I was searching for something to post today & I found this story that I wrote in middle school. I laughed at my own writing, so feel free to do the same.
p.s. it's kind of long.
Chapter 1
“The royal family has perished from poisoning! The advisors have placed a successor on the throne. Coronation tomorrow!” The town crier tried to communicate his news through the tears that seemed to choke him. People buzzed with the news. In a single night the entire royal family consisting of the king and queen as well as their two young children had vanished. The palace doctor declared that they had all been poisoned by arsenic.
A young girl stepped from the shadows of an alley. With one hand she brushed dust from her skirt, while with the other she pushed her black hair back from her face. She disliked the fact that while the kingdom recognized that the royal family had been poisoned, no one seemed intent on discovering those behind the act. The townspeople in the capital were milling around like lost sheep, waiting to be told what to think.
A woman, seeing the girl, cried out, “Linnet! Did you hear the news? Our entire royal family has died! This is so tragic! Who could have done such a horrible thing?” she started sobbing and pulled her floury apron up to dry her eyes. Before Linnet could respond, the other woman threw her arms around the girl. “What are we going to do?”
“Yes, Ruth, I heard, I don’t know.” Linnet replied calmly, trying to disengage the woman from her. Ruth’s outbursts had become a daily occurrence. Linnet was a patient girl, but only for so long. “I have to go now, Ruth. I have things to do.” She tried again to free herself, but she realized that no amount of squirming would do the trick.
Finally, Ruth released her. “Keep safe, little one.” The older woman wandered off down the street, trailing the scent of lavender, chamomile, saffron, with hints of the many other herbs that she carried in her shop.
“I will, Ruth.” Linnet smiled brightly as she stepped into the streets. She couldn’t wait to see her best friend, Frieda, and tell her what she thought of the whole business. She glided down the street with her graceful walk, calling greetings to the people of the town. When she reached the butcher shop, she waved a greeting to her friend.
“Linnet!” called Frieda, and ran to give her a hug. “I’ve missed seeing you. I’ve been so busy lately I haven’t had time to visit.” The other girl had short blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She had her hair pulled back with a white scarf to make working in the butcher shop easier.
“I couldn’t wait to see you either, Frieda. Did you hear the crier this morning?” Linnet was not one to waste time. She liked getting down to business quickly.
“Yes, isn’t that so sad?” Frieda used the corner of her scarf to wipe away a tear forming in her eye. She sniffed loudly.
“It’s all so frustrating,” said Linnet angrily.
“What do you mean Linnet?” Frieda never understood her fiery friend’s logic at times. She was always ready to charge ahead into things, while Frieda tended to be the more cautious one.
“Well, why haven’t the advisors opened an investigation of the crime? I believe murdering the entire royal family is a crime is it not?” Linnet paced in front of her friend, unable to stand still.
“Yes—but I don’t see—”
“Why hasn’t there been questionings? Interrogations? Arrests? Who is responsible for this horrid murder? No one seems to know. It’s all very strange.”
“I suppose so..”
“I would love to get inside the palace and conduct my own investigation. Something isn’t right here, Frieda. Royal families don’t just get murdered with no questions asked.”
“You may be right, but what can you do? You’re just a villager. Villagers aren’t allowed in the actual palace unless they work there, and they’re only allowed into the palace grounds if they have special permission. You know that. So how are you going to get in the palace to prove your theory?” Frieda was always the voice of reason in Linnet’s head.
“I don’t know,” Linnet rubbed her forehead in frustration. “but I will.”
“You know if they catch you, you could be arrested?”
“I know, but I’m willing to take that risk.” Linnet replied determinedly.
Chapter 2
Linnet stared up at the foreboding walls of the palace. She sat down on a log nearby to watch people coming in and out of the gates. Suddenly, she saw Caleb, the tailor, heading towards the gates.
“Caleb!” she called.
Caleb turned around and saw her. A smile spread across his face. “Linnet, how nice to see you.”
Linnet smiled. “What are you doing today, Caleb?” she asked.
“I’m fitting some clothes for the new king,” he replied.
Linnet frowned. “I don’t think there’s something right here with this new king business.”
Caleb smiled and moved his hand through the air as if wiping her doubts away. He changed the subject. “Would you like to come with me into the palace grounds? That’s where Eric is now. He helps the palace gardener pick the plums around this time every year. Maybe you could help them?” he suggested.
