Started story 22/01/13
My version of Poison study fan fiction
Cold air pierced my face, where am I? Looking around, trees and grass surrounded me. I looked up at the night sky, no stars; a hand rose in view.
"No… no…, please don't!" I begged, but had no luck.
The hand struck my head, Wincing in pain trying to rub the abused spot, but my hands were tied behind my back sinking in my skin and surely cutting of the circulation. I heard footsteps fading away then coming closer to me, right in front of me. I wasn't blindfolded, uncertain as to why not but realised nothing much could be seen. Through the dusty and foggy twilight air, there was no chance of seeing my torturer. Weather it was male or female, tall or short, I just couldn't see; then a deep husky voice bellowed.
"keep quiet rat!, don't make me hit you again." That confirmed a man, I swear that voice could cut through ice.
I gasped, and then screamed, not being able to keep it in. I slightly looked up, expecting a good beating, nothing happened. My hands were released and I reached up to touch the abused spot on my head. Feeling a sticky substance in my greasy brown hair, I thought of only one thing… blood. That didn't make sense, a slap didn't cause blood. A rush of pain went through my stomach, groping my wounded gut, I felt a deep gash. Pouring out was fresh warm blood. Consideration flash around my mind, my enforcer used a weapon. Most probably a knife, but I would off felt it slicing me. Struggling to move my legs, so cold, there numb; I couldn't move them, cursing as realisation hit me once again. Me be damned, the husky voiced man paralysed the bottom half of my body.
Thinking back to training at the Ixia castle, my trainer mentioned that sinister beings, thieves, murderers, ect. Use a dart with this lethal liquid to paralyse their victims in order to make a quick and easy getaway. Also it's used for a clean murder or a threat to scare.
"… Look at me." The same deep husky voice startled me, the same footsteps fading a little bit.
I immediately looked in the direction of the sound; for a moment in the moonlight, I caught a glimpse of his eyes. No colour, assuming it was because of the nights' darkness. He growled and raised his sword towards me, he came at me. I screamed.
Hands hoisted my shoulders, shaking me back and forth violently. Didn't the husky man have enough fun with me already? Thinking that there's no way I could feel anything if I'm dead. Shouting screamed in my ears.
"Come on Yelena, wake up" I noticed a worried pitch in this voice.
I shot up, squinting at the sudden light. Sweat dripped from my forehead and clothes, glancing around. Several sets of bunk beds were lined up against both sides of the walls, opposite each other. Thin mattresses and sheets on each one, occupied by people, they were staring at me. Taking a deep breath, I sighed in relief, this was the barracks. Just a bad dream I chanted silently to myself.
The majority of the people in the barracks asked me if I was okay, a few of them shrugged and went back to sleep, and my best friend tiara sat beside me. Frowning, she had a worried look in her eyes. I was always jealous of tiara's eyes since we were kids; we grew up together and dreamed of being soldiers for the commander of ixia. Her eyes were a deep blue, unlike mine, hazel brown. She has gorges blonde hair and she's always happy, which came to be a big help to me, just because I hadn't found much to be happy about since getting this job, So she makes me laugh from time to time and makes me happy. The same with Jamie, he's my best friend too, Jamie's more like me. Not always happy, but I don't moan aloud like him, I do it silently. Jamie also has blonde hair, but he has green eyes. Green eyes are rare in Ixia since the takeover and people moved fast for freedom, most people with green eyes come from Sitia, the other country on this island. Me, Jamie and Tiara do mostly everything together. We think of ourselves as the three musketeers, cheesy really, but kind of fun.
"You okay now?" tiara asked after handing me a glass of cool water.
"Yeah I think so, thank you" I offered, still a little shook up from the nightmare.
"Get some rest; we are supposed to meet our new trainer tomorrow. Good night"
"I think I'm going to take a walk, don't worry I'll get plenty of rest soon… good night" I whispered while slipping into my thick, bulky black boots. Shooting out of the door quietly, trying not to wake anybody else up. Embarrassed about waking the entire barrack up, that's going to be the hot news tomorrow. Rumours travel fast around this castle; people have nothing better to do then their job and gossiping. Walking by the weaponry hut, I was thinking about my new trainer. Who is it?
Cold air hit me, and I shivered at times while strolling outside. Passing the training grounds heading towards, the inner of the outer wall of the castle. My favourite tree stands limp, just by the far end of the back gate. The trees leaves have a slight hint of red, but most of them are missing because of the cold season. I climbed the tree to the highest branch and rested there looking over the view. It's the biggest tree in castle grounds. I don't really know why it's my favourite, maybe because I could see everything from way up here and mostly because up here I'm not considered an easy target. Jamie's always joking about how I'm always in some sort of trouble. I don't try to get into trouble, it's just there.
