dont have to, I assured her. Well nourish you.This brought another scoff and a haughty curl of her lip. If they detect us, I can get myself out of there, believe me. Youll be on your own.