“Aeliana, Come on! They are going to catch us.” My voice broke. The last thing I wanted was for her guard to catch me. They would scold me for sure.
“Don’t worry so much. I’ll protect you, plus we are not going to get caught. Trust me.” Her voice was sweet. I had gotten used to her confidence lately. Nothing ever seemed to frighten her. Her blue eyes sparkled with the light of pure innocence. The golden-brown of her hair hung loosely around her face… I never was good at talking sense into her.
Her plans always seemed crazy to me. She had jumped the walls to make it to the town. Her dress ripped on the way down, though she didn’t seem to mind. I met her at our usual spot outside the gates. She would hide behind an oak tree so the guards couldn’t see her while passing by. We’d meet up and walk down the wood-covered path to Kalison’s market town.
Today she seemed to be even happier than usual. She said her family was going to have visitors from a neighboring country, and that the war would come to an end soon. The idea of being able to meet different people had always excited her.
It did not take long for us to make it to the markets. Busy and loud as ever the people ran past one another bartering and arguing. The town was alive. We played in the streets, chasing each other around. At one time I lost sight of her. Finding her later, joyously speaking to one of the merchant’s children. I know it made her happy, happy to feel normal.
This day was different though. We were walking through the town and Aeliana asked me something… Something I had feared since we first met. “Hey, can we go see your home? I’d like to meet your family.”
***
I quickly maneuvered my way through the crowds of painted faces and flowing dresses. Many suitors attempted engaging me in conversation as I passed, with simple bows and an excuse of needing to powder my nose, I often found it easy to move on. One or two were a bit more persistent.
A nobleman from Sarahill grasped my wrist as I attempted to pass by the crowd he was standing in. The grip was not abrasive, but I felt a tickle of annoyance at the man’s assumption that I would be okay with him touching me, I was not. I turned towards the lord, having to restrain myself from pinning his misplaced hand behind his back.
“Lady Nol!” the slender man exclaimed joyfully. “I do not believe you have had the pleasure of addressing my son yet. This is Kristizan Lajors, my son and the future lord to the Lajors family estate.”
My eyes darted beside him to where a meek-looking young man stood, he couldn't have been older than twenty, and even that, I would say, was a stretch, his frame was narrow and his face boyish. While I looked at him his eyes did not meet mine, instead, he gazed earnestly at a young man serving refreshments on the other end of the ballroom.
Hastily, I looked about the crowded room before I responded. “I do not believe I have, however, I’m afraid I need to be on my way.” I asserted.
“It’s okay, Milady. I’m sure the other suitors would understand. We have come all this way to meet you. My son and I believe a union between our families could behoove both our estates extremely well. Wouldn’t you be kind enough to at least speak with him?”
Horns blew loudly!
“Her Majesty Queen Iona of Shera!” The introduction rang out loudly, it had come as a surprise to most everyone attending. No one had expected her Highness to participate in a trivial matter such as my introduction to court. The Queen’s attire was astounding. Her golden hair was woven into an intricate series of braids around her dazzling crown. Her light cream dress was lined with a pear lace and complimented her fair complexion perfectly.
Queen Iona descended into the ballroom and immediately approached me. It seemed odd to me, and apparently to quite a few others as well.
Her beauty was magnificent. She seemed to nearly float as she crossed the floor and stopped in front of me. Everyone was silent as she took my hands.
“My Dear. I hope the ball is to your liking,” and with what I thought might be a hint of malice, she asked. “Anyone catch your eye yet?”
I smiled politely. “There are so many delightful suitors. I simply have not had time to meet them all yet.” As I spoke, I was watching the room, the gentlemen obviously drinking too much to the East, the batch of jealous women who’s anger seemed to create a stench permeating from the West, the shadows behind the Queen to the North. THE SHADOWS?
“Your Majesty. I’m afraid I must excuse myself and attend to my make up.” I said, attempting to end the interaction as quickly as possible.
I exited the doors of the ballroom.
The shadowed figure had disappeared from the room while I was meeting with the Queen. I circled around the entrance looking for any suspicious individuals. The hallways were barren, if I didn’t know any better, I would say the palace was asleep. It was eerily quiet.
That’s when I caught it, ascent…… ascent of pines, a scent of fire.
