With the corduroy road in place, it hadn’t taken much effort at all for the Arterians to push past the ragtag Clovington forces. Though avoiding the difficult terrain had created a bit of a funnel effect, one that should have worked in Clovington’s favor, the lesser army had not been able to take advantage of the situation. Caleb had instructed his men to filter down the makeshift road, spreading out to the north and south but not advancing until all of his army was clear of the obstruction. Then, with his flanks held fast, he’d sent the center of his army forward against the ramparts Philip’s men had so hastily thrown together. There were plenty of reinforcements nearby in case they were needed, but the first wave of Caleb’s advancing army was able to push back the entrenched warriors with only three assaults.
The next obstruction they had faced was the encampment at the top of the ridge, which Philip had just ordered built a few days prior. Though it had been more difficult for Caleb’s men to fight uphill, the casualties were minimal. Most of those who had fallen were struck by the archers who’d used gravity as an asset. Even though Philip’s men had held the high ground, they were not able to hold the Arterians off for more than a few hours. By the time night fell, the Arterians had claimed the field; the ridge was theirs.
Caleb had contemplated pushing on and destroying the retreating forces before they had a chance to regroup, but he knew his men were exhausted. The remnants of Philip’s army were out of fight, their spirit’s broken, impending defeat nipping at their heels. He would give his men the night to rest and celebrate their victory.
In the early morning light, Caleb exited his tent, slipping his sword into its scabbard and surveying the situation. Nothing had changed across from them. If Philip had done any sort of digging in, it was difficult to see a difference. Today’s fight should be as easily won as the day before.
“What are your orders, Sir?” one of his officers asked, stepping to his side.
The others fell into place, David to his right, where he always was. “We shall implement the plan we discussed last night. Sandy’s forces will strike the center of the bridge first, followed by Calhoun on the right and then will bring up Woods on the left, ” the king confirmed with a nod. They all understood, having spent several hours with him studying a map the evening before. “We shall take our time and be sure that our position by the end of day is ideal for our next plan of action. That will be all.”
At his dismissal, the camp came alive as the officers rallied the men into place so that the Arterian army could push forward. Even under these favorable circumstances, Caleb would proceed with caution. It had occurred to him there could be consequences if he were to advance too quickly. They needed to they take Castle Blackthorn under cover of night. For Caleb, when considering his brother’s plight, timing was everything, and he had to use every precaution necessary to prevent Philip from acting rashly and harming Matthew before the Arterians could reach him.
A trumpet sounded, signaling the time had come. Though there had been a festive atmosphere in the camp the night before, with extra rations to celebrate their victory, this morning, his men were back to the task at hand, their faces showing the conviction with which they fought. Every single man in the legion felt personally responsible for freeing Matthew and making Philip pay for his transgressions. And now, it was only a matter of time until both of those tasks would be accomplished at last.
Something was amiss in the castle below Matthew. Though his vantage point from the arrow slit was repressed, there had been a steady increase in activity over the last few days, particularly near the wall and the gate, and in the early morning hours, it seemed that the fervor had reached a climax. The citizenry was agitated, anxious, and he found it a bit amusing, watching the little ant-like creatures scurry to and fro and knowing there was nothing they could do to prevent what was about to happen.
Matthew was certain he had seen Philip and his liaisons ride out at first light. Hopefully, Angel would make her way to him soon enough, as she often did once the king left his castle. But he was worried. Perhaps he had been too aggressive the day before, and she would not return. If she’d detected the emotions behind his words, how fond he’d become of her these past few days, she may fear his captivity had driven him mad. Considering he had been in solitary confinement for so very long, the possibility did not escape him.
Watching the villagers do their best to secure the castle walls, Matthew let his mind wander to Angel. There was just something about the girl, her kindhearted spirit, her beautiful eyes, the way she laughed with him. He had never considered the possibility of finding someone to replace his precious Maggie until he met Angel. The last few days, as he’d contemplated attempting to take Angel with him, he considered Maggie’s feelings and thought she would want him to find happiness. If he could find a way to move forward with Angel by his side, then that’s what he wanted to do.
