“FEW KNOW, OR ACKNOWLEDGE, THE BASILISK QUEEN; THE TRUE CONQUEROR OF THE DEEP NORTH. FEW KNOW OF HER, DUE TO INHOSPITABLE OPINIONS AND FOUL SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT REGARDING HER; EVEN FEWER PREFER TO ACKNOWLEDGE HER, IN FEAR OF BEING SILENCED OR SUPPRESSED OR WORSE.
INSPITE OF SUCH OPPOSITION, I WOULD MUCH PREFER HAVING HER BEEN SPOKEN OF, THAN FORGOTTEN; FOR, THE GREATEST FOLLY THAT MAN COULD COMMIT WAS TO FORGET HISTORY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE TO COME.
I HAVE NO DOUBT, THAT ONCE MY ARTICLE HAS BEEN FED INTO AURORA, THE DAYS OF MY NOBLE SERVICE TO THIS GRAND LIBRARY ARE NUMBERED. NEVERTHELESS, I DO NOT FEAR NOR COWER IN FACE OF WHAT IS TO COME. I ACCEPT MY FATE WITH GLEE AND SUBDUED ACCEPTANCE; FOR, BY MY EFFORTS, THE ABSURD REGIME AND CRUEL RULE OF THE BASILISK QUEEN SHALL BE TAUGHT AND REMEMBERED.
AND THAT… THAT IS REWARD ENOUGH.
I SOLEMNLY BELIEVE THAT HER STORY, HOLDS TRUE AND FIRM TILL THIS DATE; IDEALS, LOGICS, PRINCIPLES, FAITHS, BELIEFS AND, TO A DEGREE, TACTICS– ALL HOLD, ONE TOO MANY SIMILARITIES TO HER MANIACAL REGIME. I BELIEVE, ONE SHOULD TAKE HEED FROM THE POST-ISHTAR ERA AND REALIZE THAT OUR HISTORY IS MORE THAN JUST LILAC AND ALEXANDER.
BOTH OF WHOM, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY BELIEVE, TOOK MUCH INSPIRATION FROM HER.”
-AN EXCERPT FROM, ‘CHARLOTTE’S BASILISK’ BY FORMER CUSTODIAN ROKORRO.
LEYAH IX
“‘Nothing more, could be said about what unraveled after. For, I had already fainted..’.”
With a loud snap, Malice closed the book, akin to a priest being coerced to read a heretical text and, much like a priest, Malice too was absolutely and completely revolted by a mere glance at the book; tis, was as if, the book would morph into daemon and devour him whole.
In a wide arc, the book went sailing through the air, colliding with the wall; falling pitifully. A throbbing pain emerged, filling her with incomprehensible rage and unquenchable bloodlust– were she a weaker woman, the urge would have taken hold.
And then? Then, death would be the least of her concerns.
The feeling disappeared, as hastily as it came; leaving naught but a sizzling pain within the cranium. Curiously horrifying.
“Curious! A most unprecedented development; my calculations and database, suggests that the book has taken hold of the emotional regulations within the chip. Horrifying.” AURORA intoned in its monotone voice.
“Care to, at least, show a facsimile of concern?” She snarked back.
“Oh, I.. I had expressed concern. It is, precisely, why ‘horrifying’ had been added to my statement.”
“Sure, didn't sound like it!”
“Noted. I will work on improving the neural connections-” With a pinch within her head, AURORA's sentence was cut short; rather, it had cut it short. Always the workhorse, even if the work ethics provided for atrocious hours and abandoned conversations.
Nevertheless, she ought not to complain. AURORA's words were alarming; not only, for they had confirmed the most deep-set horrors within her, but also, for this.. unknown influence had control, however partial it may be, on her chip.
Definitely, more than just alarming!
Had she not been forced to remain seated by the Demon; she would've disposed of the book, immediately! A burst of sizzling pain rattled around her brain. This one, more coercing than the previous. Clearly, whatever it was, had hold over her thoughts– something, even, AURORA had not quite perfected, yet.
