“You could become Queen,” Catherine said low, forcing Scarlet to think about it, but only for a second before she grabbed Catherine’s arms in the darkness.
“I don’t want it, cousin. I know it seems like I do, but seriously, I would just burn down the castle in one of my fits, and I’m no good with people. You were right…I still need to grow up.”
“Scarlet, I –“
“No, listen to me for once,” Scarlet laughed nervously. “Because I might not get to say this later…when Lem died, I stopped growing. Not in height, but in becoming a person. Most people learn how to harness their emotions, accomplish things, get married, stuff like that. But not me. I just wanted to kill my former best friend, Chloe.”
“Scarlet, you would never –“
“No, I would,” Scarlet assured her. “I definitely would. And if she were still alive, I still might. You don’t understand what people do to themselves; force themselves to believe just to keep on living. I lived to kill that green dress-wearing bimbo, for breaking my brother’s heart and forcing him into suicide. Now, you could say he’s the one to blame, or I am for holding the grudge. Whatever. What I’m trying to tell you is that people create their own little worlds, full of its own rules and beliefs, and they refuse to interact with the real one. And it’s not because anything’s right or wrong, or one person’s crazy and the other’s sane. None of that. It’s just the way it is. So talking about sacrifice and martyrdom to prove a point and standing for a cause sounds noble and all, but it’s not. You just end up dead. Catherine, you’ll do a lot more good living. Do what it takes to live, and promote the goodness that you so strongly believe in.”
“So what are you saying? If it comes to the point that the Langorans desire blood for their loss…I should just offer up you or Kyran?”
“No, not me or Kyran. Me. Just me.”
“No.”
“Stop being a child. I’m not saying it’s going to happen. Who knows? The Langorans could march us before the people and thank us for getting rid of their tyrant. Stranger things have happened. But we need a contingency plan, and I’m saying that it should be me.”
“I won’t do that,” Catherine said, taking Scarlet’s hands off her shoulders. “I won’t.”
“You don’t have a choice. You know I’m the right choice. Kyran’s too valuable to lose, and he has a better shot at getting to Thorn than anyone. I’m the expendable one. Just promise me you’ll go through with it if necessary.”
Catherine reached out and caressed her cousin’s face, stopping in shock as she felt a tear fall onto her finger. Scarlet didn’t say another word. She only bowed her head and reached out to press her own hand to Catherine’s cheek. The Princess sighed.
“Okay,” she muttered. “If I have to…but it won’t come to that…”
“Of course not,” Scarlet said, patting her cousin’s cheek lightly. “Why would it?”
“They’re coming for us,” Kyran said from somewhere in the darkness. “Be ready.”
“Thank you, Kyran,” Catherine replied as they all stood to their feet. “Tell me, do you still have the stones?”
“No,” he said. “They took them from me while I was unconscious.”
“That’s fine,” Catherine said. “They’ll turn up.”
“How optimistic…are there any orders for us when we go out?”
“Just let me speak. Fight back only if I say so.”
“Understood.”
A wall was shimmied over to the right and light flooded into the room, blinding them all. Through her squinting eyes, Catherine noticed that there were two rows of guards at each end of a long corridor leading out of their prison. There had to be hundreds of them.
“They certainly haven’t underestimated us,” Scarlet laughed as she willingly stepped forward.
“HEY! THESE SAGES ARE FREE!” a guard shouted as Scarlet rolled her eyes and extended her wrists out. The guard in front of her quickly cuffed her with a fresh pair of chains and two others hesitantly bound Catherine and Kyran.
“Come with us,” the Captain ordered from beyond the door. “The King will see you now. Guards! Make sure you keep a close watch!”