The cloudy black sky is beating down, I usually come out here to stare at the stars but tonight there aren't any. Slowly moving to climb back down, considering what tiara said about me needing rest. Something caught my eye down below; I stopped moving and sat still. It was a man, sitting on the lowest branch of the tree not doing anything. I stared for a moment, but he looked up and saw me. The remaining leaves on the tree didn't hide me and my light blue pyjamas, everyone working as soldiers are required to wear, didn't camouflage me either. I looked away, into the horizon and feeling heat rushing to my face, easily embarrassed. Deciding I need to sleep, I started climbing down slowly. Half way down, somehow unaware my boot was caught on the branch below me. My hands started slipping off the branch, glancing down to see that the man was not down there. Phew! I thought, I just saved myself from the embarrassment and another rumour starting. I lost grip completely and fell, closing my eyes, scared it was my last breath. A little too dramatic but you never know. An adrenalin rush went straight through my body and at that point I was terrified, everything went dark.
I awoke, sitting up with pain shooting up my arms and legs, with the smell of antiseptic aroma filling my senses. Everything was white, thinking of how one moment everything went dark and now white. Confusion giving me a headache, I led back and rested against the headboard. Just then a woman with reddish curly hair came towards me wearing a white dress, uniform.
"Feeling any better Yelena?" she asked with a sweet smile on her face.
"Where am I?" I blurted out.
"You're at the infirmary," confusion swept across her face.
"What happened?" now it was my turn to look confused.
"You fell from that big tree out by the back gate, don't you remember?"
Parts started coming back to me; I remember slipping of the branch that's about it. I don't remember walking to the infirmary. In fact I don't even recall landing on the ground. "oh yes, I do remember now" a smile of relief rushed her face. "but I don't remember what happened after I slipped, heck I don't even recall landing." I said trying not to embarrass myself again.
"I was told not to inform you about that, just that you fell and you needed treatment straight away" a frown hung to her hazel eyes but a slight smile clutched her mouth.
"Why can't you tell me?"
"I'm not here to discuss, I'm here to do my job, which is healing the wounded." She tried hiding her nerves, it didn't work.
I started to fidget with irritation, what was she hiding? "I have the right to know, please tell me what happened" I pleaded not trying to sound too desperate.
She wouldn't meet my gaze "okay, okay," she looked up at me. I smiled in victory, "after slipping , Valek caught you and then you blacked out." Valek… The assassin, caught me? She was definitely pulling my leg. Valek kills; he doesn't save people's lives. He has this horrifying cold stare, if looks could kill then his job would be a lot easier. Everybody knows who the infamous valek is, and all those who do are scared of him. I'm not, I just think people are too quick to judge, it's just a job. I wish I could be as fast as he is and strong and quiet as he is, im always falling over and at times I can be very noticeable but he's an assassin. Nothing gets past valek. Valek's the head of security for the commander; he was also the commander's helper in the takeover. I don't believe Valek saved me. Of course I've never met him, I have seen him a few times working out but haven't officially met him.
"Stop joking! Now please tell me what happened" a frown slapped on my face.
Understanding took her eyes. "I'm serious, he did save you"
"Prove it" I challenged
"Well he mentioned you looked at him when he was sat at the lowest branch on the tree." Oh my gosh, he's the mysterious man that was sitting there. I can't understand as to why he would save me, a helpless little soldier. The nurse understood my expression and tried a weak smile.
"why did he save me?" I said to myself
"Maybe because he didn't have a reason not to save you," She whispered, and then I realised I said it aloud.
Still astounded by what the nurse had told me I asked "do you think I could drop by his office, just to say thank you?" I smiled strongly; I had to ask him some questions. Why had he saved me? What did he get out of it? And so on.
"I don't see why not" smiling back at me, she gave me directions but instructed that I come right back because I'm not fully recovered yet.
"Thank you" I waved on my way out.
I've never been in the castle until now, the walls were dusty and grey and had this stony effect to it, looks like the builder didn't put any instillation in like we have at the barracks. There's no colours or pictures on the walls, just these old vintage lamps lit, hung on the walls in pairs, not bright but enough to see. I slowly walked up to Valek's office door, I stood for a minute. Hesitating to whether I should or not knock on the door. After thinking for what felt like minutes but was only a few seconds, I turned to go. The door to his office opened and Valek appeared at the entrance. I gaped at him, up close he was not what I expected, long black curly hair down to his shoulders. Blue sapphire eyes stared coldly at me, I felt uncomfortable just standing there. I tensed up and turned to go again.
"Did you want something?" an icy but quiet voice asked, it was valek.
His voice startled me and I tripped on my left foot, but before I hit the ground… I felt valek's strong muscly arms around me and he caught me. Again. Why does he keep doing that? Heat flashed my face and I couldn't meet his gaze.
"You should watch where you're going" icy and dark this time he spoke.
This time I met his stare and my face was rid of that embarrassment for now. "Sorry, you don't have to catch me every time I fall, you know?" my voice full of sarcasm.
"Stubborn much? You should thank me for saving your life" seriousness touched every word.
"That's what I've come here for, but could we speak in your office?" frustration clinging to my words.
"Make it quick, I have dinner with the Commander in an hour."
