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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 18:50:52 GMT -5
“Do you really have that many nightmares?” Jack asked. He was brushing a horse, and had been humming up until that moment. Laura really liked how cheerful he was. He was always humming or singing when he worked, even after they’d come home after three months on the battlefield. Even when she, Ross and Markus had spent the majority of their time in a sad, numbed silence. Markus was even being hailed as “Everglade’s good luck charm” by all the servants in the castle, as they hadn’t lost a single battle when they were on the front. The prince had been taking this in stride, waving and flashing his fake “prince smile” whenever it was brought up but she knew he had started drinking when he was alone. She didn’t even want to think about how Ross had been acting lately. “I have a fair amount. I have since I was little. I don’t know if I’d call them that, though.” Laura kept restringing her bow as she thought about it. “They aren’t so much what you’d consider nightmarish images. Just… wolves. Abnormal wolves doing various relatively normal things. I don’t know why they affect me the way they do.” “They are fighting…” “I’ve had them since I was little.” “Laura…” Jack moved behind her, put his arms around her waist. “Are you sure you’re really fine? Because you keep telling me that but… you haven’t been acting fine. I’m worried about you.” Laura set down the bow, a shudder running through her entire body. She felt exhausted, heavy, and just wrong inside. She hated waking up feeling like that, hated knowing that Markus got drunk when he thought no one was looking, when he thought no one could tell, hated that Ross didn’t really seem to laugh anymore. “No. I’m not fine.” “Well, you have the right not to be, sweetheart. We’ve all been through a lot lately.” “Don’t worry, Jack. I’m going to be fine. I’m a knight in training, I will see battle again and I will see it through. Everyone’s first battle it traumatic.” She laced her fingers through his. “Why are you so very composed about it?” “Because that wasn’t my first battle. Didn’t I ever tell you I’d been to war before?” He put his chin on her shoulder. “It was in that little skirmish a few years ago, between just Everglade and Dragoon. I don’t know why the dogs keep coming back for more beatings but they always do.” “Right before you came to work here?” “Exactly.” Jack had been twelve then. She couldn’t even imagine drawing blood, imaging killing another human being at that age. She was having so many difficulties with it right now it was actually horrifying. Laura turned in his arms so she could hug him properly. He chuckled softly, hugging her against him. “You’re right, though, Laura, it does get better. You learn to live with it anyway.” “You did, it seems.” Laura kissed him before she nestled her head against his chest. “I wish I could be as cheerful as you are.” “Hey, I happen to like you just the way you are. Well… I’d prefer you fine then fake fine of course, but all I want is Laura. Promise.” “Jack-” She began. Laura cut off quickly. There was a tall, pale girl standing in the doorway of the barn. Her eyes were hollow pits of blue, like they weren’t even the eyes of a living woman, and the corners of her too red lips were turned up very slightly.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 18:56:55 GMT -5
Her black hair swept over her shoulder in an unkempt wave and her tunic and leggings clung to and hung off her body in a way that suggested she was just a little too skinny for her own good. Laura had the instinct to let go of Jack, draw her bow, and shoot until her quiver was empty. Instead she stayed exactly where she was. “Are you Elaura Glasswater?” The girl asked. The little turn in her lips twitched very slightly. “Yes, I am.” She stepped forward in front of Jack “Do you need me for something?” “I do, but not at this moment.” She drew her sword. Behind Laura, Jack gasped. “I just need you to say yes when I need you to say yes.” “Stop speaking in riddles and put that down. I’m a soldier of Everglade and I command it.” Laura raised her bow, pointed it at the girl’s chest. “I’ll get to the point- I’m going to kill your boyfriend.” “Like hell you are.” Jack flipped a pitchfork into his hand and pointed at her as well, a half amused little smirk on his face aimed Laura’s way. “What’s to stop me from shooting you right here, right now?” Laura asked coldly. “Your ridiculous sense of honor,” the dark girl retorted. She took a step closer and Laura fired, sending an arrow straight through the girl’s shoulder. She kept coming, like some sort of monster, without flinching at all. Surprised, Laura fired wild again and hit the dark girl in the left arm. “Very nice.” She pulled both arrows out and tossed them away. “But not quite good enough.” Laura felt something inside of her shift, like it had started to decay, and she dropped to the floor. She couldn’t seem to move, couldn’t even seem to raise her head. No matter how much she struggled she couldn’t budge an inch. There was a clanging of weaponry as the dark girl’s sword and Jack’s pitchfork clashed together. Jack actually held his own for a long time before she disarmed him and stabbed him straight through the chest. Laura felt a faint cry escape her lips and she kept trying to move, gaining only a tighter and tighter grip on her weapon and a trickle of blood running off her chin from her chewed lip. The dark girl drew her sword from Jack’s body, dropping him to the ground. Then she came back to Laura, lifting up her chin. “Someday, you’re going to understand all this but it isn’t going to make you any happier.” She stepped back and disappeared into a flash of light. Laura was flung to her feet so fast she stumbled. She kept going anyway and dropped hard to her knees at Jack’s side, forcing pressure on his chest with her palms. She was not a healer. She was, for lack of a better term, a very untrained combat medic. She used anything she had around however she could and right now… she had nothing within reach. Her hands were her best and only option if she wanted to stop this bleeding now. “Jack, talk to me please, I need you to stay with me.” “I… think she… got my…” Jack winced. Laura finished in her head, with silent horror, “lungs.” With this much blood this fast, he was probably right. Whoever that girl was, she had struck to kill. He looked exactly as the wolf in the mirror had said he would. “Just stay with me, alright Jack? Stay with my voice, don’t go to sleep.” Laura pushed down harder into the squishy, wet mass that was currently passing for his skin. Jack nodded weakly. Then his eyes widened and he turned to the side, vomiting blood. Laura felt her eyes water and she shifted position to start applying pressure again. It was
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 18:57:22 GMT -5
getting hard to see through the mist of her tears. The injury was identical to the one the wolf had shown to her… Jack looked up at her with bleary eyes, his breathing shallow. He reached up his hand and she took it, holding it to her face. The first tear fell and he shook his head. “Hey… I’m going out like a hero, right?” His voice was weak and clearly painful to use. “That’s what everyone wants, to die saving their princess...” “I’m not a princess,” Laura said softly. “You are to me. You always were.” He smiled and his breathing slowed. Laura bent and kissed him, ignoring the taste of iron in her mouth and the rapid increase of her own tears. She kept kissing him until he died.