A chilling shiver crawled up her spine. The Cardinal, Malice, was boring holes into her, with the void-like fiery gaze; now, that was true horror.
It seems, even her thoughts could not serve as an escape to the lashings of the tense silence within the room. Not with that thing staring at her, at least.
Another shiver. Fucking hell.
Finally, when the stare had become far too violating; she spoke, “What?!”
The word, the simple question with a million answers and with a billion more far elegant manners of being framed in– shattered an armistice in the conversation, that she had been unaware of. A critical fact that the Cardinal had not realized; for the abomination tilted it's head, question marks floating about his head or at least, they did in her imagination.
It was an acceptable reaction; to it, her words had carved through a necessary silence, had ended a much needed break, had implied that the conversation's importance was reciprocated. The last article of information, she would have preferred to remain unexposed and unsaid. But now, the mistake had been made.
If she would suffer for it, she did not know; the ball was in Malice's court and now, the thing could play it's malicious serve.
The outcome of this match, would depend on her responses and defense. Although, considering the ferocity within the malicious creature, there would be no defense. And, that was not an exaggeration; Tis was a fact.
“Nothing,” It uttered, responding. For a second, she thought the worst– that the thing would not reply. But, the fears were unfounded, as the Cardinal continued, “Nothing, except, that you seem awfully familiar,”
Shocked, she stuttered, “Familiar?”
“Yes. Very familiar; enlighten me, how was the House of Engel, established?”
Does he know?, she lamented. The Cardinal had an ace up it's sleeve; one that could cause much trouble for her.
“By, my ancestors, of course!” She intoned. At its, unimpressed or death, stare, she elaborated, “Ivan Engel of Lilith, established it; when, Mercia had been… well, humbled-”
“Purified, you mean,” Malice interrupted, his gravelly monotone voice giving her humanitarianism a defeated pause.
“Yes.. yes, after it's purification, my ancestor was granted land there.” With a pause, she added, “Generous land,”
Cursing the daemonic origins of the entity for the shroud of mystery around it as she stewed in impatience. Had it figured out the true story? If yes, then compromises would have to be made and debts would have to be assumed.
If, it did not? Then, still, she would stew in fear and impatience; for, in truth, the origins of her House were not closely guarded secrets, no, they were open secrets– one's, that were better left forgotten and unspoken. Uttered aloud, the origin and founding of her House, could be a very volatile topic- depending on one's company; usually, it either swung from “Hate them,” to “Support them,”. Not a vast spectrum for the nobility’s pendulum, but it made them content and thus, tis was so.
So, in actuality, it was not a matter of if, it never was.. it was always, a matter of when.
And, honestly? She would much prefer an unfeeling and unpolitically aligned creature, such as Malice, to figure it out- to utter it; for, in its hands, the knowledge was just that.. knowledge. Not a weapon or something more valuable, something more potent.
Either way, Leyah would've preferred it to remain buried, lost and forgotten; no matter, however unlikely it was.
“It amuses to me to no extent,”
“What does?”
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
The thing growled, leaning towards her. When had he reached so close? A pang of primal fear chilled the insides.
“This.. this abhorrent act of cluelessness and naivety that you so, ardently, maintain,”
“Cluelessness? Naivety? Hardly,” She scoffed, “How can one be clueless, if there is no information to be hidden? How can one maintain a facade of naivety, when all the innocence has been sucked–”
“Liar,” It growled, tremors flashing along it's clawed hand; no doubt, itching to cave her in. He continued, “You think me, a fool?”
“Hardly. I do not think so,” Pausing, she flashed a smirk; unable to resist the temptation, she added, “I know, you are one-”
A burst of pain, a longing sting erupted on her cheek. It felt numb, yet, the pain burned harsher than an inferno. She could feel the swelling, feel the pain grow, feel it numb.
The fucker had slapped her; likely, harsher than it had intended, for even through the shroud of mystery around it, she could spy shock at this act.
