Chapter Nine: A King 's tale

Too long have I laid at rest. Too long have I shut my eyes against the world. But no longer. For the Dark Lord is back. And I will rule with an iron fist.

The man paced up and down, occasionally, he glances into the far distance. He saw smoke and much more. Maybe gunfire. His eyes darkened. He did not like this prospect. Not one bit of it. And they were wasting precious time.

Females are too sentimental, he thought.

"Is he awake now?" His tone was impatient. His eyes dismissive.

The girl eyed him with some degree of unhappiness. "He is hurt. You will do well to remember that."

He looked amused. She hated the way he make her feel foolish. But he know well enough when to keep his tongue between his teeth. He knew she was extremely upset. So was he!

He paced again.

"Will you stop that pacing? You are merely distracting and not helpful at all!"

"I am thinking." He said softly.

She eyed him curiously. Saw the dark look in his eyes and quivered slightly. "Raul, will you take a look at Anna?"

"She's gone." He said, unconcerned. He strut and knelt beside a pile of ashes and started to frown.

"Shane has slipped away again. He is much too hurt." She whispered.

"I do not like the way you let him rest his head against your bosom."

The girl looked pale with shock. Then Raul laughed merrily. And she frowned up at him. He merely shrugged and continue to study that pile of ash.

"Rindy, would you come and take a look at this?"

The girl laid Shane gently by the grass and went to his side. "What is it?"

"It is Virginie. Or what is left of her." Raul went silent briefly and muttered. "This is most heart breaking…"

Rindy frowned again but quickly said. "I wonder what happen to her…?"

Raul looked at her with interest. "Maybe you can bring her back?"

"No!"

He looked at her, his eyes darkened slightly.

"I mean…I cannot! This is beyond my ability."

"Cannot or will not?" He questioned.

She turned away from him. "You are too much, my lord."

She heard him chuckle and she hated him. But she quickly turned serious. "Anna has given up her life for us. We are eternally in debted to her."

Raul was not happy. "We are not. It is only natural that a witch's blood should pay for this treachery! We are not in debted to anyone."

The girl was about to protest when there was a soft moan from Shane. Raul shook his head seriously while Rindy ran to Shane's side.

"Is he going to be fine?" He asked quietly.

Rindy softened. "Yes. I believe he will. Though he looked pretty confused and lost. He did not even recognize me!"

"Hmm..That is a good start."

"Raul!"

He shrugged. "I am concerned with the particular smoke and gunfire at the world. Wake him quickly. We have to go down the hill and fast."

"But he can barely open his eyes!" Rindy protested.

Raul ignored her and took off his cape. Then he carefully tossed the ashes into the cape and wrapped them up nicely.

"What are you doing?" Rindy asked, incredulous.

He did not replied her. Instead he asked, "Can he move now?"

She looked at the sleeping man in her arms. "I do not know. I think he is unconscious."

"Let me kick some sense into him!"

"Raul!"

He sighed deeply and knelt down next to her. "I will carry him. You take this." He handed her his cape. She held it tightly and watched at Raul lifted his brother easily onto his back. She marveled at his strength and was silently quite proud at him. It was a heartwarming sight for her to see Raul and Shane together and not at each other's throats. But then she reasoned that Shane was unconscious and therefore no squabbling was possible. But she wondered if Shane was awake, will they be able to show brotherly love for each other.

"Stop dreaming, woman!" Raul called up. It was then that Rindy realized that Raul had make it halfway down the hill and she quickly ran to catch up with his long and swift strides.

"What about Anna?" Rindy asked when they were moving quickly past the forests.

"Leave her there." Raul replied. He did not sound the least bit out of breath considering he was carrying a grown man.

"But that is…inappropriate. There may be wild animals about."

"You worry too much."

"But.."

"No buts." He interrupted. "She is dead. There is nothing we can do for her."

"You did not ask if I could have healed her."

Raul looked at her quickly. "And bring her back to life? I think not."

"You did not even ask me."

He was silent. Then he said quietly. "Could you?"

Now she was quiet and Raul cursed fluently in the darkness of the forest.

Rindy glared at him. Even though his profile would have taken the breath out of every girl. For he was fair beyond measure. His fairness unlike that of an angel but more of a devil. Yet, beautiful he was nevertheless and his eyes, dark as sin would have driven the ladies maddened with desire for him. But at that particular moment, Rindy did not find him adorable.

"We were thus awake, thanks to Anna. And you abandoned her. And fail not to pick up after Virginie's remains!"

"Do not be unreasonable now. You saw the state Anna was in. She had not an ounce of life left within her. You cannot have save her, much as you would like to think you could!"

