2. Rorin
Rorin
Five Days Earlier
He’s a fucking idiot. My fingernails form crescent shapes into my palms as I force my fists tightly closed, both to not punch my father or Wield at him.
“You are not out there. You don’t see . These tactics they are preventing nothing .” The words come out through my clenched teeth.
My father’s face remains stony. “They will wear them down. You’ll see to that.”
“SEE TO WHAT?!” The shout leaves before I can stop it. “You’ve appointed me as a General to farmers, metalworkers, shopowners for gods’ sake. Men who have never seen battle. Fuck, I HAD NEVER SEEN BATTLE! UNTIL YOU PUT ME IN ONE. AND WE. ARE. LOSING.” My face heats matching the anger I feel. I suck in a breath in an attempts to regain my composure, “men are dying, father. You are sentencing them to an unfair death because you refuse to accept aid. If we just send a request to the Obsids—”
His sharp blue eyes snap up at the name of our neighboring kingdom. “We will not.” The tone is final, but I can’t find it in me to relent, to listen as I always do regardless of my personal feelings towards his decisions.
I subdue my anger so that my voice is even as I press the issue.“Her army is rumored to be outstanding. Skilled, professional, and massive. All things we need against Baelor.”
His hands slam down onto the desk sending papers flying off of it. “Rumored! It’s all rumors with their demented queen and her monster infested kingdom. I will not stoop as low to request the aid of a heretic queen who remains to be seen in the public eye herself.”
“You did once. For the Battle of Vellar, King Killian sent his aid. They might do it again.” A low laugh leaves him as he picks his palms off the desk, rubbing his hands together and clasping them in front of himself. A fake smile is plastered across his cheeks. One I’ve grown used to, it’s the smile he uses to make you feel like he’s listened even though he hasn’t. A smile meant to placate and remind you who is really in charge here.
“You have a…soft heart, boy.” The compliment is backhanded - laced with a threat. “You will not bring this up again. If you can’t handle one simple task, then you have proven to be more of a disappointment than I could have imagined. Figure it out, Rorin. This is your problem.” With that last word, he returns to his paperwork not bothering with the pieces strewn across the floor as he dismisses me.
It should be his problem, as the king, he’ll damn us all at this rate and not even the gods will step up to save us. I turn on my heel breaking my stare from the top of his head and close the door behind me. His guards don’t look at me as I depart from them, they keep their stares trained on the wall ahead .
I could return to my room, but my body is too agitated, my magic to anticipatory, waiting for me to use it as it clashes with my emotions and—
“I take it things didn’t go well?” Will’s voice sounds from behind me. I blink a few times, clearing my blurred vision and find myself sitting in the center of my old instruction room. Bile burns the back of my throat as I look at the worn floors the memories threatening to resurface.
How did I get up here? I ask myself. I was just in front of his office…
My eyes turn to where Will’s voice came from but he’s moved, I tilt my head back around to find him standing above me, his hand outstretched.. “Ahem. I think it’s best we head to Bair.” His brows draw together but he doesn’t question me at the moment instead he grabs my hand and pulls me up.
“Ready?” He asks and when I nod he walks back around me to exit the weathered and tired room. The room has deteriorated from the lack of use over the years. It seems it was created for only one person and when I no longer needed it…well it’s turned into nothing but a shell. These walls hold more horrors and secrets than I care to admit.
“It seems smaller.” The words come out a whisper, he looks back over his shoulder at me. Shame heats my cheeks and —
SLAM! Dust picks up around us from the force of the door shutting, making my nose twitch. Why the gods would I come back here? I ask myself this time as my father’s voice pierces my mind. His words as painful as a blade slicing into me. “Figure it out.”
I’ll figure it out alright, you just won’t like when I do. I say back to the version of him that lives only in my mind. Now I just hope that what I “figure out” works.
We left for Bair immediately after returning to my room.
It’s been three days now.
Three days from the disastrous meeting with my father, three days since I’d had Will send a missive off to Obsidian - an official request for an audience with their queen, and three days since he found me back in that fucking room. My Wield flares at just the thought of it and with all the resolve I have I yank it back down.
I’ve been pacing the room for an obscene amount of time, wearing holes into my rugs while I wait for the response to come back in from their queen. It took some convincing to have Will send it in the first place and while going against my father’s wishes on things isn’t new to me…this isn’t some petty rule breaking. This could be taken as an act of war should he find out on a day he’s in a sour mood.
A few of my soldiers pass below my office window, looking haggard, dirty, and tired. For the past several months Hadar’s Guards have gotten closer and more manipulative with their tactics. Our border towns have suffered from the occupation of our small garrisons along each front while my military is suffering from the constant skirmishes. In short, everyone is bloody exhausted.
BANG! My line of thought veers as Will comes busting into my office clutching something in his fist. The look he gives me is wild as he extends it out towards me. I snatch what I now realize is an envelope from him and tear it open. Neither of us are breathing as I unfold the paper that hinges on our plan going smoothly.
“DENIED.”
Dammit . I look grimly up at Will. Without even saying a word his brow creases in disappointment. “Do not tell me, what I think that you are about to tell me.”
I really wish I didn’t have to, I think. “We have to go on foot. ”
He throws his hands up. “No. No, Rorin. I’m sorry but, no. Your father already told you no. Now I am telling you as your head guard no. N.O.”
I laugh, mostly because he thinks he can tell me what to do. He knows it’s a battle lost, but he still tries. “We don’t have another option Will.”
“No other option— do I need to remind you, that if we go against his wishes it’s our heads on the chopping block?!” He shrieks.
The paper crinkles underneath my grip as I mull over his words. “It’s a risk.” I say, a smirk twitching at my lips but he doesn’t look amused.
“This isn’t funny. This isn’t a joke Ror! We already broke one rule by reaching out. They’ve told us no. Everyone, Rorin, is telling you no. Do you know what that means?” His face has gone beat red, sweat dripping from his brow. I lean back against my desk, waiting for him to tell me what it means anyways. “We should stay and listen to the directives we were given.”
