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Post by Markus Everglade on Apr 9, 2013 20:50:06 GMT -5
Ross stumbled after, finally securing both boots and managed to catch up to her. “What are you doing out of bed, Laur? Have a Markus sense or something?” “No I’m just… restless. Something is wrong here.” “In this hallway?” “In this castle. I just…” She shivered. “I don’t like it here.” “Rea is supposed to be a little off in the head.” Ross conceded. “It might just have seeped into the walls. Of course, losing most of your family and then your husband can do that to you.” “She seems very nice.” “Some people think Rea arranged for her family’s deaths to take the throne. What do you think?” “I think nobles love their gossip more than they love their sense.” “You wound me, Laura.” “Not now. Maybe later.” This time Ross shivered. No one hit quite as hard as an overly determined trained knight. “Hey, if you like it rough, fine by me sugar-” “Flirt with me after we find Markus.” Laura cut him off blankly. Then she went ridged, like a hunting dog, eyes scanning everywhere at once. “What’s that noise?” “The sound of your rejection?” Laura ran out onto the balcony without answering and Ross, sighing, followed.
Markus breathed a sigh of relief when he realized the voice belonged to Laura. He should have known she’d save him just in time, she always did. “Why, it’s you,” Kenetari sounded amused. “Is this yours too, Glasswater?” “Put down the sword and step away from him,” Laura commanded. Kenetari laughed, a noise that actually caused physical pain to Markus’s ears. She stepped back all the same, heading toward the trees. There was the unmistakable whir of an arrow, one that landed just inches from Kenetari’s toes. Then, just as quickly as she had appeared, she was gone. Markus got quickly to his feet and turned to see his two best friends standing on the balcony. He beamed at them. “Thank you! You just saved my butt, you know that?” “Oh, we are well aware.” Ross shouted back cheerfully. “What are you doing out here, anyway, making a snowman with a psycho?” “She came, threatened me and ran,” Markus explained. “I wanted to catch her and I was armed.” He tapped his hilt. “See?” “We’re coming down,” Laura said. “What? Make him come up here, my legs are tired,” Ross whined. Markus shook his head. “We’ll meet in the middle.” After they disappeared from view, he took a moment to retrieve his weapon, sheathe it, and let his mind reel. It was hard to get his mind around the fact that he had just been in a death match with Jack’s killer, who had probably intended to end his life as well- after her little speech, he really had no idea what she wanted exactly- and that he had lost pretty badly. He’d been trained in sword fighting since he was a small boy, been in a war and spent most of his time in the company of knights and she was still leagues ahead of him. Markus hadn’t landed a single blow on her.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:00:20 GMT -5
He started walking, shaking now, and trying to make it sink in. A few paces later his foot touched something in the snow. He blinked, bending down to pick it up. It was a bracelet, patterned with flames and very old looking. There was a series of dots on the inside, placed so specifically that they had to mean something if only he spoke their language. Markus stared at it for a second and then slipped it into his pocket, thinking nothing more about it.
“Why didn’t you wear shoes?” Laura asked with exasperation. “Sorry, I wasn’t really thinking,” the prince admitted. There was actually a piece of snow melting on his toes. Wonderful. Why couldn’t he ever have a thought in his head when he went charging off places? Laura pushed the thought away. “At least you’re safe.” Laura said, hugging him. She didn’t let herself hug him often, not anymore, but now she really needed it. It had been one long day and she had a feeling the next few days were not going to be any shorter. Markus hugged her back, letting out a long shaky breath. Despite being outside cloak-less and shoeless, he was still pretty warm. He actually held her a lot differently than Jack had, with his hands kind of… She pulled back, getting ahold of herself and trying to ignore Ross’s amusement. “Sit down please, Markus.” “What? Why?” “So Ross can check if you have frostbite,” Laura insisted. Markus reluctantly complied, sitting right down in the middle of the hallway, and Ross even more reluctantly knelt to study his feet. “I knew I should have chosen a different specialty than frostbite, but it sounded so interesting when I was fourteen… alright, Blue, can you feel your feet?” “No more or less than usual. I’m not even really that cold.” He shrugged. “Seriously? It’s freezing out, man, give me a break!” “It is?” “That’s not a good sign…” Laura began. Then she trailed off, smiling. “Oh, right, it’s you. You don’t get cold.” “Or sick,” Ross agreed. “So I’m fine.” Markus got up. Laura waited for a wince, but it didn’t come. Yeah, she was probably worrying about nothing. That… woman just made her so on edge and she’d come after Markus this time. Most terrifyingly, she knew she was lucky to have got there in time at all. “What’s more important is what she said to me.” “Did she confess her undying love?” Ross rolled his eyes, not bothering to get off the hallway floor. “No, not even close. She confessed to…” Markus closed his eyes, took a deep breath. Laura felt her heart sink. It was never a good sign when he did that. “To being the one who killed Jack, Laura.” “Oh.” She gave her lip one halfhearted bite. “Yes. I recognized her fairly instantly. I don’t think I’m ever going to forget that face or those horrible blue eyes.” “She gave me her name. She said it was Kenetari Whitestar and there actually is a Kenetari Whitestar. I know that doesn’t prove if she was lying or not but… a name is something.” “Yes. After a whole year with nothing, a name is a lot.” “What, you don’t know if the chick trying to kill you was Kenetari or not? I think it was, actually. I met her at a party once. She’s pretty and all but it’s like there’s something… wrong with her. Like the two of you feel about this castle, you know?” Laura and Markus exchanged looks. He moved and took hold of her wrist. “Is that why you were awake, you felt it too?” It was not. She had felt’ it’, yes, whatever ‘it’ might be but she was awake because she had been telling Rose pretty much everything about him. Laura felt a little guilty, but she nodded her head. “Yes. I couldn’t sleep. I don’t know what it is about this castle, but it weirds me out a little.” “Yeah, me too.” “So wait… are we going to track down and capture Kenetari Whitestar and become glorious year old murder solving heroes? Because that is going to get me knighted so much faster than this escort mission.” Ross sat up a little, perking right up. “Imagine… tracking her down, implementing justice, finding peace for poor old Jack- what could go wrong with this plan?” “For one, it wouldn’t be that easy.” Laura pointed out mildly. “She’s part of a family that is next in line to the throne in Laina, Ross. Proving anything about them would be next to impossible, even with Markus’s influence. They just have a neutrality agreement with us, they aren’t our allies-” “Mm hm, that’s great. But this crazy bitch killed someone and tried to kill a frigging crown prince, Laura. I think we can have it at least looked into.” “Actually, Ross might have a point,” Markus interjected. “She told me that the Whitestar family was planning a revolution, and that Jack died knowing that. Because Everglade and Laina aren’t allied, there is no way that’s going to matter to us or to Carina but it
