by P D Atkerson
The Karlien turned towards her. He wasn’t one of the ones that had been left there with her, she’d never seen him before. “Well, you didn’t ask a question. You asked me two questions.” He hissed. “What I’m doing here, has nothing to do with you, Princess.”
“This is my city, so it does involve me.” Dregana said, edging closer to him. There was something off about him, that caused her hands to begin to sweat. “As ruler of this city, I ask you again, who are you and what are you doing here, in my city?”
He snorted. “Right, your city.” The man scoffed. “Okay, fine then, I’m Sir Kant of Karlay.” He said, barely even bothering to look at her. “Dasety sent me here to do a little work for him. That is all you need to know.”
“Dasety sent you here, without warning me first?” Dregana asked, pointing her sword towards him. “And why did you come here at night? Your story has more holes in it than chain-mail. I don’t believe a word of it.” With that, she thrust her sword at him.
In a flash of movement, he grabbed her sword, and twisted it out of her grasp, tossing it to the ground. Where it clattered against the stone floor.
“Nice try!” he snarled, lunging towards her. He slammed his arm hard into her stomach, causing her to stumble back. She tripped and hit the ground. Her scepter slipped from her grasp, just before he was upon her, knife in hand.
She tried to fight him off, but it was useless. He was much stronger and bigger than she was.
Dregana’s heart thudded, as he held the knife against her throat, his eyes blazing. In them, she could see the hunger to kill her and there was something unnatural about the way he was attacking. How had he moved so fast, that he was able to grab hold of her sword with his hand? He hadn’t so much as cut himself.
“Please, don’t kill me.” She whispered, tensing her shoulders as she squeezed her eyes shut. “I… I don’t want to die.”
To her surprise, he laughed.
“If Dasety didn’t want you still alive, I’d have already killed you!” Kant hissed, pushing himself back from her. “But as it is, I could use your help with what I’ve come to do.” He said, kicking her sword far out of her reach.
“And what is it you’re doing?” she asked, shoving herself off the ground as he grabbed her scepter up off the floor and fingered it. “Only I can use that.” Dregana said, fighting the urge to grab it from him. It was her scepter, not his!
“Do you think I’m a fool?” he scoffed. “I know that! Why do you think you’re still in here and not back in your chamber already?”
How’d he even know she would come down here? Dregana wondered, eyeing him. “I will not help you with whatever you’re doing.” She said, spitting at his feet. “I would not help you with anything!”
“Yes, you will!” Kant hissed, grabbing her arm, he yanked her towards the door-frame and shoved the scepter into her hands. “If you don’t help me with this, then you are worthless to me, and I won’t need to keep you alive anymore!”
She struggled against him, as he forced her to grip the scepter with both her hands, wrapping her fingers around the cold, white wood. “Don’t do this!” she hissed; pain shot through her arms as she tried to stop herself from connecting with the Heart of the Sea. She still had no clue as to what he wanted her to do.
Deep down, Dregana knew she couldn’t fight against the power of the scepter, it was too painful for her and might cause permanent damage to her hands. As a tear slid down her face, she finally gave in to it. Gasping for breath, she fell to her knees, fully gripping the scepter now.
“What must I do then?” She whispered, shoving herself back to her feet. Dregana knew there was no way he’d let her leave until she’d done what he asked of her.
“Open the portal.”
She looked at him, as if he’d grown a third eye. “What? There is no portal!”
“Open. The. Portal.” He growled, gritting his teeth. “You will do it now, without delay!”
Swallowing, Dregana turned towards the door-frame. Kant had to either be mad, or… could she really do this? Closing her eyes, she gripped the scepter and lifted it up into the air. “Open the portal.” She mumbled to herself, then she brought the scepter down against the ground.
The floor beneath them lurched.
Then, with a ‘wham!’ the door-frame fell back and slammed onto its back and Dregana leapt away from it. “I’m sorry!” She cried. “I tried to do what you asked." What had she done wrong? Had she broken it?
