RMW
Chapter Seven
Castle Secrets
~SV~
Sidonia’s Room, Hours After Midnight, 677, 26th, October
Sidonia is unable to sleep because of her guilt at not telling her father. It does not help that her mind keeps replaying all she witnessed Kolo say and do at her mother’s old cottage. The fear that she unwittingly helped Kolo with more than just the necklace has her seeking a distraction; sensing Viktor is awake, she gets the book.
The Princess uses one of the ‘Castle Secrets’ as she opens a panel revealing a passageway. She walks in, at his hidden door she enters. Viktor drops his wooden soldiers, running to give her a hug, and says to her, “It is always harder for me to sleep when I know father is gone. Is that why you are up?”
The dark girl smiles, “Yes, that and troubling dreams. Oh, your hair is wet.” Viktor laughs, “A swim makes me feel better. Will you read more of the story to me?” She brings the book from behind her back. Laughing, he takes it, as he asks, “Do you think I will look similar to the Prince you painted, when I am older?”
The Oracle nods, “Yes, it is very likely.” She goes over and lights his fire. Grabbing his towel, she runs it over his hair until nearly dry. He asks, “When will I get taller?” The Princess tucks her brother in, saying, “Your growth spurt will start next year.” She sits beside him, and begins to read from the book where they left off.
“The Prince falls in love with a beautiful and sad woman, for her husband has abandoned her.” Viktor points at the page with the picture, and says, “She has pretty long red hair.” Sidonia smiles, “His father warns him, ‘It is dangerous to love her, for her ex-husband is a jealous man.’ His son nods.” Yawning, Viktor asks, “Why does her husband care, when he left her?”
Sidonia smiles, “She has a mysterious and dangerous power, which accidentally harmed her husband. Though he still desires her, he fears his wife too much to stay with her. The Prince tries to resist his feelings for her, yet decides he does not wish to. The husband finds out about their love and vows vengeance on him, furious that the Prince can withstand her power.” Prince Viktor claps.
Her brother says, “The Prince is stronger than him!” She reads, “Shortly after, the husband learns how to break into the prison, releasing the Fallen Angel and the bad Witch. They start a new war and when the Witch sees the old King she is pleased, ready to send her beasts after him. She is then astonished to see a younger version of the old King and believes this must be his son.”
Viktor leans closer to her. Sidonia notices Viktor’s curls are moving, reminding her of Kolo’s hair and her own. She cannot recall seeing anyone else’s move. Shrugging, she continues to read, “The Witch now gathers her monsters and points to the Prince saying, ‘Bring him to me, alive!’ The Prince fought valiantly, killing many, before the monsters overpower him.” Viktor gasps, “Oh, no!”
“As they drag the struggling Prince toward the portal, which leads to her kingdom, the King looks to find the Prince. He catches sight of him and yells as he runs to help his son. Just then, a monster knocks the Prince out; he can no longer resist and the monsters are now able to outrun the King. Regrettably, his father does not make it before the portal closes and the King cannot open it.”
“The wicked Witch curses the Prince; making him into the most frightening of all her creations.” She turns the page, Viktor’s drooping eyes pop open, as he gasps, “Whoa, how did you make the monster so scary?” Sidonia shrugs, “It is a memory, from a dream I had a year ago. You are looking tired; I can read the rest tomorrow.”
Viktor pleads, “Please read just a little more, now.” Sidonia sighs, “Before when the Witch created her monsters, she always left most of their human form the way it was. She would only add to it, by giving them fur for skin and cross the instincts of the animal with them.” Viktor gasps with awe.
“The Witch gives her monsters the sight, hearing, venom, claws, healing, and strength of beasts. This time she wants him more terrifying, and changes his body’s shape too. Also, instead of picking one animal, the Witch mixes the Prince with three of the vilest monsters in her realm.”
Viktor grins, “Amazing, if you have to be cursed it is better to be the wickedest!” Nodding, Sidonia agrees, “From a Wraith, he receives the power of spreading darkness, as purple mist in the form of flames comes from his eyes and body. He can tear at souls, and his voice commands others, while bringing terror to their minds.”
