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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 16:27:29 GMT -5
“We won’t be gone long,” Markus said, giving Ketra a significant glance. His sister nodded gravely. He started walking, staying close to Laura. She didn’t like to be alone at night, whether or not she said it. He supposed it wasn’t so much the darkness as the shadows. Moonlight could make the strangest, most sinister silhouettes. “I hope we don’t encounter any of Raythor’s monsters.” “I’m pretty sure those only wanted Rose. If they drop by, though, you can fight them off. That is what big strong princes do.” She carefully picked her way through the brush, trying not to make too much noise. He figured that must be habit. He himself had no problem stomping. “So Anella’s really a natural, huh?” “I think so, at least. She has a lot to learn but…” He shrugged. “I know she can learn it. I think for some people, it’s in their blood. The handle of the sword touches their palm and it’s a kind of true love, an art. Like you with your bow.” “Not you?” Laura looked up at him. Markus pushed back a branch for her. “No, I had to learn the hard way.” “You look graceful, when you practice.” She stopped walking, leaning back against a tree. Laura crossed her arms, her eyes on the sky above them rather than him. “I always thought you were born knowing how to move like that.” “My tutors, somewhere, are smiling.” He patted her shoulder. She stiffened a bit beneath his touch. He nodded, mentally confirming something. “Tell me the truth now, Laura… how bad are the nightmares getting?” She tensed up even more. “It’s not that they’re worse, Markus, it’s just that they’re changing. They’ve been the same for so many years, it really doesn’t make sense. I suppose it’s a pleasant change of pace, on some level.” “Changing into what?” “These… near memories. Of being little, littler than when I met you even. I’m sitting in this big wooden chair and a man I assume is my father sits across from me. He starts to tell me a story, in this deep, calming voice, until someone comes in and stops him. I can’t see this man’s face, no matter how hard I try. My father gets up to confront him and there’s this flash of what I suppose is a knife. My father starts bleeding and the faceless man comes for me, but my father stops him. The faceless man swears at him, I think, but all I ever here is ‘to save a whelp’. Then… nothing.” She let out a long sigh. “If someone was after me, for whatever reason, it would explain why I was sent away, why my birth parents have never even attempted to contact me. However, it’s just a dream. It really proves nothing.” “Maybe this is because we’re going to Laina, where your parents live. We could… try and find them,” Markus said this carefully. “John is my real father. I really don’t need a second one.” “What about your mother?” “She’s dead.” “What?” “She died. My father is General Vyncent Glasswater, correct?” “Well… yeah, of course-” “Then the gossip about Charity Glasswater being kidnapped and only her body returned, that I was later able to get Audrion to admit was true, means that I do not have a blood mother now and that I never really have.” “Oh.” Markus felt his chest constrict. That was the single most depressing thing he’d heard in a long time. He didn’t even know what to say to it. Laura didn’t look particularly upset or concerned, but she wouldn’t. Not about this. She had seemed to consider grief over Jack an indulgence, after all. Sometimes he was pretty sure she only worried about him so much because she was quite literally paid to. No, that wasn’t true, none of it was true. She just wanted to act like a solider, just as much as he wanted to be a perfect prince. Just because they weren’t obvious emotions didn’t mean they weren’t there. He pulled her into a hug. “I’m really sorry.” Laura didn’t hug him back, but she did seem to relax a little. He let go. “I had no idea.” “It was kept kind of quiet. I’m not surprised.” “I wish my father had told me.” Laura’s mouth opened but she didn’t say anything. Her eyes locked into a straight stare. Markus blinked, waving his hand in front of her face. She didn’t move a muscle. “Laura? Laura, can you hear me? Are you alright?” “Do be calm. We merely aren’t quite ready for that yet,” a masculine voice said. Around Markus, the forest tinted blue. The wind stopped blowing, the leaves stopped moving. Laura and her hard green eyes stayed perfectly still. “She’s perfectly fine.” A wolf- an elementist, Markus’s barely functioning brain amended- stepped out of the forest. The new arrival had light blue fur and darker, scale colored legs. A single water drop graced his forehead, just above his nearly white eyes. Besides Markus, the only things moving were the long fish tail behind the elementist and the hourglass shaped vial hanging from around his neck. Markus knew almost immediately that no matter what was in that vial, he wanted no part of it. “Who are you?” The prince drew his sword, pointing it at the elementist. The blue creature chuckled. “Creative question. And you pulled a weapon, very typical of both your species and your gender. I,” a smile graced the canine face, “am Mercury Galanos your… guardian angel, shall we say? Though the term angel would have to be applied very loosely.” “Why isn’t anything moving?” Markus prompted, still not lowering his weapon. With what had been happening lately he wasn’t taking any chances. “A little spell of mine. When you’ve been alive as long as I have things just become easier and easier to manipulate, but that isn’t the point.” Mercury, tail swishing, walked over to Laura and looked up at her. “Interesting. She doesn’t look how I expected. I had really anticipated someone taller. Now… do you honestly believe that she has no interest in her birth parents?” “No. She had to be curious and… why are you asking me this?” “You’ve passed my first test.” Mercury seemed pleased. “You have to know the people around you in order to trust them and, from what I’ve observed, you do. This girl,” he chuckled, “has certainly earned your trust. Now,” he sat, lifting a paw to idly lick it, as though he were a cat, “you grew up with this girl, essentially. It seems, though, that your feelings for her are not utterly platonic. Is this true?” “We aren’t courting,” Markus hedged. The corners of his mouth twitched with nervousness. “And I’m engaged.” “So you are.” He sounded as though he were humoring a child. “And which of them do you fantasize about kissing before you go to sleep at night?” Markus colored, tightening the grip on his sword handle. “Both. Neither. Princess Rose… why are you here, anyway? If you’re my guardian, why have you never shown yourself before?” “Because seventeen is the age, for you at least, when it all closes in. Marriage, potential children, and a much increased sense of duty are all close at hand. This is when you are meant to be tested, just as that probably falsified letter you received said. Now don’t let this go to your head- I’m doing this mostly for my own amusement. I can’t see the future, I know no prophecies, you are just my valuable plaything. Do you understand that?” “Yes,” Markus said. After what he had found out about himself and what Maria had told him, this made sense. “You’re an old guard elementist, right?” “My, you know that term. How very impressive for a barely post pubescent human.” “…Thanks.” “You’re quite welcome. Now, there will be a scream just past that tree,” he indicated one with a paw, “and Laura will probably repeat herself a little bit beforehand. Best of luck.” There was the tiniest flash of blue light and Mercury was gone. Markus found himself facing Laura again, his sword in its sheath. “It was kept kind of quiet. I’m not surprised,” Laura said again. “I wish my father had told me,” he repeated quickly. Laura snorted. “Your father. Right, Markus, that’s likely.” “Right. It was information about you; he’d have to be very, very drunk to share it. He’s my father though; I have to pretend he actually has the capacity for compassion. It keeps me reasonably sane.” Reasonably was probably an over statement, a blue dog had just told him he was being tested for his own personal amusement. Maybe he was drunk again and didn’t know it. Nah, he wasn’t actually that lucky. His eyes drifted to the tree Mercury had indicated. Someone screamed in the distance, right on cue. Fine, hashing out his sanity could wait for a while.
“C-can you reach m-my hand?” Anella stretched her arm a little farther, almost touching the tips of Kayle’s fingers. Kayle shook her head, her lip trembling. Anella didn’t know how they’d missed a ditch this deep while they were walking, but they had and Kayle had fallen into it and her ankle had made a terrible, terrible noise. She swallowed, trying to reach her friend again. “J-just a l-little farther, I p-promise.” “You’re going to fall in too. We need someone with longer arms,” Kayle called back. “S-sit d-down, so y-you don’t hurt your a-ankle more. I’ll f-find s-someone-” “Someone taller?” Markus said, suddenly beside her and on his knees. “Here, Kayle let me help you. Careful with that ankle on the way up.” “Oh Prince Markus, thank you!” Kayle gushed. Markus didn’t respond to that and just carefully pulled her out of the hole. “You are my hero!” “I’m just rather tall.” Markus flashed a formal smile. “Laur, mind taking a look at this for me?” He set Kayle down gently. “Sure, I’ll put stiches in her ankle,” Laura said sarcastically. Markus just shot a look at her. “Alright, alright I’ll do what I can.” Anella watched anxiously as Laura poked, prodded and asked questions that Kayle attempted to answer like a tragic heroine. “I-is it b-bad?” “Nothing serious, as far as I can tell. I am not a healer, might I remind you Markus, but since this is pretty basic I think I can let you know you’re going to live Kayle. Congratulations.” “Have you considered spending more time with that snarky peasant boy? I think the two of you would get along swimmingly?” Kayle’s lip curled with distaste. “She only likes rich boys,” Markus said, before Laura could answer. “Allow me to carry you back to camp, so we might get you proper bandages.” “Of course, Markus.” She really was good at going from that completely condemning tone to one of adoration. Kayle went into Markus’s arms, eager as a bride, and they all started walking. Markus and Laura fell quite naturally in step with each other, but Anella found herself falling behind. She was hoping…. Blade landed beside her. “Are you alright, my dear?” “Y-yes,” Anella said. His ears went back. “Are you positive?” “I’m w-worried a-about Kayle.” Both sets of eyes looked forward at the knight’s daughter who was clinging to Markus’s neck like a rescued princess. Kayle was beaming. “Kayle is in fool’s paradise, Anella.” “The m-moon i-is…” “Ah,” Blade said sympathetically. Anella shifted uncomfortably, shifting closer to the shadows. “Well, I would not worry too much about it. Everyone’s attention is diverted at the moment.” “Anella!” Kayle beckoned to her over Markus’s shoulder. “Come here!” “Come with me.” Anella gave Blade a panicked looked. “Of course.” “Anella,” Kayle leaned over even more as Anella and Blade walked up, “I’m going home, I think. But you’re staying.” “W-what?” Anella colored. “N-no, Kayle-” “Yes Anella. It will be good for your pitiful self-esteem and this isn’t just about boys for once. That’s just a fringe benefit. Both Bryant and I know that you want to stretch your wings a little and you should. So I leave you in Bryant’s capable paws.” Anella wondered why Kayle had called Blade Bryant yet referred to his paws but decided against asking. “K-Kayle….” Anella attempted. Kayle raised a finger. “No protests. It’s time.” “I rather agree,” Blade jumped in. “You have been so restless lately that returning with Kayle now is not a viable option.” “B-but….” Anella shook her head. “I’m n-not strong enough….” “You’re stronger than you think you are,” Blade insisted. Kayle nodded in agreement. Then she twisted in Markus’s arms. “Tell Rea I’m going home, please.”
