by Rowan Bree
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 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. 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 gently push the prince’s hands off you and move away.
He looks disappointed. “I thought you’d be more interesting than that,” he says.
You turn to leave just as the crowd parts to reveal Vale standing before you. Confusion crosses his face, then a devilish smile.
You try to get away but his gloved hand has already closed around your wrist.
“Kitten,” he says. “What a fortuitous surprise.”
You can feel his grip tightening as his gaze wanders over your body. You feel naked before him, vulnerable. Last time he was the one who was vulnerable.
He starts to say something but is interrupted by a sudden arrival of two robed men dragging a darkwood elf into the room. You immediately recognize Eli and wonder what he’s doing here. Jasper said he wasn’t going to come to the feast. It was supposed to be just you, Jasper, and Sybil.
Vale’s face lights up. “It must be my lucky day. Where did you find this one?”
Eli struggles ineffectively against the robed men as if bound by invisible ropes.
One of the men replies, “He was lurking in the hallway.”
Vale tells him, “Give me the elf. And get rid of the slaves.”
The slaves 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. When did the king arrive?
Vale forces you and Eli into the carved circle in the center of the room. The rest of the guests clear away to give him space.
Eli finds your hand and squeezes it in his.
“Don’t worry,” he hiccups.
“You’re drunk,” you whisper.
He smiles and you have the odd premonition that your last moments alive will be spent standing next to this drunk elf.
Vale addresses the guests. “Tonight, I’ve prepared a special treat for the king of Doria. 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 king, you wonder just how many of these guests are representatives from the kingdom. How many cities are about to fall to the Order?
“I’ve already discussed it with the king, but I want to show everyone that our magic can be used for good. In a show of good faith I have offered the king his beloved wife, your queen. She will return to full life as if she had never died, right before the eyes of everyone in this room.”
Whispers fill the room. The king bids them to be quiet.
“Will she remember death?” he asks the mage.
“She will not,” Vale replies.
The king then asks, “Is this elf truly a traitor to the kingdom?”
The mage nods gravely. “Your guardsmen will recognize him from the prisons. He only escaped recently. Among his outstanding charges are public indecency, resisting arrest, belligerent drunkenness, and treason. He has been spreading the lies of the rebellion and causing unrest amongst your people. And I believe the punishment
in Tyven for treason is death? This way you get something in return. A life for a life. That is how the magic works.”
The king contemplates for a moment, then nods. “Very well. I grant you permission to proceed.”
Vale pulls a large ceremonial dagger from his robe. The blade shines in the candlelight. He forces Eli to kneel.
At that moment Jasper comes staggering into the room. He looks like he’s fought off a few guards to get here.
Vale is lightning quick and has the dagger to your throat before Jasper can take another step.
“It’s been a while.” Vale smiles. “But your timing’s perfect. I have to kill a traitor to give the king back his queen. Looks like I’ve got one to spare.”
“Don’t hurt her,” Jasper pleads.
“Then take her place,” Vale replies. “Or they both die.”
Jasper agrees without a moment’s hesitation. Two lives for one. To him, the math is simple. But it’s not so simple for you.
Sacrifice yourself instead.
Hope that Jasper has a trick up his sleeve to save all of you.
You gently push the prince’s hands off you and move away.
He looks disappointed. “I thought you’d be more interesting than that,” he says.
You turn to leave just as the crowd parts to reveal Vale standing before you. Confusion crosses his face, then a devilish smile.
You try to get away but his gloved hand has already closed around your wrist.
“Kitten,” he says. “What a fortuitous surprise.”
You can feel his grip tightening as his gaze wanders over your body. You feel naked before him, vulnerable. Last time he was the one who was vulnerable.
He starts to say something but is interrupted by a sudden arrival of two robed men dragging a darkwood elf into the room. You immediately recognize Eli and wonder what he’s doing here. Jasper said he wasn’t going to come to the feast. It was supposed to be just you, Jasper, and Sybil.
Vale’s face lights up. “It must be my lucky day. Where did you find this one?”
Eli struggles ineffectively against the robed men as if bound by invisible ropes.
One of the men replies, “He was lurking in the hallway.”
Vale tells him, “Give me the elf. And get rid of the slaves.”
The slaves 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. When did the king arrive?
Vale forces you and Eli into the carved circle in the center of the room. The rest of the guests clear away to give him space.
Eli finds your hand and squeezes it in his.
“Don’t worry,” he hiccups.
“You’re drunk,” you whisper.
He smiles and you have the odd premonition that your last moments alive will be spent standing next to this drunk elf.
Vale addresses the guests. “Tonight, I’ve prepared a special treat for the king of Doria. 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 king, you wonder just how many of these guests are representatives from the kingdom. How many cities are about to fall to the Order?
“I’ve already discussed it with the king, but I want to show everyone that our magic can be used for good. In a show of good faith I have offered the king his beloved wife, your queen. She will return to full life as if she had never died, right before the eyes of everyone in this room.”
