Chapter 9 The Knighthood
I gulped, body stiffening. What did Robin do to deserve the knighthood’s ire?! My breath quivered, stuttering, “I—uh…”
“Whoa, chill, Cedric!” Another knight came over. His blue eyes were identical to the man who pointed his sword at my neck, and I recognized his ashy blonde hair. “She’s just a girl. Do you have to be so rough with her?”
Wait—that’s the knight who talked to Captain Jackson!
“Quiet, Erik!” he barked, his sword digging deeper into my skin. “She’s a thief!” Cedric glared down at me. “A bold one at that. She’s been on the run before you even took your oath.”
“What?!” I echoed. They both looked at me as if I were a mouse who had a surprisingly loud squeak. My cheeks flushed. “I mean, I have no memory of this.”
“Liar!” Cedric snapped.
Erik knocked his sword away with his own. “You don’t have the right to pass judgement without a fair trial.”
Cedric scoffed. “You’re only saying that because she has a pretty face!”
“I am not!”
“You’re a liar too,” Cedric snapped.
Erik squinted at him. “I’ll tell Captain Jackson.”
“Do it. You think he’ll listen? He’s taking care of Embercrest’s chaos. Stuff like this is the last thing he needs on his list.”
Huh?
Their childish squabble caught my attention. “Embercrest? What’s happening there?”
“None of your concern,” Cedric grumbled, sheathing his blade, and Erik did the same.
I bit my lip in frustration. He’s not going to budge. What should I do? Should I lie? I grimaced at the thought. Ah, Mother would scalp me if she found out.
“Get out of here before I change my mind,” Cedric snapped. “The only reason I’m letting you go is because our captain has his hands full.”
“I… uh, I have dementia,” I said hesitantly.
Cedric and Erik looked at each other and then back down at me, both of them saying “Eh?” at the same time.
Something tells me they’re brothers.
“I have dementia.” I steadied my tone. “I’ve had it for a long time, so I can’t remember what all I’ve done.” I forced one of my practiced, pretty smiles. “Could you remind me, please?”
Cedric scoffed. “Dementia? At your age?”
Erik scratched the back of his head, processing what I said.
“Please,” I murmured, standing up and wiping the blood from my neck. “Tell me everything I’ve done. This is important.”
“Important?” Cedric barked. “You stole our food! Our weapons! Hell, you even hijacked a horse!”
My jaw dropped. A horse?! I slapped my forehead. Oh, Robin… Great. Now what?
My thoughts raced as I tried to think of something. Anything. “I’m sorry I’ve caused you so much trouble. I was going through a hard time and needed help, but I didn’t trust getting assistance from the knighthood.” I looked him up and down with a narrowed gaze. Cedric bristled while Erik glanced away. “But things are different now. I’ve been summoned to Embercrest Kingdom on short notice.”
“Summoned?” Cedric asked. “By whom?”
“Queen Victoria, sir.”
“Queen Victoria? You’re joking.”
"I am not, sir. I’m her niece."
“Niece?” Cedric squinted. “Nice try. Queen Victoria is an only child.”
“Queen Victoria was raised as an only child. Duke Nathanial Ray was a lover of women, and he was cut from the picture for a reason. The 87th king may have done his best to erase what happened between him and his mistress, but I am living proof that the past never dies. Everyone must reap what they sow sooner or later. Clause 2 firmly states that if you disregard the word from the Ray bloodline, you will be charged with a crime.”
Sorry, Grandfather! My tone remained strong, but guilt ate away at my consciousness for throwing my beloved grandfather under the rug.
Cedric’s face dropped as he and Erik swapped glances again.
Such a sensitive family matter wasn’t public knowledge, at least not to citizens, let alone outsiders.
I pressed further, lifting my chin. “Take me to Embercrest Kingdom.”
The brothers frowned. Cedric muttered something under his breath while Erik stepped closer and said, “Sorry, My Lady, but Embercrest is on lockdown.”
I grimaced and looked away, but he continued, “However, we’ll go talk to Captain Jackson about this.” The young man smiled. “He’ll give you the okay to go see your aunt.”
