Sacrifice
A Sequel to Quietly into the Night
Conventional Couples
Rating: PG-13
Chapter Seventeen
[I]Antar - Capitol City[/I]
Kyle and Saranara rushed back through the tunnel, their mission to retrieve some food all but forgotten. Saranara gasped for breath as she tried to keep up with Kyle. He reached behind him and grabbed her by the hand and pulled her along behind him.
"Kyle, go ahead without me," she gasped. "I'm slowing you down, you have to get back to them. They need to know about this." "No," he said grimly. "I'm not leaving anyone behind, ever again. Especially not you." Unfortunately, Saranara chose that moment to stumble upon a rough part of the tunnel floor and she missed Kyle's comment. The two burst through the tunnel into the small cavern where Michael, Max, Jereon and Kam were waiting.
Max and Michael jumped up as Saranara and Kyle entered the cavern, they're arms extended, while Jereon scooped Kam up and started to run down another tunnel. "Wait!" shouted Kyle. "It's us!" "Jesus, Kyle, we could have killed you," said Michael. "Next time, let us know it's you why don't you?" "Wait a second," gasped Kyle, trying to catch his breath. He was more winded from the news he was bearing rather than the run.
"Saranara, will you take Kam for a walk please?" he asked, still panting slightly. "Just a second," said Max, starting to object. "Max, just shut up," said Kyle. "This is important. You keep saying you're not the king, well, try not acting like one for a change."
Max stared in shock at the acidic words that spewed from Kyle's mouth. Kyle hadn't talked to him like that in years." "Kam and I are going to go back through the tunnel to the shop to get some food," said Saranara. "Won't that be fun Kam? Your Uncle Kyle was in such a hurry to get back here that he forgot the food." The two started back down the tunnel while Kyle watched until they were out of site. "Kyle, what has happened?" asked Jereon. "Did you find Isabelle and Lexie?" "No, I'm afraid it isn't good news. Saranara and I were in the marketplace when we heard the news."
"What news Kyle, just say it!" demanded Max "It's Liz. She's agreed to marry Kivar. The notices said the wedding would take place in three days time!"
[I]Antar - Royal Palace[/I]
"Cadrik, tell me again everything that happened? Does Elizabeth believe that you are a traitor?" "Yes Lord Kivar," said Cadrik. "I believe I managed to convince her that I am loyal only to the royal family. Queen Elizabeth was quite easy to dupe actually. I believe that she is desperate to have someone on her side." "That is excellent Cadrik. I want you to go back to her and tell her that the plans for the wedding progress and that it will occur in three days." "Three days my Lord? Isn't that a bit sudden?" questioned Cadrik. "Yes, especially when she believes that she has several weeks to prepare for her escape. If she thinks the wedding will happen in three days, she will most likely try and escape the night before. With any luck, we'll be able to tail her to that brat of hers so I can kill him," said Kivar. "As you wish My Lord. I shall see to it immediately," said Cadrik bowing to Kivar. He left the room and made his way to the kitchens and prepared a tray for Liz.
The door to her suite slid open and Liz, trying to fit into her persona of happy bride to be, did little but glance up to see who it was. When she saw that it was Cadrik, she smiled and jumped up and moved towards him. He frowned and shook his head slightly and she paused. "Good evening My Lady," he said respectfully. "I have brought you a meal and some news."
"Good evening Cadrik," Liz said. "Thank you, I'm quite hungry tonight." "You need to eat well My Lady, for you are to wed Lord Kivar in three days." "Three days?" shouted Liz. "That's impossible. He promised me a month." "It is to be three days Queen Elizabeth, and you and Kivar shall wed. Now may I suggest that you eat, for you will need your strength." He bowed to Liz and walked out of the room, the door sliding shut behind him.