****
“Come on, Anella. Don’t you want to dance?” Kayle Windflora beckoned to her friend, ornaments bobbing in her light auburn hair. Anella shook her head, drawing closer to the wall. “N-no thank you. Not y-yet.” She traced the rim of her glass with her finger, keeping her gray green eyes down. Kayle put on a pouting expression but left her alone. Eventually, when she was sure she was alone again with her cider, Anella raised her head. Kayle seemed to have rebounded from the rejection almost instantly and was flirting with some rich boy. Lady Kayle tended to have a one track mind, but she was all Anella had by the way of friends. Well… not all, but certainly the nicest of the lot. Her other companions were on the complete other side of the room, ignoring her existence. Anella sighed, wishing she weren’t quite so shy. Even the thought of speaking to a man terrified her. “Are you sure you do not wish to dance?” A tall boy, not much older than her own fifteen years, had appeared next to her soundlessly. Anella jumped, blushing, and did her best to look at him. He had strange scruffy black hair that seemed almost deep gray despite his youth, coffee colored skin, and black eyes that registered despite her fixation on his nose. “A-are you a-asking m-me?” Anella stuttered. “Would you object if I were?” The tall boy asked, holding out a hand. Scarcely believing it, Anella took his hand and let him lead her. No one had ever asked her to dance before, or really even spoken to her, at these fancy parties Kayle dragged her to. Now she was dancing with a perfect stranger. “May I ask your name?” He said, looking with amusement at her better dressed, richer but partner-less friends. “Anella Nightheart.” “I am Bryant. Bryant Ghosttail.” He looked at her expectantly, like his last name should trigger something. She just blinked. “That’s a n-nice name.” “It is Lainan,” he said. He gave her a very strange smile. Anella tried to return it and keep focusing on his nose rather than his eyes at the same time. “Can you help me?” “W-what?” “We are alike, are we not? Beneath the moon?” Bryant held her hand a little tighter.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 18:57:39 GMT -5
Anella sharply took in breath. Beneath the moon? How could he know about that unless…? “Are we r-related?” She asked finally. Bryant looked relieved. “Far more than the others here.” He started leading her again and she blindly followed. Kayle was staring at Anella incredulously as the door shut behind the pair. Anella didn’t have time to process that before the silver light hit her skin. Bryant let go of her hand and suddenly she was looking into his eyes then the top of his head… then his… pointed ears? Anella jumped back, looking for the small knife she usually kept at her side. She couldn’t find it amongst the folds of her fancier dress. “What is wrong?” Bryant looked up at her over his canine snout. “I know you are most likely a Light, due to your strange glow, but surely we are both in danger. I felt that we could put element aside.” The same human voice came from the wolf-like face. He was the same color as his hair had been, and his eyes were still black, but that didn’t change the fact he was no longer human. Purple lined bat wings were folded on his back and the symbol of a purple circle engulfed by a black flame rested on his forehead. One gold ring pierced through his right ear, a chain with an animal claw hung from his neck, and a golden snake wound around his left leg. Of course, Anella was mostly staring at this scythe like tail, which was framed with skin rather than wood, and had a notch in the middle of the blade. It was eye catching, to say the least. “Anella?” “W-what are you?” She asked. Bryant sighed. “Of course, you are merely a magically gifted human. I should have known. I, my lady, am the prince of Lakita, Blade Ghosttail, and naturally a Shadow elementist. Perhaps you have heard of desert wolves?” “But those aren’t r-real,” Anella said. She somehow felt very calm. She just didn’t believe that he was going to hurt her. “I am. What does that tell you?” Blade’s ears went back with what she assumed was amusement. “Now that you have seen me… can you help me?” “What do y-you n-need? H-how were y-you human?” “Every full moon my kind has the option of becoming human for the remainder of the night. The breed I thought was yours, Light- they may shape shift whenever they choose.” He studied her silver tinted skin curiously but did not comment. “Can you help me heal my wing?” He extended one folded bat wing and she gasped at the massive tear in the skin. Anella thought instantly that she should be afraid or surprised or confused… but she was worried about him instead. She was going to help. “I could try to sew it back together.” Anella tentatively touched the wound. Blade gave her a grateful look. “Then I am in your debt.”
