Deck of Cards by ID Johnson Page B

exactly sure what was happening but she was able to ascertain that Philip’s situation was going downhill quickly.  She wanted to hurry to Matthew, to let him know all that was happening. But it was too risky and she would have no way of conveying the message anyway. So she waited and watched for several minutes. Finally, Edward, Philip and Charles came down the hallway walking as quickly as the older man’s impediment would allow.  She could tell by their expressions that they were in dire straights.  The only thing she heard as they passed by was Philip saying, “We have got to hold him off!”
    The men were headed downstairs at such a quick pace that they didn’t notice the diminutive little shadow following behind.   Katey did not trail them completely out of the castle; however, she just wanted to make sure that they were all leaving before she went to visit Matthew.  From her vantage point on the second story landing, she could see the gate opening, several horsemen riding through, and then closing again.  She was quite sure that the party included Philip and his advisors. 
    She could also see a flurry of activity on both sides of the wall surrounding the castle.  It seemed as if people outside were trying to get in and people inside were doing their best to secure any ruptures or insecurities.  She knew exactly how those frightened people felt, knew what it was like to prepare for invasion.  She had been there before.  If she were to go with Philip to Gradenia, this would not be the first time she would be whisked away from a castle at night, fleeing an invading force.  The idea terrified her, not because she was afraid of Caleb and the Arterians. On the contrary, she welcomed his conquering forces.  No, she was more afraid of the memories fleeing would drudge up and the possibilities of being carried away to another foreign land by a man she detested, away from her family, possibly away from Joan, and most likely away from Matthew, whom would either be rescued or murdered unless he managed to escape.  But Katey did not think there was much of a chance that he could actually escape. 
    She turned and rushed back down the hallway, dodging a few workers here and there.  Most of them looked as if they had important tasks to complete.  Some of them even appeared to be working on wedding errands, as if that were still going to take place.  She stepped out of the way of one woman carrying a large basket full of cloths and ran right into someone else.  Glancing up, she realized it was the redheaded woman she had seen before.
    “ You should be more careful,” Rose said, stressing the “you” and speaking very slowly.
    Katey took a step back.  The woman’s cheekbone was scarlet and looked inflamed. She realized where she had seen the young lady before.  When she had first arrived at the castle she had seen Philip talking to her in the hallway outside of his bedroom.  At the time she had thought nothing of it, but now she wondered if it held some significance.  She nodded slowly at the woman, holding her gaze for a moment before she continued on her way. Katey didn’t feel frightened by the encounter, but she did feel a sense of foreboding, as if this young lady knew something that she did not know.
    As Katey disappeared around the corner, Rose began to contemplate her next move. There must be something she could do to improve her station. Oh, how she longed to be a queen.  Perhaps Philip was not her best bet after all. Her thoughts returned to the idea that, perchance, there was another king who would see her value and give her the life she wanted, the life she so very much deserved. She was determined to have that life, even if she had to steal it.
                                               ***
    It had not taken much effort at all for the Arterians to push past the rag-tag Clovington forces, once the corduroy road was put in place.  Though avoiding the