Royal Rebellion {on hold}

Chapter 11

"Please, lower the blade."

"You don't seem to be in an ideal position to demand such things." That shut me up. If these people were really the rebels, they'd have no qualms about slitting my throat. But if I remember correctly, they needed something I had, even if I didn't know what.

"So, what brings you here of all places and how did you find this place." The man asked.

"I-" I glanced at Skye in a panic. The man followed my gaze and turned around, facing Skye and removing the knife from my throat. Not that I could have done anything. "She didn't do anything," I said quickly. The man looked back.

"I never said she did." He began to circle Skye, inspecting her and the big man holding her let go and stepped back. I wasn't sure whether that was good for them. I had a feeling Skye could land quite a blow with or without a weapon. "What brings you here?" He repeated.

"We wanted help because...the people of this kingdom are suffering and I have no..I mean little power to do anything. The ki- er my father had some information on locations," I said vaguely waving my hand about. I didn't want to say that I loathed father even if I feared him, but the man with the silver pecked hair, the leader or at least one of them, caught on quickly.

"Treason? From Aellyn's very own prince." I swallowed hard.

"Let it be treason if you must but I will do this for my people." Anger flashed across his face, before it returned to the calm mask of indifference.

"What do you know of the people's suffering? Have you experienced it?" I stayed silent because, no, I haven't. "You may be different and you may take after your mother's side, but you, you are still a royal." He spat out the last word like it was a vile substance. "Why would you, a prince of this country want the monarchy overthrown?" That was a good question. For the good of my people seemed like a valid reason, but it also didn't seem good enough. I didn't know. I fumbled for an answer.

"I, there are too many secrets that could tear this kingdom apart and I believe you have the answer to them." He scoffed.

"And if I do, what makes you think I'll tell them to you?"

"I have something you need," I said quietly. If the room wasn't quiet before, it was now. Something flickered in his eyes before it turned to obvious suspicion.

"How do you know that?" He said it in a way that suggested they needed nothing from me, but I knew I'd heard that previous conversation correctly.

"I have my ways," I answered nonchalantly, trying not to smile in this inappropriate situation. I'd always wanted to say that. The man narrowed his eyes but didn't react.

"A little birdy told me that you'd discovered more of the prophecy of Aellyn from eight years ago." I started and immediately became suspicious. I hadn't told very many people about that. Perhaps a maid or servant found the papers on my desk when they were cleaning?

"How did you know that?" I mirrored his earlier words but this time it was like a confession.

"I have my ways." He mocked me. "We could help each other, if you insist...I need information about the prophecy and you need our help." After a minute of thinking, I nodded slowly and one of the men handed me a paper and quill.

"Wait," I said. "We must make an agreement to make sure the other fulfils his part." We stared at each other suspiciously. "Swear on the Goddess Moon."

"I, Marcus Quluers swear on the Goddess Moon that if Julian Ainsworth fulfils his part of this agreement, I will fulfil mine." A shudder ran through me at those words. Many believed that the Goddess Moon did not exist but she was there for me every night and I just had a feeling, you know?