chapter three -- "tell me a story"
Tell me lies and I'll come running.
The Black Rose's weary smile changed to a knowing grin. He nodded and set the water jug back onto the table. "There are no negotiations, General. Negotiations would mean that you had a hand in the matter of your outcome and since you don't, not really anyhow, I would rather use the term 'deal or no deal'."
"Then why bother to call it a negotiation in the first place?" Jay stared in confusion.
"I didn't. My guard did. He seems to have a bit of soft spot for your group." There was a pause and then in a softer voice. "I think it's the children." Here, Jay saw a moment where something akin to regret washed over the Black Rose's face. The moment passed quickly and he was once again passive and arrogant. Jay wondered if it was just the moonlight for there was no trace of gentleness left behind. "It does not matter. It is better that the children think you have some sort of control here. They can be such fickle things, children are. So hard to maintain. And although you have no jurisdiction here in my castle, I do respect your authority as a general, even if you have left the title behind you. But, the subject of the matter is," he moved away from the window and walked purposefully to the large table at the far end of the room. He picked up a thin piece of parchment, most likely a map of some kind. "You either will take the choice I give you or you won't."
Jay began to feel a deep seeded hatred for the taunting figure. In one moment, he could seem sincere and obliging. Then, like a serpent under a flower, he would become vindictive and conniving. How could one man have such contradicting traits? He followed him over to the table, his angry footsteps thundering as he went. But though his body language screamed his justified outrage, his voice remained low and calm. "Fine. What are your options?"
"Option," the Black Rose corrected, his eyes still focused on the map. "I only have one for you."
"What is it?" He asked, trying to keep his voice as calm as he could. If Jay had been the type to easily give in to his anger, he certainly would have just shoved his fist into that man's face but he wasn't. He doubted it would have helped the situation. Still, he was incredibly sure that it would have helped in easing his anger. It did not make matters better that the Black Rose was clearly enjoying his power over him.
"My castle has come up in several attacks, recently very damaging to my walls." The Black Rose swept out one arm absently, most likely in the direction of said walls. "Your people could help in rebuilding and repairing my castle while you stay and hide out here."
Jay rose an eyebrow. "What makes you think I, or they, would agree to help you?"
"You and I both know that Ram will hunt you all down until he has every single one of you back in control. I can offer you protection from him." He grinned so cheekily. "Or would you rather take your chances out in the disease ridden cities? Not to mention the wilderness that's running amuck now."
"So, it's a trade."
"I prefer deal."
"Alright, a deal. We work for you, help you fix up the castle and in return, you'll keep us protected?"
"And warm and fed and most importantly, clean." The Black Rose grimaced. "You all will routinely, as in every day, be cleaned."
Jay turned away from the table, his arms crossing while his right hand came to rub his chin thoughtfully. Granted, they were being offered something extremely important in today's world: sure protection. And not just that but also the promise of food and water, a place to sleep.
A home, if just a temporary one.
He knew that he could not take care of them all. They had started off as a small group but with each city they passed, more kids ran to join them. Taking care of forty kids was no easy task. He had been lucky enough to make some friends on his visit to America but even then, like Black had said, they were so hard to maintain. Each one had separate needs, wants, fears and unfortunately, nightmares. Though, now that they had a castle for a home and the Black Rose as their protector, some of that pressure was slowly diminishing.
Diminishing. Not disappearing.
"Do I have your word that they'll be kept safe?"
Tell me lies and I'll come running.
"You have my word that the children will be kept safe."
Jay felt a shudder of relief flow through him. Perhaps they could rebuild their strength while they stayed here. For now, it would have to do. He turned around to offer his gratitude. The Black Rose gave a short nod before he could say anything, a sort of unspoken understanding between them.
"Now then, there are inquiries about your travels." The Black Rose set the map back onto the table. He picked up a thin gray pencil and began to trace a line on the map.
"What's so important about our travels?" Jay came over, looking down at the map for a brief moment before resting his questioning gaze upon the Black Rose.
"One of your people said that your travel began in America."
Jay took a moment to answer. Technically, the Black Rose hadn't asked him a question so therefore, he didn't need to answer. But when the Black Rose looked up at him, eyebrow rising, he decided that maybe this wasn't the best of times to keep secrets. "Yes, we left the eastern coast."