As he opened the door I stood there feeling agitated, I looked in his office room. There was books pilled, filling the floor space, two grey statues of snow leopards on either side of his desk, and grey rocks filled the remaining spaces of the floor. It was a complete dump; does he enjoy living like this? Or does his maid take awfully long breaks?
"What did you want?" valek asked
"To say thank you for saving my life, but I want to ask you some questions," I offered.
"let me guess" he started. pacing the room, his swift cat like movements amazed me. "why was I sitting on the tree? Where did I go once you slipped? Why did I catch you? What's in it for me? It that the questions you were going to ask?" amusement touched his face but still held that icy cold stare.
"yes"
"Well. one, Its none of your business as to why I was sitting there. Two, I moved from the branch to get into position, I saw u put a foot wrong and knew you would fall. Three, I caught you because I had no reason to kill you or let you die so I just caught you and took you to the infirmary. Four, nothing was in it for me, just these pain in the neck questions." I looked at him with confusion, happiness and frustration all at the same time.
"thank you" I just said gently and faced towards the door I came in.
"for the answers to your questions?"
"yes and for saving my life, never knew an assassin could save lives as well as take lives" a little smile pressed on my lips.
"your welcome" he said coldly
I had my hand on the door knob when he stopped me and asked "why are you so calm around me?"
"it's because I'm not afraid of you" I turned and looked him in the eyes, if he was shocked it didn't show.
"why not?" the confusion on valek's face was priceless, he noticed my smug reaction to his expression and the cold stare came back. Was he always like this?
"because I don't know you, I know what your job is, that doesn't mean I know who the real valek is so who am I to judge if I have no clue as to who u really are?" my smile faded a little.
"But you know I'm a killer, doesn't that give you enough evidence as to who I am?"
"that's just your job, valek… I mean sir, we are all human with actual feelings and we all have our own minds. If people are too quick to judge you; then they're just giving into fear of the unknown."
"so you're not scared of me?"
"No" I giggled a little
"You're very wise" he smiled which sharpened the edges on his face softly.
"Thank you" I offered, and turned to go.
"Dismissed" he joked.
I just laughed and left the room. Wow. I saw a part of valek that I don't think many have, he was a little open and less fiercely than I imagined he would be.
I headed back to the infirmary. I arrived, went to the bed I was occupying and climbed in and fell asleep for a while. I heard familiar voices, smiling with my eyes still closed. I shot them open to see tiara and Jamie standing there.
"See, you are always in trouble wherever you go" Jamie joked, not that funny but his sweet laugh warmed my heart.
"you look much better than the last time we visited, valek must be some gentleman to let you live." Tiara challenged, holding a hand over her mouth to stop the burst of laughter from escaping.
"Ha, very funny guys, I just went for a walk last night and look where I ended up." Wide awake and feeling much better, last night was the first time I dreamt of Valek. Tiara's comment brought me back to me and valek in his office, if he didn't get anything out of it then why did he save my life? Not wanting to overthink things too much, I just called the nurse over and asked if I could be discharged because of meeting the new trainer today. She said of course and I left the infirmary with tiara and Jamie at my side.
I just finished my 5 laps of running around the castle grounds, and stopped and walked over to the rest of the soldiers in training. Jamie was already sat down; he usually finishes his laps first. Me and Tiara ran up to Jamie and the group gasping for air, we sat down to catch our breath and talked for a little. Mostly talking about how Tiara has a crush on the kitchen's head chef, Rand. I've seen him a few times, he's cute but I don't fancy him. Rand cooks posh food for the commander, I heard his mother had become the last poison taster and she died of my love poison, whatever that is, I also heard it was no accident. That could just be a rumour, as I said people around here don't have much to do just their jobs and gossiping.
I saw a figure jogging towards us and soon everyone was staring trying to see our new trainer. He's tall, thin but muscly, black curly hair and of course… blue sapphire eyes. Yep! Our new trainer is Valek. Oh I could just die right there, but then he would probably catch me. Everyone's surprised faces lined up in a row; he had a cheeky smirk upon his face. We all stood in a line facing forwards; I stood next to tiara and Jamie of course. Valek walked up and down the line, eyeing us all up. What happened next freak me out, he stopped dead in front of me. Pulling my hand towards him, he pulled me to the front of the line, opposite everyone. No, this couldn't be happening, was he using me as a demonstration? Yes I was a show and tell doll. Heat rushed to my face, embarrassment passing my nerves.
"just relax, now get into the correct fighting stance" Valek said
"Yes sir" I replied
Showing my fighting stance, approval touched Valek's eyes. A slight movement of my legs, other than that I had it right, for once. He instructed the class to get into pairs for sparing, that is the difficult part, being in a trio doesn't do much for pairs. As always Tiara and Jamie paired up and I had to find a partner to work with me. What are friends for eh? Everyone was paired up except me and this guy across from me. So I walked up to him, introduced myself and ask him to be my partner.
"hello, my names Yelena… I don't have a partner and I see you don't either, do you want to be partners?"
