Chapter 12
Kendra stepped inside the stables, as a strong smell of hay and manure struck her nostrils. The silent and ghost like guard that had been assigned to keep watch over her, entered as well, inspecting the room. "Hello? She called. Is anyone here? No answer. I guess it's just the two of us," she said directing her words to the guard behind her. The guard didn't answer just gave a curt nod.
Kendra hadn't been able to get much out of him. All she knew was that his name was Damon and that he wasn't exactly a sparkling conversationalist. Mostly he just followed her around silently like a wraith.
Kendra scanned the room curiously, studying the stalls and their inhabitants. She walked deeper into the barn looking through each of the stalls as she passed by. Most of them were empty, but the forth stall held a pure white pony lying on the floor. It lifted its head as it noticed Kendra. The pony rose to its feet studying her verily. It came a little closer probably hoping for Kendra to have a treat for it.
"Hello, she greeted. You don't look quite as terrifying as I would have thought. Please don't eat me though." "Horses are herbivores. The sudden voice made Kendra jump and turn around. Suddenly she found herself looking into a familiar pair of blue eyes. So you don't need to worry, she's not going to hurt you," Bracken assured her.
His blond almost silver hair was sticking up like a messy birds nest. He had dirt on his face and clothes and he'd turned up his shirt sleeves.
"It's you," She exclaimed. "Yes. He looked at her for a long while before continuing. I got a job, He explained excitedly. He seemed strangely proud of that fact. I've never had an actual job before." "But if you've never had a job before, then what did you do before this?" "It's irrelevant, Bracken answered waving his hand and avoiding the question." Kendra giggled. "You're strange." "I've been told."
They stared at each other for another long moment before Kendra broke the silence: "So I'm supposed to learn how to ride a horse today, but I don't know who my riding teacher is." Understanding flashed on Brackens face. "Oh so that's what you're doing here. I can teach you if you'd like." "Really? That would be great." "Why the sudden interest in riding? Have you ever ridden a horse before?" "Well apparently every proper princess knows how to ride one. Therefore I'm required to learn it too. And no I've never ridden a horse before. I'm a little nervous actually." "There's nothing to be afraid of, but I think it's best to start slowly. We ought to get you acquainted first."
Bracken walked up to one of the stalls and called the horse holding out his hand. After a second a head popped out of the stall. Bracken reached out to stroke the horses neck, before turning back to look at Kendra.
"This is Philip. He's very gentle and perfect for a beginner. He's very considerate of his rider." The chestnut stallion was a majestic sight. It had a short black main and a sleek, shiny coat. "Come say hello, Bracken urged. He wont bite. I promise." He smiled playfully and Kendra found herself wanting to please him. She stepped forward until she was standing next to Bracken.
"Now hold out your hand," Bracken instructed and Kendra did as she was told. As she reached out Philip let out a snorting sound and she quickly pulled her hand back in surprise. She stumbled backwards bumping into Bracken and stepping on his foot. He caught her before she could fall over.
"I'm sorry," Kendra apologized embarrassed. "Don't worry about it. My poor feet have endured a lot worse, Bracken assured her. Don't be afraid. He might look a little scary, but really he's a sweetheart." Kendra stepped forward again reaching out her hand a second time. This time Philip stayed still and let her gently stroke his soft muzzle. "There you go that wasn't so hard now was it. I think he likes you."
Bracken opened the stall door and stepped inside. Kendra stayed back peering inside as Bracken took the halter from the hook on the wall and placed it skillfully around Philips head. Next he attached the lead to the halter and brought Phillip out of the stall.
"Ready for your first riding lesson?" "I think so, but how…" Kendra let out a yelp as Bracken picked her up placing her on the horses back. "What are you doing?" "Teaching you to ride a horse. In my opinion the best way to learn is by doing. We'll start with a simple lap around the garden. Don't worry we'll just walk for starters. Just hold on and you'll be fine." Kendra took hold of Philips main and Bracken started leading Philip out of the stable. He walked in silence and Philip followed lazily in his wake.
"You have a really practical approach to teaching," Kendra noticed. Bracken laughed. "I suppose." "so why horses? Kendra asked suddenly. I mean why did you want to get a job here?" "I like horses, Bracken explained. They're less judgmental than people. Plus being half horse myself gives me a certain insight."
"I'm glad you offered to teach me. I would have thought you wanted nothing more to do with me, after what happened." "Don't be ridiculous. It wasn't your fault, Bracken said brushing it off. What were you doing there anyway? I'm betting your fiancé wasn't too thrilled about your excursion." "We haven't really talked about it. He didn't seem angry, but the queen was worried sick. That's why they assigned mister dark and sinister to follow me around."
