What's with the candle thing?
Bleh, I should have known people would forget the candle reference, especially considering how long it has been between updates. So, I will lead you all down memory lane (watch out for that pothole) and explain. Several chapters back, Clarine died. (Geez, I hope you remember that happening.) And while Lauryn was talking to Nathan, Nathan told her a bunch of stuff she had never known or considered. How Clarine had been a few months pregnant and happily expecting. How Nathan, too, had been so excited to finally have a family. Nathan, whose own parents had left him with only his name, in front of a merchant's shop. And this merchant, happened to specialize in candles. Alright, folks, we've reached the end of the line. Please exit to your right. (Hey, did anyone see the show Shrek 4-D? Hilarious as hell and a lot of fun. The Mirror is really funny. At the end of the show... err... I'm rambling. Sorry.)
Athaniel and Jonathan sittin' in a tree...
Err... sorry, I'm in a really strange mood. So here are the facts. Queen Janah runs around asking people if they had seen her son, her Janah Athaniel. While in the dungeon last chapter, she was worried that one of the dead men were her son, Jonathan, and she told him that he didn't need to make any more candles. When Lauryn saw Lord Athaniel, she thought she was seeing Nathan because they look alike. Lord Athaniel has dedicated much of his life to taking care of the Queen. He and the Queen are both in their forties. (This should help you figure out the relationship between the three. I wanted you guys to draw your own conclusions, but if you need more hints, keep reading. The first two facts I gave you above reveal that Nathan is really Jonathan, the Queen's son. So who's the father? Her husband? If that were true and I had been King Duane, I would be scandalized that Janah had named the child "Janah Athaniel." Not to mention that I wouldn't have dropped him off at a random merchant's shop. And please don't if Lord Athaniel and Jonathan are brothers. If that were true, then Janah would also be Athaniel's mother.)
30. Unsuccessful Negotiations
Nobles' Bane: Chapter 28
Axe
He straightened when he heard the footsteps on the stairs echo in his ears. But then he frowned when he realized that there had to be at least more than two people approaching from the number and frequency of the footsteps.
His jaw clenched as he wondered if General Aleyn had decided to bring a few guests with him this time, with himself and Danel being the entertainment. It wouldn't be the first time.
But then he heard a familiar voice, and he jumped to his feet.
"Vistra?"
A stranger approached the cell, making quick work of the lock there. And then those familiar dark, gray eyes were staring out at him from inside the hood of a cloak. He stared back, wondering whether it would be more appropriate to curse or rejoice.
"Vistra--" He frowned, glancing upwards at the sounds of more echoing footsteps. Someone else was coming?
"As you can see, Axe, there isn't time for talking. We're about to be discovered. Can you fight?"
He nodded, and she unsheathed her sword and gave it to him. "You'd make better use of it than I. Is Danel--"
He quickly shook his head. But he couldn't miss the strained look of anxiety pass her face before she turned away. "Hurry, get the shackles off before they arrive," she said to the stranger who had unlocked the cell.
"Thank you," he breathed once he was free.
Lauryn glanced over her shoulder just before hurrying away. "Try not to kill Kenric or Lord Athaniel. They're on our side."
Lauryn
She had both of her knives drawn as she knelt in the shadows beside the only entrance into the dungeon. Kenric huddled in the darkness at the other side of the doorway. She didn't know where Axe was, but she trusted him to figure out something. She hoped Lord Athaniel knew what he was doing. She also hoped that Delice was able to keep Queen Janah quiet and calm. Or, as quiet and calm as possible.
She held her breath as the footsteps got louder and nearer; her eyes locked with Kenric's.
3... 2... 1.
She raised her arm and stabbed the man who was unlucky enough to be the first down the stairs. He staggered and fell, gasping, as his comrades tried to get past him without tripping over one of his flailing limbs.
She and Kenric took full advantage of the enemies faulty positioning, dropping several more men to the ground before falling back.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Axe and Lord Athaniel step forward to engage more of the soldiers who came down the stairs. She frowned with concern when she saw the weary way with which Axe moved. He swung his sword, yes, but he swung it as if it was an almost unbearable weight on his arm. Perhaps she should have given him her knives instead.
And Danel…
She bit her lip and angrily cut down the man in front of her.
She grimaced with disgust as a spray of blood splashed onto her cheek. For a moment, she felt old and tired. Fighting… killing… it just wasn't what it used to be.
She tried to remember the fervor she had felt when she had first become a member of Nobles' Bane. But that time seemed too long ago.
She slipped on a pool of blood and nearly got her face slashed by a stray sword; Lord Athaniel was just able to meet the oncoming sword in a parry. He glanced down at her after finishing off the man.
"Are you all right?"
She shivered when she felt the still warm blood start to seep into her cloak. "Is it over?"
The lord helped her to her feet and quickly shook his head. "Look."
One last soldier kneeled on his knees at the farthest end of the dungeon. Her heart went cold when she realized that the man was holding Danel, also on his knees, in front of him as a shield and pressing a knife against Danel's throat.
"Lord Jaranth," she heard Athaniel whisper to her. Lord Jaranth. The one lord she hadn't been able to kidnap because he had been here instead of his home. She quickly started to step forward.
