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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:30:57 GMT -5
“Lady Kayle? Don’t worry about her; she would never do anything to tarnish her family’s name.” “I guess.” Rose crossed her arms, not really believing her. “Hey Ketra,” Markus said cheerfully. His sister stopped him and, without another word, hit his chest. He winced, covering where she had just hit. When he pulled his hand away blood came with it. Rose gasped. “There’s your answer, Rose,” Ketra said with satisfaction. “He’s been fighting. Training Anella, I expect?” “Not exactly, but I’ll explain later. I’ve got a message for Rea.” Markus looked back at the others. “Anella, Kayle, I’m just going to bring my body guards. Would you mind explaining what happened to my sister? Try an uh… short version.” “A-all right.” Anella looked a little relieved. “We can do that, sire,” Kayle gushed. Rose glared daggers at her. “Message for Rea?” Ketra frowned deeply. “Markus, what is going on? Does this have anything to do with the attempt made on your life?” “I’m sorry, I don’t have time.” His brow furrowed and he adopted a sort of helpless smile. He glanced at Rose. “Sorry if my wounds offended you, my lady. They were bandaged in haste.” Ketra rolled her eyes. “Just go. I trust you, I suppose.” They all watched him leave in silence. Rose eventually furrowed her brow. “He’s kind of bossy isn’t he?”
Chapter Six Trust
“You do not have to kneel before me.” Queen Rea looked curiously down at Markus. “Are we not equals?” “My lady, you are ruler here and I am but a future king. I have no crown yet.” Markus kept his head bowed only very slightly, his eyes level. Rea lifted her hand, biding him to rise. “State your business.” She folded her hands in her lap, leaning forward slightly in her throne. “I’ve been told that Kenetari Whitestar is not only planning to overthrow King Ian of Laina, but that she is also testing all the heirs to the throne. As you currently have no children I believe she may be about to test you, my lady.” He met her eyes, still unused to being of lower rank than anyone but his parents. Looking people in the eyes was an ingrained reflex and he was too nervous to keep fighting it. Rea tilted her head, thinking. “I see. I take it that this has happened to you already?” “Yes and it has happened to a friend of mine. I have some reason to believe it is happening to Prince Roland of Caltha as we speak as well.” He tried lowering his eyes again, it failed. Rea was silent for quite a long time. His attention darted around the throne room, alighting on the single gold throne, the scattered lion tapestries, and her two body guards at her side. It was really just one long hall with a red, orange and yellow rug leading to the throne itself and to Rea. He met her eyes again, trying to focus on the physical presence of Laura and Ross in the room with him. “What friend?” She asked, at last. “Prince Bryant of Lakita, a lesser kingdom in Laina,” Markus recited. Blade had quite specifically told him to say this if he was pressed for any information. “I see.” Her eyes lit up with what he believed was excitement. “James, ready the army. The amount of soldiers is up to your digression, as we are unaware of what size force is going to be attacking us. Speed is of the essence.” “You expect an attack on Avior castle?” Markus actually started. Rea stood, nodding. “I know what happens in my castle, even at night. For crown princes, they send assassins. For a queen who has an entire army at her fingertips, they will send no less than an army. You would do well to prepare.” “I will prepare the soldiers I have.” He bowed his head respectfully. “Thank you for taking me at my word, Queen Rea.” “Everglades never lie, do they?” She responded coyly. She dismissed her remaining attendants, Dione excluded, and took his hands. “Prince Bryant is a desert wolf, isn’t he?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:33:20 GMT -5
Markus started with surprise, but found himself nodding. “Yes. They sent a battalion after him, ten men.” “And you assisted.” Her eyes dropped to the blood drops he was leaving on the floor. Laura, seeing them too, jerked almost involuntarily forward. She was, however, determined to play her part of prince’s body guard. She wouldn’t touch him until they were out of Queen Rea’s sight, not even to heal him. Ross just made a sound of disgust he didn’t even try to conceal. “Yes, I did. We just managed to win, but we won.” “This is more than just a revolution in Laina; it involves all six countries…” She seemed to be thinking aloud, so he didn’t answer. “Dione, find a messenger. Send word to King Ian that, during my passage through his country, Prince Markus and I are going to request an audience with him about a very important and very private matter.” “Alright, I’ll go tell the scribe to find a more eloquent way to word that you’re coming to tell him there’s a big group of people who really want him dead,” Dione agreed. “Prince Markus, I shall see you on the battlefield.”
“That was a fun time, I love telling people things they already know in an unnecessarily formal way,” Ross said, when they’d made it back to the safety of their guest room. Markus just sighed in response, so Ross didn’t press it. Ross, after all, did not want to have to say out loud that he was genuinely worried that his friend was going to get killed and that he was even more concerned that that same friend had hired his own killers to protect him. He knew that Markus was trusting, sure, but that shit was really pushing it. “So, how long have you been dirtying up the floors with your body fluids, Blue?” “Why didn’t you tell us you were injured in the fight?” Laura agreed. “Because Blade was hurt worse and we had to get those bodies buried fast.” Markus said. How very typical of him. Ross rolled his eyes. “Besides, it’s just a few cuts-” “Remove your tunic,” Laura commanded. “Damn, girl, when you’re forward you’re forward. Want me to leave the room?” Ross crossed his arms. Laura gave him a very familiar look, which just made him smile. “Yeah, I know, his injuries are under there so it needs to come off for you to help. See, I know things.” “Can’t we just leave it? We’re probably fighting again soon,” Markus wheedled. “No. Get if off, now.” Laura made a motion with her hands. Ross turned his head to study it. It was kind of an upward thing, really fast. Was it really supposed to symbolize shirt removal or was she just trying to indicate that it was really hot in here? It kind of was, actually… By the time he was paying attention to reality again, Markus was putting his folded tunic on the bed, his bare back to both of them. Ross dropped his gaze. He recognized one of the scars on his back as having been left when Markus had been covering for him. “See? Not so bad, is it?” Markus held his arms out so Laura could see the wounds more clearly. It was about five or six deep looking slashes so yeah, it was bad and yeah, Ross was pretty sure he was standing out of sheer power of Markus. He sighed again. “Throw me my bag, Ross, we’re stitching him up,” Laura beckoned. “I don’t need stiches, Laur. Really. Just a patch job. Besides, do you think we really have time?” Laura considered that for a second then nodded. “You’re right, we don’t have time but after I’m making sure you get treated personally.” She caught her bag as Ross tossed it. He watched without much interest as she turned his chest into a white mess of bandages and then pulled back. “No that that’s done… I’ve got to go bind my chest for the fight and neither of you can come, so I’ll see you in a moment.” “What? Why do you have to do that?” Ross looked stricken. “Either I strap them down or I cut them off, it’s your choice.” “Fair enough, go squish them like-” “I have an idea where that’s going.” She slipped out of the room before he could finish. He snapped his fingers. “So close.” “Oh Ross.” Markus shook his head before he sat down on the edge of his bed and started to put his tunic back on. “You never do stop being you, do you?” “No, not really. I think that would kind of defeat the purpose of being this exceptional. It needs to be shared.” He sat across from him, letting out a breath. “You up to this? You look like you got your ass kicked.” “I’m a soldier. Of course I am,” Markus said dismissively. He re-latched his belt and then cradled his arms protectively over his middle. Ross fiddled with his bow string and didn’t comment. He really wished Markus didn’t have to try and save everyone he came across who was in trouble, but he guessed they wouldn’t be friends if he didn’t. Ross recognized that Markus had saved him more than once, and more than just physically. “Hey Markus?” He glanced up and then down quickly. “Yeah?” The prince ran his hand through his hair, his nervous gesture, and stared up at the ceiling. His mind was already on the battle, which was fine by Ross. “You know how Rea was married to my brother, just before he died?” “Sure, that was one of the biggest announcements of the century: I, Queen Rea, confess that I illegally married my body guard and managed to keep it from the whole country. Even my father was jealous of that level of political intrigue.” “Well… there’s kind of something about it I didn’t tell you. And it’s not about my brother, not really.” This he added quickly. Markus chuckled. “It’s about me. About a mistake I made after he died.” “Are you admitting to doing something wrong? I never thought I’d live long enough to see that happen.” “Well this is something even I…” He was already internally fighting himself from saying it. “Shouldn’t lie about. Something you should probably know, because it will come up if we’re sticking around Rea this long. I-” “Prince Markus, Lord Rainbird.” There was a loud knock on the door and Dione’s voice came through. “We’re being attacked. Like, now, so hurry it up.” “We are ready and will be at the queen’s side in mere moments,” Markus replied. “Great. The queen thanks you both for fighting with her.” They heard her leave. “What were you telling me, Ross?” He got up and started for the door.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:35:49 GMT -5
“Uh… nothing that can’t wait, let’s hurry. I don’t want to keep that scary knight waiting."
