A Crown in Ash (The Ostler's Boy Book 3)

Chapter Fifty

In the Drawing Room, Mother went to the fireplace and felt around the mantel until her fingers hooked the edges of the frame. She had to lose her gloves to try a second time, whatever it was that she was after, but then something popped out of place. She moved the frame off its mark, revealing a large slat behind it. It was a door. The mantel was on hinges. From the adjacent shelf, she retrieved a tiny gold key from inside a hallowed book and put it inside. With a click, the square slid off the wall, and a whistling called us from the passage. There was no light.

"The way is cold," she warned us.

People were muttering different things. The room was so loud for how devoid it felt. I looked at the opening. It was large enough to fit a person, but only one at a time.

"Ladies and children first," she instructed.

The others listened to her. They lined up, and through little bickering, they took turns corralling their loved ones into the slot.

"When you're inside, wait for me," the Queen said. "I'll lead the way. Ser Elías will meet me at the gate, where I'll secure it," she said. "We'll be safe in there."

A child began to cry.

I waited near the back of the line that had bled into the hall, halfway to the ballroom. From where I stood, I saw Askar's shape appear. His shadow cast itself along the wall like a tall, ghoulish thing. He was speaking to Ser Willoughby's. I heard their muffled words. Ser Elías was next to me too soon; his eyes focused on their conversation, but he leaned down to listen when I spoke.

"I'm terrified," I said.

"Everything will be alright," he returned.

"You're going to leave us, aren't you?" I asked.

"When you're in the passage, yes," he said. "I'll close the mantel behind you. I'll shut this room off. Then I'm to meet your mother at the gate. But you have a sword, and so does she. I've put three knights with you as well."

I faced him, but he didn't turn. "And if I beg?"

"Please don't," he said.

"...How many are there?" I asked. "How many bandits? How many dragons? How many of us?"

He said, "We've sent word for help."

"A how fast can words arrive? What if someone intercepts the horse? The closest place is North Áire; they're a day at best. Next is the Riverlands; I'm not sure we're even friends with them. Why would Lord Beck send his banners for us? For me?"

He said, "I'd sooner die than ask Lord Beck for help."

"You didn't even ask for it?" I cried. "Everyone here will die!" I said.

He didn't answer, but he did look at me.

"It's my fault," I said. "If I hadn't–"

"Hate. That's who's fault this is. It's nothing you did. It is an adversary your mother and I have fought for many years, years before you were even born. There's nothing you could have done to change it. Nothing you did to influence it," he said. "These bandits hate your mother and everything she stands for. That's why it's so very vital that she stands."