“We’re not going to climb out the window, are we?” he asked. “It’s a long way to the ground, especially without the scabbard to mend our broken bones.”
“We’re not,” she said, hurrying to make more strips and tie them together. “I only want to make them think so. Go on with your tale. Genette tried to persuade Chatriyon to attack Pree. If I recall my history, she did attack. It failed.”
He nodded sadly. “Maybe it was an impossible task. Think of it, Ankarette. This city”—he gestured with his arms—“has sizable defenses. Lionn was one thing. But Pree is more secure, and it was full of enemy forces. Deford was no fool. I’m sure he wanted to ride out in battle against us, but he also knew the power of momentum in victory. After all, I’d given him that momentum years before. Deford, the cunning lion, sent a letter to Chatriyon requesting a halt to the violence. He promised to surrender the city of Pree in two weeks if they reached an agreement. Both Genette and I knew it was a trick, a stalling technique so he could fortify the city. Chatriyon was more inclined to consider it, even though it would slow our momentum. If he had listened to the Maid, if he had heeded her, it would have gone differently. Trust me, our army, although small, was courageous after such unlikely victories. They truly believed the Fountain was on our side. And they believed they could conquer Pree. So did Genette.”
“What happened?” Ankarette said. “Did it go wrong because of the box?”
Alensson was quiet for a moment before speaking. “I think so. It’s something I heard Genette say to the king, something she whispered urgently to him as she tried to convince him to reject Deford’s proposal. I was standing nearby, so I overheard it. She whispered to him that he would win the city because he held the chest,” he said. “Not because of some truce or negotiation with our enemies. I don’t know what that meant or what magic the box evoked. Chatriyon gave in to her . . . eventually. He told her that she would have a fortnight to conquer the city or he’d order her to withdraw.” He grimaced. “Most sieges last for months, Ankarette. But she was convinced she could do it in less than a fortnight. She did not see what I saw, even though he warned her. I don’t think he agreed out of any eagerness to conquer Pree. He intended to send her to her death. And if that failed, he could be sure it happened in his own way.”
Ankarette finished the makeshift rope made out of bedding. “Would that I could hear the rest of it now, but we must make ready to leave. Here is my plan. People are quick to believe what they see—and even quicker to jump to the wrong conclusion.” She went to the brazier and grabbed an iron poker, then fastened the makeshift rope to it. He followed her into the garderobe.
“We’re going down the toilet?” he asked, his cheek twitching with revulsion. “We’re going to jump into that cesspit?”
“No, we’re going to make them think that you did.” She set the iron poker across the garderobe seat and then flung the heap of cloth down into the darkness. “They’ll arrive and find your bed in tatters. The windows will all be bolted. A quick search will reveal the false trail, and every guard in the palace will be ordered to start searching the perimeter.”
“But we’ll still be in the room?” he asked quizzically.
Ankarette nodded. “When the servants are ordered to clean up the mess we’re about to make, I will render them unconscious and we’ll take their clothes. Everyone knows who you are, Duke Alensson, but one thing I’ve learned is that people don’t give you a second glance if you look like someone of lower birth. A shave, a haircut, and a different walk will make everyone look right past you as we escape.”
“And where are we going?” he asked her cautiously.
“I need to get back to my king and warn him what we’re up against,” Ankarette said. “And you are coming with me. King Lewis has been acting with a great deal of overconfidence. Like he can’t lose this fight. I’m beginning to suspect I know why.” She gave him a cunning smile. “Now, before we hide in the rafters, tell me about this chest. I want you to describe it to me in perfect detail. What did it look like?”
Alensson gave her a broad smile. “I like you, lass. And I am only too happy to leave this prison.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Defending Pree
Alensson watched as the soldiers yanked the trebuchet lever. The massive timbers groaned, pivoted sharply, and then hurled a bucket of debris toward the towering walls of Pree, only for the boulders to be pulverized against it.