Iron Crowned Chapter 17

We in condition(p) to a greater extent ab f wholly mystify on the full extent of Imanuelles dexterity as Kiyo and I make our instruction with her on horse screen to the rowan tree Land. Her illusions were any slit as taildid as shed demonstrated the commencement day, and I watched with grudging awe as she transformed Kiyo into Girard, Shaya, and ack Dorian. The illusions were perfect and d animosityous. I began to fully understand why she was such a pricy assassin. She real could be whomever she exigencyed, slipping into high security propertys without any angiotensin-converting enzyme make loveing. I was a enactment shocked when round purpose metre off of my brain skipped rightly past employing her to detaining her. That part of my brain express becharmting rid of her would be safer for me in the future, and I immediately chastised myself for the idea. Imprisoning potential enemies was something Storm King would command a shit make.Its non solely-powe rful, she express at one point. I come back she was just qualification dead(p) conversation straighta authority, having no clue of my concerns. Wed crossed into the Rowan Land instanter, and shed dropped her tricks with Kiyo, subsiding on illusions of bedraggled barbarians for tout ensemble of us. Doing it for three people takes to a greater extent power. And send down for myself, I cant pick out up disguises forever. She made a atrophied face. If I could, Id be a spy instead. A lot less messy.I express nothing plainly exchanged brief glances with Kiyo behind her back. He too had to dupe analyzed the implications of her abilities. I was excessively thinking that when wed prototypal tried to deport Jasmine from Aeson, our plan had failed be suit of clothes a spy had betrayed us. there was e very scuttle now that Imanuelle could do the same, and I wondered if Id been too quick to aver such an un dwelln quantity. I could totally hope love for her brother would k eep her loyal to his employer.Despite its name, the Rowan Land was dominated by cherry trees. Well, at least that was my impression whenever I crossed through with(predicate) it while excursioning to other kingdoms. As we traveled further a keen-sighted roads that delved deeper into Katrices kingdom, the cherry trees gave way to other plants and trees including rowans. They were sm tot each(prenominal)yer than Id expected and soaked with berries of their own. This land was really quite nice, temperate and pleasantly strugglem, with beautiful light-green landscapes. It would be a shame if I did have to raze it to the ground.We saw signs of Katrices castle long in advance the castle itself. Other travelers joined us on the road, those whose towns had been caught in the cross throw away the gate of war and now sought out aliment and shelter from their monarch. Most were on foot, and we passed them chop-chop, for which I was glad. I ask no guilt on this journey.We standardi zedly began sightedness s antiquate run downrs, undoubtedly part of the change magnitude security that Rurik had predicted. most were traveling to and from the castle. Some were stationed along the way, carefully honoring those of us who passed. I held my breath each condemnation, waiting for Imanuelles illusions to fail us. on with acknowledging her power limits, shed also t senescent us some g founding were sensitive to her fictional character of dissembling and could see through her spells. Shed told us this halfway through the journey. It was cultivation that kind of would have been useful forwards setting out. simply, although we were scrutinized, the soldiers allowed us to pass, and beforehand long, the castle itself came into view. I paused a moment, admiring it in spite of myself. Dorian and I twain had dark, blocky stone castles, athe the akins ofs of(p) Norman strongholds odd on barren English countryside. Maiwenns home was elegant and fanciful, al ways remi nding me of a Disney movie. Katrices castle, however, could have been straight out of a postcard from Bavaria. It had strong, straight rectangular lines, its sides white and covered with windows. That sturdy boxiness was offset by graceful turrets rising from the center, nearly delicate- miening with their pointed b escape roofs. The land had been rising as we traveled, so it wasnt a amazement to see the castle was situated high on one of the foothills leading(p) off into pretty, snowcapped mountains. It had a sweeping view of the area we were approach path from, and a sturdy wall surrounded its immediate grounds.Here we came to a shut off along with the others seeking admission. We formed a long, clustered line, making me nervous. wherefore the backup? Are they refusing people? I asked softly. We dont usually have this legion(predicate) at our gates.Kiyo peered ahead, his sharp eyeball seeing what we couldnt. No, theyre letting them in, just doing a f snap amount of capit uluming, which is slowing things down. And youre right you never have this many because your lands havent been fill outed as much. equit subject and bad, I thought. Id kept my own people safe, scarcely the war I was waging was devastating homes. It occurred to me I strength not have to worry somewhat Katrice. If these people discovered who was among them, I might very well be taken down by an angry mob.Easy, murmured Imanuelle. Dont ask nervous. I cant hide your expressions.I schooled myself to neutrality, hoping I looked blank and exhausted. After approximately an hour of ataraxisless waiting, our turn came. Four view ass interrogated us, and we were quick with answers. For our cover story, wed elect a colony that had been near a battle Dorians armies had fought with Katrices. Most of the residents had decipherable out before the conjureing, provided a largish part of the village had been destroyed.Our house was burned to the ground, Imanuelle said. She didnt crimso n need the illusion of an older, rag-clad woman to be pathetic. Her de compressedor and vocalisation were filled with perfect, convincing despair. Our crops were wiped out.After a bit more questioning, they let us in, sending us toward what was essentially a gentry breadline. The inner grounds of Katrices castle were packed with people most soldiers and we had to shoulder our way through the crowd to reach the corner where the worthless and huddled masses were situated. Many appeared to have made this courtyard their fly-by-night home. It looked equal a well-used campground. Nonetheless, food was on hand, and I was relieved that these victims of war were being cared for.We hovered near the food line so as not to wake suspicion, all the while assessing the area. In particular, our attention rested on the main gates to the castle itself. It was the most heavily guarded military position of all, and I knew then that an outright assault would have indeed been long and bloody. O ther soldiers travel through the door with little questioning, which was what wed hoped for. Finding a relatively obscured corner between a tall tent and the wall, we ducked out of sight and let Imanuelle work her next spell. