“In a time long a go humans were not considered the only race to walk these lands. Elves, Fae, Dwarves, Gnomes and Orks are said to have once inhabited this world. Although there remains limited evidence other than those in scriptures of all these races, it is known that there are sections of the world that remain unexplored. It is here where some of these races may live.”
Heldara Berein, Scholar to the temple of Orion, 206KR
How the gods taunt me. First, they provide me visions of my own death. Now they bring me face-to-face with someone who is key to my demise.
At first, I found his struggle alluring, clearly using drink to cope with the curse that afflicts him. But when the beast told me his name, my body went cold with shock. Now the warmth of the bath scalds my skin, palliating the cold. I inhale the lavender-infused vapours which help settle my nerves, and my heart slows to a regular thrum whilst the pulsating feeling in my head subsides. I slide further into the bath, allowing the water to cascade over my head. Under the surface, I let out the loudest scream that I can muster. Pockets of air leave my mouth as I roar into the void, unable to centre my thoughts. I feel a sting up my nostrils as air forces its way in, causing a pressurised sensation to the forefront of my head and behind my nose. I reach for the side of the copper tub and hoist myself to the surface, panting heavily whilst I gather my thoughts.
I had a plan for the beast. I had an idea for how I was going to use him. In learning his name, I let my guard slip, let him see my fear of him. I reacted with haste, and attacking him and sending him to the dungeons isn’t likely to have helped me recruit him in my endeavour to rid Eltera of these so-called Wyverns.
I cannot remember the last time I cast my magic through fear, and I assume it was only his reptilian-like scales that allowed him to survive the attack. That same spell has reduced countless men and women to ashes, yet he endured it.
It is clear that the gods have a plan for me. Why else would they do this to me, why else would they let our paths collide like this? My meeting with Orjan was fated. Now I just need to find out why. Somehow, he is connected to Laith.
The problem with visions is that they show you a destination, but not the path that leads there. It is through these visions that I have been able to manipulate my fate to rise to the power that I already have. I have cheated death once before. How hard could it be to do so a second time?
Killing Orjan seems like the easiest option, but Laith’s words from my vision drives through me like his blade to my stomach.
“This is for Orjan.” The words stumble from my lips as I stare into nothing. Killing him would certainly drive a man as loyal as Laith to want revenge against me. Do they even know each other? I have so many questions.
Shortly after dressing, there is a knock at my door. I can tell by the weakened, rushed tapping who it is in an instant, and I let out a sigh.
“You may enter.”
Wistler scurries in and bows his head to me as he steps into my chamber, his mere presence causing me to shudder. The man is a snake.
“What is it you want, Wistler?”
As lord of this kingdom, it is telling that he does not challenge me despite my petulance. A lord with a backbone would have already squashed the leaders of the Wyverns to set an example for anyone else with ideas of rebelling.
“I have had word from the streets of Eltera.” Wistler stands with his hands behind his back like a servant instead of a lord. “The Wyverns are not happy with the disrespect shown to their men and women. They are planning to storm the castle and overthrow the kingdom in its entirety.”
“Are the stories spreading about the chaos we brought down on them?” I ask as I turn to take in the fresh air from the balcony. The air tastes so much cleaner here than it did in the markets.
Wistler moves beside me, somewhat confused by my reaction. “Are you not concerned about the consequences of your actions? Maybe you misheard me –”
“My actions? It was not I who started the fight. I merely saw to recruit someone who I thought would be able to help us in our endeavour of regaining control over Eltera. Is that not what I was sent here by the king to do? Regain control of the kingdom you have lost?” A wry smile curls up in the corner of my mouth and I can sense the fear oozing from Wistler like a pious pimple.
“Oh, and your new pet is awake,” Wistler says. “What did the beast do to you? Who is he?” He is unable to hide his eagerness for information.
I ponder on my thoughts for a moment, his name sitting on my lips as I wonder whether to reveal it or not. “Orjan.”
“The disgraced knight of the Rashouyan empire?” Wister looks surprised.
That piques my interest. Maybe through knowledge of his former life, I can learn of his link to Laith. “A disgraced knight?”
“He left Rashouya in shame, cast out for reasons I do not know. They say he was on some self-proclaimed quest to regain his honour so he could return to their lands. He was last seen in Askela, bested in combat at the hands of Vireo over a gambling debt, beaten and humiliated.”
That doesn’t explain how he ended up within the walls of this castle, inflicted with such a terrible curse. What did he do to warrant such a miserable existence? What is it he has done to anger the gods so much that they would transform him into such a ferocious creature?
“I have it on good word that when Orjan was beaten in the street like a pauper, he was not travelling alone,” Wistler adds, gleeful to know something that I don’t. “He had a squire.”
It has been years since the night Jareb died at the hands of Vireo, the same night when I first came across Laith as he bravely endured Codrin’s lashes. This is the link. This is how the two know one another, I am certain of it.
“Thank you, Wistler.” I smile at him in a pleasing manner. For once, the fool has served a purpose. I nod politely to him and turn to leave.
“Where is it you head, Lady Morgana?” Wistler asks through rushed breath.
“I need to go and speak with our creature in the dungeon. I know precisely what to do with him.”