Chapter 4

"Good morning!" A bright, cheerful voice interrupted her sleep from beside the bed. Hope immediately tensed, her hands clasping the bed sheets as she vainly reached for her bow and arrow. She sat up and faced her husband, trying to hold her pillow like a dagger.

She stared at the pillow in her hand as she blinked the sleep from her eyes. Embarrassed, she put it down.

"Those are some reflexes," he remarked, trying to not to laugh.

Hope shrugged. "Old habits die hard. A week of sleeping in a comfortable bed isn't going reverse a lifetime of living on the road," she mumbled bitterly as she leaned against the backboard of the bed.

"I bring a peace offering," he told her, handing her a warm mug. "Drink."

She tentatively smelled the warm liquid, looking at him suspiciously. "What is it?" She couldn't help but get lost in the black orbs of his eyes. She looked away and her eyes rested on the white wings sprouting from his back.

"This is the elixir of the gods. It is called kheela and it's served with warm milk and spices. Try it," he coaxed.

She continued to stare at the drink suspiciously to avoid looking at her husband's deformities. "You're a morning person, aren't you?" she accused.

Marak chuckled. "You may find yourself a morning person after you try this as well."

She closed her eyes and took a small sip. The warm liquid left a tingling sensation on the tip of her tongue and filled her senses with a rich, strong earthy flavor that was set off by the sweet milk and seemed to warm the inside of her bones. She took a larger swallow this time.

"Kheela." She rolled the name on her tongue. "This is wonderful," she admitted grudgingly. She sat up taller in the bed as she continued to drink the kheela.

"I couldn't agree more." He smiled at her.

Her long, dark red hair cascaded around her shoulders in tangles. Her eyes were still slightly red-rimmed from her crying the previous evening, but she was finally beginning to look rested after her arrow wound.

"Are you just going to stare at me all day?" She crossed her arms over her chest and glared back.

He smiled at her pleasantly. "No, today I really must catch up on the work that has been piling up for the last week. I was thinking that maybe you could go for a ride with your sister."

Hope gave a guilty start. She hadn't thought about her sister since she had seen her a few days ago. "Is the traitor still enjoying herself?"

He smiled. "She's become quite the celebrity. She has quiet a following. Several young goblins have taken her on as a project. They've dressed her in the current fashions and even begun teaching her goblin. I'm sure one of her new friends would give you a tour of the palace grounds."

Hope considered. As much as she loved her, the last thing she wanted was to do was spend the day around her cheerful sister and her new goblin friends. But getting outside of these palace walls would be a nice change. Well, not the "real" outside since she would still be underground. She nodded. "A ride sounds nice."

Less than an hour later, Hope was riding down the long, wide road that led from the castle to the rest of the kingdom. The road was a beautiful, dark stone that sparkled in the weak light, lined by stone trees, inlaid with geometric patterns. The road led down from the castle, passing through enormous stone mansions with manicured stone gardens. She was accompanied by her younger sister and her companion, Tudz, whom Hope had met several times since the incident in the clearing. He was decent, for a goblin, although he was very stiff and formal with her.

"Hope!" Her younger sister spurred her mount to catch up to her. "Are you going to sulk all day long?"

"Dearest Isabel, I appreciate your concern, but you can't possibly understand the woes of married life," Hope said patronizingly. "But don't worry, dear, I fear before long they will marry you off to an old goblin as well."

Isabel laughed. "I don't see what you are complaining about; food, a warm bed… I'm even making friends."

"Exactly. You're getting complacent," Hope said disgustedly. "Where's your sense of adventure?"

"Now, Hope, don't be a hypocrite. If being kidnapped and married to a fairytale creature in a kingdom of wonders isn't enough adventures, what is?"

"I've been sentenced to a live of boredom," Hope sighed melodramatically. "I don't feel anything anymore. I'm not even allowed to do anything exciting with this stupid snake tattooed on my skin." She gestured towards the golden snake that encircled her neck.

Isabel rolled her eyes. "What does that snake do, anyways?"

"If I may interject..." Tudz had ridden up to join the bickering sisters. "That is not an ordinary snake," he said reverently. "That is the King's Wife Charm. It is the grandest piece of magic that belongs to the kingdom. It will protect the King's Wife, and consequently the heir, from all dangers."

