Chapter 8: The Death of the Bird
I woke up in the middle of the night with Celena still in my embrace. She was breathing slowly and steadily and I didn't want to get up. But I had to; slowly I moved her head off of my chest and slithered out of her arms. She awoke immediately.
"W-where are you going?" she mumbled.
"Out . I have to go out."
"Can I come?"
"No, you stay here."
She just nodded her head and rolled over so her back was facing me. I stood up and grabbed my jacket and walked out of the room. I looked at one of the many clocks in the hallways . it was exactly midnight. However, before I could walk towards the exit of this hallway Celena already stopped me. She was dressed, and I couldn't believe how fast she was.
"Wait, I'm coming with you!"
I noticed she was wearing all black, from gloves to boots. She wore black jeans pants and a black stretchy shirt with, of course, a black vest to keep herself warm. I looked at her, suspicious at her outfit. She looked as though she'd been wearing it before, like she was used to it.
"What the hell are you doing?" I whispered.
"Coming with you! Now come on lets go before we wake anybody up!"
Little did she know, we had woken somebody up. I would be the one to have to suffer for her damn recklessness.
***
We walked down the streets of Asturia while many people were partying just like it was in Fannellia, possibly even worse. I made sure Celena stayed away from these people as I dragged her through the crowds by her hand. However, what I noticed was that Celena knew half of these people. She would wave and say hi whenever she might have seen someone she knew.
"Where are we going anyways?" she asked.
"Well I was going to go and look for my killer but now I have to drop you off somewhere!"
"Fine then, I can handle myself. I'll cut through that alley and go to Dryden's restaurant."
I looked down a long, black alley to see a restaurant that said "Dryden's Den". I wasn't sure if I should let her walk down there alone at this time of night, she may be considered easy to many men. I had to admit she was quite weak.
"Let me walk you there," I offered.
"No! I can handle myself! You treat me like a child, I'm looking for the same people you are, so quit it!"
She then began to walk down the dark alley, though I didn't move an inch once she was out of my site. It was hard to see anything, the only thing you could see was the big title of the restaurant and that was about it. I was about to walk away and search on my own when I heard Celena scream my name for help.
Immediately I ran down the alley looking everywhere for Celena. I couldn't find her, but then I clued in on her whimpering. Someone was covering her mouth so she couldn't speak. I acted as though I didn't see them, but Celena knew I did. Slowly, I began to walk back, getting out of site from whoever jumped Celena.
Once the man figured I was gone, he walked into the middle of the alley with Celena in his arms so she couldn't move. Celena finally turned to see whom it was, but it was too late. I had hit him in the head with my elbow so he would be knocked out completely.
"Thank you!" cried Celena.
"So . you can handle yourself, eh?" I mocked.
"Shut up!"
She hit the side of my arm and walked up to the knocked out man. She slowly turned him over to reveal a very much in pain, King Van. Celena stood back, while letting out a large gasp. I felt like hitting her so much for waking him up for he obviously followed us.
"Oh my gosh! Van are you OK?" she asked.
All he did was moan in pain as Celena knelt beside him, feeling his head for any bumps or anything like that. As I looked at the two together, I thought they looked like they belonged together. They looked like two people who were in love, seeing Celena care so much you would guess they were going to be married or something rather.
"Who is he?" Van asked her.
"A close friend . I'm helping him . I'm sort of helping him find something . yeah, something," she told him.
"I see . but why couldn't you just tell me about it? I'd be glade to help," he offered.
"It's self-explanatory," I snapped.
He looked at me, a little unsure of really how to react. It was a good thing he hadn't seen me in the light, for then he would understand what I meant by "self-explanatory". To one who has been hunting the dragons and . well the dead as well, you'd be able to pick out the living dead from the plain living.
"Celena . I'm taking you back to the castle, you have a lot of explaining to do!" he yelled.
"Let her go, my god you seem so determined to ruin ones life," I was obviously in a pissy mood.
"I don't know who the hell you are, but I want you to stay away from her!"
"Why? It's not like you love her or anything!" I shouted.
