“I felt I could trust you,” he replied to the back of her head. Her blond hair smelled like lavender.
She pointed at a rain barrel outside the stables. “You can wash your armor here.” Marissa walked toward the back of the inn.
“So, do you run this place?” Angst asked, attempting to keep the conversation flowing.
“I do now.” Marissa was still facing away. “My husband and I...Well, he... It’s just me and my daughter.” Her words trailed off, and she kept walking. She lifted a finger to her face, probably to wipe a tear.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” Angst said quietly.
“Of course not.” She turned to flash him a forced smile before lighting a torch on the inn’s back wall. She lifted one side of a double door that seemed to lead underneath the inn.
Angst opened the other and was met with a waft of steam. “What is this?”
“The inn was built over a hot spring,” Marissa replied. “This is the ‘haven’ part of ‘Oakhaven.’”
“This is incredible. I think we should stay here for several months...just to protect the town, of course.”
Marissa laughed politely. “Thanks for telling me the truth, about how you killed the monster. My husband was a strong man, and I never understood why he couldn’t... Well, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Marissa. Thank you for this, and everything.”
She winced and pinched her nose. “You still stink, sir. Hurry up so you can join your friends for dinner.”
Angst returned incredibly relaxed. The hot springs had washed away all the knots he’d collected on the road. He found Marissa standing near his friends, chatting. She was strikingly pretty and her cheer affected everyone. She seated him nearby, since the table where his friends sat was full. After refreshing everyone’s drinks, she served him a plate of roast and potatoes then sat down to join him. He was happy, in that twelve-year-old gift-receiving way, as they discussed everything that wasn’t monsters. This was his element, and he was very grateful for his first true distraction since picking up the sword. He told her about the first leg of their journey and the trials of traveling when you’re old and out of shape. She laughed at his humorous spin on the trip, which made Rose roll her eyes several times. After an hour of losing himself in talking about nothing, Angst felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Hector.
“It’s time to see if we have another monster to kill.” Hector then spoke to Marissa. “That meal was amazing. Hopefully we can have a second helping in several hours?”
“I’ll be waiting.” Marissa put her hand on Angst’s arm. “Be careful.”
Rose grabbed his other arm and pulled him out of the seat and toward the door. “We’ll all be careful.”
Angst flashed Marissa a boyish grin then stepped out with the others.
“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” asked Rose in a harsh whisper. “Wouldn’t Heather be upset?”
Angst screwed up his eyes a bit. “At what? Talking to pretty girls? If that were the case, you and I wouldn’t be friends.”
Rose shook her head in disbelief before giving him a shove. “Go kill something.”
Everyone, including Ivan, made their way back outside the barricade. Manst covered their exit then waited behind the wall. They circled the wall several times before searching the surrounding town. The first hour passed quickly, but the second hour felt like they were watching someone empty a large jar of molasses. Halfway into hour three, Angst had to wake Hector.
“Um, Manst, how are we doing?” Hector called over the barricade.
Manst sounded cautiously optimistic. “The monster has always come by now. I don’t know what we should do?”
“How about some more dinner?” Tarness rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
20
During the queen’s three days in the infirmary, her bedroom had been scrubbed, washed, painted, and returned to its original immaculate state. Where the staff was unable to clean blood from the carpet, they used dye. Damage to the windowsill and floor done by her attacker’s steel claws had been stained and buffed. The quality of work was a testament to her court's dedication.
Isabelle’s room wasn’t the only thing restored. A team of artists and glassblowers from the city had spent days perfecting several replacement eyes for the queen. The eye wouldn’t function, of course, which was part of the reason such effort was made to mend her room as completely as possible. Victoria and Tyrell desperately hoped that familiarity would promote healing and help her adjust to the loss of half her vision.
