Shattering Dreams

1. Rebellion

1

Rebellion

Alex smiled. Outwardly, he appeared relaxed, accepting the compliments and praise, basking in the adoration of his peers. He swallowed the last of his wine, not even noticing as a hovering servant refilled his glass. Alex let his eyes roam over the ballroom, settling for a moment on the dais where the King sat on his throne, presiding over the proceedings attended by William, playing the dutiful Crown Prince.

Prince William looked in his direction and frowned, as he did whenever he looked away from his conversation with the King long enough to peer at him. Alex raised his glass to the perfect one in the court, the noble Prince—the King’s favourite child—and drank the contents of his glass, laughing as William sighed and turned away.

Alex let his eyes rake over his contemporaries, the younger sons and daughters of the court’s high lords and ladies as they fought for a position near him. He smiled bitterly and wondered if the sycophants would still try to gain his favour if they knew one of his father’s closest guarded secrets. That if he’d been born to a typical family instead of a ruling family, it would have seen him killed at birth or as soon as the healers confirmed he bore the Taint. Alex laughed, his presence a ticking time bomb in the court, surrounded by the Elite in the Realm, waiting for the moment his father’s guards deemed it prudent to end his life. Still, that possibility was a future concern.

Alex wished not for the first time that he lived in that long ago era where, so legend had it, being able to wield the power of the veil wasn’t a bad thing. Those with the power where highly regarded and valued. Thinking of the folklore regarding the use of the veil in those days nearly made him laugh. Vaunted fighters, augmenting their strength and normal abilities, able to travel great distances, being able to control the very elements … immortals. Until his Great Uncle Edward’s day. Something had started going wrong. Those with access to the veil had started turning, going mad and killing people. Ordinary people who couldn’t defend themselves, events that begun the Sundered War.

Alex caught himself before he slipped and rolled his eyes, drawn out of his introspection. He noticed Lord Minor Rathan Cartwright trying to insinuate himself into the group surrounding Lady Jessalan. Rathan was an irritating little Lordling who kept trying to gain not only his attention, but that of his friends. The only one who didn’t realise he didn’t have a chance was Rathan himself.

Alex caught Jess’s eye. You’ve got incoming.

It was times like this being Tainted was handy. He may not be immortal or be able to control the elements but he could communicate with others who bore the Taint—Lady Jessalan Elena Barraclough was one of them. She was one of his closest friends, even though she was the daughter of a low-ranking lord who attained his rank due to the King’s favour rather than through hereditary lines. She came to the Royal Court as a small girl, placed in the care of her Aunt and Uncle. Her Aunt had been a beauty in her time; she even overcame the challenge of her low birth to marry the second most powerful lord in the Realm.

They had been firm friends since childhood. Jess had grown up, and was now regarded as one of the most desired and beautiful ladies of the court. Her blonde hair was held in an intricate design by combs and pins, with a trail of hair running down one side as if it had wilfully escaped its bindings. With pale skin, startling green eyes and a slim waist, Jess appeared to be, on the surface, almost delicate.

Appearances can deceive. Alex knew she was athletic and an incredible swordsman. Well-known as one of the best hunters in the court and comfortable not only in wielding blades, but knives, bows—any weapon that came to hand. Jess rode with the royal party in the Royal Hunt, and when Elizabeth, William’s twin, ventured from the palace, Jess was always in her entourage. Unknown to anyone else, Jess was one of the last forms of defence should anyone try to harm the Princess. The only reason most lords of their set let her be—other than light courting—was her association with Alex and Kyle. That is, other than Rathan, who had been trying to gain her attention of late, it seemed.

He chuckled as Jess rolled her eyes, her voice replying in kind in his mind. Oh, save me. Is anyone in this court more irritating?

Oh, I don’t know. His sister, Janice, is right up there. Kyle’s exasperated mind-voice filtered across to them both.

Alex glanced across at his friend, Lord Kyle Xavier Strafford who looked as if he was devoting his entire attention to Lady Minor Janice Cartwright. As the son of the most influential and the richest lord in the Realm, Kyle was a favourite amongst the ladies of the court. Just as their fathers had been from childhood, Alex and Kyle had been friends from the nursery, since they were often thrown together while their fathers talked matters of state. Kyle had a well-earned reputation as a ladies’ man. Rumour had it he had been working his way through the ladies of the court—young and old—since he’d reached his majority. Kyle was tall with an athletic build, with black hair, olive skin and deep brown eyes that almost seemed black depending on his mood.