"Hey! My names Joni, I was going to ask you the same thing" a smile crept along my face. That was easy, his thin structure of a body didn't indicate that he was as good as Valek. I've seen valek working out a few times with soldiers, he challenges them to a fight and if anyone is to beat him they would have earned a place of being valeks second in command. No one has come close yet.
Joni and I found an empty space on the training ground, we stood opposite each other. Joni's fighting stance was a little crooked, I offered to help him. It took him a while to agree but With his approval I swept behind him and moved his legs and arms in the correct places. Joni seemed very stubborn but He thanked me and we started hand in hand combat. I dodged the first few blows he threw at me. After ten minutes I was feeling tired,I stayed strong evan though my dodges were becoming slower and slower. After a few more minutes of hand in hand, we decided to fight with our bows. The bow was my specialty, Before my mum died she taught me how to use the bow and other weaponry. She always said I needed to learn how to protect myself.
A few more minutes past, I grew bored of his predictable moves and of his agitation of me. making sure he was full aware of it, I went for the obvious hit. I hit Joni in the head with the end of my bow and I knocked him out cold. Two of Valek's guards came rushing up, stiff postures and crazy hair, to us and lifted him up and supposedly took him to the infirmary. I grinned in victory as I walked towards Jamie and tiara, but Valek stepped in front of me. I almost fell back, if he didn't grab my arm so quick I would be on the ground at his feet, how embarrassing would that be?
"you know the rules in training combat, No going for the head" a little amusement in his expression.
"sorry sir" a frown on my face
"you don't have a partner now, u can train with me for the remainder of the lesson" small smile but still icy voiced.
I nodded, in my fighting stance. Valek handed me a sword, I chuckled at this and handed it back to him. He refused to take it and I felt awkward for a moment, realising he wanted me to actually fight with it.
"now, it's the same stance as hand in hand combat just with a sword"
"Yes I got that" sarcasm dripping from my words, but wished I could pull them right out of the air as soon as I said them.
The burning sun blazed my skin, sweat covered my entire being. I probably looked ridiculous, what did Valek think of me? Shaking of those thoughts, I just wanted to fall to the ground, curl up into a ball and go to sleep, but I couldn't show weakness, especially not in front of Valek. You could see sweat dripping from him; the heat drove him to take his shirt off. Revealing sweaty muscly bumps on is stomach, a six pack ; I couldn't hold in the gasp from my lips. I was hoping I gasped too quiet for him to hear. Nope i didn't, he looked down at his chest and then back at me. He noticed my red hot cheeks and his face filled with complete amusement.
During that fiasco, I didn't realise my hands were lower down on the bow and my feet were completely wrong. Valek gawked at me for a while until the frustration escaped his mouth. He pushed my hands up the bow and repositioned my legs so that they were correct.
"Look, like this" Valek said as he positioned himself behind me, our bodies were closer than ever. I felt his bare muscles on my back; breathing through my nose trying to calm myself from overwhelming, I smelled his musky scent. A rush of comfort ran through me, but immediately brushed those thoughts away. I tried to concentrate on the task, but Instead I leaned back into Valek; hoping he wouldn't reject but he just asked…
"what are you doing?" he asked softly. Now I wanted to die, what was I doing? I didn't want him to think I was an idiot even though its showing that way.
"getting comfortable, my legs are starting to ache" weak response I know and I think he noticed my weak lying abilities but I wasn't going to tell Valek I wanted to be held in his arms; that I want him to catch me every time I fall that would make me sound insane. I don't even know him and its like we have a connection already, but what if he doesn't feel it and I'm just too lonely? Okay I really need a walk to think over these past few days, I frowned and I didn't dare look him in the eye.
"What's wrong now?" he growled really irritated now, i just shrugged and pulled away from him. So glad he announced the lesson was over, that means free time, which also means get as far away from Valek as possible. I was facing the other way, heading towards the barracks to shower and clean up. Valek went the other direction, I glanced his way. He looked at me, smiled and carried on. What did all this mean? Why was I so messed up around him? Blushing, falling, having dreams about him. We spoke twice Yelena, gosh get a grip. I was thinking to myself in the shower. The warm water reminds me of Val… no no no. stop now! I climbed out the warm shower wrapped a towel around me and thinking I should prepare myself with something to do, to distract myself of resent events.
Dressed and refreshed, I wanted to explore the castle in my free time. We soldiers are not allowed in the castle without permission. It should be successful of getting in the lowers levels window, if I didn't trip. My fingers were shaking, I never used to be this nerves. I think falling from that tree has shaken me up more than I thought.
"… heard Yelena fell from that tree just outside…"
"…was valek who caught her…"
I knew those rumours would spread about fast, that's the trouble with limited work around here. I hid around the corner until those voices were gone completely until I found a window close by that I could easily climb through without being noticed. I opened the dirty window, seriously this place needs maids, and climbed inside. I was in what looked like a carving room, statues. I noticed the same grey rocks valek had on his office floor. Something beautiful caught my eye, a marvellously carved butterfly. I held the light statue in my hand, it was so life like. So graceful, for a second I almost believed it was real and that it would sprout its wings and fly away. I placed the butterfly carefully back down and left the room. Outside the door, the floor was covered in dust. This suite hasn't been vacated in a long time. Not thinking anything of it, I just walked in the dust making footprints on my way to the stairs. I was out on the second floor of this suite.