Isabelle had been moved from the confines of the physician’s office to her bed chamber. Tyrell and Victoria stood on opposite sides of her bed, watching and waiting for the medications to wear off. She lay still, her heavy cheeks drooping unkindly. Her white hair was bed-matted, spread about the pillow, unbrushed from days of rest.
“How soon until she wakes?” asked Tyrell, his voice thick with guilt and apprehension.
“Within the hour,” Victoria replied nervously.
The princess seemed uneasy, pulling at a long strand of dark hair that rested on her shoulder, winding and wrapping it within her fingers. After the physician’s warning, he had the same worries. Would the queen be the same strong ruler Unsel respected? Or would she be too scarred to see to her duties?
Tyrell’s expression gentled upon seeing her concerned face, and answered in a comforting tone. “You will be a great queen, Your Majesty. I’ve seen that side of you these past few days. You can lead. I believe you will do great things as queen of Unsel, when it is time.”
Victoria blushed and looked to the floor shyly. “That’s kind, Captain Guard, but I hardly feel ready to lead a nation.”
“Your mother was only two years older than you are now when she joined your father on the throne,” he said, smiling warmly, trying his best to comfort the young woman. “Have faith in yourself, and one day soon you could—”
“I’m not done yet.” Isabelle’s high-pitched voice was scratchy and seemed to reach for them from the depths of slumber.
“My queen?” Tyrell jumped slightly at her sudden response.
“Mother?” Victoria asked, her voice gentle.
Queen Isabelle opened her eyes. She blinked as the left eye adjusted to the light and focused on the canopy over her four-poster bed. Isabelle covered her left eye and pulled her hand away, blinking several more times as realization sank in. With a look of defeat on her, she gently touched her right cheek.
“It’s glass,” Victoria stated hesitantly, a brief catch in her voice that hinted at tears. She took a deep, fortifying breath before speaking again. “It looks amazing. Nobody will notice.”
Isabelle’s face was sad as she drew her hand away, and the one eye shifted to look at Victoria. “I will notice,” the queen replied groggily. She reached for Tyrell’s hand.
Tyrell offered her support, helping her rise from the bed. She sat up and turned awkwardly, setting her feet on the Meldusian carpet. Instinctively, her toes curled and flexed, massaging the thick rug while she centered herself. She gripped Tyrell’s hand and pulled herself to a standing position.
“Your Majesty,” he almost whispered, his eyes grew moist as guilt flooded his chest and drowned his heart. “I wasn’t fast enough, I couldn’t...” His voice trailed off for a moment before he said, “I’m sorry.”
The queen looked at Tyrell for a long moment before patting his cheek gently. “Don’t be sorry. You saved me. I remember everything.”
Tyrell felt the merest bit of relief and his shoulders dropped if only a quarter-inch, but it was the most he had relaxed in days. He leaned over and held out his arm for Isabelle, which she refused.
Like a toddler taking careful steps, Isabelle slowly made her way to the windowsill. She stared outside the closed window and pondered for a moment. “What was it?”
“We’ve been looking for it. There’ve been no signs, but we have men still combing the city and the nearby woods.”
The Captain Guard slipped into business mode, but words left him as he trailed behind his queen. He watched her every move and hovered as though ready to catch her.
“That’s fine, but what was it?”
“We don’t know,” Tyrell replied, unable to hold back his disappointment. “All indications are that it was magic in nature.”
The queen nodded and considered this for a moment. Tyrell and Victoria waited, giving her the time she needed. “Is this one of the creatures that have been appearing at our borders, killing our soldiers?”
“I don’t believe so, Your Majesty. This thing had, well, it seemed to have intent.” When the queen turned away from the window to face Tyrell, he continued. “The princess entered the room to help, and it went straight for her. Your Majesty, I believe this could have been an assassination attempt.”
“By the magic wielders? By Angst?” Isabelle asked accusingly.
“Mother, no,” Victoria pleaded, instantly defensive. “How could you assume that? Of Angst?”
