Chapter 41

Capricorn wasn't so much scared as he prepared to enter the court of the Adderhead once more, he was more nervous then anything else, and when his mother's face loomed behind him that didn't help anything. Her eyes were sinister like her magic. When they looked at him, Capricorn couldn't shake the feeling that she was somehow putting a curse on him as he dressed the part of the man he had been before Silvertongue read him from his story. He kept telling himself he wasn't that man anymore, but as her stare intensified, he felt like that man again. It didn't want to be that man again, he was doing all of this to prove that, but somehow his mother always took all his accomplishments away reducing him to that man once more. That was the only thing that scared him as she watched him in that moment.

"The Adderhead is not stupid, he will see right through you" hissed the Magpie, her stare venomous as she turned leaving his tent as quickly as she had entered. Her words startled him, but he didn't let it show until she was gone. Everything they did was a risk here, but he told himself it was worth it. That the risks would pay off, at least, he hoped they would as he looked at himself. He would have to play the role of the subordinate and he couldn't honestly say he was ready to be in that role again.

When he returned to this world, Capricorn had promised not to trust anyone, but then his sister had returned. He found he trusted her more than anyone, except maybe Basta, and it was her magic that their fate was hinged on now. She had said this risk was worth it and he believed her. He needed to believe her. He thought she might be the key to making this all not just an idea, but real.

"I can't let her ruin things. She would cross me if the opportunity was right" thought Capricorn as she left his tent, she would not be going with them, and he had made sure of that when deciding all of this. It would just be Gemini and himself walking before the Adderhead throne that brought him some solitude as he exited his tent finding Gemini already straddling her horse.

"You shouldn't worry, brother, it will be alright" whispered Gemini reading him just as she used to when they were children as Basta brought his horse as he managed his first smile since all this had been planned. They left their camp silence, riding at a steady trot down the road, and Capricorn was glad of it.

It felt good to be back in the saddle again. To be riding through the woods again with the wind all around him. The miles they rode gave him a solace, a peace that he needed more then he would admit, but as they rode, he sensed that Gemini knew that too. That settling back into the role the author of this world had assigned him wasn't as easy or simple as he made it seem. Because he wasn't that man anymore. He had become a king, a highborn man almost, whereas before he had been merely a servant serving at another king's leisure. Capricorn would return to that now, but he promised it would only be for a short while as they continued towards the Adderhead castle. Returning to that role didn't sit well with him even if it wouldn't be as permanent as it was before.

"I'm a king now…to be the servant again…I'll have to forget all of that" thought Capricorn feeling as the journey started to transform his bones from that of a highborn king to the lowborn killer once more.

"Just remember, brother, this is just a means to an end. You built yourself up to the place you stand on now…you will do it again. Just as you did before. You will go from henchmen to king if our scheme goes as we plan" whispered Gemini as if taking the words from his very thoughts her words soothing him as he mentally prepared himself for this scheme as she called it. It was then that the castle came into sight and Capricorn let his kingly persona fall. He settled into the role as the Adderhead henchmen once more as the gates loomed in front of him. This was the moment that would lead to his rise in this place where he had never dreamed of anything before leaving this world. This was where his rise to glory would begin and Capricorn told himself he was ready for it as they stopped in front of the gates.

She didn't say another word until they were waiting for the gates to open. That was when she held out a hand, as if to reach for him, but that wasn't what she was doing. The Adderhead castle was right in front of them as she looked at him asking him for something that she knew he wouldn't want to give.

"The Adderhead will question a mere henchman wearing a band of gold" whispered Gemini making his eyes travel from her to the gold band on his finger. Capricorn had never taken his wedding ring off, not since Meggie placed it there, and he hated to do so now.

"I know…I just…I've never taken it off before" whispered Capricorn knowing it was right because if he wore this before the Adderhead his life may end with it on his finger.

"You must remove it. Here, give it to me…I'll keep it safe" whispered Gemini reaching for him more insistently now. Capricorn still didn't budge even as he heard the guards on the walls above him and the creak of the gates. He wasn't even sure if it would come off as he looked at it. It made him feel close to Meggie and even as he knew that this was necessary, Capricorn felt real pain in removing the symbol of their love. Yet, he did it all the same.

He removed the ring and handed it to her. He watched her put it into her pocket and then the gates creaked to life as two guards stood tall at the garrison above them. Capricorn knew that if he went through those gates that there was no going back.

"I'm going to want that back when this all is over" said Capricorn letting any thoughts he had on the matter dissolve as he once again wore the face of one of the Adderhead henchmen. He found that he wore it well. That it was just like he had never left this place because he knew exactly what to do. He felt torn somehow as he realized that before letting the thought slip away beneath the mask he wore now.