The next room I was in had piles of books scattered everywhere, dust covered most items on the shelves and bookcase. To me this looked like an abandoned suite, four doors on the ground floor and three doors up stairs, the bedrooms. Statues were in this suite like the ones in Valek's office, except in here the statues were smaller. This was most likely the living area, but a very messy one. It had the essentials, sofa, desk and chair, bookcase, chairs, shelves and tables.
Searching this suite made me exhausted, I couldn't explore more of the castle at the moment. Thinking that if this place had been abandoned, no one would mind if I took a little nap, that way I could get some rest then go exploring some more. Finally deciding to get a little rest, I climbed the stairs and went to the first bedroom on my left. A king sized bed, a lantern, a desk and chair and a small cupboard filled this room. No pictures or anything, no decorations. Quite a dull room but it'll do to take a nap in. I pulled back the covers on the bed, scattered in and led down my head on the pillow. A familiar smell hovered in this room but Im too shattered to figure it out. I fell asleep.
A loud bang woke me up, someone was in here. I rubbed my eyes from the tiredness and looked up… Valek was standing there, staring with his icy sapphire blue eyes gazing at me. I jumped up so fast, I got head rush.
"what are you doing in here?" I asked my hands shaking from shock.
"me? I could ask you that question, who said you could sneak into my home and sleep in my bed" his anger touched every word.
"what? Oh my gosh, I thought it had been abandoned I didn't know this belonged to anyone especially not you valek." Humiliation and dread was written all over my face.
"how did you get in?"
"the window, I just unlocked it and climbed in."
"have a good snoop, did you?"
"I really didn't know this was your suite, im telling the truth." A tear fell from my eyes.
"Yelena you're not even supposed to be in the castle without permission"
"I didn't think, gosh I only came in here to explore the castle. I looked around this, what I thought was abandoned, suite and then fell exhausted. I climbed the stairs, picked the first room on my left, and fell asleep in the bed. Does Valek actually live here? Of course, the statues he carves himself, and the mess share resemblance to his office and the musky smell, I love so much, was the familiar smell in the room." I thought to myself.
"so you have been snooping around" amusement groped valek's face. I only just realised I said that last part out loud. Evan the part about me loving his smell. The colour drained from my face and i plopped on the bed without making a sound.
"its okay, this time, just don't do it again." He said. I couldn't look at him, instead I ran to the window, climbed out of it and headed for the barracks. Without looking back but I could feel Valek's icy cold stare on my back
Heading straight for the shower room, I wondered if I could wash away what just happened. I got in and let the hot steamy water hit my body. Utterly humiliated I just couldn't face anyone right now. Climbing out, wrapping a towel around my chest, I left the shower room and entered the room with the bunk beds. Walking over to my bed, I chose the bottom bunk just because its easier to get out if in an emergency, I sat for a moment shivering and just decided to get dressed straight away and not drip dry with the towel as per usual. Standing back up, I went to move but my mouth and eyes was covered by a hand, my nose was free. I froze but thought it was most probably Tiara playing tricks on me. I started to laugh, of course Tiara would play a joke on me.
"good one tiara, now can I get dressed?" I pleaded pretending to quiver.
"nope, try again" a soft voice whispered into my ear, a little worried now but suggested other people likely to do this.
"Jamie is that you? You know you're not supposed to be in the girls barracks."
"Nope try again"
Just then I breathed in a musky smell and my heart skipped a beat, what was valek doing in here? Especially looking at me wearing nothing but a towel and playing guess who. "Valek what are you doing here?" making my voice sound disappointed but deep inside I was thrilled and embarrassed about the circumstance accruing right now. He took his hands back and moved away just and inch, enough for me to turn around and face him.
"well you snuck into my home, snooping around without permission, don't you think its my turn?" a grin descended on his sharp face.
"Valek I'm so sorry, I really didn't know, honest" my vision went cloudy as I tried holding back tears but a few just managed to escape my eyes.
"Yelena don't cry, I was joking" concern hit his voice. Valek pulled my arms up above my head and moved his hip to link with mine, and pushed me up against the wall so I couldn't escape. "let me take you to dinner tonight?" a smile perched on his lips.
"what? Are you seriously asking me out?" joy touched my heart.
"well, not really out. More like dinner at my suite, you up for it?"
"uh… yes of course… I mean sure I'd love that Valek"
"Good, and don't worry about what happened earlier, those things happen" before I could answer him we heard girls giggling as they were entering the barracks. Valek gave me a quick peck on the cheek and instructed me too meet him outside under his carving room window at dinner time. Around about six o'clock.
