“What is in your satchel?” I caught up to Francis, who walked towards the castle with no care in the world.
“Documents.” He shrugged, staring straight ahead.
“What kind of documents?” I persisted, fixing the sword at my belt that was there more as an accessory than an actual weapon, given that I hadn’t trained in ages—something I had to fix before the Wurdulacs made their way back to Faris.
“The kind that might help us today.” Francis looked me in the eyes before averting his gaze to the, growing in the distance, estate.
“Francis.” I crooked my head to one side, rolling my eyes. “I need to know.”
“So you need to know of my plans, but I can’t know yours, huh?” Francis smirked.
“You know I am the only person who can do this.” I walked faster to keep up with him. “And I told you my plan.”
“Vaguely,” Francis countered.
“What is in your satchel?” I grabbed his hand, pulling him to slow down.
“The list of everyone in Faris who wants to fight,” he sighed, looking at our joined hands. “Along with the amount of weaponry we possess. As proof of our competence and reliability.”
“A scrabble on pieces of parchment without the official stamp is hardly any proof,” I scoffed. “But you will be making a mistake by exposing such intimate information. Besides, it won’t be needed: William is a coward that always falls for my bluff. I have a plan.”
“And what if he learned after your last trick with compromised letters,” Francis said. Before I could argue, he added, “But I will let you do what you’ve planned, Cordelia, because I trust your judgement.” He pointed at the satchel. “This is merely a precaution. There will be more than just him we have to convince tonight.”
To that I had nothing to say, and I didn't need to, for our company halted at the abrupt end of woods, staring straight at the armed castle.
“Well, they are certainly prepared,” Ash noted, glaring at the dozens of guards standing by the gates.
“Let’s not waste time.” Roxanne charged towards the closed gates; all of us fell into step after her.
The gate opened almost immediately at our arrival, the guards didn’t bother asking why we were here: the guards didn’t bother treating us as invaders like they had last time.
Barren was desperate indeed. So desperate that he cared not to show otherwise, though I was sure he would give me a run for my coins once we were in private.
I did not expect anyone to bow this time as we walked through the citadel, towards the main doors; I did not expect any recognition at all, yet most still bent their heads in respectthat I certainly did not deserve. Their eyes shone with pity and tenderness I was not pleased by. I was not weak as they seemed to think of me. I needed not sympathy.
My chin rose high as I strode through the open area. The mask of indifference—that no longer felt natural—slipped onto my face out of a habit I was glad I still possessed. Without waiting for the guards to open the doors for me, I yanked on the handles, allowing myself entrance.
The strong smell of sweet irises and frost hit my senses as usual, forcing my mind into obedience before my own shadows. Yet there was no pain: not anymore, for I knew the one responsible for my sufferings was long beneath the ground, rotting in soil and dirt. And I was the reason for his deserved end.
Our steps echoed through the empty halls as I led my company to the center of the estate, Barren's favorite room—the courthall he often used as his personal study.
Two guards stood adjacent to the closed doors of our meeting room, their eyes narrowing on me with suspicion.
“Tell His Grace we have arrived.” Francis winked at the guards; a familiar smirk stretched his lips.
The guards glanced at each other—their eyes growing bigger—before one of them awkwardly nodded, slipping through the door of the courthall. Simon struggled to contain his laughter at the exchange: covering his mouth, he pretended to cough.
“Stop it, both of you,” Roxanne hissed as the doors opened wide, allowing us entrance.
Odd calmness spread through my veins when I took a step into the hall, confidence growing from the depth of my soul.
Little did I know, it wouldn’t last long.
