As the group moved through the underground tunnel, they realized it was more spacious than they had imagined. It was long and wide. Deeper and deeper they went underground. It was getting creepier by the minute, but soon, they got to a crossroad of sorts.
It was here that the Queen had to decide. To trust the man or not. She still remembered the contents of the message. Only she, the courier, and the writer knew of it. Of the three, only she and the writer of the note knew what was written on it.
There was a chance that he had lied, and in that case, she was doomed. Her little rebellion would be nipped in the bud before it had started. She could choose to take the other route, the one not agreed upon, but if she did, and he was telling the truth, she'd be dooming herself. There was an off-chance that they were doomed no matter what they chose.
It had all began in the Tristan palace a few nights ago. Some unknown guard was escorted to the King's private chamber. However, the guard looked quite worried, despite how hard tried to conceal, it was quite clear.
"I know," The King had said, eyeing Custer.
"Know what, Your Majesty?" Custer asked, trying to be as humble and contrite as possible. In his heart, he felt a deep-set hatred and disgust for the man before him. He was the one responsible for selling off their city to Gumina. The reason his people lost.
"Don't make me say it out loud, people might be listening," The King said. This statement threw Custer off, who was expecting crucifixion and damnation. However, he wasn't stupid enough to believe the man at first glance.
"I don't know what you're talking about sire," Custer answered.
"I need you to deliver this note, you know to who," The King replied as he gave one of his guards a nod, who subsequently handed Custer 2 notes, one unsealed. Custer understood that this was for him.
"Most assuredly I tell you that Our Queen would not have gone to that ridge had she learned I was now King. That is because there is a secret we both know ..."
When Custer read all of it, he didn't know whether to stone the king or compliment him. Here's how the story goes. m
When Lady Maara was 16 years old and had just been confirmed as the Crown Princess, her father had tasked her with learning the maps of the catacombs and the underground tunnels in the city. This was no small task as every leader was expected to know. In case of an attack, the leader would lead their people through the underground.
However, at the time, the Queen was afraid to go through the tunnels alone, despite them being regularly patrolled. She tasked her friend and confidant at the time, Sir Branton, to help her map out the underground. On their last assignment, they had been tasked with mapping a tunnel that was outside of the city. This was the tunnel the Queen was currently.
After the war, she had been distraught and disoriented, but the Queen still led her people here. At the time, as he had rightly guessed, she didn't know Sir Branton had become Lord Branton, the King of Tristan. If she had known, she'd have chosen a different location, anywhere but there.
Custer had to reread the last part 3 times to finally get it:
"... I know you have no reason to trust me, but you also understand that I have all the cards in my hands. If I wanted to betray or harm you, I would have done it already. I did what I did to protect our people.
My heart still beats for Tristan, and I am loyal to it's one true leader, Lady Maara. The Queen of Tristan."
He was now giving her a difficult choice. Since he knew what her plan was, he was forcing her hand as a way for her to trust him. Lord Branton could kill Custer and then proceed to kill the Queen easily. Matter of fact he didn't need to play any elaborate ruse to do it since the tunnel the Queen was in had one fatal flaw. It only had 3 exits, one the way they had come from, and one exit on either side of the junction.
Custer had had to ponder deeply on these matters, and that was why he decided to go personally to the Queen carrying the 2 notes. Custer still hadn't read whatever the Queen had been given, but he still went ahead and handed her the note meant for him as well.
It was because of those notes that the Queen had a worrisome face. Truthfully, this was no much of a dilemma. Part of the reason this tunnel was chosen was that it was so well-hidden and unknown. The other part was that it was meant to lose one's pursuers for a time.
In addition to the fork in the tunnel, the diggers had left behind something else. Massive boulders to seal off the direction one had chosen. The idea behind this was to lose the enemy by misdirecting them to take the wrong route.
Here's the pickle, Lord Branton knew where all 3 exits were. At first, Lady Maara had hoped that he had forgotten, but judging from his letters, he knew where all 3 were. His plan was brilliant, and it had been written in the second note, one meant for her eyes alone.
He told her to take the left note, that came out of a pineapple field. He would misdirect the Guminates to going to the wrong destination. This would give the princess a much-needed breathing space from her enemies.
Due to how risky the plan was, The Queen didn't share it with anyone. However, there was one thing she wanted to do before she died. That was why she had Barda over to her tent. She had no way of knowing whether Lord Branton would sell her out, so she planned for the worst.
"My Queen, we should rest here, send out some scouts to check out what awaits us," Commander Greer again. This time, his tone was more respectful, with the appearance of a soldier speaking to a senior.
"I concur, Your Majesty," General Morio gave his input.
Lady Maara gave a gentle nod, sending the 2 aides on their feet. She had wanted to charge out there with her sword raised. Whatever that awaited her, she was ready to face it to the end. She had no good reason to refuse her aides after such proper counsel. All she could do was accept as they did their job spectacularly.
"You okay," Barda asked after finally getting a moment with her.
"Why wouldn't I be, after all, who wouldn't want to wake up and find themselves alone in bed!" Her sharp tongue had caused a few heads to turn, and a rumor to be confirmed.
"I'm here now," Barda said softly as he tried to reach out to her. She leaned in to welcome his embrace. She still had her angry face on, but she was in his arms, her head leaning on his chest. Barda didn't say anything more. He just sat down in silence next to her.
Contrary to her expectations, the Queen thought that seeing Barda would bring her some semblance of peace and comfort. She still felt safe and protected, but the thought that she had by her actions made his life forfeit. Now all she saw when she looked at him was another life she was throwing away. He was just another person who had put his trust in her, not knowing she was the weakest link. How could it be that she was the one who would betray her people in the end?
Looking at her people, she couldn't help but wonder if she had been too naive. It was one thing to try and test someone's loyalty, it was another thing altogether to put your entire kingdom in jeopardy while doing it. She made several vows in her heart, praying to whoever was listening to have mercy on her people.
The Queen was preparing herself for the worst-case scenario. One of the rangers came back underground, making his way to where Barda and the Queen were seated quietly. The aides soon came in after the spy arrived. Both were smiling happily as they made their way to her Royal Highness. Their message was clear:
"Your Majesty, the coast is clear."