Page 73 of Stars May Fall

Kasten killed two aggressive groups of supposed royal guards, both lots dispatched with arcs of bright light before I could even load my crossbow. As I approached and lowered my hood, another group saluted. I considered letting them join our party, but I didn’t know any of them personally and didn’t want to get stabbed in the back when I confronted Lyrason. So we sentthem off to spread the news that Lyrason was initiating the coup and to rally loyal troops to me.

With every step, I became more and more confident with Kasten on my side. That weapon of his was beyond anything I had imagined. If he had wanted the throne for himself, he could have killed me by merely flicking his wrist. Father had been wrong to alienate him, and I was very lucky that Kasten had immense self-control. When this was over, I’d owe him more than my life. I’d owe him the whole kingdom, even after my family had so deeply wronged him. I’d never forget that.

I entered the kitchens and was glad to find them empty of soldiers. Instead, servants huddled in groups talking in worried voices and glancing at the doors. Many held kitchen knives or pokers from the fire. My anxiety eased a little.

When they saw Kasten, their faces paled with terror, and they brandished their makeshift weapons. I pulled down my cloak hood and held out my hands in a peaceful gesture.

“Please don’t be alarmed. General Kasten is loyal to the throne as he has always been. He is defending me. The traitorous Lyrason has killed the king, queen, and crown prince and is blaming it on the general. Even now he slaughters his way through the palace. I need your help to stop him.”

The kitchen staff didn’t look as reassured or emboldened as I had hoped. I searched their faces for ones I recognized and was relieved to see Frank, the junior underkeeper, there. He had smuggled me across the gardens and through the outer wall more times than I could count. I called him over, and he approached nervously in his brown clothes and messy sand-colored hair. His freckled skin appeared drained white despite his tan from days in the sun. “Frank, I need your help. Can you get Lord Venerick out of the palace as quickly as possible without being spotted.” I glanced at Kasten who stepped closer. Frank flinched. “Then can you leave a discreet door open forKasten’s soldiers without it being obvious to Lyrason’s guards? I need soldiers I can trust in here.”

Frank swallowed and nodded to Venerick, but hesitated when it came to Kasten. He looked uncertain for a moment. “Is there a way to tell them where to meet me? There are a few small, unmarked doors in the outerwall next to woodland that might work.”

Kasten turned to the guard dressed as a maid. She was almost as tall as Sophie’s personal guard, Meena, and had similar rich brown skin and a long braid down her back. She was not exactly inconspicuous. She looked like one of the legendary female warriors from Tyrazastan. Sophie had taken advantage of the pause to apply salve to a wound on her arm.

Kasten nodded to her. “Shireena, accompany Lord Venerick out of the castle grounds. Get to Sir Philip and give a full report immediately. Bring the soldiers stationed in Straight Street here as fast as possible, and tell Sir Chase to get his battalion here. Give them the position of Frank’s door.”

Frank bowed his head. “I’ll get them through the outer wall into the grounds, but there is no easy way to get multiple people across the wide lawn in daylight. It’s too exposed.”

Kasten didn’t seem surprised or concerned by this. “Just get them through the outer wall. Sir Chase will work out the rest.”

I handed Shireen my royal signet ring. “In case anyone questions you inside the castle or in the city.” I turned to Kasten. “All your soldiers are trustworthy, correct?”

He nodded. “Completely.”

Venerick raised a finger. “One moment.” He lifted the cap in his hands and walked into the crowd. Noah pushed toward him and the two had a short exchange where Noah bowed to him and Venerick returned his cap. What had happened between them? I would have to wait to ask when all of this was over.

Venerick gave me one last anxious nod and left with Frank and Shireena. He was still nervously playing with the cuff of his sleeve. I really, really hoped he survived this.

I turned to the rest of the crowd for anyone else who could be useful that I could trust. There was Tilly, the kitchen maid who always brought my breakfast and pretended I had been in my room even if I had not yet returned from the streets. I summoned her, then looked for Dorothea, who secretly collected and washed my muddy and sometimes bloody clothes. Noah, my main connection to the information network within the city proper, came toward me of his own accord, his cap was back on his head. Finally, I was relieved to see Jared, the retired guard who had become a farrier and was my crossbow instructor. These were no great warriors, but they were loyal, and I would take loyalty over brute strength any day. I just hoped I wasn’t about to get them all killed.

I handed Jared one of my crossbows, even though it had smaller dimensions than he was used to. “I ask for your protection.”

He took the weapon without question, bowing to me. “Your Highness.”

I turned to Noah. “Do you have any information for me?”

He wrung his cap nervously in his hands. “Lord Lyrason’s soldiers rushed out of the palace thirty minutes ago. They saddled horses and were heavily armed. They headed west. Also, I heard of fighting in the streets. Just small pockets as of yet. The city guard is setting up barricades.”

“It’s just Lyrason now. I won’t honor him with a title any longer.” I looked Noah straight in the eyes. “I need information fast, especially about Lyrason’s men. But I also need Duke James's location, the actions of the city guard, any halfsoul sightings, and whether troops are moving to the palace from Lyrason’s estate.”

He licked his lips, bowed deeper than he needed to, then scurried off with an anxious step.

I blew a deep breath. We were all out of our depth today. But Father had always said that adversity and chaos were when you see what you are made of. I would show them that I could handle this. No.Wecould handle this. It was a surprisingly comforting thought. I was so used to being alone.

At that moment, a maid stumbled into the room, pushing her bonnet back from where it had fallen over her eyes. She pointed behind her, speaking to nobody in particular. “Troops are amassing in the throne room. More are entering. Mostly royal guards, I think. What is going on? Are we safe in here?” She caught sight of me and Kasten and pressed her hands over her mouth.

I turned to my small group. “We should take a closer look. Maybe we could enter through the musician’s gallery?”

Kasten considered, rubbing his hand against his chin. “It’s risky, but I should be able to defend you. Lyrason has a way to counteract my kryalcomy, but none of his soldiers seem to have the same. Just…don’t do anything reckless.”

I scoffed. “Don’t worry. My sense of self-preservation is unusually high right now.” I turned to Tilly and Dorothea. “Take us through the servant passages to the musician’s balcony. You can be our lookouts if needed. Nobody is looking for you.”

I loaded my remaining crossbow as Kasten gave brief orders to Meena and Sophie.

Lyrason wasn’t going to get away with this. He would pay dearly for killing my family.

VENERICK

---