The Dream Oath

Chapter 6.1

Gwen checked the great hall one last time before slipping out the back. All of the guests were gathered with the noble families her lady had rounded up to people the occasion. They wanted the kingdom to look united for the guests from The East. Fat chance of that. However, a treaty with the East Kingdom would suffice in the long run, but it wasn't her place ot make those types of decisions.

Slipping behind a wide tapestry, Gwen slid into one of the seldom used servant tunnels. I led to an older part of the keep that wasn't used by the current occupants. Therefore, it wasn't efficient for anyone to use it. It was perfect for her uses, however.

Padding down the narrow, dusty corridors, Gwen wished she'd had time to stash a torch for the darkness, but just enough light seeped through the occasional crack of a concealed doorway that her eyes adjusted. After the last door to the main areas of the castle, Gwen sped into a run. The nervous energy pushed her forward without tiring. It was at least a mile to the end of the tunnel which would spit her out into the forest. Draco was waiting, she couldn't be late.

Minutes later she pulled the keys from her pocket to unlock the iron gate emptying into a cave where armored men stood in formation on the other side. She could smell the leather, grimy with sweat and blood from years of fighting. They all carried padded bundles, she didn't know what they were for, but it wasn't her place to ask.

"General," Gwen whispered to Draco catching his attention as he passed. "I kept my word not to tell my lady."

"Thank you. We will reward you when this whole thing passes." Draco's voice was flat. Gwen didn't mind. She knew he was focused elsewhere.

"I need nothing, General. I just can't stand seeing her broken."

"I will take care of it," Draco clasped her on the shoulder, like he would with his men, nodded at her and jogged on, leading his men through the maze.

Gwen waited counted to 300, then ran back up the tunnel toward the great hall. She veered off into an even narrower passage back up that separated her from the men.

Draco halted his men before they got to the hallway with the doors that would lead them into the common areas. He motioned for them to unwrap the chainmail they were carrying in bundles. He left his bundle with his men and darted into the corridor where Gwen had told him Maria's chambers were. Draco pushed back his dissapointment that she'd moved from her old ones. It was not relevant to his mission.

She'd done what she had to do to survive - like him.

He neared the concealed door that would lead into the queen's chambers pausing before he reached it to listen for voices. He almost opened the door when he heard Maria's voice, but caution held him back. She was talking with someone. The Queen's rooms attached to the King's room. He didn't know Ralse's security protocols.

Creeping to the peephole, Draco peered through the pinhole in the painting.

A broad back was to him. The gold circlet nested in dark curls told him that this must be the so-called king who murdered his people and kidnapped Maria. Maria was facing the man so Draco could clearly see her face. She looked older. The joy of their youth was had vanished in the months he'd been recovering. He supposed they'd both changed to survive.

Maria had lost weight, she looked wiser, sadder. Her carriage was weighted like she was bearing the burden of the kingdom. He didn't realize that she'd be strong. Draco's heart sank at what she must have been through to acquire her newfound demeanor.

But she smiled.

Draco's heart caught in his throat as he watched the woman he'd planned on spending his life smile with what he tried to justify as politeness but looked an awful lot like affection - even love. He denied it. She must be playing this mean.

Draco moved to enter the room and kill this usurper, but the rustling of platemail stopped him dead. The voice of a third man murmured something beyond his hearing. Maria's laugh stuck daggers through his heart.

He'd change plans. Alerting Maria to the coup now might jeopardize the plan. These men may have tricked her. He'd protect her and care for her later. They'd change plans and assassinate the king tonight after they signed the treaty with the king's homeland.