The Red Cloak Society

Chapter 6

Ciella

Ciella sat on her balcony, looking into her garden silently. Her unbound, unbraided hair blew in the wind, the curly tendrils wrapping around her face ever so often. The events of the few nights prior had haunted her in her dreams, and she found herself afraid to sleep. There had been whispers around the palace all day about her father's new prisoner, and about the Captain's fate. None of them captured the horror of what Ciella had seen that night. A soft knock on the door called Ciella's attention away from the rows upon rows of flowers beneath her.

"Come in." Ciella stood up from her perch and padded into her room. Isabella bowed before her.

"I brought you some nighttime tea, you seemed to have trouble sleeping again last night." She placed the tray on her bedside table.

"And the news on the prisoner?"

"It appears that he's in your father's personal dungeons. I heard the King has been quite amused with the boy's skills. That's why he hasn't sent the torturer to him."

"And the guard?"

"The guard is also lax because of the King's interest."

"Then get my robe prepared, I'd like to see him." She looked over at the tray, fresh fruit and cookies sat neatly next to the teacup. "And pack that up for me too."

"Yes, your Hi..princess I don't think that would be a wise decision." Isabella said, her brow furrowing as she reluctantly wrapped the treats up.

"I'm curious as to what made him kill Erikson."

And if he killed him because he has a grudge against the king and if I can use that grudge for my benefit.

"He has blood on his hands and I'm sure he wouldn't hesitate to have more. Men like him are always like that. They're monsters."

"I'm sure that my father has him properly restrained." Ciella reached her arms out, signaling Isabella to put her robe on.

"But Princess-"

"While I am flattered that you seem to care for my well being after your initial timidness with me, I assure you I am more than capable of tending to myself. I've dealt with my fair share of monsters." Isabella reluctantly slid the robe over her shoulders and quickly rushed to get her slippers. Ciella slid them on and began walking to the right side of her room, Isabella in tow.

"You stay here." Ciella said, turning to face her lady's maid.

"But, your Highness."

"No more buts Isabella, you need to guard my room well ok? Make sure nobody comes in while I'm gone." Ciella moved a painting, revealing a small opening in her wall.

A row of winding steps stood before her. It was the steps Ciella always used when she wanted to leave or move freely amongst the palace. The servant steps that had been so expertly hidden that even her father knew nothing of it. She looked back at her maiden one more time, who stared at her biting her lip nervously. She handed Ciella the small parcel of food she had wrapped for her.

"I'll be back, don't look so concerned." Ciella climbed up the tiny step, hoisting herself through the small opening in the wall and landing effortlessly on the steps.

She grabbed the lantern from the side and lit it with the flint she had kept hidden there. She began her descent down the dark winding staircase, calculating the layout of the castle in her head, remembering the blueprint from her many lessons with her tutors. Following that she found herself at the entrance of a large, charred wooden door. It was a remnant of the last war and the indicator that she had finally made it to her father's dungeons. Carefully, she opened the door and stepped through it. She looked both ways, her ears straining trying to pick up any sound. She heard nothing but the drip of water leaking from the dilapidated ceiling of the prison. The metallic smell of blood and dung hung in the ear as she walked past row upon row of empty cells. A lone guard sat at the end of the corridor in front of a locked door, his head hung limp as if he was sleeping. She could see a ring of keys hanging lazily from his hand, almost dangling, as the guard's chest rose and fell with the rhythm of his breath.