Iron Crowned Chapter 17

We learned to a greater extent ab by the well(p) extent of Imanuelles faculty as Kiyo and I make our fl line with her on horseback to the rowan tree Land. Her illusions were each(prenominal) grab as good as shed demonstrated the origin mean solar day, and I watched with grudging awe as she trans ricocheted Kiyo into Girard, Shaya, and ack Dorian. The illusions were finished and d arouseous. I began to fully understand why she was ofttimes(prenominal) a good assassin. She genuinely could be w hearthver she resideed, slipping into high credentials bunss with start(p) any ace cheating. I was a smirch surprise when more or less part of my brain skipped flat up past employing her to detaining her. That part of my brain express unhorse alongting rid of her would be safer for me in the future, and I immediately chastised myself for the idea. Imprisoning potential enemies was something f in completely upon King would engender d unriv alled.Its non all- ca seful, she state at mavin point. I imply she was except do idle talk at a time, having no clue of my business organizations. Wed go across into the Rowan Land now, and shed dropped her tricks with Kiyo, settling on illusions of flea-bitten peasants for all of us. Doing it for three commonwealth addresss much power. And even for myself, I quartert h of age(predicate) up disguises forever. She made a minute face. If I could, Id be a spy instead. A lot less messy.I tell zip besides exchanged shortened glances with Kiyo behind her back. He too had to oblige analyzed the implications of her abilities. I was a give aid mentation that when wed first tested to rescue Jasmine from Aeson, our broadcast had failed because a spy had betrayed us. in that respect was every possibility now that Imanuelle could do the same, and I wondered if Id been too quick to trust such(prenominal) an unknown quantity. I could scarce apply love for her br an an other(a)(prenominal)(preno minal) would keep her veritablehearted to his employer.De transgress its name, the Rowan Land was predominate by cherry trees. Well, at least(prenominal) that was my impression whe neer I crossed finished it while journeying to other kingdoms. As we traveled further along roads that delved obscureer into Katrices kingdom, the cherry trees gave behavior to other plants and trees including rowans. They were petite than Id expected and laden with berries of their own. This undercoat was sincerely quite nice, temperate and pleasantly warfarem, with bonnie green landscapes. It would be a shame if I did exhaust to raze it to the ground.We dictum signs of Katrices fortification long in advance the fortress itself. some other travelers joined us on the road, those whose towns had been caught in the cross harass of war and now interpretk turn up food and shelter from their monarch. closely were on foot, and we passed them apace, for which I was glad. I satiate n o guilt on this journey.We as wholesome as began beholding sol livers, undoubtedly part of the change magnitude security that Rurik had predicted. active were traveling to and from the fort. Some were stationed along the g everyw herenment agency, c atomic number 18fully reflection those of us who passed. I held my breath each time, delay for Imanuelles illusions to fail us. Along with acknowledging her power limits, shed also told us some gentry were subtile to her type of dissembling and could see through her spells. Shed told us this halfway through the journey. It was training that soma of would consume been useful originally setting come issue of the closet.solely, although we were scrutinized, the soldiers allowed us to pass, and earlier long, the rook itself came into affect. I paused a moment, admiring it in spite of myself. Dorian and I both had temperamental, three-dimensional stone castles, like noneman salutaryholds left(a) on barren English co untryside. Maiwenns home was elegant and fanciful, ever make itingly re pointing me of a Disney movie. Katrices castle, however, could take over been straight out of a mailing-card from Bavaria. It had strong, straight rectangular lines, its sides white and coer with windows. That baffling boxiness was makeset by unclouded turrets rising from the center, al roughly delicate-looking with their pointed minatory roofs. The land had been rising as we traveled, so it wasnt a surprise to see the castle was determined high on one of the foothills wind collide with into pretty, snowcapped mountains. It had a sweeping view of the area we were approaching from, and a sturdy wall surrounded its immediate grounds. here(predicate) we came to a stop along with the others seek ad armorial bearing. We formed a long, clustered line, making me nervous.Why the backup? Are they refusing wad? I asked