Deadly Roses
I thought she was mine,
Forever divine…
I thought she was kind,
Stuck in my mind…
I loved her,
Even when things strayed from the path,
For I thought our love would truly last.
I loved her as I spoke my vows,
Because I was certain there’d be no 'how?'s.
A lie she lived. There was no doubt,
What our love was certainly about…
She became a painful bunch of thorns,
I knew she would soon adorn needles and horns.
Yet love kept me there,
Even when she became unfair…
Black and red became her crown,
And then the time came for my frown…
Singing the death tune I created,
For which I chose to leave undated.
And here I write the final verse
For which I always shall rehearse:
Deadly Roses, beauty and grace,
They get away without a chase.
Never suspected with their charm,
We always think they do no harm.
Weak and pitiful we believe,
Until the day they choose to deceive.
Deadly Roses finish their prey…
-Axanal Fortasia (aka Axan)
***
Once she traveled the final stretch to the delicately designed window- a young silver frame encircled the ravishing scene that lay before any who might stray and sneak a glimpse of its grand beauty- the snowy white dove circled her happily while singing its love song. To the girl, Aleaxa Fortasia- the young sixteen-year old of the famous Fortasia line- ears pointed made elves jealous and bore her family’s name well-wishers and herself peasant admirers, as well as all the kingdom inhabitants, the young white dove’s chirps played a beautiful symphony for woodland elves such as Aleaxa. Her flowing blonde hair held lovely highlights of brunette as well as a hint of the strawberry that had brought fame to the family name many some such years before. Axa’s outfit was one of any archer that had practically grown up with a bow and nothing more. The outfit was silk lined with silver and a delicate purple which brought out eyes of the most amazing color- gold wrapped in green and a majestic cerulean- but the outfit also was just above Axa’s knees, yet knee-high archer’s boots protected her well.
When Axa spoke, a musical harmony of love and understanding twined itself throughout her words to the petite creatures, but her main listener was the young dove who became quite attentive to the girl’s speech, “Of course I understand your problems, and my people- our people- shall do all that can be done to help you and all the other creatures that share the size of nothingness,” the extravagant girl paused as she thought out what could be a reassuring- yet powerful- statement to tell the creatures who had come to gather. “I assure you, that although we are challenged in size,”- Axa was only four feet and seven inches above the ground herself- very skimpy for the elves of her sort-“we are a vicious force to be reckoned with- no matter what is said by others taller than the likes of ourselves.” She had spoken more to herself than to her simple friend, and as her voice rang out- light and crisp throughout the air- many more of the petite creatures gathered around her and the ravishing dove.
“Speaking to the woodland creatures again, my dear?” A young man, seventeen years of age with the height of six feet and three inches, came up and wrapped his arm around Axa’s waist. The stealth and silence for which he’d entered might have left Axa frightened if her ears had not discovered his slight footsteps creep up the stairs. When the man heard not a peep come from Axa’s mouth, he continued on as though he’d never paused, “If you’re whining to them about your size again, then I must let you know- again- that they haven’t a whim of power that can help you.” The man’s voice was as light as Axa’s, yet a rough, deep tune echoed throughout each word he spoke.
“I’m neither whining nor crying, Oh Master Tall One,” Axa retorted fiercely. Her voice now carried an edge of love yet anger at the man who teased her. Her voice was soprano in comparison to the man’s tenor as she screeched her words with a fierce, rough edge.
“Axa,” a new voice had crept into the room- a girl’s alto- with such precision and elegance, “don’t you know better? You shouldn’t be shooing Robata away when he loves you so.” Teasing and yet truth was evident within her voice’s tone.
“Your words stab me like a knife, yet also bring thanks to myself, Sarasetta,” the man whom had been called Robata bowed with a joking air to surround him as he mockingly kissed Sarasetta’s hand. “In my thanks, I’ll have to say if it weren’t for you, then I’d probably have lost my head to Aleaxa years ago.” Humor tainted his voice as he stared at Axa through the corner of his eye while also keeping Sarasetta’s movement within glimpsing distance. Sarasetta was a red-headed elf who had velvety pink eyes that held a grand tint of purple and orange. She had been a wanderer a year before stumbling upon the Fortasia girl Aleaxa, and protection along with skills with a weapon had been granted to her for sticking to Axa’s side.
“It’s not Sarasetta,” the girl complained, although in all truth her birth name was Sarasetta, yet she preferred a nickname in the company of her two friends, “it’s Sara. Just like it’s Axa and not Aleaxa.”
Robata gingerly released Axa’s waist and floated with the air of a dancer towards the window’s silver frame. Once he settled himself to stare at the window, he examined the embroidery of roses in the colors of pink, red and white. As Robata peered at each of the roses, he thought about how his mother had sent this to him as a sixteenth birthday gift a year before. Every time he caught a glimpse of the frame, he knew of his mother’s well-wishes after she’d sent it to him. The frame lined the window as it peered at the Great Fruit Tree as it perched lazily in the sun’s rays.
After moments of deep thought and concentration, Robata absently slipped away from the frame- and its exquisite view- to stand beside Sara. He inched his way towards her with a fine delicacy while avoiding Axa’s line of sight with every passing second.
Once Robata stood within close proximity to Sara, he tilted his head up to her sound-sensitive ears. His own ears were focusing upon the movements of Axa as she stared blankly out of the window at the scene lying out as a storybook might. He cautiously checked for the direction of Axa’s ears- he was careful to note everything that might cause her to catch a flow of murmured words as Sara and he trilled about.
