In Dreams: Red

Doomed

Grimly, my father dismisses everyone. The room is silent, everyone pausing for a moment, before filing out. At a glance from my father, I hold Reginald back as the other men leave, and my father shuts the door behind them.

"I assume you have done what I asked?" My father asks me.

"Yes, father. I have a small ambush party consisting of Kornel, Ives, Horace, Tyrus, Corwin, Reginald and myself. We've discussed tactics and plans, of course we're not entirely certain which tunnels will be most useful until the army has placed itself around the castle. We've also arranged a meeting place between attacks, have tokens to leave behind if we become separated, and Ives and Reginald had a rather lengthy discussion so he may have more information for you where that's concerned." I report quickly and efficiently. My father looks at Reginald questioningly.

"I have no further information as of yet, my Lord, we were just hashing out which tunnels were best based on their exits, but again that really depends on where the army is positioned, as My Lady has said." Reginald informs him.

“You have chosen well, daughter and I'm pleased you have accepted my offer." My father informs me.

"Credit mainly goes to the men, we discussed it equally and all had a say in the matter, and they came up with many good ideas and suggestions." I respond, I see Reginald preen under the praise and my father looks at him approvingly.

"Reginald, my lad, you have my gratitude. If we come through this, remind me you need a commendation. Now, if you don't mind, I'd really like to have a word with my daughter in private." My father says, clapping his left hand on Reginald's shoulder and escorting him to the door. The moment it is shut behind Reginald, my father tums to me with a look of worry. "Kennice, I must ask you. Please be safe out there. If it looks like you're in trouble, I want you to promise me you will do whatever you have to do to get yourself home safely. Do not let them win! I..." He stops, and suddenly pulls me into a hug. I stiffen, uncertain of what to do. This is vastly unusual for him, he's not really the hugging type. I awkwardly return the hug and as abruptly as it began, he ends the hug, pushing me to arm's length. "Go and spend time with your mother. She has to be worried sick by now." He tells me, turning away, but not before I catch a light gleam of tears in his eyes. A sudden, sick sense of foreboding hits me. I have never seen him cry in all of my years of life. I walk slowly towards the door, but can't help but look back at my father. The sick foreboding feeling refuses to fade. I shut the study door quietly behind me, chewing on my lower lip while thinking of my father's behavior.

I feel as though I should do something, go back in and offer the hug I had not known how to give, hold my father's remaining hand, say something, or maybe just stand quietly. I just don't know how to do this, or what would be the right thing. I try to shake the feeling off. I decide I will do as my father says and go spend time with my mother. I wander down the hall, heading back toward the courtyard where I had last seen my mother. I am of course assuming my mother will be in the medical tent and that I'll be able to locate it. Or at least someone who can guide me in the right direction.

Letting my feet guide me, I listen to the sound of the rain beating itself against the window panes of each window I pass. I stop briefly by my room once I see Dana is inside to ask her if she believes she will be in the room for a while.

“Yes my Lady.” She responds demurely. “May one ask why?”

“Oh please, you don't have to be so formal.” I reply with an encouraging smile. “But yes, you see, I was hoping if you see Peter.. Oh, Peter is the young boy that has been acting as my messenger and stayed here last night... Well you may have even seen him this morning?” She nods politely. “Well if he happens to return here, if you would mind telling him I have gone to the medical tent and to please follow me there?”

“Yes, my Lady, I will happily pass along the message.” She replies courteously, fluffing a pillow.

“Thank you very much, you are invaluable.” I respond. “And please, if you have no further orders or tasks to attend to once you are done here, please do and be with your family today.” I urge her.

