"Lieutenant, we are to follow after Lord Rose and Father Acaba," the acolyte's voice seemed calm, given the situation at hand.
"Indeed, Phillip will be within the front of the crowd." The elder Bordeaux looked towards me once he mentioned my father's name, "Penelope, Alphonse, let us make our way to him."
"Yes, sir." My suitor stiffened straight, posturing into a salute to his higher-ranking officer. I nodded, following their pursuit as they made a quick pace towards the back of the crowd to make our way through the sea of people.
All among us, citizens of every class were pushed together. They murmured amongst one another in worry. Perturbed and confused as anyone else who was not made aware of what was happening.
The only thing on my mind was finding my father amongst the masses. I reached forward to hold onto the hem of the jacket on the back of my companion's shoulders as to not be parted from him.
The long, deep droning of the familiar horn was heard. Many people stopped trying to usher around others to get a better vision of the balcony the head priest would step onto to make his announcement. Some even stepped onto the first several steps of the gallows within the center of the square for a height advantage.
Alphonse stopped walking forward, causing me to run absent-mindedly into him. "Oof!" I grunted, rubbing my sore nose while giving him a dirty stare. He pointed upwards at the now approaching figure of billowing white that made its way through the door of the balcony atop the Alabaster Temple.
Two trumpets blared, bringing all attention upwards towards the figure.
Father Acaba stood at the front railing, his arms wide and open without his hood sitting atop of his shaved head.
The alabaster cloth of his robes so heavy they did not sway or flow around the wind that blew. The bright gold and ruby embroidered silk tapestries on his own shoulders caught the light that garnered everyone's focus. An entourage of high-ranking officials stood behind him, including my father. He wasn't in the crowd after all.
"People of Orléa! We have called you all to the square in unfortunate circumstances." His gaze focused on nothing in particular as he glanced at everyone within the crowd. "Word has been brought to us from the village of Xadania! We have received news they have been breached as fae have been sighted inside their town."
A gasp in the crowd erupted, and a multitude of whispers. People shifted from foot to foot as they talked amongst their families or whoever was standing next to them.
I said nothing, only gulping as I waited.
Xadania was a few hours march from here, faster on horseback. Did fae ride horses? Or did they actually fly?
"My children, I must express the sorrows I hold for having to send our returned militia back out onto the fields. It is our duty to protect all those who cannot protect themselves and aid our brethren to the south. We will make sure there is no fae alive to make their way to our beloved city. Outposts will be set around the wall of our town, and every warrior will be put to their respective duty. Extreme diligence and security is important for all our safety."
There were several gasps, and the whispering grew louder and louder with Father Acaba's pause in speech. He turned his head to his advisors, saying something before facing us all once again.
"Silence, silence. Now. Please, return to your homes. Prayer will be conducted amongst yourselves within the privacy of your own homestead where you must stay until this is rectified. Rations will be brought to those who need it. Those who purchase passes will be exempt from this rule. Everyone, pray. Pray hard."
The loud angry sea of whispers turned into shouts. Not only of those people who were in fear of fae approaching our own city, but those angry about the immediate policy of staying within our homes.
I knew what it meant when he said only those who can afford passes to be exempt. It was those who could afford the luxury of being out of their homes for whatever reason. So, the poor would stay inside and suffer, unable to work, while the privileged could enjoy themselves.
"May Awul bless you all." Father Acaba's arms folded and cupped in front of him. His elbows extended to the side as he bowed, the sleeves folding over one another and onto the stonework he stood upon. After raising, he took a step back, standing postured and turned to walk back inside. The doors behind him swaying shut by themselves after his entourage followed him within.
My hands clung even tighter to Alphonse as the soon-to-be Templar turned to his father with furrowed brow. "Father, I want to come with you to Xadania." I could hear him shout over the sounds of the townsfolk herding out of the square and to their homes. Lieutenant Bordeaux turned on his heel and started walking, ignoring his son who followed with me trailing along.
The acolytes followed the Lieutenant as they made their way to the entrance of the Alabaster Temple. The two acolytes with us waved people out of our way as we walked. Guards kept the common folk from getting too close to the stairs as the massive doorway opened ajar. I recognized the flamboyant colors of my father's attire. I threw the cloth in my grasp away as I called out to him.
"Father!" I exclaimed, rushing up to him as I wrapped my arms around his wide belly in a firm embrace. His hands found purchase on my shoulders as he gave them a squeeze, then pushed me away to stare me in the eyes. He did not seem to be worried. It put me at ease to see him calm.
His lips were pinched together, but he forced a thin smile all the same. "Penelope, I will need you to head home right now. All right?" I blinked at his words, taken aback.
"But father, are you not coming with me?"
He looked towards the Lieutenant who approached him nodding, also calm despite the situation at hand. "I will be needed at the temple, at Father Acaba's side. My previous militia experience will be necessary for the placement of our guards."
"Surely there are others who can help?" I begged. He shook his head, his back turning to me. "No one has had more contact with fae than I and the elder members of our troops."
