Chapter Seven: Death and Conspiracy
After Serena had completed her spell to protect the walls form unwanted listeners and onlookers Darien began to tell his mother exactly what Serena had told him earlier in the day.
"Serena, do you know of anything more?" Queen Arlene asked.
"No, your majesty. I could if you so wish it, find out more on my way home tomorrow and the few weeks to fallow. Before my return here to the palace." Serena paled, at that moment she felt an intruder somehow pass beyond her silent spell. When the Queen open her mouth to speak again Serena stopped her. "I believe that the arrangements are agreeable. I shall be available the moment I arrive from home."
The queen looked confused for a split second before she realized why Serena had changed the subject so swiftly. "Yes, yes. So when you have come back to the palace after your visit home, I expect you to send a messenger and meet me in the drawling room."
"Yes of course your majesty. Shall I write down my measurements for your tailors? So that the dresses at least shall be ready upon my return." The queen nodded as soon as Serena spoke. Taking the quill and parchment handed to her Serena wrote down her measurements along with a note.
Majesty,
Somehow some one has broken through my barriers. I will keep watch on my father for you and your son. I am in you service now and it would be my honor to protect you.
Upon my arrival back at the palace in a month I shall update you on what I have learned.
May the gods protect you both,
Serena
She then handed the paper to the queen and bowed as if to leave, when she felt the invading presence leave her shields. She stood up straight and waited for any further interruptions before looking directly at the queen.
"I see that you are almost exactly the same size as one of my pervious ladies-in-waiting. Oh, I almost forgot would you happen to know your maids dress size too?" The Queen spoke as she wrote down a few things.
Thank you child for your bravery in the face of danger. And by the way I really do need yours and your lady maids dress sizes!
Be careful dear heart and watch for any danger that comes along your way home to me.
Arlene
Serena read and handed the paper back with the measurements required on it. "Majesty I must pack my few belongings and be on my way home. If you will excuse me." Serena bowed and turned to leave. Just as she reached the door Darien stood beside her holding it open for her.
"What sort of gentleman would I be if I didn't escort a lady to her room?" He asked as he held out his arm to her. She took his arm and he then closed the door. "So I will see you again in a month?" He asked looking straight ahead.
"Apparently so, yes." She stopped walking for a brief second before she remembered that she hadn't taken her shields down. In that brief second she was able to tear apart her shields and continue walking before Darien noticed her hesitance.
Soon they both reached her chamber doors. "I hope your journey is safe and swift. I shall anxiously await your return." Darien said and then left as Serena stared at his retreating form.
The journey was not as easy as Serena would have thought it to be. It was almost exactly like the journey to the palace. No stops for rest or food and Serena was worried that the same thing would happen to her. However, the same thing did not happen, for on the second day of travel she found in her purse a bit of bread and a small note from the prince.
Lady Serena,
When you told me of your first journey here to the palace I thought perhaps that your father would be the same on the journey home. So I thought ahead and put a bit of bread, dried fruit and meat in your purse. Good luck and may the gods protect you from harm.
Darien
Lucky for Serena that she found all of this while her father dozed in the other side of the carriage. She shared with Mina and they both survived a lot better than the first trip.
Upon reaching the manor on the four afternoon Serena and Mina were both able to walk to their rooms alone without assistance. "Finally we're home. Oh, Mina just think a few more weeks and we shall be on our way back to the palace to serve the queen."
"Serena try to keep your voice down. You know your father doesn't want to hear you speak of it. In his opinion you have spoiled his plans." Mina began to unpack the few items that didn't need washing and put them away. "Tomorrow I heard that your father was going to be away for three days on local business. Does this mean that you will pick up where you left off with your training?" Mina asked.
"It certainly does. There are many soldiers here that are more faithful to me than my father. I need not worry of betrayal. What about you, I know that you have also trained here, you only thought I didn't know, Marcus tells me everything including what happens on the night watch." Serena smiled as she slipped her shoes off to take a long awaited nap.
"I suppose I could join you. Anyway before you slip off into dreamland you might want to make a spell to wake you in time for supper so that your father can tell you himself that he is leaving on the marrow." Mina also slipped off her shoes so she could rest as well.
"Mmm, good point. Sleep come quick and swift but wake me before the guardsmen shift." That said and done both she and Mina drifted into a peaceful slumber.
(A.N. Just to let ya peeps knows anything in bold writing is a dream sequence)
The mist flowed through the air obscuring Serena's vision. Noises surrounded her, frozen in place Serena looked frantically about her.
This is a vision of the things to come, and you dear child cannot stop it no matter what. Hahah!!
She stood even further still because she recognized the male voice that spoke, it was her father.
No need to fear, you will not be around to see the destruction of this kingdom and all the others that will fall to me. Death will slowly come to those that stand in my way.
I never yield to you. I have my powers to stop you and fighting skills, I'll fight you until my last breath. Serena yelled with fury in her voice at the mist around her.
You are weak daughter. You have not come into your full powers and I do not intend on letting you come into them at all.
