Artemis and Caspian: The Spy

Chapter Seven

 Lady Kendra was woken up by a blare of trumpets outside the palace window. She flew out of bed, half dressed, hastily tying an small cloak over her sleepwear as she ran down to the throne room, Lord Terrowin hot on her heels. He too looked affright, bits of hair clinging to his face, pulling a tunic over his head as he ran. Both burst through the doors and quickly made their way to the head of the room, completely disregarding tradition which startled dukes and duchesses alike who bowed quickly like they were used to. The Lord and Lady had to squint against the blaring morning light streaming in through the large window bordering the room. It was blinding after spending the night in total darkness without any time to readjust. Once they were settled Kendra blinked roughly a few times and a scout came forward, bowing deeply.

"My Lord and Lady," he panted, out of breath. "I've just come back from our eastern borders, Lord Cerberus and his army approach, they're nearly at our gates!" The Lady could feel her husband tense up beside her.

"Then prepare the army," the King spoke up, entering the room and taking his place next to Lord Terrowin. "Send an envoy to give Lord Cerberus a message, have him meet me with limited protection, I will bring two guards, I wish to speak with him before any fighting begins." The scout nodded and hastily skittered out of the room.

"Duke Leland, prepare the generals for an attack," Lady Kendra ordered, waving her hand at a nearby Calatinian duke. "Duchess Gaea, take a quick final count of inventory, we don't have much but ensure every soldier has some sort of weapon, dip into the royal artillery house if you have to, I don't care," The Duchess nodded and signaled for a few generals in the room to follow her, Lady Kendra looked to her Lord. "Make sure our finest have the instructions to guard the castle with their lives." He nodded.

"I'll check on the strength of that wall while I'm at it."

Lady Kendra shot him a grateful glance then stood up, marching towards the door, "I'm going to prepare for war."

The court had just enough time to skitter out of her way like cockroaches before the imposing Lady of Calatan stomped fiercely out the door, ignoring other further requests for comment.

Kendra strode up to her room and threw open her closet doors, pulling out sheets of brown leather armor, scuffed and marked with the scars of a fearless warrior. She was lacing up her armbands when she heard the chamber door click open. Lord Terrowin entered with dirt stained hands from finishing the last of the wall's stones and grabbed a few sheets of armor out for himself. The couple dressed in relative silence, a tense air of excitement and foreboding hanging between them. Lady Kendra was sharpening her ax loudly when she heard him sigh.

"Gods only know how today will end," he muttered, tying the armor tightly wrapped around his midsection into place.

"Painfully," Lady Kendra replied bluntly without looking up. "With my hands around Lord Cerberus's neck." To her annoyance, the Lady's comment made the Lord laugh and he took a seat next to her.

"How are you?" he asked mildly, trying to catch her eye.

"Fine. This isn't my first time riding into battle and it won't be my last." Lord Terrowin frowned. Tough as she was, he knew her well enough to recognize nerves being pushed down just below the surface. He gently placed his hand over hers and she stopped.

"Look if you're scared that's okay, I'm scared too."

Then he lifted her head up so he could finally look her in the eye. She tightened her grip on the handle of her ax.

"I don't get scared."

"Oh, believe me, I know," he chuckled. He let the moment linger before speaking his mind, letting his eyes go dark. "Look if anything happens today.."