“Let’s go,” Catherine said as they were willingly escorted out the prison and along the corridor by the captain of the guard. The guards on the side watched with swords poised as the prisoners passed by, keeping their heads facing forward but still watching out for any over-zealous Langorans that decided to kill them prematurely. As they reached the end of the tunnel, the light met their faces like a breath of fresh air, making them feel relaxed and uneasy all at once. They had been led from an underground access tunnel under the city to the large, cylindrical arena where Dominic and James had once fought. Rebuilt with new stadium bleachers and gold chain link fences, the people booed and harassed their prisoners from above, spitting and gnashing their teeth. It was obvious…the people wanted blood, and Catherine couldn’t help but think of how the situation reminded her of Quietus…
“Are we just going to be executed right here?” Scarlet asked. “Or do we get a trial?”
“Just be patient,” Catherine replied as she searched the crowd for the King. It wasn’t until she strained her head to the top of the structure that she saw a small throne sitting high in the sky, far away from danger. It stood on a makeshift tower of wood and steel nails that Scarlet scoffed at as soon as she saw it.
“Do they even remember my Sage abilities at all?”
“That’s not what they need to hear right now!” Catherine whispered as the King rose from his seat. He was a lot younger than she expected. A middle-aged man with a red beard and a full head of curly hair. He wore massive robes, layered on top of each other, and he adorned himself with several gold rings and necklaces of diamond. Unlike the last King, he lived up to the Langoran name, lavishing himself in jewelry, fine clothing and extravagant garb. The King waved his hands in the air and the people quieted as they smiled down at the prisoners, waiting for the proverbial hammer to be struck down upon them.
“Welcome, Princess…Sages…” the King said, with an obvious disdain in his voice. “My name is Zain. I would say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but…we all know that’s not true.”
“May I speak on our behalf?” Catherine yelled upwards and the King scoffed.
“About what? The last time we allowed you such a privilege, our Kingdom was cast into chaos. Do you honestly think we could be persuaded by anything you could say?”
“Allow me to try.”
“Go ahead,” Zain chuckled to the people’s disappointment. They began murmuring but the King sat back down in his throne and threw up another hand for silence. Catherine stared down at the chains around her wrists and then at the people around her. Kyran and Scarlet remained still as she cleared her throat.
“I’m sure you’ve caught wind by now that Prattle has been pretty much destroyed. I can tell you that while I was there, it was as an ally. My Sages and I joined arms with the Prattlians as they were attacked by a tyrant named Thorn - the King of Zen-echelon. We were able to save a number of their people, but barely. That King…when he was finished, also attacked Quietus, and soon, he’ll show up here. The only way we have any hope of defeating him is to join forces.”
“Nice,” Zain chuckled. “A wonderful horror story. I especially enjoy the part where you say that the people you massacred should come to your aid. That was the richest part.”
“Everything I say is true.”
“It doesn’t matter. From what I’m hearing, after this Thorn is done with us, he’ll go to Allay, am I correct?”
“Yes,” Catherine said suspiciously. “Because he wants to kill us all. He’s taking our souls and –“
“- that will be enough,” Zain said, standing to attention. “If your story is true, then I have no intention of putting a stop to this Thorn’s plans. The fact that he’ll visit Allay and carry out vengeance on our behalf is good enough for me. We were already planning an attack on you
r Kingdom when you just happened to arrive on our doorstep.”
“But your people –“
“ – will be fine. The Kingdom was already in much need of renovation, with all the gaudy décor and outdated structures. Thorn will act as our demolition crew while we retreat to our massive network under the ground. If any lives are lost, it will be the fault of the individual for remaining outside under such devastation.”
“Zain, that won’t –“
“- KING ZAIN!” he shouted. Catherine narrowed her eyes.
“King Zain…”she started over. “Thorn wants lives, not just structures. He killed most of the Prattlian population, and the only reason the others escaped is because they retreated to secret bunkers. We suspect that Thorn may have not known about them and that’s why they’re still alive today. But the Langorans are known for the underground network. Do you think he hasn’t thought about this? No doubt he’ll have a strategy in place for it.”
“Very scary,” Zain replied. “But we’ll take our chances – if this is true at all. But you know what? It doesn’t matter for you. Either way, you will be punished for your crimes. Good intentions or otherwise, you must pay for the Langoran lives you’ve taken.”
