Ash sits in a boat with Slate and Finch as the river carries them swiftly downstream. The sound of the water carries none of its usual magic. He had been planning to take this journey with Cedar.
Ash had convinced Philip to cuff his hands in front, rather than behind, but the paddling is left to his companions. He faces Slate in the stern, and gestures with his head towards the man in the bow of their boat.
“Finch. Only recently returned. Top secret assignments overseas, but I trust him.” Slate says.
“Then I do too,” Ash replies.
Finch continues his rhythmic paddling, feigning oblivion to their conversation.
“What did you tell her?” Ash asks.
“To keep herself hidden.”
Ash scans the canoes that spread across the river, counting again to ensure everyone is there. He settles his angry gaze on one canoe in particular.
“How have they not been discharged?”
“Influential parents,” Slate says.
Ash shakes his head. It is one of many things he will take up with his father when they reach the Palace of Rubies.
There is a long silence before Ash asks the question that twists his gut. “Where
is James?”
“He is presumed dead.”
Slate’s words feel like a punch.
“What happened?”
“His companions claim he was lost in a storm and drowned. They haven’t found his body.”
Ash is no stranger to loss, but this feels different from the loss of his heroic mother. Brutal though her death was, none of the consolation he took in how she lived fortifies him against the grief of losing his brother.
“The King seems desperate,” Ash says, unable to speak further of his brother.
“There has been an increase in refugees from Koshluk. There are spies among them. Pressure on King Orion has grown since you were named crown prince. King Marcus knows you were close to your mother. Apparently, your recent front as a hedonistic boy was not convincing.”
“It wasn’t a front. It would have been nothing but true if not for Quartz.”
“He was a good man,” Slate says.
Silence has a way of respecting the sacrifices of the dead, and both men fall silent for a time.
“Nothing can happen to Cedar,” Ash says.
“The girl?” Slate replies, keeping his tone nonchalant.
“You know those men. You have seen what they are capable of.” Ash tilts his head towards one of the boats. “She will not become another of their casualties.”
“What are we going to do?” Slate says, candidly confirming his loyalty.
“I’m not sure yet.”
Ash and Slate retreat again into silence, this time to seek solutions to their predicament.
Several hours later, Philip signals the boats to make camp. Ash asks Finch and Slate to hang back. They watch the men paddle to shore. When all the men are accounted for, Slate and Finch join the rest.
Once the canoes are dragged from the water, the men set up camp and make preparations for the evening meal.
Slate and Finch set up their tent outside of the circle of the rest of the tents while Ash stands idly by watching the men work. In the center of the circle, meal preparations are in full swing.
An hour later Slate brings Ash a bowl of food. “Philip refuses to remove the cuffs.” He sets the bowl in Ash’s hand, a spoon in the other.
Ash snorts. “I’ll manage. Finch is watching the men.”
They eat in silence, the men’s boisterous conversation spilling out from within the circle of tents.
They both start as they see Finch walk by their tent with another man. Finch slows down and looks at them, gesturing behind him toward the camp.
Ash puts down his bowl on the ground.
“I’ll go watch the men.” Slate strides towards the tents.
“I’ll watch the boats.” Ash turns the other way towards the canoes.
“Slate. Ash. Where are you going?” Philip arrives from the direction of the tents. “Slate, if I understood properly, you have charge of Ash. If it’s too much for you, I can assign another man.”
“No sir.” Slate stands at attention, while Ash looks anxiously toward the camp.
“What do you need, Philip?” Ash says.
“I trust your journey has been comfortable,” Philip says with complete civility.
How like Philip it is to act as though everything is as it should be. Philip is not a man to declare ill will towards anyone, but neither is he a man Ash will ever trust. He has seen Philip follow orders to the letter, with no question of disobedience. He is neither a self-seeking man nor a man of conscience.
“There are men in your party who deserve to be sitting in a jail cell,” Ash says.
Philip wastes no time acknowledging whom Ash is referring to. “Jasper and Colt.”
“You allow them to serve in your company?”
“It is my superior’s duty to expel them should that be the decided outcome.“
“Innocents suffer as a result.” Ash looks accusingly at Philip.
“I have never been remiss in detailing their actions in my reports.”
