by Jacob White
“I take it you can find your way back from here? This section never leaves me feeling quite right after I leave it.” We each both bowed to the prince and waited for him to leave. We then went back up to my quarters. By the time we arrived my hand was going numb from Les squeezing my hand so hard. We stepped inside to the quiet room.
“Ow…”
“Have you lost all sense in that head of yours?”
“I thought you would be happy about the clothes and moving to the royal wing.”
“Why in the world would I want to be around royals considering I’ve been a whore my entire life? I’m sure it will make for excellent table conversation with the princess and queen. Why yes, my highness, I do love to have a good pounding for a price.” The last bit hurt me a bit, but I couldn’t say she was wrong.
“Les, I’m sorry. There is more to it than you know.” She sat on the bed with her face in her palms. “Les, Gibi told me I couldn’t hand over the stone to them. That something was off about the Prince.” Her head raised.
“Gibi? As in the Gibi?”
“Well a fragment, yes.”
“Is there anything else you wish to tell me, Weaver, before I’m thrown to the wolves?” So, I told her, everything. She took it extremely well considering. “So, you want me to be a spy for you?”
“No, not a spy, I’m not looking for secrets to the kingdom. I just want you to tell me what type of people they are. Trustworthy or not. Can you do this for me, Les?”
“Shut up, I don’t even know why you asked if I could. You know I will, but I warn you now Weaver. You lost your next session of relaxation.”
“Let’s not be hasty.”
“Nope. Nope. Nope.”
“But, Les....” I walked over to her and got on my knees in front of her. “You wouldn’t want me to be stressed, would you?” I raised my head to nibble at her ear.
“Not going to work.”
“We will see.” And I continued onto her ear, then neck, and her breast line. I felt her body starting to touch my own.
“Fine! I’ll think about it.” I laughed while she tried to act frustrated with me. She crossed her arms and looked away with her nose in the air. I tackled her to the bed and kissed her.
“I love you, Les.”
“And I’m sure it will be to my own demise, but I love you as well, you hard-headed, emp....” And I kissed her again pulling back to see if she continued, but she didn’t. She just pulled me back down into a kiss. We continued to laugh and talk until it was time to meet with the others at dinner. I was excited to tell them the news of the clothing they would be receiving as well as the repairs to the Yezmon.
We both walked into the same dining hall arm-in-arm. This time, however, we were the last to arrive. Everyone waved a friendly hello as we made our way to the table. Anna was absent, but I already knew there would be a chance of that. Les and I ended sitting across from each other as I asked the table to quiet for I had some news to tell them.
“As you all know, the Yezmon caught on fire.” Hands went to mouths. Heads turned in mock confusion. I had become surrounded by Dirks… “Anyways… The king has promised to rebuild it, and better than ever.”
“I wonder if I should return those sheets I took?” Les looked up at the air as she acted as though she was talking to herself.
“You know better than that, we might need spares.” She laughed but I took a glance at the rest of the table looking lost.
“As I was saying, the King is going to rebuild the Yezmon and make it a more fitting tavern. Next, I requested from the prince no less, is that everyone who was affected by the fire should be given some new clothing. He as—” I wasn’t even able to finish as whispers rose to talking in complete ignorance of me. “Glad I led with the King’s offer.” No one responded to my comment. They were to engrossed in talking about potential colors and how many dress might be provided.
“So, Les, I hear you're Pregnant,” I said a bit too loudly, but it had the desired effect. Les looked at me with murder in her eyes. The girls instantly switched to her. Berating her with questions. I could not hold back my laughter as her face became redder and redder.
“I’m not pregnant,” she repeated. I was able to shift my way towards Dirk as he was scarfing down a piece of greasy dark meat. It was so moist that liquid dripped from the corners of his mouth.
“Dirk, I was wondering if we could continue our training.” He finished his chewing before stopping to talk.
“Sure, I can find some time. Only thing is right now we are drilling the new recruits on the back-training fields just past the gardens.”
“New recruits?”
“For the prince’s return to the Twins.”
“Ah, makes sense.”
“I won’t be able to fit you in until a week or so from now, but you're more than welcome to come train with us, or… cry I should say, or I could say staying on your back, or maybe…”
“I get it… thanks.”
“Anytime, oh magnificent one.”
“Not you too...” I looked at Ralph. “This is this your doing.” He only smiled back. “Just as I thought we were becoming close, too.” I chuckled and went back to my original seat, but it also held Les’s death glare. I decided to rely on my inner Dirk. “Les, my love, my one and only, the substance that fills my dreams. Les, who has the strength of a flower growing in winter, who is my cool breeze in summer. Are you mad at me?”
“Only if you don’t keep going.” She turned her head up and to the side. Deciding to embarrass her further I stood upon the table and decided to shout. “Les, the one whom shares her beauty with the stars, denies fate by never losing her beauty. Les, who will be sung in ballads as time forgets the rest of us. She who dims the stars just by smiling. Oh, how I love her!”
I have had never seen Les so red in my life, and once again everyone was swooning over her, and asking if she loved me. Dirk had gotten up and walked behind me.