“Then let me make a humble request,” Catherine said, holding back her anger. “If I offer my life willingly, without resistance…will you consider our debt paid and full? Although you’ve lost many of your citizens, the worst that occurred was the loss of your leadership. With my death…the Kingdom of Allay will be in disarray. They are not as organized as you are. All I ask is that you leave my people alone to fend for themselves.”
“Seriously?” Zain scoffed. “You would give your life for a truce? Why? Why wouldn’t you attack us all right now while you have the chance?”
“Because I’m tired of fighting against the people that are not my enemy,” Catherine replied. Zain chuckled within himself and considered her words while the Langorans began loudly discussing the possibilities of the outcome, throwing out wagers and exchanging gold.
“Catherine…” Scarlet whispered. “Maybe we should break away…”
“I know this is hard,” Catherine replied. “To stay here like this…but listen, Zain had it in his mind all along that we were to die. That’s why they chose this arena. I’m not sure what traps they have in place, but he would have killed us all the moment we broke our chains – I’m sure of it.”
“She’s right,” Kyran muttered. “There are thousands of Langorans hiding under the ring, not to mention Zain probably has the stone in his possession now. If he is has a carrier, he could destroy us easily in such a narrow space. But even if he doesn’t, he can still keep us at bay while his guards skewer us. We would have to kill most of the Kingdom to escape, including the young King.”
“Something I’m trying very hard to avoid,” Catherine said. “By offering myself up, we’re at least putting the blood on his hands, even in the eyes of his people. No matter how evil they see us, their minds won’t be able to comprehend such a noble gesture. No one offers themselves up for sacrifice…not without motive.”
“You’re talking like it’s all a ploy to buy time,” Scarlet said. “But you can’t fool me, cousin. If you even half-believe that Zain is truthful and will leave Allay alone, you’ll do it. Won’t you?”
Catherine refused to look at her directly.
“Just wait for my word,” she replied as Scarlet shook her head. The murmuring began to subside as Zain stepped up from his throne after careful consideration. He waved for all to be quiet and then smiled as he looked at the Allayans one at a time.
“I accept your proposal,” he said with a grin. “Your life, for those of your people.”
“You will leave my Kingdom alone?”
“Yes. Before my people, I swear this.”
“And you will let my two Sages here go?”
“They will receive a beating for their crimes, but as long as they don’t struggle and accept it. As long as they don’t fight back…yes, I promise to cast them outside our walls, clinging to life…but not dead.”
“Then…” Catherine thought carefully. “If you are a man of word, I accept these –“
“HOLD IT!” Scarlet shouted, making the whole arena nervous. The Langorans remembered her particularly well. “This has gone far enough!”
“Scarlet!” Catherine snapped but Scarlet didn’t respond, pivoting quickly to the side and punching the Princess in the mouth with both chained fists. Catherine fell to the ring floor hard and winced as Kyran went to help her to her feet.
“King Zain,” Scarlet addressed him. “No offense to my Princess and future Queen, but she’s a little naïve and too good-natured for this arena. She means well, but she knows nothing of how the world actually operates. It’s one of her strengths, but also a weakness. Your Majesty, this is ridiculous. I know that you won’t leave Allay alone. I wouldn’t. And I know more than anyone the need to carry out your revenge, so I wouldn’t dare take that away from you. What I can’t stand, is watching as Catherine throws her life away when she didn’t even know what we, the Sages, did behind her back. I’m the one who ordered the hit on your King and Queen. I’m the one who slaughtered your people and relished in it, watched as their flesh singed from the fires of my blade. And to this day, I’m still not sorry. I did what I thought was right. Still…even a monster like me has a heart.”
“So what are you saying?” Zain asked curiously.
“I’m saying that I’ll let you have your vengeance on Allay and me, the one you really want. But let Catherine and Kyran go, unharmed. That’s it. You do this, and you have me without a fight. Otherwise, I’ll turn the Kingdom of Languor into a new sun with my fire, including the inconspicuous men you have at the ready under our feet.”
