FOREVER KNIGHTS: #4 Battling Black Roses

WhiteHall, Harridan Hamlet, Paladines

RAESE

Tonight, a warm blackness wrapped Raese as he descended into pleasant visions. Flooding his mind.

He found himself moving through Feglen Forest, Dread Country. Intent on telling Calisto of the king’s decision. He waited near the clearing where he’d seen her the night past. It didn’t take long.

She came with the descending night.

His eyes flashed green in the darkness, allowing him to see everything.

He felt the surge in the woods. Like a heartbeat. Like the trees themselves felt her coming.

She materialized, emerging from the water like a goddess. Blue eyes sparkling as they filled with power. Her skin carrying a wet sheen glistening on her. Her dress molded to her.

Dear Lord, not again. He tried hard to disallow sending his eyes roving over her.

A pathetic effort really. Since that was exactly what they were doing.

He noticed her body was particularly well-honed. She’s not a woman wiling away the hours. Her exposed arms were undeniably feminine but traced with slim muscles bespeaking her ability to wield some heavy weapon.

Likely a spear or sword.

“When you’re quite finished gazing at my flesh you may tell me if you kept your word…Or if you die today.”

“I don’t believe I’d die today either way.” He said confidently.

“You doubt my commitment or my ability?”

“Neither. But I believe you may’ve underestimated your quarry in your overconfidence.”

“How do you know it isn’t you that’s done?”

Unlikely.

“Because I never underestimate another. You never know what someone is capable of.”

“Have you kept your promise to me?” She asked levelly. Effectively ending the subject.

“Yes.”

“The TreeCutters will leave these woods?”

“For now, yes.”

“For how long?”

“I make no guarantees. But I can tell you King Lareth has agreed we’ll need no more trees for the building of granaries. Which will take until the end of next year.”

“You’ve bought me a year?” She stared into incredible green eyes, mesmerized. Tone almost appreciative.

A good start.

“A year without conflict.” He nodded.

“A year without murder.”

Without the murder of her trees or her murdering men? He caught a movement to his right. A large shooting star cutting the sky. Falling a ways before disintegrating.

“Do you hate the kingdom or men?” He queried.

“People.”

People?

“Why?”

“I’ve found no good comes from them.” She shrugged.

You’ve been around the wrong people.

“But you were raised by someone kind enough to take you in, were you not?”

“So, I could be studied.” She corrected sharply. “So, the villagers could determine how powerful I was, and try to control me…Use me against other realms.”

“They thought you’d be useful?”

“They thought I’d be a weapon.”

“You’re a Water Dread?” His brows shot up.

“A Water Dread yes. But I’m capable of more.”

Like…?

Killing men who get near your Lake?

“Of what?”

She gave a half smile, a few murmured words, and a twirl of her finger and everything spun.

The trees blended, and the sky above him rotated. When it stopped, he was dizzied. Putting his hand to his forehead against a sudden ache. “What was that?”

“It was me bending time.”

“Bending it?”

“Moving it back. Look!” She pointed to his right.

And as evidence he watched the same star flash and fall from the sky.

“How?” He gave her a stunned look.

“Why?” She quirked a slender black brow. “Does that mean you’d have underestimated me?”

“Never.”

“Hmm.” She purred. “So, what will you do now TreeCutter?”

“I’ll find some work in town. Spend my evenings out here hunting a beautiful Dread.” He sighed before confiding. “Trying to discover her secrets.”

She gasped, looking at him askance. “I don’t know you.”

“But perhaps if I’m out here often enough, you will.” He sauntered closer to confess. “I’d like you to.”

“Don’t.” She lifted a staying finger. Her body instantly dried. Water gone from her skin. Glowing eyes darkening.

As if she’s assessing a threat.

“You don’t mean that.” He said perceptively. “If you did, your anger wouldn’t have gone from your eyes.” He eased closer.

Her gaze moved to the trees and he wondered what thoughts crossed her mind. But trying to peer into it was futile. Frustrating. I’d dearly love to know what she considers.

“Go with me to town day after tomorrow?” He invited.

She compressed her lips and shook her head.

“King Lareth is having a costume ball. Your face will be hidden, you’ll be doing the forbidden, defying convention, and if I’m not mistaken that’s what you’re about.”

“I’m about not giving them what they want.”

“Then come with me…The powerful Water Dread dancing with a mere TreeCutter…Wouldn’t that cause a stir?”

Her eyes flicked to him. And she lifted her head. “Do you truly think I’m fool enough to not see you for what you are?”

What do you think you see, pretty Dread?

“What do you see?”

“A noble.” She said. Chin hitching, making hair fall to conceal one eye.

How? He reared back as though slapped.

“Or you were once. It’s in your proud posture, the graceful way you step without sound. You’re as straight backed as any aristocrat. And you look someone you don’t know straight in the face, no matter their rank.

Eerily accurate, I suppose.

“You fear no one. Nothing.”

That’s not accurate.

“Not true.” He murmured.

Her brow furrowed. “What do you fear?”

“I’ve a mission. And I never fail My Captain.”

“What’s your mission?”

Problematic. Now.

“Can I trust you?” He queried.

“More than you can anyone else…Until you betray me.” She gave him a long review through that visible eye. “Unlike your kind. I never betray someone whom I pledge my loyalty to.”

I’d not betray you.

He quietly assessed her. “I believe you mean that.”

She said nothing. Look unwavering.

You mean it with every fiber of your being. It’s in your eyes.

“I’m on a mission here to find and kill a monster that rises from the water and kills men in this area, the nearby village…A murderer or ess.”

Murderess. I’m certain of it.