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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:23:56 GMT -5
****
“Why do we have to spend the night out here? What if it rains?” Theo whined. “You know perfectly well why, you idiot.” Blade said. There was barely any moon left now, and the darkness around them was thicker than before. Theo could just barely make out Blade and Nightshade at all. “Don’t you like forests? You are an earth after all, Theo.” Firelight said. Secretly, she had always envied her brother’s ability to disappear into the shadows. She was barely focusing on Theo at all. “What’s your opinion, Nightshade? Does the silent beauty even have one?” Theo asked, ignoring Firelight’s question. “This was never a question of any of our wishes, but of practicality. We would all be nearly impossible to pass as dogs,” Nightshade answered steadily. “Similarly, my silence is none of your concern.” “Ouch, Theo,” Firelight said, grinning. Nightshade rolled her eyes. These people were barely worth talking to. Blade was about to answer, but he saw a very faint glow of light. Wasn’t that where Nightshade’s voice had been coming from? His eye felt so heavy, all of a sudden. Why couldn’t he… couldn’t he focus his… Nightshade smiled. All three of them were fast asleep.
****
Markus rubbed his eyes. He’d left Dasher, Raythor, and Kylara behind with the names of every royal he could remember. Dasher was doing most of the talking. She was getting over excited about who was and who was not working for Lydrion, and explaining all her reasons for it. Just as his hand touched the door to his room, Rose rounded the corner, her eyes flaming. “Blue boy, you told me the message in here was nothing to worry about, and I should take the night off of reading it, and you’d show it to me tomorrow.” Rose raged. She was very nearly yelling. Markus started to open his mouth, but she kept talking, “Well, you incredible idiot, I found the book in your room, in plain sight, I might add, and do you know what it said?” “Obviously.” Markus said. She didn’t look at all amused, so he added: “But I really didn’t think Raythor was going to search my belongings in the middle of the night.” “Of course he will, he’s the noisiest orphan weirdo I have ever met.” “How many have you met?” “Stop distracting me! Mary’s diary said ‘Tonight his blood spills red’. Well, river eyes, if that isn’t a threat I don’t know what is.” “You know, you never call me by my name?” Markus said. That didn’t calm her down either. He sighed. “That’s a line from a poem I had to memorize, a love poem. Supposedly, that line is him telling her that he loves her; the blood represents the emotion spilling out or something sentimental like that.” “Who is he?” “I have no idea. It’s just a poem.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:24:29 GMT -5
“What if he is Phoenix and she is Pearl? Mary would know that Blade told us that story, wouldn’t she?” “Then the poem is speaking of sacrifice. Phoenix killed for her.” “Fine, if you’re not worried, I’m not worried.” Rose said reluctantly. She shoved the book at him. “You had better be right.” “I give you my word, Rose.” “Humph. Goodnight, Markus.” Rose walked away, stopping every few steps to glare at him. Markus shook his head. “If anything happens to her…” “Talking to yourself?” Laura asked, yawning. “It’s getting late, you know. You can go crazy in the morning.” Markus, remembering he know had Mary’s diary in his hands, quickly hid it behind his back. Laura blinked. “What are you hiding?” “It’s…it’s nothing.” “It’s a nothing that you can’t tell me about?” “Yes, because… it’s your birthday present.” “But my birthday isn’t for months.” “I know, but I couldn’t help buying it because it suits you so well.” Markus said. It was so hard lying to her. The book almost seemed to burn in his hands. “I wish I could give it to you now.” “You’re a prince. You could have a dog killed because it walks funny.” She smiled and he laughed nervously. What did he have on him? His sword, and the book and… the bracelet. Kenetari’s bracelet. Laura had never seen it before, because neither he nor Raythor were sure yet whether or not it meant anything at all. Unless Anella had told her, which didn’t seem likely. Shifting the book into one hand, he used the other to retrieve the bracelet. “For you, fair Everglade maiden.” She gasped with delight. “It’s very pretty, Markus. It looks antique. Where ever did you find it?” “Treekal.” He said hastily. Laura, still beaming, slipped it on her wrist. She knew exactly what it was, but he couldn’t possibly. Promise bracelets were peasant things, after all. Still, it almost made her feel like… She hugged him. “You are so sweet sometimes. I don’t know why, but you are.” “You deserve it for putting up with me all the time.” Markus said, forcing a smile. “No I don’t, darling.” “Did you just call me darling?” Laura blushed crimson. She definitely hadn’t meant to say that. “Err… it was a joke. Sorry about that. Goodnight.” She rushed away. “Did she really just call me darling?” Markus wondered aloud. This time, no one answered him.