****
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 16:28:09 GMT -5
“We won’t be gone long,” Markus said, giving Ketra a significant glance. His sister nodded gravely. He started walking, staying close to Laura. She didn’t like to be alone at night, whether or not she said it. He supposed it wasn’t so much the darkness as the shadows. Moonlight could make the strangest, most sinister silhouettes. “I hope we don’t encounter any of Raythor’s monsters.” “I’m pretty sure those only wanted Rose. If they drop by, though, you can fight them off. That is what big strong princes do.” She carefully picked her way through the brush, trying not to make too much noise. He figured that must be habit. He himself had no problem stomping. “So Anella’s really a natural, huh?” “I think so, at least. She has a lot to learn but…” He shrugged. “I know she can learn it. I think for some people, it’s in their blood. The handle of the sword touches their palm and it’s a kind of true love, an art. Like you with your bow.” “Not you?” Laura looked up at him. Markus pushed back a branch for her. “No, I had to learn the hard way.” “You look graceful, when you practice.” She stopped walking, leaning back against a tree. Laura crossed her arms, her eyes on the sky above them rather than him. “I always thought you were born knowing how to move like that.” “My tutors, somewhere, are smiling.” He patted her shoulder. She stiffened a bit beneath his touch. He nodded, mentally confirming something. “Tell me the truth now, Laura… how bad are the nightmares getting?” She tensed up even more. “It’s not that they’re worse, Markus, it’s just that they’re changing. They’ve been the same for so many years, it really doesn’t make sense. I suppose it’s a pleasant change of pace, on some level.” “Changing into what?” “These… near memories. Of being little, littler than when I met you even. I’m sitting in this big wooden chair and a man I assume is my father sits across from me. He starts to tell me a story, in this deep, calming voice, until someone comes in and stops him. I can’t see this man’s face, no matter how hard I try. My father gets up to confront him and there’s this flash of what I suppose is a knife. My father starts bleeding and the faceless man comes for me, but my father stops him. The faceless man swears at him, I think, but all I ever here is ‘to save a whelp’. Then… nothing.” She let out a long sigh. “If someone was after me, for whatever reason, it would explain why I was sent away, why my birth parents have never even attempted to contact me. However, it’s just a dream. It really proves nothing.” “Maybe this is because we’re going to Laina, where your parents live. We could… try and find them,” Markus said this carefully. “John is my real father. I really don’t need a second one.” “What about your mother?” “She’s dead.” “What?” “She died. My father is General Vyncent Glasswater, correct?” “Well… yeah, of course-” “Then the gossip about Charity Glasswater being kidnapped and only her body returned, that I was later able to get Audrion to admit was true, means that I do not have a blood mother now and that I never really have.” “Oh.” Markus felt his chest constrict. That was the single most depressing thing he’d heard in a long time. He didn’t even know what to say to it. Laura didn’t look particularly upset or concerned, but she wouldn’t. Not about this. She had seemed to consider grief over Jack an indulgence, after all. Sometimes he was pretty sure she only worried about him so much because she was quite literally paid to. No, that wasn’t true, none of it was true. She just wanted to act like a solider, just as much as he wanted to be a perfect prince. Just because they weren’t obvious emotions didn’t mean they weren’t there. He pulled her into a hug. “I’m really sorry.” Laura didn’t hug him back, but she did seem to relax a little. He let go. “I had no idea.” “It was kept kind of quiet. I’m not surprised.” “I wish my father had told me.” Laura’s mouth opened but she didn’t say anything. Her eyes locked into a straight stare. Markus blinked, waving his hand in front of her face. She didn’t move a muscle. “Laura? Laura, can you hear me? Are you alright?” “Do be calm. We merely aren’t quite ready for that yet,” a masculine voice said. Around Markus, the forest tinted blue. The wind stopped blowing, the leaves stopped moving. Laura and her hard green eyes stayed perfectly still. “She’s perfectly fine.” A wolf- an elementist, Markus’s barely functioning brain amended- stepped out of the forest. The new arrival had light blue fur and darker, scale colored legs. A single water drop graced his forehead, just above his nearly white eyes. Besides Markus, the only things moving were the long fish tail behind the elementist and the hourglass shaped vial hanging from around his neck. Markus knew almost immediately that no matter what was in that vial, he wanted no part of it. “Who are you?” The prince drew his sword, pointing it at the elementist. The blue creature chuckled. “Creative question. And you pulled a weapon, very typical of both your species and your gender. I,” a smile graced the canine face, “am Mercury Galanos your… guardian angel, shall we say? Though the term angel would have to be applied very loosely.” “Why isn’t anything moving?” Markus prompted, still not lowering his weapon. With what had been happening lately he wasn’t taking any chances. “A little spell of mine. When you’ve been alive as long as I have things just become easier and easier to manipulate, but that isn’t the point.” Mercury, tail swishing, walked over to Laura and looked up at her. “Interesting. She doesn’t look how I expected. I had really anticipated someone taller. Now… do you honestly believe that she has no interest in her birth parents?” “No. She had to be curious and… why are you asking me this?” “You’ve passed my first test.” Mercury seemed pleased. “You have to know the people around you in order to trust them and, from what I’ve observed, you do. This girl,” he chuckled, “has certainly earned your trust. Now,” he sat, lifting a paw to idly lick it, as though he were a cat, “you grew up with this girl, essentially. It seems, though, that your feelings for her are not utterly platonic. Is this true?” “We aren’t courting,” Markus hedged. The corners of his mouth twitched with nervousness. “And I’m engaged.” “So you are.” He sounded as though he were humoring a child. “And which of them do you fantasize about kissing before you go to sleep at night?” Markus colored, tightening the grip on his sword handle. “Both. Neither. Princess Rose… why are you here, anyway? If you’re my guardian, why have you never shown yourself before?” “Because seventeen is the age, for you at least, when it all closes in. Marriage, potential children, and a much increased sense of duty are all close at hand. This is when you are meant to be tested, just as that probably falsified letter you received said. Now don’t let this go to your head- I’m doing this mostly for my own amusement. I can’t see the future, I know no prophecies, you are just my valuable plaything. Do you understand that?” “Yes,” Markus said. After what he had found out about himself and what Maria had told him, this made sense. “You’re an old guard elementist, right?” “My, you know that term. How very impressive for a barely post pubescent human.” “…Thanks.” “You’re quite welcome. Now, there will be a scream just past that tree,” he indicated one with a paw, “and Laura will probably repeat herself a little bit beforehand. Best of luck.” There was the tiniest flash of blue light and Mercury was gone. Markus found himself facing Laura again, his sword in its sheath. “It was kept kind of quiet. I’m not surprised,” Laura said again. “I wish my father had told me,” he repeated quickly. Laura snorted. “Your father. Right, Markus, that’s likely.” “Right. It was information about you; he’d have to be very, very drunk to share it. He’s my father though; I have to pretend he actually has the capacity for compassion. It keeps me reasonably sane.” Reasonably was probably an over statement, a blue dog had just told him he was being tested for his own personal amusement. Maybe he was drunk again and didn’t know it. Nah, he wasn’t actually that lucky. His eyes drifted to the tree Mercury had indicated. Someone screamed in the distance, right on cue. Fine, hashing out his sanity could wait for a while.
“C-can you reach m-my hand?” Anella stretched her arm a little farther, almost touching the tips of Kayle’s fingers. Kayle shook her head, her lip trembling. Anella didn’t know how they’d missed a ditch this deep while they were walking, but they had and Kayle had fallen into it and her ankle had made a terrible, terrible noise. She swallowed, trying to reach her friend again. “J-just a l-little farther, I p-promise.” “You’re going to fall in too. We need someone with longer arms,” Kayle called back. “S-sit d-down, so y-you don’t hurt your a-ankle more. I’ll f-find s-someone-” “Someone taller?” Markus said, suddenly beside her and on his knees. “Here, Kayle let me help you. Careful with that ankle on the way up.” “Oh Prince Markus, thank you!” Kayle gushed. Markus didn’t respond to that and just carefully pulled her out of the hole. “You are my hero!” “I’m just rather tall.” Markus flashed a formal smile. “Laur, mind taking a look at this for me?” He set Kayle down gently. “Sure, I’ll put stiches in her ankle,” Laura said sarcastically. Markus just shot a look at her. “Alright, alright I’ll do what I can.” Anella watched anxiously as Laura poked, prodded and asked questions that Kayle attempted to answer like a tragic heroine. “I-is it b-bad?” “Nothing serious, as far as I can tell. I am not a healer, might I remind you Markus, but since this is pretty basic I think I can let you know you’re going to live Kayle. Congratulations.” “Have you considered spending more time with that snarky peasant boy? I think the two of you would get along swimmingly?” Kayle’s lip curled with distaste. “She only likes rich boys,” Markus said, before Laura could answer. “Allow me to carry you back to camp, so we might get you proper bandages.” “Of course, Markus.” She really was good at going from that completely condemning tone to one of adoration. Kayle went into Markus’s arms, eager as a bride, and they all started walking. Markus and Laura fell quite naturally in step with each other, but Anella found herself falling behind. She was hoping…. Blade landed beside her. “Are you alright, my dear?” “Y-yes,” Anella said.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 16:28:32 GMT -5
His ears went back. “Are you positive?” “I’m w-worried a-about Kayle.” Both sets of eyes looked forward at the knight’s daughter who was clinging to Markus’s neck like a rescued princess. Kayle was beaming. “Kayle is in fool’s paradise, Anella.” “The m-moon i-is…” “Ah,” Blade said sympathetically. Anella shifted uncomfortably, shifting closer to the shadows. “Well, I would not worry too much about it. Everyone’s attention is diverted at the moment.” “Anella!” Kayle beckoned to her over Markus’s shoulder. “Come here!” “Come with me.” Anella gave Blade a panicked looked. “Of course.” “Anella,” Kayle leaned over even more as Anella and Blade walked up, “I’m going home, I think. But you’re staying.” “W-what?” Anella colored. “N-no, Kayle-” “Yes Anella. It will be good for your pitiful self-esteem and this isn’t just about boys for once. That’s just a fringe benefit. Both Bryant and I know that you want to stretch your wings a little and you should. So I leave you in Bryant’s capable paws.” Anella wondered why Kayle had called Blade Bryant yet referred to his paws but decided against asking. “K-Kayle….” Anella attempted. Kayle raised a finger. “No protests. It’s time.” “I rather agree,” Blade jumped in. “You have been so restless lately that returning with Kayle now is not a viable option.” “B-but….” Anella shook her head. “I’m n-not strong enough….” “You’re stronger than you think you are,” Blade insisted. Kayle nodded in agreement. Then she twisted in Markus’s arms. “Tell Rea I’m going home, please.”