“Have you told her?” Robata’s voice emerged as an inaudible wave of words slurred by speed and great concentration. Each blurb escaped Axa’s finely trained ears and left normal humans baffled or curious as to know what was passed by the elves.
Sara flared up at his hearing question, “You were supposed to tell her!” Anger left Sara forgetful of Axa’s close proximity as she whisper-shouted into Robata’s ear.
In that moment, Robata sensed the danger: Axa had heard Sara’s vicious yet quick snarl. As he’d suspected, Axa whirled around without a sound from her years of training for moments that might need a quick pair of feet. “Tell me what?” she demanded as anger flared within the pit of her stomach. Her temper always had proved ill when things were hidden from her.
Robata glared back at Axa. He knew that what he was going to say might cause a grand argument, but at this point he cared little about what his instincts growled at him. “Don’t be angry,” it appeared he was calm, yet his words came out with anger. “You would’ve known if we hadn’t intercepted the message, but I’m glad we did. We know that you would be long gone if the message had floated straight within your hands. We’d not know what became of you for months!”
Sara cleared her throat loudly in an attempt to obtain the snarling pair’s attention. When that refused to work, she lightly shouted, “Both of you CALM DOWN!” Quickly- once she had their attention- she lowered her voice, “Would you like the whole world hearing your pathetic fight?”
Aleaxa and Robata exchanged fierce glances that held scowls, but they said no more.
“Excellent! Now, if we may move on?” Instead of waiting for an answer from Axa or Robata, Sara quickly turned to lead them out of the Soothing Room- which had lost its feeling of serenity during the argument- and down the marble stairs. On the first floor of the building, Sara turned to inspect every twist and turn within her vision- nobody was spying. Swiftly, Sara rushed through the halls- without running- and into the library. Books upon books lined the shelves within the library’s fortress walls- each book had a different appearance, some were old and worn whilst others opened to flattering pages encrypted with amazing designs.
Sara led her charge through the library floor until they reached an extremely old bookshelf. Sara looked at Axa, and the hint in her eyes told Axa to select the book for which they would need.
Seeing Sara’s stare, Axa felt a swift lump of panic rise within her throat, but she harshly swallowed it back into its place as she stepped forward. Sara and Robata had turned around- they knew that the book to be chosen was a Fortasia’s secret, and a Fortasia’s secret only. With grand speed, Axa misplaced a book and set it within her side pouch. The book she had stolen with a rushing flow of speed from the shelf was small in size and fit in many places.
Slowly, the cobwebbed shelf shifted position, and Robata and Sara were facing forward once more. A grimy set of stairs lay beyond the bookshelf after it quickly replaced itself from the former position in which it had held.
Sara silently stepped forward, and Robata grabbed Axa as he followed suit. The bookshelf shuffled back within its original place after the three had stepped through the entryway.
Everything in the room was damp and covered in fungi, and Sara had no lights for which the three might be capable of seeing by. In the room’s darkness, Robata’s hair transformed from healthy brunette to diseased coal black. Axa’s hair accepted the dark as it mirthfully copied Robata’s, but Sara’s hair stubbornly refused any change, yet the lack of light stole precious red streaks causing Sara’s hair to dull vibrantly.
Sara abruptly came to a halt before an old oak table. The table was stained beyond repair by mold, dampness and fungi. Five rickety chairs encircled the table greedily as though they were trying to protect the old wooden table from any more destruction.
Axa and Robata gingerly sat upon the chairs- two of the three that were still in standing positions- as Sara found an old- yet still usable- match and found a dry spot on the stone walls. Immediately after the match flicked to life, Sara set it to light the candles that had been used many times before- the chandelier for which they were set was hanging in defeat as tar and grime covered the once beautiful gold. As light flared the room to life, bats screeched and exited while still screaming their dislike of the newly found light.
Finally, Sara sat down on the last chair that owned four legs, and felt an eerie tension for which Axa was the creator of.
When Axa spoke, her voice came out hoarsely, “Might I ask the importance for which this is? It had better be of great importance because otherwise it was a waste for you to drag me down into this old stone dungeon, Sara.” Although she fought to keep her voice and expression stern, a hint of fear had seeped through the barrier for which she’d placed.
“I understand you must be thinking: It’s another hostage-war, and they have one of my relatives, but it’s nothing of the sort. Besides, the last hostage-war was a few decades ago, and we weren’t alive to hear anything about it.”
“Then what is it?” When neither Sara nor Robata made an attempt to answer, she continued scornfully, “You are going to tell me? Aren’t you?” There was still no answer, but Sara fumbled to remove a slip of paper from her pocket.
Eventually, Robata answered Axa’s question in a soft and soothing voice, “Axa, my dear, do you remember to whom your father died by?” After a slight nod came from Axa, he continued, “Darkson Riddle. He was an Unseen, and now another Unseen came to take his place- he died a year ago. The Unseen’s never received any of the information they needed from your father, and they know how you happen to have all the records and such, but it’s all within your mind, so they need you. We received a letter from the new Unseen leader, or so that’s what he claims to be. Of course, I’ve never heard his name, and I thought it was currently Foringu Delacoi who ruled, but they always kill each other so I can’t seem to keep up.”
Sara was still fumbling with the piece of paper, and while Axa had been paying strict attention to Robata, she ripped a slice off of the already too small piece of paper. “H-here’s the m-message we re-received…” Sara stumbled on the words as she quietly spoke them while handing the message over to Axa.
Axa took a deep breath and- before she began to read the note- counted to ten. Then she began to silently read- not a word left her mouth.