****
“Then why don’t you just turn me in? It’s not like I care.” “All I want is to help you with your memory.” “My memory has been gone for almost a decade. It isn’t coming back.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:24:46 GMT -5
Anella stopped dead. She’d been drawn outside as the moon rose, faint sliver though it was, to take a short walk. It appeared that she wasn’t the only one. The first voice was definitely Raythor’s, the second Kylara’s. Anella heard their footsteps coming closer, and ducked behind a tree. “Well, maybe if you go back to Caltha, it will.” Kylara argued. Anella could see her fully now. Raythor was still hidden. “You knew me right away. Who’s to say someone else isn’t going to, especially if they were there when my parents died?” Raythor said; voice completely uncaring. “I know what’s waiting for me back in Caltha, and it isn’t my memory and the answer to all of my problems.” “Ever think you just don’t want to remember?” “All of the time. Would you want to remember?” “Fine then, be stubborn. I’ll get to you, eventually. I’m going to go get drunk.” “You are a real lady, did you know that Kylara?” “Thanks.” She laughed, knowing he was kidding. Kylara slipped away, moving so close to where Anella was hiding that they almost touched. Raythor came into view, features impassive. “How long have you been there?” He asked softly. Anella jumped. “N-not l-long…” Anella stammered. “I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, I really wasn’t.” “I’m sure you weren’t.” “You saw your parents die and you lost your memory?” “That is certainly one way of putting it. Try not to think about it too much. It all happened a long time ago.” “Is that why you’re so…” Anella hesitated, “Um… distant?” “Sure.” “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” “It doesn’t bother me. I have to be this way because… never mind. It really doesn’t matter.” He shrugged, and started back toward the inn. “Raythor, wait.” “Hm?” “I’m sorry about what happened to your parents.” “So am I,” He sighed, calling up his strange half-grin, “Thanks.” Anella nodded. Then he was gone. Anella wondered what it was about him that made her blurt things out. Maybe it was because nothing seemed to bother him.
****
“Why haven’t we done anything for months?” Oraia whined. “This is not how hopeless rebels are supposed to spend their lives.” “I’ve been gathering information,” Jayce said dismissively, “Besides; you’re here because you want to be.” “Do you want me to leave? Because I won’t listen to you.” “It’s your choice entirely. Kira, will you take the watch tonight? Lydrion has a lot of units in this inn, and I know one of them. Maybe I can find something out from him.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:25:09 GMT -5
Jayce said. Kira nodded. She mouthed ‘Bruce’. “Yes, of course Bruce. He’s a good man, all said.” “What does he look like?” Oraia asked, perking up. “He’s married.” Jayce answered impatiently. “So?” “I don’t think Bruce is the type to be involved in any sort of marital digression.” “What do you talk like that?” Oraia said, rolling her eyes. “I was just joking.” “I don’t particularly think you were,” Jayce said. “Well, try and keep her out of trouble, Kira.” “I resent that.” Oraia huffed. Jayce walked past her, and took Kira’s hands. “If I see Lydrion…” He said softly. Kira shook her head violently. Jayce smiled. “I thought so. Good night, Kira.” “Hey! What about me?” Oraia said. “I repeat, Kira, try and keep her out of trouble.”
****
Maya pulled her other shoe on and sighed loudly. Why did he have to be sending someone tonight? She was completely exhausted. That was so typical. Slipping past all the closed doors, she headed toward the front door to unlock it. “Oh, joy. It’s you.” Maya sighed loudly again. “They’re all here, anyway. You’re lucky they didn’t stop at the Briar down the way. They have bigger rooms, you know. Archer could have let me work there.” “Where’s Bruce?” Kenetari asked. Benvolio, his arms folded, stood quietly next to her. “He was supposed to be here too.” “That old bore is drinking with some friend of his in the bar. Never seen him before.” Maya yawned. “Whose room do you want me to take you to? I really need some sleep.” Benvolio stroked the cat draped around his shoulders, soothing it. Suddenly, Runner hissed and dug his claws deep into the boys shoulder. Benvolio cried out, and the cat jumped off and hit the floor running, heading to the bar. He ran after it. Maya, sighing yet again, went after him. “Jason?” Benvolio exclaimed. Kenetari finally followed him. “Hello, Vera.” Jason said. Bruce shoved his hands into his pockets, so that she wouldn’t see them sweating. Because he was working for Archer, Bruce had been ordered to kill Jason on sight. Not killing him meant… death. “Jason.” Kenetari said coldly. Benvolio, eyes shining, threw his arms around Jason. “Brother! Where have you been?” “No where important.” Jason said, ruffling Benvolio’s hair. He kept his eyes locked on Kenetari’s. “How is your beloved fiancée, sister?” “Why aren’t you dead?” Kenetari said. “I felt sure someone would have killed you by now.” “Why do you both have to fight all the time?” Benvolio said unhappily. “What, so that’s the Jason we’re supposed to kill?” Maya interrupted. “Well, there are what, four of us here? Let’s just get rid of him now.” “I think Lydrion will want to handle this one personally.” Kenetari said.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:25:47 GMT -5
