Okay, now I know: I am insane.
Chapter Nine- The Mistress Of All Evil
After leaving my room, I rushed down the hallway to Caroline's room. As I got closer, I noticed a figure dressed in a lavish, orange, silk dress. Caroline. She was already dressed and was waiting for me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be late. It won't happen again." I had run here and now was completely out of breath.
"Leila, don't worry about that. How are you?" She stared at me, her eyes swimming in concern. I had not seen her since the feast and I am sure that by now, Leonardo had told her everything. He had a big mouth and I do not think he could keep it shut if his life depended on it.
"Never better," I lied. In the last twenty-four hours, things had gotten far too out of control. I got stabbed, Leonardo had been nice to me, snakes and birds had even talked to me. I could not stop thinking about the bird's words: "the ultimate mistress of evil is coming." When though? That is the question.
The jousting tournament continued later that morning. So after braiding Caroline's hair with flowers, I escorted Caroline down the hallway; down the stairs and around to the back of the estate. Caroline stood in the high, colourful stand, under the marquee beside her father. Today the stands were overflowing with people.
I stood on the sidelines, watching the commotion the crowd made. "Leonardo!" a girl screeched behind me. I turned to find an entire section of girls dedicated to Leonardo's worship. Tens of girls had posters, banners, scrolls, wooden hearts, flags with his name and face on. That is when I realized they all wore the same colour gown. They even had ‘Team Leonardo” stitched into the fabric. He had his fan club. This was unbelievable. "I love you!" Seriously. I may be mad but I am not that mad.
"Frederick!" another two girls screamed. Both flung their brightly coloured banners in the air. They chanted his name in a chorus. They wore green gowns, unlike Leo’s fan group who wore blue. I had to be dreaming. Were people that obsessed? No wonder Leonardo's and Frederick's heads were so big.
The two riders entered the arena. I did not know who they were but I had seen them around the castle previously. There was a symphony of trumpets. The knights on horseback sat gallantly as they readied themselves for the joust.
Their servants adjusted their saddle and listened very closely to their master’s instructions before handing them their lance. "Let the games begin," the king announced. The crowd went wild. Their cheers could be heard for miles.
The Knights stood at either end of the arena. Everyone was silent. Do not get hurt. Nobody died on me. Do not make me watch someone die. The horn sounded, the flag was waved and they were off. They sped towards one another rapidly. There was a thunderous clank as metal hit wood. That has got to hurt.
The impact was minimal and I was relieved. The rider fell to the floor but was thankfully still breathing. I had sworn to Caroline and myself that this time I would not run onto the pitch like a mad man as I did on my first day. What was I thinking? They had even put new, higher barriers up to stop it from happening again.
The other knight has carried off the pitch, groaning and wailing. The crowd cheered and waved at one of their champions. The king clapped and gave his congratulations to the knight.
Frederick entered the arena. He held his head high and put his perfect, white teeth on show. "Oh Frederick marry me!" one of the girls screamed behind me. They were like a pack of wild animals screaming at the very sight of him.
"He smiled at me!" Another jumped with joy. I rolled my eyes. I wanted to turn around and tell them to pull themselves together. Were they that desperate?
After waving at the crowd and soaking up all the glory, Frederick mounted his horse, his servant passed him his lance. Drums sounded as well as trumpets. Then everything went silent. At the sound of a horn and a wave of the flag, they charge.
The horses were as much a warrior as the Knights. They breathe as if they are ready for action, their hooves scraping the ground like a pair of bulls ready to charge. The horses raced forward, like machines. Every step was calculated.
Frederick remains a gallant victor as he takes down his opponent in one glorious blow.
Crack, as a lance split into pieces, like small deadly knives they hurtle forward and knock Frederick's opponent off his horse. Thud. The knight rolled in agony on the sand. The crowd roars with enjoyment as their champion rides to greet them.
"Marry me, Frederick!" One girl burst into tears at the sight of him. This was not happening. I was surrounded by pathetic, obsessed, fangirls!
Frederick kept looking my way, nevertheless, I ignored him. All the girls glared at me and some even threw their flags at me when he was not looking. "Stop it before we have a problem," I barked at Frederick's biggest fans.
It just felt different now. He wanted something that I did not. I had run out on him, sure I was bleeding to death but was that an excuse? I felt guilty for not waving back but I did not regret it. Frederick moved up to the next round and joined the king in the blue-white marquee.
The next two Knights entered. Sir Thomas and Leonardo. Leonardo may have been younger than Frederick but he was a better fighter. The way he moved was incomparable to anyone. It was the last round, I admit I was nervous. I dreaded the thought of that arrogant brat getting hurt.
Each one of the Knights fit the armour-like gods. Thomas and Leonardo were contemplating the move that will strike their opponent down. This was a big match, it would secure them a place in the final. Eternal glory and all that.
Leonardo noticed my concerned face and winked at me. I rolled my eyes and acted like I did not care. Josephine noticed I think everyone did.
I stared at Thomas and Leonardo, a look of glare in each of their eyes tells the tale of a warrior who would not be defeated. They were determined to beat each other. Come on, Leonardo. Do not do anything foolish. Following the path of the wall, I noticed the jousting staff were running into position. This was it.
