by P D Atkerson
“Aliala, it’s good to see a familiar face in these troubled times.” Enrick said, smiling at her. “It was very kind of you to bring me food.”
She flashed him a smile, then frowned. “Is something wrong, my lord?” She asked, placing the platter of food on the table, before she stood beside Enrick. “You seem troubled. Does something bother you?”
Enrick sighed. “If only the answer was as easy as the question.”
Aliala bowed her head. “I know I am but a servant, but perhaps it would help you to tell me your troubles?” she asked glancing up at him.
“You saved my life, Aliala! When my father wished to take it.” Enrick said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You’re not a servant in my eyes. You are a friend. In fact, I shall make you a lady of the court.” He cried out, clapping his hand together. “Which shall it be? Karlay or Shenock?”
Her eyes sparkling, Aliala bowed her head and rubbed her shoulder. “I am not worthy of such an honor, my lord.”
“Please, call me Enrick.”
“My lord, I mean Enrick, there’s something else I must tell you.” Before she said more, the throne room doors began to groan. Aliala shrank back the second the throne room’s main doors were opened, and Dasety stepped in. She ducked her head and hid in the shadows next to the wall.
“I heard you summoned the Shenockien king.” Dasety said, strolling toward Enrick. “May I ask why?”
“Aroron escaped, and I want to see what he knows.” Enrick said, crossing his arms as he watched Dasety closely. “My father escaped too.”
Dasety didn’t seem in the least bit surprised, or upset by this news, of either Aroron or Munay’s escape. Why wasn’t he? Could Enrick trust Dasety? Every bone in his body told him, no. The adviser had his own agenda, and somehow Enrick knew that Dasety had already known both escapes were going to happen.
“You don’t seem surprised, Dasety.”
“Oh! I am, my lord.” Dasety said, bowing. “Don’t fear, the Elhor will be in your grasp once more. But the time is not now, it is preordained.”
Enrick rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes, I’m sure!” he scoffed. “Your prophecies better be right, or you will be the one to pay the price. Was your questioning me, all there was to your visit?”
For a second, Enrick was sure he saw anger flicker across Dasety’s face, but the next instant, he was smiling. “I suppose not, my lord.” He whispered. “I’m sorry if I bother you with my questions.”
“If that’s true, then go and do whatever it is you do, when you’re not ‘advising’ me.” Enrick hissed. “And leave me in peace. I’ve had enough of your Draven speech.”
“Yes, my lord.” Dasety said, bowing. “I am at your service, if you need me.”
Once he was gone, Enrick looked around him. At some point while he was speaking with Dasety, Aliala had vanished.
Too bad. He’d hoped to speak with her some more. After all, she was one of a few people who’d ever told him something he didn’t want to hear, but in the end had helped him more than it had hurt him. Even though she’d left, he still intended to make her a Lady. If she wouldn’t choose which court, he'd just make her one in both of them. Since he was the king of both kingdoms now.
Sitting down on the throne, Enrick was still thinking about what he needed to do for that, when another loud groan echoed through the room and the throne room doors began to open again.
King Enrick was just about to yell at the person, when he saw that it was Telarian. This visit was his own doing. Two Shenockien guards tried to follow him into the throne room, but Enrick’s own guards stopped them in their tracks.
“He is to see King Enrick, alone!” the guards said gruffly, as they shoved the Shenockiens back and Marlon led Telarian forwards. The door slammed shut behind them.
“Shenock may have a treaty with you, but I will not be called upon like a slave!” Telarian spat, as he stood in front of Enrick.
“Yet, here you are.” Enrick said, lounging back against the Shenockien throne. “And here I sit, not you.”
“I thought the treaty said you wouldn’t try to control Shenock.” Telarian hissed through his teeth. “What is this you’re doing?”
Enrick laughed and shook his head. “You and I both know that was a lie we told your people.” He said, shoving himself off the throne and back onto his feet. “Shenock is more mine than yours now. I am your king now, and you will bow to me! Or do you wish to die? Along with the rest of your nobles?”
