The Lady's Game (Completed)

25 - Farewell

Recap from last chapter: 

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With shaking legs, I get off the roof and face the burning mess, the huge flames now reduced to tiny, glowing embers. I kick some burnt wood aside before pushing things away, looking for anything that survived the fire. My hands stop on a small piece of hot metal and I blow the black soot off, lifting it in the air to see it better.

A key.

I put it on the floor and continue to look for anything useful. I find some melted bullets and left over parts of guns. The huge mess towers a good three yards above my head and I'm careful not to look too far in case I find a body. My hands soon find a large, heavy box and I drag it out, hissing as a piece of glowing wood lands on my wrist. The surface is charred and I wipe the black away with the back of my hand, only to reveal a crest I haven't seen in a very long time. A large 'R' with an arrow pierced through it, the crest of the Rothohams. With shaking fingers, I retrieve the key and slide it in, opening the lid and taking the folds of rich fabric off from the top to look inside.

My eyes widen at the amount of money that glitters and winks back at me. I put my hand in the box and let it all trickle through my hands, the kind of money I would have in my purse a long time ago, but haven't seen in over a year here. I feel paper between the gold coins and take a folded piece of paper out, the cheap, transparent type found on the streets. I open it and tilt it towards the fire, trying to read the angular handwriting.

The 20th of September, year 1804.

Dear Uncle Alexander,

I have finally managed to find some-one who is going to England for them to take this letter.

Mother and Father died. I saw them, and I'll kill the person responsible, I swear it. I need your influence in England to help me overpower whoever is trying take my Father's dukedom - I have a feeling he's a powerful enemy.

And Bessandra. I haven't seen her corpse and I did not see anyone kill her so my only hope every day is that she is still alive in London. You must find her and make sure she's not harmed, Uncle. If anything happens to me, she's the only hope for the Rothohams. And she's only a child, you must help her grow into a strong, independent woman. I know she has it in her to be a great and powerful ruler one day.

You must write back to me and tell me what is going on in London - Who is looking after the house? Who survived? Send the letter to 'La Vielle Auberge' on Rue Riquet in Paris and I'll find it.

Your nephew,

Francis Rothoham of Kent.

My heart feels heavy as I put the letter down. Frank gave me away. A single tear falls for the trust he put in his Uncle, the Uncle that ordered his parent's death.

I take in a shuddering breath and slip the letter in my dress. My eyes raise to the stars above me and I close my eyes, feeling a pressing fatigue wash over me, so strong that it leaves me dizzy. I fall onto my hands, my body shaking with emotions and lack of rest and food.

Get up. You need to find Jack.

With a grunt, I push myself to my feet and lean against the brick wall, pushing the taste of vomit away and ignoring the migraine pounding at my temples. I whistle lowly three times and a couple of minutes later, I hear three whistles from my right. I follow the sound until I find Jack lying on the floor in a corner, Robin at his side. He gets up when he sees me and I see the tears on his grubby face.

'Is 'e gonn' die?' he whispers. I kneel down and look at Jack's bleeding side wound.

I smile at Robin. 'He'll be fine, you'll see. Now, come on, help me.'