Flight [EDITED]

CHAPTER 1

My knees ache as we crouch in the grass by the water’s edge. I make a small groaning sound, for which I am silenced by my partner, Remmus.

           “No noise, Kalaeya.”

           I nod my understanding and crouch down even lower. The dead body of a guard—killed by several of Remmus’ swift knife strikes—lies just feet away from me. His eyes are partially covered by his thick iron helmet, but I can still see the way that they are wide with fear. The open stab wound on his neck is beginning to collect a small number of flies that hover around us. Remmus and I cautiously lift the guard’s body and carry it behind a tree, out of view from any other passing castle guards. I dig up some dirt and cover the small blood stain on the grass.

           “Follow me and stay low.” He orders. Remmus’ voice is stern, but I can still hear his usual gentle undertone. For seven years now, he has waited for his opportunity to get revenge, and I can almost touch the anxiety wafting off of him.

           Once again, Remmus’ order is followed by a quick nod of comprehension. We begin to slink forwards and I follow my partner as he descends into the water of the Moonrise Castle’s moat.

           It is warm against the few open parts of my skin. The water is murky and the bottom is made of mud, which begins to engulf my boots before I quickly yank them out, creating waves that move outwards on the water’s still surface.

           “I’m sorry.” I whisper, and Remmus takes my hand under the water. It is only then that I realize that they are shaking. I can’t help but to be nervous. The Crows—an elite group that Remmus and I belong to—have never attempted such a dangerous mission all throughout our existence, which dates back to over fifty years ago.

           “You’re nervous?” He asks, taking my hand in both of his own.

           “Can you blame me?” I whisper, our heads just above the surface of the moat. “This is only my third mission.”

           “I suppose not.” He gives me a small smile. Several strands of his dark, curled hair stick out beyond the cover of his black hood, reaching down just beyond his ears.

           We quickly stop our conversation, both of us remembering just how key silence is here. I take a look up to the castle. It is roughly a hundred-meter swim to its walls, which sit upon rocks lightly patrolled by the guards. I notice several, three to be exact, and I start to feel more confident. Three guards will be effortless for Remmus and I, with our skills combined. Remmus would easily be able to take them on himself, considering his past.

           Once the commander of the Moonrise army, he was known across the land of Azran as one of the greatest warriors to ever live. But after he was injured in battle and left to die, his love for the city was turned into a loathsome, incurable anger, which is why Remmus wanted so badly to take the mission when it was given.

           Tonight, the city of Moonrise is gathered together for a special event in the castle’s courtyard—the signing of a peace treaty between the endlessly feuding cities of Moonrise and Holmwell. The royal monarchs, Antony and Serafina of Moonrise and Javier of Holmwell, have decided that the two cities must finally be united in order for their children to wed each other.  

           For centuries, the only enemies of the Moonrise Kingdom have been the people of Holmwell. Because of the treaty’s signing tonight, the city of Moonrise will presumably let down their guard, creating an easy opening for the Crows to exterminate the royal couple—something that Remmus has wanted to do for seven years.