FOREVER KNIGHTS: #6 Malevolent Attentions

“Of course, she wants to be well tended.” Bitterness tinged his tone.

“Who doesn’t?” Riaura defended.

True.

“I’m sorry. That was unkind.” He growled. Eyes roving the ground. Finally giving a frustrated gesture, he blurted. “What if you didn’t have to age? What if you knew you’d always be taken care of by your lover?”

Would you even consider it?

“Everyone has to age.” She shot him a startled look. “You serve your purpose; you grow old and eventually you move on.” She uttered a half laugh. “That’s the way of it. You told me so.”

She’s right. I did.

“Yes. That is life’s precious loop. It’s glorious and beautiful. And kind in its intricacies. But if there was a way to step out of it, would you?”

“That’d be a trap of its own wouldn’t it? To be locked outside of it?”

Calisto would certainly say so.

“It’s a lonely place.” He admitted, step slowing until he finally stilled. “But if someone could give you everlasting existence would you take it?”

Just answer me, Ri!

“That depends on what was being offered, I suppose.” She gnawed her cheek. Moving from his warmth so they could walk down a trail only wide enough to move single file. Ducking a branch, she swatted another aside. Revealing the overlook above the valley where fat bucks and lush does grazed.

What would have to be offered? He followed her gaze, wondering what she meant.

Down in the valley, the grass was still green next to the ever-flowing creek.

WaterRose’s run off feeding into the NetherRunnel which cut through most of the Ardae Countries. He knew.

“Why does that drink never freeze?” Riaura followed his gaze.

“There’s a legend.” He sighed. Shifting to cross his ankles.

She shot him an intrigued look.

“Supposedly there’s a castle entirely bound together by magic. Bordered by water to conceal it from intruding eyes. Those rivers running over it meander down here. Their constant motion keeps these streams from freezing.”

“Tales from children!” Riaura laughed. “How ridiculous.” She shook her head.

It’s no child’s tale.

She missed the import of his prolonged silence.

“What kind of king would such a castle harbor?” She pondered.

Bast.

“The King of the Castle of Water, of course.” He said softly.

Wouldn’t he love to hear me calling him what the valkyrie does.

“Of course.” She scoffed. Changing the subject, to nod to the valley below. “Does anyone else know about this place?” She queried thoughtfully.

“I’ve told no one.” He sat on a broken stump.

“You’re not going to shoot?”

He badly wanted to. But she lives for that moment.

Knocking the arrow and letting it fly and watching her kill fall.Knowing she’d triumphed and would yet again provide for her people. He shook his head.

She’s unaware that fare never reaches NightVille. With Danbury constantly intercepting the shipments and rerouting them to MidGale.

Would you ever listen to me enough for me to tell you what he is?

She shrugged from her own cloak. Drawing her wrist guards from a pocket inside, to lace them in. And quietly lifted her bow. Pulling the hood from her tunic, over her head and tucked her hair inside. Keeping the wind from blocking her vision.

Looking highly attractive as she prepared to sight her prey.

Carefully nocking her arrow, she blew a steadying breath. Focusing on her target, she let it fly. One glance at the tip, then to the animals below, and Alazar calculated instantly that it’d hit her mark.

Perfect shot.

“A young buck.” He murmured as it collapsed.

“Never the biggest, for he guards the herd. Never the smallest, for he is too young. Never the ladies this season, for they are yet needed by their young. So yes, Alazar. Always a young buck. As you’ve trained me.”

He smiled softly. “You seem so resentful of the teachings you’ve learned so well.”

You asked me questions and I answered you. Now your annoyed I ‘lecture’ you?

“I don’t resent them.” She hooked her bow over her shoulder and was oblivious to the snow as she maneuvered down the edge of the valley. The herd surged to get out of sight. Disappearing in every direction.

Despite that they most certainly would return tomorrow.

“I simply wish you’d realize I’m a woman grown. One capable of being at your side without your constant worrying.”

A bit brutal to say.