**** Kenetari turned her sword over lovingly in her hands. They had been through a lot together, her and that sword. Since her father had made if for her it had seen more battles and more blood than most swords would in a lifetime. Kenetari was quite proud of that. “Benvolio is coming, isn’t he father?” “He should be, my dear,” Sabbath Whitestar answered blankly. He never did put much life into his words. He was a sickly looking, thin man, and always had been. His face was bone white and drawn back against his skull. Sabbath’s eyes were a lifeless, pallid brown and they never seemed to focus on anything much. When she was little Kenetari had called him ‘skeleton man.’ She still maintained he resembled a member of the walking dead. “Uh… hello father….” Benvolio stepped into the room, swallowing. His foot rubbed against the back of his leg. A brown cat reclined regally on his shoulders, a satisfied smile on its feline face. “Hi Ken. I have to… touch the blood again…?” “Look at that cute little face.” Kenetari grinned at him and put an arm around his shoulder. Benvolio looked up at her with big, purple eyes. “I just need you to keep doing this until we take the throne. It isn’t too much longer.” “Alright….” He moved to sit down, atop a pillow so he could lean over the table more completely. His chubby, childish fingers pulled a glass vial from around his neck and unstopped it. Benvolio poured out about half of the contents and waited for the blood to spread. “I’m running out. You need to get me more soon, if I’m to keep this up.” “Whose is it?” Sabbath said with only faint interest. “Well…” Benvolio spread his fingers. The blood, for a moment, tinted blue. “It’s mainly the prince’s but I believe there may be someone else’s mixed in.” “Perfect,” Kenetari said. “Eyes of the wind, blow me shreds of fate,” his eyes lit, “show me the five paths that the dead have long left to the liv ing.” His fingers ran through the red liquid before him, creating five streaks along the wood surface of the table. “They will be at the inn within a month. If she… she’s blonde and tallish…?” “Juliet Shine.” “Yes. If she sleeps through the night all of the queen’s group will survive the ordeal. If she doesn’t things take different turns. She may die, by your hand. She may be taken. She may decide to change nothing and let him fall alone.” “And the fifth path, Ben?” He raised his thumb and it dripped. “This is hazy. I don’t know why this girl is so pivotal in the prince’s blood and I think the connection there had between them has been lost somehow in the fifth. The last is just the prince. I think he’s crying.” “I’m sure this all has to do with the boy traveling with her.” Kenetari frowned. “Juliet is the key piece this time. I don’t know who it will be next time, but watch her now.” Benvolio wiped his fingers off on the cloth on the table. It had once been white, pure snow white, but it was brown now. Parts of it were even flaking. “Do you need me for anything else? Jason promised to take me into town.” “Why don’t you bring Jason here for a moment? He’s going to want to know what we’ve learned.” Sabbath chuckled. “Is he?” “I want him to know.” Kenetari grinned. “His wants aren’t particularly important.” “I’ll tell him you said that,” Benvolio said. He padded out of the room stroking his cat. “Must you antagonize both your brothers?” Sabbath asked. His long skeletal fingers took the cloth and began wiping the table with it. “Benvolio looks up to you, you know.” “Then he should be happy his powers are useful to me.” “What do you want, Ken?” Jason crossed his arms. “There is at least one scenario where you failed to kill Anella Nightheart, Jason. Isn’t that curious?” “You’re my sister, not the queen of everything. Fucking trust me, Kenetari. I’ll get the job done, I’m a Whitestar and I’m the heir. Killing one girl will be my pleasure.” “Then I’ll consider Charity a mistake.” “I think we all consider what happened with Charity a little more than a mistake, little sister.” Kenetari tried to calm herself. The stupid boy was a mere three months older than she was, yet he flaunted it like it meant anything at all. She was about to retort something when Benvolio walked back in. “Are you ready to go, Jason?” He blinked up at his brother. He had always looked like a miniature version of Jason, just with a different, and Kenetari felt less ridiculous, haircut. She felt herself calm down a little. Jason put her arm on Benvolio’s back and led him from the room. “Yeah, I’m ready. We’re going to go to that bakery you like in town, as a reward for you being so indulgent for Kenetari.” “Really?” Benvolio perked up. Kenetari listened, not really absorbing anything, to the sound of their voices as they disappeared down the hall. So he needed more blood to keep assisting her with his power. She could do that.
Chapter Fourteen
Happy Birthday
Kylara didn’t know how she’d felt about anything that had happened. Helping the pansy prince was fine and all, she wanted Kenetari so dead they couldn’t recognize her body afterwards, but it felt so… strange. She’d never gone after someone to cause their death for a personal reason before, unless money could be considered a personal reason. All of that, combined with having to kill someone she cared about- even though she was convinced that Sinclair had wanted to die- was preventing her from sleeping. Everything had changed, and it had changed so fast. The life she’d had before was never coming back. “Good morning, Raythor,” Kylara said smoothly. “Oh, it’s you.” He looked very unimpressed to see her. What he was doing wandering the trees, just as the sun was coming up, was a mystery but he sure didn’t look like he’d gotten any sleep at all. “What a fantastic thing to see first thing in the morning. The Gods must be blessing me twice as much as they usually do.” “You’re still not going to admit who you really are, are you?” That caught him off guard and he looked her full in the face. By God, he was better looking than she had ever imagined. “Or are you really just an unluckily named peasant- or a liar?” “Why send me that letter if you thought I was a fake?” “I don’t know what delusional little theory you have going on in your head, but I did not send that letter.” “No one has ever called me Raythor James anything but you. I find it a little hard to believe that’s a coincidence,” he insisted. Kylara waited for him to physically threaten her but he didn’t move. Not what she expected from someone she was fairly positive was the Karian Killer. He should be pretty desperate to keep his dirty little secret. “I don’t know how farfetched it is, really. I’ve read every version of the myth. The middle name James just came up in one of the variations.” “You what?” He stared at her like she was more than a little insane. “Is it so strange to be interested in something so dark?” She put a hand on his chest and he recoiled from her touch, like he was the one who needed to be afraid. “Are you?” “Yes,” Raythor said flatly. “I’m totally the Karian Killer. I don’t know why I never mentioned it before, I was under the delusion my last name was Carpenter.” “I’ll get you to tell me the real truth someday,” Kylara scoffed. “Not that stupid ‘sarcastic confession’ crap you’re trying to pull. I know who you are, and you will tell me.” “I’m the son of a blacksmith who’s done nothing more illegal than a little petty larceny here and there. So give it up, won’t you? You’re barking up the wrong tree.” He walked off, not looking back. Kylara just shook her head. She knew who he was, even if he wouldn’t admit it.
Markus sat in the grass, his gaze fixed on the sky. He felt lousy today and he wasn’t sure why. It was like some piece of him had gone missing without him even noticing it had left. That didn’t make sense, really. Markus had always had everything he could ever want at his fingertips. He had never been starving, sick, or completely alone. So maybe the hole he felt came from wanting nothing at all. “Markus’s are you in there?” Laura knocked on his head. “Hello Laura,” he answered with a blank smile. She sat beside him, carefully a few inches away. “Do you remember what day it is?” “Uh… it’s the twenty-something.” A number was not coming to him. He knew it was still January and toward the end of the month but that was about it. “It’s the twenty third.” She laughed at the resulting expression. “Happy birthday, my prince. You’re officially that dreaded seventeen.” “I did actually forget,” Markus admitted. “I guess it’s kind of unremarkable without the wedding.” “Yes, the wedding you’ve been waiting all your life for. Now it’s here and it’s just… nothing. That must be playing with your head a little.” “You’re loving this, aren’t you?” “A little. I am also concerned, though.” “I was born to marry her, what difference does it make if it happens now or later? I want and deserve nothing more than to serve my people.” Laura put her hand over his on the ground between them. “You’re also only human. It is honorable to serve your people and your country to the best of your ability, but you have emotions. You’re more than a prince, you know. To me you’re also just Markus, my friend, and I wish I had brought my present for you with me.” “The fact that you’re here with me now is more than enough.” Markus smiled and the curves of her face echoed it. “Thank you.” “I hope she’s good enough for you,” Laura said softly. “Rank wise, apparently she is. I just… I hope Princess Rose and I get along as well as the two of us do. I’m going to try to get along with her, be the best husband I can be. But I’ve never even been in a relationship before; I’m not going to know what I’m doing….” Laura’s nails curled inward, her nails grazing the back of his palm. “It’s intuitive more than anything. Like water magic, apparently.” “I feel like I probably shouldn’t show her my blood magic right away. Might creep her right out.” “Ross is still getting over it, so clearly it takes a while. He just has such a strong constitution.” She moved her hand and lay back in the grass. Markus lay beside her, hands behind his head. They stayed quiet, just looking at the sky. The grass was damp beneath him, but he didn’t really mind. There still wasn’t much snow and there were just a few gray clouds that suggested there might be more coming. “Did I ever apologize for the whole would you thing?” He asked, not looking at her. “Why would you have to?” “Because I meant it.” She didn’t respond so he tried to cover for his stupid mouth again. “I know I’m a prince, I know I have to live up to all those standards but around you… and Ross… I forget that sometimes. I do get to be just a person. Sometimes I wish that, if I really have to get married, I could just marry my friend. That I could marry you.” “Rose isn’t so terrifying that you have to resort to that is she?” Laura flicked his nose. “You’ve always been such a dreamer. Marrying me only seems like a good idea because you know me and you don’t know her but you’ll make it work, I know you. You get along with pretty much everyone. She’s going to like you.” “I’m sure she will.” He faked a smile that she didn’t see anyway. She’d gone back to staring at the sky. “I’m sure if you just think about the reasons why this wedding is happening, you’ll be as confident about it as you ever were. Everglade shouldn’t have to go to war again just because Bloodroot and Everglade have never gotten along. Ending this once and for all with your marriage will be a service to everyone.” “You’re right. Logical as ever, Laura.” Which is probably why you can’t see that I’m fucking in love with you, he added in his head. He actually started at his own thoughts. Markus only admitted that in his head rarely, though it was pretty true, and he certainly never swore when he did. This was just getting more and more frustrating. Was he not flirting with her right? He’d been sort of copying Ross, which probably wasn’t the best idea, but it should be working better than this. Dear God, how had Jack made her realize what was going on? Carved a heart into his chest? He let out a long breath, calming down a little. This was silly. It wasn’t like they could be together, he would never do that to Rose even if he didn’t know her, and he certainly wouldn’t do it to either Laura or Everglade. She probably didn’t even like him back but he just wanted her to know. He’d been holding it in for years and years and he just wanted her to know before the wedding. Markus couldn’t tell her after the wedding. That would be even more wrong than trying to flirt with her right now was. Markus knew he should just say it if he really wanted her to know it. It was just really hard to phrase “Hey, Laura, I’m going to love you until I die but we can’t be together, obviously, so I just thought it would be a fun fact” without sounding like a total jackass. He was pretty sure it wasn’t possible so he was encouraging her to guess. Markus had never flirted with her before, at least not consciously, so he thought it would work. It was not working. Even a little. He just thought that telling her that firstly, he wanted to kiss her and thought she was beautiful and that, secondly, if he had an actual choice of bride he would marry her would have been close enough to “I love you” to sneak by. Nope, she just thought he was nervous about his wedding. He was so stupid to have let himself fall in the first place. She was his best friend, she probably saw him as a brother. And she was a peasant, a fact he didn’t care about but his title did. Also, she was still in love with Jack. That was obvious. It just didn’t change the fact that she always smelled like lemons or that she was the best archer in Everglade. That she saw past his crown and spoke to him like he was a person or that her full smile always made him smile too… or that no one in the world understood him like she did. No, it wasn’t “logical” for him to feel like this. But love was about being outside logic. Why did Jack have to be the one to have said that? He was still smarter than Markus was, even dead. “Hey Markus?” Laura asked. “Hm?” He snapped back to reality.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 16:29:31 GMT -5
“I’m going to tell you something that I shouldn’t as your birthday present. My better judgment tells me not to, and I did promise not to let you know. You’ll just be so much happier knowing that I have to.” “Alright…?” “Ketra’s maid is actually Princess Rose.” Laura gave him a smile like that should be the best news he’d ever heard, so he smiled back. That was great for a lot of reasons but… now he could never tell her the truth.