My eyes find the ceiling navigating my next words carefully.
“If we do that, we die anyways. At least this way, I’ll die knowing I did everything I could to save this fucking kingdom.” That reminder hangs over us, dread settling in like a heavy blanket.
The door slams , the noise is jarring and it takes me a second to notice Will has stormed out. We’ve always disagreed on things - especially my decisions - but lately it feels like things between us have grown more tense. I straighten out the crinkles in the page, looking down at her response a second time.
Denied.
It’ll take us the next two days to make preparations to leave. According to rumors we will need to be armed to the teeth if we are going to stand a chance against whatever lives in the outskirts of her territory. The rumors about her are no better, even if we do make it to her doorstep there is still the risk we won’t be leaving Obsidian - alive that is. I crush the paper again and cast it into the hearth, watching it light quickly and burn to nothing but ash.
The sound of the dinner bell sends a grumble through my stomach. I can’t remember the last time I ate. I toggle with the idea of eating up here in my apartments and staying with the growing stack of papers on my desk, but I figure if I am set on the course for death I might as well enjoy my final few meals with friends.
The walk to the eating hall is brisk, the drab stone walls create a dim environment, a stark contrast to the halls in Valen. Bustling noise and conversation sound around the corner as I come around it. Soldiers are seated at every table, mostly of higher rank, clamoring for the food and ale. A few voices quieted but mostly my appearance seems not to have interrupted their meals. My seat at the head table sits empty between Will and Bennett, my commander. Bennett’s face lights up as he sees me walking down the center aisle.
“Buddy!” Bennett shouts, his ale cup tipping the contents into his mouth a dribble escaping down his chin. He swipes at it with the back of his hand before giving me a dopey grin. “Decided to grace us with your presence eh Highness?”
I scoff my eyes flicking to Will who’s kept his head down, his eyes drilling holes into his potatoes. Bennett tracks where I look as I take my seat, a frown stealing away his smile. “Don’t tell me mom and dad are fighting again?” He groans. THWACK! “Ow!” Bennett shouts, rubbing the back of his head.
“Thanks.” Will grumbles, the only acknowledgment he’s willing to give me at the moment. My head bobs at him as I stab the piece of gristly meat in front of me. The three of us sit there quietly for a moment listening to the conversations happening around us .
“So…” Bennett starts, “when are you two leaving?” The question surprises me, I whip my head at Will who’s moved on to staring at the liquid in his cup.
I pick at a piece of stale looking bread on my plate, “uhm — a few days. We’ll need to get everything prepared.” He grunts, shoving a piece of food into his mouth.
“Sure you don’t want me to come too? You could probably use another hand.” He suggests through garbled words and a full mouth. I bring the cup of ale up to my lips taking a sip and shaking my head. I don’t need another one of my friends in direct danger because of me. At least in this case, if he plays ignorant and stays here doing his job, he won’t seem disloyal to the crown. Not until we bring back her army that is, but I haven’t planned that far ahead yet. We go back to eating quietly, and I go back to listening in on a few of the men around me. Their words are mostly just the same complaints you’d here at any war post - not enough hot water, disputes amongst the ranks, sexual frustration from being away from their partners or spouses. Nothing of interest, though I can’t say I disagree with them.
If it were up to me they’d all be at their homes, with their families and jobs, not set to be a part of some makeshift military serving under a resentful prince. A few taps hit my plate bringing my attention back up to Bennett. “Where’d you go just now?” He asks, confusion lining his forehead.
“Nowhere.” I say quickly and push my plate away from me. “I should go through some paperwork and start packing. A lot to do before we leave.”
“Yeah, alright. You’ll let me know though right?” He asks.
“Hm? ”
“If you change your mind and need me to come with you.” His tone is hopeful. I know staying behind here is less exciting than the possibility of meeting a queen no one has set eyes on outside of her own kingdom. I down the last of my drink, gripping his shoulder in assurance.
“You’ll be the first to know.” I say. A small smile settles on his face, but his eyes give him away, he knows I am only placating him and that he’s needed here. I decided I was okay if he chose to resent me for the decision to leave him behind if it kept him blameless for a little while longer.
The walk back to my apartments was quiet most soldiers having headed back to their own quarters after eating. The door clicked shut with a thud behind me and I take in the spaciousness of it. These rooms are really meant for the King and Queen should they deign to visit their outer towns. But they never do.
The whole post was covered under a thick layer of dust when I first arrived a few years ago. It hadn’t been occupied in decades until the issue with Hadar and King Baelor cropped up. At first the problem was mostly with the kingdoms that had no ley line magic. We thought maybe it was a border dispute, that King Baelor had gotten a little hungry for more space to rule, we never imagined that he’d move onto a magic imbued kingdom.
After the occupation of Evendell it was clear Baelor wanted more than just land to own, he wanted control. Of what that much is still unclear - but my father decided he wouldn’t allow some tyrant to take Vellar from us. It’s probably the only thing we’ve agreed on. His choice in tactics to shield us against Hadar’s Guards however have grown repetitive, consistently failing us and leaving us with the same result. Loss of men and resources, but he won’t listen to reason. As long as his borders have not officially been breached he feels we are being successful in our efforts .
His inability to see reason and sense for the depletion in our ranks is how I ended up in the library going through history books upon history books until I found the record of the Battle of Vellar. King Killian of Obsidian allowed us to employ his mercenaries and militia to squander an internal dispute that cost him his life in the end. Some time after that, his wife Ayla, was killed in their home. The circumstances behind her death were not disclosed at any annual meetings of the realm and the only man we saw in their stead was their regent, Felix Grim.
