The Nevermore Chronicles: Silencing the Queen

by Stephanie McKitrick

  I tapped into my powers so I could see his aura, it was very faint and almost white. This man was close to death. Zephyr came to my side to investigate. Once again, his deep silky voice entered my mind.

  “Who do you think he is?”

  “I don't know, but I have a feeling Bear knows him.”

  “I had the same thought. He shifted to much and didn't make eye contact. He always was a bad liar Serra. You should talk to him about this man. I'll start the healing.”

  “Alright, I'll be right back.”

  I rose and brushed my dress off as I walked back out the gate. Bear came up to me a little too eagerly, confirming my earlier suspicions concerning his knowledge of the half dead man in my stable's. I nodded to Tristan who immediately understood, bless that boy's heart, and off he went leaving Bear and I to talk.

  “Who is he Bear?.”

  A look of shock flashed across his face then was replaced by a rosy pink coloring on his cheek's. He tried to quickly composed himself but I saw in his eye's the truth, he knew the man.

  “I have no idea my lady.”

  “Stop...just stop. I know you know him. You can't lie to me Bear. You never could. There mere fact that your standing here even trying, it's an insult to our friendship. Now I'll ask again, who is he?”

  He seemed to fight with himself for a moment before he closed his eyes and breathed a heavy sigh. Then he re-opened them and looked me dead on.

  “He's...well...”

  He rubbed the back of his neck before continuing.

  “He's, my brother Serra. Half brother that is. Same mother different father, but my brother none the less.”

  I didn't know what to say, my heart went out to Bear, I knew he had a brother, but he had been lost to the Waraxe clan at a young age. No-one ever knew what happened to him, until now that is.

  “Are you certain this man is your brother?”

  “As certain as I am that you are....”

  He paused for a moment, something behind his eye's softened, I thought. Then he continued and looked away.

  “That you are the Queen.”

  “Then I shall save him, for you my friend. You go and rest, we'll take care of the healing.”

  It took all night and a lot of energy split between Zephyr and I but we finally did it. We healed Bear's brother enough so he would not die. I placed a charm upon him so he would heal at a rapid rate for the next few hour's. It was all I had the strength for after using so much of my magic for so long a time.

  I had him taken into the castle through the servant's entrance so as to avoid unnecessary attention. He was then placed in the western wing of the castle. We had agreed his presence should be kept secret until such a time as we knew why he was here and what had happened to him.

  I made my excuses and left for my room, leaning heavily on Zephyr until I could no longer use my leg's from exhaustion. He willingly carried me to my room and helped me to bed. Though the sun was just breaking over the horizon, I was determined to sleep at least a few hour's.

  Once in bed Zephyr happily joined me. The sweet smell of Vanilla and spices filled my lungs and enveloped me in a cocoon of warm delight. Zephyr always smelled of vanilla and spices, but I'd never known why. Never look a gift creature in the mouth my father had always said.

  I had barely finished the thought when I fell into a deep sleep beside my best friend. The next few day's were full of errand's that needed done for the ball. Between testing food's, writing invitation's, making my daily appearances in the villages, tending to the royal gardens, planning the layout of the ball, and going over the guards posts with Bear I was lucky to find time to eat.

  After the fourth day I decided to pass off my duties to Geraldo, who, like a seasoned champion, took the reins with pride. I and Zephyr on the other hand went to pay a visit to our injured guest. I tapped lightly on the door and waited. After a few moment's I grew impatient and started to leave when the door opened ever so slightly. I spared a cautious look towards Zephyr who stood heckles raised and beak barred.

  I ran a soothing hand down his neck as I pushed the door open with my free hand and entered. A fire was lit in the hearth and in the high backed chair sat the once scrap of a man. Though, now he looked much better. I could see he had blonde locks sprouting from his head. A nice square jaw accompanied by a strong Roman nose.

  As I came closer I saw he was quite fit as well. Muscular but not too overly bulged. He rose to meet me and I saw he was tall, about six feet and two inches maybe. I myself stood at five feet and seven inches. I found myself comparing him and I. His hair was so fair while mine was a dark crimson red. An oddity most had said throughout my childhood.

  My skin had the look of a light bronze where he was pale. It was the eye's though that captured me. Mine were bright silver with even brighter blue spikes, most who did not know me feared me simply because my eye's were so off-putting. But his...they were Barron's eyes, shining orb's of milk chocolate. I found myself staring deeply into them.

  He smiled wryly at me and I blinked shattering the reverie. I took his now outstretched hand and he laid a light kiss upon it, I noticed his lip's unlike Dimitri's were cold and stiff. He released my hand, then offered me the seat adjacent to his own and I took it willingly.

  Zephyr followed suit. I absentmindedly rubbed the back of my hand, I could still feel the cold tendrils from his lip's beneath the cold I could swear I felt it burning a bit. Like when you plunge your hand into the frozen river and hold it there too long. I blinked away the thought from my mind for now as I began the conversation.