“Your Majesty, I have to agree with Her Highness,” Tyrell said, surprised by the accusation. “With that sword, it’s obvious Angst wouldn’t have needed any help killing you or anyone at the castle. You said so yourself, at breakfast last week.”
Queen Isabelle walked over to the spot where the bird had pinned her down. Tyrell and Victoria exchanged a look. Should he stop her, or maybe distract her with more conversation? Isabelle stared at the floor and ran her foot over the freshly-polished wood.
“I need to get cleaned up, change, and eat. After that, I’d like a meeting in the war room, two hours from now.” The queen’s tone was returning to its commanding, formal nature. Even a few of her distinct rolling Rs had returned. “I expect to be brought up to date on everything that’s happened since I’ve been out of commission.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Tyrell clicked his heels together and bowed formally. “I’m not completely sure how to ask this, but—”
“Don’t be sensitive with me, Tyrell. Speak your mind as always,” Isabelle interjected harshly.
“Thank you, my queen.” Tyrell still sought the words. “I believe you need to be under protection at all hours, even when you bathe and change. I realize it will be awkward, but you will be safe.”
Isabelle looked at Tyrell like he was the one who could be going crazy. Before she could say no, the princess spoke, “I could stay with you, at those times, to provide warning to the guards.”
“But, you too could be in danger.” Tyrell didn’t seem to approve of this idea at all.
“Thank you, Victoria. I think that’s an excellent idea, but there will be times I need to be left alone, and this is one of them.” Isabelle stopped their protests with a hand. “I promise to keep the window closed. Tyrell, advise everyone about the meeting. Victoria, please have the kitchen prepare a meal. I would like to dine with both of you in an hour. Now go.”
“This is a terrible idea,” Victoria warned as she turned on her heel and stomped out.
“Respectfully, I agree with the princess.” Tyrell waited for the queen to give in, but she merely stared at him with that ‘I gave you a command, now go’ look. He sighed deeply. “As you wish, Your Majesty.” Tyrell left the room.
After the room emptied, after the doors closed, Queen Isabelle took a deep breath and gradually let down her guard. She walked to a nearby mirror to inspect her face and eye. Several fresh scars near the right eye were too puffy to be successfully covered with heavy powder, but some would heal. The false eye did look strikingly like her real eye, except that it didn’t move and the pupil remained the same size.
Isabelle had never felt beautiful like her daughter, but the loss of her eye, the attack in her own room, made her feel helpless and in a constant state of danger. She held herself tight and choked back a sob. Tears streamed down her left cheek. It may have been the thing that bothered her most; the false eye hadn’t produced any tears. It was another thing taken from her, her eye, her tears, and ultimately her sense of safety. Isabelle allowed herself this sense of loss and mourning for only a few moments before pulling herself together. She was still queen, her heart beat strong and tears could be wiped away. But, despite the sense of duty that set most of this aside, Isabelle could feel the gentlest tickle, not quite an itch, behind her new glass eye.
Two hours later, the usual combatants had arrived in her war room, and sat themselves in their usual places as though the seats were assigned. The typically robust drama-filled debate was replaced with surreptitious whispers and awkward silence. Some looked at Queen Isabelle with genuine concern, for which she was silently grateful. But when others around the table caught her eye, opportunity flashed in their vulture-like gaze. Isabelle peered coldly at those advisors until they were forced to turn away.
The queen wore a fitted, overly formal burgundy dress with a built-in corset that held her tight. Something about it made her feel safe, and maybe even confident, like armor would a knight. She had applied extra makeup, and wore her crown, which was typically saved for special occasions. Several members at the table had seemed surprised, but it was clear as morning after the first frost, Isabelle was here and in charge.
Discussion had required prompting, and the queen gladly worked over each member of her counsel to provide the most recent updates of events taking place in her kingdom. Not much had changed while she was bedridden, but leadership of this group fit as comfortably as her favorite slippers. As always, the round table discussion ended with Tyrell.