Before, she could rave and rant and scream obscenities, the Cardinal spoke, the fire in its voice having faded out and replaced by a solemness, “6 months prior to Queen Evelyn's demise, the crown princess, Aera, gave birth to Ivanka; a birth that took her life and, in turn, the Queen's. Upon her death–”
“-Her younger brother, Jaime seized power. His younger sister, Claire, sent on a military campaign; his niece, married away,” She stole the words from his mouth.
It nodded, shocked at her compliance, “From this union, was born Ivan. Your ancestor.”
She nodded mutely with an air of meekness engulfing her. There were no further words of cheekiness and snark to be spoken, for in the statement, there was naught but cold hard truth. A claimant, she was. A threat, she was. Another fear, bitterly realized.
But, better the Cardinal than a politicking man, She thought, ruefully. A fair compromise.
Suddenly, it spoke, “You are alike,”
“Me and the Queen?” She questioned, confused.
“No, no. Not at all; I referred to you and Charles- the latest of your obsessions,”
Ignoring the latter of his words, she prodded, “Oh? How so?”
“In the manner, you both are hardened liars. Pathological one's, even,” She paused and seeing her inaction, Malice continued, “Thy mind wonders, I can see that. I can feel it. Curiosity blooms, replaced by doubt; He was like you, very much so. Liars, the lot of you– By Lilac, do I detest your kind for it. The ability and instinct to lie rather than accept reality. The need to deceive than be truthful.” With a growl, he leaned into her face and bit out, “Pathetic.”
It chuckled, malicious revelations dripping in his words, “Does thy learned mind think, he could best an Apostle? Right when, it had been established that the bumbling boy could not best its apprentice?”
“That is, what is written. It is his own accounts of the events, for the goddess’s sake!” She argued, only to immediately realize her mistake. His own accounts; to think that she had been swindled like this! One would expect more from a learned woman like her, but, it seems that even the learned can commit follies. Great follies.
Autobiographies, if history is any guide, are rarely accurate; dripping with the painted world views of the writer, as they are.
And, by Lilac, she had fallen to one. Mein Gott! The forgiving soil, ought to swallow her whole!
The Cardinal laughed; a chilling sound, a discordant melody that sounded more like a dying dog, than a joyous or even mocking noise. Horrifying, truly.
The laughter subsided. It disputed her, “Charles would never admit, not in a thousand meaningless lives, his own shortcomings; especially, not when his daughter had been the one framing the book, composing it with grace beyond her years. It would simply be a humiliation. So, no.. his words are hardly true. The romance, I cannot dispute, for, indeed there was a deep love. But, the fight–”
“He lost?” She questioned, intent on cutting the story short; do not misunderstand her! She liked a good story, but, at the moment, curiosity was burning high and backstories could hardly sate the appetite. If they could, life would be nothing short of heavenly.
“Why, Yes, yes. Yes. He did, badly. They put up a fight,”
“They?”
“Him and Ish- Elena. However, even this joint front would hardly last. The Apostle soon overpowered them and before it could sever his head and conduct the foul machinations, he had undoubtedly planned, for the girl–”
“You saved them?.” She questioned, wishing that he would say no; she knew, however, that the answer would be an affirmation. How could it not be? Everything regarding the understanding of ‘The Anchor’ had been upended. She should have realized, sooner.
I should have known!, she screams internally, thoroughly disappointed and annoyed at herself. Mostly disappointed.
Annoyance, afterall, would imply that one expected such an outcome. She could say, that she did; that this clusterfuck had all been planned, had all been foreseen. Fredrick would say that Leyah had not been caught blindsided and she would agree in public. But, could she say the same within the privacy of her room. Could she falsely agree? Could she lie to her to her husband-to-be, to her everything?
She could try. Not that, she could or would ever attempt it; for, verily, it would lead to failure. Besides, if she were not to share the truth with him, then who?
Nevertheless, did she, truly know of it? No, not at all. Such an outcome, so foreseeable, so expected that even a child could guess it– blindsided her. And this.. this fucking disappointed her!
