The Exiled King's Guard

Chapter 17: Elisiya

I watched the stupid soldier till he turned the corner at the end of the passage. As I turned to enter my room, I saw someone standing at the other side of the passage. I turned to look squarely at the new intruder and was startled by the innocence of the hazel eyes that looked back at me. Full of astonishment, standing with a pile of laundry at her feet, was a petite girl who looked no more than sixteen. She was rooted to her spot, her eyes moving from the spot where Fargo had vanished and focusing on me. Oh no, now I had a witness and they could very well report me. This was bad. But I didn’t know how much she knew. Maybe she had missed the part where I kicked his a*s for trying to misbehave. Feigning innocence seemed like a good plan for now. I smiled at her with what I hoped was a dazzling expression, “Hi!” I waved and started to move inside the room.

It was a brief moment where I stepped inside the room and thought I was safe before I heard her call after me.

“Miss! Miss!! Wait! Please!!” taking a deep breath, I turned hoping she would leave me alone. I saw she was standing at the door, hesitant to come inside without invitation. I motioned for her to enter. And she bounded in, eyes now wide as saucers, her surprise turning into excitement as her lips broke into a smile.

“ That. Was. Incredible!!” she said out of breath from excitement. “How did you do that!? Fargo is a jerk, he is always bothering the washerwomen. Can you ask him to leave us alone too?” she said it all in one breath, brimming with hope.

“ I.. uh..” what could I say? I had been thinking my actions would turn her against me. I hadn’t thought I would find admiration through mutual dislike for someone. She looked like an innocent who would place the utmost faith in the King and his subjects. Wait. I scolded myself. Here I was forming opinions quickly again. Wasn’t this something I was trained all my life not to do? But my instinct always jumped ahead of logical reasoning.

Almost as if sensing my hesitation, she spoke up again, “ Or maybe you could teach us?”

I looked at her aghast. I was a notoriously bad teacher. I had been told in very clear language that I had no patience, very high expectations and a very short temper when teaching. I couldn’t think of anyone less suited for teaching than me.

“ Oh silly me, I didn’t even introduce myself and started asking for favors, and to a visitor too. I am Elisiya, I help my mother and the rest of the washerwomen with laundry transport.” She said, pointing to the pile of ruined laundry in her arms. “I was brining these fresh ones for you since Commander Jeffery sent word we would be having a visitor. He just told us to ready this room, but I thought you might need clothes and things. I heard you were runaways.” Then realizing what she had just said, her face contorted into panic. “ Oh God! I am sorry I didn’t mean…”

“ Its alright” I smiled reassuringly. “ I have been called a lot of things in the past few days, this is actually the most accurate. And I don’t mind, I know you are only saying what you heard.” I soothed her, she seemed like a sweet, harmless person, and her face was betraying all her emotions as she rapidly cycled through them. She was incredibly easy to read.

“ I am Ashley. Royal protector of the Crown Prince Zachary of Cairintar, it's always good to meet a friendly face”, I added as her eyes started widening at my designation.

“ I have never seen a woman protector. Is that why you fight so well? Are all women in Cairintar warriors?”

“ I.. Well no. Most women in Cairintar don’t train…”

“ELIIII!!! ELI!!! WHER- Oh! There you are!” An older woman suddenly came bustling in. Family resemblance led me to believe they were mother and daughter.

“ I am sorry miss. She likes to talk, this one. Eli, this lady here is an important person, you shouldn’t bother her like this!” she said, eyeing the girl sternly.

“ But Mama!” Elisiya protested, “ I thought she might need clean clothes…” she trailed off catching her mother’s look, the older lady was trying to hint at something more with her eyes. I couldn’t help but feel unsettled that even the help was hiding things. It was not reassuring in any way. I realized I could learn more if I could gain this girl's confidence, I needed to get on her good side.

“ It wasn’t any trouble, Ma’am. Elisiya was very helpful, she even assisted me in getting rid of an unwelcome guest.” I smoothly glossed over the fact that Elisiya had met me after the incident.

The older woman gave me a knowing look, “ Was it Fargo again? Or one of his friends? Those men are the scum of the earth. If Lord Darius wasn’t protecting them, my Henry would… “ she stopped abruptly, looking like she was in pain, then hastily tried to compose herself. “We must leave now miss, there is lots of work. And we wouldn’t want to keep you from your work either. If you need anything, you can always find me or Eli here.” And she started retreating from the room, pulling Eli along. I needed to think fast, I needed more information, and then an idea struck.

“ Actually Eli, can I call you Eli?” I paused, the girl nodded. “ I am afraid I might get lost in this castle, it is much bigger than back in Cairintar, would you mind showing me around a little bit? Later, of course, after you are done with your chores.” I said, giving her another big smile and her mother what I hoped was a harmless look.

Eli paused, looking at me, then at her mother, who looked suspicious but nodded discreetly. Eli’s face broke into a triumphant smile, “ Of course Miss! I will find you after tea”. She looked like she wanted to say more, but stopped herself and waved as the duo exited the room. I was left with mixed feelings. My instincts told me they could be trusted, but logic said I should be watching out, there was enough data to be suspicious. I sighed, first things first, I needed a bath.

* * *

Commander Jeffery POV

I hurried to the mail carrier. He was standing at the gates, ready to mount his steed and head south. I cursed my luck, having to use the regular mail system, but this was too important. I couldn't risk this communication being discovered.

"HEY!! Hold on a minute!!" my voice boomed across, so much for being inconspicuous. But I couldn't let him leave.

"Ah, urgent mail sir?" the mailman asked when he located me. " No, well... yeah. I had kept this one ready to go with the rest of mine but my scatterbrained maid left it in the sitting room. And this needs to go today. You remember I have an aunt in the south who relies on me. She needs my seal to apply for state assistance."

"Ah" the mailman nodded knowingly, he shoved the letter hurriedly with the rest, I was hoping he didn't notice the wax was still warm. This was our established system. Any correspondence to and from Lucas went via the aunt in the south, Aunt Carmen, but the disadvantage of using this system was that anyone could read my letter. We had to rely on our code language from when we were kids, with some added sophistication, of course.

I wished I could make this letter reach aunt Carmen faster by sheer force of will, as I saw the mailman disappear in the distance. Lucas needed to know the situation here was about to change drastically. With the new prince, King Reston was now stronger. The prince was exactly as Lucas had mentioned ten years ago. Arrogant, stubborn and incredibly strong. But he was clearly not the brains behind their operation, which meant King Reston would manipulate him to do his bidding. But he wasn't accounting for the girl, and that was some hope. She was an ace if I had ever seen one. Decidedly arrogant as well, but equally intelligent. Whether she would cooperate was something that remained to be seen. I hoped sending Eli to her was a good idea. We needed this Ashley to trust us, and Eli was as trustworthy as they came.