Chapter 29

 

 

I should’ve listened to Percifal. I’d ruined everything. Vesirus was going to annihilate our world, and there would be nothing I could do to stop it, because I would be dead… sacrificed to the dark lord.

I don’t know why I’d thought I could save Thaimis. I guessed it was because I remembered the caring, jovial man he once was. That man was gone, and whoever controlled his body now wasn’t worth saving.

I was kept tied to a tree. Thaimis had a female soldier watch me whenever I had to relieve myself. My food and water were fed to me as though I were a baby.

When we were on the move, he had me sit in front of him on his horse and kept my wrists tied together. Goddess forbid I fall off, I’d surely break my neck without the use of my hands. Though, I supposed that would have been a better way to die than the death King Zaeden had planned for me.

“You should be thanking me,” Thaimis said while feeding me some oats and bread.

How bland the food was in Sarantoa compared to the spicy flavours I’d enjoyed in Gwon.

I chewed slowly, swallowing hard before I answered, “For what? Pray tell.”

“For saving your life.”

“Oh, you mean for prolonging my death.” I glared daggers at him. “I’d rather have been killed that night.”

He pressed his lips together before he rose. I heard him ask someone else to watch me.

What nerve he had! I would never forgive him for the death he’d sentenced me to, never mind thank him for it.

My sour mood called to the rain. It drizzled steadily for days, making everyone miserable except me. I was miserable for other reasons, but the rain wasn’t one of them.

We began to run low on food. The little we had left began to mold from all the moisture. I smiled inwardly when I felt an air of doom throughout the army. It wouldn’t bother me if every one of these goddess forsaken soldiers starved to death. King Zaeden had us go off course in search of a village he knew was nearby. His mood was foul at having to take this detour. He yelled at his soldiers to hurry and had us riding harder than usual. The soldiers were annoyed with him. It gave me a small sliver of delight.

When we reached the village known as Vedram, King Zaeden had us head straight for the baron’s manor.

The king had taken off his usual robes and jewels; replacing them with armour to match his soldiers’ to avoid being discovered. He didn’t want anyone running off and alerting Terra about him leading this army. Surprise was of the utmost importance… too bad Percifal and Phyra were going to do just that. It was strange to see him looking like a commoner. He ordered us to all treat him as though he wasn’t a king. If I weren’t being held captive, I would have enjoyed that feat much more.

The village was mostly made up of crops and cottages where the farmers who grew them lived. Some of the horses tried to grab a mouthful of hay when we crossed the fields that surrounded a large manor near the center of the village.

King Zaeden ordered his constable to knock on the front door of the large, rectangular, stone building surrounded by shrubs after we’d dismounted and left the horses and wagons at the stable that belonged to the owner of the manor.

A servant opened the door. His eyes grew ginormous when he saw the large group of soldiers standing on the doorstep to his master’s home.

He tried to choke out an answer to our appearance, but the constable with long, wavy, black hair interrupted him. “My army and I are in need of food and rest. We thank you for your hospitality,” Constable Mintosa said, pushing the servant aside and allowing the rest of us to enter.

We filed in to the grand manor and squeezed into the front room. I felt like a fish in a barrel, squished against all of those soldiers. There was barely room to breathe, let alone move. Some of the soldiers had to wait outside. There just wasn’t enough room for everyone.

Sweat trickled down my back. Suddenly my legs felt wobbly. Thaimis held me tight against him to keep me from toppling over.

“Hold yourself together,” he said lowly into my ear.

I craned my neck and glared at him.

Soon, an obese man with curly, light brown hair came from down the hallway. He wore a red silk robe trimmed with black fur and black breeches with black boots. Golden buttons decorated the shirt underneath his robe… clothes fit for a baron.

“What’s the meaning of this?” the baron asked through his big red lips. I could hear the spittle spray with each word he spoke.

“Pardon me, Baron—sorry, what’s your name?” Constable Mintosa asked.

The baron crossed his arms. “Baron Kennard.”

“Pardon me, Baron Kennard, but we are in need of hospitality. It is your duty to provide us with food and shelter while we’re here.”

The blood drained from the baron’s face. “Why is an army travelling these lands? Are we not still at peace?”