“If you take me to him now, you’ll never find Kira.” Jason said easily. “I bet Lydrion wants to deal with her personally as well.” “Why would I want to find Kira?” “So he told you about her.” “Caldria did.” Kenetari said. Maya, looking back and forth between the two of them, started to reach for her knife. “You wouldn’t really kill me.” Jason shrugged. “I’m a better fighter than you, anyway.” “That is not true. You still have the scar I gave you, don’t you?” “Hold up, hold up.” Maya raised her hands. “Are you telling me Bruce’s drinking buddy is not only on the hit list, he’s also yet another Whitestar spawn?” “I’m the black sheep of the family,” Jason said. “It’s not much of a wonder you haven’t heard of me.” “Nor does he regret it.” Kenetari said, clenching her fist. “Ah, yes, what a monster I am. How could I not regret saving a life, if only for a moment? That’s just about the only time your little lover-boy has gotten his hands dirty, isn’t it?” “Don’t speak of Lydrion that way.” “Why? Is he some sort of demigod? Will his very might strike me dead where I stand?” “No, but I might.” “Vera, really, is that anyway to speak to the boy you grew up with? Well, mostly grew up with anyway.” “Why does he call you Vera?” Maya said, examining her nails. She let all the air out of her lungs very slowly. “Where did Archer find you anyway? You must have some sort of purpose, or he would have killed you by now. I certainly would have.” Jason said. “I pick locks. Stuff like that. I’m a really charming hostess too.” “I’ll bet you are.” “Enough of this senseless chatter.” Kenetari said angrily. “Jason should be dead, right now. Bruce can only have been trying to detain him.” Bruce shifted, staring at the ground. He should be dead right now, not Jason, but he wasn’t going to remind her of that. “How about we bring the whole circus up to the room you wanted to go to. I’m seriously dying here.” Maya agreed. “Wait, Vera, I have a better idea.” Jason said. “I’m just here to redeem myself for all my many failings. You’re here to kill someone, right? Well, I would be delighted to do that for you. I’ll take your loyal Bruce here, if you want to keep an eye on me.” Kenetari regarded him hostilely. Getting Jason back would be a point in her favor. He was one of the strongest men they had, as well as one of the best spies. Obviously Lydrion was having trouble finding a replacement for him, if Maya was any indication. “All right, but take Benvolio too. I’m not sure I trust Bruce.” “You are all but too forgiving, fair maid.” Jason drew his sword, holding something against its side she couldn’t see. “Lead on, Maya.” “Finally,” Maya said dramatically. She grabbed a candle from off the table, and headed up the stairs. Jason, Bruce and Benvolio followed after her. “Who are we looking for anyway, kid?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:26:05 GMT -5
“I think his name was Raythor something.” Benvolio said. “Carpenter?” “That sounds right.” “Through here. He’s roomed with that really good looking guy with the weird hair.” “Thank you, Maya. I can take it from here.” Jason said dismissively. She shoved the candle at him, and managed to get in another sigh before she faded out of view. “Ben, can I trust you?” Jason asked, staring pointedly at his younger brother. “Of course.” Benvolio said instantly. “That’s a good little soldier. Bruce, I’m sorry but we’re going to have to fake your death.” “Excuse me?” Bruce said. It was the first thing he’d said in a good long time, and he was so petrified his own voice made him jump. The sweat was now almost forming puddles in his pocket. “Don’t worry. This won’t hurt, and your family won’t believe that you’re dead for more than a day.” “What is my wife going to think?” “Do you want to live?” “Sorry.” Bruce smiled, but more because he was nervous than anything else. Jason, not paying any attention to the other too, transferred a canteen from against his sword to his other hands. “Put your shirt on the ground.” Jason commanded. “Why?” “Do you want-” “Yes, sorry, please stop asking me that.” Bruce pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it on the ground. Jason knelt beside it and poured the contents of the canteen all over it. “What are you going?” Benvolio asked, clearly entertained. “Fake killing one of my best friends.” Jason replied. He moved the sharp side of his sword close to his wrist, and closed his eyes for a moment. Then, as they opened, he slashed the sword across his skin. He then held the bleeding wrist against the soaked shirt. Red mixed with the water, spreading quickly. When it looked covered in blood, Jason placed an envelope on top of it, and quickly ran a bandage around his wrist. “Don’t tell me you planned all this, Jason.” Bruce said with his mouth wide. “Most of it,” The other boy shrugged. “I knew I had to get you out of here, some how. They can’t trust you anymore, with me gone. So, I guessed a little bit.” “What do you mean by that?” “Well, I’ve been following the queen’s group around to protect them from Lydrion as best I can, but so far he’s just toying with them. When they stopped here this morning, I figured my darling sister couldn’t be far behind. So, I decided to work with her highly unstable emotions and my own supposed worth to convince her to let me kill who ever it was. It was a long shot, but we got lucky.” “How are you going to explain the fact no ones dead?” “There in lies the brilliance of my plan. Who are we supposed to be killing, Ben?” “Raythor Carpenter.” Benvolio said, eyes shining. He really hadn’t had this much fun since his brother had left.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:26:23 GMT -5
