Lila watched with a mixture of satisfaction and disappointment as the King finally realized that his council man was both a traitor and manipulator.
"What is going on!?" The King shouted through the cloth gag.
The council man looked down at him coldly and chuckled. The he suddenly turned to face her with a sneer.
"Tsk, tsk." He said while shaking his head. "Look what you have done! I was about to convince him to sign a document that would enable me to take over the Kingdom! "
Lila frowned. So her suspicions had been right! This wicked man had been plotting something big after all. This must be why he had Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson arrested so suddenly; they were getting too close to the truth!
The council man then turned his attention back to the confused looking King with another chuckle.
"I am honored that you look so surprised my Lord. It means my deception really was very good after all." He said with amusement.
"What are you doing?" The King demanded with hurt and anger.
The man kept on a cold smile as he came over and picked up the King's crown, which had tumbled off of him when the guards had attacked, and placed it on his own head. He took a moment to examine himself in the mirror.
"I have coveted this for many years you know. It truly has not been easy to watch a little brat wear it like some kind of toy!" The man growled angrily.
The King's face went pale and he looked down at the ground. He looked utterly crushed by his advisor's betrayal.
"Why are you doing all of this?" He shouted.
Zacchaeus sighed and came over to remove the King's gag.
"I am afraid I did not quite understand that." He said with aggravation.
"Why are you doing all of this? If that stupid crown is all you want then just take it!" The King growled through gritted teeth.
The man smiled. "But I cannot reign supreme while you, the only heir to the throne, yet live."
Lila saw the color drain from the King's face again at the mention of his death. She scowled. She really wanted to give this wicked and cruel man a piece of her mind! But she wisely stayed quiet and concentrated solely on freeing her hands. Although no one would have guessed it, Lila was actually quite good with ropes. Since her father had been a sailor he had taught her all kinds of ways to tie and untie knots, a skill she was now thankful for. And as suspected, the two men continued to talk without paying any attention to her whatsoever.
"I never though you of all people would betray me like this! Why did you even bother letting me live this long if you just intended to take my throne?" The King asked with confusion.
Zacchaeus sighed. "But how obvious it would have been if all the royals had perished at once, leaving the council man to immediately take over! It would be much less suspicious for me to kill the King and Queen, blame it on the King's brother and have him executed, then let the young heir survive. A young King that is nowadays feared and well known for being a cruel tyrant. Once it is known that Chivele succeeded in assassinating you, the people will rejoice! Then the brokenhearted counsel man, who was almost like a father to the young heir, will take over the kingdom as ruler." He finished triumphantly.
The King was also quite horrified and speechless for a long moment. Lila was a bit surprised to hear his intricate story as well.
"You are the one responsible for my parents' murder, yet you blamed it on my innocent uncle and killed him too!?" He said with shock.
The man chuckled. "Indeed. Although I did not plan to actually kill you, unless it became absolutely necessary. You see, as long as I had complete power over you and you continued to rely solely on me, it was as if I was ruling anyways. But you are getting older now and becoming increasingly difficult to keep under control. That is why I planned to have you sign my document. Then I would have been able to keep you confined in a secure room and out of my way without having to resort to this. But alas, you were too stubborn for that."
The King's face became furious. "So you were actually planning to imprison after I signed that paper?"
The man smiled. "What can I say? It was far easier and less messy than this plan."
The King shook his head with confusion. "Then why hire Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson to kill me?"
Zacchaeus laughed and looked back towards Lila. She glared back at him angrily, already aware of what he was about to say.
"This young lady was right when she that those two men were completely innocent in all this. They really are nothing more than simple tutors whom I summoned here to conduct your studies." He said with an excited smile.
"But why are you insisting on their execution then?" The King asked with shock.
The man laughed darkly. "That foolish young boy was caught poking his nose where it did not belong. It seems he figured out I had been signing documents in your name, and he probably planned to expose my dealings to you once he had proper evidence. But in doing so he merely sealed his own fate as well as his fathers. Who on earth did he think he was anyways, investigating my personal dealings with you? It was plain foolishness on his part."