There was a silence; I had said something I shouldn't have. I could hear small whimpers, almost as though someone was holding back tears. Van and I both looked back at Celena and she was trying not to cry. I could tell she was a strong girl, but then again it was obvious she was put under a lot of pressure.
"Would you two quit it!" shouted Celena.
"It's hard not to worry about you, for crying out loud you're hanging out with-" he stopped yelling for a minute.
I looked down at the youthful king as he walked up to me, closer trying to get a better look at me. I stared down at him, hard as though if one of us broke the eye contact we would be considered the loser of our "brief" fight.
"You're that boy who was killed! The stable boy at the castle! You must be some sort of a . a demon?" he shouted.
"Wouldn't exactly say a demon, Van. He's just back for some revenge, that's all. Now listen, the last thing I need for Rice and I, is to be guarded by you all the time. So if you're going to help, that's fine but if you're here to yell and scream at him and I, I will not have it!" Celena yelled back.
I stood there, unsure of how to react. Here Celena was, defending me and my ways while yelling at the man who used to employ me. It was quite weird, really. As I looked down at the angered Celena, I saw the look on Van's face. He seemed taken back, that was for sure . obviously he didn't expect to have her yell back at him. I always hated it when men thought women were some object never expecting them to fight back.
He stood up, still unsure of to really react, though as I looked into his eyes I could tell he was angry and there was no way Celena was going to get away with her attitude. To my surprise, however . Van seemed to do something the exact opposite of what I figured a snob like him would do.
"What can I do to help you?" he looked up at him, ashamed almost.
I stood there; dumbstruck . I had no idea how to answer that question? Should I tell him off or actually tell him what he could do to help? I chose the first answer.
"You can help by going away! I don't need your help! And I don't even know why I asked you for your help in the first place!"
With that, I walked off leaving the two alone. To be honest with you, I didn't enjoy seeing Celena and Van together. The last thing I needed was Van to try and be my friend. I liked Celena a lot, no denying it and I may as well tell you now why I left. I left her then because I knew that if I watched the two just sit and talk it would hurt me. Not physically, of course, but mentally. I suppose you could probably guess by now . I was jealous of him. He was a King and could offer so much to any girl he wanted, and I could do nothing. It was pure envy.
As I continued walking down the market streets of Asturia I kept looking for anybody who might look suspicious. I really didn't know where to look and I just wanted to give up. I sat down beside a wall, leaning up against it for support. As I waited for nothing I felt the crow's warmth on my shoulder. I looked up to see it, nipping my ear, as I couldn't help but smile. My only friend was a crow.
I sat there for minutes watching the people pass with others on their arms. From whores to real lovers, I envied them too. People saw me of course, who couldn't help but notice some freak with black marks all over their eyes? However, what ticked me off was when someone gave me a silver coin, thinking I was poor or something rather. I just threw against the brick wall across from me.
I could have fallen asleep there, though the crow kept biting my ear so I would stay awake. It worked of course; his beak was quite sharp I assure you. As I lay my head back against the wall, I closed my eyes just thinking about what life would be like if my parents were still alive. How easier it would have been, and if I'd be alive right then and there while sleeping in my own bed back home.
While I thought about these things, I could feel someone tap my other shoulder. I looked up to see a worried Celena and of course, Van was standing right behind her. I sighed as I pushed her hand away.
"What do you want?" I snapped.
"We've been looking for you," she told me.
"Your point?"
"What's your problem? Why can't you be nice for once?" I could tell she was quite angry.
I stood up, as did she. I looked down at her, finally facing her so that I could tell her why, and make it clear this time. However, what stalled me was the fact that I didn't really know how to tell her how I felt, or why I hated Van so much. So I made it up.
"Do you really want to know why I don't like him?" I shouted.
"Yes!"
"Because he is an arrogant asshole! He's done nothing but harm his people, his country! And I'm apart of that country and because the way you treat it my brother is dead! If you were like any normal King you'd have a curfew for the kids, but you don't!"
"That's not the reason and I know it!" Celena yelled,"tell me what it is, and quit blaming him for everything!"
I looked away giving me time to adjust myself and tell her why. But something just kept telling me that this wasn't the time and place to tell her how I really felt.