"Stop!" the noble immediately cried. "Stop, or he dies."
She stopped.
Jaranth turned to Kenric. "Your father was wondering where you had disappeared to." He laughed. "Imagine finding you here." Then his face grew serious. "Order your men to put down their weapons."
Kenric glanced at her and hesitated.
"Now!" Jaranth screamed.
She quickly dropped her knives, and the others followed suit.
"Much better," the noble said raggedly. "Now, in return for your friend's safety, I need you to guarantee my safe passage out of this gods cursed castle."
"Done," she quickly said.
He gave her a sneer. "I wasn't finished. And nor was I talking to you, you stupid whore."
Kenric's face grew stormy.
"I also demand to have my son back."
"Very well," she said, her voice clipped. "We'll make sure we return his body to you--"
"I want him safe!" Jaranth pressed his knife roughly into Danel's neck, and she cursed herself and her temper.
Danel groaned and opened his eyes. His dazed eyes settled on her and he tried to smile, holding out his hand towards her.
She gasped in horror, finally seeing the state Danel was in. "Wha… what did that bastard do to you?"
Danel was barely being held up by Lord Jaranth. And his hand… his hand…
Jaranth gave a jarring laugh. "General Aleyn graced the young man with his presence. This one's got quite the mouth on him, you know. Aleyn decided to use his delightful Screw, and crush every single bone in his hand… and his feet.
So that's why Danel was being held loosely on his knees. She couldn't keep the horror from her face. She glanced at Axe in disbelief, but he only nodded.
"Lord Tonerian," Jaranth said, "do we have a deal? My and my son's safety in return for this," he shook Danel by the shoulder. The movement caused Danel to slide even further onto the stone floor. He lifted his other hand; she was only slightly relieved when she saw all five fingers on that hand in tact.
And she watched as those fingers reached towards the hilt of a sword nearby.
Jaranth saw Danel's feeble grip on the sword, and he laughed.
"What, do you think to kill me?" he said derisively as he watched Danel lift the sword in front of him.
Lauryn's eyes widened with understanding. "No, Danel, no…"
Jaranth choked on his laugh as the sword blade exited Danel's back and pierced his own gut.
She heard someone scream. She didn't pause to figure out who. She didn't care. She rushed to Danel's side as he and Jaranth fell over.
"Don't touch them," Athaniel said, stopping her. "Let me." He pressed a gentle hand against Danel's chest, just below where the sword still lay.
"He's not dead, he's not dead," she said, sounding a bit hysterical. "He's still breathing."
Axe motioned for her to be silent, and then stared at Lord Athaniel. "You're a healer."
The noble nodded. "Here. Take the hilt, and when I tell you to, quickly pull it out. Think you can do it?" he asked her gently.
She quickly nodded.
He replaced both of his hands onto Danel's chest. "Now."
Once the sword was extricated, Lord Athaniel quickly moved Danel into a better position, preferably off the Lord Jaranth. She kicked Jaranth, who was conveniently unconscious, to the side, hoping that he would die.
Everyone watched silently as Lord Athaniel worked his healing on Danel. When Danel opened his eyes, Lauryn jumped forward.
"Danel, are you--"
Danel groaned, and the sound made her heart ache. She glanced up at Athaniel hopefully. The hope in her heart was squelched when he shook his head.
"No?" she said with incredulity. "What do you mean no?"
"Vistra…" Danel gasped.
She knocked aside the momentary pause the name he called her brought. "He's a healer. He's supposed to heal you--"
"He can't. It's too late for me." Danel glanced up at the healer. "I… thank you. You've taken most of the pain from me," he said through his labored breathing.
Athaniel nodded and lowered his head, a prayer on his lips.
"Danel, please. Don't," she pleaded. "Please don't die."
He smiled briefly at her, a ghost of his old smile. "I don't think it's my decision any more." But then he saw the stricken look on her face, and his smile disappeared. "Please, don't cry."
She choked. "You have no right to ask me not to cry as you die right in front of me."
"Please," he murmured tiredly. "I don't want my last memory of you to be of you crying."
Which only made her want to cry even more.
"I'm sorry I got here too late," she said mutedly.
"Not… your fault," he said in return. "It's selfish of me… but I'm glad you're here. I can see you one last--"
"Don't say it," she quickly covered his lips lightly with her fingers.
He lifted a hand, the uninjured one, and slowly covered her fingers with his. He shivered when he felt her warm skin. "So cold. It's cold, Vistra."
Wanting to take off her cloak so that she could wrap it around Danel, she tried to let go of his hand, but he tightened his grip.
"Please... don't leave me alone."
She lifted her other hand and tried to rub warmth into his cold fingers. "I'm staying right here." As long as it takes.
She was the only one close enough to hear his next, and what turned out to be last, words. "Love you, Jade."
She could no longer hide the tears prickling at her eyes. "Love you, too."
So she sat, counting Danel's last shuddering breaths.
Until she was left holding a lifeless hand between her fingers.
And no one, especially not Lauryn, even noticed Kenric quietly slipping out of the dungeon and leaving them behind.