AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello again! And thank you for keep reading. I have made a small change in the format. I received a couple of reviews of people recommending me to use "speech marks"for the dialogues (I know them as quotation marks...but that's not the point XD) Anyways, I appreciate the advise because indeed is easier to read this way. So, sorry for the previous chapter in case you found it confusing to read...
CHAPTER II (Piper POV)
The luxurious throne room was packed with people; although I was more than accustomed to this place, it never ceased to amaze me the greatness of it. The lords of the main houses were discussing the perilous fate of the kingdom, around the elongated central table covered with hundreds of maps and letters. I stood my ground at the back of the room, learning everything I could from a distance. It was not a place for a woman, as my mother had told me, but on the contrary, my father always let me take part in these meetings, even encourage me to participate, but tonight was different. We were on the edge of the abyss, on the verge of losing a war that would forever change the destiny of the kingdom, my kingdom. I could distinguish my father's voice easily above the screaming, loaded with the authority of a king
"My lords! I beg you to reconsider!, we cannot lock ourselves in our castles while our people are being massacred!" My father had always taught me that caring for the people was the most important duty of a King. Lately, he had reinforced his attempts to pass me all possible information on the management of a kingdom. My brothers had recently perished in battle, making me the only heiress, the future bearer of the crown, as long as the current war was resolved in our favor, of course
"And what does my king suggest?" Lord Bloom, my future father-in-law demanded to know, but without giving time for his king to reply, he went on to say "My son, my sole heir is out there leading all the forces of my house…I gave it all for this war, but we are outnumbered…It is time to withdraw our soldiers and prepare for the siege, we cannot fight them in the field!" A round of approvals rang loudly throughout the room
"What are you implying my dear friend? That I have not given everything? My two sons fell bravely in battle, and not in vain, since they managed to tithe the first attackers, earning us time to organize!" The heated conversation was interrupted with a slamming door; we all turned to see who had entered through the front door…
"My dear son!" Lord Bloom exclaimed and cut the distance to his son in few trenches to wrap him in his arms
"Father!" Larry, my betrothed, returned the hug to Lord Bloom before acknowledging the rest of the people "My lords!" He bowed firmly after breaking the embrace with his father
A sense of disappointment enveloped my soul; what was wrong with me? Did I desire in the depths of my being the death of my fiancé? I was disgusted by my own thoughts and felt an infinite sense of guilt and sinfulness
"What news do you bring?" my father, the king, asked him cutting to the chase
"I'm afraid your highness that they are not good" he said fearing his king's fury
"Say it" my father was resigned
"We are about to lose control over the passage of the river, our last line of defense…"
"And what are you doing here?" my father delivered the words slowly to him
"I'm here to bring the news…"
"Oh! So now you are the scrap boy!? Your place is there with your men! Who have you left in charge you idiot?!" I knew my father had a temper, bud I had never seen him so angry
"My second man your highness…" Larry hesitated
"You coward!" My father was astonished
He had never liked his son-in-law, but house Bloom was the most consolidated after my own house, but not thanks to its present Lord, and much less for its future successor, but for the great late Lord Bloom…My marriage with the future Lord Bloom was key to the kingdom's stability, and he had to accede to the deal over his personal opinions on his future son-in-law, and over mine. Lord Bloom intervened in favor of his son…
"My son is not a coward!" he said annoyed
While Lord Bloom filled his mouth with nice words for his son I noticed a change in the room, the temperature fell sharply and a shiver ran down my spine. I looked around, searching for an open window but they were all closed. None of the lords seemed to have detected the change; they were too immersed in their discussions to notice
"He has fought gallantly…" Lord Bloom continued to flatter his son when a hoarse laugh shook every corner of the great room
"HAHAHAHA…"
Everybody turned around searching for the source of the laughter. It came from the other end of the room, where I could vaguely perceive a tall shape surrounded by smoking shadows that vanished within seconds. A woman's silhouette framed by a black cloak with a broad hood that hid her face…
"Gallantly?" The entity asked in a velvety deep voice that sent shivers all over my body "You should have seen him hidden under sacks of rotten potatoes…and if you don't believe me get closer to him and smell him" The words made me bite my lips to hold back a laugh, trying really hard to have some manners, he was my fiancé after all, I should not laugh at him, but the others laughed without dissimulation. Who was this mysterious stranger? I wanted to know…
"Who the hell are you?" Larry addressed the same question, slightly blushed with embarrassment
"Oh! I'm so sorry gentlemen…forgive my lack of manners, let me introduce myself…" she put a pale hand on her chest "My name is Lady Alexandra Vause…" She bowed exaggeratedly as a mockery. Her name caused an exchange of looks and words spoken in whispers…nobody had ever heard her name. Lady Alexandra Vause exhaled the deepest of sighs and continue to speak "I know I know…Maybe my name does not ring a bell in your heads, but maybe you know me by my sobriquet…I'm widely recognized as The Warden of the Dark" this time she did not bow, but remained superb in all her height. No one in the room dared to say a word; the only thing that was heard was the sound of a broken glass against the ground that probably slipped from the numb hand of some lord, and after a moment a lord exclaimed…
"But…but you are a woman" incredulously horrified
"I am?" She said as if shocked "Man alive! I have been living in ignorance for years!…" She added sarcastically "But enough of nonsense, I understand that you are in a, let's call it, uncomfortable situation" she giggled joyfully "and for what I can see, you have no time to lose so tell me…what is it that you want from me?"