  “I see your moving around better now. How do you like the castle?” I asked, half to cut the awkward tension in the air and half to dig for information on my new guest.

  “Oh, it's quite lovely. Thank you so much, for what you've done for me. I'm forever in your debt.” He exclaimed.

  “Well, it was the least I could do for Barron's brother.”

  Something flashed in his swirling chocolate eye's.

  “So you know I am Barron Waraxe's brother. I thought...I mean I didn't know...I've been looking for Barron for year's. I came across the marshes and when I couldn't make my way through, I decided to turn back and try elsewhere. That's when I was attacked.” He explained.

  “Attacked? By whom? And why?”

  “Ah, I see you have many question's I will be happy to oblige you with answer's. I do believe we should be properly introduced first though. I am Emery Waraxe. When I was a lad, I was stolen from my parent's in the dead of night. For year's I slaved, learning the trades of combat, blacksmith, and many other thing's. When I was older I was sold to a new master, this one was a drunkard and one night I slipped my chains and fled while he lay passed out from the drink. I've been searching for my brother ever since. That's how I came to the marshes. I had heard about the Raven's Ball from some passing tradesmen. They said the Queen of Nevermore is a true sight to behold and that her beauty and kindness towards her people can often bring even the strongest men to their knee's. I thought if I had the chance to meet this queen I would ask her to help me find my brother. Sure enough without knowing it you already fulfilled my wish.”

  I pondered on his word's for a moment before I spoke. Even as I did, I could feel his eye's on me. I heard the faint rumble of Zephyr's growl behind me. I sent him a quick message.

  “Calm yourself Zephyr.”

  “I don't like this man. His aura is dark.”

  “He's been through a terrible ordeal, not to mention he's had a pretty rough life my friend. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt and a little rope here, ok?”

  “Fine, maybe he'll hang himself with it and save me the trouble.”

  “Oh, you're just impossible you know that.”

  I smiled politely.

  “What a very tragic life you've led. But at least now you are home with your family. Though I can't change the past, I would like to help with your future. Please come to the Raven's Ball. It would be great fun.”

&nbs
p; “I'd love to. Provided I can find a proper form of attire.”

  “Worry not, I'll have it taken care of. Its a masquerade ball.”

  “Oh, that's wonderful. Thank you.” He said enthusiastically.

  “My pleasure, now about this attack. What happened, if you don't mind me asking?”

  “Oh yes the attack, OK, so there I was coming out of the marshes, I'm dripping wet with muck and mud when I overhear some men talking. Well, I'm not exactly armed so I sneak down and hide behind a nearby boulder. It's very dark by now so I'm easily passed over. Anyway, I heard the men say they couldn't wait to get paid. That this was going to be the biggest score of their lives and all they had to do was find a way in.”

  “A way in?” I repeated, curiosity peaked.

  “Yes, that's exactly what he said. I can't tell you anymore, I'm sad to say.”

  “Why not?”

  “That was when I was struck from behind. The next thing I knew I woke up here.”

  Hmm, what could they have been talking about I wonder. Obviously it was a scheme or underhanded deed of some sort. I felt Zephyr shift beside me and glanced his way to see him staring intently at Emery, who in turn stared a hole through me.

  I hadn't really noticed before, but now it suddenly bothered me. There was something about him I just couldn't be sure of. A strange feeling I couldn't seem to shake. I pushed the thought's away.

  “Well, in any case I'm certainly glad you're feeling better and able to move around a bit more. I should really get back to planning the ball. I would like to invite you down to dinner if you feel up to it. I'll have Barron come through with some clothing in a little while.”

  “Oh, I would most definitely love that, Thank you.”

  I bowed my head and received the same from him in return, then I turned and left. As soon as the door was closed Zephyr shook, the same way he did when his fur and feather's were soaked and needed the excess water shaken off. He was visibly upset.

  Once back in my room we seated ourselves in front of my own hearth and began to go over the detail's of Emery's story. We didn't make it very far when there was a rapid knock at my door. All senses went on high alert, but were soon calmed when I sensed Bear's presence lay just beyond the cherry wood door's.

  I casually walked to the door and opened it enough to see and speak to him, but did not offer him to come in. I wanted to review the night's informative mission with Zephyr not Bear. I plastered that fake “Queen's Smile” one pick's up after a few thousand hour's of courtly proceeding's, gala's and ball's on my face as I greeted my Captain of the Guard.

  “Evening Bear, how are you?”

  “You went to see Emery tonight. Why? What did he say?”

  Taken aback by his sudden eagerness to know the details of my private conversation, I wrinkled my nose at him in anger. Then after a moment I calmed my sudden flared temper and reminded myself he was my oldest and dearest friend and Emery was his long lost brother.

  He was probably just wondering if he was up to company or if he had mentioned him during our conversation.

  “I wished to see if he was alright and fairing well since the ordeal, and the conversations we shared are and shall remain private. Why are you so curious?”

  “No reason I was just...like you said...curious. I haven't spoken to him yet. I've been busy as of late.”

  My heart softened for him.

