Cassandra (Book Two)

Chapter 10

Cassandra hurried her steps to the King's room where he and his wife would be waiting for her. The men beside her walked at an even pace, raising doubts in her mind about them. They were both helmeted, and could easily be in disguise. Her hand on her sword, she eyed them closely, but the men, whoever they were, acted perfectly according to protocol. 

They approached the solemn oak doors stretching from the ceiling to the floor and drew them open before beckoning her inside. Cautiously, she entered the room, eyeing each man suspiciously as if this were a trap. Little relief came when the King addressed her.

"Cassandra Hunn, I called for you long ago. What kept you?"

She and the King had never been on the same terms, though his wife, Queen Theressa had always taken a liking to her. Cassandra knew to keep her tone level, but she found it difficult when she was at risk of losing a prisoner. "Apologies, my King. I was searching for-"

"Yes, yes," He blew her off, waving his hands. "Tell me, was your capturing of the common thief a success?"

"Yes, My Lord," She struggled through grit teeth. "However, I fear he,"

"Did I ask you to speak? No, only to answer a question." He picked at his nails.

Cassandra held in her sigh, but the Queen saw her contempt. "Miss Hunn," Her sweet voice dispelled the growing hostilities. "I heard you had been injured. Is this true?"

"Come now," Laughed the King. "She is fine. You can see that,"

"Yes, my love," Replied the Queen, "but it pleases me to hear of her journeys out of her own mouth."

Grumbling, the King crossed his legs and slumped in his chair, obviously not interested in what his loyal soldier had to say. "My Queen," Cassandra bowed, "I received an arrow wound to my shoulder. In a few days, it will be healed. It shouldn't hinder my services to you and the Crown."

"Happy?" The King said finally. His wife nodded graciously. "Miss Hunn, did you have any troubles bringing in this low-life?"

"No more than usual, your Grace." Something was up. He'd never before asked about her dealings, only that she did them in a timely manner.

"Would you, theoretically, be able to keep him in line- discretely?"

Her brows knit together, but she knew the proper response. "Yes, my King," She bowed low. Annoyance and curiosity were a dangerous mix. Carter was escaping, and this time, he wouldn't play easy to catch.

"Tell me, what would you do if you found out my daughter was in trouble of being kidnapped?" The King suddenly asked. His gaze on Cassandra was unwavering.

Cassandra gulped but forced the fear out of her voice. "I would keep the princess by me at all times, double security, and make sure she was never alone."

"What if I told you, there was such a threat, and I would need you to do just that, but with as few people possible?"

"I would request a few of my most trusted, and better trained to help with this mission."

"How would you go about finding out who was conspiring to do such a thing if your time was taken up protecting my daughter?" The King pressed, bring his hands together as he leaned forward in a thoughtful gesture.

Cassandra pondered his question earnestly and remained silent for a minute. "I suppose I would need someone who wasn't well known among the nobles to be my spy. They'd need training in subtlety and would need to be acquainted with you personally. They'd need to be quick, stealthy, and trained with a weapon to a considerable degree."

"So, what I'm hearing is you'd need a low life with warrior training whom the royal family is on personal terms with?"

"Y-yes, My Lord, but this is all in theory."

"Not anymore," He stated, rising from his throne. "My spies have alerted me to a plot to kidnap my daughter. The letter was intercepted coming from my cousin, but we know he's working with someone close to me. I entertained the thought it was you, but my Queen moved me from such an accusation, however, My daughter's life is still at stake."

 The threat was already over with. Cassandra and Carter had seen to that. However, she couldn't say that, or she'd risk her life and her job, along with his. "My King, allow me to bring this traitor to justice."

"Be watchful of your words. This is my cousin you speak of, my last remaining relative since my older brother, and his family's death so many years ago. I still mourn their deaths."

Bowing low, Cassandra continued. "I apologize. The loss of your brother must have been shocking."

"It was to all of us," The King breathed, staring out the window behind his throne with his hand folded behind his back. "Let's not think about the past. There is a more pressing threat at hand, one I need to to take care of."

"Of course,"

"Since this is my cousin's doing, I'd like for this to not be public, but he can't know I know his plot. He has an island out of my reach and in warring waters. If he fled to it, we'd have no chance of retrieving him."

"Secrecy will be maintained, My Lord." She assured him. Now, she needed to address the problem at hand. "My Lord, it has been brought to my attention that the thief may be attempting to escape."

"Nonsense," The King waved her off, returning to his throne. "Miss Hunn, I believe I have just the person you need for the mission I've given you." He gestured with his hand to a side door, where a man accompanied by an entourage of guards entered the room.

 He was a tall, lean man with dark brunette hair. His hands were resting at his sides; at ease. Around his head was a white cloth blotted with dots of red. Cassandra's eyes widened in horror, and she barely heard the King's next sentence.

"Meet your partner, the world's best thief, Carter Brailstorm."

TADAH!!! Ok, I know this book was a bit shorter than I first, but I hope it wasn't boring. I'd love to hear your thoughts about this chapter, and if you liked it, please vote. Also, there is an author's note giving insight as to where this series is heading. I hope you'll read it and leave some of your opinions there. :) As always, thanks for reading!