Straight for the castle

It was like she was looking at someone else in the mirror. Her brown hair was put in a sideway braid, finding its way over her shoulder so it wouldn’t get in the way. Dressed in a way she never would again, the black pants and black top made her almost seem like she wasn’t herself at all. But, maybe that was exactly how it needed to be. For today, if their plan worked, she would find a new part of herself. And not just her. With a smile she looked back, facing her gaze upon Kaz. Him too. Finally, the two had become a team, a unit. They shared a goal and not only that. If they managed to make it, if they actually got what they wanted this time… Then they were going to share the future. A scary, yet exciting thought.

Kaz’ mansion wasn’t far from the city, so luckily they arrived there shortly. The street they walked was empty, luckily, as Allison took a deep breath in. Further down, they could hear the shouting. People in fear, men in anger. Their raid seemed to go exactly as they had planned. Not only was it loud, they had grabbed the attention. They had put fear in the eyes of the people. They had caused them to pray for a God they had never believed in. For a second she looked back at Kaz, shooting him a gaze that was filled with both excitement and fear. “They didn’t lie when they said it would be unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” she told him, a shiver moving down her spine. She didn’t want Ragnvald’s wrath faced at her, that much was certain.

---

There’s a first time for everything. “Like taking a castle,” the brunette spoke, a smile on her face. It was weird to see the streets of Brightwater Keep this empty, as everyone seemed to have fled from what was happening, either into the comfort of their homes, or somewhere far away in the arms of those they called home. Those who dared to fight the viking man were wasting their time. The vikings had the advantage here, actually being prepared. And hopefully, the same would go for them. The castle should be empty, leaving the duke in their hands. She trusted that Kaz would be able to take that part.

“I will take care of them after.” The thought was more frightening than it had been before. She would need to make sure to not show any fear to the viking, or he would ask for more than he was getting. She wanted the castle unharmed, wanted him to move away with what she had promised. Who knew, though. Perhaps the man had other plans and then it could all end a lot less pleasant.

---

“If all goes to plan,” she started, repeating his words. “I’ll have a whole lot more to worry about.” What they were going to do today was not going to be the end of her worries. Quite the opposite even, as it would be the start of so many more. Until very recently, she had always had someone tell her what to do. While she had been in charge of many things, there was always someone to catch her if she fell, someone to handle it if she screwed up. She lost that person. And today, she would have to become that person.

As soon as the castle’s cliff came in sight, the brunette took a deep breath in. It wasn’t the shortest path to there and they would be out in the open. The exact reason why this could only be done with the distraction of the vikings. All eyes were focused on the city below, on what they were causing there. Hopefully Ragnvald was as loud and terrifying as she expected him to be, causing the duke to lock himself behind his wall, thinking he would be safe until the vikings left the city.

---

Even the King had told her that she didn’t seem like a Northerner, though there had never been a place where the woman fit in. She had always found her own way, in an effort to create her own kingdom eventually. Today, however, she felt like she would have appreciated being like Ragnvald more. Storming into something that could be his death, yet he didn’t seem to fear it even one bit. Somewhere, she respected that. But, the woman knew she could never be like that. She would always figure out every possible outcome before she’d put herself into a situation of possible danger. And thus, she knew exactly what she was going to get into today.

“Absolutely,” she smiled to the man, as he mentioned the poking. “Perhaps also something about ruining my hairdo,” she went on. “But if you manage to keep the floor clean today, I’ll make an exception for you.” Kaz was probably not the one to care about creating a mess. She, however, did.

---

It was going to be fine. Allison put a smile on her face, nodding softly. “I believe in you.” That was all he needed to know. Because, the first part was mostly up to him. She would have his back, of course, but she had to trust in the fact that the guards were busy with Ragnvald and his men. That whatever was left, was up to Kaz. The King trusted him with this and so would she. Even though she feared more for the man getting hurt, than what the consequences would be. Even though he was immortal.

The castle was getting awfully close now and the woman closed her eyes for a second, opening them again as she looked at Kaz. “It seems quiet enough,” she told him. Did this plan actually work? Would they actually manage? She shook her head. No time for positivity yet. They could do that once the Duke’s heart stopped beating.

---

Quiet could be a trap. “Apart from the fact that he has no clue what is happening to him right now,” Trying to be optimistic was all they could do here. But, now they had to start watching out for real. The woman stopped walking and took Kaz’ hand for a second, looking at him with a small frown on her face. “I will kill you if you get hurt.” Please don’t get hurt. A sigh sounded as she let his hand go again. No time for sentimentalities. They could do that after. They would make it through today. There was no way they were going to fail. It was time for a new chapter. Because, books were how she handled anxiety and book references worked too.

---

She better have his back. The brunette nodded slowly. “I always will.” Not just today. She would always have his back. When they reached the door, the woman closed her eyes for a second, taking a single step back again once she saw Kaz’ hand sliding into his coat. This would be another image she would never be able to get out of her head. Another situation that would keep replaying in her mind until it would eventually drive her insane. But, it was all worth it. This needed to happen. The man had to die anyhow. Might as well make the most of it. “Prepare for the worst,” she told him in a slight smile, biting her lip, throwing a quick look over her shoulder. It still looked safe.

---

Nothing. Allison frowned as she walked in. Her brown eyes scanned the area, as she slowly raised a brow. That was unexpected. A part of her had thought they’d find the duke here, surrounded by his most trusted guards. But, instead, it was quiet. Way too quiet, if you asked her. Did they expect them? Had they taken too long to reach the duke? Thoughtfully, she pulled a hand through her hair. Surprisingly, her heartbeat was fairly calm as her eyes met those of Kaz. She showed him a faint smile. They would be fine.

Slowly, she brought her hand next to her head and pointed her finger upwards, raising a brow. Listen. He was a vampire now. If there was anyone close, he could hear them before they themselves were heard. Slowly, she walked forward, letting her eyes scan the room as she did. If anyone here was purposefully hiding, they were planning to attack as well. She doubted the duke would want to die hiding. Though hiding behind walls was probably something he was very good at, she doubted he would let them enter his castle and hope to live through it inside a cupboard.

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