“Yes, that is my one and only name.” He regarded her curiously and arched an eyebrow. “So what is your full name?”
“Alethia Rose.” She replied without thinking, she hadn’t needed to reveal that though so she cursed herself inwardly as a fool. His facial expression changed suddenly, his eyes seemed to hold some confusion. She decided to cut straight to the chase.
“Why do you follow orders that are spawned of darkness?” She asked rather bluntly, not knowing how else to approach the difficult question.
He regarded her for a moment then spoke again. “That requires a bit of a story, are you prepared to sit with me and listen?”
“I am.” She replied with a nod.
“Twenty one years ago this week a young child was found on the steps of a monastery deep in the northern wastes settled at the base of the dragonjaw mountains. This remote monastery was a little-known place that few could travel to safely let alone with an infant. They took the child in as a sign from the gods that he was to fulfill one of their oldest prophecies.” Liostro looked up at her and held her golden eyes for a moment. “He was to become a knight of their order, a champion of their cause. He would be trained to serve the scale of darkness.”
Rose idly ran her finger across the golden chain that ran from her nose to her ear and listened to him, having guessed who the child was from the beginning. She enjoyed the sound of his voice so she did not speak, she just listened.
“The boy grew strong and devoted under the teachings of the order. But one day a new master took over, this man was cruel and spiteful but he had the full authority of the dark dragon. He slaughtered all who resisted him and converted those who did not into his new regime. Not long after the new master took over, the boy now a man began dreaming strange things. When he consulted the oldest and wisest of his order he was instructed never to tell anyone of what he had seen.” Liostro licked his parched, slightly cracked lips and continued to hold Rose’s eyes with little effort. “He was told that what he was seeing was heresy.”
“The orders of the dark master started bordering on the strange and unusual, most of the time cruel and wasteful of the order’s resources. He seemed to have no regard for anyone but himself. Time wore on and slowly the man began to realize that something was amiss within the walls of his hallowed monastery. His inquiries put him in the sights of the dark master so a test of his faith was required. He was to travel to a nearby village, seek out a troublesome pest and destroy it with no questions asked.” Liostro looked down at the ground. “This troublesome pest was a young girl, a naarabian girl of only twelve years.”
“And what did you do?” Rose asked skeptically, her eyebrows arching at the mention of a naarabian other than herself.
“She was so fragile, so beautiful.” Liostro said as he stared at the ground with his eyes set hard and gazing into the past. “The implications of what my master was asking hit me the moment just before I was going to kill her. She turned around and saw me standing there dark and terrible with a blood-drenched sword in hand and a gleam of murder in my eye. She offered me a flower, a red flower from deep within the desert.”
“What?” Rose said as her face twisted into confusion.
“Aye, a flower. A rare desert rose. She told me that the dark man was using me and that near death the desert rose would show me my future. She said that the rose would show me how to shed the darkness within and shine as I had been intended. I could not bear to take her life; it went against the edicts of our creed.” He looked up at her and could not conceal the tears in his eyes. “I returned with the skull of a naarabi boy who had died in the village years before. Thus proven, I became the master’s enforcer.”
“I knew it was you when I first saw you and that is why I did not kill you outright. Alethia Rose, Desert Rose, show me the way out of this darkness before it consumes my soul.” His eyes were streaming steady rivulets that dripped onto the sand between his legs.
“Weak.” A familiar voice said from behind them. Rose stood quickly only to be punched in the face by Illandius who was wielding a long knife in the other hand. She crumpled to the ground like discarded refuse and hit her head on the log she had been sitting on.
Liostro snarled at the elf and strained against his bonds. He knew a servant of the dark without reading the male elf’s aura, as he had been taught, but he had never expected that the elf guarding him would be working for the monastery itself. “You’re working for him, the corruptor. Why would you betray your own people?”
“Money, power, influence.” The tall elf shrugged casually as he knelt down beside Rose and smiled wickedly. “I had so hoped to taste your pleasures but it seems that your new friend here is going to kill you before I get the chance. Then I, in turn, will have to kill him for the sake of vengeance.”
“A shame really, we had such hopes for you.” Illandius turned to Liostro and grabbed him by his long white-blonde hair and pulled his head back.
The knife was poised just inches from his alabaster skin but his cold eyes the color of ice itself stared hard at the elf’s own green orbs. He held that gaze and sneered. With a quick effort he brought his knees up between the elf’s legs and struck soft flesh. In satisfaction he watched the elf fall to the ground and howl in pain. “Get up Rose! Run!”
Even though the tents were not far away from the water and the tree he was tied to he doubted his voice could carry that far. He strained against his bonds and struggled futilely as the elf rose up again and menaced him with a dagger. He was standing to the side this time as he coughed and shook with an effort to regain his composure. “I’m going to bleed you slow for that you traitor bastard.”
He watched in stoic silence as the knife lifted up into the air but the blow he awaited did not come. Illandius’s face twisted and contorted and went pale white. Once his lips turned blue he fell to his knees and Rose stood behind him with her hands on the back of his head. His eyes went white and he rattled out a last ragged breath before falling to the ground dead.
