Queen Bee

What Breaks the Camel's Back

    We stop to rest at small clearing clouded by the tree tops. The sun has begun its descent and I can't help but remember the first time Olivier and I watched the sun together and the first kiss we ever shared. I smile warmly, even as the wind grows colder and any remaining heat seems to escape my body. 

    "We should reach the castle in about an hour, so lets not stop for two long." Dar manages not to look freezing, even with her buzz cut and only a leather jacket to hide from the wind. 

    "I agree. Just stop long enough to warm up." Doxam agrees, seating himself on a log as Dar surveys the area. Sawney and I sit side by side, though far enough apart that we're not touching. I pull my knees up to my chest, shivering as I wish I had put more on than just a dress. Sawney seems to take notice, draping his outer jacket around me awkwardly. I smile in thanks, pulling it close. 

    "So, if you were to have a plan to take over the castle, what would it entail?" He raises his eyebrows and smiles like a little boy as he moves his head closer to me. 

    "It's actually good timing that you got kidn*pped by those guys..." I make a face, then remember that 'those guys' knew Sawney. I make a mental note to ask about it later. 

    "Well, you know what I mean."

    "No, I don't. Go on."

    "Okay, we need to get rid of Dar. She's the main general of his army and a big weak spot. If we can get rid of her on our way to the castle..."

    "We could take out the army easier?" He nods and I can see the thoughts forming in his eyes.

    "Then, we take out Jules, as well as any Frense servants. I say we leave no survivors." Sawney gazes at me expectantly and I nod, not wanting to give it much thought. 

    "I could...take care of the king." 

    "So you're in?" 

    "No!" Am I? Knowing Sawney, he'll probably do something either way. But, I married the king for a reason. I need him to help build the kingdom back, to help the citizens remain safe. Father didn't see me fit to rule, so I probably can't. He'd seen many kings and queens in his lifetime and he saw many of them die and their countries collapse from underneath them. Why should I be any different?

    "Why not? It's a perfect plan! Well maybe a few kinks in it..."

    "Because, whether we like it or not we need Jules. To protect Astaria." He looks at me incredulously. 

    "You're one of the most capable and strong person I know. You care more about Astaria than anyone here, than anyone in the world! More than Jules ever could. You can't let your fear stop you, Adela. You can't let what people have told you keep you from doing great things." Something strikes a chord in me, tears now fall from my eyes. 

    "I don't feel very strong right now."

    "That's because you can't. Not with the weight of Jules on you." I look into his eyes, sensing his desperation and hearing his words that make my heart want to leap from my chest. 

    "You really believe that?" I choke on my words, the emotions from the past few days overcoming the barriers I've tried to construct. 

    "More than anything. Just as much as Doxam, the other servants and soldiers, Anna, and even Olivier. We want you, Adela." His hand goes to my wrist, the most I think Sawney has ever tried to touch me. I nod, wiping the remaining tears away. 

    "Let's do it." He smiles, then hardens his expression as he begins talking about our first step. 

    We've continued walking for about half an hour and can finally see the walls of Astaria. They glow in the dim light of twilight, beckoning me forward. But first, there's something I need to do. I sling one foot in front of the other and fall face first on the ground, letting out a yelp. Doxam and Sawney come to my aid immediately, pretending that I'm hurt. Dar lets out an annoyed huff. 

    "I think she sprained her ankle, can you take a look?" Doxam stands, looking at Dar. She scowls, but bends down to look at my ankle. 

    "The ankle is fine, it's not even red-" Doxam strikes his sword down for a blow to her head, but she's quick. Dar rolls away from the hit and stands, even angrier. 

    "I KNEW it! You're idiots!" She pulls her dagger out and goes for Doxam, eyes red as she makes fatal attacks. Sawney helps me back up to my feet as I watch them, hoping Doxam doesn't get hurt I watch as her knife plunges into his side, yet Doxam perseveres. She doesn't expect him to keep going, catching her off guard when the general knocks her on the head with the but of his sword. Her body flies to the ground and Doxam kneels beside her. 

