Page 93 of If The Crown Fits
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The moon was high in the sky and the night was at its darkest, but we were all still sitting outside, gathered around a large fire. Someone started telling stories and soon a small crowd formed. Despite the fire, the air outside was cold, not that I minded this at all.
“Delaris and Valerie knew they couldn’t be together with everyone watching them.” The man was telling a story about a prince and princess from long ago and their forbidden love.
“So, in the middle of the night, Valerie escaped from her palace, and with a dove, she sent a letter to Delaris, telling him to meet her in the centre of the forest.”
“But we’re not supposed to go there,” one of the small children piped up. “It’s dangerous. You’ll die in there.”
“It is dangerous, yes,” the man replied. “During the day there is a mist that is so dense, you will never find your way out. Only those with royal blood can find their way through the mist. So when Delaris got Valerie’s letter, he got on his horse and rode there as fast as he could.”
“Did he find her?” a little girl asked.
“He did. And they lived happily ever after, where no one would find them.”
“So nothing could hurt them?”
“No, nothing could hurt them.”
I met Lara’s eyes on the other side of the fire and she managed a smile. The stories continued with tales of the magic forest and heroes who roamed the lands long ago. The lot of us listened intently and, for that time, we could forget about poverty and rebellions.
Chapter 27
The Evernean Forest
Lara
“That bastard!” I flinched a little as a cup went flying past my head and hit the wall behind me, shattering into a thousand shining specks. “He’s going to ruin everything!” Uncle Arthur attempted to pull himself together, but his anger was all too evident by the undeniable flush on his cheeks.
“I don’t see how Lance getting engaged is going to ruin everything,” I said.
It had been announced that Lance was engaged to a rich heiress from a distant kingdom named Lady Maliah, which sounded perfect for Lance’s spending habits.
“King Lance cannot get married and have an eligible heir. We do not need more obstacles when it comes to the royal family.”
I still didn’t truly understand what the big problem was, but I wasn’t going to infuriate him by asking more questions.
Uncle breathed heavily in anger and Cai’s eyes slowly turned to mine. “Now what?”
“Now we rain fire and hell down on him,” he answered for me.
“All fair and well, Uncle.” I plopped down on a chair. “But how exactly do we plan on doing that? The spies you sent for the Norrandish soldiers are dead, and even if we have the alliance of the Baruk clan, our numbers still might not be enough. Plus there is no guarantee they won’t betray us later on.”
“We have plenty of people here willing to fight.”
“Farmers and blacksmiths, but few with experience. You would be sending them to their deaths against armed soldiers.”
“I can’t stop people if they are willing to die for their freedom,” he retorted and I bit my lip.
“So your plan is to storm the palace?” Cai raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t hear you giving any better suggestions, Your Highness.”
“You don’t exactly have a list of options, but if your plan is to attack, I suggest you do it strategically.”
“Need I remind you that I served in the royal army, son? I will not just have my people running like hooligans.”
“If I may interject?” I interrupted the two men, whose glares had become all the more deadly. “The main entrance of Levernia palace has steel gates, which lead to the front courtyard, followed by two heavy doors. It is heavily surrounded by guards, but the other sides of the palace less so.” I turned to face Cai. “Cai had the idea of using the gates as a distraction to gather the soldiers there, while the rest of us sneak into the palace at other smaller entrances.”
