Chapter 12 Twelve

Ryn knew the way everything had been going smoothly was too good to be true and in his own eagerness, he didn’t consider the fact that the palace would have strict security in place. Especially now that the prince had returned and with the whole ambush situation.

He had no idea what the prince might have said when he got back to the palace and since they were treating the whole issue silently, it was only right that they would be in high alert in the palace.

Ryn sat down by the veil trying to think of ways that he could break the barrier. He was pretty sure that this type of barrier would be placed at different areas within the palace. He took a deep calming breath and headed back the way he had come.

He realized that the barrier might have blocked all sound from the kitchen because the more he moved away from the barrier, the louder the noise got. Ryn’s outfit that had been previously soaked had gotten warmer. He wasn’t sure if it was from the heat from the barrier or the heat of his own marks.

Soon as he stepped back into the kitchen, a voice stopped him.

“Oh you twat! Quit standing around like a lost dog!”

Ryn froze, his hand tucked inside his pockets. He turned around, keeping his head down, the eyepatch itching his skin. A woman stood there, her face flushed red from the heat and she held a long wooden spoon in hand.

“The larder is for supplies, not for loitering,” She snapped, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow.

“Rave said he brought in a new help, but I didn’t expect one who moves like a sloth. Get that bag in the corner and tie on an apron. Now!”

Ryn didn’t dare speak. He found an empty corner where he dumped his satchel and reached for a discarded apron hanging from a rusted hook. He didn’t argue because he knew if he tried it would give him away.

He checked the bandages on his forearms, tightening the knots until they were tight against his skin. The marks beneath the bandages pulsed in protest. He adjusted the eyepatch, making sure the fabric was properly fitted. He couldn’t risk it coming off and having to explain how he got a hideous scar in his eye.

“Good. Now get to the prep tables,”

The woman had been watching him all along and she nodded in approval before turning back to a massive pot on the fire.

“If I see you standing still again, I’ll have you scrubbing the soot off the floors until the solstice.”

Ryn moved to the long table that was placed at one corner, his hands snatching up a knife from the table. As he began the chore of peeling tubers and veggies, his eyes were scanning the entire area, looking for another exit.

After spending a long tiring day in the kitchen carrying out tasks he wasn’t suited for, the kitchen started preparing to close. He picked a piece of bread off the table, and pretended to eat, silently moving to where he had dropped his satchel. He had noticed a servant door earlier and realized that it led to the servants quarters. Ryn slipped through the heavy door, leaving the heat of the kitchen behind.

He found himself in the servants courtyard, it was a cramped space with a walkway that led to the servants living area. Different washing basins and tall wooden racks made him realize he had walked to the laundry area. Long lines of wet clothes were hung everywhere.

He moved quietly through the messy area, careful not to draw attention of the servants that were standing around. At the far end of the yard, a high stone wall blocked his path, topped with a decorative iron fence that was tangled with thick vines. He knew it then, that this was the boundary. On one side lived the people who served; on the other lived the people who ruled, but it had no magical barriers.

Ryn grabbed the cold stone, his muscles aching from the hours of labour. He dug his toes into the cracks in the wall and began to climb. His breath came in gasps as he pulled himself upward, careful not to catch his bandages on the iron spikes. When he finally reached the top, he paused before straddling the fence.

The view on the other side made his stomach drop.

The main palace courtyard was massive and not only that, it was beautiful. Unlike the dirty clutter he had just left behind, this floor was made of polished marble that glowed under the moonlight. Giant stone statues of ancient kings looked down at him with cold eyes, it looked like they were judging him.

Ryn took a deep breath and dropped down. His boots hit the smooth marble with a loud sound that seemed to echo through the entire courtyard. He scrambled behind a massive stone pillar, his heart hammering against his ribs.

Large footsteps echoed around him. The patrol guards seemed to have heard the sound from his drop. Ryn crouched down, holding his breath in hopes that they wouldn’t search.

The guards stopped feets away from him. “Did you hear?” one of the guards started, slowing down the rest of his group.

“Hear what?” another one grumbled.

“Captain Kaelen is moving that new recruit into the royal wing today,” the first guard whispered. “I heard the kid has enough power to knock over a stone tower. Kaelen is hand picking people to guard the Prince’s door because he doesn’t trust the rest of us.”

“Lucky brat,” the other muttered. “I’d give anything to be out of this rain and inside the warm palace.”

“Quiet!” the first one hissed. “The Captain is right behind us.”

The guards straightened their backs and marched away quickly. Ryn squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the sound of their boots to fade. He thought he was safe until a deep voice spoke right next to his ear.

“You can stop holding your breath now.”