Chapter 1 Anna-Nareet The plan was all going correctly. The group of seven girls were set to be the insiders for the Wood Keepers, the most advanced rebellion to date. They only had one mindset, to take the throne from King Ingalramus of Eldoria. “Anna-Nareet!” Halyard said, “Cease your musings; you are set to be taken to the palace in ten minutes!” “Remember that I am the winning card in your game,” I said seamlessly unyielding. I was as ready as I will ever be. “You are not even set for your palace trip,” Halyard said raising his voice, “you have no weapons; no battle attire!” “Fear not, I’ll be ready when you need me,” I said with a smirk on my face. “I will not tolerate your tardiness, girl,” he responded. Before he could even continue, “And I will not tolerate your embittered commands!” He had enough and I could tell. His set jaw gave a slight frown. He grabbed on to my neck and before I could escape his grasp I was taken into the air and struggled to breathe. He could see I was struggling and just kept it there. “You will do as I say and nothing else.” “You know I never defy expectations,” I said. A rasp but as strong as I could do. He could not know. He let go and I caught my breath. “Get ready and go,” he said as he stormed out of the room. I had everything packed in a satchel under my cot. Noisy footsteps came from the cave walkways. It could only be one person. “Ant hurry up and get off that bed!” Lyn said as she caught her breath. Even being in a rebellion, Lyn had no stamina. I grabbed my satchel and followed Lyn. Lyn had been my closest friend for as long as I could remember. Even with the slight separation over the years. “Soooo what transpired in there?” Austlyn said with a sparkle in her eyes. I sighed. She always knew when something was off. “I aim not to jeopardise this mission.” My face looked like this was one of the worst days of my life. That pure grumpiness face on. Lyn saw it. For her face was stifling a laughter. We turned the corner to great everyone else. Fernolia (Fern), Ivory (Ivy), Sprootella (Sprout), Evermore (Eve), Austlyn (Lyn), and Beanie (Bean). The handful of names as they been called. As she walked into the wagon Halyard shot her one last look. If you could freeze fire, it would have accomplished that. As we started to leave, I said. “I fail to comprehend Halyard’s disdain for me, akin to a rat in his shoe.” “Honey, he despises all of us,” Sprout said. “Get up and go!” I said imitating Halyard as close as I could. Everyone burst into laughter. The time flew away as all of us chattered about. ╚═════════════《✧》════════════╝
We arrived at a large stone building flanked with guards. We all stepped out of the horse drawn carriage. Well, we were doing that two guards followed behind. There was a stall slender man standing at the entrance of the castle. “Welcome ladies,” he said with a lighter voice then I expected, “you must be Fernolia, Ivory, Sprootella, Evermore, Austlyn, Beanie, and Anna-Nareet.” I gave a slight curtsy that made me want to gag. “Each of your dresses are in your designated work area,” he said looking at us, “Evermore, Fernolia, Austlyn, and Sprootella will be toiling in the kitchen. Ivory will be working as Prince Theifers chambermaid. Beanie and Anna-Nareet shall address Princess Charlottes chambers. “How exhilarating!” Bean said with a sarcastic voice. Her nose all scrunched up, forcing a smile. WE were escorted to the princess's chamber by a guard who left right before we came to the door. I opened the door and Bean followed behind. Once a heard the door click, I heard a slight gasp. I turbaned around and Bean had a knife to her neck. “Advance no further,” the princess says staring daggers my way. I stood there shocked. I shot a glare to Bean, and she rolled her eyes. She gave the other side of the blade with a death pinch grabbed the princess and flung her over Bean’s head making the princess land back on her feet. Bean tossed the dagger to me and brushed the princess off. The princess stood their stunned. “I am Anna-Nareet, but you may address me as Ant,” I say. “What a such undignified name,” The princess said. Wow. “I am going to call you Nareet. Too many Annas.” Ignoring her comment, I continue, “This is my companion Beanie, though goes by Bean.” I swear if that girl says anything- “Beanie is easy to recall.” Note to self, personally kill that girl when I am done this job. “Do you have kin to return to?” “Most kids like us have lost our kin by your father.” Bean glared art me, but the princess had surprisingly something to say. “If you wish to retain this position you better keep silent or depart!” If I go back without accomplishment I might as be put in the dungeons. “I am to partake with some of my father’s associates, so prepare me,” said princess Charlotte taking a step of two and lifting her arms to look like a puppet. As I finish getting the princess dressed and putting on a more Royalist dress on. Like how that is even possible! Bean then goes to do her hair. She would do the style to tight or pull her hair or shove a hairpin into her head. That would starve her right. There was none of that, and surprisingly the style turned out ok. A knock came to the door, and I rushed to open it. There stood the same man who greeted us. “Princess, one of your chambermaids shall accompany to the dinner with you,” he said with a strong position. “Thank you, Sir Marden,” The princess started. That was his name, “Beanie will address the dinner.” Bean Gave a slight curtsy. When I heard the door close, and steps fade away I started. Rummaging through every corner and possible hiding place. I need to find that key. I have a promising idea put into my mind so that I can mess all of Charlottes room up. Where can that key be. I needed that key for the first step of the plan! It must be in here. Where else would it be. When I finished going through absolutely everything with no success. I found some rope in my satchel. I mean how can you not go somewhere without a rope, right? As I sat there with the rope tied around my hands, I thought of why we are doing this. For all the things Kind Ingalramus has done to my family. To everyone’s family. This had to end. From the hanging of my father. To the hanging of everyone’s family. To the death of grief from my mother. For the death of grief from everyone’s family. From the sickness of my sister with no help from the kingdom. For the death from sickness from everyone’s family. To the missing crops the “daring” knights have taken to the starvation of family. None of this would not have happened if King Ingalramus had not taken the throne. All the people who would have lived, everyone who would have survived. This is what we were fighting for. The safety of the people, the safety of our family. That when I swore to protect my friends, my family. At. All. Costs.
