Chapter 5

1

Korin, the New King of Akrlyn walked leisurely down the aisle of the Front Hall towards the throne. Today was a day that these pissants would never forget. He would secure this land to his own liking. He would have subjects, doting servants, and all the women he would ever want. He had control of every one of their lives. And if anyone ever asked of or mentioned the previous ruling family in his presence, he would personally see to the execution.

His white hair was combed back into a neat look, making him seem more powerful and younger. A malevolent grin began to spread across his face, but he pushed back on it, so he wouldn't seem like he was enjoying all of this too much. He needed to seem very strict and solid. These people would learn to fear him if they didn't already.

He approached the small steps that inclined to the Throne chairs, and before stepping onto the first stair, turned slowly, raising his left hand. He swept a glance over all of the people's troubled faces as they stood in the hall. He would change that soon.

Finally, something worth his time and abilities. To think, if he hadn't met that witch in Kaeleer... If she hadn't convinced him to pursue such an ambition... well, now he was indebted to the witch who called herself the High Priestess of Hell for a long, long time.

2

"Bring the boy." Korin commanded in a bored tone. It had been a week now, since his inauguration as the King of Akrlyn, and that damn boy still caused trouble. One would think that after daily beatings and imprisonment he would have quieted down. These Fiorins were aggravating people, that was for damn sure. Stubborn too.

If the report from Lord Darius last time one was sent was true, the Daughter wasn't any different. Three attempted escapes and two attempts to contact for help. And in the most recent report, Darius wrote that the Warlord he had assigned to the kidnaping, Lord Roselv, died in the auction crowd the day the little Bitch was sold.

Korin smiled at this. The bastard most likely deserved what came to him. The man, although shrewd, was an idiotic ass. He should have just had the idiot strip the girl of her Jewels from the first night, but he wanted the full income for her. A complete witch was worth more on the Auction Block than a broken one.

I wonder if she killed him or if he just simply died. Korin thought amused at the prospects. He knew the girl was a sapphire witch. Almost an exact copy of her mother.

3

Nightfall neared as the servants outside began to meander towards their quarters. Ares was among them, her movements usually smooth, were marred by fatigue and sore muscles. At least she wouldn't be up until all hours waiting on those disgusting aristo guests.

In the Court in Akryln, her mother's court, there were never such appalling displays of power and attitude. All of the subjects were courteous and pleasant. There was never anything to fear from them and everything felt comfortable.

But not here.

This close to Hayll, the people and powers were all maggots festering in the decaying land. As a Queen she could feel the earth around her scream for help. She felt the trees weep and the animals become more fearful everyday that passed. Her own instincts shrieked for her to do something, to preform the ceremony for giving back to the land, but she couldn't. She couldn't, and it was killing her.

Ares entered her stink hole and glanced at the other occupants. Three other women were huddled in the room. All of their faces dirty and smudged; all twisted with some kind of emotion that had broken their spirits or worse. After a week of living with them, Ares had come to learn that one, a witch named Hera was from Hayll. She was a lighter-jeweled witch, who was bought the same day Ares was at the Slave Auctions in Raej.

The other girl was named Heida. She was a broken witch, who stood just on the edge of sanity and the Twisted Kingdom. She used to be a Black Widow, with a green Jewel, but she had been broken by a male a few years ago.

The Third woman was the oldest, with grey hair that was almost white. The color wasn't completely caused by old age either. Her name was Cae, and she told the most fascinating stories Ares had ever heard. If the woman was still awake, Ares would listen to the tales the woman told of her life in Kaeleer and books she had read when she was a girl. She had come from Little Terrielle, which was in the Realm of Kaeleer.

Kaeleer. Ares would always think of Valcan whenever the Shadow Realm came up. It was no longer some kind of spooky myth to her. She realized it was there and was safer to be in, as she heard from Cae. She would like to see Glacia most of all.

