Chapter 22

Dorian carried Vane, Vanessa, through the bustling tavern hall and up the stairs to his lodging. He nudged the door open with his foot, set Vanessa on the edge of the bed.  He returned to the door, turning the lock in the small room.  It was quaint and basic with a bed, wooden table, holding a clay wash basin and one large window that gave in an excellent vantage point over the main portion of the village.

"There is no point hiding the truth is there?" he exhaled heavily.  His back faced Vanessa.

"Yes, I am one of King Dakarta's men but I am doing exactly what I told you.  Collecting information." Dorian spun around to face her, staring directly into glassy eyes crossing his arms over his chest. " Since I have been honest with you, how about you be honest with me?"

Vanessa pressed her lips into a thin line. She stared firmly in the direction of his eyes since most of his face was hidden in shadow beneath his cloak hood. She wiped her shaky palms on her dress, then sighed.

"I suppose there is no point in the facade for me, either. You have seen my face long enough to know exactly who I am."

"Yes, I have been well trained on the origins of Kildare. Specifically the royal bloodline that ruled this kingdom while it was still prosperous. It was not known for certain you were still alive," he explained, taking long strides forward to tower above her. "Our primary target was Elyena."

Looking down, she shook her head, "No. I am the older sister, Vanessa."

Nodding his understanding, Dorian could hardly contain the swell of triumph.  Her presence at the royal wedding, announcement at the ball sent news flying the older sister was alive.  Dakarta would be thrilled to hear the older sister was allowed freedom to enter the village.  This could provide excellent intel.  If she was on their side.

"I see," he mused, crossing his arms over his chest again.  "Shall I return you back to the-"

"No!" Vanessa interjected, louder than intended.  "No. I-I am not ready to return to the castle," she finally admitted. "We must be cautious.  I assure you, I am being watched."

"That is a good point," he chuckled boldly sitting on the bed beside her.  "Tell me," Dorian sighed, shifting to sit leaning his back on the headboard, crossing his ankles. "How is Queen Elyena doing in her new role? I attempted to rescue her."

Turning to face him, Vanessa's eyes widened in surprise, "Y-you tried to rescue her? "

"I was sent on this mission by Dakarta," Dorian explained, interlacing his fingers behind his head.  "The focus has been to rescue Elyena because we had operated under the natural assumption you had been killed.  Now our mission is to get you both out."

Tears formed in Vanessa's eyes.  "To answer your inquiry, Ely is healthy physically. I have been working on keeping her strong of heart and mind. Surprisingly," she scoffed, "Killian is being quite a gentleman to her. Any request from Ely, he will grant."

Vanessa laid back chuckling but it wasn't cheerful. "This morning she showed me one of his gifts to her.  Apparently he has ambitions."

"What ambitions?" Dorian pursued, interested in the intel.

"She married him in exchange for my freedom from the prison, but he," Vanessa grimaced, "is courting her. He has been since she arrived back.  They were walking through the gardens this morning when I left."

Covering her face with her thin hands, Vanessa groaned, "Now I suspect she has grown too close to him." Vanessa turned onto her side, peering up at Dorian who held her gaze listening intently.  "I do not want to plot against my sister, but if she truly falls for him, I may have to take drastic measures to save Elyena from herself."

"Yes, that is an unforeseeable problem. We may have to let it pan out, observe carefully," he mumbled, staring up at the ceiling. "From what my intel has gathered of the town and people over the years, there has been a severe lack of concern for anyone other than himself.  I had assumed that he would arrogantly be doing the same to Elyena." 

"She is the only one he is any semblance of kind to," Vanessa grumbled.  Dorian sensed some bitterness in her tone.  Excellent.

Turning to lean on his hip, arms lazily draped over his hips, Dorian met Vanessa's eyes. "Come back with me to Oriel and speak with Dakarta. I am certain he could-"

"I cannot leave Elyena," Vanessa burst out, biting her lip, fingers twiddling.  "She gave herself to Killian so we could stay together. If I am not there to keep her strong and level headed, there is no telling how far things could go with them. I am assisting on her restoration committees.  No, she needs me."

"I understand," he sighed, hiding the disappointment in his eyes.

"I am grateful for Oriel's willingness to help.  I had hoped to meet common allies and I know many underground routes through the castle and city that Killian does not.  I could slip in and out of the castle at will if Killian is distracted."

Dorian's lips tilted into a smirk.  "That is quite the resource.  How could we use that as an advantage?"

"The other prisoners, I need means to get food and medicine to strengthen them for a rebellion.  I came to the village today to gauge the villagers.  The mood of the people seems much improved."

"What of the nobles?"

"I am not sure yet," she admitted.  That would be a potential problem.  "However, Elyena must be kept in the dark as much as possible in case things get complicated with her and Killian."

Dorian knelt on the bed, he now pleaded, "If you escape with me, Dakarta will send the medicine and other supplies to the prisoners. I can set up a base for the rebellion nearby, stock it full of supplies and then begin recruiting, training."

"That would be wonderful!" Vanessa exclaimed.

"I am sure if you were to disappear for a few days to meet with Dakarta, I could have you back before Killian notices that you are gone.  I do not think Dakarta would risk giving aid unless he had a guarantee this mission would be fulfilled quickly."

"I just got permission to wander freely today," Vanessa shook her head frowning sadly.

