The Red Cloak Society

Chapter 12

Ciella

Two weeks had passed since Ciella had last seen the king, two weeks far too peaceful for her to be comfortable. She knew her father may not punish her new guard, but she could not quell the underlying fear that arose when she thought of the captain's upcoming trip. She looked out her window at the grounds below, full with the movement of servants preparing for her uncle's arrival. There was going to be a feast to be held after all. It's been a while since they held an audience with Solista's second son, but she had no intention of welcoming him at all. Her head turned ever so slightly as she caught on to the sound of the soft whispers from the young noble women who still littered the halls of the castle. They giggled and fawned over some guard walking past them. A guard making his way to Ciella's quarters. She heard a soft knock.

"Enter" she called, not once moving from her seat at the windowsill.

The new captain came in. Her breath caught again as she took him in, his dark hair falling in boundless curls over his head, his shirt unbuttoned ever so slightly at the top. He did not have on his uniform today.

"Are you not on duty?" She hadn't seen the captain in plain clothes ever, just his armor.

"In lieu of the King's absence, I will be going over to check our outposts. Everything seems to be in order here."

"Oh..so today is that day. You're leaving." She didn't know why she seemed sad about his absence. His eyebrows drew together ever so slightly.

"As future Queen, don't you think it is important for you to visit the outposts as well?"

"My uncle would never let me leave. The king would make sure of it, he likes to keep me trapped inside this tower" she turned her head out the window again, looking wistfully. "The dungeons aren't the only prison we have here"

"Don't you worry about the king. Inform your lady to pack you a bag, I'll have a carriage ready to fetch you in the hour" he turned on his heel and began walking out the door.

"Captain!" Her yells went unanswered as he continued his way out of her chambers and back into the hallway; where the noble girls laid in wait to get just a glimpse. She huffed and laid her head against the door. A pressure slowly began buzzing in her head. She knew that she needed to leave, to get out of the palace, but there was too much at risk.

Is it really the voice said, slowly creeping up her spine and embedding itself into her mind. She shuddered trying to shake it off before it got any louder, but it was no use.

Go on with him. You've snuck out before haven't you

I mean if you stay, there will be nothing but consequences

Don't be a coward.

She snapped her head back as she heard the clatter of the goblet resting on her table in the corner splash to the floor. She looked around as a cold crept around her, her window was securely closed, the fire blazing in the hearth, yet she found herself shivering. Letting out a shallow breath she was greeted with a small puff of smoke coming out of her mouth. Ciella stared in awe as the puff shifted, slowly crystalizing before her. She reached her hand out to touch it, to make sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her, and the cold crystal shattered in her hands, just as her lady in waiting walked out the servant's door. She stood away from her for a bit and blinked.

"Yes Isabella" Ciella said as she stood, straightening the dress wrinkled by the cold stone floor of her room. The girl still stood, staring at Ciella.

"Did you just.." Isabella stopped and shook her head, Ciella shifted uncomfortably and cleared her throat.

"Oh yeah, I just uh. The captain sent me to your chambers. He said you were leaving"