Artemis and Caspian: The Spy

Chapter Twenty Five

 Lady Kendra ran after the boy, her hair slowly coming out of their loose braids as her feet hit the hard ground. The boy began to weave in between soldiers, getting lost in the crowd. Kendra fought hard not to lose him, gruffly pushing past soldiers on all sides to keep his retreating form in her range of vision. Damn her husband. She was going to kill him. She was going to make sure he was okay, then she was going to kill him.

She let out a frustrated grunt as she shoulder checked a warrior who stumbled back into her. She was so close. So close to ending this war. So close to wrapping her hands around that coward's slimy neck. No. She had to stay focused. Shaking her head she continued to run.

The boy eventually ducked into the main entrance of Calatan's camp past two newly appointed guards who bowed in their Lady's presence. She ignored them as she followed the boy who started making his way to the south side of the castle. Once they were out of sight, the boy leaned his head precariously on the wall, listening for a hollow opening. Lady Kendra waited impatiently for a while as the boy moved along the wall, trying his best to not keep the hot headed lLady waiting. After a minute or so of searching, Kendra's temper boiled and she came up behind the boy.

"Move," she said gruffly, placing a hand on his forehead and shoving him out of her way. The Lady carefully placed her ear on the wall, knocking once. Got it. A servant on the other side cautiously opened a hidden door, quickly moving out of the way to let the Lady in. Kendra stopped for a second to marvel at the Guilamount army's lack of awareness. It had been months since they occupied her land and not one of them had been able to find the only entrance through the castle's thick wall. She figured it was because they were too cowardly to trek into enemy camp. It was heavily guarded. Most of the time. She reminded herself to commend the soldiers for their hard work at the next war meeting. She shivered at the thought. Commending really was never a part of her nature. Kendra took a torch from the servant and motioned her to close the door behind them as the Lady of Calatan ascended the secret passage's stairs.

The stairway was dark and damp, a lack of windows meant a lack of light and fresh air for that matter. The only light source came from the torch in the Lady's hand that flickered like it was mocking the group about going out. The fire danced off Kendra's face which was lined with worry. Her jaw clamped down as it always did when she was stressed, moving back and forth to grind her teeth which the young boy tried his best not to gawk at. Then he noticed how oddly silent it was. The normally abrasive Lady of Calatan didn't breathe a word which left him a bit unnerved. All he could hear were the damp walls of the stairway dripping with moisture. Hollow sounds of water landing on stones. The sounds of rats scurrying underfoot. The boy shivered. The sooner he was out of here and in the safety of the castle kitchen surrounded by freshly baked pastries, the happier he'd be.

Eventually, the pair hiked their way up to a big wooden door. Without looking, Lady Kendra shoved the torch behind her into the unsuspecting hands of her traveling partner. The young, gangly boy struggled with it to his great embarrassment but somehow managed to catch it at the expense of looking stupid. He adjusted his footing slightly to keep from falling backwards down the stairs. Lady Kendra knocked twice and the door swung open. A guard on the other side gave her a curt nod before returning to his post.

The door led onto a bridge, exposed to the stormy afternoon air. It stretched for a few meters, connecting to a castle tower that was a floor above the third level. Kendra placed a tentative step on the slippery surface, letting the bridge squeak under her weight. It wasn't the most sturdy thing in the world but it would have to do. There was no other way to get in the castle with the wall up. Behind her, the boy was trying his best to blow the Lady's abandoned torch out. Rolling her eyes, Kendra took it back, letting out a singular puff of air that blew it out. Without missing a beat, the Lady shoved the torch back into the boy.