    "Are you okay!?" I ask, but Sawney is already dragging me down the path. Doxam gives me a pained smile before replying "I've had worse. You go on." He crumples next to Dar, breathing heavy. There's no time to lose, so I quickly follow Sawney as we run the rest of the way. 

    Approaching the castle walls of the city, Sawney stops to breath and finalize the plans.

    "I'll get backup from some friends. Can you have the king taken care of by noon?" I nod, ideas forming in my head as I try to figure out the best course of action. 

    "Great, we'll attack the castle at that time, so be ready. I'll send word to Anna so she can start getting the servants ready to fight." He turns to run, but before he can move I say "Sawney, are you sure this will work?" He doesn't waste time to look back at me, but I hear him say "It has to." before disappearing in the forest. I muster all of my courage and forge on through the gates, not stopping until I reach the castle. Jules is already there, enveloping me in a hug as soon as I climb the stairs. 

    "Adela, I was so worried! Are you hurt?" He holds my face, looking around my body for any injuries. 

    "No, I'm fine." I smile warmly, taking his hands in mine, "just a tad hungry."

    "I can have a meal prepared right away for you, no less that fifteen minutes!"

    "Actually, I was thinking we could have a nice meal. Just the two of us." I look up at him through my eyelashes, hoping he doesn't see a fault in my plan before I do. 

    "Oh, uh, of course! Whatever you want! When were you thinking?"

    "How about half past eleven? Is that enough time for a nice meal?" 

    "I can make it enough time." He snaps at his servants, instructing them to have the cooks make that happen. We head inside and I tell him I would like a bath. 

    "Do you...perhaps need help with anything?" He looks at me with puppy eyes and I hide my disgust. 

    "No, this is just a quick clean up. I'll be taking a more relaxing one tonight, though, if you'd like to help with that one." He clears his throat and nods before going back to do whatever Jules does during the day. I rush to my room and quickly draw a bath up. I soak just long enough to get all of the leaves and dirt off my body before changing into my clothes. I slip a pair of pants on underneath a skirt floor length, then put on a slightly revealing blouse. Hopefully Jules will be too distracted to see the plan I have laid out in front of his eyes. Next, I comb out my hair and fit it in a tight ponytail. Ready to begin, I step out of my room, looking both ways to make sure there's no guards around before darting to the kitchen. In the midst of the bustling kitchen clanging racket, I approach Godrey. He looks like he wants to pull out his hair and stab the next person who touches him. Slightly frightened that might be me, I tread cautiously. 

    "Um, Godfrey?" He whips around and suddenly his hard demeanor melts into a relieved one. 

    "Ah, Adela, it's you. Are you alright?" Why does everyone keep asking me that. 

    "I'm fine but..." I look around warily at the Frense servants surrounding us. 

    "Do we need to talk in private? They don't understand a lick of English." He adds the last part irately. 

    "No, it's fine then. I need something." He c***s an eyebrow and I have to take a breath to force myself to keep going. 

    "I need a poison...do you have any?" I try to say it nonchalantly, but the pain in my face gives me away. 

    "Uh," he coughs, "yeah, I do. Hold on." His face doesn't give away any emotions as he turns and begins rummaging though a closet. He pulls out a small vial with yellow flakes, handing it gingery to me. 

    "It's a pretty common one...I learned that in very small doses its non lethal and makes a great spice." He rubs the back of his neck and chuckles nervously. I turn the vial around in my hand, wondering how something so dainty can hold a man's life at stake. I realize we have a few watchful eyes and quickly cup the vial in my palm, shoving in down my skirt and into my pockets. 

    "Thank you, Godfrey. I'll make this all up to you someday." He smiles, twisting his mustache and says "Eh, you already have kid." and with that, he's back to yelling at the servants, bossing them around as his usual self. I sneak out the back, unsure of what to do with my time.