“No, you foolish girl.” Kant whispered, smiling as he eyed the door-frame. “This is what was meant to happen.”
Slowly, Dregana turned her gaze back to the frame and her mouth dropped open. He was right. Something was happening. A weird, water like substance, spilled through a hole in the ground neither of them could see, filling the door-frame. Biting her lip, she glanced towards Kant. “Can I go now?”
“Oh, no.” He said, snorting. “You’re not done yet.”
“What do you mean?” Dregana asked, just before he grabbed her arm and yanked her towards the frame.
“This is only the beginning, a skeleton of the portal I need.” He said, running his tongue across his lips. “You’re going to help me open the portal that hasn’t opened for over a thousand years.”
“If it hasn’t been opened for that long, how am I supposed to open it?” Dregana asked. He wanted her to do the impossible!
“You will open a portal to Hazarmaveth or die trying!” Kant hissed in her ear, still gripping her tightly. “Do it!” he screamed, but she hardly heard him. She was still reeling from his words. A portal to Hazarmaveth? That was madness!
“You’re crazy!” She cried, trying in vain to pull away from him. “No sane person would want to open a portal into that… that foul place! Why would you want to do such a thing?!”
He looked at her and grinned. “Maybe I am crazy, but unless you want to travel to Hazarmaveth, the old-fashioned way, you will do as I say! Use your scepter again and do the same thing.”
Dregana reluctantly nodded, and he released her.
Fighting the urge to throw up, she fixed her grip on the scepter and taking a deep breath, did as she was told.
With a loud ‘boom!’ the clear liquid turned to solid black and a chilling breeze tore through the room.
Fear gripped hold of Dregana’s heart, but she forced herself to get past it and turn towards Kant. He was no longer paying any attention to her.
Good. She needed to get out of there, and she didn’t need him trying to stop her! If he wanted to stay in the same room as a portal to Hazarmaveth, that was up to him. Slowly, she took a step back, followed by another. Edging her way back towards the corridor and the staircase that lay beyond it.
Dregana had just reached the end of the corridor, when the portal began to move and something that resembled an arm seemed to be trying to break through. She knew she didn’t have enough time to escape.
Scanning around her, she realized there was only one place she could even hope to hide. She bolted towards the corner behind the stone passage she now wished she’d never noticed. With the shadows covering her, she pressed herself as far as she could into the corner.
That’s when it happened.
The portal tore open and an ear-piercing scream echoed through the room. Dregana clutched her hand over her ears, as the scream continued. Then a moment later, it was suddenly cut short and an eerie silence fell.
Then, the rest of the creature's body broke through, and Kant dropped to a knee. "Welcome, guardians of Hazarmaveth." He said, bowing his head.
Dregana couldn’t stop her body from trembling, as the thing stepped through the portal she’d made, and into the realm of Aleanare. What had she done?! Had she doomed the realm? Her mind was running faster than she could keep up, as creatures stepped through the portal.
These creatures were not human, not by any definition.
From where Dregana sat curled up, she could barely bring herself to look at it, but at the same time
, she couldn’t turn away either. They had no eyes, only glowing red circles. Their skin hidden mostly by their hoods, looked as if it were made of metal, or at least some kind of black scales.
The creature’s eerie eyes locked with hers. It could see her!
Fear overwhelmed her rational side. Before she realized what she was doing, Dregana found herself running up the spiral stairs, as fast as her legs would carry her. She reached the top and bolted towards the corridor leading out of the city. She ran towards the end of the hall, and that’s when he stepped out from one of the other hallways.
“I don’t think so!” Kant said, grabbing her arm and yanking her to a stop. “Your usefulness hasn’t worn out, quite yet.”
“Let go of me!” She cried, kicking at him, though she knew it was useless. He was much stronger than she was. “I won’t stay in the same city as those things! And I won’t help you anymore!”
“If I were you, I’d keep my mouth shut, Princess.” Kant said, dragging her down one of the corridors, towards the Loyal Warriors and Dregana’s chambers.