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:01:46 GMT -5
is going to matter to King Ian. If we can get an audience with him, using Queen Rea’s and my own influence then we can put not just her, but her entire family away.” “Can we do that in what… four days? I don’t think we can make it to Laina that fast…” “There’s a distinct possibility that Markus’s wedding might be delayed,” Laura said, without thinking. She resisted the urge to smack herself afterwards. Ross tilted his head at her. “Huh? Why?” “Ketra’s maid told me that the princess is missing. Ketra just found out but you are supposed to be told soon, Markus.” They seemed to buy this. The two boys high fived, anyway. “So we do have time.” “I think we have the guts too.” Ross puffed out his chest. “I just… can’t help wondering why Kenetari told you all of this. This information could only really hurt her if it got out.” Laura looked over at Markus, who hadn’t actually let go of her wrist. He was very tactile, particularly when he was thinking. He probably wouldn’t even remember it was still there unless she or Ross mentioned it. “Perhaps if she intended to kill you, she thought of it as telling a dead man but… she left quickly. Didn’t try to bargain or finish you off. She just left.” “She heavily implied that she wants me in Laina so she can… stop me from being a problem later. She implied that she somehow knew that I would fight against her rule after I married Rose.” Markus shrugged, like this was no big deal. “Ah, so she can make your death look like an accident. Great.” Ross made a face. “Then maybe she expects us to go to King Ian. Maybe she’s delaying the wedding for a reason,” Laura suggested. “It seems possible that she set up all of this so we’d make this exact choice.” “A year later? Because I’m pretty sure you mean killing Jack was part of it.” “Yes, I can’t see how it wouldn’t be. Markus wouldn’t be half as motivated without Jack’s unsolved murder and we all know that. If Jack was still alive, King Ian would probably already have this information and we wouldn’t have this choice at all.” “That seems just too… perfect.” Markus frowned. “You’re too perfect,” Ross returned easily. “All this planning and she didn’t guess we’d figure out that’s what she wanted? We’re playing into her hands, aren’t we? I’m going to be honest: she scares me. I don’t think I want to dive right into her web.” Then the prince gave her a sidelong look. Laura wasn’t sure what the expression was on his face, but she knew she’d seen it before. “But I’m… not just going to walk away from this either. I say we talk to Rea in the morning and we convince her to go to King Ian with us. We’re getting Kenetari Whitestar before she gets us and that’s that.” “Are you sure you want to do this?” Laura made him meet her eyes. Markus nodded his head, very slowly and deliberately. “Alright. I know I can’t make you give up without trying, I’m fairly sure no one can.” “Then the triumphant trio is off on another adventure?” Ross prompted. “You could certainly call it that if you wanted, Ross.” Markus laughed. “Sweet, then I say we all get some sleep before we go off and save the world. I’m starting to think that ‘toast’ is a funny word and that is always a signal that I need sleep, and I need it as soon as possible.” “Toast, Ross?” Laura gave him a look. Ross just bit his lip, clearly trying not to smile. “Well… goodnight then, boys. Maybe all of this will make a little more sense in the light of day.” “I doubt it. Nothing ever makes sense to me anyway.” Markus pulled her into a quick hug. Then he yanked Ross to his feet and practically dragged Ross back toward their room. Laura smiled. The two of them really just made life worth it sometimes.
Chapter Five
White Hour Glass
Anella woke up to find her roommate of the night before already gone. Dressing slowly, she blinked the sleep from her eyes and just sat there, trying to remember everyone’s names. Prince Markus and Princess Ketra were easy to recall, everyone knew their names. The blue eyed boy was Raythor Carpenter, that was going to stay with her too just because he’d scared
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:02:16 GMT -5
her so badly the night before. Then there were Kylara and Maria, the women in the crowd who had been nice to her, and the very vocal maid Rose… she shook her head. That was pretty good for the first day. Pausing as her hand touched the door, she ran through the names she did know one more time and then stepped outside. This castle was beautiful, even in the guest’s hallways. The torches were ornate, black but still inviting, and there was the loveliest tapestry of Carina’s red, yellow and orange lion. She couldn’t believe she was actually here. “Ah, the last of our heroic party finally joins us.” Raythor said sarcastically as she descended the stairs into the dining hall. His blue eyes looked through her almost mockingly. He, along with everyone else, was sitting around the banquet hall eating breakfast. There were a number of empty plates and she colored, wondering if she was holding everyone up. Anella was never allowed to sleep in at home and she had readily taken the chance to do it here. “Don’t worry, my lady. All of us are not finished,” Markus said with a small smile. Anella blushed deeper, nodding and turning her face away. She slipped into the seat between Kayle and Rea’s angry looking maid. The queen herself was the only one from the crowd yesterday not here. Kayle gripped her arm, grinning, before turning back to pretend to be a part of Prince Markus’s conversation again. Dione eyed them both suspiciously. “Rea… Queen Rea… had something or other to attend to. Apparently it was a matter too delicate for me to handle for her.” Dione viciously forked a bun, as if to demonstrate just how unjust that was. “I see,” Anella said uneasily. She ate quietly, watching Dione devour her food as though she were pillaging a village. “She’s harmless.” Maria assured her from across the table. “I assure you all that aggression is for show, unless you intend to harm the queen. I can’t see you doing that, though.” She looked back and forth and then leaned forward. “It’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for.” Her eyes flicked toward the prince’s party. “Calthans are so superstitious,” Dione said. She glared at Maria. Anella looked at the prince’s party again. Perhaps they meant Markus himself? His blue hair had given him the title ‘Demon Prince’ at birth, and that had taken years to fade but it had in all by King Audrion’s most outspoken critics. His personality hadn’t really stood up to the name. “She means the pale skin myth, Dione,” Kylara put in, with considerable bite. “Calthans born with light skin are supposed to be bad luck. All of us our murderers had it too.” “M-Murderers?” Anella’s brow furrowed with concern. “Kylara forgets herself. She should remember Carinians don’t know any of our grisly tales.” Maria said, clearly enjoying the resulting glare from her servant. “She should learn,” Kylara