Crowned A Traitor: A Hellish Fairytale

by Kate Callaghan

  “You played straight into Abadan’s hands,” Lilith scolded opening the cell door with a wrenching screech. They travelled up the dungeon path when Lilith paused to check the way was clear. Klara saw a flicker of a shadow and threw her axe catching an Ogre right in between the eyes, the baton still raised high, as the massive body crashed to the floor.

  “Good arm,” Lilith said as Klara pulled the axe from the Ogre.

  The Castle was alive with cheers bouncing through the corridors although she couldn’t hear clearly what they were saying.

  “Abadan has raised her supporters, Eve called upon the covens and other loyalties she has in the Human World.” Klara knew where the conversation was headed, “with Frendall and Eve. They want to rule Hell and Malum.”

  Klara felt her world crumble. “So that makes me...”

  “that makes you worth more dead than alive.” Lilith finished her thought and pushed her back as a group of Demons passed at the end of the hall. Klara wanted out of Malum and away from her responsibilities to her Father, but they would never stop hunting her now because having an Heir out in the worlds or realms was a threat.

  “Lucifer won’t allow such betrayal,” Klara said eyes darting around the empty kitchen searching for Arthur. “Hurry up,” Lilith growled, and she fought the urge to call for her friend. “Lucifer has been losing supporters for decades. His focus hasn’t been where it ought to be. Abadan will use his favour for a time and then turn on him.”

  “Why are you helping me?” Klara stopped to ask Lilith as she led her down the path to the escape tunnel.

  “I did what I could to make you tough, but this is where my part ends,” Lilith said, placing a bag on Klara’s back. “Everything you need to get clear is inside. You wanted out, here is your chance.”

  “How can I trust you? you have always been loyal to Abadan.”

  Lilith hugged Klara, and she tensed not used to affection from Lilith or anyone for that matter. “Eve has Mila, Abadan has Frendall. You are my charge to protect, and I won’t let them take what is rightfully yours.”

  “I don’t want the throne,” Klara protested, and Lilith shook her head, leading her deeper into the tunnel.

  “It doesn’t matter what you want. The throne needs a leader like you. You might not be ready for Hell, but Malum would thrive, but you haven’t learnt yet.”

  “Haven’t learnt what?” Klara asked as they stood in the darkness of the tunnel.

  “Now go,” Lilith shouted as a stream of light began to fill the tunnel. “They are coming through the other passages. You need to run.”

  “What about you?” Klara asked, suddenly terrified to leave her side.

  “Get to Kalos. Bargain with the Fae Queen if you have to but gain your strength.”

  “You knew?”

  “A mother always knows,” Lilith placed her forehead against Klara’s, “you might not be my blood, but I trained you, and I know what you are capable of.”

  Voices grew closer and angrier, and she could hear Abadan leading a pack of Hounds. They ran to the edge of the tunnel.

  “Leave!” Lilith shouted as Klara noticed Lilith stopped moving with her. Lilith pushed her out onto the Forest path.

  “They’ll kill you,” Klara stammered, and Lilith winked.

  “I still have some tricks up my sleeve.” Lilith walked back up the path to the dangers that followed them. She wanted to follow Lilith, help her fight back. As she went to enter the tunnel, the protection seal wouldn’t let her enter. Klara banged her fist against the invisible wall and Lilith looked over her shoulder for a brief moment before running towards the pack of Hounds.

  Klara ran as fast as her legs would carry her, as far away from the piercing screams echoing through the tunnel and into the crisp night.

  Klara leapt over fallen trees, travelling deeper into Malum until she could no longer hear the violent cries. With her feet swollen and hammering new heart, she chopped through walls of thorns as she went, each one determined to catch her. This was Eve’s attempt at stopping her escape. Vines of ivy came to life and fought against the iron of Klara’s axe.

  Klara let out an exhausted breath as she saw a clearing in the Forest up ahead. Her scraped skin was already healing with the aid of her new heart. The last branch of thorns fell, and she rested her hands on her knees. Sweat dripped from her brow as she tucked her axe into the harness over her bag. She listened for the Hounds but heard nothing but silence and the pounding of her heart. Not even the ravens sang, they were probably too busy carrying messages to the Demons and Creatures of Malum informing those loyal to the King that Klara had fled.