“Just so you know, I will be stealing some or maybe all of that.”
“Be my guest. It was you that inspired such a confession from my lips.” Ralph was soon to follow as Dirk began to whistle a tune as they headed out of the hall. I also stood and was immediately followed by Les.
“Les my love, please enjoy your meal. Do not leave on my account.” She slowly sat back down, and this time she filled me with fear. I’m sure I had just kissed my last chance of relaxation out of the hall doors. After considering this fact, I reminded myself to do this more often. Even if I will be the loser of this game.
I walked back to my room and found the door was locked. I assumed that while I was eating my official rooming assignment had also been changed. I started to walk towards the throne room as it was just as good a place to look around as any. It turned out though my luck was finally looking up as I found a roaming guard who escorted me personally to my new chambers. I knew deep down he was just tired of walking around in circles, so I did my part and didn’t object. A man was waiting outside of my door whom I assumed was the tailor.
“Greetings, Weaver, I’m Knobly, the royal tailor. The prince sent me to have you sized for different clothing. May I?”
“Wait… here?”
“Yes, I only need a few measurements, so I can start.” I lifted my arms and let him do his work. After I walked in and they were royal indeed. In the center of the back wall was an oversized four post bed. I walked over to touch it but was soon distracted by a separate room that held its very own bathing chamber. Inside was a circled pool, about the size of a fountain in many city centers. It could have fit 6. My mind raced with thoughts of Les being wet against me, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen for a while. I walked back out into the middle of the room and saw a dressing hall that housed my one only tunic and hood I wore on the night of Edmund’s death. At the back of the hall was another armor display but this one was sadly empty. I walked back to a small writing desk that had a package on top of it, along with a note. I imagined it would have be
en a note from the King inviting me to dinner. Or maybe an order from the head servant not to destroy the room.
Weaver, I hope you and Les find these accommodations to your liking. I will keep this note short as I know your days will only get longer before our journey together. Inside you shall find a personal gift from me. I wish you to take them as a token of good will and hope they will aid you further in the future.
-Prince Aden
I opened the package and saw the knives he gifted me. They were simple but beautiful beyond description. Gold leaf etchings melded into the hilt. The blade itself was only the length of my hand but so sharp it pricked my skin just touching the tip. Another gift given to me was a bow. It was a bit simpler but still as beautiful. Spirals, carved out of the wood, twisted halfway down the bow’s ebony shaft. The quiver matched the bow filled with some arrows with black tails. At the bottom, I also saw a pair of thick leather gloves with each glove only covering the first finger and thumb to the joint of each. I thought it odd and decided to ask Dirk about it later. I set the articles back down and went to sit on the bed. The connecting door opened and a surprisingly happy Les walked through.
“Hello, my dear.” She gave me a kiss to match her sweet greeting.
“Uh, hello. I take it you’re not mad about dinner then?”
“Why would I be? I have a closet with beautiful dresses, a room next to you, and a warm bathing pool waiting for us to soak in. How could I possibly be mad?” She continued her walk to my bathing chamber, and she left a trail of clothes behind her. Something was amiss, and I truly feared what it was. As a man, I had an obligation to follow her, just in case she needed assistance with scrubbing her back. She was already in the pool facing me at the other end.
“Do you mind if I join you?”
“Why change tradition now? Just don’t get any funny ideas. Our deal still stands about our first time.”
“I would hope so, but that does not mean I cannot admire a perfect creation from up-close.” Out of nowhere, I felt him again.
“Hello.” Then he was gone again.
“Dirk must be influencing Gibi as well.” I went on to explain about what I had told him about just saying hello sometimes, and he must have taken it to heart. I climbed into the warm pool and snuck my way in-between her legs.
“Careful, you’re in a dangerous area Weaver.” She said with a wicked grin.
“What area? This one?” A moan escaped her lips as my fingers grazed her legs.
“Great gods, Weaver, you are pushing every boundary of my self-control.” I obliged, but she then stopped me. “I still have some control left…” she said with a red face.
“As my queen wishes.” We then ended up in opposite positions as I held her tightly against my body enjoying the warmth from her and the pool. We spent way more time than we should have in that pool. Neither of us wanted to move as we held each other with love. We finally made our way to the bed, and her head found my chest as we nestled in for the night. Tomorrow I would learn magic, but tonight my dreams would be of Les. Not all my dreams were of her though, some brought me flashes of Edmund’s' face and bloody corpse. Of the feelings of fire burning on my skin. They caused me to wake to take in my surroundings and was soon comforted by Les’s arms hugging me from behind.
“It’s ok, my love. We are safe. Breathe and lay back down.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Water's Abuse
The morning came faster than I wanted. Loud knocking hit my door until I got up to let Anna in.
“I'm glad I came early, you weren’t even up, were you?”
“I was just stretching.” She didn’t believe my weak ploy. She only crossed her arms and walked in. This morning she was wearing a fitted tunic with a leather vest and a tight fabric on her legs that did nothing to hide any of her features. My recent activities with Les must be changing the way I saw women in general, but I looked elsewhere considering Anna was like a sister.
