The Seven Deadly Kingdoms

Chapter 11

Adelaide sat on her cot in silence. It was early in the morning and the sun was barely peaking above the horizon. She was paralyzed in her spot, eyes locked on her hands folded in her lap. She didn't know how to feel about the news she got two days ago. Nothing had changed yet. 

      After she left the tent that night, Adelaide wasn't spoken to by the generals or the Queen again. She assumed they were simply waiting to finish recruiting the rest of her supposed team, but if she were honest she was completely confused. She didn't know why she was chosen for this position in the first place. Sure, she had successfully snuck into the base, but anyone with intelligence could in this kingdom. She had barely put any effort into the venture at all. And now they want her to sneak into other kingdoms just because of that? Surely there was some other factor to this. Maybe It was simply because the better part of the kingdom was simply nitwits, and as soon as they've found a properly raised woman they think she's capable of anything. 

       The whole ordeal greatly confused Adelaide. She was also intimidated by her new position. There was too much attention on her now. At least she wouldn't have to worry about trying to pass as a "Henry" anymore. That was one thing she didn't hate. Thinking about the topic made Adelaide sad, however. It always reminded her of Henry and how long it had been since she had seen him. She had hoped he'd made a smooth recovery. He should have been nearly completely healed by now; it had been nearly two months since the incident. It had felt like a lifetime to Adelaide, though. At this point, the grief from feeling as though she had lost her brother drove her to wish she had never known him, just so she wouldn't have to feel this pain. 

       The blaring sound of a whistle cut through the still silence. Adelaide jerked her head up to see Austin at the front of their tent, blowing his whistle. She sighed as the grunts and angry moans of sleeping soldiers sounded throughout the tent. If one thing in Adelaide's life was true, it was that the weeks past had definitely not made any of her roommates any more pleasant. She rolled her eyes and stood, taking note of the soldiers that still lay in their beds. They would definitely be getting a word from the captain about their behavior. Oh well, at least Adelaide wouldn't. 

       Austin smiled slightly and nodded at Adelaide. "Good morning, Adelaide." He said, more cheery speaking to her than with the other soldiers. "Good morning, Captain Westfield." Austin nodded and blew his whistle again, this time much louder. "Everyone up, or you'll be skipping breakfast and lunch for the rest of the week!" He yelled, his gruff voice returning. His threat caused the soldiers to jolt out of bed, immediately beginning to get dressed. "So begins another wondrous day.." Adelaide whispered to herself, putting on her boots. 

       As Adelaide stepped out of the tent, she realized the sun was fully up. She hadn't realized how long she had been sitting on her cot. The stress that had been building up over the past two days was greatly affecting her sleep schedule for the worse. The lack of sleep had also caused her patience level to drastically decline. Most things that came out of her fellow soldier's mouths greatly annoyed her unless it was Mira or Andrew speaking. Even then, she wasn't exactly a social butterfly. 

       Adelaide felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Austin's smiling face. She smiled. "Oh, Austin. What is it?" Austin held his smile a moment before it fell slightly. He lowered his face and glanced around them to make sure no one had been eavesdropping. "I was informed this morning by General Toski of your recent 'promotion'. I must say, they chose wisely. I've been assigned to keep an eye on you. They want to know more about you. Your training begins today. Follow me, I'll take you there." He whispered, swiftly turning around and walking away. 

      Adelaide's eyebrows raised in amusement at the sudden movement. She jogged her way up to his side. After a rather long trek of weaving through various tents, some that she had never seen before, the two reached a large, dark wooden hut. It was the first structure Adelaide had seen at the base that wasn't made entirely of canvas. Austin stopped abruptly in front of the building. "I am not permitted to go any further." He started. His eyebrows furrowed as he turned towards Adelaide, taking off his hat and holding it against his side. "I wish you the best of luck, my dear Adelaide. I have grown rather fond of you in the time you have been here. I see you as my own daughter, despite how little time I have been able to know you. I don't know if I will see you again after you enter that door, but I would much rather never see you again and you have a better chance at survival than seeing you every day but still see you being sent to the fronts. I believe this is a much better fate for you. Thank you for being a hope, Adelaide." 

      A single tear fell down Austin's cheek. Adelaide hadn't realized how much she had meant to him. She also didn't realize that she might never see him again. Would she no longer be staying in her tent? Would she not see Mira or Andrew again? Fear started to grow deep in Adelaides stomach, but her thoughts left her mind as she refocused on Austin's heartbroken face. He clearly knew much more than she did about what was to come. 

      Adelaide's shoulders fell and she wrapped her arms tightly around Austin. He immediately hugged her back, his cheek pressed against the top of her head. "I don't know what awaits me beyond that door, or what my future holds, but I can assure you that we will meet again. You've become far too important to me to never see you again, Austin. Thank you for your encouragement." Adelaide stepped away from Austin, breaking the emotion-filled embrace. 

      With a sigh, Adelaide turned towards the door of the building. She didn't want to go in there. She didn't want to go through whatever "mental training" awaited her. She had no clue what people go through to become spies. It could be harmless, but she didn't like the people in authority around here and she wouldn't be surprised if they didn't like her, either. At least she had the queen. Adelaide trusted her, for some odd reason. She had held a peaceful composure when Adelaide last spoke to her that reminded her a little too much of her mother. 

      Adelaide wasn't even sure if the queen was still at the base. She could only be gone from the king for so long. Austin placed a hand on Adelaides back, gently pushing her forward. "They won't want to be kept waiting, Adelaide. I don't trust these people. Be careful in there, ok?" He said softly, his voice filled with concern. With one last sorrowful glance at Austin, Adelaide stepped up to the front door. She wasn't sure if she should knock or not. Settling for the safer option, she knocked on the door twice. She heard Austin's fleeting steps behind her, making her heart sink. She didn't want to be alone.