I am standing just outside my father's "conference room" - it is the only thing I could ever bring myself to call it. It is the room Father used specifically for his tirades, the only room in the castle I despised. I was dreading my entrance and still trying to decide what to say. The sentinel, Uilleam, does not even acknowledge my presence - unusual given that I am the princess. Still, I welcome the change on this day for I am certain even this young soldier would perceive my wrongdoing and rightfully accuse me of treason. I am still thinking about my vision to tell Father when the oak doors open. They're ready for me and I and not even remotely close, but I enter the conference room all the same. Slowly, very slowly.
"Hello, Father," I begin, my voice not betraying what I am about to do. He smiles.
"Endellion, dear. Please tell me you have good news!" he greets, a vicious light in his eyes that you only see when he speaks of battle. I try to smile because my words are failing me at the moment and he frowns. He is already disappointed.
"Endellion, tell me," he says again, his face and voice more stern than before and I manage to nod.
"M'lord, the enemy forces are recuperating from their last failed attack. Their numbers are dwindling while our own remain strong. All I foresee at this time is strategizing by the Ro'Tan generals. They are desperate," I finally say, my hands clasped tightly in front of me. Father is thrilled - a big grin plastered on his face while he claps his hands giving away his excitement. He does not bother to hide how sadistic he is, but I suppose that is the nature of my people.
"Excellent. You may leave, Endellion. That is, unless there is more you would like to share with the generals and myself?"
I quickly shake my head. "N-no, m'lord. That is all I have seen. I shall inform you immediately of any significant development." Ignoring the chuckles and the glares, I storm back to my chambers. He knows, I say to myself and sink to the floor, sobbing.
I awaken in my bed, not remembering how I got here. I know Brigit could not have lifted me to it, but few are allowed into my chambers, particularly if I am resting. Also shocking, I realize that I had no dreams or visions. I slept peacefully. I cannot recall a time when my subconscious was not overruled with visions.
Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I notice that the torture device I was required to wear to Father's meeting is gone - it is not even on the chair where I usually toss annoying clothing. Something isn't right, I think and I pull on my door - or try to. It will not budge. "Father definitely knows," I whisper and collapse back onto the bed.
It is at least three hours before my door opens, just wide enough for Brigit and Caiohme to enter. Caiohme is a guard bound only to me - loyal and a true friend. She is the only female to have made it onto the Royal Guard in over a century.
"Del! Oh, thank Hecate you are all right! Your father would not allow anyone down that corridor without direct orders from him. How are you out of that monstrosity from the meeting? Never you mind. Get dressed. We are leaving," Caiohme says, practically all in one breath before tossing a dark mass toward me. Brigit offers a weak smile and a nod of encouragement. No one really argues with Cai. She is fierce just looking ar her in uniform with her mage's staff but when you really look at her, her long black braids and black eyes can be more terrifying. Plus, she stands at five-feet-eleven-inches.
"Cai, what is going on?" I ask, tossing the clothes she gave me aside - an action that causes her to raise an eyebrow. One would think that she were the princess.
"Just get dressed. I will tell you when we get out of here. Brigit, would you help?"
"No, Caiohme! If I am to leave the comfort of my chambers, I must know why. What could possibly be so bad that Father would wish to send me away?"
Caiohme stares at me and, after what feels like eternity, she sighs. She knows I am much too stubborn to keep pushing.
"Ludaigh doesn't want you to leave. He has tightened security on your whole wing just to make sure you stay put. He claims it is for your safety, but I fear that he just wishes to imprison you and I am almost certain he wishes to kill you in the future. It does not make much sense because he needs your gift, whether he cares about you or not. I think that, maybe, he feels you are losing your faith in our people, in his cause. I think, maybe, he realizes that you're more than Hecatian. Now, dress so that we can leave."
I can say nothing - I only look to Brigit who confirms Caiohme's statements. More than Hecatian? I wonder as I silently dress myself before allowing Brigit to braid my hair into a single plait that falls down the center of my back. Caiohme leads Brigit and me out through a series of tunnels from the east corridor of my wing. Within an hour, I am coming out of a dank little hole in the ground behind my only two friends, father from home than I have ever been. I am free.