Liz watched Cadrik leave, puzzled by his behavior, and frightened by his news. She picked up the tray he had left for her and began to eat. She wasn't hungry, for his words had chased away her appetite, but she also knew she would need her strength for what was to come. She picked up a dish and began to eat, not noticing the contents. When she was done, she went to return the plate to the tray when she noticed a scrap of paper sticking out from under another dish. She removed it and unfolded it and read:
"Your Majesty,"
Lord Kivar believes me to be loyal to him. He instructed me to befriend you. I told him that I succeeded and that you trusted me implicitly. He then instructed me to inform you that your wedding has been scheduled for three days from now. He believes you will run, the night before the wedding is to occur. He plans to follow you in the hopes that you lead him to your son. He plans to kill the boy.
Your Majesty, I beg you to believe that I am loyal to you and to the Royal House of Antar. It is imperative that you have faith in me, and do not believe what you may hear about me. Do not wait to run, you must leave tonight. It is urgent that you leave as soon as possible.
Cadrik.
Liz looked at the note and rubbed her head. She didn't know who or what to believe any longer. Finally, she decided to trust nobody but herself. She finished all the food on the tray, and went into her room. She quickly slipped on the pants and shirt that belonged to Kyle and covered it with one of the Antarian gowns that filled her closet. She made a quick survey of the room to see if there was anything of use to her. Spying nothing, she returned to the main living quarters, as the door again slid open. This time it was Krochi who entered the room. "Queen Elizabeth," he said. "I have come to remove your tray if you are done eating." "Thank you Krochi, but where is Cadrik?" she asked. "If it pleases your Majesty, I have some information to share with you," said Krochi. "Cadrik is not a friend to you. He betrays your confidences to Lord Kivar. You are in great danger. You should beware." "Danger, from what Krochi?" asked Liz. "Do not believe the words of Cadrik," said Kochi again. He picked up the tray and quickly stepped from the room.
[I]Antar - Uzshtar City[/I]
After many failed attempts, Isabelle and Lexie managed to locate the eating establishment belonging to Franchet, and they made their way inside. She sat at a table and looked around the dark room. Franchet was across the room, placing a platter of food in front of a customer. A woman approached Isabelle and asked what they would like anything. Isabelle declined regretfully, for she had no money, but she asked the waitress to send Franchet over. It took him several minutes to arrive at the table. "May I help you?" he asked in Antarian. Isabelle struggled to find the correct words. All of them had learned some of the language when they were here last, but she was far from proficient. After a few moments of internal struggle, she gave up and quickly passed her hand over her hair and face to reveal who she was, and just as quickly disguised herself again. Franchet's face registered shock for a moment. He quickly left the table and returned with two large platters of food. "Eat Majesty," he whispered. "I will be back as soon as possible. Where is Naloch?" At the name Naloch, Isabelle glared at Franchet, but said nothing. She passed Lexie some food and made sure that the child was eating before she answered. "We'll talk of him later. I need to get Lexie someplace safe." Franchet was about to answer when the door to the tavern opened and two of Kivar's guardsmen walked in. Isabelle shuddered, but kept her expression smooth. The two walked past her table and took some seats several tables away and began to talk.
"I think Lord Kivar is making a mistake," said one of the guards. " You may think that, but I'd keep it to yourself if you want to live," said the other. "You know as well as I Lord Kivar won't stand for anybody speaking poorly of him or of his decisions." "Be that as it may, I still think it's a poor decision. What time is Commander Nicoro supposed to meet us?" "I'm not sure, he just said for us to meet him here, and he'd have something with him that would secure his position with Lord Kivar forever." Isabelle blanched at his statement, but continued to eat and act as if she'd heard nothing. The door to the tavern opened and three more guardsmen walked in and joined the others. "Have you heard the news?" asked one of the new arrivals. "Do you mean about Lord Kivar marrying the Queen? Yes, we've heard it," said the first guardsman guardedly. "No, that it is to happen in three days!" said one of the new arrivals. Isabelle gasped and dropped her eating utensil. It clattered against the dish, the sound seeming to echo throughout the room. She looked over at the guardsmen, and her stomach clenched when she realized they were all staring at her.