“Yes, my Lady.” She answers quietly and continues about her work. I nod to myself and leave the room. My next stop is the messenger's headquarters, which turns out to be deserted when I arrive. I pace around the room for a few minutes, awaiting the return of a messenger before deciding I am too antsy to wait any longer. Grabbing a piece of parchment from a stack normally used for written messages, I write out two notes. One to the commander of the prisoner's guards, demanding the two guards immediate reassignment and discipline for their negligent and willful behavior. I sign this with my full royal title and seal it with my seal, contained on a ring I almost never wear on my finger, but instead on a chain about my neck. The second note is addressed to whichever messenger should arrive to the headquarters after I leave, asking for the delivery of the second message to the commander. This one is also signed and sealed, wrapped about the first message and placed prominently on the desk to be most noticeable when one entered the room. Satisfied that my job is done well and the messages would not go unnoticed, I leave the headquarters in search of my mother.

As I walk through the courtyard where my father had held his address to the villagers, I see the stations for new recruits are still set up. I'm guessing it's a desperate last minute scramble for volunteers, considering the latest news. There's also a new station which I see is dedicated to transporting children and elderly to the underground chambers. I stop at the nearest station and the guard's stance changes immediately to one of attention.

“My Lady.” He nods. I try to remember if I've ever seen him before, but nothing comes to mind immediately.

“I'm sorry, my mind is being quite unforgiving. It has captured your name and refused to release it...” I reply politely.

“Oh, forgive me Lady, I'm not certain you've ever known it. I was the messenger at the camp where you originally captured the prisoner. Our troop made it back in the early hours this morning.” He responds. A small spark of memory reminds me of his face

“Oh I am so glad you've made it. Did you have any troubles? What about the thieves?” I pause, choking back an unfortunate strangling gasp. “Or the bodies? Were the fallen recovered?” I question him. The soldier, still standing at attention, looks slightly uncomfortable.

“We weren't entirely sure what had happened, but heard some strange tales once we arrived here. The thieves were long gone, the bodies had disappeared as well, possibly carted off to remove evidence or to be looted. We saw signs of a struggle and the prints of a very large animal, but we were not beset and made it back with no troubles. My Lady, may I ask?” He swallows hesitantly. “Is it true what they say about the prisoner? There is a rumor that he can change into a wild animal at will!” He stammers quickly. Inwardly I sigh. I knew the secret would not remain 'secret' for long. After all, each guard would be told so they would know to stay out of his reach, plus the iron worker who made the chain had probably been told, and who knew how many others. All it took was one loose tongue. You could swear a man to silence, but some secrets are too heavy for the tongue, and too interesting for the inquisitive ear. I decide on a simple answer, one to maybe quell some of the curiosity and rumors.

“That, my friend, is a story for another day. The big news today is the invading army and getting enough support to stave them off. On that note, there was to be a medical tent set up here somewhere that the Queen was said to be volunteering in. Can you please point me in the right direction?” I request. Taking my hint, the soldier looks properly chastised.

“Ah yes my Lady, it'll be through those arches across the yard. Although, I can't tell you exactly where she'll be. I know she's been inside for most of the night. I take it then that the invasion is to be a bad one?” He asks.

“Let's just say we can use all the help we can get. And that, you have my permission to pass on.” I answer. He nods solemnly and I take my leave of him, heading towards the arches he has pointed out, and hopefully, my mother. With my mind on high-alert, I can't help but observe that though there are people milling around everywhere, it is strangely silent. It is like all the sound has been sucked out of the world. Voices are hushed, conversations short. It makes me rush, the feeling of disturbing the dead creeping up my spine like a premonition.

Several white tents are set up in the garden on the other side of the arches, and my mother is moving in and out of the rooms that open off the courtyard surrounding them. I hear her voice emanating from one of the rooms and head for it.

“..and I'm not certain this will be enough room either. We may have to see if there's an underground chamber with enough space or that's at least accessible.. Oh Kennice!” She calls as she sees me, stopping mid-explanation to throw her arms around me. “I'm so glad you came to see me Kennice, so very glad. I heard the news.” My mother whispers in my ear as she clings to me. I hug her back and then gently try to pry myself free of her. A feat that's much more difficult than her slender frame would indicate. By the tone of her voice, I can tell she's a hair's breadth from crying, and I desperately want to avoid that. I know my mother, and I know myself. It won't end well for either of us.

“What can I do?” I ask, attempting to distract her.