Below the Peak (Sola)

by Juliet Lili

  She turned and looked at him. “Your highness” she curtsied.

  “Take a walk with me,” Calemir said and began to walk. Leena fell beside him naturally as they headed outside. There were too many ears inside, probably some hired to report to the lords whatever occurred inside the royal house. He needed to be in a secluded place before they discussed anything. They passed the gallant sentries standing at attention on various positions of the palace.

  "How was your travel?" Calemir asked as they stood under the stars, near a waterfall that trilled up from the mountains behind the castle’s tower to a flowing stream onto the green pond. The rush of water muffled their voices, making it impossible for an eavesdropper or passerby to hear them.

  "Good" Leena replied.

  “I take it you found it?” he asked.

  “I succeeded.” Leena nodded.

  Calemir studied her somber expression, “Where does it flow?”

  Leena hesitated first before she answered. “In Vessener, Murisa.”

  His jaw tensed while frustration replaced the look of relief he had just a moment when she said she found the well. Of all the places, the well of Var had to flow in Murisa.

  “Are you alright?” he asked instead. Leena looked at him, finding genuine concern in them with unspoken matter that’s too familiar and that neither of them wanted to address because it gets a part of them which is best remained buried.

  “I’m alright,” she said letting confidence back her voice. She could see the relief her answer gave him, like an intense pressure in his chest being released with an exhale.

  Calemir grunted and squared his shoulders. Leena had volunteered herself to go and search for the well so he could stay behind and oversee matters of the kingdom. He had felt incompetent first and had insisted that it was his duty to find Vár but Leena had advised him that the queen wouldn’t be able to stand alone on the throne as she took care of the king. He had to be here to support and as a watcher of the throne.

  Now thinking of it, he’d made a wise decision to remain behind and let one of the very few people he trusted to do the job.

  “Bad news is that the well is inside the city, Vessener. I still cannot believe we’ve had never seen it before or heard any word of it” she mulled.

  This bothered him too.

  Vár, an ort that sprout from the well of Urd which nurtured Yggdrasil. Dewdrops from Yggdrasil’s branches fell to their world in the form of a well. It’s believed a single drop of its water rid all illness, leaving no trace of the body or memory of it. Hence, it’s why he had been wound up the last few days as he waited for Leena’s return. He did not wish to waist any more time. The sooner they left, the better to return early. And once his father awakens, all the mistrust and threats from other high lords would be hushed.

  “We should leave tonight then. Are you fit to do so?” He asked his tone seriously. “You should remain if you need to rest you have done more than enough.” knowing what the fierce warrior would say.

  “I’m ready on your command” Leena replied, standing upright. “It seems we are not the only ones who misfortune has fallen upon.” recalling what she had overheard from the Murisa officials the night she had arrived in Vessener. The officials had not seen her in the dark corners of the city even inside the walls of the castle she had hidden well except for the persistent lady whom she met the morning after.

  “What happened?”

  His kind had minimal interaction with the humans except trade being the only affair they had with them, to exchange goods. Well, truth be told, it was an excuse for some of his kind to wander beyond their lands and appease their bored selves. It was never that way though, before the Dark War of course. Thinking of the war, it conjured horrific images he didn’t want to remember. The memories old and still fresh in his mind, he didn’t desire to dwell in them. They were too painful and brought guilt to his conscious.

  “War is brewing between Kalil and Murisa, I believe Abasi initiated his hand first,” Leena informed him. Although he never visited the human territories like other elves did, he kept abreast what went on with the people. Calemir was aware Abasi was the king of Kalil as was Lorenz the king of Murisa. And more so, he knew too well of their unique relationship. The whole story behind it. It seemed their alliance had reached its end. He ruefully thought.

  “How bad is the situation?” Calemir asked. He planned to march out there directly and take what he needed quickly without getting caught in the crossfire. He needed to take precaution lest they got trapped in a war that didn’t concern them.

