The Cruel King and The Captured Queen

Chapter 10 - Part 1 - The Noise Downstairs

Margaret left shortly after our visit to the market, her husband wouldn't let her stay. He was worried she would catch my illness. Everyone believed I was ill, and Margaret respected my wishes, keeping my secret. Confided to my chambers, weeks dragged on. Callum visited daily bringing me substance. Everyone was fearful of catching my sickness, but he knew more than I wished he did, but he knew it for a while. He always suspected since I had read that book in the library.

Morning sickness kept me bedridden the whole time; still, I am unable to sneak out and find an apothecary. Not with all the visitors inside the castle. Many had travelled far for this praised ritual each season. With everyone entering the throne room for the audience with his majesty I used my returned strength to sneak into the library finally. With word spreading about my illness, I had expected the King to come. He never did, and this gives me hope that he has yet to discover the truth or he is busy preparing for the audience for this season.

Casually, I flip through pages of a book I am reading now. My focus distracted with thoughts as I struggle to pay attention to the words. My letter must have reached my family by now. I only pray that they heeded my warning and fled Hull. They have not returned my message, at least not that I'm aware of. It is best to end communication until I am confident in how to rid myself of this bastard.

My thoughts are ripped from the room and towards footsteps charging through the hallway. They are near the library, why are they this loud? The echo trails off into the distance, and I sigh. Flipping through the story once more, trying to scan the words for something of interest to drag me back in.

Shouts fill the hallways as more footsteps come and go. Try as I might the noise has become constant and irritating, what on earth is going on? I place the book down on the table before me, getting up slowly to try and avoid the spinning that always follows when I make any movement. I peek outside as maids dash passed me away from the foyer. Loud crashing noises echo in from down the hall, what are they running from?

Slowly, I move down the hall towards the screams that echo into the wing. Coming to the banister above the foyer the noise is deafening. Agonizing screams pierce my ears, male grunts and the clashing of metal blending in with the sounds. Leaning over the beam, I gasp as I take in the scene below in the main entrance.

The familiar faces of the villagers from Hull battling the King's soldiers push bile up into my throat. Pitchforks, scythes and axes at hand they fight men in armour with blades far sharper than anything I had experienced. What is happening?

My family! Where is my brother? Scanning the crowded area, I see Callum fighting off several villagers, keeping them away from the stairs. He lifts his boot and pounds it into someone's chest sending several tumbling back into each other. My heart aches, Callum is a soldier, I had never seen him like this. He glances back, seeing me staring at him.

His face flashes a hint of pity, he waves his hand mouthing out to me, "Get out of here."

He never glances back as he strikes the hilt of his sword into someone's skull. My stomach turns as I watch the blood pour from the blow. People I trusted here are turning into brooding monsters. I look away unable to see any more of Callum as he assaults people I know.

In the centre, Chadwick is fighting like a barbarian, rage filling each swing. Back to back Octavius and him defend each other, leading the attack against the castle. What are they thinking? My brother is in danger, and it's all my fault. A tear trickles down my cheek. I need to go to them. Rushing towards the stairs, I freeze staring at Callum as he swings his sword down slashing at another villager. I scream out in fright, my heart pounding deep into my stomach.

Callum glances back at my screams, "Claire, I said leave!"

I take a staggered step back up onto the balcony leaning over the railing as I try to catch sight of Chadwick and Octavius again. My hands grip the railing harder as I hold myself back from the temptation to jump over. Octavius bares his teeth as a soldier and him, lock weapons. Pushing forward he fends off his opponent, and I breathe a sigh of relief for the small moment. Why is he here? Why is this happening?

The fear for my family fills my lungs as I watch in mute horror. Had my letter not reached them? What did Margaret do with it? In the corner I see my father helping Sam take down a soldier. The soldier tops over, and they bash their weapons into his helmet. Fueled by rage my father is blindly slashing in battle. The books I had read only taught me enough to understand who is in control of their actions and who is unskilled. I wished I had no clue who had the advantage to win, sometimes knowledge is a person's undoing.

With quick footing, another soldier spins around and disarms my father. I gasp. Toppling to his knees, I scream leaning over the banister in need to reach out for him. I am useless as my father is stabbed, he looks up towards my voice as if he had heard me through the loud shouts and clanking of metal. His face morphing into a tender smile that I miss terribly. He sees me, he really notices me. Thank the heaven's his eyes are on me and not the destruction around him.

As if his last breath held on for eternity we watched each other in silence. It felt like forever, and it was. Through his eyes, I could see all the passing moments of my life as I grew up under his wing. Learning to be the brave girl he taught me to be. Finally, I begin to understand why he had arranged for my marriage to Chadwick not out of greedy for status, but for me. He knew that with this marriage I could have a better life, far better than what he could offer. If only he knew what I hid from him for so long. Everything in his life he did for me, he fought to the death to return me home. My lips part and silently I lip the words out to him, 'I love you.' Slowly his eyes fade from life, and he slumps over in defeat.

Collapsing to my knees, I cling to the railing crying. How could I have let this all happen? Why did I have to hesitate from Callum's warnings, I should have been there. I should have stopped the fighting. My head hangs low as I grip the banister. My eyes seeing part of the floor and through the spindles into the battle below. Two fights happen at this very moment, one for me and one inside me.

This is all my fault, what if they had read the letter and misunderstand? They are here to retrieve me, this rescue brought agony and despair, piercing painfully into my heart. If I hadn't written my letter, they would have never worried about me. They had come to retrieve me. My distress had them fearful enough to take action against the King. What have I done?

A servant scurries over to me his hand gripping a butchers knife for defence as he crouches low. Grabbing me by the shoulder I cry out fearfully, tugging back against him.

"Hurry, miss, it's not safe here," he whispers, my only voice of reason in this chaos.

I look up realizing it is Elli, the man who the King sends to spy on me. My tear stained face and puffy eyes screaming at him in agreement. I don't want to be here. Trusting him to get me away from the horror that is below I take his hand. Springing into action, we run down the hall towards the guest wing, towards my room. The hallways were empty, eerie as the echoes from behind us inching into my brain as a haunting reminder.

In a rush, he slides in front of my chamber door. Handing his arm stiff as I still behind him from the resistance. He pushes the door open leaning in to check the safety, has knife high up in hand as he braces to defend. Widening the door, he tugs me along swinging me ahead of him. I stumble in as our hands' release, turning around.

"Remain in here, don't let anyone in," he warns before, shutting the door with a loud bang. 

~Sometimes your story just takes a turn of it's own! And sometimes characters just decide to through my whole love story into a war scene! Well snap! How is everyone feeling? Any PTSD from this? If your hating on some characters or feeling for others let it be expressed in the comments! I would love to become a therapist one day ;)~