SECRET OF THE AMULET

CHAPTER 9

A stone fortress was erected at the bottom of the Grim Mountain. Eleanor Montgomery was destined to uncover the truth about Grim Mountain, whether it was real or not. She heard that a magical man has taken residence in the said fortress, and that man, if convinced to be on her side, she would become the most powerful woman in the Kingdom.

“Can you tell me what brought you to a halt?” Eleanor looked out the window of the carriage as it came to a complete halt, almost causing her to fall and hit her head.

“Your Majesty, we have arrived at our destination,” he replied.

“Shhhhh, you can’t address me as a Queen here, have you forgotten?”

“Pardon, milady,” he immediately corrected her mistake, and the woman just looked at him.

Even though she was afraid of being away from the palace for a lengthy amount of time, she was forced to go to Grim Mountain for her daughter’s sake. Her husband, the King, had continuously mentioned about the possibility of her first daughter to be alive, and she couldn’t allow that to happen. Lucienne deserved the best in the world, and no one, not even the King’s first daughter, would be able to change that.

As the carriage came to a standstill in the midst of nothing, she commented, "I don't see any keeps around." The village of Grim Mountain, located east of Dewbury, was reputed to have seagrass roofs, oakwood walls, and breathtaking fjords, but none of this could be seen from her vantage point, which was a cliff overlooking the sea.

"You'll have to walk half a mile to get there," the coachman informed the woman. Then, he shrugged his shoulders, as if he couldn't think of anything further to say as the Queen focused her stare on him for a second time.

“What about my personal belongings?”

His words were, "I will assist you, Milady, but the carriage will not be able to travel much further."

"Oh my God!"

It wasn’t Eleanor's dream to walk half a mile down the aisle in her stunning gown, which had an allover tonal sequined pattern, illusion embellishments, and a sweeping A-line shape, and because of the long sleeves, she was more uncomfortable in the scorching heat of the sun.

The fact that Eleanor couldn't keep a straight face as she started walking and carrying one of the bags to assist the coachman made her question whether Grim Mountain was as prosperous and rich as the rumours said.

Most people were aware that Grim Mountain's economy was thriving, owing to the growth of medicine, winemaking, and alchemy, among other things. It was said that Grim Mountain's major benefits were delicate woodworking and rich mining, which were both said to exist.

            Was it even true?

            An hour later, Eleanor blinked her eyes in disbelief that the rumors were true! A total of fourteen huge spherical towers were thrown around in what appeared to be a haphazard fashion, yet they were designed for maximum security and were connected by massive, silver-colored stone walls. There were elegant windows and identical-sized holes for archers and cannons sprinkled freely across the walls, creating what looked to be perfect symmetry.

The sole entrance to the Keep was defended by a traditional gate, which included enormous wooden doors and a slew of artillery guns. It's the only way in that's convenient. Carts, boxes, tents, and a variety of trade items were heaped and packed outside the Keep, ready to be sold when the time came.

It was surrounded by well-kept gardens filled with fragrant flowers, magnificent trees, and an abundance of plants on the outside of the castle. It had weathered the test of time well, but fractures were beginning to show here and there throughout the structure.

"Are you on the lookout for someone?"

Eleanor was taken aback when she heard a voice behind her. She was dirty from being soaked in her own sweat by the time they arrived at the gate since the coachman had already departed by the time they arrived.

"I've come to visit Lord Killian Cromwell," she stated emphatically.

            “He doesn’t take visitors, Madame. However, you can state your identity and I will rely it to him,” she assured.

Eleanor couldn't help but notice the ballerina neckline and short sleeves that showed her lovely arm, as the woman in a magnificent red gown, styled with a fluffy tulle skirt and delicately embellished with a stitched bouquet, responded her.

Observing that the garment looked to be more comfortable, Eleanor expressed her admiration for the clothing's capacity to provide comfort. It was then that she handed the lady the sealed envelope containing a medium-sized sachet, which may have included jewels or money, and of course, a proof that she was someone not to be ignored!