  “Quiet when I left in the afternoon. The Muri General had just received news of the ambush a few days before.”

  “So, they didn’t know Abasi would strike?” he ventured. A soft nightly breeze teased his fair hair, long strands of hair caressed his cheekbones. His brows creased in contemplation. He and Leena were more than capable of handling a troop of human warriors if trouble arose along the way. However, were trouble smelled, other dark things followed. Dark and nasty things that would be a nuisance to kill if it’s just the two of them. He needed more men.

  “Calemir who is the lady you are talking to?” a familiar voice called out.

  Calemir turned his head toward the direction of the sound. Finn trudged toward him.

  Calemir grinned resolutely. Just the man he needed. He noted how his trusted comrade’s mouth carved into a charming smile as he drew near, ready to lure. Finn’s unworried and relaxed expression garbled his intelligence and efficacy as a battler. Calemir smothered a smirk, only if he knew who he was speaking with. Upon Calemir receiving news concerning the king’s condition, Finn, his friend had volunteered to ride with him to Gwainor’s house. Calemir suspected his friend was tired being stuck on border patrol and lack of contact with the peeress.

  Leena shifted closer to him and peered at Finn.

  “Forgive me my lady for intruding, but I had to put a face on the beauty that shines like the stars” Finn drawled. Leena hissed. His tall frame managed to hide her from Finn’s view not that Leena was short to say so.

  “It is only fair to do so don’t you think prince...” Finn dragged the last words as he stood in front of them, his long dark midnight blue hair plaited in one easy braid, and dressed in an airy tunic, black trousers and boots with a sword hanging on his waist.

  “Oh! It is you lady Navari” Finn bit out, the lightness disappearing from his eyes replaced by a glint of nerves and caution.

  “It baffles me how much drivel spews from your lips” Leena retorted, a scowl settling on her face.

  “Kiss me, and you’ll cure my muddled brain” Finn replied sweetly, taunting her as he placed a hand on the head of his sword. Leena rolled her eyes.

  If it was any other ordinary day Calemir would’ve left them banter to their hearts’ content but they had important matters to attend.

  “Finn go and round several men. Three will be enough. We are going to Murisa” Calemir cut in and ordered. “And Leena find an urn for the water.”

  “Why are we going there?” Finn asked, looking at Calemir then back to Leena.

  “Lady Leena will tell you” Calemir replied and quickly started for the palace.

  He rushed to his quarters first, where he grabbed a baldric and wore it across his chest and wrapped a cloak over his shoulders before he picked a porch of coins. When he reached his parent's room, he found his mother the way he had left her but with her head pressed lightly on the chest of his sleeping father.

  His expression stiffened at sight.

  “Mother” he called softly. He watched her raise her head and stared at him tiredly. “Yes son” she replied, tiredly looking him over. “Are you going somewhere?”

  “Lady Leena Navari has found the Vár. I leave tonight to fetch the water” he said. Light shone in her eyes at the news. She gave a tired smile.

  “Where is it,” Val asked, standing. Calemir chuckled, glad to see her regaining strength upon the good news.

  “V
essener, in Murisa” he replied taking a step closer to her. “Cheer up mother, the father will soon be back to your side.” He brushed his lips gently on her forehead and took a step back, looking at her for the last time until he returned. “Wait” she called before he stepped out of the room. She placed her hand on his upper arm and looked up at him with rejuvenated eyes. “Don’t go empty handed. You should carry something that would appease them... for caution.” She let go of his arm and paced about the room, searching for something.

  “That’s unnecessary.” Calemir didn’t think it was needed for him to carry a gift to the king of Murisa. If at all, he was certain their presence wouldn’t be noticed as they entered and took what they needed. They would be like shadows.

  “My dear boy not all men welcome strangers in their house for free. Especially us.” she carried a squared coloured box on her hands. She motioned for him to take it. Calemir took it in his arms and considered its weight.