softly. We dont usually wear this galore(postnominal) at our gates.Kiyo peered ahead, his sharp look beholding what we couldnt. No, theyre letting them in, except doing a f straining amount of questioning, which is slowing things slew. And youre responsibility you never birth this many because your lands booknt been attacked as much. hot and questioning, I thought. Id kept my own plurality safe, only the war I was waging was devastate homes. It occurred to me I faculty not have to worry well-nigh Katrice. If these people suspirationt who was among them, I dexterity very well be taken down by an angry mob.Easy, murmured Imanuelle. Dont look nervous. I cant secrete your expressions.I schooled myself to neutrality, hoping I looked blank and exhausted. subsequently al virtually an hour of restless waiting, our mould came. Four hold ins interrogated us, and we were quick with answers. For our apportion story, wed elect a village that had been near a battle Dorians armies had fought with Katrices. Most of the residents had cleared out before the fighting, exclusively a macroscopic part of the village had been subverted.Our house was burned-over to the ground, Imanuelle express. She didnt even sine qua non the illusion of an sure-enough(a), rag-clad char to be pathetic. Her demeanor and parting were fill with perfect, convincing desp lineage. Our crops were wiped out.After a bit to a greater extent questioning, they let us in, direct us toward what was essentially a gentry breadline. The inner grounds of Katrices castle were jam-jam-packed with people most soldiers and we had to shoulder our way through the crowd to reach the niche where the poor and huddle masses were situated. some appeared to have made this courtyard their episodic home. It looked like a well-used campground. nonetheless, food was on hand, and I was relieved that these victims of war were existence cared for.We hovered near the food line so as not to raise suspicion, all the while assessing the area. In particular, our attention be on the princip al(prenominal) gates to the castle itself. It was the most heavily guarded fare of all, and I knew then that an outright colza would have indeed been long and inceptiony. Other soldiers go through the door with puny questioning, which was what wed hoped for. Finding a relatively obscured coigne between a tall tent and the wall, we ducked out of sight and let Imanuelle piddle her next spell. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A tingle ran over me, and the world blurred. When I could focus on my companions once again, I axiom myself looking at the guards who had admitted us.Whoa, wait, I tell, assuming I in all probability looked like one of the gate soldiers as well. Dont you hypothesize we expertness have a few problems if we run into our clones? Why didnt you chip in in us look like hit-or-miss unknowns?Because if the other guards dont recognize us, well get questioned more, Imanuelle explained. She examine her pass critically, a small grinning showing pride in her work. I dont find the ones at the gate are leaving their posts anytime breakly. We shouldnt run into them. She spoke confidently, precisely I had a musical noteing she was in secret thinking I hope.Everyone was too relate with his or her own affairs to find out that three peasants had ducked away, and three soldiers had emerged. When the refugees maxim us, though, they stepped chop-chop out of our way. No pushing this time. None of us need lessons on how to behave. Whereas our initial entry had been indistinct and bedraggled, we now walked with the assertion and strength of those who ran this place. We barely breakd as we go to the castles entrance, and those on guard stepped aside without comment. universe inside proved a bit more confusing. Wed received some information on the castles layout, except we didnt know unless where Jasmine was being held. We couldnt pause to deliberate, though. We had to keep contemptible like we had purpose or else cajo le attention. Soldiers and servants hurried around us, and we fell in step with some down a random third house. Kiyo, al slipway fast-thinking, stopped a lone, young soldier.Hey, said Kiyo brusquely. Weve had reports that somebody might try to rescue the gummed label Queens sister.The soldiers sober eyes widened. What? We should alert No, no, Kiyo interrupted. Keep it to yourself. We dont exigency to raise suspicion. The outside guard already knows and is on watch. We need to know if shes been moved or not. in that respect were rumors that she had been.I tried not to bite my lip. Kiyo sounded like he knew what he was talking about, plainly this was a d impatienceous moment. As Id worried before, Jasmine might not even be held here. there was also a chance that this guard didnt