Crane

Crane felt her breath leave her. She struggled to speak, failed, and gasped in a breath. She felt numb.

Why? Shouldn’t I be… I don’t know. Shouldn’t I feel something?

Cadrin was watching her, his face a mix of gentle understanding and sorrow.

“C-Cadrin!” Her voice came out strangled.

Cadrin nodded. “I know.”

“You know what?” Crane demanded. “I don’t- don’t know what to think… or do. Creel… is…”

“Not Creel. Cara. Creel is the name the royals gave her.”

“But…” Her throat went dry and she couldn’t speak. “How?” she rasped out.

Cadrin let out a long, low sigh, and Crane knew that the story was a painful one. She let Cadrin work his way through his emotions, waiting with an empty feeling in her heart and the sensation that she’d just been struck a devastating blow to her stomach. At last Cadrin began to speak.

“You… and Creel … are twins. Creel – Cara - was taken… as a baby… to the palace.” It was painful, listening to Cadrin struggle through the explanation.

But I need this story. I’ve been in the dark about everything for far too long.

“The Lowlanders were just in the beginning stages of the search for the heirs. I wasn’t even that old, but I do remember it. You were born in the middle of the night. You weren’t even two yet when… when the guards came. The unrest of the Lowlanders was evident, and they wanted to put a stop to it before anything happened.”

Crane had the terrible feeling that she knew where this was going.

“They took her, didn’t they.”

Cadrin nodded, unable to form words. “We all thought she was dead. I blame myself for- for not protecting her.” His voice broke. “She’s on their side, Crane, but she doesn’t know any better. I only just discovered she was still alive a week or two ago. But we… we can’t turn her right now. No one can know. They’ll use her against us.”

Crane felt a thousand emotions pouring through her being, sweeping anything and everything away except the feelings. She felt joy, then anger, then sadness.

I think I’m going to be sick.

There was too much in too little time.

“Cadrin…” Crane’s voice caught on a sob. “What are we going to do?”

They fell into each other’s arms and embraced as if the world was ending. In a web of deceit and lies, hope sprang up but just as quickly died. They only had each other.

●●●

Creel

Planning was the easy part. Carrying out the plan was going to be much, much more difficult.

First she had to convince Lord Forden that she needed to meet with the Lowlander informer. Then she had to hope that the Lowlander knew where Rain was. Then she had to actually get to the Lowlands somehow and track down the girl, all without giving away that that was her actual intent.

Creel flopped on her bed and sighed. A long, peaceful night with solid sleep had left her feeling restless. Last night’s so-called “victory” was still on her mind. After she had found Rain, she’d probably have to confront Jasa about that huge façade she was now keeping up - the victorious and triumphant handmaiden who had single-handedly defeated the Lowlander “assassin.”

Creel almost laughed. Right.

It was absurd.

And yet all the royals believed it.

Well, maybe she’d call in a favor for that feat last night that she had totally, definitely, actually done herself and ask Lord Forden.

Better now than later. Besides, the worst he could say is no.

She found him in the library, flipping through the pages of a book. He looked up in surprise as Creel entered.

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“Creel, I’m surprised you’re not upstairs reveling in your glory.”

Creel sighed. “Look, I was wondering if I could call in a favor, instead of all that glory?”

Forden frowned. “I don’t know. I’m meeting with my informer soon.”

Her excitement spiked. “That’s perfect. Because I need to meet them!”

“ Meet them?”

“Yeah, you know, talk to them, like… I don’t know. Meet the-“

Lord Forden held up a hand. “Yeah, I know what meet them means. But why would you need to meet them?”

Creel breathed out. “The attacker… yesterday. She… she looks just like me. I have to find her. I have reason to believe that she’s connected to the boy who attacked Lady Sheena at my banquet.”

Lord Forden’s face grew hard. “I’m going to lock that” - he called the boy a dirty name under his breath – “Lowlander in the deepest, darkest dungeon. Even better, I’ll skin him alive!”

Creel swallowed hard. “Are you serious?”

Forden growled. “Maybe I am.”

“So, can I meet the informer or not?” Realizing how pretentious she sounded, she dropped a quick “milord” at the end.

Lord Forden nodded slowly. “I suppose. If it brings about the arrest of that boy.”

“When are they coming?” Creel felt her adrenaline surge. I am going to get onto you, Rain! She vowed silently.

“In about fifteen minutes.”

Funny, but wasn’t that the same time she had to wait last time? What a coincidence. For some reason, a shiver worked its way down her spine. The whole balance was shifting now. It was like a game of chess- a very deadly game of chess. The pieces were lined up, and it was nearly time to make the first move.

Once you set something in motion, it cannot be undone.

The thought rose suddenly; unbidden.

It was not her own thought.

You’re paranoid, Creel! Get a grip for the Seven Cities’ sake!

Creel shivered and wandered over to a shelf to distract herself from waiting. She let her fingers trail over hundreds of book spines. All colors, all sizes, all manner of fonts and exotic-sounding author names.

Like, what kind of a name was Sirdonius F’Carendum? Or Fandelil Elermordy-Shal? And that one: a Tal-something-or-other that she couldn’t even pronounce.

A book with dark mahogany and gold binding caught her eye, and she pulled it out. The cover winked in the candlelight, a beautiful burnished color. Creel felt an unexpected wave of melancholy wash over her.

When was the last time I had a chance to read?

She flipped open the cover and the spine gave a beautiful crackle as it opened. The pages were smooth and the scent that rose from the book was glorious. The pages were saturated in thick, dark ink and graceful handwriting.

《Of The Fall of Merwyn》

Creel flipped another page to the contents and let out a contented sigh at the sight of the many chapters.

She flipped to chapter one and began to read.

《You’ve heard of Merwyn perhaps, but you’ve never read her story from this perspective. We all know that she was killed by one of her own, a traitorous Lowlander who sought to take the throne. We all know how General Thrain stepped in at the kingdom’s hour of chaos. We all know the story.

But do we truly?》

Startled, Creel broke off.

“Do we truly”? What does that even mean? Everyone knows that-

Of course. Creel let out an angry laugh. The Lowlanders were trying to frame the royals.

“What vensgone Lowlanders,” She muttered. “Do they really think that I would believe that for one second?!”

But it she was honest, had she believed it for a second? Or maybe, like, three seconds?

Maybe…

But no. I am Royal Loyal.

She’d made up the nickname a few years ago and sometimes still referred to herself as that.

“Creel.”

Creel looked up. “Milord.”

“She’s here.” Lord Forden nodded at the library’s darkest corner.

Creel hastily shoved the book away, glad to be rid of its confusion, and followed Lord Forden.

The hooded person waited silently for them.

“This is Lady Sheena’s bodyguard, Creel.” Lord Forden introduced.

“We all heard about the attack with Ambassador Jasa. You are a wonderful example of loyalty and courage in these deceitful times.”

“Creel needs to confer with you regarding a Lowlander. Considering you’re one yourself, I figure you can help.”

“I believe I might be able to.” The informer lifted the hood. A girl, several years older than Creel, smiled out. “My name’s Ineera.”