The Feast

by Rowan Bree

  Aside from the prince and the man who might be the king, you wonder just how many of these guests are representatives from the kingdom. How many cities have already fallen to the Order?

  Vale smiles demurely. “These two here are going to be made examples of. One is a traitor who has plotted to destroy the Order and murder your king. The other is the very woman who let the creatures into our world, only to run from the Order and her responsibilities. Tonight you will be shown what happens to those who disobey.”

  He rubs his pale hands together as if preparing for a delicious meal. His eyes flash red as he looks at you.

  “Dear kitten, if you could be so kind as to remove your clothes.”

  Jasper’s hand tightens around yours.

  Strip.

  Resist.

  “Maybe next time,” you tell the prince.

  He scowls. “Don’t worry, there won’t be a next time.” He leaves.

  Jasper comes back not too long after looking a bit winded, but his injuries are completely healed.

  You ask if he’s okay.

  “Just barely made it away from a very pushy duchess of so-and-so. She’s been after me for quite some time.”

  It looks like you’re not the only one getting unwanted attention here.

  “Are feasts always like this?” you ask.

  Jasper smiles. “Yes, but don’t worry. I’ve only eyes for you.” It’s all so cheesy, from the way he holds your hands to the look in his eyes. But he makes you feel safe. You’re half laughing even as you kiss him.

  “I’m serious,” he says. His green eyes are fierce. “I would never do anything to hurt you.”

  “Too bad you already have,” says a man in a dark robe. He stands far too close to the both of you, but you don’t realize why until you feel the sharp point of a dagger at your side. You can see every detail of his face, from his pointed chin to his petulant pout. His eerie violet eyes are partially obscured by long, silvery hair.

  Terrible flashbacks fill your mind of what Vale did to you and panic takes hold. What will he do to you for running away?

  “Come with me,” Vale says, prodding the both of you towards the entrance of the great hall.

  You think of yelling for help in the crowded room but Vale’s dagger would be deep inside you before anything could be done. You look towards Jasper for reassurance, or maybe a sign he has an escape plan.

  I’m sorry, he mouths letting Vale lead you out of the hall and up the castle’s main stairs.

  Vale leans close to whisper in Jasper’s ear, but you can just catch what he says. “I hope you’ve been taking good care of my dear kitten.”

  Jasper doesn’t react.

  “I trust you haven’t broken your promise? She still doesn't know who she really is?”

  Does Jasper know something more about you? No, surely he would have told you if he did.

  A guard passes and Vale smiles innocently. You can feel the dagger poke into your side as a warning to keep silent. You wonder where Vale is taking you.

  “You know I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. The both of you. I’ve missed you. But we’re going to have plenty of fun tonight, trust me.”

  Ahead of you is a stone archway draped with black curtains, and beyond a room filled with robed figures along with guests from the feast in their fine clothes. Red candles are placed on different surfaces and in sconces. An open space has been cleared in the middle of the room and a circular symbol carved into the stone floor.

  “The main course has arrived,” he says. He gestures to the robed figures. “Get rid of the slaves.”

  Among the well-dressed guests are half-naked people in chains and dirty linens. They don’t put up any resistance as they are herded out of the room. As you look around you notice a man seated in a plush chair. He is wearing a golden crown and the finest robes coin can buy. Beside him are several stiff-looking guardsmen. Has the king already fallen under the Order’s influence?

  Vale forces you into the carved circle in the center of the room. Jasper finds your hand and clasps it tightly.

  “Don’t worry,” he whispers. “Our friends are nearby.”

  You don’t see any familiar faces in the crowd.

  Vale paces in front of you addressing the guests. “Tonight, I’ve prepared a special treat for Doria’s friends. As you know there has been some resistance to the idea that things could change, that Doria could be something more than an old enemy of the kingdom. But you’ve already witnessed just how strong our power is. Tonight I offer you a chance to join us to make the most of this new world.”

  You wonder just how many of these guests are representatives from the kingdom. How many cities have already fallen to the Order?

  Vale smiles demurely. “These two here are going to be made examples of. One is a traitor who has plotted to destroy the Order and murder your king. The other is the very woman who let the creatures into our world, only to run from the Order and her responsibilities. Tonight you will be shown what happens to those who disobey.”

  He rubs his pale hands together as if preparing for a delicious meal. His eyes flash red as he looks at you.

  “Dear kitten, if you could be so kind as to remove your clothes.”

  Jasper’s hand tightens around yours.

  Strip.

  Resist.

  “Maybe next time,” you tell the prince.

  He scowls. “Don’t worry, there won’t be a next time.” He leaves.

  Jasper comes back not too long after looking a bit winded, but his injuries are completely healed.

  You ask if he’s okay.

  “Just barely made it away from a very pushy duchess of so-and-so. She’s been after me for quite some time.”

  It looks like you’re not the only one getting unwanted attention here.

