Page 38 of Sword of Desire
“Both,” he snarled.
“Savenek,” Rema snapped. “Remember your role.”
“Even in a situation like this?” he asked.
“Especially in a situation like this. It ensures the enemy never sees it coming.”
Savenek nodded and relaxed his hand which had been gripping the hilt of his sword.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t command our men,” Rema said, gesturing for him to take the lead.
He gave a curt nod. “Our mission is to not let anyone touch the empress,” Savenek said. “We have to assume our enemy knows how to get into this castle. I want half of you monitoring the water entrance below. The rest, keep watching the shore.”
Rema addressed Ackley and Gytha. “You’re welcome to stay, but it’s not necessary.”
“Now that I know you’re not in any real danger, we will go.” He turned to leave and remembered something. “You never confirmed our deal.” They’d been interrupted.
“Your soldiers may remain on my land so long as they do not harm any of my citizens. The second Owen requests you return, you do so immediately. Then I want to meet with Owen and his bride.”
“Done.”
“One last thing,” Rema said. “When the situation with Melenia and Russek is rectified, I’d like to speak with you further about your kingdom. I think we should open some form of communication and peace between Emperion and Marsden.”
“I agree.” He took her hand, kissing the back of it. “It was a pleasure meeting you.” He released her hand and exited the room, Gytha following close behind.
“With this exercise going on, how do you propose we get out of here without getting caught up in this?” Gytha still held her sword in her right hand.
“We’re going to provide a distraction and help the empress out.” Instead of going to the lower level where the water entrance was located, he went to the end of the hallway where a tall window had once been.
“Why would we do that?” she asked, sheathing her sword.
“To show her we’re on her side and can be a valuable ally.” Peering out of the opening, he estimated the water was about fifteen feet below.
“Won’t we be caught doing this?”
Ackley gawked. “Caught? Never. Besides, we’re going to show her we have our own set of skills and aren’t simpletons from some little unknown kingdom.”
“By doing that, aren’t you also declaring you’re not to be trifled with?”
A wicked smile spread across his face. “Perhaps. Now let’s get out of here.” After making sure his weapons were secure, Ackley climbed onto the window ledge. Not seeing anyone on the shore on this side of the castle, he dove into the water. He resurfaced and watched Gytha jump in feet first. Once her head popped above the water, he pointed to the shore. Gytha nodded.
Ackley swam that way. If everyone was on the other side, no one would see them. Then, once he reached land, he could circle around and come up behind the men, surprising them.
Nearing the shore, he thought he saw movement amongst the trees. When his feet could touch, he stood, observing the shore and the nearby forest. He felt the presence of people hidden nearby. Not wanting to harm any of Rema’s men, he planned to fight using only his hands and not his weapons.
He started to exit the water. When he was knee deep, a man stepped out from behind a tree. Ackley came face to face with one of his spies, Morton, the one he’d sent to the castle to assist Harley. “What are you doing here?” he asked his man, panic seizing him. Morton would only be here if there was a complication.
“We have a problem,” he answered.
They were going to have a lot more than that when Rema found—he quickly counted—four of his soldiers here. He cursed.
The air shifted, and an unnatural silence blanketed the lake and nearby forest. Rema’s men had to be closing in on them. Standing in the lake, the water lapping around his knees, Ackley quickly considered his options. He didn’t care to have an arrow shot through his back, so he lifted his arms in surrender. “Everyone, follow suit.”
His four spies and Gytha promptly imitated him.
“No one move,” Ackley said. Then, louder, “These men are with me!”
One of his soldiers cursed, his attention going above Ackley’s head to the castle behind him.
