Page 75 of Stars May Fall

I frowned. “Well, they shouldn’t. We need to make sure no bystanders or servants get hurt.”

Sir Philip walked closer from one side. The man spoke with the air of somebody with experience. “Don’t worry, Lord Venerick. We’ll keep things under control. While I would prefernot using a mob, it is better when we’re the ones directing their fervor. When word gets out that the king is dead and the traitor Lyrason is trying to secure the crown, these people will riot if not given purpose.”

Sir Luke gave a firm nod, though he didn’t have the presence of the older man. “Once we’re in the grounds, our plan is for the citizens to make enough disorganized noise and destruction to distract the guards inside while Kasten’s personal guard sneak to the front and back to take the gates and stop anyone important from leaving. Sir Philip and two other men will track down and finish Duke James.”

I nodded, my nausea growing. I prayed he was right. I wouldn’t think about James. This wasn’t personal; this was justice. He’d always been open about the fact that he had many things in his life he couldn’t tell me. And he had been right to keep it from me. Actions had to have consequences.

I could do this for Annabelle and her dream of a better country.

I looked back at the excitable rabble. Two hundred men. It wouldn’t be long before the city guard intercepted us.

We neared the smarter areas of Adenburg, and my nerves only grew. James had the second largest estate in Adenburg with extensive lands that required long stretches of wall to separate them from the common folk. I knew from many of my previous visits to his house that he only guarded the front and back gates, assuming the rest of the walls were secure. And the guards at the back didn’t always receive prompt communication from the rest of the house.

I led our group to a fountain, one side of the estate wall behind me. We were equidistant from the front and back gates here, which is why I had chosen this spot. A street boy sat on the side, and Callum grinned at him. “Is he still at home, Ned?”

He nodded. “He ain’t left. We been watchin’ all mornin’.”

Callum tossed him a gold coin, and he scampered off.

I blew out a breath and spoke to Callum and Sir Philip. “Wait here and do nothing until I signal to you.” I turned to Sir Luke and his men. “Let’s go.”

I led them at a run to the back gates, three streets away. As I approached the gates, I noted James had stationed men in front of them as well as behind—no doubt he had heard about the mob. There were even archers on temporary platforms on the inside of the wall.

I met the eyes of a guard I recognized and smiled, though guilt was already plaguing me. I hoped as few people as possible would be hurt in this. But we were at war now. “Sir Killian! There’s an angry mob in the street. I must meet with Duke James at once.”

The guard bowed. “Lord Venerick, you shouldn't be out here.” He looked over my shoulder. “Are these your men?”

I nodded. “I heard there was unrest, so I brought them with me. But I don’t fancy letting them face the mob. I can’t get to the front gates. Let us in here and we’ll walk through the gardens to the house.”

For a few heartbeats Sir Killian remained motionless, and I worried that the years of working together would count for nothing. Then he nodded and ordered the doors to open. “We would be glad of the extra manpower. Duke James is currently in residence.”

I smiled my thanks and hurried inside before he could change his mind. Sir Luke met my eyes as we passed more guards on the inside, but I shook my head. Not yet. These people were merely following James’s orders. I hoped some of them survived. It would be such a waste of talent if we lost most of the city guard tonight just to stop Lyrason from using them.

We started up the meandering drive through the gardens, the house still a good ten-minute walk away. I spotted the familiar groundskeeper's hut and used it to orient myself.

I pointed. “Our soldiers should be positioned on the other side of the wall just there. We need to get the explosives down the side of this wall behind the hut.”

Sir Luke nodded, and I silently handed out the strange bundles wrapped in wax paper from inside the leather bag. I frowned. “How do we detonate them?”

Sir Luke sighed. “They’re kryalcomy and Callum wouldn’t give anyone else the detonator.”

Ah.

I couldn’t believe I was doing this. I was blowing up a building. Acting like a criminal. In league with a mob and a mad man.

But laws changed during war time. I had to save Annabelle. And she was now the acting monarch. I would follow the commands she gave me.

We placed the explosives alongside the wall and backed away. I climbed a large oak tree I had once spent the afternoon reading underneath and waved over the wall to Callum.

Thankfully, the man was paying attention and waved back. He flicked his ostrich plume and stood on the wall of the fountain smiling at the eager faces looking up at him, their spirits high with the promise of revolution and vengeance.

Callum placed a hand over his heart. “My friends! My people! Long have we known of the wicked deeds done by the traitors Lyrason and Duke James. And now they have killed the king himself! General Kasten, the most noble and devoted of men, has tasked us with extracting the terrible poison that heads the city guard so that once again our streets can be safe! Will you join us?” He thrust his fist in the air, ignoring the fact that Sir Philip had folded his arms and was rolling his eyes.

The crowd roared and shook their weapons in the air. The air was becoming thick with promised blood and destruction.

Callum waved his sword in the air. “Death to injustice. Death to corruption. Death to Duke James!”

He turned back to me and gestured that I get further back with a flick of his hand. I climbed down the tree and backed further away. Just how powerful were these explosives that I hadn’t been safe at fifty feet and up a tall tree?

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