Ivy desperately wanted a moment alone with her father. The court had been turned upside down by the intrusion of the Fell Princess and her Four Hounds. All that was discussed was raising the Fell Dragon and seizing the Emblem Rings from the other nations of Elyos. The armies of Elusia were being pulled back from the Brodian front. Strange rituals were being performed in Destinea Cathedral. Soon, it would be too late for even the king to put a stop to this madness.
Yet, every time she tried to talk with him, he was surrounded with people. Zephia hardly seemed to let him out of her sight. She was always whispering into his ear, and every day he looked more tense.
After a few days, she decided that she couldn't wait for the opportunity to arise. She would go to his chambers that night and beg him to throw out these dangerous people and forget their plan to raise the Fell Dragon.
It was near midnight when Ivy opened her door.
"Princess Ivy?"
Oh, right. Zelkov had insisted that a guard be posted outside her room at all times. Dragon take that man.
She looked at the face of her guardsman. It was a fairly young face, with wide, honest eyes… only asymmetrical. Very asymmetrical. It was unfortunate in a society as obsessed with beauty as Elusia. Still, he seemed nice. He smiled at other people, although he was always uncomfortable around Ivy.
"I just need to, ah…"
"Is there something I can get for you?" he asked nervously.
She straightened her spine. She was the princess here after all. It wasn't as if she had a curfew.
"I need you to accompany me, Hawthorne."
She put on a grand show of confidence for him, which strangely enough caused her to feel a bit braver as she made her way to the king's chambers. The captain of the royal guard was standing on duty outside his door.
"Good evening, Abyme." She gave her a nod. "I need to talk to my father."
The guardswoman looked at her curiously, but opened the door and bowed. Hawthorne stayed outside as Ivy entered.
The king was sitting at the desk in his study. Ivy had witnessed this scene many times in her life, but it struck her in that moment that he was getting older. When had those lines appeared on his face? But that was neither here nor there. Ivy had a mission to complete.
"Father…"
"What is it, Ivy? It must be important for you to come to me at this late hour. Not a lost blanket this time, I suppose."
Of course he would bring up memories from when she was five. How embarrassing. She had been inconsolable at the loss of her blanket. Her nursemaid could do nothing for her. In her desperation she had run to her father, who formed a search party. The blanket was found in the garden where she had dropped it. The next day her mother had gotten rid of it.
"No, not this time." She shook her head. "Father, I am concerned about these visitors. This plan to raise the Fell Dragon… It is too dangerous. It would completely overturn the balance of Elyos."
"The balance of Elyos is currently not weighted in our favor, dear girl. We must do something, or we will be overrun by the Brodians. Our people are suffering from the effects of these long years of war. They need whether you agree with it or not, their proposal — if you can call it that — puts me in a delicate position. The fact is that Elusians worship the Fell Dragon. What would they think if their king rejected a plan to raise their deity? My popularity has already decreased significantly. I've even had a few assassination attempts after a long hiatus. It's almost nostalgic."
"But…"
Ivy wrung her hands. Her father stood and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Don't worry; it will put wrinkles on your face. You can rest assured that I will treat this situation with the utmost caution." He turned to the moon shining in through the window. "But before you dismiss this plan… just think what Elusia could do with Lord Sombron's power. Think of our country prospering — flourishing! — with the blessing of the Fell Dragon!"
"I… Yes, Father. A prosperous Elusia is my only wish." She curtsied. "I should get to bed. I hope you rest as well."
He smiled at her. "I will. No need to fret."
Ivy fretted anyway, all the way back to her room as Hawthorne followed in her wake. Was there nothing she could do? She felt so powerless. Her only option seemed to be trusting in her father. He would make sure everything turned out alright, wouldn't he?
She stopped short when she saw the Fell Princess standing in the hallway, regarding her surroundings. Something seemed… different about her, but Ivy couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. For the first time, she noticed the manacles around the Fell Princess's ankles. For what reason had she been chained?
