Indecision

'Now what? Think Rose, THINK!' Rose felt paralyzed with indecision.

She glanced at the nearest exit and shook her head.

The princess did not dare go back into the tunnels. She did not know the way at all, and there were many soldiers below looking for anyone and everyone who might be down there. At least upstairs Rose had a fighting chance of getting to where she was going.

If not for having found Ethyn in the hall, Rose would have instinctively headed toward the dungeon after the close call. She desperately wanted her brother's help. The princess would have liked Ethyn's help as well, but he was likely either locked away in the throne room with the rest of the castle or fighting for his life somewhere in the halls.

Her heart clenched at the latter thought. If Ethyn was fighting, so should she. Rose would fight however she needed in order to keep her family safe. It was only too bad that she was not better with a sword.

'The upper path, it is...'

As the princess turned to go, a shadow caught her eye. Another figure was in the kitchen, having also escaped the guards. The person slunk along the walls, covered in a tenebrous cloak.

"Silver?" Rose couldn't help but voice her hope.

The figure stopped and looked straight at her. The shape and form were all wrong for her brother's frame. It was a woman wearing the cloak. Underneath, she was wearing one of Birle's military uniforms.

"You aren't Silver, but you have his cape! Thief! " Rose was so indignant that she forgot to be afraid.

Whoever the stranger was, they were still armed.

"Keep your voice down," the woman pushed back the hood. The flawless oval of her face appeared from the black void. "You aren't even supposed to be down here, princess," Ingrid seemed slightly amused.

No matter the amount of disguise the prim lady put on, Ingrid had watched the woman's mannerisms for over a year from the shadows. She could spot the princess anywhere.

"I do think the soldiers would thank me handsomely for finding you," Ingrid smirked.

The hair on the back of the princess's neck stood on end. Something was out of place. 'Why is she hiding?'

Rose stared bravely at the other woman. "If you were going to call the soldiers, you would have done it by now. I think you are just anxious to go undetected as I am."

Ingrid took a step towards the princess. Rose stood her ground, but shifted to put more of the serving table between herself and the mysterious criminal.

"Ok, princess, let's strike a deal. I can get you out of here. I'm rather impressed with how you slipped away from your tower, even if it made me look like a fool." Ingrid smiled blandly.

Rose did not like the calm serenity in the other woman's eyes. It was possible that her offer was one of goodwill. Ingrid obviously wanted out of the palace as well. What had changed?

Somehow the princess believed that by agreeing to the other woman's proposition, she would be becoming Ingrid's willing hostage. Should something go wrong, Rose had no doubt that she would suddenly become a bargaining chip in any negotiation.

Ingrid seemed to read her inner thoughts. "You and I both know how this is going to end. Why not run away and escape being another kingdom's pawn?"

Ingrid inched ever forward, coming close to being within reach of the table. Soon enough, she would be able to take the princess with or without her permission.

"I have a counter proposal," Rose steeled her nerves. "You stop right there and give me Silver's cloak, and I won't scream for help. You can leave peacefully. My battle is here, and I will not run from it. If you try to make me leave with you, I will fight you every step of the way."

Ingrid looked the woman up and down, "Come now, don't be like that. I was just being friendly."

Rose spotted the subtle movement of the other woman's hand. Ingrid wasn't reaching for her sword or her knife. She pulled a scented cloth from her belt.

A sickeningly sweet odor filled the air. It was unpleasant at this distance, but against her face, the smell would easily knock her unconscious.

'So that's her game....' The princess narrowed her eyes. Would Ingrid abduct her when she was unconscious? Or leave her behind as a peace offering so that she would not be followed?

Determined not to find out, Rose gripped the tea tray in her hands. Her muscles tensed.

Ingrid saw the change in the princess's demeanor. She clicked her tongue. "Don't be foolish."

Without warning, the fake soldier shoved the table aside and rushed forward.

Rose could not have moved out of the way fast enough if she wanted to. So she did the only thing she could: the princess threw the metal tray at her attacker.

The cup of tea went straight into the attacker's face. Ingrid's eyes widened. The liquid was far hotter and more acidic than tea had any right to be. It felt like molten metal as it dripped down the cunning woman's cheeks.

Dropping the cloth to grab her face, Ingrid screamed and fell backwards. In a panic, Rose grabbed at the cloak to keep the other lady from falling back into the cooks' stove.

While Rose had intended to get away from Ingrid, she did not like the idea of letting her die. Expecting a shock from the cloak, the princess instead felt the fabric warm to her touch. It seemed to be...holding onto her too.

The clasp of the cape inexplicably released from around Ingrid's neck. Instead of being helped by Rose's intervention, Ingrid was spun around wildly. Her hands landed on the stovetop.

Ingrid wailed a second time. The smell of burning flesh filled the air as her palms were burned irreparably by the hot iron. She stumbled away in a daze, searching for the exit through her scalded eyelids. The pain was excruciating.

Rose stared in shock at the scene that had just played out. She looked down at Silver's cloak in her hand.

"Did that really just happen?"

Hearing the commotion, a trio of soldiers came bustling into the kitchen in answer to the screams. Their swords were already drawn.

They spotted pots on the stove knocked over and a tray and shattered teacup scattered next to an upturned table.

They scanned the mayhem before eyeing the kitchen maid who was clutching black cloth with a dazed expression. She seemed utterly out of sorts.

"What happened?" One asked the servant firmly.

The little kitchen mouse looked up at them, fear evident on her face. She pointed toward the back door. "A figure wearing this cloak attacked me."

Recognizing the threat, the men all three ran out of the exit to pursue the escapee. Whether they were part of the soldiers of Birle or Lakyle, Rose did not stay around to find out.

She straightened her shoulders and draped Silver's cloak across her shoulders. Somehow it was a perfect fit.

It was an oddity she would have contemplated if she had more time. But she had none.

Pulling up the hood, Rose secured the cloak and made her way into the hallway. The events, though startling, had reminded her of one thing.

No matter what, Rose wanted to be there for what was to come.