Chapter One

A young woman slipped gracefully between the crowded bodies that symbolised Market Day. It was nothing but a coincidence that she was out on such a day, but she was definitely glad for the bustling crowds now that she was in the city – it meant that it would be virtually impossible to follow her, especially when she began darting between groups of people and crowded stalls. Whenever a flash of purple came into sight, the woman would lower her eyes to the ground and quickly take one of the side streets that were less crowded, but a lot darker. It seemed like several hours had passed when she finally reached her destination. A quick glance around her gave the woman the reassurance that no one had followed her. She tightened her grip on the basket at her side, pulled her cloak closer to hide her face and then stepped into the small, run-down building.

But looks can be deceiving.

Once inside, the woman looked around the room and noted that everyone in the bar was recognisable to her – they were all Rebels. She immediately loosened her grip on her cloak and approached the elderly man behind the counter. It was all too familiar – the wooden interior with its grassy scent. The men and women, sitting around circular tables, drinking merrily, as if they were allowed to - they weren’t acting as if at any moment, the King’s Guard could storm in and kill every single one of them. The woman looked back at the elderly man, who was now giving her a rather curious look. Normally, he’d know when she was arriving, but this was a surprise visit – and it wasn’t a good surprise.

“Those roses are in full bloom this season,” the woman spoke in a voice heavily lined with fatigue.

“As are their thorns.” The man replied, before motioning her through a doorway in the back. She stepped through and removed her cloak, letting her hair fall free. The man at the end of the corridor recognised her with surprise.

“Jennifer?” He asked with curiosity obvious in his voice. “What’s happened?”

“I need to speak with Jack; I have a message for him.”

Without questions, even though he was curious, the guard pushed open the door and led Jennifer through a large, empty room towards another door, before knocking, loudly. A voice was heard telling them to come in and the guard pulled open the door to let Jennifer through, quickly shutting it behind her. A musty smell hit her, a smell that was definitely familiar and slightly nostalgic. It was a rather small room, decorated simply. In the middle of the floor sat a small table with one chair behind it, and one in front, acting as a desk. Behind the table sat a man who was frowning in Jennifer’s direction. Jack Oldham was definitely still fit and strong, but he was older than the majority of the men who actively worked for the Rebels. He was their passionate leader, and had been for the last fifteen years – he’d gained a lot of respect for everything he’d done. Jack stood up, looking confused about Jennifer’s arrival. Jennifer decided to get this meeting over and done with.

“I have a message for you, from the queen.”

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“Drake! Jennifer’s here!”

The young man who had been carving a piece of rough oak looked up from his hands to see his best friend, Cal, jumping up and down in front of him like some energetic little kid. It didn’t take much to get Cal excited really, not that Drake could blame him. They were both eager to get involved in Rebel activities, but, at seventeen, Jack thought they were still too young. So the two had taken to eavesdropping and spying on Jack and the higher Rebels, just to make sure they knew what was going on.

“What do you mean, Jennifer’s here? Jack isn’t expecting her.” Drake said, placing his wood and his knife to one side.

“Exactly! Come on!” Cal cried, pulling Drake up from his seat. The two ran along the corridor to Jack’s room. No one stopped them – they were all too familiar with their antics, many were even amused with what they were able to get away with. Any other member of the Rebels would have been thrown out years ago, but because Jack was Drake’s uncle, and because Cal was one of the most charming boys you could ever meet, they were kept in the group.

“I have a message for you, from the queen.”

Immediately, the two boys had their ears glued to the door. Jennifer’s voice was clear, confident, and yet… something seemed hidden behind it – some sort of sorrow, or foreboding. When Jack spoke, his voice wavered slightly – he knew something was wrong, too.

“What’s happened?”

“I’m afraid the King has accused the Queen of being a spy, and has proof for his allegation. She is set to be executed tomorrow morning.”

Drake’s eyes widened at Jennifer’s words, and he caught sight of Cal’s face turning pale. Both were shocked at the news they had just heard, and they knew that the rest of the Rebels would be just as dazed when they heard what had happened. The Queen had been a spy for the Rebels ever since she’d approached Jack, five years ago. In fact, the only reason that she’d remained with her husband for so long was to give the Rebels the information they needed against the King. Jennifer had met with Jack on numerous occasions, passing messages between her majesty and their leader – creating the most damaging plans. Without the Queen, much of what the Rebels had done would not have gone ahead. And now, she was to be executed.

Drake could almost imagine her taking the allegation in her stride, not giving up, and certainly not pleading either way whether she was guilty or not guilty. That way, it was up to the King to decide whether she should live or die, and it was up to him to live with his decision.

But they all knew how ruthless he could be.

“Oh my god…” came Jack’s quietened voice. They heard a noise coming from the room that sounded very much as though Jack had slumped back down into his chair.

“We have to be strong for her majesty.” Jennifer’s voice didn’t waver at all – she’d already grieved for the loss of one of her closest friends.

“Yes, but… we can try and save her. We can go in tonight and-”

“No.” Jennifer cut Jack’s idea off. “She’s under very close guard. She asked that you do not try and save her – she doesn’t want anybody else getting caught due to her being under arrest. No, she has another very important request for the Rebels.”

Drake leaned in closer, trying to catch what Jennifer was saying – her voice had gone quiet, as though she knew someone else was listening in. She was probably just trying to be as cautious as possible, but Drake could barely hear what she was saying now – they had to know what the Queen’s last request was, this could be their chance to take part in something huge!

“It’s her daughter, Jack. Rose has no idea what is going on, her father places her under a lot of protection – she has no clue about the Rebels or the Followers, nor of anything else that is going on in the city. The Queen hasn’t got the heart to tell her about her execution, or about her father’s malicious ways. The Queen wants you to kidnap the princess, to keep her safe so that her father does not turn his greedy eye on her.”

“The princess?” Cal hissed, centimetres away from Drake’s face. Drake frowned – the Queen wanted the Rebels to kidnap the princess, who had no idea of who they were? They’d heard a lot about the Princess – she was known to be spoilt and very naïve – able to get anything and everything she wanted. So they were going to have a spoilt brat hanging around with them for god knew how long? In fact, hardly anyone had ever seen the princess; there was just gossip from the maids and servants of the castle, many of who had had enough of her at one point or another.

But it was the Queen’s last request, what else could they do?

“Tell her we’ll do it.” Jack’s voice was surprising close to the door, making Drake and Cal jump away from it. During the silence after Jennifer’s words, he’d been making his way over to the door. He could open it at any moment and catch Drake and Cal eavesdropping. This was a very important matter – they shouldn’t be eavesdropping on the news that Jennifer had brought. If they were caught, Jack would be angry… very angry.

“We have to go.” Cal whispered. Drake nodded to him and they both stepped away from the door, as quietly as possible. They weren’t quick enough, however, and the door was thrown open to reveal them stood a few steps from Jack’s door. Jack stared at them for a few moments, his eyes blank and withdrawn… until he recognised them. Then his eyes darkened with anger.

“What the hell are you two doing?”