Dear Aleaxa Fortasia,
I understand we've had some difficulties in the
past, but I would like to make a compromise. You may
wonder what I have that you'll want, but that can wait
for the time being. From you I want all the information
on the rest of the world. You see, I wouldn't mind if you
chose to become my bride- the world's queen- but I'm sure
there won't be any problems there. I shall be using more
things for persuasion if I must, but truly I hope to not
need any persuasive people and such- if you catch my drift.
--Salazar Kuhr Hallow
P.
“Where’s the rest?” Axa demanded as she saw the “P.” at the bottom of the page. She also noted a quick and sloppy rip that lined the bottom. “GIVE IT TO ME!” She growled when neither of the two made any move to search out the final piece.
Finally, Sara yanked out the freshly torn piece- she refused to wait for Axa’s anger to build.
“Thank you,” Axa said robotically angry. She swiftly set out to read what Salazar Hallow wished to tell her.
S- I HAVE YOUR MOTHER, SO DON'T BELIEVE
THIS AS SOME HOAX!
The parchment slipped from Axa’s hand as she gasped with shock. “You kept this from me? This? MY MOTHER COULD BE DEAD!” She bellowed angrily.
“He set no date,” Robata spoke quickly. When he dared a glance at Axa’s face, he saw doubt glitter through rage within her eyes, “Besides, how’s he to know the message was ever received? He sent a crow, but we killed it so as to keep it from reporting back to Salazar.”
“I’m going- with or without you!” Axa’s voice quivered with a fury that was somewhat contained, but it still showered her face with hatred.
Sara spoke up at this after having watched all the drama, “I refuse to allow you to leave without someone. So this means, as your forever bodyguard, that I must come with you no matter what.” Sara knew that after the protection she’d received from Axa’s family, that it was her duty to protect Axa from harm.
“Absolutely splendid, let me order the hostler to get the horses ready. Maybe I’ll tell the footman to tell the hostler, that way I may pack the belongings for which we’ll need.” Axa set a swift pace as she rushed to get out of the dungeon.
“Wait,” Robata’s gruffly voice spoke up- he wasn’t the least bit happy about this. When he was sure Axa had stopped, he continued, “I’ll come. Let me get the food and such we’ll need, you get the clothes, and Sara shall get the footman to tell the hostler that we need three horses.” He turned to look at Sara intently, “Preferably Duchess, Kindelena, and Frostflake.” He referred to the horses for which each was used to riding best. Sara’s horse was to be Frostflake, Axa’s Duchess, and Robata’s Kindelena.
Axa scowled inwardly while she thought about what his presence would mean, It means organization, asking Robata if we can do something, and maybe it’ll mean that any fun has to be approved by his “intelligent” head! Something caused Axa to think that what she’d thought was all nonsense as she walked out of the dungeon and through the library. Finally she reached the guest quarter’s thinking, But I love him… What if he gets hurt? What if I get hurt and he does something stupid? We could both die…
***
Dynastisia Fortasia- a woman of grand elegance and ravishing aging, in her mid-forties- relaxed as an air of grace settled around her throne. Dyna’s throne was one bathed in pure gold with slight etchings of delicate black and red roses. The throne held grand jewels- rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds and onyx- that adorned Dyna down to her very fine nails that were well taken care of with regular manicures. Dyna’s long black hair had been pinned up with several curls falling around the edges after a long day’s work. Her hair had pins of red roses as well as the finest of rubies. Rose petals lightly flew in the breeze around Dyna’s face as a stray one landed upon her clothes every now and then. Despite Dyna’s hideous evil, she was a sight to treasure with a petite chin, soothing curves and few to no wrinkles.
Dyna sighed. She’d been doing the same such thing all day because word had yet to come from the stealthy spies she’d placed upon her daughter’s home- as well as the old home of her hated husband. Still, though, Dyna couldn’t help but think that her daughter had learned of the flaws within her plan. Dyna felt ashamed because her daughter had yet to come and “rescue” a mother who had been “held captive” by the weak Unseen Salazar Kuhr Hallow. That sparked interest in Dyna’s mind- a good whipping would clear her thoughts.
“Bring me Salazar!” The soon-to-be queen of the world demanded of her servants. Almost immediately and iron-furnished cage came within the woman’s view as she finished inspecting her nails. Her nails were delicately painted with petals of red roses that gave the appearance of rose petals raining down when she waved them in front of a servant’s face.
“Y-your Majesty…” the caged being Salazar bowed as best he could with the chains Dyna had fastened him with. The chains held him tightly and only allowed so much of him to lean forward into his much-practiced bow. “What do you require?” His accent was one that many Unseens acquired, yet a formal hint of education- odd for an Unseen- was present within his long slurred Unseen words as they voiced question to his presence with her. Finally, he relaxed and straightened his figure to be that of the once towering height he held. He had gorgeous silver hair that had once upon a time adorned a simply elegant black rose thorn crown with two rubies set on either side of a precious diamond. Now, though, all his hair had come to adorn were things such as dirt, twigs and mud- telltale signs of the imprisonment brought about by Dyna. Salazar’s face also wore mud along with bruises and long gashes where the blood had encrusted over- all because of Dyna and the beatings of anger.
“I require an answer,” she spat the words at him viciously, scowling. Her anger was a revolting mix of hate and disgust as she spoke. “Why isn’t she here yet?” Calmness settled over her as she removed the words that had burdened her, yet she knew the answer would be the same as always.