Not sure what to do until six, I decided to find Joni and apologize for my unfairness in training earlier. I strolled around for a while, two hours past but I still couldn't find Joni. I gave up pretty soon, I'll just save the apology for when I see him. Too excited about my date with Valek, I wonder what it'll be like? A slight shot of nerves paced through me, what if I do or say something wrong or make a complete fool out of myself. Those thoughts left my mind pretty quick, I just wanted to start getting ready. I ran to the barracks, had a quick shower, dried my hair and put on my sparkly red backless dress; my hair was put up into a bun, held together with my late mothers silver charm hair grip. Having second thoughts about the dress; Maybe I'm a little too over dressed, that's the fun of it isn't it? Before I left the barracks, I grabbed my black cloak to cover my dress so it doesn't look suspicious.
I waited for 5 minutes under the window, eventually Valek opened the window and lifted me in. his face held that cold stare again, his mood swings were getting on my nerves. Valek hadn't changed out of his clothes from this morning, feeling foolish already.
"I'm a little over dressed, hope it's okay though?" I tried.
"no, it's fine" valek said flatly. I felt awkward now, what's wrong with him? I perched on the edge of the seat not wanting to get too comfortable. Valek looked tense sat on his desk chair.
"So…" I sighed
"So?" valek asked, he wasn't like this two hours ago/ something must of happened in that time.
"Come sit on the sofa, with me" I offered
"sure" valek said coldly but with no energy in his voice. He moved slowly towards me, as if he was reconsidering something. He sat next to me, staring at me. I had to ask him what was wrong.
"valek, what's the matter with you. Two hours ago you were smiling at me and now you're not showing me any emotion what so ever." I hoped that would be a good start.
"it's Joni" he said it with a harsh tone.
I looked at him confused… "what about Joni?"
"He's dead" he looked away.
My heart stopped, remembering what I did to joni earlier in training; was it my fault? I killed Joni, pain shot through me more powerful this time. Valek glanced at me, my expression pleaded him to tell me if it was my fault. He understood and nodded slowly and carefully.
"Where's your bathroom?" I shouted
"Right round the corner there, are you okay?" Valek asked more concerned than ever.
"no" I cried. I chucked up my lunch, for what felt like hours but valek informed me that it was less than ten minutes. Valek tried to hold me but I pushed him away, feeling disgusted with myself. I'm going to be sent to the dungeons and I would be scheduled for execution, because in Ixia there's no excuse for killing someone whether it's an accident or not. It's the code of behaviour, the law. I've never felt so dead in my life, what do I tell tiara and Jamie? Would I ever see them again? Oh my mother. My mum would be so ashamed of me.
"why are you so upset? I thought you never knew Joni?" I whispered, hot tears spilling down my face. Valek scrunched up his face and gave me a's-not-it look.
"I don't care about Joni!" valek shouted, his face hardened and I wore a confused expression. What does he mean?
"well what is it than?" trying to push down the lump of bile suck in my through but it would not budge. I'm a murderer, I killed joni only through agitation. I lost my rag and hit him in the head, and that's why its against the rules to use that tactic.
"im just thinking of you, your going to the dungeon and theres nothing I can do." Guilt radiated of valek like a spreading fire.
"why do you even care valek?" I questioned. Not looking up from the floor, just couldn't bare it.
"why do I care? Yelena, you're the first girl I've ever asked on a date, your intelligent and you don't judge people purely on their work. I care because you surprise me, you're a puzzle to me, a mystery if you will." He said. I gasped loudly not knowing what to say to that. I couldn't say the same to him, I really wanted to but knowing I'll never see him again just reminds that there's no point dying with a broken heart, Whether I love valek or not.
"don't say those things if you don't mean them, im a dead woman in countless days and your my enforcer. I cant be saved this time, so don't bother trying." I new those words were harsh but I just cant stand the thought of knowing nothing i could say or do would change this situation, so there was no point in pretending. Pain slashed at me several times for saying these words, Valek opened himself up to me and I just threw it back at him.
"as you wish, I need to call my guards in now" was all he said. I cant believe this, the man I think I love is about to lock me up. I wasn't afraid of the dungeons, I wasn't afraid of what people would think of me, but I was afraid of never seeing valek again.
"What do you think of me Valek? ... Honestly." I asked still crying my eyes out.
No answer, instead the guards that were guarding outside valeks door came in with chain manacles, valek didn't look at me as they slapped the cuffs on me. More tears fell from my eyes and i could taste sweat on my upper lip. I tried to speak, opening my mouth a few times but closing after each time. As the guards were dragging me out the door I glanced up to see valeks cold stare looking back at me. My harshness really got to him; I wanted him to understand, but one thing is for sure, he would never forgive me.
I've spent eight months in the dungeon now, cold and lonely. No one came to visit me, not even Tiara or Jamie. Kind of figures, im sure they're shocked at the news of me killing joni, I was. eight months on mouldy bread and stale water, of a dirty red prison gown, of no comforting bed to sleep in or nice hot baths to relax in. I slept on the icy cold hard ground in the prison cell, phi seas and dead rats surrounded me. the live ones would nibble on my flesh and mucky feet. The smell choked me, but I hate to say that im used to it. No light to see, just a few small holes in the walls let beads of sunshine in. I wished I were dead, every second in this place reminds me of how good I used to have it. My ribs would stick out so you could see the outline on the dress. Dirt covered my whole body, head to toe; my nails were crusty and black. Everyday my wishful thinking that today is the end of my pathetic life, betrays me.