None of that would matter if he didn’t survive the next few days. If he was still alive when the sun rose two days from now, he felt confident he would make it back home. But with Caleb’s forces growing closer by the minute, and Philip becoming more panicked, and therefore, more likely to make an idiotic decision, Matthew understood the importance of making his plan to escape work.
Without question, there were flaws in the plan. He knew that. Even though Angel was kind enough to reassure him and offer her services in finding the most secure passage out of Blackthorn, the chances of him walking out of the castle unscathed were slim to none. Still, he had to hope that he would be able to succeed and that he would be safely back in Arteria soon.
For all he knew, the tunnel they’d chosen would let out somewhere in the center of Gradenia, and then his problems would involve an entirely different despot.
A light rapping on the door drew him out of his thoughts. A grin taking over his face, he flew the few steps to the door and peeked outside. “Angel!” Relief washed over him at seeing her blue eyes. “How are you?”
She was rushed and nervous, he could tell in the way her smile did not reach her eyes. He propped the slot open, and she handed the same rations through that she always brought. As they went about the same routine they had gone through these last few days, he noticed she was chewing on something. Knowing she wouldn’t answer him if he asked what it was, Matthew waited to see if she would explain on her own.
After she poured through the last bit of water, Angel pulled a thin piece of masticha out of her mouth. It was difficult to see exactly what she was doing through the slot, but it looked as if she was drawing it out even thinner. Then, taking a small hairpin, she coated the inside of the keyhole with the sticky substance. Matthew watched in awe as he realized why she was covering the inside of lock. The next time the door was opened, the levers and ward inside of the mechanism would stick. Unless the person who locked the door behind him took precise care to ensure the latch fell into place, it would only appear to be secure. Then, Matthew would be able to simply push the door ajar and take flight.
“You really are a genius,” he said as he watched her finish the procedure. “How did you think of such a thing?”
Of course, she didn’t answer with words, but Angel made a gesture that let him know his answer. “In a book?” she nodded, and he smiled, glad they could communicate.
She was making more motions now. He leaned forward, watching her. “Hide? Hiding? Over by the stairs?” She continued to make herself small and cover her face. “There’s an alcove by the stairs?”
Again, she smiled and nodded, and he understood. He could potentially stow away there if need be, though he hoped that wouldn’t be the case. As soon as he was outside of the cell, he wanted to flee Blackthorn as quickly as possible.
Matthew thought through a list of questions he’d come up with overnight. “Is there a trick to getting the door open at the bottom of the stairs?” She shook her head. “Very well. And how are the hallways? Narrow? Dimly lit?” Yes, they were narrow. No, the lighting was fairly sufficient. Neither of these two pieces of information were good news, but they were both important to know.
Matthew had been nibbling on the food she’d brought him, but he pushed it aside now, more concerned with speaking to her than eating since he’d had plenty to eat the last several days. “I’ve studied the map. I think I understand what I need to do. Now, it’s just a matter of time, waiting for someone to open this door. Surely, if Caleb begins his assault on the castle walls this evening, Philip or one of his lackeys will come to kill me or to drag me off to Gradenia with them. They are fleeing to Gradenia, aren’t they?” Again, she indicated that he was correct. “That will be my opportunity, then. I must be ready. Once you leave me, my sweet, I will prepare to enclose myself in the back of the cabinet. Pray that all goes as planned.”
She pressed her hands together and tipped her head, indicating that she would pray, that she had been praying, and he smiled, wishing he could caress her cheek. “I’ll be just fine, love.” Her eyes widened, and he hoped he hadn’t offended her with his choice of words, but her cheeks turned a slight shade of pink, and he assumed she didn’t mind the sweet words one bit. “Don’t you worry your pretty head over me. I’ll survive.” Her head rocked back and forth, but he could see in her eyes that she was nervous.
Matthew cleared his throat. “Now, what about you?”
Angel’s eyebrows rose, and she made a small shrug, as if to say she wasn’t quite sure what might become of her. “Do you think Philip will take you with him?” he asked.