  Klara used the sap on the trees to camouflage her scent. It would mask her from the Hounds and to those loitering in the shadows. Crouching in the mud for a moments rest, her heartbeat steadied and the last of the slashes from Eve’s wall of thorns healed.

  Klara unclasped the bag from her back to see a map laying on top of a few coloured vials and a spare change of clothes. She would study the potions later, but right now she needed to figure out the path Lilith intended her to take.

  ~10~

  The cracking of branches came first then the snarls. Klara stilled folding the map slowly. Squeezing her eyes shut, she prayed it wasn’t the Hounds. When Klara opened them, she counted six sets of bright amber eyes clearing a path in the darkness. The older wolves wore battle scars and were missing clumps of fur while the other coats were new and full as those wolves had yet to face the cruelty of the Forest.

  The hulking head of the Alpha sniffed the air before looking to the wolves at their side. From their size, they weren’t wolves but Lycaons. Half-Human, half-beast and they smelt something. The Alpha’s sapphire eyes lingered in Klara’s direction. Holding her breath, she hoped that whatever they were hunting would distract them from her scent. Unless the packs had sided with Abadan and Klara was what they were after.

  The tree bark bit into her back as she pressed herself against the tree, trying to put as much distance between herself from the approaching Lycaon. “Dissimulo,” Klara whispered, needing the spell to hide her. Magic poured through her veins as she disguised herself as part of the tree. The Alpha kicked up leaves as its snout reached out to find her. A strong breeze caused the Alpha to whip its snout from her and took off to the west. Hopefully, she hadn’t used enough magic to alert the Queens to her location. Klara let out a breath from her aching lungs as the rest of the pack took off. But as she glanced up from the Forest floor, one young Lycaon remained behind still fixated on her strange scent.

  The beast with ashy blonde fur prowled closer with uncertainty, one massive paw lifted amongst the leaves and stepped forward. Klara raised her hands, one-touch and she could rip the beast back to its Human form. Examining the its enormous frame, Klara doubted whether she was strong enough to force the change before the Lycaon ripped her in half. She couldn’t be sure of her new heart, she had been able to change the weasel in the Forest without a heart, but Demons and Creatures are different.

  A Lycaon is a half-beast, half-human whereas a Demon merely uses a disguise. The Lycaon cocked its head as if it had heard Klara doubting herself. He was so close she could see the scar that cut through its fur on his snout. She knew it wasn’t possible, but it seemed as though the Lycaon was staring straight through her spell. It was lowering his head to where she squatted. Klara was ready to defend herself when she smelt it, and they both looked west.

  Smoke. Fire. A great howl of pain shook the Forest and the Lycaon took off towards the smell.

  The faint smell of smoke told her it was still far away. The Lycaon reserve was burning, Klara wondered as she took a step west. The urge to know what was happening distracted her from her path. Klara turned sharply ducking under a low hanging branch and forced herself in the opposite direction.

  “It’s up to the Queens now,” Klara scolded collecting her bag. The burning caves and reserve would distract the Hounds and she hated the hope she felt because of it.

 
Klara started through the Forest knowing more Creatures would awaken the later it grew, and soon legions of Demons would be upon her.

  The map glistened in her hand as the moon beamed through the trees. She ran her revealing fingers over the parchment, and a silver string linked her current spot with her destination.

  Klara recognized the landmarks, the Port, the Lycaon Caves, Vampires’ Nest and the Giant Lands. The path brought her south along the River Styx and deeper into Malum than she had ever gone.

  The inscribed locations rose in silver – bringing her to the Warlocks Crest and onto Grimm’s’ path, only there did the path diverge to somewhere she did not recognize. There was no name only a small cluster of toadstools. Klara saw the mud road from where she stood in the trees knowing it would lead her to the Beanstalk and would be a faster route to the toadstool emblem. However, the path is densely populated at night, most would be on their way to the Port markets. Lilith must have intended for her to cross paths with many Creatures. Least I’ll be hidden amongst the crowd, she thought, but the fear of a trap crept into the back of her mind.