The horses raced forward, their hooves sinking in the deep sand. The heavy lance was held under the firm grip. Step by magnificent step, the knights advance until that moment when it is time to strike. I forget to breathe.
Leonardo's horse bucks eight-feet off the ground. Sir Thomas did not stop and he drove his lance into Leonardo's chest. The ear-splitting sound as metal collides against wood fills my ears. My heart stops. The impact knocks Leonardo backwards.
The king was on his feet in seconds. Caroline too. Everyone watched in horror if it had been anyone else they would have cheered. Nobody moved a muscle even when Leonardo fell to the sand floor.
Here I go again. I jumped over the new barriers without a moment's hesitation. I raced across the field, the thick sand slowing me down. Leonardo lay on the ground far too still. No. No. No. This is not happening.
"Leonardo," I gasped. My hands are shaking.
"My chest, it hurts." His voice was laced with pain. Pain that demands to be felt. I looked to where the wooden splinter had sliced into him. "Help!" I screamed. The blood was oozing out.
The medical team snapped out of their trance and raced over. The Knights charged towards us from the other side of the pitch.
"It's going to be okay, you will be okay," I assured him but even I could not hide my nerves. It was bad, very bad.
"Take him to Ethel," I heard someone order. Leonardo murmured something just before he was carried off.
"Leila," Frederick placed a hand on my shoulder. "Leonardo is tough, he will get through this," he assured me.
"I hope you are right." I watched them leave, the king looked gobsmacked. The people had already begun to leave. "Frederick, why do you think the horse bucked?" I asked suspiciously. The royal horses were the finest pedigree money could buy and trained to stay calm under any circumstances.
"Who knows? Animals do strange things for no reason sometimes." Frederick shrugged. He was wrong, everything happens for a reason and this was no accident. It was crystal clear to me, it was an attempt on Leonardo's life.
"You mak
e it far too easy!" a cackle bellowed. There was an explosion as dark clouds swarmed, swirling and colliding. The beautiful blue sky vanished and was replaced by grey and a tinge of green. It darkened more with every second. Thunder began rumbling overhead and lightning bolts began cutting the sky in half. Then the wind sent powerful gusts picking up dead rustling leaves and dirt. The wind whipped my hair and ripped through the air. Lightning struck a few steps away from me, turning the sand to glass. It hit the dirt and sent a blazing light for all to see. The witch appeared from the smoke and shot the king a menacing grin.
She was tall, thin, and bloodless. Her fingers were long and had curved blood-red nails. She wore a black robe fit for a queen with a dragon teeth crown and a large red medallion on her chest. Her hair was a combination of nickel-silver and black. Her reptile-like amber eyes shone with spite and wicked pleasure. She held a heavy, long, engraved, metal staff with a silver crow sculpture on the tip between her bony fingers. A large black crow sat on her shoulder, it is beady eyes searching the arena. "You look good." She smiled at the king.
"Eris!" the king shouted. She was Eris, the goddess of discord and destruction in the old religion. Why was she here? How? "You are not welcome here, leave. Guards."
All the sudden guards came charging in with blades sharpened. She only laughed in a twisted way. "Fools!" she screamed and one swipe of her hands the guards were sent flying backwards onto the sand. None of them moved and I did not know if they were unconscious or dead. "How dare you challenge me!" she bellowed.
"Leave Eris!" he shouted again. My heart was pounding hard now. My heart felt as if it were about to burst out my chest and run away. She did not seem the slightest bit concerned but suddenly she started heading back towards the smoke clouds she had come from.
"Today was just a friendly visit." She paused. "Nothing more than a chat." She smiled and then I noticed her moving her hand rapidly. "Remember though when I lose my temper someone loses their life." There was a snap as a servant in the far corner fell to the floor, dead. With a swish of her finger, she had broken his neck. High pitched piercing screams filled the air.
“I should have killed you all those years ago...”
“Why didn’t you?” The old man said.
“Because I couldn’t imagine what you were capable of.” Answered the king. Thousands had died at her hand and it was all down to a lack of imagination.
"I will be back." She grinned like a cat. "Next time, I won't be kind. Next time people will get hurt." She snapped her fingers and two other servants fell to the floor. Blood dripped and covered the sand. The second set of screams were unleashed from the crowd.
"Guards!" the king shouted.
"Mark my words when the next drop of rain falls: lightning will strike, thunder will clash and a fierce wind will break loose. I will be there waiting to make my next move. I will destroy you, King Isaac, your family, friends, your kingdom and anyone who gets in my way." Her words were like a dead woman's broken lullaby.
"You will not survive this." She looked at the king. "Neither will your precious children or allies. Your kingdom will fall and I will get my revenge. Blood will be spilt," she hissed. "I promise you, this." She laughed and smiled wickedly. "And you know I am a woman of my word."
She was ready to leave, already centred in thick clouds of smoke. She cast a charm but suddenly, the crow squawked and began pecking at her viciously. She turned her head to me. Her eyes narrowed. Eris raised an eyebrow. "You!" She was about to say something else but she vanished.