Telarian pressed his lips together, then slow and painfully, he dropped to his knee. “I bow to you, for the sake of my people, and nothing else.”
Enrick squinted down at Telarian. “Your submission is all I want, I don’t care why you do it.” He whispered. “Now, let’s get down to the reason you’re here.”
“And what would that be?” Telarian asked, standing back up.
“Aroron escaped from the dungeons earlier today. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?” Enrick asked, eyeing the Shenockien.
“Ask your men!” Telarian hissed. “I haven’t had a moment to be alone since you showed up. How would I have helped him? Even if I’d wanted to?!”
“Don’t test me, Shenockien!” Enrick hissed. “I don’t like people yelling at me, you’re lucky I don’t want to kill you, yet.” He said. “Marlon, rid me of this creature and take him back to his chamber. I can see that he speaks the truth about the Elhor.”
The blood drained from Telarian’s face, as he fought against Marlon’s half-hearted attempt to remove him from the throne room. “The Elhor? I thought you said…”
“Aroron?” Enrick finished for him. “You fool! They are one and the same.”
Telarian looked dazed, as he finally allowed Marlon to lead him away.
Enrick just smirked, sitting on the throne, as he watched the Shenockien ‘king’ leave. Enrick was sure a thousand thoughts were running through the Shenockien’s head, now that he knew the truth about Aroron.
He was probably wondering why the Elhor hadn’t stopped this invasion. Enrick laughed quietly to himself. Aroron’s too weak to really be the Elhor. He’d barely been able to keep himself alive, let alone lead an army to defeat the greatest evil in the realm!
It was some time later, when Enrick was awakened from a dream. The Shenockien throne wasn’t at all comfortable, yet somehow he’d fallen asleep. Probably from lack of sleep in the past few months. He sat up, when he realized he was being watched.
“My lord.” Fray said, bowing to Enrick as he stood before the throne. “There’s a Shenockien here to see you. And I think you should see her.”
“A Shenockien? Why would I want…” He stopped himself short, when he saw her. Enrick stared at her. “Is this some kind of joke?” he asked, squinting at her. “Because, I don’t find it the least bit funny.”
“Far from it, my lord.” She said, waltzing towards him. “I do believe, I may be of help to you, my king.”
“And who are you?” Enrick asked. “Really. I see your face, but I don’t believe it. So, who are you?”
“That, my lord, is a long story.”
“Well, you’d better get on with it then.” He said, crossing his arms. “I don’t have all day.”
She glanced around. “The walls seem to have ears, and I will not speak. Not while they're still here.” She said, motioning to the guards. “Send them away.”
Enrick hesitated and looked the girl over. She didn’t look like much of a threat. He could easily hold his own against her.
“Alright. Leave us.” Enrick ordered, motioning them towards the doorway. A few of the warriors hesitated, glancing at each other. “I said, leave!” he yelled.
One by one, the warriors quickly bowed and left the room, all but the throne room guards, who stood staring out into space. “What about them?” she asked, looking towards the guards.
“They will stay, they can’t hear anything anyways.” Enrick said, leaning forwards. “So, tell me your story.”
&
nbsp; When she was finished speaking, Enrick just shook his head and relaxed back. Her story was too crazy to be made up.
“Let us say I believe your story. Why are you here and what do you want from me?” Enrick asked. “If half your story’s true, you’re not here to help me. So, what is it you want?”
She smiled. “There you would be right. I want Tranton.”
“What is it with you women and that kingdom!” Enrick snorted. “It’s such a worthless place!”
“So you’ll give it to me?” she asked.
Enrick sighed and shook his head. “I’ve already promised that to someone else.”
“Please! What has Dregana done for you?” she asked. “Her usefulness has dried up. I, on the other hand, am the only one who can help you with your current problem.”
“And what problem would that be?”
“The Elhor who slipped through your fingers, yet again.”
Enrick eyed her “How do you even know about that? Only a handful of people have been informed.”
