There's Something About Allegra

While she couldn’t put her finger on it, Emily felt that there was something about Allegra which wasn’t right. As much as she wanted to train, or even better, to go for a drink, she decided to keep an eye on things here for a while. Angel and Cat went to train around the back of the tent, and Denaasi tried to persuade some of the guards at the perimeter fence to go drinking with her before giving up and stomping off toward the bar. Allegra quietly said she was going to try to get some sleep and retired to her section of the tent.

Alexa found her little bedroom and settled down to think. Maybe she was wrong; if there really was something going on with Allegra would she have just gone straight to sleep? She unfastened her armour and tried to arrange it on the floor next to her bed in such a way that she might be able to put it all back on in the correct places in the morning, then looked down at her tight black shorts and bustier, considering whether to strip completely before sleep. She decided that she didn’t really know whether somebody might just wander in – it wasn’t as though she could lock the door, and so she flicked the grey blanket over and climbed onto the inflatable mattress.

She folded the thin pillow over to support her head better and felt something underneath. It was a short black dagger of the same foam and rubber construction as the swords, and for some reason it caused Alexa to shiver. It looked mean, and evil, despite the fact Emily knew it was just a toy. But what was it doing here, under her pillow? Was it some kind of warning? Great, she was never going to be able to sleep tonight.

She heard voices in the main area of the tent. Was it Allegra? She jumped out of bed and peered around the partition. It was Allegra, and she was quickly leaving the tent. Alexa pulled her boots on and grabbed the blanket, wrapping it around herself before following discreetly.

Allegra walked purposefully into the woods to the side of the command tent, with Alexa darting between the shadows of the trees behind. Emily felt scared and excited, like a spy tracking a target in some film. Or, even better, like a brave warrior stalking a dastardly traitor. Yes, she decided, that might be more fitting. Allegra stopped in what appeared to be a random spot and Emily tried to get a little closer so she could see what the maid was up to.

Two tall, glamourous looking women approached Allegra through the trees. Similar in stature to Angel and Cat, these two wore revealing black armour and had dark hair tied back. Definitely Saviours, thought Alexa. Fearing they might be about to attack the maid, Emily cursed the fact that she had left her sword next to her bed.

They didn’t attack. The three girls stood close together, talking. Alexa had to get closer. Whatever this was, it spelled danger for the Holy Order and for her queen. Keeping the blanket wrapped tightly around her she crept between the trees until she could hear their words. If this was a film, she thought she would at any moment step on a fallen twig with a loud snap, and be discovered. ‘I’m not going to make a silly mistake like that,’ she thought to herself.

‘…already hidden the dagger in her bed,’ Allegra was saying. ‘When the bodies are discovered she’ll be the prime suspect.’

What? That black dagger! This was a plot to get her into trouble!

‘…no guards and no champion, then I’ll bewitch the queen after the tournament and the Holy Order will fall.’

Was she planning to kill Angel and Cat then frame Alexa? She had to get back and warn them. Careful to be quiet she turned to move away from the tree she was hiding behind, only to find that her blanket was snagged on something at her feet. She tugged it, but it wouldn’t come free. If she left the blanket and tried to retreat wearing just her undies she would be quite visible, so she crouched down to give it another tug closer to whatever it was caught on.

She pulled, and felt it start to come free. Suddenly whatever was holding it gave way and Emily tumbled backward, rolling down a slight slope, unable to see because the blanket was over her face. She came to rest, lying on her back and realised the whole blanket was wrapped around her head. When she managed to free herself she saw Allegra and the two Saviours, swords drawn, staring down at her. She sighed, letting her head drop to the floor. The back of her head came to rest on a small twig which split in half with a loud snap.