Remembered

by E. D. Brady

  “You will not, you evil fucking creature,” she heard Danus yell.

  Annie and Markum raced past and into a large house, which appeared completely empty.

  A menacing quiet accompanied the eeriness of a dark, shadowy hallway, forcing the hairs on the back of Annie’s neck to stand out.

  She and Markum were unsure of which direction to look first. They stood by the foot of a staircase and looked around for any sign of life.

  Suddenly, they heard a low noise coming from the second floor. They crept up the stairs carefully, making sure that they made no sound, and came to a long, narrow corridor. There were several doors on each side, but none appeared to have light shining through the cracks at the bottom.

  They looked left and right, both bewildered.

  They heard another noise that seemed to come from above.

  “Look for another staircase,” Markum whispered into her ear.

  She pulled him to the end of the hallway—the only feasible direction—to a staircase inside a narrow doorframe. At the top of the stairs, a closed door leaked light through it’s seams.

  They crawled up the stairs on their hands and knees, stopping two steps from the top.

  They were afraid to breathe, afraid to alert whoever occupied the room to their presence.

  “This could not be any easier, Kellus,” they heard a voice say. “All we want is for you to plant a little seed. Simply close your eyes and pretend she’s your lovely bride.”

  “Never!” Kellus answered.

  A crack cut through the air, then the sound of hard leather tearing flesh, followed by a painful gasp.

  Kellus was being tortured beyond the door.

  Rage overcame Annie. She leapt at the door, but Markum was faster. He grabbed her waist and pulled her back down beside him. “Not until we know how many are in there,” he breathed against her ear.

  “Or we can do this the hard way if you like,” Lionel’s voice echoed. “Must I send the krogs to your home, Kellus? Must you make me order them to kill your family and bring the lovely Annella back here?”

  Another loud crack. Another painful moan.

  Annie put her hands over her ears. She couldn’t bear the sound of Kellus’s pain.

  “Do you think Annella would like to feel that pain, Kellus?” Lionel taunted. “She could take your place. We could tie her to that post in your stead. Is that what you want? Would you prefer if I whipped your pretty wife raw?”

  “You will stay away from her!” Kellus yelled, venom in his voice.

  “But you’re not in a position to stop me, are you?” Lionel laughed hatefully. “What can you do to protect your lovely wife? Oh, yes, absolutely nothing. I will make this very clear to you; you have five minutes to decide. We will finish this once and for all, or I will bring Annella here. I will tear the skin from her back, one lash at a time, before I finish her off. I swear to you, Kellus, I will kill her before this night is over.”

  “You’d better kill me too because you have my word, you will pay if you hurt her,” Kellus answered. “Why don’t you free my hands and fight me like a man, you fucking coward?”

  Annie heard the whip ring through the air once more, heard the skin rip. She didn’t know how much more she could stand.

  “Don’t be a fool,” Lionel spat, “there is only you and me here. What do either of us have to prove?”

  “NOW!” Markum yelled and slammed through the door.

  Kellus was tied to a bedpost with thick rope. Five deep wounds dripped blood down his naked back and onto the floor. The skin on his wrists was tore away from friction, and there was a large gash on his cheek.

  Annie stopped short, overcome by the sight of him tied up and unable to defend himself. Her hands flew to her mouth, her stomach flipped inside her.

  Kellus looked her in the eyes, and torment crept over his face. He closed his eyes tight, utterly horrified to see her there.

  Markum charged at Lionel with his sword held tightly in both hands. He swung at his target, but Lionel was ready for him. Lionel ducked down quickly then stood straight again. He kicked Markum in the chest with such force that Markum flew backwards and smashed his head against the stone wall. He slumped over, completely unconscious.

  Annie picked up Markum’s sword quickly and ran at Lionel with everything she had, rage causing adrenalin to pump through her.

  Lionel swung his right leg, making contact with Annie’s wrist, and kicked the sword from her hands. She felt her wrist snap.

  “Well, look who came to visit, Kellus,” Lionel chuckled wickedly. “This saves our krogs a journey, doesn’t it? He turned his vile glare on Annie. “It’s lovely to see you again, Annella. How was your trip?”

