Royal Rebellion {on hold}

Chapter 16.1

My heart was slamming against my ribs, threatening to break free. I could hear it pounding in my ears like the war drums of battle. Fear gripped my heart too. Along with a thousand "what if's" crowding my thoughts. But I shook them away. They wouldn't help.

The wind swept my hair away from my face as I stood gazing at the glittering stars above Ainsworth; the capital of a kingdom I would soon betray.

"Your highness." A man's voice rang out behind me. Although they didn't quite trust me and looked down on the name of Ainsworth, I guess they still respected my role just a bit. I turned; smiled at the man. He nodded in response. "Everything's ready. Meet by the front in 10." Then he left. I stayed on the balcony for a few more seconds before heading back into my room. It was decently sized and I was alone. The rebels didn't quite trust Roy.

I strapped my sword to my belt and checked the few daggers I had. My swordsmanship wasn't exactly the best and it was better to have a few extra weapons. Not that I wanted to kill anyone but it was probably inevitable.

I palmed my favourite dagger, the leather handle well worn. They were the weapon of my choice but of course, I'd have to learn how to use a sword too. I slipped it away before heading down.

The bartender had cleared out any late patrons a few hours before and the tavern was quiet, the only sound being blades being sheathed and gear adjusted. The men glanced at me momentarily but otherwise ignored me. I was too nervous to care. Not a moment later, Marcus descended the stairs, the rest of his men trailing behind. I stepped in front of Marcus just as he was about to pass. His men immediately tensed around me. Looks like I wasn't trusted that much after all.

"Where is Roy?" Marcus looked at me.

"He has been taken care of." My muscles clenched. Everyone in the room was aware of the double meaning. The tension grew. Roy had, after all, grown on me.

"If anything happened to him-" I started to say angrily, glaring at Marcus. He was taller than me by a few inches.

"Nothing has happened." A soft voice rang out gentle and authoritative. I glanced behind Marcus to see a small figure concealed by a large cloak. Their face was buried in shadows.

"He is of no contribution to this mission. If you please..." Marcus's voice drew me back to him. We stared at each other for a few more seconds before I stepped aside and we filed out of the Black Octopus. It was time.

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The castle was mostly dark, only a handful of windows illuminating the entire structure. As we hid in the foliage and starred up at the impending structure, I couldn't help but feel a heavy weight of impending doom settle on my chest. I didn't know the rebels' purpose of coming here but only the fact that they wanted something desperately. It was up to me to rescue Skye and Earl. Of course without the rebels, I was just a 16-year-old boy trying to attempt the impossible.

We all watched and waited as a couple men snuck away and disposed of the two guards by the gate, their bodies dragged into the darkness. Two rebels replaced them, wearing the guards uniforms. The rest of us proceeded to sneak towards the gate. The whole way, I held my breath, afraid of even breathing loudly.

Everyone hesitated by the gate. There was no way to get through without having another person on the other side operate the switch. I bit my lip, feeling all gazes on me. I can't believe I could have forgotten this. Without second thoughts, I drew my sword and brought it down on the gate, hard.

The sharp sound of metal on metal rang through the night. The guards were immediately alert.

Footsteps approached from the inside and the rebels quickly withdrew into the shadows, leaving my standing alone in plain sight. I would sense their hateful gazes burning into my skin.