“Good boy.” Jason took out yet another peace of paper as well as a feather with a sharpened end. He dipped it in the blood solution, and scrawled Raythor at the top of his paper. Then he shoved it under the door. “Now, Ben, this part is all up to you and its almost all lies. Can you handle that?” “Can’t wait to,” Benvolio said eagerly. Jason placed a final paper in his brother’s hand. “All right, listen carefully…”
Chapter Twenty
Mistake
Anella walked out of her room and almost immediately slipped in something slimy. She struggled to get up, and then realized what she was sitting in. Blood. Too frozen to think, she backed up against the opposite wall and stared at the shirt lying on the ground, completely covered in blood. Her heart was beating so hard she could almost feel it through her chest. No one else was up yet, on the second floor at least. So she was the first one to see… Then something caught her eye. Hurriedly, she snatched the note from the blood covered shirt, and opened it with trembling hands. “Standing against Lydrion Archer has resulted in the death of Bruce Fairfax. The body has been taken, and will be burned. The shirt has been left behind as proof that he is dead, covered in enough of his blood to show without a doubt that no man could be alive after what we have done to him. You have been warned.”
****
By the time the sun had fully risen, every guest in the inn was milling around talking in nervous whispers. The innkeeper just kept reading the note over and over to himself, unable to comprehend that his son was dead. Two girls stood at his side, one of them crying uncontrollably. Anella was behind them, feeling simply terrible for finding that stupid note at all. Most of the Royalty of Everglade was around her. The only one who wasn’t there was Raythor, but everyone was so preoccupied that they didn’t really notice. “Does blood bother you?” Tallith asked, all at once directly next to Anella. “Just the way… and the letter…. Its so…. So cold…” She found herself crying on Tallith’s shoulder. She rarely ever cried, but everything that had happened so far… The blood and the noise of the battlefield came back to her, filling every part of her body so that she couldn’t move. Tallith put a hand on her shoulder, whispering soft, soothing things and not really understanding it at all. It wasn’t so much fear as it was deep, cutting regret. That boy, whoever he had been, didn’t deserve to be killed and burned and have that one, emotionless letter left where his life had once been. What if she died now? Would anyone even care? What if anyone here had died that way? There were only nineteen of them. All of them could be killed so easily, and leave nothing more than dust behind. She felt like no ones memory. “I don’t understand it, I just don’t understand it,” The innkeeper said again and again. “Why would any sort of blueblood have any call to take my son from me like this?
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:31:10 GMT -5
“He’s not dead, he isn’t dead.” His daughter, Feara, told him furtively. “Why wouldn’t they leave the body, leave us something?” “He must have died defending something.” Laura said quietly, to no one in particular. “That’s always the way he’s been.” The inn keeper answered, sniffing loudly. “That gives my heart a little ease.” “I only wish there was something I could have done.” “Maybe there is, now.” He brightened slightly, “Please, come with me, just for a moment. I have something you may be able to use.” He started down the hall. Laura, unsure of what to think, trotted after him. Eventually, they came to a door at the very end of the hall. “Wait here well I get it for you.” The innkeeper said solemnly. Moments later he returned, bearing a long box. He opened it to reveal a beautiful sword. The handle was covered with pictures of the moon, and the pommel was a single star. “It was his.” “I couldn’t possibly take that from you. I’m sure it means a lot to you, and you don’t even know me.” “Bruce would have wanted this to stay in the hands of someone who could use it. I know you are as strong and brave as he was. If anyone can make this right, you can.” He placed the box in her hands. Numbly, she took it, every part of her tingling back to life at the same time. Someone was dead, probably because they had chosen to stay here. For a moment, the fault seemed for her alone to carry. Now the sword of the dead had become her burden too. ****
Markus paced back and forth, his feet crunching against the hay as he walked. He had headed to the stables as soon as he could. The smell of horses was very relaxing to him, and right now it was exactly what he needed. Bruce’s death had undoubtedly been his fault. If he hadn’t been so stupid, and misinterpreted the message, either he or Rose would have been awake to stop whoever it was. Maybe even both of them. No one had to die, but he had let it happen. How was he supposed to run a country, where even his smallest mistake could destroy the entire kingdom, not just a single life? Eclipse snorted, staring at the prince with big, equine eyes. Markus stroked her nose, grinning very slightly. “You’d never do anything like this, would you?” He asked the horse. She just blinked. If only he could ride away from here and just keep going, without ever looking back… Markus knew he could never do that. There was his kingdom, his parents and his sister to think of. There was Laura, and the Royalty of Everglade. He could almost hear his mother’s voice, telling him not to worry, that everyone makes mistakes. Maybe this was one that he could fix. The writing on the note had been Mary’s. If he found her, he would find the killer.