That's what you think. Unfortunately for you I have come into my full powers. You may believe that you can control fate, but fate controls you. I swear to you each person makes his or her own destiny and you will not rule me or any one else. We are all slaves to fate, but only she can decide who walks besides her. And you will never have that honor for as long as I live. She marched forward as if to challenge him and then by chance fell through the mist veil into a field of grass that was greener than the greenest grass that she had ever seen.
Further on the plain Serena saw a small plain cottage, with shutters that were wide open, as if to invite her to it. She ran to it and upon entering she spotted a woman sitting in a small plain wooden chair. I had always hoped that I would see you again. The woman turned and Serena caught her breath. There in the chair sat her mother as beautiful as she had been when she was alive.
Mother… Serena whispered.
My child I have missed you. Lady Evelyn stood, straightened her skirts and walk over to her daughter and hugged her. Come we have much to discuss and little time to do it in. Serena fallowed her to the two chairs at the table and sat down. What you saw was a glimpse of events that could come to pass, if you do not fight against your father. He is not the man I knew before we married, he has changed a great deal.
What do you mean changed? I thought that he has always been this cruel. Serena asked.
Yes, he has but when I first met him he was sweet and gentle. He changed so that he could win my heart. But I later learned that he only married me for my position in society. He craves power, and further more he will stop at nothing to get it. That is why I must tell you of what is to pass very soon.
How would you know? You are in the afterlife, how could you possibly know? Serena asked confused and worried.
Because I have watched over you since the day that I was buried. Your father…
Bong! Bong! Bong!
Serena woke at the sound of the clock in the great hall. "Damn!" She whispered to herself. I was so close! Now I must use my own devices to find out what father is up to. Damn, damn, damn! Instead of fretting over what had been lost to her Serena climbed out of bed and shook Mina awake. "Come on get up. Dinner is in an hour and I for one am starved."
Mina woke, helped Serena dress, escorted her to the dinning hall then headed to the kitchens so she herself could eat.
Serena ate dinner alone. The grand hall was nothing compared to the palace but it was close. She noticed for the first time that there were tapestries on the walls, along with paintings, but she did not move from her chair to look at any. Being alone she knew that her father was up to something at that moment for he never missed a chance to ridicule Serena if given the opportunity.
Yet she still sat silently alone by herself finishing her supper. As quietly as she could.
Meanwhile in Lord Stephen's smoking room
"You will be sure to keep an eye in Serena and her maid. I don't want my plans spoiled further by that brat. Stay out of her way and do not get too close, her magic has advanced more than I expected." Lord Stephen spoke smoothly, his voice like velvet on skin.
"Yes, me lord. Is there anything more that you require of me?" The guard asked.
"A few more items of business. First I want this delivered to the mercenaries' leader, Ian. Tell him to meet me in the Four Shoes pub at the edge of the village boundaries." Lord Stephen handed a sealed envelope to the guard. Then turned to pour himself a drink.
"My lord, if I am to be apart of this uprising against the queen and her son shouldn't I know of what is to take place on the day of the attack?" The guard asked fearful that he might upset the giant man that stood in front of him.
The lord in his usual way seemed a bit displeased at the young man who stood in front of him, but he also considered the logic of it. Perhaps some of his men weren't so stupid after all. "I suppose that you are right. But for now all you need to know is that the palace will be attacked from all sides. As for when it shall happen on all hallows eve when black magic it at its strongest. Now go before I loose my patience with you." He roared slightly before turning his back on the guard.
For the rest of the night Lord Stephen sat idly in his chair in front of the raging red fire. Determined that all would go, as he planned no matter who stood in his way. If only my son had lived he could to share in this victory, and maybe he would have put that menacing annoyance of a daughter in her place.
The warm day soon turned into a cold and frightful night. As the wind hollowed outside Serena's window, she read. Not unlike all the other sleepless nights that she had had, but in a strange sense she was now unable to sleep for fear that her father might destroy her in her dreams. Funny how one small incident could destroy her self-confidence in such a short time. It wasn't that she believed she was helpless, it was just that when he was in her unconscious mind he was more powerful, as if another source of magic, black magic was helping him to destroy her. As if that magic had been a threat to every one she loved.
She couldn't shake the feeling that soon something she had no control over was going to happen. She tossed and turned until exhaustion finally took over and finally fell asleep.
Serena awoke to her father pounding on her door. Even before she was given the chance to get up and answer her door her father came barging in. "Get up now!" He roared as he came in. "I want to have a word with you immediately!" Instead of waiting for her to dress, he grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her out of the room toward the cellar.
As soon as she noticed the direction they were headed in she began to tremble with fear. "What have I done to anger you, father? Please tell me!" He just glared back at her and continued walking further down. Serena knew that he wasn't going to tell her but she did know that she would forever be changed in the next few moments that were to pass.