"We want nothing from you!" To my surprise, Larry was the first one to break the silence, addressing the woman directly
"Take it easy potato boy…I did not invite myself to come…Someone in this very room dared to invoke my name" those words made everyone look at each other with suspicious eyes, looking for someone to blame…a fight broke out instantly when the glances turned into accusatory words
"Nobody has said your name!" another Lord pointed out
"That's true…but words are not necessary, just to think about it is more than enough" she said with mischief, and again, the atmosphere began to gradually fill with accusations
"Enough!" The king ordered and everyone was silent in unanimity "I did it! I am the responsible for invoking the darkness…" My father confessed "I'm sorry, I did not do it on purpose" I could see the embarrassment on his face, knowing that this kind of trickery was not proper of a king. Everyone in the room seemed to have something to say but my father kept the right to speak "I know it was not right and I apologize, it was just a slip of my mind in such a desperate situation" the lords again exchanged diverse opinions
"Does that mean that you are not interested in my services?" The mysterious woman asked
"I'm afraid we are not, my…my Lady" My father addressed her with respect
"Are you sure about it? because it seems like you could really use some help" she began to walk slowly towards the end of the table where my father was. She moved with the grace of a feline; I had to even look down because I could swear that her feet did not touch the floor
"I'm…I'm sure about it, I do not want any kind of association with you, with all due respect" my father remained firm in his decision
"I understand…the thing is that I do not like when people waste my precious time" she uttered in a silky tone that for some reason made the words sound more menacing than anything I had ever heard "So I ask you to reconsider listening to what I can offer" she stopped at a stone's throw from my father, who was beginning to look anxious by the proximity of the dark being. I could feel the growing tension around me and the silence prevailing throughout the room; all eyes were on my father and everybody seemed to hold their breaths expectants to the words of their king…
"Everybody…get out" my father ordered and all the Lords obeyed "Not you Lord Bloom" He added, and even when he did not say the name of his future son-in-law, Larry stood firm in his place and did not leave the room. I observed the whole exchange at a safe distance, safeguarded by the shadow of a great column. I felt an excessive desire to get closer, inexplicably attracted by that creature and her velvety voice, which seemed made to lure people into her tricks, but I did not dare to move a finger. When everyone had left my father began reluctantly "Let's say…I need your help…would you really be able to bring peace to our kingdom?"
"Yes, I am…I could end all your problems faster than you can imagine" although I could not see her face, I could hear a smile in her words
"And how do I know that you'll keep true to your words?" my father asked with distrust
"I will collect what corresponds to me only after carrying out my part of the deal…believe me, you will be very pleased with the results…but of course, what you are asking for has a very high cost…" she finished with a honeyed voice
"Don't listen to it!" Lord Bloom interfered "Do not deal with the devil! The kingdom will be ruined!"
"The kingdom is already ruined Lord Bloom, if you have a better idea I'm all ears…" Lord Bloom did not say a word "There is no other way to win this war" the tired voice of my father worried me to the bone
"A wise choice your majesty" the dark being purred "We only have one thing less to discuss…my price…and if you are willing to pay for it of course"
"Put a price…I…I have gold, properties, jewels…" My father's voice was interrupted by a burst of laughter
"HAHAHAHAHAHA…Gold? Jewels? Properties!?" She exclaimed in disbelief "What are you taking me for? A fair seller?" she sounded truly offended "I'm so sorry your highness, but such things are worth nothing to me, I have more than I could spend in all eternity"
"Then what do you want?" My father demanded to know bewildered…if she was not interested in such things, what did she want?
