CHAPTER X #3
I stare at the cool faces in nervousness as Canon’s horse moves closer to Millie, his thigh touching mine.
We watch in anticipation as a few Discerni hesitate in their stance, some of them looking towards the others for guidance.
Only a few lower their bows to the King’s command, moving them to their sides as they take a quick step back and bow their heads to the King.
But a single arrow lets loose from above just after that, the weapon moving swiftly through the air and straight at Keane.
The King grimaces at the sight and raises his hand quickly in front of him, grabbing the arrow and snapping it clean in front of him.
Fuck me.
That was made of pure, green agate.
Keane moves faster than I ever thought possible.
He summons from the ground a large wooden stake, lifting it from the earth before he fastens it in his grip.
He leans back before I can even turn to him, throwing the earthly weapon straight at the forest and piercing the man who loosed the arrow clean through the chest.
The Discerni doubles over, reaching for the weapon in the middle of his body as blood begins to pool down his hands.
“You’re outnumbered, boy King,” Lord Kaven’s voice drawls from the double doors of his residence, calling our glances towards him.
He takes a step forward with Carsen at his side, both of them looking at Keane with hatred behind their eyes as another twenty or so fighting Discerni all move to their sides.
Keane turns to the Lord with narrowed eyes, my own remaining on the woods above as a few more men lower their bows at the sight of the pierced man. Those men walk into their homes and shuffle towards their wives and children, disappearing into the night.
“You come into my home, into Woodlands, and think you can command us?” the Lord spits on the ground before he draws his sword and points it at the King. “No.”
“Pleasant as always, Lord Kaven,” Keane stares at the man.
“Did you hear me, boy?” the blonde Discerni chuckles. “You do not have the numbers! Leave now or find yourself replaced by a Prince who knows the true ways of Woodlands.”
Both Lord Alexander and Crisjan shift in their saddles as Keane starts to smile. It’s a cold smile that would bring fear to anyone on the wrong side of it, and one that seems to make the Lord both scared and angry.
“I give you one last warning,” Keane ignores the Lord and addresses the men above. “Lower your weapons now or live the rest of your lives-”
“-Do not move!” Kaven’s voice is full of anger as he shifts on his feet, glaring at the Discerni above.
I spot a few men look around with hesitation, their glances darting from Kaven and Carsen and back to the King, unsure what to do.
Their indecision garners no sympathy from me, nor it seems from Keane or Lord Alexander or Crisjan.
The King grimaces at the unmoving men before turning his glance back on Kaven, the Lord now taking a defensive stance.
“Now, brother,” he says under his breath, holding the Lord’s eyes.
The words barely leave his lips when a large commotion starts to take place from above.
Bows are dropped from the sky as the Woodlands Discerni begin to scramble and fight off a new presence, all of them caught off guard by the hidden company of Linden’s men that stands between them.
The flush of Knowledge soldiers begins to litter the trees as Desmond’s stealth lifts, each man maneuvering around the Woodlands Discerni to bring them to their knees.
Swords are drawn swiftly, cutting through pale blonde hair before the metal rests firmly against the Discerni’s necks.
The weapons are angled to keep the men down, the full of the woods brought to heel within seconds as the green of Knowledge stands guard over the pale of Woodlands.
A second scramble begins at the foot of the residence, with Lord Kaven and his men watching the homes above with wide eyes, realizing they’ve been out maneuvered.
Both Kaven and Carsen push past the Woodlands Discerni on the ground, angling to flee back into the residence and to the white walls they think will protect them.
Keane reacts without moving Ash, his eyes never once leaving the Lord as he lifts his hand into the air.
The ground below us begins a violent tremble, sharp vines cutting into the men’s legs on the ground and slashing at them before they wrap around so tightly that the Discerni all fall with deafening thuds.
Both Kaven and Carsen begin to hack at the roots with their swords, their eyes desperate and trying to get away as Keane slowly urges Ash forward.
I keep my hand gripped firmly around my dagger and follow next to him, watching as the two blonde Discerni try to cut themselves free.
A new figure steps out from the double doors, her blue eyes hard and no longer timid as she takes in the sight before her. Lady Esme quickly runs to Kaven, her grey dress billowing behind her before she kicks the sword aggressively out of his hand.