I sprinted around the corner towards the smell, my feet nearly coming out from under me when I saw it. He was surrounded. The furniture and cloth around them was alight with flames. Liam’s body was sprawled out across the stone floor, unmoving. My heart stopped for a moment. These men had… no. NO!
Without thinking I was at a full sprint. Four on one, what kind of despicable excuse for men would fight in those kinds of odds. I slid on my hip twisted and kicked my ankle out at the legs of the first attacker. He came down with a thud and I kicked my heel down on his chest and spun to his jaw. I arched and popped onto my hands. Spun with my abs and extended my legs. My foot made contact with the second’s face. As his body crashed to the ground, I flexed and flipped to my feet, throwing a hook to the third attacker’s jaw. He ducked and jabbed at my gut, knocking the wind out of me.
“You wench!” The fourth attacker yelled, looking to his two incapacitated friends.
Without enough time to think, I grabbed at the sword the first attacker had on his hip. Unsheathing it quickly, I put distance between me and the remaining two.
The fourth attacker was focused on his friends, while the third was looking me over. His eyes opened in shock. As I watched, I saw his mind explore a new avenue and the expression on his face changed to something fierce.
“You should not have done that, My Lady.” His voice sounded thick with satisfaction and something I couldn’t pinpoint. By the smile he was wearing, I was sure I did not want to find out what was running through his mind.
Not a moment too soon, I noticed the fourth attacker coming at me with his sword. He lunged forward angrily from the right, narrowly missing the cloth of my dress. I rolled forward out of the way. The third was waiting, he grabbed at my throat and pushed me to the stonewall of the corridor. His hands felt clammy and cold though the look in his eyes was much worse. I struggled against his grip, kicked my knees high, hitting his side.
“Enough!” The fourth said from the other side of the hall. I looked up to see Liam. I could see now that he was still breathing. The blood dripping down the side of his face made me want to fight, but the knife pressed firmly to his throat stopped me. Liam’s eyes were swollen and there was a clear gash running down his chest. He wasn’t losing too much blood, so his life did not appear in danger yet.
Attacker three was still holding my throat. His face was angry, but seemingly a bit pleased. “Oh. Now that wasn’t very nice...” His words felt like poison to my ears. “I know… I’m sure we can think of a few ways you can make it up to us.” He slowly caressed the side of my cheek with his free hand, moving it down the side of my neck. Gods, I wanted to fight. I looked over and saw the nearly limp body of my friend, still inches away from the end. The look on that disgusting man’s face showed the sick satisfaction he was getting seeing his friend toying with me.
I pressed my eyes closed and tried to think of a way out. I felt his hands, the revolting sensation of him pulling at the top of my dress. The feeling of cold metal touching my chest….
Pressure and fury grew within me, as I felt my mind begin to seep into the darkness…
I opened my eyes, feeling something deep within me fighting for freedom. I saw Liam’s beating heart, I felt the pulse of each of the attackers and I could feel hot blood coursing within my veins. Every inch of my body hummed, and when I looked at the man holding my friend something inside me snapped.
I felt terror permeating from his mind, as the shadows began to dance from the corners of the room. A chill filled the air around us, hairs on my arms stood as the presence grew stronger, pressure descended upon us. Darkness moved swiftly, resembling an angry spirit, racing across the walls. Stretching the distance in the blink of an eye, I watched as an unforgiving cloud of obsidian surrounded the assailant. Liam’s body fell to the ground swiftly, as the attacker’s screams fell into nothing.
A moment later I felt my consciousness returning to me. The darkness receded from my vision and I watched as if in slow motion. The third attacker turned to see his friend’s agonizing cries. There was nothing left of where the man once stood. Instead, Liam laid untouched on the cold stone floor. The man turned his attention back to me, filled with fury, all enjoyment he had felt drained from him, both hands squeezed down on my throat. Just as I felt my own body leaving this world, I heard an agonizing scream… and my vision went black.
My head was pounding, the darkness which had filled my vision began to release its grip, I started to feel my body again. I felt strong arms holding me... I felt the warmth of a chest... The consistency of breathing next to me. I finally had the strength to open my eyes and I looked up into the face of a handsome man. His black hair falling messy around his chiseled features. I attempted to reach for him, but the strength in my arms failed me. He turned to look at me. His piercing green eyes filled with unfiltered rage. When he looked at me sadness covered his face and he pulled me closer. Just like that, the world faded once again.
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