Heart Broken
Sometimes we must get hurt in order to grow; we must fail in order to know. Sometimes our vision only clears after our eyes are washed away with tears.
Taking a deep breath he slipped from behind the pillar and grabbed the girl, placing a hand over her mouth so she wouldn't scream and smothered her with a cloth. The girl slumped as the drug took effect and he quickly dragged her into a room, his Sight telling him he didn't have long.
Quickly he splashed water of the girls face, urging her to awaken before someone noticed her absence. The girl's eyes flickered and then slowly opened before widening in fear.
"Fear not, little one," George was quick to reassure her, "No harm will come to you."
Emerald eyes gazed back at him and he sensed her about to shout.
"I am a friend of Alanna's," he said swiftly, and watched as her eyes widened in surprise and a silent Oh escaped her lips.
He sat back away from her and let her get her bearings before speaking, "That is her pendant, is it not?
Brown curls bounced as Anya nodded and compressed her lips, her eyes welling.
George sighed and closed his eyes, pain flashing across his face, "Is she dead?" he asked quietly.
Anya shook her head fiercely before a small frown crossed her face.
"No?, George felt his hope rekindling.
His Sight warned him moments before the door opened and he remained frozen as the light from the hall revealed a feminine figure, "Anya?"
Anya looked from George to the Lady and back again, "Don't call for help, "she quickly instructed. "Your majesty, "she added as an afterthought.
George Cooper, King of Thieves blanched and quickly turned on the charm, "Your Majesty, "he bowed with a flourish.
Queen Lianne looked from him to Anya and raised an eyebrow before closing the door behind her and moving over to stand next to Anya. George respectfully backed away slightly, and his eyes darted to the window.
"I'm afraid I do not know your name, "Queen Lianne spoke softly and George looked her over, subtly. After Lord Thom's impromptu healing the Queen had rapidly improved, his Gift burning away her illness and repairing her broken blood cells. She was still thin, but her skeleton no longer looked as though it was trying to poke through her skin, her hair and thickened and lengthened and the bags under her eyes had dimed into a slight shadow.
Aware his appraisal had not gone unnoticed by the Queen he bowed, "George Cooper at your service, Your Majesty."
Queen Lianne appeared unconvinced but turned to Anya, "Please give me a good reason why I should not scream for guards".
George frowned and was at the window by the time Anya spoke, "Because he says he is friends with Alanna."
George winced as Queen Lianne halted him, "Leave and I will scream for help."
Sighing he turned around slowly to face Jonathan's mother and folded his arms. The Queen nodded, pleased, "Now, freeman Cooper, I would very much to know how you know Alanna and how you know her as a her."
George's eyes narrowed at the Queen's tone before he schooled his features into a neutral expression.
"I have known Alanna for-", the Queen interrupted him. "Please start at the beginning, I want to know."
This time George straightened, and ignoring the fact he was facing arguably the most powerful woman in the realm, he glared, "Why should I tell you!" he demanded. "I do not know your intentions, or you!"
Anya gasped at his tone and words, and the fact he was addressing the Queen of Tortall.
Queen Lianne straightened and matched his glare, "Alanna saved my son's life many times, and she was a hero of the realm. As for my intentions, Jonathan has become reclusive and self destructive since her banishment and I fear for him. If he loved her- "at this George growled and shifted restlessly, "-and I suspect he did, then he believes he sent her to her death. I want any information of her whereabouts so that she can be returned safely."
"She is not a stray animal to be returned and kept at your will," George's voice was dangerously low, "and if that is your intention then you will get nothing from me."
Queen Lianne glowered at the hazel-eyed man standing by the window and appraised him before blinking, she understood now.
"Anya," she never looked away from the thief, "could you please go and get some refreshments? I find myself parched."
Anya glanced from the Queen to George and back again and quickly rushed for the door, and for guards, incorrectly thinking the Queen wanted help.