She laughed. “I’m not as much of a fool as Telarian. I know what’s going on here and I’m the only one who can help you bring him back. Which you desperately need to happen, or you’re going to look weak.”
“You won’t care if I kill him when you bring him to me?”
“Do with him what you wish.” She said, shrugging. “It does not matter to me.”
“Alright.” Enrick said, biting his lip. “In that case, finish Aroron off yourself and bring me his sword. I’ll give you Tranton.”
The young woman curtsied. “With honor.” She was grinning when she stood up again. “I would do anything for Tranton.”
“Then what are you waiting for?” Enrick asked. “Find him!”
“Don’t worry, my king.” She purred. “The Strangeheart’s death and Dragon Blade, are as good as yours. It’s only a matter of being patient.”
“You’d better hope so.” Enrick whispered, his green eyes burning into hers. “Because if it isn’t so, not only will I not give you Tranton, but I will make your life a living nightmare. Do I make myself clear?”
“Extremely.” She said, with a somewhat eerie look in her eyes.
Enrick fought back a shudder, as he looked away from her. Once this was all over, he’d be glad to be rid of her. Let Dregana try to keep Tranton for herself.
Chapter 31
The Lady of Debel
It wasn’t too hard to find the campsite Brody had spoken of, there were hundreds of earth colored tents, scattered across one of the few open spaces in Shey. No, finding the campsite wasn’t hard. Finding Lady Orana was a different story.
She could be in any of the tents, and Aroron didn’t even know what she looked like! She could walk right past him, and he wouldn’t even know it. But what choice did he have? He had no other allies in the city, and he couldn't get out of there on his own. He was going to have to hope he knew her when he saw her.
After all, she was his aunt, wasn’t she?
Hanging onto that thought, slowly, Aroron crept towards the outer edge of the camp. Staying as low to the ground as he could, without having to crawl.
Luckily, the sandy ground kept his footsteps quiet as he moved nearer to the campsite. He was just beside one of the outer tents, when he heard the sound of a guard’s thudding steps.
Aroron lunged behind the nearest tent, barely making it before the guards passed him by. That was too close! He’d just got there, yet he’d nearly been caught by one of the Theron guards.
He was going to have to be more careful, if he didn’t want to get himself killed. Aroron was just about to move again, when he felt the cold tip of a blade pressed against the back of his neck. He froze and his heart skipped a beat.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here? Slowly, turn towards me, keeping your hands where I can see them.” A woman whispered behind him. “Or I will slit your throat, without hesitating.”
“I’d rather you didn’t.” Aroron said, slowly turning towards the woman. The tip of the blade sliding to the front of his neck. “I like the way my throat is.”
The second she saw Aroron’s face, she gasped. “Aroron?” she whispered, slowly lowering her sword. “Is it really you?”
“Yes?” he said, then it hit him. Was this her? Was this his… aunt? Could he really have had that good of luck?
Though it was hot, the woman wore a fur cloak around her shoulders, over a leather vest and a deep blue dress, with thin metal chain ornamenting it. Her pitch-black hair was pulled back in a messy braid. Unlike the rest of the ‘ladies’ Aroron had met, she didn’t seem to care what she looked like. But the most notable thing about her, was the patch covering her right eye. War paint decorated her face.
“Orana?” he asked, eyeing her.
Before she could respond to him, a guard still far off from them, yelled, and they heard running footsteps.
“Quickly, into my tent.” She whispered, glancing around as she grabbed one of the flaps and held it up. “You mustn’t be seen. Hurry!”
He didn’t see that he had much of a choice. Glancing around, Aroron ducked down and stepped into the tent, followed a second later by the woman he hoped was Orana. If she wasn’t, Aroron had no weapon, and who knew what she wanted from him. She might decide to slit his throat after all and claim some kind of reward for his death.
The woman stepped back from the edge of the tent and held a finger to her lips.
For a long moment, neither of them dared to breathe, as a tall and looming shadow quickly passed over the earth colored tent flap. Luckily, he didn’t slow his pace, but kept running.
