Page 44 of Beholden
To the north of the castle, the Gemstone Mountain range rose into a glorious array of tall peaks. I searched the gray rocky tips above the dark-green tree line until I found Ruby Mountain. It was too distant to see anything clearly, but my heart ached from missing the people I’d left behind.
They would be deep in the pits at this time of day, laboring to fill their buckets with rocks. Hopefully, not for many more days. Once the queen no longer had Grendel or the heart of the fairest maiden for her alchemy, she wouldn’t be able to produce any more gems. Without jewels, she’d have no reason to send slaves into the rat-infested bowels of the earth. Of course, the queen might find an excuse for the continued killing and the utilization of the heart of the fairest maiden, but her task would be much harder to accomplish without rousing suspicion.
While I was thankful Benedict and Alice would be safe with my aunt, I wouldn’t be satisfied until all my friends were delivered, including Vilmar. Though his sentence was only for a few more months, anything could happen during that time, and I feared for him. More than that, I longed for him in a way that was entirely foreign. Against my will, my thoughts strayed to him. His handsome face and light-blue eyes were emblazoned in the forefront of my mind. The softness and warmth of his kiss lingered with my every breath. And the kindness and nobility of his every action burned in my soul.
Such thoughts were futile and only made me question what I needed to do. I distracted myself by peering to the east of the city to the wide valley and the deep waters of Wraith Lake. The cliffs along the far edge sheltered Grendel somewhere deep within. On the side closest to the city, sheep and goats and cows already grazed within a central pit that had been built years ago to contain the slaughter. Opening to the shore, the grassy area was low and level, walled in with stones taken from the surrounding mountains.
In a few short hours, I’d be standing in the center of the arena waiting for Grendel to make his appearance. A shudder formed in the pit of my being and worked its way outward. At the moment it found release, a chilled wind drifted from the lake as if to confirm my fear.
I slipped my hand into the pocket of my skirt and skimmed the scabbard and smooth knife handle underneath my chemise. I’d easily located the knife that had belonged to my father. I’d hidden it in the far reaches of my wardrobe, never planning to touch it again, much less use it. But now, thanks to Vilmar’s training, I wasn’t afraid of it and could wield it with some proficiency. Would that skill be enough?
With a slight shake of my head, I threw off the self-doubt. I had to remain positive and keep my anxiety at bay. At the very least, my time in the mine had taught me to persevere during my darkest moments, never give up, and fight back against my fears. I would do that tonight and do it to the best of my ability.
“There she is,” said someone nearby. “The queen.”
The murmuring increased, and the traffic all but halted. I peered up at the grand castle that was built partly into the walls of the mountains. A regal woman and several important-looking noblemen stared down at the winding path.
From the distance, I couldn’t see the queen’s features entirely, but her beauty was clear both now and from times past when I’d met her. Her long ebony hair fell to her waist and glittered with jewels. In contrast to her hair, her skin was as pale as starlight. She held herself rigidly, her chin angled up and her shoulders stiff, giving off an aura of both power and majesty.
Was she examining the maidens and even now choosing which of us she’d sacrifice to the monster? After the hours of preparation, I hoped I glowed with beauty. As soon as we arrived at the palace, my servants would finish preparing me, fashioning my hair into long curls and attiring me in a shimmering emerald gown—the queen’s favorite color. Ultimately, no matter what I might do or say, the choice belonged to the queen. I must be beautiful enough to catch her attention during the ball.
I studied her again from afar. If only I could get close enough to plunge my knife into her heart to put an end to her reign and avenge my father’s death. I averted my gaze, and shame rushed in. My father wouldn’t want me to take a life for his, not when he’d died in an attempt to put an end to violence.
As much as he’d disagreed with the queen over various policies during the years as her advisor, he’d always worked toward peaceful resolutions and advocated kindness. He’d oft quoted the Holy Scripture verse that said:“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
I’d always carried his wisdom close to my heart. But over recent months, had I allowed my bitterness and need for revenge to cast a cloud above the need for kindness?
If he’d been alive, what would he say about my plans tonight? Would he approve?
Perhaps he’d laud me for my willingness to sacrifice myself for the greater good of all the maidens this summer and the years to come. Perhaps he’d laud me for wanting to eliminate slavery in the mine pits. Perhaps he’d even laud me for learning to wield a knife so I might defend myself against Grendel.
But in all my scheming, he wouldn’t want me to shift my focus from the light of what was true and right to the darkness that could eat a soul and leave blackness in its place.
As the traffic around us began to surge forward, I nudged my mount and pushed thoughts of my father from my mind. I needed to stay focused on what I’d come to do without letting anything distract me. If that meant I had to allow in some darkness to accomplish my deed, in the end it would be worth the cost.
Vilmar
From a hidden spot on the flat roof of the livery and blacksmith, I crouched next to Curly and Ty, peering down at the inner bailey. The area teemed with horses and knights who had already delivered their maidens and were now tending to their mounts and gathering around several large fire pits for feasting.
Though cloudy, the evening sky was still bright and would be for several more hours on the longest day of the year. The daylight would make our escape with Gabriella more difficult, but I was determined to get her away from the castle and Wraith Lake as fast as I could.
“The maidens be inside already,” Curly whispered.
I fought back my frustration that we’d arrived too late to intercept her before she entered the castle. Curly had described the chaos and confusion that ensued while the caravans of women were climbing the hill to reach the palace, and we’d hoped to wind through the crowds, mingle with the masses, reach Gabriella, and sneak her away with no one the wiser for her disappearance.
However, as Curly had led the dozen or so of us men through the backcountry trails, we happened upon a hunting party and needed to hide until they passed. Though we ran the last miles and pushed ourselves to the brink of exhaustion, we missed our opportunity to snatch Gabriella.
The others who’d accompanied us now waited by Wraith Lake. I’d wanted Ty to stay with them, but he’d insisted on remaining by my side. This time, only gratefulness welled up for this faithful servant who had nothing to gain in my venture and wanted to help nonetheless.
With time slipping away, I needed to act soon to ensure I had enough time not only to hide her, but also to return and offer to battle Grendel. Curly had assured me that, if I stepped forward and presented myself as a contender to fight the berserker, the queen would allow it. Others had done so over the years, especially fathers and sons who’d hoped to eliminate Grendel and in so doing protect their daughters and sisters.
None had ever succeeded, and the queen would assume I would fail as well. But with my background, I would hopefully have an advantage. Not only had I received weapons training from the best warriors in Scania, but I’d also watched the best knights in my country battle against the berserkers. Though I’d been but a boy at the time, I still remembered the techniques they used to lure and trap the madmen.
Besides, my companions would be nearby and, at my signal, would come to my aid. Together, we would defeat Grendel.
“I shall go in and get her.” I started to rise.
Curly yanked me down. “Ye cannot just walk in the main door. The queen has extra guards stationed throughout the palace for keeping away desperate families and lovers.”
