Rue exited the carriage with her father close behind her.
"When do I get to go after Cassius?" Rue asked, ready to finish the fight.
"Cassius? He is the one behind this?" Tobias questioned, surprised to hear the na co up again. "Edgar and Tyrion have spoken of him to . His na is also making its rounds around the town. He would be foolish to attack you."
"That is the na I heard. I would not point my fingers at anyone other than the one responsible. I heard it clearly, and one of the n was upset that the na was spoken of. We must go to him," Rue said, annoyed that they were just standing around.
"I don’t doubt that his na is what you heard. I am surprised that he would be so bold as to do it. Gather a group of n," Tobias ordered a palace guard.
"This is a matter of the border," said Rue.
"Which is why I must help you," Tobias replied.
Cassius royally ssed up by attacking guests of the Castros, and even worse, the guests were the Woods and Callahans. This wasn’t a situation where Cassius could get off easy. He was going to die whether the Callahans or the Castros caught him.
"You must stay behind," Rafael told Rue.
"No! I will not stay behind. I promised Gideon that I would get the one responsible for this, and I will keep my promise. You mustn’t make stay back. I killed them," Rue argued.
Rue took down a group of n by herself. There shouldn’t be any question about whether she could protect herself, especially from her father.
Rafael touched Rue’s shoulders and squeezed them. "When I heard the news that you had returned to the palace with a carriage filled with dead guards, I thought I had lost you. You may still be a target, so I need you where you are safe."
"I will be safe if I am with you. You know that I can protect myself, and I did so today," said Rue.
"You were lucky now, but there’s no telling what could happen a second ti. I don’t know why they went after you, but to give so peace of mind, I need you here. I promised your mother I would take you ho," Rafael said, hoping Rue understood his wishes.
Rafael wouldn’t be able to focus if Rue were to be right there beside him. He would be looking over his shoulder, wondering if she was well. The palace was dangerous, but there were many guards around who would make it harder for an enemy to get to Rue.
"Father," Rue said, disappointed.
"You should listen to your father, Rue. We don’t know anything about Cassius or his brother. You have fought well and led your people to safety. Let us take over from here," Tobias said, stepping in to help Rafael. "I have never seen your father more worried than he was a mont ago. See it from his side."
Rue clenched her fist. "Fine," she said, looking away from her father. "But promise that you will bring his head to ."
All that mattered was Cassius dying. Rafael killing Cassius would give Rue almost the sa satisfaction as doing it herself.
"I promise," Rafael said, stepping forward to kiss Rue’s forehead. "Promise that you will not sneak away to join us. Your friend needs your help. We are used to this, but she is not. She shakes with fear, and it will take so ti before her parents arrive."
Rue looked at Julie, noticing how Julie picked at her nails and her eyes darted around.
"I won’t leave," Rue promised.
"I will be back as soon as I can. Stay with the palace guards, but be cautious here as well. You are not out of danger even in the palace. If anyone makes a move toward you, kill them. No rcy," Rafael said.
"No rcy," Rue repeated. "Go find him."
The sooner her father left, the sooner Rue could see Cassius’s head.
Rafael walked away from Rue to gather his knights.
Tobias followed Rafael after informing Julie of his change in plans. He would not let her join him.
Julie walked over to Rue and held her hand. "You may let their blood stay on your armour, but I think you should take it off."
"I will in due ti. For now, I must send a ssage to the border," Rue said, needing more help than just her father. "I must write to my mother. It is ti that she cos here."
"Will you not speak to your father about it first?" Julie asked, thinking it was a rash decision.
"My father will need help, and my mother can offer it. We have been keeping in touch since I arrived, and I told her there was no need to co here. It is ti that she cos for a visit since our people have died. I will tell my father that I have done it," said Rue.
Rue knew that Lydia needed their mother now, but Rue also needed her mother here. Rue needed a woman who could end all the misconceptions of the won at the border, and only her mother could do it.
"But weren’t they all worried that if your mother ca here, there would be blood?" Julie asked, closely following Rue as she made her way inside.
"Before, I didn’t think it would co to blood being spilt, but now that they have tried to take , she will be angry. My father needs to find Cassius before my mother gets here. All will be well," Rue promised.
Annalise Callahan’s arrival should show others this matter was serious and have them on their best behaviour since her mother tolerated nothing when it ca to her people.
"What a sha the man in the court has long died. I would have enjoyed seeing her get rid of them. After what happened today, I shall follow my father’s words. No rcy," Rue said, intending to go after everyone who hurt her people.
Before then, Rue had to tend to Julie.
Rue reached for Julie’s hand and held it. "The feelings you experience now shall pass. I rember how unsettling it was at first to harm soone. I am alive because you fired your gun. Thank you."
"I should be thanking you. You kept your promise that you would not let them get to . We lost those we care for, but I am happy you stood by ," Julie said, grateful Rue cared to protect her. "I cherish my friendship with you even more. I will not let your bravery today go unnoticed."
"As will I," Rue replied.
Julie was brave today, and others will know of it.
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