  “What’s in here?” he asked, shaking the box. He recalled how kings could be greedy and thought perhaps she was right, either way, he would get what he wanted.

  “Two or three gemstones I do not like” she replied dismissively. “Hurry off now. I will handle everything here” she said with new determination and hope.

  He slipped the ornate box in a gunnysack on his way out. He reached the palace’s courtyard and found Leena and Finn mounted on their horses with three other men behind them. Finn held the reins of his mare. He approached the gang. Calemir tied the bag tightly on the saddle and hoisted himself gracefully on top of the horse. He twisted the reins and commanded the horse to turn then briefly acknowledged the other three men with a tight brief grin. They responded with a salute. Calemir gave the steed a light kick on its side and duel him out of the great walls of the courtyard and into the night.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Capital city of Kalil

  Nikolas gulped the ale and slammed the tanker on the wooden counter. No one in the crummy inn seemed to pay attention to his little outburst except for the innkeeper who gave him a hard stare before continuing with his business. He never hoped anyone would, maybe if he stood on the stool he was sitting on and announced himself as the king’s son maybe then they would and pester him if the rumors had already spread from the northern villages of the border between Kalil and Murisa. He glanced at the plastered people in the inn, they appeared oblivious about the matters of the kingdom, or they simply didn’t care. He smiled bitterly as he kept on looking around the room. Schmerz has successfully been able to contain what got out to the cities from the castle. The image of Schmerz sprung forth in his mind causing his body to shudder. He despised his cowardliness whenever he was in his presence. The man had a way of reducing him to nothing.

  The man instilled fear even on the most brazen oldest council members. He dropped some coins on the counter, shoved his hands into the pocket of his coat and strode out of the tavern. It was late night outside as he walked down the hot streets towards the castle. The moon was not bright tonight. The light filtered through the wooden and brick house windows and, porches casting shadows in the streets while noises from nearby taverns chased the silence. No one in the castle would be bothered by his absence. His father had long stopped caring about him and besides he was twenty-two, he no longer needed nursemaids or guards to worry about him. He watched a man and woman stagger in the darkness with their hands roughly grabbing one another’s clothes. Their bashful behavior reminded him of his father and stepmother shagging in the gardens. He had walked in on them. It wasn’t a pleasant sight. He stifled the ale threatening to come out from his throat leaving a vile taste in his mouth. His father was no longer the person he knew. His behavior and physicality changed drastically over the few months of the year. He looked too old and thin with withering skin, fringed hair that threatened to fall if you touched it, trembling at the gentlest wind and had become intemperate, vindictive with no reasons and lewd.

  His body swayed a little and fingers shook from the drink he just had. He was a light weight, he never could hold his own down. He kicked a pebble and halted a short distance from the castle. Few of the rooms glowed light from within. It was a grand castle from the outside well kept by the servants and guards, and yet it was agony inside. His glazed eyes darted to the balcony of the king’s room and saw her, his step mother, Dagny. Although the dark hid most of her he could see what she was doing, her hands were stretched out to the sky. She depicted an image that of a devoted follower to the gods, pure and serene as if a divine spiritual being was manifesting in her. Despite her perfect beauty that made men weak and women envious, in his eyes, she looked wrong to like something too evil was lurking under.

  And that evil was responsible for his father’s madness. He was helpless where it involved his dad and her. He couldn’t save him from her. His father was beyond smitten despite knowing so little about her. He was obsessed.

  It settled oddly with Nikolas that little was known about her, even after hiring someone secretly to dig anything related to her. Same information came up from few people from the small town she claimed to have grown up in. Her father a wealthy trader who died in a sea storm, and her mother couldn’t dare live alone without her beloved, so she killed herself.

  Nikolas watched her disappear into the room.