Constable Mintosa stood taller and stared down at the baron with his grey-blue eyes. “We are, but there is a threat from foreign territories. We’re on our way to aid Terra in protecting its boarders.”

Baron Kennard frowned. “I don’t recognize your uniforms.”

“Enough questions, Baron. We are here to help. We will fit as many as we can into rooms in the manor for the night. The rest will sleep in your stable, but first we will feast. Have your staff prepare our supper.”

“But I don’t have enough food for you all.”

“That’s not my problem. Find more. This village has plenty of farms. I’m sure they won’t mind sharing.”

Constable Mintosa didn’t give the baron time to answer. He beckoned for us to follow him in search of the great hall.

I felt truly sorry for the baron and his people. War was cruel to everyone. Perhaps I could find a way to let the baron know what this army’s real plan was… if I could only get alone with him for one moment.

The grand hall wasn’t as spectacular as Aquila’s, but it was still impressive. Footsteps thudded on the wooden floor as we moved around the room. Stone archways lined the walls symmetrically. Inside each of the archways were white marble statues of Celestia in different poses. Lanterns hung from the wood beamed ceiling, which were currently unlit. The room was quite dark, even though it was daylight outside. Being that it was an inside room in the manor, there were no windows to brighten the space. Two large, wooden tables ran the length of the room on each side.

A soldier was scowling at one of the statues. I thought he might smash the piece of art with his fist. King Zaeden nudged him, shaking his head, and the soldier turned away from the statue.

Thaimis led me out of the grand hall and up a set of stairs. He opened a door to a bedchamber and pushed me inside.

“You’ll stay in here ’til I come get you for supper,” he told me, tying my wrists around one of the bedposts at the foot of a large canopied bed.

“Where are you going?”

“To help tend to the horses.” Finished tying the knots in place, he stood back and nodded at his handy work.

“How kind of you.” I rolled my eyes.

He left without answering.

I knew there was no way I could get out of the knots he’d tied. I’d tried many times before. It only ended in rope burns. Perhaps if I made enough noise, someone who resided at the manor would find me.

I waited a while to ensure Thaimis was far from the room before I started screeching and kicking the wooden frame of the bed.

My throat grew raw, and my foot and leg began to throb from the impact with the bed. I stopped only when I heard footsteps outside my door.

Relief flooded me when a maid with silver hair pulled back into a neat bun opened the door.

“Oh—oh—oh my! Who did this to you?” She rushed over to me and placed her hands on the ropes.

“These soldiers, that’s who. Listen, I need to tell you something. You need to warn the baron,” I began.

Her eyes searched my face as she listened intently, but as I opened my mouth to continue, Constable Mintosa’s towering form appeared in the doorway.

“I—uh—never mind.” I shook my head franticly.

The constable’s gaze darkened as he marched up behind the maid.

“Warn him of what?” the maid urged.

“Watch out!” I tried to get her to move.

I was too late. Constable Mintosa pushed his sword into her back. She fell to the floor with a loud thump.

I shrank back as Constable Mintosa came toward me. He reached forward and throttled me with one hand. His calloused hands held no warmth… neither did his face.

His eyes flashed that eerie cerulean. “If it were up to me, you’d already be dead.”

I tried to swallow against his grip. I was a mouse in a cat’s jaws.

“What’s going on in here?” I saw Thaimis come up behind Constable Mintosa.

Constable Mintosa released me from his grip and rose to face him. “You’re prisoner’s causing trouble.” He glanced at the maid’s body. “You’re supposed to keep your eye on her. King Zaeden said she’s your responsibility.” He jabbed Thaimis in the chest with his finger.

“I know she is.” Thaimis raised his hands. “I was helping with the horses.”

“From now on, leave those tasks to the others. She is your only concern until we give her to the dark lord.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Now get rid of this.” Constable Mintosa nudged the dead body with his foot.

Thaimis closed the door behind the constable and turned to me. “You’ve caused a lot of trouble. What were you thinking? It’s your fault she’s dead, you know?”

I turned my face away from him and leaned against the bed post. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me so upset. I should’ve stayed with Sia. I’m only making things worse here. I missed the siren who’d surprised me with her unwavering love. I longed to see her reassuring smile, now more than ever.

