Bound by Roses (The Bound Series Book 1)

by Jonathan Lazar

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  Dawn approached.

  The dead were counted.

  Repairs to the Outer Wall began without a moment to waste.

  Saledii paced back and forth upon the bell towers balcony. Delicate snow-white slip blew in the crisp morning air. She over-looked all of her precious decayed city. Pyres burned just outside the city walls. Bodies of dead Wolves stacked. Saledii watched the smoke from the pyres rise high into the sky. Their flames, reached past the top of the Wall. The way the Winds blew, she could smell the flame, and the death.

  Saledii was tired.

  Soldiers were tired.

  Zhan’ding was tired.

  This was the fifth night in which Wolves encroached.

  Every night they did more damage to the wall. Every night more Zhan’ding soldiers died. They could not keep this up. She could not keep this up. She looked and saw the Beacon. She thought of calling for aide. The thought disgusted her. Saledii cursed the beacon with a spit.

  A Wind blew. The sweet scents from the far away city of Ashok Orai reached her nostrils. Eyes glistened at the memories of baked pastries from market. Her mouth watered. Her stomach grumbled loudly in her ears. She had not eaten since yesterday afternoon, having skipped evening meal to be alone. Which was how she spent her time most nights since her father’s passing.

  She imagined biting into a warm pastry topped with clotted cream and fresh berries. Or a soft puff fresh from the oven and filled with Ashok Orai sweet cheese. She thought of Marguerite with her, and of sitting upon the fountain and sharing them. She longed to feel the cold refreshing mist spray her face. Saledii longed to frolic in them. To splash as the summer’s heat increased. She gritted her teeth for Zhan’ding’s fountains have been out of use for over two years. She wished to throw a coin into the fountains and make a wish. To undo all that had been done.

  The Winds changed. Ashok Orai disappeared from her nose. She inhaled the astringent burning fat of dead beasts and sulfuric fire once more. Saledii spat and cursed at the Winds.

  She spat at all the shining city of Ashok Orai represented, and all that the White Rose throne took for granted. All her city sacrificed to keep them safe, to keep Snow White safe. All she had lost gaining the Red Rose throne. She thought to end it all, to jump, to fall into the ever strong and extended arms of Gozran.

  The thoughts passed but did not disappear as her Captain of the Guard joined her. A scroll still wet with ink clutched within his hands. Fingers stained with the black ink. He was as tired as she. Armor splattered with blood.

  “Lady Red,” the Captain’s voice was weak and horse from barking orders throughout the night.

  “Report!” Saledii did not look at him; she merely concentrated her pumpkin eyes upon the horizon. She ignored as her stomach rumbled louder in her ears. It hurt, but she would eat when they were through.

  “We have eleven more dead after last nights attack. Our arrow supplies are growing thin, eight more bows broke, swords are beginning to dull and chip. We managed to hold off the Wolves, but it is becoming increasingly more difficult.”

  “I know Captain. But it is our duty to protect the realm from those foul beasts!” Saledii reminded him as she stared off, “Even though they have brought the fight to our doorsteps.”

  “A fight we were not ready to wage,” the Captain rolled the scroll up.

  “I did not ask for your political advice, Captain. Is that all?”

  The Captain cleared his throat, “No, Lady Red.” His hands behind his back, “We have captured another alive.”

  “What?” Saledii’s interest in the horizon was lost as the Captain’s words reached her ears. She turned, single hand upon the balcony, “Alive?”

  “Injured, but alive,” the Captain stated.

  “Bring me to him. Now!” Saledii removed herself from the balcony and followed the Captain down to the palace’s main chamber. There the arrow ridden Wolf bled, and breathed heavily. It merely tried to laugh as Saledii approached. The creatures voice was as broken as its body was, “Ah, Lady—Red.”

  “Why do you laugh? You are in no position,” Saledii knelt down before the injured creature.

  “I laugh at your futile attempts to stop us. I laugh at your futile attempts to protect this corner of the realm,” the Wolf coughed up blood as it talked. Saledii crept closer to the Wolf and extended a hand, “You touch me with your disgusting hand, and I will make sure—it is a lesson— you—won’t soon forget!”