Sal bowed. This allowed his shoulder-length silver locks to flow over his face. His expression was blank, yet he refused to allow Dyna to see his face- he might make the mistake of showing any strong emotion whilst within her presence. Sal’s slate-gray eyes were searching as he fought to plan a better answer than the one he’d be giving her at this very moment.
“Well?” Dyna demanded impatiently.
“The crow I sent with the message has yet to return, Your Majesty,” the words tumbled in a grand slur from his mouth as he muttered them.
“THEN SEND ANOTHER ONE YOU BLASTED FOOL!” Every inch of calm that had held her back before quickly dispersed as Dyna grabbed the bottom folds of her dress- to keep her aloft without a mistake of tripping- and stood with angry rage. Dyna’s dress was of pure blood-red as black roses glittered upon it. The roses created a magical effect- the petals slowly fell and then grew once more upon the roses- on all those who’d stare for too long at Dyna’s gown.
Sal shrank back at the sight of Dyna’s fury as he prepared himself- mentally- for a beating with the strongest whip Dyna owned. “As Your Majesty wishes,” he slowly said with grand patience as he tried to calm her down- he didn’t want the harshest whipping of his life to be now.
“But first,” Dyna craftily drew the words on with a cruelty so harsh, “you,” when Sal looked up at her pleadingly she smiled and pointed teeth showed in a pearl white mouth of teeth, “…yes, you… you need a… hmm… you need a LESSON!” Dyna fed upon Sal’s fear at her shouted words as she demanded that the servants take Sal out to the barn and bring her the finest whip she owned. They could not refuse.
***
Three days had passed upon the gravel, dirt and asphalt roads that Axa and her friends had been traveling. They were exhausted in every manner of speaking, but a town had yet to come within their view.
Two days, Axa kept thinking while riding her paint quarter horse Duchess. Even the horses had the appearance of exhaustion after much fighting- both with their masters and with the greedy bandits, Queen’s soldiers, even merchants who had showed to be overly protective of their goods had worn the three horses.
Two days and we’ll be there, just two days. When we’re there it’ll be all of chaos and other such things, but that’s two days away… Two days… Axa thought over and over again- she wasn’t sure she would be able to make those last two days, but somehow she had to make it, just somehow.
When Sara spoke, Axa was shaken from her reverie, “We need to stop at the next inn… Just for a couple of days, though.” Sara’s voice was hoarse- the three had kept silent vigil throughout the journey, only to talk when necessary.
“Sara’s right, we can’t go on like this,” Robata remarked. Axa glared at him, but he had yet to be finished speaking, “Look, Axa, the horses are exhausted, we’re exhausted… How much longer do you think we’ll last? Who knows what’s waiting for us around the bend? Pirates, maybe? With our conditions so terrible, we’re sure to fail!”
Axa sighed, the prospect of resting for a few days sounded wonderful, but yet it also made her feel as though she’d run out of time and lose her mother to Sal. Still, though, she couldn’t argue with the terms for which Robata had stated, “You’re right, but no more than a week… Don’t forget about my mother, she can’t hold up with Sal forever…” Axa’s voice trailed off with both exhaustion and fear.
“Axa, we’re going to save Dyna… She’s a strong woman- you know that. You saw how she handled your…” Sara knew that if she’d completed the sentence she’d started by saying “father’s death,” Axa might break down in tears.
The three rode on until they could travel no further, especially since they hoped no pirates or such things came looking for a fight- exhaustion had already claimed them.
***
After a week of rest and relaxation, Axa and the others were refreshed and ready for anything. There was still half a day’s ride, but after such a long rest the three felt they could take on anything. Their resting place had been the Bright Moon Inn, and each day there was enjoyable and well-deserved to the travelers.
On the fourth day of their stay at the Inn, a black velvet-like crow arrived bearing a message such the same as the first crow’s. Robata had yanked the crow from the windowsill in which it had chosen to perch upon, and then headed towards the Inn’s garden to dispose of the crow.
Upon Robata’s return, Axa was to be found perching upon her bed with her knees up and held against herself. Sara was munching upon a chicken-and-rice lunch as she told Robata what the parchment had to say.
“It was basically the same dratted thing! There was only a slight difference,” Sara’s mouth was full and gave the words a hint of mumbling. “The difference was that Sal says we’ve a week, but it won’t make any difference, we’re ahead of schedule.
“We’ll be there in no time…” was all Robata could say at the time.
Axa still hugged her knees close to her chest staring blankly at the wall thinking, What if it’s a lie? All fighting would be worthless… what would we do? What could we do?
***
The night was foggy, damp and cold when Axa, Robata and Sara arrived outside of Salazar’s fortress walls. Surprisingly there were no guards, so their plan of being as silent as possible had been wasted time and effort in planning.
After all had been set up, Sara went around the makeshift camp protecting it with greater protection than all other nights spent on the road. As Sara did this, Robata practiced with Axa on their hand-to-hand, hand-to-sword, hand-to-bow, hand-to-staff and weapon-to-weapon combat. They critiqued each other’s flaws- they wanted little to no injuries.
When Sara returned from protecting the camp, she began her exercises and practiced with Axa while Robata cooked dinner.
“You’re doing excellent, Axa,” Sara remarked as Axa- who held a wooden sword for practice- smacked Sara’s hands away from their protective position to place her sword upon Sara’s neck- if this wasn’t practice, then Sara would have been killed. “The last time I caught a glimpse of your practice, I could have sworn you went down every time. Now, though, your hand-eye coordination is better than mine!”
“Thanks…” was all that Axa could mumble under her breath.
