Bricrui (The Forgotten: Book 2) by Laura R Cole Page B

called Castle Storm.
Sir Ruawn knows where it is.”
    The Queen was also in constant contact with
the true head of the Knights, Sir Ruawn, though she had technically
put Natalya in charge of this mission. Natalya didn’t mind. She
didn’t care who was in charge as long as it meant that Alina would
be safe. “Excellent,” she exclaimed, ready to bid farewell, but the
Queen had a look of discomfort on her face as though she had more
unfortunate news to convey.
    “Natalya,” she began slowly, “you should know
that there is evidence that whatever project he was working on
involved blood-magic which, either on purpose or by accident,
transforms people into monsters.” She looked pained. “I thought you
should be warned in case of the worst.”
    Natalya was silent for a moment. She refused
to contemplate that possibility, however. “Thank you, Your Majesty,
we will find out soon enough.” She broke the connection sooner than
she had meant to, or was actually polite, but she didn’t want the
Queen to see her crying. She sniffled and urged her horse forward,
out of the throng of men. They had all hung back a bit already in
order to provide her privacy for her conversation with the Queen,
and they did not make any move to catch up – for which she was
grateful.
    When she had gotten her tears under control,
she reined in her mount to rejoin the group. She sidled up next to
Sir Ruawn, and he nodded a greeting to her.
    “You’ve already spoken to the Queen,
ma’am?”
    “I did. She said you know where Castle Storm
is?”
    “I do,” he turned to face her, “and it is no
easy place to search. It will not be like the manors we have
searched in the past, and if it is indeed their stronghold, they
will not simply allow us entry to search the premises. I have a
feeling we could be fighting our way in.”
    “You don’t think I’m up for it?” Natalya
asked defensively, sticking out her chin defiantly.
    “I don’t know that any of us will be,” he
corrected. “There are only twenty of us, against an unknown amount
of enemy foes who have been using blood-magic, and who could
potentially be in control of some sort of new monster.”
    The mention of the monster and who they might
have previously been made Natalya gulp. “If it’s near the capitol,
we should stop for reinforcements.”
    Sir Ruawn looked relieved at not having to
make this suggestion himself or needing to overrule her. He had the
annoying knack of assuming she would always allow her emotions to
overcome her better judgment. He also seemed to believe that
Natalya really thought she was in control, but she was not so naïve
as to think that she could actually command the Knights. She was
well aware that her appointment was an honorary position, but still
fully planned on using the Queen’s guilt to do everything she could
to find her sister.
    They arrived at the palace without fanfare,
both she and Sir Ruawn preferring to enter through the back to
avoid the parade they may otherwise be persuaded to put on. As they
dismounted, a young boy came scurrying up to greet them.
    “Queen Layna will meet you presently in the
conference area when you are ready,” he informed them with a
bow.
    “Thank you,” Natalya said, her apprehension
growing now that they were here. She was afraid of what additional
news the Queen might have for them.
    They followed the servant to the conference
area and were served tea while they waited for the Queen to arrive.
She did so shortly, and shook both their hands in greeting in a
most informal fashion.
    “I’m glad you are here,” she told them both,
though focusing more on Natalya, who squirmed uncomfortably under
her gaze. “I’ve been discussing it with Gryffon, and we think there
is something you should see.” She paused and Sir Ruawn raised an
eyebrow.
    When she continued, she no longer met
Natalya’s gaze. “We think that it is important that you see exactly
the type of situation you may be walking into,” she put