Whispers and Wishes

"Sir John! No. You don't know the way! This isn't wise!" Finley yelled as he chased after my uncle.

Uncle John faded into the dark abyss of the tunnels moments before Finley. Waiting for them to return stretched from moments to minutes. With no sign of the two men returning, the rest of us sat in uncomfortable silence.

"Did Sir John just drop my mother's title?" Alina asked in a quiet voice. Our tired company exchanged looks.

"I noticed that too. It was unusual," Cali added.

"Maybe it was a heat of the moment thing? I've never heard him do that before," I offered in defense of my uncle. I was still as blindsided as the rest of them, but did not want everyone thinking poorly of Uncle John.

"Maybe so," Alina accepted graciously.

Silence fell again, this time stretching longer. Only being broken by the occasional swish of a horse's tail or dripping sound from somewhere in the tunnels.

Lord Holden started to pace. I'm not sure if it was because he was trapped in a confined space after being able to roam free or if it was that he was a man of action that was told to wait.

His staccato footsteps grew in volume as he paced closer to me. He was one of the four Swordsmen of the Kingdom of Ensis and he was sitting below a castle under attack. I could not blame him for his anxiousness.

"Jacobson," Holden said, disturbing the quietness and startling the whole lot of us.

"Yes?" My voice cracked from dryness and disuse. I saw both of the ladies smile at my almost pubescent squeak. "I mean, yes?" I corrected trying to regain some of my dignity in my usual tone.

"You've been in this tunnel before?" Holden questioned.

"I have," I confirmed.

"This leads to the castle?" Holden questioned again.

"Yes," I confirmed again. This line of questioning was getting tiresome.

"What do the passageways look like? Can we see inside the castle?" Holden finally got to his point.

"Well, there are entrances into the castle from paintings. You can hear pretty clearly from behind them if you can recognize the voices," I divulged.

"Good. Lead the way. It's clear that Finley and Sir John are not coming back. Any information we can glean from what we can hear can help us retake the castle back from the Norads," Holden let the gears in his head turn aloud. Pleased with himself, he faced the darkness of the tunnel waiting for me to lead the way into its abyss.

That all made sense, but what made me hesitate? Was this what was best for the kingdom or was this what was best for Holden?

"Shouldn't the priority be to keep Princess Alina safe?" I countered.

Holden turned on his heel to face me. Confusion ran across his face. Was he not used to men questioning him? Having met his half brother, I did not think that was the case. Maybe he had not considered that we might put the crown Princess in danger.

"Princess Alina must stay within the passageways at all times!" Holden's passionate speech paused to share a glance with Alina. She nodded in agreement. Holden's face softened as did his tone.

"I will stay with her to ensure her safety and that of the kingdom as is my oath as a Swordsman. Does that satisfy your concerns for your betrothed?" Holden remarked toward me.

Carrion audibly scoffed. Cali shifted uncomfortably. Even in the dim light I could see Alina blush. Holden seemed lost, but did not press anyone on their behavior.

"That does satisfy my concerns," I countered. I cleared my throat to help the dryness that settled again. It also gave me a moment to collect my thoughts. "If we continue, the passageway gets very narrow and dark. You will have to hold onto the shoulders of the person in front of you. Just as we can hear the hallways, they too can hear us. Be very quiet," I instructed.

I stood and walked toward the tunnel. Cali followed at my heels, only to be lightly nudged out of the way by her brother. Carrion did not want there to be any reason as to why Cali might have to touch me, no matter how legitimate the reason could be.

Alina and Holden took up the rear of our expedition. We started off, leaving our trusty horse companions behind.

As we trudged our way through the passageway, the halls of the castle seemed empty. It sent shivers down my spine.

The castle always seemed to have someone bustling about, even if it was for a mundane task. This stillness almost felt like the life breath that kept the castle working, had been stifled.

We passed painting after painting hearing nothing on the other side. My hope was that it was because everyone was safely hidden from the enemy within the castle walls.

As we reached the painting from the gallery above the great hall, we finally heard something through the wall. My company stopped to listen.

"Is this absolutely necessary, Your Majesty?" A familiar voice whispered.

I recognized it even before Carrion whispered "Father." It was indeed Lord Bleddyn.

"We need to make sure the halls are clear. No one else can get in to help those within. You've seen the magic. How can we leave servants to fight for themselves?" King Caderyn responded in a quiet tone more forceful than a whisper.

"Let me do your bidding, Your Majesty. Stay in the safety of your chambers," Casimir, the fellow that kept Alina confined to her room, responded.

"It's too late for that now, good fellow," my own father whispered back.

They passed the painting. Their whispered tones were getting harder to hear and understand. I could barely make out a word here or there but the topic seemed to be the same. They were discussing if the King's plan was a wise move.

"No need to whisper, gentlemen! It's rude in front of guests!" A booming voice rattled through the great hall. The Autarch had arrived