Chapter Two
Just Before Dawn
“Get up,” the dark girl snarled. She kicked at his ribs. “God damn you, get up.” “Patience, Vera. Getting up after being beaten so badly takes some work, you know.” The boy smirked, rising to his feet and holding up his arms in mocking surrender. “Alright, back to business. Go for the ribs again, huh?” “Shut up.” She hit him hard in the gut. He coughed, laughing at her. “Don’t call me Vera. Never call me Vera.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 18:59:46 GMT -5
“Sorry, your majesty. Kenetari.” He bowed deeper, as though his doubling over had been planned. “Of course, you are now and always have been Kenetari Whitestar.” She kicked him in the shins until he dropped to the ground. “I kneel before my queen.” He spread his arms again, still laughing, and Kenetari drew her sword. She whipped around when a hand touched her shoulder, ocean blue eyes narrowed. “What?” “Kenetari, let’s go.” Lydrion Archer stared at her bloodied knuckles. He blew at his messy brown hair; it nearly always covered his maroon eyes, and let out a long sigh. “I suppose you had another argument with Orpheus.” She put her hand beneath his chin affectionately. “Just a little one.” She turned her head. The boy, bruises, broken bones, and all, was gone as though he had never been there. Kenetari looked back at her boyfriend and stroked his face. “Nothing to worry about.” “Just don’t lose control now that we’re so close,” he said. Lydrion put his hand over hers, staring her straight in the eyes as he sunk his nails into her flesh. “Especially over a figment of your imagination.” “I could never disappoint you.” Her jaw set a little. Though he was one of the few on this earth who held any sway over her actions, provoking her was still a very dangerous thing to do. She had never physically hurt him before and hoped never to have to, but God would not even be able to locate his pieces in order to damn him if he pushed it. “I will not lose control until the last memory of who I was is gone.” “And so it shall be.” Lydrion released his grip on her hand, repeating under his breath: “And so it shall be…”
****
Markus looked blankly up at the setting sun. It had just started to rain, but even that much was enough to slow down the usual bustle of the castle. He sighed, leaning back on the tree in the center of the courtyard that was unofficially his. There was just a week left until his seventeenth birthday. Until his wedding. He hadn’t been able to think about anything but that for days and a larger and larger part of him just wanted to get it over with. A series of giggling made him refocus his eyes. A whole host of maids were going by, all of them stealing a glance at him. Most of them ran to their destination, fingers splayed, hands covering their heads. A few slowed down, blushed and continued giggling as they continued their snail’s pace of a journey across the courtyard. Only one person stopped, regarding him blankly. Laura’s light brown hair was clinging to her face, the colored ribbon that bound her hair into a low ponytail bleeding blue onto her white tunic. She had, as always, her bow and quiver at her back and her wrist guards on and ready. If she has been a soldier before, she had become one even more fully in the year since Jack had died. “Hello Laura.” He smiled. “Do you plan to stay out here long?” She aimed a pointed glance at the tree. “I don’t know yet. Maybe.” “You’ll be struck by lightning.” “It’s not close enough, I counted.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 19:03:12 GMT -5
“How very scientific.” She sat in her hip, clearly not intending to move. The castle lit up in far apart flashes behind her, shining almost silver instead of its usual flat gray. He’d probably be out here awhile. It was hard to come by anything this interesting to stare at most days. “Laura, as my body guard, you aren’t expected to protect me from the weather. That’s a little above and beyond the call of duty.” Laura cracked a smile. “I’m sorry. I’m just a little nervous. It’s a big responsibility, being personally selected to protect Everglade’s heir, and I don’t want anything to happen to you.” She chuckled a little. “For a lot of reasons, of course, but being your body guard just makes the possibility that something bad will happen to you feel more real. Besides, I know Ross doesn’t take it seriously. One of us should.” “You’re going to be great at it, I promise you. You’ve been saving me from hurting myself since we met.” Markus happily noted the slightly wider smile on her face. He liked when she used more than just her little smiles and some days they were hard as hell to get out of her. “And, well, Ross is Ross. Are you really surprised?” “No, not really…” She sighed, shaking her head. “He’s been flirting with the new maids all week. I think I heard him invent a tragic tale about how he’s an orphan in the hallway the other day. I really don’t know how he gets so many girlfriends.” “I try not to think about it much.” They stayed quiet for a minute. Markus eyes ran over her lips; saw how frayed and bloody they were. He hated that how torn they were was at least partially his fault. His fingers drifted to the scar beneath his eye, the only physical one the war had left behind. “Thank you for agreeing to be in my wedding. It means a lot that you convinced my father to let you.” “Of course, Markus. You’re my best friend.” Laura pushed the wet hair from her face, looking away. “There was no way I wasn’t going to be there for you.” “I know. You’re mine too and… that isn’t going to change.” “I can’t see why it would.” She fidgeted. “I’m soaking so I’ll see you later. Please don’t stay out here two long?” “Promise,” Markus assured. She mouthed rather than spoke a good bye and he nodded. He watched her until she disappeared from view, something in his insides dropping heavily. Then he turned and started into the rain. It was heavy now. So blinding even the flashes of light, growing ever closer, didn’t seem to light up the castle. There were so many things they weren’t saying to each other and he couldn’t bring himself to change that. There was one thing he knew he could never say at all.