As the door shut behind the serving girl George made for the window, but halted when the Queen made no move to yell for help.
"You loved her, "it was a statement, not a question and George closed his eyes as memories awakened and pain etched itself across his face.
Queen Lianne nodded and smiled sadly, she didn't need an answer, it was written on his face.
Suddenly his head snapped up, his Sight was warning him of the approaching danger.
Queen Lianne, correctly recognising his expression as one of a cat about to be caught with its paw in the milk, spoke, "I just want her kept safe. She never has to come back if she doesn't want it. Is she alive?"
George glanced from the Queen to the window and to the door, where boots could be heard pounding down the hall. He quickly opened the window and was about to slip down when a hand grabbed his wrist, glancing up into Lianne's desperate eyes he halted.
"Is she alive?" the Queen repeated.
George nodded sharply, "Talk to Sir Myles. Tell him you talked with George," and then he was gone as guards burst through the door rushing to the Queen.
Queen Lianne turned and drew her composure, eyeing the drawn weapons regally. Seeing no intruder the leader of the Watch turned to the Queen and bowed, "Your Majesty, we were told you were in trouble."
Queen Lianne saw Anya inching in behind the guards and smiled at her before turning back to the Captain, "No, Captain. I was merely working on a series of coded phrases in the event I thought myself in danger. Anya and I worked on them and I was hoping she would recall them if I asked one in a sentence to myself."
The Queen nodded to the Captain as she continued, "She performed well. Thank you for your time, Captain." The guards bowed Her Majesty out of the room.
Several days later Queen Lianne sent a messenger to ask Sir Myles and Duke Gareth to meet her in her personal chambers. Sir Myles arrived first, bringing Gary and Raoul with him, explaining that they were Jonathans closest friends and could help.
Lianne let it slide, assuming that they knew George and if they didn't they could still help her. Duke Gareth arrived and seemed surprised to find his son, one of his son's friends and Sir Myles waiting with his sister.
He took the offered chair and spoke immediately bringing up Jonathan's recent expedition to a storeroom with a case of wine.
Lianne frowned and halted him, "Jonathan isn't what I asked you here to discuss."
The Lord of Naxen leaned back in surprise and Gary, Raoul and Myles all had similar looks.
"I spoke with George earlier in the week".
Raoul choked and Gary pounded his back enthusiastically until he recovered. Myles started to smile and Duke Gareth looked confused.
"You spoke with George? Gary's voice rose in a squeak and Myles smiled even wider.
Gary's father looked between them all in confusion before asking, "And who is George?"
Raoul and Gary shared a look before looking to Myles for instruction.
"George is a mutual friend of ours," Myles spoke mildly and grinned as a servant entered the room after knocking.
"Why have I never heard of him?" Duke Gareth asked intrigued.
"That'll be because my line of business isn't exactly on your side of the law," the servant spoke and locked the door behind him, removing a wig and straightening.
"George," Gary and Raoul chorused getting to their feet with smiles and moving to clap the man on the back.
Myles rose and the men shook hands and George bowed to Queen Lianne, "Your Majesty. I believe we have met."
Lord Gareth got to his feet, eyeing the stranger warily, "By not "on our side of the law" you mean?"
George hesitated and glanced to Myles.
"Duke Gareth, Your Majesty. I would like you to ask you to swear that the contents of this conversation and the knowledge learned will never leave this room, "Sir Myles requested, looking first at Queen Lianne and then Duke Gareth.
Queen Lianne immediately nodded and swore, Duke Gareth looked less convinced but eventually agreed knowing he wouldn't learn anything if he didnt.
"I'm the King of Thieves here in Corus," George said, getting straight to the point and removing a dirty slip of paper from within his clothing.
Duke Gareth blinked and shock and turned a furious gaze on his son who shrugged and looked innocent. Queen Lianne gasped and sat back, appraising the thief even further.
Myles looked interested when he saw the piece of paper and Raoul's coal eyes immediately snagged on it, "Any news?" he asked hopefully.