****
“Are you?” Kylara asked. She was trying to get her thoughts off what had just happened: about her promising to change her allegiance for money, about letting a target know she was after him. She should have been more careful, should have paid attention… never talk about a hit during a mission, never. She’d been sloppy and she was going to pay for it. If she hadn’t been so worried about Lila… Maybe this could be beneficial to them. Killing Markus outside that barn would have gotten them caught in the arrested sense, not just their cover blown. Now he trusted him. They could lead him away into the forest, finish him and blame it on an ‘ambush’ by Kenetari’s people. At this point in the insanity, she was pretty sure everyone but the prince’s personal attack dogs would buy it. He deserved to die like a dog for thinking he could buy her away from the guild that had treated her like a family. Royals thought they could get away with anything and it was about time at least one got what they had coming. “Am I what?” Raythor asked, sounding bored. Kylara glanced down at him from atop her horse, happy his voice had stopped her line of thinking before she could get too angry. He twirled his sword handle before gripping it tighter. Black hair, pale skin, sixteen and those blue, blue eyes… “The Karian Killer. Raythor James Karian.” “You’re the one who sent me that letter. Everyone thinks this Kenetari Whitestar is behind all this because her family has a little too much power and wants more, but you’re a Wildflower. Who’s to say your guild isn’t trying to make sure there are monarchs in place who will sing to your tune?” His expression didn’t change the entire time. The long field stretched before them, dusted with snow and dotted with trees but empty of enemy soldiers, seeming to call her a liar just for even thinking that she disagreed with him. “None of that explains what you want from me. Are you bounty hunters too?” “I’m not interested in your money; I just want to meet the legend. I think that’s who you are.” “Well I’m not, Miss Waterwind.” His tone went from flat to sarcastic. “My father was a blacksmith. There was a fire, started by my sister’s wonderful person of a boyfriend, and my dad died in it. The boyfriend blamed me and I could see that, even if my mom and my sister believed I was innocent no one else did. So I ran and kept running to protect them and to protect myself.” “That’s the worst lie I’ve ever heard.” “You don’t know this guy, the kind of power he had in our town. The point is, I’m not the Karian Killer. I’m just Raythor Carpenter. I don’t even have a middle name, if you want to know.” “And you couldn’t tell your little blonde friend the story you just told me?” Kylara laughed. “I don’t believe a word you just said.” “Believe what you want to believe.” Raythor stared straight ahead. “You can’t blackmail me for something I didn’t even do. So get off my back.” “Kylara!” Maria jogged toward them. “There is actually an army coming, over the hill! We better be on the prince’s friends like feathers on a bird or he isn’t going to pay us the rest of that money.” Kylara glanced at Raythor. The dark haired boy wouldn’t look at her. “Go be a feather.” Maria grabbed Kylara’s arm and dragged her off before she could answer. Her fingernails were sinking tight into Kylara’s arm. Oh, there was a lecture coming on and she did not want to hear it right now. “Ky, that boy is not a famous serial killer. Stop harassing him, no matter what he’s keeping from Juliet it’s none of our business. Markus is our business; we really have to keep focused on this one now. You hear me?” “We’ll off Markus easily, don’t worry. He couldn’t be more gullible.” “We’re going to legitimately observe him before that, aren’t we?” “Of course, of course.” Kylara had already condemned him in her head, but Maria was free to come to her own conclusions. There was no way, after all, that they’d be any different from Kylara’s own.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:39:19 GMT -5
Rose leaned out the window, scowling at the field that had become a battle ground. She could barely see, and that annoyed her. She and the other non-fighters had been regulated to this room, high up in a tower, and had been given no say in the matter. Life without her crown so far sucked pretty hard. All she had for company was Kayle, who she didn’t much like, Anella, who didn’t seem to speak and a brown haired boy she didn’t even know the name of. He wasn’t even interesting to look at. Yes, he was tall, but not as tall as Markus. He was also thin, but not near anorexic looking like Raythor. His eyes were a dull blue, and hidden by his chestnut hair that was drawn into a very small ponytail and seemed to bob against his neck. He was so… average. Rose tapped her fingers on the windowsill. “What’s your name?” “Gabriel Goldensun,” He said with a drawn out smile. He spoke slowly and enunciated clearly, as though he had so little to worry about that he could afford to spend his time enjoying how language sounded. “I’m Queen Rea’s personal blacksmith. She’s bringing me along to fix weapons, should the need arise.” “I’m Rose.” She looked back out the window. “Princess Ketra’s handmaid.” “Do you worry for her safety?” “No, she’s way too stubborn to die.” “Do you always speak of your lady like that?” Kayle asked, with clear shock. Rose resisted the urge to laugh. “We’ve been working together for a long time; I don’t think she’d punish me for a comment as trivial as that.” “My lady is a bit too unpredictable for me to speak that freely,” Gabriel commented without thought. Rose and Kayle, both gossips, perked up their ears and looked at him. “Is she difficult to work for?” Kayle asked, leaning her chin on her hand. She was sitting across from Anella at a table, supposedly playing chess but they didn’t seem to have gotten too far. She was wiggling her pawn back and forth with her fingers and Anella was watching her do it, rather nervously clutching her fallen black knight. “I would not say difficult, per say, at least not for men. It is merely-” “She gives the men preferential treatment?” Kayle’s mouth stretched with pure delight. “Really?” Gabriel, slowly, colored. “I… I’m certain I don’t…” Rose barely contained her laughter as she turned her attention back to the battle. She squinted, noticing a group of soldiers coming toward the only door that led toward the tower. “Are those ours?” Rose asked, looking at Gabriel. She stepped aside and he leaned out the window to see. She saw his shoulders tense. “No… those aren’t…” Gabriel shook his head. There was a loud noise and he jerked back. “They’re breaking down the door.” “What? How could that happen, there’s an army between us and them isn’t there?” Rose started panicking. She pushed Gabriel aside and gripped the windowsill, stretched so far out that she felt a restraining hand hold her arm to keep her from falling. “There is but… they’re all on the battlefield, not around the tower. Queen Rea did not anticipate they’d have any interest in it.” “The entire army is in the battlefield all the way over there?” “There have to be a few soldiers stationed in the tower,” Kayle said, trying to stay calm. Gabriel shook his head again. “No. The castle guards are protecting Queen Rea in the field. She never thought enemy soldiers would skirt the entire battle field to get to only four people in a tower. It’s um… illogical…” “Four people?” Rose gripped Gabriel’s shoulders hard. He swallowed, eyes widening with concern. “You mean us? Where the hell is everyone else who was in the castle?” “They are still in the castle, helping the soldiers or they were sent to the village.” “Then why the fuck are we here?” Gabriel winced at her steadily intensifying glare. “You can’t see the battlefield from the castle. Queen Rea thought you’d all be too worried about the others to pass up the chance to see for yourself that they were still alive.” “I’ll think about that kind gesture as I’m brutally murdered.” There was another loud crash as the door, presumably, was forced open. Kayle screamed and Anella stood up, face pale. Rose let go of Gabriel’s shoulders and started shaking like a leaf. The blacksmith, who had turned whiter than she had, went to the wall and pulled
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:42:07 GMT -5
down the decorative swords. There were only three and Rose, with a swallow, withdrew her sheath knife. She had just realized she was now last priority. “It will take them awhile to get up here. All the doors are going to have to be broken; I locked them for safety on the way up.” Gabriel’s eyes fixed on the floor. “I feel really, really safe good idea,” Rose retorted. “It g-gives u-us a l-little t-time f-for s-someone t-to notice that w-we’re in t-trouble.” “Not a lot…” She glanced toward the fateful window and gasped. “W-what?” “Raythor and Dasher saw us, they’re coming to help!” Relieved, she leaned back against the wall and ran her finger over the blunt edge of her knife. He would save her, just like he had before. They were okay now. “We’ve got to help them,” Kayle said. “They can handle it.” “I don’t care how good your knight is, six against two is unfair odds. Even with the element of surprise.” Rose was going to argue when Gabriel stepped to the door and calmly unlocked it. “We’ve got to do something.” He gave her a slight shrug and that was that.
