Chapter 11: Memories of darkness

Falan watched the procession from La Naan arrive into the castle. Lady Leene walked with General Ashley through to the great hall. Yuujel had followed only for his royal ties, along with the needed attendants they had brought. Keld had arrived a bit earlier, perplexed and almost ashen with worry of the power struggle Ishtar had chose to cause.

"Keld." Darres looked in the direction from his sitting position in the library, which was quite cozy if he had not move so far from it. An ill wind blew into the air, and he tried his hardest to counteract it.

"Darres, I appreciate your honesty." The male obviously looked as if to apologize and remain oblivious to others. "I heard of your confrontation."

"It was something I had to do, and I am not injured." The male turned and went towards another direction as Darres took a closer position to the fire. Perhaps the ill wind was only his mind playing tricks on his mind.

In the great hall...

The participators sat and ate at the food with the utmost caution. Darres had arrived last, at last getting the chill away from his body that he so desperatly needed to get rid of. No one had spoken a word, or very louldly at all. When Yuujel nudged him, the knight was jarred from his thoughts.

"Oh, what is, Yuujel?"

"You look a bit worried, not that we aren't at all."

"Well, at least you didn't have that odd chill." He said almost annoyed, and turned to the hot meat on his plate and took a large bite in two gulps. The male smiled at him for a moment before continuing what he was doing.

In the dwelling...(after their own dinner.)

Ishtar sprawled on the bed she shared with her undead husband, pulling out the familiar material and indents of the ruelle mirror Darres would complain she used too much. Upon feeling a familiar sensation, she opened the mirror. Falan's face came into veiw, her head leaning against a pillow the her chin.

"Hello Ishtar!"

"Falan, I wasn't expecting to hear from you this soon. How are the proceedings going?"

"Well, at the moment we haven't talked about it yet. However, I'm pretty sure Leene will be doing her best to outwit me." The girl huffed.

"I suppose I was expecting old grudges to be revived, what do you think would happen?"

"I was just expecting something more...civil."

"My throne is nothing to be civil about."

"Maybe...if you came to support the person you chose!"

"You know very well that would not be suggested."

"That's why I think you should do it!"

"My husband has problems as it is, since he is continuing to gather followers and new people to join him with a bit of trust."

"Well, would you ever support Illisade and I getting the throne?"

"Of course."

"Then come if you can! If you can't, I understand Ishtar."

The face left, and the queen felt torn.

'What should I do, Duzie...what should I do?'

TBC...