****
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:31:26 GMT -5
“Excuse me, Tallith; I have to run outside, just for a moment.” Anella said, giving him the most winning smile that she could. Tallith nodded sympathetically. “Of course, of course,” He said, patting her arm. “The fresh air will do you good, I’m sure. You aren’t going to be sick, are you?” “No, it’s not that. I just need to be alone, just for a minute.” “Call me if you need anything.” Tallith offered readily. Anella had never felt a larger sense of freedom than the one that came from seeing that door close behind her. She wondered if all men were as overpowering as Tallith was when they were trying to be comforting. Markus probably wasn’t, she’d seen him calm down Laura all the time. He was so nice about it. Sure, Tallith was trying to be nice, but he just never let up, not for a second. She could still feel his sweat clinging to her hand. “He has a bit of a crush on you,” Raythor said absently. Anella started. He always seemed to come out of no where. It had to have driven his parents crazy. “I guess he does. I can’t imagine why.” Anella said, still slightly taken aback. “They all think you’re pretty,” Raythor replied. “Really? They do?” “Tallith and Kaslon the blonde lover do, anyway.” “Oh,” Anella said, slightly disappointed. “When did you find this out?” “Right after you got shot.” Raythor, she realized, had been staring at the ground the entire time. “What are you looking for?” “Footprints, outside the most probable exit. If there are none, it suggests a professional killer, just like the note did, not a thrill seeking amateur.” Raythor frowned. “Dasher was right; this has to be someone working for Archer.” “How long have you been out here?” “Since last night, actually, after I found this.” He held out a slip of paper between two fingers and she took it, gingerly. “Someone was trying to kill you, too?” Anella said, brow furrowing. He nodded. “I’m unsure yet of why they chose not to kill me, but chose to kill Bruce. All that tells me is that they wanted me hidden, so that who ever they are working for would think I was dead.” “Didn’t Dasher say that Bruce was working for Lydrion?” Anella suggested, meekly. “Maybe, because he told Dasher all those things, they wanted to get rid of him.” “Why spare me, then?” “Maybe Bruce isn’t dead either.” “He would have had to fake both our deaths…” Raythor crossed his arms, thinking. That would have to mean that, whoever it was that ‘killed’ Bruce was on their side now, what ever that meant. Of course, why would a killer just leave a shirt? If they wanted to send a message, a dead body would make a much more powerful one. “Anella, did you see anything strange last night?” “Nothing, except you and Kylara. Mostly Kylara.” “She would be the second reason I’m hiding out here.” He said, half grinning. Anella laughed. “Close to the reason I came outside. Tallith won’t leave me alone, either.” “Anella! Anella, are you out there?” Tallith called from within. Raythor very nearly smiled, but he managed to retrain himself.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:31:55 GMT -5
“Tell him that you have a jealous boyfriend or something,” Raythor suggested, “Though I doubt that would stop him.” “I’m fine, Tallith. Don’t worry about me.” Anella answered sweetly. Softer, she said: “Could you help me escape?” “That happens to be the one thing I’m good at. Follow me.” Raythor just started walking, without waiting for her to answer or to move. He didn’t look back. Anella had to almost run to catch up to him, and she worried the whole time that Tallith was going to hear her. They skirted the side of the inn, winding around at the front door. He darted inside, and she followed. “Take the stairs, and you should be able to get back to your room without him seeing you. Tell him that you started crying, he’ll believe any excuse. Though he wouldn’t buy that one, if he actually knew you.” Raythor said quickly. “I guess not,” Anella said numbly. After her initial breakdown, she hadn’t cried again and she wasn’t going to. Raythor, of course, had no idea that she’d shed a single tear. “Thank you, Raythor. Is there anyway I can return the favor?” “Tell the innkeeper I’m dead.” He said flatly. Shortly, he was gone, and Anella found herself wishing, almost, that he’d stayed.