"It's rather pretty," Isabel said.

Hope pouted. "Don't you understand? I have this stupid charm protecting me from anything that might be exciting. Now, if my guard will allow it," she glared at Tudz, "I'm going to go for a realride." She kicked Pegasus into a run and flew down the black road.

"Just let her go," Isabel told Tudz. "She just needs something to distract her. Now, what were you saying about the King's Wife Charm? When is it from? How was it made?"

It was such a relief not to have to think, to simply focus on the basic task of riding. She felt the wind tug at her clothing, her red hair flying like a banner in her wake, and a wide smile on her face. On Pegasus, she had never met a rider who could outrun them. She and the horse were one.

Goblins who had long awaited Marak Whitewings marriage marveled at the beauty that rode down the main road, lining the roads and cheering. Marak was not a young king, and his people were much soothed at the sight of the King's Wife. The goblins saw, not a young, scared woman riding, but a phoenix, a red fire-bird flying through the kingdom.

Hope arrived back at the castle several hours later, feeling much more relaxed. She pointedly ignored the stable boy who had a very long and horse-like face and found grooming supplies and food for Pegasus.

After she had spent more than enough time grooming Pegasus, who clearly enjoyed the attention, she reluctantly left the stables, wondering what to do next. Luckily, the kitchens and dining hall were located near the stables, and the delicious smells of lunch enticed Hope.

She followed her nose to a large, bustling kitchen. She peeked into the kitchen from one of the many doors and her eyes widened. She had never seen so many goblins in one place before. There were goblins as small as rodents working steadily away on countertops, a goblin with multiple arms kneading what looked like bread dough, several goblins with very large noses bending over cooking pots. In the center of the controlled chaos a tall, thin goblin commanded the kitchen. She had molted, purple skin that contrasted against the bright blue braid that trailed down her back. Impossibly long eyelashes framed bright orange eyes. She was dressed in a bright apron. Hope thought she looked like a rainbow personified.

From the room across the hall, Hope heard many voices echoing through the room and the clatter of knives and plates. This was the dining hall that Marak had told her about, where all the goblins that lived and served in the castle came together at meals. Hope gulped – it sounded like there was an entire army of goblins were sitting down to lunch.

Taking a deep breath, she decided that her stomach took precedence over her fears. Cautiously, she approached the large doors that framed the hall. She took a step into the room.

As the goblins took note of her, they fell silent, until every goblin eye in the room was curiously examining Hope. She felt suddenly self-conscious and looked down at her disheveled attire, trying to smooth back her unruly, tangled hair, wondering belatedly whether she should have changed out of her riding pants and tunic.

Everywhere she looked in the hall her eyes were met with a riot of color, a splash of sparkle, a glitter of jewels. Clearly the goblins took their mealtime apparel very seriously.

Someone in the crowd began to slowly clap, and all of the goblins joined in the ovation. The sound was deafening in the rock cavern, punctuated by trills and hoots from the excited goblins. Hope blushed and turned on her heel to walk out of the hall (planning on never returning again) when she ran into something – or someone – very solid. Luckily this very solid someone instinctively reached out to steady her.

She looked up and recognized her husband.

"Marak!" she squeaked.

Marak lifted an eyebrow at his wife, but inwardly he was rejoicing that Hope had used his name for the first time. "Hope, what are you doing here? I thought you were out riding with Isabel and Tudz."

By now, the goblins had begun to quiet, returning to their meals and conversations. The goblins closest to the entrance grinned at each other and raptly watched the couple in the entrance hall, noting with pleasure that the king still had his arms around his wife from when he had reached out to steady her.

"Er, I- uh, just got back from the ride…"

Marak smiled. "Yes, you still have hay in your hair," he teased as he plucked a piece from her wild mane.

She bristled and took a step away from him. "There's no need to ridicule me. You knew when you married me that I wasn't some- some court flower. You got a thief, hay and all." She gestured wildly.

Marak shook his head, smiling gently at his easily offended wife. "I apologize. The hay is very becoming on you." He steered her towards a large table at the back of the hall. "I am fairly certain that by tomorrow, the entire court will be mimicking your new trend; dressing ruggedly and dragging the entire countryside through my castle."