Prince Viktor gasps, “Whoa!” It pleases Sidonia that he likes the story and pictures she created; reading more, “His body is covered in the scales of a Dragon, giving him its tail, legs, wings, and ability to breathe purple fire. Last change is to his head; the senses, teeth, and venom, as well as spikes down the center of his back and two on the top of his head, which she takes from a Dark Demon Dog.” Viktor frowns, “Do you mean a Hell-Hound?”
His sister shakes her head, “No, while Hell-Hounds are very vicious, the Dark Realm’s Hounds have better eyesight. They also have venom, spikes, and fear nothing.” Viktor’s eyes go wide with excitement, as he gasps, “How come I do not recall hearing of Dark Demon Dogs before? I wonder if Rorik has heard of them, I bet not.” Sidonia smiles, “They are less known because only two went in-.”
Viktor cuts in, “The Prince and who else?” Sidonia smiles, “You are getting ahead of this story.” Viktor laughs, “Sorry.” She reads on, “Only three were known to ever escape the Dark Realm.” Viktor asks, “How can you have a war if only three come out?” Sidonia says, “It is another tale, if I tell you now, it will spoil it.”
Prince Viktor smirks, “Fine.” She smiles reading, “The King mourns the loss of his son as the pain is the worst he has ever had. He looks high and low for a way to rescue the Prince, and finds no way into the Dark Realm. He asks the angels who forced him to fight the Demons of the Dark Realm; they refuse to believe his son is in the Dark Realm.” Viktor huffs, “Why not trust the King?”
“The Warring Angels state, ‘It is not possible for demons to pull the Prince into the forbidden Dark Realm, it is spelled to only hold demons, and we have now marked them so they cannot ever leave, again. We are never to enter there, and no one is allowed out.’ The King leaves in anger.” Viktor gasps, “That is not fair.” Sidonia nods, “The angels are afraid. And with much in our lives, we learn to live with it or fight injustice.” Viktor nods, yet wishes it were easier.
She reads on, “The King vows to get his son back, as he seeks the help of oracles, seers, wizards, and wise men; none can see into the Dark Realm, for their magic only works in the realm they are from or are in. He goes to the half Bloodchild of the Demon L Darkstone. Her blood sees past the Demon’s Charms, confirming who broke them out. Still, she is unable to tell him if his son still lives nor how to enter the Dark Realm.”
“While she has their blood, she never lived in the Dark Realm, so she cannot see into it. He thanks the half Demon Witch, and takes his revenge on the one who caused it. Unsure whom else to ask, the King fears he will never rescue his son, and sinks into a deep sadness. The Angel, whose life the King saved causing the Witch to curse him, has overheard that the King lost his son in the Dark Realm. He believes him and comes to offer his help.”
“He says, ‘I know of a Dark Realm Gateway, which I can open.’ The King gasps, ‘Tell me. I will go after my son.’ The Angel shakes his head, ‘It is in Heaven, and you will not be allowed to enter there, let alone use their gateway. I vow to do this and repay my life debt to you.’ The King accepts his offer, since there is no other way to rescue his son.” Sidonia sees Viktor’s eyes close.
She quietly puts the book down on his desk, straightens his room, and leaves through his hall doorway. She goes into her father’s den and gets herself a strong drink, making certain she does not pour from his carafe, which holds blood mixed with liquor. As she sips it, she looks up at the painting of their mother. Lightning crackles, flashing a sinister glow on the family portrait, and the Dark Queen’s image. Her mother appears young in it.
Sidonia guesses that Samala is near twenty-five, at the time of the painting. Again, she feels Samala is haunting her, giving Sidonia a shiver, as if her mother’s dark presence were here in the Den with her. It reminds Sidonia of her mum’s cottage, and all that took place there with Kolo. It begins to rain as she enters her room.
Discouraged, Sidonia goes to bed, heavy with guilt, and knowing that pondering on her mother’s image did the opposite of helping her get to sleep. Sidonia fears she is more likely to have darker dreams, because of their painful past.