He was also one of the best swordsmen in the Realm, having been trained by the best since he’d been old enough to hold a sword. Most of the courtiers were unaware of that. Still, some were catching on. They had been giving him a clear path; if they thought he was ill-tempered.

Shall we stage an exit from this party? I’m bored anyway.

Alex smiled, receiving their replies, and excused himself from the group surrounding him. He made his way across the ballroom toward Jessalan with a trail of people following behind.

Alex’s eyes scanned the ballroom as he walked, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of Lady Amelia, Kyle’s sister, her smile fixed as she deflected the attentions of one of the lords in her circle of admirers. Alex diverted, making his way across the crowded room to join her circle. Amelia’s lips parted in a smile when she saw him and Alex took her hand and brushed his lips in a light kiss on her fingers.

“Amelia, you look lovely tonight.”

Alex kept his eyes firmly on hers but knew that others in the court had tracked his movement and were watching the byplay avidly. He also knew that the King had noticed and had halted his conversation with Lord Strafford, Amelia’s father. The minor lord that Amelia had discouraged paled, realising he had made a mistake.

Amelia blushed, glancing down before looking back up into his eyes. “Thank you, Alex.”

“I trust there won’t be any trouble tonight?” Alex let his eyes track across the men surrounding Amelia.

The miscreant that Amelia had pushed aside paled and took a step back subconsciously, trying to put some distance between him and Alex. Alex smiled at the hasty denials from all the men, realising that his hand had strayed to his sword hilt. Then, pulling Amelia closer, he kissed her on her forehead in a brotherly fashion.

“Have a good evening, Amelia. If you need anything, approach the guard; I’m sure they will be happy to help.” Alex’s eyes flicked up to the nearby guardsman on duty who nodded discreetly before transferring his attention to the Lordling, who by this stage looked like he was about to faint.

“I’ll withdraw, with your permission My Lady?” Alex gave a half bow, grinning at Amelia impudently as he backed up; she laughed and flipped her hands at him.

With one final glare toward the men surrounding Amelia, he turned and made his way across the crowded ballroom, which magically cleared in front of him as he walked toward Jessalan. He moved through the group surrounding Jess; they moved aside good-naturedly as soon as they realised it was him. Slipping in next to Jess, he slid his arm around her waist. He kissed her on the cheek and in one practised motion he slipped his empty glass to a passing servant. Alex laughed outright as Jess placed her hand on the back of his head and pulled him closer to kiss him on the lips.

Come on, let's get out of here. There must be a party more entertaining than this courtroom somewhere in this kingdom!

Alex wrapped one arm around Lady Jessalan’s slender waist, throwing his other arm around the shoulders of Kyle, who had divested himself of his followers and arrived at Alex’s other side. Alex dragged them toward the doors, oblivious to the obvious consternation of the courtiers in the ballroom, since the King had not left the hall yet.

Kyle exchanged glances with Jessalan, who sighed as Alex turned and hauled them both toward the doors. Kyle risked a glance over his shoulder toward the dais, catching the discreet nod from the Crowned Prince just as they exited the ballroom.

Alex knew that behind the scenes there was mad scrambling—runners heading off to alert guards they were on the move, looking likely to leave the palace. He threw back his head and laughed, knowing the mandatory entourage would swear and run to get ready. They hated it when he ran off and much preferred advance notice so they could get ready to go with him in a more orderly manner. Alex, however, much preferred to leave the guards behind. There were times when the press of people became stifling. He and his friends had much more fun relaxing away from the ever-prying eyes of the assorted lords, ladies, guards and servants, away from the stifling confines of the palace.

Still, despite the suddenness of his decision to leave, the palace servants would scramble, their horses saddled, waiting in the courtyard with attentive grooms holding them. Palace servants were, by now, well used to his ways. He wouldn’t be surprised if they saddled his and his friends’ horses every night, just in case. He hadn’t been left standing impatiently on the stairs in the minor courtyard of the Royal Palace waiting for his horse for quite some time.

The three of them sped up their pace. Jess, hiking up her skirts, kept pace until they reached the large double doors to the courtyard. Alex always marvelled at how Jess’ servants managed the transformation; somehow, they swarmed around her, taking her to a small room off the side of the hallway. He didn’t know the room’s original purpose, but now it was a small private dressing room. Alex and Kyle continued out the doors that swung open ahead of them and their own servants appeared with cloaks and blades. Both of them divested of their court weapons, their ceremonial vests peeled off them and replaced with vests that were, while still well-made and expensive, far more suitable for the night’s entertainment—it would take trained eyes to spot them.

