Betrothed

Chapter Thirty-Six: Treacherous Act

As they made their way towards the courtyard, they saw several Andjety soldiers strolling the perimeter of the yard. The princess and her companions kept to the shadows that the lanterns and torches failed to illuminate. Rupp led the party to a weapons chest nearest the entrance. He quietly opened the chest only to discover it had been raided. He then led the others against the darkened wall which had all its weapons taken. From there, they made their way, as silent as possible, so as to not attract attention from the Andjety. As they approached the far west side of the courtyard, Rupp opened a side door that housed other weapons. Everyone quickly slipped in and closed the door behind them. The room was exceptionally dark, absent of any windows.

"How are we going to find anything in this place without a torch or lamp?" Ethlyn complained.

Immediately after she spoke, a loud squawk responded through the room.

"Luella?" Ethlyn exclaimed. "Is that you, my beautiful lady?" Another squawk responded. "Oh, I am so happy you are okay. I was afraid someone might have hurt you." Ethlyn stumbled towards the sound of her falcon, groping in the dark trying to make her way to the bird's cage. In the process, Ethlyn knocked over several shields, a rack of spears, and a wooden case off a table housing three sizes of daggers. All of which hit the ground making CRASH, BANG, CLANG sounds. Reaching the falcon, she shushed her for making her loud squawking.

"Ethlyn!" Rozelle scolded in a whisper. "Its not the bird that's drawing attention to our whereabouts. Watch what you're running into."

"If I could see," Ethlyn defended herself, "I wouldn't be knocking anything over in the first place."

"I found the sword cabinet," Rupp softly declared victoriously. "Who wants a sword?"

Rozelle, Olivia, and Audrianna all chorused their interest in one. Rupp began placing swords into every hand that reached for a sword in the darkness. He began to place a broadsword into the princess's hand until he noticed how small the hand was that grasped the hilt.

"No, Your Highness," he said to the princess. "That's too big of a weapon for you to handle."

"Is not," she declared. "I've graduated to a steel sword."

"From whom?" Rupp asked.

"I taught her," Olivia vouched. "But I think Your Highness should try using a short sword. That would be most appropriate for your size and strength."

"I'm getting stronger, though," Audrianna protested. "And you and Balen both said I have a gift for sword fighting."

"Having the gift, and being equipped to fight the Andjety with a broadsword, are not the same thing," Olivia pointed out.

"Lady Castalia," Rupp called to in the darkness. "Have you a sword?"

"No, sir," Castalia answered. "I am not proficient with a sword."

"Hold out you hand," Rupp commanded.

"No, sir," she protested. "I am no asset with a sword."

"Please give me your hand," Rupp repeated, patiently, but determined. Castalia reluctantly reached toward Rupp, expecting a sword to be placed in her hand. Instead, she felt a heavier, bulkier object. It took Castalia a few seconds before she realized what Rupp placed in her hand.

"Oh, my!" she exclaimed. "My crossbow!"

"Shhh!" both Rozelle and Olivia hushed her.

"Okay," Rupp called everyone together, "three of you ladies have swords, Lady Castalia has her crossbow, and Lady Ethlyn is armed with her falcon, Luella. Or Lu, for short."