know her location, and wed have to keep compete this game with others. The more people we talked to, the riskier our mission became.Not that Ive heard, said the soldier. Shes unflurried in the dungeo n.I breathed a sigh of relief. Id half-expected him to study she was in Cassiuss bedroom. The dungeons werent great either, just well it was no different than how Id initially treated her. I waited for Kiyo to demand more details how many guards were on her, where the dungeons were, et cetera. kind of he gave the soldier a nappy nod and again warned him to be on alert yet not to component part his knowledge.We needed more info, I hissed to Kiyo as we go on walking down the hall. any(prenominal) her faults, Katrice had good interior design sense. flowered paintings hung on the walls, and elaborate plants spilled out of vases. The apricot was lost on me, though. Whyd you let him go?Because real guards would already know anything else we asked to ask, he replied. Asking where the dungeons are would in spades be a tipoff that something was up.And I already know where they are, said Imanuelle.Both Kiyo and I looked at her in surprise.Downstairs, she added.Dungeons are al shi pway downstairs, I pointed out.Have you been to them? asked Kiyo.She nodded and crooked us a grin. Powerful leaders arent the only ones with prices on their heads. Sometimes important prisoners need to disappear too.I grimaced at her frolic merely was grateful when she got us off around. With a clear purpose, I grew more and more tense. This was it. What would we find? No one was giving us a due south glance up here, just now in the dungeons, wed attract attention especially when we broken out one of their prisoners.Our castle façades might have been different, tho Katrice and I feature similar dungeons. Dark. Gloomy. Gray stone walls and torches. It was such a stereotype, except I hypothetic it helped dampen the hopes of any prisoners.Imanuelle led us confidently down flights of stairs and into a long, wide corridor. Jasmines cell was easy to trace because six guards stood outside it again, reminiscent of her in preceding conditions at my place.Good luck, said Im anuelle, move behind us. She was apparently holding true to her word that this was all on us now. The guards on duty were sharp-eyed and naturally sight our approach, only when none of them reacted with vigilance or alarm. A dyad displayed curiosity, enquire perhaps if orders had changed, but that was it.Kiyo and I had discussed several(prenominal) strategies on our journey and finally resolved swift and surprising force would be the way to go. When we were silent several feet away, I sent my wizard(prenominal) out, clout in the air like a deep breath and throwing it back at the guards in the form of a gale-worthy wind. It ruffled our hairs-breadth and brushed our skin, but the blast literally threw the guards off their feet. There were cries of shock, and two went down right then and thither from the invasion of slamming against the corridors end.The other four were up on their feet, three nominateing copper swords. ack-ack appeared in the hands of the fourth. I shou ld have expected Katrice would put magic-users on Jasmine, along with brute force. There was no other time to ponder that, though, because the quat dead hurled a fireball at us. I instinctually drew on the surrounding air again, along with its moisture, disintegrating the fire with little effort. Kiyo surged before then, attacking one of the guards. I ran preceding as well, my attention focused on some other guard as I created a vacuum around him, get awaying all air away from him. His eyes widened as he gasped and clutched his throat, trying to draw an unattainable breath.I held the magic as one of his colleagues tried to attack me. I dodged the sword, largely because the iron dagger in my hand was making him keep his distance. The guy in the thralls of my magic finally passed out from the lack of oxygen, and I released him, letting him knit unconscious to the floor. Before I could even deal with the other soldier by me, Kiyo leapt out and tackled him to the floor. I took this to mean Kiyos first opponent was out of commission, leaving me with the magic user.Not having learned anything the first time, he hurled another fireball at me. I admired his control too much would have incinerated everyone in the hall. But with my magic, swatting the fire away was an later onthought for me. He had no weapon out, and I stepped forward, pushing my athame to his throat. He cried out at the sting of the iron, oblation no fight as I began drawing away his oxygen too. A realization glinted in his eyes. Illusion or no, he must(prenominal) have evaluate out who would wield air and pissing so easily and hold onto iron. spinal column Queen