The Herbwitch's Apprentice Ireen Chau (best life changing books txt) 📖

Highness! Save me!” A hand shot out from one of the cells, caked with grime and grasping for Ash’s leg. He sidestepped gracefully.

“No can do, sir,” Ash said. “I believe you murdered somebody six months ago.”

“Where exactly did you keep Captain Greenwood?” I whispered as we proceeded down the passageway. I was shaking involuntarily, trying to avoid eye contact with the wild-eyed prisoners. I thought I saw a woman chewing on her foot.

“Not too far,” Ash replied. “Cell number one hundred fifty-six.”

I glanced at the numbers nailed atop the cells. The furthest I could see was sixty-two. Something touched my arm. I yelped, but I had only brushed Ash’s elbow.

He turned to me, lips twisting. The scoundrel was on the brink of laughter. “Are you scared, Amarante?” he teased. Someone’s shrill scream pierced the air.

I scowled heavily. “Of course not. I promenade amongst half-crazed criminals and murderers daily.”

His face lost a bit of its mirth. “Unfortunately not just criminals and murderers,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“Some of them are citizens who couldn’t afford to pay taxes or were caught with illegal goods.”

I bit my lip. “Like from the Witch Market?” I ventured to ask.

“Precisely,” Ash said. He shook his head. “Many of them couldn’t help it. They have no choice when they are too destitute to pay for little else but food. I only hope they haven’t been harmed by witch-made items.”

I thought about Nina and her fish. Was her family so poor that she had to trade for medicine at the Witch Market? It was a good deal for her—I knew Lana’s antidote worked wonders, even more so than a regular ointment that cost real gold. Yet magic was unlawful and Ash spoke of it with such distaste.

“I didn’t know you sent people with witch-made items to the dungeons,” I said.

Ash heaved a sigh. “It came with the Non-Magic Age. Once I find evidence of Navierre’s crimes, my father will reinforce the anti-magic laws—”

He paused abruptly at my scowl. He probably mistook it for disinterest. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be talking about this with you.”

If anything, I was the most fitting person to talk to. But I knew I couldn’t say so.

“It’s fine,” I said instead.

His grin reappeared on his face. “Well, if you’re still scared grab on to me.” He took my arm and wrapped it around his.

For a moment, I forgot my offense.

We traversed deeper into the dungeons, taking a sharp left turn. The cells were different now. Instead of barred gates, thick wooden doors obstructed the cells and their prisoners. There were two narrow slots cut into each, one a window and one an opening for food. A guard stood watch before each door. They bowed as we passed. Ash acknowledged each of them with a nod until we stopped in front of cell number one hundred fifty-six.

“Your Highness,” the guard said.

“Henry. I would like to see Captain Greenwood.”

“Of course, Your Highness. But...” Henry looked at me. I hastily let go of Ash’s arm, which I was clutching like a toddler would a stuffed toy.

“She’s with me.”

“Very well, Your Highness. Take your time. Call if you need help.”

“That won’t be necessary, but thank you.”

The guard unlocked the door and let us inside. I shifted uneasily, upsetting the hay strewn on the floor. The cellar had a high, grated ceiling that let in more light than the rest of the dungeon. A man stood in the far corner. He fell to his knees at our entrance.

“Your Highness,” Captain Greenwood said, bowing his head.

“Please rise, Maverick,” Ash said.

“I cannot. I am too ashamed.”

“I know you’re not the one who poisoned my mother,” Ash said, lowering himself to the floor. “How are you?”

“I’ve survived worse than this. Henry is a good and loyal guard.”

“I want to help.”

“That means the world, Your Highness,” Captain Greenwood said quietly. “But I’m afraid the true culprit will not reveal themselves or let me go free so easily.”

“Do you know who did it?” I asked.

“And you are?”

I curtsied. “Amarante Flora, sir.”

“She’s joining me in my investigation,” Ash said. I knelt next to him.

The captain nodded. “I see.”

It occurred to me that I had never seen the captain in person. He was a little past middle-aged with a straight nose and specks of silver in his dirty blond beard. Lydia said he was an infamous flirt in her day. But all I saw was an exhausted man who looked at Ash with the reverence of a dutiful guard.

“So, do you know the culprit?” Ash asked.

Captain Greenwood sighed. “I’m afraid you wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” he said.

“You have nothing to lose,” I said.

“You’re right.” The captain gave a mirthless smile. “Duchess Wilhelmina Whittington.”

Ash let go of a breath. “We had our suspicions.”

Captain Greenwood looked up. “Really?”

“Yes. But why the duchess?” I said, furrowing my brow. “The queen trusts her. They’re friends, aren’t they?”

Ash thinned his lips.

Captain Greenwood sighed and said, “Ah. I suppose you don’t know. Not many do.”

“Know what?” I asked.

“Back when we were all younger, Wilhelmina fancied Maximus,” the captain said. “She was envious of nearly everything Cordelia had. How could she not be? She was merely a servant and Cordelia...well, she was to be the future queen.”

I found myself blushing at the thought of Duchess Wilhelmina in love with the paunchy King Maximus. Ash looked similarly bothered, but urged the captain to continue.

“But jealousy is a dangerous thing, especially in someone like Wilhelmina who was headstrong and ambitious and stubborn. I saw it eat away at her. I was shocked to hear the things she said about Cordelia. But after a while, she became quieter. I thought she finally let go of her spite when she married Duke Earnest Whittington.” Captain Greenwood shook his head, as if dismissing his own folly. “But then the duke died and, well, she became Wilhelmina again. She disregarded morality for gain, both financial and social. By the time I became captain of the Royal Guard, she was unrecognizable. A part of me knew she