"Well? I'm waiting!"
"Because . because . because you're going to marry that bastard! And you don't even love him!"
I looked away from her trying not to read the reaction in her eyes. However, I could sense the tension between Van, Celena and I and all I wanted to do was run away from her and never see her again.
". Rice, I'm bethroved to him. I have no choice, and neither does he."
"We're trying our best to get out of it," added Van.
I put my hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. She was tensing up; I could feel her under my grip. Before I could say anything else, I heard the scream of the crow, as though it had just been murdered. I looked up; Celena could tell something was wrong. I used my senses trying to figure out which direction it came from. Once I did find out, I ran off leaving Celena and Van alone once again.
***
I ran into another darkened alley, finding my only friend dead in the middle of the garbage heaps. I quickly ran up to it, putting it in my hands, as I just looked at it in complete shock. I felt my whole body grow numb, though it was only in shock . not in the death of the crow.
In the distance, I could hear faint laughter. I laid the bird back down and stood up to find out who it was. Slowly, I saw figures of three men walking towards me. They wore all red with the same tattoos on their eyes. It was the markings of the crow. The red, flaming bird printed on their eyelids. They were tall, large men with raven black hair. I had to admit they frightened me considering my soul carrier was dead.
"I knew if we found the bird we would find you." whispered one of them.
"Why'd you do it?" I asked, hearing the panic in my voice.
"Kill the bird? It's just a bird . why should it matter?"
"You know! You know why!"
I took out my knife, reading to kill any one of them who made the slightest move. Well, they walked closer to me, surrounding me. Now, normally I wouldn't be afraid of these kind of people, but now that my soul carrier was dead and they were the same size, even bigger, I was afraid.
"Now, you've grown to be such a big kid! Remember when he couldn't even reach my knee?" they laughed.
"Aye, I remember when you're father brought you into us one day. You were shaking like you are now. Don't you remember us?" one of them asked.
I looked at them, still unsure of what the hell they were talking about.
"Hmm . maybe this'll help!"
I could feel one of them put their hand on my shoulder as they pushed me down onto the ground. I screamed in pain, their hands felt like a hot knife burning into my flesh. However, as they all began to do this I started to remember things I had never seen in my entire life.
***
I must have been atleast four years old, as I sat on a chair while my father put his hands on my shoulder to relax me. I wasn't wearing any shirt, no just pants and that was about it. Those three same men, they were there too. Only this time, they didn't seem so old; they seemed decades younger then they are now. They almost seemed . friendly. However, they hand some sort of a tattooing stamp in their hands.
"This won't hurt son . I promise," my father was assuring me.
"Why dad? Why are you making them do this?" I pleaded.
I couldn't remember why I was pleading for my father, no idea. Before I could see myself plead anymore, they put that tattoo onto my flesh burning a stamp into me. I could see myself scream in pain as it scorched the soft flesh. Nothing but screams filled the room.
***
I came back to present still screaming in pain while these men held me to the ground. I was on my knees, their strength so intense I wanted to pass out there. Finally they stopped the torture.
As they released me, I fell to the ground breathing in and out so heavy I knew I was going to pass out. Every time I came in touch with one of these people I would pass out or grow ill. I could fill the fever burning in my stomach.
"Next Monday, if you come to your senses, meet us here. We'll let you follow in your father's footsteps in only two ways, boy! Death or a life with us!"
With the sound of their footsteps being faintly heard, I passed out completely . though in my dreams I felt like I was watching over my body waiting for someone to come and find me. Finally . someone found me.
A/N: Sorry it took so long. I have three exams to study for all on Tuesday. Two exams are in French (that's what you get for being in late French- immersion) and the other in home EC. Plus the day after that I have a math exam and if I don't get 100% on that I'll end up atleast with a C- in math. Besides those tests, I have nothing else to study for. Basically now that I'm in high school . I sort of have a very small life. Anyways, please enjoy this chapter while you can cuz this could also be the last chapter for a few weeks. So please bare with me ppl! Oh and I didn't really edit it much. I just did the grammer/spell check thingy.