  The Wolf snarled. Saledii with a grin and swift movement, she had her hand wrapped around the beast’s throat. Blood trailed down her hand from an arrow’s wound that opened again. She squeezed tightly and rose. Bringing with her the creature. Limbs dangled inches off the ground. Blood sprinkled from the beat like the spring rains that would blanket the countryside, “Why do you attack our city relentlessly?”

  The Wolf attempted to laugh, but Saledii squeezed tighter, “retribution for what you did to us!”

  “That cannot be all,” Saledii dangled the Wolf higher. Blood dripped. Crimson pools formed upon the white marble, own hand red.

  “There is more,” the beast coughed and tried to inhale deeply. It merely laughed and tried to lick his bloodied lips. The beast closed its eyes and would not answer. Saledii dropped the Wolf to the ground and shook blood off her hands. He cackled. More blood coughed up. Saledii snapped her fingers. A handmaiden appeared besides her already removing the blood away.

  She looked down upon the bloody creature, “Return to your Clan. Inform them that if they wish to enter the city, they will be diplomatic regarding it!”

  The Wolf choked upon his blood, “We are more than a single Clan.”

  “Then return to your Clans. Gather and return with representatives, in Human guise to speak to me!” Saledii demanded of the Wolf.

  “But the moon… is not yet… full,” the Wolf howled.

  “You have my conditions. Now go!” Saledii barked.

  She waved her hand, and her soldiers drug the Wolf as far as the city entrance where they let the creature free. With great difficulty, the injured creature sprinted towards the forests that surrounded the dying city.

  “Is that wise, Lady Red? Diplomats?” The Captain spoke privately to Saledii in a hushed tone.

  “It is always better to be diplomatic, then have more of our people die by their teeth and claws,” Saledii returned inside the palace to remove the blood of the Wolf from her skin and clothing.

  “With all due respect, Lady Red, diplomatic? After what we did?” The Captain recanted of their attempt with calling the moon.

  “What we did, was for the realm. This is for Zhan’ding,” Saledii walked away. The Captain tried to follow, but she threw a hand in the air, “I need no company today, Captain. Find yourself another whore, or see to the daily repairs.”

  And with that, the Captain turned and oversaw that the daily repairs were underway to the Outer Wall.

  The days went on as usual for the dying city. The Outer Wall was repaired with resources from crumbling houses. New weapons crafted from supplies brought in from the few traders that braved the journey to the city. The one thing that changed, the Wolves stopped their nightly attacks.

  For three days, no attacks came. For three days Zhan’ding crafted new weapons. For three days the soldiers fortified the wall. For three days, the city enjoyed peace. Peace for the first time in months. The entire city slept well.

  Except for Saledii.

  She waited for a reply from the Wolves.

  Three days more passed without word or incident.

  It was on the seventh day when they appeared upon the horizon. Creatures hooded, who slowly hobbled their way towards the city. Saledii allowed the creatures safe passage into the city. She ordered the path to the palace cleared. All windows bared shut and all citizens into their homes, all under the threat of treason. The creatures hobbled through silent, empty streets to the palace. Where she sat waiting.

  The
Wolf Envoy, three in number were hunched terribly and wrapped in robes of the vilest hues. The stench of death and decay rose off them as they entered. Before Saledii and her Ministers, they remained hooded. Underneath the darkness their eyes glowed as they took in the sight and smell that was Saledii Red. They each hobbled awkwardly with thick branches, fresh from the forest, clutched into their deformed fingers. All three canes still fresh with leaves. One looking of a club pulled from the very earth, for its vines were snapped, and still covered in dirt.

  Saledii straightened in her throne looking upon them, “Welcome, honored guests to Zhan’ding. Would you care to join me in the War Room?” Saledii motioned her hand to a side door. The Ministers that blocked the door, parted as a wave upon the shore.

  “We walk no further!” The center delegate growled his branch tapped the ground twice. The leaves rustled as if the winds blew threw them.