Markus stepped back from the falling body, wiping the sweat off his face. It might be January, but he’d been putting so much focus and so much strength into fighting that he was actually hot. After all, it was not as easy to maneuver in snow and, even if he had not admitted it, his injuries were slowly him down. His body went into a panic anytime his chest was threatened at all- reopening those cuts would be murder on his nerve endings- and he knew he was fighting too defensively to be as helpful as he could have been. Still, at least it was just his chest. Both his arms and his legs were alright, so he didn’t have too much to complain about. Yes, he had to focus a little more but really he should always do that. All the same, he should have seen his sister fall. Should have felt it somehow in his veins before Ross cried out, his voice edged with the kind of desperation he’d only heard one before.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:44:47 GMT -5
“Ross, cover me!” Markus shouted back, before remounting Eclipse and thundering through the circle of soldiers that had Ketra surrounded. Ross’s arrows proceeded him by mere seconds and two men were already dead by the time Eclipse slammed hard into Markus’s first opponent. Several confused minutes passed to the tune of metal on metal, but he came out of them alive. Maria, Kylara and Rea’s knight James were helping him and he shot them a grateful smile before going to Ketra’s side. He scooped her up and started running. Ross’s arrows took out the few enemies who kept targeting Markus, but he was at the healers before he really had time to think about it. He set her down before a red-haired girl who had to be younger than he was. “Head wound, minimal bleeding, heavy shoulder wound,” Markus rattled off, completely breathless. “I think we can treat that, your majesty.” The healer bobbed her head. Her eyes fell on his chest, and his turncoat of a tunic that was showing off the blood. “Care to stay with her for a minute? You seem to be a bit banged up yourself.” “I can still fight, no need to waste your talents on me.” “Yes, I’m sure you can, sire, but I’m also sure you shouldn’t be if you don’t want that to get worse.” “I-” “He’s going to be covered by us,” Kylara said smoothly. She and Maria jogged up behind him, both looking pretty unruffled. “We’ll take very good care of him, no need to worry.” “Alright.” The healer looked dubious but turned her attention to Ketra. Kylara and Maria started half herding him before Ross ran up, his eyes fixed on them. He kept his bow only partially lowered. “Thanks for helping him, ladies, but I’ll take it from here if you don’t mind.” “Oh, we don’t.” Kylara grinned. “You are the one we’re meant to protect, after all.” “What?” Ross gave him an accusing stare. “What the fuck Markus, do you even know what a good choice looks like? Good God damn-” “We can discuss this later, Ross, we’re in the middle of a battle right now,” Markus cut him off quickly. “He should not be the one making sense.” Maria shook her head and cracked Ross across the back of his head with her sword. Markus rushed her but the pain and the snow slowed his just enough for Kylara to do the same to him. His vision stayed, for a moment, dark and fragmented. Then he passed into a near blessing of unconsciousness.
By the time Rose and the others made it down the stairs, two of the six enemy soldiers were dead, Juliet was scrambling for her sword and Raythor was bleeding from his arm. Anella froze in the doorway, having a near out of body experience as she watched the others take down an opponent each. A black shape moved in front of her and dispatched the final man. She felt herself “wake up”. Raythor looked back at her coldly. “You ok?” “Y-yes. I d-didn’t fight s-so w-why wouldn’t I-I b-be?’ Joking about herself was easier than dealing with how lost in her own fear she had just been. To her slight relief, he half grinned. His complete apathy was almost as unnerving as all the death she’d been forced to see lately. He actually looked… better somehow when there was anything resembling an expression on that face. “Thank you, Raythor.” Rose hugged him. He held out his arms and did his best to touch her as little as possible. “For future reference, touching me in any way is not a preferred method of thanks,” Raythor said stiffly. He backed away. “Next time I save your ass, do me a favor and go back to business as usual.” “Raythor…” Juliet shook her head. She was winded, but otherwise unhurt and this made Anella smile just a little. They were all fine. Thank goodness, she would never have forgiven herself if someone had gotten hurt and she hadn’t lifted a finger. Rose hit Raythor hard in the shoulder. He flinched, but Anella was fairly sure it was due to the contact rather than the pain. He flashed, if possible, an even smaller grin. “That was better.” “You are so welcome.” Rose made a face. “One of us should stay here in case this happens again,” Juliet cut in. “You,” Raythor said simply. Then he left. Kayle put her hand on her hip. “Not exactly your typical knight, is he?” “He’s not a knight,” Rose said. She put her knife away and began explaining how they had met. Juliet occasionally chimed in. Anella only half listened, eyes on Gabriel as he closed the door and tried to lock it. The lock had been thoroughly forced, and he was having quite a bit of trouble with it. There was so much splintered wood that he cracked off a piece in the door and jumped back with surprise. Anella timidly picked up a chair and brought it over, doing her best to put it under what was left of the door knob. Gabriel smiled gratefully. “That seems to be a more effective method than mine.” “I-I t-try…” She managed to turn up the corners of her mouth. “Sh-” A loud crack came from outside. The five of them fell silent. A few seconds later, something slammed hard into the door. Anella held the chair in place, knuckles white. There was a confused muffle of voices. Juliet, seeming to recognize one of them, pushed past Anella and Gabriel and ran outside. Everyone else stood stock still, listening to the sound of connecting metal and scrapping feet. There was a thin sliver of open door, and Anella could see Juliet and two men through it. That was all she managed to absorb before the fight was over. Juliet came back in, her mouth set in a line. “Is anyone here a healer?” A deep gash in her shoulder had left her right sleeve hanging off awkwardly, matching her now undone hair. She was limping too, Anella could tell that after even just a few steps. But she was, most importantly, alive. Juliet stared each of them down hard, in turn. Anella glanced at the others, biting her lip. Rose covered her mouth, looking like she was going to be sick. Kayle shook her head and Gabriel seemed completely lost. “No healers here.” Kayle shrugged. “Sorry, are you hurt bad-” “Not for me, I’ll be alright. Raythor might not be.” She seemed annoyed and Anella swallowed. She’d just realized what Rose had been staring at. It was just black hair, at least that’s all she could see from this position, but it was seeping red into the ground. A sword lay useless before him, coming through the door, out of his reach. Anella had a flash of Raythor standing protectively in front of her, staring back at her, just moments before. Alive and
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:47:27 GMT -5
breathing then and now… Just like that, the battle came into sharp focus and just like that she felt as sick as Rose had looked. She covered her face. “I’m n-not a-a h-healer, b-but I’ll h-help…”
Markus woke up to a face full of particularly dirty snow. He pushed up on his hands, wiping off the dirt, and looked up to see Ross tied to a tree. “Hey buddy.” Ross bobbed his head. “How are you? I think I got a splinter in my back but only time will tell.” He grimaced. “I’m really sorry.” “It’s just a splinter, it will come out.” “No, Ross, about… the assassins. I should have known better, but I didn’t know how else to get myself out of the situation.” “Yeah, I’m sure that’s true. They said they weren’t going to kill you and you were all ‘sweet, they must want to be friends’ and gave them some money. Really an excellent idea.” “I am sorry.” “A truly sorry person would untie me. And you can’t just cut it, by the way, because those two lovely ladies took all of our weapons.” “I wouldn’t.” An elementist stood at the edge of the clearing. Her sky blue eyes regarded him curiously. “Kylara and Maria went through a great deal of trouble to tie that idiot up. He really didn’t want them to touch you.” “I can safely say that no other woman has ever bound me quite this thoroughly,” Ross agreed. Nightshade glanced at him. Even on a canine face, Markus recognized that look as one Laura gave Ross often. “What do you want from me?” Markus raised his fists defensively. “I want to see what you can do, water human.” “What?” He sunk into fighting stance automatically. His fingers dropped to his boot, hoping they’d missed the knife he kept there but they hadn’t. Well, at least the assassins had been thorough. They had that going for them. “Is that why Kylara and Maria didn’t finish me themselves?” “Don’t encourage the killers, Markus!” Ross pleaded. “It is. I wanted a chance to see your magic,” the elementist said. She was female, judging by her voice, and seemed to be the same type that Blade was or at least had the same forehead symbol. Her fur was a lighter gray than his and she seemed to have bird wings, not bat, with one black feather in each one. A thick collar was around her neck, alternating black and white bands and she also had a pierced right ear. Both ears had little white feathers growing out of the tips, which would have been cute if not for most of Markus’s focus being on that deadly tail of hers. “I can’t do magic,” Markus said firmly. “I’m human.” “You’re human.” She threw back her head and laughed. “Sure you are elementi. But that doesn’t mean that our blood isn’t running through your veins and that you can’t use it to do things outside the scope of your humanity. You don’t even know what you are, do you?” Markus clenched his teeth and said nothing. “You are no half breed but you are not fully human either. I’ve seen you use your gift before, I know that you can.” Markus had a flash of his bleeding nose, the blood in his mouth, of losing complete control. He nodded his head. “I guess I can.” “You can?” Ross actually sounded pleased. “Sweet!” “I knew you’d be excited.” He pressed his hand into his chest until blood seeped out and touched his fingers. Markus raised it to his mouth, taking a deep breath, eyes closed. It was worth it, it was going to be worth it… He licked the blood off like a cat cleaning its paw. His eyes glazed over almost instantly. “Markus, what did you just do? I’m not going to lie; that looked a little bit crazy.” “Bring it on, furry.” Markus’s mind went blank. The elementist ran at him and took off into the air, sinking her claws into his shoulders as she flew. He grabbed her back leg and a pulse ran through him. Blue energy ran through her fur and she rocketed forward, slamming into the tree Ross was tied to, just above his head. Ross’s jaw dropped. She rebounded off the wood, paws scraping, and landed before him again. She was breathing hard and Markus took another step toward her, hand held up. Her tail spun and she struck him in the knee. The blood glowed red and he got a little burst of energy, sending another blue shock wave through her body. She seemed to withstand it this time and her eyes went jet black. Before he knew what was happening he was doubled over screaming. “You are worthy of what you are, it seems. Sleep well, elementi.” She bit deep into his neck. Markus’s vision flashed black and he lashed out, missing her completely. With every beat of his heart, blood gushed from the holes left behind by her sharp teeth. Over sixty beats per minute meant so…much…blood… A sharp pain in his left arm made him drop to his knees just seconds before her tail spun around to lop his head off. Markus leaned forward, watching as a few strands of his hair drifted into the mud below. She’d still managed to cut off something. Two more arrows came in rapid succession but this time they went into her instead of him. The elementist fell next to him, one through her wing the other through her ribcage. She struggled painfully to her feet and stood over Markus, teeth bared. He reached for her but another arrow struck the side of her skull, piercing out the back of her head. Her legs gave again. Then so did Markus’s consciousness.