***
Later that night- after dinner, a meal of the rabbit whose escape was wasted, along with fresh cabbage- the three gathered around the campfire to pray and ask the Gods for survival through the day that had yet to come.
Once they’d finished up with their prayers, meditation and chat, they headed off to slip within their bedrolls. Axa crawled into hers while hoping for the best of tomorrow, but she was asleep before she’d noticed Robata chose to sleep close to her as he comforted her throughout the dark and cold night.
***
Upon the morning, the rose bushes glinted with dew, and the morning patrol of soldiers had been sent to search the borders of the fortress. Dyna sat in the garden twirling a black rose in her hands causing each drip of dew to be flung to the ground. There were still three more days until her “death” was to come about, and still not a word from her untrustworthy daughter.
Can things get any worse?? Dyna thought angrily as she tossed the rose to the floor. Swiftly, she moved her foot over to smash it with hatred as a colorfully vibrant language stumbled from her lips. Anger overflowed her, but she knew that Sal could afford no more beatings if he was to appear in charge when Axa arrived.
***
Salazar waited as the servants who followed Dyna’s every order took care of mending his face and then taking measurements for more of the delicately handsome clothes. One servant was also to handle the making of Sal’s crown- a black rose thorn crown, just like old times- and had sent a lesser servant to handle many more measurements.
Why haven’t I missed this treatment? Sal thought as Dyna’s youngest slave stuffed a brocaded silver tunic within his arms. Along with the gorgeous tunic was a pair of black pants that flared slightly at the bottoms to bring about an air of elegance to this large folly. The final objects to be placed within Sal’s hands were shoes- silver lined with black and pull-ups too, a rarity.
Sal headed off to the only room not occupied by servants or slaves with the exquisite clothes in hand. He quickly pulled the tunic, pants and shoes on and looked in the mirror. The only flaw is what’s become of my hair… Sal thought whilst examining his hair of silver silk. Twigs were difficult to remove, but after many chances to bathe the mud had vanished. After the healers had seen to him, Sal had only bruises and scars to remind him of Dyna’s cruelty- he wouldn’t forget it- and the baths had rubbed away the dirt and cleaned his wounds for extra help in the attempt to make him appear a king.
Sal hastily left the room and was discovered by the young slave who’d given him the clothes. “What is it?” Sal asked trying to avoid any cruel edge that may once have been within his voice- he now understood why servants and slaves acted as they did, and he would forever keep that knowledge.
The slave pointed to his mouth to tell Sal that he was a mute, and then he pointed to his ears remarking his deafness so there was no answering his question. Instead, the young mute slave dragged Sal speedily over to the throne room.
Dyna was already there made-up to look like she’d been the one whipped and thrown into the gutters late at night. Mud covered her face and clothes in speckles, and her clothes had been frayed- the ones that Axa had last seen her mother in two summers ago, five days after her father, Axan’s, death. Bruises had been created upon Dyna’s face with her high quality make-up, and each “cut” and “bruise” looked more real than even the ones Sal had had.
A large servant came over and pushed Sal upon the throne. The servant was muscular and could break bones as easily as though they were twigs or sticks. His rough hands told Sal to behave and act as though he’d been cruel to his true master.
Once Sal had been pushed with fury upon the throne- a sign that the large servant disliked Dyna’s plan with all honesty- a little man of about five feet with blonde hair draped over his eyes to hide emotions of any sort threw a blackened crown of rose thorns at Sal. Sal quickly placed the crown on his head and wondered why they were in such a rush- there had yet to be a sign of the returning crow- but he knew better than to voice an opinion or ask a question he was sure to pay for later.
Slowly, the doors opened to admit three figures. Could one of those figures be Axa? Maybe she’ll help me… Sal thought out a plan to save himself as well as Axa, but he could not be sure it would work.
***
After awakening that morning to sunshine and blooming roses hanging from their vines upon the stone walls with glee, Axa could feel that today the luck might be with them. She quickly rolled up her bedroll and fetched three turkey legs, two bread rolls, four eggs and a quarter of a watermelon she’d saved for their last day to create breakfast before the others could wake- packing would be the chore of them all, but Axa wasn’t sure that they’d need to take their things with them into the battle that was surely going to reign today.
Suddenly, Sara stirred, and Robata- who had slept peacefully next to Axa the whole night- bolted upright. Sara grabbed her bedroll and slipped it into a crack in the wall- she knew as well as Axa did that they wouldn’t need such things with them in the battle. Robata finally shifted out of his own bedroll and did as Sara had, then he grabbed Axa’s rolled up bedroll and did the same with it.
“Morning,” he mumbled through a coat of drowsiness. His hair was ruffled and gave him the appearance of a noble who’d had a horrid night sleeping- of course, though, it was just that.
“Axa, I don’t want to just enter the building, it might be lined with guards. How bout the roof? It’ll offer less protection, but guards won’t lounge about the place like pigeons or crows,” Sara murmured in a dazed attempt of keeping awake.
“Sure, sure…” Axa silently remarked- she was in no mood or state to make battle plans. “Unlike you…” Axa yawned, “I can’t make good plans for battle let alone cook a meal…” She absently looked at the meal she was cooking and realized she’d burnt the turkey legs. She immediately pulled them out of the fire and set each one on the three plates Robata had laid out. The next thing to come out of the fire was the rolls, and the rest of the food followed suit.
They all ate their breakfast in silence as each plotted plans for battle, which enemy they were going to attack and such things. Axa knew who she was headed after- Salazar stood no chance with her as his attacker.