"I did not think a pile of ashes has any chances of saving it either!"

"How long did you think we've slept, Rindy?" Raul asked, changing the subject quite expertly. Rindy frowned but decided not to pursue the matter. "Must have been two years." She eyed Shane. He looked tired to her. And very broken. She felt his spirit have dimmed considerably. She was worried for him. Yet that blockhead would not see it! Damn Raul and his insensitivity!

"Two years is not very long, now that I think about it." Raul went on. "The world probably is still the same."

"Surely you jest." She said gravely. "You know the humans are upon them. And with Shane so… so done in, the world is in serious trouble."

Raul shrugged. "Well, about time, if you ask me."

She chose to ignore that last remark. She knew Raul never really did gotten over the fact that his people had revolted against him two years ago and had tried to overthrow him and his rule. She also know the darkness that dwell inside his heart, as much as he tried to hide it. He'd got a plan of his own and Rindy knew. Only she did not know what the plan was or how cruel it could be. She just have to hope and pray.

"Alas! All is not lost." He said, grinning. "There are boats for us to make sail."

"Do you recall how to set sail?"

Raul laid Shane on the boat. It did not look steady at all. Three on one boat would be folly, he thought. But he could not let Rindy leave his side. He did not trust her boating capability. And his damn brother was still in slumber. He felt like kicking his brother's head.

He decided to take the risk. "We will sail together."

"It does not look like it would hold."

"It will." He said firmly and got onto the boat. Then he held out his hand for Rindy.

The girl still looked uncertain.

"Rindy, get in. We do not have all day."

"You are not very nice." She retorted seriously.

He laughed and she grabbed his hand. They were all in one tiny boat. It was a squeeze so Rindy sat on Shane.

"Much better." Raul muttered and he began to set sail.

He did not tell Rindy that he'd forgotten how to sail a boat.

When they did set sail, things turn out quite smoothly much to Raul's surprise. He did manage to keep the humble boat upright and Rindy did not once complain. Even as they were sailing smoothly across the lake, Rindy was watching Shane's face intently, looking for any signs of awareness in him. Yet she could find none. It was as if Shane had slipped into a different world. Occasionally, he would mutter nonsense and his eyelids would flicker. But then he would dropped back into slumber. She was worried for him. And she was also worried for the world. She did not last remember how the world look like when they had left it. But she knew the world was in trouble and the humans were invading swiftly. She also know that Shane had allied himself with the Dragoons. A very clever move, she had thought. She also briefly wondered what the night people would think or feel when they saw Raul back.

"You think too much." He muttered.

And Rindy looked up at him. She could only see the back of his head. But she knew he was speaking to her.

"How are you going to announce to them?"

"Announce what?"

"That you are back."

He paused, but his hands were smoothly rowing the boat with the wooden oars. "I have not thought about it."

She could already see the distant shore ahead them. "I think it is about time you did."

"I could just walk straight into the palace and say hello."

She sighed. He can be so annoying sometime. Especially when things are getting serious.

"Raul, what will you do to them?"

She felt him stiffened, for she could see the tension in his back. "I will do what I deemed right by them."

"You will not hurt them, will you?"

Raul did not reply. Instead, he sounded cold when he said it. "You will not dictate what I shall or shall not do, Rindy."

Rindy shut her mouth.

They reached the bay. Much to Raul's immense relief, no one had learnt of their arrival yet. He still was not sure what had happen exactly at the cliff on Forest Isle but Anna's body was proof that either the witch had sacrificed herself or Shane had killed her. Or else, the third reason was something Raul did not like. Someone had killed Anna, and then did something else to Shane to make his brother lose his mind. Whichever the case, Raul intend to find out what happen but that would have to wait. He was sure Shane would know the exact events that took place but since he is currently out of the action, Raul would have to learn to be patient. Another thing that bothered him was the manner of Virginie's death. He remembered that Shane had told his dream that Fayth had killed Virginie. A very unlikely story. After all, Fayth will listen to no one but himself. And he surely did not ordained the slaughtering of his mistress.

"I cannot hear anything." Rindy muttered softly, interrupting his thoughts. "I cannot hear gunfire or any sounds that betray war."

He nodded slowly. "Yes, most curious indeed." He gestured to her. "Wait here with Shane. I will go up and take a look."

"Be careful." She said hastily, her green eyes pale with something he could not yet understand.

He understood her fear though and hugged her quickly. "You take care."

Raul ran up the pathways leading to the Eastern Border. His acute sense of vision told him the camps ahead had been routed. He smelt burning flesh and he wrinkled his nose slightly in distaste. Whatever had happen, it certainly did not bode well. He hurried along until he reached the main camp.