A big smile crept over Linnet’s face. Maybe this is the way I can get into the palace. At least the palace grounds. “Yes, I’d like that,” she said out loud.
Inside, the grounds were huge. Eric saw here and waved her over.
“Hi, Linnet! What are you doing here?”
“Your father said maybe I could help pick plums.” The raven haired girl explained a little uncertainly.
“Most certainly!” boomed a big voice from behind Eric. “You are most welcome to help.” The voice belonged to a round, jolly man that Linnet assumed to be the gardener. “We are always in need of help. In fact if you are available right now, I can put you to work right away.”
“Of course, I’m here.” Linnet replied cheerfully.
“Thank you. Take these two buckets over to the kitchen door behind those bushes to the right. Tell the soldiers there that you’re working for me and they will let you in.”
“Alright,” said Linnet brightly. She picked up the buckets and headed towards the kitchen.
“Where do you think you’re going?”asked one of the soldiers a bit gruffly, but she could tell he was struggling to maintain the gruffness. She judged him to be about seventeen years old.
“I’m taking these plums to the cook from the gardener.” Linnet retorted, looking the soldier straight in the eye. She noticed he had brown eyes to match his hair.
“Oh, alright.” The soldier grinned at the determination in her green eyes. He opened the door for her and she walked in. After delivering the plums, she walked out and noticed that one of the soldiers had left.
“Where did your friend go?” she asked.
“To lunch. Haven’t I seen you somewhere before?” he asked looking intently at her face. He thought she was about fifteen.
“No, I don’t believe so, what’s your name?”
“Mark Williams.”
“No, we haven’t met, Nice try.” Linnet started to walk off, but Mark called her back. “Yes?”
“You didn’t tell me your name.” Mark said with a twinkle in his eye.
“Linnet.” She replied saucily and walked off.
Chapter 3
“See you tomorrow, Linnet!” Eric called as he left.
“Bye!”she called back; she turned to the gardener. “I’m goin to take these last two buckets of plums to the kitchen, then I’ll leave.”
“Thanks for coming young miss,” said the gardener. “do you want to come tomorrow as well?”he inquired eagerly.
Linnet thought about this, then replied, “Yes, I’d like to.”
“Great!” he boomed. “See you tomorrow. Oh, if you get here early just ask the soldier on guard to let you in. Tell him you’re working for me.”
“But what if he won’t let me in?”
“He will if you show him this.” He held out a piece of paper with the king’s golden seal in the center, surrounded by green grass. “It’s a palace grounds pass. You can get into the grounds anytime you want. That’s your payment for helping me with the plums.”
“Thank you,” breathed Linnet. Now I can get in the palace grounds anytime I want! This is perfect! She smiled to herself as the thoughts flew through her head. She picked up the two remaining plum buckets and headed to the kitchen. Once again the only soldier on duty was the young man she had talked to previously. “Don’t you ever get dinner?” she inquired as she came out of the kitchen.
“Yes, my friend bring me the leftovers,” he joked. “No, really I go inside the barracks and eat when he comes back.”
“Do you ever go inside the actual palace?”
“Sometimes, Captain Thorn assigns me to inside duty every once in a while. Why?”
This soldier goes inside the palace, she thought wildly. Maybe if I form a friendship with him, he could show me the palace someday. That would be a way to get inside. Out loud she lied, “I’ve always been so fascinated with the palace. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then, bye!” She turned to go.
“Bye!” he called.
The rest of the day Linnet’s thoughts were consumed with the young soldier. I’ve got to start calling him by his name. Mark was it? I think so. Oh, and tomorrow I’ve got to get my own lunch to bring. Eric shared his lunch with me today, but I don’t want him doing that every day. Her thoughts turned to memory lane. She definitely didn’t want to owe anybody anything. That was how she lost her parents. They had lived in Oval, the next village over. They had been so in debt that they hadn’t been able to keep the house. So the old king had imprisoned them until they could pay. That was ten years ago. She had been a small child of four then. She had stayed with a neighbor woman until two years ago; the woman had died of smallpox. Linnet had thought it wise to leave the germ infested village, so she had moved to Mill, the country’s capital. She laughed suddenly. Just remembering how Eric had shared his lunch with her had brought on memories of the past. As she lay down to sleep she sleepily murmured her parent’s names. “Jonathan and Alice Jobel.”