  “Very well. I do imagine your journey was arduous,” Saledii chuckled into her hand, while the Minister’s chuckled to themselves.

  “Do not speak of arduous journeys when one has not undertaken one,” another delegate barked. Those gathered grew silent and still.

  “Everyone, please leave me alone with our, most honored guests,” Saledii cleared her throat and tilted her head slightly. The Ministers refused to leave the throne room and Saledii’s personal handmaiden; Umma merely approached her side closer.

  “Lady Red?” Umma’s voice was low.

  “I have asked to be alone with our guests! Do not make me say it thrice!” Saledii’s voice boomed within the massive room. She rose slightly from her throne. The Ministers grumbled away.

  “But—” Umma tried to argue.

  Saledii put both hands upon Umma’s cheeks and caressed with her thumbs, “What I do, I do alone. Responsibility and burden mine. Now go.”

  Saledii kissed the air before she flicked her hand without looking at the young girl. Without another word, Umma left the throne room. Her head low, hands clasped before her.

  The envoy waited until the final door closed and clicked before they limped forward. Their hands twisted horribly. One’s foot as it was extended out, covered in fur, a cross between a paw and foot. It looked painful for it to have pressure put on it.

  “When I asked for representatives of your Clans, I specifically informed you to wear Human guise, as not to arouse suspicion!” Lady Red barked out, her attention turned towards the hybrids before her.

  “Lunalesca is not yet full, dear Lady Red. It is difficult at best. To take the form you asked,” the second growled.

  “We waited as long as we could as she grew,” a second said, “As we are not as talented in the art of ancient magic, like yourself.”

  “I would not say we ourselves are talented in magic,” Saledii enjoyed listening to them speak of her accomplishments.

  The last of the envoy that was the most hunched raised his head, but not his body. Saledii could barely stand to look at the creature, “We do not need to remain here listening to this Human, who wished to see us!”

  Saledii chuckled softly as she could at the three before her. The one who spoke last showed his yellowed, sharp teeth and the bastardization that was once his snout, but now a half human nose. His neck low and extended out, fur was bloody along the muscles that throbbed with each word spoken. Veins blue and bright. He looked in immense pain.

  “My eternal forgiveness,” Saledii rose and bowed, “I am but your most humble servant in these matters.”

  “Why have you asked for this meeting?” The first spoke calmly, gripping his cane before him. Leaning heavily upon it. Saledii stopped her bow and regained her composure upon her throne before she questioned them,

  “Your Clan’s have besieged Zhan’ding relentlessly. What do you hope to accomplish?”

  None of the Wolves spoke. They did not look upon each other. Their gaze remained steadfast forward, but they did not look at Saledii either.

  The de-facto leader in his ragged red robes adjusted his hand awkwardly around his crude wooden cane. The joints of his fingers bulbous, only a single finger was long, slender, and human like. The remaining four fused into a single paw. Covered in coarse black fur.

  “Your silence does not denote innocence. Word has reached my ears you are searching. Tell me what you are searching for?”

  The second grumbled low, beady eyes shot to his comrades, “That wretched beast should have died.”

  “Had he died, you would not be here,” Saledii winked. None of the Wolves spoke, “Now. Why do you relentlessly attack?”

  “Relics!” The third, in his dirty blue robes barked without wasting a breath, his voice easily over powered Saledii’s.

  “Beast!” The second barked, but did nothing, for to move would have been too painful. To attack would have expended too much energy that the creature did not possess.

  Saledii leaned forward, “Relics?”

  “Relics of a by-gone Age,” the third howled again. The putrid creature adjusted and twisted his neck, which cracked loudly.

  “What do you believe we have to offer?” Saledii readjusted herself.

  The red draped envoy took a limp forward, showing his limb caught between a Wolves leg and Human arm. It was short, thick patches of wiry fur missing, flesh wet and raw. “Your dying city of Zhan’ding, of the once powerful House of Red, houses that which is sought.”

  “Zhan’ding holds many secrets,” Saledii pried.

  “There is no more you need to know,” the one in red spoke in a huff.