"I see, Bracken answered, studying the guard. He seems… nice." Kendra looked back as well. The guard followed them through the garden, staying further back and moving silently among the trees. Kendra hadn't noticed him move and she hoped he had stayed far enough to be out of earshot. His normally grim expression had turned even darker than usual as he studied them from where he stood.
"Well at least no one's going to want to hurt me, with him stalking around." "Who would want to hurt you?" "I don't know. I just don't feel safe here. "I don't doubt that. Your brother in law has a lovely personality." "He's a big part of the problem for sure, but it's more than that. Everyone looks at me like I'm the enemy and I have no idea why. I feel like even my mother in law wants me gone. She seems so kind, but something about her terrifies me."
Why was she telling him all this? It had just slipped out before Kendra had even noticed. She felt like she could trust him, even though she'd only met him yesterday. Something about him just seemed so familiar like they'd been good friends for years. "I've never met the queen, Bracken said. but in my experience being too nice often isn't considered a threatening quality." "You'd change your mind if you met her." "I hope I don't have to."
The rest of the way went by in silence and Kendra took in the scenery. They walked along a rocky path with trees growing on either side of the rode. A lush hedge separated the garden from the forest beyond. The garden was beautiful with all kinds of exotic flowers and green fields, but the forest felt just as inviting and a sudden longing stirred inside Kendra. She wished to get away from the castle. Away from all the dark stares and glances. To be free to go where ever she wanted. To explore the demon realm more closely. It was an insane idea of course. The castle was where she belonged. Wasn't it?
When they'd finished their lap Bracken helped Kendra down and back on her own two feet, before they stepped Back inside the stables.
"What about the prince? Bracken asked. How do you feel when you're with him." "That's just it. I mean I know what I'm supposed to feel towards him. Or what I used to feel. I'm just not sure that's how I really feel about him. That's the real reason why I was at the market. Nothing about my life just seems to make sense. I don't feel like I belong here. I don't fit in." "You don't say." "It's not because of the fairykind thing." "What ever you say princess." He lifted his hands up in surrender. Kendra shoved him playfully. "Idiot." "What did I do?" "I'm being serious. "So am I. It makes perfect sense that the demons don't want someone who's affiliated with the fairy realm and the fairy queen herself to rule over their kingdom. "You have a point," Kendra admitted.
"I don't think you need to worry about it, Bracken said after another moment of silence. I don't really fit in anywhere either." "How come?" "Ever since I lost my third horn, I've just felt like the odd one out. Not quite unicorn enough, but not quite human enough either. And I definitely don't belong here."
"Why haven't you left then? Surely you don't have to stay here?" "If only it was that easy. You're right about one thing though. I don't have to stay here. I'm not a demon. I was never imprisoned here. The only problem is that the only way to leave the fairy realm was through the shrines." "And the fairy queen destroyed them all when she trapped the demons here, Kendra continued his sentence. Bracken nodded. I'm so sorry Bracken. It's awful that you're trapped here." "Hey it's not your fault. Besides this place isn't that bad and at least I have good company, He said cheerfully. Kendra smiled halfheartedly. There's that beautiful smile." Kendra felt her cheeks redden a bit.
Bracken smiled back at her and they stared at each other in silence for a while, before Philip nudged Bracken with his muzzle, waking him from his stupor. Bracken turned to face Philip. "Oh sorry, he laughed. I totally forgot you were there," He apologized to the horse, rubbing the back of his neck. Bracken led Philip back to the stall and took of the halter. Then he reached into his back pocket taking out a carrot and handing it to Philip. "Thank you for your assistance." Philip snorted and started chewing on the carrot contently.
Kendra found herself fiddling with the delicate chain around her neck and the ring that hung from it. It had become a habit of hers. Even though she couldn't remember who she got it from, holding it made her feel safe. "Where did you get that?" Brackens sudden interruption brought her back to the present. Kendra looked up meeting his gaze. A wrinkle formed between his brows as he studied her necklace. "I…" Kendra started without a proper answer in mind, but a crude voice interrupted her:
"Hey, stable boy, came a demanding voice from behind them, making them both jump and turn towards the origin of the sound. I'm not paying you to socialize. Get Back to work." Turning around, Kendra met the gaze of a balding man, maybe in his fifties. His clothes were just as dirty as Brackens and the grumpy expression on his face was emphasized by his deep wrinkles. He eyed her suspiciously before turning his gaze on Bracken.