Lila scowled. This man's shameless plan just proved what a heartless coward he really was! But the King looked furious and unable to contain his anger any longer.
"HOW DARE YOU!! You will regret this Zacchaeus, for as long as I live I will never let these deeds of yours go unpunished! NEVER!" He screamed as loud as he could.
Zacchaeus was startled by his raised voice and came over to try and gag him again, but the King resisted and ended up biting his hand in the process.
"You little brat!" The man roared with pain.
He kicked the King out of anger right in the gut. Lila watched the boy groaned in pain and curl up into a ball to catch his breath. Then the council man was able to roughly finished gagging him.
"Now no need to worry my Lord, after your tutor's execution this young servant girl, who is one of their associates, will come and avenge their death. She will first kill you and then herself with none other than the poisonous dagger I had planted in the criminal's room. It will be a very fitting end for you indeed." Zacchaeus said with a cruel smile.
The King began shouting curses as the man threw the crown back down and carefully set the poisonous dagger on his desk.
"Be as angry as you want my King, but there is nothing you can do to stop me. I assure you; no one will be coming to rescue you." Zacchaeus said arrogantly.
Then he opened the door and let the same leader guard from earlier enter. As he went to leave he turned back just briefly to the guard.
"Make sure the King watches the execution tomorrow morning before his own takes place." He commanded coldly.
The King let out an angry roar and started yelled more curses at his betrayer until the door was shut and locked. Then the guard came over and sat in the desk chair, watching both of them closely.
Lila watched the guard warily. She was almost free of the ropes on her wrists, but she could not let this man see her progress, so for now she had to stop moving. Perhaps if the man left the room or fell asleep she would have an opportunity to free the King and herself without being captured again.
Suddenly the King shouted something at the guard. The man immediately stood up and came closer to them.
"Something wrong my Lord?" He asked with a chuckle.
The King started shouting angrily again, but the man just laughed. Then he got a cruel look in his eyes.
"You know the criminals are going to be executed by public beheading tomorrow right? It will be quite a last sight for you to see!" He said with amusement.
The King's eyes widened with shock and he started shouted even louder, but the man just laughed even harder.
"You are so helpless without your precious guards to protect you! You treat us like lowly servants, but without us you are nothing but a helpless little boy!" He taunted.
Suddenly, Lila saw a dangerously powerful look in the man's eyes. She watched helplessly as he came over and kicked the King just like Zacchaeus had. He groaned in pain and curled up to catch his breath again. The guard just laughed with a wicked glint in his eyes and kicked him again. The groaned in severe pain and sounded unable to catch his breath.
"STOP IT!" Lila yelled.
The guard sneered and her and kicked her too.
"Keep your mouth shut wench! This is all your fault anyhow!" He snapped.
Lila gasped for air and quietly watched as the man kicked the completely defenseless King a few more times. Eventually he stopped and sat back down, almost looking irritated.
"I got a little carried away I guess. I have to remember that we are trying to blame his death on a mere servant girl after all..." The man mumbled to himself.
Lila could no longer see the King's face from where he lay, but she could tell he was in a lot of pain. He kept very still and his breathing was full of struggling, he looked completely worn-out and maybe even unconscious.
Lila knew it was going to be a few hours before dawn, so she decided to wait and see if the guard, who had nothing to fear from two helpless prisoners, would fall asleep and give her any opportunity to escape.
The time passed by very slowly, with minutes feeling like hours and hours feeling like an eternity. The guard kept a close eye on the two of them, occasionally getting up to look out the window or check the door. Eventually though he came across some fine wine in the King's cabinet and began drinking it. That was when Lila realized how very thirsty and hungry she was. In fact, she could not recall if she had even eaten that evening!