~*~
Dark Elf King’s Castle, Mid-Morning, 677, 26th, October
The Light Elf King, Queen, and Prince exit their Dark Door, entering the Dark Elf King’s Castle with one squad of their guards. The Dark Elf Guards immediately block the Dark Door behind them, and promptly close it. This had never happened on their prior entries. Light Elf, Queen Vanna tries to remain calm, acting unalarmed, as she also sees an increase of guards outnumbering her own. King Haldir fails to be here to greet them, as he did the past few months.
Nodding, the Dark Elf Captain of the guards says, “This way,” He leads them past the previous room with numerous large windows that overlook the pond and stone garden. Forty-five-year-old Vanna looks in seeing no one occupies the room. She also glances back seeing the extra guards are indeed following them. It confirms her suspicions, that they are in danger.
Stolen story; please report.
This is to be more formal, and holds a dire tone of unfriendliness to it. She cannot get her two-hundred-year-old husband, King Bailey’s eye. Vanna grabs his hand, tugging on it; her husband, Light Elf King Bailey, only gives her a look of annoyance, abruptly pulling his hand out of hers. Bailey goes back to admiring the wall decor as they travel down the halls.
King Bailey is confident that his own Castle is finer. Vanna groans, seeing her husband’s oddly smug smile and the gleeful tilt to his head, regardless of this dire situation. Vanna assumes, as usual, Bailey is not sensing the plots that others appear to be scheming. It annoys her that he never seems to be aware of the clues that they might be in danger. Queen Vanna frowns with discouragement.
Vanna looks to her son, Prince Alrod, to warn him. Instead, she sees the guilt in his eyes, before they dart away from hers. Queen Vanna is now fearful of what Bailey has gotten their eighteen-year-old son and her into. How is she to act or believe things will be alright, when he refuses to tell her of the change of his strategies? She suspects it is worse; Bailey likely planned it from the start, lying and withholding it. His arrogance is going to get them all killed.
The Queen believes he chooses to ignore all memories of the other times she caught something that Bailey did not think of, saving them time, money, and even lives. It frustrates her that he excludes and even deceives her when she asks. Vanna now recalls seeing a commander of a rogue army of sell swords leaving their Castle a few months back. When she asked Bailey of the purpose for him coming, her husband brushed her question away as unimportant.
When she insisted, he said, “I prefer to keep friendly with him, by staying in touch once a year. Just in case, something happens and I need his army. This way I know if he is still willing. It is a wise practice, nothing more.” Again, she regrets marrying him.
~*~
Sidonia dreams she is sailing in a ship, gazing out over a vast sea with no land insight. Rather than finding it frightening, she feels safe as Blood Wrath holds her tight in his arms, standing behind her. She enjoys the mist from the waves against her face. In her room, the sound of a note being pushed under her door, pulls Sidonia from her relaxing dream. The Oracle wakes with a groan of dread.
Sitting up she can see the note on her floor. Sidonia assumes it is from Kolo. The Dark Princess whispers, “I want to burn it. Do I dare? I feel trapped into opening it, since I am nearly certain the Evil One will not recall my visit last night, nor that I declared our relationship is over. Yet, I fear if he has recalled, I will suffer his anger. Still, I must end this, but how?” She groans with annoyance.
Stubbornly. the dark girl ignores it, as she leaves the missive on the floor, while getting dressed. Once finished with her hair, she can no longer put it off, and whispers, “Well, I might as well get this over with.” Begrudgingly, Sidonia picks it up and reads his message,
My Dearest One,
I know of no reason for your inability to arrive last night. It leads me to be very concerned. Please reply if something has caused this, or someone has harmed you. It must have been dire, to cause you to miss our agreed meeting time, without the slightest warning. Usually, you are so punctual and considerate. I shall be pleased, if you make a proper reparation of my thoughts and opinion about last night’s failure.