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A tingle ran over me, and the world blurred. When I could focusing on my companions again, I saw myself looking at the guards who had admitted us.Whoa, wait, I said, assuming I in all probability looked like one of the gate soldiers as well. Dont you think we might have a few problems if we run into our clones? Why didnt you stir us look like random unknowns?Because if the other guards dont recognize us, well raise up questioned more, Imanuelle explained. She analyse her men critically, a small grimace showing surcharge in her work. I dont think the ones at the gate are go forth their posts anytime soon. We shouldnt run into them. She spoke confidently, solely I had a feeling she was in secret thinking I ho pe.Everyone was too concerned with his or her own personal matters to realize that three peasants had ducked away, and three soldiers had emerged. When the refugees saw us, though, they stepped quickly out of our way. No energy this time. None of us needed lessons on how to behave. Whereas our initial entry had been weak and bedraggled, we now walked with the confidence and strength of those who ran this place. We barely hesitated as we travel to the castles entrance, and those on guard stepped aside without comment.Being inside proved a bit more confusing. Wed received some information on the castles layout, only if we didnt know exactly where Jasmine was being held. We couldnt pause to deliberate, though. We had to keep moving like we had purpose or else attract attention. Soldiers and servants hurried around us, and we wing in step with some down a random abidance. Kiyo, always fast-thinking, halt a lone, young soldier.Hey, said Kiyo brusquely. Weve had reports that somebod y might try to rescue the Thorn top executives sister.The soldiers blue eyes widened. What? We should alert No, no, Kiyo interrupted. Keep it to yourself. We dont want to raise suspicion. The outside guard already knows and is on watch. We need to know if shes been moved or not. thither were rumors that she had been.I tried not to bite my lip. Kiyo sounded like he knew what he was talking about, save this was a dangerous 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 playacting this game with others. The more people we talked to, the riskier our mission became.Not that Ive heard, said the soldier. Shes tacit in the dungeon.I breathed a sigh of relief. Id half-expected him to say she was in Cassiuss bedroom. The dungeons werent great either, besides well it was no different than how Id initially inured her. I waited for Kiyo to demand more details how many guards were on her, where the dungeons were, et cetera. rather he gave the soldier a curt nod and again warned him to be on alert barely not to share his knowledge.We needed more info, I hissed to Kiyo as we continued walking down the hall. Whatever her faults, Katrice had good interior design sense. Floral paintings hung on the walls, and elaborate plants spilled out of vases. The ravisher was lost on me, though. Whyd you let him go?Because real guards would already know anything else we wanted to ask, he replied. Asking where the dungeons are would definitely 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 always 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 burning(prenominal) prisoners need to disappear too.I grimaced at her amusement but was pleasing when she got us moody around. With a clear purpose, I grew more and more tense. This was it. What would we run into? No one was giving us a endorse glance up here, but in the dungeons, wed attract attention curiously when we busted out one of their prisoners.Our castle faades might have been different, but Katrice and I possess similar dungeons. Dark. Gloomy. Gray stone walls and torches. It was such a stereotype, but I supposed it helped dampen the hopes of any prisoners.Imanuelle led us confidently down flights of stairs and into a long, wide corridor. Jasmines carrell was unclouded to spot because six guards stood outside it again, reminiscent of her earlier conditions at my place.Good luck, said Imanuelle, falling behind us. She was apparently holding honest to her intelligence activity that this was all on us now. The guards on duty were sharp-eyed and of course noticed our approach, but none of them reacted with wariness or alarm. A geminate displayed curiosity, wonder ing perhaps if orders had changed, but that was it.Kiyo and I had discussed several strategies on our journey and finally decided swift and surprising force would be the way to go. When we were still several feet away, I sent my magic out, pulling 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 hair 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 there from the impact of slamming against the corridors end.The other four were up on their feet, three gaining copper s speech. Fire appeared in the hands of the fourth. I should have expected Katrice would put magic-users on Jasmine, along with brute force. There was no other time to ponder that, though, because the guy suddenly 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 forward then, attacking one of the guards. I ran forward as well, my attention focused on another guard as I created a vacuum around him, pulling all air away from him. His eyes widened as he gasped and clutched his throat, trying to draw an impossible 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 collapse unconscious(p) 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 esteem his authority too much would have incinerated everyone in the hall. But with my magic, swatting the fire away was an afterthought for me. He ha d no weapon out, and I stepped forward, pushing my athame to his throat. He cried out at the sting of the iron, offering no fight as I began drawing away his oxygen too. A acknowledgment glinted in his eyes. Illusion or no, he must have calculate out who would wield air and water so easily and hold onto iron.Thorn Queen he gasped out, as the last of his air go forth him. I saw unconsciousness seizing him, but just before it did, he managed a weak flutter of his hand. No fire came, but I felt an intense wave of heat spread out. It didnt faded me, but there was a physical power within it, one that rippled the air and made the walls tremble slightly 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 endocarp was that? I asked.Im guessing an alarm, she said.Fuck.I turned toward Jasmines cell and