𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter fifteen; The Castle's Been Seized
" I tried to fight off four armed men with Sebastian's help and a single sword. Didn't quite go as planned. "

* Trigger Warning for SA; this is the episode in which the count seizes the castle-- there is no SA that happens, as they're stopped just before, but I will still mark the beginning and end of the scene that may be triggering with asterisks *

  "YOU'RE THE KING'S new mistress and you didn't think to tell me in person?"

  Kenna was quite shocked that the servants had actually allowed Elspeth Liens to barge into the King's chambers. Granted, the King and every able-bodied man had left, but it was still surprising.

  "Ellie!"

  "I thought we were friends," Elspeth pouted, sinking onto one of the floor cushions.

  "Don't blame me, you've been impossible to find," Kenna laughed, placing herself beside the girl, "What about you-- clearly, something has been going on but you haven't told me anything."

  Elspeth sighed, leaning back on her hands.

  "Francis is. . . concerned about Mary and Sebastian's friendship," The woman admitted, rolling her eyes as Kenna jumped quickly to anger, "Though, Sebastian assured me that's all it is, a friendship-- he was willing to outright ignore her if I so wished. Though he's quite cross with me now. . ."

  "Cross with you?"

  "I followed him into the Blood Wood last night."

  "Elspeth!"

  "He's to be my husband, Kenna," Elspeth sighed, "To me, that means I protect him as he protects me. I don't want to just be taken care of-- not that there's anything wrong with that. But, he knows me. He should've expected I wouldn't worry and wait for his return."

  "I suppose that's true," Kenna noted, her mind turning, "Now, I do want to know, even though she's not my favorite person in all of France. . . how has your meeting with Diane gone?"

  "She's terrifying," Elspeth admitted, making Kenna laugh, "I swear, that woman has no interest in me! I made friends of Catherine De Medici before her!"

  The girls fell into a fit of giggles, briefly allowing all their worries to leave the room they occupied. It had been far too long since they'd had a single moment like this, so long, it was doomed to be ruined.

  "Lady Kenna," A servant greeted, entering the room quickly, "The castle has been taken, we must take you somewhere safe quickly."

  "W--what?"

  "What do you mean it's been taken?"

  "The Count has infiltrated with guards-- we have no way of fighting."

  Elspeth moved quickly, instructing Kenna to stay in the chambers quietly and block the doors with whatever she and the servant could move quickly-- she blocked out the worries of her friend, gently closing the door as she snuck into the halls.

  Now, Elspeth Liens knew how to handle a sword. She could handle herself around a weapon.

  In theory.

  You see, her parents had been rather gracious in allowing her to spar with her older brothers all through her childhood and far into adulthood, but they drew the line at real fighting. They never wished for their daughter to reach any sort of harm, so anything more than a few playfights was too much.

   This was far more than a spar with Hans.

  "Sebastian!" Elspeth shouted, harshly closing the door as she entered Diane's chambers, making both De Poitiers nervously halt conversation, "Sebastian listen, the Italians have taken the castle, no one is safe-- Kenna is in the King's chambers but I have no idea where any of my friends are or--"

  "Elle, Elle, slow down," Sebastian greeted quickly, nervously glancing down at her sword, "You're being serious? The Italians have taken the castle? Did you find that in my father's chambers?"

  "Yes, I was visiting Kenna," Elspeth waved off quickly, "Listen, we need to--"

  The door slammed open, and four men barged in quickly. Elspeth lifted her sword, making them laugh.

  But this only lit the fire in her belly.

  She charged, slicing a man who was stuck still in shock. Elspeth found her dress quite annoying at the moment, her corset tightening with every rebel movement of her form.

  It seemed the mere sight of a woman harming one of the men made them impossibly angry, most setting their sights on the woman.

  Sebastian acted as quickly as possible, grabbing a poker from the dying fireplace to fight the onslaught away from his love-- though it all seemed useless.