The entrance door to the room of prison cells, slammed open. I could see by the door light that Two guards were talking to each other whilst heading my way. There were no other occupants in this room, just me. the guard on the left had half and ear and hazel coloured hair; he was quite thin and had a grin on his face. The other guard was pretty large and tall, he had a moustache and blonde hair; slightly turning grey. He didn't look so happy.
The guards unlocked the door to my cell and looked in, gagging they both held their noses; I didn't blame them, I smelt vile. I gawked at them, looking innocent wasn't my specialty. The large one rushed to me and hoisted me to my feet, suffering from malnutrition, I was weak and so my legs jarred and I fell back to the spot on the ground. The same guard lifted me to my feet once again and supported me by the shoulders, moving me slowly out of my prison cell; they both took hold of my arms and starting pulling me out the dungeons and into the castles main hallway.
The hallway was a spitting image of the walls I saw when I was walking to valeks office. I was dragged past this window, the sudden hit of light burned my eyes making me shut them tight. A few servants look my way, wearing shocked expressions. I just pursed my lips at them as we went round the corner. Now today is the end of my pathetic life I chanted silently, almost happily. Then one thing stood out to me, the doors in view looked exactly like valek's. it never really flashed in my mind until now that valek is the assassin, chief of security and in fact my executioner. I really wanted to see his face again but Im sure he didn't want to see mine, definitely not like this. The guards stopped dead, in front of what I assumed was, valek's office door. My gut tightened as the half eared guard banged the door.
"come." Said a cold icy voice; Valek.
Nerves gripped my limbs; it's been so long since I last saw him. What do I do? I hesitated. I couldn't do this, i tried my luck and stood still, making both guards trip over my bare feet and they fell to the ground. Thinking I was free, I went to bolt the scene but the half eared guard caught my ankle and I fell to the ground, landing on my stomach. Pain erupted from my gut and I curled into a ball to stop it, no use. Next thing I knew, both guards had hold of me tightly and dragged me into valek's office. They dropped me to the floor in front of Valek's desk, he stood there, cold stare. No emotion in his eyes, I didn't think he held grudges. Opinions can change.
I probably looked disgusting and revolting in my dirt covered red dress, slumped on my knees, looking up at valek from the floor. Still no emotion from him. Treating me like scum, I felt worthless, which matched my image, supposedly. The guards left, leaving me with valek alone. He moved slightly, heading for his desk chair, he sat down and picked his quill up and started writing something in a yellow file, mine. Playing with my hands silently, I didn't dare say anything, because to him now, im just another prisoner in line for execution. After he finished writing he put the pen down looked up from the file and looked back down to it, as if he forgot something. Eventually Valek sat up straight, eyeing me questionably. Cant he just get it over and done with and save me this humiliation, but that's the thing, he doesn't owe me anything.
"have a seat" Valek said flatly, pointing to the chair directly opposite his desk. I looked at him in dismay, surely he didn't offer other prisoners a rightful place of a chair. Overthinking again, wishing he still felt those things he said to me eight months ago before locking me up. Not meeting his gaze, I fiddled with my prison dress, feeling uncomfortable and awkward.
"Yelena Tunis Ixia, do you admit to murdering Joni Greg ixia?" valek asked, it was man slaughter not murder. I felt so empty, how could he be like this. I know I was harsh to him, but eight months is a long time, he had to forgive and forget by now. I guess I'm just a prisoner in his eyes now, nothing more.
"it was man slaughter not murder, you know that" i shot to my feet and shouted but bit my tongue back from saying anything more. If he was shocked by my reaction he did well to hide it. I sat back down quietly, realising my mistake. If I make this situation worse, the pain of execution would be far worse.
"what's the difference?" valek asked, I'm curious as to why he was wasting time. Something blocked my thoughts; Valek is testing me, to see if I would kick off. Well im too smart for that I thought to myself smugly but held a I'm-lost expression.
"nothing… sir" I said quietly, hoping to throw him of course but it didn't. although his right eyebrow was raised his face still held that evil cols stare.
"do you admit?" he challenged.
"yes, sir." what if I had said no? nothing would change, he knew the truth, hell he was there when it happened.
"I have two options for you Yelena Ixia…"
"just Yelena please, sir" I felt dirty addressing him as sir, we were so close and now look at us.
"I have two options for you Yelena, the first one is that you can be executed fast and plain simple, which means you know when your last breath will be. or you could become the next food taster for the Commander and die unexpectedly and slowly from poison. Your choice" Valek said bluntly, a chance to live? This had to be a ruse, watch hope fill the prisoner's eyes and then smash it by sending them to the noose.
