I awoke to Alistor shaking me awake frantically. My hand shot for my dagger on my bedside because at first I didn't believe it was Alistor. He never woke me like this.
"Eve," he said, grabbing my hands. "It's me. Get up."
That's when I realized there was no ache in my wrist. My eyes popped open. I was healed. Now what did Alistor need?
"What?" I groaned.
"Something's happening," he said seriously. "I've been hearing fighting and guardian's calling for help."
That woke me up. I swung my legs off the bed. "Are you healed enough?" he asked.
"Aye. How did you get into my chamber?" I asked, yawning
In the castle we had to sleep in separate barracks. I had barely slept without him there. It felt unfamiliar. How had he gotten in without me hearing him? Was I that exhausted?
"Rianna let me in. I ordered her to the catacombs for safety."
I tugged on my boots and began putting my armor on. Alistor came over helping me get it all tightened down and in place. I realized Rianna had kept it oiled and polished for me during my short leave. My heart swelled with pride.
"How did you get yours on?" I asked.
He smirked. "You're not the only one with a servant, Eveline."
I had forgotten his.
"Sorry."
He chuckled, handing me my shield and short sword. I placed the sword in its sheath on my side and placed my shield on my right arm. Alistor grabbed my helmet and placed it on my head.
"Let's go. We must go protect the king!"
The battle was chaos. There was rogue armor and silver gleaming in the torchlight, bodies littered everywhere. What was going on? Finally, I saw Rook. He was being circled by three Keltcher. I thought they had all been put in the dungeon? I drew my sword as did Alistor and we knocked down two of his foes and he took the other with the aid of our distraction.
"Eveline!" he said, worried. "I thought I told you to wait!"
"I'm fine, Guardian Rook. What is going on?"
He sighed his signature sigh that had a special tone in it just for me. I smiled.
"I don't think the king caught the leader of the Keltcher… or all of them. Someone freed them all and they are trying to commit regicide and to put their own leader in power from what I've picked up."
Something about that didn't add up, but I didn't have time to think. We needed to get to the king. We fought through the castle and weaved down to the catacombs. The would be led by his trusted guard to a safe room. I just needed to make sure he was alright and receive orders.
Fighting could be heard all around us. How many guardian's could it take to constrain the Keltcher? There couldn't be over thirty of them. Why hadn't we won the fight?
It was so pitch black and damp that I was shivering. I couldn't see an inch in front of me, but I knew every turn by heart. We all had to. It was part of our training. That's when fear crept into my thoughts. Everyone knew how to get to the king. Would his guard really bring him here with the Keltcher having the same training or was there somewhere else?
Think,Eveline, I scolded myself. There had to be another safety chamber. His guards would not have him sitting in a trap. Christopher could have slipped it at one point. Think!
I stopped and so did Alistor after a moment when he heard I wasn't behind him. I knew where he'd be. It was the only place that made sense. The Keltcher wouldn't know about it.
"Eve?" asked Alistor.
"This is wrong," I whispered. "His guard wouldn't bring him down here. All of us know where this safe room is."
"Then where would he be?" asked Rook.
"Eve, there is no other safe room. There is just the one. It is the safest place in the whole castle."
"You two go to this one. I will go to the other. If he is here, convince him to go to the other one! This one is not safe!"
With that, I darted off before Alistor could say otherwise. I knew they wouldn't bring him this way. I just knew. I slipped up into the castle and was on the second floor heading to the third floor staircase when I was finally stopped by a guardian.
"Halt," he said sternly.
I did, removing my helm.
"Where are you heading?"
"To the king's chambers. I need orders."
The guardian didn't move.
"Eveline, he's safe. Your orders are to help with the more pressing task of the Keltcher."
I recognized the voice as Swordsmaster Octavian.
"As you wish."
He nodded.
"How many Keltcher are there, if I may ask, sir?"
I placed my helmet back on my head.
"It's not just that. We had some turncoats," he said sadly. "Some that see the Keltcher's plans as better than the Guardian Code of Chivalry."
I didn't realize how many guardians thought so badly about the Dark Bloods. It was saddening.
"Where's the heaviest fighting?" I asked.
"Everywhere," he said sadly.