He’ll beg me to stop once I’ve started… But I won’t, I won’t stop until he hands my mother over to me in one piece- not one hundred. Nothing, nothing, will stop me from killing Salazar Kuhr Hallow! I shan’t rest until I’ve had the chance to spill his blood in front of the other Unseens, then they’ll know… ‘Don’t mess with the Fortasia family’- yes, that’s what they’ll tell their young… Yes, yes… Axa’s mind drifted as she thought of the glory she’d bring to her family’s honor as well as their safety from future attacks made by all others who’d want what she’d made.
Robata- who’d not done any such thinking, as well as having been quiet the whole time- finally spoke up waking Axa from her silent reverie, “When shall we start?” He pointed to his empty plate when Axa and Sara glared at him.
Robata set out to packing more belongings- when Axa and Sara chose to ignore his question- that would not be needed into the wall as the others ate in silence that he dare not break.
Finally, Axa and Sara finished their breakfast just after Robata set the final pack into a crevice in the wall. All the other things were neatly piled and set in order for which they might be placed into a pack.
“Nice work,” Axa commented as she slightly giggled.
“What’s so funny?” Robata growled angrily although he already knew the answer.
“The fact that you did everything,” Sara was the one who’d spoken, “We thought you might be sloppy about it, but you were thorough.”
“You owe me,” Axa told Sara with a grin stretching across her face. “Five silvers- no less.”
Unwillingly, Sara dug into her pockets and emptied the contents into Axa’s hands, “Next time I’ll win.”
“Sure, Sara. Sure,” Axa giggled again.
After everyone had fastened swords, daggers and other such things to their belts and many other places such as boots and sleeves, Sara took the protective circle down from their encampment.
The guards had already passed by their makeshift camp, so there would be no early deaths- even if the three wanted to pick the soldiers and guards out one by one to make things easier. Instead, Sara led them up to the rooftop, and when they reached the top, each lured a guard from their positions quietly.
***
“Oh, it’s just you,” Dyna remarked when her guests moved into the light. They were the mages who’d helped her to set up this charade in hopes of high positions on the Council Dyna was going to start when the world was securely under her control.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” the tallest one remarked.
“What is so wrong with it being us, Your Majesty?” The short, plump one in a yellow brocaded tunic in the Emerlan style questioned. His leggings were purple and he wore a flashy puerile turban- it made Dyna sick to see him wearing the turban his son had given him for Dermanos Day.
Dyna looked away from her guests to speak to the little man who’d tossed Sal the thorn crown, “Marticus,” she motioned him to come forward, “get my guests and I a chair, and take Sal back to my healer, see if there’s anything she can do about his lip.”
The little man pulled at Sal’s tunic and quickly followed out Dyna’s orders by bringing four chairs and a table back to Dyna. The maid quickly set pomegranate juice upon the table after pouring four cups for everyone. Another maid set scarlet apples and flaky rolls down for Dyna and her guests.
The four of them quickly got to talking over the plans for which they’d need when Axa arrived, but the mages could not stay for more than an hour, and Axa showed no sign of coming within the hour.
***
Axa led the way through the perilous halls silently as they took out guards from the Hallow Army along the way. All the guards on the roof had been a simple task to take care of, leaving fifty more guards or so to defeat. Unlike Sara had thought, though, more guards frolicked upon the roof, which had been good and bad.
They each crept silently through the rooms killing guards, taking captives and searching for Sal and Dyna.
After creeping through what seemed like half of the house, Axa spotted her target as he had his face mended by his plump, old healer. Axa signaled to Sara and Robata that she’d found her charge, and sent them on their way.
Once the others had pushed on, Axa snuck into the room taking advantage of the fact that Sal’s eyes were closed as his healer powdered his face. She slipped between boxes and things with care- she didn’t want the healer to notice her and be spooked.
Finally, Axa came up behind the healer and set a dagger to her throat, but she did not cut. It took the healer a moment to recognize what’d happen, but she knew better than to scream for help. Instead, she followed as Axa took the powder, and when she was released she fled- who she would tell, Axa did not know.
With the powder, Axa pretended to do as the healer had been doing, and waited until Sal’s face looked good enough to her. When she finished and put the powder down, Sal looked at her.
Is he looking at me through pleading eyes? I haven’t even done anything yet! Axa thought bemused- so bemused that she almost let her guard down. She snapped herself out of the reverie she’d created and scowled at Sal noticing how her body defended itself by sticking a dagger up to Sal’s neck.
“Don’t, please, it’s not what you think,” Sal pleaded.
“No, you’re right, it’s what I know!” Axa growled furiously at Sal, “If you think I’m not going to kill you, then think again! First, though, I’ll let you explain and then tell me where my mother is, okay?”
Sal nodded and began, “It’s not me. I don’t want to rule the world, I don’t wish to marry you, I don’t—” Axa cut him off.
“I don’t care what you don’t want! Just explain!” She growled.
“Your mother is controlling me, I’m her puppet. She expects you to come and save her even when she doesn’t need saving, this is all a trick! She killed Axan! She found Darkson Riddle and made him take the blame, and then she killed him! She killed our true leader and made me leader even though I was never meant to be such a thing! She—”
“Shut-up, Sal,” a woman spoke from the doorway. “Axa, my dear, how nice of you to join us,” Axa looked up to see her mother’s eyes filled with wicked delight. “Now, tell me what your father never told me before I killed him.”
“You? You did this? It was all you?” Axa snarled at the mother she thought she’d known. “How could you? I’m your daughter!”