No one knew they had a royal sitting under their noses until ten years ago when the elusive Queen Eveera took up her official role and title. The different courts bombarded him with questions at the next trade meeting, wondering why her parents had proclaimed her dead at birth. Rumors ran wild that she was as monstrous as the beasts that lived out in the woods of Obsidian. Others still don’t believe she’s alive as she's never shown herself in the public eye before. But, I only have one option left to me now, and that’s to hope she is as generous as her father was - despite the tension our kingdoms share.
Sleep didn’t find me easily the past two nights. There was however no time to waste and with our things packed, and horses loaded we set out towards Obsidian. I had a conversation with Bennett yesterday morning detailing what his job would be for when we were away and when we came back. We settled on him being the one to let us back in. We’ll do our best to keep in touch, and he’ll do his best to break the news to the army that Obsids would be joining our ranks .
I look over to Will on top of his horse, his face is scrunched in what seems to be a now permanent frown, “I don’t know why I go along with your insubordination.” He gripes, shaking his head.
My hand clasps his knee, “because you’re subordinate to me. I thought that was obvious.”
He rolls his eyes. “The only thing that’s obvious, is you’re going to get me killed one of these days. And all because you thought you knew better.” I don’t miss the venom in the last sentence.
I shrug off the bite in his words and muse my thoughts aloud. “I wonder if it’s as bad as the rumors claim. The monsters, that is. Suppose it must be if even she barricades herself from whatever they are.” Bair is close to the border of Obsidian, almost a full day’s ride. We should make it to the edge of Vellar by nightfall. The earlier we left the sooner we could begin our scheme.
Our kingdom grows depressing as we leave the post behind. The crops are almost barren from the high demand, most villages are falling into disrepair thanks to our overbearing presence. Another thing my father refuses to look into - the actual welfare of people without noble blood.
We stay quiet the entirety of our first day, our horses powering through the terrain getting us as close to the border as we can. As the day grows darker and air colder, I start to see the border wall and gates come into view. I had Bennett ride ahead of us yesterday to let us out without any questions. His presence being here early was to help avoid any back and forth from the few groups that patrol here on rotation.
We dismount our horses, making camp next to Bennett’s things. “I see you made it here with no issue.” He says cheerfully, Will claps his shoulder but still says nothing, he just laid out the mat next to Bennett’s and closed his eyes. My friend looks down at him and back up to me, “rough ride?” he whispers .
“Let’s just say it would have been much more entertaining had I waited to send you here.” He laughs at that while helping me unload the packs on the horses. The darkness of night sweeps quickly over us, and if I closed my eyes tight enough I could pretend we were all kids again, hiding out in a field from our responsibilities. But the anxiety sitting in my chest is a persistent reminder that we are not children and there is no more hiding from our responsibilities.
Bennett’s snores take over the camp.
“You ready for tomorrow?” I turn my head towards the voice. Will is staring up at the sky his eyes staying focused on the stars.
“You’re talking to me now?” I ask.
He ignores my remark, “my father is a smart man.” I want to respond to that and ask what that has to do with anything but he keeps speaking. “He’s been serving under your father for his whole rule. I’ve never doubted my father’s loyalties or his concern for Vellar. But you doubt yours.”
“You don’t have to share the same feelings I do for my father and you don’t have to think less of yours just because he works for the crown.”
He snorts, his laugh one of disbelief. “We all work for the crown. But now you’ve made me an enemy to the crown. An enemy to my kingdom and to my father. I’m proud to have this role and serve, but I think being your friend may end up being the biggest mistake of my life.” I don’t have any words, the sting of what he said burning through me.
“I—”
“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Will flips back over to face Bennett, ending the conversation.
Great. That talk will making sleeping so much easier, I think.
The wind rustles quietly through the branches above me, the fire burnt out awhile ago and I came to the conclusion awhile ago that sleep was going to continue dancing around me. Every time my eyelids fell heavy enough my brain would start up again. Two many thoughts of the journey, the risks, my father’s wrath once he finds out.
My mother protested to me leaving for Bair again. Rambling on about how much pressure my father was under, that I should be more understanding. Neglecting to notice how much of that pressure has actually fallen on her son’s shoulders. But if it doesn’t have frills, parties, or gossip involved my mother rarely notices anything. Her head is stuck in the clouds of aristocracy with every noble socialite wife’s lips secured firmly to her ass.
I would have thought that their ignorance would have sowed more hate amongst the common Vellaran folk, but apparently my golden parents could do no wrong - except for appointing their broken son as general of their armies.
My Wield was seen as taboo, poisonous mist instead of healing mist. It was blasphemous, an abomination, a curse. For those not included in my ranks they think that the reason our armies numbers keep falling lower and lower is because of me. They couldn’t possibly imagine a king as great as my father, King Eiser, would lead their husbands, fathers, and sons to die a worthless death.
No, the failure of the armies is solely because of it’s leader and the curse he bears. My mind whispers to me. Thankfully, the men we’ve enlisted have sense, and quickly came to discover that I was not the problem. But scared women and children don’t listen. They don’t care who the blame falls to, just that it falls.
The shadows on the trees are slowly starting to melt away as first daylight breaks through. Having no desire to lay down anymore, I roll up my mat and pack my horse back up. Bennett and Will rise not to shortly after, the smell of food stirring them from their mats. We have a quiet breakfast, quickly eating through it as to not burn too much daylight for the ride into Obsidian.
The ride to the gates it brisk, we camped not to far out from them. Will and I facing opposite Bennett to say our goodbyes. “Last chance.” He tries, his dopey grin back on his face. But the worry is there in his eyes.
“I need you here Ben. You’re our key to the inside.” I say. He trots his horse in between the two of ours reaching over to bring us both in for an awkward hug.
“You two die out there and I’ll find you in Helys. I’ll bring you back myself just to kill you again for dying without me the first time.” The three of us laugh a weak laugh, our hearts all beating faster than normal. When we pull a part I give a final nod to Bennett and then look to Will. He nods at me before turning through the gates, crossing the border into Obsidian first. I look over my shoulder at Bennett before spurring my horse on to catch up with Will.