Laura put her hand gently on the cold stone and stood, face against the arch of the doorway, watching her prince. Markus couldn’t see her any longer, but she was glad of that. He would only tell her she was worrying too much, that she didn’t trust him enough. He just didn’t understand that losing anyone else, especially some as important to her as him, would send her back into the blackness of Jack’s death. It was something she had only escaped with Markus’s help and she could not do it again without it. She would become nothing but the perfect soldier without him around to keep her human. So she was a little overprotective. She didn’t see why she should be so blamed for that. Laura let out a sigh. She could see him clearly, out there in the rain, but in her mind’s eye she could see him too. He was a young boy in her memory, smiling and
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 19:03:29 GMT -5
laughing; gray eyes alight and full of hope. She turned her face away. It was silly to watch him like this, it was just a storm. Laura balled her fists and headed into the castle. “Hey, beautiful,” Ross said. He was leaning against the wall of the hallway, smirking at her. “Watching Markus again?” “Doing my job, Ross. It’s yours too,” she retorted. “The giant stone walls of this castle are kind of taking my shift for me, Laur. I’ll get right back on task next time he actually gets out of this place.” “There are always enemies within.” “I trust every living thing in this castle. Ghosts would be bad, but that seems to be under control right now too. I’m doing a great job.” “It comforting to know you haven’t changed since we were little Ross.” Laura brushed past him. Ross fell into step beside her. “I’m just kidding. You don’t have to be so serious; I’ll defend Markus with my life the second I have to. We’re like brothers. Brothers who aren’t related at all.” “I know you’re kidding.” Laura let out a sigh, mostly aimed at herself. “I’m just a little tense.” “Want a backrub? Lie down, take off that tunic, I’ll make you feel all better.” “That was a weak one; you’ve done so much better.” She shook her head. “Sorry, I used all my charm up on the new crop of maids.” He adopted a dreamy look on his face. “That’s great, Ross,” she said dryly. Ross seemed to have pulled himself out his melancholy somehow. Laura was happy for him. He’d gone to Carina right after Jack’s death, overwhelmed by everything, and come back an outcast from his family for reasons he had never explained. He’d just moved into the castle permanently after that and apparently never looked back. She just wished his happiness didn’t have to manifest itself with so much flirting and, for girls who were not herself, more than that. “I knew you’d think so,” Ross said. “I always do.” “Hey, by the way…” “Hm?” “How much of this stress of yours is due to Markus getting married?” Laura glanced back at him. “None.” “Are you sure?” “If there is any, it’s because royal weddings are ridiculous. All glam and glitz and no love. There couldn’t be anything more stupid in the world.” “Really?” Markus stood dripping in the doorway. “Because my parents are taking it rather seriously.” “Man, you made good time. This is like the other side of the castle,” Ross commented. Laura colored. “Do you disagree with me then?” “I’m going to be married afterwards so it could certainly be more ridiculous.” He had a teasing smile on his face. Markus shook himself off like a wet dog, and Ross held up his hands, laughing. “I pretty much have to take it seriously.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 19:04:02 GMT -5
“Well I still think the way royalty goes about obtaining peace is stupid. You’ll be married to someone you’ve never met your whole life to cause a treaty to be signed in under five minutes.” “We do it to make the peace last a life time too.” “Does make all the shiny dresses any less pointless?” “Don’t you mean stupid?” “Yes. Your stupid wedding with those stupid, stupid shiny dresses.” “I might just agree with you on that part. I’m just a little better at hiding it.” Markus flashed his blank, diplomatic smile that meant he really didn’t mean it. They’d gotten closer and closer while they were talking- she wasn’t sure she could call it arguing- and she could feel his breath on her face. He didn’t have to be so God damn attractive, it wasn’t really fair to the rest of them. “You two want to get a room?” Ross crossed his arms. “Ross!” They said in unison. Laura took several steps back and Markus stood up straight. “The world does not revolve around sexual tension,” Laura said, when she composed herself. “And there is none between Markus and me, correct Markus?” “None at all. Besides, all I need is Princess Rose. She is my one and only love.” Markus messed up Ross’s hair, to his extreme distress, and started up the stairs to his room.