****
“I guess there was truly nothing we could do.” Markus said, voice hollow. Anella gazed over at him, resolving to tell him that she believed Bruce was still alive. This seemed to have hit him harder than most, for whatever reason. If she could help at all, she would. Rea had already done her part in improving the group’s moral by resolving to leave immediately, though perhaps it was more based on the fact blood made her nauseous. Laura wasn’t speaking to anyone, not even Markus. Not even she knew why Markus was so upset, and she wasn’t even trying to help him. Anella kept biting her lip, and glancing over at both of them. Maybe they’d been fighting, or something. Yet, the glint of Kenetari’s bracelet on Laura’s wrist made her think differently… Kylara, on the other hands, spent all of her time watching Raythor. The blood has been found outside his room, he had been hiding all day, and he had been pretending to be dead. She didn’t tell anyone, but she suspected Raythor had killed the inn keeper’s son. Yet, it almost fit in too perfectly with his other murders. Dasher had been over and over her list of human royals, with minimal help from Raythor. He just seemed even more listless than usual, and everything he said had been basic and poorly thought out. Yet, what he had just told her, about Bruce, had been almost like his old self. Maybe he was going to snap out of it after all. What mattered now wasn’t him; however, it was all those names. They had to mean something, and it was up to her to find it. Blade, Theo and Firelight acted stupefied and groggy for the rest of the day. Only Nightshade, who kept smiling to herself, knew why. Anella found herself closer to the four of them, as she kept guiding her horse away from Tallith. After all his overprotecting coddling, she really wasn’t so sure about him anymore. Dione was completely and totally undisturbed by all of this, and didn’t mind freely showing it.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:32:12 GMT -5
“Hey Raythor, since we’re both walking we can walk together!” “Thanks for the offer.” He said uncaringly. “Oh, I don’t mind.” Dione was already next to him, with the strangest look on her face. “You know, Raythor, you are rather attractive.” “If I am, which I sincerely doubt, I’ve never noticed.” “So modest, too.” “I think she likes you,” Rose chimed in, enjoying ever second of Raythor’s torment. “Bet you can never make him kiss you, Dione.” “Anella, does that offer still stand of riding that horse with you?” Raythor asked, a little desperately. He could see where this was going, and he didn’t like it. “Of course. Ranier wouldn’t mind at all.” Anella said passively. He swung up behind her, looking down at Dione and feeling safe. Without warning, she leaned up and kissed him full on the mouth. Raythor half jumped, half fell off the other side of the horse. “Dione, what the heck did you do that for?” He asked from the ground, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “I have the most horrible taste in my mouth now…” Something in Anella’s face seemed to change. After that, everything happened in a whirlwind. Anella grabbed the still laughing Dione’s hair and threw her to the ground. Dione got back up, swearing and drawing her sword. Anella pushed Ranier into a gallop, and Dione grabbed her own horse and thundered after the both of them. “You like Raythor, don’t you?” Dione screamed. “You couldn’t stand to have me kiss him, could you? You disgust me! You f****** whores disgust me! I could kill you right now, and not even care!” She slid off her horse, hitting the ground. Everyone watched in a stunned silence. “Can anyone tell me what just happened?” Markus asked, “Because none of that made any sense.” “Both Dione and Anella just went berserk and well… you caught that first part, right?” Rose said. She blamed herself, partially, for that whole affair, but she really hadn’t thought either of them would go through with it. “Anella’s still running, too.” “I’ll go get her.” Markus said. Eclipse’s hooves pounded away, Thunder barking at her heels. Not knowing what else to do, everyone else turned to Raythor. “Are you hurt?” Laura asked worriedly. “Not physically,” Raythor answered. He pulled out his flask, drank some, and started swishing it around in his mouth. Then he spit it out, and repeated the process a few more times. “That was foul. Really, really foul.” This made Kylara smile. She asked, with some amusement: “Was that your first kiss?” “No, second, actually.” “Then who was?” “I’ll tell you later. That’s a horrible story too.” Anella finally stopped her horse, and turned to see if Dione was still following her. Instead, she was not even on her horse anymore, and with a man who was not wholly unfamiliar. At first, they were kissing. Then they started yelling at each other. Anella wondered if this was all a dream. She certainly hoped so. Markus was next to her now, and his mouth was moving. The words floated to her out of a fog. “Can you hear me?” “Yes…yes, I think so.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:33:01 GMT -5
“Nobody’s mad, if you’re worried. Dione’s boyfriend is back out of the blue, so she’s calmed down too. I guess she’s been drunk this whole time…” “I lost my head back there.” “That happens to all of us. Once, when my father wouldn’t let me see Laura for a week, I smashed a pot on his foot. I don’t think he’s ever really forgiven me for it.” ‘Sweet of him,’ Anella thought dully, ‘to steer the conversation from me. He must know that’s what I wanted.’ Aloud, she said: “Why did he want to separate the two of you?” “Oh, he hates her. He also probably thinks I’m in love with her too. It would be like falling in love with my sister,” Markus said, smiling. Whenever he smiled, it was like his entire face smiled with it, especially his eyes. She glanced away. “I don’t think Bruce is really dead,” Anella said quietly. “If that’s what was bothering you, I mean. It’s not like it’s your fault, anyway, even if he is dead.” “Yes it is,” Markus said, without thinking. He didn’t say how big a weight that took off his chest, if it were true. There was no way she could know that. Anella looked up, eyebrows raised. “What do you mean?” “I guess it just seems like everything is my responsibility.” “You know, Markus, you really notice more than you think you do.” She said, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly. “You notice people. What they want, want they need. It’s really nice, that you just knew I wanted safe conversation.” “Wasn’t that obvious?” “It wouldn’t be to everyone. Take Tallith, for instance. He just kept asking me how I felt, over and over again, and not letting me forget that I broke down.” She shook her head, knowing she was getting carried away. “Markus, you just miss the physical things that happen around you, never the words. You really listen. That’s what is going to make a great king of you someday.” “A great king…” He said softly. “No one has ever told me that before.” “Not too many people really get to know you.” Anella said. “I mean, the real you.” She felt so much better, her head felt so much clearer. Slowly the fog was lifting. ****
“You know, everything horrifying seems to happen to us at night.” Rose said, twirling a lock of hair between her fingers. “This entire day was horrifying.” Raythor amended lazily. “Oh, you know you liked being kissed by Dione.” “Shut up, Rose. Just shut up.” “Stop it, you two,” Laura said half-heartedly. She poked at the fire with a stick. Thankfully, David and Kaslon had improved considerably at their fire making skills. “Do you suppose the beavers will attack tonight? I haven’t nearly enough baby’s breath.” Saria inquired, looking resolutely at no one. “I think we’re probably pretty safe from beavers.” Markus told her. His good humor had been restored, luckily for all those who didn’t want to humor Saria. “Foxes?” “Remember the flowers you gave me for my birthday? I’m sure the effect doesn’t wear off. I’m like a permanent fox repellant.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:33:19 GMT -5
“Than you really can’t go anywhere.” “Peace be with the dragon, as he flies to the moon…” Dasher whispered, thinking of Bruce, if he truly were dead. “Torn down so terribly by such a useless wound,” Blade finished. All five elementists started up sadly at the sliver of the moon. “What was all that?” Dione demanded. James, behind her, laughed. She glared at him. “Oh, it’s just that, in our country, we believe the souls of the dead become dragons and fly to the moon, to rest forever.” Dasher explained, stretching her toes. “So we sing our dead from earth to the sky, if they have died by another’s hand.” “Soldier’s, murder victims, spies,” Firelight listed, “Stuff like that. The moon is a symbol of death, to us.” Laura’s grip tightened on the sword box in her lap. Sword of the stars, blade of the dead… She hoped, more desperately than ever, that Bruce was still alive.
****
Raythor looked back one final time at all the sleeping forms he was leaving behind. Thunder tugged at his legs, but he gently shoved him off. “Thunder, I told you, this can’t be helped. This is just another move, like any other.” Raythor whispered fiercely. Silent as a ghost, he walked into the woods. He didn’t turn his head back again until the others were out of sight, and he was totally surrounded by trees. It already felt like miles, like years. His emotions were torturing him, but his face was impassive, still a blank mask. He started off again, to find himself staring into morning gray eyes. Faint glowing silver shone from those eyes, and from the figures entire body. “Anella? What are you doing out here?” “I followed you. I wanted to find out where exactly you go.” She said playfully. Then her heart sank. Raythor was carrying everything he owned with him. “Are you… leaving us?” “I have no choice.” “What are you talking about?” “It’s complicated.” “That doesn’t matter.” “Anella…” He tried to walk around her, but she matched his movements easily. “At least give me some sort of excuse, anything really.” “The truth is that I can’t get attached to anyone. I’m starting to care about what happens to all of you.” “How is that a bad thing?” “You don’t understand.” “You won’t let me.” “I can’t tell you.” “It’s not like we’ll hate you. Of course you can tell me.” For once, she wasn’t backing down. This shy girl of silver… Raythor brought the ice back into his voice. “Why does this even matter to you? I’m nothing to you, and I’m nothing to them.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:33:38 GMT -5
“You’re not nothing.” Anella said, though her voice had faded back to its normal soft tones. “You have no idea who I am. Go back to all those people who care whether or not you live or die.” “I’m not… I’m not…” “Going to pull away again?” His voice became taunting, inescapable. “You always do that when you’re scared, Anella. You lose yourself in that white, overpowering fear. It’s a panic reflex, you know. An animal reflex.” “What are you-?” “Just fade away into your own separate reality. Pretend this isn’t happening. I don’t need you, or anyone else.” “You’re not alone anymore.” Anella said softly, meekly. She crumbled under his words, disintegrated into nothing in those deep blue eyes… “You like Raythor, don’t you?” Her mind taunted. Yet, something in his expression had changed at her last words. “What?” Raythor said, all the ice melting away. “You’re not alone anymore.” She repeated. She felt the strength returning to her, filling her up and clearing her head. He had to have been desperate, to attack her like that. He hadn’t wanted any of this, she reassured herself. “We’re all here for you now, no matter where you came from. I’m here for you.” Raythor closed his eyes, fighting a difficult mental battle. He had promised himself… but this was different than when he had first admitted to Kylara who he really was. This was a new, much more powerful weakness, and it was one that he couldn’t fight. “I’ve been hiding something from you.” He said finally.
