Hallow Crown

Chapter Five

Chapter 5  

Tyson

Once we left My Lady Mother’s lair, I finally allowed myself the luxury of a breath. But the guards were still watching even as we rounded the corner.  I let Oriana walk ahead. She didn’t seem interested in talking and I was quite content with the silence.  

The walkways from My Lady Mother’s palace were, of course, the most well maintained. Everything had to be as she designed, The snowdrops grew in one direction, the grass was never longer than an inch.  Even leaves had to fall in accordance with her wishes.  

“I thought all the king’s wives lived in the Jewelle Palace?” Oriana asked over her shoulder.  

I paused for a moment unsure if she was asking me or herself.  

“Oh… yes, they normally do but My Lady Mother refused to stay in the same palace as my father’s mistresses. She said it was degrading to be kept with those beneath her.” I tried not to sound disgusted but my guess was that It slipped into my voice. 

“Well, she certainly has a high opinion of herself.”  

I caught up to her and pulled her round to look at me.  

“I would advise you to watch what you say.” I looked her in the eye, pleading that she be more careful with her insults..  

“Yes… you are right I was too careless.” She looked shocked but still tried to maintain her calm facade.  

“I am sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, I have simply seen my Lady Mother execute people for less.” 

She nodded her understanding. I let go of her arm and we continued to walk in silence. As we walked I noticed we were heading further away from the heart of the Royal Courts and towards the Cold Palace. 

“Princess-” I began.

“Oriana. Please just call me Oriana. We are to be married, what good are formalities.” 

“Of course, Oriana. But are you lost, there are no royal or guest residences in this direction.” 

“No. I do believe this is where I will be staying.”  

“This must be a joke,” I muttered to myself, “they wouldn’t really do this.” 

“Tyson?” I looked at Oriana, her brow was knotted together, “what is the matter?” 

“Nothing,” I took a step back, and let out a deep breath.  

We continued to walk but this time I kept a watchful eye out for any of my Lady Mother informants.  

“How was the journey? I heard that it can be a struggle for those who are not used to traveling.” 

“ It was quite difficult,” Oriana replied but there was something almost playful in the way she answered.     

“I am sorry to hear that.” It seemed that no spies followed us, “if there is anything you need or if something in your residence is not right, do not hesitate to send for me or Carlos.” 

“Thank you, Tyson, that is very kind,” she said and paused as if  thinking, “would I be able to access the library, all my books were lost on the journey.” 

“Well I can grant you access to the public library and I can get you any books personally from the knights’ school library but as for the Royal Library, I am afraid that only my Lady Mother or Lord Father can grant you permission.” 

“I see… thank you.” 

“It is not a problem, I will let the head librarian know that you are allowed to enter and if there is anything that you are specifically looking for I can have someone track it down for you.”   

“That would be a big help, thank you,”  she said, smiling but it didn’t reach her eyes. Oriana didn’t look too happy with the answer. We walked down the final pathway and I could see the entrance to the Cold Palace coming into view.  It was just as old and dilapidated as I remembered Vines grew up the side and the building had started to crumble. On the other side of the gate, I could see a small girl bouncing on her toes waving to Oriana. She was the only maid in the courtyard which was odd, I couldn’t see any guards either. 

Regardless of who she is marrying she is still a royal guest, this is wrong. I made a note to ask the patrolling knights to check back here more frequently.

“It seems you’ll be in good hands from now on so I’ll leave you here.” I nodded at the young maid, I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.  

“Yes. She has become quite attached to me.”

“You are lucky. At least I know you have some people here looking after you.” I took another look at the palace and sighed, “I am sorry about this.” 

“This isn’t your fault.” Oriana crossed her arms and looked at the palace with a scowl.

“Well not directly.” I could not look her in the eye. 

She shrugged her shoulder, before patting me on the arm, “it’s fine,” with that, she walked off down the path. 

I turned around and retraced our steps back to my own residence. I had always thought it looked out of place. My residence was not a part of the main Castle, partially because it was cut off by a large patch of woodland. But also because unlike the rest of the palace that had been designed with appearance and spectacle in mind, my own home was a forgotten army fortress. 