  She stood perfectly still, holding her limp hand up against her chest. The pain was excruciating. She merely stared at Lionel, unable to respond.

  Lionel continued to leer. “I will admit I was skeptical at first. I was not convinced the spell would work. I really did not expect you to disappear, though. Was that your doing, perhaps?”

  She continued to stare at him, unwilling to answer his taunts.

  “Not one for conversation?” he questioned. “No matter.” He moved closer to her. “I will tie you up to the post facing your husband. I would like him to have a clear view as I introduce my whip to your back.”

  She clenched her left hand and struck it against Lionel’s face forcefully, but the punch he returned to her was four times harder. She fell to the ground, her cheek burned.

  “You will die for that!” Kellus seethed.

  “I don’t think so,” Lionel answered. He smiled smugly at Kellus, then reached down and grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled her across the room. She screamed as hairs ripped from their roots. He pulled her into standing position by the opposite post. He looked back and forth between her and Kellus, rubbing his chin.

  After a moment, he spoke. “Perhaps you are right, Kellus. It would be a shame to ruin her perfect little body. She is such a lovely young thing.” Lionel let go of Annie’s hair and stared at her pensively. “Perhaps Annella would help me demonstrate what we expect you to do, Kellus.”

  “NO!” Kellus bellowed, agony flashing in his eyes.

  “But I’m sure I would enjoy feasting on her charms,” Lionel replied, smirking in Annie’s direction.

  “Do not touch her!” Kellus roared.

  “You are a rather selfish young man, aren’t you?” Lionel sneered. “Do you really expect to keep such a pretty young lover all to yourself?”

  Annie’s stomach lurch. She felt sure she would vomit from mind-boggling fear.

  “Do you mind if I discover for myself what Kellus finds so addicting, so alluring, beautiful Annella?” He reached out and ran his hand down her cheek.

  She recoiled from his touch, continuing to stare, unable to answer.

  “Lionel, kill me if you must, but leave her alone,” Kellus pleaded. “She has done nothing to you. It’s me, you want, let her go. If you still have one shred of decency, spare her.”

  “Ah, so very noble. Perhaps I will spare her,” Lionel replied. “But I’ll make no promises; let’s see how she pleases me first. In the meantime, I have grown rather fond of the idea of bedding this little beauty. Her breasts are quite perfect; I can hardly wait to taste them.”

  “LIONEL!” Kellus yelled. “Have you sunk so low that you would rape an innocent girl?”

  “Who said anything about rape, Kellus?” he answered indignantly, an insane look twisted on his face. “I’m sure this pretty little thing would enjoy the touch of a real man. I’m sure she’s had her fill of playing with little boys. What do you say, beautiful Annella?”

  She was stiff from terror. Her lips wouldn’t move even if she had wanted them to. Lionel was too far gone beyond insane to reason with.

  “I shall take the lack of response as an agreement,” Lionel announced. “You don’t want your pathetic husband to discover your real desires, do you? But we can’t have him accusing me of
rape, Annella, can we?”

  “I’ll do whatever you want,” Kellus announced desperately. “Anything, just don’t hurt her, please.”

  “Yes, you will do whatever I want,” Lionel agreed. “And then perhaps I will spare her life. But nothing you say will stop me from having her now.” Done with merely taunting, Lionel grabbed her around the waist violently and threw her onto the bed. “Watch and learn, Kellus,” he taunted before climbing on top of her.

  She heard the most tortured, agonized sob burst from Kellus.

  She struggled with every ounce of strength she could muster, kicking frantically, beating her arms wildly against Lionel—despite the pain in her right wrist—as he tore at the front of the uniform she wore.

  Somehow she managed to break out from under him.

  She ran to the wall, but Lionel was beside her in a second.