returned. She looked down the table. “Hey, Calthan!” Raythor turned his head automatically. When he saw who it was, he rolled his eyes. “Oh joy, a fellow Calthan. What do you want?” “Anella here has never heard of our famous murderers.” “Then she’s been living a pretty good life.” “I thought you might want to tell her.” Kylara put her chin in her hand and smiled at him. Raythor sighed loudly. “I’m sorry… Anella, right? In Caltha you have to tell the story asked of you or its bad luck and I’ll be damned if I give myself anymore bad luck. Whoops.” One corner of his mouth turned up and the other didn’t. “Sorry again for the swearing. I’m not used to being indoors.” “He’s not,” Juliet agreed. “Tell the story already, Raythor. Make it nice and bloody for her.” “At your command, my lady,” he said with heavy sarcasm. “So… Turstin Calypso started this whole thing. No one saw it coming; he was this perfectly normal guy. A baker I think…?” He glanced at Kylara. “Mm hm.” She nodded, a rather feline smile on her face. Anella recognized that particular look as having been on Kayle’s face any number of times and she blushed, looking down at her food. Clearly Kylara already had an interest in Raythor of one kind of another, and she had a strong suspicion of what kind it was.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:06:03 GMT -5
“Well he managed to marry up into the family of this knight, mainly because the guy had about fourteen daughters and Turstin picked one of the younger ones. The prevailing theory is that Turstin just was not prepared to be treated like a noble when there were so many peasants struggling in his country and he just kind of… snapped. Anyway, for whatever reason he poisoned his wife and all of her sisters. He was caught and executed but it shook people up. Caltha is bad enough without fourteen murders showing up out of nowhere.” His eyes were down, focused on a random spot on the table, his voice as devoid of emotion as usual. Anella swallowed. “I c-can i-imagine.” “Yep. Sorry again.” He nodded. “Second, just five years later, the Cain sisters appeared. Most people agree it was in retaliation and they always use the word appeared because no one knows where these girls came from. They couldn’t find a single person who had known them before the murders and of course no one owned up to it afterwards. That aside, they strangled young men and left the bodies in the desert. Before they were caught they killed twenty three known victims. The sisters are in prison still because one, Semele, said she felt remorse for what she had done and stabbed out her own eyes. That ended the law that other five countries still have that traded personal suffering for punishment for crimes.” He took a deep breath. “And the last one-” “The most famous,” Kylara commented. She eyed him hungrily. Anella raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. She crossed her arms, rubbing them. She had suddenly started to feel cold. “The most recent,” Raythor amended, “was nine years ago.” He now had a grip on the table’s edge. It was gentle, but a grip all the same. Anella looked up at his face, knowing his eyes wouldn’t rise from their fixed mark. His expression hadn’t changed, his voice was still monotone, but it seemed like his irises… flickered. “He only had two victims but he’s remembered like all the rest because of his age- he was only seven years old at the time of the murders. The victims were his parents. He’s never been found so he’s used as a bedtime story to frighten little kids into behaving.” Raythor downed his glass of water like he wished it was something stronger. “Bad luck averted.” “What w-was his n-name?” Anella asked. That had been a lot of information, all of it kind of horrifying. She supposed it was interesting, though. She didn’t know much about Caltha’s culture, all she’d ever heard was that it was a poor country, that Calthans were extremely superstitious, everyone who managed to get out never went back and that, generally, Calthans treated other countries with contempt and all the other countries did the same to them. This… this kind of explained a lot of that. They seemed rather preoccupied with death. “Do tell her,” Kylara agreed. She and Maria seemed to be struggling not to laugh. “Raythor Karian.” He rolled his eyes at them. “Yes, we do share the same first name. It’s why I hate that story the most.” “The name kind of lost popularity after that,” Maria added in. She and Kylara then did start laughing. Anella looked at them with bewilderment. “Yeah. Calthans are like that,” Raythor told her. Their eyes met for a spilt second and they both looked away quickly. This time Kayle laughed. “Anella, you talked to a boy that wasn’t covered in fur! I’m so, so proud of you! He’s kind of handsome, don’t you think? In that I-need-to-be-nurtured way? And he seems to be as socially awkward as you are which is pretty great!” “I am right here, you know.” Raythor pointed out. Kayle ignored him, but Anella appreciated the effort. Anella knew full well that once Kayle got started on one of these tangents, nothing short of the entire building catching on fire was going to stop her. “Y-yes… C-Carinian nobles a-are l-like t-that…” She managed faintly. She actually got another one of those strange half grins in reply. “Hey.” Kayle snapped her fingers. “I owe you money for that.” She dropped a small pouch of gold into Anella’s hand or, rather, onto it. “Maybe you could marry him; if his family is decent…Karian sounds familiar anyway…” She frowned, thinking. “It’s Carpenter. Not Karian. I am not a serial killer.” Raythor stressed every syllable. Kayle blinked at him. “Are your family carpenters?” Anella was blushing furiously, not even making an attempt to move the pouch of gold. Juliet, however, was laughing to the point of choking. Kylara and Maria had started joining in and the rest of the table was now staring at them. Ross even had to thump Juliet on the back, a task he didn’t seem to mind. Once the threat of death was over, she put her head on the table and kept shaking uncontrollably. Anella got even redder. “They were blacksmiths, ironically.” “Were?” “Were blacksmiths, are dead. I’m an orphan.” “Oh.” Kayle frowned again. “Did you inherit any money, then?” “Kayle!” Anella burst. “F-first, why w-would you a-ask that? S-second, I j-just m-m-met him yesterday.” “You are getting all excited.” Kayle beamed. “Look at you, so social.” “Wait to go, Annie.” Ross gave her a thumbs up. The rest of the table continued to watch their side like a play. “No. I don’t have a penny. I guess our wedding is off,” Raythor put in calmly. “Darn.” Kayle actually looked disappointed. Anella wished for the thousandth time that Kayle would stop obsessing over her marriageability. She’d always kind of hoped she wouldn’t get married, or at least resigned herself that she probably would not. At least, if she really had to, she wanted her parents to choose but they were so dead set on her marrying for love as they had. There was no way she was going to fall in love with anyone here over the next few weeks, not over a few sentences over the course of a tiring journey. Anella especially didn’t think that the stone faced Raythor was at all what even Kayle wanted for her in a future mate. He didn’t seem to care much at all for company for one. Sometimes she really couldn’t blame him.