“Well her—” She saw Les sleeping on the bed. “Oh, I'm sorry.” She looked down, walking out.
“Anna, it’s okay.”
“Just meet me at the entrance to the Mages’ Wing so we can get started.” Then she was gone. A bit ashamed of not being up, I slipped my pants on. Which smelled like death, but I could deal with that later. It was faster and easier to find the hallway leading to the Mages’ Wing. I could follow the halls as the paintings on the wall would fade. The floors became a bit less cared for. Anna was leaning against the wall, with her hair tied up behind her head. She looked up and smiled.
“Come on, sleepy head.” She motioned for me to follow. She led me up another separate set of stairs that led to another plain looking hall. She stopped at the first door and pushed. It led into a room that was well lit considering it was still dark outside. The room was bigger than I thought it was going to be, about the same size as my new chambers. Anna stopped at in the center of the room and faced me.
“Okay, here is how this is going to go. In here, I'm not your friend. I'm here to help you control magic. So, if you do have another emotional session, you won't destroy the castle. First, we will talk about different ways water magic can be used. Then I will teach you some basic exercises to better your control. When you are ready for the next part… well, we will get to that. Come and sit in front of me.”
I didn’t want to say anything as I was afraid it would set her off again. I found myself behaving like a regular house animal sitting at her command. After several questions about manipulation of elements she could see my eyes gloss over from too many questions.
“What do you know about your abilities?” Allowing me to talk more than listen.
“Well, I know I have it, well water and air. I know I get exhausted when I use it, and I've heard of water magic being used as a fast fix to combat injuries. Some of the healers depending on where you go also use it to heal. Others use more traditional methods. That’s as about as much as I know.
“Great gods... Okay, where to start.”
“I didn’t grow up a mage! I was surrounded by whores, remember!” I had to stop myself from mentioning her hiding among my family, or rather lack thereof. She understood the undertone of what I was saying, she was too smart for anything else.
“Weaver, I'm sorry, I shouldn’t have said it like that. It's just that we have a lot of theory to cover and not a lot of time. If you are to die, it won't be from lack of magical knowledge. I promise you that.” Like a child being instructed, I nodded.
“Please continue.”
“At the beginning of our world, the creators known as the six created six lower gods to look over the lands. The gods bestowed his or her on magic on the land they were to govern. Here on Ellipsis under Gibi, it was water, the wind from Rowzen. Fire from Uzix, light from Xent, and lightning from Grassin.” I saw a brief shutter enter her. “Then dark magic that can control a mind from Liide.”
“Dark magic comes from Liam but why is the magic from Liide called dark magic if it affects the mind?
“Each magic is capable of harm but also good, except for dark. Dark magic crosses the line of human boundaries only to create chaos in one’s head. Try to create a name for magic that gives you control over others, at the same time a magic that can create intense love or hate, and make ideas seem your own over time. Dark mages are particularly good at enchantments as well. Anchoring a magic for a specific purpose to an object.” The night of the fire came into my mind. Anna saw the worry on my face.
“Like balls that could bring fire from thin air?” I said.
“That’s a very specific question.”
“The night of the fire, Edmund used 3 balls that did exactly that.” Her head turned, and her face matched my own worry.
“That would mean Edmund was in contact with a dark mage.”
“There was also another night where I felt as if a hand was caressing my mind to get in. The stone must have prevented it but Les succumbed to it.”
“Not to sound rude but are you
sure?” She saw the anger on my face. “I'm sorry, of course you are. I will let my father know as well as Dirk. They will want to look deeper into this. We can’t do much else so for now, we continue.” She sighed and continued.
“As I was saying, these magic’s’ or ability to manipulate were isolated to these places. Then the gods created their half-breeds by mating with their creations, and that was how it spread across our lands causing a mixing of blood and magic’s’. It's rare to have more than one gift, but still possible. The rarest of all magic’s is water.”
“Right because Gibi never had offspring.”
“Correct but even though water is the rarest it still spreads by us mating with other manipulators, it’s just spreading slower. I’m sure one day everyone could possibly have some type of magic. You know the rest up until now, I presume?”
“I do. I think.”
“We will assume you do. Now to address your comment from before about exhaustion.” I sat a bit straighter in interest.
“The reason is two-fold. One, is that you were driving your emotions into your magic. This creates a type of anarchy; it makes the magic more sporadic and exhausts your mind faster as well as your body. Two, is that you weren't focusing using a word of power or rather any word.” The way she described me using words was too specific.
“You knew I killed Edmund?”
“Weaver, did you honestly think I wouldn’t follow you after you left? You might have hated me at the time, but you know how important you are to me.”
“You sent Dirk, didn’t you?” I expressed flatly.
“I did and you’re welcome. Now, using a word makes it easier for your magic to focus.”
“I don’t understand. Why would a word matter?”
“Think of it like the stone you carry. The magic doesn’t radiate around it and go whenever it pleases. It is contained within the stone. It’s the same principal with the word. By using it, you can attach the magic to the word and create a more stable connection to the source you are using.”