"And you arrived at the lower ends of France near Italy. Why go that far? Why not just stop in Portugal or Spain?" The Black Rose tapped the pencil against the map. "You were running from Ram before but Ram has not been seen in America yet." He moved the map to the side towards Jay and he pointed out the red-colored areas. "His areas are far from there, actually."
"What sort of map is this?" Jay grabbed the end, holding it up higher into the light.
It was a map of Europe but none like he had ever seen. The continent held its shape but the countries did not. There were no names, no boundary lines that he could remember. Where there was Portugal and Spain, there was the name Castile. France, Germany, and other close countries were merged into Green Wood. The upper islands were combined into one mass called the North Sea Islands. The left half of Russia was left to the name of Caliber while the rest of Russia was still just the Mongol Empire. Below, Africa had no countries. It was just separated into three factors: Morocco, Rwanda and South Africa. Everything else was either not labeled or covered in gray pencil marks and notes.
"My accomplishments, if you would like to call them that, thus far."
Jay snapped his eyes from the map and looked over at the Black Rose with a look of sudden realization. He was not just dealing with a tyrant. The Black Rose was also a conqueror. He drove into lands that were not his own, completely erased all previous claims and made himself a claim.
It wasn't the first time this idea of controlling a series of countries or even the world had surfaced. There had been hundreds, perhaps thousands of others who had attempted such a great feat. But the world was an enormous place and could not be controlled by merely one man.
"Of course, I alone would be unable to keep all of these lands in control," the Black Rose spoke as if reading Jay's thoughts. "I have other leaders underneath me, others that I trust completely."
"I did not take you for a man who would share his power." Jay commented dryly as he turned back to the map.
"No, your experience has left you quite biased."
"Biased?" Jay chuckled. "I hardly think so."
"Yes," the Black Rose reached out and used his finger to tap the faded, red circled-T tattoo on his forehead. "Ram was hardly a good example of what a leader should be."
"You're not what I call a good example of what a leader should be, either, Black Rose."
Tell me lies and I'll come running.
"Black will do, General. The entire title sounds like something out of a fairytale." The Black Rose, or Black as he preferred to be called, bit his bottom lip in deep thought, at first completely ignoring Jay's somewhat subtle insult. "Yes, Black will do very nicely. Naturally, I would chosen a different name for myself. Something a bit more masculine."
Jay clenched his teeth and mentally counted to ten. This man was purposefully trying to annoy him. "Black, you are not a good example of-"
"Yes, yes. You've already said that. You've become quite annoying, haven't you?" Black took the map from him and set it on the table. He straightened out the edges and smoothed out the wrinkles before continuing. "You are such a distraction too. Always asking questions."
"I haven't asked-"
"Why did you wait to land?" Black asked, pointing his finger to the red X on the map.
Jay glared at it. "Ram had extended his-"
"I know where Ram's stretched his clean hands out to. I don't need to know specifics. I want to know reasons." His finger pressed harder against the map, those ocean eyes staring over at Jay with a gaze that he could not tear away from. "Why did you not land farther up? Your ships were still heavy with supplies. You could have lived on that boat for another six months without docking. You could have chosen an easier route, taking your tribe to the North Sea Islands. Are you just incompetent or did you think it would be easier on foot?"
"Are you asking because you are curious or do you just love hearing yourself talk?"
Tension filled the air between them. Jay knew he was crossing onto dangerous grounds but he wasn't about to play storyteller to this bully. "I agreed to help you in return that you protect us. That does not make us your slaves or yours to freely command. There may be some who will want to stay here and by all means, they will be free to but do not think that we all will turn over our freedom to you so quickly."
Black tightened his lips together. "I had no means to keep you here longer than I needed," Black managed to keep his face impassive but Jay could tell that Black was not used to being talked to so freely, or so bluntly. He wondered if Black allowed anyone to speak much of anything to him. He seemed like such a private man, stuck in his own delusions and dreams.
Much like Ram had and look where that had gotten him.
Jay sighed and turned away from the map. He suddenly, very much wanted out of there. The darkness was overwhelming him, his senses felt twisted by the shadows that played at every corner of the room. How anyone could live in this room and still remain sane was beyond him. "We've made our deal. What else do you want from me?"