****
The prince inhaled deeply once he was outside the castle walls. The events of the night before would not leave his head and, once he was given the chance to slip off on his own, he took it. Now he knew Kenetari’s name, knew who had killed Laura’s boyfriend. Markus had hoped- despite his initial reservations- that Jack would make her happy. That Jack would marry
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:08:00 GMT -5
her someday and give her everything she ever deserved. Markus had vowed to himself, and to her, that he would find a way to destroy her murderer. No one had believed him, he was just sweet little Markus after all, but he meant it then and he was going to stick to it now. Even if this path led him nowhere but his own grave he was going to make sure Jack got some kind of justice. After all, Laura had loved Jack. The thought made him tense up. Markus tried to push away the feeling, but now that it had crossed his mind it seemed to pound against his skull. She had been in love with Jack and it was a different sort of love than she felt for Markus. She might even still be in love with Jack. He let out a long breath. Revenge for the stable boy’s death wasn’t really the way to deal with any of that but he didn’t know how else he could. After all, it wasn’t though he was hunting her down to kill her in cold blood. His mission was, at its heart, just, and that was a fine way to distract himself from all of the more complicated parts of what he was doing. “Lila has it easy, don’t worry about her.” A female voice drifted toward her from the direction of the stables. “We already know that son-of-a-bitch Roland is corrupt. We’re the ones who have to actually do work before we get to the easy part.” “Lila’s in Caltha, in the heart of Shadowspeaker country. They’re more heartless than we are.” A second voice answered. The first laughed. “Isn’t that the truth?” Markus swallowed. Eavesdropping was wrong. He was a prince, he was above it. People who did so never heard anything good about themselves, after all. Morals and clichés having been dealt with, he moved to stand against the barn, close to the door so he could hear what they were saying more clearly. “How do you want to do this, if it comes down to it?” Maria walked by the slight crack in the door and Markus held his breath. “Something fast and clean. Poison, slit throat. Even if he is corrupt, he probably doesn’t deserve torture. That’s going to be Lila’s job.” Kylara drew her blade and studied it critically, the shine enough for him to see. “I think the throat. Then we’ll have a scapegoat, it is his preferred method.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:08:39 GMT -5
“I’m surprised you didn’t start drooling when that poor boy said his name. I’m sure he suffers enough for sharing it,” Maria said. “After all, the Karian Killer is your one true love.” “The myth just interests me,” Kylara said shortly. “Do you have designs on poor little Raythor Carpenter already? He’s at least two years your junior, you could scoop him right out of his cradle.” “If he’s two years my junior, than how old does that make him nine years ago?” “Ky, you really can’t think he’s the Karian Killer? Killers don’t… look like pale, half-starved little boys. They look like us.” Maria laughed nervously. “We don’t look like what we are. That’s why we can do our job. He doesn’t look like a murderer, sure, but doesn’t he match Raythor Karian’s description perfectly? Those eyes…” “Kylara…” Maria trailed off. He heard her… sniffing. “Hey… we have company; I think we have for a while. The wind just changed direction, I didn’t smell him before.” “Him?” Kylara sounded skeptical. Markus’s heart sped up considerably and he looked around for somewhere to hide and then for somewhere to run when he couldn’t find anything. “I can’t help smelling pheromones… They’re kind of constant and distinctive, you know. I wish humans at least had the decency to have a breeding season…” “Uh huh.” The door slammed open, nearly smacking him in the face. “You say the weirdest things, you know that Maria? And ‘him’, don’t even try it. We’re faster, stronger and more deadly than you are, whoever you are.” “Everglade.” Maria had him pinned by his shoulders before he could react. “Yep. That’s the smell. You actually smell pretty good, you know that?” Markus just stared at her incredulously. The red barn wall got closer to his back, a piece of chipping paint poking at him through his clothes. Maria was directly before him, all ten fingers on his shoulders, blue eyes staring into his gray ones. Neither he nor her were causing anything visible as they breathed, but Kylara’s breath curled in the air and she was rubbing her arms for warmth. She was dangerously close; even if he could do anything to subdue Maria Kylara was going to grab him for sure. “What do we do, kill him here?” Kylara sounded bored. “I’d prefer if you didn’t.” Markus reached for his sword. Kylara grabbed his wrist. “It’s like you don’t listen.” “I’m just kind of tired of women pinning me to the wall.” He couldn’t count on his body guards to save him again, could he? He hadn’t actually told them were he was going, like an idiot… “I’m your target, aren’t I?” “Who else pinned you to a wall?” Kylara demanded, ignoring the question. When he didn’t answer, she shoved a knife beneath his chin. “Answer me. Now. There is no one else out here; they aren’t going to hear you scream.” “Her name was Kenetari. She was after me, just like you are,” Markus said flatly. The two assassins exchanged looks. “What? Do you know her?” “Shut up, twenty questions. Let me think.” “I am a prince you know; Queen Rea is my ally-” “Do you need a second knife, Crown Prince of the Obvious, or are you going to close your mouth?” Markus closed his mouth. The girls didn’t move for a minute, which was fine with him. He started searching for ways out again. This was what he got for eavesdropping… This had really not been the best few days, seriously how many trained killers wanted him dead? Female trained killers, at that? “Maria, you ask,” Kylara said finally. “Alright.” Maria moved her hand to his neck, her two fingers on his pulse. “Do you support what’s being done to the peasants in Caltha?” “No,” he said easily. “Burning those who disagree with the king is sick and it’s wrong, and I know sometimes it’s not just potential revolutionaries who have to die. I believe King Etienne is genuinely insane and has been for some time and that he’s going to make his country go up in smoke along with his sanity. I wish I could do something for them but I can’t. We can’t… prove that anyone was killed illegally. We can’t question how a king decided to put his criminals to death, no matter how cruel it is. Everglade is their ally, and we have been for decades. Looking too deeply into it now would probably bring about war and I… I know my father is unwilling to put our people through it again.” “Already you talk like that crown is on your head,” Kylara growled.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:10:11 GMT -5
“He’s telling the truth, Ky. Lay off.” Maria stepped back. “I think our job here is done. I think he’s not corrupt.” “When did you become such a soft touch?” She let him go all the same, sheathing her weapon. “That was a nice little speech, Prince Markus. Everglade is lucky to have you and your father does have a point: Caltha needs and wants to save itself. We don’t need your intervention. We getting out of here, Maria?” “I don’t think so. We’re scheduled to make the report soon, we stay until then. Don’t you think?” “Yeah, I guess. Sorry about that, Prince Markus. Believe me, this was all for the money.” “No… harm done,” Markus said faintly. “So you were going to kill me because… you thought I was corrupt?” “We were paid to kill you because our employer thought you could be. The distinction is pretty important, I’ll have you know.” Maria raised a finger chidingly. “We were meant to ascertain if you were or not and my vote is for no. So we’re done here.” “How very comforting. I imagine Lila is doing the same for Prince Roland?” “What a lucky guess,” Kylara retorted. “Do you… have anything to do with Kenetari Whitestar?” “Who knows? Our guild sent us, our guild leader is the only who knows who hired us and she might not know either. I’m thinking she has something to do with this whole thing though. That is just too much of a coincidence.” “I think I can trust you,” Markus said firmly. They both started at him like he was crazy. “Were you dropped on your head as a child?” Kylara asked. “We just tried to kill you, bucko, did you forget that?” Maria added. “You were just paid to try and kill me, the distinction is pretty important,” Markus replied. Maria smiled. “I like you.” “So, what was that little sentence about then?” Kylara prodded. “Last night Kenetari Whitestar told me that she plans to start a revolution in Laina that will put her and her family on the throne. I wouldn’t care but she says I’m going to cause problems for her in the future and she told me so last night. I don’t think she intended to kill me… I think she was going to let the two of you handle that.” Markus told them, waiting for that to sink in. “It seems like you had conditions for whether or not to do that- obviously, because I’m still breathing.” He added this as Kylara opened her mouth. “That makes sense too; she seemed obsessed with the mercurial nature of humanity so she’d prepare for every possibility. I don’t think this means this is over for me so… I’d like to hire you both.” “What?” They both said together. They exchanged another one of those looks. “I’ll pay you handsomely. I want the two of you to keep my two friends safe; I don’t want either of them getting hurt because of my bad choices. That’s already happened once and I will not let it happen again.” In his head, he heard Will cry out, felt the skin of the knight’s eyelids beneath his fingers as he closed them for the last time. “I assure you; if anyone tries to outbid me I can and will match and outdo them.” Kylara extended a hand and he shook it. “We’re in.” “We are?” Maria looked appalled. “I like money and he’s loaded. We’re doing this. Besides, don’t you want to protect life instead of ending it for once?” “Fair point. I’m in too.” “Excellent, I’ll get the two of you a down payment.” Markus said with a little grin. His life had just gone from sheltered to insane and he kind of liked it.