The rusty metal gates creek shut behind us. No turning back now, the voice inside my head croons.
In an instant the air, the energy, the magic , shifts drastically. The difference between Vellar and Obsidian has never been more clear. The sudden change makes me nauseated, apparently Will had the same visceral reaction as he heaves the contents of his breakfast off the side of his horse.
Dark, thick, bare woods stand before us. The sky is gray with a thick cloud coverage overhead. The temperature has dropped easily fifteen degrees from where we were even just a few feet ago. Will pulls himself back up, his face a sickly green .
“Yeah. This is off to a great start.” He grumbles, taking a long swig of his water and swishing it back and forth to spit.
“Well, we weren’t ambushed by monsters so that has to be a good thing.” I say under my breath, but he’s riding too close not to hear me. He huffs incredulously, the thought crosses my mind on if he’ll be able to put this disagreement past us. If he is coming with me out of loyalty or out of spite. At the moment, I’d venture to say both. But the loyalty thing may be wishful thinking.
The deeper we travel into the dark kingdom the more my magic seems to twitch and turn inside of me. We have several more hours of daylight left before we have to decide to make camp. The anticipation of meeting the queen gnaws at my insides. I prepared as much as I could but the history texts say nothing of her. I’d have a better shot learning about her by listening to the servants various gossip claims.
Shadows cast on the ground next to our horses feet from the lack of light streaming through the trees bare branches. It was marveling to me how drastic the terrain changed once we crossed the border. I can’t help but wonder if it’s just the magic running through the veins of the kingdom or if it has to do with the curse settled over it.
SNAP!
My back straightens, reaching for my knife as we both swivel our heads from side to side, looking for where the noise came from.
SNAP! CRACK! SNAP!
Grabbing at Will’s reigns I pull his horse into mine keeping us close together. He sits forward in his seat, his hands gripping the hilt of his sword. “Why did you do that?” He gripes.
“SHH!” I hiss.
SNAP !
“Great, we probably tripped some magical wire and the queen’s already sent someone for us.” Will squeaks, his voice going up an octave. Bright red beady eyes appear all around us. Their bodies blending into the gray bark of the trees. They pause across the way from us, Will and I’s horses step around nervously as they pick up on the strange presence. An inhuman screech emanates from one of them. Their jaw unhinges as the noise pierces our ear drums, their motion like a snake preparing to devour its prey. “Now or never, Will.” We kick our horses off into different directions, straight at the beasts. I fling my knife at one quickly unsheathing my sword as soon as the small handle leaves my grip.
SQUEEELCHH! My blade slices through the thick skin, going through the belly and cutting stem to stern with the force. I watch it crumple to the ground in a heap but I don’t have much time before I move onto skewering the next monster.
With each slice, jab, and cut I pay close attention to the chests I puncture. To my remarkable surprise, I notice the beasts ribs are moving in and out in a - sort of - steady rhythm.
It breathes. Relief washes over me, my Wield flickers to life in my palm. I scout the area quickly, looking for Will. It’s been years since I have voluntarily called to the Wield and my control on it is unreliable.
Come on, I beckon it. Will needs you, come on.
“What a disappointment you turned out to be”, “an omen if there ever was one”, SMACK! “stupid boy!”, “cleanse, cleanse, cleanse”, “you’re weak, tainted, broken ”, “if you want to make me proud… ”
The words all slam around in my mind my vision blackening as I fight for control over the magic. In a huff of frustration I snuff out what mist lingers in my palm, choosing to run for Will and aide him by hand. He’s off his horse, fighting too many to his one while on foot. I jump off the back of my landing in a roll. An ungraceful landing, as I scramble to my feet, my horse taking off in the opposite direction of me.
The two of us fight back to back as we take on the remaining creatures. Black sludge coating our blades, clothes, and skin. With each successful kill we narrowly dodge another creature’s attempts to swipe at us with their gnarled claws. We find every last shred of strength that we have to end them, their bodies falling into ungraceful piles along the wooded forest floor.
Thunk! The last body goes down in two halves. It’s insides a black, goopy, rotted mess.
“Oh gods.” Will chokes before turning and vomiting all over the remains. The smell is abhorrent to the point I can’t help but gag along with him.
I pat his back before rubbing in slow motions, trying to ease the sickness along. We collapse against the tree, panting. The bodies ooze out a few feet from us, the forest floor littered with the piles of slayed monsters. “What. the. fuck.” I breathe out.
We sat against that tree for awhile. By the grace of something our horses made their way back to us. While Will’s face returned to it’s more natural hue, I made a pile of the torn a part bodies. I put the fire between us. Hoping that maybe the scent of their sludgy blood will help ward off any others from creeping our way. I squint through the flames to get a better look, trying to figure out what exactly they are. The adrenaline having worn off I can finally feel true sleep coming for me until Will taps me on my shoulder, forcing my eyes to open. I’m about to ask what he needs when I see his arm out and extended next in front of him, pointing .
I turn my head slowly to see the pile of bodies I made was- rustling? An arm that was dismembered and left off to the side moves along the ground until it finds its original owner. “The creatures are piecing themselves back together and reanimating…what. the. fuck?” I breathe out, my hand closing around Will’s arm to stand him up with me.
“They don’t fucking die?!” He shrieks, drawing his sword again. I’m wracking my brain trying to figure out how I am going to get us out of this, especially when turning around isn’t an option.
If we want to have a home to go back to, I need Obsidian.
I drag Will behind me shoving him into the flank of his horse, the two of us scrambling to mount them. We take off at breakneck speed before the monsters can fully put themselves back together.
Thankfully, the ground is more flat, making it easier on the horses to gallop through the forest. “How long do you think we can push the horses?” Will shouts. I don’t know . I think. I don’t want to push them too hard and risk losing our ease of transport through the outer territories.