****
“Eric! Is your dad home?” Linnet called on the tailor’s home midmorning the next day.
“Yes, do you want me to get him?”
“Please.”
“What can I do for you Linnet?” asked Caleb pleasantly. “Do you need some sewing done?”
“No, I would like to ask you a question. Do you think that I could come with you the palace and help with your tailoring for the new king? You know I’m just as good at sewing as Eric or you. Well, maybe not you, but at least as good as Eric. I could help you a lot, and Eric could still do his job helping the gardener.”
“If this were any other situation, I would agree immediately. But we are talking about a job involving the king! I will talk to the king about having you help me today. I will let you know tomorrow. In the meantime, why don’t you help the gardener?”
“Okay, thanks Caleb. I guess I did tell the gardener I would help again today. So I’d better go now.”
“Linnet, do you want to walk with me? I’m leaving now.” Eric offered.
“No thanks, I have to get my lunch for today.”
“Okay, see you there!”
“Frieda!” Linnet called as she ran into the butcher shop. “Guess what? I have a palace grounds pass so I can go inside the grounds anytime I want!”
“That’s great!” Frieda said. “Now you can search the grounds at least.”
“Yes, well I talked to Caleb. He’s going to ask the king if I can help him with his sewing.”
“Do you think he’s going to let you?”
“I hope so. Well I’ll see you later. I have to buy my lunch today.”Frieda waved goodbye and ran off.
“Are you going somewhere, Linnet?” Jacob the butcher asked as he handed her the meat.
“Didn’t you hear Frieda, Jacob?”laughed Livia as she came into the shop. “Linnet’s working in the palace now.”
“You are?” asked Jacob in with a mock incredulous tone. “Look out, she’s going to become queen someday.”
Linnet couldn’t help smiling. “I don’t think so Jacob. Where did Frieda go? I forgot to ask her.”
“She went to help Ruth with some spices for her shop. The poor woman is very shaken up about the royal family.”
Linnet decided it would be better not to tell anyone except Frieda about her ideas. She didn’t know what the adults would think about it. “Do you know how Richard and Naomi are doing?” she inquired. “I haven’t seen them around for a while, and their tanning shop is closed.”
“They went on a trip to get more hides,” said a voice behind her.
“Oh, hello Joanna.” Linnet smiled. “You remind me; I’d better get going to help Eric with the plums.”
“Alright, dear, it was nice seeing you,” called Joanna in a soft voice befitting a tailor’s wife. “She’s such a nice girl.”
****
“Hello, Linnet!”the gardener’s voice was as booming as ever. “Nice to see you! Do you want to take these buckets in to the kitchen?”
“Yes, I’ll do that right away.” She set her lunch down and picked up the heavy metal buckets. As she neared the kitchen door, she could hear someone talking to himself.
“I know there’s something wrong. It’s just not right. The advisors are lying I know it. But if I say something to anyone, I’ll be charged with treason. What will I do?” the voice was agitated and nervous.
“You could talk to someone who feels the same way,” said Linnet softly as she stepped into full view of the kitchen door.
The soldier who had been talking to himself was Mark. He stared at her with his mouth open. “You heard me?” he asked bewildered. “I didn’t think anyone was in the palace this early except for the tailors that are working on the king’s new robe for the coronation today at noon.”
“I’m here early to help the gardener and cook with the plums until noon. Then I’m leaving.”
“Right. You’re Linnet correct?” he said more composed now. “Please don’t turn me in, I’m only seventeen. I didn’t mean anything by it.” His voice sank again and he looked at her pleadingly.
Linnet smiled reassuringly. “I know how you feel, Mark, I feel the same way. But I do have to deliver these plums or there will be no plum pudding for after the coronation.”
“Alright.” Mark opened the door for her.
“Linnet, you feel the same way that something is wrong?” Mark asked, a little puzzled as she stepped out into the light after delivering the plums.
“Yes—”
“Linnet!” Eric yelled. “Come on, we’ve got two more buckets for you!”
“Coming!” she turned to Mark. “Meet me outside the palace gates by the tanner’s shop tonight at ten. We’ll talk then.” She scurried away. In a few minutes, she was back. “Door, please.”
Mark was still confused. “Linnet, aren’t there people at the tanner’s shop?”