****
The rain died down as true night set in. Though Rose had been riding for hours, she did not rest her mount nor slow her pace. Her family didn’t know where she was or why she had left, not really. She’d told them she had promised to visit Ketra one final time and go nowhere else. Really it was only a little white lie. Besides, it was her parent’s fault for keeping her cooped up for so long. Rose had never really been on her own before either, and that thought had been keeping her going strong for a long time. Now the streets of this little village were deserted and her childhood fear of the dark set in, threatening to drown her. If she stopped now, any courage she had left would just disappear so she urged her tired horse to a canter. The mare’s hooves made a deafening noise against the stone path and she let the noise drown out all else, leaning into the horse’s neck. Gradually, Violet’s pace fell back to where it had been before, and then sunk lower and lower until the two of them stopped completely. Rose wound her fingers in Violet’s mane, heart beating at a breakneck speed. The echo of hoof beats was replaced by footsteps and she felt as though her heart would burst. She tried to force Violet onward again but the mare would not budge. The horse gazed back at her plaintively, letting out a rush of air from her nostrils. Rose nodded with understanding, feeling her throat burn. Violet just couldn’t go any farther. A figure approached them both, obscured by the blackness and the mist of the rain. Violet took one more much labored step just as a white hand reached out and touched Rose’s shoulder. The princess let loose a piercing scream. “Shh, Rose. Do you want to wake up the entire village?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 19:07:10 GMT -5
“Ketra!” Rose practically fell off her horse, landing hard but upright. “I thought I’d never find you!” “Well you have now, haven’t you?” Ketra said briskly. It was barely a question. Rose always had been comforted by her friend’s straight forward nature. Standing side by side, the two could almost have been sisters. Granted, Ketra was taller, quite the spitting image of her father, and she had his hard blue eyes, ones that made Rose’s green ones look tame and docile by comparison. The princesses were both redheads, however, and the dull copper of Rose’s locks was more than made up for by Ketra’s fiery hair. The older girl reached up to pat Violet. “Poor girl. She must be exhausted.” “She can barely move,” Rose agreed. “Is it far?” “Shouldn’t be more than a ten minute walk. Katherine?” Ketra waved her hand at her handmaid. “Take Violet and go on ahead. See that she is well taken care of.” Katherine obeyed quickly. Ketra looked behind Rose curiously. “Where are your servants?” “I lost them a few towns back.” Rose put on a mischievous smile. Ketra laughed slightly. “Come on, then. It’s this way.” She took the still shaking Rose’s hand and started leading her away. Ketra talked at her first, until she had caught her breath enough to respond. The conversation, of course, instantly drifted to Markus. Ketra had kept un-paralleled tabs on her baby brother’s actions since the day she had left Imperia and Rose, if no one else, was grateful for it. She wanted as much information as she could get on her future husband in her remaining week of freedom. Something cold stretched across her neck and fingers took a tight grip of her ponytail. “Hey princess,” a voice rasped in her ear, “keep quiet and give me all the money you’ve got.” Rose froze completely, trying to steady her quickening breath. Ketra, who just seemed annoyed, detached her purse from her belt and held it out. “She has no money on her. Now get your filthy, unpleasant selves out of my face,” Ketra snarled. The man smiled, shaking his head. All around him, men came out of the darkness and circled the two girls, knives drawn. “I’m afraid you’ll be coming with us, ladies. You’re worth quite a bit of money. It was cute you’d thought I’d just let you go, though.” He started to drive Rose forward. “Seris!” A man in the front of the circle waved his arms frantically. Rose felt, strangely enough, like laughing. She had to be so terrified that she wasn’t thinking clearly. “What,” Seris, eyes narrowed stared down his underlying, “is it Gaynen?” “There’s a-” “Let them go.” Another masculine voice said from behind Rose. She felt Seris tense up. “Take your knife away from my neck, scum. This prey is mine.” “Surely the great bandit king would never refuse a fight. After all, it’s well known you never lose.” The boy’s voice became mocking. Rose could hear Seris making sounds that resembled growls in her ear. “What’s the challenge, filth?” Seris managed to get out in intelligible words. “A one on one battle with me, the worthless scum. If I win, you set them free. If I lose, kill me. Go ahead and draw it out, too, I feel like it would really make your day.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 19:21:16 GMT -5
“Are you insane?” Rose burst. Seris drew the blade closer to her neck and she gasped slightly. He fell silent for a moment and Rose guessed that meant he was considering it. They were both completely crazy, clearly. “I accept. If you’re stupid enough to think you can best the greatest there is, then you deserve to die,” The bandit king said finally. The boy didn’t respond but Seris carefully pulled the blade against Rose’s neck away. She sharply took in breath and side stepped away. As she regained her bearing and an important part of her sanity, which has been claimed by fear, she got her first look at her potential savior. Typically, she supposed, of a random thief he was dressed in a black tunic with the only “color” in the tan of his pants and protruding white collar and white sleeves of his undershirt. His hair, black as well, blended in with the sky almost perfectly and his pale, ghostly skin was a stark contrast. He had the most intense blue eyes as well. They were so light, so focused on his even scruffier opponent, that she almost forgot that he wasn’t a fair haired knight in shining armor. Well, at least it gave her a little hope, because this guy was so clearly going to be dismembered by Seris. The sound of metal crashing together jolted her back to reality. Every bandit in the circle watched as sparks flew and weapons crashed, reflecting silver death in Rose’s eyes. Neither of them seemed to give an inch at first and then Seris took advantage of a particularly wide swing and cut deeply into the dark haired boy’s shoulder. The younger man didn’t flinch, didn’t make a sound. He just kept fighting, taking advantage of Seris’s surprise to attack the bandit’s chest. First, he cut a deep gash and then quickly changed the position of his sword gloved