Marwynn saw Muriel run towards him, she flung her arms around him. Oaklynn smirked at Marwynn “I see that you have moved on?” Marwynn flushed.
“Oaklynn, this is Muriel” he introduced them. Muriel released him and shook Oaklynn's hand.
Declan walked up “We need to talk.”
“Indeed” Marwynn said and they walked to the tavern leaving Oaklynn and Muriel. They sat down at a table by the window and ordered some food.
“Declan,” Marwynn started “I have reason to believe that we will be able to free the creatures within Embergate. But there is one problem.”
“That if you free one, you free them all.” Declan responded fully understanding the conundrum.
Puzzled that he already understood Marwynn continued “Yes, there are creatures in there that would be on your side and would be very beneficial to your cause. I am not sure that we can do this without them.”
“I fully agree” Declan answered.
“The decision is entirely yours” Marwynn said. “I am not sure if you are aware that there are also humans that are imprisoned within Embergate. Particularly one that would make Muriel very upset to learn about.”
“Yes, Duster has already informed us of Muriel’s father and your village. I am very sorry that they were taken.” Declan empathized.
Marwynn nodded and fidgeted in his chair “it is because of me.” Straightening up he said “as for Whitehaven, Lady Revna will be expecting me there for the Hunters Moon in a week. When was the last time you visited?”
Declan’s eyes became glossy as he thought back to his last visit to Whitehaven. “My mother’s funeral.” he said. “Several years ago.”
Marwynn allowed him a few moments before continuing “They began a new tradition just after the late Queen’s passing. Every year they bring in the hunter’s moon by hosting an all white masquerade to celebrate the first night of winter. Even the villages around the castle all dress in white. It would be our best bet to sneak you in to see your brother.”
“Ok.” Declan agreed and settled into his chair.
“I must tell you that Lady Revna expects me to hand you over to her.” Marwynn informed him.
“I figured that. how will we escape?” Declan thought out loud.
“That I am unsure of. Lady Revna is not one to trifle with and she will be prepared.” He answered. “If I am captured, I expect you to flee. Do not think twice about me, it is more important that you escape.” “What about Muriel?” Declan asked.
“I know I will not be able to convince her to wait here.” Marwynn said. “I hope that she will agree to lay low and wait in one of the villages for us.”
Nonstop rain turned the normally five day journey into a seven day wet and miserable trip. The seventh morning, the clouds thinned allowing the sun to peak through on occasion. Marwynn, Muriel, and Declan were still sopping wet when they entered the inn at Wildewater. Declan entered the room he was sharing with Marwynn and closed the door. Marwynn stood in the hall facing Muriel awkwardly.
He began, “Muriel, I, I don’t want you to come tonight.”
“Marwynn, I go where I please” She said irritated.
“Oh believe me, I know, but this is going to be different.” He implored.
“How so?” she asked.
“Lady Revna is cold and calculated, she likely has already planned for five different scenarios tonight. I do not want you to get caught up in any of it.” He said.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“I have never been to Whitehaven Castle before let alone to attended a masquerade, and you ask me to stay behind?” she asked.
“Only because I do not want you to be in any danger because of me.” He said.
She stepped closer, “If you were not you and I was not me, it would sound like you care about me.”
Marwynn blushed lightly “Muriel. You know that I care about you.”
Expectantly Muriel lifted her chin to look up at Marwynn. “I care about you too Marwynn” she half whispered.
She was so close now that Marwynn could see his own reflection in her eyes. “Promise me you won’t go” he leaned closer.
She said softly, “I promise,” and closed her eyes turning her face.
Marwynn stepped backwards and Muriel’s eyes fluttered open. The pained look on her face showed for only a moment. She turned away from Marwynn and disappeared behind the door to her room. After it clicked shut, Marwynn mouthed “I’m sorry.”
When Marwynn entered the room he saw Declan in the corner laying out their clothes to dry. Marwynn smiled, he never imagined he would see a member of the royal family doing any kind of domestic labor.
“How did it go?” Declan looked up at Marwynn.
“As well as can be expected, she agreed to stay here” he answered.
“That is quite impressive, I thought you would have your work cut out for you. I was fully expecting to hear her screaming at you through the door.” Declan said.
“I imagine she will not speak to me for a time, but it is for her own good.” Marwynn replied.
Declan did not fully understand what he meant but did not question him further.
After dinner, which Muriel skipped, Declan and Marwynn pulled on the mostly dry white masquerade outfits that Mops had made for them. After fixing the masks to their faces, they strode out the door to walk the short distance to the castle.
The roads were lined with white flowers and white banners were tied to the fence posts. The contrast of the ominous evening sky filled the air with an excitement. There were white horses pulling white carriages that housed nobles and wealthy merchants from all over the country. Villagers wearing all white waved ribbons and threw white petals in front of the carriages as they rolled by. Occasionally some of the nobles tossed coins to the children lining the street. The children would cheer and bless the nobles as they passed.
Declan saw the overgrown field that he and his mother used to play in. He could almost see himself as a child laughing with his mother as they chased one another. He did not realize he had stopped walking and rested his hands on the fence. He could hear the echo of his mother’s lullaby:
Lovely little boy
Smile so bright and innocent
How do I protect such a one
From the cruelty that was meant
I’ll send you away to a place close to the sky
Where they will not reach you no matter how hard they try
Do not lose your kindness or gentle way
We will meet again some day
I will not forget you my little sweet one
My precious gift from God, my youngest son
In that moment, Declan remembered the love that his mother had for him. The song she had sung to him as a child resonated in his being and he felt a new determination welling up in him. He always thought that his father sent him away only later did he realize that his mother had sent him away to protect him.
Declan turned around to find that Marwynn must have continued walking. All he saw was a stream of white masked people. He wandered into the castle hoping to be able to find Marwynn. In the castle the decorations were even more elaborate, a white marble floor stretched out across the vast grand room. White cloth covered tables draped to the floor and were filled with the most delectable white colored deserts. Chocolates and cakes were covered with edible pearls and clear sugar gems. The drinks were in white goblets covered in real pearls. Even the torches hanging around the room gave off a whiteish glow.
The sea of people stretched across the room and Declan was aware that he would probably not find Marwynn. A commotion at the front was gathering attention and Lady Revna was standing on the platform of the King’s chair. She called their attention. “I am aware that we are supposed to be mourning for the loss of our king and that some would find this masquerade in poor taste.” She paused for a greater emphasis. “I empathize with this sentiment but believe that just as he set this masquerade up in memory of the late queen, as such we can now use it as an opportunity to honor his majesty as well.” She exaggerated her face into one of sadness. “I hope that this will not also need to honor the young prince whom we still have not located. I have been searching everywhere and am concerned that we may not find my sweet nephew. If this is indeed the case, I promise to be a most benevolent leader.” A light clapping began in the front and echoed throughout the hall. Lady Revna’s face turned up in a smile as she looked over the room. “Now as we are all here, let me award the lady of the winter her crown.”
Declan was watching this performance from the back of the room and was grateful that not one person would recognize him even with his mask off. He knew that he needed to find his brother and he could not waste any more time looking for Marwynn. He slipped out the side door and headed for the north tower where he believed his brother was being kept.
