《The Cursed Prince》
Prologue
Young Basin POV
We all had that moment. That one thing we regret doing or in my case, not doing. I never considered that staying silent could have any ramifications. My name is Basin, In the Martraigh kingdom, I was a guard for the king. I was inexperienced, young, and of low status. And I was prepared to sacrifice every last breath I had for my king and realm. But my position was why I kept quiet. After all, you expect your superiors to know what they are doing. Earlier that day the elf Ciara Boneflare had been detained. A few months before our neighbouring kingdom Vouri had put arrest orders out for a group of rebels. Ciara was part of that group. She was to be escorted back to Vouri to be punished. There was however a small problem, and I was holding it. Her daughter, a little elf girl not even a year old. Who like her mother has light brown skin, curly dark brown hair and little dents on her head where her horns eventually will grow. She was steering in my arms, not too happy with me, a stranger holding her. While I was standing there comparing the mother to this wriggly monster. It was there I first noticed it. But I told myself I was wrong, that kind of mistake would not happen.
Looking away I survey the throne room. A habit you get as a guard is to always look at your surroundings. The golden and white coloured stone floor shines from the light coming through the enormous windows, I admired the beauty for a moment. But soon my gaze was brought back to the prisoner when she yelled out "My daughter needs me!" She should have thought about that before joining a rebel group. Looking at her again, searching for the thing I didn''t see hoping I was mistaken. But it''s not there. While moving my gaze, a few strands of my sand blonde hair fall over my eyes. Where is it? it can not have been forgotten. "Shut up witch!" a guard yells to silence her. Ciara looks worried over at me, her brown eyes filled with tears. I feel for her, she doesn''t care for herself just her baby, But she put herself in the situation.
Again I look for the missing thing. Where is it, why can''t I see it? Because it is not there. It was at that moment I should have spoken up, I should have grap the captain, I should have left the room to get it, I should have done anything. But I didn''t. Instead, I chose to look away from the prisoner and focus on my King. His arms were crossed and his eyes steady on the prisoner. He has no sympathy for the woman. By his side is Queen Nemy. She is looking away from what is going on, her poufy black hair covering her face from where I am standing. She has a hand on her round stomach, being visibly pregnant. It''s their second child, and it can come any day now. I am not too fond of babies, they are noisy and annoying. On cue the little baby girl I am holding starts to wail, I start to rock her and apologise profusely for the disturbance. "What is that baby even doing here? I can not punish it for its mother''s crimes." King Alfonso said agitating "Someone takes the baby out of here, and bring it to the orphanage" He ordered. My body shudder at the thought of that place, I am thankful for all the things the royal guards have done for me. But I am most grateful for being taken out of the orphanage, a place I don''t think back to with fond memories.
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"You can''t do that, she is my child!" Ciara''s panicked scream echoes in the throne room. "Your daughter''s best opportunity is the orphanage, where she doesn''t have to live with her mother''s crimes" The king sneered. Ciara sniffled out "I am innocent." King Alfonso bangs his closed fist down on the thrones manchette arm. "How dare you claim to be innocent, we all know you are part of the rebel group that killed Vouri''s Queen. you are responsible." Ciara has a look of anger, her face swollen from crying. I got the feeling something is up, I should have spoken up telling the captain, that we forgot it, we forgot the magical restrains. But before I could react she spoke "Royals. You are all the same, heartless, thinking everyone is beneath you, you don''t deserve children. I should curse your wife and child to both die" There came a loud gasp from Queen Nemy "How dare you threaten my child". it was too late now, I should have spoken up before, making the captain aware that we had forgotten to put magical restraints on her. Without the restraints, she is able to cast spells and curses. How it was forgotten I do not know. Some of the other guards put their hands on their swords, ready to fight if something happened. My reaction would have been the same if I didn''t have a baby in my arms. But if it comes to it, I won''t hesitate to drop this baby to save my king.
King Alfonso took a few steps towards his wife. "Don''t you dare, worse things than death exist and if you harm my child I will make sure you experience all of them." He threatens. Ciara snorts "You already send me to my death, what do I have to fear?" Continuing Ciara said some words I did not understand. A chill ran down my spine when the green fog starts to form around her. The green colour reflected in her red horns. The sound of multiple swords getting drawn is the only sound heard, but they didn''t do anything to stop her. Because we are well aware of the danger of stopping a spell being cast, the recoil can be a great danger. "I curse the child your wife is baring, when it steps into the adult ranks the voice of evil will speak in thy ear, the temptation of hurting the ones it holds dear will be its life." Ciara declared. The worried Queen Nemy tried to address Ciara begging her not to hurt the unborn child, she pleaded for sympathy. "How sweet a mother''s love, too bad it''s only for your own kin. I will give it a chance, play when the voices become too much, with any kind of music, the voices will quiet down, but not for long." The fog started to move away from Ciara, towards the Queen. But before anyone could move to shield her, Nemy was already covered in the smoke, surrounding her, evaporating around her. King Alfonso yelled out for us to do something. But it was too late, the curse was already cast.
A week later a healthy baby boy was born. The King and Queen named him Valor. King Alfonso tried for years to console many different magicians to detour the curse. You may think the music was an act of mercy from Ciara, but no it was a cunning move on her part. A curse with a condition to stop it makes the curse much stronger, And she knew this. Her adding the music to quiet it down, rendered the curse unbreakable.
Chapter 1 Sneaking out
Valor POV
One month, it has been one month of torture. Every day from the moment I wake up, to I fall asleep from exhaustion, I can hear it. When the voice first came to me, it was a dark evening. A raspy voice, emotionless and cold started to whisper words out, it was tempting me to hurt the people I had close. The first night was hell and after that a torment.
The music helps, but as soon as the music stops the voices start. Good thing I know how to play many musical instruments. I am the crown prince, I should be taught in combat, not music. But I have never held a weapon or thrown a punch. Instead, I was forced to play. I have always detested my father for forcing music lessons on me my entire life. I am taught in Vielle, Rebec, lute, harp and multiple flutes. I was also taught in singing, but for some reason, my own singing doesn''t work on the curse. Others do, but if I sing the voices don''t go silent.
Even though what the voices are saying is the most heinous thing you can imagine. The real torment is that they are always there whispering to me. If it''s not the voices it''s music, but no silence. I never thought I would long for a thing as ordinary as silence. My fingertips were hurting from playing the strings on the harp, I always hated the feeling of touching them. But the music that comes from a harp is some of the most calming there is and calm is what I need. I have hired multiple singers and musicians who are masters in their instruments. They help keep me sane from the voices, but they can''t be with me always, not if this curse is to be kept secret.
The sound of the screeching door cut into the music. Ignoring it, I continue playing. Assuming, it''s just a servant. But then between the strings of the harp, I see a pale orange dress walk into view. I look up seeing the face of my little sister Zora, her crimped hair pinned behind her head and her big lips in a grinning smile. I know that smile, it''s the one she has when she is up to trouble. I stop playing so I can concentrate on what she has to say. "Why did you stop? it sounded beautiful" she asks. The moment I stopped playing, the voices return to whisper in my ear. And the thought of strangling my sister with the strings of the harp plagues my mind. "I assume there was a reason my darling little sister came here, and It would be rude not to stop so I could hear what you have to say," I reply to her question. "I am bored out of my mind, we need to do something." Zora declares."If you are bored go read a book" I suggest even though I know she won''t accept that idea. "No, I wanna do something exciting I wanna sneak down to the market."
There it came, the reason she is here. "Absolutely not." I snap. her smile turning to a scowl, "Come on Valor, we have done it plenty of times before." She is right, it would not be our first time sneaking out. But things have changed I can not risk it. "No, get Malika or Alva to sneak out with you." Zora crosses her arms before complaining that Malika doesn''t have time, she only has time for her upcoming wedding. And that Alva is too anxious about getting in trouble. In a few days, my big sister Malika is getting married, to the man our father picked out for her. We met him for the first time a week ago. Alva is a foundling my parents took in as a baby. my father has always been cold towards her, reminding us Alva is not our sister. Alva has the fear that if she displeases our father he will send her away, I would never let that happen to my dear sweet Alva. "Maybe Keisha would be interested in sneaking out" Zoras suggest, pulling me out of my thoughts about Alva "What? She is far too young to do that." Keisha is my last and youngest sister. "Then you must accompany me. After all, I cannot go alone."
"Why won''t you understand I have to be careful with the curse," I tell her. "That''s it? you are letting a stupid curse stop you from living your life." Sneered Zora. "The possibility that I endanger someone is too great, I can not risk it." Zora takes a moment to reply, no doubt she is thinking of a way to convince me. "Valor you are our future king, how can you let a curse control your life." I am about to say something but she doesn''t let me and instead continues "How can you be a king when you fear walking down the street? You coward." she concluded "I am not a coward" I sneered. I am though, I fear what I will do, and what I already have done, but like hell, I will let my little sister call me a coward. "Valor it is a market there are plenty of street musicians, you can go listen to them if it gets too bad." Gets to bad? it''s always bad, if she knew how bad it is, the voices telling me to hit her hit her hit her over and over again. She doesn''t get it, she doesn''t know how hard it is. "But then I guess I have to go alone. " Zora replied as a last option. "you can not go alone, what if something happens?" I ask, but she just smirks and says "Then you will have to go with me" Now she got me in a corner, she won''t let this go, she is sneaking out even if it''s alone.
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"In conclusion, you are coming with me, I am gonna go change, thank you Valor you are my favourite brother," Zora says while running out of the room. I yell after her "I am your only brother!" I also need to go change, or else I will stick out in the market. Walking out of the music room to the grand staircase. I see a maid cleaning the stairs, and the thought to push her down the stairs comes into my mind. Ignoring it I walk towards the sleeping chambers. I could hide from Zora, if I stay out of her way long enough she might drop the idea of sneaking out. Then again she has never been one to drop things. ''Besides she is right I shouldn''t let the curse control my life. I don''t wanna be a coward prince.
Finally reaching the hall where my sisters and I each have our bedrooms. My own room is at the end of the hall. When I walk past Keisha''s door I hear voices. The door is open so I look in. My youngest sister Keisha and my dear Alva are sitting on Keisha''s bed. I wasn''t gonna greet them, not before Keisha saw me and waved. "Hey, what are you two doing?" I ask. Alva doesn''t look at me when answering "Talking." I take some steps into the room, before replying "I see, any interesting subjects, or is it a secret". Alva still doesn''t look my way, she looks so pretty sitting on the bed. Her light curly brown hair falling down her back, with her two brown elf horns sticking up over her head. "Alva and I were talking about the dresses we would like to wear one day when we get married." I can''t help but smile at the thought of Alva''s wedding, why? Because it would be mine too. I love Alva I have for years, and she loves me too. "What kind of dress would you wanna wear?" I already knew though as she has told me that many times. A very light red dress with dark red flowers. She doesn''t answer, she is still mad at me. It hurts me how she has been towards me. I can''t say I don''t deserve it, but it''s not my fault the curse made me do it. "I wanna wear a green dress when I get married." Keisha says "You won''t get married for many years young lady," I say. From the door I see her scowl, she doesn''t know what marriage means, I doubt she be so excited about it if she did. How she will basically be sold to whatever man comes with the best offer. As Malika has.
I excuse myself since I appear to be unwanted. Two doors down is my own room. A brown wooden door with carved flowers. My room has a dark brown colour scheme. A chimney sits between a wooden shelf and a wooden desk on the left wall. The room is lit up by the sunlight coming in through the grand windows. By the right wall is a bed, I walk directly towards it and sit on its edge. Silence I just want a moment of silence. But the voices, even when I am alone it speaks, telling me to harm myself. In frustration, I take a pillow and scream into it. Before throwing it across the room. When I have calmed down a bit, I stand and walk over to my dresser. Rummaging through it for some old clothes. In the bottom of the dresser are some grey trousers, A white tunic with a brown cape and a couple of worn-out turnshoes. After getting changed, I leave my room to find Zora. She is almost finished and ready to leave. She is wearing a brown dress with multiple layers and fringes. "What are you wearing, ordinary city people don''t wear fringes to the market." she crosses her arms before replying "I don''t have anything else, the dress I usually wear is gone." I groan "Let''s just get going, so we can get back"
Chapter 2 Street singer
Lorelei POV
In the window to the lady''s dressmaker, is a beautiful blue gown displayed. There is a floral pattern embroidered into the skirt, with a dark blue thread. The dress is surrounded by beautiful fabrics in different shades of the rainbow. All displayed to convince people with money to go in there. I am not such people. There is only one place I would ever be able to wear that kind of dress, and that is in my dreams."There you are, Lorelei," my friend Narin says, pulling me out of the dream of the dress and back to the reality of the dusty street I''m standing on. Narin and his twin''s sister, Neary, have just joined me. Both of them are wearing the same kind of brown hood and cape as I am. It hides our faces from anybody who may recognize us. Neary have some black hair strains stuck to her bronze-coloured cheek, its whirling right under the eye. Narin looks judging at me, his narrow eyes sending me a disapproving glare.
"Why are you wasting time looking at that material garbage." Narin sneered. He doesn''t care for pretty things, and neither do I most of the time but dresses are an exception. I annoyed tell him "It''s not like it cost money to look. Besides I wouldn''t look good in this kind of dress anyway?". Narin crosses his arms "of course you would look good. I just don''t understand why you even wanna wear that kind of clothes." He looks up at me still with that disapproving glare. Our height disparity is practically laughable. They are very short and I am very tall, I tower over the majority of folks. Wanting to change the subject I ask if he was able to get any Anointing Oil. He groans while holding up a little bottle "I got it, but they wanted a lot for it." We expected that, which was why we had brought it ourselves, but it had mysteriously disappeared. Narin continues speaking "Now we need more money if we don''t wanna sleep on the street, I thought maybe you could..." but I don''t let him finish, I already know what he is gonna ask.
"No, the risk of getting caught is too big" I try to say in a whisper. "We are at greater risk of getting discovered if we don''t hide in an inn, and a riskier option would be to steal the money, don''t you agree Neary?" Narin looks to his sister, She crosses her arms and sends me a glare. Neary won''t answer because she can''t, she was born without the ability to talk. But still, I know what her glare means, that Narin is right. Neary is standing in front of the door to the shop. Just as I am about to tell her to move the door goes up and hits her behind. Neary turns around and pushes the person who opened the door. It is a young dark skin woman in a red ruffled dress, "What did you do that for?" The woman shouted. "She did it because you pushed the door into her," I say. "She shouldn''t be standing in front of it then" the woman argues. A man who looks just like her takes her arm and pulls her away while muttering "Come let''s go we don''t want trouble".
"Selfofsorbed rich people" I mutter seeing them walk away. They seemed familiar in some way, and I''m certain I''ve seen her before. I try to remember from where but I can''t place them. Narin interrupts my thoughts "Please Lorelei, we need the money, your singing always earns a lot." he is right about that, but I still ain''t too comfortable with doing it here. "Fine, but you better got my back, "I say. "when don''t we?" Narin replies. We walk to the middle of the market square by a well. A lot of people are around, trading goods and coins for what they need. here we set up and I make the decision to sing Of a Rose Synge We. Taking a deep breath, I start the first verse.
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This rose is railed on a rys; He hath bought the prince of prys, And in this tyme soth hit ys, Viri sine semine.____________________________________________________________
This rose is reed of colour bryght,__________________________________________________
Throw whom oure joye gan alyght,___________________________________________________
Uppon a Cristys masse nyght,_______________________________________________________
Claro David germine.____________________________________________________________
As my voice rang out through the street, people stopped to listen. A crowd started to form around us. Already a few coins were being thrown our way. This was always how it went, my singing always brought in money. Some would call my voice a gift or a talent. No matter what, it has been helpful. We have many times needed to rely on my singing to get necessities. I finish the song and sing another one it''s I Have a Yong Suster.
I have a yong suster
Fer biyonde the see;
Manye be the druries
That she sente me.
She sente me the cherye
Withouten any stoon,
And so she dide the dove
Withouten any boon.
The songs I sing, I have learned from churches or taverns. While singing, I begin visually inspecting the crowd, looking for any sign of trouble. Luckily no royal guards are in sight. In the crowd, I spot the rude girl in her red ruffled dress. The man she is with gives me a look of admiration. He looks so familiar, where do I know him from? The coins people throw our way aren''t worth much, cities tend to rely on certificates for goods instead of coins, so many never have any. As I fear what there has been pulled in may not be enough, and since there are no guards in sight, I decided to sing one last song.God Speed the Plow.
The merthe of alle this londe
maketh the gode husbonde,
With erynge of his plowe.
I-blessyd be Cristes sonde,
that hath us sent in honde
merthe & ioye y-nowe.
The plowe goth mony a gate,
Bothe erly & eke late,
In wynter in the clay.
Aboute barly and whete,
That maketh men to swete,
God spede the plowe al day!
Finishing the last line of the last verse I bow to indicate there will be no more. There is a decent bit of applause from the listeners. But the trance is over and people start to walk away, to disperse and resume the previous activities. Narin and Neary have collected the money and out other items"Let''s get out of here," I hastily say. Uncomfortable with the amount of attention we have gotten.
Chapter 3 Silence
Valor POV
As I grab Zora''s arm and yank her away from the people outside the lady''s dressmaker, the voices in my head scream for me to turn around and start a fight. "Valor stop! You''re hurting me". I brought myself to a halt and let go of Zora. "My apologies., I just...we needed to get away from them. " My head has a throbbing pain, the voices just keep screaming. Zora must have noticed that something is wrong because she asks if the voices are plaguing me, I responded by nodding. What I would give for a moment of silence. The voices make it hard for me to hear anything else than their evil commands. When Zora speaks I nearly don''t hear her say there must be street musicians somewhere. But we don''t see or hear anything that resembles a street performer. Maybe it would just be easier to give in to the voices.
No! What am I thinking, they are telling me to hurt innocent people. Music, where is there some bloody music, I need it now. The voices need to shut up, I can''t handle this. Then I hear it, a singing tone. This rose is railed on a rys. The words of a familiar song. "Thank god, I was worried we were gonna walk around to search for some music," Zora says. As I hear the words from the singer my mind becomes silent and calm. Since this curse started I have listened to many opera singers, sopranos, masters of singing. But no one has had this pull on me. The singer is no master, and her singing tune does frequently fail to strike the appropriate notes, yet her voice is mesmerizing. Zora interrupts my entrancement with a rude remark "Who should think such a rude girl can sing." First now, I look at who the singer is. Standing by a well, a short distance from the town square. Is the woman who we encountered outside the lady''s dressmaker. Taking in her appearance, she is wearing a brown skirt. With an off-white tunic under it and a brown bodice. Her skin is very pale, it almost melts into the colour of her tunic. Her hair is the same colour as a doe''s fur, and cut short just above her shoulders.
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When she stops singing, I hold my breath preparing for the voices to return. But before the whisper enters my ear she starts to sing I Have a Yong Suster. I''m not familiar with the song, but her voice makes it sound like it''s the most beautiful song ever written. Small shards of metal fly towards the singer. Coins, people are tossing coins at her. Reaching for my pouch wanting to throw her a coin as well. But It is mostly gold coins, would it be too much? Silver might be sufficient but she deserves much more. Holding a silver coin in my hand, it''s decorated with the royal seal, every coin in our kingdom has my family seal on it. Just as I am about to throw it, she stops singing. The fear of the voice returning makes me forget about the coins. In my mind, I pray for her to sing one song more. My prayer is answered as she begins singing a song I do recognize. God Speed the Plow.
As the last chorus finish, she bows for the people. Applause starts to grow from the crowd, and I too start to clap my hands a bit too eagerly. With this much applause, she must do an encore. However, it won''t be so. The applause fades and the crowd dissolve. Being the last one to stop clapping, my hands burn after being hit against each other for so long. When I stopped the applause all I can hear is the crowd walking down the street and people happily talking. That''s all that I can hear...Nothing but the sound of the market. My mind is silent.
How is it even possible? Sure, she''s a fine vocalist, but she wasn''t as impressive as others I''ve heard. Zora breaks my thoughts by asking "Do you feel better now?" A smile creeps onto my face. No voices, no speak of evil doings, no threats of harm. "They are gone," I say in a whisper. "what did you say?"Zora ask. excitedly I exclaim "Zora they are gone! The voices they are gone!" Zora looks at me sceptically "What do you mean?" "They''re gone, her singing made them disappear, I need to go talk to her. " Eagerly I turn to go find the woman who can be the solution to all my problems. But when I look towards the well, no one is there, frantically I look around for her. The street is crowded with people and the street singer is nowhere in sight "Where is she?"
Chapter 4 Teival
Valor POV
The sight of the city is striking, from the top of the chilly stone wall, there separate the city streets and the castle yard. The monastery is towering over the many wooden buildings there make up the city. It''s rare I experience this view, given that I spend the majority of my time on the east side of the castle, which faces the sea. Despite it being late in the evening, the sky is only slightly darker than it was at midday. It''s the light times, which means the sun virtually never leaves the sky. At least not before any honest person has gone to rest. The wall is made with one even stone, making it easy to climb, but those stones are rough, they have left scratches all over my hands. A couple of guards are walking along the wall, I need to get down before they notice me. After taking one last look at the city, I turn back towards the castle and jump. A burning sensation spreads in my legs as I land on the ground. Standing just a bit from where I landed is Zora with her arms crossed, annoyed I took so long. "I am going out again tomorrow," I tell her. "We already spend the entire day looking for that girl" She snorts. We spent hours walking the city streets looking for the singer but to no avail. But I don''t care if I have to spend the rest of my life looking for her. The voices are still yet to return, her ability is my saving. No matter how long it takes, I must find her.
"Who are you looking for, if I may ask?" startled I turn around. We are caught, but thank heavens it is just our big sister. Malika is sitting on a garden bench, her black curly hair tied up on the back side of her head, her dark skin giving off an orange glow in the sunset light. Just beside her is a pale man with black hair, "Shall we pretend we didn''t just see you climb over the wall your Highnesses?" he says while trying to keep his laughter under control. Clearly, he is amused by the situation.