“Just a few more miles.” I shout back. The woods sound with strange yipping noises, and every so often I swear I see pairs of red eyes staring straight at us, unease washing over us.
A few more miles turned into several. We only stopped when we heard the sound of water running. It was daylight again when we saw the river come into view. It’s water so clear you can see the stones glittering at the bottom. Will and I both hop off our mounts, guiding them to a slower part of the current. The two steeds greedily lap up at the liquid. Feeling some security under sunlight we set our things down, stripping of our dirtied and bloodied clothes and step into the frigid water .
The stones underneath our feet are smooth. Slick and sleek black stones line the bottom. I reach down to pick one up and look at it under the light. Veins of red shine through it like blood under the surface of skin.
“Obsidian.” Will notes.
“What?” I ask, opting not to turn around and see the bare body of my guard.
“The stones, they’re Obsidian.” So they are , I say to myself.
I toss the flat stone in my hand, before skipping it across the water. “Appropriate I suppose. Considering the name of the kingdom we’re in.” He hums in response. The sound of the water splashing as we wash away the grime taking over the conversation. Suds flow down the current. I’ve never been more grateful for the foresight to bring soap along with us, even if it only lasts us this one wash, as it scrubs away the black sticky reminder of the creatures we fought only hours ago.
Will and I set the fire up afterwards, shivering under thin blankets, waiting to dry off. Our meal is a measly one of bread and dried jerky. Not much to fill our stomachs but enough to get us through next few hours. “ Ha. Ha-ha-ha. ” Will’s laughter cuts through.
“Wh-what are you laughing at?” I sputter. He’s gone into a fit. His blanketed arm banded across his stomach as a deep belly laugh roars out of him. “Wh-ha. What is so funny?” I ask again, not being able to help the laugh infecting me as well.
“Ha—” he tries to catch his breath between hiccups. “Ha- it’s just so insane. Phew.” He says, his hand swiping across his forehead. “This whole plan. This whole day. We weren’t inside the border for more than a few what? Hours?”
“Y-yeah, maybe.” I laugh .
“Before something tried to kill us? I mean here I was worried about being on your father’s list to kill. But…by the looks of it Obsidian will do the job for him.” He slips back into his fit and the two of laugh at the absurdity of the hand I’ve dealt us. He’s right though, hate it as I may. We barely scraped by that last fight, and if they reanimate then I’m not sure what we can do.
“A-hem. I’ll get you back home Will.” I say, he’s hobbled over to his pack, digging through it for his mat and some dry clothes.
He shrugs, throwing his shirt over his still damp hair, shaking it out as he does so. I wish I could convince him of that, but I’d have to first convince myself of it. His snores don’t take long to drift from him. I maintain first watch as he gets undisturbed rest, it would be wasted on me anyways.
Thankfully, the creatures didn’t find us that night. The next however I unfortunately couldn’t say the same. We heard them earlier this time, it was a smaller group, but no less vicious. These ones looked more monstrous, their features were practically melting off their skeletons. The noises that left them were animalistic. Screeches and guttural moans emit from their gaping maws.
Will and I cut left and right, spinning around each other. I watch each body that fell for movement in their chest, and sure enough no matter which way I stabbed, sliced, or cleaved, the fucking things kept moving.
“I counted twelve bodies.” Will states.
I circle around the pile of limbs and torsos, “it won’t be long before they reanimate again. But—” My feet stop short at a pair of shoulders with its disfigured head resting a few feet away. My knees bend forcing my body into a crouch .
“What are you…” I lift my hand, silencing him. My eyes squint staring hard at the chest cavity. I wait for the unusual rise and fall of their uncoordinated breathing. Nothing.
I jump to my feet, raising my sword to the body to my left, cleaving the head clean off. THWUMP!
“What the?!” Will shrieks, but I can’t stop myself. I run around the pile finding every intact head and shoulders I can find and hack into them, their sludgy blood splattering across my body and clothes. My feet stumble back, my eyes fixed on the carnage. No chests moving, no bodies reanimating.
My sword clatters to the ground. “The heads. They can’t reanimate without their heads.” I say between pants.
“How in the bleeding gods did you figure that out?” He says, his shoulders slumping.
“I-the first time, I stared at their chests. I wanted to know if they could breathe. I tried—” a frustrated sigh leaves me as I drop to pick up my sword, wiping the blade clean with the edge of my shirt, “I tried to Wield, I was going to poison them…but, it failed. I couldn’t control it and I wasn’t going to be responsible for your death. When I noticed the one without it’s head lying there, I crouched down to see if it was breathing. It wasn’t so…” my hand sweeps out to motion at the pile.
Will’s bobbing his head up and down. “So you decided to go manic and hack all their heads off.”
“You’re welcome.” I bite, exhaustion pulling at me.
We guide the horses a few miles further before I couldn’t take it anymore. Our bodies were littered with cuts and bruises and my lack of sleep had finally caught up. No wonder her military is considered professional, if this is what they have to deal with. “It’s your night to take watch.” I say, as I flop onto my mat. One more day, I think as I close my eyelids . One more day, and we’ll be in Oriya. One more day and we will be one step closer to surviving Hadar.
The next day’s ride was simple. No unusual sounds, no beady red eyes, or shifty horses. By nightfall we could hear the city before we actually saw it.
Tall spires of cream buildings with dark brown beams came into view. Relief sinking into my shoulders. People. As we brought our horses closer we could see the buildings were lit with bright orange flames.
“Well, this is shocking considering what lay just a few feet outside it’s borders.” Will mutters. I’m inclined to agree. The place had an energy around it that was in direct contrast with both what I expected of Obsidian and just experienced out in the outer lands.
I spurred my horse on galloping the rest of the stretch into town. The streets were busy. Vendor carts filled with lively patrons, music from every corner, and not a single person caring to notice us. A tavern comes into view and I pray to whatever god is desperate enough to listen to me that this tavern will have a bed for me to stretch out on. We tie our horses up outside by a water trough, they look in much better shape than Will and I, who drag our dirt and blood covered bodies into the building.