“I can understand why Catherine would sacrifice herself,” he said. “But why you?”
“Because if I’m going to die…I want to go out doing something right,” Scarlet admitted. “Maybe…I can atone a little for what I’ve done…maybe I’ll even get to see Paradise for a second before I’m cast down to Oblivion…let’s just say I’m tired of staining my soul. Ever since the one I wanted revenge on was killed, without my involvement I might add…I’ve lost all purpose. At least by saving Catherine’s life, I can do something worthwhile…”
“And you claim these two had no part in Languor’s destruction?”
“Why would I lie to you?” Scarlet snapped. “I said no. Just look at them. Kyran’s so skinny he can barely snap a twig in two with his flimsy muscles, and Catherine’s as doe-eyed as they come.”
Kyran glared at her as Catherine held back her tongue.
“You won’t be killed right away,” Zain replied ominously. “We will have our way with you…and we are still going to attack Allay.”
“I don’t care what you do with me. Just leave these two out of our business. Let them dream a little while longer.”
“Well then, Scarlet, we have a deal. Say your brief good-byes and then I’ll have the Captain escort your friends outside the Kingdom. You stay where you are the entire time. Furthermore, if they come back to save you…I can’t promise their good health.”
“I understand,” Scarlet said, looking to them. “They won’t.”
“Then we’ll give you a couple minutes.”
Catherine leapt into Scarlet’s arms and hugged her tight as she began sobbing into her hair. Kyran stood by and watched with no emotion as his eyes darted back and forth, accessing the area.
“I have to do this,” Scarlet whispered into her cousin’s ear. “I can’t be Queen, and Allay needs you. They have a chance with you there. Just promise me something. No more sacrificing yourself. Please. Otherwise I swear I’ll come back to haunt you.”
“I want you by my side,” Catherine sobbed. “We can still go out fighting.”
“No. No…I’m tired of fighting,” Scarlet laughed. “I’m just a body going through the motions at this point. Don’t worry about me. Save our people a
nd let me make things right.”
“Okay,” Catherine whispered as she gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I love you, cousin.”
“Whatever, punk,” Scarlet chuckled, trying to hold back her tears. As Catherine backed away, Scarlet glanced over to Kyran and stretched out her hands toward him.
“No good-bye hug?”
“Not my thing,” Kyran said flatly as Scarlet dropped her arms in disappointment.
“Well, farewell then,” she smiled. “And for what it’s worth, it was actually tolerable getting to know you these past couple of days. You’re not as bad as I thought.”
“Same,” Kyran replied, again with no emotion. He extended a hand out suddenly. “No hard feelings,” he said. Scarlet snickered and then grabbed his hand and shook it firmly.
“Thank you, black cat,” she said slyly as Kyran wretched his hand away.
“Just die already,” he muttered, turning to walk away. Scarlet laughed and then looked up at the King of Languor.
“Alright, I’m ready,” she declared. “Bring out the executioner.”
“With pleasure,” Zain said as he waved a finger in the air. The Captain grabbed Catherine and held her back as two more guards apprehended Kyran.
“Just a precaution,” the Captain whispered as Scarlet stood firm in the middle of the ring. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath when suddenly a hole the size of a sewer grate opened up like a mini sinkhole near the King’s tower. A low rumble was heard from underneath as the King leaned forward in anticipation.
“Hold her,” he ordered two guards nearby who ran forward and kicked at the back of her knees. One of them clutched her hair back tightly, exposing her naked neck. “I’ve changed my mind about the torture. After all, we do have a Kingdom to siege. Your head will have to satisfy the masses for now.”
“Just keep your promise,” Scarlet grunted as she glared at the guard yanking her hair. The King and the crowd looked towards the hole and waited for the executioner to rise but there was only silence. After a few seconds, the King frowned, leaned forward and pointed towards it.
Hail to the Queen (Sage Trilogy, Book 3) Page 21