"Oh, excuse me, but could I ask for your help? My name is Veyle," she said in a soft voice. "I woke up alone in a room, and I'm not sure where I am. I was looking for my friends. Could you tell me where they are? Mauvier, he's my knight. He's tall and serious. He has grey hair and a beard. And then Zephia has long, white hair, and…"
Ivy stared at her as she continued rattling off descriptions of the Hounds. What sort of strange ploy was this? Ivy decided that the safest course of action was to play along.
"My guard and I can guide you to your friends, Lady Veyle."
"You can? Oh, how kind of you!" She clasped her hands together.
Ivy and Hawthorne led Veyle back to the wing of the castle where they housed important guests. It was not long before they ran into Mauvier.
"Lady Veyle, we were searching for you."
"I'm so sorry. It happened again. I didn't mean to worry you."
"Let me get you to bed."
"Thank you, Mauvier. I am feeling sleepy." She turned back to Ivy. "Thank you so much for helping me. What was your name again?"
"It was no trouble. And I am Ivy… crown princess of Elusia.
Ring any bells?
"Oh, how nice! I hope we can meet again, Princess Ivy."
Mauvier offered his arm to Veyle and she took it, leaning against him and yawning as they made their way down the corridor.
Ivy had no idea what to think. But it could wait for morning. All she wanted to do was climb into her warm bed and lay down her aching head. She really should ask Zelkov if he had any more of that medicine.
But that put thoughts of him into her head, which was the last thing she wanted. She thought about him entirely too much when there were other more important matters that she should be attending to. Ivy must be the perfect princess that Elusia needed in these dangerous times. Nothing — and no one — could distract her from that.
Zelkov was not quite sure if he was imagining things, but it seemed that Princess Ivy was behaving more coldly toward him than previously… if that was possible. If given the option, she was choosing Kagetsu over him! When Kagetsu was clearly the inferior retainer! To give him his due, he had managed to foil an assassination attempt all on his own, but he was still quite a bit short of Zelkov's tally in that regard. And he certainly could not match Zelkov in any of the other services that he provided to the princess. Kagetsu could not make her medicine. He did not know the organizational system of the library. He was never prompt about delivering messages. He could not commit espionage to save his life.
But he could make her smile.
To make it worse, Kagetsu was still giving him those sopping wet looks every time he saw him.
It would not hurt to apologize.
But why should Zelkov apologize? What he said was true. He was a poor excuse for a son and brother.
Do you mean Kagetsu or yourself?
He flicked his thumb over the blade of his knife. It was a bad habit. A quick twist of his hand had it back in its sheath. The princess's moodiness had left him with too much time to think. He needed to find another pursuit.
Zelkov was able to spend several tranquil hours in his workshop tuning the inner workings of a pocket watch. With his entire focus poured into the finicky gears and springs, the rest of the world faded away, and he was left in peace. It was with great reluctance he set it down to switch places with Kagetsu.
It was inconvenient to leave his project at this stage, but it would give him something to look forward to later. This was, after all, merely a way to kill time. Satisfactory performance of his official duties required promptness.
The princess did not look up from the ancient book she was reading when he walked into the library. Kagetsu, on the other hand, acted like a kicked dog as he passed. Zelkov took up his station and considered what he would do with the pocket watch next.
Eventually, the sound of a pen scratching was replaced by a frustrated growl and the crumpling of paper.
"Is there any way that I can be of service, Princess Ivy?"
"Not unless you happen to be an expert at Fell magic."
"Unfortunately, that is not a skill I possess."
She fiddled with the ball of paper in her hands. "If I only knew what they were doing with all these rituals then maybe I could…"
She sighed and put her head in her hands. He had not witnessed this much emotion from her in quite some time.
"Are you experiencing another headache?"
"...Yes."
"I could retrieve a dose of medicine for you."
"That would be… appreciated."
"It is my responsibility to maintain your health, Princess."
"Of course." She picked at the woodgrain of the table then placed her hands in her lap. "...Kagetsu told me that you drew a picture of me."