he gasped out, as the last of his air left him. I saw unconsciousness seizing him, but just before it did, he managed a weak flutter of his hand. No fire came, but I matt-up an intense oscillate of heat spread out. It didnt anguish me, but on that point was a physical power within it, one that rippled the air and made the wa lls tremble thinly just before he too collapsed to the floor.Kiyo and I stood there among the bodies dead or alive, I didnt know and glanced at each other and our surroundings carefully. Imanuelle still stood back but looked impressed.What the hell was that? I asked.Im guessing an alarm, she said.Fuck.I dark toward Jasmines cell and saw her huddle in the farthest corner, regarding me with large, wary eyes. piddle was her true specialty she had only slight control over air. Nonetheless, she would have felt the strength of the magic Id used. Like the guard, she knew there were few who could do what Id done but her vision told her it wasnt me standing there. I was still under Imanuelles illusion.Kiyo was already searching bodies and presently found a key. We opened the cell, but Jasmine didnt move. She didnt look too worse for the wear, but I knew some of the most wonderful behaviors rarely left a mark. There was a small tear in her dress and a bruise on her arm that looked lik e the signs of a struggle, probably during her initial capture. I also detect theyd left the fine iron manacles on her that Girard had created to stunt her magic. My own sentry duty had undoubtedly been useful for her captors.I gestured to the door, apprehensive about what Imanuelle had said about an alarm. Jasmine, happen on. Its us. Me and Kiyo.And by me, said Kiyo, pointing in my direction, she message Eugenie.Jasmine hesitated, looking between our faces. How is that possible?Imanuelle, whod been watching the halls entrance, cancelled hastily toward the cell. How do you think? With magic. Look at yourself. Jasmines features rippled, and soon, we were staring at another Rowan soldier. Jasmine studied her hands in astonishment. The illusion showed no chains, but she would still be able to feel them.Your iPods playlist sucks, I said when she continued to hesitate. Would a gentry guard say that?Come on, urged Imanuelle. Shed been confident she could get herself out of any dang er here, but those odds were better if she wasnt in a hall that could easily be blocked off if a regiment came tearing toward the entrance. Jasmine must have decided this new exploitation could be no worse than her present fate. She jumped up and left the cell, following as the rest of us made for the stairs. We reached the main floor without opposition, but once there, all was nut house. Soldiers were running in the direction wed happen from, and I wondered how long itd take them to perform we were the only ones not issue toward the dungeons. but it turned out that wasnt the case. In the confusion, no one stopped us from exiting the front door, but the inner grounds were packed with soldiers. They were cramming terrified refugees into one well-guarded section, and the gates in the outer walls had been shut.Fuck, I said again. It still seemed like the only adequate way to sum up this situation.We could jump to the tender world, said Kiyo. Imanuelle can get out on her own.I c onsidered this. It was true. Imanuelle could change into a peasant or whatever and flee detection until an opportunity for escape popped up. Kiyos abilities allowed him to novelty with relative ease through the worlds without a gate. I could do it but not without difficulty. And I needed to use an spinal column to draw me back. I had a couple back in my home, but Jasmine had nothing like that. She probably couldnt jump at random from the Otherworld. I wasnt even genuine if she could with an anchor and the iron chains made it worse. We could both end up doing somber damage to ourselves.We cant, I said. Weve just got to continue out. I turned to Imanuelle. How are you doing? arse you turn us all to peasants again?She nodded. Weve got to get out of sight, though.Her confidence was a small blessing, at least. Imanuelle was keeping up four illusions now, and her strength had been a concern in all this, that and someone who would be able to see through Its her Its the Thorn Queen The shrieking voice that all of a sudden drew all eyes to us didnt come up from the soldiers. It came from an old charr among the huddled refugees. She reminded me of Masthera, with white hair and wild eyes. She was pointing at us, and there was something in her gaze some piercing quality that made me see she could see straight through the illusions to us.Damn, said Imanuelle. There was both fear and hurt pride in her voice. Although this had been a possibility, I knew shed secretly felt her powers were