You will alleviate my concerns and need for further action, should you successfully come to me tonight. Do as you promised and bring what I have asked for, so I can learn how to help you avoid a lasting death.
Your Devoted One
Sidonia’s hand shakes as she reads his veiled threat. Nervously she goes to her desk intending to write as short of a note back, as he has sent her. Moments go by as Sidonia attempts to find just the right words to end it with him.
Our agreement is over. I never want to see you again. Stay away from me, so I do not have to inform my father.
It is unwise to provoke him, fearing it is too much, and might get her killed. Crumpling it up, she tosses it in the wastebasket. She gets the carefully worded break up note from her bag, yet realizes it will be like last time, he will confront her in her garden. Tossing it, she starts again on a new parchment. Her mind is blank with the terror of what she saw, she dares not even write his name.
Sidonia stands to go tell her father, then recalls he is not here. The Dark Princess sinks back into her chair, feeling it is just as well, “I fear not even my father can withstand his power of fire!” The letter ends up being five times the length she intends, as she writes the first plausible excuse for not meeting Kolo last night. Finishing Sidonia bravely adds a briefer, yet clear break up with Kolo. She plans to avoid him until she has a vision and plan that captures him.
She sighs, hoping to release her mother also. Bringing just the bookbag from her tattoo, she fills it with her paperwork and rushes out to find Donatello is waiting for her. He is standing on the stairs leaning against the wall. Donatello looks out the large north window across from him. Her guard wears his wheat-blond hair tied back dangling between his shoulders and he knows she is there. Without facing the Princess, Donatello says, “This is always the most fascinating view of the forest and mountains.” Her guard now turns to look at her. Captain Tik watches as mist, in the shadows, he sees Donatello is attempting to control his need to smile, at Sidonia. He fears that Donatello is falling in love with her.
The Princess hands him the note, trying to seem calm, as she states, “I would think flying above it to be nearly the same.” Her guard sees two locks of her hair are twisting themselves into a rope. She follows his eyes to her hair, quickly grabbing her locks, looking tense. Smiling, Donatello replies, “Awe those are the dark colors of night, so I miss the different tones sunlight brings. This is the only place I dare risk looking at it.” Her green eyes mesmerize him.
The Princess sees the light blue mist is around him, to block the daylight. She asks, “Does it hurt you to be up during the day?” Donatello sighs, “Not as much as it used to. I would not be willing to do it if injured or going into battle soon. I will be fine as long as I go to sleep within the next hour. Besides, this is the best spot to see and enjoy the beauty.” He means Princess Sidonia.
Tilting his head, Donatello looks at her with a serious expression, which makes Sidonia very nervous, so much that in her frightened state, she cannot read his thoughts. The Dark Princess tries to give an unconcerned smile, “I appreciate you handling my past letters; however, I would not want it to hurt you. Anyway, I think this is the final one… that I intend to ever send him.”
Her Guard smiles at her uncertainty, seeing her hair does a dance behind her back, while she has no idea. Donatello replies, “I am not in pain.” He wonders at her bloodline and powers. She sighs, “Good, I do not want that.” He says with careful wording, tapping her note, “The bloom of friendship is gone and perhaps the petals have fallen?” She bites her lip, frowning at his meaning.
Donatello adds, “Is it leaving frost to settle around your heart?” She shrugs and then shakes her head. Her father’s request allows Donatello to be bolder, as her guard says, “If you wish me to say something to him… or are ever in need of a friend or protection… please know I am willing to do more than pass a letter.” He glimpses a look of fear in her eyes. She strongly shakes her head.
The Princess forces a smile, hoping to look relaxed. She then feels someone is watching her, the Dark Princess whips around. Seeing mist rush off from the shadows, she tries to learn who it is; however, her fear keeps her gift from working. Donatello sees it too; now he suspects Tik is spying, yet why would Tik watch him? Then he recalls noticing that Tik has a fascination with the Princess.