I woke up in the middle of the night with Celena still in my embrace. She was breathing slowly and steadily and I didn't want to get up. But I had to; slowly I moved her head off of my chest and slithered out of her arms. She awoke immediately.
"W-where are you going?" she mumbled.
"Out . I have to go out."
"Can I come?"
"No, you stay here."
She just nodded her head and rolled over so her back was facing me. I stood up and grabbed my jacket and walked out of the room. I looked at one of the many clocks in the hallways . it was exactly midnight. However, before I could walk towards the exit of this hallway Celena already stopped me. She was dressed, and I couldn't believe how fast she was.
"Wait, I'm coming with you!"
I noticed she was wearing all black, from gloves to boots. She wore black jeans pants and a black stretchy shirt with, of course, a black vest to keep herself warm. I looked at her, suspicious at her outfit. She looked as though she'd been wearing it before, like she was used to it.
"What the hell are you doing?" I whispered.
"Coming with you! Now come on lets go before we wake anybody up!"
Little did she know, we had woken somebody up. I would be the one to have to suffer for her damn recklessness.
***
We walked down the streets of Asturia while many people were partying just like it was in Fannellia, possibly even worse. I made sure Celena stayed away from these people as I dragged her through the crowds by her hand. However, what I noticed was that Celena knew half of these people. She would wave and say hi whenever she might have seen someone she knew.
"Where are we going anyways?" she asked.
"Well I was going to go and look for my killer but now I have to drop you off somewhere!"
"Fine then, I can handle myself. I'll cut through that alley and go to Dryden's restaurant."
I looked down a long, black alley to see a restaurant that said "Dryden's Den". I wasn't sure if I should let her walk down there alone at this time of night, she may be considered easy to many men. I had to admit she was quite weak.
"Let me walk you there," I offered.
"No! I can handle myself! You treat me like a child, I'm looking for the same people you are, so quit it!"
She then began to walk down the dark alley, though I didn't move an inch once she was out of my site. It was hard to see anything, the only thing you could see was the big title of the restaurant and that was about it. I was about to walk away and search on my own when I heard Celena scream my name for help.
Immediately I ran down the alley looking everywhere for Celena. I couldn't find her, but then I clued in on her whimpering. Someone was covering her mouth so she couldn't speak. I acted as though I didn't see them, but Celena knew I did. Slowly, I began to walk back, getting out of site from whoever jumped Celena.
Once the man figured I was gone, he walked into the middle of the alley with Celena in his arms so she couldn't move. Celena finally turned to see whom it was, but it was too late. I had hit him in the head with my elbow so he would be knocked out completely.
"Thank you!" cried Celena.
"So . you can handle yourself, eh?" I mocked.
"Shut up!"
She hit the side of my arm and walked up to the knocked out man. She slowly turned him over to reveal a very much in pain, King Van. Celena stood back, while letting out a large gasp. I felt like hitting her so much for waking him up for he obviously followed us.
"Oh my gosh! Van are you OK?" she asked.
All he did was moan in pain as Celena knelt beside him, feeling his head for any bumps or anything like that. As I looked at the two together, I thought they looked like they belonged together. They looked like two people who were in love, seeing Celena care so much you would guess they were going to be married or something rather.
"Who is he?" Van asked her.
"A close friend . I'm helping him . I'm sort of helping him find something . yeah, something," she told him.
"I see . but why couldn't you just tell me about it? I'd be glade to help," he offered.
"It's self-explanatory," I snapped.
He looked at me, a little unsure of really how to react. It was a good thing he hadn't seen me in the light, for then he would understand what I meant by "self-explanatory". To one who has been hunting the dragons and . well the dead as well, you'd be able to pick out the living dead from the plain living.
"Celena . I'm taking you back to the castle, you have a lot of explaining to do!" he yelled.
"Let her go, my god you seem so determined to ruin ones life," I was obviously in a pissy mood.
"I don't know who the hell you are, but I want you to stay away from her!"
"Why? It's not like you love her or anything!" I shouted.