“You bitch!” the Lord curses, reaching for the hem of her dress as she aims a foot at Carsen. Her boot meets metal just before she falls down by the pull of her husband, landing on her side as Kaven reaches for her legs.
Lord Alexander and Crisjan are quick to dismount from their horses, drawing their own swords as they move quickly to Esme’s aid. Keane tightens the vines around the rest of the men on the ground, assuring that they’re unable to move or help.
“Do not leave Canon and Holis’ side, Alexis,” he orders, turning to me with a hard glance.
I nod quickly to the King and watch him swing his legs off Ash. He passes me his reins before he bounds towards the residence, his powerful presence commanding the full forest around him.
We’re back in the glittering white halls of the manor.
All of the Woodlands Discerni who chose to take up arms against the King have now been escorted into the stables, the lot of them surrounded by Linden and a large group of his men.
Those that chose to lay down their bows are now being carefully watched inside their homes by Knowledge soldiers until decisions are made, while a third group of soldiers have been sent back to the town to regroup with Gareth and the humans.
There’s also a handful of soldiers placed in the woods and along the main road, their sole aim to hinder anyone who seeks to leave Etter and take news of what happened here to the other Woodlands cities.
The village needed some time to get on its feet, and Keane wanted no resurgence or a rallying cry from Woodlands Court that could possibly set that back.
The rally would come, he told me, eventually. There was always going to be more Lord Kavens and Carsens who wished to resist the change, but the more time he could borrow before the news broke out, the better shape this village would be in.
The rest of us remained in the residence, awaiting the King’s judgement.
I pace the hall of the second floor after Keane and Desmond escort Lord Kaven and Carsen into a secluded room, no doubt to question the men. I’ve seen firsthand what their questioning can lead to… have witnessed the two brothers torture a Woodlands Discerni who was trailing me on my way to Pyre.
So what would become of these men? Would Keane and Desmond allow them to live?
The full of me knew the answer, which is what prompted my heavy walk. Holis and Canon are at my sides, as is Mana, the three of them eyeing me quietly in the hall.
“Where’s Cal and Alanna?” I turn towards Mana, needing to take my mind off Keane.
The quiet Discerni twin watches me, replying softly, “with the Warrior soldiers on the first floor. They’re having rooms prepared and the kitchens started. A few homes in the village burned down.”
“Good,” I nod, continue my pacing.
At least they had a task at hand and weren’t staying idle. Perhaps we should go help them, do anything other than just wait around.
I stop in my tracks when the sound of heavy footfalls greet the hallway. Lord Alexander walks towards us with his sharp and handsome features.
“The King is requesting you, Lady Alexis,” he announces steadily, eyes darting to the other men. “All of you.”
Oh, thank Ancients, I let out a sigh of relief.
Wait, I frown as we follow Alexander towards the sweeping staircases. Why am I happy at that news?
I knew what I’d find when we entered the room.
My heart begins another steady drum as I take a hard step next to the Lord.
“Where is Crisjan?”
“With Lady Esme. She, too, has been summoned.”
Alexander leads us up to the third floor, walking back down the hall and towards the door that hosted both dinners during our time here. He knocks on it swiftly as Canon takes a strong stance by its side, angling himself as the guard he is.
Desmond opens the door, letting his dark brown eyes find mine before he gives a small nod and opens it wider. “We need to discuss your night in the woods.”
Ah.
I turn towards Holis and Mana, watching as both brothers grimace and take a step forward in unison. I stay firmly planted before the door, frowning as I avert my gaze from the Master Informer and look at Canon.
I’ll stay with him.
“You as well, Alexis,” Desmond’s voice is cool as the twins walk past him and into the room. I shake my head hard at the dark Discerni and take a step at Canon’s side, finding no use for my presence in that room.
I think I will go down to the kitchens and help Cal and Alanna.
Desmond takes a step past the door and gives me a hard look as he tilts his head inward.
“It’s nothing you haven’t seen before…”
I glare back at the Master Informer and cross my arms across my chest. The last time I witnessed Desmond and his brother at work in Fumagalli I raced back to my room, hoarding myself inside and away from them for the full of the night.
It was hard to process everything that happened, and I’m not sure I have the willpower to do the same tonight. Torture is trying.