"Are you gonna tell our father, Teival?" Zora ask. "I doubt tattling on my new sister and brother-in-law will be in my best favour." He replies. Even though Duke Teival is betrothed to my older sister, they should not be out here alone, it''s unseemly. "If you don''t tell about us, then we will pretend we didn''t see you out here alone without an attendant," I say. Malika huffed reply "We are getting married in a couple of days we don''t need an escort to sit in the garden." Even if she was with her ladies-in-waiting, she should not be outside without a guard watching her. I know it''s hypocritical of me to think this. But still, I can not help it, I do not like Teival. When He arrived, he refused to kiss the hand of my sister. Apparently, it''s against his religion to touch females who isn''t family. Doesn''t stop him from being alone with her though.
"Father was displeased about your lagging presence at dinner." Malika relayed to us. "Oh no, we missed our father''s precious dinner, how will we manage." Zora''s voice was dripping with sarcasm. And unfitting way for a princess to behave. But I don''t blame her, I could not care less about our daily dinner with Father. "Why were you sneaking out? and to this late in the evening?" Teival asks us. "Boredom, mostly on Zora''s part," I tell him. "There are safer ways to cure boredom, your Highness." True, but there ain''t safer ways to cure my curse. Teival needs to leave, so I can talk with my sister without his annoying voice interrupting.
"Malika, can we talk privately?" I ask. "Privately? I am sure whatever it is, Teival can listen in." They barely know each other, why is she defending him to be here? ridiculous. "Malika it''s about my issue." I look down at the grass, trying to avoid their stare. She knows about the curse. furthermore, she knows it''s to be kept secret, so I expect her to tell Teival to leave. But he surprises me by speaking first "I can hear I am not welcome for this conversation, thus I will retire for this evening." he says while standing up. He then takes a bow, before making his way towards the castle.
When Teival had disappeared, Malika ask "Would you mind explaining what happened regarding the curse?" But before I can respond, she gasps. "You didn''t hurt anyone did you?" Replying while walking towards her "No, I did not hurt anyone." taking a seat near her on the bench. "We were at the market and were listening to a street performer. She silenced the whispers." Malika appears unimpressed at this information. "I thought all music did that," she remarked. "Yes, and the voices return when the music stops. But they didn''t return after I listened to her, and they still have yet to do so." Now Malika perked up "Where is this girl?" she inquired. Casting a glance down at the ground. "I don''t know". Zora whines that we have no idea, as she had vanished before we could speak with her. "We searched for hours, walking up and down streets, but she was nowhere to be found." When She finishes her complaints about our searches for the girl. Malika queries. "Do you think it''s permanent?". Taking a deep breath, The fragrance of the flowers being potent. "No, I do not think it is"
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Looking around the yard, the apple trees were in bloom, the white flowers made it seem as if they were covered in snow. The guards I saw from the wall, walk past us, they bow in a sign of respect, before continuing. They do not show any emotions on their face, still, I am sure they wonder over how Zora and I are dressed. For a moment I enjoy the quiet sound of birds chirping and trickling water. The Ater River flows through not only the yard but the entire city. This is what I have longed for, a moment of peace. If only it would remain, but I don''t think it''ll last. If it were this easy, the curse would have been lifted a long time ago. But every spell caster who attempted it, failed. But somehow this street singer did the impossible. Still, nothing she did, could possibly have broken it, and even if it had, I need to find her, no one else has ever affected me in this way. "Do you think she might not be human?" Malika ask. Zora asks her what she means by that. "If she has this great power, that other spellcasters don''t have. She might be a siren, fae or another race with magical singing abilities" Malikas concludes her speculation. If this girl is something miraculous, what exactly is she?
My sisters and I leave the garden separately, because Zora needs something to eat. I do wonder what the maids will say about how she is dressed. After all, gossip spreads quickly. Rushing through the dimly illuminated castle, eager for a chance to sleep in peace. Turning down the hall to the sleeping chambers. Coming to a holt, as I hear a voice I will always recognise. Alva''s gentle voice echoes in the stone hall. "I just don''t know if I should." She''s standing in the hallway, at the entrance to her own bed chamber. Teival stands a few feet away from her. "I know it''s a difficult decision, but you should take it," he urges. I inadvertently entered a private conversation. No other person, not a guard or a servant, is present in the hallway. The implication of them being alone could create a scandal, hurting both Alva and Malika. Continue towards them, I can''t help but disturb them.
As I approach them, I cough to gain their attention. "What is going on?". Alva replies with a shaky voice "Nothing". Firmly lining my lips together. Looking from her to Teival. "Teival, this is the second time today that you ignore appropriate behaviour. A duke should realize that such conduct is unacceptable." After saying that I notice Teival getting wrinkles across his forehead. "I hope you''re not implying I am making advantage towards Miss Alva". Teival is a stranger he could be any kind of man. "Well, I don''t know your morals," I remarked. His jaw and lips tense. "I would never disrespect my fiance by engaging in such lascivious behaviour, this is the end of this discussion" Teival hissed. He then abruptly turns and hurries down the corridor "What was that? We were just talking " Alva asks angrily. "There was no reason for him to be speaking with you, especially not when you are unaccompanied" I try to argue. "As we are right now? Valor, it''s terribly inappropriate and hypocritical of you to question Teivals morals," Alva says while opening the door to her bed-chamber.
"Alva please don''t go," I say, grabbing her arm to stop her. She yanks it away from my fingers "Don''t touch me! Don''t touch me!" She is panting, her eyes tense and her mouth drawn back, exposing her teeth. Holding the arm I was attempting to grasp close to her chest, with the other concealing it. "I''m sorry," I say, my voice raspy. My throat has become dry. She is still frightened of me. She turns and walk into her bed chamber without another word, closing the door behind her. Slamming my hand against the closed door in frustration. "Break the door down, break the door down, she needs to be punished. She deserves to suffer." I sigh in despair, the voices have returned with their horrific demands.
Chapter 5 Break in
Lorelei POV
The windows of Pupillus are as clear to me as the buttons on my cape. The night is quiet, and it''s past the hour when any sane person would be outside. The dark sky looms above, but even this late in the night, the heaven is not pitch black. The usual night colour of black is instead a dark blue with grey skies. It''s the light times after all. At this time of year, the night never goes black. My hands hurt from the scratches I got climbing up the stone wall. From the top of the wall, I examine the courtyard on the opposite side. The citadel still looks as magnificent as when I left. Sliding over the wall, letting my body hang off the side, only being held up by my arms. Looking back at the city from where I hang. I see the shadowy figure of Narin walking back towards our hideout. "I''ll see you soon," I say to myself as I let go of the wall.
The silence of the night is broken when I make impact with the ground. It takes me a moment to regain my composure after the fall. My legs sting and the pain radiates from my feet to my knees. Frustrated, I take a big breath. Taking a look around to make sure I hadn''t been discovered. With no sign of trouble, I set into a sprint towards the nearest tree, stopping when I reach it. Hidden behind the tree, I start to survey the courtyard. There is a light from a lantern close to where I need to go. Those lanterns are carried by the guards. Patiently I wait as the light moves slowly over the wall, reflecting in the windows. The perfumed smell of the apple tree''s flowers is strong, even though I have a cloth over my mouth, it''s still suffocating. When the light reaches the citadel corner. It''s time, I need to get moving. I''m breaking into a sprint toward Pupillus.
As I reach the building, I slow my pace before stopping in front of a window. One hand resting on the coarse stone wall. Using the other I pull down the scarf that is covering my face, to regain my breath. Even though I am gasping for air and my chest burns, I don''t have time to waste. I need to get in before a guard appears. Pulling a long iron needle from my pouch I start to fiddle with the lock on the window. The wooden windows of this old structure are dry and rough, and the crimson paint is breaking and peeling in several spots. After some effort, I manage to lift the latch of the lock. As I open the window a light flickers in the corner of my eye. A guard is about to walk by. Hurring, I use my arms to pull myself over the window ridge.
My boots barely make contact with the floor, before I turn to close the window after me. As soon as I have secured the lock, I drop down on the floor and stay close to the wall. The lantern''s light grows over the walls and dances on top of the various desks. The familiar scent of sand enters my nose. I never imagined returning to this classroom. But here I am pressed against the floor, hiding from the people in whom I once had complete trust. As the light begins to fade, I stand up. Looking down at the desk in front of me, there are sand-filled trays on top of it. Taking a handful of sand in my hand, I let it slip between my fingers back into the tray. Most of my childhood was spent with this gritty sand stuck to my fingers writhing words and numbers.
As I move across the classroom, the floor squeaks under my boots. Pressing my ear against the door, there are slight creaks on the other side. While waiting for the person to pass, I adjust my scarf to cover my face. Believing I can no longer hear the footsteps, I open the door. At the end of the hall is a little light from a lantern there keeps getting smaller. Fortunately, it was in the opposite direction of my goal. I''m only a few doors down from the room I''m looking for. As a guard just passed there won''t be another for some time. But still, the floor makes me worry. Even though I am cautious, the floor creaks with each step. When I finally got to the door, I let out a breath of relief. I don''t expect the door to be open, so I won''t spend my time trying. Instead, I reach into my pouch and pull out the tools I need to break the lock. It takes a mere moment for me to break it open.
The door creaks as I shut it behind me, immersing me in darkness. Fumbling to retrieve the candle from my pouch. It is so dark I wouldn''t know I held the candle if I didn''t feel cold candle wax. Despite not being able to see it, I try to concentrate on the stem of the candle and whisper the words "A'' gabhail teine". It''s a simple fire spell, it was one of the first I learned. The little flame doesn''t illuminate much of the room but it''s enough for me. In the dim light, I can make out the shelf with records. Everything is alphabetized. Beginning my search under the letter L, Lasse, Luke, male names. Moving lower on the shelf I get female names, Lana Lisa, Lucielle. But I did not see my own name there "That can''t be right?" Searching again for the name Lorelei. But there is nothing even close to my name. "Maybe it''s under S for Shawty," I say to myself, but no luck there either "Have they gotten rid of it?"
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There is no use in keeping looking for my missing file. Moving on to N, I search for the names Neary and Narin. Narin''s file too is missing but Neary''s folder is on its spot. Relief washes over me, as I pick it up. This has not been in vain. The candle makes a low thud, as I place it on the shelf. With the same hand that held the candle, I open the folder.
Name: Neary
Gender: Female
Mother: Purtri. no family name
Father: unknown,
Orphanage notes: Twins Neary and Narin 3 years of age at arrival, Mother immigrated from the country Malaysia with the twins, got sick on the travel and died shortly after arriving. No other information on the parents.
Neary hasn''t said a word since arriving, her brother speaks Malaysian and is learning, but we have not been able to make her utter a word.
This is essentially what I was searching for. Purtri, the twin''s mom is named Purtri, and they are from Malaysia. Reading the text over a couple of times to make sure I won''t forget any of the information. Then I start flipping through the file, past all the information from years of being at the orphanage and later Pupillus. When I finally reach the last page there has been written on. It does not surprise me to see Basin''s handwriting, who else but our ward? What happened to him after we ran away? Was he punished? The page only has two entries.
Captain Hellvian have made the decision that Neary is not fit for the royal guard. Despite great skill her lack of speech is problematic, a thing I was aware could become problematic, when I choose to take both of them. Neary will be sent off to a village as one of their protective guards. I have yet to receive more information on where. She took the information well. Unlike her brother who got angry. But it is for the best. In the end, only the best becomes royal guards.
Last night Neary deserted with her twin brother Narin, and the royal guard Lorelei.
My disappointment is immense. It''s not that I was expecting it to be pages long, but I thought he at least would write more than a line. Putting Neary''s file back, I wonder where mine and Narins are. Could it be in Hellvians office? It''s not far down the hall and I have plenty of time. Blowing out the small candle the smell of the smoke hits my nose. It would be stupid to search for them more. But I have gotten so far, I can''t give up yet. Putting my ear to the door, listening for any sign of footstep. The hall is silent, all I can hear is my own heartbeat. The door creaks as I open it ajar. Peaking through the small gap, searching for a sign of any guards, The hall is completely dark, it''s now or never.
The taps of my shoes on the creaking wooden floor, are the only sound in these empty halls. Not far from the office, an orange glow emerges, sliding across the walls."Hey! Who goes there?" The voice of a male guard echoes in the hall. "Oh shit" I mutter while turning around and sprinting back to where I came from. "Stop, Intruder!" he yells out. This guard is running fast on my tail. While running I get my throwing knives out of my belt. Another guard appears as I turn a corner in the hall. Abruptly I come to a halt. No matter what I can''t be caught, even if I need to fight my way out. Both guards are wearing the night uniform which includes a hood, it does so I can''t see their faces which is to my advance. I doubt I''d be able to do what I''m going to do if I knew who it was.
The guard is blocking the slim hallway, waiting for me to make a move. That is what we were trained to do, never attack first. The other guard has almost caught up to us, I need to get past and fast. Taking aim, I throw the knife with all my force towards his leg, a spot I know is exposed. He screams in pain falling to the floor. The hall is slim, unable to run past, I instead hurdle over him. Mid jump I feel a pull of my leg. I lift my arms in front of my face preparing to hit the ground. The sound of smashing into the wood floor echoes in the hall. My hands and body hurt from the impact. In my attempt to get up, I fumble back on the ground. The guard is still holding onto my leg. Kicking back, when my foot makes impacts with his face he loses grip on my leg. They can''t know I am here, I need to get away. While scrambling to get up, the first guard caught up to me.
He launches at me, grabbing my arm. In the hand not holding onto me, he has a dagger. Trying to get him off me I punch him in the face while kicking at his leg. But he barely flinches, with his left hand, the one holding the dagger, he aims for my face. A burning sensation spread across my face as the blade cuts me. Hot blood started to run down my face. Still, I keep fighting to get free. "It would be in your best interest to surrender." No! not him anyone but him, I need to get away. In the fight, we both lose balance and fall to the floor. Kicking and punching to get him off. But the second guard has collected himself. He grabs my arms to pin them down. The guard on top of me put his hand to my neck, squishing it, my eyes get blurry and my mind foggy. Before it fades to black, I feel him pull at the scarf hiding my face and the familiar voice saying "Let''s see who hides behind the mask...Lorelei?"
Chapter 6 royal seal
BASIN POV
It is the middle of the night. The last thing I wanted to do where sitting half awake in my bed. Wondering why I was woken up because of an intruder. "Isn''t it just another drunk, where was he? Near the wall? Or was he by the apple trees?" I murmured, wanting to get back to sleep. After all only drunk people are stupid enough to climb the wall. But the guard shakes his head. "Don''t tell me he reached Pupillus" I ask a bit more alert now. "No Captain, she was discovered by the archive and apprehended in the main classroom halls." A female intruder? That almost never happens, and she managed to get inside, that is unheard of. "How did she get into the building, where were the guards?" I enquire while getting out of bed. "We are looking for more wounded..." he starts, but I interrupt "More? Someone is hurt?" "Of the two guards who encountered her, one has gotten a knife stabbed into his leg." "Which guard?" I ask, worrying who it may be. "That would be Clovis, Captain. He has gone to the infirmary. The other guard Locklan got beaten up. But seemed fine. He has taken the intruder to Hel...I mean your office." My office, it''s been mine for less than a week. "Why did you bring the intruder to the office? That''s not protocol." All intruders go directly to the dungeon, this couldn''t just be any person. For a moment I wondered if it was one of the princesses. Wouldn''t be the first time they tried to sneak out? If only it had been them, but instead the guard tells me the worst possible person it could be "We took her to the office, because the intruder is Lorelei." Lorelei? My Lorelei, My Shawty. "Go tell the guards I will be there in a moment," I say while opening the cabinet "Yes Captain."
After getting dressed, I stop for a moment in front of the small mirror hanging on the wall. My back hurts, a reminder that I am getting old. It''s far from the only one, my face is wrinkled from age. My once light sand-coloured hair is almost gone, and what''s left, is greyish. Gripping my eyepatch from the shelf I take a look at my hands through my one good eye. They are covered in scars and calluses. After covering my bad eye I turn to the door. "I hoped this day never would come."
The captain''s office is on the other side of the citadel. For once this long walk, feels far too brief. My mind was filled with thoughts about Lorelei, what happened to her, what is she doing here and what brought her back. Outside the door to my office stands three guards. "Leave, I will deal with this alone" I command them. Fearing my own reaction to the situation, I do not want anyone to witness it. The guards follow my order and start to walking down the hall, except for Locklan. Honestly, I am not surprised "You shouldn''t be part of this Luck, " I tell him. "I am the one who caught her, I have a right to be included," he replies. "We both know it''s not why you wanna be here." Locklan stands in the exact way he has been taught, with his left heel against the right heel, his legs straight and his chest raised. "As her capture, I have the right to be here, and if I may say, you shouldn''t be alone without backup. Sir" A little smile creeps onto my face. "I thought I had raised you to respect your superiors. It''s Captain, not Sir" Hellvian would have thrown a fit if he had been called sir, good thing I am not him. "My apologies, Captain, the force of habit." Looking into Locklan''s brown eyes, they looked bigger than usual. He wants to be here for the same reason, I don''t want the other guards around. "Fine you may stay, but keep behind her, It''s better she does not know you are here." "Yes, Captain."
Locklan pushes the door open into Hellvian''s former office. It''s dimly lit by candles, and a musty smell hangs in the air. By the wall, are shelves full of scrolls. A wooden desk, and three wooden chairs, are in the center of the room. In one of the 3 chairs is Lorelei''s unconscious body tied down. Seeing her in that state breaks my heart. She has changed but not too much. Her once waist-length hair, now only reaches her shoulders. Her face is covered in half-dried blood. How deep is that wound? Locklan walks over and stands off to the side of Lorelei''s chair, just out of her vision.
Before I even get to sit down at my desk, she has already started to stir. Her eyes open, blink a couple of times, then shock spreads across her face. She tries to stand, but the ropes tying her down prevent her from doing so. The realisation of where she is must have hit. It''s not hard to recognize the office, barely anything has changed "I almost forgot how this room looked" she mutters. She doesn''t seem fearful of being caught, that worries me. "It''s been a long time Basin, the eyepatch is new," she said smugly. "Why are we in Hellvian''s office? And where is he? Don''t tell me the old bastard died." Trying my best not to be bothered by her comment, I coldly tell her "He died less than two weeks ago" Not knowing if it''s remorse or sorrow I see on her face when I tell her that. Choosing to ignore her previous comments, I ask "What are you doing here Lorelei?" She returning here is preposterous. "Well, I was discovered outside the file cabinet, so come with a guess," she says while rolling her eyes. "You risked your life just for some information about your past?" Shocked at the audacity and lagging care of the danger, she knows returning here would mean her execution. That is the price of desertion.
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"What were you thinking, that you could just walk in here without getting seen?" I can''t help but raise my voice, she ruined her life by running away and now ended it by returning. "Well, I did actually manage to get in fine. It was on my way out, I was discovered," She made a short chuckle and leaned back into the chair "Three years and the routine didn''t change at all." Lorelei immediately stops talking when she hears the thundering sound of me slamming my hand onto the table. "But you still got caught!" The sting from hitting the table lingers in my hand. Lorelei has turned her gaze towards the ground, is she ashamed? Lowering my voice I continued "Since it''s so important for you to know, let me enlight you about your past." She looks back up at me waiting for what I have to say. "It was a waste for you to come. Your file, it''s empty. We know nothing about you. You were found at the harbour alone, that is all we know"
There is a moment of silence in the room. Maybe she doesn''t believe me. It doesn''t matter if she does, there is nothing more to be said. Resting my head on my hand, I let out a sigh. "You were the best Lorelei, you outperformed every man your age. Heck, often the older and more experienced guards too. I was so proud of you." It felt wrong using her name, she has always been Shawty to me, the same way Locklan is my Luck. "If you think, you can convince me to return to the royal guards with smear you are mistaken" she hissed. The truth is even if I wanted to, I am not able to give her a second chance. "It''s not smear, I am reminding you what you threw away when you betrayed the king. When you betrayed us!" Standing up, I keep talking while approaching her. "You made a vow to the king, to protect this kingdom, the mark on your chest is a testament to that" Pulling out my dagger, I take ahold of her shirt. Cutting it up exposing her bare skin, right above her left chest. Where the royal mark is burned into her skin, the same place it''s burned into me, burned into all of us. A circle with a few leaves. a small crown at the top, and the proud seagull in the middle.
"A mark, there was forced upon me. Everyone here is coerced into a life of servitude. For people who don''t even care to learn our names." Her face has turned angry. She is pulling on the ropes, her eyes narrowing sending me a hateful glare. "And what if you hadn''t been taken in, where would you be? Dead most likely. Or you might have been selling your body for next to nothing." Anger poured through me. My mouth had become dry, I was gripping the dagger so hard my knuckles had become white. "Getting taken into the royal guards is the best thing to happen to someone like you. It was the best for all of us." Stopping momentarily. Waiting for her to say something, a few seconds pass, and just as I am about to speak again, a whisper comes from Lorelei. "Just because it could be worse, doesn''t mean we should be fine with dying for people who see us as nothing to them!" "What about us Lorelei, your fellow guards? we cared about you. We were family!" Locklan, who had stood as still as a statue, took a step back at my shouting.
"You don''t care! You wanted to send Neary away!" she shouted back. "Sending Neary to Daingneach wasn''t my choice, but it was for the best, her inability to speak was problematic." Daingneach is a fortress near our border. Where the less qualified get sent to. Lorelei makes a snort "It didn''t stop you from training her." I never wanted Neary in the first place, her brother Narin was the one I chose to train. But he didn''t wanna leave his sister. And I dumbly thought, heck what''s the worst that could happen, their deserting was what happened. "I can understand the twins running, they didn''t wanna get separated, that''s the whole reason they were both put in guard training. But why you Lorelei?" I ask. She looks directly at me when she replies "After seeing how the King treated Lennon. I no longer wanted to serve him. After that your care wasn''t enough for me to stay Basin, and neither was yours Locklan"
My mouth stands ajar. "How did you know I was here?" Lorelei just leans back "At the very least, let me see you before asking questions." sighing I tell Locklan to come over. As he walks up to my side, he takes his hood down. Revealing his short red curly hair, his face a light brown shade, covered in dark freckles. Lorelei''s eyes widened when she saw him "You cut your hair?" her voice was raised in pitch. Luck crossed his arms, looking a bit insulted "It''s my hair, and you have cut yours too. Tell me how you realised I was here Lorelei." "Who else would be? Besides I recognised your voice in the hall." When she finished the sentence I realised something. Her relaxed manner, it has bothered me the whole time. She being captured alone, something is up. The twins, they must have an escape plan ready. "Where are the twins Lorelei?" she smiles at me and chuckles a bit. "Where are the twins Lorelei!?!" I shout. At that same moment, the church bell can be heard, one loud bang, it''s one in the night "Looks like time is up" she says, and at the same time Lorelei starts to turn see-through right in front of my very eyes
"What ?!? how?!" she was gone. She had just disappeared.