  Klara ran her hand over her face and let out a sigh, not like I have a choice. After memorizing the path, she held the parchment in the palm of her hand.

  “Ignis.”

  The parchment lit, and she gripped the edges of the burning paper with her fingertips before it finally scattered to ashes. Who knew Eve’s lessons would come in handy twice in one night?

  Settling for a jog, Klara decided to stay off the road and instead move alongside it. She passed the Beanstalk within the hour as the moon drew higher and lit the Forest trees. Klara saw the ransacked Beanstalk and stood at the bent out of shape gate. The door hung from the hinges, and the steps had been smashed into gravel. No doubt the inside had been looted, and the once-frozen bodies were decaying into a rotting pile.

  Adjusting her bag, Klara wondered what would have happened had she never seen the help wanted poster in the Ethereal Press, but as she tasted the metal in her mouth, she found small relief in knowing no more Humans or Creatures would be slaughtered by the Ghouls.

  ◆◆◆

  Miles stretched on, and the terrain grew rougher. The moon faded, and the sky changed, small fragments of light drifted through the trees.

  “It can’t be much further,” Klara said, lifting her face to the tiniest hint of sunlight. “This shouldn’t have taken this long.”

  However, she knew how the Forest liked to play tricks, what looked like days on a map could mean minutes, and what seemed like minutes could be days. The Forest itself wanted to torture its inhabitants, or maybe it was the Warlocks’ warped sense of humour.

  Lilith hadn’t told her whom to look for once she reached her mystery destination. Two Creatures passed her, and she had to slow her pace. If she moved too quickly, it would only arouse suspicion.

  The morning drew in, and Klara stopped by a steady stream to take a drink. She wiped her chin and looked around for anyone who may have been following but sensed no Hounds or Lycaons.

  The path was quiet now that the night was ending, and Klara dared to leave the safety of the trees.

  As one foot hit the road, a Creature with large horns and a mask of painted ivory appeared. The holes for the eyes were marked with red paint. A Warlock. Klara couldn’t tell whether it was female or male. Not that it mattered, they often preferred to remain in neither distinction.

  “I’m looking for a toadstool grove,” Klara asked.

  The Warlock pointed off into a cluster of trees on the other side of the road, “Where the hopeless Creatures dwell,” a stern voice echoed through the mask.

  “Thank you,” she said, unsure of how to react. The Warlock bowed deeply before continuing to float down the path. The bow startled her. It meant the Warlock knew who she was. I should stop them from speaking to others, but as she went to confront the Warlock, it turned and held a scaled finger to its lips.

  There was nothing but trees for miles, until the mud suddenly turned to cobbles. Large stones and tree roots broke up what was once a cobbled path. Klara figured she must be headed in the right direction due to the clusters of muddy footprints. Least Klara knew there were people wherever she was going. Whether they would help or not was another question she didn’t have the answer to.

  ~11~

  The trees began to fall away, and humungous toadstools took their place. The red and white spotted heads floated high above her on thick white stalks. The path levelled off as there were no more tree roots to disturb the red brick cobbles.

  Klara squatted as she heard voices further down the path. She needed something to mask her appearance. Blend into a background she could do, but she needed a potion to alter herself completely. Using that much magic on her own would only create a beacon for Abadan.

  The vials, she thought. Rooting in the bottom of her bag, Klara gripped the two blue potions.

  Drink, the label read in Lilith's curled handwriting. Klara pulled out the cork on one of the vials, and the liquid shone as it mingled with the air. She smelt the sweet liquid checking the ingredients. It's was a shifting glamour. It would portray her face as someone else. It would even disguise her voice.

  Klara downed the slick potion and secured the second vial in her bag as the drunk Creatures passed without a second glance. They didn’t even notice me.

  Klara couldn’t suppress the smile as the drunks struggled down the path.

  A clearing surrounded by toadstools appeared, and at its centre sat a run-down cottage with a giant toadstool collapsed over its right side. Klara moved closer to read the broken swinging sign, Tapped.