Rose really wanted someone to yell at. She was in terrible, God awful mood and damn it if she wasn’t going to vomit her anger on the next person who walked by. “Hey skeleton lips!” She grabbed the passing Raythor by the shoulder, sinking her fingernails in. The dark haired boy’s body tensed just like she was expecting. He tried to keep walking, actually dragging her a few inches, but she wouldn’t let go. “What?” He asked finally. “You’re still my teacher, aren’t you?” “Technically.” “Train me. Right now, train me.” She stuck her chin up defiantly. One side of his mouth rose. “Anything for you, princess.” His dripping sarcasm set her off all over again. “No hitting trees this time.” “What?” Rose blinked as he started rummaging in the ratty old saddle bag he dragged around with him. He pressed a wooden training sword into her hand. “You attack me with that, I block. If you hit me all I get is a bruise so do your worst.” “As if I would hold back against you, idiot face.” Rose bristled, gripping the training sword handle just like he’d taught her. She didn’t wait for him to go into a defense position. It felt good to just hit him. He, of course, didn’t react at all despite the fact the he was probably getting bruised all to hell. When Rose had gone to look for Markus to wish him a happy birthday- and God knows the fact that it was the 23rd and he was seventeen now was headache inducing enough- he had been with Laura. Lying in the grass staring at the sky like a love-struck moron, with her. This was Rose’s wedding day, for crying out loud! “How did you get that so far between my ribs?” Raythor asked, actually shifting his voice a little. Except he sounded joking rather than in pain so she gave the sword a little extra shove so that he’d wince. He didn’t. She sighed. “Well of course I did, the trees are way harder to stab that you… oh.” Rose scowled. “Oh I actually taught you something? Imagine that.” He twisted her wrist away from his body. “Learned anything new about pretty boy?” “People keep trying to kill him and,” Rose slashed at his face, “he likes Laura better than me.” Raythor blocked and shoved her weapon back toward her face. It bounced off her nose, sending a fresh wave of irritation through her. “Well, he knows her. Right now, to him, you’re just a maid who works for his sister.” His eyes stayed on her sword. Rose focused on his face. “Laura is his best friend. It’s kind of hard to compete with that.” “I can’t tell him I’m a princess.” Rose shot back, getting a lucky hit off his arm. “That would spoil everything.” “Then become his friend.” He blocked her next attack. “Stop approaching this as a maid with a crush. If you have one, that is.” Rose blushed as he pushed her against a tree, sword against her throat. “Sorry. That was a reflex.” “I forgive you,” Rose said through gritted teeth. He backed up and they both dropped their swords. Rose let all the air out of her lungs, eyes closing. “I feel better.” “Good. You did well so next time I’ll fight back,” Raythor said. Hearing just the monotone didn’t piss her off quite as fast as it coupled with his face. She heard the sound of retreating footsteps and held up her hand. “Thank you, stupid. You’re good at hitting things.” “Most stupid people are.” “Shut up.” “Anything for you, princess.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 16:30:08 GMT -5
Raythor was going to have to leave and soon. Maybe this time he regrettably wanted to stay, but he always did and he always left anyway. He’d been pushing away things that were important to him his entire life. Logically, this was no different and no harder than all those other times. Dash was going to be no different than anyone else he had crushed into the corner of his mind and ignored once he left them behind. No different than the family who had taken him in or the first girl he had ever kissed. Nothing should matter to the Karian Killer but staying alive. Keeping the people he cared about breathing. “Kylara, stay away from me. I told you I’m not interested.” Raythor let his voice darken considerably. “I’m n-not K-Kylara….”He started at the soft voice, turning his head. Anella was glowing again. It was like there was a thin layer of translucent silver covering her entire body. Her eyes shown like coins, her hair drifted above her shoulders… he just barely stopped his mouth from hanging open. “Anella,” he managed. “Juliet sent me to find you. She said you’ve been brooding too long and someone had to stop you.” She had a strange smile when she was like this. The other one was nicer than this, pr…. “Of course she did.” Raythor rolled his eyes. “She acts like we’re courting.” He stood up, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Why’d she ask you, why not come herself?” “She said she didn’t feel like getting verbally abused or depressed this late at night. She said you’d be nicer to me.” Raythor tapped the side of his fist against the tree he was next to. “What uh… are you exactly?” “What?” “The silver thing.” He tilted his head, unconsciously mimicking her. “Is that some kind of spell or something? Are you part elementist…?” “Oh, that.” Anella shrugged like it was of no consequence. “There’s a story passed down in my family, about a moon lady who seduced men and frightened women. I may be descended from her.” “I see.” He backed up, into the shadows. She followed. As soon as the moonlight was blocked by the trees, she looked normal again. She blushed, eyes dropping. Strange girl. Raythor crossed his arms. “Interesting.” “I’m s-sorry, I s-should h-have s-said n-no but I….” “I?” “W-wanted to c-come.” She shifted her weight uncomfortably. Raythor worked to keep his expression flat. “I d-don’t know what t-to d-do with myself w-without Kayle a-around.” “You know what you should do is make up as many romantic encounters as you can before you see her again. Make it sound like you became the world’s biggest femme fatale after she left and you loved it. Have Ross back it up with at least semi-believable shock- I’m not familiar with his acting abilities- and list off all of the boy’s names suggestively. Then watch her face.” She laughed, raising her eyes again. “S-she w-would h-have a heart a-attack, I c-can’t do t-that!” “Can’t you?” He teased. Then he shook his head. “Yeah, you’re too nice.” “Um…” She went redder. Why did he say things? “So… I guess I should get back to my over anxious friend. I know a faster way to get back.” “Alright. I t-trust you.” He turned, weaving through the trees as quickly as he could. Raythor was careful to keep them both under cover of darkness. It was fairly easy; Anella was following every step he made exactly. He stopped automatically when he heard voices and she bumped into him. “Sorry,” he said absently. He didn’t even turn to look at her. She mumbled something in reply. “Who is that girl?” “The e-eyes.” Anella took in a sharp breath. “What?” “She’s t-the one w-who-” The owner of the eyes in question grabbed his jaw and held it before he could react. Raythor fumbled for his sword and she grabbed his wrist. “Calm down. I’m not going to hurt you.” “Then why are you touching me?” He shoved her away. “Not even a ‘who are you’, very interesting. My name is Kenetari Whitestar.” “Uh huh.” “T-the one w-who t-tried to k-kill M-Markus?” Anella got out. Then Kenetari met her eyes and she swallowed and looked down again. She did manage to ball her fists though. “Y-you s-shouldn’t hurt him. H-he’s just n-nice, t-that’s a-all. T-there’s n-no r-reason t-to.” “Oh, little mouse.” A smile spread over Kenetari’s face. Raythor decided that he had very rarely seen a less natural expression. “You don’t know what it’s like to be stronger than anyone you’ve ever faced, do you? How could you, you’re still learning how to hold a sword.” She snorted. “I was finally presented with a group of people who could actually present me with a challenge. Yet all of you have been burned before and you’re scared to leave your silly little nests because you might be burned again. While, I found a way to get you outside your homes and I found a way to bring you onto my land. So let’s see how well all of you can do now that you’re even trying.” “I’m going to ask you one you’ve probably heard before- why are you telling us this?” Raythor looked at her skeptically. “Because I can’t say I’m either personally invested in any of this or would, hey, give a crap even if I was. Whatever little piece of your brain broke, sew it back together because I’m not playing along with your little test. By the way, how is testing the heirs going you nutcase?” “H-how is t-the w-what?” Anella glanced at him. “Rose keeps telling me things she think I might possibly care about to get a reaction out of me. She’s failing,” Raythor said tersely. “The fact the Whitestars are ‘testing’ the county’s heirs was one of those things.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 16:31:30 GMT -5
“You are so defensive.” Kenetari actually laughed at him. “If you want the truth, most of them failed but I wasn’t intending to kill them- not yet. That little detail comes later. No, I’ve only told the ones who passed where they stand.” “I don’t remember the part where anyone would care about a peasant boy from Caltha that would include me in all this.” “You really don’t understand much.” “I don’t think you understand the concept of reality, so it’s not fair of you to judge.” “Oh Raythor.” She smiled. “What, you know my name?” Kenetari stared at him for a moment. Then she raised her hand. There was a flash of light and she was gone. Raythor spent a moment questioning his own sanity. Luckily, though, there was a witness who looked just as confused as he was so at least she was having the same hallucination. Comforting. “I t-think w-we need t-to s-speak to M-Markus.” Anella raised her eyes again, looking worried. Raythor was about to continue being difficult but this wasn’t really a battle he needed to fight. It wasn’t any of his business if this girl actually trusted a royal to do something. Whitestar might have rolled Markus up and tossed him aside, but Raythor had been fighting in the real world his whole life. He wouldn’t lose quite so easily, not to some Lainan wanna-be-princess. He might be running from Caltha, but he still had Calthan values and he knew all blue bloods were less than useless. Still, if it would make her feel better why should he give a damn? “Yeah, we better.” “I b-bet s-she k-knows all of o-our n-names.” “You’re probably right. She seems to have been watching us for a while. I just don’t understand why she’s telling us all this. She already incriminated herself by trying to kill Markus. Nothing positive for her is coming out of us.” “Well, i-if s-she’s t-telling t-the t-truth we h-have t-to k-know. It isn’t a-a f-fair f-for c-challengers o-of a g-game t-that’s s-suppose t-to b-be e-even to b-be i-in the d-dark.” “You believe that’s what she really wants?” “S-she just seems too e-erratic for it n-not to be true.” “She does seem to be playing it by ear but I feel like she has some way to predict what we’re going to do. Other than her fantastic judge of character, of course.” Anella smiled. “O-of course.” “Well… let’s go tell the prince, I suppose.”