Slowly, she began to nod. Matthew felt his insides begin to melt. The thought of her being swept away with Philip was agonizing. If he took her to Gardenia, how would he ever find her again? He dropped his eyes for a moment, trying to think of a solution. “Is there any possibility you might be able to hide until after Philip has fled and Caleb has control of the castle?”
Angel nodded at him, though he could tell by her expression, she was nervous. She swallowed hard, as if bile were coming up the back of her throat. He knew the feeling. “Very well, then. That’s your plan. You will find a place to hide, and when Philip has left the castle, you will go to Caleb. Show him this map.” He handed it back through the slot. “Let him know where I went and that you helped me escape. Then, once I make my way to the Arterian forces, we will be reunited.”
She took the map, but hesitated before putting it into the basket. “I’ve memorized it,” he assured her, and Angel nodded before she slipped it inside. Then, she looked up at him, and he realized this may be the last time they saw each other. Tears began to form in the corners of her eyes.
Summoning a smile despite his own sorrow, Matthew pressed as closely to the opening as he could. “Come now, we should be happy. This will all be over soon.” Clearly, he could not take his own advice as tears filled his eyes as well. Droplets began to roll down her cheeks, and he longed to brush them away. Straining against the wood and metal, he stretched his fingers as far as he could. Though he could no longer see her at all, he could feel the soft skin of her cheek against his fingertips. Smooth and satiny, like porcelain, Matthew closed his eyes for a second to revel in the feel of it. Perhaps someday, he’d have the opportunity to hold her in his arms.
Angel leaned into his hand, and he got the notion she was wishing for the same thing, for more of his touch. He continued to stroke her cheek, and then, even though he could not see her, the feel of her lips brushing the rough skin of his palm sent him gasping for air. Both of her hands surrounded his fingertips as she slid them down her jawline to the curve of her chin, her soft lips covering the only part of him she could reach with kisses. Matthew’s eyes were closed tightly, his head slumped against the door as longing overcame him. Whatever happened in the next few hours, they’d both have to fight to survive. Knowing his final destination was Arteria, and Angel’s arms, would get him through, he was sure of it.
A booming sound in the distance jarred them both back to reality. Though it was far away, the noise was unmistakable. Cannon fire.
Reluctantly tearing his hand away from her, Matthew rushed to the arrow slit to see if he could ascertain what was going on. Behind him, he heard Angel gathering up her things. If she was going to attempt to hide, now was the time to do it, before Philip returned, and before the other dignitaries began to flee.
Looking out the makeshift window, Matthew could see nothing new, except the scurrying of the ant-people seemed to have increased to an even more incessant fervor. Though he could not see the advancing army, the sound of artillery fire on the horizon was fair warning that Caleb and his army were coming and that nothing was going to stop them.
He returned to the door to find Angel all packed up and looking behind her at the stairs. “Are you leaving then?” he asked, dropping back to his knees in an attempt to see those eyes once more.
She nodded, staring back at him through the tiny slot that had been their only path of communication.
Matthew wasn’t sure what to say. His feelings were bubbling up inside of him, but it seemed senseless to profess his love to her under the circumstances. The fact that the word had even leapt into his head should’ve been alarming, but it wasn’t. It felt natural, as if he were meant to love her.
There was no time to delve deeply into that, however. Regardless of whether or not she felt the same about him, she would not be able to reply, and he did not want to embark on this trek questioning whether or not Angel returned his affection. So, he said the next most sensible phrase he could think of. “Fly carefully, my Angel.”
Her slow and deliberate nod indicated that she wished the same for him. She slipped her slender hand through the door one last time, and once again he pressed it gently to his lips, squeezing her fingers lightly as he did so. He held the back of her hand to his forehead, praying for her safe passage, before kissing it lightly once more and then releasing her.
With cannon fire ringing out beyond the walls of Castle Blackthorn, Matthew watched her disappear down the stairs as best he could until Angel disappeared into the darkness and was gone.