George looked uncomfortable and re-read the paper before him, "Yes and no. After learning that Anya came from Merath, I sent word to some acquaintances of mine and asked around."
"Acquaintances?' Duke Gareth interrupted.
George frowned, "My acquaintances are trustworthy and accurate, the war with Tusaine over the Drell River Valley taught you that," he nodded to Myles who briefed the Queen and Duke.
"Alanna asked George for information on the enemies whereabouts, seeing as His Majesties spies weren't turning up anything. George is responsible for the warning we had about the attempt when we did."
"Please continue, George," Queen Lianne asked, "Did you find her?"
George shook his head and drew his fingers through his hair, "No. She threw herself off a cliff after apparently murdering the Royal family. After that there is nothing."
Gary frowned, "She didn't though, right?" Raoul cuffed him around the head, "Of course she didn't. She only kills when she has to, and never children let alone newborns." Everyone had heard of how an assassin with extreme magic had slain the Royal family of Merath and had then thrown themselves over a cliff. "Does she even have that kind of magic?' Raoul asked.
George shook his head, "I don't know. She was always afraid of it, who knows how much she has?"
Queen Lianne was silent, staring at the wall without seeing. Her hope was lost, surely a fall from a cliff would kill her.
Myles looked ashamed, "She didn't do it, "he said softly.
George was watching him, "What do you know!" he asked sharply, getting to his feet.
Wincing Myles reached into his shirt, "She wrote me a letter that came with Anya." He sighed and shook his head, "I know I should have told you but she is right and I wanted to respect her wishes." Myles withdrew a scroll and handed it to Duke Gareth, "You aren't mentioned specifically so you could read it out."
Duke Gareth looked at the letter and recognition gleamed in his eyes, "This is the letter the Captain of the Crimson Dawn brought you." Myles nodded and helped himself to some wine.
Duke Gareth slowly opened the letter and then, clearing his throat, began to read.
Sir Myles,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. Otherwise I really don't know what I would do.
I understand you have questions and to be honest I don't even know if I can answer them. I also hope you can help me, and I will tell you all I can of what has happened to me in eighteen months. Eighteen months, it seems like such a short time and so much as happened.
I have already told you of how I came to be a squire so I will continue from there. I rode for Tusaine, I don't really know or understand why, I didn't have a direction or a purpose. I just rode. I crossed the border fairly easily( the Tusaine scouts aren't that efficient, or at least the ones I evaded aren't) and was beginning to ride north to Galla. It was foolish of me, I know. But I was so blind to my own safety, so filled with rage and sorrow I was nonchalant. Several days into my journey north a band of slavers caught me. I would like to say I fought valiantly, with honour and chivalry, but I did not. I fought as though possessed, with only one thought, to kill. Eventually I was dragged from Moonlight and captured. Miraculously I was uninjured, and we snuck from Tusaine and into Merath. Slavery is widely accepted there; almost everyone with money has a slave. I was bought by a Lord and served in his house for seven months when we went to the palace to celebrate the birth of the heir.
At this George was clenching his fists and Raoul and Gary were shifting in their seats, Queen Lianne looked upset and the Duke was struggling to hide his fear.
The royals were assassinated and I found out that a slave I knew was meant to assassinate them, I don't understand what happened but they weren't killed by him. I escaped during the chaos but the guards thought I was the assassin. I ran for a cliff and jumped into the sea, I would have been tortured had they caught me. I awoke to find myself aboard the Red Sun, now the Crimson Dawn.
The captain and I made a mutual agreement and I was safe, feed, I had a bed to sleep in and their mage was teaching me to replace him. I came to enjoy their company and I liked the sailors, they do deserve their reputation but they aren't really that bad.
They tell me Tahakén (I'm sure you have heard of it) is a desolate place, a place of soulless beings. I hope not, I hope it will be okay. I'm scared Myles, I don't know what do to...