“Have you never for a moment questioned if you are doing the right thing?” Ash sees Finch walk past them toward the tents. He releases the tension in his shoulders.
“Self-reflection is for those who imagine they will have to justify themselves before god. I do not believe in god and will not need to justify myself before any man apart from my superiors and my king. I have followed every order I have been given, so I am justified,” Philip says. “My condolences on the loss of your brother.”
“What do you know about his death?” Ash asks. Ash wants to vomit from the callousness in his voice. He cannot indulge in tears. The result is a strange emotional detachment. His body does not seem to know what to make of his brother’s death. Squeezing pain targets random parts of his body.
“Only what his companions have said. He was lost in a storm and drowned.”
Before Ash can answer, Finch comes running towards them. His words reach them before he does. “Colt and Jasper are gone.
A cold shiver runs down Ash’s spine.
Philip curses. “How long?”
“Maybe five minutes.”
Several men trail behind Finch.
“Check the boats. You, find out what weapons are missing. Garnet, you and Leaf will be going after them,” Philip barks.
“Yes, sir!” Garnet salutes.
Men spring into action. Finch and Slate exchange glances with Ash.
One of the men sprints from the river. “The canoes are all accounted for. They are on foot.”
“Garnet, you can pursue him by boat. We can assume the girl’s cabin is their destination. Collect your things. Bring them back, preferably intact. Jasper’s father will make hell for us otherwise.”
Garnet spins on his heel and jogs to the camp to retrieve Leaf and everything they will need. Philip follows close behind, leaving Finch, Slate, and Ash alone together.
“Jasper and Colt are the fastest runners I know,” Ash says. “What are the chances Garnet beats them there?”
“It won’t matter if he does. Garnet has served as Jasper’s accomplice before,” Slate says.
Ash curls his fist in frustration. Does Philip think everyone is as single-minded about following orders as he is? Or is his choice a way of getting revenge on his future king?
Finch clears his throat. “I am sorry, Prince Ash.”
“You should not atone for the faults of others, Finch,” Ash says.
“Regardless, I’ll take whatever orders you give.”
Ash looks at him. “Thank you, Finch”
Ash outlines his plan. He makes it clear what the consequences could be and offers only as much assurance to mitigate their risks as a handcuffed prince can make. There is no doubt that the choice is theirs, but they do not hesitate.
They wait for the cover of darkness. Ash hopes the lost time will not be the regret of his life. Cedar is smart, but Jasper and Colt are trained and ruthless.
Philip assigns a guard outside their tent. Finch and Slate move slowly, but with a stealth that assures Ash that he could find no better men to hand over Cedar’s fate.
Ash will stay behind and continue with Philip’s company. He has thought of the problem from every angle, but Cedar is worse off with him than without him. If Slate and Finch help Ash to escape, Philip will follow him, and this time, bring Cedar with them. Ash has his doubts that she will be any safer within arms reach than she is right now, especially if Slate and Finch aid his escape and are rendered as immobile as he is.
They leave without a word, and Ash listens intently as he lies there. All is quiet for long enough for him to let out a sigh of relief.
He is still awake at dawn when he hears a shout. Presumably, their tied and gagged guard has been spotted.
Philip appears in the tent moments later, coming to an abrupt stop when he sees Ash.
Philip appraises him a moment. “You would have your friends jeopardize their livelihoods, possibly their freedom, by encouraging direct insubordination?”
Ash answers him from his place on his sleeping mat, cuffed hands resting on the rise and fall of his abdomen.
“I would have every one of my citizens do what they believe is right. I would, as much as possible, provide them with that freedom.”
CEDAR ROLLS OVER in her makeshift bed under the table before she is startled fully awake by the sound of the workshop door slamming. She sits up, disoriented. Light filters through cracks in her hideout as the sounds of heavy footfalls vibrate the floor.
“Where would you hide if you were a third the size you are?” a male voice says.
“Shut up, Jasper,” returns a gruff voice.
Jasper chuckles. “If you insist on eating through the rest of the food, you’ll be too full for other activities.”
“I’ve had nothing but army food for months. You looked to be enjoying yourself just as much.”
“It was a welcome respite.”