“Don’t get your hopes up,” Cedric added.
I held in my relieved sigh, but still showed gratitude in my smile. “Thank you, truly.”
Captain Jackson Hayas. My smile faded. The strict, cold captain I’ve met only a handful of times, but always kept me safe from afar. I rubbed my arm where I had been wounded yesterday, remembering his gentle hands as he bandaged me.
Will he show me mercy…?
“Come on.” Erik offered me his hand and helped me mount his horse. I held on to him as the horses galloped down the road. The forest broke into another wide field with another forest continuing beyond it. Several roads passed through the field.
This must be the border.
Near the road was a cluster of many tents, horses, and armored men. Smoke rose from between the tents. I spotted unarmored, burly men sitting around the fire. My chest fluttered.
It’s a knighthood camp! So this is what they look like.
Erik snorted, and I noticed him staring at me. “What’s with that sparkly look in your eyes?”
“I—uh,” I stammered, face hot.
“Don’t make idle conversation with her,” Cedric warned.
“What? It was cute. Stop acting like she’ll stab you in the back at any second!” Erik complained.
The brothers’ quarrel faded as my attention focused on the camp. I could smell the burning wood, iron, and savoring meat. Their deep laughter merged with the clang of metal and a few neighs from horses.
Finally arriving, Erik slid off his horse first and then lifted his arms to help me. I slid off the horse, landing on his chest. His shoulders weren’t as wide and arms not as thick as Cedric’s, but I could still feel his broad chest beneath his chain mail. His musky scent filled my nose, but for once, I didn’t shy away.
“You’re rather excited for a thief surrounded by knights,” Erik joked.
“Stop gawking. This isn’t a tour,” Cedric lectured me. “Royalty or not, you’ve got a criminal history. The captain will decide how to handle you.”
My lips pursed, but I didn’t protest. Even though I claimed to be a relative of the Ray family, I was still an outsider. If Embercrest was in chaos, then my word alone wouldn’t be enough to solve my case.
“I understand.” I dipped my head.
Cedric glanced at Erik. “Take her to the main tent while I look for the captain.”
“You got it, bro.” Erik grinned. “This way, My Lady.”
Erik led me into a tent twice the size of the others. It was lit with lanterns and had a big table in the middle with a detailed map.
“Doing alright, My Lady?” Erik asked, looking at my neck.
“I’ll be okay, thank you for your concern,” I murmured, giving my practiced smile. It could’ve been the lighting, but I could’ve sworn his cheeks flushed.
Cedric returned to the tent. “Captain Jackson is out on patrol. Not sure when the man will be back. Might as well get comfortable.”
I frowned, hugging myself. “I understand.”
“…You should sit, My Lady.” Cedric gestured to a chair. “It may be a while.”
My eyes widened, thrown off guard by his sudden kindness. “Oh, um, thank you for the offer.”
Cedric cleared his throat. “Let’s go, Erik.”
The ash-blonde man smirked and spoke under his breath, earning a sharp jab from Cedric’s elbow. They both elbowed each other until they were out of sight. I chuckled. Sitting would’ve been smart, but my curiosity got the better of me.
I gazed at the map. It marked every trail, road, forest, mountain… and Embercrest Kingdom.
It’s beyond Moir Forest.
I had heard many horror stories about Moir Forest. Haunted, full of monsters, and with travelers having gone missing often.
I don’t think I can make it through Moir Forest on my own.
“Ah,” a familiar voice came, making me whirl around and lock eyes with the man I had been searching for. His hazel eyes were far colder than the last time I spoke to him as he muttered, “So the thief was actually the daughter of Duke Nathaniel Ray, half-brother to Queen Victoria. You claim Her Majesty has summoned her niece on short notice. Correct?”
“Y—yes.” I bit my tongue when I stuttered.
Oh no.
Jackson’s eyes narrowed sharply. “What a coincidence,” he muttered, walking over until he was directly in front of me. My forehead barely reached his chin. He leaned down to my eye level. “Why are you 'really' here.”