Chapter 2 - Wings of Gold
Chains of flame hovered the soul over the body of a young woman, resting in a lavishly decorated bedchamber. A large bed sat in the center of the room, wide enough for 8 people to comfortable fit upon, whilst still leaving ample room to spare. A transparent one-sided veil enshrouded the resting place, isolating it from the rest of the world; secluding it from the chaos of ordinary life and prying eyes.
The women resting in such an exaggerated setting appeared worn and disheveled, her once bright emerald eyes dim with misery.
Gazing up towards the overhanging wood frame, she watched as swirls of dust danced amidst the air above. A small gathering of moisture forming in her eyes as she fought to hold back tears. Oblivious to her defiance, small diamond droplets glistened against her snow-white skin streaming from her eyes. Aside from the tears, no further indication of her dismay was present upon her beautiful face. Her auburn coloured hair lay lightly upon the bed, it's silky smooth shine spreading out like a ray of light amidst the dark covers below.
On the other side of the veil, numerous figures were busily dashing back and forth, attending a man. His large frame and statue, accentuated by his regal countenance marked him as a man of importance. As the servants dressed him in garish clothing embroidered with yellow gemstones, which shimmered in the sunlight piercing the room from up above, his expression remained frozen showing no sign of his inner ponderings.
Atop the man’s head, sat a crown of gold, pure in its simplicity and awe striking in its appearance. This crown represented the highest authority in the kingdom of Ultres, one of the major kingdoms upon the Helgen continent.
Servants having finished attending the man departed the chamber a moment before he did, leaving no form of acknowledgment or endearment to the occupant’s present.
*****
POV Change: Liz
Watching Lord Jaric and his servants leave I glanced back towards the bed, trying to pierce the veil obstructing the world from seeing my Lady’s forlorn figure.
Hide as she might, my Lady could never conceal her anguish from my eyes. I have been by her side day and night, attending her every need for the past 2 years. There was nothing I did not know concerning her.
“I believe the lady is hungry, go and fetch her some refreshments.” I commanded staring at the last two remaining assistants, whom I directly supervised, voice laced with underlying meaning.
With pity evident on their faces, the two departed, leaving the room empty aside from me and my Lady.
Approached the veil, I contemplated ways to ease her pain, before giving voice to words.
“Catherine, I’m sure it won’t be long now. Soon you will sire his majesty a son and your position in the castle will be next to his Lord once more. The suffering you are enduring is but a momentary phase, please do not lose hope.”
I tried to make my voice as gentle and soothing as possible, knowing full well that my words of comfort had no effect on her. I had spoken these words often the past and would continue to do so until they come true or… well, best not to think about the alternative.
Soft laughter escaped from behind the veil, as Catherine grabbed me with her arms pulling me onto the bed and into her embrace.
“It is okay Liz, I’m feeling like this time it will be so.”
Despite the smile plastered on her face, I could hear the hollowness in her words.
I wrapped my arms around her and cradled her head in my chest.
“It’s ok child. You don’t need to be strong for me.” With gentle words, I stroked her hair. Feeling her still before her body gave way, unable to contain the wrenching sobs sounding from her.
“I’m...n-not..sure how much longer I’ll last.” Catherine gripped me fiercely as he vented her worries to me.
“There, there.” I cooed providing her the necessary time to gather her thoughts and calm her mind once more. Whilst not the most experienced in life, Catherine possessed an unusual strength of character for someone of her tender age. In the beginning, she had adored the king swept away by her own fanciful ideas about marrying a king whom she would provide an endless amount of love and children for. However, things do not always follow in the footsteps of dreams.
Silly girl, you should have known things weren’t going to work out that way. I chastised in my mind, knowing there is no need for me to give voice to such thoughts.
After two years she had yet to bare a single child, let alone a son.
Each week the king would see her and ensure that she had everything she needed to provide him with heirs to the throne. Yet as time passed he grew more distant, spending an increasing amount of his time with his other concubines and less with Catherine.
Catherine herself could sense the change and knew that should things not change she would be discarded in favour of more practical women.
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It wasn’t just her that could see the king’s favour was dwindling, making Catherine an easy target for the other woman who shared Jaric’s bed.
Recently things were reaching a breaking point and should Catherine not fall pregnant within the next month I feared for what was to come.
Just as we readied ourselves for the assistance’ return, the temperature in the room suddenly increased, the air spiking to such temperatures that it hurt to breathe, sweat forming rapidly on our brows as to cool us.
Feeling the ambient mana in the room swell and converge behind me I spun just to see Catherine collapse, her body bursting in a multitude of colours as flames of all types wove themselves around her frail frame.
Ethereal greens to azure blues and dark purples before liquid golds contrasted themselves against each other as her body lurched upward from the floor and into the air with the appearance of bright amber wings formed from the heavenly flames.