Laura sat on her bed, staring blankly at Markus’s invitation. He had given it to her jokingly after they’d used it yesterday, but she’d kept it without much thought. The unfamiliar lines and shapes didn’t have any more meaning than they usually did, but she kept tracing them with her finger all the same. She was not okay with how close Markus had come to dying yesterday. If she and Ross hadn’t gotten there, who knows what that woman would have done to him? Laura clenched her fist, crinkling the paper. Markus had probably offered her a way out. A fair trial, a way not to die on the end of his blade. He hadn’t seen Jack die, killed in such a way that he would have to writhe in the pain. Hadn’t been there when the two of them had said goodbye. Laura would have offered her no
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:13:51 GMT -5
such reprieve. If it had just been her and Kenetari alone, she would have filled her with so many arrows a hedgehog would be jealous of the spines. But she couldn’t do that while Markus was watching, couldn’t watch him not understand what it felt like to hate someone so much that murdering them, painfully, seemed like a perfectly viable option. She couldn’t let him see that she had sunk to that level and had no intention of rising above it. “Did you know you write your ‘e’s’ upside down?” Rose commented as she passed her, going to her own side of the room. She started rummaging through her bag and Laura caught sight of a sparkling crown. “I’m sure it makes sense to you, though.” “Oh, this is Markus’s invitation. I can’t write,” Laura said absently. “Hm.” Rose frowned. “I see.” She took out her own, waving it like a fan. She glanced at it as though she were just kind of looking, that it hadn’t been intentional. Her eyes widened. “All of the ‘e’s’ are upside down in mine, only some of them are in Markus’s. That’s funny.” “Maybe sometimes the writer is more aware of it than other times,” Laura suggested. She reached for her sewing and started working on it again. “Maybe.” She picked up Laura’s invitation. “Can I borrow this? I’ll give it back.” She stacked the letters and looked at her expectantly. “Of course. Keep it if you want.” “Alright.” Rose fidgeted. Laura kept calmly sewing. Rose let out a long sigh. “Don’t you think there’s something weird about all this?’ “I do if you do, your majesty.” “Look, I appreciate the honorific, but I honestly want to know your opinion.” “There seems to be very little that’s right about this quest of the queen’s.” “The letters we got found me and my companion when, officially, no one knew where we were. I don’t like that or what it implies.” Rose stuck her nose up in the air. Laura had been unaware that royals actually did that until she met Rose and she was still a bit hesitant to believe it. “Being followed or watched is especially dangerous for a princess.” “Last night someone threatened Markus and told him that we’re all walking into a revolution waiting to happen. I think it’s dangerous for all of us,” Laura told her. Rose went pale and stopped looking quite so royal. Laura felt just a little bit relieved. She had… trouble
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:16:28 GMT -5
putting up with the nobility when they flaunted it so freely, and the fact that this was Markus’s fiancée had her fuse a little shorter than usual. Not that she would show it, of course… “It concerns you as well, Kenetari Whitestar expects him only to be a threat after he marries you.” “Kenetari Whitestar?” Rose seemed to calm down and shook her head. “No, the Whitestars are our friends. She wouldn’t hurt me; surely she isn’t going to hurt my husband either.” “She told him personally that she would.” Rose began to pace. “That doesn’t make any sense.” “We’re fully agreed on that score.” “I want further proof of that, maybe it was more of a figure of speech than a threat,” Rose said decisively. She glanced down at the letters in her hand and Laura could almost see gears began to turn in her head. “Unless… Queen Rea isn’t the only one who planned this. Maybe whoever writes their ‘e’s’ this way is involved as well. We’re going to need to see the rest of the invitations, that’s for sure…” “Do you expect to find some sort of cipher?” “I expect to find some sort of reason for all this. Duchesses don’t threaten crown princes they really should not be concerned with without reason, and I think maybe that reason is in here. In a clue she has already given us.” Laura set her hackles down. “That would make sense, actually. Do you know a way to get those invitations? That would be pretty useful…” “Actually…” Rose smiled. “I have a perfect way. I happen to be acquainted with a few thieves.” Laura suddenly had a very clear picture of Raythor and Juliet in her head.