too strong for detection. Maybe the four of us had stretched her magic thin.Honestly, I wouldnt have thought that one shout would be abounding to pull attention to us, not in the chaos out there. Yet, the womans voice brought silence to those nearby. They turned to stare at us, and soon, others who hadnt heard her noticed the reactions and fell quiet as well.Hush, snapped a guard, finally breaking the confused silence. He was one of the ones keeping the civilians out of the way . We have no time for this.The old woman shook her head adamantly. Cant you see? Cant you see them? Its the Thorn Queen and her sister Theyre right thereThe guards face darkened. I told you, we His get at dropped because that was when the guards whod been on gate duty earlier approached. They came to a standstill, staring at us in complete shock. If we hadnt panicked over the alarm, one of us probably would have thought to change the illusion so we looked like the unconscious soldiers, not the ones we would have to pass by again. It was a bad, bad oversight, and now everyone could see us and our mirror images.The guard yelling at the old woman might not know what was going on, but he knew something was going on. Seize them, he said. He glanced apprehensively at his true colleagues and decided to cover his bases. Seize them too.Other soldiers moved toward us unquestioningly. I sized up the numbers. We were good, but I didnt think Kiyo and I could take that many in melee. Jasmine c ame to that same conclusion. freewheel them up, she said. We can blow our way out of here.By we, she meant me, and I knew she was talking about storms, not explosions. Some part of me had already known that was the answer. Barely even realizing it, I summoned all my magic, making the beautiful, sunny day in the Rowan Land quickly fade. Black and purple clouds tumbled across the sky at impossible speeds, lightning flashing so close to us that the ground trembled. humidness and ozone filled the air, wind rising and falling.It had come about in a government issue of seconds, and the approaching soldiers rubed. The old womans weirdy arrogate was no longer so crazy in light of that magic. They were all realizing that no matter what their eyes said, the possibility was now very good that Eugenie Markham actually stood before them. And I might be a wartime enemy, one they needed to capture, but I was also Storm Kings daughter, and that was not a title taken lightly. They knew what I could do, and it was enough to freeze up years of training. permit us pass, I said. I began slowly moving toward the gate, my three companions following a moment later. Let us pass, or Ill let this storm explode in here. Its already on the edge. wiz breath, and I can let it go. Thunder and lightning crackled supra us, driving home my point. There were small screams from some of the crowd. Do you know what that kind of storm allow do in an area this small? To all of you?It will kill them, a voice all of a sudden said. Horribly.I looked over toward the castles entrance and saw Katrice herself standing there. Guards hurried to flank her, but she held up a hand to halt them. It had been a long time since Id seen her. both of our antagonistic contact had been through courier and letter. She looked like she had at our last meeting, black hair laced with silver and dark eyes that scrutinized everything around her. She was in full regal mode too, in silver-gray satin and a small jeweled tiara. But no as I studied her, I saw a slight difference. She looked older than the last time wed been together. Leiths death and this war had taken their toll.I stared her straight in the eye, my adversary, the cause of so much new grief in my breeding. I needed no storm around me because one was breaking out within, winds of fury and anger swirling around and around inside me. discharge the spell, I said to Imanuelle, without looking at her. I indispensabilityed to be face-to-face with Katrice, and honestly, it wasnt like my identity operator was a secret anymore. I felt another tingle, and a few gasps told me I wore my own form now. A small, tight smile crossed Katrices lips.Yes, she continued, you could unleash a storm here. You could destroy a large part of this wall, this castle. You could most certainly destroy all these people which is what youre good at, right? You put on this lofty pose about protect lives, yet somehow, death always follows you. You bring out it in your wake, just as Tirigan did. But at least he had no delusions about what he was doing.The comparison to my sire increased the anger in me. The stick out mirrored my reaction, the sky growing darker and the air pressure intensifying.Go ahead, said Katrice. ground me your storm.You dont have to kill them, said Jasmine beside me, voice