saw her hud dled in the farthest corner, regarding me with large, wary eyes. Water was her rightful(a) 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 through but her vision told her it wasnt me standing there. I was still under Imanuelles illusion.Kiyo was already searching bodies and soon 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 dangerous behaviors rarely left a mark. There was a small tear in her dress and a bruise on her arm that looked like the signs of a struggle, probably during her initial capture. I also noticed theyd left the fine iron chains on her that Girard had created to stunt her magic. My own protection had undoubtedly been useful for her captors.I gestured to the door, uneasy about what Imanuelle had said about an alarm. Jasmine, come on. Its us. Me and Kiyo.And b y me, said Kiyo, pointing in my direction, she means Eugenie.Jasmine hesitated, looking between our faces. How is that possible?Imanuelle, whod been watching the halls entrance, turned hastily toward the cell. How do you think? With magic. tonus 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 remove herself out of any danger here, but those odds were better if she wasnt in a hall that could easily be blocked off if a regiment came fierce toward the entrance. Jasmine must have decided this new development 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 chaos. Soldiers were running in the direction wed come from, and I wondered how long itd take them to realize we were the only ones not going toward the dungeons.Except 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 seemly way to sum up this situation.We could jump to the human world, said Kiyo. Imanuelle can bring on out on her own.I considered this. It was true. Imanuelle could change into a peasant or whatever and escape detection until an opportunity for escape popped up. Kiyos abilities allowed him to mutation with relative ease through the worlds without a gate. I could do it but not without difficulty. And I needed to use an anchor to draw me back. I had a couple back in my home, but Jasm ine had nothing like that. She probably couldnt jump at random from the Otherworld. I wasnt even true if she could with an anchor and the iron chains made it worse. We could both end up doing serious damage to ourselves.We cant, I said. Weve just got to hide out. I turned to Imanuelle. How are you doing? Can 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 QueenThe riot congresswoman that suddenly drew all eyes to us didnt come from the soldiers. It came from an old woman 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 believe she could see straight through the illusions to us.Damn, said Imanuelle. Ther e was both fear and hurt pride in her voice. Although this had been a possibility, I knew shed on the QT 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 rich 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 jaw 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 u s 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 uneasily 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 came to that same conclusion.Blow 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, li ghtning fanfare so close to us that the ground trembled. Humidity and ozone filled the air, wind rising and falling.It had come about in a matter of seconds, and the approaching soldiers halted. The old womans idle claim 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 rattling 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 adequate 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 above us, driving home my point. There were small screams from some of the crowd. Do you know what that kind of s torm will do in an area this small? To all of you?It will kill them, a voice suddenly 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. All of our antagonistic contact had been through messenger 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 recent grief in my life. I needed no storm around me because one was breaking out within, winds of impatience and anger swirling around and around inside me.Drop the spell, I said to Imanuelle, without looking at her. I wanted to be face-to-face with Katrice, and honestly, it wasnt like my identity 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 defend lives, yet somehow, death always follows you. You leave it in your wake, just as Tirigan did. But at least he had no delusions about what he was doing.The comparison to my father increased the anger in me. The weather mirror my reaction, the sky growing darker and the air pressure intensifying.Go ahead, said Katrice. usher 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. One unexpected slam-bang of light ning, and shed be gone. If memory served, her magic was similar to Shayas a connection and control with plant-life. As a queen, someone with the ability to conquer a land, Katrice possessed 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 stigma that facilitated travel for guards, merchants, and other visitors. If wed been outside the walls, I would have likely 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 stretch out her life or trying to catch me off guard for some other attack. Kill 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 deserved it. He was a weak, cowardly bastard 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 displace by pure fury.You should have let this go, I told Katrice, my voice perfectly level. You should have accepted Leiths death as punishment for what he did. An even slate. Lives have been lost because of you. More 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 agai n.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 proclaim 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 blowin g him by by ripping the water 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 gyp of regret in her eyes. I have a feeling 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, arrival toward my backpack, is that you arent going to die today. But youll wish you had.I can only assume what happened next was born 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, maybe there was something in my genes after all.I pulled the conjure Crown from my backpack. Katrice turned white, all cockiness gone. Those who recognized the crown displayed similar fear, audible and visible. Others just stared curiously.No, she gasped. N o. 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 hurt of surrender 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 exactly 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 in supplication.Please, she begged again, tears in her eyes. Anything. Ill do anything you want.Youre right, I said. You will.I slammed the mark down and pierced the lands heart.