It’s packed.
We elbow our way through to two vacant spots at the bar, a surly woman says ‘hello’ while handing us two mugs filled with a dark drink. I mutter a brief thank you and swivel the stool around to look at the locals. They have darker hair, and mostly darker complexions than the my people, but other than that they don’t seem much different. Loud music plays from one side of the room, people dance in the center, while others disappear into alcoves and upstairs. “Can I get ya anything else deary?” The barmaid asks.
“Two beds, if you can.” I say, giving her my best smile. Her nose scrunches at me. I must not look too appealing, I muse. She slides to keys over to me before disappearing down the counter. Will catches my attention with his gagging. “ Blech! ” He spits his drink back into the mug, coughing and sputtering.
“Lightweight.” I snicker which forces him to look up and scowl at me. He then gestures at my untouched mug.
“You try that and tell me you wouldn’t sputter and gag too. Go on,” he nudges my elbow beckoning me to pick up the mug. I lift it to my lips and sip. I suppress the urge to retch, stopping the drink from coming back up my throat, the burn overwhelming the taste of the alcohol.
“See?” I force the word out of my mouth steadily, but fail to conceal my grimace. Will’s face lights up in a smug grin.
“I told you! Call me a lightweight.” He whines, mindlessly he grabs the mug and takes an accidental sip and ends up repeating the same, spitting, coughing, and sputtering he did just a minute ago.
A large gentleman with fiery red hair, his face marred with a jagged scar cutting through both brow and cheek, looks us up and down as he tips his own mug back. “You two don’t seem like you belong here.”
My mouth curves into a whisper of a smile, polite enough, but not exactly warm and welcoming either. “We have important business here.”
His brow quirks, “Oh? With who? Know just about everyone here. Maybe I can point you in the right direction.”
I shake my head, “I doubt you’d know her personally.”
Lifting his cup again, he gulps down the rest of its contents. “Ah. I see.” Thud! He drops the now empty mug onto the ale logged counter sliding it to the barmaid. The man gets up from his seat swiftly, calling out a farewell to the barmaid and turning towards us. “Well, good luck with your ‘important business’.” His fingers crook into air quotes on the last sentence before he makes his way to the door where a small shadowy figure stands in the arch of it, waiting for him. He loops his arm around her shoulders but the act looks more parental than it does romantic. The hood on her cloak covers her face concealing any features except for two inhuman gold eyes that bore into me. My Wield flickers underneath my skin the longer I hold her stare, only settling down when he urges her out into the street.
“You alright?” Will asks.
I shake my head and refocus on the present company. “Yes, yeah, of course. Tired is all. We should get some rest before tomorrow.” He inclines his head and hands me one of the two keys.
The rooms weren’t anything special but it wouldn’t have mattered, the bed in the center of the small room was all I wanted next to the bathtub that connected our two rooms to each other.
The warm water almost put me to sleep and I had to drag myself out of it and onto the lumpy mattress. Morning I knew would come to quickly. And I was right. Will claimed to have spent fifteen minutes shaking me awake until I finally came too. I had expected to be the more anxious one when it came to our plan to just show up on her doorstep, but it was Will who couldn’t stop fidgeting next to me as we stared up at the imposing castle.
“Do we knock?” He asks. His voice is as twitchy as my Wield, which writhes under my skin in anticipation or maybe that feeling is dread.
CREAKKKKK!
The doors open to reveal a group of guards laughing and spilling out onto the steps. The men nearly colliding with Will and I .
“You.” The guard closest to the opening points at me his voice filling with vitriol. I have to squint for a moment until the recognition hits me, the man from the tavern. Same red hair, same scar, just this time his hair is pulled up and he wears armor.
He sweeps down the steps quickly drawing his sword. The rest of the men follow suit, caging the two of us in. I put him my hands up in mock surrender. “Me.” I say, but his face remains hard. Mistrust and anger taking over. “Based on your clothing today I guess you do know the woman I’m looking for. If you recall, I have business here.”
“Not here you don’t.” He growls, the blade pressing deeper into my shirt.
“Oy!” Someone whistles from inside flagging the redhead over to him, when he doesn’t heed the summons, the other soldier trots down the steps to whisper into his ear. He looks unconvinced of whatever the other man is telling him, nevertheless he drops the sword from my stomach and beckons us to follow him.
“Ror, do you really think this was a good idea?” Will whispers to me, trying to not draw the attention of our silent escorts.
“Which part of ‘this’ are you referring to?” I snip. “Personally, I am going to take it as a good sign that the guards are choosing to escort us instead of killing us on sight.” His blue eyes widen.
“Oh great. Is there any part of this plan where we don’t end up dead?” He bites back, I shrug my shoulders. “I’m getting tired of you shrugging.” He mutters under his breath. I slide a glance towards Will and see a frown forming in his brow. “She is supposedly sadistic. What makes you think someone as prolific as she is, would extend their aid again?”
“You’re just now asking these questions?” I droll. He stops mid-walk, turning in towards me. His face searches mine the frustration plain. I look past him at the guards waiting for us, locking eyes again with the redhead. “Apologies gentlemen. Just stopped to admire the view”. I say waving my hands around at the high ceilings.
The two closest to us move to open the doors we’ve stopped in front of. The stone groans as it opens, our group shuffling in. I gape at the massive arches and red hue cast over the black walls and floors from the stained glass ceilings. All except for one spot. Behind her single throne is nothing but an ominous wall of black. Not even the light emanating from the stained glass penetrates it. The entire room looks like it is bleeding. I don’t know why I am not surprised to find that there is no queen waiting for us.
“Off to a great start.” Will complains.