Knowing she had taken the life of a sentient being made her sick to her stomach. She let out a soft sob and fell to her knees. Illandius would never stand again, never see his homeland. Regardless of the fact that he was a traitor Rose felt guilt. She looked up at the knight before her and found his face riddled with concern, concern for her. Not knowing how to take that she turned her gaze away looking toward the camp and found Leonidus striding toward her with several armed elves.
“Rose what happened?” The old elf said as he crouched down next to her and put a hand on her head. The look on her face was shock and horror, something he had seen on many a face when they took their first sentient life. It was much different from the creatures they had fought before.
Unable to speak she buried her face in the elf’s robe and attempted to stop crying. His wrinkled hands were gentle as he rubbed her back and tried to whisper calming words into her ear. She felt the tingle of magic within her and it felt horrible considering the source. The power she had gained though was unmistakable. Something in her told her that she didn’t want any of this. It told her that it would be easier to return to the harem and take her punishment for stealing from her master.
Rose stopped that line of thinking and shook her head. He was her former master; she was a free woman now. “I had no choice, he attacked me and he tried to kill Liostro. He was working for our enemies.”
“It’s alright, I believe you Rose.” Leonidus took her by the shoulders and pushed her out to arm’s length and looked her in the eyes. Immediately he thought to himself that seeing her cry could break a man’s heart. “You had to do it, you had no choice.”
“I know, but that doesn’t make me feel any less terrible about it.” She replied with a cough and sniff as she wiped her eyes.
“Hold on to that Rose, this world will all too quickly suck that love of life out of you if you let it.” Leonidus swept his gaze over to Liostro curiously. “Why would he attempt to kill you?”
“Beca
use of what I am going to tell you.” Liostro replied simply, still unable to pull his gaze from Rose. His heart went out to her, his first kill had been just as hard but that had been a long time ago and he did not feel the remorse as keenly anymore. Part of him agreed with Leonidus, though silently if anything, a love and respect for life was quite rare.
~~~~
Liostro had been untied and put under strict guard with just his hands secured behind his back. Even now he was on his knees before the queen and her most trusted agents. Among them were Nina, Rose, Merik, Leonidus and a few hand-picked guards. The fallen knight lifted his gaze upward and regarded the queen. “I will tell you everything you want to know in exchange for my freedom, I grow tired of this constant game between my superiors and their subordinates. They turned on me, so I feel no loyalty.”
“You are so quick to give them up?” Mira said silkily as she leaned forward in her chair to regard the handsome young human knight. Placing her chin in her palm she leaned on her arm and looked at him for a moment. “I do not think I can give you what you seek. But I offer you a chance to live instead.”
“What are your terms then highness?” He kept her gaze with his icy eyes and did not flinch from the powerful woman’s regard.
“You will come with us, be our prisoner and you will be well treated.” She leaned back to look at him for a moment. “You will be able to roam the streets of our city under guard and take your leave as you wish but you will not be able to venture into the outside world.”
“My freedom means much to me. I would much rather swear a Kyth’sira to your house and retain a larger portion of that freedom.” The looks on their faces were definitely that of surprise. Few outside of the elven court knew about such rituals but Liostro was fortunate enough to have more than just one elf as a tutor when he was growing up. He knew much about the rituals and traditions of the people of this world. “I ask only one thing in return besides my freedom.”
“And that would be?” The queen said with interest on her face.
“I wish only for a kiss.” He looked over at Rose and smiled a little. “From her.”
“Granted.” The queen said without hesitation, knowing the ritual would bind this man into her service just as it had Merik and the guards in this room. It was not to be taken lightly by the individual undergoing the ritual nor the one administering the ritual. “Nina and Merik shall perform the ceremony.”
“What?” Nina said in surprise as she swept her gaze back toward her mother.
“You have already sworn one blood oath with Rose, why not another? Your safety means the world to me dearest daughter.” The queen did not allow for argument in this and she expressed that by holding up her hand and turning her face slightly to the side.
Nina wondered silently how her mother had figured out that she had sworn a blood oath with Rose when nether of them had told anyone. It was not uncommon for her mother to have more information than usually possible but this was outside the realm of her spies, or so Nina had thought.
“I have no say in this?” Rose, taken aback by the quick agreement to the terms without her consultation, was in the midst of standing up before Leonidus put a hand on her shoulder and set her back down. She took the shaking of his head as a sign not to challenge the queen on the matter.
“The terms are simple; you have kissed a man before I take it?” She had intended the jibe but obviously she had to mask it because she was the queen, as a rule she was expected to be above such petty things. She knew Rose had understood the comment though.
“Am I to be your pleasure slave now? A whore for your needs?” She retorted, pushing Leonidus’s hand off of her shoulder. “I am not proud of my past but I had no say in the matter. I was sold as a child.”
