My Dear Traitor

Episode 4

“Get yourself to the palace,” Elwin shoved me a few steps away from him down the main road in the direction he was indicating with a nod of his head. “There are plenty of women around that you should blend in enough to seek safety there. Plus, no one will question a good-looking woman’s presence among the court ladies in such a distracting time as this.”

“I want to stay with you! I can help!”

“No. Leave me. I have a job to do now. Get to safety so I don’t have to worry about you!” He threw over his shoulder as he turned his back on me, running toward some of his men a few hundred yards down another side road. I hadn’t liked the wild look I’d seen in his eyes.

I knew he was right to send me away- the palace would be heavily protected, and I could pass as a courtier easily- but my thoughts were jumbled in my panicked state, and in my hesitation, I was jostled around by people hurrying to get away from the approaching intruders. I saw a small child standing off to the side of the road wailing for her mother with tears streaming down her cheeks. All the commotion suddenly brought back a distant memory, and I was thrusted back to a half-forgotten time from when we were children…