I roll my eyes at him, trying not to make too much of a scene in front of her soldiers. “Will! Are you going to be angry with me and gripe the entire way? Because I could’ve left you behind instead of Bennett!” I hiss. His face flashes with hurt before his agitation returns.
“This better work.” He snaps under his breath.
It has to , I think. If my father keeps squandering what little resources we have left, we won’t survive another season against Hadar’s Guards.
I toggle back and forth between addressing the armed men and keeping my face forward. Unfortunately, my companion’s fidgeting starts to wear on my resolve.
“Excuse me,” My voice echoes off the stone drawing their conversation to a close as all eyes turn on me, “but do you know when the Queen plans to join us? We don’t have time on our side I am afraid.” I try to convey the urgency while also curbing my annoyance. I can be diplomatic, I can be charming, but patience has never been my strong suit. It already has run out with my imp of a father, and I would prefer it not run out with my only chance at saving my kingdom .
The guards all exchange looks with one another, and then the burly one from the tavern laughs. A big, almost disturbing, laugh considering the circumstances and the others are quick to join him. “I’m sorry, but did I say something humorous?” My tone gaining an edge.
“Turn yourself around and wait. Could be a while.” Murmurs of agreement rumble through the group. Will, disgruntled by the disrespect shifts, in a slightly defensive stance by stepping ahead of me. It dawns on me then that we never introduced ourselves. We never introduced ourselves and they let us in anyways. What are they playing at… an unsettling feeling sinks into the bottom of my stomach as I lean into my friend.
“Will, this is obviously not our court.”
He rolls his eyes at me and mumbles “What makes you say that?”
“We never introduced ourselves.” I say.
“Hmm?”
My shoulders sag, “I said, we never introduced ourselves. They have no idea who we are and yet they’re allowing us to meet their queen.”
“Supposedly.” He mumbles.
I ignore the remark, “it’ll be fine.” I whisper, more to myself than anyone else. “I’ll just announce myself when she accepts our audience.” He doesn’t acknowledge what I am saying, his eyes fixated on the black void behind the dais.
I will not be leaving this damned dark castle without an army behind me and a queen leading it. I will wait. I will be patient. Vellar demands I be patient.
I’m done being patient .
At this rate, my legs are aching. I continue to stand with no more attempts at interacting with our escorts. Will has taken to a squat his propriety dissipating with each passing second.
We’re an afterthought. One would think when meeting with their neighboring kingdom, animosity or not, that they would make it top priority. Clear she doesn’t feel that way. But then again we never announced who we were, meaning she may not have any idea who we are at all.
“I’d heard we had visitors.” Will jumps to a standing position at the intruding voice and I straighten the lapels on my jacket. A tall man aged about mid forties walks towards us from the side of the room. “I wasn’t expecting ones of your sort however.” He speaks out in a loud thick accent. He moves towards the throne stepping just behind it. I recognize him from the scrolls and a handful of trade meetings - Felix Grim.
“A-hem. I apologize for the informality of our arrival but—”
BAM! The doors to the throne room fly open.
My mouth gapes slightly. Will’s too. “Gods help us all.” He whispers.
Covered head to toe in blood, a small woman struts past us straight to the dais, an air of smug superiority blankets her.
She doesn’t look the least bit phased at Will and I’s twin faces of shock while she takes her seat.
Her head falls to rest on her left hand, her legs are crossed and eyes are narrowed on me. She has a striking gaze, bright gold , just like— A small shadowy figure stands in the arch of it…gold glints at me from under the hood. Two eyes, stare back - last night, it was her waiting for the guard.
“Felix dear.” Gods help me…that voice .
Her annoyance cracks through the steady cadence. “There are two pieces of spoiled meat in my throne room, why ?” She slowly slides her eyes to the man next to her. He looks bemused by her appearance despite the blood pooling beneath her.
She’s a disaster, I can’t stop staring.
When he doesn’t answer I take that as my cue and step up to introduce myself, “Excuse me, your Highness if I may-”
“You may not” she says as she hops off the dais. In a startling quick succession of movements she now is directly in front of me, playing with a dagger between her fingers - where she pulled that from I’ve no idea - “Felix. Who, or rather, what are they?” Her head cocks at me, the dagger tip now poised against my throat. She’s holding it casually, like it’s an extension of her and not a weapon.
Felix looks up at the ceiling, his stance not much different from a tired father dealing with a rowdy toddler instead of a councilman addressing his queen. “Highness, this is His Majesty Prince Rorin of Vellar and his…lackey.” Shock shoots through Will and I at Felix’s knowledge of who we are. “They requested to portal here, you denied them, and it would seem they came anyway.” His voice is monotonous as she sheaths her dagger back into a hidden pocket against her ribs.
Noted, the tiny queen comes with sharp toys.
“Hmm.” She tilts her head, considering us. “They said you were desperate to meet me. But you don’t look desperate to me.” Her thin bronzed fingers lift towards my face, her sharp fingernails ghosting down my jaw line. She spins on her heel, ascends the steps to her throne and plops down into her seat. The still wet substance on her clothes squelches against the stone.
It’s now or never, or I risk losing our one chance at an ally. My conscience reminds me.
“ Queen Eveera,” She lifts her eyes to look me at me directly. I bet just about anyone would piss themselves under her leveled stare .
I wait for her objection, but it doesn’t come, so I continue on. “We have a…situation, on our hands, one I am sure you are aware of as it is fast approaching your doors.” I pause searching her face for any indication she knows what I am talking about but she gives me nothing. “For years, King Baelor of Hadar, has waged a mass genocide on the outer kingdoms. The kingdoms of Mellant and Peverell have already fallen. The King of Evendell however has made a deal with him. Despite that, they still decline under his siege.” Both hers and Felix’s expressions remain still.