A Sequel to Quietly into the Night
Conventional Couples
Rating: PG-13
Chapter Seventeen
[I]Antar - Capitol City[/I]
Kyle and Saranara rushed back through the tunnel, their mission to retrieve some food all but forgotten. Saranara gasped for breath as she tried to keep up with Kyle. He reached behind him and grabbed her by the hand and pulled her along behind him.
"Kyle, go ahead without me," she gasped. "I'm slowing you down, you have to get back to them. They need to know about this." "No," he said grimly. "I'm not leaving anyone behind, ever again. Especially not you." Unfortunately, Saranara chose that moment to stumble upon a rough part of the tunnel floor and she missed Kyle's comment. The two burst through the tunnel into the small cavern where Michael, Max, Jereon and Kam were waiting.
Max and Michael jumped up as Saranara and Kyle entered the cavern, they're arms extended, while Jereon scooped Kam up and started to run down another tunnel. "Wait!" shouted Kyle. "It's us!" "Jesus, Kyle, we could have killed you," said Michael. "Next time, let us know it's you why don't you?" "Wait a second," gasped Kyle, trying to catch his breath. He was more winded from the news he was bearing rather than the run.
"Saranara, will you take Kam for a walk please?" he asked, still panting slightly. "Just a second," said Max, starting to object. "Max, just shut up," said Kyle. "This is important. You keep saying you're not the king, well, try not acting like one for a change."
Max stared in shock at the acidic words that spewed from Kyle's mouth. Kyle hadn't talked to him like that in years." "Kam and I are going to go back through the tunnel to the shop to get some food," said Saranara. "Won't that be fun Kam? Your Uncle Kyle was in such a hurry to get back here that he forgot the food." The two started back down the tunnel while Kyle watched until they were out of site. "Kyle, what has happened?" asked Jereon. "Did you find Isabelle and Lexie?" "No, I'm afraid it isn't good news. Saranara and I were in the marketplace when we heard the news."
"What news Kyle, just say it!" demanded Max "It's Liz. She's agreed to marry Kivar. The notices said the wedding would take place in three days time!"
[I]Antar - Royal Palace[/I]
"Cadrik, tell me again everything that happened? Does Elizabeth believe that you are a traitor?" "Yes Lord Kivar," said Cadrik. "I believe I managed to convince her that I am loyal only to the royal family. Queen Elizabeth was quite easy to dupe actually. I believe that she is desperate to have someone on her side." "That is excellent Cadrik. I want you to go back to her and tell her that the plans for the wedding progress and that it will occur in three days." "Three days my Lord? Isn't that a bit sudden?" questioned Cadrik. "Yes, especially when she believes that she has several weeks to prepare for her escape. If she thinks the wedding will happen in three days, she will most likely try and escape the night before. With any luck, we'll be able to tail her to that brat of hers so I can kill him," said Kivar. "As you wish My Lord. I shall see to it immediately," said Cadrik bowing to Kivar. He left the room and made his way to the kitchens and prepared a tray for Liz.
The door to her suite slid open and Liz, trying to fit into her persona of happy bride to be, did little but glance up to see who it was. When she saw that it was Cadrik, she smiled and jumped up and moved towards him. He frowned and shook his head slightly and she paused. "Good evening My Lady," he said respectfully. "I have brought you a meal and some news."
"Good evening Cadrik," Liz said. "Thank you, I'm quite hungry tonight." "You need to eat well My Lady, for you are to wed Lord Kivar in three days." "Three days?" shouted Liz. "That's impossible. He promised me a month." "It is to be three days Queen Elizabeth, and you and Kivar shall wed. Now may I suggest that you eat, for you will need your strength." He bowed to Liz and walked out of the room, the door sliding shut behind him.