"Right away sir, Bracken answered the man who Kendra could only guess was his employer, before turning back to look at her. I hope to see you again soon, your highness." The playful tone in his voice was gone, now replaced by a more serious one. "Until my next riding lesson, Kendra promised and Bracken gave a curt bow, before turning to leave. Philip snorted again and Kendra stroked his muzzle, as she watched Bracken disappear behind a corner and out of view.
Seth sat on the hard bed with his legs crossed. Chaos was snoring next to him, lying on Brackens pillow. Bracken had been gone for hours now and Seth had nothing else to do except to wait.
Seths plan was working so far. Bracken had gotten a job at the Castle, which had been suspiciously easy, but then again Bracken was charismatic in his own way and Seth believed he could easily charm anybody. Even a demon. If Bracken could just see Kendras ring, he'd have to believe Seth was telling the truth. Bracken hadn't noticed it before though. Maybe Kendra didn't carry it with her. What if she'd lost it or it had been taken from her. Cursed or not, she'd take good care of it. Right? But what if Bracken didn't run into her at all. After what happened they'd keep a close eye on Kendra. She probably wasn't even allowed to leave the castle.
Not knowing what was happening was driving Seth mad and he knew he'd need to try something drastic to get his mind of worrying. So for the past hour, Seth had been reading the book he'd bought from the witches bookshop.
The how to guide to Demonic rites and resurrections contained everything from how to summon demons to how to imprison them and bring them back to life. The book had detailed instructions including graphic images and lists of items that would be needed for three kinds of resurrection rituals.
The simplest and quickest method was to move the demons spirit into a new body. The demons powers would be limited by their new form and they wouldn't be able to take their demon form again.
The second a more complicated method talked about reforming the demons destroyed body and moving their spirit there in which case they would regain all their lost power. The process was slow and required a lot more power than Seth believed he possessed, but luckily Chaos had only requested a new body for himself.
The third option was the hardest and most dangerous one. It described what to do if the demons spirit was destroyed along with their body. A blood sacrifice was needed. In order to resurrect the demon, the person responsible for their demise needed to be sacrificed in a complicated sounding ritual with a spell that had been written in a language even Seth couldn't understand.
With out warning the door burst open with a horrid crash making way to two armed guards. Seth sat still, too shocked to move. His mouth hung open as a scar faced boy entered the room behind the guards. Chaos sat up quickly clearly as startled by the sudden commotion as Seth was. Seth remembered him from the day before. It was the same boy who had tried to hurt Kendra.
"Hello little shadow charmer, He cooed. It's been a while." "And who the hell are you?" Seth asked. "I suppose it's no surprise that you don't recognize me. Your sister didn't either." Was Seth supposed to know this guy from somewhere? "So are you going to tell me or what?"
"Kid, chaos warned. You really don't want to mess with this one." Why? He gave Chaos a quick sideways glance, before turning back to look at the boy. "He's the other one. The other demon prince, Chaos answered his unspoken question. Other demon prince? Suddenly it made sense. "Oh of course, now I remember, Seth exclaimed. You're Orogoro right?" "Oh so you do remember."
"How did you find me?" "You honestly thought I wouldn't notice a portal opening? Orogoro laughed. We don't get much of that here. I assume you came for your sister. Too bad she won't remember you." "What did you do to her?" "Oh honestly haven't you figured it out by now? You spoke with your friend did you not?" "Yeah I did. You really did a number on him." "Speaking of, where is unicorn boy?" "Like I'd tell you." "I figured you'd say that, but I guess I'll just settle for you for now. You'll tell me eventually. He turned to look at the guards. Grab him."
One of the guards lunged for Seth. The book fell out of his hands as Seth reached for his knife on the night stand, but he wasn't quick enough. The guard grabbed him, pulling him back and twisting his arms back painfully.
"A valiant effort for sure, but ultimately pointless, Orogoro stated letting out a sigh. The other guard picked up the book and Seths satchel from the floor handing them to Orogoro. "Looks like somebody has been doing a little research. He threw the book away carelessly, before digging into Seths satchel. Now this is more like it. He pulled out the cube and studied it closely before bursting into laughter. I'm sorry to brake this to you, but this piece of junk won't get you back home. It's hardly got any magic left inside. It's a miracle you made it this far. Well I guess it doesn't matter since you won't be needing it anymore." He dropped the cube on the floor before ruthlessly stepping on it.
"no," Seth cried out before he could stop himself. The cube broke with a horrid crunch, shattering into a million bits and pieces. It had looked solid and Seth found himself wondering how it had been so easily broken. The last thing he remembered was a hard blow to the head, before everything went dark.