“I’m not a Princess!” She spat in his face, as he shoved her into her chambers. “And I’d thank you to stop calling me that, you filthy Vreck.”
“Watch your language, Princess.” He said. Before she could even respond, he grabbed the door and slammed it closed. There was a ‘click’ and she knew it was locked.
She was a prisoner in a city she should be ruling!
Screaming, she slammed her fist against the wall. This wasn’t what Dasety had promised her! Yet another person had betrayed her. She expected it from him least of all.
Dregana threw herself down onto her bed and glared up at the roof. They were going to pay for this! She was done trusting, and she was done helping anyone other than herself.
Herself, and Kinlen.
She sighed and closed her eyes. If only he was there.
Chapter 22
New Year, New King
The sound of a ringing bell echoed through the Dark Castle, as the Karlien tower tolled midnight and they rang in the new year.
Within the walls of the castle, the Great Hall was packed with lords and ladies from the four corners of Karlay. Just as many as had attended King Munay and Lady Willow’s wedding. Maybe more. Besides the nobles, there was every Loyal Warrior King Munay knew he could trust with his life.
Everyone loyal to King Munay was in one room and they were all celebrating, eating and drinking.
Servants ran around the tables, filling the goblets with the finest wine in the realm, paid for with the sweat and blood of the Karlien people. What none of them knew, was this would be a night to remember! But they were to learn that soon. Getting drunk wasn’t a wise idea, and King Munay was the drunkest of all.
"To another year, my king." the Captain of the Loyal Warriors said, bowing to King Munay who sat on his throne, eating the finest fruits. "The next year will bring us closer to restoring of the kingdoms of Aleanare, as was your wish, my lord."
"Yes!" King Munay cried, lifting his glass. His vision blurring for a second, he smiled. "To the restoration of Aleanare, and my future kingdom!" The room cheered and glasses clinked.
"To the future of Karlay!" one of the Loyal Warriors said, lifting his glass as he bowed his head towards the king. “Your majesty.”
"To Karlay!"
"To the new king!"
"To victory!"
"To Queen Willow and King Munay!" The lords and ladies around the table called out, one after the other, lifting their glasses towards Munay.
Munay beamed, then for a second, his smile flickered and he lowered his glass. His face turning sour. "I wish Enrick could be here to celebrate the new year with us.” He whispered, his eyes glossing over as he stared out into space. “But he chose his own fate."
A mumble of agreement spread across the tables. Ironically, Queen Willow hadn't approved of a celebration so close to the Prince's death, that was why she hadn't come to the Great Hall with the king. Though, no one said a word about it.
"To Prince Enrick, may he be more loyal in the afterlife.” The king said. Obviously, he’d already had too much to drink and Enrick was probably the reason for that. “Would you like a glass?" he asked, holding a glass out to Dasety, who stood at the bottom of the steps from the king. “I hate to be rude on a night like this. This is a time for celebrating!”
"No thank you, my lord." Dasety said, holding up his hand. "I'm not really in the mood to be drinking tonight." He smiled at the king and rung his hands.
The king frowned and lowered the glass. "You seem nervous, Dasety.” He said. “Are you alright? Is something wrong?"
"I'm fine, my lord, it's nothing. Really!" Dasety said, forcing a smile.
Munay sighed. "It's because of what happened to Enrick, isn’t it?" he asked, lowering himself back against the throne. "I did what I had to do. Didn’t I?” the king asked, running his hand through his hair. “Maybe I should have sent him into exile in the Shadow's Keep instead. Anything other than killing him.”
"Would that not have also ended in his death? I think you did just what this kingdom needed you to do, my lord." Dasety said, bowing his head towards the king, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “What you did will indeed affect what’s to come.”
“Yes, but maybe I...” Before King Munay could finish what he was saying, one of the lords on the other side of the room slumped over onto the table and moaned, his skin an off color. The woman next to him shook him, but he wouldn't sit up again or stir at all.