There was a silence; I had said something I shouldn't have. I could hear small whimpers, almost as though someone was holding back tears. Van and I both looked back at Celena and she was trying not to cry. I could tell she was a strong girl, but then again it was obvious she was put under a lot of pressure.
"Would you two quit it!" shouted Celena.
"It's hard not to worry about you, for crying out loud you're hanging out with-" he stopped yelling for a minute.
I looked down at the youthful king as he walked up to me, closer trying to get a better look at me. I stared down at him, hard as though if one of us broke the eye contact we would be considered the loser of our "brief" fight.
"You're that boy who was killed! The stable boy at the castle! You must be some sort of a . a demon?" he shouted.
"Wouldn't exactly say a demon, Van. He's just back for some revenge, that's all. Now listen, the last thing I need for Rice and I, is to be guarded by you all the time. So if you're going to help, that's fine but if you're here to yell and scream at him and I, I will not have it!" Celena yelled back.
I stood there, unsure of how to react. Here Celena was, defending me and my ways while yelling at the man who used to employ me. It was quite weird, really. As I looked down at the angered Celena, I saw the look on Van's face. He seemed taken back, that was for sure . obviously he didn't expect to have her yell back at him. I always hated it when men thought women were some object never expecting them to fight back.
He stood up, still unsure of to really react, though as I looked into his eyes I could tell he was angry and there was no way Celena was going to get away with her attitude. To my surprise, however . Van seemed to do something the exact opposite of what I figured a snob like him would do.
"What can I do to help you?" he looked up at him, ashamed almost.
I stood there; dumbstruck . I had no idea how to answer that question? Should I tell him off or actually tell him what he could do to help? I chose the first answer.
"You can help by going away! I don't need your help! And I don't even know why I asked you for your help in the first place!"
With that, I walked off leaving the two alone. To be honest with you, I didn't enjoy seeing Celena and Van together. The last thing I needed was Van to try and be my friend. I liked Celena a lot, no denying it and I may as well tell you now why I left. I left her then because I knew that if I watched the two just sit and talk it would hurt me. Not physically, of course, but mentally. I suppose you could probably guess by now . I was jealous of him. He was a King and could offer so much to any girl he wanted, and I could do nothing. It was pure envy.
As I continued walking down the market streets of Asturia I kept looking for anybody who might look suspicious. I really didn't know where to look and I just wanted to give up. I sat down beside a wall, leaning up against it for support. As I waited for nothing I felt the crow's warmth on my shoulder. I looked up to see it, nipping my ear, as I couldn't help but smile. My only friend was a crow.
I sat there for minutes watching the people pass with others on their arms. From whores to real lovers, I envied them too. People saw me of course, who couldn't help but notice some freak with black marks all over their eyes? However, what ticked me off was when someone gave me a silver coin, thinking I was poor or something rather. I just threw against the brick wall across from me.
I could have fallen asleep there, though the crow kept biting my ear so I would stay awake. It worked of course; his beak was quite sharp I assure you. As I lay my head back against the wall, I closed my eyes just thinking about what life would be like if my parents were still alive. How easier it would have been, and if I'd be alive right then and there while sleeping in my own bed back home.
While I thought about these things, I could feel someone tap my other shoulder. I looked up to see a worried Celena and of course, Van was standing right behind her. I sighed as I pushed her hand away.
"What do you want?" I snapped.
"We've been looking for you," she told me.
"Your point?"
"What's your problem? Why can't you be nice for once?" I could tell she was quite angry.
I stood up, as did she. I looked down at her, finally facing her so that I could tell her why, and make it clear this time. However, what stalled me was the fact that I didn't really know how to tell her how I felt, or why I hated Van so much. So I made it up.
"Do you really want to know why I don't like him?" I shouted.
"Yes!"
"Because he is an arrogant asshole! He's done nothing but harm his people, his country! And I'm apart of that country and because the way you treat it my brother is dead! If you were like any normal King you'd have a curfew for the kids, but you don't!"
"That's not the reason and I know it!" Celena yelled,"tell me what it is, and quit blaming him for everything!"
I looked away giving me time to adjust myself and tell her why. But something just kept telling me that this wasn't the time and place to tell her how I really felt.