Blade paced back and forth in the graveyard, tail bobbing behind him. He could hear the battle from here but he couldn’t join it and that was eating him alive. It wasn’t that he liked fighting or killing, but he had been brought up to take part in battles that supported Lakita in any way whenever it was possible. This one was not only beneficial for Lakita, one should always know how the enemy’s army fought, it was also in aid of humans that he cared about. Humans who had stuck their necks out for him without a second thought. He sighed. There was nothing to be done. If he showed himself to most humans, he could be killed on sight. Given his title he could not frivolously put his life on the line like that, not even for something like this. His ears perked. He was no longer alone in this resting place of the dead. “If this is going to be our meeting place, you’re more like your sister than I thought,” a male human said gruffly. He was tall, blond, dark eyed… Blade did not recognize him at all. Blade darted behind the nearest headstone, trying to remain unseen. “There won’t be any fighting here, therefore we won’t be found,” a second human male said tersely. He had a black cloak on and vivid, violet irises, only one of which was visible thanks to his hair. “Though I suppose fighting here would save time and energy afterwards…” The first speaker rolled his eyes. “Uh huh. There is really no doubt you’re a Whitestar, Jason.” “Most Whitestars could kill my target without blinking,” Jason returned gloomily. “I’m not sure you can do this even if you do blink.” “I have to, David. My target causes too many problems if she stays alive; she’s endangering Kenetari’s plans already, Ben was sure of it. More importantly, my sister will kill Kira and the others if I don’t get rid of this problem. I’m not going to be catalyst of your wife’s death.” “Well best of luck working with the slut on this one then.” David adopted a sarcastic smile. “I hear she’s incorrigible.” “Tolerating her presence is a small price to pay compared to the one you might have to if I fail.” Jason looked pointedly at a tombstone. David crossed his arms and said nothing. Jason stiffened, thousand-yard-staring over the horizon. “The battle seems to be ending.” “I should go do my job then.” “Yes… Nightshade seems to be dying. I didn’t expect that.” “Kenetari might very well rescue her then. She has every reason to keep Nightshade alive and she usually gets what she wants.” David adjusted the quiver strap on his shoulder. Jason nodded but looked defeated. “Try not to become too much more in tune with our surroundings while I’m gone, alright?” Blade watched the two head off in opposite directions. He wondered what exactly he had just seen. This Jason Whitestar… he was probably Kenetari’s brother, cousin, or husband, Blade supposed. He seemed reluctant to kill whomever it was he was tasked to. That was interesting information, even if he had learned little else from the conversation than Whitestars were prone to morbidity. He would let the others know as soon as he was able.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:48:09 GMT -5
Chapter Seven
Bruises and Bite-marks
Markus blinked into the total whiteness with confusion. He shifted, trying to figure out exactly what his head was resting on. A hand ran through his hair and he started. “It’s alright, Markus. I’ll take care of you.” Laura smiled down at him, running her fingers through his hair again. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. His head was in her lap. There were so many questions raised by that alone that he didn’t know where to start. Hadn’t he just been dying? “Hold still, Markus.” Her tone became soothing. She rested her fingertips against the little holes in his neck. It didn’t sting and, as soon as their flesh met, white light flashed from Laura’s skin and into his wounds. They all closed, leaving no reminders that they’d ever been there behind. Her hands shifted to his shoulders, and then down to his chest. Markus let out a shaky breath. Laura smiled at him and tapped beneath his eye. His scar sunk back into his cheek and he moved his hand up to touch it, unintentionally interlacing their fingers. “Where are we…?” Laura passed her hand slowly over his lips to silence him. Her mouth opened again and Ross’s voice came out: “Hey, Laura, he’s waking up!” “What? Really, he is?” Laura’s voice sounded… different than it usually did. Markus’s vision focused and he saw Ross standing over him, a very wide smile on his face. He returned the expression and then tilted his head down to study himself. The action hurt a little bit and he could see why. He was wearing only pants and heavy bandages covered his chest, shoulder and neck, his neck most of all. His boots, belt, thin gold crown and irrecoverably damaged gray tunic lay in the chair across the room. Before he could process anything else, Ross was hugging him, albeit awkwardly. Ross was purposely avoiding touching everything in bandages and, since that was almost everywhere, he was really more hovering over Markus with his hand on his shoulders. “Oh, you colossal moron, if you didn’t wake up I would have tormented you eternally in the afterlife. What the hell were you thinking? You almost got killed, you know that? I’m your bodyguard, but even I draw the line at protecting a corpse, it just seems unnecessary and I won’t have you making me do it. Oh, and we won just so you know.” He straightened and crossed his arms, trying to pretend he hadn’t been all that concerned. “Also, if you ever make me watch you get your throat torn open again I’m going to beat you to death personally, irony be damned. So there.” “You do babble when you’re worried,” Markus commented. Ross socked him in his good shoulder. “Fuck you, man. I’m getting your sister and telling her you’re alive so she can yell at you about being stupid too.” He left, overdramatically slamming the door behind him. “I think that went well,” Markus said. He breathed an inward sigh of relief. His sister was fine, at least. Laura tilted her head and gave him a look. Her lips had been chewed raw, and her fingers were flexing over her necklace like a cat trying to extend its claws. “He saw everything that happened to you Markus, how did you expect him to react? You… you can’t be so reckless. The two of us would be lost without you, even if we never say it. Ross cares about you just as much as I do.” “I’m sorry.” Markus felt a lump in his throat. He couldn’t admit how that it terrified him to come so close to dying, and he was not going to cry about it either. Laura’s eyes met his and she stepped forward, dropping to her knees beside the bed. She took his hand. “I didn’t mean for you to be sorry.” Her teeth closed on her lip again, causing it to squish with blood. “Ross is pissed because you trusted those two, but mostly because he couldn’t stop it.” “Yeah.” Markus swallowed hard. “That wasn’t fair of me, to put him in that situation. Not after what happened with William. It wasn’t fair of me to put myself in danger like that either. I’m a crown prince, I should think before I act far more often than I do.” “You are a little careless, you always have been.” Laura shrugged her shoulders. “Trusting too, which is… sweet. Just not always practical.” “I have you to be practical for me.” That got a little smile. “And I still have you, which is all that matters. Ross will come around.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:49:29 GMT -5
He moved his thumb over the back of her hand. She drew it away, and he cursed himself mentally. “He always does, you’re right. Who… saved me this time? It was you, wasn’t it?” “I fired the first two shots, and the one into your arm. I apologize for that.” “It prevented my decapitation; I think I can forgive you.” “Ross fired the one into her head. He actually worked himself free and took my bow, while I was coming to tend to you, to do it. It may be the first time he’s ever hit his target.” Markus grinned. “I’m going to thank him for that one later.” “For saving your life? Yeah, you probably should.” Ross came back in, still scowling. “Here’s your sister AND her maid. I’m going to go get the kind of drink you can’t have, wino.” Ketra gazed at him disapprovingly as he left, and Rose looked like he wanted to punch him. His sister proceeded to take Laura’s place, giving her a reproving look as well, and patted his hand. “I’m glad to see you up and around. You did have us going for a while there.” “I’m glad you’re alright, K.” Markus flashed a genuine smile. “You were out cold last time I saw you.” “I passed out from shock, mostly,” his sister said. “My main wound was in a non-critical part of my body. Not like the neck.” Markus put his hand up to throat. “Was I… close? Knowing you, Laura, you did these stiches yourself so I figure…” “Yes.” Laura nodded. Their eyes met and locked. He could see hers… misting. He’d only see her cry twice, once at Jack’s funeral the other when William died. He must have been a little closer than he thought, which explained both Ross’s reaction and hers. To make it worse, all of it was his fault. “If I hadn’t been there to slow your bleeding, you would be dead right now.” “Oh.” He fingered his bandages. “Really thank you.” “All in the line of duty, my prince.” She fidgeted. “I’m going to go… speak with Ross for a little while. You may remove the bandage on your neck but do not touch it any more than necessary. Take that bell and ring it until a healer shows up if you’re still bleeding.” “How did you know I was going to ask?” “If there was thread holding my neck together, I’d want to have a look at it too.” Laura turned her head, breaking their eye contact. “I hope not to take long.” “You’re