Enough of this, I am only depressing myself. I asked Blair, the Captain of the Crimson Dawn, to find Anya, the slave girl I was with in Merath. He will bring her to Tortall where I know you will take care of her.
I hope you do not share this letter with anyone, including George, Gary and Raul. I don't want them looking for me, and please do not. I don't want anything happening to you on my account.
I wish you well, Myles.
Love Alanna
P.S. I have a really big favour to ask. Would you please see to it that Faithful is cared for? And if possible hunt Moonlight down and see that she is well cared for. I don't mind if you sell my belongings, where I am going now I won't have any need of them.
Duke Gareth was pale as he finished, George was likewise, but he looked crushed. He had heard of Tahakén and knew of the business that happened there and to those associated with them.
He looked like he was in pain as he stumbled to his feet and over to the window, opening it he leaned out and gave a silent scream and fell against the window.
Queen Lianne, Gary and Raoul didn't understand and looked puzzled, but all understood that for George to act as he had, that it wasn't good news.
Duke Gareth took a deep breath, "Add her to your prayers, "he muttered, "For even if she is to survive, it won't be good."
"She's dead?" Queen Lianne asked, unsure of what the Duke meant, "and what is Tahakén?"
Myles answered the easiest question first, "Tahakén is a dynasty ruled at any one time by "The Master", a Master of any and everything; Especially Magic and Dark Arts. Tahakén is a word in the First Language, written at the birthing of time. The nearest translation I can give is "Punishment".
Gary and Raoul blanched and gripped their chairs with white fists, Duke Gareth hung his head, and George, George was howling into the night in a soundless cry.
"The Master has many slaves, normal slaves like those you would find in the Copper Isles, " Myles continued slowly, " and other people he wants to punish. Those slaves are treated like dirt, the normal slaves have preference over them, they at least get fed and several rules protect them from others. I don't know where it is, or how to find it or anything really about the place, that is all I know."
Here Myles hesitated and George turned from the window, "Tell them the rest," he rasped.
Myles looked like he was in pain as he added, "The purpose is to torture, to take to the brink of death and beyond, in as most pain as possible, for centuries upon centuries. Until there is nothing left."
There were several moments silence, "So she is dead?
George answered the Queen, "The fate of the Slaves of Slaves, as they are sometimes called, is a fate not even the most vile and repulsive beings deserve. The Queen of Chaos would be more merciful."
George halted and looked back out the window adding softly, so softly the others strained to hear, "I hope she is dead. If she is not, we should pray that she will be, and soon."
The woman faced the mirror, determined not to look at herself until the last moment. Reflected in the mirrors face, beyond the woman, was a richly adorned room. Long drapes of a shinny fabric were tucked neatly next to windows, the glass was coloured and revealed the picture of a red fox against a purple background and clutching a branch between its paws.
Drawing her gaze from the window she returned to look at the room; several chests were open and empty and there were measuring tapes, scissors, needles and balls of thread all in their appointed places around the room. A large bed had been slept in the night before and a ladies night clothes were strewn across the sheets. The theme of the room was white, just like the Lady's dress.
The Lady's dress was a work of art in its own right; it was pure white, to match the band of pearls around her neck. The train was long, longer than most, stretching several lengths of the woman and interwoven into it was silver embroidery and small glittering diamonds and more pearls.
The dress kissed the floor, and when the Lady moved, gem studded heals peaked from beneath the fabric.
A veil, looking like snowflakes bound together by air, settled behind her fringe, held by a tiara of diamonds and sapphires. It flowed down her upper back, disguising the clip holding the pearls and when she walked the isle, she would toss it over her face.
The dress itself was sleeveless, revealing the woman's golden skin and the bodice branched into two over her shoulders before connecting halfway down her back where the rest of her dress continued. Her back was as golden as the rest of her, and a length of silk was wound around her waist before tying at the back and the two ends of the sash curved at her ankles before rising where they were connected to her wrist by what appeared to be air. When she held her arms open, as she did now, they formed a cape of sorts, giving an illusion she had wings.