Markus let his horse guide them both. Eclipse was his comfort, had been since he’d got her at eleven. The mare was an oddity like he was, with a white mane and tail but very black fur. She was also from a faraway country, and didn’t quite match the other horse’s builds or appearances. He understood the feeling. “Steady girl,” Markus soothed. He patted her neck. Eclipse slowed her pace, snorting. He laughed. “Hey, no more resting on your laurels from the war Eclipse. There’s going to be a lot more exercise for you from now on.” Markus saw a short wall up ahead and he smiled. No better way to forget two assassins had just tried to kill him than excessive and unnecessary speed. He pushed his heels into Eclipse’s side, breathing in happily as she sped up. Hooves slammed against the thinly snow covered grass for a moment before her muscles tightened and she leapt. He let his mind stay blank, suspended in air, before Eclipse landed and a single face crossed Markus’s mind. “Help!” Kayle screamed. “Dear God, where are the stupid knights when you actually need them?” The prince pushed Eclipse a little harder and he heard the faint sound of metal crashing together before he saw it. About ten men, all heavily armed and protected, were charging at Kayle, Anella and what looked like a large wolf with bat wings. Something dark was covering the girl’s like a shield and every time they were attacked the blows seemed to bounce off the blackness. The wolf seemed to be concentrating hard and his legs were shaking, his teeth gnashing at the soldiers. The darkness faded a little every time the wolf was hit. Markus crashed in with purposeful sound, swiftly taking out one man by separating him from his head before the others could attack him. Kayle looked overjoyed to see him. The wolf just seemed grateful. Anella looked like she was going to be sick. “They’re trying to kill Blade!” Kayle shouted over the fray. Markus nodded and turned his horse, assuming Blade was the wolf. He kept fighting as hard as he could but nine people were a little much for two fighters, particularly when one was already wounded. He was eventually forced off Eclipse’s back and he sent her galloping into the trees. Markus was losing ground, tiring quickly from trying to protect and attack simultaneously. His sword got knocked from his hand and, desperately, he ducked behind Blade’s shadow shield to retrieve it. Markus bent to pick up his sword and, when he stood, Anella jerked back fearfully, her elbow colliding with his nose. She started apologizing but he promised her he felt no pain. All his exhausted body really registered was the trickle of blood as it passed over his lips.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:23:46 GMT -5
Blade let out a cry as he was painfully knocked to the side and the shield dropped entirely. Markus moved forward in front of Kayle and Anella without a second thought. His assured them that they were going to be ok and as soon as he did he tasted his own blood. Markus’s eyes glazed over and he felt himself move, acting almost without his will. His sword slashed and drew blood and killed, all without him feeling his muscles ache, feeling the fear that he might die or exhaustion of too much too fast… When the effect faded, if that’s what he could even call it, he’d taken out five of the remaining men. The others were looking at him like he was some sort of monster. Before he could fully register what he’d just done Blade leapt up and caught a sword in his mouth, protecting Kayle from a probably fatal blow. Blade winced but refused to let go, striking out with his tail. Markus had a split second to decide how to help. Getting back over there before someone was seriously hurt was impossible. He had to throw his spare dagger to either Kayle or Anella and hope they could defend both themselves and Blade. Kayle was level headed, lucid, had probably been even slightly trained. She was the obvious choice, but… Blade cried out again and the sword cut further into the sides of his muzzle. Instinctively, Markus threw the dagger to Anella. The prince turned, protecting himself. When he looked back, Anella’s dress was stained with blood. Someone else’s blood. Blade was free, if in pain, and there were only three attackers left. Though she was shaking, she was alright. Her dagger was even glistening a tell tail red from use. She could handle herself for a minute longer, so he beckoned to Blade and the two of them rushed the final three men. They managed to pick them off before they could do much of anything, they didn’t seem to be able to handle what had happened. All that mattered was that the battle was over and, as soon as it was, Markus dropped to his knees. “Sweet lord…” He breathed, laughing slightly. “We’re alive. I really must be good luck.” “I thank you, prince of Everglade,” Blade said painfully. Markus started at the very human sound of his voice. It was remarkable that he had a voice at all, of course, but it had been used to say thank you. As a human with blue hair he didn’t really have much of a right to judge. “You have helped protect not only my life but the lives of two people very important to me. I owe you more than my gratitude.” Markus pushed to his feet. “I was glad to do it, you all needed help. You look as though you need a healer as well, and badly.” Blade blanched. “Most humans would kill me on sight, I do not think-” “I know a healer than we can trust. She won’t hurt you,” he promised. “I’ll get her.” “Wait.” Kayle shook her head. “A bloody crown prince is going to attract too much attention. I would be,” she smiled coquettishly, “honored to find your healer.” “If it’s not too much trouble. Do you know who Laura Glasswater is?’ “Of course, that somber looking body guard of yours.” “Tell her uh…” He thought about it. “That I have symptoms of frostbite.” “Of course, my lord.” Kayle curtsied and walked off with very purposeful grace. Markus watched her, shaking his head. Then he guided Anella, Blade and Eclipse away from the fresh bodies and into the graveyard. He thought of the irony of that for a moment before the pain brought him back down to reality. “What do you plan to do with the corpses? Hope wild animals consume them before anyone notices?” Blade asked mildly. Markus grinned. “Laura will know what to do, don’t worry. She’s an expert at fixing my mistakes.” “Hm.” The elementist lay down, eyes hovering between open and closed. “I wish I could assist you in digging those graves by yourself, but I have no magic left. It is going to take me awhile to regain any…” “How did you…?” Markus ran his hand through his hair, befuddled. “You are a poor liar. You do not wish for anything that you consider to be your fault to be taken care of by anyone but yourself.” Blade brushed his cut open mouth with his paw, licking it and trying to wipe it away the caked blood. It was a very feline gesture and Markus found himself even more confused. “I apologize. I did not mean to be so forward but I see that as a positive trait, particularly for someone of your rank.” “Yeah, he’s like that.” Ross stepped from among the graves, his bow aimed at Blade and ready to shoot. “Don’t move or I’ll be forced to kill you.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:25:45 GMT -5
“Ross, at ease.” Markus held up a hand. His friend reluctantly lowered his bow. No matter how much he didn’t like it, Ross had to obey a direct order. Markus let Blade explain what had just happened as Ross twitched uncomfortably, his eyes darting toward Anella. “Are you alright?” Markus asked, gently taking the dagger from Anella’s still trembling hand. He cleaned the weapon on his already stained tunic and sheathed it. She nodded numbly. “Was that your first battle?” Again, she nodded numbly. “You handled yourself well.” Her eyes widened. “R-really?” Anella folded both arms over her chest, fingers brushing her crystal cross. “Instinct is a big part of fighting. You managed to…” Markus searched for a euphemism for ‘kill’, as it didn’t seem a good word choice right now. “Defeat your opponent quickly and protect your friends. You could probably make a warrior, if you wanted to.” “I’m a c-coward.” “A coward would have left us with an extra body to bury.” Markus turned up the corners of his mouth. “I was terrified in my first battle. See this?” He tapped the scar beneath his eye. “I wasn’t paying attention and I paid for it. Being scared keeps you focused and it keeps you alive.” Anella managed a little smile and he patted her shoulder comfortingly. “It is true?” Ross demanded loudly. Markus blinked. “Is what?” “Did you protect this… I don’t know what… from enemy soldiers?” “Yes. They asked for help, so I helped,” the prince replied simply. Ross looked exasperated. “I am an elementist,” Blade said calmly. “Or desert wolf, to humans.” “Desert wolf?” Ross’s eyes shown with recognition. “Oh, ok. Are you here to reclaim Markus for your demon kingdom or something?” “Ross…” Markus frowned. “No, I am merely a prince visiting a friend who helped me long ago and has since become dear to me on the merit of who she is.” Blade seemed amused by the entire exchange. “Anella is a very good person.” She blushed. “She’s my cousin.” Ross beamed. “I’m Rocelin Rainbird, nice to meet you.” “That was fast,” Markus said under his breath. “What was that Blue?” “Nothing, Rocelin.” He grinned. “Shut up, it’s my full name and you’ve heard it before. And if my cousin is good with Prince Blade, then I’m good with him too.” “B-Blade… w-want to tell t-them who t-those p-people were? W-we can t-trust t-them.” Anella folded her hands, apparently to stop herself from worrying her cross. “I recently received word that someone has been trying to ‘test’ all heirs to the throne in Solkenton- Laina, for humans- and eliminate them if they fail that test. Being a shadow prince, my test was battle and I would have failed it if not for you.” He nodded respectfully at Markus. “Hey, two assassins just tried to kill me for the same reason,” he said