Their conversation is interrupted by the sharp twang of a string as it snaps. Cedar wraps her arms around her middle and grimaces. The cello has betrayed itself.
“What was that?” asks Jasper.
The sounds of boards hitting the floor fills Cedar’s hiding space. A thump above her is followed by the sounds of strings vibrating as the cello is tossed onto the table.
Footsteps move along the perimeter of the table before coming to a stop in front of the plywood that seals off her hiding place.
Jasper whistles. “Well, what do we have here? King Marcus recently doubled the reward for this kind of contraband. Shall we split it?”
“What do you need the money for?” says the gruff voice, closer to Cedar.
“Aw Colt, come on. You think I could stand by and let you have it all? Don’t I do enough for you already?”
“You mean save me from all the trouble you pull me into?” Colt mutters.
“It’s not without its rewards,” Jasper says. “Come on, we’ll have to find the girl soon if we want any fun. Let’s check the trees.”
Colt grunts from his place nearest to Cedar. “Think Philip will charge us with desertion?”
“He’ll take us back to the city first, and my father will intervene. At worst we’ll spend a few days in cuffs.”
“What about the prince?”
“King Marcus will dispatch with him soon enough. We’ll make his woman make it worth the risk.”
“If we can find her.” Colt kicks the sheet of plywood. The board vibrates. It is followed by the sound of tapping. There is a pause, then the wood panel is moved to the side. Cedar holds her breath. The thud of her heart fills her ears. A man peers in. He wears an army uniform, and his face is bushy and unkempt. A sick smile spreads across his face as he looks at her.
“What did you find, Colt?” Jasper asks. The sound of footsteps, as he comes closer, makes her hands grow clammy.
The door swings open and Colt rises from where he crouches.
“Jasper, Colt.” The new voice is higher pitched but carries a note of authority.
“Garnet, hello. I figured he’d send you two, but I thought you’d give us a little extra time. You have been paid well enough for it before.” Jasper says.
Another new voice, this one almost childlike, says, “We didn’t rush.”
“Colt here insisted on food first.”
“At least we have full stomachs,” Colt says.
“We have orders to return you with no delay. Ash is crown prince now. It won’t be so easy to bribe your way out of trouble. I’m done taking these risks,” Garnet says.
“Your family could be in a lot of trouble if Ash becomes King someday,” Jasper says.
Cedar wipes her palms on her pants and reaches for the knife she had laid beside the blankets. She squirms towards Colt’s feet. Can she count on the new men to intervene? If not, she will be hopelessly outnumbered.
“Your family won’t be any better off,” Garnet says. “They have come by their wealth the same way.”
“All the more reason for us to work together,” Jasper says. Jasper plucks a few strings on the cello.
Cedar shudders with repugnance, as though his hands have touched her body.
“This little gem is incriminating evidence against our future king, don’t you agree?” Jasper says. “How about this – you get to take the cello and present it to Philip as evidence you discovered. You get all the credit on top of your usual payment. In return, you grant us the rest of the day.”
“It’s too long. What am I supposed to say to Philip? I had to wait for you to find the girl?”
“How bout a couple of hours? That should suffice,” Colt says.
Cedar holds her breath as she waits for the man’s reply, knife poised.
“Two hours,” Garnet says. “You better start looking.”
Cedar adjusts her grip on the weapon.
She waits until the moment she sees Colt’s body descend before she plunges the knife into his belly. Colt gives a sharp cry. Cedar bangs her head on the underside of the table as she pulls back. He grabs her hand, and the knife clatters to the floor. By now two men are at Colt’s side shouting orders to the fourth man. Colt hauls her out from under the table and Jasper and Garnet level pistols at Cedar.
Garnet compresses his army jacket against the blood seeping out from Colt’s wound while Jasper grabs her by the wrist and pulls her up from the floor. He holds her firmly against him. Cedar swallows her revulsion.
“Take her inside, do what you will.” Garnet’s face is red and contorted. It was foolish to have hoped she might have an ally in him. His young partner looks away from her when she sends him a pleading look for help. He looks younger than she is. Jasper places the pistol on the back of her head and pushes her out the door.
