The Reign of Trees Read Free Page B

sound of the crying would give away their location to the soldiers.
    Lord Braithwell had his head bowed; his lips moved with the verses of a silent prayer. Lady Braithwell had her arms around her children, offering them silent reassurances. As Illianah looked around the chapel, anger grew within her chest. All these people were just sitting here, doing nothing but waiting helplessly for their capture. Someone should do something; they should be preparing to fight back!
    A wooden pew lined the wall. If she could step on the back of the pew, she might just be able to see out the window at the top of the wall. “What are you doing?” Lord Braithwell whispered as she began to climb the pew.
    She did not answer. What did he think she was doing? Needlepoint?
    The courtyard was perfectly in sight; Illianah could see dozens of Deltegran soldiers in full armor. Some were guarding prisoners, although it looked as if only a dozen soldiers from the village of Freidlenburg had been taken captive. What had happened to the rest of the village defenders?
    She could see other Deltegran soldiers moving in and out of the castle, look for treasure perhaps. Or looking for her. One soldier gestured toward the chapel. But a soldier with an exceptionally ornate breastplate—probably their commander—shook his head. What did that mean? Would he not enter the sanctuary of a house of God? She knew the Deltegrans to be devoutly religious, but to the point where they would not pursue their enemy within holy walls? Could that even be possible?
    Her focus shifted to the courtyard near the stables. Soldiers were leading out Lord Braithwell’s horses and harnessing them together in groups of four. She inhaled sharply. “They are stealing your horses,” she whispered to Lord Braithwell. “And supplies,” she added once she saw a number of carts in the courtyard. The carts were long, and guessing from the excessive number of wheels, the carts were heavy as well. What was Deltegra hoping to accomplish? To cut Freidlenburg off from other communities and starve them out?
    “I knew this would not go without consequence,” Lord Braithwell muttered. But he would offer nothing further.
    Kasba ! Illianah saw the mottled white horse being led from the stable. Kasba was resisting her captors—she reared up and kicked everything that came within her path. Ah, she was free of heart, just like Illianah. Kasba was fighting for her freedom. Illianah should be making a stand as well. “I will not allow this,” Illianah said in a loud whisper. She hopped down from the pew and headed to the heavy wooden door which was braced shut with a wooden beam. “Open it,” she said; this time she did not whisper. She was no longer worried about the discovery of their hiding place.
    “My Lady, I cannot. I am charged to protect you,” Lord Braithwell said.
    “ You are not. Durant was charged to protect me but he has abandoned me for his own pursuits.” She knew that was not exactly the truth. Durant had left her so he could fight with Lord Braithwell’s limited number of troops. His skills would be better used defending the castle than cowering inside a chapel. But where was he now? Dead with an arrow through his neck?   Illianah shuddered thinking of the fate of those soldiers who had been atop the castle’s walls.
    “He directed me to keep you safe, Princess. I cannot let you leave the chapel.”
    “I am ordering you, Lord Braithwell, to open that door. Immediately.”
    He blinked several times and then began to shake his head. “Now, Lord Braithwell,” she again commanded. He still hesitated. “They will not harm me. I am the only child of the king. They would not dare. They know the value of my crown.”
    He nodded and lifted the beam bracing the door. Illianah stepped out into the sunlight. She heard the door shut and the beam behind the door slide back into place. Her stomach sank upon hearing the sound; Lord Braithwell offered his protection in words