The Seven Deadly Kingdoms

Chapter 23

The trip back to the base was odd. Adelaide was on a different team now, and she didn't quite know how to feel about it. Yes, she despised her king and the way he ruled the kingdom, but she had also made a name for herself being a soldier and spy, even if she had never made it to the battlefield. She had finally felt as if she had a purpose; something to fight for. Adelaide supposed she was just fighting for Henry, but in her final days at the base, it felt like she were fighting for more than just him.

Adelaide came to the conclusion that she definitely had been fighting for more than just Henry. She wasn't fighting for Extollentiam, but she was fighting for its people. For the starving twin sisters that have never received a real present from their mother. For the sons that worked long nights because their fathers were taken from them. For the lost wanderers who's parents were slain in battle. And for the helpless woman who is expected to carry the weight of the world but can barely hold the weight of her crown.

The new realisation made Adelaide stand a little taller, and walk more intently. No, she wasn't fighting for the kingdom. She was fighting for the people who couldn't fight the kingdom themselves.

Adelaide walked down the narrow path that she had just been on only a week ago. A thin layer of snow covered the trail. As she approached the gate back into the base, Adelaide thought about her last conversation with Henry. How she had been so adamant about not returning home. She had been so determined to stay, just to abandon her post the same day.

The gate's rusted hinges squeaked loudly as she forced them to move. Adelaide picked up her pace, excited to be so near to seeing her brother again. It was midday, so she had no clue where she could find him. She hoped it was somewhere where she wouldn't be seen too much. She wanted to be able to slip in and out of the base as quickly and quietly as possible.

Thinking about how she would find Henry, Adelaide realised she hadn't been at all prepared for what she would say to the queen if she were to be caught, or what she would say to anyone else, for that matter. A series of possibilities ran through Adelaides mind, each one stressing her more. She supposed she could write the queen a note saying that she ran back home? Or would the queen search for her and put her behind bars? Adelaide supposed if she had to, she could blackmail the queen with her knowledge of the queens affair. But she didn't want to do that in any scenario, the woman should be able to have love in her life.

Adelaide pinched the bridge of her nose as a headache bloomed behind her forehead. She hadn't planned enough for this. She was reckless, joining Caspian, and most of her regretted ever hearing out his proposal, but a small part of her also knew that she, in any universe, would never have turned him down. She would probably be killed somewhere in this whole process, but for some reason, it just felt right. If her and Caspian were somehow able to claim the victory in this war, it would be worth her death. And even if they didn't win, she would die trying. She knew she had a lot to lose, but she had so much more to gain if she only reached for it.

Adelaide pulled her hood over her head as she approached the large tents she had grown to miss. She didn't want to check in her room for Henry unless if she had to since she was trying to avoid the queen, so she figured the best place to begin would be the dining hall. If she were to make her first guess at where Henry would be, it would definitely be wherever food was provided.

Adelaide looked around her as she walked, taking in the familiar sights. The area was bleak, as it had always been, but it was familiar. There were few things in Adelaides life that were familiar to her.

A small gasp escaped Adelaides mouth as she ran into something hard. She looked up, meeting dark brown eyes that she had gotten to know so well. They widened as Austin gasped.

"Adelaide?" He said, reorienting himself. Austin blinked a few times, as if to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. When he realised he wasn't, a grin spread across his face, brightening his features. Adelaide couldn't help but laugh and smile in return.

"Hello, Austin. How are you? It's been a while."

Austin's grin only spread wider at her words. He laughed and pulled Adelaide in for a hug. She gasped in surprise, but accepted the embrace nonetheless.

"I'm brilliant! It's been so long since I've seen you, Adelaide." Austins features were warm, and suddenly he looked ten years younger than when she had last seen him. He inhaled sharply in realisation before stepping back, placing his hands on Adelaide's shoulders.

"When did you get back? Henry came and found me. He told me everything you told him, even though I probably wasn't supposed to know. Have you seen him since you've been back? He's been ecstatic this whole week, waiting for your arrival. It was a shock, really. When I had first met him he was hard as stone, showing absolutely no emotion. And then all of the sudden he sees you again and he's the nicest guy I know! Did you tell him you'd be getting back so soon? He never told me when you'd return. Oh, but how happy I am that you're back. I've been losing my mind at the lack of class some of these upper class men have."

Adelaide couldn't help but laugh at Austins display. "I just got back. And no, I haven't seen Henry yet. I was on my way to find him, actually. Do you know where he is?"

For just a moment, Adelaide considered telling Austin the truth about why she was there. She knew she could trust Austin. And she knew there was a good chance that he might join her. But one more look into his knowing eyes reminded Adelaide that still, he was a father. He wasn't here by choice. He didn't want to fight. But he had children he needed to provide for, and Adelaide wouldn't try to uproot their lives for her cause. With a sad smile, Adelaide looked away from Austin, suddenly a little disheartened. Austin quirked a brow, but continued nonetheless.

"Um, I'm not entirely sure. It is mealtime, so chances are he'll be in the dining hall. Also, he must have taken a liking to your friend, Mira, because they've been with each other a lot of the time these past couple days."

A smile broke out on Adelaide face at the mention of Mirabella's name. She had almost missed her as much as she had missed Henry.

"Alright, well I'll head there, then," A sad smile graced Adelaide's face as she looked at Austin. He didn't know it, but she was leaving again, and had no idea if she would ever see him again. "It was so good to see you again, Austin."

Austin's eyes deepened. His smile fell flat, and suddenly Adelaide felt as if he were looking right through her. Understanding filled his eyes before he matched her solemn expression. "Yes, yes.. It was very good to see you again, Adelaide. I'm glad you came back alright." Austins eyes fell to his feet. "So, I guess I'll be seeing you around?" He said, but his somber tone spoke other words. Adelaide nodded, smiling.

"See you around, Austin."Austin squeezed Adelaide's shoulder reassuringly and walked away. Adelaide heard him sigh behind her as the sound of his footsteps faded. For just a moment, Adelaide wanted to spin back around and tell Austin all of the secrets she had been keeping from him. She wanted to ask him to join her in her revolution, and to fight for a better world. But the thought only lasted for a second as she remembered the children he had back at home. How he just wanted to provide for them. And then, she remembered that Austin didn't deserve to be thrown into her own battle.

As sad as she was that Austin would not be joining her, Adelaide was glad that she could fight for a better future for him and his family. They deserved for their father to be at home with them, watching them grow up. Not miles away, training soldiers for battle just so that he could feed his children.