“The Kingdom of Vellar has been keeping him at bay but we won’t survive much longer before his Guards overrun our borders.” With a steady foot, I take a step closer to her. “My father thinks continuing to squander away our resources on these petty skirmishes will deter Hadar’s Guards from invading. When all it will do is weaken us until they have no one left to block their way.” I loose a heavy sigh. “Baelor is greedy, he won’t stop at just our kingdom. If he succeeds in felling Evendell and Vellar then the Obsidian Kingdom will be next.” I take another step towards her. Looking me up and down, she uncoils herself. Her position on the dais leaving her higher than me. “I am desperate. I promise you.”
“Tsk tsk tsk. And what exactly are you desperate for, Vellaran?” She’s circling me like a predator stalking its prey, the glint of something in her hands before cool metal brushes against my throat. That’s twice now she’s had me at her blade.
I tilt my stare down. Such a mesmerizing sight she is. In my court, if she approached me in this manner, she would be apprehended immediately and tried for threatening the heir to the throne. Alas, we are not in my court and so here I stand with a blade to my throat - again . Great .
Maybe Will was right to think this was a terrible idea.
“I have done research on you, your Highness. You have an extensive army made up of lethally trained men and women. Those are numbers we could only dream of having.” I try to appeal to her, complimenting her armies, boosting her superiority complex. “Rumors would suggest you even have different creatures under your employ…Serpentes’, Oriks, and Shifters.” Her lips purse in contemplation. “My formal request is that your military forces join ours in common cause against King Baelor and Hadar’s Guards. This fight isn’t just one against my kingdom. As I said he will come for yours as well.”
She stands still next to me, the dagger pointed at my throat unwavering. “I see.” She lowers her weapon. Backing up towards Will, her head bobs up and down, assessing him. He tenses under her scrutiny.
“You see?” I ask, hearing the irritation now present in my voice.
“That’s what I said isn’t it?” She rolls her eyes as she circles Will. “This seems all very advantageous for you. But I don’t see how this will benefit me.” She sits down, crossing her legs on the ground, and stares up at Will. “Does it speak?” She asks, looking at me. Will, in all the years he has been my companion, has never lost the battle between propriety and rudeness. Especially not in the presence of royals - myself not included. In the span of five minutes Obsidian’s Queen has plucked at every band of my man’s restraint.
The muscle in his jaw feathers his teeth clenching together. “I speak, your Highness, I just don’t see my need to interject between your conversation with his Majesty at this time.” He keeps his stare ahead not meeting her gaze. Propriety won out it seems.
Her jaw drops as she gets back up to her feet, those golden eyes glinting with something. “Fascinating. Felix dear, did you hear that? It speaks!” She exclaims.
“I heard, Your Highness.”
Will turns his head, his eyes pleading with me to step in and end this.
“Time is not in our favor. Not with the resources dwindling as quickly as they are. To repeat myself, at this rate we won’t survive another season and then Baelor and his Guard will be right at your doorstep.” I rest my hand on her arm. A forward move maybe but I hope it appeals to her better nature, if she has a better nature.
Her gaze drops immediately to my hand on her bicep. She takes it, grabbing onto my fingers and removing my grip as if repulsed.
“No.”
No. Just one word and yet it slices through me like a sword. No.
I see a beat of relief mixed with disappointment pass over Will’s face.
“Excuse me, did you just say ‘No’?” The grip on what little patience I had has long since passed now. No was always a possibility, Will wouldn’t shut up about it, but to still hear the word was another story.
“Do I need to spell it out for you? Here you go - N. O.” Her attention switches to picking out the blood - that is now drying on her scalp - out of her hair strands.
“What is wrong with you?” The question slips out before I can stop it. “You’d let a tyrant continue, let two more kingdoms fall? Risk losing your own in the process? Do so many lives at stake mean so little to you, your Highness?” I’ve resorted to yelling at her it seems.
She turns to her councilman. “Felix.”
He nods. “Of course.” His arms wave out to Will and I. “I can show you both to your quarters. You must be exhausted from the outer lands.”He descends the dais, motioning for us to follow him. Eveera offers us a sarcastic wave without looking back up.
“I’m sorry. But,” I spin in place and walk back towards her wagging my finger, “no. You can’t just say no without fully hearing me out.” She stares at me, a smirk playing on her lips. She wants a challenge, a game? Fine, I can do that. “You denied our request to portal here, but allowed us at the gates.” My fists ball up. “You kept us waiting for gods know how long, parade around covered in gods know what, just to dismiss us? Your attitude is one that would have your pretty little head in most places. Queen or not.” All I can see is red at this point. She is the ONE chance I have left to save my own kingdom and she rejected my request in a matter of ten minutes.
My last hope dashed in ten minutes .
“But we aren’t anywhere else are we? So unfortunately my ‘pretty little head’ will stay seated right between my shoulders. The horror .” She mock pouts in my direction.
“You, you, YOU!” I step forward. My feet are moving before my mind can stop me. I’m completely out of control and crossing too many lines. She sits there watching my fit with a stupid grin on her face.
“Me, me, ME.” She taunts and magic flares in my palms.
Will’s voice sounds behind me. “Rorin, back off. She’s said her piece today and we need to rest.” He steps onto the first step grabbing at my wrist, but I stay rooted in place.
“No, Will.” My finger makes contact with her sternum as if to grind my point in, “we trekked for six fucking days. All the while, I had to listen to your complaining ass through those damn monster infested woods. We had one chance to convince her that this is worth her time. The least she can do is sit and have a proper negotiation with us.” I look between the two of them.
“Rorin, you are out of…” he stops, voice trailing off. I turn my head to look at him but, his pupils are blown wide. Righting myself, my eyes follow where his were drawn. Everything has gone deathly still. Eveera starts to laugh quietly, that stupid smile turning feral .
“You shouldn’t have touched me.” We both look down to where my finger is still pressed against her. “It upsets her.” Her voice is barely above a whisper.
“Her?” Will and I both say at the same time, as a pair of large golden eyes appear out of the cave mouth behind the throne and a black dragon’s head moves into view directly behind the queen.
Oh fuck .