Blood for Blood Chapter 2

A Terrible Choice

As Stayne led Alannah around the dance floor, he noticed that she kept glancing around, seemingly nervous and preoccupied. He cupped her face in his hands, gently forcing her to look at him. "What's the matter, love? I can't be that bad of a dancer."

Alannah smiled. "You are an excellent dancer, Ilosivic. It's just-I noticed someone earlier that made me feel rather uneasy. He was staring at you with the most horrifying look of hatred I've ever seen. I can't find him, though, and that worries me."

Stayne glanced around, trying to see if he could spot the man Alannah was talking about. "Do you remember what he was wearing?"

Alannah shook her head. "Just-a normal costume. He didn't stand out in that respect. But I just felt-cold looking at him. I know that sounds nonsense, but I'm a little frightened. And, unfortunately, I'm also unarmed. No place to hide my dagger in this dress."

Stayne sighed. "I don't have my sword either. Mirana's orders. No arms allowed in the ballroom. So I doubt this man has any weapons on him. Perhaps we could try to find him-see just how much of a threat he poses to us. It could just be that he's another Lord who's jealous of the fact that I'm dancing with you."

Alannah frowned. "I don't think so. He looked so furious and angry when he looked at you. The others just looked envious. Plus, when he looked at me it was like I was beneath contempt, not worth anything."

Stayne frowned deeply. "You really are worried, aren't you?"

Alannah gulped, and nodded slowly. Stayne led her off the dance floor, and walked towards where Mirana stood with Katarina. The child was regaling her with her story about how she had "danced for a long time with Daddy". Mirana grinned as Stayne and Alannah walked up to her.

"Ilosivic, your daughter tells me that you danced with her, and that she was the best dancer you've ever danced with."

Stayne smiled down at Katarina. "She is an excellent dancer, but Majesty- we have to tell you something. I have reason to believe there may be someone here uninvited. Alannah, tell her Majesty what you told me."

Alannah told Mirana what she had seen, and the unease she felt. Mirana frowned. "You have more right than any to feel unease, especially since you have a gift for recognizing people like that. Do you remember where you saw him last?"

Alannah pointed over to the far wall. "Right over there. He was leaning against the wall, watching Ilosivic. I lost sight of him. I don't think he left, though." She glanced around, and her eyes widened. "There he is! He's standing behind the pillar over there."

She pointed, and Stayne looked over at the man she indicated. "I'll be right back, love. I'm just going to have a talk with him."

He started to walk away, when Alannah suddenly cried out in alarm. "Where's Katarina?!"

Stayne spun around, and his eye widened in shock when he noticed she was missing. "I don't know! I'm going to put a bell on that child. Katarina!"

Alannah glanced wildly around, frantically searching for her daughter. "Katarina!"

Mirana glanced around, looking concerned. "She can't have gone far. I'm sure she's in the room."

Alannah laughed hollowly. "You don't know Katarina. She has been a wanderer ever since she started crawling. Katarina!"

Katarina, in the meantime, had gone toddling around the room looking for her Aunt Alice and Uncle Tarrant, eager to tell them about dancing with her daddy. She was having so much fun! Her momma looked so pretty, she thought. She spotted someone standing behind a pillar, and began toddling toward him, tugging gently on the man's shirt tails.

He turned, and gazed in contempt at the small child clinging to him. "What do you want, you worthless ragamuffin?"

Katarina looked up at him. "Where's Alice?" The man glared at her.

"I wouldn't know. I have more important things to do than find your mother."

Katarina laughed. "She's not my momma! My momma is over there", she said pointing to where Alannah stood, looking around.

He glanced over, and grinned wickedly. "That's your mother? Then your father must be Captain Stayne, correct? It looks like they're looking for you. I think perhaps I should let them know I found you."

He suddenly grabbed her arm, forcing it behind her back. Katarina cried out in pain. "OW! You meanie, let me go!"

He smirked. "Not just yet. Oh Captain! I believe I found something that belongs to you!" he called out.

Stayne turned at the sound of the voice, his eye widening in shock as he noticed the man holding Katarina. "What in the name of Time do you think you are playing at, man? Let my daughter go right this moment!"

Alannah spun around, and her eyes flashed red. "Let her go right now."

The man laughed evilly. "Certainly, but I never give something without expecting something else in return. Shall we make a trade, Captain?"

Stayne gaped at him. "What are you talking about? What could you possibly expect me to trade?"

Alannah felt her blood freeze as the man's gaze fell on her. "Her, Captain. Your wife-for your daughter."

Stayne staggered. "What? What are you talking about?"

"It's not that difficult of a concept. Make your choice. You see, if you decline-I snap your daughter's neck. If you accept my trade, I'm sorry to say that you won't ever see your wife again. So all you have to decide is who deserves to live more-a child who has just begun to live, or a woman who has already lived eight and twenty years?"

Stayne nearly collapsed. "You bastard. How can you expect me to make a choice like that?! What am I supposed to do? Either way, I lose!"