The Knight squadron leader had gifted it to me after he passed and it had been the base of operation for my team ever since. They chose to live here with me instead of in the barracks that the royal family appointed them. 

I entered through the side door, the main gate being impractical and never used. Entering the side door took you straight through the kitchen, Jin was usually cooking in there. 

“Hello, Jin.” I patted him on the shoulder as I passed by. 

“Hey, Prince,” he said, not looking up from the boiling pot.  

The smell emanating from the pot was spiced and tickled my nose.  I stopped to peer in the pot, the stew was a bright red and bubbling like lava.  

“Mind if I ask what you're doing?” I stepped back from the stove; taking shallow breaths, trying not to breathe in the scent of his concoction... 

“I’m on cooking duty,” he answered, still not looking up.

“Okay,” I planned my exit, “Jin you are aware it is a crime to poison royalty?” 

“This is a traditional Hine dish, my uncultured Prince,” I turned from the pot, “and if you want better food hire a chef.” 

“Sure, but it will be coming out of your pay,” I shouted back at him before shutting the kitchen door and running out of the servant's quarters.  

Once I reached the main hall, I slowed and walked to the drawing-room.  When the fortress had been built, a map of the kingdom was tiled on the floor, it was a little out of date by now but it had come in handy over the years. Now months of supplies were scattered around the room and all manner of maps pinned up to the walls. 

Waiting for me in the hall was Carlos and Kinson. They had their backs to me and were looking at a map. 

“How is the planning going?” I looked down at the map and the rough outline of their plan.  

“It’s all going to plan,” Carlos turned and smiled. “This time next week Prince Tyson will be dead.” 

***

Isola

Row followed me into my room and I slammed the door behind her.  

“Get this off me!” I screamed trying to reach the buttons. 

I could hear Row laughing behind me as she messed with the back of the dress. 

“But you look so pretty.” She cackled 

I huffed but stayed still while she undid the dress. It fell to the floor and I slipped on my black trousers and shirt. 

“I think we should go exploring.” I dug around in one of the trunks and pulled out my spellbook and wand.  

“Where are we going?” Row asked.  She was digging through another trunk looking for her own black shirt and pants.  

“The Royal Library.  That is where the country's archives are and that is the best place to start.”

“Okay,” Row went and changed in the corner.  

I went to the window and tried to spot the guards on patrol. There seemed to be no-one stationed at the gate, but there was one lonely soldier who was sitting against the archway leading to the royal garden. I hoped that all the maids had gone home.  

“Getting out of here doesn’t look too hard…” I muttered to myself.

“But the palace will be filled with knights and soldiers.” Row finished for me.  

I nodded.  I braided my hair and I slipped a knife into my boots.  Row slipped on her mask and gathered her things in a small spatula. 

“Ready?” I asked.

“Yep,” she nodded.

The door cracked open with relative ease and opened into a completely dark hallway.  Only the dull light from the moon illuminated the way. It was a good sign. 

We made it down the corridor and to the staircase without hearing another soul, and none of the lanterns had been lit.  Going out through the main door was too obvious, so we headed for one of the side doors. The servant's wing was also deserted. Row opened a window in one of the rooms and we both jumped out onto the dying grass.  

Once we made it outside and to the wall I gave Row a boost up and she perched herself on the top of the wall. She leaned down and I took a running jump at the wall. I grabbed Row’s hand halfway up the wall and hoisted myself over. I dropped first and caught Row as she fell. 

“What do we have here?” A sarcastic voice said from the shadows.  

Cormac stepped out from behind a tree, he was dressed in complete black, with his twine axes holstered to his back.  

“Is the princess trying to escape?” I could see him smirking, even in the darkness.  

“Yep,” I joked, “I am escaping a political marriage to find my true love.”

We all headed into the tree line, intending to go around the guards and jump over the garden wall further round.  

“So where to boss?”  Carmac asked.

“The royal archives,” I whispered to him.  

“Really, don’t you think it would be a little too easy,” he answered back, “I mean would they really write it in the official archive.”

“I don’t think so,” Row squicked in, “but it’s the best places to start.” 

“That’s the spirit,” I said, patting Row on the head.  

We moved forward through the forest leaving no traces behind.