“Hey, Chel. I—I—”

“Grub’s ready! Come feast!” a man’s voice hollered from the other side of the door as he pounded on it three times.

Thaimis dropped whatever he was about to say to me and instead rolled the maid’s corpse underneath the bed and covered it with one of the blankets from the bed.

I remained silent as he untied me and led me out of the bedchamber.

We were served a meal of hot stew with fresh cheese and soft bread. I’m sure the meal was scrumptious, but the little I ate turned to ash in my mouth. How could I enjoy anything knowing I’d caused the death of an innocent woman?

I was okay with ending someone’s life if they had malicious intentions, but this was so much different. That maid had tried to help me and now, because of me, she was gone. I let myself imagine her family finding out about her demise—her children… grandchildren.

I drank my goblet of wine deeply and gladly accepted more when my goblet was empty. The effects of the wine began to numb my feelings of self-pity.

When the soldiers began singing a catchy tune, I stomped my feet and clapped along with them, swaying slowly in my seat… loosing myself.

The soldier across from me set his eyes on me and grinned. His black hair fell around his broad shoulders. I worked my numb lips into a smile of my own. He winked and yelled over the song.

Not catching what he’d said, I yelled back at him. “Pardon?” I leaned toward him and cupped my ear.

“I said… care to dance?” He shouted louder, stretching closer across the table.

I sat back and slowly nodded so he could see my answer.

He stood, but as I began to get up off my seat, Thaimis pulled me back down and hissed at the other soldier. “She’s mine.”

“Oh, come on, Thaimis. Let us have some fun. You can keep your eye on her from there. I’m sure the lady grows wary of you.”

Thaimis got up and repositioned himself so that he sat with me between his legs. He placed his hands on my hips and locked eyes with the black haired soldier. “I assure you, she does not.” His lips were so close to my neck, I could almost feel them move as he spoke… a memory flickered to life. I squeezed my eyes shut to block it out.

The other soldier made a rude gesture and stalked off, probably in search of another woman to keep him company. It seemed I wasn’t the only one affected by the wine.

“You know, it’s been a long time…” Thaimis said, his voice barely above a whisper. He trailed a fingertip down my bare neck.

I leaned forward, peering over my shoulder at him. “You’re acting strange.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but I noticed his eyes before he could get any words out. That awful cerulean colour I’d seen in them before was gone.

I grabbed the sides of his face and looked closer.

Thaimis glanced sideways and pulled my hands off his face. “You’re acting strange.”

He stood up quickly, almost knocking me off the bench.

“Ow! What the...”

He caught my arm and pulled me up with him. “Dance with me, and pretend you hate it.”

“I don’t have to pretend,” I ground out between clenched teeth.

We joined the group that was stomping and spinning between the two tables. Most were soldiers who’d convinced some of the female servants to dance with them. Some of the female soldiers even paired up with their comrades. All were still dressed in uniform. Soldiers didn’t have the luxury of bringing fancy outfits with them. King’s did, but the king here currently blended in with his army.

That very king, dressed in one of those uniforms with the silver V, watched from his seat at one of the tables. He mindlessly stroked the neatly-trimmed, dark beard on his chin. His gaze made me uncomfortable. I found myself tripping over my own feet… that could have also been from the effects of the wine.

The dance began to pick up speed, and the room began to spin. The great hall was suddenly stifling, and there was too much saliva inside my mouth. I swallowed and wrenched myself from Thaimis’ grip.

“I need some air,” I choked out.

He followed me as I began to stumble out of the hall.

Just before I reached the exit, the wine I’d drank and the little bit of food I did eat came up and hit the floor in front of me.

“Agh.” I didn’t stop to find out who’d noticed I’d gotten sick. I continued through the exit and to the stairs that would carry me to the bedchamber. I took my time to ensure I didn’t trip.

“Wait. Here. Let me help you.” Thaimis had caught up to me and put his arm around my waist.

Remembering the dead body in the bedchamber Thaimis had claimed for us, I halted. “I can’t go back into that room. Please don’t make me.”

Thaimis sighed. “Alright, but we’ll have to sleep in the stables. All the other bedchambers have been claimed.”

“Fine.”

We turned and went outside. The cool night air was refreshing compared to the stuffiness of the manor.