"I can meet you tonight, at the greenhouse near the far end of the castle gardens. I dare not leave with you now. It may put Elyena in danger if Killian discovers me gone. I will talk to Elyena, find out how her meal with him has gone," she grimaced, "Encourage her to continuing distracting him even.  If I do not return today by dusk, Killian may retaliate on Ely."

"Speak with Elyena first, see how things are going with Killian.  We  should meet in public like this a few times, plan or execute something each time."

Dorian stared at her for a while, drinking in Vanessa's features.  A few wisps of her pale blonde hair fell out of its braid.  He began to reach his hand up but hesitated when she flinched.  Dorian curled his fingers back, dropping his hand limply onto the bed.

"The night plan may work best but it depends on how well things are going with your sister."

She nodded her agreement, "Tonight.  One hour after sunset. In the meantime, perhaps you can help me with something else. Come with me."

****

Vanessa led him through the village to the edges of the castle wall.  If one went along the pathway another set of stairs, it could lead inside.  He remembered that much from meetings with Alex

"Keep yourself down," Vanessa whispered. "You cannot risk being seen." With her hand, Vanessa inspected the wall closely, then paused at a crack in the stone workings.

"Here!" she exclaimed, bending down, lowering toward a vertical crack the length and width of her finger to peer inside. When she leaned up, Vanessa explained.  "Food and medicine can be slipped to the prisoners here once the hole is made bigger."

When Vanessa met Dorian' eyes, bright hazel hues peered up at him. From her bent over position, her pale yellow hair falling into her thin cheeks, he had a tempting perspective. His jaw clenched, hoping that Dorian had not been caught staring at her figure.

"Once they are stronger from a steady supply of food and medicine, I have a way to help them escape once they are strong enough."

"I will assist but we need to obtain Dakarta's support," Dorian sighed, dropping to one knee beside her. "He will gladly support such a clever operation. I presume the prisoners will join us in our rebellion?"

"Yes, I am positive they will join.  They need to be released first."

Dorian squinted at the small opening.  "A hammer and chisel easily can break that open a little wider."

"Until we gain Dakarta's support, I can fake being sick, something that would have me quarantined, then get a similar appearing maid to stay in my bed."

"Finding a woman of similar build should be a simple task but those eyes of yours are too special to reproduce." Dorian smiled, risking lifting his hand to stroke her cheek.  This time, Vanessa did not flinch away.

"Those eyes,"  Vanessa blushed deeply, shaking her head. "The double will have to at least come close and match my figure in a bed."

Dorian's lip twitched upward at her comment. "So blonde, height to my shoulders, slender and she must look lovely in a bed? Are those the requirements you are requesting?"

She nodded.  "I am wary of who to trust in this new regime but must take the risk."

"It will be worth it."

Running her fingers across the stone, eyes staring, lost in nostalgia, Vanessa spoke again softly.  "This tiny crack was my only hope for three years.  The only source of light.  Now even after I am free of that dungeon, it still remains a symbol of hope. Perhaps it can mean hope for those who still remain trapped within."

Looking back at Dorian, her hazel eyes began tearing up. With his thumb, Dorian wiped away a fallen tear.

"Come with me now, Princess," Dorian whispered leaving his warm hand on her cheek. Something stirred within him, pleading to not let her go.

"No," Vanessa winced, eyes glistening with fresh tears. "I should be headed back inside by now, to check on Elyena and her situation." Both rising to their feet, Dorian gazed down at her towering above the princess from his full height. "One hour after sunset in the far corner alcove of the garden greenhouse.  Wait for me there."

"I will be there." Dorian nodded, watching her ascended the stairs.
After Vanessa was out of sight, Dorian adjusted his hood then sneakily wandered off back towards the pub. A knot of anxiety began to form is his gut.  She had mumbled something about his eyes.  Did that mean Vanessa knew already of his abilities?  No, impossible.

Dorian entered the tavern again, reclaiming his perch to observe the people just as rain came pouring down.  A smirk tugged at his lips recalling the feminine curves of the older princess.  The wispy silky glow of her hair, the delicate blush of her cheeks.

No. Dorian could not get attached and could not allow himself to get distracted.  He had to push this unmatched maiden from his mind. His breathing sped, flutters building in his gut and a dull glow radiated from his skin.  Dorian needed a release from this anxiety to control his urges before they gave him away.

Remembering his secret rendezvous, Dorian rose from the table attentive to keep his hood covering his eyes.  He headed toward the store room, eager to partake in the fair barmaid's eagerness.

Halfway down the hallway, the buxom brunette appeared with a fist on her hips, "I waited for you but you never came! Then I was told you left the tavern!"

"Hush Moira," Dorian cooed, lips tilting into a smirk as he took hold of her wrist.  "Trouble with the mission. But it is settled now."

Diving for her neck, Dorian took hold of her hips, pivoting the barmaid backwards and through the storeroom door. Encouraged by her enthusiastic moans and whimpers, Dorian hoisted Moira atop a wooden crate as she pulled her skirts up shamelessly letting him step between the fabric.

Awhile later, both spent, glistening with sweat and out of breath, they adjusted their clothes. The unsettled storm within Dorian calmed and was manageable for now.

"Will you be waiting up for me this evening?" Moira asked, snaking her arms behind Dorian as he finished tying his breeches.

"No," he answered dryly.  "My mission may keep me away for a few days.  If she returns, you know what to do."

"Yes," she nodded.  "I understand."

"Good." Slowly his lips curved into a grin.  "We are so close."