  He turned in Kellus’s direction once more. “Are you crying?” he asked with great amusement. “Are you sobbing like a little baby who can’t bear to watch another child play with his favorite toy?” He laughed out loud. “Well, this is just perfect. The handsome and self-assured Mr. Kir, the brave and witty Kellus, the first born of the wealthiest family in Vistira, is nothing more than a spoiled rotten, sniveling little boy, as I suspected.” He turned his look on Annie. “Do you see this pathetic child you married? This is what you have been forced to endure for a lover. Now tell me you wouldn’t enjoy the feel of a real man inside you for once?”

  Annie had had enough. She put the fingers of her uninjured hand on Lionel’s face and felt his skin tear under her nails.

  “You fucking whore!” he screamed. This time, his hand hit her already sore face with such force that her head snapped back, then flopped forward. Her tooth slid into her lip, slicing it opened. She saw stars behind her eyes momentarily. She felt her eyes sting, and a strange feeling of release in her nose before blood poured down her face and down the back of her throat—filling her mouth with a salty, metallic taste, causing her to gag.

  She struggled to breathe as Lionel grabbed her around the waist and began towing her back to the bed.

  She mopped at the fountain of blood that was covering her face, and wiped her eyes, instantly blinding herself. She continued to pull away from Lionel, but her will to fight was crumbling.

  She could hear Kellus desperately trying to free his hands, moaning fiercely.

  She wiped her eyes one last time, wanting nothing more than to see him, to tell him with her eyes that she was sorry for what was about to happen. But what she saw through her veiled sight gave her the strength to continue struggling.

  Markum rose slowly from the floor, unnoticed by Lionel who had his back to the opposite wall. He staggered forward, picked up the sword, and with one slash, he cut the ropes that bound Kellus’s hands.

  Kellus grabbed the sword and faced Lionel’s back. “Get your fucking filthy hands of my woman!” he demanded.

  Lionel turned to face Kellus. Quickly, his hand reached to his ankle, and within a split second, he had pulled a dagger and held it to Annie’s chin. “Drop the sword, Kellus,” he yelled. “I’m not ready to kill her just yet.”

  Kellus hesitated then let the sword fall from his hand. He saw no other way. The sword clattered against the stone floor.

  “Well done,” Lionel said quietly. “I haven’t had the chance to enjoy her yet. I don’t want to slit her throat at this moment. I don’t want to end her in the same manner I ended Loc—that rule abiding dimwit,” he said mockingly. “It seems that you left a purse, with some coins, in the dining room last Friday, Kellus. Loc ran after you to return your money, but you were already near Sarry Road in your father’s carriage. The fool ran after you, but when he reached the bank, he realized that he would not catch up.

  “It was then that he overheard two elderly women talking. One asked if that was Kellus Kir that had just passed. She expressed sympathy for the loss of your wife months ago. That’s when Loc heard the other lady explain that Mr. Wellum—that annoying fish monger—had been telling people that Annella was back. She had returned and claimed that she was taken against her will.”

  They listened to Lionel’s confession in silence.

  “I walked into Loc as he ran back to the Citadom in a hurry to relay the news to the Master. I convinced him to convey the story to me first. ‘It’s a lie, Loc, you must not repeat it. Think how it would wound poor Kellus if he heard such rumors.’ I told him. He only half obeyed me. He told no one but the Master. He was suspicious of my reasoning.”

  Markum stood next to Kellus and placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder.

  “Nordorum approached me later,” Lionel continued. “It was clear to me that he, too, was growing suspicious. I knew then that I would have to rid myself of both these threats. It was easy to convince Loc to drug your wine after I explained to him that poor Kellus had indeed heard the vicious rumors that his wife had returned from the dead. Loc was more than willing to ease your suffering. He was glad to slip what he thought was a mild sedative into your cup.”

  Lionel’s face glowered with malice. He held no semblance to a man of the Citadom; he had been overcome with his corrupt schemes.

  “I kept Nordorum alive, however. He had information that we needed, although, he is hidden somewhere no one will ever find him. He is most likely dead by now,” he shrugged his shoulders callously.

  “Nordorum’s alive,” Markum said tauntingly. “Annella knew of the secret passage. We found him hours ago. He’s resting in the hospital.”

  “Is that so?” Lionel said, turning to face her. “You are full of surprises, young lady.”