“No, the tanner and his wife are away on a hunting trip. Don’t wear your uniform alright? People might notice you. Why don’t you disguise yourself as a villager? I can get you an outfit at noon when I go home. At five o’ clock I’m coming back to finish the plums after the ceremony is over. I’ll bring you an outfit then. Oh my! It’s noon, I’d better go! Bye!”she hurried away, leaving them both thinking about the evening’s rendezvous.
Chapter 4
“Not that, not that, most certainly not that,” Linnet sighed as she looked through the trunk the neighbor woman had managed to keep when the soldiers had taken their home. “Will I ever find anything for him?” She had spent almost the whole afternoon cleaning up her small living space, now she barely had any time to search for a disguise for Mark. “Aha!” she pulled an old outfit of her father’s out of the trunk. It had been small on her father, so it should fit Mark.
“Maybe I should change too.” She muttered thoughtfully, smoothing down her worn but neat dress. “It might come in handy, even though everyone knows me.” The town clock rang the hour. She jumped, then slammed the lid of the trunk down. Quietly she walked out of the alley she called home.
Halfway there, she realized she hadn’t changed or brought something to change into. Too late now, she thought. Quickly she showed the guard her pass and hurried in.
“Hello, young miss,” the gardener eagerly waved to her. “You’re here early. Eric isn’t here yet.”
“He isn’t? He usually beat me here.”
“Not this afternoon, but I got out here at a quarter to five, as soon as the ceremony ended and I’ve been picking plums ever since. They need to be picked before they go bad. The ceremony today set us back. You can take these two buckets here to the kitchen, then maybe Eric will be here to help me pick.”
“Alright.”
The gardener seemed to notice her bundle for the first time. “What’s that?” he asked curiously.
Linnet thought quickly. “It’s..um..my dinner.” Her heart pounded as she hoped the man would believe her.
“Oh, I see.”
She breathed a sigh of relief as she took the buckets and bundle to the kitchen. “Mark,” she called softly.
“Linnet!”
“I brought you the outfit I promised.”
“Thank you.”
“Welcome, door please.”
“When do we meet?”
“When the clock strikes ten.”
*****
DING! DING! The clock finished striking ten. Mark crept out of the barracks quietly. His meeting tonight depended on his getting out of here quickly and quietly. Suddenly he jerked to a halt. He forgot about the sentry that guarded the barracks to prevent deserters.
Groaning softly to himself, he walked up the sentry and whispered, “John, you can go to bed now. I’m on guard duty now. It’s ten o’ clock.” He held his breath hoping that John would buy his story.
“Alright Mark go ahead.” John turned and stumbled to bed and was soon asleep.
Mark smiled to himself as he slipped out into the night.
*****
Linnet also heard the clock strike the hour. She got up off her pile of furs and slipped on an old dress of her mother’s. Fondly smoothing it down she smiled with memories. Then shaking her head slowly, she slipped out of the alley into the street. Looking right and left she started walking toward the tanner’s shop. When she arrived, she looked around for Mark. Not seeing him she crouched down next the building to wait.
*****
“Who goes there?” called the gate sentry.
Mark froze in his steps. Several thoughts flew through his head. Run! Hide! Show him my pass! Lie! What do I do? He took a deep breath to calm himself down then called up to the sentry, “Your relief, it’s ten o’ clock.” I hope he buys my story..thought Mark wildly. His heart was beating so loudly, he was sure the man could hear it.
“Wonderful!” called the man joyfully. “See you tomorrow! And thank you!” he added as he came down and headed toward the barracks.
Suddenly Mark remembered he was supposed to be guarding the barracks. He turned and sneaked back to the barracks, just barely beating the sentry. He waited until the sentry fell asleep then left. I’ve wasted enough time trying to get out of here, he said to himself. He finally crept out of the gates at ten thirty.
*****
Where is Mark? Is he coming at all? Did he set me up? Linnet asked herself over and over. Suddenly she tensed, she could hear someone creeping down the empty street.
“Linnet?” called a soft voice.
“Mark.” Linnet stood and greeted him. “What took you so long?”
“Sorry, I had to get out of there.”
“It’s alright. Let’s go.” She turned, but Mark caught her arm.
“Go where? I thought we were talking here.”
“Of course not, we’re going to my place. Come on.” She led him to the alley. “Sit, please.” She pointed to a second pile of furs across from her own bed.
“You live in an alley? With furs?” Mark was puzzled.
“Yes, the tanner gives me extra furs, when people won’t buy them.” She made no comment about the alley.