Diamonds winked at her earlobes and her flaming red hair was designed in a similar style to her sash. Her fringe was tied back in a messy style beneath the tiara and the rest of her hair cascaded in soft curls down her back. Her eyelashes were long and dark and her eyelids had a soft shading of charcoal.
Sighing, the woman straightened her back and pulled the veil over her face, it was time. She glanced in the mirror a final time before turning, the dress spinning softly and reaching for the door.
"M'Lady, no!" a woman cried as she saw the dress strain and quickly hastened to the Ladies side, opening the door herself.
"You must not open your arms until the ceremony begins," she reminded her charge and quickly made sure the secret of the dress was still intact. The Lady sighed and obeyed, following the slaves as they led her to a door, and making sure her train wasn't going to catch. Beyond the door voices could be heard stilling into silence and a musical instrument began to sing.
Fortifying herself the Lady accepted the bouquet of roses from the woman and held it with both hands before her, the dust within the folds of her dress slowing beginning to fall around her.
The door opened and a rustling could be heard as guests all turned to view the bride, gasps of awe were heard as they took in her dress and an invisible hand stirred the air about her as she walked forward, in slow, measured steps towards the alter, seeming to glide.
Particles of golden dust fell from her dress and shimmered around her, keeping close to her as she moved, bound by an unseen chain. She glowed in divine light as she moved down the red carpet, female guests swooning at the beautiful make of the dress and how stunning she looked. Her dress was made from air and snow and golden particles were hovering in the air about her.
Reaching her groom, the bride turned and faced him, here she looked short but her grace in stillness over compensated her lack of height. The ceremony continued into the afternoon and as the sun began to set it cast a golden glow directly through the window and onto the bride.
The groom smiled at his wife as he pulled back the veil, here he blanched when he saw burning amethyst eyes, but he over-came his surprise quickly and pulled her in for a kiss. The minister completed the ritual and took the brides hand, the groom taking the other.
The crowd murmured their appreciation as the bride glowed like a Goddess, with wings, at the altar. Raising his other hand, the groom beamed and the audience followed, cheering and clapping. There were smiles all around, all but one.
The brides smile didn't reach her eyes, not that anyone could tell.
Alanna, formally of Trebond, now of Saigon, mentally swore revenge of the foulest kind on her newlywed, and allowed a tear to leak from her eyes. This was the fate she had been trying to avoid her entire life and the knowledge left a foul taste in her mouth.
She was, once again, owned by another. And for a moment, she briefly thought of home, of Tortall and wondered if this is what Destiny held for her had she become a Knight. Another tear fell, and she wept for the life she lost for the final time. Home was no longer Tortall; home was now Tahakén, and friends? Friends were no-existent and family betrayed you.
With her final tear Alanna vowed never to love again, never to truly trust someone else and above all, never left herself get hurt because of caring. Smiling away her tears she renounced her old self, the weak self, the caring self. She was Alanna, no titles or name to her name, just Alanna, a Slave of Slaves and she had been broken.
It hadn't been her torture or the mind games, the memory altering or even the Heart of Endurance. No, her heart was what had broken her, and unlike a muscle or bone, or even flesh and skin, the heart didn't repair so broken she would remain.
Authors Note:
Well, after the last chapter I was rather disappointed. Only one review? I nearly cried and have spent the last while contemplating on the continuation of this fic. After much debate I came to the conclusion that while I write for myself, there is no point in sharing Torn if no one is going to read it.
Fang: No to the first and yes to the second, but that wasn't the point I was looking for The time range is about 693 years I think I decided... Still not 100% on the point. Either 693, 963 or 369. Well... at least you reviewed xox
So, what did we think of Heart Broken? You like? = Yes? = Review!
Lol, I'm being melodramatic, as long as one person is reading, Ill keep writing :D
Peace!