Artemis and Caspian: The Spy

Chapter Twenty Six

Arioch sat grinning at King Allister's right hand. He'd gotten used to occupying the seat next to the King. It felt familiar to him at this point, well loved and well earned. Comfortable. Allister was going on about something or other with his eyes stuck on a scrawny peasant who looked at him with desperate, admiring, hopeful eyes. It made Arioch chuckle on the inside. Meridians had too much faith in their new King. They had no idea how weak, untested and spineless he was behind closed doors. He picked at some dirt underneath his nails nonchalantly to give himself an air of nobility. That trust would be their downfall. On the other side of the King sat his Queen.

Arioch had noticed she was slightly more difficult to manipulate. It wasn't that she was intelligent. The Duke scoffed, he could have more riveting conversations with sacks of kitchen potatoes. She was just well trained, like a one trick pony, by her father, who was a notoriously paranoid man. Elena had been taught how to be suspicious since birth. Arioch would have to be a fool not to notice her shifty eyes hidden behind what he could only assume was her attempt at a noble facade. Her lie could trick any ordinary Meridian peasant but not him. Guilamontians were well-versed in the art of deception. And she was doing it again. He'd catch her peering over her husband's head to monitor him. Making sure he wasn't stepping out of line. His ears burned a little when he heard the King mention his name.

"Do you have anything to add, Duke Deacon?"

Arioch twisted his face to feign concern and leaned into the King's ear. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Elena narrow her's just a bit. "Tell this peasant to stay put. He's not ready to face the harsh brutalities of war," he responded with a practiced cool.

Allister turned to face him confused. "But Calatan needs all the help they can get to defeat Cerberus, if this young man is willing, why shouldn't he go?

"It's like you've said my King," Arioch hissed in his ear. "We must keep soldiers in to protect the fatherland. Who knows what Guilamount has planned? And besides," he paused to survey the young peasant with his eyes. "This young man is too scrawny to survive in a fight. Letting him go to war would be like sending a lamb to slaughter."

Too easy. Arioch saw the gears turning in the young King's mind as he contemplated what to do. To the Duke, all his thoughts were as transparent as the morning sun. Eventually and to the Duke's delighted guess the King turned to the young peasant.

"Angus of the Lower Town. We thank you for your brave sacrifice, but after careful consideration, I think it's wise to keep you in Meridan's gates. We need men of your brave caliber to protect the city, should she come under fire."

The young man looked disappointed as he bowed to his King but left without complaining, scratching his head in confusion.

"Well handled my King," Arioch affirmed in a tone that struck Elena the wrong way. It was like a master rewarding his dog for a job well done. Before she could say anything the doors to the throne room burst open. The guard present didn't even have time to announce the two saviors as they sprinted into the room. Artemis led, her hand clutching Caspian's tightly as they approached the King and Queen, flying down the long walkway to reach them. Elena had to place a gloved hand over her mouth as she watched Duke Deacon's eyes widen in horror at the wildly unconventional entrance. Eventually, the two came to an abrupt halt, bowing haphazardly in front of the court before speaking up out of breath.

"My King, my Queen," Artemis started, a wildness lighting up her face that made Elena smile. "We have a proposition."

"Speak," Allister answered, placing a pensive brown glove under his chin.

"We want to go to Calatan."

All three royals sat up straighter at the witch's remark and she could hear murmuring break out across the room as the gathered court nervously gossiped amongst themselves. Sensing her sudden anxiety, Caspian spoke up.