Artemis and Caspian: The Spy

Chapter Four

The courtyard was filled with soldiers. Among the mix were Meridian nobles, generals and other high ranking officials warily exchanging glances with pages and other servants who awkwardly packed their belongings. Some underlings who had shone particular talent on the training ground were granted a horse, which they mounted stiffly to the chagrin of their class superiors. Members of the court didn't look too pleased to see the former shoe kissing peasants riding up beside them. The air was filled with rife anticipation and a mix of emotions. Many young warriors who had never seen anything outside of Meridan's gates whispered excitedly at the chance to see what lay beyond. Some less fortunate soldiers drafted for the sake of freedom grumbled nervously about their chances of coming back. Others ignored the circumstances, choosing instead to live in blissful denial as they spoke amongst themselves about trivial matters. The weather was brought up on several occasions.

At the mouth of the castle, Prince Allister watched nervously as the King pulled on his horse's stirrups, speaking in low tones with Lady Kendra. Lady Elena placed a delicate hand on his shoulder and he sighed, hanging his head. It didn't take much to read him. She could see fear stiffen his bones as he repeatedly picked at skin shedding from the corners around his fingernails. He looked different to her today. Frailer, more melancholy than she'd seen in the past. Elena never noticed before how aged he'd become in the few short days since the council talk. Behind his polite smile was a tired gaze, and a boy forced to grow up too fast. After all these years, what she wouldn't give to know a piece of his mind.

"He'll be okay, the King is a resilient man," she comforted, trying her best to connect. The Prince straightened and the Lady quickly took her hand away.

"I know."

Elena tried again, slowly turning her eyes to meet his. "If there's anything I can do please, you know where..."

"I appreciate your concern Lady Helena but that won't be necessary," he stated, cutting her off very matter of factly, turning away. Allister cracked his neck, a ruse to feign strength he could feel fading fast and paced through the castle door, letting one tear roll down his cheek as he disappeared from sight. The Lady forlornly watched him go. Nothing, again. Lady Elena looked at the ground a bit disappointed and after some time, trailed after him.

King Tristian patted his horse letting any worries he had slowly fade away. Lady Kendra mounted her horse confidently and called to her King, Lord Aileron pulling up at her side.

"Ready my Liege?"

"Ready as I'll ever be!" he called with a hearty laugh.

"Then let's ride," Lady Kendra spoke fearlessly, whipping her horse's reins. "Yah!"

A chorus of cheers rippled through the assembled crowd of soldiers and peasants alike, who stood just outside the courtyard gates as the clatter of hooves signaled the army's assent. Thousands of soldiers clamored after their leaders as they rode through the golden gates, disappearing into the beaten paths of the lower town. Above them, a lone silhouette leaned against a window, listening to the discordant noise as the Meridian heroes dissipated with a flurry of anticipation before the upcoming storm. Artemis frowned as she listened to the sounds of joyous cacophony under the rumble of hooves and supplies rolling against the hardened earth, growing ever distant. She had never felt like this before. It was a bizarre mix of pride for her realm, sadness for the grim future and frustration with the immense pressure she felt herself under. They would be okay, she tried to convince herself. King Tristian was a legend, perfectly capable of handling himself. If anyone could talk Cerberus off his mad rant, he could. Maybe the gods were wrong, maybe they wouldn't need to interfere. She forced herself to smile. She just needed to keep her head on straight. Living in a state of denial would have to do, for now.