Chapter 6: A New Me
Ishtar's body moved with a large amount of pain, her neck in absolute agony. It was Duzell's voice that kept her awake. Surely to keep up with his reputation.
"It's time to get up." The voice was rough, but not as rough as when he had first spoken to her. "I will await you near the bottom of the stairs." She moved her body even though she was in extreme pain. Her body removed garments to wear a more appropriate strapless navy dress and shoes. She moved down the stairs afterwards, keeping herself from collapsing.
"I'm here, my lord."
"Keep up, or you will not be helped." She followed him, even though she knew he had to be strong and evil sounding for his followers as he moved towards another room. She could barely keep up with the king's strong and sturdy legs. When she saw him stop, he was sitting, waiting for her to sit.
"Master, is she to sit with you?"
"Yes, prepare her a spot."
"Who shall she be my lor-" The follower was clutched by the collar of his shirt. The follower shut his mouth and began to set up a spot as he went to the kitchen again.
"My lord, may I sit beside you?"
"You may." Ishtar took her seat beside Duzell and sat in a obedient way. She had learned last night that Duzie had to keep up appearances. Even his followers knew his true nature of love, but he had to keep up appearances and be strong.
In Ci Xeneth's castle...
Darres sat while Falan and Illisade read the note carefully. The more petite looking female still stared at the note as Illisade pulled out a map.
"The reason I pulled you to the library was to show you how many dwellings are around here." He placed the map on a table near the knight's chair. He stared at it a moment before his reaction.
"What do you mean there are this many?!"
"I was trying to tell you that as soon as you mentioned him."
"Then how are we supposed to find Princess Ishtar?"
"Well..." Illisade took out a circular peice of metal from the mantle of the fire place as he sat down in front of the map. He placed it in an area. "That should be the general area."
"There are at least fifty dwellings in that area!"
"At least we have an area to search Darres." The knight resigned in defeat for now as Falan still looked at the note in worry. It was going to be a long day, and an even longer search to find that troublesome princess.
TBC...