Liz watched Cadrik leave, puzzled by his behavior, and frightened by his news. She picked up the tray he had left for her and began to eat. She wasn't hungry, for his words had chased away her appetite, but she also knew she would need her strength for what was to come. She picked up a dish and began to eat, not noticing the contents. When she was done, she went to return the plate to the tray when she noticed a scrap of paper sticking out from under another dish. She removed it and unfolded it and read:
"Your Majesty,"
Lord Kivar believes me to be loyal to him. He instructed me to befriend you. I told him that I succeeded and that you trusted me implicitly. He then instructed me to inform you that your wedding has been scheduled for three days from now. He believes you will run, the night before the wedding is to occur. He plans to follow you in the hopes that you lead him to your son. He plans to kill the boy.
Your Majesty, I beg you to believe that I am loyal to you and to the Royal House of Antar. It is imperative that you have faith in me, and do not believe what you may hear about me. Do not wait to run, you must leave tonight. It is urgent that you leave as soon as possible.
Cadrik.
Liz looked at the note and rubbed her head. She didn't know who or what to believe any longer. Finally, she decided to trust nobody but herself. She finished all the food on the tray, and went into her room. She quickly slipped on the pants and shirt that belonged to Kyle and covered it with one of the Antarian gowns that filled her closet. She made a quick survey of the room to see if there was anything of use to her. Spying nothing, she returned to the main living quarters, as the door again slid open. This time it was Krochi who entered the room. "Queen Elizabeth," he said. "I have come to remove your tray if you are done eating." "Thank you Krochi, but where is Cadrik?" she asked. "If it pleases your Majesty, I have some information to share with you," said Krochi. "Cadrik is not a friend to you. He betrays your confidences to Lord Kivar. You are in great danger. You should beware." "Danger, from what Krochi?" asked Liz. "Do not believe the words of Cadrik," said Kochi again. He picked up the tray and quickly stepped from the room.
[I]Antar - Uzshtar City[/I]
After many failed attempts, Isabelle and Lexie managed to locate the eating establishment belonging to Franchet, and they made their way inside. She sat at a table and looked around the dark room. Franchet was across the room, placing a platter of food in front of a customer. A woman approached Isabelle and asked what they would like anything. Isabelle declined regretfully, for she had no money, but she asked the waitress to send Franchet over. It took him several minutes to arrive at the table. "May I help you?" he asked in Antarian. Isabelle struggled to find the correct words. All of them had learned some of the language when they were here last, but she was far from proficient. After a few moments of internal struggle, she gave up and quickly passed her hand over her hair and face to reveal who she was, and just as quickly disguised herself again. Franchet's face registered shock for a moment. He quickly left the table and returned with two large platters of food. "Eat Majesty," he whispered. "I will be back as soon as possible. Where is Naloch?" At the name Naloch, Isabelle glared at Franchet, but said nothing. She passed Lexie some food and made sure that the child was eating before she answered. "We'll talk of him later. I need to get Lexie someplace safe." Franchet was about to answer when the door to the tavern opened and two of Kivar's guardsmen walked in. Isabelle shuddered, but kept her expression smooth. The two walked past her table and took some seats several tables away and began to talk.
"I think Lord Kivar is making a mistake," said one of the guards. " You may think that, but I'd keep it to yourself if you want to live," said the other. "You know as well as I Lord Kivar won't stand for anybody speaking poorly of him or of his decisions." "Be that as it may, I still think it's a poor decision. What time is Commander Nicoro supposed to meet us?" "I'm not sure, he just said for us to meet him here, and he'd have something with him that would secure his position with Lord Kivar forever." Isabelle blanched at his statement, but continued to eat and act as if she'd heard nothing. The door to the tavern opened and three more guardsmen walked in and joined the others. "Have you heard the news?" asked one of the new arrivals. "Do you mean about Lord Kivar marrying the Queen? Yes, we've heard it," said the first guardsman guardedly. "No, that it is to happen in three days!" said one of the new arrivals. Isabelle gasped and dropped her eating utensil. It clattered against the dish, the sound seeming to echo throughout the room. She looked over at the guardsmen, and her stomach clenched when she realized they were all staring at her.