The man gave a mock sigh of sadness. "Then I guess you won't make the trade. Farewell, little one. It's too bad that you must die so young."

"NO!!" Alannah shrieked. She pushed her way forward. "I'll trade myself. Just please, let her go. Please."

Stayne stared in grief at Alannah. "What are you doing?"

Alannah kissed him. "Making a choice, my love. Goodbye." She walked over to the man. "You have me. Now let my daughter go."

The man grinned evilly, and released Katarina, who quickly ran over to Stayne, crying.
"Daddy, the mean man hurt my arm!"

Stayne picked her up. "Alannah –please…"

Alannah shook her head. "Don't, Ilosivic. I don't have any choice. Katarina's life is more important." She turned to her captor. "Shall we go?"

He smirked. "Of course, My Lady. Captain, take a good long look. The next time you see your wife, you might not recognize her. But I think that's only fair, as I didn't recognize my brother after you were finished with him."

Stayne shook with fear and anger. "Who are you?"

The man bowed mockingly. "Now, what fun would that be? Really, Captain-I expected more intelligence from someone like you. All you really need to be concerned with is the fact that this is the last time you will see your rather lovely wife alive-and in such marvelous condition. Say goodbye to the Captain, My Lady. You will not be seeing him again."

"Goodbye, Ilosivic." Alannah said flatly. Stayne stared at her, shuddering. Alannah looked over at him, and then turned to her captor. "Might I be allowed to give him one last kiss?"

Her captor laughed. "Why not? Be as romantic as you like."

Alannah walked over to Stayne, and pulled him down for a kiss. "You had better come after me." She whispered in his ear. Stayne looked at her, and nodded. "I will."

She walked over to the man, and stared in silent anger at him. "Shall we?"

He nodded, and steered her out of the room. Alannah kept her head up, and walked with dignity, but inside she was shaking with fear.

Stayne watched, frozen to the spot as they left. He suddenly wailed in grief and anger. Katarina began sobbing. "Momma! Want Momma!!"

Stayne shut his eye, and took a deep breath. Mirana glided over to him, and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "Ilosivic, I…" she stopped, realizing that she had nothing she could say.

Stayne opened his eye, and spoke in a deadly cold voice. "Majesty, thank you for whatever you were going to say. But right now, I do not wish to hear any words of comfort. I do not blame anyone for what has occurred, nor do I want any commiserations of sympathy."

Mirana looked sideways at him. "Then what do you want?"

He turned and looked at her, and his cold smile chilled her blood. "I am going to follow the bastard that took my wife, and when I catch up to him…" he left the rest hanging.

Tarrant came forward. "I'm going with you." Stayne shook his head.

"No. I need you to look after Katarina." He looked into her eyes, and spoke softly. "I need you to go with your Uncle Tarrant. Can you do that?"

Katarina wailed, clinging to him. "Want MOMMA!!"

"I know, little bit. And Daddy is going to go get her. But you need to go with Tarrant. See if maybe he's got a hat for you to try on. I know you love the hats he makes."

Tarrant gently reached for her. "I believe I may have some brand new hats that would look magnificent on a lovely young lady like you."

Katarina looked at Stayne. "You promise to find Momma?"

Stayne nodded. "I promise. Solemn Oath."

Katarina gulped, and then allowed Tarrant to take her in his arms. "Come on, little one. Let's go to my workshop."

Stayne watched them leave, and then turned to Mirana. "Majesty, I want to thank you for everything you have done for me. If I don't return, make sure Katarina is brought up well. Will you do that for me?"

She nodded. "I will." Stayne smiled grimly, and then walked out of the room, heading straight for the armory.

Alannah sat, staring at her captor. She was tied to a chair, and the room she was in was small and barren of any other furniture. She tried moving her hands, but the rope was knotted much too tightly. "Who are you?"

He smirked at her. "The same question your husband asked. Really, My Lady-do you think I am as foolish as to tell you?"

Alannah glared at him, her eyes flashing. "I think you are foolish for any number of reasons. Ilosivic will find me. He always does. I just want to know the name of the dead man sitting in front of me."

The man stared at her in fascination. "Amazing. You know, I didn't believe my brother at first when he said your eyes could change color. But now I realize he was speaking the truth." He smiled evilly as Alannah's eyes widened in shock. "You know me, then?"

Alannah nodded in fright. "You're Gerald Maxwell. Lord Maxwell's brother."

Maxwell grinned. "That is quite correct. I imagine my brother mentioned me."

Alannah gulped. "He said you were very….close. Oh God. You…that's what this is about."

Maxwell nodded. "Exactly. Your husband took away the only family I ever had. Don't you think it's fitting that I do the same to him? And from what I hear, he took his time. Which is exactly what I am going to do. Take my time."

Alannah stared at him. "You are a dead man. I just want you to know that."

She winced as he slapped her. "I'm far from dead, My Lady. But I'm afraid that in a very short time, the same will not be able to be said of you."