"Whoa! I don't feel so good." One of the Loyal Warrior standing next to King Munay said, swaying. The glass slipped from his hand, shattering on the ground. His eyes rolled into the back of his head, as he crumpled to the ground.
"What's... what’s going on?" King Munay mumbled, leaning forwards and nearly falling off his throne as his eyes drooped. His vision spun and he suddenly felt sick. Quickly, he shook his head and sat back up again. His heart beating oddly slow. "What is going on here?"
"Your fall from power, my lord." Dasety said, smiling as he stood above Munay. "The wine you all drank, had Fulu Flowers in it. Did you know, diluted with alcohol, it isn't as deadly? It only causes a person to grow weak and puts them into an almost dream like state, where they can barely move or think."
"Unless you're an Oddity, that is."
All heads turned, as a cloaked figure stepped through the throne room doors, followed closely by dozens of castle guards. The guards hurried past the cloaked man and drew their swords. Though the lord and ladies weren't in any shape to fight against them.
"If you're an Oddity,” the figure continued. “Then you lose what makes you, well, odd, you might say.” The figure laughed as he moved towards Dasety and King Munay. The king stared at him, but couldn't say anything. "Without your gift, you're nothing! I no longer fear you, nor will anyone else!" the figure said, now standing next to Dasety. “Though, it’s been a long time since I have feared you.”
"My lord," Dasety said, bowing to the cloaked figure. "All is ready for you, as promised. A new year and a new king for Karlay, and soon, Shenock."
"I am your king." Munay yelled, grasping the armrest to keep him sitting up straight. His body trembled and he felt sick. "How dare you do this to me! I will have you all hung for this! This is treason! I'm your king! Treason, I say!"
“Treason? You mean, like Enrick?” Dasety scoffed. “Do you even truly know what the word means?”
“It is what you’re doing right now.” Munay whispered, staring at his advisor. “How can you do this, when I’m your king?”
"Say whatever you want, but you’re not my king!" the cloaked figure hissed. "Nor should you be king at all. Get this creature off my throne!" he said, motioning to the guards standing nearby. “I do not want him to soil it any longer.”
The guards saluted, then stepped forwards.
After a short struggle, King Munay stopped trying to fight the guards, as they roughly yanked him off the throne and shoved hi
m to his knees in front of it, at the bottom of the steps, just where Shon had been before his death.
At the same time, those of the Lords and Ladies still awake, were likewise pulled from their chairs and pushed to their knees in front of the throne. Those with swords were ordered to hand them over, or die.
The guards all bowed their heads, as the cloaked figure moved forwards, pulled his hood down and turned towards the king. "Hello, father.” He said. “I hope I didn't miss any of the fun."
"Enrick? What is the meaning of this?!" King Munay said, watching Enrick as he moved towards the throne and sat down. Relaxing against the black wood, he tapped his fingers against the armrest. "How are you even still alive? I demand you tell me, right now!" Munay yelled, pulling against the guards' grips, but they didn't let up.
"You're not in a position to demand anything!" Enrick said, glaring down at his father. "You tried to take my life away and took this throne from me, and now, I shall take it back!" he said, running his hand along the armrest. "You would think, of all people, you would recognize a coup when you saw one. After all, is that not how you acquired this throne in the first place?"
Munay's cheeks turned red. "How dare you speak to me like that! I am your father, and your king! You should treat me with respect."
"One of those things, I wish weren’t true, the other, I plan on changing." Enrick said. “You tried to kill me for treason, yet you’re the one who’s done so much against the Karlien crown. And respect? Please! You do not deserve any respect!”
Before Munay could respond, the throne room doors were thrown open again and Queen Willow ran in. Somehow, she must have heard what was happening, and like the fool she was, thought she could stop Enrick! Ah! He would show her how nice he'd really been to her since she'd come to the Dark Castle.
If it wasn’t for Salmay, she and his father would be dead.
"What are you doing?!" she cried, glaring at Enrick as she rushed towards Munay. "This throne doesn't belong to you! This will be Salmay's throne one day, not yours!” she cried.