Could she simply endure whatever Jasper does to her, and hope he leaves her alive? Cedar has known people in her village who endured all sorts of abuse. They would say things like: I look at the ceiling and imagine I’m in the woods listening to the wind in the aspen leaves. Then it’s over. It’s not so bad. The hollow look in their eyes had suggested otherwise. Samuel had never gone so far as she had feared he would, but Cedar still recoils at the memories of him touching her.
The distance to the cabin from the workshop feels shorter than usual. Jasper prods her with his pistol. “Open the door.”
Cedar does so, struggling to gain control over her muddled thoughts and reactions. There is something dancing in the shadows that she tries to grasp onto to save herself, but it eludes her.
She finds herself at the bedroom door, the same room Ash had come into the morning before. The light from that memory scatters the shadows in her mind, and even the pistol pressed to her head cannot bring the darkness back.
She stands taller, determined now. Jasper nudges her with the pistol again. Cedar breathes slowly in and out but does not move forward. She will not allow herself to be at the mercy of a man’s lust again.
“This won’t satisfy you,” she says. Feeling a little drunk with a sudden ability to speak in the face of fear, she turns to face him.
A slow smile spreads across his face. “You’re right. But I can think of ways to make it more worthwhile. Perhaps taking away any future satisfaction our noble prince plans to have with you.”
Cedar shudders at the twisted pleasure in his expression. Shadows crowd her thoughts once again. Without her realizing, he had backed her into the bedroom.
He spins her around and throws her face down on the bed, wrestling her arms behind her. He reaches for the nearby dresser, opening and closing drawers. Her heart races for a moment before she remembers that the stone is no longer hidden in those drawers. The memory of the stone gives Cedar the spark of an idea.
Jasper withdraws a pair of pants and roughly begins to bind her arms together behind her back.
“The stories about the Governor’s stone never mention how small it is.” Cedar is surprised at how steady her voice sounds while her body shakes. Jasper flips her over on the bed in one smooth motion and pins her body beneath his. She shrinks into the mattress, willing herself to remain calm.
A dangerous look is in his eyes. “What do you know about the stone?”
“The Governor would give almost anything to have it returned. But what can one man give that you would want?”
“The stone. Tell me what you know,” he says.
“I have held it.”
“Describe it,” he snarls.
“It’s blue. Jagged. Heavy,” she says. The truth is more convincing than a lie.
He studies her face before planting his hands above her and moving his face closer to hers. “When we’re done here, you’ll show me.” His body hovers over hers.
Cedar brings her knee up, driving it into his groin. She gets lucky with her aim. She slips in between his legs and off the bed. He groans as he collapses in pain. She shrugs out of the loose knot of the pants around her wrists and scrambles out the bedroom door.
Curses sound behind her as she runs through the living room, grabbing a chair and throwing it down behind her in the doorway to the kitchen. She opens the door of the cabin as she hears Jasper tossing the chair aside.
It has occurred to her that he will not spare her once he is holding the stone, but so long as he wants it, maybe he will keep her alive. She is halfway between the cabin and the workshop. She pauses, flustered about where she should go.
“It’s even more fun when they try to run,” Jasper says.
She spins and faces him. He replies by cocking the pistol. She looks at him, unflinching.
“Is this really who you want to be?” she asks.
“Shut up,” he growls. “The stone. Where is it?”
He closes the gap between them, pistol fixed on her.
Cedar narrows her eyes. “What could you need the stone for?”
“You stupid girl. You have no idea what power that stone has.” He butts the pistol against her chest with enough force to knock her off balance. She throws her arms behind her to break her fall. She yelps in pain as the force of the fall is absorbed through her hands and up her shoulders.
Jasper’s head jerks unnaturally to the side. A fraction of a second later she hears the crack of a gun. She looks away from Jasper sprawled on the ground, blood pooling beneath him. At the tree line that separates the cabin from the river, she sees two soldiers. One is positioned behind a rifle set on the ground, partially concealed by the surrounding brush. The other soldier runs towards her and she recognizes Slate. He points his pistol in the direction of the two men who run out of the workshop.
The man behind the rifle repositions his gun and sets his sights on Garnet and the young soldier. They place their weapons on the ground and raise their hands.
Slate reaches her side and turns Jasper over.
“He is dead,” Slate says.
Cedar’s body trembles so violently she is unable to rise.