Chapter 16 The Plan

Miaread's P.O.V. 

The exhilaration I felt was short lived when I made a connection.

"Tyrone," I called down the call, catching up to him and Manteriin, "Is Damien planning something? I don't mean to imply any harm, but I've only now put together the fact that he's having me make formal attire. Are we attending something?"

"How am I supposed to know Mathildia?"

"Who is Mathilda?"

"I'm trying to guess your name shut up. But Damien always either talks to Ace, or all of us. No in between."

"Don't you have something to be cleaning or cooking?" Manteriin asked annoyed. I rolled my eyes, nodded, and went off on my way.

Damien had to be planning something right? Or else, why would we need the clothes?


"McCoy?" I murmured to the tall boy next to me. He hummed back in response. "Does Talbott seem off to you by any chance?"

"Maybe a touch, how do you mean?"

"I'm not entirely sure. I think Hugo might be angering him."

"But aren't they the best of friends or something?"

"They haven't seen each other in years and years."

"A lot can change in a week, let alone a year. And multiple?" I shook my head.

"HUNTERS, EVERYONE, PEOPLE, LET'S GATHER PLEASE. 'ROUND THE TABLE." Damien called loudly, taking the immediate attention of all the people in the clearing.

McCoy offered his hand to me, which I took without hesitation. The two of us walked, flanked by Fred and Talbott, Maggie and Hugo, Seamus sulking at the back of the group. We reached the large eating and meeting table, to find Ace Damien Tyrone and Manteriin already waiting for us there.

Damien addressed me directly first. "Miaread would you kindly go and fetch the lovely dresses and suits you made?"

I nodded, standing and collecting the lengths and lengths of fabric from a closet. "MAGGIE, COME HELP ME WILL YOU PLEASE?" I asked, calling down the hall for her. Seconds later the short girl was by my side, taking half of the things into her own hands. Ever since she came she'd been helping me make the formal wear too.

"Much thanks, my dear Miaread." Damien greeted, as Maggie and I came back into the room. We distributed the suits to the people they belonged to, letting the boys inspect them.

"Hey, why have you done up all my buttons like this?" Seamus grumbled, running his fingers over the fixed gold clasps.

"What are you on about?" I asked, walking over to see what he was upset about.

"My buttons, you've done them all wrong. They're on the wrong side."

"No, they're done correctly, you're meant to fasten them yourself."

"Like an animal?"

I clicked my tongue impatiently. "So you never learned to do up buttons on your own?"

"Silence, both of you." Ace insisted, hissing slightly on the s.

"Thank you," said Damien, "now I figured I should tell you all what I'm planning. We have 6 months to prepare, and I want everything to run as smoothly as possible." He waved at the clothes on the table, and we obeyed his signal to clear them off.

From beside him, he pulled a giant map of the thirteen kingdoms. My eyes immediately found Orantulle. The oblong kingdom of hills. The gross oversimplification of all 13 magnificent castles on the map was ridiculous. The pillars, stone, ivy, and wood masterpieces, reduced to purple circles.

Damiens finger crossed my path of vision, pointing at Orantulles purple circle. "This is the castle of Orantulle." He stated," Anyone know how old their King Daniel is?"

"59," I replied instinctively. Damien nodded in agreement. "He's been bedeviled with illness for the past 3 years. Terrible anger issues, horrid personality."

"Correct. Do you happen to know as much about his daughter?"

"19. If you look closely enough at her, it's clear she's been abused most if not all her life. Ran away from Orantulle just short of 5 months or so ago. Been engaged to the prince of Emersilan since her mother Amelian was with child; of course with the knowledge that Queen Cooley of Emerslian had given birth to a healthy baby boy a few months prior."

The Hunters were all looking at me strangely. "I did my research," I defended myself. "I've been going to annual balls for literal years. I've met Isablee many times. We're good friends. Lovely girl."

"Well done Miaread. 15 coins to you." It was a stupid thing that we played, keeping track of imaginary coins awarded to us by each other. The fifteen just awarded to me put me 3 coins above Fred who'd been in the lead. "This king's only child was Isablee. Not to mention the fact that her fiance, the heir to Emerslian, is also missing. This leaves the line of lineage in Orantulle to no one."

I hunched over in shock. I hadn't thought of that. Damien continued explaining about the law and line of lineage in Orantulle, but I didn't pay attention. I didn't need to first of all, second of all, I never thought about what I was leaving behind. McCoy placed a hand on my thigh, and -line of sight still on Damien- raised an inconspicuous eyebrow at me.

I drew 'nothing' on the back of his hand, which I then just held.

Ideas of what could happen to the kingdom I loved ran through my head. What would happen to it bow that I wasn't there to protect it from 'King Daniel'. I scoffed mentally. I hate those words.

"So we're going to attend Orantulles annual ball in about 6 months. And we're going to murder King Daniel. I will take over as ruler of Orantulle, and rule. Of course, making all of you my nobles, and on my court of advisors. You would live very comfortably."

He waited for a few beats of silence before addressing the varying emotions set on our faces. "I understand if you're not fond of this idea. It's quite dark, and involves the murder of royalty. If anyone wishes to leave now, be my guest. You will be met with no restrain, perfectly free to go on your way if you so please."

No one moved. 

"I figured as much," Damien smiled, speaking almost joyously. "Of course, we will all have to learn how to fit in amongst all the nobles and royalty that will be present. Even myself, and Ace have a lot to learn before we'll be ready to put our plan into action."

"Thus," Ace took over, "We need to ask you, Miaread and McCoy, to teach us in the ways of royalty."

"We were never royals," I interjected, "But we would happily aid you in this scene."

It was less than 6 minutes after Damien released us to bed after telling us the plan, and I couldn't move. There was a single line of question running through my mind, relentlessly.

What will happen to Orantulle?

What will happen to Orantulle?

What will happen to Orantulle?

What will happen to Orantulle?



-Eliza

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