The sight was something to behold. The destruction was quick and swift. He saw dead bodies of his people. Some mutilated, some burnt.

The tents had all been destroyed and he could not detect any signs of life. Was it over, he thought. Had the world been destroyed, without his help? He was still thinking when he heard footsteps. It didn't sound like Rindy's. So he turned around quickly.

He was brought face to face with a young man. He recognized him immediately but did not show it.

He wondered if the young man remembers him.

"Raul?"

So he remembers.

Raul nodded. "Yes I am back."

"But how?"

"It is a long tale. I will tell it when I have the time."

The man nodded. And Raul could see that his armor and spear were stained with blood. He wondered if those were human blood.

"How's the Dragoon Island, Iker?"

The Dragon Knight nodded slowly. "All is well, my friend."

"What happen here? Looks like the camp was ambushed."

Iker nodded. His eyes betrayed his wariness. "Yes, I am afraid we were."

"By the humans?"

Again, Iker nodded. He sat down on a nearby rock and looked up at Raul. "It is a long tale as well."

Raul stood where he was. "Where are the humans? And the rest of the Dragoons?"

Iker sighed deeply, as if he was in pain. "We lost many men, Raul. They now fight at the Inner Circle."

"Why there?"

Iker shrugged. "I have no idea."

"And why are you still alive?"

The question struck a chord in Iker. For his eyes widened with shock. He did not speak. He just continue to stare at Raul warily.

Raul continued. "You did not answer my question, Iker. Why are you alive?"

"Do you wish me not to be?" His voice was hard now, almost angry.

"I wish for many things, Iker. But surely, they do not come true all the time."

"I do not like your meaning."

Raul nodded slowly. "Where is Fayth?"

"She is gone."

"No. I believe she is at your side."

Iker looked disgusted. Even his usual almost angelic aura about him was lost in this war. "She is not with me. That ungrateful thing abandon me when I needed her most."

"Fayth did all this damage, did she not?"

Again, Iker was disturbed. "I do not know. I was not here when they ambushed. I only hear it from my comrades."

"Whose side are you on, Iker?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you with the Night people or the humans?"

Iker looked shocked. "I am in allegiance with Lord Slyther. Naturally, I am on the Night People's side."

Raul did not speak. Instead, he walked towards a burnt corpse and scrutinized it. Iker's eyes followed his every move.

"How is Alexia, I wonder?" Raul muttered thoughtfully.

That got the Dragoon's attention. For he leaped up in his feet. "Alexia?!"

Raul nodded. "Yes, Alexia. I wonder if she is fine."

"You never even met her before." Iker said lowly.

"No. But I've heard your insane babbling about her." Raul said, chuckling. "And I know you harbor desire for this…human girl…"

"Alexia has nothing to do with this!"

"But she is human. That had to count for something. I think you have switch your allegiance, Iker. I think you are helping the humans."

"Nonsense!"

Raul raised his eyebrows. "Nonsense? That is all you got to say?"

The young knight did not speak. Instead, he lower his head and he appeared to be in mourning. Raul sighed more to himself than to anyone else and walked back to the bay.

Rindy was sitting quietly when Raul returned. She saw the dark look in his eyes and stiffened.

"What has happen? You were gone an awfully long time."

"I met someone."

"Who?" she queried.

"A friend of old."

She understood he was not ready to talk yet. "What about the people? And the humans? What has happen to everyone?"

"No one is at the eastern border any more."

She frowned. "I wonder…"

"Is he alright?" He eyed Shane with some annoyance.

Rindy shook her head. "I do not know. I do not know anything anymore."

He hold her hand softly in his gloved ones. "Are you still upset?"

She shook her head. And even as her hair fall across her face, Raul could detect unshed tears.

"Everything will be fine." He said softly.

She nodded. But did not look at him in the eye. "I simply fear for the worst. For Shane. And for everyone else."

He understood her more than anything. He could see the way she thinks. She just wanted everyone to be happy and safe. She cared more for anyone than for herself. She was stupid.

But he loved her.

"Well, that stupid brother of mine will wake up soon. As for the rest of them, I'll try to find them."

"Thank you, Raul."

He laughed softly. "You do not have to thank me. I am not doing this for you."

There was a flicker of annoyance in her green eyes and Raul had to grin.

Her expression turned serious though. "Who did you meet up there?"

"Someone you would not know." He said softly. "Someone as confused." He wanted to say, as confused as me. But he didn't.

"Confused?" Now it was Rindy's turn to be confused. "What is his name?"

Raul shook his head sadly. "He is a friend of mine. You never met him before. I used to travel to his kingdom but I never brought you along."