That little fool! How had he managed to notice that in the short moments before Zelkov threw him out?
"I was merely sketching. I occasionally draw scenes from life."
"I would like to see it."
Why had he not ripped it apart? Burned it?
"I… Yes, Princess." He bowed and turned to leave.
"Zelkov? The door is the other way?"
"I prefer to go by the most direct route." He unlatched the window and leapt out.
He heard a smothered scream and then Princess Ivy's head poked out the window. She blinked at the rare sunlight, then stared down at him standing on the sloping rooftop. The wind whipped some flurries of snow in her face as it shifted from shock to annoyance.
"Why do you…? Ugh. Just… be quick." The panes rattled as she snapped the window shut.
"Of course, Princess," he said to the icy air.
And he was quick. In a matter of minutes, he had retrieved both the medicine and the sketch from his sanctum. The window was open again when he returned, though it would have been no trouble for him to use his knife to lift the latch.
She was standing there waiting for him. Why did he feel like he was about to be reprimanded by his teacher? This whole situation was Kagetsu's fault.
"Here is the headache medicine." He passed it to her, and she downed it, though she shuddered afterward.
"And the drawing?" She held out her hand.
Reluctantly, he gave it to her. She studied it for a long time. It was obvious that it was not his best work.
"You included my mole, I see," she said finally.
"Yes. It… adds character to your face… I think."
She placed her hand over it and hummed. It was clear she hated the sketch, and he could not blame her. He had completely failed to capture her essence.
"Forgive me for the lack of accuracy, Princess Ivy. I was working from memory."
"It seems accurate enough to me."
"The eyes are wrong. Here, step into the light."
Dust motes glittered around her as she moved into the rays of the sun pouring in the window. Without thinking, he took her chin and turned her face toward the golden afternoon light.
No mere pigment would ever be able to capture the twilight color of her eyes. The subtle gradation from rose to violet was far beyond his skill to replicate. And the look that she was giving him…
He snatched his hand away as if he had stuck it in a flame and took a step back. And then another for good measure. He had inexcusably allowed himself to be carried away by… his appreciation for the princess's aesthetic qualities.
The princess had trained her face back to the blankness he had witnessed so frequently. He deserved it.
"The library is stifling today. I think it would benefit me to take Belladonna out for some exercise."
"Yes, Princess. I —"
"Please, go fetch Kagetsu for me."
Zelkov bowed and left without another word.
Kagetsu was groaning from under his blanket when he heard a knock at the door. He groaned a bit louder.
"Kagetsu, are you there?"
"Zelkob? Hab you gome to widness my final mobents?"
"What are you talking about?" Zelkov opened the door of Kagetsu's quarters.
"I ab dying."
"I highly doubt that."
Kagetsu sneezed explosively then groaned more.
Zelkov sighed. "What are your symptoms?"
"I cannod breathe through my node. And my head hurts. And I ab freezing to death."
Zelkov put a hand on Kagetsu's forehead. "You do feel feverish."
"Id is only a madder of tibe then."
"You are not dying. You only have a cold. This could have been avoided if you dressed appropriately. Did I not tell you to wear a coat?"
"I do nod rebeber you delling me thad."
"Perhaps I only thought it," he muttered, then continued in a louder voice. "It is clear you cannot attend to Princess Ivy in this state."
"Bud I musd! The grand assembly is domorrow! She needs us both by her side."
"I am afraid she will have to be content with me alone. We cannot have you passing your sickness on to the princess. Or sneezing on the dignitaries."
Kagetsu sniffed. "Forgibe me!"
"It is no matter. Rest and return to strength."
"But…"
Zelkov was already out the door before Kagetsu could say anything more. To Kagetsu's surprise though, he returned after a few minutes with a thick blanket. He unfurled it and let it settle over the bed.
"There, that should be more adequate."
"But why…?"
Again, Zelkov was gone before Kagetsu could get out a sentence. Kagetsu pulled the blanket up to his chin. He was already starting to feel warmer. Before long, he was fast asleep.