Thaimis helped me up the wooden ladder and into the hayloft. We were the first ones to the stables.

He filled a water skin from one of the horse’s stalls and brought it to me. I gratefully accepted it, using it to rinse out my mouth and rehydrate myself.

Lying on a pile of hay, I asked, “Why’re you being so kind to me?”

He stretched out beside me on his side so we were facing each other. “That’s what I was trying to tell you before. The dark spirit that’s been inside of me since King Zaeden obtained power from Vesirus… it’s been dormant since I was hit in the face with that blast of water.”

“That cerulean glow in your eyes… I’d almost forgotten!” I glanced at him suspiciously. “So you’re you now?”

“For now.”

“Prove it.”

His nostrils flared. A muscle in his jaw twitched. “How?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know. Figure it out.”

I was watching him for any sign of the dark spirit when he leaned in and brushed his thumb over my bottom lip. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips against mine. He pulled back enough to say, “I’ve missed you Chelela. I never wanted you to marry that duke.”

Tears filled my eyes. I let out a half-laugh, half-sob. I embraced him and cried into his shoulder. “Thaimis, it’s really you. You don’t know what I’ve been through.”

“Shhh. I’m sorry.” He stroked my hair.

I wanted to forget about the rest of the world… about King Zaeden and his war… about Gwon and the men who I’d had to lie with. I wanted to stay in Thaimis’ arms forever and forget all of it—but Sarantoa needed me, and I couldn’t change the past.

I leaned back and frowned at him. “Why do you think the water cured you?”

Thaimis rolled onto his back and stared up at the peaked ceiling. “It didn’t cure me. I can still feel the dark spirit inside of me—only, I’m in control now and he’s the observer. Before, it was the other way around. I don’t know why the water reversed our control, but I felt the spirit recoil at something in that moment when I couldn’t breathe.

I knew what that something was… my power—Celestia’s power. I couldn’t voice my theory to him. Not with the dark spirit still residing inside his body. Maybe I could find a way to infect all of the soldiers with my power.

“So King Zaeden put dark spirits inside all of his soldiers? That’s how he’s able to control all of you?”

Thaimis nodded. “Vesirus gave him the power to call forth dark spirits from Mnyama to possess the bodies of his soldiers. I was the first to be consumed by a dark spirit. That’s why I wasn’t myself before you married. I still had some control back then, but not enough. I didn’t want you in Aquila once I’d figured out what King Zaeden was doing. I wanted to tell you everything, but the dark spirit wouldn’t let me. These spirits... they were the worst of all mankind when they lived. They were the ones who’d failed in their second chances to join Celestia in death. They were doomed to the dark world forever… until King Zaeden let them back into the world.”

I was silent for a few heartbeats… letting his words soak in. These spirits were in debt to King Zaeden. No wonder the soldiers had followed him blindly into war.

I sat up. “Seeing as how we’re sharing confessions… My husband died and his brother sold me to Gwon to be a sex slave.”

He sat up too and looked down at his hands. When he looked back up, I saw the regret in his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Chel. If I’d have known what would happen, I’d have tried to stop you from leaving.”

“I don’t blame you. I did for a while, but I know now that you weren’t really accountable for your actions. I blame King Zaeden… for everything.” I cocked my head to the side. “Why did you tell King Zaeden to sacrifice me to Vesirus though? That’s what I don’t understand.”

“It was the only alternative I could come up with to keep him from killing you right then and there.”

I let out the breath I hadn’t noticed I’d been holding. “I understand.”

“What now?” Thaimis asked. “I don’t know how long I’ll be able to hold onto control.”

“I have an idea, but I’m not going to tell you what it is. I don’t want the spirit inside of you to know.”

“That’s wise. Understand, I’ll need to treat you poorly to avoid suspicion. I fear King Zaeden is already suspicious,” he said, picking a piece of hay out of my tangled hair.

I nodded and then I lay down again and closed my eyes. “I understand. I’ll just need a moment alone if I’m to execute my plan. Wake me before dawn… when all of the others are asleep.” My head had started to pound. I knew we’d be off again at sunrise. I just needed to get to the army’s supply of water without being seen.

“Alright,” Thaimis agreed as he lay down beside me and placed his hand on my shoulder.