Mark moved on. “You said you believed that something is wrong here.”
“Yes, I do. I think that the advisors would be too scared to kill the entire family. At most they would imprison them. Don’t you think so?”
“Yes, I especially agree with the part about the advisors being too scared. I’ve met them all before and they couldn’t have the courage to kill them all..yet.”
“What do you mean yet?” It was Linnet’s turn to be puzzled.
“I mean they might have the courage once they had the people behind them. Which they do now..”
“Yes, you are right. You said you knew the advisors right?”
“Yes—”
“This is perfect! Do you know where their rooms are?”
“Yes—”
“Listen! If you can get guard duty inside tomorrow, I might be able to meet you inside!”
“How?”
“My friend Eric’s dad is tailoring for the supposed king. He was going to ask the king if I could help him. Then we could search their rooms together!”
“That’d be great, but what if you can’t get inside?”
“Then you can search them. And we’ll meet here again tomorrow night at ten.”
“Alright. Well I should get back. I’m on guard duty.”
“Alright, bye!”
*****
“Caleb! Can I go?” Linnet was breathless with excitement the next morning as she eagerly questioned Caleb.
“No, little one. King Simon does not want anyone else. I am sorry.”
“Okay, thank you.” She tried to hide her great disappointment. How am I supposed to get in now? Plum season is over so I don’t really have a reason to go into the palace grounds. I know, I can tell the cook I’m there to help him! Her mind dictated her course of action and she marched to the palace.
“You there!” called the tower guard. “Halt!” He came down from his post and said almost apologetically, “I’ve got to check you out. It’s a new rule especially since that soldier got arrest early this morning. I forgot to ask, do you have a pass?”
“Yes, but it’s only to the palace grounds.”
“Oh, I see. Well you’re alright, you can go in now.”
“What did you say about that soldier that got arrested?”
“Oh, some soldier, I think they said his name was Mark or something, was snooping around in the advisor’s chambers. It seems that he had especially asked for inside duty that morning. They took him to the dungeon about eight o’ clock this morning I think.”
“Oh I see, thank you.” Linnet’s voice was calm, but her mind was wild. This is really bad! Mark has been arrested! What do we do? More importantly, what do I do?
Chapter 5
What’ll I do? I can’t just leave him to rot in some cell because of one of my ideas. It’s my fault he was arrested. I could never pretend I don’t know anything about him consciously. What’ll I do? Linnet’s thoughts consumed her. Her heart was pounding so loud she was sure that everyone she passed could hear it. She headed listlessly toward the palace door.
“Halt!” a voice jolted to her to a stop. “Do you have a pass for inside?”
“No I need one. I’m helping the cook today. He knows me. I helped the gardener with the plums.” Linnet explained.
“Well, if you need to get into the kitchen, can’t you use the kitchen door?” said the soldier the voice belonged to, a little annoyed.
“Oh, yes, sorry.” She murmured. She turned and headed toward the kitchen door. “Excuse me, could you let me in, I’m helping the cook today.” She timidly asked the soldier on guard.
“I guess,” he yawned.
“Hello, cook!” she called half-heartedly. Her mind was still on Mark.
“Hello, Linnet! Say are you here to help me today? Because one of my usual girls is sick. Her job isn’t the nicest and it’s not the cleanest of jobs, so one can imagine that she’d be sick, but could you do it?”
“What is it?”
“Taking the food to the prisoners.”
“Oh, sure I could do that.” She tried not to sound eager, but she was. Prisoners, that meant Mark and possibly the royal family. She grimaced as she looked into the smelly pail of prisoner’s food. She reminded herself she really didn’t want to be arrested.
“There you go. Just ask the guard outside the door, he’ll show you the way.”
“Thanks, cook.”
“Where are you goin?” asked the guard gruffly.
“To dungeon to take food to the prisoners.”
“Oh, alright, follow me.” He led her through a maze of corridors and hallways. Finally he stopped outside an old wooden door. “You can go through here and ask the guard in there where to go. I’ll be waiting out here, when you’re done.”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary, I can find my way back, really I can.”
He hesitated then agreed. “Alright.”
Taking a a deep breath she walked through the door. She wasn’t prepared for the smell that greeted her.
“You there! Are you the one with the food for the prisoners?”
“Yes.”
“Alright, follow me.” He led her through a hallway, then stopped at a door and unlocked it. “You can put a spoonful of that slop in the pan, then come back out.” He glanced nervously back at the door.