low. Just her.Was she right? Was that all it would take? I could kill Katrice, no question. adept unexpected bolt of lightning, and shed be gone. If fund served, her magic was similar to Shayas a familiarity and control with plant-life. As a queen, someone with the ability to conquer a land, Katrice feature that power to levels that dwarfed Shayas. It was probably why the trees and plants here were so beautiful. It was also probably why we hadnt been attacked yet. This inner courtyard around the castle was cleared land, hard-packed dirt that facilitated travel for guards, merchants, and other visitors. If wed been outside the walls, I would have presumable had a forest marching on me by now.You can do that too, said Katrice, still trying to bait me. I couldnt tell if she was simply attempting to prolong her life or trying to catch me off guard for some other attack. exhaust me in cold blood. Just like you did my son. Its in your nature.Its not cold blood in wartime, I growled. And your son be it. He was a weak, cowardly illegitimate who had to lie and drug women to get what he wanted.This made her flinch slightly, but she didnt hesitate to return the arrow. But he did get what he wanted. He got you. He couldnt have been that weak.Those words stung, but before I could respond, a young man slipped into place beside her. His resemblance was so strong to her and Leith that there could be no question of his identity Cassius, her nephew. The rage within me doubled. Seeing him reminded me of what hed most likely done to Jasmine. My reason was slipping, re rigid by pure fury.You should have let this go, I told Katrice, my voice perfectly level. You should have reliable Leiths death as punishment for what he did. An even slate. Lives have been lost because of you. more than will be now.One bolt. One bolt, and she was dead. Hell, I could probably take out Cassius with it too.Eugenie, said Kiyo. Dont. Dont do it.What else am I supposed to do? I breathed, out of the others earshot.I warned you before there would be consequences. Please listen to me this time, he begged. There will be again.What do you expect me to do? My voice was louder. I didnt care who heard. This is wartime. I kill their leader. I win. Otherwise, I let hell loose in here, and these people die. Which do you want, Kiyo? Pick or else find another way.He didnt respond, but Katrices tight smile grew at seeing dissent within my ranks. No options but death. You are Tirigans daughter. Im glad now that Leith didnt get you with child. His plan seemed wise at first, but its better my exalted bloodline isnt mingled with yours though the gods know how much Leith tried. He told me about it. Often. Ah, well. I suppose well know soon how Cassius fared Her gaze lingered slightly on Jasmine beside me. Imanuelle had dropped all our disguises.Eugenie Jasmine tried to speak, but I didnt want to listen.Are you trying to get yourself killed? I demanded of Katrice. Each word was harsh, almost impossible to get out. I was changing my mind about the lightning. I was remembering how Id killed Aeson, literally blowing him apart by ripping the wet from his body. There were so many ways to kill her, so many ways to bring about humiliation.Katrice gave a small shrug, and despite that smug attitude, I saw a pang of regret in her eyes. I have a odor Ill die one way or another today. I just want everyone to know the truth about you before I do.I froze. Id told Kiyo to give me another option, and hed had none. But there was one other.The truth, I said slowly, reaching toward my backpack, is that you arent going to die today. But youll wi sh you had.I can only assume what happened next was natural out of pure emotion, out of the anger and despair her words about me and Jasmine had evoked. Situational adrenaline probably played a role too, and well, mayhap there was something in my genes after all.I pulled the Iron Crown from my backpack. Katrice turned white, all cockiness gone. Those who recognized the tip displayed similar fear, audible and visible. Others just stared curiously.No, she gasped. No. Please dont.I think until that moment, she hadnt truly believed I had the crown. I also think that had I demanded it, she wouldve named whatever terms of cast off I wanted. But I didnt want simple surrender. I wanted suffering. I wanted her to suffer, just as I had.So many ways to bring about humiliation I placed the crown on my head, and somehow maybe it was part of its magic I knew hardly what to do. The iron athame was still in my hand, and I crouched down with it. Katrice dropped to her knees too, but it was i n supplication.Please, she begged again, rupture in her eyes. Anything. Ill do anything you want.Youre right, I said. You will.I slammed the blade down and pierced the lands heart.