  It all seemed useless, as the heavy barrage came crashing onto Elspeth-- it was three against one, it wasn't fair, and they were stronger, refusing to hold back as her older brother had so many times, and when Elspeth's wrists weakened and her corset felt so tight her lungs may collapse, one swift motion left the metal clattering to the ground and she was but a woman.

   Elspeth, however, only grew angrier as the men restrained her arms and there was revealed a bruised Sebastian, shouting her name-- only her name-- as she was hauled off.

  He was angry. Having no idea what they would do to her, where they would take her-- and yet, Sebastian was most angry at himself.

↬

  "Elle!"

  The girl stumbled as she was pushed towards her friends, sneering at the man before he chuckled and slammed the door shut. Elspeth dusted off her dress, biting her cheek at the small tear in the skirt, gently taking a seat on Mary's chaise as the four others swarmed around her.

  "Where's Greer?"

  "In the kitchens," Kenna said with a laugh of disbelief, "What happened to you?"

  "Well," Elspeth mumbled, "I tried to fight off four armed men with Sebastian's help and a single sword. Didn't quite go as planned."

  "Are you out of your mind?"

  "Only slightly," The woman sighed, leaning back on the chaise, "Could one of you please loosen this corset before I collapse?"

  The ladies worked quickly, Kenna nearly tearing the thing off as Mary produced a new, un-torn dress for her friend.

  "Francis and Catherine are attempting to strike a bargain," Mary explained, "We may be able to move people through the hidden tunnels in the castle-- I'll speak with Catherine shortly."

  Elspeth nodded, swallowing harshly as the true terror set in.

  "Elle," Kenna said softly, her hand resting on Elspeth's, "We will get out of here, alright?"

  And she nodded silently again, though it was clear Elspeth Liens had little faith in Kenna's words.

↬

  The wait was painstaking. Elspeth didn't participate in any of the conversations between her friends, even after Kenna helped her change into a more comfortable dress that wasn't as suffocating. Her mind was spinning with worries about Sebastian, of her friends, and every innocent life still lingering in the castle.

  And when Mary did return, Elspeth only felt more ill.

  "Mary, I can't do it," Kenna was the first to speak, "Think of how angry they'll be when they discover they've been tricked."

  "We'll be gone before they do."

  "What if it doesn't work?" Aylee asked. "What if he doesn't believe you?"

  "What about Catherine, how will she escape?"

  Mary felt her heart sink at Elspeth's soft question, true worry pooling in her eyes.

  But before she could speak, a knock sounded-- the door opening to reveal the woman of the hour.

  "I know what you're thinking," Catherine began, "It's what any woman would think. But I've come to tell you not to be afraid. I'll be there when you enter the room, and I'll be there when you leave. Get through this night, and these men will be gone from your lives."

  "And suddenly you care about us?" Lola rivaled, stepping forward.

  "Lola, she wants to help," Aylee spoke softly, "To shield us from these evil men."

  "Please, when has the French court not been full of evil men? And women?" Lola argued, "Since we got here, we've been lied to by people who smile and say pretty things as they stab us in the back. At least these men don't pretend to be our friends."

  "I agree with Lola," Kenna spoke. "You come in here mouthing platitudes, but you have no idea what this is like, to have a target on your back."

  "I know exactly what this is like," Catherine said quickly, "When I was eight years old, rebels stormed the Florentine palace. Both my parents were already dead, but my name and my family's fortunes made me a target."

  "At eight years old?" Kenna asked.

  "War doesn't spare children," Catherine spoke, "I was held hostage for years until finally, they had to decide what to do with this Medici girl. Many of the soldiers, men just like these, they demanded that I be turned over to them so that they would. . ."

  She stopped herself for a moment, composing her words as best she could.

  "So that I would be shared. And I can still hear their laughter outside the convent. That sickening laughter."

  "What happened?" Aylee asked.