Once the guard passed, the woman turned towards Aroron and let out a long sigh. “Well, that was close. Now wasn’t it?” she said, with a dry laugh. “Hopefully it won’t happen again.
Aroron wasn’t sure if he was supposed to answer her or not. So instead, he asked his own question.
“Are you Lady Orana?” he asked, trying in vain to keep his body from tensing up as she moved closer to him, until there was only a foot between them.
"Is it really you?" She whispered, staring at Aroron. Her eyes glossed over as she placed her hand against his cheek. “You look so much like your father. But… you have your mother’s eyes. Oh! Yes, I am Orana.” She said with a laugh, as she dropped her hand back down. “I hope I didn’t freak you out.”
He forced a smile; glad she was his aunt. For the first time in his life, he seemed to have had good luck. “Not completely, ma’am.” Aroron told his aunt.
“Ma’am? Aroron, please don’t call me that! I’m only twelve years your elder. Don’t you remember me?” Orana asked, tilting her head.
Aroron shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t remember anything.” He whispered. “My childhood is a gray fog at the back of my mind.”
“The Former Omit.” She whispered, half to herself as she dropped her gaze to the ground. “I should have known!”
He waited for her to explain, but she didn’t. “The Former Omit? What’s that?” he asked.
“What? Oh, of course you won’t know what it is. The best way to explain it is, King Munay... he did something that took away the Karliens' memories.” Orana said. “Everyone who wasn't inside the castle at the time, had their pasts became blurred and skewed."
Was that what Hunter had tried to undo? Aroron still wasn’t sure if he’d succeeded or not. After all, he’d said it would take time. But how much time? Another question Aroron didn’t know the answer to.
"Then if I was the king and queen's son, why was I affected?" Aroron asked, frowning. None of this made any sense to him.
"You... you weren't in the castle at the time of King Munay's coup." She whispered, playing with one of the thin metal chains hanging from her dress. Aroron could see she was flushed.
Odd. "Why not?" he asked.
“You weren’t there, because, you were able to escape the castle before it was too late.” Orana said, finally lifting her gaze to look at Aroron again. “I
don’t know how, but your parents were able to get you out before Munay took over the whole castle.”
“And because of that, I don’t remember them.” Aroron whispered, taking his turn to look away.
“Because of that, you’re still alive!” Orana said, grabbing his hand. “You live to carry on their legacy.”
“Orana? May I come in?” a man’s gruff voice called from outside the tent. “I need to speak to you immediately! It’s an urgent matter.”
"Hurry!" She cried, grabbing Aroron’s arm. She drug him to the other side of the tent, beside her bed. "You must hide back there, before he comes in." Orana said, motioning to the other side of the bed. “Hurry!”
Aroron nodded, dropping to his knees. He lay down beside the bed.
“Are you in there?” the man called again.
“Yes, I am here, but I’m not dressed to see anyone at the moment!” she called out, her eyes darting around the tent. “Give me a moment!” She grabbed a few furry blankets and pillows and threw them on top of him. “You dare not move a muscle.”
“Orana? What’s taking so long?” he asked. “Why can’t I come in?”
“Oh… never mind, you may come in now.” Orana said, wrapping a fur shawl around her shoulders she stood next to her bed and did her best to look calm and natural.
"Hello, my Darling." The warrior mumbled, glancing around the tent. "We're searching for a very dangerous prisoner who broke out of the Shey dungeon. Demy just informed me of the escape. I wanted to make sure you were alright and that he wasn’t here." He said, glancing at the other side of the bed, where Aroron lay.
Demy? Aroron thought to himself. So, it hadn’t been Karliens or Zilladiens, but Therons who’d attacked Shey. Those foul creatures!
“Well, put your mind at ease while you’re here. I've not seen anyone, my husband." She whispered. “I’ve been alone here all day, ask any of the guards and they will mirror this statement.”
Aledo shook his head. “There’s no need for that, I trust you to tell me the truth. For your own good, if for no other reason. Now, if you do see someone, you will inform me?” he asked.