Chapter 7 an offer
Lorelei POV
Despite my eyes being open, the only thing I was seeing were darkness. The first thing my senses pick up is the smell of something metallic, and then I feel a sticky feeling on my face. As my vision comes in, the wooden roof of the Inn starts to form. Entering my ear is the muffled sound of Narin''s voice. But I didn''t quite hear what he said. When I shift my face in their direction, the twins are just a vague figure. My face stings, this wound is going to give me a scar, I am sure of it. As I struggle to sit up, I get to look down at myself. My dress is ruined and covered in blood. "Thank god you are alive, We became worried when the blood started pouring down your face," Narin says. Neary and Narin are sitting at the edge of the spell circle, I am sitting in the middle of it. It''s a carefully drawn circle for a haunting spell. All set up for me to get in and out without danger. well, mostly no danger. Everything happening to you under the spell will happen to your real body. That included ripping my clothes. Neary takes a rag with some water, and gives it to me "Thanks... the mission was a failure," I say while dipping my face with the rag. "I got caught, and worse they only had Neary''s records" They both look uncomfortable. I know something is up, but before I get to ask. "No they did not have them...because they are here." Narin gestures to some files identical to the once at Pupillus.
Confusion and frustration wheeled up in me, "Where did you get those?" I may have said it harsher than I meant. "I was on my way back here when a man called out to me. At first, I thought he was gonna attempt to rob me but then," Narin paused for a moment. Hesitating before saying "Lorelei he knew our names, and he knows what we are doing here." My eyes were wide and my mouth ajar. "How is that possible?" Narin Gulped before saying "He didn''t tell me, but he told me he had an offer to make us." The rag makes a splash sound as I throw it to the ground "What did you agree to !?!" I shouted. "Nothing. He just gave me the records, I haven''t agreed to anything yet." Narin tries to reassure me. "But he offered this." He gestures towards the table, where a small bottle with a glowing green liquid stands. "What is that? Narin, if you didn''t agree to anything, why is it here?" "Lorelei that liquid, it can remove the marks," It was as if my mind stopped working. Removing our mark is impossible, we tried. Even cutting into it doesn''t remove it, when the skin healed it was still there. "If it works why would he even give it to you?" I ask. "We are three, that is only enough to remove one. He gave it to me so we can test it, so we know he speaks the truth." My disbelief in that potion''s ability is big. But still, he must be sure of it''s ability to let us test it. This could be our freedom. But at what cost? "What does he want from us in exchange?"
"What he is seeking is some information we have," Narin says. Information? What type of information can we provide? Thinking over that for a moment, I realise what it is he wants. "The only information we have there is worth anything is about the royal guards and the castle." I pick up the files waving them. As I continue speaking, my voice picks up speed. "This man figured out who we are and why we are here and then he took the risk to get these, all for us to consider his offer. You don''t do this just to steal something." The files were slammed onto the table next to the bottle. My heart is racing and my breathing is unsteady "He is brewing something bigger. This might be an assassination attempt." Neary is stroking her hair, Narin biting his lip. "I think you might be on to something. Do you think we should help him?" Narin ask. I start to pace the room "I do not know. If the potion works, it could be our freedom. But it''s the royal family. We were raised to protect them. Even after all these years it still rings in my ears."
"This man, when and where would he want to meet?" I ask. "He didn''t give me a time, just said we could find him in the evening at Men''s Blissful Menders" Men''s Blissful Menders, it''s on the other side of the city. It would take three hours to walk there, a risky walk now the guards know we are in the city. While thinking about the danger my gaze drifts towards the potion, there is enough to remove one mark. But what if it''s fake? "The potion. Should we test it tonight," I ask. "I will do it," Narin insisted. "But Narin, it could be fake, hell it could be poison." He frowns his eyebrows. "Yes, which is why I am gonna do it, He did say it works fast but would hurt like hell." I chuckle for a second. "You know I handle pain better than you,""Yeah but I don''t wanna see you or Neary in pain, I am doing it."
Neary is standing with crossed arms, a lifted chin and her lips in a thin line. She doesn''t approve of Narin testing the potion. I would prefer he didn''t either, but one of us has to do it. When I open the bottle a sour smell comes out "Last chance to back out," I say. "Just pour it already," Narin replies, from the bed where he is stiffly sitting, shirtless. You shouldn''t think of this small man as strong, but as he sits there his muscles are very prominent, on his body there are faint scars, and the royal seal edged into his chest. I took a few deep breaths before turning over the bottle. The liquid spilt out so fast it almost missed the mark. A low scream came from Narin, which led to groans of pain. Neary takes his hand there is clenching the bedding, as he gasps for air, I stare at the green liquid dripping down his bare chest. "The mark is fading," I say in a whisper. It was almost gone, when Narin yells "Get this off me." His eyes full of tears. The Mark is gone. And the liquid has almost dried out. Grabbing a wet cloth I start to wash his chest. Some of the liquid comes on my hand, my fingers start to tingle, a burning sensation spreading "He didn''t overplay it when he said it would hurt," Narin groans.
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Neary and I have started cleaning up after the spell. The chalk from the circle isn''t washing off, resulting in it leaving small white dots on the wood. Narin has gotten comfortable in the bed, wanting to sleep the pain off. Getting up from the floor, I walk to the table with the records "Have you read yours?" I ask Neary while picking mine up. "I read it out loud for Neary while we waited," Narin says from the bed, he isn''t looking towards me, if he hadn''t just spoken I would think he was sleeping "I am sorry, about your mother," I say. "I am not. Somehow, I am happy knowing she died. Not abandon us as we thought" He turns around looking at me "It wasn''t a lot of information. But it''s more than we ever had." Looking down at the file, I see the scratch-out name Shawty, under it Lorelei is written, both names are in Basins handwriting. That doesn''t make sense. These should have been written long before we even met.
"Are you gonna read it?" Narin asks. "I am, but I am scared of what it will say." Hesitating I open it to the first page. As I do an item falls out "What is that?" Narin ask. "It''s a piece of leather, there seems to be something written on it." I say while picking it up. Making out the text is hard I have never seen letters like that. At least I don''t think I have. "It''s hard to read, the letters are quite weird. I think it says Nopeneh or Jiopejien." The text seems familiar, but I can''t quite remember. I turned my attention from the leather piece to the file. I get even more confused, instead of information on name and parents, there is a long written note.
Young girl. Around the age of nine. The orphanage was unable to locate her paperwork. The reason it could not be found is due to the fact that the girl claim that she does not know her name. More puzzling is that the orphanage staff does not know her name either, or how long she has been there. Despite the lack of information, she seems healthy. And have the potential to be a great royal guard.
Though it has only been a month, she has already demonstrated the potential I knew she had. She is paying attention in class, does well, and is pretty intelligent. I''ve started referring to her as Shawty. She appears to be acceptable with the name. Further, I have learned from her, that she arrived on a ship, but doesn''t know from where. Her accent does confirm she is not from Martraigh. Talking to the orphanage staff they confirmed she was found at the harbour almost a year ago. She might have been forgotten or left by her family.
The hand writhing was unmistakable, it was Basins. Which means he already knew what my file had in it. He told me the truth, there is nothing. This is nothing. I was already aware of being found at the harbour, it''s my earliest memory, which is odd given that I was either seven or eight years old at the time. The file is clenched in my hand, I am holding it so tight it''s bending. My hope that this might provide me with answers to who I am and where I come from has been dashed. My origin has vanished. My throat is dry. I put everything on the line for nothing. My eyes have gotten wet, I try to blink the tears away while flipping to the next page. Maybe there is more, they could have found the file or figured out something.
Earlier today one from the orphanage came with the finally found file. They unfortunately had water damage and are completely unreadable. In it, I found a piece of leather. The leather piece has these strange letters I do not recognise. When I asked her about it, she stated it was hers but that she didn''t want it. Choosing to ask if she knew what it said, she told me it was her name. I had to ask her several times what the name was, it was as if I had asked her an extremely difficult question that she had to think about . Lorelei, she finally said. As to where she came from is a mystery. Some of my fellow guards have suggested she could have come with the people fleeing the cursed forest. But her accent is not a Ledasgele accent. And these strange letters seem unknown, I suspect she has come from a place far away.
It''s my name, the leather piece spells my name. Looking at it again, the weird letters §Ý§à§â§Ö§Ý§Ö§Û I don''t even recognise them, but they spell my name. But where is it from? The guard''s speculation of me being from Ledasgele could be right. After all the cursed forest started to spread around the same time I came to the orphanage. Even if I am not from there, my parents could still have been killed by it. Looking over at Narin and Neary wanting to tell them what I read. But they have both gone to sleep. It is very late. Placing the file down. After I have taken off my top layer of clothing I blow out the candlelight. Soon enough, I''ll be asleep too.
Chapter 8 the inn
VALOR POV
Every morning since it started, the first thing my conscious mind hears is the whisper. Even though I am still not fully awake, hints of self-harm begin. This morning it encourages me to hit my head against the wall. Honestly, a tempting offer. That street singer, I must find her. Whatever she did yesterday, I need to find out what it was and how she did it. The sound of my door opening takes me away from my thoughts about the girl. Because of the voices, I hadn''t heard the knock from the servant girl. She stepped over to me and placed a platter with my breakfast on the table next to my bed. "Good morning Your Royal Highness," she says followed by a curtsy. The voice has begun to tell me to harm her. "It is morning, well get on with it," I mutter. She starts the morning routine. First opening the balcony door letting the fresh sea breeze in. If it were cold she would make sure the fire in the firepit was lit, but it''s summer so she leave it. After she is supposed to go out with the nightpot and then return to help me get ready for the day. But I don''t have time for that, I need to get to the market. "I do not need assistance this morning, please don''t come back." She looked surprised at the command, but she couldn''t argue or even state her opinion. "As you wish Your Royal Highness." She curtsies once more before leaving.
I''m sure it''ll be noticed that I''ve ventured out two days in a row, but finding her can''t wait. Collecting the clothes from yesterday, I start getting dressed. Usually, I have at least one servant helping me get dressed, doing it alone does create some difficulty for me. When I tie the last knot on the boots, I''m facing an energy slump. Starving from not having dinner, I sit down to eat my breakfast. But before I get to take a bite, a knock is at the door, "I said I didn''t need assistance this morning." The door gets thrown open "I am not a servant," Zora yells. "As I suspected you are going out, I am coming with you," she demands. "Not dressed like that," I say. Zora is wearing a beautiful white dress embroidered with yellow flowers. "Obviously, I am going to change, wait for me," she says, then she turns around to leave. "You can come, if you finish before I am done eating," I yell after her.
The morning sun is waking the city up. The street is filled with the sound of people talking. Kids are laughing or crying, as they follow their parents around, helping them do the day''s chores. Some carry water, others are setting up their shop for the day. The smell of freshly baked bread mixes with the sour smell of Ammonia. Near the pups, a couple of guards are waking up drunks who have slept in the street. As we walk by them, I pull my cape closer around my face. Hours pass as we walk throughout the city. When we reach midday, the dread that we won''t find her starts to settle. "Valor I am tired and I wanna go home," Zora complains."Then leave, but I am not giving up yet." We have come to a halt in the middle of the street. "What do you intend to do? Search up and down the street of the city, every day until you find her?" Zora says while crossing her arms. "If it is what it takes, then yes," I reply. The street we are standing on is in a less fortunate part of town. A few people are looking at us, we are dressed too nicely for here. "That is ridiculous. We should return home and inform Father, so that he can send guards to search for her. Instead of us wasting our time out here" She is right, the guards would be able to find her faster. But I am not ready to give up yet.
Maybe I can convince her to keep going after a break. "Let''s go into that inn and get something to eat," I say while pointing to the sign saying The Way Inn. Reluctantly she follows me over to it. I stand by the door ready to go in, but Zora has stopped to look in through the small window. "What a horrid place, we shouldn''t go in there. Do you know what kind of people frequent that kind of establishments...," she gasps "It''s her! It''s the singer she is in there." I move to look through the small dirty window. It''s hard to see in, as the place is dimly lit, only a few people are present, so it''s not difficult to find her. She is standing by the bar with the two Easterners. "It is her, let''s go." I grab the handle and walk in. Zora is very displeased, but she still follows me through the door. The place has a mixed stench of stale ale, smoke from tobacco and burned wood. The place is quiet. A couple of men sit in a corner playing some card game, but besides them the place is empty. At the bar, the woman is leaning over it letting her fingers go through the flame. "Stop that before you get burned again." The young man by her side, angrily says "Getting burned is the least of our problems." I''m heading right towards them while my mind flies through a thousand thoughts. That is until Zora pulls my arm "Valor, we need to be wary, I don''t think we should tell them who we are. After all, they could be criminals for all we know." She is right, they could be anyone. "But I need to tell her about the curse. Maybe I could say it is a friend who is cursed," I suggest. "Just be careful brother."
As I get near the bar, I hear her say, "After we have eaten, I wanna scavant the area around Mens Blissful Menders, before we meet your friend tonight." Men''s blissful menders? That could be a good place to start, I could say I know the place. No that is stupid, I don''t know what it even is. "Sorry about the wait." A boy not much older than Keisha says, as he walks behind the bar "What are you interested in?" "What is available?" she asks him. The boy started to tell them the different food options "We have meat, bread, tarts, some stew," The male interrupted him to say "Stew sounds nice, what kind?" "Mostly veggies, carrots, onion, parsnips." They don''t seem to have noticed my sister and me, or they might just be ignoring us. "We will have three of those then," he says. It''s now or never, I think while opening my mouth to say "Make it five, and how much will I pay?" I spoke fast, wanting to be sure not to get interrupted. "You are the people from yesterday." The male says. The street singer she spun around, her brown hair swirling around her face from the movement, she was staring at me with wide eyes, as if awaiting an explanation "it will be 25 ears for five stews." Ears, the lowest form of payment, 100 ears equal one crown. "I hope you don''t mind us joining," I say while fumbling to find the small copper coins. "We do mind, what is it you want," the male snarls. "We need to talk, can you spare a moment to listen" I ask, looking at the street singer. "No, go away," she says. Looking at her face, I notice a soar around her eye, she didn''t have that yesterday. "He paid for the food you can at least listen while we eat" Zora snapped. "Fine, we can listen while we eat. But whatever it is you want, the answer is no."
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In the furthest corner of the inn, we had sat down at a wooden table with weathered benches on each side. The small windows there let the sunlight in, doesn''t reach over to us. But there is a fire pit, which illuminates the corner in a red glow. The stew I bought is very salty. Zora had only taken one bite, made a disgusted face to then drink the glass of water she had gotten with it. "Are the food not to your liking? "The black-haired man asked "It''s... different than what we are used to," I reply. "Yes, it would be assumed that someone dressed like you two would not frequent these establishments," he says. The remark makes me aware of how much I don''t belong here. Even though this is my least flaunting clothes, it''s good material and decorated. Most people wouldn''t be able to afford such luxury. "You are right, I have never been to an inn before, but I needed to talk to her," I say, gesturing to the street singer. "Me? what do you want from me?" That is a good question, but how do I even start to explain? Maybe I should start with a simple question. "Where did you learn to sing?" She gives me a sideways glance and says "Nowhere." Zora replies a bit too loud and with a tone of doubt "What! Are you saying you never had any lessons?" The girl''s eyes furrow "Do I look like someone who can afford something so useless as music lessons?"
"Pardon my sister, but it is hard to believe that your voice is just talent. It''s almost as if there is something magical about it. Are you a spellcaster perhaps?" My question may have been too forward, but it''s better to get straight to the point. "I am, but I have never enchanted my voice, " She says. "People sometimes inherit magic gifts, are you related to a siren or something similar in nature?" When I ask this, she looks down at the table. "I wouldn''t normally tell this to strangers, but I wouldn''t know if I do, as I have never known my parents," I had the feeling of my heart sinking, this woman doesn''t know why her singing was magical. But it do not matter, I don''t need anyone els, she can help. After all she is a peasant I am sure she will accept for the right price, and I sure can pay it. "I am sorry to hear that" "Can you just say what it is you want!" she snapped at me. Putting my hands up in defence, I stutter a reply "I..! hav..ve bee...n cursed." I feel a jolt of pain in my arm, as Zora knocked her elbow into it. I had forgotten about our plan. Well, it''s too late now.
"What kind of curse?" the eastern male asked, the woman who looked much like him, hadn''t spoken a word in the time we had been here. "I hear these voices, they tell me to do things, horrible things," I explain. "And? Isn''t that just thoughts?" the street singer says. If that is her normal thoughts, she might not be as innocent as she looks. "It''s not like that, the voices ain''t thoughts, but it''s as if somebody continually urges me to do awful things, terrible things," I try to explain. "What kind of things does it tell you to do?" he asks. Picking up the spoon, I point it at him. "At this moment, to gouge out your eyes with this spoon," I casually said. They all have a moment of shock on their face "What did you do to get cursed?" the male ask, he is tapping his fingers on the table. "It''s not my fault, my father he angered a witch, and in anger she cursed me." The black-haired male snorts, "Your father must have done something horrible to get this curse put on you." Having her executed, would count as being something horrible, but I can''t tell them that. "As tragic as your curse is, I do not understand what it has to do with us," the street singer says. "My curse it has a way to stop the voices temporarily, when music is played it stops, but the moment the music stops the voices return." I take a breath before continuing. "That is until yesterday when I heard you sing. When you sang the voices disappeared and stayed gone for hours after."
"My singing did that?" her mouth is slackening, did she not know she had a magical voice? "It was properly just a coincidence," Sneered the male. "Then test it, sing something," Zora demanded. The singer sends Zora an angry glare. "Oh my lord," She says with a tired voice and an eye roll. She starts singing a few tunes. By the first note, the voices leave my ear. When she stops, nothing. "They''re gone, your voice is truly magical, it''s incredible." I couldn''t help but smile. This could be my salvation. Dear God, let her be willing to take care of me. "We have money, and my brother here will be happy to pay whatever you want if you are willing to work for him," Zora says. "You sound desperate," The singer replies. "I am desperate. And I am ready to pay anything to keep the voices at bay."
"Your offer is very tempting, but we are leaving the city as soon as possible." Leave? They are not from here? Thinking about I do hear a bit of an accent from the singer, but the male doesn''t have one. "You have my compassion, this curse must be horrid. You won''t believe how much I wish I had any information about who I am, and where this power originates from. But I am unable to help you." The three rise from the table, as I see them head for the door, I hear Zora say "What a waste of time," My body feels warm, and my hand are clenched. The moment of silence I had didn''t last as long this time, the voices had returned. Go to her grab her, hit her, push her head into the wall so she bleeds do it DO IT. Those horrible horrible voices
"I do not care if I have to order her, but I am not letting this one chance walk away from me," I shouted at Zora. As I get up to follow them, She yells after me "Valor wait. you can''t do that" It has only been a few minutes they have gone far. Gripping the door handle to the outside, 3 things meet my eye as I open it, the blinding sun, the gravel ground, and splattered blood.
Chapter 9 Duty
Basin P.O.V
Being Captain comes with a lot of new expectations, duties and authority. Of all my new responsibilities, the one I fear the most is my highest authority. I am to meet with the king weekly to discuss the state of the school and the guards. Having the duty to converse with the king, make him aware of potential danger. Even give him recommendations on improvements. If anything comes up that I think is significant enough, I can demand to speak with the king immediately. This right to speak with the king scares me. Especially today. Each step I take through the castle makes me more anxious. How can I explain the girl I raised, broke in last night?
A young maid lets me know The King is in The great chamber. An elegant room, there have decorated wooden walls, covered in Tapestry. A stone fireplace stands by the west wall. This fireplace is the grandest in the kingdom. Standing at the door, raising my hand to knock. What if he is in the middle of an important meeting, it be wrong to disturb him. Take hold of yourself Basin, you are the Captain, you have the right to interrupt a meeting. My stern knock echoes in the hall. The door gets swung open and the king stands there. Guilt swallows up in me as the king sends me an angry glare. That glare is however fast replaced by a smile. "Basin, perfect timing, Teival and I were just discussing the royal guards." Looking past the king into the room there is Duke Teival indeed sitting on one of the chairs. "I am happy to answer any question you may have, your grace."
"I was in the midst of discussing how we teach orphans to become royal guards, as you have been ward for multiple kids, you might give a better insight into the process of picking them," King Alfonso says. "Of course Your Highness, all the kids are from the local orphanage, At the end of each summer around 20 wards each pick a new student for Pupillus. It is up to them to pick someone they think has potential. They have to be at least nine years of age and be moderately healthy, Do you have any specific questions, your grace?" It is no secret that the orphanage kids aren''t well cared for. It has improved since I was there, but the place is and will always be a place of pain and sorrow. "Something there wonders me is why girls are being trained alongside boys, aren''t they too fragile to be trustworthy?" Teival ask. "That opinion is the reason why we also train girls. Men tend to have a low opinion of women, thereby causing them to let down their guard. There are also occasions when a woman is better suited to protection. As in some spaces, men can not be permitted to be." I explain. "My religion does prefer men and woman to be separated, So I can understand what you mean. But I have been told you don''t separate training or even sleeping arrangements between genders." I''m not taken aback by the young duke''s question. This is one there have been a lot of detest for through time. "That is correct, the kids stay in the same room as their ward, I understand it is unorthodox to have boys and girls share a room. But these kids grow up together, they are like siblings. And as they grow into adults and finish their five-year schooling, we do separate women and men into the bigger sleeping halls."