  "The nuns and I prayed. We prayed for God to send the pope and his armies to retake the city and rescue me in time. And then one day. . . The laughter stopped. It grew quiet. And I stepped out into the sunlight, over their bodies, and Pope Clement welcomed me into his arms. I emerged intact and so will you if you have faith."

  "I have faith in you," Elspeth said quietly, "But I will not leave you."

  "Don't be foolish--"

  "I will not leave you in a room of uncivilized, dangerous, rowdy men," Elspeth spoke with such conviction Catherine almost doubted she could sway her. "I will not."

  "Elspeth, I am your queen," Catherine demanded, "You will leave with the rest of the ladies."

  "I'm not leaving you," Elspeth argued, "I'm not leaving this castle with anyone left inside-- not you or Sebastian!"

  Catherine sighed, hurriedly grabbing the girl's hands, cradling her own overtop of Elspeth's.

  "Elspeth, you are as strong as you are brave, but there is only so much you can accomplish," The woman said in a hushed tone, as if not wanting the other Scottish ladies to hear, "I am trying to protect you, but you must let me."

  "But--"

  "I will remember your loyalty for eternity," Catherine stated calmly, "But now, Elspeth, you must do as I say."

  And Elspeth's eyes washed over with unshed tears, for in that moment, the woman standing before her did not sound like the Queen of France, the famous De Medici.

  She sounded just like Elspeth's mother.

  When Elspeth tried to venture out too far with her brothers or fell off a horse for the first time. Nobody had protected her the way her mother had-- of course, her father tried, but he was a busy man, venturing out on many missions-- but Elspeth's mother. . . she had always been the great protector.

  And something about Catherine's words sounding so familiar to the ones of her childhood broke Elspeth down entirely.

  "Alright," Elspeth said but it came out a whisper, "Please be careful, Your Grace."

  And Catherine didn't have the right words then, so she just squeezed Elspeth's hands once more before the woman began preparing for dinner.

↬

  "Gentlemen, please, my gift for you."

    Catherine circled the table as men began greedily grabbing at the chest of golden coins, pocketing their loot. She smiled, taking a seat beside the Count and a silent Elspeth Liens.

  As the clock struck, bell tolling, the feast began full force.

  Even though the food was the same standard as always, the sight of it made Elspeth sick. She had no appetite, even the thought of trying to eat made her stomach churn something awful.

  "Here, Elspeth," Catherine spoke, piling food onto her plate, "Eat something, you'll be sick if you don't."

  Elspeth nodded curtly, trying to ignore the heavy eyes on her as she dared to pick up her fork.

  Thankfully, she heard Mary speaking just before she took the first bite.

  "My ladies will attend me."

  Elspeth tried her hardest to stand at just the same pace as Kenna did, not moving too quickly. The women emerged into the hall, slowly searching for anyone before they approached the panel.

  Mary knocked twice, waiting.

  But no one came.

  She knocked again, this time more flustered.

  No one answered.

  "Perhaps it's the wrong panel," Lola suggested.

  But Mary knocked on the same one again, her breathing picking up as Olivia did not open it for her.

  "Olivia?" Mary questioned, knocking as her emotions grew overwhelmed.

  "Hurry."

  "It only opens from the inside," Mary said, now pounding on the wall, "Olivia?"

  There was no hope for them. Not as one of the men turned the corner, his pace slowing at the sight of them.

  "Count Vincent sent me to find you."

  "We were just on our way back," Mary said quickly, with a false smile as she tried to ease her beating heart.

  Elspeth felt her stomach churn wildly as she followed her friends back towards the room, the smell of food reintroduced as she entered the dining hall.

  She was sure she'd be sick.

  "Count Vincent," Catherine began, her heart dropping as she saw the girls, "Isn't this enough?"

  Catherine closed the chest of money as he did not answer.

  "You know the King will go to war for his heirs," Catherine stated.