going to go beat him up, aren’t you Laura?” “Without reservation.” She dropped into what could possibly be called a curtsy, probably in honor of Ketra, and went after their wayward friend. “Well, now that I’ve confirmed that I still indeed have a sibling I’m going to sleep,” Ketra teased. She squeezed his hand. “I love you, but don’t scare me like that.” “Love you.” He squeezed back. Then he processed that sentence. “Wait… go to sleep? How long have I been out?” “I would guess eight or nine hours. On the positive side, this does give you a free full night’s sleep.” “Eight hours?” Markus balked. He had never been forced unconscious before and that seemed like a long time to be under. He felt okay, though, just a little sore and he knew he probably shouldn’t move much… “Laura poured a shit ton of sleeping draught down your throat before she started on your neck,” Rose said, trying to be helpful. “So you had a good reason to be.” “Good… good to know.” “Can I um… see it?” “Sure?” Markus blinked at her. Ketra stood. “I’ll leave Rose here to care for you until Laura and Ross return then. Goodnight, Markus.” “Night, Ketra.” He watched her leave a little sadly. Then he went to work on his bandages. Rose automatically moved to help him. He kept his eyes fixed on the wall while her fingers fumbled. She seemed more nervous than he was. He was worried that there would be blood and he’d have to ring that stupid bell, she just seemed nervous to be touching him at all. Her nose wrinkled when she saw the pile of brown stained bandages she’d created. “No fresh blood.” Her attention shifted to the actual wound. “Whoa, that is so gross.” She pulled out a handheld mirror from the deep pockets in her maid’s dress. “Here, look.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:51:18 GMT -5
Markus looked. The elementist had gotten those teeth in there but deep. He could see the angry, red raised outline of her jaw imprinted on his neck. Laura’s tiny little stiches wound all the way through it, careful and precise as ever. The very tips of his fingers explored them gently. It hurt a little, but it felt fascinating as well. He couldn’t seem to stop touching it, now that he’d started. “Rose, you want to see what it feels like?” “Depends… does it feel like it looks?” “Kinda.” “Then yes.” Rose waited for him to move his hand away. Then her fingers replaced his. They were actually pretty soft, especially for a lady’s maid. She was being as sure not to hurt him as possible, and he certainly appreciated it, but it seemed a little above common human decency. “Do you think this will scar?” “I hadn’t thought about it… probably. I guess I’ll have to start wearing scarves.” He chuckled so she knew he was joking. “I don’t know, I think it will look pretty impressive. It goes with your other one.” “Oh, other ones actually. I got a few in the war; they’d be on display if not for my bandage shirt.” “How does a crown prince get in a war?” “He runs away from home. Really fast,” Markus said. Rose cracked a smile at that. Somehow, he kind of guessed she could sympathize. She seemed like the type who was less than enthusiastic about authority by the way she acted around Ketra. He watched as she went and sat down, tapping the chair arm. She was kind of pretty. He felt his cheeks heat up just thinking that and repressed it quickly. She might be a Rose, but she wasn’t his Rose so he should really just think of her as a man. Even if the little copper curls at the sides of her face were cute. “How did you get the one under your eye? Some heroic story?” Rose looked back at him, her hand under her chin. She looked bored, but it seemed more of a decision than an actual lack of interest. Markus shook his head. “Not really. I was fighting this giant guy- in comparison to me at fifteen, I’ve grown a lot since then- and I just made a mistake. Wasn’t paying enough attention, wasn’t good enough, either way he got close enough to cut my face and it turned into one of those times Laura had to save me. I’m not too proud of it.” He grimaced. “And it’s right on my face too, so of course that’s the one people ask me to explain.” She laughed. “Do you have heroic ones, Prince Markus?” “That’s a bit of a strong word, I guess. I think I’m going for quantity over quality as this point.” “That one on your face bothers you a lot, doesn’t it?” “Yes,” he admitted. “I’m a little bit vain, honestly. It happens when everyone tells you you’re handsome for as long as you can remember.” “Don’t forget rich and titled.” “That I take for granted too often and I wish that I didn’t. I know I’m pretty much the luckiest guy in Everglade, just because I was born. It’s a hard life, but someone has to do it.” “Just got a little harder.” She eyed his stiches. “I’m really glad you made it, by the way.” “Thank you.” He started touching the strings in his neck again. Acting like he was the perfect prince was easy. All he had to do was look good and actually use all the many things he had. He’d tried to be perfect for a long time and people who didn’t know him tended to believe it was true. All the girls he spoke to for no more than minutes at a time, like Rose. All the nobles he had convinced he could live up to his title, and his future one. It was only his father and his friends who saw through it, saw that he was reckless, stupid, scarred inside and out. Imperfect. He’d just have to keep trying until the stupid little mark under his eye really was all that was wrong with him.
She didn’t have to go far to find him. He was just sort of slumped against the wall, his nose plugged as he sloshed some sort of alcohol down his throat, blankly blinking at nothing in particular. Ross, for all the many times he had bought girls drinks, did not actually care for the taste of any of the drinks he’d ever tried. He tended to mix anything and everything in attempt to find something that didn’t make him gag and had, to the best of Laura’s knowledge, been largely unsuccessful. He drank to try to get laid or to get drunk, that was it.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:55:44 GMT -5
Laura moved in front of him, her arms crossed. “You just want him to smell that on your breath, don’t you Ross?” “What’s it to you?” Ross tipped the glass at her mockingly and took another drink. “I’m the one who keeps him sober so I can be the one to torment him about it.” “Get up.” “Really? Now?” “I need to talk to you about him and you aren’t going to listen until I’ve made you black and blue. So get up.” “He can be wrong too, you know. Not just me.” Ross stood up, leaving the drink on the ground. He shook out his hands and squared his feet. “He’s the one who made the mistake, and he’s got the bruises and bite-marks to prove it.” Laura jerked her knee up and he caught it before it connected with his body. While both hands were distracted, she popped him in the face. He used her leg to spin her and sent her to the ground in return, so naturally she knocked his legs out from under him and took him down with her. There was a scramble to get up, but she hit him across the jaw again and sat down firmly on his back. “That’s what it was, Ross, a mistake. Being trusting is his nature.” Ross rolled, knocking her down. He pinned her down by the shoulders. “This isn’t really the way I want to have physical contact with you, you know. Also, I’m pretty sure Markus is just stupid. How many times has his carelessness gotten us into trouble over the years, huh? How many times has he said too much to the wrong person and gotten us in trouble, just because he ‘trusted’ them? Now that we’re older, I guess it’s escalated right on into almost killed.” “I agree that he has the tendency to make poor choices but his heart is always in the right place. He cares about us, you know that. He would not put us in danger on purpose.” “He can’t do anything right on purpose either.” “If we lose faith in our best friend, in our crown prince, we lose everything we took up our oaths for.” “I took the oath to be like my brother. He died, so now it’s to honor him.” “And you don’t want it too?” “Do I want to go to war and kill and hurt people like I was hurt? Hell no I don’t, Laura. And maybe Markus isn’t worth any of this anyway; he’s going to be a total shit king-” She spit in his eye. Gagging, he let her go to brush it off. Laura slammed him down hard onto the floor, leaving him on his back. She put a knee on either side of his chest and pressed down hard on his shoulders, sinking her finger nails in. “Markus is the future of Everglade, Ross. He’s our future.” “Why don’t you just fuck him already?” Laura hit him again, with more force that necessary. He stayed quiet, jaw set. “I know you don’t mean any of this, Ross.” “He made me watch him almost die. That isn’t fair, is it? He… when Will…” Ross trailed off. “Losing him would not be good for my sanity, alright?” “Markus might act like a white knight, but he’s not Will.” She let that sink in for a moment. “He isn’t going to die, not while we’re here. I promise you, Ross.” Laura got up, raising her fists and watching him warily, until he raised his right hand in the sign of defeat. She nodded and undid her hair ribbon, so she could fix her now very askew hair style. Ross grabbed her wrist. “Hey, leave it down. Just for tonight.” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Why?” “For me.” He flashed a smile. “Fine.” Laura draped the ribbon around her neck, resolving to deal with it somehow later. “Weird request, though.” “Well, seeing as this is the only way we can actually talk seriously to each other I’d say it’s a weird request for two weird people.” “You have a point.” They started back, in step with each other. “Markus also made a mistake, I concede that. He doesn’t think about how easily he could be hurt or killed outside the safety of the castle walls. He may be a prince, but there are plenty of people out there who are perfectly willing not to care if they want him dead badly enough.” “Like those two Calthan bitches,” Ross agreed. “I see them again, I fill them with holes.” “We may just have to.” Laura slowed her pace a little. Her blood boiled just thinking about them, but she knew they were not the ones who had ordered the hits, just the ones who