“Hey Markus… I’ve got your birthday present.” Ross strode up to where Markus was sitting on a log. His chin was in his hands, elbows balanced on his knee, and he appeared to be doing nothing at all. He really hoped the prince wasn’t brooding, that was never fun. Yeah, the war had been total hell but did they really have to dwell on it? “Is it made of sticks again, Ross?” Markus looked back at him with a faint smile. Good sign. That meant whatever was bothering him probably wouldn’t come up in conversation. “A little. But they’re really great sticks.” He held up a horse he’d just carved about ten minutes ago. “It’s a stallion. For Everglade. Happy birthday.” Markus took it, turning it over in his hands. His smile got a little bigger. “Thanks Ross. This is just exactly what I wanted.” “I knew it, I’m psychic.” “You’re getting better at this.” “I was always a master, but thank you.” “R-Ross?” Anella, her hands folded against her lap, stepping out of the trees. The moonlight touched her and her body did that… thing her branch of the family did. He had no idea what it was about, even though Edmund had tried to explain it to him multiple times. He just knew he kind of liked it. “Hey, cousin. What’s up?” Ross, he felt very tactfully, restrained himself from asking what Raythor was doing with her. Raythor sure looked disinterested, so obviously they hadn’t been doing anything interesting. Even stone face couldn’t hide that. “Well, w-we h-have something t-to t-tell y-you and M-Markus. A-about Kenetari.” “Kenetari? How did you find out about her?” “W-we j-just saw h-her.” Ross’s heart jumped into his throat and he started looking her up and down. “Are you hurt? What happened, what did that crazy bitch do to you?” “N-nothing.” Anella calmly explained their encounter. Markus’s head raised and Ross could tell the prince was listening intently and making decisions about every word she said. Anella’s explanation, however, made very little sense to Ross. “Wait wait wait…. This whole thing is making my head hurt.” Ross held up both his hands. “So a noble- a duchess, for that matter- tries to kill a crown prince. She not only tries this herself the first time, she tells him her name even though she said later that she’s only giving information to people who pass her test. As far as I can tell, Markus didn’t pass that one.” “She beat me soundly,” Markus agreed. “She’s very strong. But I’m not so sure the fight was mine. Blade said that being a shadow prince meant that he was tested by battle, so maybe that isn’t it for every heir. That still doesn’t really explain why I was kind of tested three times. I didn’t realize it until after I fought Ashlin though- it seemed like it would only be a fight I was warned of and went into willingly.” “Yes. I too am confused as hell about that. You know what, let’s run this thing down from the beginning again.” “Run what?” Laura came into the clearing. She looked at each of their faces in turn and settled on Ross’s. “The cooking schedule? Because I think we may have to take Kylara and Maria off it. I’m not sure it’s fair.” “The Kenetari thing.” “Oh, alright. I agree, we should attempt to dissect it some more.” “Markus, do the honors.” “Really? But you were doing so well.” Markus grinned. “I’ll probably… embellish it a little.” Ross shrugged. “You’ll play it straight.” “I’ll do my best. First, though, I think we should tell Rea about all of this. And the others. This seems like it isn’t a problem that will just go away.” Damn. Ross hated problems that didn’t just go away. He thought about this the entire time Markus talked to Rea, had some boring royal discussions about morals, got his way and dragged everyone around the fire that had actually been started tonight. He finally decided Markus was kidding. That was fine. It was his birthday, he could be indulged. “I’m very sorry about all of this. As soon as there was a hint that this danger should have affected you all, I should have told you.” Markus was the only one standing. Even Rea had sat, looking faintly annoyed but tolerant. The firelight reflected on their faces and they were watching him as though he were about to tell them a fairytale or a ghost story, not anything of any importance. “The fault for that rests on my shoulders, not Rea’s. Kenetari came after me first and I didn’t see what a threat she could pose to all of us. We may not know each other very well but for now, we are together and that isn’t supposed to change for a while. So acting as a group only makes sense. All of you need to decide if you’re going to stay here now that all of this has changed things.” “Get on with it before we die of old age,” Kylara prodded. Laura threw her a death glare that made Ross shiver. “As you wish. A year ago, my friend was killed in front of Laura by Kenetari Whitestar. We didn’t know her name then, but she confessed to me that she killed him and attacked me. She even confessed to being the start of a revolution brewing in Laina. I believed at that time that she meant to kill me as well. I no longer believe this is true,” Markus said. Ross started. He didn’t believe what now? “She said she would change my reaction to her revolution, not that she would kill me. After that, Kylara and Maria prematurely confronted me and let me go. The assault of Rea’s castle came soon afterwards, and another heir was threatened that same day. From that heir, we learned that there had been similar ‘tests’ of every other heir on the continent.” “Which would be I?” Blade came and sat beside him, his head raised high. Rose’s jaw dropped. Ketra’s brow furrowed. Juliet looked like she might be sick. Gabriel visibly started. Everyone else seemed to be pretty fine with it. “I apologize for the distress my presence causes those of you unfamiliar with my species. I will explain what I can about my kind, but now I feel that what the Prince Markus has to say is more important. Merely know that I mean you no harm, and I will not ever mean you harm.” “It’s going to be fine, people.” Maria passed her hand over her hair, leaving blue streaks behind. “A lot of us are magic here and we don’t scare you, do we?” She winked at Markus. The prince poured water in his hand and made it glow. “I’m not exactly Merlin, but I’m learning.” “Markus….” Ketra raised her hands helplessly. “I… never mind. Just continue. I know that you want to.” “I will tell you everything soon, Ket. I promise you.” “Then it will happen. Go on.” “Later my bodyguards and I inferred that the killing of Jack- who had been a Carinian spy- was not just politically motivated. Kenetari wanted the three of us on this journey for her own reasons as well. She probably changed or forged many of your letters.” “There are a few invitations I did not send.” Rea nodded. “Two more attempts were made on my life, the first a straight assassination the second one of these tests. Then there was nothing until Anella and Raythor met Kenetari in the forest. She proposed that she wanted not just me, but everyone here on this journey because we could all present her with a challenge. She said that us had been hurt in the past, and were too scared to be here to face her now, eventually on her own land in Laina, without her prompting. I don’t know what that implies but I know things are not going to get easier for us. Leaving would be a sane option, but she may keep pursuing you. I have no doubt that there is something irrational in her actions, but it seems quite planned as well. So… all of you have a choice. You can try to run, hide, or disbelieve what I’ve said. In the end, this is probably the safer, smarter thing to do. Or you can continue with this group and try to find some way to end all of this. The only thing I’m entirely sure of is that facing her will be dangerous.” There was a long silence. Ross let out a sigh. What indecisive pansies. He stood up. “I’m in, Blue. I’m always in.” “Until death.” Laura put her hands on their shoulders and squeezed them both. “I hope you had no doubt of me.” Ketra got to her feet as well. Rose was a second behind her, but she stuck her chin in the air resolutely. “Who’s afraid of a crazy duchess anyway?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 17:53:30 GMT -5
“You already know we’re seeing this until the end,” Kylara said. “I could never leave my fellow blue hair alone,” Maria agreed. “I am with you.” Blade moved to four legs. “All of us will be here to represent Carina in this conflict,” Rea said regally. As she rose, Dione and James did with her. A more hesitant Gabriel followed. Juliet got up and looked down at Raythor. “Rayth, I know you don’t want to do this. I don’t even have to ask. But I’m doing this. Kenetari’s men almost killed you and I’m not going to let that slip by unnoticed. I’m also not going to keep running from whomever keeps threatening you and I think that you shouldn’t either. So… you can stay here and fight with me or you can keep running. I think I know that-” “Dash.” Raythor got up, giving her a half grin. “I am not leaving you. If you want to stand and fight than I fight with you.” Markus closed his eyes and looked enormously relieved. Ross patted him on the back. The prince just breathed for a moment then opened his eyes again. “Thank you. I know you all have your different reasons for being here, but it’s really comforting to know there are a number of us in this together.” “W-what a-about K-Kayle?” Anella asked, sounding terrified. “She let Kayle leave before she confronted us. I think Kayle is going to be fine,” Raythor said. “Are you sick?” Juliet laughed. “Because that was what most normal humans call ‘comforting’.” “It was fact, so calm down.” “Do you argue with every woman you talk to or just the lucky ones?” Ross said. “Oh all of them. It’s why I get all the ladies,” Raythor said sarcastically. Ross was about to continue harassing Raythor- the worse he made him look, the less Anella would be interested in him- when Laura grabbed his arm and dragged him off. He kept glancing at her but her lips were tightly shut. He sighed but let her keep dragging him. She only stopped when they were out of sight of everyone else. “Did you tell Markus?” Laura demanded flatly. “What? God no, are you kidding me?” Ross blanched. “I still remember exactly what you said you’d do to my-” “Then why has he started flirting with me?” “…what?” “I think that you’re familiar with the word, Ross.” “No. Markus? No.” He shook his head firmly. “He’s completely committed to Princess Rose, you know that.” “I don’t think I’m imagining it.” “I guess you could be. Maybe you want to hear things he says like that.” Ross shrugged. “I mean, I know I say that he likes you all the time but I don’t think I actually believe it.” “I’m kind of glad to hear that.” “Why are you glad to hear it? Laur, we both know-” “Not speaking of it was part of the agreement.” She held up one finger. Ross swallowed. “You uh… brought it up.” “I know I did but… let’s be realistic. Even if he liked me back, the best I could be was his mistress. I don’t want that, I never have. My position and my pride would never allow it.” “Wow, can you even imagine Markus having a mistress?” “I don’t think anyone can, Ross. I’m just saying the situation is hopeless.” “Well… would it be so bad if you told him the truth? You know, just to get it off your chest before the wedding. I think it’s going to eat at you if you don’t.” Ross waited for her to hit him. She didn’t. She didn’t retort sarcastically. She didn’t give him a death glare. She didn’t even just walk away. No, Laura just stared at the ground, her eyes glazed and her arms crossed. This was actually making him a little more nervous. “Laur?” “Because… I’m not supposed to still like him. Not after Jack, that was the plan. Still having feelings for him is just so much of a weakness. I hate that.” “Did you… ever love Jack?” Ross blurted. Oh shit. He was something he’d always wanted to ask that but he never intended to actually do. It just really seemed like somewhere she did not want to go. Laura had accidently let it slip to him a number of years ago that she liked Markus, always adding that it was ridiculous of her. Then, when she noticed Jack was flirting with her she’d done so right back. Well, only because Ross had told her the only way to get over someone was find someone else you cared about as much or more. So Laura and Jack had begun courting but Ross had never known if she said yes to Jack because he had asked or because she actually liked him back. “No.” “Wait… did you just answer that?” “Yes Ross. I’m beginning to think you have a hearing problem. No, I was not in love with him. He was just… very good to me. I was hoping to accept his offer of marriage when I came of age. It was the most sensible thing I could have done, really. He was a very good friend.” “You sure acted like you were interested.” “You of all people should know what good acting looks like.” “Wow… that was kind of hurtful. I’m going to need a minute.” “To fake some tears?” “…maybe.” Ross glanced at her again. “So… he actually offered marriage? Really?” “Yes, he did. I had not accepted him by the time he died but… I planned to. I just needed… a little more time. That was all. Just a little.” Laura shook her head. “This is ridiculous. We have much more important things to worry about. Markus doesn’t know, I’m safe and everything can just be normal between us again. I should have known I was just crazy.” “Well, you probably are crazy; I’m going to give you that. But… you were going to marry someone you weren’t in love with? Really?” “Nobles do it. Closer to the actual point I expected to develop genuine feelings for him.” “Become the lie?” Ross raised a brow. Oh, emotionally stunted Lainans. Did they know nothing? “Laura, you can’t force yourself to fall in love with someone. Maybe it would happen, but only if you lost your feelings for Markus. You would have just been condemning both of you to unhappiness-” “So I should have never tried to be happy without Markus? He’s my best friend, and I care for him deeply, but I still deserve a life even without him in it, don’t I? Besides, where Jack is concerned… this is irrelevant now.” She closed her eyes. “I miss him. Oh God, I miss him.” “I know, Laur-” Ross reached out.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 17:53:56 GMT -5
“Nope, you still don’t get to touch me.” Laura tried to sound teasing but she completely meant it. Damn. “I appreciate that you listened though. Thank you for that.” “Oh yeah, no worries. I’m always going to listen when a pretty girl drags me off into the foliage. By the way… what do you consider the more important things we have to worry about? Crazy and confused Kenetari?” “Protecting Markus. No matter what happens, that is our first and only real duty. I’ll make sure my emotions no longer play any part.”
