FOREVER KNIGHTS: #15 Insatiable Beasts

Warlock Grove, Nightway

ALAZAR

It’d been less than a fortnight since Riaura was told her council was giving her to Alazareth.

She’s not taking the news well.

Alazar had gone back to Nightway Castle early this morning, against Garix’s urgings. He’d watched as the wall guards conferred with each other before hesitantly lifting the gate.

Jacob met him in the bailey. Lips tight and face looking rather wan as he accused. “You kidnapped her?”

“Is it really considered kidnapping if you’ve every intention of plopping her little rear right back on the throne momentarily?”

“Yes.”

Alazar shrugged. “I told you I was getting her out of here to safety. I did that.”

“Yes. In your war tent from what I hear.”

He’s worried I’ve dishonored her. I have.

But not lately.

“I haven’t touched her.” He reassured.

Not during the current time you’re worrying about.

Jacob drew a steadying breath before agreeing. “I’d thought you a better man than that.”

Well, that there is definitely a pang of conscience. Damn the boy’s faith. Alazar’s mouth tightened but he didn’t respond.

Jacob stepped from his path.

He did the usual inspection and barked the usual orders. Seeing they’d put out the remainder of the tiny fires. “Well done, Jacob.”

Jacob nodded at the appreciation.

“We’ll need to do repairs there and there.” He pointed.

Jacob eyed him. “If this raid was somehow orchestrated by you, why should we be obeying you now?”

“How do your parents fair?” Alazar’s arm dropped and he asked soberly.

Jacob flinched. “Hungry.”

“They won’t be soon.”

“You did this to take over?”

Alazar tilted his head grudgingly.

“Why?”

“For just that reason.” Alazar gestured. “Too many people have gone hungry and too many people have died.”

“Because of the Rebels.”

Alazar shook his head. “No, Boy. I lead the Rebels. They only defend themselves and raid to get their stolen grain back. No more. It’s Danbury robbing this kingdom blind.”

Jacob’s eyes widened as understanding dawned. He cursed. “I should’ve seen it.”

“Even if you had, who would you have told?” Alazar blinked.

If he had said a word against the king-to-be it could’ve been construed as treason.

“You.”

Alazar started. I suppose he would’ve.

“That’s a great deal of trust.” Alazar commented.

How do you know I wouldn’t betray you?

“I trust you. Or I wouldn’t now be planning to do as you bid to restore this castle after you’ve betrayed us.”

Alazar flinched. “I tried everything before it came to this. She gave me no choice.”

“That does sound like our queen.” Jacob said proudly. “Fearless. Stubborn. Strong.”

“She’s certainly all of that.” Alazar grunted.

Don’t I know it.

Women from the camp invaded Alazar’s prisoner tent at dawn. Meeting Riaura’s animalistic glower. Warming water over a fire they approached and persuaded her to allow them to scrub her skin to a rosy glow. Then they’d moved on to washing her hair with soap and rubbing crushed heather and roses into the damp strands.

“You like roses, do you not your Highness?” One woman asked.

“I used to.”

They worked to fold her thick locks under. Tying them with ribbons so they dried into the slick waves. Then they darkened her eyes with ash paste and stained her lips with wild berries until they shone glossed ruby. All conducted under the watchful eye of a studious hawk, the others called Rosie. The woman had an air of authority which commanded obedience.

“Yes, Rosie.” They dutifully nodded at her every order.

Riaura contemptuously watched the meek women. Her eyes lingering on their pointed ears.

Once finished they’d given her a short reprieve.

And she’d made her way here. Alazar watched at her from the distance.

She was leaned over staring into Dread Brew Wake, the warm body of water cradled in the center of the grove. Bordered by the wild pink rosebushes and rocks worn smooth by the water’s passage. The sun’s rays glittered off the smooth surface down hill from the tiny waterfall. Dipping her hand in she watched the ripples course through the water.

It’s warm. Alazar knew it always was. Impossibly heated by some unearthen force. The same force that made the strange rainbow bubbles float Heavenward. At night the steam coming off the wake often looked like smoke.

This strange wake is what led the to the myths of Dreads inhabiting this grove.

That and the strange silence which could prove eerie on occasion. The animals should be wailing and stirring the underbrush.

The image of her trailing fingertips in the water was mesmerizing. More so because she wore a fitted wedding dress. Molding her like a glove. Framing her tiny waist. Pearls shimmered at her neck and decorating the dress. Heavily inlaid on the sleeves winding over harms and coming to a ‘v’ along the back of her hands. Trimmed in more delicate pearls which hung from tiny strings. Sections of translucent fabric revealed the pale blue underskirt. A satin sash ran from cuff to cuff and rested against her lower back. Outlining her slender silhouette leaned over the water. Gold hair twined in rich waves down her back and slipped over one shoulder to almost brush the water’s edge.

It’s a stunning dress.

But Riaura’s thoughts indicated she thought she looked awful in it.

Like a dressed up dairy maid.

The bottom lip of the woman in the reflection, trembled.

Struggling not to cry. He hadn’t seen her this upset in over twenty years.

This is my fault. But he wasn’t going to feel bad. Not now.

Rosie pushed through the trees behind her snapping, “Come child. No tears! Come to your feet, ’tis time to go.”

Riaura rose, unsure of whence she’d lowered to the ground.

There’ll be time enough to mourn later. Alazar thought coldly.

“Yes, Rosie.” She said dully as she followed her back toward the dreaded tent.

Toward marrying me.