Appeared as if something directly out of ‘Mystical wonders of the World’ her clothes disintegrated out of existence as the heat purified their essence to fuel itself.
Looking at Catherine’s naked flaming body I witnessed the flames converge, getting sucked into a vortex flowing directly into her stomach. A mere moment after the entire event began the surge of mana climaxed before vanishing leaving a dark golden rune the shape of a bird on her belly.
Falling to the ground as the mysterious flames disappeared Catherine’s limp body crumbled on the floor beneath, no indication of the chaos which had just taken place apart from the scorching heat still present in the room and golden rune of power.
****
POV Change: Soul
As the hours passed, the soul remained shackled above the younger of the two women laying on the bed before it. Gently descending the soul flexed its will attempting to contain the unbearable heat which exuded from around it.
The moment the bound soul and women came into contact the flames exploded outwards to envelop the women, golden wings from the soul’s previous life forming behind the women elevating her into the air.
The shackles condensed themselves spinning in a hypnotic vortex, endless runes and formations sprouting from its storms eye before dragging to soul into the women’s stomach where it attached the soul to a small organism growing within.
Having completed its task once more the flames vanished waiting upon the time where their unwanted power was needed once more.
****
POV Change: King Jaric
Rushing down the corridor I made all haste to the bedchamber I had previously left.
Whilst my mind filled with panic, imagination hyperactive as I imagined every possible scenario which could be taking place in the chamber.
What’s happening?! Please be okay, I need you to be fine! my mind echoed in impatience as I cursed my legs for not being faster.
Subconsciously I was aware of the platoon of guards following close behind me, trying to identify the reason for their king’s wild behavior, however, I knew they were not powerful enough in magic to sense the profound amount of energy radiating from Catherine's room.
Continuing my mad sprint towards my destination a figure appeared in my way. Bolting to a hold, I glared at the women blocking my way
“Why the hurry my dear?” the women said, her low sultry voice enticing to the ears, as a sickly-sweet smile played across her lips.
Gathering my thoughts, I composed myself before replying.
“Just having a light morning exercise, my love.”
“Exercise is good, however, someone of your statue should carry himself with more dignity, do you not agree? Look, even your guards aren’t able to keep up with you. You should really be more careful less misfortune befall you my dear, or someone you are close to.” her sickly smile radiated forth like a viper as the underlying meaning presented itself.
This woman was my betrothed. An arranged marriage carried out by our fathers in years long past, to strengthen our allegiance. However, for the past 8 years, we’d been married our relationship has been far from loving. Her plots and schemes grew ever bolder in attempts to take control of my kingdom, as I was powerless to remove her least I offend her father and with him the Tulven Kingdom.
So, whilst I took no active moves against her, I tried to avoid her at all cost, letting my spies and informants gather intel on her movements to ensure she doesn’t spread corruption among with kingdom’s higher echelons.
I swear if she’s harmed Catherine I’ll rip her head from her shoulders and damn the consequences.
“I’ll keep that in mind, Rosan. However, I must be on my way, apologise for my untactful behaviour.”
Giving a short nod in her direction as a form of respect I attempted to brush past her. As I walked past she latched onto my arm pulling me towards her as she leaned into my ear, whispering.
“Do make sure the little mouse isn’t hurt and send my greeting…. dear” Her last word came out as a snarl as her melodious laughter sounded out as he pranced away, her black hair cascading down behind her.
My blood chilled at the venom in her words. I knew that ever since I took Catherine to be my concubine Rosan had hated her, even my spies reported and interfered with many of her ploys to harm the girl.
I knew I shouldn’t have brought Catherine into such life, but my lovestruck heart was foolish and unreasonable. Had I been more sensible, I would never have allowed Catherine to come with me to live out her days in misery. Forced to keep my distance in order to not incur Rosan’s wrath, was the only way I knew how to protect Catherine now, if I were to send her away she would be out of my protection and I feared what harm would befall her.
Casting these idle thoughts out of my mind, I began my journey towards Catherine once more with utmost haste. Reaching the door a few minutes later, I reached for the handle before flinching away due to the heat.
Closing my eyes, I hovered my hand towards to handle, moving the mana deep within my well I called upon the element of water. A pure ball of water springing into creation as my mana left me in equal quantities. The water flowed over the handle according to my will, cooling it as the opposing elements clashed and sizzled.
Opening the door, a wave of hot air blasted against my face as my stoic conference took in the sight before me. In front of me, in the middle of the room, lay Catherine’s unclothed body, Liz, her personal maid hovering over here casting a tier 3 elemental light magic wounds not visible to my eyes.
Looking closer, I could feel a strange power emanate from Catherine. Seeking the source of this change which wasn’t present a dozen minutes before, I noticed a small golden rune shining on her stomach. Fixing my gaze upon the sight my mind drifted on what could have taken place.