Memory in the End

Chapter 44: Back Home

This was the moment of truth. This was what I had been preparing and dreading this whole time. This was what would make or break me. Today would define my rule, my future, and the future of my kingdom. A lot was riding on today and the pressure was getting to me. I barely slept and barely ate, the Five noticed but there wasn't much they could say that they haven't already said. It was just time for me to stand up and ensure my rule, I can't have them holding my hand this entire time.

Unlike the last time, we don't have any candy that will alter our appearance, we were going into the dragon's den as ourselves and hopefully we would survive. We wore cloaks as many people did this time of year and the city was bustling with activity. We hopefully could go unnoticed until I found some loyal people to the Embertails. We kept our heads down as we made our way through the city.

It hadn't changed much except more and more people lined the streets begging for food. The once colorful city full of happy people was now a dull, lifeless desolate city. I could use that to my advantage, promising people I'd make life better, but most of them still think I killed my father and abandoned them so I don't know how many people will side with me because of that. The stress of this thing would kill me before Victor has the chance.

"Arrabella," Michael whispered, "We should be cautious. Victor's men are everywhere."

He wasn't lying, Victors men lined every corner of this city. We had to be extra careful to not raise their suspicion. Without the backing of Arkade or of my own people, we would not be able to win this fight and definitely die trying. After all this, I was not interesting in dying at the hand of Victor, I survived too much for that to be a suitable end. Regardless, if this is when I had to fight, I'd give my all to try and stop him.

"Agreed, we need to find cover somewhere where his men won't be," I tell them and we slowly look around. My gaze immediately falls to a tavern called 'Fountain of Youth'. My father always loved this tavern while Victor saw it beneath him. Regardless, my father continued his support for it and it became a promising bar. Seeing it makes me nostalgic, reminding me of when I was little and my father took me there for the first time. I was very young and he told me they had the best pie so we went. It was the best pie I ever had but unfortunately, I never went back. Now is my chance.

"In there," I motioned to the tavern.

"That?" Ivan asked.

I nodded, "Victor won't be there; let's go."

Reluctantly they agree and we enter in there. It's pretty busy which gave good cover and most are drunk so I won't worry too much about being recognized. We sit at the counter, keeping my head down and looking around. The bartender, a middle aged man with graying black hair and brown eyes looks at me.

"What can I get you?"

"Apple pie," I immediately say with small smile.

"Apple pie?"

"Yes, you have the best pie."

He looks at me strangely for a second before nodding and disappearing into the back. I sit with the Five as I wait for my pie when Henry catches my attention, "Not to rush you, princess, but how are we going to figure out which people are on your side and which ones are not?"

"I don't know," I say, glancing around the room, "The longer I sit here, the more I realize the gravity of the situation. These are my people. This is the kingdom I grew up in, and yet, I fear everyone's gazes. But...I must keep convincing myself that I can do this."

"Of course you do, this is your kingdom," Owyne tells me.

"Yeah but who knows if anyone is even on my side."

"Of course they are. Look at the state of this place. All I see are blank and tired faces. They are most definitely wishing for their queen to be back," Aru speaks, though a little too loud which only results in Henry whacking him on the side of his head.

"I guess we'll see," I finally say, turning around and silencing the group as my pie arrives. I pay the man and take a bite. It's still as amazing as I remembered and I haven't ever had any pie as delicious as this one, even when I lived at the castle. I smile at the man, "It's splendid."

"Glad you like it," He smiles and his face reminds of someone familiar but I can't quite place my finger on it. His smile diminishes as commotion is heard outside of the tavern. A guy rushes in, pretty young, maybe in his early adulthood, with brown curly hair and blue eyes. He's very handsome with dimples and ruggish look about him.

"Victor's men are on their way here," the boy announces, "They're outside the door so everyone hide your arm."

I didn't understand what that meant but I immediately got nervous. His men might recognize me as soon as the stepped in. I looked over at the Five who were trying to plan an escape route no doubt, but the tavern didn't have many doors leading out.

All of a sudden he bartender grabs me by my hand and looks at me, "Princess Arrabella, follow me."

I'm taken off guard that he knew who I was, but for some reason he seemed trustworthy. I shouldn't trust him but something in me said I could, and we had no other choice. So I motion for the Five to follow with their weapons ready and he leads us to the back where he went for the pie. We pass through the storage area and he opens a small door in the floor.

"Hide in here, I'll come get you when it's safe," he tells us and I nodded. We get in there, crouching as it was as small space, and stay extra quiet.

"Why are we trusting him?" Ivan whispered, "We don't know him."

"What other choice did we have?"

"We could fight," Aru tapped on his quiver.

"And what good would that do?"

Before any of them could say anything else I told them to shut their mouths. I don't know how long we were hiding, but eventually the man came to get us. He leads us back to the tavern, which now has all the curtains drawn and the door is boarded and guarded. The only light is from the lanterns that some of the people are holding.

"It's okay, take off your cloak so your loyal subjects can see you, Queen Arrabella," he speaks. I pause and look back at Michael for some sort of guidance, but he doesn't seem to have any idea either. Everyone is watching me expectantly, and I reluctantly take my hood off. All of the people in the tavern immediately have wide eyes and get down on one knee. The man does as well, and says with the utmost respect in his voice, "We've been waiting for you to come back."

I'm taken aback, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. There were a lot of people in here, and apparently there was more that are on my side. Right before my eyes was the support of my people, "You all have been waiting for me this whole time?"

They all get up and nod, the young man from earlier steps up, "My name is Paul, Your Highness. We've been gathering support for you so when you finally came back you'd have an army. All of us are willing to lay down our lives for you. We want you on the throne, as the one and only rightful ruler, not Victor. Whatever you need, we're ready to give."

"Who is we?"

"Harold and I," he motions to man behind me. Once he says his name I already know who Harold is. I turn and face Harold.

"You were my father's best friend," I tell him, "I remember now, father loved this tavern because of you."

He smiles, "Your father was a great man, and I gave him my vow I would watch over you if anything were to happen. I stand by my words, and we are ready and assembled. But the rest of the people need to hear you. You need to address your subjects and motivate them to fight for you because this is only a glimpse to your possible army."

I nodded, "Have my supporters gathered by tomorrow and I will address them. Tomorrow everyone will know their Queen is back and we will take back our Kingdom."

Harold smiles and raises him arm in the air, his sleeve falling back to reveal a crescent moon mark. Everyone else does the same, and I see that they all share the same mark. "Long live the queen," They say in unison and I smile.

Victor's reign is coming to an end.