He's my King and I'm his Queen

Chapter 27

Azalea's POV:

          After confronting the maid who screamed, Christopher and I found ourselves outside in the pouring rain watching a corpse being dragged by his horse.  An arrow was pierced through his chest as his arm was tied and attached to the rein of his steed. His body was covered with mud and blood that even the pouring rain could not wash away. That’s when I noticed a bag or sort hanging across his shoulders.

            “Do you suppose anything is in there?” I looked to Christopher.

            “That I do not know, but I intend to find out.”

He ran out- getting soaked in the process- and unhooked the bag from the dead man. He ordered the guards to properly take care of the body and horse before grabbing my hand and leading me inside.

Inside the satchel was a message with a seal from Pyrus.

The prisoner escaped. Be careful.

            -L

It was a short letter, very simple, yet very dangerous. As if on command, Mitchell quickly ran up towards us.

            “Christopher, I am afraid I bring grave news.”

            “What has happened Mitchell?”

            “One of my scouts returned from the western border, and it seems as though there are soldiers approaching our kingdom.”

            “Soldiers, from where?”

            “I’m not too sure myself. The uniforms they sport are not from Pyrus or Kerton; the symbol on their armor plate is a bird with flaming wings.”

I knew right away who those soldiers were.

            “He must have gone back to his leader.” My voice came out as a whisper.

            “What did you say Azalea?”

            “The man from the prison had that same symbol branded on his shoulder. He must have escaped back to his leader.”

Christopher took hold of both my shoulders.

            “How do you know this?”

            “I visited his cell while you were in the meeting.”

            “You lied to me?”

            “And I am not sorry. I knew you would not allow me to visit him on my own.”

            “Excuse me, but I am awaiting your orders.” Mitchell awkwardly coughed.

Christopher quickly stormed off to the knight barracks but not before confining me to our room.

            I let out a pout as I watched the events unfold from the window.  I watched as General Edward rode off with a squadron of twenty to thirty knights to the western borders of Cardinia. I watched and waited for ten minutes before spotting something emerging from the forest. It was a young boy, at most ten years old, riding a mare. He was drenched by the rain and looked weary and weak. As soon as he jumped off his saddle, the young boy ran inside the castle. I noticed he came from the eastern territories. I sensed that something must have been wrong with the east.

            With my mind full of determination, I stripped off my dress and changed into my tunic and boots before running out of the room. I asked a passing servant where I could find the boy; then I was off to the knight barracks.