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 15:59:00 GMT -5
were meant to execute it. Just like the royal army, it was all really about where the orders were coming from. She had no doubt it was the Whitestars, but their concern with Markus was troubling. Everglade and Laina had little connection, they were near enemies. Even once Markus took his Bloodish wife that would not be enough to go to war, no matter how many terrible things the Whitestar family did to their people on Laina’s throne. So why him, why Rea and Blade? What was the real reason behind testing the heirs to the throne? “Hey Laura…” “Yes Ross?” “You don’t… have faith in me like you have in him, do you?” Laura put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it affectionately. “I do. I’ve seen you go from doing this job for your brother and his memory to doing it because you feel that it’s right. You may be lazy sometimes, and you may not be conventional, but you’re worthy of the Gladian army and everything it believes.” “Well, I want to be a knight, deep in my bones, just like you do.” He was practically glowing from the praise. “And being a knight for anyone but Everglade just wouldn’t make sense. This is my country, and I know it’s the most morally right of the six.” “That was also, might I say, the most impressive shot I’ve seen in a long time.” Ross smiled brightly. “Wasn’t it? I was proud of myself for that one. I’ll see that fuzzy assassin in hell!” They pushed into Markus’s sick room. “Not the most normal thing you’ve ever said, but far from the weirdest,” Markus commented. He gave Ross a look clearly begging for forgiveness. Ross nodded his head and just like that, they were okay. Laura felt a heavy sense of relief. Rose got to her feet. “Well, I am going to bed. You guys can look after him from here, can’t you?” “That’s why we get paid the big bucks.” Ross gave her a thumbs up. She blinked at him and left without answering. “Alright then, I’m going try a different technique with that one next time.” “She likes money, flaunt your title,” Markus commented. “Must you encourage him?” Laura took Rose’s seat, searching under the chair for where she’d left her sewing. Markus laughed. “We’ve just been talking is all; I think she might have a little crush on me.” “No excuse for giving her a thorough Ross-ing in return.” “No, probably not but hey… she’s pretty, right Ross?” “Yeah, I do like them short.” Ross agreed. He sat down too and put his feet up on the little corner table. “Makes me feel taller, which is always nice around the evergreen tree over here.” “I’m not that much taller than you.” “You’re enough taller to make me need short chicks around to feel better.” “I thought you just liked ‘them’ in general, Ross,” Laura said mildly. “That too. Especially you, buttercup flower.” “Oh dear, don’t use that one on other girls.” “Wouldn’t dream of it, it’s just for you.” Ross sat forward. “Anyone else want to stay up until we physically can no longer open our eyelids?” He already knew the answer.
“I’m sorry, Raythor.” Juliet stroked his bloody, dark hair, still too numb to cry or to really react at all beyond trying to help him. She looked over her shoulder at the only other person in the room, making sure he still hadn’t moved. The white blond haired soldier was still sleeping, to her relief. He had been since they’d been brought here. He only seemed to have a broken nose, but it had to be worse. Juliet really didn’t want to know what was wrong with him. “I can’t fix this…” “Has he woken up yet, honey?” One of the castle healers, a middle aged women with tousled brunette hair and a lined face, came in and stood with her hands folded. Juliet shook her head, sitting back in the chair so that no part of her was touching Raythor. She folded her hands in her lap. “Only to throw up, about two hours ago. Then he said ‘I will not hurt you’ and passed out. The only moving he’s done is breathing since then.” “Hm.” The healer tapped her chin. “Did his speech sound slurred or did he seem at all disorientated?” “I’d say both. I’m not sure he recognized me.” Juliet’s brow furrowed and she looked the healer in the eye. Her tone became more businesslike. “Why?” “I think your friend has a concussion. From his symptoms, I also think it’s a severe one. It’s possible that he’ll be fully recovered with a week of rest, though he may never remember getting the concussion.” “What if he isn’t just fine in a week?” She kept her voice level but she squeezed Raythor’s gloved hand. The healer gave her a sympathetic look. “He slips into a coma and doesn’t wake up. If that’s going to happen, it will happen soon. The healer forced a smile but Juliet knew she was pandering to her. She sighed. “Thank you anyway.” “I’m sure he’ll make it, dear. He looks like a fighter,” the healer tried. Juliet didn’t say anything. She kept her head down, rubbing her fist rather aggressively under her eye. “I brought a few of your friends to come and take care of you and the boys until morning.” “Send them in,” Juliet said, without much feeling.
Chapter Eight
Would You?
“So… hour number six of being trapped alone in this room together… with no supervision…” Ross yawned, sitting backwards in his chair and crossing his arms over the top of it. Markus nodded absently in response. “And we’re still just talking…” “Tired yet, Ross?” The prince asked. “Because I technically got a full night’s sleep so I feel great.” “I feel even better.” Ross opened his eyes wider to prove his point. Laura shook her head and kept sewing. Ross was competitive and Markus was prone to egging him on. If both
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 16:01:29 GMT -5
of them weren’t up until the sun rose, she’d be surprised. Still, talking for hours on end might not appeal to Ross but she was enjoying it and would be happy to go on doing so. Spending time alone with them was a nice treat. “Want to play would you?” Ross asked, his leg beginning to jimmy up and down. “What, the party game for drunken nobles?” Markus laughed. “Really?” ‘With Ross involved in it, don’t forget that,” Laura chimed in. “All of the questions are probably going to be ‘would you rather sleep with me or me, Laura’?” “To which he will respond to your forced choice of him with when and where,” Markus agreed. “Would you have it any other way?” “You know what, I don’t think I have any opening in my schedule but I will get right back to you on that, Ross. I’m fairly sure I’m busy until I die of exhaustion, however.” “Her funeral is good for her Ross, are you open?” Ross just laughed. “See, that was fun and it somehow degraded into necrophilia. Don’t you want to play?” “With that recommendation, why not?” Markus glanced at Laura. She nodded her agreement. Ross pumped his fist. “Hell yes, I love playing this game with women! I am about to ask you so many awkward questions.” “Women? Ouch, I feel like I should take that personally.” “Don’t, because I counted Laura twice for being so incredibly beautiful. Care to go first, my sweet sunflower?” He did the best bow he could seated in a chair. “All right, Ross… would you rather sleep with General Flameron or General Porthe?” “What?” Ross’s mouth fell open. “Those aren’t girls.” “Nope,” the prince agreed. Ross kept staring at her, expecting her to be joking, but she stared right back. He threw up his hands. “Fine, I’ll play along. I’ll pick Porthe because if I absolutely had to do… something of that nature, I’d want it to be with someone I don’t know personally. I see Jerrod Flameron every day.” This elicited a shudder. “Fair enough,” Markus said. He was desperately trying to keep a straight face but it wasn’t working. “Then I believe it is your turn, Mrs. Porthe.” “Great.” Ross rubbed his hands together eagerly. “Laura, if you had the chance to kiss Markus without any repercussions, would you?” “Absolutely no repercussions?” Laura asked. Markus’s gaped at her, he clearly hadn’t expected that as a response. “None. You would both go on with your lives like it had never happened.” Ross was watching her rather intently now. Markus was too, a strange expression on his face. “Of course, then. It would be a unique experience and, if it hurt no one, then it would be one I would not object to.” “Yeah… it’d be kind of surreal,” Markus agreed. He kind of looked like his pain medicine was running out. Laura hopped up to get him more; quickly searching through the bag she had left hanging off the bedpost. She started grinding it up. It wasn’t entirely necessary, but she figured Markus wouldn’t enjoy eating a white, fluffy looking flower straight up while he was awake. “It’s your turn, Blue.” Ross nudged. “Just a sec… Laura?” “Yes Markus?” She shook the crushed meadowsweet out of her hand and into a glass of water. She handed it to him. “Here, this will dull the pain again.” “Uh… thanks…” He made another my-pain-meds-are-losing-effect face. “Do you… think I’m handsome?” Markus added in a little laugh. “I know it’s kind of an awkward question, but I assume it’s the reason you want… want, not that… would be willing to kiss me. I mean, that’s why I get all the love letters, just because I look more like my mom than my father.” He shrugged, touching the stiches on his neck. “I