The queen scowled openly but did not move to punish Rose she was too high in standing with her people for repercussions. “Normally I do not take such challenges to my authority lightly but you are a guest here Rose so I will extend you the courtesy again because you do not know of our ways. I require this service of you and nothing more, will you agree to the terms?”
Rose looked over at the knight and back at the queen then again to Nina, who looked as if she had greater troubles on her mind. She looked over at Leo, her master, who nodded his approval more for her benefit than anyone else’s. She sighed and looked up at the queen, feeling as if she had no choice even if the opportunity to reject the offer had been presented to her. “I feel I have no choice, so I shall honor the request.”
“Excellent, your service to our cause will be noted.” She tried hard to hold the venom back in her voice. It was obvious though to all observers that Mira did not have any great love for Rose.
“Then I swear my fealty.” Liostro said as he bowed his head to both the queen and Nina.
“You do understand this oath, correct? Once you take it you will not be able to run turncoat and abandon the elves like your former masters.” The queen said in a grave tone.
“Perfectly my queen, I have had many tutors throughout my time serving the scale of darkness. Many of them were elves as you have well guessed. As a gesture of my thanks I shall name the few remaining elves that are a part of the grander scheme of things, the ones I know at least.” He replied to her with an air of confidence in his voice. “There are not many would betray their own people but exceptions to the rule exist.”
“You’ll understand if I retrieve this list of individuals after the ritual has been completed.” She said with a bit of enthusiasm in her voice, it felt good to finally be regaining the upper hand. “The ritual will commence shortly and your demands shall be met afterward, you are all dismissed.”
Once they were all out of the large tent Rose turned to Nina and waited for an explanation. They had stopped just short of one of the many small fires burning in the center of the gathered tents. Rose was a newcomer to this world in many ways so she did not know much about the customs of the elven people. She shifted her golden gaze out across the many elves still working in the camp and then back to the sun-haired princess. “Well, what does all of that mean?”
“I have yet to perform this sort of bonding; I thought I was too young for such a thing. I have to trade blood with the person and they swear an oath to our family. Usually it is done before the elven council and the courts but out here it will be done in front of the soldiers and the few elders that are traveling with us.” Nina said in reply, looking thoroughly unpleased. “Usually it is done without clothing and that’s what has me nervous. Before my elders and the council is one thing but in front of the common soldiers?”
“Take heart Nina, I doubt your mother will allow such a thing.” She said with a smile as she put her hand on Nina’s shoulder and kissed her cheek. “Nudity before a crowd is not all that big of a deal. I have had to perform for several of my former master’s guests and usually one ends up wearing no clothing by the end.”
“That’s different though.” Nina said softly, she regretted the words instantly. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean it like that.”
“It’s alright Nina, I understand what you meant.” Rose shook her head and watched in the distance as Liostro was taken out of the tent and over to one of the larger gatherings of guards by Merik, who did not look pleased. “Merik looks ill at ease.”
“Yes, it is also rather unorthodox for a human to take the oath. Merik is very strong on tradition and the ways of our people. His father was a priest and council member so he knows our ways inside and out.” Nina replied as she followed Rose’s gaze to Merik. “That is why he is performing the ritual.”
“Really now?” Rose said as she tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I’ll be right back Nina.”
Rose walked toward the gathering of guards and nodded to them as they greeted her. Several of them she knew by name but not all. It did not take long for her to catch up with her quarry. “Merik, may I ask you a question regarding the ritual?”
“I will answer what I can but you must understand the secrecy invol
ved with some parts of the ritual itself.” He replied though a strained smile.
“I understand. It’s more of an unvoiced request from Nina than anything. I think she’s afraid to ask her mother about it. She is a bit concerned about her body being exposed during the ritual. I was wondering if that part was completely necessary.” Rose leaned on a tree and waited for an answer from the tall elf male.
“Honestly I can see no harm in changing that part of the ritual. I can move some of the markings from one place to another with relatively few problems.” Merik smiled at her and regarded Rose with an appreciative look. “You are a good friend to her, I am glad she chose you for her first blood oath.”
“How did you know about that?” Rose asked as an off-handed question. She was curious as to how they all seemed to know.
“The queen herself told me, as to how she knew I could not say even if I had such knowledge.” Merik turned back to Liostro and began leading him off. “The ceremony will be in an hour or so, help me along by keeping Nina calm.”
“I will try to assuage her fears as best I can.” Rose turned from the two of them without acknowledging Liostro. She did not want to see him at the moment since he and the queen had given her no choice on the matter of if she wanted to kiss him or not. Deep down, she wondered if it was a bad thing but she knew the answer.
Chapter 5: The Quest
The next morning before dawn everyone had gathered at the center of the encampment including the members of the royal family that had attended the caravan. Rose stood at the side of the largest tent near the gathering and looked back through the doorway at Nina. Merik had provided both Nina and Rose with a light tunic and breeches of an off-white color to wear during the ceremony. It had made Nina a little more comfortable but it was obvious that she was still nervous about the situation. The young elf was pacing back and forth across the inside of the tent. “You’ll be fine, don’t be so nervous.”
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