Not being able to fight against his logic, I folded my arms in reluctant agreement. Alphonse's father came closer, the metal on his armor making a sharp ting sound as his arms slapped against his side, his head raised.
"I intend to lead the men to Xadania, Phillip. We must discuss plans of attack with Father Acaba."
The acolytes next to him bowed to my father, "Lord Rose, you and Sir Enzo Bordeaux are important in our success with this mission. Allow us to escort you inside."
"Father, I wish to come with you to Xadania!" Alphonse stated again, inappropriate for a member of the militia of such a low rank. He seemed to realize it as he shut his mouth. The look of disapproval from his father and the surrounding priesthood making him fall silent.
"You will escort Penelope home, and do as you are told." Lieutenant Bordeaux's voice was anything but nice in his announcement.
"Please, I—"
"Take her home, that is an order!" He turned to his son as he screamed at him, his fists gripped in fury. Alphonse blinked. His face a stoic mask; a wall of duty.
He saluted with precision after being put in his place. Without a further word, the Lieutenant placed a hand on my father's shoulder as both walked towards the entrance of the Alabaster Temple. Leaving Alphonse and I alone.
5
We made our way to my home. I dared not to sneak a peek at his face even once during our walk amongst the herd of people also trying to get out of the streets and to their abodes. Only coldness would be found there.
He was so desperate to prove himself. Not only to his father, or to the church, or even to the townsfolk who would call him their hero. He wanted to prove it to himself. Prove that he might be something greater.
Although a young man of twenty-three, he never wanted to go about the typical channels that led to becoming a successful knight. He didn't want to do it like his father.
We knew he was destined for more than a lieutenant.
As we got to the iron gate that guarded the Rose manor, my home, I allowed myself to glance up to spy on how m
y friend was doing.
His jaw clenched, the muscle there tightening as his arm reached forward. He didn't hesitate in the slightest as he slammed his fist into the bars of the gate. He winced, his hardened eyes glinting with the pain that no doubt came shooting through his hands.
Again, and again he slammed his fist into the barricade, causing me to take a step back at his blatant display of anger. Once he withdrew himself and regained whatever bit of composure remained within, he sighed. The knuckles of his hands were surely bruised but were hidden beneath his leather gloves.
Oh, yes, he was mad.
"Alphonse," I whispered his name, moving closer to him as I brought my hands together, clasped and placed to my breast.
"How dare he think he can keep me here to run some foolish errands. Guard the walls or the tower. When will he let me take part in true action."
I could see the redness dancing across the apples of his cheek, over the bridge and tip of his nose. He rolled his shoulders back as he took in my visage of worry.
"This was an opportunity to show him I'm capable of more than that. Where does he get off telling me I can't defend my home?" I dared to get closer.
"He may be your father, but he is still your superior. You cannot overlap the two when it is time to follow orders."
His nostrils flared before his shoulders slumped, "I'm aware. I only want to show him I can be the Templar I'm to become. How will I do that unless I prove myself heroic to him? I'm willing to do anything to defend this city and the people within."
"By following orders. That's how. It may seem beneath you but believe in your father's decisions. If you gave him a little credit, you'd realize he didn't get to his station with luck alone."
As our gaze connected, my heart slowed. Anxiety leaving as he forced a smile for me. All I hoped for right now was that he would attempt to accept his disposition in this whole ordeal.
"Why are you always right?" He laughed.
I tapped him on the shoulder, "Because Awul has blessed me with the foresight of the EverAfter. Woe is me for such a wealth of knowledge. Woe is—ouch!" I jumped as Alphonse pinched my arm once more in the same spot as before. His favorite thing to do whenever I feigned haughtiness.
"Awul didn't bless you with the foresight to see that coming, did he?"
I rubbed my arm, "No. I guess he did not."
It was good to see at least a smidgen of happiness back upon his face. Although Alphonse was always caring, something else came over him when it involved something important. Whenever it came to battle or war and defending those he loved, that's when I could see the hero within him ready to come out.
He gave a flourish as he bowed and bid me farewell now that I was safe and sound at home. I stood outside the gate to watch him head out to wherever it was he would be assigned to stand guard.
I sighed, turning around to open the gate once he had disappeared into the crowd of people that buzzed to and fro with haste. More than likely he would be made to guard the walls, and I would be forced to hide within mine. I always wished I could learn more about what happened when fae came near. Sometimes I even wished someone like myself could join the militia.
There were only a handful of women who held up arms to protect Orléa. Those that joined were from families of commoners or peasants. They could only behest any drop of recognition for their families by joining the battle against the fae.
Even so, it was deemed undesirable for women to partake in violence, leaning to hold up arms.
The only fight I was ever to learn of were the sly battles of wit in court amongst other young women. The restraint to keep a hand to yourself and bite your tongue when some lovely lady is attempting to smear your name amongst those of class. You never wanted to cause unnecessary dramatics that would put a bad light on the rest of your family, right?
Remain calm. Fight your battles with intellect. Learn to read between the lines to see who was your friend and who wasn't. I rolled my eyes at the thought as I walked to the entrance of the manor.