Chapter Twenty-One
Karian Killer
Anella was terrified of him now. Raythor hadn’t tried to defend himself, make excuses, even put too much emphasis on what he called the “slim chance he was innocent”. He explained away his memory loss as guilt, and found a way around every little objection she could come up with. It was as though he’d spent his entire life rehearsing. The end result, of course, was meant to hang him. At first, Anella hadn’t wanted to listen. Then every word Raythor had said the night before came back to her, biting deep into her flesh… In both cases, his words were all too convincing, his voice a perfect monotone, his expression blank. Eventually, she forced herself to focus on his eyes, which held the only true trace of life left in him, reminding her of the boy she thought she knew. When the sun rose, Raythor calmly explained it the same way to everyone else. Anella could not bear to hear it again. She wandered away, and found herself staring numbly into the water of a small river. Raythor had killed his parents. Raythor had slit their throats, watched them die, and let his memory erase everything. She couldn’t even
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:33:53 GMT -5
cry. It was all so surreal. Images from her own memory swirled and danced before her eyes, mixing with river’s flow. “I’m sorry you had to be the first one to go through that.” Markus said, very softly. He and Dasher had come out to find Anella, and the both of them looked a little dazed. “Why? Because I’m so weak?” Anella snapped uncharacteristically. “Of course not. You’re not weak at all.” “Yes I am. I’m weak, and I’m afraid, and that’s never going to change.” “Did he tell you that?” Markus asked. She didn’t answer him. He put a hand on her shoulder. “Answer me, Anella. Did he tell you that?” “No…” She said, averting her eyes from his face. “He never called me weak.” “Raythor couldn’t have done it.” Dasher interrupted her tone very matter-of-fact. “What?” Markus said, brow furrowed. “I just told you, it’s not possible.” “Anyone could have done it, if you really think about it. Why not him?” “I presume you heard how the murder was committed, correct?” “I think we all did.” “And yet you don’t understand?” “No, not at all.” “Fine,” Dasher said, rolling her eyes. “Then I guess I’ll have to spell it out for you. Raythor said, and all stories apparently agree, according to Kylara anyway, that his parent’s throats were slit. The key here is the mirror; because it was broken it proves that there was a struggle involved. The sheer amount of the blood on the back of his head proves the same point, though what there was on his hands can be argued either way.” “And?” “It’s nearly impossible to slit the throat of a moving target, particularly if they are fighting back. Raythor was seven years old at the time. There was no way that he could have detained either of his parents long enough to kill them. He would have had to attack them in another place, and wait for them to bleed enough for him to finish them, which doesn’t seem likely, or-” “Raythor’s innocent.”
****
“Don’t tell me you really believe that Raythor’s innocent.” Blade said, yawning slightly. “Raythor doesn’t think he’s innocent, why the hell should you?” “If you think my emotions are getting in the way of my judgment, just don’t.” Dasher replied irritably. “As much as it would… distress me to think that such an intelligent human as Raythor is a killer, I really did think all this through. Logically, it is not possible.” “Logic very rarely comes into a passion driven killing. Maybe his parents did something terrible to him. Maybe he’s crazy.” “Than wouldn’t he have killed one of us before now? The only one who has died while we were with him was that innkeeper boy, and he may not even be dead.” Her ears went back. She didn’t want to bring up how much logic made Raythor the obvious murderer in that death as well.
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