  The cottage leant to the left under the weight of the collapsed toadstool while another stalk supported it from collapsing entirely. Lilith had led her to a toadstool den.

  Klara glanced at the Creatures sleeping under the shade of the caps. All having drunk their fill of fungus syrup and hallucinating about greener pastures in the Lands of Kalos. The toadstools absorbed vast quantities of magic, both good and bad from the realm that made up both Kalos and Malum. Those who drank the semi-poisonous liquid would either bask in delight or dread depending on the stalk the den had pierced.

  Klara stepped over a few collapsed patrons with grins on their faces in the cobbled area outside the cottage. The fungus still holding them in its grips. Klara pitied the laid-up Creatures and how they needed the fungus to last another day in the Forest of Malum.

  "Spare a coin for the tap?"

  A Dark Fae clutched Klara's leg as she passed, its pointed ears poked through long white hair that shielded the fallen Fae’s eyes. Klara peered closer only to realize the Fae was blind—a side effect of the fungus.

  "I think you have had enough, go home."

  Klara pressed a gentle hand on their shoulder and the Fae unraveled from her leg.

  "There is no home for me now," the Fae said, climbing to their feet. The Fae towered over her and staggered down the same path she had travelled. She wondered what crime the Fae had committed to have ended up in Malum.

  The fallen toadstool shielded the roof of the bar, making it look like it was forever night inside. Patrons looked her over coldly as she let some light in.

  Klara closed the door quickly, and they went back to their fungus. Only two small barred windows on either side of the door allowed in some streams of light.

  "I'm looking for someone," Klara said at the bar. She didn't know how long the shifting glamour would last or how long it would be before the Hounds were back on her trail.

  "Aren't we all?" The Leprechaun behind the bar said as he stood on a stool cleaning a glass. His green waistcoat and shining gold pocket-watch stood out amongst his shaggy customers. Only the Warlocks dressed in finery matched him.

  Klara was surprised to see some Warlocks in the den. They usually remained in the Warlocks' Crest, protected from other Creatures, however the kind and the greedy often gifted recovery medicines to those who had indulged in too much fungus.

  "What
can I get you to drink? Dark fungus or light? He asked impatiently, and Klara resisted the urge to grab him from the stool and threaten him. His orange eyes focused on her, waiting for her to respond. There was something not right about the shadow of his eyes; he was masking something. Her fingers twitched, sensing a glamour.

  Looking around the crowded den, Klara couldn't risk creating a scene. From the weapons she saw strapped to the den's patrons, it would be a hard fight to get out unscathed. Klara chose to reveal what the potion had masked to the Leprechaun alone. His eyes went wide, and the glass in his hand dropped, landing with a crash.

  Quickly she dropped her hand from her arm, allowing the potion to return.

  The dirty mirror behind the bar showed a face, not her own. She clutched her fists at the sound of weapons being drawn from the startled patrons.

  Klara kept her back to them. Ready to reach for her axe. The Leprechaun raised his arms in the air. "My bad, back to it," He said, and there were a few grumbles as Klara watched them put away their weapons in the mirror.

  A Goblin sat beside Klara as the door opened in the mirror's reflection. For a split second, she recognized the gangly limbs. Silvia, she thought as the door closed, Klara couldn't blame the Ghoul for drowning her sorrows in fungus.

  The Ethereal Press sat in the Goblin's hands, the letters rearranging themselves with constantly updating news.

  WANTED FOR TREASON. DO NOT APPROACH. SKILLED IN COMBAT. REPORT ONLY.

  A picture formed in the centre of the paper. Thankfully Klara's hair shone blue in the picture, and her features were younger. It was the same picture that sat on her Father's desk.

  "Heiress, I apologize I didn't recognize you," the Leprechaun said.

  "Lilith sent me."

  The Leprechaun put a finger to his lips while another Leprechaun with big red curls took the paper from the Goblin.

  The Goblin bared his yellowed teeth as his paper was taken away. "Want to read, or you want to drink," the Leprechaun threatened. The Goblin huffed ordering another round while the Leprechaun polished another glass.