"The payment for my services is all about sacrifices, there's nothing as banal as the value of gold…"
"Sacrifices uh?" my father meditated… "What about my life?" He offered. I was about to leave the shelter of the column, under no circumstance would I allow my father to do such a thing; but I stopped my feet immediately when I heard the response of Lady Alexandra
"Oh no no no…my good friend…nobody doubts that it would be a sacrifice worthy of a king, but in your case it would mean nothing. I can see the kindness of your person; you would give your life for your people without hesitation, therefore the concept of sacrifice would be meaningless for you" she explained
"Then, what do you want?" he barely whispered afraid to hear the answer
"It's not up to me to decide, but I can help you find the answer right in your heart; tell me Bill…" it was weird to hear someone referring to my father by his first name. She placed a pale hand on his chest, right above his heart, and leaned forward to whisper something in his ear but I couldn't hear it from where I stood
My father's face turned white as milk, and had to stretch a hand to rest on the table looking for support; words did not leave his mouth, but the dark entity seemed to find the answer…
"Ohhhh…" she exhaled "I'm sorry Bill" she withdrew her hand from his chest, and he collapsed and fell to the ground…
"Father!" I screamed, and this time I could not contain myself and ran to him. I crouched beside him holding his head "What have you done to him?" I demanded to know to that strange creature that watched me from above
"Fear not my princess…the king is just a little dizzy" strangely the voice comforted me, I believed every word…
"Piper…" my father was coming back from the fainting… "Get out of here…stay away from it" he said trying to rise weakly and I helped him up
"Father, what's going on?" I asked facing him full of worry…he took my face with determination and assured me that nothing bad was going to happen to me…why would he say that?
"Oh relax Bill! Don't be melodramatic!" The woman intervened jokingly "I will not do anything to your beautiful daughter…I could not take her by force; you would have to sign the deal…"
"And I will not, ever!" My father recomposed his force and pulled me strongly to put me behind his back, as to protect me with his own body "I should have never invoked you; you are nothing but a demoniac entity that feeds on the grief of others…"
"I should be offended by your words, but they have done nothing but to flatter me" she considered amused
"Get out! Now!" I couldn't recognize my father's voice in that moment
"No need to shout, I heard you clear and loud…my king" She bowed, after which she directed at me "My princess, a pity we do not have more time to get to know each other" she said with blatant mischief before turning around to face Lord Bloom and his son, both remained frozen in their positions "Gentlemen! My work here is over…I wish you all lots of luck, though it will probably only provide you one more dawn; let's hope it is not cloudy so at least you can enjoy it…and remember…if you don't want to die today, think about me" with that she disappeared as fast as the morning mist with the hit of the sun, leaving behind the echo of her laughter
"What the hell!" Larry exclaimed getting closer to us "Are you alright?" he grabbed me by my shoulders, his touch always seemed foreign for me
"Yes we are fine" my father responded brusquely for both of us
"Was that thing asking for Piper as a price? My fiancé? How did she dare to ask such thing?" he looked towards his king
"Yes, her life" My father looked at me with affectionate eyes "My beloved daughter, I just couldn't do it" Why would she want me? I wanted to ask but ended up asking something else
"Don't you think I should have a say in the subject?" I asked him
"What?" he was bewildered
"I…I could have done it father…" I said sincerely; If I had known I would have considered it, for the kingdom's sake
"Are you out of your mind!? How was I going to let that thing to put a hand on you?"