  "What of it?" The Count asked blandly, "Can Henry give me the life I had a year ago? Then let the heavens fall. . . Enough. Thank you for this generous feast. Now we will be on our way."

  "Please," Catherine asked quickly, "Please do not take my children. What else can I give you?"

    The Count sighed tiredly.

**Trigger Warning**

  "Do you want women?"

  Elspeth felt this bile turn to fire as Catherine glanced at all of them. She wouldn't-- right? Not this woman, the one that reminded her of her mother, the one that had been kind as well as comforting.

  Surely. . .

  "Take them. Take their virtue."

  "Catherine, no!"

  "You liar!"

  "They won't dare say a word about it. They'd be ruined! You can have them, you can have anything you--"

  "Give me your heart, then," The Count cried, pulling out his dagger.

  Elspeth felt her heartbeat pick up as Kenna's arm wrapped around her, pulling the women closer together as if huddling as one would ward off any unwanted attention.

  "Carve it out and hand it to me so that we might understand one another," He slammed the dagger on the table, making all the Scottish women jolt in fear, "That is diplomacy; to understand my loss. To carry the weight of your dead heart with you every night and day until you find your grave! Roberto. Give me Roberto. . . And I will let your children live."

  Catherine breathed heavily, for she could not give him this. The Count took slow, steps, moving around Catherine, and right towards Mary, who clung to Kenna and Elspeth like they were her lifelines.

  "Forgive me, Mary. . ." The Count stated, all too closely to Mary, "For I am not a gentle man."

  The party had descended, each one of the men grabbing each of the girls.

  And for the first time in her life, Elspeth Liens felt the cold hands of fear. Real fear. This was not the kind she could escape or fight against.

  She was trapped.

  With an unfamiliar man's hands wrapped around her wrists, attempting to tame the girl that had turned to a wild animal-- thrashing and screaming and turning. She'd somehow gotten her hands on one of the forks, and managed to bury it deep within this nameless man's shoulder, though this only made him angrier, and Elspeth swore it made him stronger as he wrestled, his grip harsh-- she couldn't help her friends, let alone herself.

  And while her friends were dealing with their own fear, the screams of their strongest friend drove the feeling far too deep.

  "Count Vincent!" Catherine shouted, shattering the heavy hourglass that had been sitting at the table, causing all the men to pause, not let go, "Do you know why your son is dead? Because of you. Because, unlike me, you aren't willing to pay the necessary price. So I'll make you a new offer. Take your hands off of Mary, and I'll let you leave this castle with your life."

  Count Vincent found this amusing, clearing, focusing his attention back on Mary, until one of his men spoke up.

  "My lord? My lord!"

  And then the grip on Elspeth loosened. The man took two steps back after he'd left bruises blooming on her face and invisible hand marks in places she had never thought about, blood dripped from his nose at the same pace her heartbeat, and then he fell to the floor.

**Scene Over**

  Everything was static. Elspeth didn't hear the words of her friends, or Catherine, or Francis's words to the now-deceased count.

  All she knew was she was clutching onto Kenna. Her best friend. And that Kenna was clutching back. Both women crying rivers of tears they weren't sure when it started or when they'd end.

  "We need to go to the infirmary," Francis said gently, "Elspeth, Kenna--"

  Francis felt his own heartache for the women as they cast glances towards him, the two seemed to be the worst wounded, and the most rattled in appearances.

  "It's alright, come on," Francis said gently, "We'll have you two tended to, and I'll send word to find Sebastian."

  Elspeth nodded slowly, her hand never loosening on Kenna's. She followed Francis in faith-- in the same faith she should've never let waver.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
woah hey haha it's been a
while huh. . . WHEN DID THIS
HIT 50K READS?? Thank you guys
so much I was genuinely in
such shock when I saw it
HAHA, I promise I'll try to update
more, I'm trying to work
out some plot coming
up so it's been a slow descent
into madness for me!