Lord Stephen threw open the door and pushed her in. When Serena was turned free she looked around. This room was different from any of the others that she had been taken to before. As she finished turning she saw a figure chained to the wall. He father meanwhile had lightened a lantern. Only the in the light was Serena able to tell who the figure was. His head down upon a bloodied chest, she recognized the short cut red blonde hair. Marcus, barely breathing looked raise his head when he heard the feminine gasp.
"Serena . . ." He whispered before he remembered the reason she was here.
"I suppose you have no idea why you are here and why your friend is chained and bleeding." Serena's father stated blandly as he walked up behind her form the shadows. "I've had my suspicions about you and Marcus I just never had the time to really investigate and find out if what I have heard was true or not. And not that I have I suppose that I'll have to teach you both a lesson." Lord Stephen said with an icy chill in his voice.
"I don't understand. What did you find out about me and Marcus except the obvious that we grew up together and are just friends." Serena asked even though she already knew what the answer would be. She had dreaded the day that her father would find out about the love that Marcus shared for her, even more so the thought of what he would do when he found out that she had been training her whole life.
"Come now daughter I have known and met much better actresses than you. You think that you can lie to your own flesh and blood and get away with it. I am deeply insulted. Come now I know about you training your obviously very good, but not good enough to hide your secret. My own guards found your supplies in his room." He father pointed to Marcus and then turned back to her. "I also know that this man loves you." He paused when he saw Serena's face fall even further if it was at all possible, but not only did her face fall she also turned white as a ghost. For she now knew exactly what was going to happen next. "Ah, so you remember what I said if I saw you fool around with any of the men who work for me. Tell me daughter, did you give yourself to this man, did you like it, or better yet did I not here you at the palace tell this man not to speak of what has transpired between you two? If I'm not mistaken I know you did."
Serena then took a chance and stood between her father and Marcus. "I never gave myself to any man, nor would I. Yes, I did know that he loved me, but I told him it could never be. I beg you father please spare this man's life." Serena pleaded before she was pushed aside by her father.
Lord Stephen then pulled a large mean looking dagger out of his belt. The handle was made of a wood Serena did not recognize, but she did recognize the blade, its smooth curved edges and the writing on it were that of a dark order of magic. He turned to Marcus, "You heard everything that happened last night didn't you? Well, it's too bad that I have to get rid of a guard, especially one that would have gone far in life." Raising the dagger above his head Lord Stephen spoke unfamiliar word s and then plunged the dagger into Marcus' heart. As his life slowly drained away Marcus mouthed the last words that only Serena would ever know or understand. 'I love you!' And then Marcus breathed his last.
"Nooooo!" Serena screamed. "Monster, no he never did anything to you. Why? Why?"
"Why, because I can. You ungrateful brat." Lord Stephen spat as he turned to leave.
Serena filled with a hatred she had never known lunged at her father's retreating form. She was only able to just barely hit him in the chin before he grabbed her wrist. "You wish to attack and not expect me to retaliate. You may have been trained by the best of my men, but you were not trained by me."
"I would rather die trying to kill you than die at your hands." Serena stated boldly. "You see I know that you planned to have me killed when I returned to the palace, I am no fool."
"How could you know?" He questioned as he began to pull her along to the other side of the room.
Serena refused to answer him. He jerked her toward the wall and then threw her into it, breaking her wrist, for when he threw her he twisted it the wrong way on purpose. "Tell me!!!" He roared.
"Never, I will never tell you!" Serena screamed again.
"Tell me!!!" He father roared again this time beating her with his fists. As she still cowered in the corner refusing to tell him anything he soon began to lash out with the whip.
"Alright, alright…" she whimpered. "I heard you talking with a guard in the palace gardens." She waited for another blow, but it did not come. Being daring she looked up. Her father had gone pale for the moment.
"So I must suspect the you know about the attacks that are to happen on all hollow's eve, on all fronts. I did not what to have to do this so soon." He dropped the whip, walked over to Marcus' corpse and pulled out the dagger.
As he staggered back to where Serena lay, he mumble the same unfamiliar words again. Serena fearing for her life gathered her power. The same flash of light that had happened in the palace gardens appeared again. In a brilliant flash of light her father had forgotten what had just happen. He looked around, he spotted the body on the wall and then Serena on the floor. He gathered that he had done what he intended to do in the first place and so left.
Serena woke to the soft sound of crying. As she opened her heavy eyes she saw that she was in her own room again. "Mina," She whispered.
"I'm here Serena. Please lay still, your father left about an hour ago. He told us that you would be in the cellar and that you needed assistance. Marcus is…" Mina sniffled and could not continue.
"I know, I know I saw him do it. Mina I know when he plans to attack, I know his…ah!" Serena cried as she shifted in bed.
"He hurt you bad this time Serena. Rest heal slowly it will do you good. I'm sorry but I cannot mend broken wrists." Mina sighed again.
"I'll fix it myself. Just take care of the other wounds. After I heal my wrist I'll be drained to do it myself. If I pass out just keep watch over me." Serena closed her eyes and began to concentrate.
"I will." Mina said.