  “Go speak to your brother Bear, I'm sure you have many question's and he seems like he's doing well enough to answer them. You should sit down with him and talk....that's an order. Oh, and take him some clothing while your at it.”

  We exchanged knowing smile's. Then he leaned in and kissed my forehead softly. His warm lip's were a comfort to me. I relished in his touch. Then it was over and he was bidding me a good evening and walking down the corridor. Oh well. Once a crush always a crush I suppose, right? I shut the door, locked it and took my seat again. Leaning heavily on the arm of the chair and using my hand to massage above my right eye I closed my eyes and tried to clear my head.

  Zephyr lay beside me on the floor, although he was laying his head was still at eye level with me. Most were intimidated by his size. I had to admit he was pretty massive. I stroked his soft head.

  “Why do you feel the way you do towards Emery?” I asked

  “There's something about him Serra, he has a darkness.”

  “You know we're linked, I feel what you feel. Your judgment of him is making me question myself. He's done nothing wrong so far Zephyr. It's not fair to judge him yet.”

  “I know it's not...it's just...I can't help this feeling of impending doom when I'm around him. I had the same feeling at the stables.”

  “Zephyr he is Barron's brother. He would never wish harm upon me. You worry too much my old friend. Come, we've shirked our responsibilities of the ball enough today. We'll continue our previous discussion later.”

  Off we went to taste more cakes, hang more lantern's and do whatever else we could to insure the success of the Raven's Ball. But no matter what we did Emery, Bear, and The strange men were still racing through my thought's.

  Who could the men be I wondered, why would they be so close to the marshes, surely they knew of the spell that had been cast to protect my kingdom from invader's, everyone knew and knows how powerful I am and the length's I'll go to, to protect my people.

  No-one ever gained entrance to the kingdom unless it was by the sea. What could they have been talking about? What was Emery doing,trying to get into Nevermore through the marshes? Why did he and Barron act so strangely towards each other? So many question's and it seemed as if there were no answers. It became rather hard to focus on the planning of the ball when I was so distracted.

  I decided a walk through the garden's would clear my head, I waved off Zephyr's attempt to follow, I wanted to be alone for a few minute's and besides, I knew he was probably starving.

  So, I insisted he go find himself dinner and assured him I would see him at my own dinner in an hour or so then once I knew he was gone, off I went to the garden. I loved smelling the roses and gardenia's then resting by the pond, under the shelter of a weeping willow.

  I found myself wandering past the willow tonight and finally coming to rest under a Dogwood tree that hid itself back away from the world in the corner of my garden. I breathed in the sweet scent of the blossom's and closed my eye's to try and clear my head when suddenly whispered voices caught my attention.

  I quickly pushed myself further back into the shadowed part of the tree's overhanging limbs so as not to be seen and listened intently.

  They were men, two of them if I guessed right. It was too dark by now to actually make out any distinguishing facial features. I couldn't tell by their whisper's who they were either. Oh where was Zephyr when I truly needed him?!

  “What are you doing here?!?!” Man 1 said to Man 2

  “Insuring you'll do your job correctly!” Man 2 said

  “What?!?! Why wouldn't I? No-one suspect's a thing! No-one even see's me here! The castle is too big and there are too many servant's and guard's to keep track of. I blend in better than I could have hoped for! The plan will go off without a hitch trust me!” Man 1 exclaimed proudly.

  “You've grown soft on that little girl! I've seen it! She's a distraction! One that will get you killed!”

  “No, she won't! I've worked too hard for too long to let you come in here and mess thing's up all because you're losing faith in me! Now listen, the plan is set in motion and will go off without a hitch the night of the Raven's Ball. The kingdom will be yours for the taking! Just like I promised. You'll get the kingdom, your revenge, and a new pet to go along with it all, a royal pet at that!”

  “Hmm, fine! But you had better not mess this up or it'll be your ass! Now what about the Guard's? What about the people that will be here? What about the bloody Griffin or the Queen? You know they have power's?! Have you thought of any of this?”

  “Of course I have and I've planned for all o
f it too don't worry! Like I said all will go perfectly you'll see. Once Butch and Lars get here tomorrow everything will be just fine.”

  They started back towards the castle then. I stayed hidden, mentally calling to Zephyr. A few moment's later and he was by my side.

  “What happened?! I felt your urgency in the call, are you alright Serra?”

  “Yeah, Two men, assassin's I think. They have a plan to take the kingdom the night of the ball. They spoke of two more men, a Butch and Lars. They said they would be here soon and that's when Their plan was to commence. I didn't get much more than that. We have to warn the royal guard. We have to warn Barron!”

  “Wait, calm yourself, my dear. We now posses information we did not before. We also now know there is a spy in our midst. We must take precaution's. We do not know how deep this treachery run's and who is involved. Let us lay a trap to catch the traitorous fiend's.”

  I thought for a moment, but I knew already that Zephyr was right, I needed to wait and carefully lay my trap. Like a spider lying in wait for her fly to enter the web! I would need cunning and skill.