She tried to put a spoonful into the thin pan without spilling and wasn’t successful.
“That’s alright,” said the prisoner quietly. “I’ll get it.”
“Mark?” Linnet whispered excitedly. “Is that you?”
“Linnet?”
“Mark, we have to get you out of here.”
“I know.”
“Maybe you could switch clothing with the guard.”
“Alright, how?”
“Are you almost done?” called the soldier nervously. “There are other prisoners too, you know. No, wait, there’s no more prisoners for you to feed. I mean..oh just come on.”
“Mark, grab my arms and hold them. I’ll call for help and you slug him.”
“Alright, come here.” He grabbed her arm and she screamed.
“Help me! He’s got me!”
“Oh great,” the soldier muttered as he walked in. A thud later, a young guard emerged with a girl at his side.
“Come on there are other prisoners to feed too.”
“Coming.”
“You there.” A gruff voice stopped them. “Where are you going?”
“Luke! It’s just me and girl that feeds the prisoners.
“She doesn’t feed these. Give me the food girl.”
“Yes, sir.” Timidly she handed him the bucket.
“Get out.”
Without a word, she turned and hurried back. Before they were completely out of earshot, the heard Luke’s companion say, “I’m glad that after tomorrow we don’t have to guard this cell anymore. It’s too nerve wracking.”
“Tell me about it. The advisors said that we should stay down here until Saturday. Then Sunday afternoon the advisors said that they are going to rid the country of these traitors.”
“Yes, they didn’t have the power to kill them all at first, but now that the people are behind them, their courage has increased.”
“Mark did you hear that?” Linnet asked fearfully. “They’re going to kill the royal family tomorrow afternoon!”
“We have to do something fast!” Mar exclaimed.
“SHHH.” Whispered Linnet glancing back the way they had come. “Do you want them to hear you?”
“Sorry, I got excited.”
“I noticed,” said Linnet with a smile.
“But, seriously, what are we going to do?”
“I don’t know. We’ll have to think fast. Listen you can’t be seen outside the palace with the jail guard’s clothes on. You need to change back into your uniform and then get out of here. I know! You could head over to my place. You remember where it is right?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“It’ll be the perfect place to hide out until tonight when I come home. Nobody goes into my alley.”
“Thanks, but I can’t change into my uniform. I was arrested this morning remember? If they caught you helping me, we could both be thrown back into prison.”
“Dress as a peasant. Where are those clothes I gave you?”
“Under my bed in the barracks.”
“Are the barracks guarded during the day?”
“Sometimes, why?”
“Because I may be able to get in there to get those clothes. I’ll say I’m the girl cleaning the barracks.”
“That would work.” Mark looked at the bright eyed young girl next to him. She was so smart and brave. He didn’t think he would’ve had the courage to do anything about it, but she did.
“Now I have to go tell the cook I’m feeling sick and I have to go home.”
“No, don’t say that. He’ll send you to the doctors. Why don’t’ you tell him you have something you forgot you had to do today? I’ll wait here for the clothes.”
“Alright, don’t let your face be seen.”
“I won’t. Good luck.”
Chapter 6
Good, no guard. Okay, now which one is Mark’s? Puzzled, she looked around at the mess of uniforms, clothes, and weapons littering the floor. Men. She laughed to herself at the mess. I forgot to ask him which one his was. I guess I might as well start cleaning, that way if someone comes in I’ll have a proper excuse. Goodness, where do I start? As she looked around, she saw at least five hundred bunks. Sighing, she began to pick up the nearest uniform. Looking closely at it, she realized there was name sewn on to it. M. J. WILLIAMS. With a start she realized this must be Mark’s. Okay…she thought, this is Mark’s uniform but where’s his bed? It must be around here somewhere…
“You there!” a young voice trying to sound important made her jump.
She was tired of being startled by yelling voices. She turned around to see a young soldier watching her suspiciously. “I’m here to clean the barracks.”
“Oh, do you need any help?” he smiled charmingly, but she was on her guard.
“No, well actually yes. Do you know where Mark Williams’ bunk is? This is his uniform, but I can’t find his bunk to know where to put it away.”
He laughed. “Apparently you aren’t looking hard enough. All the bunks have the name of the soldier that occupies it carved into it.”
“Oh, thank you. What are you doing here? Are you the guard?”