" … How are you at stories?"
"Pardon?"
"Stories. You do remember what stories are, don't you?" Black laid down the pencil, that teasing smile forming over those stern lips.
"Of course, but I don't understand what it is you're asking."
"Indulge me, General. I hardly ever have company."
"I can't imagine why."
"Yes, I'm hardly a hospitable host, am I?"
"You're hardly a host at all."
"You're not one for sugaring the truth, are you?" Here, Black turned his head abruptly to the left, looking behind Jay. "Star?"
A figure moved out of the corner of his eye. Jay gasped, and almost shouted in surprise, when a young girl stepped out of the shadows and walked up beside him. She wore similar clothing to that of Black but of a vastly different color: a crimson red. Her mask was smaller too, tiny intricate designs over the front and to the back. Hair, black and brown silk, streamed down her face and neck in thin slices. On one leg, a dagger was sheathed while, on the other, a long blade rested easily higher up on her hip. She had the look of danger about her and justly so because her eyes said so.
"Yes, milord?"
"Star, have some food brought up for our guest."
"Yes, milord." The girl closed her eyes and nodded, then turned around.
Jay could feel her eyes on him as she walked back. He heard the creaking as she opened the door and then the ominous click as she closed it. But again, his attention was stolen when the familiar flicker of a lighter. A steady flame brought light to the room. It was incredible at how different the room looked with even such a small glow.
"This room has been feeling chilly all day. I'm sure you know enough of history to know that many castles, if not all of them, were never built with heaters." Black turned and went from candle lamp to candle lamp, sparking each one to life as he went.
Soon, the entire room was heavily bathed in warm and inviting light. Jay looked around, curious to see what had been hidden in the dark. There was the bed, now much larger in the light than in shadows. It was covered in red and gold comforters, two gold-colored pillows stuck at the top. Red tassels were placed on the ends of the canopy, matching red velvet curtains swooping over them.
The walls held pictures, large and various in their objects; A herd of ducks playing in the water, a portrait of a lion and a lamb, peacefully napping alongside each other, unicorns romping, stallions running and eagles soaring. Each picture more inspiring than the last.
"Each one hand-painted. My most recent one is this," Black pointed to the small picture near the window. "There are dolphins that come here in the summer. No one knows why." He pulled a chair near to the window and tapped the seat. "Here, sit and be comfortable. Star won't be long."
"They are beautiful." Jay said as he came over to sit. The chair was a gorgeous satin blue and it was soft as feathers. He closed his eyes and smiled. How long had it been since he had sat down in something so comfortable. He leaned his head back against the chair and let himself sink into the cushions. It was impossible to stop a satisfied sigh from escaping his lips. Suddenly feeling self-conscious and somewhat embarrassed, he quickly sat up and opened his eyes.
When he did, he noticed that Black had also pulled up another chair opposite him. His elbow was propped up on the arm of the chair, his chin resting on his knuckles as he watched him with amusement.
Jay cleared his throat. "You … you said something about a story."
"I did." Black exhaled deeply, his eyes lowering to the floor as if trying to catch some lost thought. "There … I … in America." He brought his gaze back up. "That is where you said you started from, correct?"
Jay nodded. "Yes, that's where westarted from."
"How about you? Where did you start?" Before Jay could say anything, Black raised a hand. "You say that 'we' started from America. Am I to believe that you have been with the same group ever since the Virus started?"
He hesitated this time. "No. The kids joined us along the way."
"General, you are not an American. Your accent suggests British or perhaps Australian but definitely not American. And you history, that I've heard of, places you at the far regions of-"
Jay could hear him continue talking but for some reason, it was hard to focus on his words. The room was getting warmer and his eyes were getting heavier. He was tired and his body was betraying him to sleep. But he would not fall asleep right here, in this God-forsaken room. Jay propped himself higher in the chair, redirecting his gaze to Black.
"Your point, Black?"
Jay watched as he smiled knowingly, a smile he was beginning to detest. Black knew that sleep was catching up to him and he was using that to his advantage. Damn him. Damn him and this comfortable chair. They locked gazes for a moment before Jay turned his own eyes to the floor. But Black's voice still reached him, clear as crystal.
"Tell me your story, General. Tell me where this all began."
Tell me lies and I'll come running.