Chapter Fifteen
Purple Rose
Three weeks later everything about the quest felt normal. The personalities that clashed softened to bickering, those that didn’t into friendship or something like it. Markus was, all things considered, pretty happy. Even the feeling that he was living on finite; borrowed time had been pushed to the back of his mind. “Everyone,” Rea angled her horse so she could look back at the group behind her, “we’re stopping at an inn tonight. I think we all need to recharge a little before we cross the border into Laina. After that, it won’t be long until we reach the capital city and request an audience with King Ian.” “Sounds good to me. I love the inn doors. Get it?” Ross asked cheerfully. There was a chorus of groans. Markus and Laura exchanged glances, rolling their eyes. Only Ross. “Are we choosing our own roommates this time around?” Rose said when the noise quieted down. Rea nodded. “It only has to be someone of the same gender.” “Are you ready to share a room with this much greatness again, Markus?” Ross leaned over to whisper to him. “I think my head might just explode, Ross.” Markus rolled his eyes again. Ross just beamed and leaned the other way to whisper something to Laura, who rolled her eyes too. “What happened to the people trying to kill us?” Rose asked loudly. “I think we can get some answers about that here,” Raythor replied listlessly, “Whitestar is Lainan and she’s a powerful noble. There are bound to be a few people so close to the border who knows something about her and her family.” “That’s true,” Juliet agreed, “Especially if we head to Raythor’s favorite place.” “And where is that, hell?” Rose cut in. “The tavern.” “You’re a lush?” “Yes,” Raythor said. Rose seemed to deflate. Markus figured that, with Raythor insulting himself, there wasn’t much she could really say. “This means drunken women,” Ross said gleefully. “You really are Prince Charming, aren’t you?” Kylara said sarcastically. “No, that would be Blue over here. Prince Charming never gets laid.” “Ross!” Markus laughed at the chorus of female voices. It took more than three weeks to get used to the Carinian archer. “Well, aside from charmless, I’m looking forward to all of this. Sleeping in a bed, inside, not eating any more rabbit… we have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s ridiculous. None of us ever seem to catch anything else.” Rose stared pointedly at Raythor. “I swear I’m going to grow long ears and a tail soon.” There was a brief silence where everyone waited for Raythor to come up with an insult. He just blinked and said nothing. “A-are you feeling well?” Anella asked timidly. “Because t-there are so many w-ways you could have used that.” “I guess.” He shrugged. “Maybe this will cheer you up,” Juliet suggested. “Anything is possible.” “If you just believe?” Ross asked. He spread all of his fingers and wiggled them overdramatically. Raythor just started at him. “Hey, I tried.” “So, Rea, what is the name of this inn?” Markus said, attempting to change the subject. The Queen slowed her horse to walk next to him. “Purple Rose. It’s supposed to be wonderful.” “Purple Rose.” Markus smiled. “It’s an omen.” “What other color would a royal rose be?” She smiled. “Tell me, Markus, are you enjoying this journey?” “I am. It’s nice to be this free, without formalities. It will be difficult to return to the courts.” “You can still speak like a prince,” Rea said. She raised her hand and the chatter behind them stopped immediately. “Markus and I will speak to the innkeeper about arrangements, but everyone needs to sign the ledger. Understand?” She dismounted once she’d received an answer. Markus did too, now that he’d been summoned, and carelessly handed Eclipse’s reigns off to Laura. The Purple Rose wasn’t impressive from the outside but maybe, Markus mused, it was if you hadn’t lived your entire life in a castle. It was made of unpainted wood, so it was all the same shade of brown. Paint would have been nice, especially since they seemed to have modeled it after some sort of temple. Two beams held up the small awning over the door and the rest of the building was unmarked, as though it were trying to mimic marble. The only color came from the brightly painted stables in the back. Well… maybe the service was wonderful. “Hello,” Rea strode right up to the front desk. Markus tailed her like a protective knight. Her own had apparently been sent to the stables with the others. The inn keeper’s eyes widened and he dropped to one knee so that only his dark hair was showing. The prince covered his mouth to hide the fact he was laughing. “Your majesty,” the inn keeper said. “It is a pleasure to have you here at my humble inn. I’ll do my best to provide you with service befitting a queen. And my lord, we are only here to serve a prince as noble as your highness.” “You may rise,” Rea said with an approving nod. “I’m sure the accommodations will be to our liking.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 17:58:30 GMT -5
The inn keeper stood but bowed again to both of them. “My queen the staff was forewarned of your arrival and we have prepared seven rooms in the same area of the hotel. All we need is for you to so graciously sign the ledger.” “Very good,” Rea said regally. She dropped a pouch of gold on the table and then bent to sign. Markus put his name below hers. “Does your group have a name, my lady?” “Oh,” Rea looked at Markus with what he could only call a devilish smile, “The Royalty of Everglade.”
Maria, Kylara, Raythor and Juliet had been delegated to gather information. The former water elementist didn’t mind much. She was happy to do the less death filled part of her job again, never mind it was at the behest of people she respected considerably less than her late leader. Besides, this was a nice little tavern. It only had about ten tables along with the main bar, all lit by the roaring fire and full of people laughing, talking, drinking and dancing. She’d been in worse. “Barkeep, keep them coming won’t you?” Maria tapped the bar with her finger. She didn’t drink. Elementists really couldn’t if they didn’t want strange, strange backlash. She had, however, perfected the art of syphoning her drink into the drunkest-person-around’s-glass. Being at a bar without a glass in hand attracted attention and that was not good. “Sure thing, sweetheart.” He smiled at her blankly. He didn’t seem to say much and just smiled and nodded at customers when they spoke to him nine times out of ten. He had a small, well-kept beard and rough blond hair that he kept in a ponytail at his neck. He also had a wedding ring. Maybe she could use that. “Hey, happy to get the queen’s party in here?” She asked, her hands closed around her glass. “It’s business. This is my father’s place so any money is good money to me.” He looked side to side. “Her majesty is known to be a little high maintenance, if you know what I mean.” Maria smiled. She knew. Rea had been next on the hit list. “Hey, I hear you. My name is Maria. You are…?” “Bruce. It’s a pleasure to meet you, lady.” “Listen, Bruce,” Maria leaned forward, “I’m here looking for my half-sister.” “Does she have a name? I’m good with names.” He began absently washing a glass. Maria tapped her own. This was her lying tell. She really hoped he wouldn’t guess that. “Kenetari Whitestar.” Bruce dropped the glass, shattering it on the counter. Maria’s drunken neighbor gasped, looking quite alarmed. “Clumsy me,” he said flatly. “Are you sure you want to find your sister?” “I have to,” Maria returned evenly, “I love her.” Bruce stared at her for a second. Then he slung his cleaning rag over his shoulder. “Feara, take over here for a second all right, sis?” “All right, Bruce, I’ll be out there in a second,” a feminine voice called back. “Let’s go, Maria.” Bruce slipped out a side door. She followed, checking that all her knives were in place. Once the door closed and they were alone Bruce looked terrified. “Who are you? Do you work for her? Have I done something wrong, is it my family?” “I’m not going to hurt you, I’m not with her.” Maria held up her hands to show that they were empty of weapons. “I just need information. I take it that you do work for her?” Bruce nodded, still looking hesitant. “What can you tell me about her?” “She’s the daughter of Sabbath Whitestar, a duke in Laina. She and her paramour, Lydrion Archer, are trying to get a choke hold on all six countries so they can take over Laina.” “Is that why she’s after Queen Rea’s group?” “We aren’t told a scrap more than we need to know, and I don’t need to know that. But she wants them here and she’s luring them into Laina.” “How can we find her before she finds us? Is she in Whitestar castle?” “You don’t want to, trust me. If you get on Kenetari’s bad side, she kills you- but not before she lets Archer find your family and makes you watch as she tortures them to death.” “I don’t have a family,” Maria said tersely. As an assassin, this wasn’t exactly the first time this particular threat was aimed at her. It probably wouldn’t be the last either. “Who is Lydrion Archer?” “Archer is an expert at finding people and most of Laina knows him as a hero who locates missing children,” Bruce said readily. “But he works with her. Finds the people she wants him too.” “To manipulate or kill.” She nodded. “What else can you tell me?” “I’ll tell you everything I know if you promise that you intend to put a stop to what she’s doing. I don’t care how weak King Ian is- anything is better than that family on the throne.” “I intend to see her dead.” “This inn is her foothold in Carina. Pretty much everyone she sends from her army comes through here to get their mission details from Maya- the waitress, she’s blonde, bouncy curls, doesn’t do a lot of work- and she’s far higher up in the ranks than I am. She knows a lot more than I do, too, especially about what Kenetari intends for Carina.” “Why is Kenetari trying to kill the heirs herself? Why is she telling them what’s going on?” “Because, somehow, she already knows how they’re going to react and not one of them is going to think to tell their parents. She knows she can keep them on edge and that she can pit them against each other whenever she wants. Basically, she’s making royals dance to her tune and she loves that. Rea, the only current monarch without an heir, gets special attention and that’s why she has this foothold here.” “Who are the heirs she’s threatening? I’m a little hazy on the royal bloodlines.” “Prince Markus of Everglade, Prince Roland of Caltha, Princess Daphne of Dragoon, Prince Caleb of Laina and Prince Ronald of Bloodroot. Not one of them are in their castle right now, with their parents, and not one of them has any intention of writing to them soon. No… they’re all going to where she sent them.” “Where did they send them?” “To Laina, all of them, with her usually forged letters. I’d be surprised if Prince Caleb isn’t in her dungeon already.” Maria shook her head. “How can she be so cocky? One king hears of this and her little revolution is over and done with.” Bruce laughed. “Yes, a bunch of headstrong future rulers are going to run crying to daddy when they finally have a chance to do something for themselves, on their own. I’ll give her one thing; she has a bit of a reason to be cocky.” “I see.” Maria let this all digest for a second. It kind of… explained almost every word that had come out of Kenetari’s mouth. “So she never intended for any of them to die.” “No. Death is a little too easy for her. She’s always been like that.” He shook his head. “This is… all I know. I wish I could give you more, but she’s very strict about what she tells us. Most of this I got from her brother, who she often tells less than she tells me.” “All of this has been very helpful, thank you.” She started looking for some sort of coin in her pocket but he held up his hand to stop her. “No money, Maria. Just kill that bitch.”
“See that, Dash?” Raythor was hunched over the table, eyeing something in the back of the tavern. Juliet straightened her back so she could see, mug nestled in her hand. It was untouched. She’d gotten so absorbed into trying to draw the especially moody Raythor into conversation that she’d forgotten about it entirely. He was still giving her one word answers, not meeting her eyes and drumming his fingers on the table. He’d acted this way before, true, but never for this long. Something was bothering him but, given their no questions policy, it was ridiculously difficult to find out what that was. “What? Anella’s pervert of a cousin? Yeah, I see him. And?” “He’s managed to catch the attention of every girl in this room except for two. One Kylara led off with a knife at her back before he had the chance. The second though… she’s just ignoring him. Maybe she just has better taste than most of the drunken female populace but I doubt it.” “Those are both the waitresses. Maybe she’s being professional, Rayth. Wouldn’t you like to have a drink or something?” “I’d like to do the task I was given. I want to talk to her. I have the gut feeling that she knows something.” “When did you become a knight?” Juliet teased. Raythor gave her a sour look which was, sadly, progress. “Well fine. Are you going to try to out flirt Ross? I’ve never seen you flirt before. Actually, you should do that. It will probably be funny.” “Fine.” Raythor stood up. Juliet raised an eyebrow. “You aren’t serious, are you?” “Dance with me.” He held out a hand. She sat there in stunned silence for a moment. His expression did not change the entire time but eventually he wiggled his fingers expectantly. “What? Can’t you dance?” “You can dance?” She stayed firmly in her seat. “Yes I can. Well, I can’t court dance… waltz, or whatever you call that… but I can dance like a commoner. My mother taught me.” “Are you… Okay?” “This is just my face.” “Yes, I know that, but you’re really not acting like yourself. You haven’t been for a while and this whole withdrawing and talking about your mother is not you. And the dancing… well it baffles me.” Raythor grabbed her hand and pulled her up against him, his eyes still blank and empty. “Last chance.” “Alright, I’ll help you complete your little mission.” Juliet said. She didn’t move though. She actually did not know how to dance; she’d just seen it done before. She really didn’t know what qualified as a “commoner” dance either. Raythor, however, didn’t seem to need her participation. He took one of her hands and put his other one on the small of her back and proceeded to, as far as she could tell, swing her around. Juliet felt her heart go crazy, like some kind of nervous rabbit, in her chest and she saw the world pass by in a flash of colors. It took a minute to get used to, but soon she had enough bearings to know that people were starting to watch them. She saw what he was doing now but that didn’t stop her from starting to enjoy it. It was a certain sort of rush to let him be so in control. Usually, they clung to their own fierce independence like it was a chest full of gold. He also had never liked touching people,
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 18:04:31 GMT -5
herself included, but he seemed to have no problem with it now. There was something about being in Raythor’s arms that she liked and that nervous rabbit calmed considerably. She let the speed and the rush of adrenaline wash her mind blank and, when he finally stopped spinning her around, she had no idea how long they had been dancing. All Juliet knew was that she was breathless and staring up at Raythor’s face. “Wow. Your mom taught you how to do that, really?” “She was a dancer,” his voice got quiet. “I’m sorry I wasn’t very good at that. She… died when I was seven and I kind of learned from the memory. Serena coached me later, a little.” “Serena…?” “My sister. Well… technically.” “Raythor.” She felt suddenly, irrationally, terrified. Why was he being so open? Why had he been so sad for weeks? He’d wanted to leave the group but was he going to leave her too? “Raythor-” The waitress tapped his shoulder. “I haven’t seen anyone dance like that in here in a long time. Where are you from, blue eyes?” Raythor let Juliet go. Juliet stared the waitress down, mouth set in a line. Damn it, why did people always have to interrupt when Raythor was actually talking about his past? The waitress stared back, her dark eyes hard. “What?” “Nothing.” Juliet composed herself quickly. “Thank you for the dance um… what was your name again, sir?” “Raythor Carpenter. May I ask your name?” He looked at the waitress. Still no expression. Flirting was still not his thing. Juliet bid him what she hoped was a timid goodbye and returned to her seat. Now she was going to drain that drink of hers to the last drop.