"What happens to the kids who don''t reach the level of expectations there is to become a royal guard?" Teival ask. "When they finish the five years. There are three placement options, where they go depends on how well they do in classes, the best becomes royal guards. The good ones become city guards, the rest are sent to Daingneach, a fortress near our border, and from there they get spread out across different bivouacs" I explain. "My younger brother is the Marquess, and has residency at Daingneach." King Alfonso adds. "I look forward to meeting him at the wedding, and talking with him about the border expansion," Teival says. Confused I ask what expansion he is talking about. King Alfonso groans "I keep forgetting how uninformed you are. Hellvian died at a very unfortunate time. Basin as you may be aware, the capital of Ledasgele was cursed." Teival comes with a short laugh and says "It has been ten years I think everyone knows about the cursed forest by now," He is right about that. The story of the cursed forest there to this day is still growing, is spread far and wide "Since almost the entire royal family died with the curse. I now stand as the heir to the crown of a kingdom where more than half the land is covered in this cursed forest. My cousin the crown prince of Vouri is second in line after me. Because of this the king of Vouri has been trying to take the remaining land by force, as he believes he is entitled to it. In this seize attempt he is trying to do, he has put the people of Ledadsle into a vulnerable situation, which lawless people and even worse the faes pray on. This is why by this wedding, I am selling my crown and kingdom to marry a princess ensuring my title as a Duke. For the future of my children, and more importantly the safety of the people left in Ledasgele."
After having asked a few more questions, Duke Teival bid us farewell. "What do you think of him Basin?" King Alfonso asked me after Teival had closed the door. "He seems like a polite young man," I reply. Truth be told he was quite proper, nothing he said raised any reason for distrust. "That is what is expected of him, but I have my worries. He keeps questioning our ability to protect the people of Ledasgele. I am glad you came to help me put his mind at ease..." The king stops as if he realised I wasn''t supposed to be here. "What where it you came for Basin?" I had gotten so caught up in being able to help the king I had forgotten why I was here in the first place. "Something happened last night. There where a break-in at Pupillus." The king''s eyes widened, and then he started rapidly blinking as if trying to process what he just heard. "Who in their right mind would break into Pupillus?" He asked flabbergasted. "The intruder where a former guard, she where looking for the files about her past," The king interrupted and yelled "Her! The intruder where a woman." I do feel a jolt of anger over his reaction, the female guards are as cable as the male ones. But I stay quiet, it is stupid to argue with the king over such a comment. Because even though King Alfonso know how well-trained our guards are, it doesn''t change how woman are seen as the weaker gender. "This intruder, I assume she is locked up." "Unfortunately no, She escaped using some kind of spell," I explain. "A spell, how can a former guard cast a spell?" His shock over this doesn''t surprise me. After all, guards dont get taught magic. "Do you know who this person is?" He questioned. No, that is what I want to say. I wanna pretend the deserter who broke in, wasn''t the girl I raised. "Unfortunately, I do. It was my former foundling Lorelei. The guards have been informed to be on the lookout for her." I feel nervous, as it''s my fault this has happened and the king will blame me. But then he speaks "She properly already left town." he takes a deep breath, he sounds tired when continuing "Let the guards know not to spend time looking for her. After all, we have a wedding in a few days."
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After bidding the king farewell. I make my way towards Pupillus, but Instead of going the direct patch from the castle through the garden. I chose to head for the gate. The guards at the port greet me as I approach. "Where might I find Harbin?" I ask. Harbin was the last child I was a ward for, he finished training this summer. As he finished, I had plans to retire and leave to be one of the village protectors, that where until Hellvian died. "Checking up on your kid Captain. Unfortunately, he was sent to the watch tower with a message not long ago, I doubt they be back before dawn," The guard named Rune says. "Good thing I did not come for anything important," I reply. Through the gate, I notice someone in uniform come running. It''s a girl with light tan skin and light brown hair she stops at the gate gasping for air "Sir..Captain..." Rune interrupts her "Sergeant Alonnie What matter makes you run like this, and where is your companion? " "We found them..the deserters, he is keeping a close eye on them." She gasped for air while relaying the information. "Are you sure it''s them?" I ask. "Yes, Harbin recognised her, through the window of the Way inn," Harbin, of course he would recognise her. "Shows us the way!"
We moved quickly through the streets. A group of 4 guards and me, with Harbin waiting on us. We were gonna be six against three. I was sure we could manage, after all, we are trained and carry weapons. I do not know what Weapons Lorelei and the twins have, but I am sure with a life on the run they can''t have held up their training. Outside the Way Inn is Harbin slacking against the wall. When he sees us approaching he stands upright. "Captain Basin. The deserters are at the far corner of the inn, conversing with some people." Harbin informed us. "We need to lay a plan. Does anyone know the layout of this place?" I ask. expecting a no. But before anyone can reply, the sound of the inn''s door being opened makes us all look in that direction. The three were standing in the open door. An audible gasp came from Lorelei, while Narin exclaimed a profanity "Lorelei Neary Narin you are all under arrest for treason, it would be in your best interest to surrender," the guard named Rune said. Lorelei is sending me an angry clare, her shoulders are tense, her hands tight in a fist, she is not going to come willingly. "Shawty, there is no way out, I kindly ask of you to surrender." I noticed her eyes twitch for a moment. It felt wrong using her nickname in this way, but I hoped the reminder of how close we were, could discourage her from attacking us. Unfortunately, it didn''t persuade her mind.
"It seems we have no choice then," Lorelei says in a low voice. She takes one step, two steps, her hand is by her belt, her head held high. Lorelei stops in front of the guard Rune. "Like you, I would much rather not have to do this." With a quick hand motion, she plunges a knife into Rune''s neck. A loud cry comes from him, as the knife makes an impact with his skin. Lorelei yanks the knife out and he falls to the ground. My heart is beating so fast that it pains my chest, I need to draw a weapon and take control of the situation. A knife is flung passed my face as I reach for my sword. The direction was from one of the twins. The sound of a female scream is heard over the street, it came from Alonnie as Lorelei threw the bloodied knife into her leg. Harbin ran to her side, her leg dripping with blood. My own blood feels like a cold fire rushing through my body. I was about to launch an attack with my sword in hand when Lorelei and the twins bolted in the opposite direction. Pursuit would be the right thing to do, but in my old age, there was no way I would be able to keep up with them. I had to let them go.
Harbin was comforting the crying Alonnie, they were both sitting on the gravel, the grey stone smeared in her red blood. Rune was completely silent, is he already dead? "What are your orders, sir?" One of the guards asks, wanting guidance as to if we are to follow or let them disappear. Looking at Harbin holding his hands over her wound. "We need to get Alonnie to a healer." I barely finish the sentence when a familiar voice is heard behind me. "Valor stop!" Of all the people in this city, Prince Valor and Princess Zora had just walked out the door from the Way Inn. Both are dressed in old clothes. Have they snuck out, again? "What happened out here?" the prince exclaims. "What in the lord''s name are you doing here?" I just about yell. Their presence here is unexpected and inconvenient. "Don''t tell our father." Zora started to plead. "Oh, he will hear about this."
Chapter 10 Punishment
Valor P.O.V
My father''s cabinet is a room central to the castle. The room''s white stone walls are carved. On the left side of the room is a grand fireplace, Captain Basin stands to the left of it, his face looks stern and his arms are folded behind his back. The dark wooden oak table, I am sitting by shines in the light from the windows. Zora is sitting on my right side. On the other side of the table, our father sits with his elbows on the table. His hands are flat like a prayer and hold between his eyes, His nose and mouth are covered by them. "Zora I am greatly disappointed in you sneaking out, but Valor, I thought you were beyond the age for such immature behaviour, and if that wasn''t enough, you were in an inn. What were you two doing there?" Although my father had started speaking in a calm voice, the last sentence was spoken with anger.
"This is all my fault, I wanted to sneak out and guilted Valor into coming with me," Zora explains. "Is this true Valor?" Father asks, I slightly nod in response. "You have not only put your sister in danger. You allowed her to manipulate you. This is a repugnant way for a crown prince to behave." My throat has become dry. Father''s angry voice makes me wanna cry, but I do my best to hold in the tears. At the same time, the voices are coming with vile ideas, to grab my father''s head and bang it onto the table. "Father, sneaking out was stupid, and we can''t excuse it. But we had a good reason to be at the inn," I say hoping if I tell my father what we found out, he will calm down. "Nothing can excuse this Valor. " As he yells I put my hands up in defence prepared to shield myself from a hit. But it didn''t come. Putting them down I hear my father muttering "You are a disgrace to your crown." My breathing is unsteady, Zora puts a hand on my shoulder to reassure me, she then says "Father please listen to him, this is important." There is silence for a moment, "speak boy," my father says. "We went to the inn to speak with someone...about my problem." A moment of confusion is on my father''s face "Your problem?" Being aware of having to keep the voices secret, I''m not to keen on just saying it, even in front of a loyal guard. "Maybe we should speak about this in private," I ask, gesturing to Basin. "If you are referring to the curse, do not fret young prince, I was there when the enchantress cast it" Captain Basin voiced.
Enchantress? I never heard her referred to as such, a too good a title for the woman who cursed me. "Valor, explain how being at an inn can have anything to do with the curse." To not make our Father more angry, I better pretend everything happened today. "What happened was the voices had gotten strong, but we couldn''t find any street performers, not until I heard this woman sing, she make the voices disappear." My father is unimpressed over this, "I was under the assumption all music did that." "Yes but not only did they stop, but even after she stopped singing they where still silent. It was unfortunately not permanent as I hear them now, but the effect she had on me lasted for hours."
"That is remarkable. Does this mean you were at the Inn because of her? What did you learn from her?" I scratch my neck, "She, unfortunately, didn''t have much to tell, she is an orphan and doesn''t know where her powers came from." My father seemed to think over this for a moment. "This girl, where is she?" he asks. "I dont know she left the inn shortly before us. When we came out that is when we ran into the royal guards" I tell. "Your Highness, if I may, I worry I know the woman you met, did she have light brown hair and a fresh soar under her eye, and might have been in fellowship with a man and woman with foreign ethnicity." The Captain asks. "Yes, yes she had. How do you know them?" I almost yelled, a small glimmer of hope that he could bring her to me, has sparked in my heart, but with the next thing he said, the spark died. "Sadly, I have to inform you that this woman is Lorelei, whom we were there to apprehend, together with the twins, but we got into a fight, and they managed to escape."
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"They were behind that bloodbath? But how we were at most a couple of minutes behind them," Zora exclaims. "Are you saying the royal knights got defeated in less than a minute?" She where looking at Basin with an acusatory glare. The shame was written on the Captain''s face. "We were unprepared. Their attack was swift, and before we had time to drag our weapons, they had killed one guard, and severely wounded another, we failed." My father''s face is sullen, his forehead wrinkling. "These people they are the deserters, aren''t they Captain?" The last word was speaking as if an insult, an allusion to his displeasure with the guards. "deserters? They are royal guards?" I ask shocked. "Why would they desert?" Zora adds. "Basin what are you able to tell us about them?"
"Quite a lot as I were Lorelei and the twin''s ward. It''s 3 years ago since they ran off, and at that time Lorelei had already been a guard for a few years." Basin started to explain. "As for Neary and Narin, they were close to the end of their time as students. Narin was supposed to take the oath as a royal guard, but because of Neary''s lack of speech she was to be sent to Daingneach."She can''t speak? That''s why she was silent through the whole thing. "Why was a mute even taken in at all?" my father asked. "Narin was a strong young boy, I decided to take him as my foundling, but the young boy refused to go without his sister. So I made the decision to take both on. Which I will say was a good decision at the time as they both were excellent in their classes. But unfortunately, the same fear of separation is the reason they chose to run off." I think over that for a moment, the twins wanted to stay together, but what about her, why would Lorelei go with them?"How come Lorelei went with them?" I ask. "I do not know. She was one of the best I had ever seen, not just by women. But between men, she measured up to or even surpassed many of the other guards. I do not know why she would desert, but after she did, I never thought she would return. Not before she broke into Pupillus last night." Basin spoke with some proudness in his voice until he mentioned the break-in, then the proud tone changed to one of disappointment.
"There was a break-in last night?!?" Zora screams. Never. There has never been a break-in at Pupillus. There''s nothing to gain there besides trouble. "Yes, and you would have known that if you two hadn''t snuck out. Basin you told me they were in the archive, what were they looking for?" My father asks. "Their records, we found them in the room they had rented in the inn. They were looking for information on their past." "What else did you find in the room," I ask. "Nothing note-worthy, some bags to carry stuff, a few weapons, extra clothes, coins, some with the royal Vouri seal on them." My father is silent, most likely thinking. Zora on the other hand wants more information "What about the files, what did it say about their parents?" she asked. "It''s rare there is any information on parents in any files, which is the case here. The twin''s mother died, with no knowledge of their father. As for Lorelei, nothing. Her original file had bad water damage. The information I was able to gather was limited, it was as if she couldn''t remember anything. She didn''t even know her name." Basin says. "How can she be unaware of her own name?" I ask. Basin takes a breath before replying, "Many people bury the memory of pain deep down where it will be forgotten."
"If you are interested in reading the files Your Highness, I can make sure they get brought to you." I perk up at the Captain''s offer. "I would very much like to read them." "I will see to it, Prince Valor," the Captain replies. My father stands up "I think this is enough information for now Basin. This girl is a deserter, which is a crime punished by execution. That should make her willing to work with us, Valor, how much does she know about the curse, does she know who you are?" "I told her I was cursed, but not that I am the prince. She didn''t seem to recognise me either," I say. " Let it stay that way, Basin put in all effort to find her." "As you wish Your Highness." When the guards find her, it means I can be free from the voices...the voices, they are still a pain at the moment, "If we are finished I am gonna go to the music room." I say while standing up, Zora too stands up. "And I will get a maid to make me a bath," she says. "Sit down you two, we haven''t spoken about your punishment yet," my father sneered. "Punishment!?!" Zora gasp.
Chapter 11 archive
VALOR POV
"Thirty-nine, Is the number of steps on the grand staircase. I do think that having you two thoroughly clean it is a fair punishment. You will sweep every one of the steps. After that, you wash and dry them." Madam Eithne explained. She is an older woman who has worked at the castle since long before we were born, we have known her for so long that she feels like family. She is stern but has her kind side. Eithne is the Steward of the Royal Court, she controls the household affairs, making sure everything is clean and neat. That there is food on the table and everyone and everything is paid. "Well get onto it you two, and do not rush the job it has to be done well." I take the two brooms and hand one to Zora, before walking up the stairs to start sweeping. When we are halfway down Madam Eithne says she has other duties to attend to, leaving us alone. Well, almost alone. Across the hall, two guards stand on duty.
"I despise cleaning," Zora complains. "This is a cruel and unjust punishment, I am a princess and should not be treated like a servant." Trying to ignore her, I keep sweeping the dirt off the stairs, three more to go. You should think that at my age, I would be too old to be punished by my father. But that is not how my life is, you don''t go against your parents. Especially not when he is a king, I am forever stuck doing my father''s bitting. "Valor! Are you even listening to me?" Zora ask. Her annoying voice is competing for my attention with the voices that keep whispering for me to push her down the stairs, a tempting suggestion. "No, can you stop complaining, this punishment isn''t that bad, this is nothing compared to some of the other things Father has put us through. Remember what happened at the winter solstice celebration." I see the fear in her face over the reminder of the caning she got. Push her down the stairs, push her down the stairs. I hear being whispered. With Zora being quiet I am left alone with only the voices in my ears.
Finally done sweeping, I go and get the heavy pail of water. It is warm for having been boiled and has a salty smell to it, no doubt the water is from the sea. A block of lyan soap is floating in it. Zora watches as I carry the pail up midway on the stairs "Are you gonna help or what?" Zora takes a dry rag, "You wash then I dry them off," she suggests. "Fine by me," I say walking to the top of the stairs with the wet one. "So Valor. What is your plan?" Zora asks. "Plan? What are you talking about?" "About the girl, she is a deserter, which makes her a traitor to us, I have doubts about how eager she is going to be about helping you in any manner whatsoever." I sit down on the step, Zora does have a point. "Well, what do you think I should do. After all, she was your guard" I say. "Know her? She was a guard I don''t spare them any thought." Making a sigh, I can''t handle more of her attitude today "Let''s just get back to work."
When we finally finished cleaning every step, the supper was about to be served. Which meant we had to sit at the table in our dirty clothes. Of course, Father had given us a lecture for not changing, when Zora tried to say we just finished cleaning and had no time to change. He replied that wasn''t an excuse for coming dressed like this, and if Teival weren''t here he would have sent us to our room without supper. I wish he had. As Duke Teival spent the entire time talking about the border expansion. "The border villages should be the first ones to receive guards I think." That is the whole reason for the wedding, my sister is being sold for land. My father is sitting at the end of the table. I am on his right, my sister Zora is by my side and Keisha is by her side. Usually, Keisha sits on the other side beside Malika. But Teival has received that spot. Steering my food around, my hand aches. My entire body is soar, but my head is damm right tortured, the voices feel painfully loud tonight. I already felt full from the first course, this second one I could go without, besides I don''t particularly like pork "Why are you having fish, don''t you like pork?" I hear Keisha ask Teival. Looking at him I see him smile when replying "I don''t know I never had it." Keisha most likely was confused over his answer. "Why, it''s so good?" "It might be but my religion forbids eating pork." "But that is weird," Keisha says. I do agree with her, what good comes from prohibiting food? "Keisha we don''t disrespect other people''s religion, it''s against his religion there is no more to be said on the matter." My father lectures her.
While the servants take the plates away, to make space for the next dish, I stare down at my knife. The voice is urging me to stab myself with it. The voice rarely tells me to harm myself when others are present, normally that only happens when I am alone. Maybe it''s happening because I have been ignoring it all day, without a musical break. That girl Lorelei, where is she now? Is she far away or is she at that place, the place, Men''s Blissful Menders? She said something about going to be there tonight. I should tell Father, I am sure he will send the guard to that place. But what will happen when they find her? She won''t come willingly. What if they get in a fight, oh my god they could kill her. That can not be risked, I have to. No, I need to find her myself. "Father may I be excused, my head hurts horribly, and I think I need to lie down." Father never let us leave early but for once I hope he will relent. As he sternly looks at me I feel uncomfortable "These headaches are becoming a problem Valor. But fine, you may leave." I sigh a breath of relief and stand to leave. "If you have a headache I might be able to help I am quite the skilled healer," Teival suggested. "No it''s fine, I just need to lie down," I say rushing out.
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I have no idea where Men''s Blissful Menders are located, so I head for the castle library. As it has to be recorded in the city archive. Men''s blissful menders, that is an interesting name, must be a form of healing place, but is it religious or alchemy? I should start with alchemy there are fewer of them. The Library is a simple room, every wall is covered by a shelf filled with books, the only expression of art is the ceiling which is decorated with clay figures remising different flowers. In the centre is a single table with some chairs around it. The scrolls with archives over the city are in the far corner, it doesn''t take long to find the right scrolls. As the music room is just across the hall, I chose to head over there to read the scrolls. Not many instruments can be played while reading, so the harpsichord would be my best choice. I sit down to play with one hand while holding the scroll in the other. Reading and playing at the same time is difficult, but it''s easier to concentrate like this than to be plagued by the voices. My gaze goes through all the names but no name is even close. At last, I reached the last one, nothing. I sigh while rolling it up, it''s not an alchemist. Carrishing one hand with the other, stroking the skin, my hands still hurts from cleaning, and playing didn''t help. Heading back to the library I notice someone is in there. A dark-skinned male in the royal guards uniform, not the one they wear on duty. But the more subtle one they wear in their leisure time.
"Greetings Your Royal Highness." He says while bowing. The man looks familiar but I can''t quite put a finger on it. It might just be because I''ve seen him around. As he moves I see his movement as stiff but careful, he has a slight sign of a grimace on his face. "Going your rounds?" I ask. I know he isn''t, but I didn''t know what els to say. "No, I...I am getting a book, Your Highness. I am on leave of absence, because of an injury." He looks down as he says it. Being injured explains his walk. "Thank you for your service, sir...I don''t think I know your name." "My name is Clovis. But there is no reason for you to know it as I am a city guard." That means I most likely haven''t seen him before, so why does he look so familiar? "I don''t wanna uphold you but there might be something you can help me with." As a city guard, he must know every street corner. "I will be happy to help any way I can." " I am looking for this place someone mentioned to me, I think it''s a place for healing but I can be wrong. It''s called men''s blissful menders." The guard''s smile vanishes, he sends me the same glare my father does. The disproving glare. "Your Highness, your friend must be playing a prank on you, that place has nothing to do with healing, it is a brothel." The realization of what he said hits me hard and must have been clear in my face since he starts to explain more. "It is one of the unfavourable ones too. I know I am in no position to give advice, but you shouldn''t seek out places like that, especially not that one as it''s located in the worst part of town." This is horrible, I can''t go there, can I? Do I have to? Maybe I should ask for help, as if he could read my thoughts Clovis says "if you truly seek that kind of company, there are much safer and nicer options, I heard tooth for tongue is quite upscale. But no matter what don''t go alone. If you do not want it to get out to others, I am at your service. it would be me a great honour to personally escort you."
His offer is tempting. Having someone come with me, who could keep me safe would be the smart choice. But the curse, how am I to explain to him that I need to go to this specific brothel? In the hopes, that some woman shows up. I can''t, I have to go alone. "There is no need, I just wanted to know about it because of my friend. But you are properly right in he wanted to prank me." I try to convince him, though I am not the greatest liar, but even if he doesn''t believe me, he can''t do anything about it "You may be excused."
"Good evening your Highness." The guard bowed before taking a few steps towards the door and then turned around. "Forgot a book." He walks over to a bookshelf and takes the first one, but that shelf is exclusively books in Latin. He must have noticed since he put it back "May I recommend a book?" I ask. "Yes please do." I go and grab a book called The Canterbury Tales "This one is a collection of a lot of different stories. But be warned some are obscene," I say handing him the book. "I will keep that in mind, continue good evening your Highness," he says bowing once more then leaving. After he had left I walked over to the city archive, what are brothels filed under?
Chapter 12 Alvas secret
Valor POV
The faint sound of summer rain striking the window has settled into a rhythm, with the voices suggesting that I fling books around the room or burn my hand on the lit candle. Doing my best to ignore the taunting whisper, I keep telling myself the name of the street where men''s blissful menders are located. I can not risk forgetting the way. The place is across town and it''s already late, I have to leave if I want a chance to catch her. But despite it being a summer night, the rain is heavy. I need a cloak.
