Chapter 3 Goodbye
Chapter three
Goodbye
Alaceandra
In my quarters I pack a up a few of my belongings in a small bag.
I look in the bag to account for all my important items. Diary?
Check. Stationery and pens to write Philos?
Check. My locket? Check. I sigh. I understand Mandi will ensure all my necessary items are accounted for but even still I am stressed.
I am definitely not equipped to argue with my father on this matter, but I feel as if I am even less equipped to be married.
Thus far my life has been admittedly sheltered.
The only knowledge I have regarding married life has been from watching my parents.
My father's predisposition for cruelty has not only resulted in a long line of infidelity and fear from the kingdom, but also a lifetime of brutal punishments for my mother.
I hope that my future does not mirror theirs, although it seems unlikely.
All kings are tyrants, are they not? Philos never mentioned her father's brutality but it is hard to imagine that there is any other way royalty could live outside of my family's habits.
Admittedly, this is the way my father likes it.
My naivety is one of the many ways he tries to pull the strings in my life.
He warns me frequently if I try to wander outside of my station then the consequences of those actions will only result in disaster for those I hold close.
While any damage he does to me does little to sway control in his direction, he knows harm coming to those I love keeps me in place.
Mandi walks in, her eyes brimming with tears. “The king requested I stay here.”
I look up from my bag. “What?”
Mandi nods.
“Why?” I shake my head.
“I think his exact words were something along the lines of I would be of more use here or in his bedchamber than I could be in forming alliances with you.”
I shudder.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure it is more of a power play on his part to keep you in line. He will be sending someone else with you so you won’t be alone, but…” Her eyes well up again “sorry—I- I’m just worried. I knew I should have kept a closer eye on you and you’re not ready for—”
“No! Do not blame yourself. I gave you my word I would not leave and yet I did. The fault lies with me and not with you.”
“Oh, darling. I only wish that were true…” she trails off and clenches her hands, bringing my attention to an object within them.
“Well, we cannot stop the past, but maybe we can save ourselves some heartache in the future, eh?” She holds up a bracelet.
The bracelet is a single silver band laced in an illegible red script; its center holds a scarlet gem of unknown origin.
Mandi notices my questioning eyes. “It’s for protection I should have given it to you sooner but—” she chokes on her next words, much the same way Sorin did in the woods yesterday.
“—but” she begins again, taking a deep, calming breath “there is no time like now, right?” she holds out the bracelet to me in offering, as she had with the food the day before.
I offer my wrist to her, but do not ask questions about the bracelet, not wanting her to experience pain like Sorin did. I could maybe get answers from her another time. “Thank you,” I whisper. “Do you know who he will be sending with me?”
She flinches. “Unfortunately, yes. He summoned Fadres and Credour last night.”
“Who are they?”
“Ruthless murderers, really, and not for the protection of the kingdom either.
Their corruption runs deep. The only loyalty they have is to your father as they were some of the men he brought in when he reached his age of majority.
'Birds of a Feather' as they say,” she mutters.
“Stay on your guard. I have yet to hear about those two getting up to anything honorable.” My heart sinks.
Down the hall I hear my father hurling orders, among other things, at the servants.
“We better—” I frown. “Or, I guess, I better get going then.” I bite my lip to hold back emotion knowing at this distance father would hear my cries and take them as challenge, and as I am already in over my head when it comes to his anger, I best not make it worse on myself or anyone else.
I look at Mandi and, on a whim, give her a deep curtsey in appreciation and then hurry from the room before she can garner a response.
As soon as I exit my quarters my father spots me. “Alaceandra? Are you trying to sneak away once again?” His gaze is filled with both unbridled excitement and fury and I freeze, nausea churning in my gut. Mandi appears behind me.
“Are you ready, Alaceandra?”
“You will not be escorting her; I obviously cannot trust your watch—”
She cuts in. “As she is still my charge until the time of her marriage, I will be looking after her, at the very least until she leaves this castle, my king.”
I glance at her in surprise but am even further shocked by the determination shining on her face.
My father glances around to see if anyone was a witness to this particular rebellion and seeing as everyone else had made themselves scarce due to his previous tirade, he found no one.