Ross was completely in his element. He had talked with every girl in this inn’s tavern and canvased all of their personalities, so he knew just how to change his to seduce them. If he didn’t get at least one of them to leave the bar with him he was a complete failure as a skirt chaser. Ross was incredibly confident he wasn’t that. There was one girl; however, that wasn’t paying any attention to him. This bothered him. This bothered him especially because he knew her. That was Maya, the girl he’d met in the hallway and never seen again before they all left for the Carinian war. He never forgot a chick and that was the chick. He’d tried over and over to get Markus to find out who she was and Markus had promised him that there had never been a Maya working in Imperia, at least not in their lifetime. So the mystery deepened, and he’d never really given up on it. Some of the maids, after all, had remembered seeing her. She didn’t seem to remember him. All her attention was focused on Carpenter just because he could apparently dance. Ross hadn’t seen that one coming, but hey, that was pretty irrelevant. Granted, Carpenter was supposed to be “information gathering” or something else ridiculous that made him sound important but damn it, that was the best looking girl in the room aside from Juliet. He had already given up on the little thief, so… “’Nella.” Ross turned his head to look at his cousin, who was hunched in her chair staring at her mug of hot cider like it was going to foretell the future. “You’re with Carpenter all the time, how is he with women?” Anella looked up at him wide eyed. “W-what?” “Seduction, cousin. Can Carpenter manage it?” “I u-um… n-no u-um… I h-haven’t s-seen-” “You aren’t messing around with him are you? Because I’d have to kill him.” “W-what? No, Ross, a-absolutely n-not w-we’re just f-friends I-I d-don’t e-even t-think o-of h-him l-like t-that.” “Alright, so he sucks at this. He’s so obviously into you and he’s had three weeks so I’ve got nothing to worry about.” He patted her back affectionately. Anella just turned very, very red. “Come on, Anella, we’ll go help him out with our stunning good lucks.” She attempted to protest but didn’t manage to get it out. He took this as a yes. Ross grabbed her hand and dragged her over to Carpenter’s table. Then he slammed both hands down purposefully on the wood. “Hey Carpenter, who is this beautiful lady friend of yours?” He smiled at the waitress. She smiled back. Raythor said nothing at all.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 18:10:56 GMT -5
“My name is Maya, sugar. Listen, Raythor, I’ve got to get back to work- see you later though, huh?” She moved past Ross. “That could happen,” Raythor said. He took a sip of his drink. He didn’t even follow Maya’s receding form with his eyes, which Ross darted his own back for a split second to notice. It was like Raythor didn’t even care. “She knew something but she’s not telling me. She’s either scared stiff or actually loyal. Maybe with Kenetari involved there isn’t much of a distinction.” “She seemed pretty interested in you personally,” Ross prompted. Raythor raised and lowered his head. “Yeah, I think she was.” “And?” “And that seemed to be of no use to us.” The dark haired boy took another sip of his drink. Ross sat down. He felt liked his legs just needed the rest all of a sudden. He was used to Markus’s over-chivalry but this kind of thing… “Are you with Juliet?” He asked when his voice made its way back to his throat. “No.” “Why not?” “I’m planning to have wild sex with the waitress later of course.” Raythor rolled his eyes. “Is there something you actually want?” “H-he wanted to f-flirt with M-Maya,” Anella commented. Ross gave her a look that was meant to be admonishing, but he just broke into a smile. “It’s true.” “Well she’s all yours now, Carina.” Raythor gave him a very sarcastic salute. “Have you ever had a girlfriend?” “Could you be more specific? Because there was this one time, in prison-” Ross smacked him hard on the back. “Please never finish that sentence. Ever.” He looked over to see Anella covering her mouth and trying not to laugh. He raised an eyebrow. Could she really tell when Raythor’s flat line of a voice was kidding and when it was serious? Why was Anella so friendly with this guy anyway? He was broke, a thief, and about as exciting as a stone. Ross just did not understand, there had to be something about him. “Do your prison girlfriends call you Thor?” “Well, Juliet calls me Rayth and technically we both belong in prison. Does that count?” Raythor folded his hands on the table, trying to blink at Ross innocently. “Well, it just seems like going with Thor would open up a lot of references to your hammer,” Ross returned. Something about Raythor’s still unchanging expression radiated “what the hell?” Ross tried not to smile. “You should think about it. The ladies will love it.” “Care to beg to differ, Anella?” Raythor glanced up at her. She flamed red. “I d-don’t um… k-know what h-he m-means?” “Yeah, it’s a mystery.” Ross’s eyes darted down and then back up. Raythor shifted uncomfortably and Anella went even redder. “You gonna be okay, Juliet? I think some beer just came out of your nose there.” Raythor smirked at his little girlfriend over at the other table. He was answered by a spluttering noise and some more laughter. “What can I say? I constantly amuse her with my awkwardness.” “Right on, Thor.” Juliet held up her beer. Ross managed to keep his composure for a second. Then he buried his head in the crook of his arm and laughed his ass off. By the time he and Juliet were done, half the bar was staring at them. Including Maya. Ross stood up. “And there’s my way in. Goodbye, you charming people. I’ll see you when I am much more satisfied than I am now.” “Sure you will.” Raythor half grinned mockingly. “That a challenge, Carpenter?” “Well currently she likes me better, Carina. It’s your move.” Ross stuck out his tongue and walked away to the sound of Juliet and Raythor starting a conversation. He made a clear line to Maya, who looked at him with a raised eyebrow. As of right now, he was going to play confident. He wasn’t sure what approach Carpenter had taken, but whatever it was copying it would be death. “Hey sugar.” “Cute, blondie.” “I think you mean Ross Rainbird, Maya. We’ve met before.” She laughed. “Have we? I don’t remember that.” “Well it was over a year ago, in Imperia castle. You were at the very least masquerading as a maid then. How did you land this glamour job instead?” “Oh,” Maya grabbed him, pulling him up against her, hand resting behind his head, “so that’s where you know me from. I think that I do recognize you, my dear lord’s son. Why don’t you come with me for a moment?” “Wait…” The pieces started clicking together in his head. Maya had been in the castle right before they went to war and never again. No one had any record of her being there. Now she was here and Carpenter thought she knew something. So maybe going with her was a bad idea. And maybe she was really, really good looking. “Sounds good to me.” “Yeah, I thought it might.”
Rose had never actually been in a tavern before. If she was honest with herself, the whole atmosphere seemed a little beneath a princess. Everything was loud and disorderly; and certainly not in a way she enjoyed. She spent about ten minutes there before deciding it wasn’t worth her time and retiring to the sitting room. This left her with Markus, Laura, Ketra, Queen Rea and her retinue to talk to. It was not a particularly surprisingly grouping. Really, it was the peasants who were doing the actual work and that made complete sense to Rose. Besides, Raythor and the others had the actual skills the task required. She just wished Laura had gone with them. The red cushioned benches let her sit far too close to Markus for her liking. Would it have killed them to have sprung for armrests? Frigging Purple Rose. “Hello, my lady.” Markus was suddenly standing before her. He smiled. “Would you care to dance? You look a little bored.” “You’ll have to half teach me,” Rose lied. She tried to look shy. “But if you don’t mind that, I’d love to.” “Of course. We’ll need music, so…” “Back to the tavern?” She grimaced.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 18:18:29 GMT -5
Markus laughed. “I don’t particularly enjoy being around that much alcohol either, but don’t worry- we’ll protect each other.” “Thank you,” Rose said. She found that her face had heated up considerably. “Do you not drink?” “It’s not to my taste,” Markus said easily. All the same, he tensed when the scent of the tavern hit his nose. It had to be difficult to have a weakness like that. She gave him a sympathetic glance. “Markus, I’m going to be at Ross’s table if you need protecting.” Laura brushed past him, touching his shoulder lightly as she did. “Alright, tell Ross to behave himself when he comes back.” The prince’s muscles loosened just a fraction. “I will,” she laughed, disappearing into the crowd. Rose smiled too. With satisfaction. “Shall we begin with something easy then?” Markus extended his hand. She took it, marveling about how soft it was. Nothing like the scratchy leather of Raythor’s gloves. He was, unfortunately, the boy she got to touch most due to her training. Fake training, she reminded herself. “Mm hm,” Rose nodded. “Your fingers go here and here….” Markus’s brow furrowed as he focused. Rose smiled again. He took her hands and placed one on his shoulder and laced his fingers through the other. She shivered when his hand touched her waist, but he placed it fairly high. A respectful height, in fact, that reminded her that he wasn’t actually trying to court her. “And then… well, follow my feet….” Rose dutifully looked down and copied his movements. She didn’t really have to pay attention; she’d done these particular movements thousands of times. “You’re doing really well, Rose.” “Thank you, I’m a fast learner.” She mis-stepped on purpose, smiling apologetically. “Guess I’m not perfect.” “No one is.” He steadied her. “You’re pretty close,” Rose commented. He laughed. “Well, you’re just getting to know me, aren’t you? I’m sure something about me will strike you mad by the time we all return home.” “I hope not,” she said with some amusement. “I appreciate my sanity.” “As do I, my lady.” He gave her a formal nod. “Are you… scared?” “Pardon?” “Of getting married.” Rose concentrated on her own feet now. “Oh.” He kept his steps completely even, crossing the same number of floor boards every time. There was a group of people Rose didn’t know at a table behind them, watching her and Markus dance. She inwardly sighed, thinking this was going to be the rest of their lives- stared at, studied. The women focused on him in particular, measuring her against his looks…. “No, not scared. I’ve been raised to marry your namesake my entire life. It’s just… part of who I am. I’m excited to meet her and I hope she likes me. And, you know, isn’t completely disgusted by this stuff.” He touched his crown, fingertips brushing his hair. “You’d be surprised how fast you get used to it.” She mis-stepped again. He corrected her and seemed to lose his train of thought, supplementing a diplomatic smile for an answer. “She won’t have time,” Markus said finally. Rose reached up and smoothed a strand of hair out of his face. He started, gray eyes studying her inquisitively. “Don’t worry.” Her hand traced its way back to his shoulder. For a moment, they just stood like that, staring into each other’s eyes. Then she dropped her gaze again. “You’ll have the rest of your life to make time.” Before he could answer, Maria came up and stood beside them patiently, hand on her hip. “Permission to speak, Prince Perfect?” “Call me Markus. Please, please call me Markus. And you really don’t need my permission; you did try to kill me twice. I think that puts us on somewhat intimate terms.” Markus cracked a smile. Rose seethed inside. “I still like you. Anyway, I just want to tell you that your little boyfriend just went off with Kenetari’s top spy in this establishment. Thought you might like to know.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 18:25:10 GMT -5
Markus’s eyes widened. Rose waited and waited for him to say it, but he didn’t. She handled it for him: “Shit.”