Leaving the library, I hear the all-too-familiar voice of Alva. "I don''t know how to say it to them Teival. " Just around the corner, Alva stands with her back to me, and Teival at barely any distance from her. Why do I keep finding them together? He shouldn''t be anywhere near her. "I know it''s a difficult conversation to make, but you made your decision. Besides King Alfonso already approved. " What has my father approved of? "Prince Valor, fancy seeing you here," Teival greets. He appears startled having noticed me. Alva turns around, her braided her swirling around her head at the fast movement. After having set her eyes on me she turns her gaze towards the floor. "What is it you two are talking about?" Teival scratches his neck, he has a look of guilt in his eyes. "I will let you tell him, goodnight your Highness," he says before making a fast exit.
"Alva? What did he mean by that? What is it you have to tell me?" My mind is running through so many thoughts and fears, has he done anything to Alva, what if he wants to marry her instead of Malika? "Alva, please, is Teival being inappropriate towards you?" She gasps. "Valor, how can you suggest such a thing? Of course not." Though relieved, I am still confused, if is not that, what is she hiding? Is she sick? Does he know her family? What is going on, and why is she not telling me? "Alva please, you are the most important person in my life. you can tell me everything." I try to speak calmly, but my clenched hands might have given away that I am boiling with anger. "I had hoped to talk with you all together about this-" Alva hesitates for a moment, looking at my hands. Does she fear how I will react, is it something so awful that she is afraid to tell me? "-Teival has made me aware that there is an elf parish in Ledasgele."
"Do you wish to take a trip to that place? That''s an excellent idea," I say. "You think so?" Alva asks. She has a puzzled look on her face. "Yes, we could go together. Is it close to Teivals home, we could visit Malika when we go." Us two alone on a travel. That would be a great time to heal our relationship. So why does Alva look sad at this idea, what is going on? "Valor, the parish is at the edge of the cursed forest. In the coming year, the elves plan to return home to their own land-" she pauses for a second, and when she continues her voice turns very low "I don''t plan to just visit I am moving there until they leave." I feel as though a stone fell down in my stomach. She wants to leave me. "Is this because of me, because of what I did?" my voice cracked as I spoke. "No, Valor, It''s because I have never met another elf, this is my one chance to learn about myself, about who I am, what I am."She explains. "But at a parish, that be like if you wanted to learn about humanity and moved into a church." The possibility of her leaving is concerning. And to do it for something as silly as a parish. "It''s all I have," she whispers.
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Blinking a few times, trying to stop the tears from falling. "And after? You said yourself they are leaving, will you come back here?" I ask, desperate to hear a promise that she will come back to me. "I don''t know, I will make that choice when I need to." The voice in my head is furious. Kill her, she hurt you, her blood needs to be spilt. In frustration grab her arm "You can''t just leave this is your home!" I yell. Alva pulled her arm away taking a few steps away from me, colour had drained from her face. "Is it Valor? I am an elf, your father has never let me forget I am not part of this family, I am not even allowed to dine with you all." she starts sniffing a few tears trickling down her face. She turns, before practily running down the hall. Before having a chance to run after her, she is out of my sight.
In a trance, I walked through the long castle hallways. Alva is leaving me, how can she just leave? Has she given up on us? In my sleeping chamber, I grab a pillow from the bed, to scream into. I scream from my longs until they are empty, I keep screaming to my throat burns. Alva is leaving me. The feeling of a hand on my back, makes me look up. Malika is standing there, her hair covered behind a floral scarf. In a quiet voice, she asks "Valor, what is troubling you?" After throwing the pillow down on the bed I turn to scream at her "Go Away!" Taken aback by my loud voice she takes a few steps back. "This is your fiance''s fault." Malika takes a deep breath before replying, "Alva told you, didn''t she?" She knew, she fucking knew. "How can she just leave me?" My voice cracked. My eyes have begun to burn. But I need to pull myself together. Now. I am wasting time. "I don''t have time for this, I have to go."
I move toward the dresser, blinking away my tears. "Go? Where are you going?" Malika pesters me for an answer. As I pull out a red cape, I say "I have to go find her." While pulling the cape around my shoulders, Malika steps up to me. "Are you going to look for the deserter? You need to think about what you are doing here. You can''t do something so reckless." She always does this, lectures us, as if she knows better. "I am thinking. If I don''t find her first, the guards will surely kill her," I sneered. "That won''t happen, you are being foolish. Do even have an idea of where she is?" She asked in a calm, almost pleading voice. "You don''t understand, I need to be the one to find her, she is expecting execution if she is caught. meaning she has nothing to lose, so she is gonna fight the guards to her last breath." Malika starts to cross her arms but stops halfway through the action, I assume she stopped because her dress restricts her body movement. "At least take some guards with you."
"I can''t do that." The guards would prevent me from leaving. Malika stomps her foot. "The monks were right. You are a complete fool, there is no other explanation for thinking of doing something so dangerous alone." Her words sting. I didn''t need the reminder of my time being educated at the monastery and how much difficulty I had with learning. "If you are going, Valor, then I am coming with you." My eyes were popping out. How can she even suggest such a thing? "Malika, Who is now being foolish?" I groaned. "I haven''t got time for this. Besides you can''t even scale the wall in that." Gesturing to the dress she could barely cross her arms in. "I am coming, or I am going to Father, and telling him what you are up to." She could do that, but I could also be out of here before she got to him. But then again depending on where the guards are, it could take too long even getting out of the castle. "And how do you plan to get out of the castle in that dress," I ask. "We are gonna leave to the gate at the river" That will take too long. The gate is rusted solid. How I wish I was an only child.
Chapter 13 Mens Blissful Menders
Lorelei P.O.V
Water was spitting down on the street. Droplets tripling down the door we stand in front of. It''s warped and barely fits in its frame, a clue to this place''s poor state. On the door hangs a just as worn sign, with the words MeNs blissfuLL menDeRs written on it. The randomness of small and big letters just adds to the struggle of the place. A squeaky sound comes from the door as it''s being opened, In it a woman stands. Her hair is light, her skin pale and her body is covered by a white dress, there have multiple discoloured spots, showing it''s long use. The skirt is tied around her waist exposing her legs. The chest area is barely covering what it should. "What can I do for you three?" She ask in a pitched voice. The floor inside the house is built higher up than the street we were standing on. Making Narin''s eyes being at the same height, as her barely covered breast, and the young boy didn''t look away.
"We are here to meet with Dolion," I say. She takes a moment to look over us and then asks, "Is that blood on your clothes?" While crossing my arms I reply, "Is it a problem if it is?" She takes a step to the side, making space for us to walk in. "Not as long as I don''t have to clean any up. Dolion is upstairs. Second door on the right." She points towards a small ladder standing in the middle of the room. Neary had taken the lead and was headed for it, but Narin had still not moved his gaze from the woman "Thanks, and Narin. Stop staring at her bosom!"
Narin looks down at the floor, most likely embarrassed for having been called out for his staring. The blonde woman chuckles before winking at him. As we follow Neary up the slim ladder. Only the tip of my boot can fit, I have to be very careful. The uneven height between each step makes it even more difficult to climb. This would be impossible to run down. Upstairs, the hall is slim, two people wouldn''t be able to pass each other here. It smells mouldy but the place looks surprisingly clean...and empty. There haven''t always been rooms here. The walls are divided by wooden blanks, and in multiple places, there is room to look through. However, the sound of moans and thuds gives me no desire to see what happens behind these walls. The doors are barely doors, it''s just of a piece of fabric covering a hole.
I reach for the curtain while praying for it to be the right one. So that I dont have to see what is happening behind some of the other doors. "Is it the right door?" Narin asks. "it''s the second on the right" I reply. While I pull the curtain a small mouse scurries over the floor. The room has no windows to let in light. But a small candle is on the floor, its small flame lighting up a man sitting up against the wall. A black hood is covering his face. It''s quite bulky as if he has something other than his head hidden under it. The room is mostly empty, just a chair, and a hay box with a sheet, for a place to lay. However, the state of it makes me understand why the man preferred the wall. This hooded figure, turned his head to look at us. "So you came." He stretches before standing up.
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His eyes are the only thing not hidden by the scarf, but I couldn''t make out any details from the dark. "I wasn''t aware you were an amazon, Lorelei?" Amazone? Can he know something about who I am? "What is an amazone, I never heard that word before," I asked curious to know if this was a link to my past. "I guess you wouldn''t know them. It''s a Greek myth, they were female warriors and they are known for being tall." He drew a comparison because we have similar traits. It has nothing to do with my past. Why am I so stupid to let hope take me so fast? "I am delighted that you came, but I can see it wasn''t without trouble," He says while gesturing to our clothes "We got cornered by royal guards," Narin says shortly. "I am sure Ashley can find some clothes for you. But that can wait, You''re here so I assume you tested the potion."
"You didn''t exaggerate about the pain," Narin says, his shoulders were hunched. "Some nasty stuff but it does the work.-" Dolion acknowlege. "Now let''s talk business,"
"We will hear you out, and make our decision from there," Narin stated. Neary is leaning up against the wall, close to the door. Ready to fight or flee.
"You three may have heard of the wedding between Malika and Duke Teival"
"Of course we have It is this year''s biggest event after all."
"There are some people who don''t wish for this wedding to take place."
"I assume a lot of people would be against it, especially Vuori''s royal family."
"You shouldn''t happen to have been hired by the royal family of Vouri?" Narin questions. Dolion doesn''t reply instantly, "Who hired me is not of your concern. The wedding is to be held inside the castle walls." "At the royal church no doubt," I remarked. After all where else would it be held? "Yes, and I need to know how to get in and out without anyone stopping me-" Dolion takes a few steps around the room while folding his hands behind his back. "You know the place, and can tell me everything I need." That is all he wants us to do, giving him some information is easy, too easy. "You are going to kill them, ain''t you?" Narin accused. Neary has moved from the door and stands beside her brother, with her arms crossed. "Only one of them," Dolion responded. "Groom or bride?" I asked. "Does it matter?" Narin interupted. "Actually, it does. After all the king has 3 daughters, if one dies, he can just offer the next one. No, the groom has to die. Are you in?"
It is just information he needs, nothing more. He will kill the Duke if we help or not. Eyeing him, this man hidden in mystery, he is not to be trusted. "Why should we trust you? When you don''t even let us see your face," I probed. "You can see my face, but it''s no pretty sight." He reaches for the hood to pull it down, and removes the scarf covering his face. Some long white hair slides into view, on top of his head some bright blue elf horns twirl over it. Those are the first things noticed, but then I looked at his face. The brutal scars spread across cheek to cheek, this man has been through something horrible and painful. "Are you in or out?" he challenged, wanting a response. This is it, our only chance to be free of the guards forever. I look to Neary and Narin, and they both give a nod. "We are in."
Chapter 14 Borders
BASIN POV
For the second time today, I was standing in the great chamber. "All of the guards have been informed and are on the lookout for them. But I fear they might already have slipped out of the city." It be foolish to stay here and if there is one thing I am sure of, it''s that my kids are no fools. "Then we need to expand the search to the villages," King Alfonso declared. "I am doubtful it is where they will be found. They had coins from Vouri in their belongings. I am expecting they will flee there." King Alfonso comes with a loud sigh. "Putting our search in Vouri won''t be possible." I raise an eyebrow. "I do not understand how that can be a problem, we have always had a good relationship with the Vouri kingdom."
"We indeed had, but that has changed. King Khavazh is furious at me. After all his son is second in line to what is left of Ledasgele. He had the expectation that Teival would hand it over to him. Teival however chose to bestow it to me for marriage with my oldest daughter. " I knew about the land and why the marriage is to happen. However, I was unaware that this was at the risk of angering our closest ally. The king is risking war, just to own a cursed kingdom. To me, that sounds like an unwise decision.
"We indeed had, but that has changed. King Khavazh is furious at me. After all his son is second in line to what is left of Ledasgele. He had the expectation that Teival would hand it over to him. Teival however chose to bestow it to me for marriage with my oldest daughter. " I knew about the land and why the marriage is to happen. However, I was unaware that this was at the risk of angering our closest ally. The king is risking war, just to own a cursed kingdom. To me, that sounds like an unwise decision.
"I wonder if it even matters if she is found. She can''t remove the curse." The king slouches back in his chair. In all my years I have never seen him with anything but perfect posture, it''s odd seeing the king act this way. "If I may ask Your Highness, I do have very little knowledge regarding magic. But as the daughter of the curse caster, wouldn''t Alva be able to break it?" This question had weighed on my mind for some time. "That was the whole reason we kept her, yet we never tried. As some of the spell casters who tried to lift the curse, made us aware it is a spell there have no known way of breaking it."
"I fear for the future." King Alfonso''s worry is justified. "I am sure Valor is going to be a great king like you and your father." The king makes a grunt. Did I step out of line trying to reassure him? "Did you even know my father Basin?" King Alfonso asks, he looks sternly at me awaiting an answer. "No sir, I had only taken my oath a few weeks before he passed." The king stands up and moves to the window. His back is turned to me. "My father may have been a good king: however I doubt it being reality, with his drinking, his waste of tax money, and that he had relations with half the female servants. I do wonder how many siblings I have out there." I had heard those rumours about the former king, but I never thought them to be true. The king is supposed to be good and to think of his people. To question our king is as obscene as questioning our god.
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"Never the less. He was a lousy father. When my mom died, it didn''t take him long to send my brother and me away. We were kids, and we were taken away from everything we knew. But at least we had each other. Until my father for some reason decided to move me to Daingneach alone, for two years, I was stuck in that place. After that, I didn''t see my brother again. Not before some guards showed up with him. But I barely got to talk with him before I had to leave with them. They left him there. While bringing me here because my father had picked a wife for me. We didn''t see each other again before our father''s death. Only for him to leave as soon as he could."
"I wish Hellvian was here," King Alfonso whispered. The sting of feeling intruding suddenly hit me. He is sharing deep personal feelings. The kind he would share with someone close, someone like Hellvian. But he is dead, and I am standing here in his place. The king takes a deep breath before continuing. "He was a great friend of mine and one of the few people I truly trusted." His voice was sad, I too could feel a few tears prick my eyes. But before I could say anything his tone changed. "Please regard that comment, it doesn''t do dwelling on the death, especially not at the moment, as we have more urgent problems."
The sound of knocking at the door makes us both look towards it. As the king gestures for me to open it, I step over and pull the handle. Outside, the young princess Zora is standing. "I need to speak with you!" She says walking past me, her long sky-blue dress trailing behind her. "This better be important, because I am in no mood for your attitude Zora." King Alfonso says. "I remembered something, I heard the man say at the tavern." Zora blurs out "What man?" King Alfonso asks, taken aback by her fast speaking. "The eastern who was with the girl, he said something about going to a place called men''s blissful menders." The king looks at me, and asks "Basin do you know such a place?" That is the name of a brothel if I am not mistaken. But I can''t tell the king that. "I do, it''s... it''s in the bad side of the city." Why would they go there of all places? Has Narin fallen so far, that he is paying for pleasure? "Well go there immediately, and search for them," King Alfonso Orded. "I will get going right away, your Majesty."
Chapter 15 Caught
Malika P.O.V
My dress trails behind me, picking up mod from the street. Not that it mattered anymore, as the dress had already been ruined by the river water. Even though our heads had not been submerged, our hair was still dripping. At least our wet appearance did not look out of place, as the rain fell in stripes.
The old gate where the river flowed through the wall had been rusted shut. We had pushed and pulled, but it barely moved. Fiddling with the gate while standing in the cool water felt like needles on our skin. At last, we did get the gate to open, but only enough to get through. With all of the noise we made, it''s nearly miraculous that no guard caught us. The security has a significant need for strengthening. Even though no intruder would use this way. Since only a few people know this old rusty gate can be opened.
Valor has a quick pace, it''s difficult to keep up with him. My teeth are chattering, my body is shivering, and the wind is frigid. I wouldn''t be surprised if I awoke with a cold tomorrow. "Valor, please slow your tempo, I can''t keep up." He stopped and turned around, giving me an angry glance. "This Is why I didn''t want you to come!" When he spotted my trembling body, his enraged look changed into one of guilt. "I am sorry Malika. But we can''t stop. It''s crucial we get there. if I lose her. I won''t be able to keep living like this. I rather die then living with this curse." The gravity of his his words hit me in the gut, I had no idea how badly the curse affected him, he had been acting as if though he had everything under control. I''ve been too distracted to realize how it''s tearing him apart. I take a few steps forward till I am right alongside him. "Let''s continue, just try and walk at a pace I can keep up with."
The silence of the city is eerie. It''s the perfect time for a couple of criminals to rob someone like us. But it seems luck is on our side tonight, as the few people who are out, are avoiding us. "How do you feel about Teival? Do you want to marry him?" Valor asks out of nowhere. "What sort of question is that? Of course, I do. Besides It doesn''t matter if I don''t want to marry The Duke. I don''t have the option to reject him." "I do not like him," Valor says. "Why don''t you like him? He has been nothing but kind." Teival has been reasonable in all aspects since I first met him.
"That''s why, since he came, he''s been too kind. He has agreed to everything for the wedding, with no demands. He has no opinion of his own. He even agreed to marry in our church, not one of his religion. " "That was his own suggestion, as he has no ties to the city and felt it should be in our home of faith rather than somewhere unfamiliar to both of us." I defend. "Don''t you find it strange he follows all of his religious laws to the letter? But getting married under his god apparently doesn''t matter." Valor kicks something on the ground. Before continue speaking "I''m afraid it''s all an act. He needs this wedding. He will not risk anything to compromise it." Perhaps he is correct. After all, I''ve only known him for a week, and it''s easy to put on an act. Teival does stand to gain a lot from this wedding. But even if it is an act, I still have no say in this wedding. "It doesn''t matter Valor. he could be the worst man alive. You know I can''t do against Father''s orders."
Valor does not reply and I don''t want to continue this conversation. In silence, I follow him along a street that appears shady. It is narrow and irregular to walk on. My nose caught a putrid smell, that with every step seemed to get stronger. "Are you certain this is the right way? After all who wants to keep their establishment in a place like this." I ask. "I forgot to tell you, didn''t I? Malika where we''re heading..... well its-" He turns to face me, hand on his neck, hesitant to speak. "It''s a place where women exchange favours for money" Favours for money? The sentence is in my thoughts for a few seconds before it registers. Oh! he doesn''t mean that, does he? "Are we going to a brothel?-" Valor''s eyes widened.
"We can''t go to a place like that, it''s ungodly, it''s disgusting, Its...its. Valor why are we going there?!" If I had known we were going to a place like that, I would not have come. "How do you know what a brothel is?" Valor asks, completely ignoring what I just said, "I may be a sheltered princess. But even the bible talks about such places. Why did I come? This is ridiculous, I should have gone to Father." But I couldn''t, and I know why. Guilt, that''s why I came. "Let''s just get going, it should be on this street," Valor says. And as much as I wanna turn around and walk home. By now I can''t.
I almost walked into Valor, when he stopped abruptly and said, "I think it''s here." The building we''re in front of is sleazy. On the door hangs a sign that says MeNs blissfuLL menDeRs, the person who made that can''t have had a proper education. I cross my arms trying to shield myself, I don''t want to enter that place. "Please, God, let her be here," Valor pleads, knocking on the door . A woman with long black hair opens it, she was only wearing a breast bag and a torn skirt. We must have looked quite shocked after viewing her appearance.
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"Is this your first time here, love? Do not worry, we will take good care of you." She touches his shoulder while flashing him a smile, her teeth looking quite yellow. When she looked my way she scowled "I must say, it''s rare we get couples." I gasped, "Oh no, we''re not, he''s not." Valor interrupts me. "We are not here for service, we are here to meet with someone." She moves away from the door. "You are the ones Dolion is waiting for, he is upstairs-." She winks at him and says,"But you know handsome if you want to have a good time, come find me afterwards ." Her offer make me want to throw up. "Your offer is very generous." Valor mutters.
The nausea I have gets worse when I touch the ladder, its covered in dirt and sticky to the touch. "We should split, to find them faster." Valor says. "That is a horrible idea, do you know what we could find behind these doors." "I know it is not safe, but the sooner we find them, the sooner we can leave this nasty place. I am going with this side." He says, moving to the left. For a moment I close my eyes, and just breathe, I can do this. Just go in and out of each room.
Pulling back the curtain. All I see is a dark room, I am about to turn to leave. When I feel an arm around my shoulder. In a swift motion I am forced up against the wall. A hooded figure is all I can make out in the dark. I want to yell, but it is as if my voice has stopped working. "What are you doing here?" I feel something painful and hot on my cheek, did he cut me? Not knowing what to say I stuttered out the first thing I could think of "I am looking for my brother."
The man is silent, my gaze shifts to the knife at my cheek. He pulls it away, letting go of my arm. "A charming girl like you shouldn''t be in a place like this, go home your brother will return when he has finished his business." He do not need to tell me that again. I hurried away from him, not stopping until I reached the ladder. There was no sight of Valor. Brother or not, there is no way I am waiting here. As I put my foot on the first step, a familiar voice comes from below. it can''t be, what would he be doing here? Putting my head through the hole I search the owner of the voice . I hadn''t been mistaken, Governor Brewer is here, in a brothel.
I cannot believe this. That he would seeks such company. His poor wife. "Here is your money," A woman with golden is handing him what looks like different currency. Why is she giving him money? I won''t claim to know anything about these places, but isn''t he the one who should pay "For once you are paying the full amount, has work picked up." He replies with a chuckle. "We barely scraped by Sir, you need to lower the rent and protection fee, this place can''t keep running, we can barely afford food." Protection fee? Those are illegal "Maybe you should consider taking more money, for your services Ashley." "Look at this place, no one would come if we cost more." How can an official man act in such a manner? He won''t get away with this. I will make sure Father knows about this.
Hearing footsteps, I look up hoping to see Valor, But it''s a woman. While running past me in the narrow hall, the cloth of her chemise touches me for a briefly. Before she disappears into the room where man is in. Looking down the hole once more, I see The Govenor leaving out the door. Good, then I can leave. Halfway down a woman asks, "Who the hell are you?" It''s the blond woman who spoke with The governor. The Black-hair woman is also present. A man in rags has his arm around her shoulder. "You knoooow. I think a raaather want heeer." He says in a slurred speech, while stumbling towards me.