"You are the one who taught me that the kingdom was above all things…that a true king should always be willing to give his life for his people…"
"My life, not yours…" he interrupted me "It is done anyway, the decision has been made. We will fight to death, but we will not make pacts with that evil thing"
"I agree with you my king" Lord Bloom said "Now please, I beg you to reconsider the withdrawal, let's close the gates and prepare for the siege" after moments of deliberation my father decided to follow Lord Bloom's advice
"All right then…nonetheless I don't think there's nothing more to do" there was only resignation in his voice "Piper, my sweet daughter, listen to me" he caught my face between his hands with determination "Find your mother and ask her to help you…It is essential that you bring all the women and children of the castle together and take them to the central tower and raise the bridges…take everything you can to feed; water, non-perishable foods, clothing, firewood…you are smart, you've always been, you'll know what to do" his watery eyes were fixed on mine "I'm sorry my dear, I'm sorry to have been a disappointment as a father…as a King, I could not even protect the kingdom for you"
"Father" I stopped him from talking "you were willing to give your life for your kingdom…your heart is filled with nothing but kindness; everything I am, I am only for you, and what I feel for you right now is very far from disappointment, I'm proud to be your daughter, and in these moments of uncertainty I will carry out my responsibilities just as you have taught me…you'll be proud of me
"I'm already proud of you my dear. Be brave!" he leaned to kiss me on my forehead
"I'll be brave until the last moment, I swear it father" I vowed with a certainty that froze my blood
"My sweet girl" he smiled sadly, tears leaving his eyes, but I was determined not to shed a tear, I wanted to show him how brave I could be
"I love you father" it was difficult to deliver those words with the lump in my throat
"And I love you my little frog" he embraced me like never before and let me go after whispering in my ear "Go!"
I did as I was told and ran away out of the room, leaving behind the voice of my father already delivering orders to his men who were waiting outside in the hall. I heard other steps behind me; I could easily imagine who they belonged without having to turn around so I hurried on…
"Piper!...Piper please wait!" I stopped with my back to him "You're not going to say goodbye to me?/ He asked, pain was clear in his voice and it triggered a pang of guilt in my heart
I was not in love with Larry, in fact, I felt for him something close to hatred. But this was not the poor guy's fault. He was even a good lad; his family was the second most prominent of the kingdom. We had known each other since childhood and even at some point I came to consider him my friend. All that changed the day my father told me that I was meant to marry him when we grew up; I was barely 13 years old when I received the news that my future had already been settled. I was furious about it for a long time and only when I was old enough to understand my father's reasons, I was able to forgive him, still, that didn't mean that I had agreed with the decision, and I never would have. I had even tried to feel something for him, to give him an opportunity, but I had long since stopped trying, and the situation had become too uncomfortable with him; I hated his visits, I hated his talks and his jokes…he could not wake anything inside of me except for boredom. What made the situation even less bearable was to know that he was hopelessly in love with me, so I always felt forced to accept his gallantry with great courtesy and pretend to be flattered, until now. Probably, everyone was going to die, so the last thing I wanted to do was to pretend…so I turned around to face him, determined to tell him the truth, but I decided against it in the last second when I saw his silly face admiring me as a work of art…I sighed deeply…Do not do this to him, don't be mean…I told to myself
"Larry" I tried to say his name sweetly but it came out as a grimace "I'm sorry, of course, I just…I've got so much in my mind, I guess it's just too hard for me to say goodbye to you" I lied, but he did not seem to notice
"Piper, my true and only love" oh, so cheesy. He came closer and held my hands "I love you and have always loved you, even since we were kids I knew I wanted to spend my life by your side, I wanted you to be the mother of my children and make you happy so desperately. Our happiness has been shortened by the cruel destiny; I am so sorry my love that we have come to this. The only hope I have left is to believe that there is something beyond this life and find you again, our love will never die, we will always meet again, I promise" he finally finished. It was probably the longest speech I had ever heard from him and I was speechless, I had nothing to say because I felt for him the furthest thing from what he felt for me
"Larry…" I tried to say something nice in return but did not know how to continue "I…I…" a voice at the end of the hall called for him urgently, just in the nick of time, I had never been so grateful to heavens "You have to go, and I have to go too" I urged him
"Just one more thing" he grabbed me by my waist taking me off guard "Kiss me, for good luck" he closed his eyes and leaned in toward me. There was nothing I wanted to do less than kissing Larry, but after the speech he had said was the least I could do, and this way I would not have to use words…you can do it Piper, is just a kiss, you spent all of your childhood kissing frogs! Do it…I closed my eyes and leaned in to press my lips against his stoically. I felt an unpleasant wetness trying to push its way between my lips. I had to push him away pretending dizziness…
"Oh Larry…" I released myself from his grasp and said the last thing I would say to him "Good luck!" I wished him sincerely and began to run again leaving him perplexed, but I couldn't care less
As I ran, I remembered the last orders of my father, but my body inadvertently changed the direction I was headed to, and instead of going after my mother, I went to my room. In my mind a new plan had been formed…I can save them all…I thought…I will save them all