The King

Army

"The king will be dead because of me," she said.

I stood there, unable to breathe.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barley above a whisper.

"There's an army," she said quietly, "of people who want him dead."

"What?" I asked, my throat going dry. "How did I not know about this?"

"We were very secretive about it," she said.

"How is his death going to be your fault then?" I asked.

"I recruited the men for it," she said simply.

"You have to stop it," I said, feeling my eyes fill with tears.

"I can't do that," she said.

"Why not?!" I yelled.

"Because, I want him dead," she told me.

"H-how long?" I asked.

"What?" She asked.

"How long until they reach the castle?" I asked.

"I don't know," she said. I whipped my sword out of my belt and held it up to her throat.

"Tell me now, or I'll kill you," I whispered in her ear. She gasped, feeling the cold metal on her skin.

"Ab-about two days," she shuddered out, panic clear in her voice.

"Call it off," I ordered, pressing the sword more firmly into her skin.

"I can't," she said, her voice cracking.

"Why not?" I asked, startling myself, my voice was cold and rough.

"Because, Oliver commands them, not me," she said.

"Then tell me where he is," I said.

"I don't know," she said, tears rolling down her face, I pushed the blade farther into her skin. She cried out in pain. I stopped, dropping the sword on the ground.

"One last thing," I said. "Who poisoned the wine?"

"Matthew," she said, "he thought for sure that it would work."

"You're coming back to the castle with me," I snapped.

"No," she said.

"You do not have a choice," I said.

"Please, I'll be killed!" She cried.

"It's less than you deserve at this point," I told her harshly.

"Kara, I'm your mother," she said softly.

"Not anymore," I said.

"I-"

"No! We leave at night fall," I snapped, grabbing her arm. "You're not leaving my sight."

I walked back out into the kitchen area, Brooks and Harry sat at one of the tables. They both stood up, looking at my mother.

"What's going on?" Brooks asked.

"She's coming back to the castle with us," I said, I looked at Harry. "We have to leave. Now."

"Will someone please explain to me what the hell is happening?!" Brooks yelled.

"Mum is trying to kill the king!" I yelled. Shock broke across Brooks's face.