She missed Valcan fiercely. She had sent out a touch on the Sapphire thread almost every night she had been in this court, and still, there was no answer. She hoped he was well. He was her protector, whether he liked it or not. He had saved her from certain peril and earned her trust. And that meant that he was to be part of her life for years to come. She would be damned if he backed off from this. She'd personally kick his ass.

With that thought in mind, once she settled on her cushion, if one could call it even that, she turned her back to the other women in the room and closed her eyes; focusing inward. She listened for the other slaves. She listened for the Aristo Blood in the House. They were all preoccupied by some other thing, which meant she would have an easier time being ignored. Finally, she descended to the Sapphire web.

She hadn't been able to descend to her web for a few days and nights. It was always too risky. She had seen what had happened to a male servant when he tried to contact his Jeweled strength. He had been brutally beaten, and then whipped between the whipping posts for everyone to see. The servants grimaced and looked away, but the Lady of the House watched with child-like delight as the man's screams echoed around the Courtyard.

That had been enough to convince Ares that what Prince Daemon had said to her was true.

But tonight, Ares took the chance, and descended to her Jewel rank. She reveled in the feeling. Ares settled and focused. Sapphire. She thought. Where are you? Ah.

Across the Realm, she felt the familiar sapphire shard on the ring she had given the Warlord Prince. And accompanied by it was an angry male signature. Ares smiled with relief and joy.

"Valcan" she whispered.

There. Right there. She felt it. A brief flicker, signifying that he felt something through the ring.

A few nervous moments passed before Valcan finally responded.

(Ares?) his voice was husky and seemed strained. But she could hear the hope in his voice.

(Oh, Valcan,) she thought joyfully. (it's been a while. It's so good to hear you.)

(How have you fared?) she could hear the worry in his voice.

(Well. I have had field work and house duty. Nothing really bad. And I think I made a new acquaintance. He's a lot different from you though.) Immediately, at the mention of another male, Ares felt stiff, barely suppressed anger roll off of Valcan's thread.

(Valcan?)

(Yes?) his tone wasn't very happy.

(What's wrong?)

(Nothing.) Ares frowned at that. Why did he remind her of a sulking child?

(Did you feel the sendings on the ring I gave you?) At the mention of such, Valcan's feelings settled down into light annoyance.

(Yes. Almost every night. I'm sorry I couldn't respond to it.) he said with some guilt in his voice.

(I understand that it is difficult to contact someone.) Ares said quietly, remembering the poor slave strung up between the posts. Valcan caught the tail end of that mental image, and remembered how careful he should be.

(Ares, I want you to know that if I could be there, I would protect you. I'll meet you sometime in the future.) he said with determination.

Ares couldn't help but smile. (Yes. I know. But for now I have Malakaie to hold your place.) Ares felt that anger bubble over from Valcan again, and something in her became very serious.

(I will reclaim my throne in Akrlyn, Valcan, and I will need all the help I can get. I'll find you, and take you back with me.)

(Shit. She found me. Ares, be care-)

And the thread was broken just like that.

(Valcan?) Ares thought desperately. (Valcan?) What did he mean 'she found me'? Then the realization settled on her. Oh, sweet Darkness, she thought frantically, Please don't let him be brutalized because of me. Watch over him.

I live!

Again!

Yes. Well, let's see. I lost my motivation for this story for the time being, having it focus on Avatar and a possible ramble in that category.

So, do not get angry with me because you think i'm ignorant and have lost my touch. Oh, no. I'm well aware of how much the last part of that chapter sucked.

So if you feel like puking, I'm not holding you back. I know it was sickeningly sweet. ewww. it just makes me cringe.

And in other notes...

THANK YOU TO CSARA FOR REVIEWING MOST RECENTLY WITH FERVOR!

You totally made my day and made me feel like a schmuck for not updating in a long time. Thank you for all the compliments. I can't believe you like this stuff, but okay.

I am eternally grateful

to you and Prophet Wolfstar.

avoir, mes Legionaires