She needed AURORA to solve this. Immediately, more hastily than any other act that it had ever done. For, if this.. this thing- this entity, could make her ignorant of such obvious conclusions. Then, then she feared it's true hold, it's true power.
If one could depreciate another's inane capabilities, then what could it not do?
I need you, AURORA, she admitted within the confines of her infiltrated mind.
Malice nodded in response to her question, something positive buzzing about his shrouded existence, “Yes, I did,”
She was broken out of her reverie; shamefully, the Cardinal's presence had been forgotten, completely. What the fuck, was happening to her, for Lilac's sake?!
Once more, Leyah was blindsided, Malice noticed her absence- in the figurative sense- and spoke, “You are lost,”
She sputtered, “No- no, no, not at all!”
“You are.” He spoke, factually. Honestly, she agreed. He was right, truly right.
She nodded, accepting defeat. Total defeat. The Cardinal nodded, benevolently and much like a deity, he allowed her mercy, “Then, leave, sleep. Sleep restfully, tonight, girl; for, tomorrow onwards, there would be naught but torturous nights and fitful sleeps. Leave and sleep,”
She nodded, getting up from the chair. Before, however, she took her leave; a pang of desire warmed within her. Her gaze was drawn towards the irresistible book, an unquenchable thirst brewing in her mind. She needed the book. She needed it now! Now. Now. Now!
Any attempts at tearing her gaze away, were futile; any success, was short lived, for her heart would ache for it.
Malice followed her, not so inconspicuous, gaze and sighed. “I will allow you the book, take it. However, must there be any discrepancies that thy mind notices.. then, I bid thineself welcome to my chambers; ask within reason and I shall answer,”
She nodded, thankfully, hastily grabbing the book and made her way out. A brief pause, she peeked towards Malice, “Goodnight.”
Without, awaiting for his response, Leyah took her leave.
A muted, “A pleasant night to you, as well,” followed her wake.
_______________________________________________________
To say, that her rest had been.. well, restful, would be an absolute lie. A way to absolute delusion.
The Cardinal may have bid her a restful sleep; in truth, however, his foreboding warnings had come to fruition earlier than prophesied.
And, who wouldn't be disturbed? To have, an individual whom you thought extraordinary, be naught more than a lying little boy; tis was a shock. But, she too was a fool to think so greatly of him. Misguided, he was, yes, but an extraordinary misguided man; a man who could be read off in the near future and be used to teach lessons of life that would otherwise extract a crushing price.
Mayhaps, now, that would not be a possibility. Or, perhaps, optimistically thinking, it could be; considering, that such discrepancies could be squashed, afterall, why would such a tale of the grayness of morality, inspire naysayers? Yes. Yes. Very right, her plans aren't to be altered. ‘The Anchor', like ‘Charlotte’s Basilisk’ is a needed tale for society to understand and learn history; lest, they remain illiterate of the boundless knowledge hidden within the depths of the innumerable annals of history.
That said, however, it does not mean that she will halt her readings of the book. She simply cannot. There is still, information to be gained, knowledge to be learned, lessons to be understood.
It had nothing to do with the searing pains and insatiable urges to roll through its rusty, husky pages. Nothing at all, mhm! Absolutely!
Besides, she had graciously accepted the olive branch that had been offered to her. Even if, in some outlandish reality- so unthinkable that it would never come to pass, not even in dreams- she didn't wish to read the book further; there would still be precedent to go deeper, for, undoubtedly, the Cardinal would not appreciate, otherwise. On that, she was assured.
Most definitely, however, such lessons needed to be sorely learnt by one man in particular, the same one walking towards her with a pip in his step and a wide wave, as if she would not notice the revolting presence. Pathetic– like all things with him. Hilarious.
Adolph walked up to her, an irritating grin and an agonizingly swattable hand reaching out towards her, “Walk with me, Lady Engel?”
Biting back a scowl, and the harsh words that would accompany it, she acquiesced, taking the hand, “Very well, lead the way~”