He was awoken hours later by a knock on the door. Those three sharp raps were starting to become familiar. Kagetsu unstuck his face from the pillow and quickly wiped it with his sleeve.
"Cobe in."
Zelkov brought in a tray and set it on the end of the bed as Kagetsu struggled to a sitting position. The tray held a bowl, spoon, and a steaming mug. Kagetsu poked the lumpy, whitish contents of the bowl with the spoon. He was unsure if it was a good or bad thing that his nose did not allow him to smell it.
"Whad is id?"
"Fish chowder. It is… something my mother used to make when I was sick as a child."
Kagetsu took a bite. It was good! It was delicious, in fact! He ate another bite and then another for good measure. Then a sip from the mug which turned out to be filled with tea. It was bitter and herbal, but he was just grateful to be drinking something hot. He briefly ascended to the heavens as his sinuses cleared.
Zelkov was again halfway out the door when Kagetsu shouted, "Wait! Why are you doing this for me?"
He paused and glanced at Kagetsu out of the corner of his eye. "You cannot perform your duties if you are unwell. It is only logical to expedite your recovery."
"Oh. Well… You have my thanks."
"Do not mention it. I will attend to the princess tomorrow while you recuperate."
"I am sad to be missing the outing and celebration with you and Princess Ivy."
Zelkov raised an eyebrow. "For your own health, and that of everyone around you, I strongly recommend that you remain in bed."
"Yes, yes, I understand."
"Good."
And with that he was gone. Zelkov was quite skilled at exiting a room quickly. It was a wonder he did not get his coattail stuck in the door.
With bowl scraped clean and tea nothing but dregs, Kagetsu curled up under the blankets feeling much better than he had before.
"You're late this morning, Zelkov. I'm surprised."
Ivy busied herself pulling on her best leather gloves. Ever since that moment in the library she hadn't been able to look at him. It had almost seemed that he might… was it possible that he…? No, no, she wouldn't think about it — certainly wouldn't imagine it. Why had Kagetsu chosen the most inconvenient time to fall ill?
"My apologies, Princess. I miscalculated the amount of time necessary to make breakfast for Kagetsu."
"Oh. Kind of you."
"It is to everyone's benefit if he is back to full health as soon as possible."
"True, I suppose. Though I'm sure he wouldn't have gotten sick if he had worn a decent coat."
"Perhaps he required instruction. He is from a warm country."
He had a point there.
"I will make sure he has appropriate winter gear. You can teach him how to wear it all."
"Hmph."
"Come on. We mustn't be late to this exhibition. Whatever those people are planning on exhibiting…"
They walked out of the castle and into the courtyard — wearing proper Elusian coats — and were immediately hit by the whipping wind. Ivy tugged the fur-lined hood further over her face. Her father was already there with the Fell Princess and the Hounds as well as the members of the high council.
"Bad form to keep us waiting in the snow, Ivy," the king snapped.
"I am sorry, Father. I —"
"Just hurry up."
He never used this harsh tone with her. Her throat closed up as if she might cry. Stupid. Childish. Don't let it show.
Head held high and eyes fixed on Destinea Cathedral, Ivy joined the procession. Zelkov took up his customary position behind her right shoulder. It felt a bit off, a little uneven, without Kagetsu to her left.
Though the road had been cleared just before their arrival, the swirling snow was determined to bury it again. Ivy wasn't sure if it was some kind of magic or a product of their anatomy, but the two dragons had made no concessions to the cold. Lady Veyle was wearing the cape that she had arrived in but was still barefoot. Zephia was wearing her usual… clothing.
It was somewhat gratifying to see the other Hounds struggle with the snow. The solution that Griss and Marni settled on was to let Mauvier go first as a windbreak and snowplow. The big knight accepted the situation with his usual stoicism.
Rather than going into the cathedral, Lady Veyle turned left, leading them to the graveyard. Though the royal family was interred in the crypt far beneath their feet, Elusians through the centuries had been laid to rest in these mausoleums.