blankly. “What? Are you serious? Did you glue a target to your back the instant you left Imperia or something? Good God…” Ross smacked his forehead. “My best friend the assassin bait…” “Don’t worry Ross; they’re on our side now. I hired them.” “That is… an interesting coincidence.” Blade watched as Ross continued smacking his forehead. “I suppose we must consider that these events are related?” “Yeah, I think so.” Markus filled him in on everything that had happened with Kenetari, and the elementists ears perked. “So we have stepped into something far more serious than we thought. This could be continent wide…” Blade’s ears pressed against his skull. “Well, we must inform the queen. It is only right.” “We were going to talk to her anyway.” Ross shrugged. “What’s one more crazy conspiracy theory? I think she’ll take it well.” “I’m back, Prince Markus!” Kayle returned, swaying her hips. Laura followed behind her, what passed for her medical bag loosely in her fingers, watching Kayle as though she were a curiosity. “I see… frost bite was actually code for ‘Laura, I have an injured desert wolf and you’re the only one who won’t instantly shoot him in the face’. Not exactly what I was expecting, but a manageable conclusion.” Laura went and knelt by Blade’s side, checking him over as though she were inspecting a horse. “This is going to take a fair amount of time, the mouth wound needs stiches. I suggest you and Ross take care of those bodies lying all over the ground. It’s going to make all of this a little less covert if you don’t do it soon.” “Does nothing faze you woman?” Ross demanded. She didn’t deign to answer, and Markus covered his mouth to attempt to hide his laugh. Ross let out a sigh. “Fine, fine, let’s go bury some random asses.” “I c-can help. I d-do work o-on a-a f-farm,” Anella volunteered timidly. She glanced at Kayle questioningly and Kayle violently shook her head. “Thank you,” Markus said. The three of them walked in silence to the battlefield, such as it was, with Ross grabbing the gravedigger’s collection of shovels on the way. Anella, Markus noted, held the shovel as though it were a pitchfork and he smiled at that. They’d almost made it through the veritable forest of headstones when Ross and Anella stopped, staring at a small stone beneath a great tree. It was the only one with flowers and unusual ones- they were ink dyed roses, three of them bound together with gold twine. He didn’t even have to look past them to know that the stone read “William White Rainbird, Queen’s Protector”. He’d been here when the knight had been buried. He put a hand on both their shoulders. “You two going to be ok?” “Yeah, I’m fine.” Ross pushed his hand off, making a face. “Let’s bury dead people.” “I’m f-fine t-too. I-I just h-hadn’t s-seen it since t-the f-funeral,” Anella assured. She blushed and gently moved away from his touch. They both went and started digging. Markus went and took up the task of moving the corpses.
She liked this room. It was small, with two bookshelves, a table and four big cushiony chairs. The one Juliet had chosen was the only one off in the corner, the other three were around that table. Raythor was in one, bending over the table, and Ketra stood beside it dictating to him flatly. Juliet wasn’t involved in what they were doing, she was just thinking. Juliet was still trying to process how Raythor had looked as he told those Calthan murder stories. She had never really seen him have… an expression before, aside from his weird little half grin that she sometimes suspected was some sort of muscle spasm. Telling those stories had actually made him sound and look a little nervous. She didn’t know what that meant but, then again, she didn’t know anything about his past. She just knew him as a person, and that had always been enough for her. After hearing that he was an orphan, it seemed likely he just didn’t want to take about it. Maybe one or both of his parents were even victims of one of the killers. Raythor looked up at her and she realized she was staring. She smiled and looked away. He rolled his eyes and went back to writing out a letter for Ketra. She was literate, but absolutely refused to write to her father “on principal”. Raythor, though he had his own set of principles regarding thievery, had none regarding forgery and he was very good at it. That had always amused Juliet, almost as much as the fact that she knew he actually gave a damn about what happened to her. Sometimes his eyes betrayed that stone mask of a face and showed his worry, gratitude or even affection. “Dash, I have to ask… I get a new scar across my face or something? Because you are really staring at me.” Raythor raised an eyebrow. Juliet laughed. “No, Raythor, I was just thinking. I do tend to stare at random things when I’m thinking.” “I’m a random thing?” “Yes,” she teased. “Of course, I should have known.” He half grinned, shaking his head. Then he jotted down a few more lines then looked up again. Raythor met her eyes. “Hey…” “Mm?” “Are you… I mean…” He stopped, letting out a breath. “Are you afraid-?” “Ketra! Guess what?” Rose strode into the little study the three of them were hiding in. “I have discovered a very important conspiracy.” “Hm,” Ketra said, with only slight interest. Juliet clenched her teeth. Raythor had been about to ask a question, a real question, and that princess had stopped him. He’d been willing to ask it around other people, too… “What is it?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:27:28 GMT -5
“The invitations,” Rose said proudly. She set both hers and Markus’s on the table. “Take a look at those messed up ‘e’s’.” Ketra looked down and Raythor did too. Curiously, Juliet leaned forward. “What’s your point?” Ketra asked. “Maybe she changed scribes. I can’t see a queen preforming such menial tasks herself.” Raythor rolled his eyes at that. He withdrew his own letter and set it on the table. Ketra did the same. Rose arranged all four invitations side by side and they all read quietly. Juliet got up to read over Raythor’s shoulder. “They have different messages with different intents. Ketra’s, which has all normal ‘e’s’, is formal and inoffensive. Markus’s, with half and half, is both enticing and formal depending on the type. Rose’s, as is my own, have all of the abnormal ‘e’s’. Hers is all enticing, with little formality. Mine is full of veiled threats, including the inclusion of my middle name,” Raythor assessed. Juliet always enjoyed watching his dissect something. “I’d say all but Ketra’s were tampered with or rewritten entirely. Possibly, Rea never intended some of us to be here at all. It wouldn’t make sense, for instance, to invite Rose with Markus coming as they can’t meet before they’re married or to invite a nobody like me. So I think both of us were brought here by this outside force for some purpose, likely Markus was on both their lists, Ketra just on Rea’s.” “So wait… you mean I’m right?” Rose asked excitedly. “I don’t know… what was your theory, just that there was something up with these letters? Because then, yes, absolutely princess you are a genius.” “Sweet.” “Uh huh.” The dark haired boy glanced as Juliet. Rose scowled at him and added in, intending to rile all of them, everything else Laura had told her. “Someone tried to kill my brother?” Ketra’s voice got hard. “If Queen Rea is connected, then we keep watch on her. In fact, I want you and Juliet to do just that, Raythor.” “I’d be happy to. To me, it wouldn’t make sense if Queen Rea wasn’t involved. This doesn’t seem random,” Raythor said. “But then, I’m usually very mistrusting of people.” “You’re also usually right. Is that your gut response?” Juliet asked. He nodded. “Then I agree with you. Logically, you are absolutely right. I like Rea so far but it seems she isn’t exactly free from whatever this is. We’ll also look out for your brother, Ketra.” “What? No way, I’m not going to be Prince Perfect’s babysitter, he already has two that he frigging pays.” “Give me a second to convince him that this is a good idea.” Juliet grabbed his arm and pulled him into the hallway. She heard Rose start laughing as she closed the door. “No,” Raythor repeated. “For that matter, we should probably get out of here. The princesses are safe, my job here is done.” “You just told them you were going to investigate the queen, for one. Why is protecting Markus so different from doing that?” “Because I’d feel responsible if anything happens to him and I don’t want that.” “You already promised to help them figure this out.” “So what? I’m a god damned thief; I don’t think they’ll be shocked if we break our word.” “You aren’t to them. You’re a hero.” “I don’t care what delusion they believe.” He sounded wary. Juliet knew that meant he was starting to bend and he didn’t like it. “Don’t you want to stop running, just for a little while?” “I can’t, especially not now.” “Why not? Why can’t you tell me who you are?” “If you knew you wouldn’t come within one hundred miles of me,” Raythor said. “I don’t want that, I actually like having you around ok? I won’t hurt you. I won’t…” He seemed to be convincing himself. Juliet put her hand on his shoulder and flinched. Then he calmed down. “You’re right. Let’s stay.” “What? Really?” “You like being with people again, in a stable environment. I understand, living with me isn’t exactly easy. It would be selfish for me to make you choose between possibly never seeing me again and taking a break from my lifestyle. I know you care about me, for whatever misguided reason, and I won’t force you to make that choice. We’ll stay as long as we can.” Raythor pulled away. Juliet smiled thankfully. “You’re being so reasonable. You must be enjoying yourself too.” “I just can’t tear my friend away from a mystery when she longs for one so badly,” he said blankly. “By the way, only the envelopes with the messed up ‘e’s’ had an eagle on the front, one that was missing a foot. Ketra’s just had Carina’s lion.” He turned away from her. “I’m going for a walk.”