"No, you don''t touch her. She is not a worker." The blond woman steps in between the man and myself. "Doon''t teeell me what to..to do slut." He grumbles. "Mr, I think it''s best you leave," She holds up a hand a flat hand. A short Asian man I hadn''t noticed approached them. He is dressed in clothes that are too large. "You heard her, leave." The drunk man turns and laughs. "Whaaat are you gonna do... shorty." The drunk man swings his arm in a wobble fashion. The other man grips the arm, and in a swift motion forces him to the floor.
The inebriated man yells some derogatory words, but the man who is holding him down, does not appear to be moved by them. "This was unesasary." The blonde shook her head. Then she turns to me and asks. "What are you doing here?" I gaze down at the floor, avoiding their stares. Should I yell for Valor or tell a lie. "I..am." my voice is practically silent. "Speak up."
Thud thud, the sound of loud bangs from outside causes them to turn and stare towards it. A bang is heard in the room as the door is forced open. There is no mistaking the uniform. Its the royal guards are standing by at the entryway. The Eastern man who is holding the drunk, scrambles to his feets. But before he can get up, a guard tackles him to the ground. The new Captain steps into the house, Is it Basil he is called?
I pull my hood further down to try and cover my face. How can I possible get out of this situation? "We heard that this place housed three deserters, it appears to be true-" The Captain kneels down to look at the Eastern, who has been restrained to the floor. "Good evening Narin, where are the others?" "Eat dirt!" Narin spits. The Captain stands up, he scowl. "Search the place," he orders. One of the guards approaches me- "You. Let me see your face." he dosen''t wait for a response before pulling my hood down. "Princess Malika!"
Chapter 16 Knife to the throat.
Lorelei P.O.V
Dolion summoned the woman who manages the establishment, who turned out to be the blond who had let us in. "Ashley, do you have some clothes they can borrow while theirs get cleaned?" She glances at us. Her hair is glowing from the flickering candle she is holding. Remembering what she said downstairs, I add "Don''t worry, we will clean it ourselves." At that, she seemed willing to let us borrow some garments. "We keep our clothes down by the last door, but I will have to go downstairs to see if there are any forgotten customer clothes he can fit into." She gestures to Narin.
"I am coming with you," Narin says, heading for the ladder. Neary followed him closely. After all, wherever he goes, she follows. "I will go change," I tell them. Ashley hands me her candle. "Stay in the room until we return, a pretty thing like you, would pull a lot of unwanted attention." I knew it was a warning, to keep me safe, but still, I felt insulted by the notion, that I couldn''t defend myself. "I wouldn''t be worried none of these men would be able to handle me," I respond.
The single candle I hold serves as my only source of light in this dark room. All of the garments seemed to be worn out and unclean. At least from what I could see of it. I settled on a white chemise. It was not long enough, barely reaching my knees, but it is loose in its sleeves. "Hopefully it fits." After removing my boots and socks, I can feel the dirty dust on the floor. As I pulled out of my blood-stained shirt. I felt exposed to the world. Only God knows who could be outside that curtain shielding my naked body.
As I pulled the chemise over my head, some voices came from out in the hall. It must be the twins coming back up. I peek out the door, just in case it''s someone else. A shadowy figure stood in the hallway. "Thank god I found you." The man exclaimed. "You!" I recognized the voice of the cursed man from the tavern. I cannot believe this, how did he find me? "What the hell are you doing here-" He is about to answer when I stop him and add, "It doesn''t matter. Leave, now." Heck, did I mention this place while he was there, I think I did. "I can''t leave, and I can''t accept your refusal to help me." As he approached me, I backed into the room. Why can''t he just leave I don''t want to kill him. But I will if he makes it necessary. As I reach for my dagger, I remember it lies between my clothes.
I throw myself into the corner where my belongings are, rummaging for the belt that holds my weapons. The same moment as I pull the dagger out of its frog, the man enters the room. "Lorelei, you have to listen to me." My heart skips a beat. "How do you know my name?" I asked quietly, despite wanting to scream. But I can''t escalate the situation, not yet. "You...you told me." He stammered out. After I stand up, I start walking towards him, slowly, so that he won''t be frightened to flee."No, I did not."
In a jerk move. He is forced up against the wall, I hold the sharp blade at at his throat. The fear in his eyes, let me know had I rushed in he would have run. "The only way you can know my name is if you have something to do with the royal guards." I can feel his arm shaking. I should just kill him right now. But I would not be able to get rid of the body. This is bad, very bad. Neary Narin, how long can it take to find some goddamn clothes?
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"Who are you?" I ask again. He looks familiar, I am sure I''ve met him before. But where? "Are you a guard?" I know he is not, he lacks the the qualities a guard would have. "No.. I am... I am Prince Valor." I felt like a trapdoor had opened in my guts. The prince, he is the fucking crown prince. How could I not see that?
I remove the dagger from his throat, it makes a clinging sound as it falls to the floor. He appears relieved, perhaps thinking his title means something. That is until I pressed my hands against his throat, strangling him. My own throat still hurt from it being done to me less than a day earlier. He begs for me to let go, as he tries to pry my hands off him, but he is weak. His arms drop and he starts to go limp, When he hangs in my hands, I let go. A loud bang is heard when he makes contact with the floor. His red cape spread beneath him.
For satan, what am I supposed to do now? I can''t just leave him like that. Dolion, I need to inform him. Hopefully, this doesn''t ruin our agreement. In the hallway, a woman is on her way down the ladder. I dash past her and enter the room where Dolion is. As I push through the curtain, I almost bump into him. He is ready with a knife, but stops when he sees me. "Don''t do that again." He snapped. "We might need a change of plans," I respond. "Change them? We have not even made any?" he says while putting the knife away.
"Something-" How do I even begin to explain the crown prince is here? "Unbelievable just happened." That was what it is, unbelievable. "What can have happened in a span of ten minutes, that is so unbelievable?" He questioned in an amused tone. "Crown Prince Valor, is lying unconscious in the dressing room." I quaked "What!" Dolion hisses. He doesn''t ask any more questions but instead leaves to find him. Following him out, I see him stand in the door to the dressing room. "How?" is all he says. "I will explain that after we figure out what to do. Preferably before he wakes up," I say. "Is he dead?" Dolion pushed the prince with his boot. There''s no movement. "No. just unconscious."
The sound of screaming and rustling drew our attention. "Go check it out." Dolion orders. Out in the dark hall, someone is climbing up the ladder. Even in the poor light, I can recognize the uniform. "It is the royal guards." I gasped. "Quick take my hand," Dolion says, linking the other with the prince''s. The palm is sweaty. He is taking good time to do what I presume is a spell. If the guards find us we are in terrible trouble. I don''t have any weapons I can defend myself with. The guard in the hallway is barking orders to someone in another room. While contemplating whether to get my dagger. I feel a wind in my hair, and then it iss as though my eyesight is gone. A nauseating sensation begins to spread throughout my mouth and stomach.
My vision begins to return, the wooden floor has been replaced by one of dirt. "How did you do that?" This spell had taken us to a whole different place. "Just a simple teleportation spell." Just a simple spell. I read up on hundreds of spells for our break-in. And never came across one you can teleport without using magic items and circles. That has to be a highly advanced spell. "Where are we?" I inquire . Looking around I notice a wooded ceiling and stone walls. "Across the road. This house got emptied about a week ago. Something about a mold problem." I notice a window. A window is in one wall. Almost at high as I am. Sure enough, I see a guard standing out on the road. "We better gag him before he yells for help" Dolion states, gesturing to the prince. "With what?" I ask?. Dolion points to some bags I hadent noticed before "I made sure this place had things we would need in case of trouble."
Chapter 17 Get some sleep
BASIN POV
The guards had gone through every room at the brothel, they found seven working girls and two male customers. Three more girls arrived while the search was happening. The men they brought with them were cowards who fled when they spotted the guards. They''re not important, finding Lorelei is. But somehow she had managed to escape once again. The rain had ceased, but the ground was still covered in puddles. Making so that the guards left muddy footprints throughout the brothel.
Princess Malika is standing between two guards. A guard''s cape is draped across around her shoulders. I do not know who offered theirs to her, just about half of the guards brought theirs. She needs to be questioned for her reason to be here. But I''m torn between what to say. On one hand, she is my princess, her authority is higher than mine, so I shall respect her. But, on the other hand, I am certain King Alfonso would not approve of her being here.
"Your Royal Highness. Captain Basin of the royal guards-" I halt to bow as required. "Would you mind explaining to me, what in God''s name you are doing here?" I had presented myself appropriately, but my tone was harsh. The princess is gazing down and avoiding my eyes. Her body shakes, and the skirt she''s wearing appears wet and soiled from the rain. "I couldn''t let him go alone-" Him? She must be referring to Prince Valor. Honestly, I''m not shocked he''s the reason she''s here. "Valor remembered the girl saying she was going to be here tonight. He couldn''t be convinced not to leave, I had to accompany him." She blurts out.
What is it with these royal children that makes them want to sneak out and put themselves at risk? Is it boredom, a false sense of security, or are they simply unaware of how dangerous this city can be? Do they believe they can say their title and no harm will come to them? "With all due respect your highness. Your decision to follow him was recklessly dumb, you put both your brother and yourself at risk. The responsible thing you should have done was going to your father. As Zora did-" I turn to one of the guards, "Make sure she stays here and keep her safe." "Yes, Captain." They both reply. I leave them, to ask the guards who are searching the streets if they have found any signs of Lorelei or the Prince.
"Captain, every room, every street and multiple houses have been searched, but neither the prince nor Lorelei is to be found." A guard informed me. Them both being gone leads me to believe they are together somewhere. The twins are locked in the prison wagon, they may have valuable information, but I doubt they''ll want to share it. Perhaps the proprietor of this establishment knows something. The working girls are grouped together, encircled by a few guards. "Who is the owner of this establishment?" The one who answers is a blonde woman. "The owner is not here, he just comes for money once a week. If he even comes himself. But I am the one who takes care of the people in this place."
"Very well then, you might be able to answer some questions for me ."
"What kind of questions?"
"We could start with your name?"
"My name can be whatever you want it to be?" Her voice is flirtatious. An old ploy, there has never worked on me. But I do not like to repeat my questions. "Very well Goldie-" her smiling face changes to a furious look over the name I called her. "We apprehended two individuals who were accompanying a third person. Where is she?"
"Hell if I know."
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"Do you know what they were doing here?"
"Listen here sir, I rented a room out to a man who wanted a spot to meet someone. I and no one else here, know what this covert meeting was for. " A third person was here? This man must be the reason they came here, but why? "Where is the man they were meeting?" I inquire: "If he is not inside, I do not know where he is."
This woman is frustrating and wasting our time. I order two guards for her to be brought in for further questions. "What! you can not arrest me," she argues. "You are not being arrested, but brought in for questioning," I respond. The Two guards going to make sure she comes with them. Meanwhile, I think it''s about time I bring the princess home to her father.
*****
Despite the late hour. When we returned to the castle, I was informed that King Alfonso was waiting in the throne room. The royal throne room has barely changed over the years, the white marble still shines, the King and Queen''s throne still stands at the end of the room. The dark red canopy has been replaced with one in a lighter red with a different embroidery. On the king''s chair, he is seated. King Alfonso exudes nobility and poise in the way he sits. But when he realises who I''ve brought with me, he rises up and asks "What is she doing here? Basin what is the meaning of this?" Despite being at the opposite end of the room I could see his rage.
He listened silently as I related everything that had happened throughout the evening''s incident. I am honest in my explanation, yet even though I know their disappearance is not my error, I must accept responsibility for the failure. But King Alfonso does not appear to be interested in what I say, instead turning to his daughter. "Why did you not do the sensible thing and come to me? as Zora did." Malika''s posture drooped, and her voice was quiet. "I am sorry."
That apology just seemed to make The King angrier. "You are sorry? Malika, you are too old for apologies, you should be getting into situations that demand apologies. I expect better of you-" King Alfonso takes a deep breath. "It is too late for this. Malika, go to bed we will discuss this further tomorrow."
"Yes, Father." Malika hesitates to leave. "Is there something you would like to say, your highness?" I inquire. "Yes, there was a woman at the place, who protected me from a man, who had mistaken me for one of the ladies who worked there." At this a jolt went through my body, she hadn''t informed me about being in danger. Was she hurt? She did not appear to be hurt But yaking another look at her. I noticed the way her dress has become dirty is strange, the hem has picked up mud, but the rest of her dress is dirty in a way as if though it had been submerged in water. On her face, she has a cut. I had not seen the cut in the dark. It''s a carved x
I am not the only one to notice it. "Did he give you that cut on your face?" King Alfonso ask. "No, he did not touch me. "She takes her hand up to her cheek. "Then who did, you dont get a perfect X carved onto your check by accident." King Alfonso''s voice is harsh, but has a slight hint of concern. "A man, I did not see his face." The king mourns. "This woman, who serves at the brothel, is she still there?" King Alfonso asks.
"No, the guards took her with them before I had a chance to thank her," Malika explains. "Captain, who is this woman you arrested?" Only one woman was brought in, the one who runs the place. "We did not arrest other than the twins but we did bring in a woman with golden blond hair." Malika confirmed she was the one. "That woman is the madam who runs the place, she has been brought in for further questioning."
"I see, that is a predicament. Basin do you think she works with my son''s kidnapper?"
"No, I think she just rented a room to someone for some quick money, I doubt she knows for what." Or cared, I add in my mind.
"In that case, when you are done questioning her, bring her here, I would like to reward her for protecting my daughter."
"As you wish your majesty."
After Malika had left, King Alfonso asked me. "Does she have the same golden hair you used to have?" I''m not shocked that the King would ask. After all, he has a likeness for that blond hair. I will never forget the first time King Alfonso complimented my hair. He was still a prince at the time. "Very much the same." At my reply, the king smiles. But when I yawn, the king''s smile fades. "Get some sleep, Captain. You are dismissed."
Chapter 18 Tied up.
Valor POV
I awoke with a strong pain in my jaw, a stiff neck, and blurred eyesight. Something had been shoved into my mouth, it''s rough and made my mouth dry. I have been gagged with rope and cloth. My heart began to pound against my chest. Where am I? What time is it? In an attempt to move, I feel the rope wrapped around my wrist. What happened? The last thing I remember is her, Lorelei. My vision starts to clear, but all I can see is a dark room.
"They are still out there" A female voice spoke behind me. I rolled my body over so that I could see her. Lorelei is standing up looking out of a small window. It''s high up, and she can hardly see out. Kill her she has to suffer for hurting us. The cursed voice begins to whisper. As if I could do it while being back-bound and gagged.
"This is a fine mess." Someone else said it sounded more manly. Forcing my head up, I can see someone standing behind a post "This isn''t a mess, it''s a disaster. They got Neary and Narin. They are going to execute them. Heck might even do it at the wedding as entertainment." Her comment makes me grimace. How untastely to have an execution at a celebration.
I try to make out who this man is, but the darkness shields him. As he turns to face me, I notice that he is wearing a hood over his head. "Seems our guest is awake," He says. "Already?" Lorelei turns around to look at me, at the same time the man emerges from the shadow. His approaching dark figure seems so big compared to mine which is trapped on the ground.
"Did you have a nice nap, your highness?" He asked with a condescending tone. He will suffer in pain and torture. You shall chop off his head and hands. These voices are good at making plans for torment, but what about a plan to get out of here? "What shall we do with him?" Lorelei asks. My chest tightens. What will they do with me?
"That is not my main concern right now. I rather know, how did they find us?"
"That would be my fault, he and his sister overheard us at the tavern."
"How much did they hear?"
"I believe I only mentioned I wanted to survey the area."
"That would explain why the guards came, he informed them." I didn''t though. Zora! She must have done it. "But if he told the guards, why would he even come here himself? That does not make sense." Lorelei argued. "Well, it''s not like he can tell us at the moment. Maybe we should just kill him and disappear from the city." Kill me? They cannot kill me. I am a Prince.
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"I am not leaving without the twins," Lorelei yells. "Are you not? So, do you have a plan to save them? Because I am open to suggestions, after all, I still have a job to do here." Lorelei brushed her hair with her hand. "We can not discuss a plan in front of him." She moves away from my vision, and the man follows. As they fade into the darkness, I no longer hear them, the cursed voices are drowning out theirs.
After a while, the man appears again. He is holding some kind of cup. The hood still covers his face, I wonder how he looks beneath it. "I am not interested in explaining my reasons to a palace brat. But mark my words if you scream, there will be consequences." He has a grip on my chin, but I shake my head forcing him to let go. "You have no reason to be difficult, it''s not harmful, it will just make your voice go away. So, be a good prince and DRINK." The last word was said as if it was a threat.
He grabs my neck and pushes me down onto the ground. As he removes the gag I am about to scream. But before I could he poured the hot liquid into my mouth. In the rush, I made the mistake of breathing in the fluid. As I cough and spit. The man states "Seem you are not a good Prince." In anger, I can''t help but repeat the words of the curse. "I am gonna personally cut every finger of your hands." My words come out raspy.
The man laughs. "Is that you or the curse talking?" She told him! She fucking told him. "Did I hit a sour spot? Perhaps if you''re an obedient Prince. Miss Lorelei will be so kind to sing you a lullaby-" I hate the way he speaks to me as if I am a small child who needs to be scolded."Or if you keep being difficult, I am gonna crack your jaw so you can not close it." His speech contains an element of menace, and I have no doubt he would carry through with his threat. "Fine." I spit. I drink without a fuss, the beverage is still hot. The taste is peppery with a tinge of something grassy.
When the man gets up from me, I try to say something, but what comes out is barely a whisper. "I think you owe him a song." Lorelei is sending the man an angry glare. Maybe she is arguing whether she should obey his orders. "Next time, ask first," she scoffed. She takes a single step towards me before she begins singing.
Summer has arrived,
Loudly sing, cuckoo!
The seed is growing
And the meadow is blooming,
And the wood is coming into leaf now,
Sing, cuckoo!
As the wave of her voice reaches me, the threats of the curse faded. The song she sings is Summer is icumen. One of my many music teachers taught me how to play it. When she finishes singing, the room becomes silent. For a minute, they simply stand there. But then the man walks out of my eyesight, leaving Lorelei staring at me. "Are you coming?" The man yells. At that, she hurries after him. Now I am left all alone. Stuck on a rough, filthy floor. No light, no sound.
When I am sure they''re gone, I try to scream, but I can''t make a sound. Giving up, I just lay on the floor. My thoughts stray. Malika, where is she? She is not here, hopefully, she is with the guards. If so, she would have informed them about me. I am confident that they will find me soon.
At some point, I must have fallen asleep. I was awoken by the voice screaming at me again. How much time has gone? Minutes? Hours? My legs are numb, my throat dry, the rope around my hand is scratching into my skin and I badly need to pee. I tried screaming again, but there was still no sound. Whatever I drank, it had a long-lasting effect. It wasn''t the last time I awoke that night, I barely slept. The sleep I did get was a hollow one from which I kept waking.
Chapter 19 A plan
Lorelei P.O.V
Dolion and I had taken refuge in the kitchen, The place smells mouldy and is empty except for the fireplace that is built into the wall. Dolion uses his foot to move some mouse droppings on the floor, before placing his bag down. I wonder what happened here. Empty homes in the city are rare to come by.
"I could feel the magic in your voice. It''s weak, but it''s there. How did you go this long without knowing about it?" Dolion is leaning up against the wall, his face hidden under the hood. "I think I have noticed. It has always been easy to get some coins by singing in the street, I always assumed it was because I have a nice voice, but it must have been the magic. " It has to be that, I''ve seen singers with much more charming voices, struggle to make people throw money at them.
"This magic you hold is extraordinary. You have a gift. It comes from somewhere. Someplace within your blood. Most likely you inherited it from one of your parents. I wonder if you are part Alkonost or Cughtagh, maybe even Patupaiarehe" He says those words as if I am supposed to understand what they mean. Even though I have some understanding of fae folk, it is limited to the ones we deal with here.
"You know very well I am an orphan, I know nothing about them, their names, their faces-"My voice had been loud, angry. But before saying the next sentence, I felt a knot in my throat and tears prickling my eyes. "It is all gone. They are gone." Dolion removes his hood, revealing his burned face, the bright blue horns and his white hair that swirls around his shoulders. "You don''t know that, they could be alive somewhere." My cheeks began to burn and I started shouting at him. "Should that be better? That they left me? Open to any fate. No! my parents are dead." My eyes burn from trying to fight back tears.
I stood glaring at him, silent. "Why did you come back? To the city I mean. If it wasn''t to find your parents?" He speaks softly and slowly. How can he be so calm, when being screamed at?
"You may find us naive for risking our lives for a piece of information. But when you have nothing, a small thing can mean everything. I wanted to know where I came from. Neary and Narin wanted to know what had happened to them. We laid a plan, we calculated all risks. If it hadn''t been for you, we would have been far gone. Instead, we are caught in this mess."
We should have followed the plan. We didn''t need his potion before and don''t need it now. If we had just left for a faraway place, where no one knows what our mark means, it would never have mattered. Neary, Narin what are they doing to you now? How long do they have? "I need to save the twins. It can not wait." Dolion had been silent as I ranted. But as I stopped he inquired "Do you believe they know you took the prince?" Believe? I am certain they do. After all. "The princess saw me, I am sure they know."
"Which princess was it, Zora or Malika?"
"The girl with him at the inn was different. Younger, thiner. I think that was Zora. Which means that it was Malika at the brothel."
"Malika-" He says the name softly, "A shame she got away, I would rather she was here than him."
I shudder at the implication in that sentence. "Disgusting." Dolion''s eyes widen and he raises his eyebrow. "I did not mean it like that. I was hired to stop the wedding, no bride, no wedding-" He tried to defend himself. "But the prince will have to do."
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"You get what you want, a ruined wedding and the twins get the punishment." I groaned. "You could always offer to exchange the prince for them," noted Dolion. "That is actually, a good idea. Would you agree to do to that?" I ask. "If we devise a good plan. And it won''t lead back to me." I am honestly shocked that he is agreeing with the idea. He doesn''t care about Neary or Narin. I shouldn''t trust him, but I don''t have the option to doubt whether he actually wants to help.
"Well, a plan...a plan. It has to be something good and feasible. They most likely already suspect I took him. So there is no point in hiding who is behind." I stated.