The attempt at a vision causes Sidonia to be dizzy; Donatello sees her sway and worries she might fall down the stairs. He grabs her arm, until she is steady. Her guard now asks softly, “Please tell me what has you so stressed that you are this weak with fear?” Princess Sidonia believes she can trust Donatello, and knows it will be a relief to confide in him and ask for his help.
He always has a calming way to him and a positive aura. The Dark Princess is ready to confess, and seek his opinion on what she should do. As she opens her lips, she recalls Kolo’s threat. She feels the heat of his flame by her face, and his presence, as if he is now here. She is afraid the fleeing navy mist is Kolo. She trembles, too afraid to speak; worried the guards have let him in the Front Gate.
If Kolo is the January Man, it is possible that she will not recognize him. Worse, she fears Kolo is nearby, even standing next to her. She realizes Kolo can be anywhere at any time, with a different look to his face and body. It confirms her suspicions as she feels more certain that Kolo was the navy mist and is hiding. She is not safe here and needs a plan to escape him. The dark girl recalls some of Kolo’s confession and threats, causing her skin to prickle.
She looks at each of the shadows and then at the men outside. Calming down, she thinks, ‘It is daytime, he is not outside and must sleep soon. I will be in more danger when it is dark.’ She feels his evil threats, as if Kolo were seething it in her ear, “Even whisper my name and I shall come and kill them all!” Sidonia forces a smile, as she tells Donatello, “I did not sleep well, is all. Instead of rest, my gift chose to give me needless hauntings from my childhood.”
Sidonia adds, “Thank you for your concern, it means a great deal to me. I prefer not to cause you any further risk.” Donatello nods to her, yet is certain there is more to the fear he saw. He walks her downstairs; she goes to the library, as he uses the underground walkway. He goes up the stairs into the guardhouse and pulls his hood up, then forward to shadow his face before going outside.
Donatello carefully walks along the shade of the wall to the Front Gate. Knowing the sun is an hour away from leaving him without protection, he hopes the man comes soon. Standing in the shadows, he watches for him, as he thinks of Sidonia’s weakness and feels it was an unusual reaction. He also worries over Anthony’s cryptic request to keep her and Viktor safe. Wondering why he chose him to do it and why he did not want him to tell anyone.
A coach pulls up; it brings Donatello out of his thoughts, as he frowns because the Driver is the Messenger. Walking under the shade of the entry arch’s upper walkway, Donatello waits as the Driver comes to the Front Gate, to receive her reply. Captain Heg states, “The King is not here, so we are not accepting any visitors.” Donatello responds for the Driver, “Heg, he is here for this.”
Careful not to touch the Front Gates’ iron bars so he can avoid it burning him, Donatello holds out the letter. Her Guard waits as Kolo’s messenger comes to grasp it. Yet, Donatello changes his mind, not releasing her note. Instead, he asks, “Is your master one of honor?” The Driver cautions, “Quiet! He will hear you.” Donatello smiles coldly as he accuses, “Clearly, he is not the owner of either shop in town. Who is he?” Kolo’s man gasps in fear.
Nervously, the Messenger looks at the coach and then answers her guard, “I have no idea what shops you refer to, and it is not my place to tell you of my master. Give me her note!” Donatello hisses, “I do not care for the way this affair with your master is affecting the Princess.” It is the coachman’s turn to scoff, “Well if she has hurt feelings, it is one sided.” Donatello shakes his head.
The Messenger insists, “I am not aware of him having any intentions toward her. She is merely doing research for the Master. His notes are to inform her when he is in town, a time when they can converse about it, and hers are the same. She might add what she has learned.” Unsatisfied, Donatello hisses, “It does not match her claim. Have your master come here to get it!” The Messenger refuses.
The Driver only pulls harder on the Princess’s Missive, it brings Donatello’s hand into the sunlight causing it to smoke. Her guard’s eyes darken, as his veins are revealed in his face and neck. He brings his hand back, pulling the reluctant Driver with, until the shadows protect him. The Messenger states in horror, “You know he cannot leave the Coach any more than you can leave this shade.” It confirms Donatello’s fears, the one she writes to is a Vampire.
~RMW~