Laura rechecked her stiches when she finished them. They seemed to be fine, if perhaps a little uneven in size. Ross’s specialty was frostbite, hers was stiches. She didn’t get to use it much, but she practiced whenever she could. She’d taken up sewing just to make her fingers used to the motion. She ran her hand over his back one last time then nodded her head. “I think that’s the best I can do, I am sorry.” “The salve you used is the moon, my lady.” Blade said, with a quick canine bow. Laura found herself smiling. It was the most adorable thing she’d seen in a long time. “It’s a simple blend, I make it myself actually. I’m not a noble though, don’t worry about that.” “You have honored me as one and you deserve respect.” Blade said, ears flicking. He tilted his head. “Do humans forsake this custom?” “Class is very important to us.” “Kindness is the same to us.” “The moon means heaven,” Kayle whispered to her conspiratorially. Laura just nodded at her, not really wanting to know why she knew that or how she knew an elementist at all. Kayle studied her for a moment. “Hey, are you the white hourglass?” “Pardon?” Laura blinked at her. “Am I the what?” “Fair question,” Blade agreed, licking at his bandaged paw wound. “Do you not listen to your own castle’s gossip? Please.” Kayle threw up her hands. “The servants in Imperia all say that Markus has two invisible hourglasses that follow him around.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:28:57 GMT -5
One is red, counting down until his wedding, because two royal bloodlines will connect. The other is white.” “Why?” Laura asked reluctantly. “For purity. It counts down until King Audrion finds a way to send you from the castle, which he supposedly he’s been trying to do for years.” “Oh yes, he has.” “You and Markus don’t have a thing, do you?” “Why do you think the hourglass is white? We barely touch each other,” Laura quickly dismissed. “Oh,” Kayle sounded disappointed. “Well, that does explain the symbolism I suppose…” “Hello ladies, welcome back the heroes on menial labor.” Ross said, flashing a bright smile, his dirt covered shovel over his shoulder. Laura gave him a few insincere claps. He picked her up and spun her around, setting her down with a laugh. “You weigh like nothing, you know that?” “No, I was waiting for you to pick me up and weigh me so I could find out,” Laura said sarcastically. “He’s in a good mood today, don’t mind him.” Markus shook his head, taking his shovel from him and going to return it. Anella trotted after him. Ross made a little heart with his hands. Laura cut it in half with her fingers. He flipped the symbol over and she raised an eyebrow. He grinned. “It’s a turnip now. Turnip?” “I can accept your turnip.” She laughed, seeing Markus looked almost relieved out of the corner of her eye. “We need to prepare for our audience with the queen, don’t we?” Markus nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. We should hurry.”
“What is taking him so long?” Rose raged, fidgeting in her seat. “He left for his ‘short ride’ over two hours ago.” “Don’t worry, my brother can take care of himself,” Ketra assured. Rose pursed her lips in annoyance. She got up, started pacing and twirled her engagement ring. “Is there something out there we should be worried about?” Maria asked with a smirk.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:29:42 GMT -5
“No, but there’s something gold that Rose should be worried about. It matches something else I’ve seen today.” Raythor stared directly at Rose. He held up his right hand and separated his fingers. The princess inhaled sharply and slipped her engagement ring into her pocket. Damn it, she hoped no one had noticed it but Raythor or she was sunk. She’d just put it on this morning without thinking, it was like a part of her skin… Maria blinked at Raythor’s empty palm. “What, does she owe you money?” “No, that was just a poem I wrote her. It was an ugly one, but I just needed her to know I care.” “First, fuck you. Second, that didn’t even rhyme idiot.” Rose scowled at him. “You have absolutely no artistic talent.” “Thank you, I knew you’d love it.” “I just know you’re being sarcastic, stupid.” “Fine then, no kiss goodnight for you.” He shrugged. Rose’s mouth dropped open. Ketra turned her head, trying to pretend that she wasn’t laughing and Juliet was just trying not to fall over from her sudden giggle fit. Maria just looked at all of them with faint amusement, but didn’t comment. “Someone just finally bested your train of insults Rose,” Ketra said. “Why don’t you just kiss him now? He is your rank.” Rose’s eyes flamed and she smacked Raythor. Smacking her current “employer” was unfortunately out of bounds so she went for the next best thing. Raythor just took it, completely unbothered and Rose calmed down a little. Her sister’s always screamed when she hit them no matter how lightly and this was a nice change. This free non-screaming victim could be good for her. “Oh, there’s Prince Markus,” Maria commented lightly. Ketra beckoned to Rose and headed outside. The prince, Laura, Ross, Anella and Kayle were all coming over the hill like they were some kind of returning war heroes. Markus had changed clothes, Rose noted with irritation, as had Anella. She bristled but Ketra put a steadying hand on her shoulder. “Relax, Rose. My brother doesn’t even look at picture of other women, let alone have random affairs. It’s not what you’re thinking,” Ketra assured. “I’m thinking of certain other nobles and their obsession with my fiancé.”
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