hand so he could drive the blade into Seris’s body. Without showing any sign of expression, he added the pressure of his second hand to his sword’s pommel and finally leaned forward all the weight of his body as Seris sunk to his knees from the pain. Rose had never seen anyone killed before. The silence around her was deafening, and it allowed her to stare and stare at the dying man. Eventually, all of him went limp and the light left his blurry brown eyes. His blood stopped flowing onto the road and tracing little red rivers through the divides in the stone… It was only then that the boy took his sword from Seris’s chest and plunged it into the earth beside his body. She didn’t understand why until he withdrew it and it shown again, perfectly clean. As it clicked into his sheath, Seris’s men scurried forward to collect the body before disappearing with their deceased leader like a pack of rats. “There,” the dark haired boy said simply. He held up his hand and a blonde girl walked out from one of the alleyways. She rolled her very blue eyes. “He means you’re welcome,” the blonde girl said. Ketra, apparently unbothered by all of this, picked up her dropped purse and held it in the boy’s direction. He shook his head. “You owe me nothing.” “Then at least tell us your name,” Rose begged. Her veins were fairly pulsing with adrenaline after everything that had happened. Normally she would diplomatically thank this rumpled boy or at least attempt to, wrinkle her nose at the blood and promptly leave. Her unusual hero, however, had piqued her interest. “Raythor,” he said. At that, his companion looked up hopefully. Rose raised an eyebrow. The corner of his mouth twitched. “Raythor Carpenter. Revel in that, Dash, you finally know my last name.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 19:22:18 GMT -5
“I’m Juliet Shine.” The girl nodded. Then her nose wrinkled. “Carpenter? That is so anti-climactic. I was expecting something either really bloody or really embarrassing. That is just boring.” “You can call me Raythor Stashface if you really want to.” He shrugged. “Raythor Bloody Stashface. The third.” “You’re so bizarre sometimes, do you know that Raythor?” “I’m Princess Rose of Bloodroot.” She interrupted, not particularly fond of being ignored. She had, mercifully in her opinion, shortened her name considerably. “And there has to be some way we can thank you, Raythor.” “I told you, you owe me nothing,” he repeated insistently. Unconsciously, his hand went to his injured shoulder and his eyes flicked with pain. Ketra smiled at Rose knowingly. “We’re the reason for that, we’ll clean it up,” the older princess said. She adopted her this-is-not-a-two-sided-argument expression. Raythor opened his mouth again but Juliet shoved him forward. “Come on, Raythor Carpenter. Let’s go mooch some real food off a couple of princesses.”
****
Anella had always loved watching the sunrise. She had done so every morning since she was very little so she could catch the colors of the sky before she went off to take care of the horses. Somehow, it seemed more glorious than most today. She supposed it was the way the sun was glowing through the drizzling, gray clouds like nothing was going to stop it from shedding its light. No one had ever told her that her eyes were very nearly that color. She leaned her head against her stallion’s neck with a sigh. Anella stoked his mane and, for a second, it was as though they were connected, breathing in unison, seeing the same picture through the same pair of eyes. She barely felt the rain then, barely heard it fall… “Anella! Come on, Anella! The lord Edward is here!” Kayle, arms waving enthusiastically, rushed toward her. Her bright brown eyes were shining. Anella managed a little smile. Kayle insisted on keeping Anella updated on all her latest love interests, and they changed frequently. Anella listened patiently and, most of the time, she was happy to live vicariously through Kayle’s ultimately tragic love stories, but lately… “I’m coming, Kayle. I’ll meet you at the house,” Anella assured. Kayle nodded happily and left again. She looked back toward the sky. Anella wasn’t rich or titled. Her friendships came from loose connection to nobles on her mother’s side. It seemed like, in order to matter, she had to be everything she wasn’t. The only thing Kayle envied was that Anella would get to marry for love and Anella herself almost wished for an arranged marriage. She was just so shy… “Anella, I know that look. You have really got to devise a way to get out of here for a little while.” Blade landed beside her, paws sliding in the grass. He yawned, stretching his wings. The care Anella had given to him a year ago had made them friends and, occasionally, he visited. Lately he had been pushing for her to accompany him to Lakita, even though she was human. He felt like she needed some sort of change that badly.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 19:22:58 GMT -5
“I’m fine, Blade. Don’t worry.” She knelt and scratched his ear, which he submitted to with only slight reluctance. “I like my life.” “I suppose that is fair. I do have to ask you for a bit of an imposing favor.” “You’re never any trouble.” “My country is at war. It was determined the safest place for me would be with you. The Lights will not search for me here in this human country. I was hoping to stay with you for a more extended period than you are accustomed to.” “Again, that’s no trouble at all.” Anella took Ranier’s reins and started leading him forward. Blade padded after him. “I’m sorry to hear that your country is at war, though. I faintly remember the Carinian war and I know a lot of people died. My cousin did. I just… hope you don’t lose anyone.” “Thank you,” Blade’s voice filled with warmth. “This war will be over in no time though, I know it. Lights and Shadows have been fighting off and on for centuries, and this is no more than a skirmish over a missing princess. My parents are just erring on the side of caution.” “What do your parents think of you coming here?” “Humans are rather an abstract idea to them. I do not believe they know how to feel. I think my brother has a theory I am actually visiting a lady love somewhere.” “It still seems strange to think that humans are the myths in Lakita.” She smiled. “But it sounds like it’s to the benefit of our friendship.” “Indeed it is, my lady.” She saw him extend his wings fully out of the corner of her eyes. “I will leave you for now. It seems you have yet another young man of Kayle’s to meet.” He ran past her, wings beating as hard as they could, until his light body was pushed into the air. He soared up and out of view into the still storm gray clouds and she left her eyes on where he had been even after he was gone.
