Bloodless

by Roberto Vecchi

  "Thank you for following Athlorial for as long as you could. You are sure she is safe?" she said as she held little Torrick in her arms.

  "Yes, I am sure. She was hired into the service of a traveling circus. And from the looks of it, quite a large one with ample surplus for her security," said the hooded figure as he stood in the shadows of the corner of her room.

  "You are sure she was able to escape without detection?" she asked as she gently rocked the toddler who was currently struggling against sleep.

  "Yes, as you instructed, I saw to the scene and made the necessary adjustments to make it appear as though it was a random robbery. No one will suspect her as long as she stays away. They will think she was taken, along with several other valuable belongings," he said stoically.

  "You missed nothing? There is nothing left to trace anything back to me?" she said again as she continued rocking in her chair, the young boy now asleep in her arms.

  "You question my abilities now? After these years of service?" he said in an uncharacteristically playful voice.

  "No, certainly not. You have proven yourself more than adequate on every occasion thus far. But it is not a random acquaintance we are protecting now. It is my life, my two lives. There can be no ties to her or her child. If there is, no amount of trickery will avert the attention of the authorities this time," she said as she turned her attention from the infant to him.

  "I understand. All details have been accounted for. There is no trace," he said as he turned to leave.

  "Kinarin, before you leave, I must ask of you for one more duty. It is one I have been debating for a long time," she said as she wiped a lock of hair from Torrick's sleeping face.

  "Yes, Nadalize?" he answered as he looked at her over his shoulder, although he knew what she was going to ask.

  After a very long pause, and several tears, she looked up at the man and said, "You know what you must do."

  "Indeed. In anticipation, I have already made the necessary arrangements with the banking community on the boy's behalf. He will be well cared for in the institution I have selected. You need not worry about his fortunes," he said as he turned and walked over to her as her rocking slowed.

  "Please, watch over him," she asked as her tears overflowed and dripped down her cheeks.

  "You know I cannot do that,” he said as he turned and walked toward her. “Suspicions would grow if I am seen, and that could lead to prying hands. Hands that could follow the banking records if they so choose. And those records would lead back to you and the boy. I do not think Lord Cutori's vengeance has yet been filled. By all accounts he has still dedicated the majority of his substantial resources to finding Eriboth, and no doubt Athlorial, should he learn of her absence," he said as he knelt down to look at her.

  "Yes, you are right," she said in resignation of what she had already known. "When can this be done?"

  "Tonight. All is ready," he said as he reached for Torrick.

  Internally, she fought the impulse to hold him as closely as she could, never letting him go, but she knew that would make this moment only more difficult. So, she handed the sleeping child to Kinarin who held him gently in his arms. Such a contrast he could be. In one moment, he was a lethal assassin, capable of great feats of violence, and in the next, he could hold a baby as if he had held many before. She knew he was young, but she knew nothing more about his past save that it must have been laden with the type of pain now infusing her. She watched in silence as he walked out of her house carrying the last tangible reminder to the life she had once lived.

  As she continued watching the progression of Princess Gwenyia and High King Yahnaros, she could not help but become lost in the hypnotic voice of the elven evidence of perfection. It was almost as if she was hearing music again for the very first time. On only one other occasion had she been equally moved by the mortal expression of harmonic vocals, the night Athlorial had sung Eriboth's poem.

  Before she knew it, the wedding ceremony had ended to the boisterous applause from the guests in attendance. The internal thunder in the throne room created by the hundreds of attendees jolted her from her memories and hopeful speculations of Athlorial and her future back to the present and tasks at hand. Although those tasks were now placed firmly in the grasps of her subordinates, with nothing for her to accomplish now, she nevertheless still felt her anxiety raise at the completion of this first part. Because as much as it was over, it had only just begun.

  As is customary, directly following every wedding ceremony was a night of celebration. Although the celebrations tended to be less structured in their planning because the individuals involved would be naturally less strict in their observations, the nature of the two who had just been betrothed elevated any relaxation she might have been inclined to feel. Instead of needing to appeal to only one set of cultural norms, she had to equally appeal to both without appearing to segregate either. So, her task had been to create an illusion of unity wherein neither the pride of the Elves nor Men would be slighted. As such, she continued the theme of silver and black into the grand ball room, but added much smaller flickering candles suspended inside glass center pieces placed at each table. The candles were made from black wax which caused the flames to stand out more brightly against a black background. Hanging from large, suspended pots were streams of the black lilies and silver leaves. They did not hang down far enough to interfere with the sightlines of the guests but seemed to end perfectly to enhance the scene instead of becoming it.

  The head table, while normally straight and long, was instead bent in an elongated horseshoe shape extending from the newly wed prince and princess. Next to each of them were their respective family members. Lighting the backdrop of black tapestries behind the head table was an arch of suspended glass spheres similar to the ones placed on the tables, however, these were slightly glazed creating a very soft and slightly hazing effect on the eyes. It was as if everyone at the head table existed on a slightly more ethereal plane than the rest of the attendees. As she entered the grand ball room, her eyes were instantly drawn to the grand expanse of the formidably beautiful head table. It seemed the whole of the Royal parties glowed slightly as if they had some divine nature added to their existence, if even for just one night.