A wagon sat there, loaded with caskets. They must have been the bodies of high-ranking officers brought back from the front lines. The average soldier would most likely have been thrown into a mass grave or else left to rot. Ivy's stomach turned at the idea, but they simply did not have the resources to reunite the soldiers' remains with their families.
And speaking of families… a group huddled around the pine box laying on the ground. As their procession drew nearer, Ivy could hear the sound of weeping over the howling of the wind.
Lady Veyle didn't even appear to notice. She strolled over to the casket and flipped the lid open. The mourners stepped back in fear and confusion. Lady Veyle turned to the nobles who had followed her from the castle.
"Keep your eyes on me, King Hyacinth. I'm going to show you the answer to all your problems."
The Fell Princess's red eyes glinted as she stretched her hand out over the casket. "Guardians of the underworld, cast aside the rules that govern life and death so that this body, devoid of life, may draw breath. Rise up, Corrupted!"
The gold coins fell from its eyes as the body sat up. Someone screamed, a high, piercing shriek that would haunt Ivy's nightmares. She would have run back to the castle, hid under her blanket, and told herself that she hadn't seen what she thought she saw — if her joints hadn't locked themselves in place. Helplessly, she watched as the corpse stood and lurched toward the mourners. Red light poured from its eyes and mouth.
"Stop!" Lady Veyle called out.
The dead thing halted.
"Left on their own, the Corrupted seek out and destroy the closest living thing. But of course they obey any order I give them. You," she pointed at the corpse. "Dance for me."
It jerked its limbs around grotesquely. Ivy found herself staring, not at it, but at the tears streaming down a woman's face. Mother, sister, wife? Whatever her relation to the person that the corpse had been, she couldn't bear to witness this mockery. She fainted.
Lady Veyle's laugh was sharp and high-pitched, much different than her usual silky tone. "You see the effect my Corrupted produce. Now, imagine the looks on your enemies' faces!"
The councilors clapped! They actually applauded this abomination! Ivy thought she might be sick.
"The corpses need to be relatively fresh and in good condition, but I don't think that will be an issue for you. Now, pick any soldier to fight my creation and you'll see the utility of the Corrupted."
"Rodine, test this monster," commanded the king.
The guardsman glanced at him. The king's face was unreadable, but there was a gleam in his eyes that Ivy didn't like. Rodine swallowed and gripped his lance.
Lady Veyle grinned. "Attack."
Rodine barely had time to couch his lance before the Corrupted was upon him. The thing was terrifyingly fast. With reactions honed by years of training, Rodine brought his lance into place and impaled the Corrupted. He smiled in relief, but it was short lived as the corpse began to force its way up the lance. Rodine dropped the weapon and scrambled backwards. The Corrupted pulled the lance from its chest and turned it on them. Cracks radiated from the glowing red hole.
There were gasps of horror from the councilors as it stalked closer to them. Ivy was rooted to the spot.
Three knives whirled past her. One struck the Corrupted in the heart, another in the throat, and the third buried itself between its eyes. It staggered to a halt and swayed. Everyone held their breath. The red light dimmed and went out. The relief was palpable as the Corrupted dropped to the snow, crumbling into pieces. These things could be defeated.
Lady Veyle's lip curled in irritation as Zelkov collected his knives, but Ivy could see the smug satisfaction she took in the Elusians' display of fear.
"The head is the weak spot. But you'll see that Zephia has a solution for that."
Lady Veyle stretched her hand out toward the wagon and muttered her incantation. Three new Corrupted burst from the pine boxes. Meanwhile, Zephia was weaving magic on the iron fence. The metal bent and twisted, shaping itself into three ugly helmets. The Corrupted put them on and the trailing spine attached to their backs. The small holes in the helmets glowed red.
"Thank you, Lady Veyle," said the king. "We will not squander this gift. We will use it to bring glory to Lord Sombron and to Elusia."