Suddenly her stomach growled. The guard gave a laugh and taunted her with his glass of wine. Lila just turned away tried to think of anything other than food. Unfortunately, this meant her thoughts drifted to picturing their imminent death, as well as that of Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson. She wondered how they were even doing right now. Their appearances in the dungeon earlier had been so horrible, as they had probably been tortured by Zacchaeus’s men for information, or perhaps just for cruelties sake. She felt just awful for the two of them, especially after hearing that wicked man's confessions about everything. Not that the King and she were in any better of a situation right now. If they did not find a way to escape they would all be dead before sunrise!
Lila suddenly looked around the room, hoping to see anything that could possibly help them all survive the night. After a moment her eyes came to rest on the King's empty bottle of fine wine. The guard apparently drank all of it. She also noticed that the man appeared very relaxed and his eyes were drooping. If perhaps he became comfortable enough to fall asleep, then all she had to do was free herself and untie the King and they could both escape! After that they could get help, rescue Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson, as well as stop Zacchaeus from taking over the Kingdom! Although they would first have to get past the guards outside the door somehow, and Lila had no idea how they were going to do that. And what if the guard did not fall asleep? Then what would they do? Lila supposed she could simply free herself and try fighting against the guard while he was still in a drunken state. She doubted that would end well though. But a last resort was a last resort. She would have to do something eventually though, because she was not about to die without a fight!
Not more than two hours later Lila was ever grateful as the guard actually did fall asleep, face down at the King's desk. Since he was intoxicated with fine wine she hoped his sleep would be deep and not easily disturbed. Lila kept an eye on him warily as she slipped her hands free and quickly untied the rest of her. Then she came over to the King to untie him too, and saw that he wasn't unconscious after all. In fact, he was very much awake and looking extremely depressed. He barely even reacted when she put a hand on his shoulder.
Lila untied him slowly so she could watch the guard carefully. She also made sure to be gentle so she did not cause the King anymore pain. Once he was free she helped him sit up and he stopped to take a few deep breaths. Then he shook off her hand and turned away, looking obviously embarrassed. Lila felt sorry for him. She knew he had not known any better but to mistrust her, Bartholomew, and Mr. Jameson. It was a wonder that the King was even as decent as he was with a man like Zacchaeus raising him!
"Is there another way out of here?" She whispered.
He sighed and shook his head hopelessly. "No."
Lila felt her heart sink. Couldn't she just get a break already?
******
"Are you crazy?" Westan snapped quietly.
Lila frowned. "Do you have any better ideas?"
The two of them were sitting in the corner of his chambers, as far from the sleeping guard as they could be. He had suggested that they attack the man while he was asleep, but Lila pointed out that the man could still easily overpower them if he woke up before, or that the guards outside might hear them struggling, and that was all true. But her idea of climbing out the bedroom window to another room nearby was just as dangerous in his mind! After all, the closet window was more than ten feet below his room!
"Look, we have to do something while we still have the chance!" Lila added.
Westan sighed. She was right in that they had to do something quickly. He supposed her plan was the most plausible. Even if they were to try overpowering the guard they would still need a way to escape his room afterwards.
Westan sighed again with defeat. "Very well. I suppose we have no other choice but to go with your plan."
Lila nodded and stood up. "Okay then, let us move quickly."
Westan tried to follow her lead, but as he went to stand up his new bruises caused him to tense up and he unintentionally groaned in pain. He had to stop moving and rest against the wall for a moment to catch his breath.
Westan couldn't even believe the state he was in! To think that his own guards would capture and abused him so! He had never been so humiliated in his entire life. Zacchaeus was the true enemy, while Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson were innocent of everything they had been accused of. And now they were all going to die, all because of his blind ignorance!
"Here." Lila said as she helped him up slowly.
Westan looked away with embarrassment. He wondered why this servant girl was even bothering to help him after the way he had mistreated her earlier. She would be much better off leaving him behind, as his injuries were sure to slow her down. And honestly he was thinking that death might just be better anyways. How could he ever go on living as a fugitive in his own Kingdom?
Westan knocked Lila's hand away.
"Just go; leave me here." He said quietly.
"What?" She said in astonishment.