  He had waited a minute before he dragged himself, passing the knights stationed in front of the castle and walked inside. He crossed the great quiet hall and turned to the left wing strolling down the long dark corridor to his private chambers when he heard murmurs coming from the right room across. He halted and listened. He recognized one of the voices belonged to Schmerz- he watched the empty corridor for any signs of anyone walking by before drawing near the closed whispering room. A tremor raced through his body, afraid he would get caught. He pressed his foggy head against the wooden door and listened.

  “We march to the central villages. Lay them bare.” Nikolas heard Schmerz menacing voice instructing. This is where they strategized the raids against the Murisa Kingdom. He wondered how many wolves were in there. Pretending to oppose the war while in the dark their filthy souls celebrated. He leaned in more closely.

  “But that’s too dangerous there’s a larger troop base shared between the Port City and some of the central villages. Guards travel almost every route because of the transportation of goods from the port to the villages and likewise from the villages to the harbour. It’s well-nigh protected like Vessener. And the number of force we have is not enough. We will be marching to a dragon’s mouth and not just ambush if we do as you say” replied a voice very low nearly to whispering, Nikolas couldn’t identify who spoke still it seemed the owner of the voice knew Murisa well enough. He stole a glance at the corridor his head turning to both ends to check if he was still alone.

  “Soldiers can be made. We proceed as agreed” came Schmerz snarky reply.

  Cruel bastard! He would take the pleasure of snatching young boys for his purpose. A moment of quietness had passed before he heard the sultry voice of Dagny coming from the room.

  “You would make such a good husband. Fierce and commanding. I wish we had a son like you”.

  He heard Schmerz chuckle. Nikolas didn’t miss the insult in her words. It wasn’t enough they have reduced him to a pathetic eavesdropper like a hungry gossip monger looking to get an earful to spread later, but now they mocked him in closed doors. Humiliation taunted him as he scampered to his chamber.

  The room was plunged into darkness, as there was no candle burning. Nikolas dragged himself to his bed and laid on his back His father was right. Indeed, he was a coward a miserable being. Being a prince was just a title, Nikolas would wager many would have desired Schmerz being the prince despite his cruelty. He was too docile, he had let his humane turn him to a fool. He berated himself. Humiliation turned to anger and boiled inside him. His fingers closed to fists against the silky bed cover. No! No more will he be pliable, today would be the end of his meek righteous days. It wo
uld take Schmerz and his force a week to arrive at Murisa’s central villages. If he left tonight, he would get there before them. The corners of his mouth lifted while the wheels in his head turned. It was a shitty plan he was forming, but he was fully determined to make Schmerz and the queen suffer. They have turned him into nothing so will he turn their plan to dead bodies. A gift from the coward prince. He would prove he was better than what they and rest of the counsel thought of him. He abruptly stood from his bed and matched an oil lamp on the table beside the bed. Still plastered he walked towards the closet and grabbed a rucksack and shoved a shirt, a bottle of liquor in and slid a dagger in his boots. He grabbed two porches of the coin and shoved them in the pockets of his cloak.

  The second he stepped out, he came face to face with Schmerz. Nikolas froze, shocked. His stomach dropped, hands began to sweat, eyes fixated at the cruel planes of the General's face. A scar butchered his left eyebrow. Nikolas’ insides whirled, and his heart drummed violently as the cold, suspicious eyes of the General penetrated his.

  “Where to my prince in this dead night?” Schmerz asked, eyeing his bag with scrutiny. Nikolas forced his body to remain calm.

  “Since when Schmerz do we tell each other what one is up to?” Nikolas laughed quickly to hide the tremor in his voice. Nikolas saw the heat in Schmerz eyes when he called him by his name. He knew Schmerz despised being called by his name, he preferred being called General. His parents must have hated him to name him such a brutish name. Nikolas’ lips twitched from the small hold he had on him-the hold was small, but he reveled in it.

  “We wouldn’t want the prince to be harmed especially in these crucial times. I’m just doing my duty as the General protecting the heir to the throne” Schmerz replied his cold stare sharply still on him.