Yes, She Does

‘That’s Allegra,’ Emily pointed into the woods. ‘Didn’t she say she was going to sleep earlier?’

Cat and Angel turned to look. ‘You’re right,’ said Cat. ‘What is she up to, I wonder?’

‘Stay here, I’ll go talk to her.’ Angel grabbed her sword then vaulted over the little fence, running toward the white figure. Cat and Alexa stood and walked to the fence, watching her run through the trees in her underwear. In the gloom they saw her catch up with Allegra who seemed to jump in surprise. They stood facing each other for a moment, then suddenly they both seemed to become quite animated. ‘Something’s wrong.’ Cat growled, scooping up her sword and jumping the fence. Alexa did the same and followed as quickly as she could.

Angel had raised her sword, Alexa could see as they neared, but was standing frozen on the spot with her arm above her head. What was going on? Allegra was standing close to the tall blonde warrior, but when she heard Cat approaching she ran. Emily knew that Cat would catch up with the maid easily, so she stopped to check on Angel, who still hadn’t moved.

‘What are you doing?’ she asked. No answer. She tried tapping the guard on the shoulder, but still no response. This is weird, she thought, stepping back. She looked around for clues, and on the floor at Angel’s feet she found a small black dagger. Somehow it looked cruel, and mean, and she realised it was a Saviour weapon. Cat!

Alexa turned and ran in the direction she saw Cat chasing Allegra, and found the two of them walking toward her. ‘What’s happened?’ she asked.

‘Apparently Angel just attacked her, but then froze for no reason,’ Cat seemed doubtful. ‘When we approached she thought we might attack her too.’

‘I don’t know why she did it!’ Allegra looked scared. ‘I thought maybe she was a spy for the Saviours. Are you going to kill me?’ she asked Alexa.

‘Of course not,’ Emily said, ‘I’m going to find out what happened. If Angel is a spy she will be executed.’ She stepped closer to Allegra. ‘But first, you have to explain this.’ She held up the black dagger.

‘That was hers! That’s what she attacked me with!’

‘Hold her!’ Alexa ordered Cat. The guard grabbed both of the maid’s arms, holding them behind her back.

‘I know she didn’t have this dagger,’ Emily was pleased with herself. ‘She was in her underwear and I would have felt it.’ That didn’t come out right. Allegra looked at her quizzically. ‘I mean, it would have stuck in me when she was on top. Oh, never mind. Who are you?’

‘I’m Allegra, hand maiden to Queen Denaasi, and you’ve got this all wrong!’

Angel came running through the trees, out of breath. ‘Oh good, I thought she might have killed you both! She cast a freeze spell on me and she was going to kill me when you arrived. Luckily the spell only lasts for two minutes.’

‘She cast a spell? What is going on here?’ asked Alexa.

‘She admitted she was going to kill me and Cat tonight and frame you. Look,’ said Angel, stepping forward and gripping the front of Allegra’s white frock. She ripped the flimsy dress right down the front, tearing it off in one piece. Underneath Allegra wore thigh high black boots, a belt with a little strip of black cloth over her groin, and a torn black leather corset. ‘She’s a Saviour.’