do.” Laura watched him down his medicine in one gulp. “But the reason I would wish to kiss you is because I’ve known you since I was five, Markus, and that we’re best friends- it’s pretty much the last thing we have to try with each other, isn’t it?” “That and sex.” Ross bobbed his head, seeming to understand her reasoning. “I’m thinking that offer just doesn’t go for me though.” “Let’s see.” Markus tapped his glass with his fingers, eyes on it. “Laura, would you rather kiss Ross or Raythor?” “Hm…” Laura considered it. “Is Raythor the one with the pretty blue eyes?” “He has blue eyes, yes.” “Then him. He wouldn’t expect anything more afterwards.” “You’d kiss that people hating Calthan before me?” Ross said with exasperation. “Just because he has blue eyes? Mine are gray-green, that’s just as good if not better.” “You’d want to keep kissing me,” Laura teased. Ross put a hand on her cheek and stared balefully into her eyes. “Would that be so bad, beautiful?” “Not if I was drunk beyond all reason, I suppose. But other than that I must respectfully decline.” He sighed and withdrew his hand. “Markus, would you rather I tell Laura what you’re hiding from her or should I?” “Huh?” Markus seemed confused. “I’m going to go with you, because…?” “Markus is something called an elementi and he used his blood as a catalyst to do magic. And he freaking licked it off his hand to do so, which was pretty creepy if you ask me.” “Ross!” “You know and I know it, and we should ask Blade about it tomorrow. There has to be another way for you to do magic tricks than licking your own blood.” “I saw that book in the library… with the girl who looked like Markus. Is that how you found out what he was called, an elementi?” Laura made her way back to her seat. “Yes, that’s how Ross heard the word, certainly,” Markus said tersely. “He didn’t want to talk about it- and you never spoke to your father about it, like you said, by the way- but it’s hard to deny after you used that blue shock wave I don’t know what thing to throw that desert wolf into a tree. That was magic, Markus. Don’t you fulfill all the requirements now?” Ross sounded excited. Laura guessed it was at the prospect of magic, which he had always been interested in, and having someone around who could actually do it. He wanted Markus to be an elementi, whatever that might entail. When Markus didn’t answer, he just kept right on talking. “It said they’re born with an unusual feature- blue hair, check- and that they have ‘magic within their grasp’ or something else flowery. Now we know you have that too and Markus, when that bitch of a fur ball asked if you could do magic you said yes. How long have you been able to?” “His whole life,” Laura said quietly. They both looked at her. “I grew up watching him moving the water in glasses without knowing it, breaking glasses by barely touching them… little things like that. He reacts to water, that’s how I used to think of it, and I think it’s why he doesn’t get cold, or maybe even why he doesn’t get sick.” “Laura said it, not me, you have to believe it,” Ross cut Markus off before he could protest. “And she’s right. Think about it.” “I believe he’s been trying not to.” “Well, he can’t hide it anymore, not after what I saw him do. How long have you known you can?” “Since I helped Anella and Kayle.” Markus let out a long sigh. “She hit my nose and it started bleeding. As soon as the blood got in my mouth something… happened. It was like I went somewhere out of focus and my body took over. I fought better than I ever have in my life. And the second time, with the elementist…” “The second time he grabbed her leg while she was flying over him and sent this blue… wave thing through her. She hit this tree and came back, and he tried it again but I guess her magic was stronger because that’s when…” Ross trailed off, tapping his neck. “Of course it was stronger; I’ve done it twice, if it even is magic.” “What, normal people fight better after they’ve ingested their own blood? Yeah, that’s likely.” “Well, why would it only happen now? I’m sure I’ve accidently had blood in my mouth before. Yeah… remember when I fell off that wall I was walking on and bust my lip? That bled everywhere.” “Were there enemy soldiers then? No, there weren’t.” “Why would magic react to the situation?” “Because it’s fucking magic, Markus! Are you really going to question the logic or are you going to accept how fantastic this is?” “Hey,” Laura held up her hand. “Perhaps we should attempt it again?” “I agree.” Ross folded his hands expectantly. “Get yourself some blood, boy.” “I’ll get it. I won’t have him injure himself further. That is, only if he wishes.” Laura looked back at Markus. He closed his eyes but he nodded. She went to his side again and thought about what to do. Laura didn’t want to remove a drop that she didn’t have to; he’d lost a lot of blood already. Her hand hesitated over the bandage on his arm- the wound she had made him suffer- and the voice of doubt got stronger. Magic had to be energy draining. It seemed more practical to wait. She glanced at him. Perhaps it was only practical physically. Her fingers worked fast, undoing the tight binding. She’d aimed so it would graze him, but she’d taken a little skin off with it. It had stopped bleeding, probably hours ago, but with only a little urging it would no doubt start again. Laura picked at the very edges of the clot with her fingernails, coaxing the red ooze from beneath his skin. There was a little left on her finger by the end and she pulled her hand away, letting out a long breath. “Alright Markus you’re free to horrify Ross again.” Markus took her wrist and pulled her hand forward, tongue touching her finger. She stepped back quickly when he let her go, heart beating fast as a rabbit’s. He adopted a rather uncharacteristic smile. “I didn’t think I should waste it.” “I suppose not.” She rubbed her finger on her sleeve. Laura watched him, waiting for a change of some kind. She found one in his eyes- they begin to pulse with a faint glow, one that matched the color of his irises. Markus looked as though he were in some sort of dream. His hand reached out, taking the flask of water from the bedside table and pouring some out so that it pooled in his palm. Then he took it and rubbed it into his exposed injury and into each of his bandages, leaving his hand on his arm wound. For a moment, he winced then he pulled his hand away. Laura sharply took in breath. The mess she had made had shrunk considerably, as though it had been healing for several days rather than fourteen hours. It had clotted again as well, and the blood that had come loose was gone, as though it had never been there at all. She impulsively moved his chest bandages so she could see beneath them and found that they too had improved, though not as drastically and that his neck looked a little less red and angry. Laura gripped his good shoulder, her body shaking. “That’s… that’s incredible, Markus. What this could mean for Everglade…” “I think it means I’m legitimate.” Markus said, with somewhat forced levity. His eyes had gone back to normal and he no longer seemed to know what to do with his hands. “The elementist who attacked me said I wasn’t a half breed. She said that my blood has elementist blood in it, and that’s why I can do magic. So I… suppose this is good news.” Ross stood up quickly, sliding his chair. “I saw another book that looked like the one we found in Everglade. She might have been lying, but I don’t think so. Maybe we can find something to prove that it’s true. I’ll go get it, you two stay here alone. Together. While I’m gone.” He proceeded to leave incredibly conspicuously. “Other people are sleeping, Ross,” Laura returned in a harsh whisper. Markus’s eyes lowered, focusing on her hand. She crossed her arms. “Did you really think that I would care that you are not fully human, Markus?” “You could tell I was worried. Of course you could.” He let out a sigh. “Well, Ross is right. It isn’t… normal.” “No, it’s not. It’s a gift. You can heal people who might die otherwise, and you can win battles you wouldn’t be able to without it. You can do so much to help people with this power.” Her hand went back to his shoulder. “It makes sense that it was given to you, I know you want to help people so badly. This is a way to do so.” “Yeah.” Slowly, he smiled. “You’re right. This is a good thing, isn’t it? Of course it is, it’s magic. I honestly wasn’t sure if I was competent enough to keep going down this path we’ve chosen but… now I am. I really am.” “You always were,” Laura assured. “One little mistake doesn’t make you any less worthy to be my liege lord, I assure you.” “Well, my heart has always been far smarter than my head, that’s for sure.” He tapped his chest and temple respectfully. “Though I’d call trying to buy off those assassins a big mistake.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 16:07:14 GMT -5