Hope continued to glare at him, not sure whether she was still being made fun of, but she allowed herself to be towed towards two empty seats at the front table. She was still hungry after all.

Grumpily, she sat in the chair, still trying to smooth her disheveled hair. She promptly turned her back to Marak, facing the goblin next to her. This particular goblin was very slender, had green, snakelike skin, and a flat triangular face surrounded by chin length brown hair. She was grinning with merriment, her sharp white teeth shining in the dim light of the hall and her eyes alight with laughter.

The goblin chuckled. "Men. Don't let him get to you."

Hope stared, entranced by the pattern on the goblin's skin. "I take it that you are a- uh- female goblin?"

"Yep. And I've been trying to knock some sense into this king for years. The name is Sarrasi. Captain of the King's Guard, at your service." She bowed from her chair and winked at Hope.

"You are the captain of the King's Guard?" Hope asked skeptically, looking the petite goblin over.

Sarrasi grinned evilly, showing off her pointed teeth.

"Snakelike reflexes are described thusly for a reason," Marak teased, leaning around Hope to look at Sarrasi. He passed Hope a plate full of food. "She is the best fighter in the realm," he said proudly.

"Why, Marak," Sarrasi said coyly, batting her eyelashes at the king. "You know just how to flatter a girl. Now, be a dear, and go find your own conversation. We were just about to begin a griping session about the male gender."

Hope laughed.

"Alright, alright." Marak held his hands up in mock defeat. "I concede. I am no match for either you." He turned and began conversing with the goblin on his other side.

Hope smiled gratefully at Sarrasi. "Thank you."

Sarrasi waved her thanks away. "No thanks needed. I recognized a kindred spirit in distress. I grew up in one of the small villages in the kingdom, and all of this court nonsense was well over my head at the beginning. My first day in court…"

Sarrasi continued to keep Hope occupied during lunch, regaling her with ridiculous stories that kept her in fits of laughter in between bites of delicious food.

When the meal was winding down and goblins began trickling out of the hall to go to their respective duties, Sarrasi stood up and stretched. "Oy, Marak," she called. "The boys and I are headed towards the practice courts. Are you coming?"

"Alas, I must decline your offer. I still have mountains of paperwork to sift through," Marak replied glumly.

"May I join you?" Hope asked.

Marak and Sarrasi looked at each other. Marak nodded. "I don't see why she can't watch."

Hope frowned. She didn't want to just watch the practice session. She wanted to participate. Although she had never had formal weapons training, she had spent years perfecting her archery skills, and had practiced sporadic lessons in fighting with a staff and hand-to-hand combat.

"Excellent," Sarrasi said. "Follow me, Hope." The goblin lead Hope down a series of twisting tunnels until they reached a large room that was filled with weapons, targets, mats, and padded equipment. Assembled around the room were one hundred or so goblins divided into different groups (which Hope assumed were different units), and spread around the room at different practice stations.

"With goblins, it's very important to identify the weapons their body can work best with," Sarrasi explained to Hope as they entered the loud practice courts. "Because we work with a wider range of bodies and abilities than humans do, we have much more specific training. We've got goblins who shoot with bows and arrows, goblins who throw daggers, goblins who use staffs, goblins who learn sword work, goblins who practice hand-to-hand combat, goblins who practice mounted… the list goes on. Many goblins are weapons, and just need to hone their skills using their bodies."

Hope was fascinated by the array of goblins and weaponry. She felt more comfortable here among the weapons and practicing guards than anywhere else in the castle. "How do you become a member of the guard?"

"We hold trials every year if anyone is interested in becoming part of the guard. We are the most elite force in the kingdom," Sarrasi puffed herself up proudly. "The trials are huge festival every year. Anyone may compete, and the winner of the trial is showered with honors and prizes. We only recruit from the top competitors."

"What exactly does your guard do?" Hope asked curiously as they wandered around the perimeter of the practice courts.

"We are tasked with protecting the kingdom, and more importantly the realm. We keep bandits in check, patrol the area above ground, guard the castle, and perform any other duties that need to be filled."

Hope spent most of the afternoon shadowing Sarrasi as the goblin organized different practice areas and shouted corrections to different members of the guard. The guards all chattered and joked in goblin, clearly a cohesive group.

"Sarrasi, can I practice with your guard?" Hope asked hopefully. She envied these soldiers who had a place within the castle and a purpose.