Chapter Three
Unless You Try
Markus turned the letter over in his hand, reading it again. It was just a piece of paper, but it was also promised to be his way to stop time. He wanted… needed a little more time before his wedding. True, he had been given years but it had always seemed so far away. Now the last grains of sand in his seventeen year hour glass were falling and he just wanted them to stop. Just for a little bit longer. Even an extra week would be enough. “Sorry we took so long. We had the longest, most boring meeting.” Ross made an exasperated face and plopped down on the wet grass beside Markus. He slid his bow off and shoved it away from him almost immediately. “Jerrod was just like ‘the royal wedding is going to require extra security and other kings will bring their own, so you have to behave yourselves blah blah blah’. Does he really expect us to actually care?” “You want to take that one or should I?” Markus looked back at Laura. She moved to stand on Markus’s other side. “I’ve been with him all morning. You take that one.” “Yes, Ross. Yes he does. As future knights, you’re representing Everglade-”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 19:26:11 GMT -5
“Oh God please stop talking.” He dramatically fell back in the grass. “Just for that, that love letter of yours better have so much sex in it I get tired of sex. And that, my friend, is not possible.” “Is it really another love letter? A week from your wedding?” Laura raised her eyebrow. “I mean, they were always pretty absurd, but that is pushing it.” “Don’t forget really embarrassing. Not only are all these rich girls hopelessly pursuing Prince Purity and getting painfully rejected by him in basically a form letter but he is also sharing said bleeding heart letters with the both of us. I honestly don’t know how they live with the shame- especially the ones who write the racy letters. They should probably just join the temple.” “I don’t like being mean to them… but I am engaged…” Markus trailed off. “I don’t like how you didn’t deny that this is just another love letter,” Laura prodded. “You sounded so excited when you mentioned it this morning. Love letters do not warrant the little excited Markus dance.” “The little excited…?” Markus looked at her with concern. Then he shook himself. “Nope, this time it is not another random girl who met me at a party and thought I was good looking- it’s from the queen of Carina.” “Yep. Threw up in my mouth a little right there,” Ross commented. “At least you’re moving up in rank,” Laura sighed. She sat down; legs folded to the side, and rested her head on his shoulder tiredly. He had the sudden strange urge to put his arm around her waist and he suppressed it, toying with the paper of the letter instead. “Well, you may as well read it. It will probably at least be well written.” “Prince Markus Audrion Everglade, As the sovereign of Carina, I often need to reaffirm my ties with other countries. Lately, it has become increasingly apparent that Carina’s strongest tie is with the country of Everglade and with your country as our only firm ally, we are left at a severe disadvantage if Dragoon should ever attack us again. It does not seem just to rely on Everglade’s power alone for our defense so I am proposing a journey to Laina, our second closest ally, to reaffirm ties there and perhaps take an engagement-” “Hold on here, this is not porn. I don’t even know how to feel. I’m torn between never wanting to know of Rea’s sexual desires and being bored by this incredibly formal letter that reminds me of Jerrod talking. It’s a conundrum, Markus. A true conundrum.” Ross threw his arms up in the air emphatically. “Why did she address this to you rather than Audrion?” Laura asked, blatantly ignoring Ross. “I’m getting to that, have a little patience.” Markus laughed. In this endeavor, I would like to have a Gladian noble along with me. You, Markus, are my first choice. As a young, untested prince I felt that you, above everyone, would wish to prove your strength and ability with the benefit of my protection. If you should chose to accept this offer, please meet me in Demetrius on January 19th before the sun sets. This is not expected to be a dangerous journey and
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 19:26:28 GMT -5
it might perhaps even be a pleasant one. I hope you consider this proposal, and bring this letter with you should you accept. Keep in mind that you are free to bring two protective, friendly or servant companions with you. For my own name and that of the crown, Queen Rea-” “You can’t possibly think Audrion is going to allow you to go,” Laura already sounded faintly disappointed. “I won’t know if I don’t try,” Markus returned positively. “Our tie with Carina is very important. Turning it down could have negative consequences and…” He trailed off, catching his friend’s incredulous expressions. “If there’s any chance of me getting out of this castle before the wedding I have to at least try. I am going so crazy. And you two would be my two companions. What do you say?” “I say your father is going to laugh his ass off,” Ross said. He closed his eyes. “He hates me. Maybe you’d have a better chance if I stayed behind.” Laura