by Suchan deFamine
Books Harry Potter Romance Slash AURating: PG-13
Warnings: Slash, but if you made it thus far, you already know that.
Thanks to: Ladybug11 and everyone else who reviewed this story!
And now, the long-awaited chapter six…
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Happily Never After: Chapter 6 Whoever Did That Should Be Hung.oOoOoOo
I awoke after a fitful night in the lumpy, yet soft bed in one of the higher rooms in the inn. Moonlight still glimmered against the still, gauzy curtains and highlighted the contour of another being in the other bed, still asleep.
He was breathing deeply, covers pulled over one half of his face and rising and falling with each breath. The moonlight gave his face a rosy tinge, made it more angelic.
But I myself was still restless. Something was wrong. Some weird tingle in the back of my brain, an alarm system, almost. Red flashing lights. Surely no one would have followed us.
And if no one followed us, we would be in no harm. Unless…No. We hadn't been followed. No concerns will be raised when Marcus awakes.
That's final.
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The next morning was a hazard. Everyone seemed to still be moving about in their sleep. The waiters and server girls spilled the morning meal, people lay facedown on the tables, even, asleep in their porridge.
It seemed I was the only one awake. Outside I saw bright flashes of colour, but I don't think they were anything. Only my tired mind playing tricks on me. Two men sitting at the next table over were muttering loudly about the news. I strained to hear what they were saying as I slowly stirred my porridge, which was half in the bowl and half on the table due to the half-awake serving girl.
"The Baron of Sequestra…what about 'im?"
"'is son's gone missin'."
"Hmph. Don't surprise me none."
"I heard," the innkeeper cut in, "one of the servants had kidnapped him! Bound his wrists and ankles and carried him away in the dead of night upon a horse!"
A spoon was dropped. "Quite certainly, you are pulling upon my leg."
The whole place was awake now. Conversations about the missing son and his kidnapper flew across the room like motion sensor beams. Marcus stared up at me.
"I heard he was offerin' a reward for whoever caught the kidnapper and returned 'im. I thought it was said that he offered a sum large enough to spin a poor man's head!"
"Yes, and he wanted the servant back dead!"
Marcus and I exchanged looks. "We really ought to leave."
"What's your take on this, young masters?" I froze as I felt a hand on my shoulder. Marcus paled.
"Well…" I began slowly, "I think that it was an awful thing to do, kidnapping Baron Yalfom's son. Whoever did it should be hung." The innkeeper's wife gave a hearty chuckle behind me.
A great cheer went up from the tables around us and calls were made for more drinks. Abandoning the porridge, I grabbed Marcus' hand and dragged him outside; we slipped away unseen in all the confusion, as a few boarders had come to the dining hall while the clock ticked away in the great church tower a few blocks down.
As we ran for the stables, I couldn't help but notice his tightening grip on my hand, turning them white. "We'll be alright," I whispered. Marcus left a few coins in a clear, hard box attached to the stall and we took off into the brightening morning.
None of the guards stopped us as we barrelled through the gates and into the free countryside to the north. The woods enveloped us and finally, a benevolent hush settled over the landscape. I slowed Amaranth to a walk and nudged Marcus slightly so he would stop crushing my ribs.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled into my back. "I'm just scared."
"I know. But they say all's well that ends well, and this will end well." I turned around and gave him an encouraging smile, which was returned, but feebly. Suddenly, Amaranth stopped and put down his ears, sniffling quietly. This alarmed me. "What is wrong, Amaranth?"
There was a click, and the poor horse bucked us both off: Marcus landed oddly on his arm. A sound like a crack shattered the peace and Amaranth dropped to his knees and fell to one side. Warm blood flowed out of a wound in his lower leg; another crack and more oozed out of another directly in the centre of his chest. A small whinny of protest, and he was gone. I heard Marcus choke beside me as my eyes began to water from being open so wide.
A flash of bright orange on my left. But when my eyes could follow it, the colour was gone and there was nothing left but green trees and colourful flowers.
"He's dead, isn't he," Marcus whispered flatly. I nodded. "He was a good horse."
Again, I nodded. He helped us escape Denna, but his part was done. We needed to go farther north.
I caught his tearing grey eyes and smiled. "Don't worry. We can still go on foot." He reached out to me and I helped him up, catching him as he stumbled. Trembling arms grabbed hold of my shirt.
"What was that thing?"
"I don't know."
"Well, let us go. I do not want to linger here. It is probably still waiting for us somewhere." The warmth left like sand blown off a table. He tore off onto the path and I followed, wondering how the hell we were going to get to Sentron.
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End Chapter Six.
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Sorry it took so long to get this posted… I just really haven't been much in a mood for writing as of late… more for long walks around the town holding hands… ::gets starry eyes and sighs:: anyway. How d'you like it? I know, I know….it's getting weird. But wait. Just wait. …you'll understand eventually………
Herm… hmhmhmhm…. Does anyone want to ::PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE:: beta this chapter for me? I just don't think it sounds right…. Damn mouse. ::throws it against the wall and plastic rains down on her:: : Muargh.