He frowned. “No, but I’d like to be. I’m just a common foot soldier. I came to get my sword for drills. Why do you ask?”
“Because there is a very angry officer running toward the barracks. I expect he’s looking for you. Does that mean anything to you?” Linnet smiled slightly smugly.
“Yes,” he sighed. “That’s my commanding officer, Captain Thorn. He probably is looking for me, I’d better get my sword before he reaches the barracks.”
“Private Jonathan! Get back to the parade grounds immediately. Five lashes for forgetting your sword and another five for being late! Get out there now!”
“Yes, sir, Captain Thorn, right away.” Jonathan grabbed his sword and ran like the wind back to the parade grounds.
Capt. Thorn looked around the messy barracks. “Five lashes for every soldier tonight for unacceptable barracks.” He muttered to himself.
“Please, sir, don’t give Private Jonathan those five lashes for being late. I made him late, I asked where this goes, and he was trying to help me and get his sword.”
“And you might you be?” Capt. Thorn saw her for the first time.
“I’m the village girl who cleans the barracks, sir.”
“Then do that and leave my soldiers alone!” He thundered, then wheeled and marched away with his head held high.
“Alright then, I hope you fall into a hole with your nose in the air.” Linnet muttered as she looked around for Mark’s bunk.
She studied the bunks and their names. “S. J. WILCOX, J. G. JUMPER, M. J. WILLIAMS…” she grinned triumphantly. Bending down she found the bundle of peasant clothes. Smiling to herself she headed back towards the kitchen door.
****
Where is she? Did she run into trouble? Is she okay? Where is she? Mark’s thoughts jumped from question to question as he waited for her return. Any second now she would round that bend carrying the bundle with his clothes in them. Suddenly, he heard a commotion down the corridor.
“Come on girl, don’t fuss,” commanded a stern voice. “We won’t hurt you, we’re just goin to put you in a cell to cool off for a while alright?” he smiled as he pulled the girl along with hardly any effort. As he rounded the bend, Mark saw that the girl was Linnet! “This’ll teach you to try and sneak in the front way without a pass.” He threw her into Mark’s arms. “Here, put here in one of the cells, she was trying to sneak in the front way without a pass.”
“Okay, I’ll do that.” Mark tried to sound like the former guard.
“Careful, she’s a feisty one.” The man warned Mark as he walked away.
“Linnet! What were you thinking?”
“I wanted to get down here without being seen by the cook so I went the front way. It almost worked.” She smiled mischievously.
“Still…did you get the clothes?”
“Yes. Go to my place quickly. I’ll join you as soon as I can.”
*****
How am I supposed to get out of here? Linnet hadn’t thought this far ahead. I’m supposed to be in jail. Wait, nobody knows that except for the soldiers at the entrance and Mark. I guess I’ll go through the kitchen although I hate to…
“Linnet! Where’d you spring from?” The cook was puzzled.
“I…uh..was…uh cleaning the barracks and I…um…thought I’d get a drink from the well.” It was a lame excuse.
“But I didn’t see you come in.”
“Well…uh…I did come in, but I’ve got to go now, bye!” She quickly left the confused cook standing in the middle of his kitchen.
“Whew!” she sighed. “I just got through that one.” She hurried out of the gates without anyone stopping her. A smile crossed her face as she walked home. When she reached her alley she looked around to see if anyone was watching. Seeing nobody she entered the alley.
“Linnet, nice place.” Mark said quietly as she hurried in and pulled the dark, heavy curtain closed behind her. “I didn’t see properly the other night. It was too dark.”
“Thanks, Mark. We have to plan. Do you have a palace pass still?”
“Yes—”
“Great, we’ll get in that way. We’ll need……”
*****
“You got everything, Mark?” Linnet whispered.
“Yes, here they come. SHHH.”
“Careful, Private Luke. I don’t want my trophies damaged.” King Simon growled.
“Yes, sir.”
“My most revered King Simon, should we torture them first and then kill them or just kill them the quick way?” asked Lord Godwin.
“This is my moment of my final victory. Of course we’re going to torture them first.”
“Yes, my king.” Lord Godwin replied. He looked at his brother, Lord Wulf. “My brother, we shall finally be Dukes after this moment.”
“Yes, my brother we shall,” purred Lord Wulf contentedly.
“This will do Private Luke,” the self-proclaimed king ordered, as they stepped into a clearing.