“It was easy, darling. I tortured him to death, but I got not a word, nothing…”
“Not that,” Axa spit at her mother. “How could you trick me? All this time I thought I was saving you, but I guess I was wrong!” Axa lunged toward her mother, but was grabbed by the arms instead.
“No, no, no,” Dyna insisted, “nobles never fight their parents; let me take you to the throne room.”
***
“Robata, something’s wrong, I think Sal got Axa somehow!” Sara cried as she fought three men-at-arms at once. There were only five more left to kill, and Robata was being attacked by the other two.
“Once we’re done,” Robata replied as he sliced one of the men down to his knees. “Where will they be?”
“Throne room,” Sara quickly replied- only one of the men-at-arms remained now. Once the final of the guards were gone from the room they’d been working in, they rushed in a flurry to the throne room.
***
When Axa saw Robata and Sara creep into the throne room, she vigorously fought her mother’s bodyguard who’d taken her after much fighting with Dyna. The bodyguard was a burly man, and he chose not to put up with Axa’s fight. Instead, he swiftly pushed her into the wrought-iron cage that awaited them. Axa’s mouth was covered and her hands were tied behind her back, so she had no chance to warn Sara and Robata that her own mother had planned this.
Dyna took the throne scanning the room- she couldn’t believe Axa had come alone, but there were still no other guards fighting. She cackled fiercely, “Come without your escort?”
Robata was the first to notice that Axa’s mother was torturing Axa for some such reason. When he pointed this out to Sara she growled and noted it as a “trick” for which they’d come for- she knew Sal wouldn’t have free reign on a captive, so the new plan was to kill Dyna.
Finally, Dyna spotted the two misfits, “Ah, so here are the escorts you bring.” Her cackling grew greater as she noticed the flaws of Robata and Sara. “Get them!” She ordered a few of her guards angrily.
Sara and Robata took this as their cue and headed into the pile of guards fighting them with all fierceness.
Robata sliced at guards three at a time until he finally noticed that, somehow, Axa had escaped her prison and fought alongside him. Sara came to join the two creating a triangle of fighters.
At some point, only two guards remained, but the trio knew reinforcements from the actual Hallow Army would come. At this point, the annoyed Dyna joined the fighting, but she refused to fight fairly.
After moments of fighting, Dyna earned a sweat-soaked face along with a cut or two. She’d finally had enough and yanked Axa’s hair to pull her out of the fight. When she’d gotten Axa out of the fight, the last two guards lay dead on the ground, but Dyna held her sword to Axa’s neck smiling evilly.
“Finally,” Dyna’s breathing came heavily after much fighting to injure and kill Axa and her “friends”. “Finally I get what I want, finally.”
Sal had yet to be killed in the fighting, and snuck up in attempt to kill Dyna after her treatment. The closer he got the more nervous he felt, but he had to keep going, he had to. Just as Sal was about to raise his sword and make the swift motion it would take to kill Dyna, he was struck with a blade in the chest.
Sal doubled-over staring at the sword with shock and amazement- Dyna knew he’d been coming. He prayed for a painless ending and hoped the best for Axa and her friends, but that was all he could do.
“Now, anymore? Would you like to take a step forward? Either of you? I’d be glad to slice her throat and leave her to bleed on you,” Dyna cackled as Robata stared with shock and fear at Axa.
“Let me say something,” Axa piped in, “before you kill me.”
“Go on,” Dyna let her speak.
“Sara, don’t do anything stupid if- when- she kills me,” a noise sounded in the back- reinforcements had come, “Robata, my dear, dear, Robata… I lo—”
“No… NO! NOOOOO!!!!” Robata screamed furiously as Axa fell to the floor, cold and dead. He lunged at Dyna and sliced her every which way staring into her fearful eyes. “You’re dead!” He screamed and slit her throat open; it was all he could do to avenge Axa’s death.
Fifty soldiers from the Hallow Army entered, and Sara sliced one after another alongside Robata. It wasn’t before long that she stopped, looked at the world around her, and slit her own throat- Robata was too busy to notice her suicidal death.
Robata thrashed at every soldier, and his anger brought him to kill every single one of them, but when he went to look for Sara he noticed her lying dead atop a pile of the army they’d fought.
Two friends… My only two friends dead at the hands of horrific evil… He lay next to Axa’s body hugging and kissing its coldness- she was gone.
***
Robata sat in a lounging chair of the color purple in his red, silk robe with puffy, red eyes. It had taken a rescue team a while to find him after his friend’s had died. He stared out of the window framed by his mother’s silver frame remembering it all, wishing he could do something.
Robata sighed and stared at the Great Fruit Tree as it, too, mourned in the only way it knew- to die itself. It’s about time I go out again… Into the public… Maybe I’ll go to the tavern… He thought solemnly and got up to get dressed the best he could.
When he’d finished dressing- he wore an old tunic and worn pair of breeches- he headed out to the barn and asked the hostler to saddle Kindelena for him, but that was until he realized that the hostler had quit long before his arrival back to Axa’s home, so he saddled his horse alone.
After Kindelena was saddled, Robata rode off to the local tavern, but he was stopped by many people who asked questions he refused to answer, such as: Where are Aleaxa and Sarasetta? What happened? Why haven’t you been out lately when you got back a month ago?
Finally, Robata reached the tavern and took a seat at the bar. He ordered a Bounja and drank in peace and silence. Even in the silence, Robata saw many people looking at him curiously, so he stopped searching their faces.
After half an hour or so, five drinks and many curious looks from people, a girl settled next to Robata. She didn’t say anything, and her face showed no hint of curiosity- let alone the slightest expression.