"I said leave me. Save yourself, and get help for Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson if you can. I will only be a hindrance in this condition, and this is all my fault anyways. So just concentrate on helping those worth saving." Westan said bitterly.
"Do not be stupid! I cannot just leave you here like this!" She protested.
"I said LEAVE ME! I will not go along with you, so get yourself out while you can. That is an order." Westan snapped.
Just then he watched as Lila raised her hand up in the air. She swung at him fast and hard, hitting him square on his right cheek.
"Stop acting like such a selfish child!" She whispered angrily.
Westan held his red face and looked at her with shock. He had never been slapped by anyone before in his whole life, yet she had done it without any hesitation at all!
"Look, Bartholomew risked his life to try and help you, and now he is in need of your help. Do not let what Zacchaeus said cause you to lose hope or courage, or else he will win! There is still time to save yourself and your kingdom, if you really want to." She said confidently.
Westan looked down at his feet. He did not have high hopes for any such success. But perhaps he could try to escape, at least for Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson's sake. He probably really was the only one who could stop their execution anyways. And maybe if he could find some loyal guards then there would be hope to catch Zacchaeus as well. It was a big long shot, but it was also all they had.
"Alright, I shall follow you then." Westan said.
Lila nodded with a smile. Then the two of them stood up, ready to leave. But suddenly, Westan felt a hand grab the back of his shirt, and before either of them could even react he was pulled into the arms of the no longer sleeping guard. The man quickly put the poisoned dagger Zacchaeus had left on the desk up to Westan's throat. He felt fear engulf him as the knife came dangerously close to his skin, knowing that with one prick he would die a very painful death!
"Now wench, open the door and let the others in!" The guard growled to Lila.
Westan knew their only opportunity for escape was gone, all because of him! Again! How incredibly stupid he had been in delaying her with his own selfish fears!
Westan watched helplessly as Lila obeyed the man and headed towards the door. He did not understand why she was even bothering to spare him at this point when doing so meant she would be killed too!
"Run Lila, just go!" He shouted.
The guard tightened his arm around his neck and put the dagger up to his right eye instead. Westan closed his eyes as the dagger came ever close to piercing him.
"Just stop it, I am not trying to run!" Lila said.
The guard snorted. "Then hurry up and open the door!"
Westan opened his left eye and watched helplessly as Lila unlocked and opened the door like the guard had ordered. So it was official, there was no longer any hope for either of them.
******
If Lila ever believed in miracles, it was now. When she had opened the door, she thought it would lead to both the King's and her own immanent death. But instead she was surprised to see a handful of new guards standing outside, talking with the traitorous ones. However, when they saw the King being held prisoner it was clear that they were not in on the treachery.
The man closest to Lila also looked to be the head guard, for and his face instantly became aware of what was going on. His eyes glanced to everyone there in a second, and he already knew who was with him and who was against him. As quick as a flash he pushed passed Lila, knocked the dagger out of the startled guard's hand, and threw the King aside to safety. The others with him quickly grabbed hold of the guards outside the door, realizing they were all betrayers, and fought to overpower them. Within moments the traitors were all defeated, after which she was also grabbed, probably mistaken as an enemy too.
"Wait, she is not with those men!" The King shouted just in time.
The head guard eyed her from head to toe as he reluctantly released her, although he did not lower his sword. Lila's heart fluttered nervously as she rubbed her newly sore arm. His grip had been so strong that she was quite positive a dark bruise would soon be forming there!
"My Lord are you alright?" The man asked anxiously.
The King nodded as he sank to the ground, looking incredibly relieved.
"Yes, thank you..." He said, sounding most grateful.
"Forgive us your Majesty for our incompetence and failure to keep you safe from harm!" The head guard said, truly sounding distressed.
"Do not apologize! You saved both our lives just now!" The King replied.
"What is this maid doing here with you? Are you sure she is trustworthy?" The man asked, still suspiciously eyeing Lila.
"Yes. She tried to warn me of all this treachery earlier, but I did not listen. Zacchaeus is actually the one responsible for all you see. He even explained everything to me himself!" The King said bitterly.