"Halt…the Adderhead was not expecting visitors today" snapped a guard as they came upon him.

"Sorceress" said the guard eyeing the two of them. The man seemed scared of her as she loomed over him in her horse. He seemed to squirm uneasy under her gaze. Capricorn found he was in awe of it as she took control of the situation with a flawless grace.

"The Adderhead will be pleased to see us, nonetheless. I have brought my brother to court. He wants to rejoin the fold after his long absence" exclaimed Gemini her tone crisp leaving nothing to be questioned and only seconds later the gates began to open.

"We'll alert the Adderhead that he has visitors" said the guard as they passed entering the courtyard where two stable boys were waiting to take their horses.

"His Grace is waiting" said one of the boys as another guard appeared. He led them through the dark castle until they reached a set of double doors. Capricorn was briefly reminded of his own throne room as he entered just behind Gemini as the Adderhead sat silently waiting on his throne. As they entered the dark castle again, Capricorn remained hard as stone, and then he stood before the man. He remained just behind Gemini in that moment, waiting for her introduction.

"What do I owe the pleasure, sorceress?" said the Adderhead his eyes on Gemini though Capricorn didn't dare think that that didn't mean he didn't know he was there. Capricorn knew that was what he wanted him to think. Yet in that moment he couldn't help watching Gemini as she stood in front of him with her head bowed, never looking at the man, and playing on his past instincts Capricorn immediately bowed his as well.

"I meant no disrespect, your grace, but I felt it my place to bring you the news of a returned member of your court" whispered Gemini her voice soft as would become a female as she spoke to the man.

"Stop the needless pandering just speak your peace" snapped the Adderhead watching as she stepped aside to present the man behind her.

"I've brought with me, my brother, Capricorn, your grace. He has returned after being gone many years and he would like to return to your graces service" whispered Gemini her head raising in that moment as Capricorn stepped forward. He raised his head as well letting his king see his face. Even as they stood their heads no longer bowed, neither dared look at the man as he looked them over with the darkest eyes. She focused solely on Capricorn waiting for the scene to play out before her.

"It is my honor, your grace" whispered Capricorn bowing to the Adderhead once more, but before he could rise once more the man's voice reached out to grab him by the throat.

"You return as suddenly as you left, Capricorn. I demand you look at me…I want to see your face…and I want an explanation as to where you've been all this time" exclaimed the Adderhead and when Capricorn did as he demanded he saw the man had risen. He stood just in front of his throne and Capricorn was unsure what was going to happen as he waited to see what would happen now. He had been expecting this but preparing for it was nearly impossible as he stood before the man he hoped to topple. The Adderhead thought he was imposter at first glance, but the more he looked the man before him in that face the more unsure he became. This was indeed the man who had once been his most trusted henchman. Though he didn't let it show, the Adderhead felt grateful for the man's return as he stood before him, and yet he still would need to know where he'd been all this time. And he'd have to make him answer for his long absence. The man had been his most loyal servant and though he wanted to know where he had been all this time, he could use his services once more. Capricorn stood tall as the Adderhead stood right in front of him.

"Do you care to explain your absence, Capricorn?" said the Adderhead looking down into the man's face making it so Capricorn had no choice, but to look into the man's face. Capricorn had decided that the only lie he could tell was one close to the truth.

"I traveled to another land in search of fortune, my liege, but no fortune was found. While on my return, I found myself jailed for what was deemed unlawful doings" said Capricorn staring the other man down the whole time. The Adderhead wasn't sure if he should believe him at first as he stared back so boldly. From any other man such insolence would have been rewarded with one hundred lashings, but Capricorn was not the usual man. He had always openly stared and when the Adderhead nodded his head, Capricorn knew that he had accepted the false truth he'd told. He didn't react as the man descended to his throne again.

"I will expect your service to continue as it once did and if you should leave again, you will not escape so easily. I will have your head" exclaimed the Adderhead sitting in his throne now. Capricorn merely bowed his head as if accepting the command. He felt Gemini join his side once more, her head bowed just as his was, and he knew that this was a success though to him it would not be a true one until he was no longer standing in this castle while this man reigned over it.

"Leave my sight. When you are needed, I will call upon you" snapped the Adderhead, leaving the two of them to leave much quicker than they had come. They rode back to camp quickly and in complete silence. When they arrived, they announced that they would be moving their camp into the forest around the dark castle. Mortola didn't hide her distain.