The Traitor's Wish

The Traitor's Wish
Chapter 4
The King's Rescue

Emma rushed to the library, fiddling with the bracelet on her wrist. He wasn't just a guard anymore, Kade was her friend, but she still had a gut feeling there was more then he was telling her. More then just a past in the Navy.

She knew anything she wanted to know about sailors knots could be found in a book, so she dove into the knowledge, searching for a similar knot to the one on the bracelet. There had to be a reason he chose this one. It was as blue as his eyes, and as about as tough as his ego, but with all seriousness, it felt like a tiny peak at the man he was before he came here.

Finally she found it. The Carrick Bend, a knot used to tightly weave two strings together. Often found when connecting a sail to the mast. Emma grabbed as many books on knots, ships, and the navy she could find and hurried down the hall to her room, locking herself away to study.

She pulled two strings from one of her corsets and practiced the knots until her fingers bled.

Emma had found a tiny fraction of Kade's past, and she was never letting it go.
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The soldiers' day had started like any other. They were awoken before the sun was up and rushed out to relieve the other men from their posts. Kade was lucky enough to have grabbed an apple on his way out. Very few mornings was he able to have breakfast.

As general, he had to keep a sharp eye on each of his men, constantly patrolling the gardens. Many times during those wee early hours, he found himself wondering back to the princess. He'd heard recently she had been held up in her studies. Each soldier had different opinions on her. Some thought of Emma as a prize. Others respected her and kept their distance. Then there was Kade, who thought he knew his feelings, but so many things had already changed. He needed to get his mind straight before tonight.

The hot sun burned his skin all day, long through his shift and the rigorous training, and the day slowly faded to night. The Stars were hidden well behind a stormy covering of dark clouds. There was no moon in the night sky. Night of New Moon.

For so long he had looked forward to this day, for his big plan to begin. He would never admit it, but he had much worry that day and as he walked through the foggy gardens.

Kade had to hurry, or he would miss his only chance to gain the leverage he needed. The path to Swan Lake was etched into his mind. He made the turns subconsciously, knowing the trail perfectly.

It was too easy really; the King was staring out at the lake, lost in thought. Kade drew his sword quietly. He stared out into the brush and spotted the glowing eyes. His sword cut through the thick night air, flashing the symbol to his crew.

Smee drew his arrow back, ready to let it fly. Kade sprinted with all his might, launching the King out of the arrows path as it grazed his on chest. He grunted in pain, feeling his bloodied side. That was not planned.

He sighed with frustration, and jumped up. "Thieves, your Highness!" He shouted out. "Get to the palace or get a sword!"

His own sword clashed with one of his men. The night hid his identity, but Kade put on a full show, mustering up all his strength to fight off the dangerous thieves. More soldiers came to his aid as his crew jumped out of the brush.

He had no intention of harming the intruders, but if it kept his act believable he wouldn't mind it. If the crew didn't like it they could walk the bloody plank.

His sword clashed to Smee's and he twisted his wrist, flinging his opponents sword into the lake. He met the captains eyes, giving a slight nod of goodluck. He whistled as loud he could, and the crew disappeared into the night.