            The woman’s gaze remained on Eleanor's apparel for a lengthier period of time. "That one seemed a little expensive," she commented.

"I agree with you," Eleanor said, pausing to admire the exquisite clothing she was wearing. "The King gifted it to me," Eleanor explained.

“Please wait here while I fetch the person you are looking for,” he said.

“I’ll wait in the Great Hall,” Eleanor announced, and before the woman could stop her, she went inside.

"You're not allowed to wear that type of clothing here," she stated carelessly.

"Could you please inform me what sort of attire I am required to wear?" Eleanor wanted to know more, so she inquired.

            “I don't care if you're wearing work clothes or breeches; whatever makes you more comfortable.”

            As soon as she heard the woman’s impertinent response, Eleanor fanned her face to control her temper. She tried to smile at the vermin before her. “Breeches and working clothes?” She inquired further.

            “Yes. My master will not let you meet him in that stupid attire,” she added.

            It took so much of her patience not to slap the woman’s face for being disrespectful to her. She’s the Queen for goodness sake, and yet, the lowly creature demanded her to wear something like a rag!

            Impossible!

Eleanor's brows were raised in disapproval at the woman’s tone of voice. It's out of the ordinary and strange. “Will you please slow down?” She requested as soon as the woman walked faster towards a row of chambers. The woman demanded that she should change into something appropriate for the eyes of his master.

“Faster!”

A few moments later, Eleanor Montgomery discovered that the double-moated castle was located within a hundred acres of magnificent grounds, complete with sumptuous apartments and suites.

The chambers were carefully furnished with luxurious textiles and antique furniture to create a relaxing atmosphere. While Grim Mountain appeared to be in dire straits to outsiders, the kitchen was constantly stocked with freshly baked bread and biscuits.

            “How do you like my place?”

            Eleanor turned around and came face to face with a gorgeous man. She was mesmerized by his handsomeness, and she couldn’t help but notice how he tied his long blonde hair into a ponytail, revealing his exquisite jawline. Beady hazel eyes, placed beautifully inside their sockets, keep a watchful check on her, and she felt uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze.

            “Lord Cromwell,” she guessed.

            “I’m not one of the nobility, milady. In here, you can address me as your Master,” he announced.

            The way he delivered the word ‘Master’ caused her neglected womanhood to tingle with excitement. “Master Cromwell,” she corrected it immediately while her eyes traveled around his physical attributes. There’s no doubt that the famous sorcerer could break a woman’s heart just with his looks!

            His clothes were barely fastened with thread at the upper right side of his short sleeved, animal skin jacket, which covered him to just over his waist. Decorative bands around the borders of his jacket's sleeves, which were broad and stretched down to well above his wrists, add to the overall effect of the piece.

There was a basic fabric band that was tied together with an elaborate knot to secure the jacket, which has a round neckline that shows part of the modest shirt worn beneath it. The fabric band was primarily for show, although it did have a functional purpose. Simple and fairly broad, his pants were long enough to reach his hide boots at the bottom. The boots were fashioned from a particularly rare hide, but other from that, they were not particularly noteworthy.

“Wrong, it’s Master Killian,” he stated with a cute grin on his face.

Eleanor was drawn to his handsome appearance that for a moment, she has forgotten her reason for visiting him. “You surprised me, Master Killian,” she told him.

Killian Cromwell slowly approached the high ranking lady and stood just a few inches from her. “Did I?” He whispered and at the same time, he blew some hot air into her ears to disturb her even more. From the moment she entered his domain, Killian knew that the woman would performed well in his bed…regardless if she’s the Queen or an ordinary lady pretending to be a royalty.

“Y-yes,” Eleanor stammered on her response when he stood so close to her. She tried to step back, to distance herself from the seducer, but he was fast enough to stop her, and grabbed her waist. “Keep your hands off from me,” she ordered.

“How about if I should do this?” Killian asked and without warning, he conquered the inviting mouth of the lady, and she gasped in surprise!