Just as she vanished a bolt of lightning struck nearby, followed by a hundred meters high fire. Frederick shoved me to the ground and I immediately rolled over. The wildfire moved rapidly as if it was alive, it blazed and let a thunderous roar loose. It...it was shaped like a crow. Did it move and squawk? It is alive. A crow made of fierce fire. The burning heat radiates onto me. It missed me by inches as it swooped down. It headed straight for the crowd, flapping its wings and sending a wildfire free onto the flags and crests of nobles.
People let out screams as they tried to put out the fire. Eris had looked at me, she spoke to me... she recognized me? How is that possible? It is not. I had a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that we had yet to see the worst of her. She would be back to take her revenge, to kill the royals and destroy the kingdom. The bird was right. I needed to see Ethel before it was too late.
Chapter Ten- The chosen one
I stared around, the pitch was a wasteland of bodies, fire and ash blurred into one. The royalty had already been escorted away and more guards were pouring in with every minute. I was covered from head to toes in ash and dirt. The taste of blood filled my mouth. My hair had freed itself and now flew wild. My ears were buzzing from a dissonance of sounds that bombarded my ears and I could hardly think. It took me a while to realize what had happened. I remembered many things like the witch, Eris, and Leonardo's accident.
All I knew was that I did not have a moment to lose, I was on my feet in seconds. I raced back through the ground back to the castle, I threw the servants door open, knocking over several other servants on the way.
I reached the hallway Leonardo had taken me to. I checked nobody was in sight. Then I realized I had no idea what brick he had pressed to open the secret door. They all looked identical to me, none of them had been worn down or had any unique markings. How was I going to find it? I began frantically tapping on bricks.
One after another, come on. Hurry up. I did not have time for this. "Looking for something?" Frederick turned the corner. I had not even noticed he had been there. How long had he been watching me? I didn't respond. "Here." He pressed a brick diagonally across from me.
"How did you know?" I asked suspiciously. He noticed my reluctance and suspicion.
"I spent my summers here, I know all the secret tunnels and rooms." He shrugged but his eyes were vague and unclear. He may say the words smoothly as he had been trained to do from birth, he may have a natural confidence and have a talent for hiding his true feelings. Nonetheless, there was something off about him. He was hiding something, I was sure of it.
"What are you doing?" he asked, trying to escape from the spotlight. I did not trust him.
"I came to see Ethel. She asked to see me." He doubted me. He knew I was not being completely honest. I do not know how he knew.
"Oh." He shrugged, clearly agitated. "Well, if you want to go for a walk in the gardens later, you know where to find me." He grinned and walked off. A walk in the gardens! Did he not just see a ball of fire, Eris, lightning, and a pile of bodies? He did not even seem the slightest bit nervous.
I slid inside the room after Frederick left. "It's me!" I shouted up. My eco made the decades-old cobwebs shake. I could not see the end of the tunnel and for a moment I thought they were not even there. "It is Leila." The snakes immediately began to slither down, I was surprised they even remembered me. "Leila," they gasped. "What are you doing here?"
"Why is it every time we see you, there is blood?" another asked.
"I have to see Ethel," I pleaded. "It's urgent!" They did not waste a second. They grabbed hold of me and hauled me up. The second my feet touched the solid ground I was walking, searching. I did not have time for goodbyes, I was already late.
I needed to find Ethel and I needed to find her quickly. Where was she? The wooden planks creaked beneath my weight. She must be here. I must find her and now. Then I remembered Ethel talking about the secret rooms and passages. Could she be somewhere else? How did she know Eris would come?
"Leila!" someone snapped. Ethel? I swung myself around to see who was speaking to me. I was on edge. My heart was pounding a hundred beats a minute. I found the large, colourful talking bird. He was back. I had not dreamt it. This was happening. "You are not on time."
"Eris, appeared at the joust," I muttered and a cold feeling began to consume me as I saw the witch in my mind all over again. How could this have happened? Why would Eris strike now, why now?
"She what!?" Out of nowhere, the bird began screeching as if it was in agonizing pain and my entire body went stiff from the horrid sound. It was like a deafening alarm that chilled me to the bone but it sent a wave of pain to my ears.
"I am coming!" someone shouted. "Don't get your feathers in a twist!" an elderly woman shouted and the bird immediately stopped. Ethel! When Ethel turned the corner to face me, she looked genuinely stunned. "I am never going to get used to that face," she sighed leaning against her deformed silver walking stick.
"What?" I asked. Did she just call me ugly?
The bird flapped its wings frantically making him mimic a drunk pelican. "There's not enough time for this Ethel. Eris showed up at the joust."
Ethel went hard like stone. Her expression was blank and her body was rigid all over. She turned to me for reassurance as if she were dreaming.
"She did," I confirmed the bird's, Bayyard's story. Suddenly Ethel was close to me, invading my personal space and clinging to my arm for support. I had only just realised how frail this old woman truly was. She was desperate, her eyes swimming in fear, hate and desperation.
The Golden Year and the Sorceress Page 8