  Even though she had been the creative force behind the visual extravaganza of the entire day, she nonetheless was raptured by its brilliance as if she had been an attendee only. But not all attendees were in the middle of seeing their emotional hopes played out before them, as such, her wonderment and scrutiny of the images was altogether on a different level. Indeed, had it not been for the presence of her husband's nudging elbow, she might have missed the herald’s formal introduction completely. Thankfully, his subtle nudge provided her the return to reality and sense of location she needed to gracefully enter the ball room and proceed to her and her husband’s designated table. Although she knew where each predetermined seat was, she still allowed the page to escort them. She was neither family nor friend so her table had not been placed very close to the head table, but neither was it at the very back of the ball room. Instead, she placed herself at the table with several of the other important pieces to this day.

  Along with her and her husband, her table contained, Amoos Trask, who was hired to cater the event, and his guest, a rather portly woman who reflected his countenance suggesting they had either been married for a long time, or were siblings. To Amoos's left sat Mylanas Ishanduil and her guest, a striking elven woman whose eyes were more blue than even the sky on the clearest days of creation itself. Though they both looked immortally youthful, the wonder lacing Lady Ishanduil's guest was suggestive of an elf still in her years before her Indri Primos. Seated next to them was the master musical conductor of the King's Symphony Orchestra, a man named Aliun Dar and his wife, Throsilla. Rounding out the table of ten was a slender elf wearing wizard's robes. He was accompanied by an elf girl dressed in the same style of robes as his, however, his name currently escaped her memory. S
eated at this table were the main players in the sensational display of collective beauty when elf and man combined their respective efforts in the collective unity demanded by their superiors.

  "My Lady Nadalize, I should think it not too bold of me to say your talents have exceeded any and all expectations of the day so far," said Amoos as he pulled her chair out for her.

  "Thank you, Amoos. But the night is not over yet. We have yet to sample your food. From what I hear, it will surely surpass my efforts," she responded.

  "Indeed," said the wizard, "As elves, we have yet to utilize magic to enhance our food, but all indications state that we should strongly consider it. Tell me, Amoos, how is it you came upon this notion? You are not gifted with the talent."

  "Thank you, Lady Tugori," he said as he graciously accepted her praise for the meal yet to be had. "To answer your question, Glindinol, it came to me in a dream. I am sure the Wizards of the University had conducted research into this topic before, but they had not thought to use it to directly alter the seeds of the plants. You see, it is one thing to enhance food once it has been developed, but to alter the seed, well, then you can completely change how food is grown. And the best part is, once the seed is altered, all subsequent seedlings naturally reflect that which was altered in the original seed. We in the food business have named it Magical Reorganization."

  The wizard known as Glindinol pondered for a moment, then spoke, "What, if any, are the long-term effects on the seeds you have altered? Do they carry any magical residue or does it dissolve over time.?"

  "The best we have been able to tell is that it does dissolve over time, but at a very slow rate. There does not seem to be any negative effect on the individual plants or seeds. In fact, as you will soon see, they present much more healthy than their predecessors," he said as he directed their attention to the liberal plates of salads that were just being presented to them by the various array of servants.

  The colors were outstanding, and when pitted against the silver and black of the decor, all eyes were drawn to them the way their hearts were drawn to the lyrical performances of Lady Ishanduil. Indeed, the food presentation was nothing short of brilliant. Its perfection allowed Nadalize to feel grateful that she possessed the wisdom to allow Amoos the freedom he required to create the palatable mastery they were enjoying. Each course, complimented perfectly with either a choice of wine or mead, played out as if the musical director was conducting the very greatest masterpiece ever orchestrated. There was no doubt, the magically enhanced food certainly dominated their compliments well after dinner and into the night. But Nadalize would not remain long enough to hear them all. Instead, the wine she had liberally consumed began to reign supreme. Again, with the subtle insistence of her husband, she thought better to retire to her chambers shortly after dinner.

  While lying in bed, her eyes still wide from the stress of the day's events and implications, she began to think of Athlorial once again. Perhaps all of the stress weakened her normally strong countenance against the effects of her past memories resulting in their infiltration into her consciousness, or perhaps her exhaustion had finally gotten the better of her. Regardless, she could not remove her mind from Athlorial and Torrick. And she soon developed an irrational foreboding concerning her thoughts. As she found it impossible to sleep, she rolled over onto her side, gently kissed her husband on his cheek, careful not to wake him, and rose with the intent to get some fresh air in the royal gardens.