  At that moment, the door burst open.

  Danus stood with his sword facing Lionel. “Take that dagger away from the girl, you murderous demon!” he yelled.

  And then Lionel made a terrible mistake. He turned his body around to see who had entered the room, turning his back on Kellus and Markum.

  Kellus had less than a second to act. He picked up the sword, with both hands, and shoved the blade between Lionel’s shoulders.

  Lionel’s face registered the shock of his error, and then terror. He looked down to see the tip of a sword come through the front of his charcoal gray uniform. His eyes bulged. He opened his mouth to scream, but blood poured forth, rendering him silent, except for a repulsive gag. He moved as though to stand, but could not manage to balance. Slumping down, he took his final breath.

  Kellus continued to shove the blade forward. His jaw locked, his arms shook with bitter vengeance, causing Lionel’s corpse to vibrate violently.

  Annie screamed and leapt away.

  “Enough, brother!” Markum yelled, placing his hands over Kellus’s. He pried his brother’s hands from the hilt. “He’s dead, Kellus. Enough.”

  Kellus seemed to snap out of the murderous rage instantly. He turned towards Annie, and the blood drained from his face. He gripped the bedpost for support. “Oh, Annie,” he moaned.

  He was not the only one that stared at her in horror.

  Both Markum and Danus stood frozen in place, appalled by her appearance. She could only imagine what they were seeing. She was aware that her entire face and front of her hair was covered in blood, as was the front of the uniform.

  “It’s just a nosebleed,” she assured them. “I’m not badly injured.”

  “Are you sure?” Danus questioned.

  “My wrist may be broken, and my lip is badly cut, but other than that, it’s not as bad as it looks.”

  Kellus still stood frozen to the spot, glaring at her. After a long moment, he shook his head and walked forward. He gathered her into his arms but said nothing, too overcome with emotion.

  “What happened to the krogs?” Markum asked.

  “We downed two. The third ran off,” Danus answered.

  “And the woman?” Markum asked.

  “She’s not here,” Danus responded. “She ran from the house at the same time that you and Annella ran in. We witnessed her running
out the backdoor. She fled with the remaining krog on horseback.”

  “She got away?” Kellus said over Annie’s shoulder.

  “Tilidus and Borm have gone after them, but they had a fair start,” Danus answered. “Either way, we’ll have to find her. She can’t get away with the crimes she committed against you two.”

  “I’m sure she won’t be causing any more trouble,” Markum said. “She must know by now that the Citadom is aware of the truth, that she is a wanted woman.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Kellus mumbled.

  “Let’s get out of this fucking place,” Markum suggested with a look of disgust on his face.

  “There are a couple of horses in the barn. It’ll save us the long walk back,” Danus announced. “And, Kellus, I think you should grab a blanket; it’s cold outside.”

  “I’ll deal with the cold,” he answered. “I couldn’t bear to have my back covered at the moment.”

  The sun was beginning to rise over Vistira, and the cold morning air felt good on Annie’s sore face.

  Markum and Danus rode ahead. She sat tucked in front of Kellus, his left arm warm and protective around her waist. He spent the entire journey back pecking little kisses on her blood soaked hairline, and whispering ‘I love you’ softly into her ear repeatedly. She leaned back into him and felt her eyes begin to close.

  “What happened to her?” she heard a voice holler. She opened her eyes to see the peaceman Mandolis looking up at her from the ground. She was back in the courtyard of the Citadom, and the sun was shining down fully.

  “It was merely a bloody nose and cut lip. It looks worse than it is, but I fear her wrist is broken,” Kellus explained.

  Mandolis held out his hands to help her down. She eased herself off the horse and onto solid ground. “Thank you,” she whispered, groggy from sleep.

  Kellus jumped from the horse and turned to stroke the beast’s nose.

  “Kellus, your back!” Mandolis bellowed. “Heavens above, young man, what the hell happened to your back?”

  “I had a disagreement with Lionel. He didn’t like to be told ‘no’,” Kellus replied casually.

  “Where is the bastard?” Mandolis asked through locked teeth.