frowned thoughtfully. “You’re right; you do need this, even if it’s just for four days.” “Hate is such a strong word,” Markus said. “It’s a word he feels for me.” “What if I need four days with you and Ross there?” Markus gave her the puppy eyes. Laura swore, covered her face in her hands and sat there for a minutes. Then she nodded. “You won’t know unless you try, you crazy bastard.” “Exactly.” He agreed, with a full smile. “And things only turn out positively for Everglade’s good luck charm.” This line had become a running gag since the war. Things quite rarely went as planned for Markus. It actually depressed him that some people still took the nickname seriously. “Come with me and wait outside? I may need some moral support being sent to me through the door.” “There’s what every girl wants to hear,” she said sarcastically. “Ross, you too.” “You want me to get up? Have you no mercy?” Ross complained. “I just got comfortable and got my uniform suitably grass stained. There is no more perfect moment than this.” “Come on.” Laura stood and pulled him to his feet. Ross looked at her resentfully. The three of them started toward the throne room, with a very little hope of success and a strong possibility of facing verbal assault. Markus hoped his life would be this fun after he got married.
****
“Well… this is interesting.” Ketra spread the three letters in her hand into a fan. “What is?” Rose asked, leaning out the door. She caught sight of what the older princess was holding and stepped outside, finishing putting up her hair as she moved. Rose had chosen to wear a pretty, green dress with a rose shape sewn on the front and a matching silk flower, attached to her gold crown, in her hair. She had wanted to look extra nice today, somehow. She wasn’t sure why but she didn’t think it mattered either. “By the way, Raythor looks much better. I’m pretty sure he wants to leave; he’s just
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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 19:32:49 GMT -5
pacing back and forth like a cadged animal. He won’t say anything though.” Rose made a face. Ketra shook her head. “Gentleman all the way, I see. The interesting thing is these letters. One is for me,” she held it up, “and the other two are for you and Raythor.” “What? But no one knows where I am…” Rose frowned, crossing her arms. This could not be good. If her parents found her now, she’d never get to meet Markus before the wedding. The engagement laws were pretty strict in Bloodroot… “What worried me is not just that… your location could be discoverable due to your tie with me, but Raythor’s?” Ketra shook her head. “Something isn’t right.” “That’s right… he didn’t exactly plan to get his shoulder split open.” She took the letter from Ketra’s hands and studied it. “This is from the Queen of Carina, how shady can it be?” “I suppose that’s true.” She shrugged. “It’s such a little worry and this could be good for you. If she invited all young nobles in the area, or at least the ones who are her allies, then Markus is sure to have gotten one of these. Though the chances that father will let Markus go….” “When it’s announced that Markus’s fiancée is missing, he will,” Rose said devilishly. She opened her own letter and read it quickly. “This would be so perfect. Separated from servants and everything else royal, I could really get to know Markus before I have to share his bed for the rest of my life.” Ketra grimaced. “That last part was quite far from my favorite image of my little brother.” “Sorry.” Rose laughed. “Come on, let’s show this to Raythor and see what he thinks.”
“Raythor, this is a dangerous idea.” Juliet pointed out lazily, her eyes scanning the invitation. She yawned, stretched out in one of Ketra’s squishy, soft chairs. Her legs dangled over the arm, one bouncing up and down impatiently. She tended to favor slightly feminized male clothing, in this case for the best because he would have been able to see up her skirt from where he was sitting, not that he’d even look. She was wearing a blue tunic with short white sleeves over a white tan pair of leggings, her hair up in a bun with one tendril brushing the side of her face. Raythor never questioned the upper class flare of her clothing choices, but they’d grown quite used to both each other and not asking questions over the last year. “I know that. Since when have I ever cared?” Raythor shrugged. Her eyes flicked over his thin form, leaned up against the wall. His hand, covered seemingly perpetually with a fingerless sword glove as its mate was, hovered over his wounded shoulder. “Whoever this is, they know your middle name. That’s strange; considering you claim not to know it.” Juliet set the letter on her stomach to better study the envelope. There was some one footed eagle seal on the back with six dots and a language she didn’t recognize around it. As usual, he took a moment to respond. “I don’t know my middle name. I can’t prove if this is right or not.” “Care to take that risk, Raythor James Carpenter? You already told the redheaded duo your last name a year before you told me. You’re up to something.” She smirked, glancing at him again.
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