"if you don't mind, can we leave the harsh jokes out of this. This is my life you're talking about, it may not be much to you but its a lot for me especially as I have nothing but my life. Please… sir. Offering me a job as the new food taster then snatching it back and sending me to the noose is just plain cruel. Sir." Sarcasm dripped of the word sir. I just snapped, a bunch load of what ifs? ran round my mind. What if he was serious and me being stubborn just turned down a chance of actually living?
"I see the dungeon hasn't erased your stubbornness… im being serious Yelena Ix… I mean Yelena; im offering you the job, but if you refuse you will be executed."
"a fool would refuse a chance at having another go at life!"
"are you sure?, I would choose the noose. The trainings deadly and you never know when your last meals will occour."
"are you suggesting I should refuse the job?" my heart stopped then and there, he really wanted me dead!
"No Yelena, its my job to inform you about the dangers of the job!" Valek said. i relaxed a little after his words.
"do you want me dead?" I tear fell from my eyes, I caught it quickly but Valek still saw it. Great now I'm showing weakness again.
"what do you mean by that?"
I mean, do you want me dead? Not as the assassin but as valek, the valek I knew eight months ago."
"im offering you the job aren't i? can't you just take it or leave it and be done with it. Do you accept?"
"Yes. Sir" I said quietly almost a whisper, feeling heat flush to my face. Valek heard me because he went to the door and spoke to the guards that brought me here, he instructed the large one to take off my cuffs. He rushed me so fast I flinched back and fell to the floor. With concern in the guards eyes he brought me to my feet and uncuffed me. Feeling free at last, I rubbed the bruised and bloody red spots where the cuffs used to be. The guard left once more leaving me alone with valek again. I almost felt the need to run after him, but banished those thoughts completely.
A fat grumpy looking woman entered valek's office and looked me up and down, she snarled silently to herself but the expression on her face didn't hide her feelings. "This is my Housekeeper and maid marge; she will show you too your rooms and fetch you dinner. If you need anything else ask marge to direct you here and ask me. your lessons will start tomorrow morning at dawn, is that clear?" he said. i scoffed silently, sure marge would show me to my rooms. More like she'll pass me off to a murderer and demand money for my expense.
"yes sir" I whispered. Marge walked out the door, not looking back but I suspected she wanted me to follow her. With her out of sight, I slammed the door to valeks office with me and him still on the inside.
"is there something else?" he asked dumbly.
"yeah there's something else, why are you treating me like scum, I may not look like a princess but the fact is I never did and Valek you admitted your feelings to me eight months ago. I know I shut you off and threw it back at you without thinking but I didn't want to get involved with you if I was scheduled for execution, it just didn't make sense." Out of breathe and light headed I reached for the arm of the chair to balance myself. Valek took hold of his cold stare and just stood gazing at me as if in a day dream. He came to and announced…
"I am your teacher, you are required to address me as sir, as for the rest of it; that was the past, this is the future. Im over it, now hurry after marge you don't know the direction to your rooms." he said bluntly as if he didn't have a care.
"Loud and clear master your right that was the past. Its forgotton, good day sir." Obvious, Sarcasm in my voice.
"Dismissed" Valek said.
I hurried after marge; she was about five minutes away down the long corridor. She led me to a room with a small single bed, a desk and chair and a small sized closet. Next marge handed me a pile of uniforms, red shirts and black skirts. They had two diamonds stitched on the hem of the shirts. I've never worn a skirt before, this was making me nerves now. I don't want to be rude but I just couldn't wear them.
"uh… I've never worn a skirt before, cant I wear pants?" I questioned, hoping she was understanding and fetch me some trousers.
"no you cannot! My boss has instructed me to give you the correct uniform and dinner, he did not say run around the castle for a prisoner and fined her some pants because she's never worn a skirt. Just deal with it." With that she left me in my new room and supposedly gone to get me dinner. She has a real attitude problem, and calling me a prisoner. Who does she think she is? Well, I am one but still, I wish I could lock her up in the dungeons for eight months and watch her rot in the stench and dirtiness of it.
The light from the candles flickered, shining on this big silver plate on the wall, a mirror. i stood there staring at my weak posture, greasy hair and anorexic body. It's scary what prison can do to a girl. My face looked bashed up and my feet were yellow tinted with red lumps and black bruises, the making of trying to escape going terribly wrong. Deciding I defiantly needed a bath, not that valek said they were included; I'm just assuming, I opened the door to my room glancing both ways. I think I remember the way to valeks office. Two lefts, a right, straight on and then another right. He won't be happy to see me but he said go to him if I had any questions.
I arrived just outside Valek's door, I always hesitate here, why is that? I knocked firmly on the door, expecting him to say "come." But he didn't he said, "what is it yelena?" shock filled my entire being, but relaxed soon enough because of course its valek im talking about. The great assassin, fearless and knows all.
"can I come in?" I asked sweetly.
"yes" Valek said amusingly, but I still sensed a hint of coldness in his voice.
I opened the door and he was sat on the sofa, leg hung over one arm of the chair; almost relaxed.