She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "I wonder why.."

He laughed. "It was usually on business terms that I would travel there. I did not particularly like to cross big seas."

She nodded. "I was being childish. So who is he?"

"His name is Iker."

Her green eyes widened slightly. "Iker?"

Raul nodded. "Yes. And he is a Dragoon."

Rindy paled immediately.

Raul saw the obvious discoloration on Rindy's face. And he rushed to her side, as if expecting her to collapse any time. But she shook her head slightly and told him she was alright. He did not believe her however.

"Do you know Iker?"

She was still pale as she said it. "No…I do not. But you said he is a Dragoon. And I…I heard stories about the Dragoons. They sounded very scary."

"Scary?"

She nodded hastily. "Yes."

"Who told you the stories?"

"Must have been granny. When I was younger. I cannot remember." She sat down beside Shane's sleeping body.

He continued to stare at her curiously. "Rindy, is there some other things on your mind?"

She shook her head. "No. I am fine… Is your friend alright?"

"I think he is a danger to himself. And to us."

She looked up at him, her green eyes glistening. "What do you mean?"

"He have switched alliance. He is with the humans now. I think he ordered Fayth to launch an attack on the camp site. I also think he may be the one that command Fayth to kill Virginie."

She was horrified. "But why would he do that?!"

"I was wrong when I say Fayth answers only to me." Raul sighed. "After all, I did give Fayth away to him two years ago. Fayth will listen to him as well."

"But you said he is a friend! He has no reason to kill Virginie."

Raul nodded. "Yes that is most queer. I will have to think about this matter."

"Why do you not ask him?"

"Obviously he denied it. But now, I think he feels some guilt over what he has done." Raul shook his head sadly. "And I cannot blame him. I know how he feels. He did it for a girl."

Rindy looked at Raul. "For a girl?"

He nodded. "A human girl he had fallen in love with. I never met her. But Iker mentioned her to me a couple of times before."

Rindy stood up hastily. "You are saying that he will destroy the night people because he is in love with a human girl?"

"He will not go as far as to destroy it." Raul said thoughtfully. "But I know he would try his best to help the humans."

"But he…the humans will never accept him!"

"Humans are daft creatures. I do not know why he'd fallen in love with one in the first place!"

Rindy lowered her head, as if thinking. "I never thought he would kill for her. He seemed so kind."

Now Raul was alert. "You met him?"

She nodded, almost guiltily. "I met him when I send my dream to find Shane. He was hurt then. I healed him."

"But you knew it was Iker?"

She shook her head quickly. "Of course not! But I'm placing things bits by bits."

Raul eyed her coolly. "How were you able to guess?"

"Guess what?"

"That Iker was the one you healed."

"Why are you asking me all these questions?" She looked mildly disturbed. "If anything else, you should run after your friend. Make sure he does not do any more harm."

"Kill him?"

She widened her eyes in fear. "Oh no!"

"Why not?"

She quietened. "I do not know. Killing is not the solution to everything, Raul."

"It is to me."

She looked at him. There was something in her green eyes. Raul thought she hated him.

"Why are you so evil?"

Her question stung him. He did not know what to say.

"I am evil now?" He finally said quietly.

She shook her head, regretful of her sharp words. She knew she had hurt him.

"No you are not. I am the one."

Raul decided that he would not pursue the matter with Rindy further. Obviously she was very wary and tired from the journey they had made thus far and since they had only recently awaken, Raul decided it was for the best that he let the matter rest. However, he made a silent promise to himself to ask Rindy about it again the next time.

It was then decided that their next course of action should be to reenter Inner Circle and excess the situation before doing anything rash. Shane, of course, was still in sleep.

"I will go to the Inner Circle myself." Raul said finally. "You can stay here with him at present."

"But if what Iker said is true, the Inner Circle must be a battlefield. You must take heed."

He nodded. "Yes I shall. Do not worry about me for there is nothing to worry about."

She shook her head slowly at his cockiness. "You will get hurt, Raul."

He looked at her wistfully. " As long as you stay safe, I will not."

She looked at him thoughtfully. "I am sorry, Raul."

"For what?"

"For saying you are evil." She looked away. Her green eyes were sorrowful. "You are not."

He chuckled a little. "I never held a grudge against a girl. Any girl for that matter."

She looked at him again. He half expected some annoyance from her but she didn't show it. Instead, she looked sad again.

"Raul, I will do my best to save Shane. Meanwhile, you must promise me you will save yourself." She smiled a little, though weak it may seem. "For you are stronger."

He did not like her words. It sounded like goodbye to him. So he hugged her tightly and whispered in her ears that he would be back soon before dark.

Then he left her.