“Where the hell have you been?” Ross pulled Maya up against him. She laughed, playfully kissing his neck. Oh, she was still one of the most beautiful girls he had ever slept with. Also the easiest to keep secret from all the other girls and from his friends. Maya had about the same philosophy concerning relationships as he did so she’s been by far his favorite as well. They’d spent a glorious month together after the war, while she was still in the castle, and then she’d disappeared without a trace, saying goodbye only to him and promising they’d cross paths again someday. Raythor saying she might know something made him think she was probably a spy. It actually made a lot of sense that she worked for Kenetari. “You look great, by the way. Possibly even better than usual.” “I’ve been here, mostly. I go where my job takes me, you know?” Maya disentangled herself from him and stretched, walking toward the only little table in the storeroom. They were pretty much surrounded by kegs on huge wooden shelves otherwise. She plucked something off the table and pressed it into his palm. “This key will get you into my room, on the third floor, number sixty two. It’s all the way at the end of the hall, it’s easy to find. Drop by when the rest of your little caravan is asleep, alright?” “You are an angel.” He kissed her. “Angel, fuck buddy. Pretty sure it’s the same thing to you.” She flicked his nose. “Hey, don’t judge me on that sugar. You aren’t exactly pure and virtuous yourself.” “Not like the one you brought with you tonight. She looks more innocent than an actual angel.” “Anella? The wavy haired one?” “That’s the one.” “Well… she’s my cousin-” “Ah, then you haven’t screwed her then. That explains it.” “Yeah, even I don’t go there.” “Well in only a few short you’re going to go here.” Maya put her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his. “I think that more than makes up for it.” “You more than make up for most things. Even if you are Kenetari’s little spy.” “Found that out, did you?” “I kind of guessed it.” “It doesn’t really change much for us, does it?” “Not really.” “I didn’t think it would.” “Hey… you weren’t going to actually try for Raythor Carpenter, were you?” Ross asked. “Because that makes my skin crawl a little.” “Oh, Rocelin, are we jealous? Raythor just seemed like a fun little dalliance. I’m sure he can’t hold a romantic candle to you, my dear. He doesn’t seem particularly experienced, after all, which you know I prefer. It’s just… the green ones are nice every once and awhile. Keeps things fresh. You never had a problem with any of the other Gladians I spent time with.” “Carpenter’s not a Gladian AND he spends far too much time with my cousin for my liking.” Maya laughed again. “So that’s it, is it? The older cousin getting a little protective? I see where you’re coming from. I could distract him a little, but that seems to be not to your liking either.” “I don’t like to… share with people like him.” “Fair enough. Just know, someday, I might mark someone as off limits.” “I shall heed every word out of your gorgeous mouth.” “I thought you might say that.” She was about to kiss him again when there was a loud, angry sounding knock on the door. They stared at each other blankly. “Ross, you better not actually be in there,” Markus demanded through the door. “Well damn.” Ross grimaced. “Oh, I recognize that voice.” Maya looked amused. “Tell him you screwed me in the storeroom and I left, alright? I’ll hide back there; he’ll never have to know I’m still here. Probably never guess either.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 18:34:17 GMT -5
“Good point.” He kissed her one last time. “See you tonight, alright?” “You know it, my very close companion.”
“Hey masochist, want to get out of here? I don’t think Carina’s coming back anytime soon.” Raythor drummed his fingers on the table. “I don’t l-like it h-here,” Anella confessed. “You, Laura?” “I’m contractually obligated to watch Markus until Ross relieves me, so go on without me.” Laura shook her head. “Alright. You in, Dash?” “You know it.” Juliet stood first, wobbling a little. Anella watched blankly as Raythor moved to support her. “You never call anyone by their real names, you know that?” “Names are too personal.” “I disagree; I think nicknames are more personal. They show you took the time to pick them out and at least kind of know the person who you gave them too, even if they’re ironic. You’re trying to dehumanize people so you don’t have to feel close to them but you’re accomplishing just the opposite.” “You’re doing it again.” “Sorry, Rayth.” “Doing w-what?” Anella chimed in. “Analyzing what’s wrong with him. It’s something serious, that’s all I know,” Juliet teased. “So you can’t fix it.” Raythor half grinned back at her. “That is not your skill set, fleet foot. I’m going to need whatever you just took from me back, by the way.” “You got me this time…” She passed him something behind his back. “I get you every time.” He shoved whatever it was into his pocket. Anella really envied their easy way with each other. Even though she supposed she could say she had a fair number of friends, she really wasn’t close to them. Really, they weren’t even that nice to her. Kayle was the nicest. All they ever wanted to talk about was clothes, boys and what their hair looked like that morning. She’s never been able to speak up for herself and say that she often didn’t care. Anella wanted to be able to talk to be like… they were. Like Markus, Laura, and Ross talked to each other. Like Raythor and Juliet and Rose and Ketra. Like… everyone else around her. Anella had Blade, of course, and she loved that she did. But he couldn’t be around all the time, couldn’t be with her when she was at home whenever she just needed someone to talk to. She wanted to find someone who could be around all the time. Her eyes rose to look at the two happily chattering people in front of her. They were both nice to her. Raythor did talk to her about real things, even if he was sometimes terse and moody. She really didn’t mind that, it didn’t seem to have anything to do with her and Juliet always ignored it. Juliet was smart as anything herself. Here she also had her cousin, who had always treated her with great affection, and she had the prince training her. All of this was so surreal and already she didn’t know how she was going to leave it and go back to the real world. “Sleep that future hangover off well, princess of light.” Raythor saluted Juliet as she started up the stairs on her own. Juliet looked back, her smile a little nervous. Anella wondered why. “Princess of light? That’s a new one.” “Your hair in this light.” He shrugged back. “Looks like a halo, Dash. Keep doing what you do.” “You make so little sense to me.” She rolled her eyes and staggered off. Raythor sat down on the stairs with a sigh. Thunder was already waiting for him eagerly and his tail started wagging. It must be so pleasant to have someone that excited to see you, even if they were covered in fur. “You stuck it out for a long time in there even though you clearly hated it. Do it for your cousin?” Anella nodded. He half grinned, shaking his head. She lowered herself onto a step just below his, trying not to feel self-conscious. They had talked frequently in the three weeks since the quest began, but Juliet was usually there or, if not, was on the way to being there shortly. It felt strange to be alone with him and know that she was out for the night.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Dec 17, 2013 18:38:09 GMT -5
“She never could hold her liquor,” Raythor said blankly. “Never been sure why she bothers.” “Why do y-you d-drink?” She teased gently. One corner of his mouth turned up again. “I suppose you have me there.” He set his barely full glass down on the wooden step beside him. “I’m not going to pass out tonight though, not with you. That would be rude. I still owe you from last time, don’t I?” “Mm hm. You w-wouldn’t w-want to get more i-in debt, would you?” She smiled slightly. “No way. I’m broke enough as it is.” He put a hand under Thunder’s snout and stared him straight in the watery, sad-dog eyes. “No beer for you, Thunder. Don’t think I didn’t see you trying to lap it up.” The dog panted and Raythor’s nose wrinkled. “Even if it would make you smell better.” Anella laughed. “Poor doggy, he just wanted to share.” “He has before- then he threw up on my shoes,” Raythor said. She laughed a little harder. He half grinned and she saw the other side of his mouth twitch. He never, Anella thought, really seemed to fully smile. “Is he named Thunder because of your name?” She asked. He shook his head. “No, because barks really loud. Like thunder.” Raythor’s scratched the dog’s ears again. Thunder’s tongue lolled out like he was panting and he gazed at Anella contentedly. “He likes you, you know. Dash he tolerates but you, he likes. Not sure why but I guess it makes sense in his puppy brain.” “He’s very friendly,” Anella said affectionately. A back paw lowered a step and balanced on her knee. She pet it. “It’s probably because I slip him food sometimes.” “You’re going to get fat, lazy, and pampered on this trip, aren’t you Thunder?” Raythor fell silent for a moment. Anella leaned back against the railing, fiddling with her cross. For the first time, she realized she wasn’t home sick anymore. That she hadn’t been for a while now. “Anella?” He met her eyes, very deliberately. “Y-yes?” “You’ve never asked anything about me, really. Nothing about my past, about where I’m from, about why Dash and I don’t tell each other anything. You’ve just been… nice to me. No one treats me like that, not if they spend any amount of time with me. No one but Dash.” He was still looking at her. She couldn’t quite meet his eyes anymore. “A-any time s-someone does a-ask, i-it m-makes you… u-upset. I’ve h-heard Rose asking y-you, when you’re t-training her, a-about how m-messed u-up your c-childhood h-had to be and I-I j-just….” “What?” “I t-think s-she’s right.” Anella glanced up at him before her courage dropped and her eyes fell on the dog’s foot again. Thunder was so, so happy. The dog was one of the things Raythor would always answer questions about. How he’d found the dog in the streets, “skinny as hell”, and nursed him back to health. Thunder adored him for it. Raythor was lucky to have Dash, but he had saved her from the street too. Kept her alive and taught her how to live without him. No one had done the same for him. “You think she’s right.” That little corner of his mouth twitched. “I guess you could put it that way.” “Y-you always g-give h-her cryptic a-answers too. Listen, R-Raythor… y-you don’t h-have to t-tell m-me anything. I’m f-friends with the Raythor I know now. N-not whoever y-you were. T-that doesn’t matter to me… t-to a-any of us.” He stood up quickly. He didn’t say anything, finally stopped looking at her. Thunder leapt up to stand beside him, tail wagging manically again. After a few minutes, he said: “Thank you. I uh… I’m going upstairs now so… goodnight, Anella.” “G-goodnight, Raythor.” He’d called her Anella, and he hadn’t done that for weeks.
Laura usually didn’t partake in drink. Watching Markus use it to tear himself apart had pretty much put her off it. Tonight though… tonight she had a terrible burning feeling in the pit of her stomach, and she couldn’t seem to shake it off. She was just doing her job, after all, and making sure Markus was protected. That was nothing out of the ordinary. None the less,
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