  “Are feasts always like this?” you ask.

  Jasper smiles. “Yes, but don’t worry. I won’t get distracted. Not this time, anyway.”

  “I’m sure I could distract you,” says a man in a dark robe. He stands far too close to the both of you, but you don’t realize why until you feel the sharp point of a dagger at your side. You can see every detail of his face, from his pointed chin to his petulant pout. His eerie violet eyes are partially obscured by long, silvery hair.

  You don’t know who this man is.

  Recognize Vale.

  You recognize the mage Vale. Fear runs through your body. Has he been looking for you this whole time?

  “Come with me,” Vale says, prodding the both of you towards the entrance of the great hall.

  You think of yelling for help in the crowded room but Vale’s dagger would be deep inside you before anything could be done. You look towards Jasper for reassurance, or maybe a sign he has an escape plan.

  I’m sorry, he mouths letting Vale lead you out of the hall and up the castle’s main stairs.

  Vale leans close to whisper in Jasper’s ear, but you can just catch what he says. “I hope you’ve been taking good care of my dear kitten.”

  Jasper doesn’t react.

  “I trust you haven’t broken your promise? She still doesn't know just how special she is?”

  Does Jasper know something more about you? No, surely he would have told you if he did.

  A guard passes and Vale smiles innocently. You can feel the dagger poke into your side as a warning to keep silent. You wonder where Vale is taking you.

  “You know I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. The both of you. I’ve missed you. But we’re going to have plenty of fun tonight, trust me.”

  Ahead of you is a stone archway draped with black curtains, and beyond a room filled with robed figures along with guests from the feast in their fine clothes. Among them you recognize the curly-haired prince from the feast. Red candles are placed on different surfaces and in sconces. An open space has been cleared in the middle of the room and a circular symbol carved into the stone floor.


  “The main course has arrived,” he says. He gestures to the robed figures. “Get rid of the slaves.”

  Among the well-dressed guests are half-naked people in chains and dirty linens. They don’t put up any resistance as they are herded out of the room. As you look around you notice a man seated in a plush chair. He is wearing a golden crown and the finest robes coin can buy. Beside him are several stiff-looking guardsmen. Has the king already fallen under the Order’s influence?

  Vale forces you into the carved circle in the center of the room. Jasper finds your hand and clasps it tightly.

  “Don’t worry,” he whispers. “Our friends are nearby.”

  You don’t see any familiar faces in the crowd.

  Vale paces in front of you addressing the guests. “Tonight, I’ve prepared a special treat for Doria’s friends. As you know there has been some resistance to the idea that things could change, that Doria could be something more than an old enemy of the kingdom.”

  Aside from the prince and the man who might be the king, you wonder just how many of these guests are representatives from the kingdom. How many cities have already fallen to the Order?

  “Despite what people may think, these two traitors are the real threat. They and their kind spread fear and distrust among our people. They would have you believe that the Order is still stuck in its old ways, that we haven’t learned from our mistakes and still want the kingdom to ourselves.”

  There are chuckles amongst the guests. You wonder how they could be so easily fooled.

  Vale smiles demurely. “And so we must teach them the error of their ways. We’ll have fun humiliating them tonight then toss them out in the morning. We’ll make an example of them so others won’t follow in their misguided footsteps.”

  He rubs his pale hands together as if preparing for a delicious meal. His eyes flash red as he looks at you.

  “Dear kitten, if you could be so kind as to remove your clothes.”

  Jasper’s hand tightens around yours.

  Strip.

  Resist.

  You recognize the mage Vale. Fear runs through your body. Has he been looking for you this whole time?

  “Come with me,” Vale says, prodding the both of you towards the entrance of the great hall.

  You think of yelling for help in the crowded room but Vale’s dagger would be deep inside you before anything could be done. You look towards Jasper for reassurance, or maybe a sign he has an escape plan.

  I’m sorry, he mouths letting Vale lead you out of the hall and up the castle’s main stairs.

  Vale leans close to whisper in Jasper’s ear, but you can just catch what he says. “I hope you’ve been taking good care of my dear kitten.”

  Jasper doesn’t react.

  “I trust you haven’t broken your promise? She still doesn't know just how special she is?”

  Does Jasper know something more about you? No, surely he would have told you if he did.

  A guard passes and Vale smiles innocently. You can feel the dagger poke into your side as a warning to keep silent. You wonder where Vale is taking you.

  “You know I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. The both of you. I’ve missed you. But we’re going to have plenty of fun tonight, trust me.”

  Ahead of you is a stone archway draped with black curtains, and beyond a room filled with robed figures along with guests from the feast in their fine clothes. Among them you recognize the curly-haired prince from the feast. Red candles are placed on different surfaces and in sconces. An open space has been cleared in the middle of the room and a circular symbol carved into the stone floor.

