Page 25 of The Queen's Crown
The people all wore strange clothing. The men had on loose pants and thin shirts, many of the shirts unbuttoned. The women looked as if they’d taken a large swath of fabric and twisted it around their bodies, securing it with a belt. A lot of people didn’t bother with shoes and simply went barefoot. Sabine didn’t think it was a lack of money based upon the jewelry many of the people exhibited. It had to be a cultural thing. She couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of Alina seeing all of this for the first time. Her sister would have been horror-stricken to see so much skin exposed. However, based upon the warmth and humidity, Sabine guessed the people of Lynk dressed accordingly.
The buildings abruptly ended but the road kept on going for another thirty feet or so, appearing as if it led straight off the cliff. It was hard to tell because as the sun set, thick clouds rolled in, level with them at the top of the mountain. About five feet from the end of the road, two men clad all in black, including a black cloth that covered their heads leaving only a small cutout for their eyes, stood in the middle of the road.
“Halt,” one of the men stated. “No one gets in or out. Direct orders from the king.”
“I have a letter from the king’s personal steward, Gunther,” the soldier to Sabine’s right said as he held out the letter Markis had handed over to them when they first reached Lynk.
The man on the right stepped forward, taking the letter. He quickly read through it. “We’ll take it from here. You’re both dismissed.”
The two soldiers who’d accompanied Sabine and Markis bowed and then left without saying a word to them. Even though Sabine had never learned either of their names, she suddenly felt abandoned. Instead of showing any hint of unease, she kept her face blank and made sure to keep her head held high. She was going to be the queen of Lynk and needed to make sure she behaved as such.
One of the men knelt, opening a wooden door in the ground that Sabine hadn’t noticed before. He pulled out a blue flag and stood, waving it in the air. After a few seconds, he returned the flag to its place. A loud groan resounded. Sabine could have sworn the ground beneath her feet shuddered.
“I’ll be damned,” Markis muttered.
Two large wooden planks began to lower, one from the mountainside where they stood, and the other from what appeared to be another mountain across the way. The other mountain ended up being more like an island, only surrounded by air instead of water. Perched precariously on that island mountain sat an elegant white palace. Sabine hadn’t seen it at first because the clouds were so thick, concealing a portion of it, making the palace look as if it were floating.
Once the two bridges fully lowered, they connected, forming a long pathway from one mountain to the other. Two wooden doors opened on the other side and a dozen soldiers exited, coming straight toward them. These men, like the two with them, were dressed in solid black pants, tunics, and masks. Only seeing their eyes sent a chill down Sabine’s spine. Each man also carried a spear and had a sword strapped to his waist.
They stopped just before the end of the bridge.
Sabine half wondered what would happen if the wind blew hard enough. She suspected the soldiers would be blown right off the bridge. The men kept their focus straight ahead, probably not wanting to look down. She wouldn’t want to look down either.
One soldier stepped forward. “I am Captain Lithane, in charge of the palace guard.” He held his hand out, and one of the other soldiers handed over the letter. He quickly read it. “It bears the king’s steward’s seal.” He looked at Sabine and Markis.
“I am Lieutenant Markis Belle, tasked with delivering Princess Sabine Ludwig safely to the palace.”
“We’ve been expecting you.” He looked at Sabine again. “Though we didn’t expect you to arrive like this.” His eyes narrowed. “Lieutenant Markis, you may leave. I will escort Princess Sabine inside.”
“I am not to leave her until she is delivered safely to the king.” Markis’s voice remained strong, not once wavering.
The sky began to darken and the air turned cold. “It is getting late,” Sabine said, using her most sophisticated and haughty voice. “The journey here has been long and harrowing. I wish to go inside and retire for the night. Lieutenant Markis will remain at my side. That is not negotiable.”
“The king will decide,” Lithane replied. “If you wish to enter, you must be checked.” He took a step toward Markis. “Spread your arms and legs.”
Markis did as he said. “In addition to the sword at my waist, I have two knives.”
Lithane quickly patted him down, retrieving the three weapons. “These will remain with me until you leave.”
“I will discuss the matter with the king,” Markis said.
Lithane ignored him and turned to face Sabine. “Now I will check the princess.”
“You will maintain your place,” Sabine said, her voice loud and firm. “And you will not lay a hand on me.” She’d never been patted down by a soldier before and would not consent to being touched so brusquely now.
“I can’t allow you inside the palace without making sure you are free from weapons.”
She chuckled, like she’d seen her mother do when confronting a situation where she wished to have the upper hand. “Yet you all walk around with weapons. Weapons that anyone wishing the king harm could easily steal and use.”
“No one gets past us.”
“If no one could,” Sabine said, folding her arms, “then you’re telling me my sister was assassinated by a Lynk soldier?”
She heard Markis’s sharp intake of breath.
No one said a word for an uncomfortable minute.
“Are you accusing a Lynk soldier of killing your sister?” Lithane asked, his voice low.
