I watched, lingering momentarily to observe Caden writing down requests from the people who shouted at him. Hay, wood, salt… Their needs were endless. He ducked behind the door of a small shop and returned carrying bags, divvying them up among the people.
Not a single person provided any sort of payment.
I approached once the main group dispersed from his storefront.
“I’m sorry, friend, I’m low on everything, what with the Hidden Henchman disappearing, but—” He dropped his clipboard as soon as he made eye contact with me, bowing his head.
“Well, that’s completely unnecessary,” I grinned.
“Captain.” He nodded. “What can I do for you? I—I’m not sure what we?—”
“Take a breath.” I clasped his shoulders, trying to alleviate his anxiousness with my smile. “I need your help.”
“My help?” the man squeaked. His floppy brown hair fell on his face, and I was reminded how boyish eighteen-year-olds could look. I remembered his first visit to us when he was merelysixteen. His persistence in helping his neighbors made my chest swell with pride that Brookmere had citizens like him. It was a shame the darkness had forced him to grow up so quickly, erasing his childhood in an instant.
Just like it had for Lana. And me.
“Inside?” he beckoned, but I shook my head.
“Here, I don’t mind being overheard.” I took a deep breath. “I know you worked with the Hidden Henchman twice,” I started.
Caden nodded.
“I know the Hidden Henchman gave you an extra five hundred gold coins at each delivery. Looks like you’ve put that to good use.”
“I tried, Captain. But if you don’t mind me asking…” He trailed off, eyes darting around. “How did you know about that?”
I couldn’t help my grin. This would be the first person I revealed our identity to, besides Kade and Storm, who didn’t count. “I coordinated both of the drops on behalf of the Hidden Henchman.”
Caden’s eyes widened. “What?” he gasped. “You? But sir, you’re the Captain of the Guard. That means…” He lowered his voice. “You know the Hidden Henchman’s identity.”
Nodding, I pulled him close. “The Hidden Henchman is Princess Illiana Dresden.”
Caden frowned, pulling away. “The princess?”
“Should be queen now, but yes, which is why I need your help.”
Caden stared at me, wide-eyed with disbelief as I told him about Lana, the trials, and the aftermath of what happened at Ellevail. He knew some of it, rumors further exasperated by the bounty Andras put on Lana’s head.
“People have been traveling from border villages, desperate to escape the darkness. Some say the princess fled and let evil rule.” He stammered, “But she’s…she’s okay?”
“She will be. If we can recruit people willing to help her take back Ellevail. Take back Brookmere.”
Caden inhaled. “I would fight for Brookmere and the princess without knowing her role as the Hidden Henchman. Her identity only makes me even more willing to help her. She’s the reason half of our village didn’t starve last winter, the very reason so many of us survived. She’s the reason I could give my people a chance.” He puffed out his chest, looking me in the eyes. “What can I do to help?”
“I’m going to need the crowd’s attention and your support. They may need to hear this news from someone they trust.”
“It’s yours,” Caden said. He ran into the shop, grabbing a bell, and immediately started clanging it. “Town square! Town square, now. Everyone, grab your neighbors.”
Watching him take charge, I took a moment to thank the Fates that we had people like Caden. It might not be easy to raise an army, but this scrawny eighteen-year-old Fae certainly gave me hope.
Twenty short minutes later, Caden gave me a nod as he pushed his way through the crowded square into the center, standing next to me as the Fae circled us. The stench of musty clothes and sweat-drenched workers amid the humid air accosted my senses. But here they were. Almost an entire village. Waiting.
I raised my chin. “My name is Ian Stronholm, and up until a few weeks ago, I was Captain of the Guard at Ellevail.”
A few murmurs hummed through the crowd. Andras may have formally stripped me of my title, but when the former Captain of the Guard says he has a story to tell, people tend to listen.
“Caden tells me rumors have been circulating, but I want you to hear the truth from me. The marriage trials for our Princess Illiana Dresden were interrupted when the king’s royal advisor,Andras Braumlyn, allowed dark Fae into the final trial with the intent of capturing the king and harming the princess.”