  She knew there would be only the slightest chill it their air, even at this time of night, so she decided to don her light robe made from fine silk. She then walked to her balcony overlooking the royal gardens. Once outside, she could still here the celebration continuing its magnitude without weakening. She paused for a moment to breathe deeply and considered how fortunate she had been. But that fortune soon turned to melancholy as her mind drifted to her two lost children.

  She did desperately long to see them, to hold them once again and to know they were thriving. Since Athlorial had left, she had not had any contact with her nor heard any rumors about her. It was the same with Torrick. Nadalize had allowed Kinarin, her young friend, to select the location where he would be raised without her knowledge. She did not trust herself to maintain the necessary distance from her grandson to ensure his anonymity and subsequent safety.

  Just then, when she could all but feel Athlorial and Torick as she had when she hugged them both, she felt warm hands around her waist and knew, in spite of her attempts, she had roused her husband from his slumber. He had an uncanny ability to know when she was upset and what was upsetting her. Such was the accuracy of his premonitions that she even questioned whether he possessed some unknown and unrevealed portion of magical talent. But she knew he did not. If he did, then they would surely never have met. And that was unthinkable.

  She gently closed her hands around his and indulged in his warm embrace. "I am sorry I woke you," she said as she tightened her grasp subtly.

  "I am not," he answered with his resolute dedication to her. "You are thinking of them again, are you not?"

  Turning in his arms she said, "How do you know that? How do you always know?"

  He raised his hand and stroked the side of her cheek, "The same way I knew you were ready to love me when I told you how I felt. I just did."

  "Well, I thank the fates you knew, because I had yet to understand that about myself," she said as she gently kissed his lips. "You know, if angels actually did exist, you would surely be one of them."

  "No, I do not think I would. I do not possess the beauty of one. You, however, possess a greater portion of the divine. Yes, I am quite sure of their existence," he said as he held her just a little more tightly.

  "Oh, and how do you know they exist?" she said playfully.

  "Because I am holding one right now," he said with a small, equally playful grin.

  She kissed him again, "What would I ever do without you?"

  "Probably get a chill," he said as he produced her thicker robe to put around her shoulders. "I figured, since you were going to take a walk in the royal gardens, you would want something warmer than your silk robe."

  She looked up at his eyes, truly amazed. "How do you do that? How do you always know?"

  "I just know," he said. "Now, if you are about the gardens, you had best be about them soon. I heard that the wizards are expecting it to rain sometime tonight. Judging by the clouds earlier, and the smell of the wind, they will be right this time. I will be waiting for you in bed." He hugged her tightly and kissed her again. "Now go. I cannot keep this bed warm all by myself for very long."

  "You know I do love you?" she asked him.

  "Yes, I do," he said with his roguish confidence. As he turned and walked back inside their bedchambers, she had to admit to herself that his roguish nature had played the greater portion of her attraction to him at first. But over time, the more she got to know him, the more he revealed to her he was much, much more than just the head gamesman for the King. He was a complex man, solid in his devotions and ideals. But more importantly, he was oakenly devoted to her.

  Over the years she was employed by the high king, she had developed an intimate relationship with the royal gardens. She found them perfectly suitable to the losing of her thoughts in a safe and remote location. With the celebrations continuing inside the grand ball room, and no doubt the chambers of the visiting dignitaries, she was certain she would have the gardens to herself, except for the possible intrusion of a stray bird or random rodent. As dedicated as the royal exterminator was, in a castle of this size, there were bound to be two or three critters who were inevitably capable of avoiding his attention, at least momentarily. Although her solitude might be infringed upon, she was thankful it would not be from those capable of communicating with her.

  Even though she had made her decisions with the interests of Athlorial and Torrick playing the prominent roles, she still, from time to time, felt guilt. Had she done enough to ensure more than just
their survival? As she walked down the intricately constructed stone pathways, unable to appreciate the visual display of colors because of the time of night, she could not help but question herself. She needed answers, but those answers would likely never come. From time to time, she would enlist the assistance of her friend, Kinarin, to conduct a search for them both, but in spite of his quite capable skills, he was unable to return with any information beyond that of vague rumors. She resolved to contact him again soon.

  She rounded the corner of the garden maze and exited the living structure. When she looked to her right, she thought she saw a figure laying in the bushes. Probably just one of the attendees of the celebration, she thought to herself. The figure was too far away and the night was too dark to distinguish any sort of identifiable characteristics. She wanted to walk past as if she had not seen it, but it simply would not do to have one of the King's guests run into misfortune. So, she decided, under a modicum of reluctance, to approach the figure and see if she was able to identify who it could be.

  As she drew closer, she saw that it could not possibly be one of the attendees because its attire was made predominantly of rages that appeared to have been torn and covered in mud, dirt and grime, though in what order, she could not be sure. Inspecting it further, though still from about ten feet away, she was able to see it must be male. It was too large to be a female, unless of course, it was an orc or ogre female, but she doubted that was possible.

  Seeing a royal guard approaching, she signaled for his assistance, "Guard, please, there is a man lying here. Can you help me turn him over?"