  “The main course has arrived,” he says. He gestures to the robed figures. “Get rid of the slaves.”

  Among the well-dressed guests are half-naked people in chains and dirty linens. They don’t put up any resistance as they are herded out of the room. As you look around you notice a man seated in a plush chair. He is wearing a golden crown and the finest robes coin can buy. Beside him are several stiff-looking guardsmen. Has the king already fallen under the Order’s influence?

  Vale forces you into the carved circle in the center of the room. Jasper finds your hand and clasps it tightly.

  “Don’t worry,” he whispers. “Our friends are nearby.”

  You don’t see any familiar faces in the crowd.

  Vale paces in front of you addressing the guests. “Tonight, I’ve prepared a special treat for Doria’s friends. As you know there has been some resistance to the idea that things could change, that Doria could be something more than an old enemy of the kingdom.”

  Aside from the prince and the man who might be the king, you wonder just how many of these guests are representatives from the kingdom. How many cities have already fallen to the Order?

  “Despite what people may think, these two traitors are the real threat. They and their kind spread fear and distrust among our people. They would have you believe that the Order is still stuck in its old ways, that we haven’t learned from our mistakes and still want the kingdom to ourselves.”

  There are chuckles amongst the guests. You wonder how they could be so easily fooled.

  Vale smiles demurely. “And so we must teach them the error of their ways. We’ll have fun humiliating them tonight then toss them out in the morning. We’ll make an example of them so others won’t follow in their misguided footsteps.”

  He rubs his pale hands together as if preparing for a delicious meal. His eyes flash red as he looks at you.

  “Dear kitten, if you could be so kind as to remove your clothes.”

  Jasper’s hand tightens around yours.

  Strip.

  Resist.

  You don’t recognize the man, though he seems to know you.

  “Vale,” Jasper hisses under his breath.

  The man smiles and feigns a kiss in Jasper’s direction. “It’s been far too long,” he says.

  He then turns to you, his violet eyes drinking up every inch of you. “And you, my dear. I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure. I’m Vale, a mage of the Order and the only one around here with the kingdom’s best interests in mind. I do hope you haven’t been fooled by Jasper’s lies about me. I’m quite harmless.”

  “And the daggers?” Jasper asks.

  Vale’s expression turns dark. “Insurance. Now come with me.”

  The mage prods the both of you towards the entrance of the great hall.

  You think of yelling for help in the crowded room but Vale’s dagger would be deep inside you before anything could be done. You look towards Jasper for reassurance, or maybe a sign he has an escape plan.

  I’m sorry, he mouths letting Vale lead you out of the hall and up the castle’s main stairs.

  Vale leans close to whisper in Jasper’s ear, but you can just catch what he says. “I hope you’ve been taking good care of my dear kitten.”

  Jasper doesn’t react.

  “I trust you haven’t broken your promise? She still doesn't know just how special she is?”

  Does Jasper know something more about you? No, surely he would have told you if he did.

  A guard passes and Vale smiles innocently. You can feel the dagger poke into your side as a warning to keep silent. You wonder where the mage is taking you.

  “You know I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. The both of you. I’ve missed you. But we’re going to have plenty of fun tonight, trust me.”

  Jasper mutters something to Vale you don’t catch. You can sense Vale’s body tighten in rage as he struggles to keep it inside. The two of them must be old enemies.

  Ahead of you is a stone archway draped with black curtains, and beyond a room filled with robed figures along with guests from the feast in their fine clothes. Among them you recognize the curly-haired prince from the feast. Red candles are placed on different surfaces and in sconces. An open space has been cleared in the middle of the room and a circular symbol carved into the sto
ne floor.

  “The main course has arrived,” he says. He gestures to the robed figures. “Get rid of the slaves.”

  Among the well-dressed guests are half-naked people in chains. They don’t put up any resistance as they are herded out of the room. As you look around you notice a man seated in a plush chair. He is wearing a golden crown and the finest robes coin can buy. Beside him are several stiff-looking guardsmen. Has the king already fallen under the Order’s influence?

  Vale forces you into the carved circle in the center of the room. Jasper finds your hand and clasps it tightly.

  “Don’t worry,” he whispers. “Our friends are nearby.”

  You don’t see any familiar faces in the crowd.

  Vale paces in front of you addressing the guests. “Tonight, I’ve prepared a special treat for Doria’s friends. As you know there has been some resistance to the idea that things could change, that Doria could be something more than an old enemy of the kingdom.”

  Aside from the prince and the man who might be the king, you wonder just how many of these guests are representatives from the kingdom. How many cities have already fallen to the Order?

  “Despite what people may think, these two traitors are the real threat. They and their kind spread fear and distrust among our people. They would have you believe that the Order is still stuck in its old ways, that we haven’t learned from our mistakes and still want the kingdom to ourselves.”

  There are chuckles amongst the guests. You wonder how they could be so easily fooled.