Selection #1: From book 2 of my fantasy series, narrated by Tristan as he gathers the young bastard princes, Vito and Patrick to bring them to safety before all hell breaks loose in Camelot.
I tried the doorknob. Locked. “Shit,” I muttered to myself, fumbling around my bag for my lockpicking set. Luckily the lock did not give me too much trouble. I slipped in and found the boys fast asleep in their beds. I sighed and pulled up my hood. I went to the older twin, Vito, first and put a gentle hand on his shoulder, and another over his mouth. “Shhh. It’s me, Tristan. Do not make any loud noises. We are going on a secret adventure to see your aunt Isolde.”
Vito relaxed a little and I released him. He rubbed his eyes, half-asleep. “Must I wear shoes, Sir Tristan?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I cannot tie them.”
“Oh. Um. Go get them and anything else you really need for a secret adventure. I will wake Patrick.” He nodded and began rummaging around the room.
I did the same to Patrick, but he did not wake easily. He whined a little and rolled over. I heard an agonized scream from down the hall, followed by yelling. Patrick snored and curled into his blankets. Vito gasped.
I turned to Vito. “Kid, gather your brother’s things as well. He won’t wake in time.”
Vito’s eyes went wide. “We’re not on an adventure, are we? It is danger.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Just get both of your things and put them in a bag for me.” I swaddled Patrick as best I could in his blankets and scooped him up with one arm. He let out a loud snore. I wished I could sleep that soundly. Vito handed me a bag. I did not have time to go through it. We would just have to make do. I slung the bag over my other shoulder and held out a hand to Vito.
“My shoes won’t go!” He hissed, starting to get scared.
“No shoes. Shoes in the bag.” He nodded and took my hand. I rushed out of the room with the princes and heard more yelling down the hall I’d sent Dinadan down. I carefully made my way to where I could poke my head around the wall and see, and immediately wished I hadn’t. I covered Vito’s eyes so he wouldn’t see. Alister held Dinadan and both were soaked in blood. I heard Arthur yell from a little further down the hall.
“Papa…?” Vito whimpered upon hearing Arthur’s voice.
“Shh! We need to run!” I hissed, yanking the boy down the hall towards the passage out to the lists and eventually, out of the castle.