  Saledii stood, adjusted her sunset gold gown before the envoy, “then I shall make it easier for you, my dear friends.”

  “What do you offer?”

  “I shall give you access to my city, for a single night.”

  The third stepped forward, “State your terms, Human.”

  “You will be as covert as possible, with the smallest force you can muster. Harm Soldiers alone.”

  “And the palace?” The first asked.

  “You will be guaranteed access to the palace naturally.” Saledii bowed her head in compliance before sitting.

  “Is that all?” The third grinned wide, his yellowed teeth glistening. Glistening strands of drool dripped from his in-turned lip.

  “Once you have finished, you will leave Zhan’ding. You will inform every Clan loyal to you, and every Clan that is not, that Zhan’ding has no value and will be left alone for all time. And in turn, we you.”

  The Second, draped in the vilest and stale blue, hands the most human, folded them before his stomach. The second who had not spoken much, but merely watched the events unfold spoke in a low, growly voice, “You are so willing to betray not only your city and its people. But all the realm?”

  Saledii rose and laughed at the envoy. As powerful and fearful and disgusting as they were, they shrunk back in fear of her chilling laughter. A cackle that seemed to never end as it echoed, “Zhan’ding does not betray the realm! The realm betrayed Zhan’ding! Snow White and her abandonment of the House of Red, has led to this moment! If anyone has betrayed the realm it is she. And it is on her, that the blood of this city will reside! Do we have an understanding?”

  All three of the envoy bowed slowly to Saledii. One by one they each responded, yes.

  Saledii sat back down upon her throne; she readjusted her simple gown and crossed her legs before she raised three fingers into the air. Upon her middle finger, a manly bronze ring blazed in the torchlight.

  “In three nights time, you will enter by a nearly invisible passage to the East,” Saledii’s finger now pointed to the direction in which she spoke, “From there you shall arrive, and from there you shall leave.”

  The Wolves bowed low as they could as Saledii finished speaking.

  Before they could rise, a snap of her fingers echoed in the empty silence. Ministers flooded the throne room again. Three soldiers were tasked with seeing the envoy safely out of the city.

  Saledii pulled her Captain close to her once the envoy o
f Wolves were out of the throne room, “those soldiers are to be silenced and prevented from saying a word to anyone. Understood?”

  With a nod and removal of his sword, the Captain signaled two of his most loyal soldiers to follow him; they too removed their swords. None of the three that exited said a word.

  A Minister approached Saledii, his robes billowed around his plump frame, “This—this was most uncalled for, Lady Red.”

  Minister Haan approached finger pointed sharp, “I quite agree. Your father, Lord—”

  “My father is not in charge. My father died protecting this city. He died protecting this Realm. It then comes to me, to do what I must,” Saledii bellowed, hands gripped the arms of her chair so tight her knuckles grew pale. Nails dug into the old wooden throne. Her pumpkin eyes stared at no one, but all at the same time.

  “He would have never conducted private meetings!” Minister Emmae’s high caring voice bellowed out.

  “With our enemies no less,” Minister Ephice declared, arms flailed about wildly and without end.

  “The Ministers are right,” Saledii’s handmaiden spoke, her head low, “we do not need to do this alone. We can—”

  Saledii sent her hand flying across the cheek of her handmaiden. She left a slight imprint of her ring. The stone sliced at the girl’s face, “Know your place, Umma!”

  Holding her bright red cheek, head low Umma spoke, “forgive me.”

  “The House of Red has never asked for help! I will not be the coward to break!” Saledii rose tall. Those present cowered just as the Wolves had done at her voice, “Leave me be!”

  Discussion was over from the Ministers as they fled out of the room as wild animals spooked in the wild. A few prayed, though they knew not why. Saledii sat strong upon her throne, but was ready to cry upon its arm. Umma with handprint still very visible upon her cheek remained behind after the Ministers had left.

  “I do not need to be consoled at this time. I wish to be alone. Alone with my thoughts and of my actions,” Umma backed away in silent understanding at Lady Red’s demand.

  Saledii was left alone with her thoughts upon the throne.