“Yes, my king.”
“Give it up, Simon!” ordered a voice from behind the trees. “We have to surrounded!”
Another voice answered the first behind Simon, “Yes, we do, Simon. I suggest you give it up. Turn them over to us, and we’ll let you live, but if you don’t’ we’ll truss you up and send you back to be executed.”
At this Private Luke let loose an arrow.
“You really think I’m going to give them up without a fight?” Simon yelled angrily. “How dare you not address me as king?”
“I dare,” growled the first voice and an arrow zipped out from the trees and Luke slipped to the ground with a sigh.
“I will hold you accountable for murdering this fine soldier!” The fake king screamed.
“You can’t. That was in self-defense. He fired the first shot,” shouted the first voice angrily.
Suddenly a hail of arrows surrounded the would-be king and his lords. They threw themselves on the ground to protect their precious hides. A young soldier stepped from the trees and tied them up. Another figure in an uniform that was too big stepped into the clearing as well.
“Where are they?” asked the second soldier in a gruff voice that was obviously strained.
“In the cart.” Was the curt reply.
“The second soldier ran to the cart and pulled off the cover. The soldier smiled beautifully as the royal family coughed and blinked in the sudden light. “Right this way please, your majesties.” The figure said in a much different voice as the person took of the helmet. Long, wavy, black hair fell down Linnet’s back.
“A girl!” gasped Simon. “A girl outwitted us!”
“With some help,” she retorted as Mark took off his helmet.
“Thank you ever so much!” choked the king.
“You are most welcome your majesty,” Linnet said as she bowed. “But this is only the beginning!” she smiled as she straightened up.
Chapter 7
“The royal family has returned!” the watchman cried happily. “Ceremony today!”
People cheered as the royal family was paraded through the town in sedan chairs. When they reached the ceremony platform, the king stood up to give a speech.
“Today, I am back. Before I tell you the story, I would like to present to you the heroine and hero of this story, the two people that saved my family and myself from certain death. I present to you, Miss Linnet Richardson and Mr. Mark Williams!” People cheered as they ascended the stairs to the top of the ceremony stand.
“These two young people saved our lives and now I would like to present them with the King and Queen’s medal of courage. These will be presented by my daughter, Princess Rosalind and my son, Prince Robert.” He turned to his children and handed them the medals to present to Linnet and Mark.
After the medals were placed around their necks, the king asked them if there was something they wanted.
I would like to be a Captain, but…went through Mark’s mind, while through Linnet’s it was different. I would like my parents to be freed if they’re still alive, which I doubt. I’ve been down in the dungeon and there were only two cells full of prisoners, so….
“No, sir,” they said almost in unison.
“Let me know if there is anything, alright? You both deserve it.”
“Yes, your majesty.” This time they were in unison.
“I would like to tell you all something.” King Jonathan continued. “I am not the song of the former king.” A gasp arose from the crowd. “I was a peasant who couldn’t pay his taxes, so the king had me thrown in jail along with my wife, leaving our young daughter alone. I was not King Jonathan then, I was Jonathan Jobel..” The king continued on with his story, but Linnet wasn’t listening.
Jobel…he said his former name was Jobel. That was my parent’s name, and mine before I changed it…Why the king is my…. Linnet fainted before she could finish the thought.
When she came to, Ruth was bathing her forehead with a cool cloth. Mark and the royal family were standing around her looking concerned. Suddenly what she had thought of before hit her. She sat up suddenly.
“King Jonathan, Queen Alice, you said your former name was Jobel and that you were a peasant who couldn’t pay his taxes…did you live here?”
“No, we lived in a small village called Oval. Why do you ask?”
“When I was four, soldiers came and took away my parents. A neighbor woman took me in until she died two years go. I was thirteen then. After that I moved here and changed my name from Jobel to Richardson.” She finished to find the king and queen staring hard at her.
“Linnet?” Queen Alice asked disbelievingly.
“Mother.”
“Linnet!”
Mother and daughter hugged elatedly. “Hey, let me get in here,” laughed Jonathan as he hugged his long lost daughter. Rosalind and Robert stood a little awkwardly to one side until Linnet called them over and hugged them.
“It’s good to see you all!” Linnet smiled warmly, then looked over at Mark. “Thank you Mark, for helping me free my parents and siblings.”
“Well, I wasn’t doing it for you,” he laughed. “I was doing it for the country.”