"Well? I'm waiting!"
"Because . because . because you're going to marry that bastard! And you don't even love him!"
I looked away from her trying not to read the reaction in her eyes. However, I could sense the tension between Van, Celena and I and all I wanted to do was run away from her and never see her again.
". Rice, I'm bethroved to him. I have no choice, and neither does he."
"We're trying our best to get out of it," added Van.
I put my hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. She was tensing up; I could feel her under my grip. Before I could say anything else, I heard the scream of the crow, as though it had just been murdered. I looked up; Celena could tell something was wrong. I used my senses trying to figure out which direction it came from. Once I did find out, I ran off leaving Celena and Van alone once again.
***
I ran into another darkened alley, finding my only friend dead in the middle of the garbage heaps. I quickly ran up to it, putting it in my hands, as I just looked at it in complete shock. I felt my whole body grow numb, though it was only in shock . not in the death of the crow.
In the distance, I could hear faint laughter. I laid the bird back down and stood up to find out who it was. Slowly, I saw figures of three men walking towards me. They wore all red with the same tattoos on their eyes. It was the markings of the crow. The red, flaming bird printed on their eyelids. They were tall, large men with raven black hair. I had to admit they frightened me considering my soul carrier was dead.
"I knew if we found the bird we would find you." whispered one of them.
"Why'd you do it?" I asked, hearing the panic in my voice.
"Kill the bird? It's just a bird . why should it matter?"
"You know! You know why!"
I took out my knife, reading to kill any one of them who made the slightest move. Well, they walked closer to me, surrounding me. Now, normally I wouldn't be afraid of these kind of people, but now that my soul carrier was dead and they were the same size, even bigger, I was afraid.
"Now, you've grown to be such a big kid! Remember when he couldn't even reach my knee?" they laughed.
"Aye, I remember when you're father brought you into us one day. You were shaking like you are now. Don't you remember us?" one of them asked.
I looked at them, still unsure of what the hell they were talking about.
"Hmm . maybe this'll help!"
I could feel one of them put their hand on my shoulder as they pushed me down onto the ground. I screamed in pain, their hands felt like a hot knife burning into my flesh. However, as they all began to do this I started to remember things I had never seen in my entire life.
***
I must have been atleast four years old, as I sat on a chair while my father put his hands on my shoulder to relax me. I wasn't wearing any shirt, no just pants and that was about it. Those three same men, they were there too. Only this time, they didn't seem so old; they seemed decades younger then they are now. They almost seemed . friendly. However, they hand some sort of a tattooing stamp in their hands.
"This won't hurt son . I promise," my father was assuring me.
"Why dad? Why are you making them do this?" I pleaded.
I couldn't remember why I was pleading for my father, no idea. Before I could see myself plead anymore, they put that tattoo onto my flesh burning a stamp into me. I could see myself scream in pain as it scorched the soft flesh. Nothing but screams filled the room.
***
I came back to present still screaming in pain while these men held me to the ground. I was on my knees, their strength so intense I wanted to pass out there. Finally they stopped the torture.
As they released me, I fell to the ground breathing in and out so heavy I knew I was going to pass out. Every time I came in touch with one of these people I would pass out or grow ill. I could fill the fever burning in my stomach.
"Next Monday, if you come to your senses, meet us here. We'll let you follow in your father's footsteps in only two ways, boy! Death or a life with us!"
With the sound of their footsteps being faintly heard, I passed out completely . though in my dreams I felt like I was watching over my body waiting for someone to come and find me. Finally . someone found me.
A/N: Sorry it took so long. I have three exams to study for all on Tuesday. Two exams are in French (that's what you get for being in late French- immersion) and the other in home EC. Plus the day after that I have a math exam and if I don't get 100% on that I'll end up atleast with a C- in math. Besides those tests, I have nothing else to study for. Basically now that I'm in high school . I sort of have a very small life. Anyways, please enjoy this chapter while you can cuz this could also be the last chapter for a few weeks. So please bare with me ppl! Oh and I didn't really edit it much. I just did the grammer/spell check thingy.