“My primary task has been to reinforce our defenses at the castle, and locate Her Majesty’s attacker,” Tyrell updated the advisors solemnly. The queen respected him for being the first to make mention of what had happened. “We have yet to find a single lead beyond my observations that it was possibly an assassination attempt, and the creature was magic in nature.”
Wilfred coughed at the end of Tyrell’s brief report. When everyone turned to look, he swallowed hard. “What indications do you have that it was magic?”
“I wasn't able to harm it, and I didn't miss,” Tyrell said dryly. “The only person able to damage any of these new beasts is Angst, with his magic sword.”
“Well, that doesn’t mean the creature attacking Her Majesty was magic. Even if other monsters are magic, there’s no indication they all, somehow, come from the same source.” Despite his contrary words, Wilfred didn’t seem to be challenging Tyrell, but offering another opinion.
This was the point where the queen would typically close her eyes and let her advisors loose, but “typical” no longer applied to her life. Instead, she questioned Wilfred. “What information do you have?”
Wilfred stuttered a bit. “Your, uh, Your Majesty. I have no information, per se, simply trying to offer a logical analysis...”
“Fine. If you have no solid information, tell me Wilfred, what have you done to investigate my attack?” Isabelle peered around the table. “I recommend everyone prepare their answers carefully because I’m going to ask this of you all. I was attacked, I represent Unsel, therefore Unsel was attacked. Wilfred?”
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.” Wilfred spread his hands apart helplessly. “I have nothing.”
“You are dismissed,” Isabelle stated in a firm, resonating tone.
Wilfred looked at Tyrell with wild eyes then back at the queen.
“You are welcome back at this table when you have something of value for me. Now leave.” She waved him off and turned to the next advisor. “Do you have anything, Komlen?”
A heavy-set, middle-aged man with a bushy brown mustache shook his head stiffly, as if he wasn’t completely committed to the answer. The queen didn’t say a word, she waved him away from the table too.
Isabelle stood, placed her hands firmly on the table and leaned in. She pierced each of them with her uncanny one-eyed stare. “Does anyone have anything?” she bellowed.
Young advisors, generals who were brave veterans of war, and everyone in between squirmed. None o
f them had expected this of their damaged queen with the false eye, and all sat in awe and surprise as she continued to assail them.
“Let me state this in a way everyone in the room can understand. We’ve been attacked at our borders, our trade routes are being blocked, and now we’ve been attacked at our castle. We are at war!” She pounded on the table with her fist. “I don’t care if this war is with the crazy magic wielders, or some nation we would never expect. I want to know who. I want to know why. And I want to know now. Or you will all be replaced with competent advisors who can provide me the information I need to keep Unsel safe. Do you understand what I am telling you?”
Everyone nodded as though their mother had yelled at them for breaking a prize vase.
“You have two days to return with something useful or don’t come back! Dismissed!” Isabelle glared at every advisor as they quickly gathered themselves and rushed out of the room. Only Tyrell remained. “What?” she spat at him.
“You’re right, and it’s good to have you back,” Tyrell replied with relief.
21
The sun seemed to rise early the next morning for Angst, as he and Marissa had talked late into the night. They were the only two showing signs of being tired. His friends had eaten their fill, bathed in the hot spring, and slept in beds. The rest of Oakhaven’s residents enjoyed their first full night’s sleep since the attacks began.
In spite of Ivan’s protests, Angst decided to leave half their dry goods with Marissa and the town, only sorry he couldn’t give more. “These won’t last you long,” he apologized.
Marissa smiled gratefully as she brushed a lock of blond hair from her face. She still looked quite amazing after their late night, whereas Angst couldn’t rub all of the sleep out of his eyes or make his graying brown hair mat down.
“Marissa, I really don’t think that’s the end of the monsters,” Hector said. “Your best strategy would be to pack up what you can and head to the capital until we get this thing fixed.”
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