Robata grew tired of her quiet, expressionless face, so he spoke to her, “Hi, my name’s Robata, what’s yours?” Robata was too depressed to care if he sounded like an idiot.
“Robata? It’s a pleasure to meet you,” her accent was English, but she spoke Fleruina perfectly. “My name is Annaline.”
“Nice to meet you, Annaline,” Robata finally quit moping and let some warmth flow into his voice. “If I may ask, where are you from? Your accent is heavily laden in English, yet you speak Fleruina perfectly.”
Annaline giggled, “Call me Anna, and I’m from the northeast. I’m from Dwainsa to be exact, that’s where I was born and raised. I’ve been around, and the native language in Dwainsa is English, but I went to school to learn many other languages- I knew I was going to travel.”
“I’m from here,” Robata declared and then blushed. When he ran over what he’d said in his mind he realized it sounded stupid and shut his mouth for the time being.
That got another giggle from Anna, “Why were you so down earlier? I couldn’t help but notice,” Anna commented.
“A month ago my two friends were killed,” Robata murmured, “but that was a month ago, and I really shouldn’t mope. So, can I buy you a drink?”
“Are you flirting?” Anna asked giggling again.
“Well, umm, I’m actually just finished here, so, would you like to join me on my ride home?” Robata asked blushing once more.
“I would be glad to join you, Master Robata,” Anna replied taking the arm he held out for her.
“Not ‘Master Robata,’ just Robata,” Robata said in an embarrassed tone.
***
They finally reached Axa’s place and left the horses unsaddled in the stable. Robata led Anna into the Soothing Room and got out a lounge chair of red for her. She smiled and thanked him as she gratefully sank into the chair.
“What do you do for a living?” Anna asked Robata once they were both settled.
“I don’t really do anything… I did own a business with my friends, but it fell apart after they died, so I kind of quit everything…”
Their conversation went on and on until it was five in the morning. Anna got up and thanked Robata for his generosity with a kiss upon the cheek.
Robata slept well that morning, after having so many restless nights it felt good to actually fall into a dreamless sleep, Robata decided.
***
That afternoon Robata woke to the smell of breakfast which felt odd yet wonderful to him. When he got up and dressed he discovered the source of the smell was Anna cooking eggs, bacon and hash browns.
“I hope you don’t mind my letting myself in,” Anna commented. “Besides, I figured you could use a good breakfast seeing you haven’t had a proper meal for a month.”
“Thanks…” Robata said snatching a piece of bacon up and hungrily stuffing it into his mouth. It wasn’t for a while until he noticed his error, “Sorry, I’ve gotten used to living by myself.”
“No problem, I figured you’d be that way, but I hope you don’t mind my asking, but would it be okay if I stayed with you a week or so?” Anna asked, eyes pleading.
“Sure, I’d love the company, so stay as long as you like,” Robata replied grinning, happy to have some company after a month of isolation.
***
Two weeks went by as Anna and Robata grew closer and closer. Finally, Robata began to tell his deepest, darkest secrets to his new love Anna. He never asked about her parents; let alone what her last name was. Robata respected her privacy but knew he had no reason to keep secrets anymore.
Anna enjoyed Robata’s company, but she knew better than to grow attached to her master’s pawn, all she needed to do was wait for his secrets to spill out as though there were no tomorrow. She knew he would soon expect her to sleep in the same bed as himself, and she wasn’t going to go against that- it might foil the whole plan. Instead, she just let him talk and talk and talk.
One night, Anna lay in bed with Robata and asked him the most important question of all: How was it possible to take over the world? She reassured Robata through several kisses that she just was curious and wanted nothing to do with such affairs.
As Anna had expected, he told her and made her swear by her honor- for which she didn’t have- not to repeat anything he’d said. As she hoped, he trusted her, and that was exactly what she’d been working towards.
***
In the morning, Robata woke to an empty bed, so he got dressed quickly and headed to the Soothing Room to stare at the still-dying Great Fruit Tree. Robata didn’t even notice the curtains shuffle as a shadow moved up behind him.
Suddenly, a knife was held at Robata’s throat, and a female’s voice- no Anna’s voice- said something that sounded like “Enjoy death”. Finally, all went black for Robata as blood spilled from his body and Anna cackled happily- the last enemy of her master’s was dead with the information safe in her hands.
Anna left the house swiftly on her horse and headed toward the hill where her master would be.
***
Alaberi Salitang waited impatiently for his loyal servant Annaline to return from her mission- with the information in hand he hoped.
Finally a rapping on the door in rapid succession told him Anna had returned. He quickly pried open the stubborn, old door and admitted Anna into the house.
“Did you get it?” Alaberi asked sternly.
“Of course I got it, Master Salitang, but before we handle any of those affairs can we please go outside and have some fun? The sunset is going to be beautiful tonight, and I wish to not miss it.”
“Fine, fine, let us go outside and stand atop the hill,” Alaberi replied as he reopened the door and let Anna go outside before following.
It wasn’t before long until a thunderstorm broke out, but Anna refused to let Alaberi take her back inside, so he stayed and waited for the sun to set.
Lightning struck the ground hard and fast, and before either Anna or Alaberi noticed anything, they were struck by two bolts of angry lightning.
Once the only remains of Anna and Alaberi blew away in the wind, the clouds vanished and all rain stopped. The two lightning bolts- Axa and Robata- held hands drifting off into the gorgeous sunset Anna had promised for Alaberi, and the world was safe for another century or so as Aleaxa, Robata and Sarasetta watched over it until a restful peace came about.
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