Sarrasi avoided Hope's searching eyes. "I don't think that would be possible," she said gently.

Hope tried to hide her disappointment. "Oh. Can I ask why?"

Sarrasi sighed and rubbed her neck. "Has Marak explained much about the King's Wife Charm?"

Hope looked down at the snake's gold coils barely visible at her neck. "He said that the snake is a powerful protective charm that keeps the King's Wife safe."

"Yes, and when it feels that someone is threatening you, the snake becomes animated and bites the offender, rending that person immobile until the king can come and pass judgment on that individual. Unfortunately for you that means that if you were to practice any weaponry with any of my men, I fear the charm would strike us down." Sarrasi laid a hand on Hope's arm. "I'm sorry."

Hope shook her off, smiling a little too brightly. "I understand. I probably wouldn't have been any good." Hope stayed in the practice courts for a few minutes before quietly excusing herself to go back to the royal chambers.

Marak found her in their rooms a little while later. She was leaning against the railing that circled the balcony overlooking the valley. He surveyed the room, and the several broken pieces of glassware. He slowly approached his wife.

"Did watching the training practice not go well?" he asked tentatively as he came to lean against the banister beside her.

Hope sighed and turned to look at him. "It was wonderful, thank you for asking," she said sweetly, glaring up at him.

"So… the broken pottery in our rooms was just for sport?" he asked pleasantly.

"I tend to throw things when I am upset," she said bitterly.

"I've noticed," he smiled gently. "What were you upset about this time?"

She pursed her lips and looked back out over the valley. "I feel like I've lost everything that I was. I've lost my family, everyone besides Isabel, and my friends. I didn't like my brothers very much, but they were my people, and now I have no one. I'm no longer a thief, I can't wander freely as I used to, and now I can't even practice weaponry with your men," she whispered.

Marak nodded thoughtfully. "Sarrasi explained in more depth the King's Wife Charm? Hmm… well I understand why you can't practice with a sparing partner, but I see no reason why you can't continue your work as an archer. We have a guard who is an expert at knife throwing, you may benefit from his tutorage." He chuckled. "Although I hate to see what your improved throwing aim would do to our rooms…"

Hope stared at him. "You mean, I can practice something?" she asked hopefully.

He smiled. "I will speak with Sarrasi tomorrow and see that she begins training you with her sentries, who are our archers and knife throwers."

Hope closed her eyes, relief washing over her features. "Wonderful."

Marak rubbed his hands together. "With that problem solved, would you be interested in joining me for dinner in the dining hall? Or we could have dinner here if you prefer."

"Dinner in the hall is fine." She looked down at herself and grinned. "I suppose I should go change into something a bit more respectable after this afternoon." As she walked past him towards their room she laid a hand on his arm, looked up into his dark eyes, and absentmindedly stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

The couple froze. Hope looked horrified. Marak's polite mask slipped and she saw hope and excitement, and even a little uncertainty, shining from his dark eyes. Eyes that she was having a very difficult time looking away from.

"I, er-," she stuttered. A gentle pink color spread across her cheeks as she realized what she had done, and the possible consequences of her actions.

Marak's cheek gently tingled where Hope's lips had been. "Hope," he murmured fervently, laying one of his large hands over her small one. She looked up at him with pleading and apologetic eyes. Hope felt alternating waves of hot and cold flood her body as she panicked. Her mind raced as she wondered whether Marak would kiss her now, and what those grey lips would taste like, and how she would react. She was torn between deciding to slap him, or kiss him in return when Marak unexpectedly pulled away.

He sighed, and dropped his polite mask back into place. "Hope," he repeated pleasantly. "Do you need any help choosing a gown for dinner?"

"No," she replied quietly. "Thank you. I will meet you in the dining hall shortly." She turned and fled towards their room, leaving Marak very alone on the balcony.

He closed his eyes to hide his disappointment. He had thought for a brief moment that maybe Hope was beginning to grow found of him, as he had already begun to grow very found of her, but no. Instead, he tried to remember that Hope had called him by his name for the first time today, and was beginning to hold entire conversations with him. He remembered all of this as he tried, vainly, to avoid thinking about a certain pair of luscious red lips that beckoned, or a pair of long lashed hazel eyes that entranced…