"Even then you can not contact them directly. It might be advisable to send the King a letter outlining your demands."
A letter to the King could take forever to reach him. If he even receives it. "The King will not accept a letter from just anyone, especially not one without a seal."
"Then how do you propose we contact them??"
"We should send the letter to Captain Basin, he will ensure that King Alfonso reads it."
"If you think your foster father can get it to him, that is what we will do."
I tilt my head "How did you know Basin is my..." I can''t even say it, as much as I''d like to, the guards aren''t permitted to use the title of father. He was my caretaker, nothing more. "I did some research before contacting you. I prefer to know who I work with." Dolion says. I should have known that he knew, after all, he knew who we were and what we were doing here. "What more did you find out?" I ask curious to know what else he knows. "Nothing much," he says with no discernable emotion behind it, but also no wiggle room for any further discussion on the matter. For the time being, I''ll leave the conversation.
"Regarding the letter, how do we find out if they want to comply with our demands?" questions Dolion. It has to be simple, something we can see without getting noticed. Like the silk ribbons. "It is customary to place a silk ribbon on the port''s flag mast to notify the public of significant events. For example, Purple the Queen is expecting." I disclosed.
"Interesting, but won''t the people be confused if the dead Queen is pregnant?" Dolion queried. "That is just one colour. If it is black, someone in the royal family has died. I think that white would be the most subtle one, it signifies that someone is greatly ill. They can always claim they recovered after."
"Appear as we have a plan.-" Dolion moves to get something in his bag. Vellum, ink, and a quill pen. "What shall I write?" My breath is rapid. What am I doing? This is a horrible idea, what we are doing is high treason. Why am I hesitating? Taking a deep breath, I am already a traitor this will not change my punishment if I am caught.
After we have discussed what to write, and when the letter is drafted. I thank Dolion for helping me save the twins. "This is not how I planned any of this. But in my business, you must be prepared for plan adjustments."
Outside, the sun has begun to rise. The light is peeking in through the small windows. "I will make sure the letter is delivered this morning. You should get some sleep while I am gone." Dolion picks up his bag to put the letter in it. and pulls something else out. Seeing the shaft of the dagger. Makes me take a defensive position, getting ready for the potential danger.
But Dolion offers the dagger to me "You might need this." After taking the dagger I study it, it''s simple. It appears dull, and there are some rost areas on the blade. "You need to take better care of your weapons," I note. At a young age, I learned that you need to respect and take care of your weapons, or els they are gonna turn against you in a fight.
"If you do not want it I can take it back." I tucked the blade behind my back. "No. It is mine now." I can not let go of the only protection I have. Dolion does not respond. Instead, he turn to the door and covers his head with the hood. "I will be back in a few hours. While I am gone can you be a dear, and give our guest another cup of tea? "
Chapter 20 They call it a gift
Basin POV
My meeting with King Alfonso is in an hour, and I have nothing. The city guards searched the streets and questioned residents in the neighbourhood. But they had returned with no clue as to where Lorelei and Prince Valor had vanished to.
Some other guards had interrogated the twins without my presence. Neary obviously had nothing to say. But I had been told Narin, had held strong throughout the interrogation, I would have been proud of his stronghold. If it didn''t work against us.
Once more I am going over their belongings, which we collected at the inn. It''s tiring, but at this point, I don''t know what els to do. The file belonging to Lorelei had been sent up to Prince Valor''s Chamber. As promised. But the leather piece. With these odd letters. That holds a connection Lorelei''s past, is here. I know I shouldn''t do it, but I can''t help but pocket it.
The items they brought don''t reveal much information. There are some coins and garments, including the dress Lorelei wore while breaking into Pupillus. It is bloodstained and torn from my knife. Among the items are some weapons, including a simple bow with some arrows. I''m certain that those are Loreleis. She is an excellent archer after all. I still recall the first time she held a bow. She kept dropping the arrows and never hit the target. But she learned and achieved.
What do I say to the King? How can I tell him I have no idea where his son is? I can''t even say I know Lorelei, and she won''t harm him? Because I don''t know her anymore. Lorelei I know you were caught in a corner and had to do what was necessary. But I hope some of the girl I knew is still there, The girl who swore to protect the the royal family.
A knock draws my attention. Sir Vischer stands at the open door. He is an older guard, who now has the duty of a ward. "What can I do for you Vischer?" When I acknowledge him, he enters the room. "Captain I have a request. As I am about to recruit a new student, I would want to have the liberty of going fishing shortly following the selection."
By the end of each summer, 20 new orphans are selected to be trained as guards. "Actually, Vischer I also wanted to discuss that with you. I noticed that last year you went on seven fishing trips, but only once did you take your children hunting. Could you please clarify why that is?"
Taking the children you are the ward of, out hunting and fishing has long been part of one''s responsibilities here. It''s a way for them to learn, to accept blood and death. Make them prepared for a kill when it comes to it.
"I never been much for sleeping in a tent. Which is why I prefer to take them fishing." Vischer explains. I was myself never much for going fishing. My stomach never could handle being on the ocean. Nonetheless, I always made sure to do it a couple of times each year for my children''s sake. "I appreciate your honesty. You are the ward of two kids, I believe."
"Yes. Godfrey, this is his final year of training. And Yestin. "She is quite a fighter." Vischer smiles as he speaks of them. "Vischer, for your own comfort, you are failing them in their training. That is why I am signing off for you to go hunting next Friday."
My decision is final, and Vischer does not fight it. "Of course, Captain." I don''t have much time left before I am to meet with the King. And I still haven''t spoken with her. "Then that''s decided. Goodbye, Vischer. I have a lot to do and so little time."
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At the front of the dungeon, just before we descend the stairs to the cells, there is a small room. The room is built in plain stone walls, with windows that are too high to climb and too small to get through. This room is merely decorated with a wooden table and a few wooden chairs. "Leave us," I order the standing guard. The woman, Ashley I had been informed her name to be. She looks rough. Her golden hair is unkempt, and her short dress is dirty. Her body is slacking. She must be tired after being here all night.
"When can I leave?" She asks the moment I enter. "That depends on what you can tell me." She covers her face with her hands, inhaling deeply before responding."I already told the guards everything I know. I do not have anything more to offer." I sat down in the chair across from her. "I like to ask you about something that happened at the brothel. Tell me about the woman who you protected from a customer." Ashley lowers her hands to look at me. "What about her?"
"What do you remember from the event?"
"Why the hell are you so interested in her?-" cursing is very unflattering, but it is not my place to tell her that. "Nothing much happened, just this random woman who clearly didn''t work here, came from upstairs. "
"What transpired when you saw her?"
"I asked who she was, but was rudely interrupted by the bastard who presumed she worked there. I did tell him to screw off. Then it turned into a brawl between him and the eastern man you detained-" Is she saying Narin is involved? "I do not know why she was stupid enough to be there."
"That woman you referred to as stupid is one of the princesses." Ashley''s eyes widened, "The princess? Why in God''s name would she be at a brothel!" She shouts. "The royal children have quite the taste for adventure and trouble." I sighed. "King Alfonso wants to express his thanks to you for saving his daughter. He is requesting for you to meet with him."
She covers her chest with her arms and quietly says, "I can not meet the King like this." Her shoulders slumped. "I will see what I can do about your clothes." She has been here all night, with no food or sleep. I can''t help with the sleeping part but the hunger I can. "I will get some food brought to you too."
The next thing I say, I''ve been contemplating to ask, since I first saw her. "How old were you?" She tilts her head. "When I started working the streets?" Ashley asks. This is not easy, I need to ask the right question. "No how old were you, when they threw you out." At this question, she adjusted her posture to sit up straight. "I do not know what you are referring to." I need to make her understand that she and I are the same. "I used to have the same hair as you, Thankfully I grew out of it."
Ashley looks away. "They call it a gift. The golden hair. They give it to us to repay us. They took me away from my home, my family and then just threw me out. And they think pretty hair is going to make up for it.-" Her words hit a hard spot. "I never met anyone else, like me. Someone who..." She can''t finish the sentence, for the same reason I can''t speak directly about it.
"It is hard to meet others when you can not talk about it. In my time I met less than a handful of us.-" I want to say it, but even today, though it has been more than 30 years, the magic still has a hold on me. I can''t utter the words. That the Faes stole me.
"I was taken as a baby, and abandoned by them when I was eight maybe nine. I did not even know another realm existed, not before I stood in it." Every memory, every moment is a blur, that if someone told me it was just a dream, I might believe it.
She looks astonished by my story. For a while, I didn''t believe she was going to respond. But then she says "I''m not sure how old I was when I was taken, just old enough to remember my parents. It has been three summers since they kicked me out."
It must have been three years of struggle. I was young enough to be sent to an orphanage. But she was an adult, left to fend for herself, in a world she knew nothing about. It is no wonder she ended up where she did.
A knock on the door causes us both to turn towards it. "You may enter." Through the door emerges a young guard. "Captain, a letter has arrived for you. It seems to be urgent." He reaches it to me, I stand up and grab it from his hand. Who would send a letter to me? I never receive those. As I open it, I understand why it came to me. But as I read each line, disbelief and anger rush through me. Lorelei, how can she do this?
Chapter 21 Ransom note
Basin P.O.V
As I read each line of the letter, I become increasingly more furious. Never in my life did I think she could sink this low. To threaten the Crown Prince''s life. But here it is written down. The letter is not signed. But who else could be behind it?
But still, this letter it erks me. Something is wrong. I know Lorelei''s hand writhing, the pressure on the paper, the spacing between her letters. Us guards are trained in a specific way to write. Not in the artistic way the nobles Write. Ours is straightforward and easy to read.
This letter is neither. The letters are rough, instead of the word being in a straight line they go downwards. I highly doubt her penmanship has changed in a few years. But the obvious clue as to her not having written it is my own name. Basen. Lorelei wouldn''t have misspelled my name.
After folding the letter, I tell the two guards by my side "I need to speak with King Alfonso. Can you two make sure Ashley is taken to the castle within an hour? His Majesty wishes to speak with her." Both guards say I can count on them. "Good, in the meantime, get her something to eat. And a change of clothes, she can not meet his Majesty clad in a rag." I don''t even think what she is wearing can even be referred to as clothes.
"Do you think she will go through with it?" King Alfonso stares intensely at the letter, awaiting my response. "I want to say no, But in truth, I do not know her anymore-" Everything I ever knew about her doesn''t matter anymore. The girl I raised, is no longer. "Your majesty there is something else. I am certain Lorelei is working with someone else. I know her handwriting, and this is not hers."
"That would explain why your name is misspelt-" He scrunches up the letter. "Your child is caught in a hole, and she keeps digging trying to get out. I''d like you to make certain that she doesn''t. We are ignoring this threat." It aches to hear the King refer to Lorelei as my child. It is a straightforward way for him to let me know that I am being blamed for her actions. He is right for faulting me, she was my responsibility. It is my fault that I did not raise her better.
"What about Prince Valor? This is risking his life." I couldn''t hold my tongue, it''s my entire purpose to protect him. "I am fully aware of the risk, and I am willing to take it. With the curse, it might be for the best if he never returned." I took a step back. That the King could say this about his own son. I look down, and breathed "As you wish your Majesty." I have no right to argue. He is the King, he knows what is the right thing to do.
We''re soon interrupted by the two guards I ordered to bring up Ashley. She is dressed in a grey dress with long sleeves and buttons at the front. She seems nervous, with her arms wrapped around her chest in an attempt to shield herself. When King Alfonso first sees her, he smiles. That damned blond hair, and it''s entrancing effect on people.
This conversation they are going to have, is not for me. As I have already spoken with her and obtained all the information I needed. Choosing to excuse myself by claiming I have duties to attend. King Alfonso, hardly seems to listen as I speak, his attention fixed on her. Nonetheless, he says I am free to leave.
In a way I understand the King, he loves his son. However, his curse has made him a threat to Martraigh. King Alfonso must consider every outcome of his choices. And what kind of choice is it to accept a cursed man as our future king? But I can''t give up yet. It violates my pledge to protect the royal family. There must be a way to find out where he is being held hostage.
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Returning to Pupillus, I walk by the young students who are being trained in the yard. The sound of their feet on the ground, their gasping breaths and swords clinging against each other blends with the birds'' chipping. The weather is hot and humid, most of them are coated in sweat. They are dressed down in a way that on a normal day would not be appropriate. But at this time of year they cannot train while being covered up, or they risk succumbing to the heat. The instructors salute me as I walk by. Some of the children follow their example, but not all. As they are too engaged in their practice.
I go on, not pausing until I reach the entrance to the dungeon. The guards salute and greet me. "I have to speak with one of the prisoners, " I say while taking one of the torches hanging on the wall and lighting it. The dungeon only has one entrance. This is why the guards only stand here. This is the only place they are required.
I walk along the dark pathways, passing by several cells. Some minuscule criminals, yell at me as I walk past. They will be released when the time is right. The further you decent, the worse the crimes become. These are the ones to be executed or transported to work camps. The majority of the cells are empty. As the latest transfer occurred a few weeks ago. Neary is in one of those cells, far away from everyone else. She looks at me as I walk past. No one has wasted time with her. Why should they? She is unable to tell us anything.
As I stand in front of the torture chamber''s shut door. I take a moment to prepare myself for what is within. Being here all alone, the silence is eerie. The heavy door squeaks as it opens. And a ghastly sight greets me. Narin is hanging from the wall, his hands locked in place and his feet dangling above the ground.
Despite the noise of the heavy door being opened, Narin does not even glance towards it. Is he dead or sleeping? His shirt is gone, and his naked chest is stained with blood. It pains me to see a child I raised in this place.
I have always been willing to die for my king. Throughout my life, I''ve witnessed numerous fellow guards die in the line of duty. I saw criminals in this place, I done the torture to them myself. After all that, I never thought there be anything left that could fill my heart with sorrow. But this does, I never imagined one of my children''s lives to end this way.
I place the torch on its spot on the wall. On a table near it, various torture instruments are laid out. There is also a bowl filled with water. I study it for a moment, it looks clean. Taking out my handkerchief and drenched it in water.
As I begin to clean his face, Narin''s eyelids open."What are you doing?" He sneered. "I care Narin, you may not believe it, but it is painful to see you like this." I expected him to try and push me away, but he remained still as I wiped his face. "I doubt it is as painful as my wounds.-" His voice is calm, but I can hear the suffering he''s trying to mask. "But if this is so painful to you, what are you doing here?"
I take a step back, this is a serious situation. I can''t let my emotions control me."Lorelei is playing a dangerous game. She has kidnapped Prince Valor and are demanding that we let you go-" Narin looked at me with wide eyes. "Narin, where is she and the man she is working with?"
"How should I know, I am dangling here." How can he make jokes in this dire situation? I take a few steps back, his body is no longer shaded by mine. Despite the poor lighting and even though his chest is covered in blood. I see it, or rather I don''t see it. He doesn''t say anything as I reach out to wipe off the blood on his chest. The wounds he has gotten are nasty to look at, the blood is still flowing out of them, but that is not what concerns me. The royal seal is gone.
There are no scars in its place. This means it was not cut out. I know Lorelei have hers, I saw it. "How?" Is all I ask. Narin has an enigmatic smile "You taught me to take my secrets to the grave."
In rage, I toss my handkerchief to the ground. "Refusing to help me save her, is a grave mistake." My face is flushed and I squint my eyes.
"Help her, as if you want to help us in any way. They are going to execute us as soon as she is caught."
"Narin, they want her alive, the Prince needs her."
"Why the fuck would the Prince need her?"
Ignoring the curse word, I ask "Did he not tell you about the curse?" Narin raised an eyebrow. "That was the Prince?"
"Now you understand that the best option for Lorelei is to surrender. The Prince needs her. The Kingdom needs her." I say trying to sound convincing.
"I do not know where they are Basin. I can not help you."
Chapter 22 Run for it
VALOR POV
How much time has passed? Minutes? Hours? I have barely been able to rest. The night consisted of me being in and out of a hollow sleep. When I was awake I prayed. Praying to God that help would come to me soon.
After the curse first came to me I did nothing but pray. For a month the only thing I prayed was for God to remove the curse. If that had happen I wouldn''t be here. But my prayer never came true. Evrything that happens in life is Gods plan. But what kind of plan is this?
The rope tied around my hands is tearomg into my skin. In my attempt to get lose, I been rubbing my hands against the rope, which has led it loosen, If I keep going I can get free, I am sure of it. But in the effort, my hands began to bleed.
The sound of rustling makes me turn. A rat is chasing a small mouse across the dirt floor. They sprint about, jumping up and down. Before turning and running right towards me. As the mouse jumps onto my body, I kick out in the air and strike the rat. It flew across the room and a small dust cloud was created as the tiny body landed on the floor. My heart pounded. I press a hand against my chest to my breathing stops.
My hand which was tied, is now pressed against my chest. Did I pull it out, of shock? A searing sensation is on my hand and fingers where the rope scraped my skin. But the pain doesn''t matter, I did it, I am free. Now I just need to get out of here. And I need to pee.
After doing my business in a corner. I take a moment to think. There is no way I can fight my way out. She''s a trained guard. I''ll have to surprise her or sneak out without being seen, I need an escape plan.
While contemplating a plan, the door creaks. In no time I jumped down onto the ground where the rope lay. Sitting on top of it, with hands behind my back, and stare at the staircase. Lorelei''s white chemise comes into view, illuminated by a flame.
In one hand she holds a candle in the other a cup. I swallow in the realisation of how dry my mouth is. Even if it is more of that foul potion, I drink it. Something sticks out from behind the cup. A dagger. I stare for a bit, wondering how she manages to hold both without dropping them.
She stops at a broken column and places the items. "You slept?" She asks. She wants to talk to me. Maybe this is the answer to my prayers, maybe I can talk sense into her. "Lorelei please let me go," I beg.
"I can''t." Her voice is low, I barely heard her due to the curse. If only she would sing so they would go away. "Could you repeat, I could not hear you over the curse." Please sing.
She turns and looks at me with rage on her face and a pointed finger. "Listen, I am sorry for doing this to you. But this is your own fault. How can you be this careless with your life? You are a Prince. You are meant to make good decisions." Her scolding is deserved, yet it still hurts. I look away, once again feeling the small tears in my eyes.
"But why abduct me? What are you getting out of this? Can we figure something out...?" She raised a hand to stop me "We already found something out." They made a plan, that is not good. I need her to drop it and help me. "Is that plan sound? if you help me I can ensure you get what it is you want."
"Do you expect me to trust you on your word alone?" She scowls.
"You rather trust that man over me? I am a Prince, I honour my word." I try to sound sincere.
"But will your father allow you to keep it? Besides, you have more to gain by not keeping it. After all, you need me more than I need you." She crosses her arms and looks off to the side.
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"How did you get cursed? Is what you told me at the Inn true? "
Closing my eyes and sighed. How did the story go that my father told about the woman who cursed me? "Her name was Ciara, she had taken part in the rebellion that killed Queen Zellendine of Vouri. A few months after the death of the Queen she was apprehended here in Martraigh. When she was brought before my father, she cursed me. I was not even born and she cursed me."
"Why would she curse you?" Lorelei asks. "She was crazy and wanted revenge."
Lorelei begins to wander around, scratching her head. "It just seems counterproductive, if she had the chance to cast a curse, why curse you? Why not curse the King or cast a spell to get out of there? It just does not make sense to curse you."
Is she implying my father may have lied to me? He wouldn''t, not about this. I moved my legs and was going to move my hands when I recalled they were meant to be tied together.
"Do you hear the voices now?" she asks.
I bowed my head. "They are telling me to strangle you with my bare hands." That is the least threatening thing they''ve told me to do since she arrived. If she knew what else they said, she''d be terrified of me.
"That is far from the worst threat I have gotten on the road." She responds nonchalantly. Then again maybe the truth won''t scare her. After all, she has seen real danger. She has been risking her life every day since she deserted.
"Lorelei, why did you leave? Wasn''t your life better here?" She froze in her tracks. "Do you honest to god think my life was better, being in servitude to your family?" She turns and walks over to the pillar where she left her things. "If you did not want to become a guard, why did you take the oath?" As far as I know, the oath is voluntary.
She approaches me, holding the dagger in her hands. She kneels down to put it under my throat and says. "Are you under the impression I did not want to be a guard?-" As she glides the blade across my cheek, my body starts to quiver and my heart throbbed so strongly that I was certain it might burst. "Being a royal guard was the most important thing in my life."
"I once saved your sister''s life. Without me, Zora would not be alive. Other guards have died for your family. And you have no care. We do not matter to any of you. I bet you could not even name a single guard who protects you. Why should I die for someone who sees me as nothing?"
The truth in her words hurt. I can not even remember the name of the guard I met in the library yesterday. "What if we could change that, Lorelei? I am the coming King, I can give you a position in the court, where you can have the power, to make those changes." My voice shivered and I stuttered out the words.
A small chuckle came from her. "You do live in a fantasy world if you think that is an option. Someone like me has no place in a court. And no one in it would accept someone like me."
Rustling makes us both look towards the rat scampering across the floor. She leans back. I take a deep breath as she removes the dagger from my throat. I see her lift and throw it. My eyes follow the dagger. My body shivered, as it hit the rat. I quickly look away so I won''t see it bleed to death.
This is the moment, she is distracted. This woman expects me to make good decisions, I never have. She believes I am careless. I am going to show her just how careless I am with my life. I don''t know where the courage came from, but I did know it was time to save myself.
Gripping ahold of Lorelei''s arms, trying to pin her under me. She does not hesitate once the shock of my attack settles. We roll around in the dirt, dust whirling around us. I kick her and bite. She struggles to get free of my grip. But despite her strong pull I resist releasing her arms.
We roll into the broken collum. In the fight, we keep hitting it. The repeated bumps cause the lit candle to fall down. I hardly sense the light, not before it lands on Lorelei''s dress and burst into flames.
Letting go of her, she rolls around and screams. I feel guilt, as I stand and run. But I need to save myself. Someone must be alerted to the screams, right?
And someone was. As I opened the door, I felt a hard kick. The world whirled, and my body hit multiple steps as I fell. The air had left my lungs and my body unable to move. The man who kicked me jumps over me and runs to her.