Whispers fill the room. The king bids them to be quiet.
“Will she remember death?” he asks the mage.
“She will not,” Vale replies.
The king then asks, “Is this elf truly a traitor to the kingdom?”
The mage nods gravely. “Your guardsmen will recognize him from the prisons. He only escaped recently. Among his outstanding charges are public indecency, resisting arrest, belligerent drunkenness, and treason. He has been spreading the lies of the rebellion and causing unrest amongst your people. And I believe the punishment in Tyven for treason is death? This way you get something in return. A life for a life. That is how the magic works.”
The king contemplates for a moment, then nods. “Very well. I grant you permission to proceed.”
Vale pulls a large ceremonial dagger from his robe. The blade shines in the candlelight. He forces Eli to kneel.
At that moment Jasper comes staggering into the room. He looks like he’s fought off a few guards to get here.
Vale is lightning quick and has the dagger to your throat before Jasper can take another step.
“It’s been a while.” Vale smiles. “But your timing’s perfect. I have to kill a traitor to give the king back his queen. Looks like I’ve got one to spare.”
“Don’t hurt her,” Jasper pleads.
“Then take her place,” Vale replies. “Or they both die.”
Jasper agrees without a moment’s hesitation. Two lives for one. To him, the math is simple. But it’s not so simple for you.
Sacrifice yourself instead.
Hope that Jasper has a trick up his sleeve to save all of you.
You gently push the prince’s hands off you and move away.
He looks disappointed. “I thought you’d be more interesting than that,” he says.
You turn to leave just as the crowd parts to reveal Vale standing before you. Confusion crosses his face, then a devilish smile.
You try to get away but his gloved hand has already closed around your wrist.
“Kitten,” he says. “What a fortuitous surprise.”
You can feel his grip tightening as his gaze wanders over your body. You feel naked before him, vulnerable. Last time he was the one who was vulnerable.
He starts to say something but is interrupted by a sudden arrival of two robed men dragging a darkwood elf into the room. You immediately recognize Eli and wonder what he’s doing here. Jasper said he wasn’t coming to the feast. It was supposed to be just you, Jasper, and Sybil.
Vale’s face lights up. “It must be my lucky day. Where did you find this one?”
Eli struggles ineffectively against the robed men as if bound by invisible ropes.
One of the men replies, “He was lurking in the hallway.”
Vale tells him, “Give me the elf. And get rid of the slaves.”
The slaves 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. When did the king arrive?
Vale forces you and Eli into the carved circle in the center of the room. The rest of the guests clear away to give him space.
Eli finds your hand and squeezes it in his.
“Don’t worry,” he hiccups.
“You’re drunk,” you whisper.
He smiles and you have the odd premonition that your last moments alive will be spent standing next to this drunk elf.
Vale addresses the guests. “Tonight, I’ve prepared a special treat for the king of Doria. 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 king, you wonder just how many of these guests are representatives from the kingdom. How many cities are about to fall to the Order?
“I’ve already discussed it with the king, but I want to show everyone that our magic can be used for good. In a show of good faith I have offered the king his beloved wife, your queen. She will return to full life as if she had never died, right before the eyes of everyone in this room.”
Whispers fill the room. The king bids them to be quiet.
“Will she remember death?” he asks the mage.
“She will not,” Vale replies.
The king then asks, “Is this elf truly a traitor to the kingdom?”
The mage nods gravely. “Your guardsmen will recognize him from the prisons. He only escaped recently. Among his outstanding charges are public indecency, resisting arrest, belligerent drunkenness, and treason. He has been spreading the lies of the rebellion and causing unrest amongst your people. And I believe the punishment in Tyven for treason is death? This way you get something in return. A life for a life. That is how the magic works.”
The king contemplates for a moment, then nods. “Very well. I grant you permission to proceed.”
Vale pulls a large ceremonial dagger from his robe. The blade shines in the candlelight. He forces Eli to kneel.
At that moment Jasper comes staggering into the room. He looks like he’s fought off a few guards to get here.
Vale is lightning quick and has the dagger to your throat before Jasper can take another step.
“It’s been a while.” Vale smiles. “But your timing’s perfect. I have to kill a traitor to give the king back his queen. Looks like I’ve got one to spare.”
“Don’t hurt her,” Jasper pleads.
“Then take her place,” Vale replies. “Or they both die.”
Jasper agrees without a moment’s hesitation. Two lives for one. To him, the math is simple. But it’s not so simple for you.
Sacrifice yourself instead.
Hope that Jasper has a trick up his sleeve to save all of you.
You gently push the prince’s hands off you and move away.
He looks disappointed. “I thought you’d be more interesting than that,” he says.
You turn to leave just as the crowd parts to reveal the silver-haired man standing before you. Confusion crosses his face, then a devilish smile.
You try to get away but his gloved hand has already closed around your wrist.
