Moving Parts

The Queen outdid herself with our final meal she ordered in the palace before the Princess's Council left for my parent's manor. The meal was not as fancy as the first time I partook of the royal family's table. What it lacked on courses, it made up for in quantity.

I may have just been more ravenous. I know there was talk about the room, but my mind was fully occupied with my last interaction with the King. What caused such a transformation? I almost missed the Queen giving a subtle hint toward what we should do next for the benefit of whatever servants might overhear.

"Swordsman, let's go examine the carriage that Sir John brought for us. We might already need lanterns. I'm sorry to have to leave you and your friends, my dear Alina. Goodnight," the Queen sneakily got to tell her daughter goodnight for the last time in who knows how long. I hope they catch the women soon.

The Queen, the King, Swordsmen and my uncle all rose and exited the room. The Queen's guard followed her in step. These fellows, who were not privy to the information shared in the Council Chambers, would make getting to the carriage harder than it should be.

I had missed the part of the council meeting and would have to trust my counterparts still at the table that all the details had been worked out. Although the master plan had been mine, the details were a mystery.

"I think I will retire for the evening. Won't you all accompany me to my chambers? It would make for a pleasant walk," Alina spouted off. Her pitch was a tone too high to be natural, reminding me of her act for her tutor on her birthday. Luckily, it was convincing enough that any stray ears would not guess anything was amiss.

"Of course, Your Highness. It would be our pleasure," Carrion laid it on thick.

I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes and laughing. If Cali or I used that much formality with her when we were the only ones around, no one would believe us. I suppose it was nice of everyone to give Carrion a line in our charade.

We all rose and started following Alina to the door. Alina led the way toward her chambers, with Cali almost at her side. Carrion and I stood behind the girls, with my shadows and Marta close behind. I would miss my shadows and hoped to see them again soon.

For the short walk, I noticed a strut in Carrion's step I had not seen before. Like a preening peacock, he took on this assignment with pride. Glad I made his day instead of inadvertently upsetting him like last time.

We entered Alina's chambers and things happened quickly. Once the door to the parlor closed behind the throng, the women rushed toward Alina's private rooms. I had not noticed that Cali wore a dress until she not so gracefully tripped on her front hem in the process of rushing. It made sense as she was called to the castle on official business.

I stood in the parlor awaiting our next move. I only hoped that the council saw fit to iron out details of how we were going to get to the carriage. I did not ask questions, but luckily Carrion filled me in on the plan.

"Once the ladies get changed, we will sneak with one of your guards toward the stables. The other and the Princess's maid will stay behind to keep up the illusion that we are all still here. Hopefully the Queen has cleared out enough servants between here and the stables that we will go unnoticed," Carrion conveyed just above a gentle whisper.

I nodded as though I understood everything. Why were the girls changing? How was the queen sending away servants? In the execution of my first real master plan, I wished to know details that I would probably never get to know. I just had to trust that all the players and moving parts would do their jobs.

The ladies did their part, that's for sure. Alina and Cali quickly emerged wearing riding pants clearly meant to Alina. The fabric flowed down both legs in billowy fabric resembling a skirt from a distance. They were not Cali's usual breeches, but a step away from a skirt. I hope this choice gives them more mobility in our next steps.

"Everyone ready?" Finley asked.

With a response of affirmative nods, Alejo and Finley gave each other one last knowing glance before Finley led us out the door.

Finley led the charge. Cali and Carrion sandwiched Alina between them in line and I took up the rear. We quickly slunk through the halls surreptitiously.

I'm guessing the thought was that if I got separated from the group, I had the best reason to be lost in this wing of the castle. Or maybe they thought I knew the castle well enough to catch up. There might have been no thought behind it at all. That realization made me creep closer to Carrion.

With Finley's expert mapping of the palace, we reached the door that Alina and I used the day of the parade to make it into the castle. Finley let out a quick chirp that sounded almost bird-like. The Swordsmen expertly played their parts outside.

"I don't see anything, Lord Jacobson. It's too dark!" Lord Garrison almost yelled.

"It's not too dark! See here's a scratch! That was not there before the parade," my father responded.

"Lord Jacobson, I do not think that this is evidence of anything from the parade. Gentlemen, can you both please go let the servants know they can return to their posts. I don't think we will be bringing any evidence into the palace tonight. The servants entrance near the back of the stable leads to the kitchens," the Queen expertly dismissed her guards without any reason for concern.

Once we heard a door open and shut, Finley opened the door to the outside. The coach was masterfully parked a few steps from this entrance. My father held the coach door open and the rest of the Swordsmen Council lined our steps to get inside, hiding our movement.

Carrion managed his way to the far side of the carriage and sat on the floor. Alina and Cali squeezed to the middle and I took the spot closest to the door. The carriage door closed behind us. The hard part for us was over