Gritting his teeth, he spoke “You are lucky no one else was around to hear you, you insufferable blight.” He rubs his temples and then flicks his hand in our direction.
“Fine. But if she is even a tenth of a second late to her elvisera you will live to regret it.” Shooting another look of annoyance in our direction he storms off.
“You did not have to do that. I do not want him to trouble you, but nonetheless, I am grateful. Please try to keep yourself out of harm’s way.”
“Lace, I am afraid that is not possible when looking after one as special as you,” she says this on a laugh, but not in a way meant to be offensive. Her words ring only of truth.
This struck a chord in me and made words come to my lips before I had the brain to think them.
“Then I release you from your service.” A breath whooshes out of Mandi in an instant, her eyes widen with shock.
“Please once I leave the palace find a way to escape from this place. I hope one day, maybe, we can meet again but for now I only wish you safety. I cannot stand the thought of my father using you as a pawn in this twisted game of his. You and I both know your safety is tenuous at best if I am not within castle walls, especially with that stunt you just pulled so please—”
She puts up a hand. “I agree, I’ll go. I know of a person who can take me to safety, but your father mustn’t know of my release until things can get sorted.
You might hear some unpleasantries come up in the press with my disappearance but I promise they are planned.
Now, let’s not draw anymore ire from the king, this plan will only work if you are not late.
” She shepherds me towards the front of the castle.
I feel relieved, but still antsy about the journey ahead of me.
We walk quickly to the front gates, and even with our talking, still manage to arrive early to take flight.
I walk up to my elvisera, Addie, primed for my departure.
She is a magnificent creature. A seven-foot tall, winged bird covered in feathers of burnt auburn with a mouth and talons brushed with silver, I could not imagine beauty in a more glorious form.
I bow my head in respect for the creature.
Although these birds bring me many joys in the form of letters and sunset flights, I know their beauty is better appreciated elsewhere, away from my father’s rough control.
Addie looks me in the eye and tilts her head to the side as if studying me.
I smile slightly and bow my head once more. A door slams open.
My father walks out rubbing his hands together and looks around expectantly. I wonder if he would have preferred our tardiness as when his eyes land in our direction he slumps his shoulders, as if in disappointment. He approaches. “Are you ready then?”
I look towards my toes and nod once. Biting my tongue in anger.
Although my plan is in no way thought out, I have the beginnings of an idea.
One that rides on my father thinking I am properly cowed by his banishment of me, so I must hold my tongue until I arrive to Helomasi, King Demetrius’ kingdom, otherwise we all may be in danger.
My father grabs my chin and raises my eyes to his.
“Behave,” he commands. Although my eyes are now raised, I do not dare make eye contact, I have made this mistake before and know there is only danger lurking within his gaze.
“Yes, father,” I reply as meekly as possible.
At this point I am a ball of fury but cannot let it show.
He squeezes my chin hard enough to ensure it will match the bruise now marring my arm and then drops it walking away.
My hands feel warm as I mount my elvisera.
I look around and spot Sorin and Sam. They notice my gaze but before they can say a word, I shake my head.
I know they too cannot follow me on this journey and seeing as their influence has gotten me into this mess, I decide I must temporarily remove them from my life until I can get it back on track for their safety and for mine.
My eyes start to water and I look away for a second to compose myself.
When I glance back out to the crowd they have disappeared, in their place stand two men unfamiliar to me.
These men approach and climb onto the elvisera on either side of me.
My father speaks to the gathering crowd, his leering eyes boring into me.
“These men are two of my closest friends, Fadres and Credour. They will keep you company and be my eyes. Treat them well, daughter and they should keep you safe.” He glances towards the two men.
“You know your mission. Do it well.” I have never met these men before in my life.
Sure, maybe they did seem a little familiar in a passing way but none of my father's so-called friends have ever made me feel as if I wanted to be within a closed space with them, let alone rely on them to keep me safe. That coupled with Mandi’s warning has my stomach filling with dread at the journey before me.
They nod towards him and then turn towards me, smirking. “Time to fly,” one of them commands on a whisper. Motioning to our elvisera, we all take to the wind, and I try not to think about all those watching us on those castle walls, especially not Sorin or Sam and especially not Mandi.