They continued down into the courtyard with a barely noticeable pause to change. Alex traded glances with Kyle, laughing. He’d been right. The servants had brought their saddled mounts out to the courtyard ahead of them. Both swung up onto their mounts with a practised ease, then turned as, only moments after, Jess came running down the stairs. Taking them two at a time, no longer attired in her gown and expensive jewellery, she wore attire much like their own, more suited to leaving the palace. Without pause, Jess mounted with an ease that spoke of someone well used to riding.

Seeing they were all ready, Alex laughed, spurring his horse into a gallop across the small courtyard. The guards on duty at the main gate to the palace complex struggled with the doors, only getting them open at the last minute. He shared glances with Kyle and Jessalan riding on either side of him and, in a manner that spoke of long association, the three of them guided their horses off the main road. They rode to one side, down a narrow path through the forest that was a shortcut into town, the guards left behind, cursing, still trying to mount in the courtyard.

Familiar with the small winding trail (they had ridden this path too many times to count), Alex slowed down as they approached the small gate that would allow them to gain access from the Royal Forest into the town. Alex smiled as the guards on the gate jumped up from their position resting against a nearby tree to sprint to the gate, staring in their direction as they cleared the tree line. Alex looked to Kyle and gestured with his head toward the gate and guards.

Kyle spurred his horse forward. Without comment, he threw back the hood to his cloak as he approached the guards and, when close enough, spoke calmly.

“Open the gates.”

Alex didn’t even bother to slow down the pace of his mount as he approached the gate. He saw the junior guardsman’s eyes widen as he recognised Kyle. He and his fellow guard hauled the chains to open the portal to the outskirts of the town. Alex chuckled. Kyle had a growing reputation, well known not only to the lords and ladies of the court but also the guards.

As they passed through the gates, Alex, Kyle and Jess slowed their horses to a walk. The gates closed behind them with a soft thump. Alex grinned. The portal had been well kept since the first time they had used it—on that occasion, creaks and groans from the gate could be heard halfway across the residential section of town, announcing to all that a member of the court had passed from the palace grounds to the city proper.

Alex noted that Kyle drew the hood of his cloak up to obscure his face again and, without thought, spurred his horse up to a ground-devouring trot. They made their way through the town, drawing little attention as people went about their business without pause. The group moved from the more wealthy sections of town and crossed through the areas belonging to the middle class. Here was the domain of the tradesmen, merchants and stall owners—all of them still at work, plying their trades. Alex smiled and relaxed, the bustle of people going about their daily lives obscuring their movement through the streets effectively.

Slowing his horse to a walk, Alex led them down a side alley that opened out into a series of gated yards and stables. Alex slid from his horse as Kyle took the lead once more, passing coins to the stable keeper, who was eyeing off their mounts with an appreciative eye.

“We’ll be back later to pick them up.” Kyle passed his horse’s reins to the man, commenting in a dry tone, “I expect them to still be here.”

That provoked laughter from the portly stable keeper. “My Lord. I wouldn’t dream of selling off your horses. I have a funny feeling you’d take it personally, which would be detrimental to my health.” The man turned and bellowed toward the scruffy boy filling up a trough with water.

“Eddie, get your lazy rear end over here and help bed down these horses.”

Alex passed over his reins without comment, noting that Jess had done the same. He turned and led them from the stockyards, down winding alleys, toward the rougher parts of the old town. During the day, it was sleepy and almost deserted. At night, as the markets and businesses closed, the old town moved from sluggishness, waking up to heave with activity. Strains of music filtered to the streets, flowing from bars with lights burning brightly from their windows.

The pleasure houses were open for business. Lower-end houses had their men and women out the front, calling out to the people passing, inviting them to come in and spend a night of pleasure with them. Unlike the lower-end houses, the better places were discreet. They didn’t need to put their people out the front; their patronage knew where to find them and knew they were open for business—the lights burning from the front parlour of their premises gave that away.

It looked like a wild night already, with patrons stumbling from bars, or some being thrown out. One unlucky drunk came out of a bar and stumbled into Jess. She pushed him and, drawing her dagger, hit him on the side of the head. The man, who by the state of him had probably been drinking all day, slumped to the ground, unconscious, as Jess looked down at him disdainfully and stepped over his unmoving form.

She smiled. “Looks like a fun night.”

All three of them laughed as they approached one of their favourite haunts—a three-storey establishment, a wooden sign hung just above the double doors with a frothing tankard burned into it, the image and plain script above proclaiming it The Tankard. It was a bustling bar on the lower floor, with rooms for hire above. Not that any of them stayed here. At least, not if they could help it. Alex pushed the doors open and the three of them walked inside.