Lying on the ground, barely able to look up. My body is in pain but I can''t give up yet, I have to get up. Lorelei''s scream subsides as I struggle to sit up. Looking over to them. The fire is out. The man''s cape is draped over her. I see her body is whimpering.
I see blonde hair and blue horns. This man is an elf? He turns and looks at me, his face looks strange. And as he walks towards me I realise it is scars. "Seem we need better measures to make sure you do not attempt to flea again."
Chapter 23 Healing burns
Lorelei POV
Flames clung to my clothes. In pain and shock, I had frantically swiped my body, in an attempt to extinguish the flames. The Prince had left me behind, choosing to save himself. Even though he owed me nothing, I felt betrayed.
A darkness covers my face, followed by a feeling of fabric being pulled over my body and hands shaking me around. I gulp for air, the smell of smoke and burnt fat filling my senses. "How the fuck did this happen?!?" Came from a furious Dolion. He was the one who smothered the fire. I moan in pain as he lets go of my body.
I don''t know how long I lay here. Rustling sounds I hear in the background, but I do not care what is being done. My skin still feels as though it is in flames, my body twitches and my hands shake. A scream of pain left my mouth as two hands pulled me up. Dolion has lifted me into his arms.
Upstairs, he places me on the empty kitchen floor. "Damm it, this is bad." I can''t stop sniffling and I can''t stop the tears falling down my cheeks. My body is red, swollen and covered in blisters. In some areas the skin Is torn, the top layer fried pale, and underneath is a raw mess. Blood is oozing from the open wound."Damm it," Dolion repeats.
Dolion lifts his hands and mumbles a spell. A bright blue light starts to engulf my body and the scent of fresh water lingers in the air. My body becomes numb, the skin cools down and the open wounds begin to close.
Then, even though the wounds are still prominent, he stops. "That is the best I can do." Sweat is on his face, and he breathes deeply. My skin feels stiff but not painfull. "Thank you," I say. For a second, I consider covering up. But I have nothing and besides he has already seen everything.
"You''re lucky in regards to the burns, they did not reach your face." I open my mouth to yell at him. How can he consider me lucky when my body is covered in burn marks? But as I look into his scarred face, I shut my mouth. I''m not aware of how severe his burns are, but it''s obvious why he tries to hide his face.
"How did this even happen?" Dolion ask. I quickly recount what happened between me and the Prince, but without mentioning his proposition. "He is a brave boy, that Prince," Dolion says, standing up."More like flat-out stupid." I responded, leaning back and closing my eyes. "I am impressed he got out of the restraints. Did you give him the potion?" I shake my head as a reply. "Damm it. How did everything go so wrong?"
The feeling of something getting tossed on top of me, makes me rush to a sitting position. "Good thing I brought this," Dolion says. Clothes, Dolion brought me clothes. "Why?" I ask. "I figured you preferred something less inappropriate," he says while adding wood to the fireplace. It is hot in here, thus it could not be for heating.
The clothes he got me is a red linnen dress with no sleeves, the skirt only reaches my knees. I haven''t worn a skirt this short since well before I got my monthly. However, there is a brown underdress with sleeves. Under normal circumstances, this would not be appropriate. But this is not normal circumstances. My body aches as I stand. Looking down at my bare feet, the heel is black from the dirt. And there are no socks or shoes to cover them.
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While I get dressed, I examine my injured body, the skin is red with uneven bumps that ache to the touch. Layers of skin are peeling away. How could I let this happen? Why did I even speak with him? Why did I go near him? I am so stupid.
Dolion is stirring in a pot. The smell of hot oats comes from it. "Won''t people notice the smoke?" I ask. He shrugs, indicating that he does not care. When it is ready he pours the porridge into a bowl and hands it to me. I hesitate to take it. "Do not tell me you think I poisoned it?" I keep quiet because I do not know what to say. He saved my life, but he is a fae.
With no hesitation, he takes the spoon and scopes some up. After having swallowed the porridge he says "Eat." While putting the spoon back in. "It is not poison I am worried about.-" He glances at me with a confused glare. "I have been trained in how to protect oneself from fae folk. Accepting food is a no-go." As he begins to giggle, I feel my cheeks becoming flushed. "You are worried about my influence now? You are not even wearing a protection charm. If I wanted to use magic influence on you, I would have done so already."
In all the haste, I had forgotten how unprotected I am. My weapons, my magic charms. Everything I own I lost due to the interference of the guards, and God knows where my things are now. Dolion being done with the conversation, pours himself a bowl of porridge.
We eat in silence, but after some time, I collect the courage to ask "Which side?" He looks up a puzzled look on his face. "Your horns gave it away. So who is the human, your father or mother." Something I learned on the road, only the half-elf, half-human have bent horns. Full-blooded elves have straight horns.
"My mother is human." He speaks while touching his horn."Is your home here, or there?" His eyes change, it''s as if though they become dark. He must have caught the implication in my question. Was she a stolen human or not? "I was born here." Being born somewhere does not make it your home.
I''m quiet, waiting for him to continue. But instead, he changes the subject "There was no ribbon." Dolion scoffed. "What?" That can not be, the King would not abandon his son. "Maybe he has not gotten the letter yet."
"Or maybe we should send the King a finger to show him you are serious," Dolion remarked. I make a disgusted face. He sighed "Do you think the King would abandon his son?"
"He would not do that. Valor is his only son. A couple of low lives like us, are not worth the Crown Prince''s life." I relay. Dolion stands up. "Guess we will have to wait and see. I am going to give the Prince his potion." He says this on his way out of the room.
Sitting alone in an unfamiliar house is unsettling. The risk of a guard bursting in at any moment is looming. All of this was a horrible idea, to come here, to seek out our files. The Twins are imprisoned because of me. I wish I could cast some spell to help them, but I barely know any. Why have these dumb magic abilities when I can''t use them for anything? Even the stupid hunting spell, took forever to learn and demanded so many items to work.
Why did we entertain Dolion''s proposition? Why did we trust him? Can I even trust him now? I mean nothing to him. He could just kill me with the Prince and then flee the city, risk-free. He''s taking too long. What''s he doing with the Prince?
What is the Prince doing? Begging? Praying? He must be scared out of his mind. The proposal he made. If it comes to it, do I have to rely on it? Can I trust him? Would he be able to keep such a promise? King Alfonso wouldn''t approve of it. I would loathe every second of working for him. But what if it could save the twins? I guess I do it.
A door squeaks, and I hear footsteps down the hall. In my attempt to stand, I start to shake, my body aches from the movement. Dolion enters the kitchen, wearing a hood so I cannot see his face. "If the ribbon is not there tonight I will deliver the Prince to his father in pieces." What happened downstairs?
He turns his head towards me and says "Now to another matter. Lorelei, what can you tell me about the guards'' routines? Especially in regard to the royal church. "
Chapter 24 Family spute
Malika POV
On the table is a mountain of gifts. I point to a red dress, that is neatly folded. "Who gifted this one?" I ask in my hoarse voice. Each gift is a token of appreciation and congratulations for my engagement. "Baron Daegal gifted you that dress." Madame Eithne answers. "A lovely gift." I coughed. I have been coughing since this morning. My throat hurts and my nose is running. "And this one was gifted from Lord Johnson." Madame Eithne hands me a gold bracelet in a velvet box. There are so many gifts, and I need to remember who gave me each one, so that I may thank them at the wedding.
But how am I to marry while my brother is missing? "And this necklace here, who would that be from?" I gesture to a small red box, which contains a white pearl necklace. Madame Eithne reached for the card. "Let me see, Well wishes on your life''s most important journey, Governer and Governess Brewer."
To hear the name sends a shiver through my body. I have yet to speak with my father about the governor''s extortion of the poor. If I speak of it, it will ruin his title and bring shame to his family. The governess and the children do not deserve that, even if their daughter tries to trifle with my brother.
Cataline Brewer is a regular guest in our home. She is kind, but like many other young women, she has her heart set on my brother. An unrequited love. Valor cannot marry the person of his choice. Father will choose his bride, and she will be the best political alliance for our Kingdom, just as my marriage is.
But what Cataline heard was that their relationship was forbidden, and vowed to not give up on their love. She is far from the only young lady in court, who longs for the Prince. After all, who would not strive for the crown? Unfortunately for them, he only ever had eyes for Alva.
Three knocks came from the door. Following that, a guard opened the door to announce Duke Teival. Madamm Eithne curtsies as far as she can. "Duke Teival, and what may bring you here?" He enters the chamber, and the guard closes the door behind him. "My family has arrived. They have requested to meet my betrothed. I offered that we meet them in the parlour."
Madame Eithne stands up straight. "I will go to the kitchen and make sure tea is sent straight away." She exits to do her job. Teival expected me to join him. Instead, I say "Teival please do sit down, we need to talk." A worrisome look comes across his face, so I rush to add "It is about my brother."
"I am aware that your brother resents me. I had hoped to meet with him before the wedding to resolve the issue he has with me."
"Teival. This has nothing to do with my brother''s disdain for you. Valor, he is, missing." He tilts his head, furrowing his brow. "What do you mean missing? Is he not in the castle?" Teival ask while moving to sit down. "No. I am sorry for springing this on you. But I cannot marry while my brother is missing. I hope you will forgive me, but I fear we might have to postpone our wedding."
"I do not have anything to forgive you for. That your brother is missing is a serious affair, it makes sense to postpone-" I breathed out a sigh of relief. He''s not mad. "But I do wonder. Does his disappearance have something to do with the x carved on your cheek?" Moving my hand to cover the scar, I feel my heart pounding from the reminder of the terrifying man who cut me. "Yes. It is a long story."
"Well, then you should start explaining." And so, I did. Even though I knew Father would be displeased, I told Teival everything. About the curse, the music and us sneaking out. He listened silently till I explained that the place Valor disappeared was a brothel. "You went to a brothel?" He said in disbelief, his eyes wide and his face pinched. "I would never have gone with him if I had known. Sneaking out to see the market is unseemly, but a brothel is sinful." I looked down in shame and felt myself get flustered.
Teival crosses his arms and leans back. "This is a lot to take in. What happened then?"
"Valor and I split to try and find them faster. That is how I came upon the man who did this." I say touching my cheek.
"Did he hurt you in any other ways?" Teival asked. His hands and jaw clenched.
"No. Shortly after the guards came, and Valor was gone," I replied.
"This is some story. And you say all this happened because he was cursed by one of the rebels who murdered Queen Zellandine-" he turns to the side, looking off into nothing. "Are you aware that Queen Zellendine is my father''s sister? She died at the hands of a rebellion that used wild forbidden magic. I have always been told she was a good Queen who cared about the people. She did not deserve what happened to her."
"It must have been hard on your father to lose her, she sounds like a wonderful woman." I reach for his hand, holding it for a moment, before remembering that he is not permitted to touch me until we are married. "I am sorry," I say, letting go of his hand. "This is not what moment I thought would be our first touch. But I will never forget it." He gives me a faint smile. "We should properly leave, your family is waiting for us."This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Two guards stand by the door, bowing as we pass them. The castle parlour has a red carpeted floor and red curtains with gold trim. The white walls are decorated with paintings and handcrafted artwork. One of these paintings features my siblings and me. It was painted when Keisha was just one year old.
In the centre is a round table with a couch and upholstered chairs. Three of these chairs were occupied. Two females and one male. When the guard announces us, they all stand up. The one woman is young, with red pimples prominent on her pale skin. The other woman has wrinkles that show her older age. Their hair are covered with a wimple. They curtsy, and the husband follows in a bow. "Princess may I present to you my mother Grand Duchess Hagne, and my younger sister Lady Eugenia with her husband."
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Princess Malika." Teivals mother says. Her accent although influenced by her time in Ledasgele, retains a strong foreign sound. "You have quite a beautiful voice Duchess Hagne, but I can not help but notice it is not of Ledasgele," I say as we take our seats around the table. "That is because my motherland is Hellas. But it has been a lifetime since I have been there. I travelled all this way to marry my deceased husband, you know he died within the cursed forest."
"I am sorry about your loss. Numerous lives were lost due to the cursed forest." I say. Hagne shakes her head and replies "I do not think we should talk about this. After all, being sorry won''t bring the deceased back." I can not help but feel annoyed. If you do not want to talk about death, do not bring it up.
The door goes up and two maids enter the room. They place two bowls on the table, one with fruit and one with kipferl. A teapot and six cups were also set. "Why are there six cups?" Lady Eugenia asks. "That would be for me, my lady." Came from the guard walking over. He pauses and bows. "When the food taster is not present, it is a guard''s duty to make sure what the royals eat is safe," I explain. "It is an honour to be at service." The guard says.
"I see. Then I will not uphold you, Sir." Eugenia says. Pouring half a cup for the guard. He eats a kipferl while waiting for it to cool. While reaching for the cup, he asks "Do you need me for anything else your Highness?" He cannot be excused before being permitted. "No that will be all." I say, followed by a cough. He chucks his tea and returns to the door.
Duchess Hagne is tapping her spoon on the teacup. "Forgive me for asking. But I am curious how a woman of your age and prestige is not already married." Such a forward question. This is a conversation I prefer not to have, but not telling her can give the wrong idea. Besides, there is no shame in it
"I have been betrothed from an early age. But the man I was to marry kept pushing the time. At last, he broke off the betrothal. Using the excuse that my illness was too risky, and he feared I would not be able to give him children-" I break out into a cough. When I have it under control, I continue "But healers have reassured me that there was no cause to be concerned."
Hagne pouts her lips. "Sickness? What kind of sickness have you been hiding from my dear son?" Nausea, pain in the chest, dizziness and a lack of energy, are all the things I struggle with. "Mother, I am perfectly aware of her sickness, and there is no need for unpromoted accusations." defends Teival. Lady Eugenia placed a hand on her mother''s shoulder. "Mother, you need to relax. There''s no need to be harsh with her."
"You are right, dear. But, my son, I have another question. I have been informed that the wedding will take place in the Royal Church. And not a synagogue. How can you let that happen?"
Teival sighs. "Mother, I have agreed to that because I have no ties to this city. The Royal Church is where Malika''s family worships. And I do not want us to get married in a place unfamiliar to the both of us."
"Teival, I can not stand by while seeing you leaving behind your religion in favour of her family''s approval."
Teival stands up and shouts, "Was it not enough to ruin my first marriage, do you have to ruin this one too?"
As mother and son begin to argue, I notice the guards step closer, preparing to intervene if necessary. Looking down I let my shoulder slump, my breath is unsteady and my heart is pounding. I want to say something to stop the fight. But as words were thrown back and forth. They were ignoring what anyone was saying. "Mother Teival, please stop". Eugene said.
"You always degraded her."
"She was a disgrace and she died disgracefully."
"Silence!" A loud male voice resonates throughout the room. Making both Teival and Hagne cease their argument. At first, I believed one of the guards had intervened. However, an elderly man in uniform came towards us. His skin is dark, his hair braided and his face as familiar as my father''s. "What is this hammer and nail I walked in on?"
I stand to curtsy. "Uncle Eiran such a pleasure, when did you arrive?" He pushed his chest out. "Several hours ago. I would''ve greeted you sooner. But your father has been taking up my attention-" He turns his gaze to Teival. "I assume you would be my niece''s betrothed," Uncle Eiran inquired. Teival bows. "Yes, I am Duke Teival, It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Markese Eiran."
"It does not seem to be a pleasure to know your family. This is a time for celebration. It is not acceptable for the family to fight." He says in his commanding voice. "Malika where is my hug?" Eiran ask opening his arms. As I embrace him, he smiles. "Markese, is that not a low title, for the King''s brother?" Hagne''s voice cut in.
"I have that title, as any other title would take me away from my home at Daingneach." Eiran explained. "This is not your home?" Eugenia gently asked. "This stopped being my home when I was shipped away by the man I should be calling father. Now if you would allow me to borrow my niece, we have some private topics to discuss."
Chapter 25 Eiran and Eva
Malika P.O.V
We had moved into the dining hall, alone. A Black and white cat is sitting on the table. "What a family you are marrying into." Uncle Eiran says this while trying to pet Nadja. But she leaps off the table and walks under it to hide. "I do not think I have been here since..."
"Since my mother died." I finished.
"That was also the last time I saw you, I believe," spoke Uncle Eiran
As long as I remember he has never visited unless it was for a big occasion, such as a wedding or burial. The only time we''ve seen him is on our father''s annual spring journey through the Kingdom. A political journey to ensure the alliance with the leaders of different counties are carrying out their duties. Uncle Eiran always accompanies my father on these travels, I used to come along, but it''s been years since I last joined it.
"Uncle Eiran, my future in-laws are waiting. Can we get on with it?"
"Your father told me about your escape out into the city. When will that habit die out? Does he need to order guards to follow you around as though you were still a child?-"
Wasn''t it enough for my father to scold me, he have to do it too. Why do people take pleasure in chiding people? "And to a brothel of all places, are you aware of the shame you brought upon yourself? If your bethroed knew..."
I cut him off, "The Duke already knows, I told him everything."
"Are you out of your mind? Do you have any idea what you have done?"
"I am well aware, and Teival was very understanding, he even agreed it might be for the best to postpone the wedding."
Uncle Eirans face turns stone cold, and when he speaks, it''s with the authority only a man of high rank and control can speak. It is the tone of one who expects evryone to do as he says without question. "There will be no postponing, everything needs to be going as planned. It can not be known the Crown Prince have been kidnapped. Not with the recent development."
"What development?" I ask. Eiran do not reply so I raised my voice asking again, "What has happened to my brother!?!"
Eiran sits down on one of the chairs. "This morning a letter arrived demanding the release of two traitors in exchange for the Crown Prince''s life. We are certain it is the girl who you went looking for, that is behind this." Oh my, this is horrible. But why is she doing this for some traitors? Is it the ones they arrested at the brothel?
Eiran breathes out a heavy sigh. "Your father, proud as he is, has chosen not to comply with the demands. He is leaving Valor to fend for himself."
"Your wrong father would never do such a thing. I am certain he is doing everything he can to ensure Valors safely returns." He must be, Valor is the Crown Prince. It''s his son for goodness sake, he would not abandon him.
"Malika, you need to understand. Alfonso has given up on him. Unless Valor manages to save himself, he is being left to die. And your father made sure Valor do not possess the skills needed. I always meant it was a mistake not to teach him combat. But Alfonso would not risk it, all because of that damm curse."
"Do not say things like that. Of course, Valor will come home safely. The girl who took him does not wish him harm, she just wants to save her friends."
"You might be right about that. However, given the current circumstances, and with the crimes she committed. She may have no other option. Malika if Valor does not return home alive, you will be next in line to the throne. Which is a great change if things, you need to promise not to tell anyone about this."If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
As I return to the parlour, only Teival remains. He stands by a chair, he most likely was sitting before the door opened. As the guard closes the door behind me, I blurt out. "I am sorry for leaving."
"I am sorry you had to witness that fight," he responded.
"Did your family leave?" I ask. Even though I can see we''re alone.
"Yes, my mother and I agreed that staying apart was better for the time being. Did you have a pleasant conversation with your uncle?"
"Yes, it was pleasant speaking with him.-" I am sure my tone betrayed me, but Teival chose not to question it. "I have been ordered not to postpone the wedding, so everything will continue as planned."
"That is a relief, does that mean your brother has been found? " I shake my head as a reply. "I see. I am sorry."
"It is all my fault I should have gone to father. Instead of sneaking out with him."
"If you won''t mind me asking, this does not seem to be the first time you have snuck out. Why do such a thing?"
Why? Such a simple question, with a tough answer. "Growing up, we were never allowed to leave the castle. We were captured in its safety. The only time I had ever left its safe halls was when my father brought me for his spring journey. That is until I was sent to the monastery, as is customary in the royal family. It was the first time in my life that I did not have guards following my every step. And not only did I stand on my own, I was with folks my age. Who already had the habit of sneaking out. I soon became a part of that. It was exciting and never felt dangerous."
"Did you never get into any trouble sneaking out?"
"The times it was discovered we did get punished. But as we just walked to the village, and never did anything but go around it was never made out as a big problem. We did not need to do more, the intriguing part was just to go out."
"So the other day was your first time in a brothel." He smirks, I have a feeling this is gonna be something he is going to love bringing up in our marriage. "Of course it was."
"How long did you study at the monastery?" Teival ask.
"Almost three years. I was supposed to return home when I was to wed. But then the betrothal was called off and I ended up staying longer. In my last summer there Valor joined the monastery too. Then winter came, and we were called home because our mother had died." A few tears are sliding down my cheek.
I settle in one of the chairs, and Teival sits across from me, silent. Perhaps he is waiting for me to continue, or maybe he is at a loss for words.
The silence we sit in is suffocating. I think back to the argument, what was said, and I can not help but ask "Teival what did you mean when you said your mother ruined your first marriage?"
"Since you been so honest with me I should be honest with you too.-" He shrinks back into his chair with crossed arms, looking uncomfortable "My first wife, Eva. She was not a titled woman, just a mere servant, but I instantly fell in love with her. And against my mother''s wishes, I did marry her. That was the start of our problems."
"My mother is a challenging woman, one moment she may be your best friend and the next your worst foe. Though for my wife she only showed her mean side. No matter what Eva did it was never good enough, she was the target of numerous abuses-" He leans forward his albus on his legs and hand covering his face. "No matter what she did, it would never be good enough for my mother."
In a way I understand, the grand duchess''s anger. To marry a servant as a duke, it is a big shame. Still, it does not excuse abusive behaviour.
"And then the struggle of us not being able to have a child started to create resentment between us. Which only got worse after she lost a baby. I am not proud of how I acted at the time. I made so many mistakes trying to please my mother. That I did not protect my wife. I ruined the marriage."
"I understand the pain, my mother died during childbirth, the baby died too, it is hard losing someone that way."
"You do not understand. Your mother died in childbirth. An honourable death. But Eva died in shame. If I had been there for Eva maybe she would have not chosen to give up and I would not have lost her." He snif and uses his palm to dry his eyes.
He makes it sound like she chose to die. Maybe she did, after all, I don''t know how she died die.
If that is the case that would explain a lot of Teival''s behaviour, his agreement to everything I want, his forgiveness of the side steps I have taken. "Is this why you are trying so hard to make me happy by agreeing to my every wish for the wedding?" I ask. Teival looks away, not meeting my eyes. "You do not have to agree to everything I want, I be happy if you are just you."
"Just me was not good enough for Eva."