I said to eat the blasted food!" Maria was shrieking as soon as I passed the foyer from the entryway, sauntering across the tiles that led over to the staircase. Once I heard the shouting, I didn't need to stop and think. I raced up the stairs, holding the layers of my skirts up as to not trip on them.
I slammed into my mother's room within seconds, spying the maidservant as she stood above my mother. Her tiny frame shaking as she kept her lips sucked into her mouth, staring up at the maid. Mother's hands were unable to stop quivering as she tilted her head this way and that to avoid the plum Maria was attempting to shove into her mouth.
"Stop this at once!" I shouted, my jaw clenching at the sight of such a thing. The servant turned towards me before standing from her hunched over position above my mother.
The fruit dropped to the floor and rolled across the wooden panels with widened eyes. "Miss Penelope ..."
"Tell me what has possessed you to treat the lady of this house in such a manner!" I stomped my foot, waiting for her to speak. She seemed stunned. I marched closer towards her, pointing at my mother, the look of clear fright smeared over her face. I could feel myself turning red from the heat of anger that swirled inside me. I would never allow anyone to do such a thing to my mother.
"Well?! Speak up, you witch!"
"I was doing as I was told! Your father wanted me to fetch her plums and feed her!" She stuttered yet dared to glare at me straight in the eye and defend what she was doing. I wouldn't allow that, not after she was attempting to force my mother to do something she didn't want. Not after seeing her laze about the house. Not after seeing her strange relationship with my father.
This was the last straw for me, the knot of anger in my stomach could no longer be held back as I raised my hand. Without another passing moment, I slapped her across the face. "Lord Rose is not here to protect you nor defend your honor, or lack thereof. " I was seething, my palm throbbing from the impact.
I brought my hand back to my side, gripping my dress to keep myself from striking her once more. Her eyes were crazed, and her fingers caressed her pale cheek in shock and dismay. I took a breath before speaking any further, "Don't you ever touch my mother in such a way. Never again. Awul help me, I will have you caned for such disrespect."
I had to take several more breaths before I turned on my heel to face my mother. Her eyes were alert with fear, still darting around in confusion as if unable to acknowledge what had been happening and what was going on around her.
I began to pet her hair, trying to calm her down, "I'm sure you'll have plenty to tell father whenever he returns home. Wait for him and get out of here, the sight of you repulses me."
I heard her footsteps as she began to scurry out of the room and into the hallway to escape to her hole. As my mother began to stop acting crazed and relax herself, I began to feel a bit horrid.
Restraint to keep a hand to yourself and bite your tongue.
Remain calm. Fight your battles with intellect.
I never want to act in such a manner, so hateful and enraged that I can't control myself and my composure. I had not acted like a lady just then, but I would do anything to protect my mother. She was the last thread of innocence that remained in my life.
Mother's hands stopped gripping tight to her sheets, the white in her knuckles gaining color again as she loosened her hold. I stroked her arm to calm her further, "It's alright, I'm here."
I gave my mother a small smile, still petting her hair as realization came over me. My father would have my hide, no doubt about that. Maria was such a witch. How I wished he would get rid of her.
I forced myself to focus on my mother, not on the repercussions of my actions.
"Mother, I'm so sorry I wasn't here," I whispered as I leaned closer to her, wrapping my arms around her, and pressing my face against her shoulder as I changed the subject to something happier. "Can you guess who I saw today?" I pulled back as she peered up at me in question.
"Alp
honse. He's becoming such a fine man. He's doing so well in the militia, he wants to become a Templar. It suits him."
She blinked a few times before a smile formed, tugging at the sides of her chapped lips. I pushed some hair from her face as I scooted myself forward. It was now I who held her as I laid my head upon her chest like she did when I was a girl.
The sounds of her breathing slowed as her calmed heart beat soothed me as well.
As we both laid there, I looked up to see my mother's eyes closed, the poor woman had already fallen asleep. It was too much energy for her to handle with all the yelling. I decided I'd lie there a little longer, at least. My own lids beginning to slide shut. I'd stay and make sure Maria didn't return for a while, at least.
6
I awoke with a sharp pain in my lower back. I stifled a yelp into the duvet of my mother's satin bedding, my face contorting into a pained cringe. I rubbed my eyes and rolled my shoulders as I sat up, stretching my back out. A numbness in my legs crept up my feet towards my thighs from a prolonged awkward position.
I looked around, recalling that I had fallen asleep by my mother. Her soft snoring letting me know she was still well within the depths of slumber.
Attempting to not cause much noise, I slinked from her bed and snuck out the room. The pins and needle feeling in my feet forcing me to move awkwardly as I walked out. The door now shut behind me, I paced down the long hallway and towards my bedroom. That's when a quiet whine and a rumbling coming from within me pulling me from a sleepy haze. I placed a hand to my stomach, realizing I hadn't had dinner.
How embarrassing.
I was rather hungry and figured I would head to the kitchen to find a snack. After patting my stomach, I realized many of the candles had been put out, and it being so late at night I'd have to be careful in the darkness.
Taken by Fae (Humans vs Fae Book 1) Page 3