The head guard accepted the information, and immediately turned to his men with a counter-plan.
"You three, tie up these treasonous rats. Then go and alert every one of my command for a castle lockdown, no one is allowed to go in or out of the castle until I say so. But do not to raise any suspicions. If anyone asks why I am doing this say it is because I fear the prisoners will try and escape before their execution." He said ever so seriously.
The men all nodded and obeyed him right away. But the King also started heading towards the door.
"That execution must be stopped! The men accused are in fact innocent!" He said anxiously.
Lila went to follow, but much to her surprise the head guard grabbed the King by the arm and swung him back into the room. Then he shut the door and locked it.
"What is the meaning of this?" The King snapped, looking quite tired of being thrown around.
The man humbly bowed as he spoke.
"Forgive me my Lord, but it seems there are many betrayers against us. Zacchaeus’s guards could even be hiding among my own men! I am afraid that I must keep you here where it is safe." He said.
"But two men are going to be killed for a crime they did not commit!" The King shouted.
The guard shook his head. "Punish me all you want for my disobedience later sire, but I must do whatever is needed in order to protect you, even if it is against your will. I am sorry for those men, but your safety is my top priority."
The King clenched his fists in anger and slumped to the ground in frustration.
"I will never be able to forgive myself if they die!" He shouted with anger.
Lila was suddenly very worried for Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson. If they could not do something the execution would still take place in the morning! There had to be a way she could help! There just had to be a way! She had come this far already!
"Wait!" Lila gasped, an ever so brilliant idea suddenly coming to her.
The King and head guard looked at her with great surprise.
"What is it?" The King asked.
"You can let me go to the dungeon with a note saying that the King himself has ordered the event to be stopped!" She said.
"Yes, brilliant Lila!" The King said as he stood back up with renewed hope.
The head guard looked impressed and gave her a small smile.
"I do admire your courageous spirit lass. But I fear these men knew you were with the King. If you are seen, it might cause trouble for my men and I cannot allow that." He said, the King's safety still his only priority.
The King growled with frustration again. "So I really will be the cause of Bartholomew's and Mr. Jameson's death then!?"
"Please," Lila said to the guard. "Is there any way at all?"
The man's face was very serious, but he looked thoughtful too. Lila could see that he was a good and reasonable man, one with a duty that that was more important than his own life and did not want to risk jeopardizing. However, when he saw the King's distress about the matter, she could see a change in his eyes.
"If you want to do this lass, then you must at least make yourself unrecognizable." He said.
The King suddenly came over to her, smiling with hope.
"That will be easy Lila! All you have to do it hide your red hair and freckles!" He said.
Lila frowned with irritation at his unintentional insult, knowing there really was no time to be offended. And he was right anyways she supposed since her looks seemed to stand out. But still, hiding her wild hair was easier said than done. She would never have enough time to tame it!
Just then Lila knew exactly what she had to do. Without hesitation she grabbed the poisonous dagger, it being the only knife within sight, and carefully began cutting off her long red hair. Lila felt a pang in her heart as she chopped off one handful after another, making it short enough to hide under a cloth. She knew her silly red hair wasn't anywhere near as important as saving Bartholomew and his father's life, but it still hurt to throw away what little femininity she had.
Once Lila finished the deed she walked over to the empty fireplace and rubbed some of the ashes on her face and clothes. Then she covered her head with a dirty cloth and looked in the mirror again. Indeed, she was unrecognizable now.
"Well done Lila." The King said, looking at her with admiration.
The head guard nodded in approval and took out the keys to open the door. Lila walked over and prepared to leave.
"Here, this is the proof of my orders." The King said as he handed her a note which he had already written and signed.
"And take this too, you just might need it." The man said as he handed her the poisonous dagger once more.
Lila took both and tucked them away.
"Be careful." The King said, truly looking anxious.
She nodded. "I will."
Then she left, running down the hallway faster than she ever had, already knowing her chances of success were quite slim.