“It’s all relative,” she teased, “you’ve made bigger.” “Oh, I know that’s true. Princess Rose is going to have a lot to put up with. More than her fair share.” “Well,” Laura ruffled his hair affectionately, “if that hasn’t made your pampered little princess go to her father and demand a new prince, she must be fairly accepting.” “She has no choice, Laura.” Markus kissed her hand formally, setting it back against her body. Laura’s face fell and he looked apologetic. “Sorry, that one was a reflex. If there’s a pretty girl’s hand too close to my face…” “You lick the blood off it?” “That was to bother Ross, mostly. Sorry.” “Don’t be, that is a very worthy cause.” She composed herself. “Yours will be an arranged marriage, that’s true, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t grow to love each other over time.” Laura moved and sat down primly. She did not believe touching him anymore today would be to her benefit. “Arranged marriages are about being logical and love certainly is not. Jack… Jack once said to me that it’s a very strong connection to be outside logic with someone else, and that’s part of what love is. I believe that. Maybe what you’re doing doesn’t make sense, but it feels right. Because that other person is there, you know that you can do almost anything together.” “He was good with words,” Markus agreed blankly. “I’m… always going to regret that I wasn’t there when Jack died. That I couldn’t do anything.” “It was my fault. The wolf… what I saw in the mirror told me he was in danger and I didn’t listen.” “What that woman did to him was not your fault,” Markus bristled. Laura started, glancing at him. She had just accepted that Jack’s death was her fault for so long that she hadn’t even considered that he’d been… murdered. She’d watched him die, so of course she knew that’s what it was but she’d kept on blaming herself all the same. Recognizing that it was Kenetari’s, that she was real and that she was likely insane, took a weight off her. A wide smile spread across her face. “Thank you.” “That smile was thank you enough. You don’t smile like that as often as you used to.” “We all have our versions of ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ smiles, I suppose.” “I suppose.” He put on a ‘formal’ one. Markus was silent for almost a full five minutes, something quite unusual for him. Laura began to feel a little uncomfortable. She never felt that way around him, and she didn’t understand why she did now. She had said and done nothing she would regret, which was what usually caused this feeling but it was nipping at her all the same. Markus sat up a little straighter. “I’m still… just Markus to you, aren’t I?” “Of course. Why would that have changed?” He let out a little laugh. “No reason, Laur. None at all. Listen, what you said about kissing me… about it being the only thing we haven’t tried… if… if I wasn’t getting married…” Markus ran a hand through his hair. “I am getting married, I’m getting married soon, but I’ve held this in and I…” “Markus?” “I would have liked to have… tried it. With you.” His smile got awkward. Laura stared at him. He couldn’t mean that, could he? He didn’t look at girls, he thought of no one but Princess Rose. Did ‘tried it’ mean just the kiss, just for the experience, or did he mean trying to be court her, to be with her? “The kiss?” She tried to sound honestly confused. “Uh… yeah. Sure.” The awkward smile stayed. “Because you’re pretty… I mean, beautiful really… and we’ve known each other for so long and you are always so sweet to me, even if I don’t deserve it and sometimes I really don’t-” “Markus, take a breath.” Her full smile returned. “It is alright to be physically attracted to someone, you know. You are a sixteen year old boy.” “Even if it’s you?” “I’m sure that’s just because I’m safe to be attracted to. I’m lower class, we’re friends, and obviously nothing would have happened between us. It makes sense.” “Obviously.” His smile went formal again. “I’m sure you’re right. We’re friends, we have been from the beginning and I hope we will be until the day I die.” “I hope the same.” The door crashed open. Ross strode in cheerfully. “Found it.”
**** Anella woke up in the dark. She was stiff as anything, having fallen asleep in a hard wooden chair, and she was sure she had been out for quite a while. Both she and Kayle had been given chairs to sleep in rather than beds, and the third had been delegated to Juliet, due to the fact she had actually been injured, unlike the two of them. Kayle had then opted to serve as the guardian for the unknown male in the corner and steered Anella toward watching over the still unconscious Raythor. Her motives for both were depressingly obvious. Kayle overall preferred blonds, so she thought the unknown was more handsome and possibly richer than Raythor. The nurse had told them his name was Jayden Okia and Kayle had actually spent time looking through the queen’s royal library for a noble family with that name. Anella hadn’t had the heart to tell her that he had an engagement ring, making him not only Gladian but also unavailable. Only Gladian men wore engagement rings, instead of just their female counterparts. Kayle wouldn’t find his name in any Carinian royalty book, even if he was a noble. Still, Anella didn’t like discouraging Kayle from her crushes. Whenever she did Kayle turned her attention on Anella’s lack of a love life instead. Peacefully accepting making sure that Raythor kept breathing through the night was just easier. He had come to her aid, so she owed him at least that much. Still, beyond that, she wasn’t sure why Kayle was pushing her toward him. His singular expression continued to be unnerving and he’d seemed completely untouchable until the second he’d been taken down in the fight. Asleep, though, he looked so… human. “Hey.” A pair of sharp blue eyes stared up at her. Anella jumped but he covered her mouth so she wouldn’t scream. She sucked the air back in, lips touching his glove. “Sorry.” He shook his head. “We shouldn’t wake up more people than we have to, Dash. Come on.” Raythor started trying to get up and Anella watched, unsure what to do. Stop him? If he thought she was Juliet he was clearly still concussed. He beckoned her into the hallway and slipped through the door himself. Anella was becoming, if possible, increasingly unsure of what to do and, because he was the only one
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 16:07:43 GMT -5
offering direction, she obeyed. As soon as they had closed the door behind them, moonlight touched Anella’s skin. Raythor tensed. “Who are you?” “Anella. Do you not remember me?” He might not; she probably counted as short term memory. She didn’t know how far back his concussion was supposed to have erased. Either way, she had to keep him here. She didn’t want him to run and hurt himself in his disorientation. “Anella Nightheart.” Raythor studied her face, as of very carefully processing something. Then, slowly, he nodded. “The girl from the hallway, who likes my eyes. You look different somehow, I didn’t recognize you. Well, what happened? Did the castle win?” “We won,” Anella assured. She leaned against the wall, watching him. He touched the top of his head before lowering his hand and rubbing the dried blood between his fingers. His mouth set in a line. He’d certainly looked a lot less frigid sleeping. “What do you last remember?” “Leaving Juliet behind with you and the others. I started walking then… nothing.” He met her eyes. “Why, what happened? Is Juliet alright?” “She’s fine; she just got an arm wound. Juliet went out after you and fought off the guys who knocked you out.” She hoped he would relax. He just kept radiating unhappiness. “I think they’re both… both dead…” He rubbed the back of his head. “Shield, right?” “Um… I think so.” “I can’t believe some masochist bothered carrying me back here…” Raythor said, mostly to himself. He had focused on the wall now, rather than her. Anella didn’t think she minded. “I did.” “What?” “I helped Juliet patch up your arm and brought you back here. Kayle and Rose wouldn’t help, the queen called Gabriel away and Juliet wanted to, but couldn’t. So I had to lift you on to my horse myself and get you to help alone,” she said flatly. She wasn’t sure why she was telling him this. “Masochist.” He smirked. It sounded teasing this time rather than resentful and he seemed relieved about something. “Listen, Anella, I’m going to go wash my hair and see how bad my arm looks. You can continue playing nurse maid and follow me or you can go back to sleep. I’m not going to be using that bed again anyway.” “I’m assigned to you.” Anella shrugged. Raythor shrugged back. “Fine.” He turned and studied the air in front of him before heading off quickly. Anella followed him, stepping reluctantly out of moonlight and into the shadows. She started fiddling with her crystal cross. They walked in silence, he quickly, she just barely keeping up. Anella didn’t know why her anxiety had suddenly returned. Before, she had questioned nothing she had said or done but now… why had she said that to him? Why was she going with him? “T-thank you,” Anella said, to say something, “f-for s-saving u-us.” “We’re even. I save your life; you lift my useless carcass unto a horse. Absolutely no thanks necessary.” “I-is R-Rose even t-too?” He chuckled. “No, she’d drowning in debt. A pity, really, she had a bright future.” He veered off into a side room and she, startled, trailed after. “Washroom,” he told her blankly. Anella didn’t want to know how he had found this particular room, in the darkness, out of all of the ones with identical doors after only one night in the castle. She also wasn’t going to ask, she was afraid of the answer. “So… why is the stutter back? No witnesses if something awful happens?” She walked into the small room, eyes darting around. “Um…” There was nothing in here but a series of small, tall tables against the walls with basins, soap and pitchers of water beside them, with exactly one chair in the corner. She guessed it was for the maids to wash the hands on the way to the kitchen, which she thought was close to here. “I d-don’t k-know. I t-thought I w-was.” “Hm.” He bent over one of the basins and began pouring water over his head. His fingers moved slowly through his dark hair, pushing out dried blood. Anella passed him the bar of soap, causing a half grin to bend the stone mask that seemed to pass for his face. “Thanks.”
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