"Foul—" started Vander, straightening his shirt. "You should have laid him out more. If someone doesn't hurt him soon he is going to hurt himself and then whatever poor sots around are going to get blamed."
Flora laughed, still leaning into Vander, swallowing the sweet smell of cinnamon that blew off him in gulps. "Yes that, if that—incident was common knowledge, I don't think I would be walking here right now, nor would have I gotten to know the poor shy boy—though I wouldn't say after all the time I spent with him that I know him any better now," Flora said watching as Prince Fergus pranced in front of his friends.
"So, you still think I did that?" Flora asked looking up at Vander, she had to crimp her neck in such a degree to even see the bottom of his chin.
"You are too smart a women to start playing dumb Miss Faodail. Or may I call you Flora," Vander said stepping back from Flora. The corner of Flora's lip twitched up. "You know I know, and you are still walking now, so have a little trust in me. The Folk have their own way of discovering things in this city, even when we are live hundreds of miles away."
"Flora is fine. Just don't tell Reynald and I think you and I will have no problems. Princess Kalida may already know to much and is causing enough problems," Flora said.
Vander winked at her. "I think we will be long time friends Flora, don't you worry. I would doubt Princess Kalida knows more than she should about you and Lord Reynald" he finished patting her hand. "You and him are getting on well?" Vander asked.
"As well as you and Lolita," Flora said shrugging. "It is complicated, what with the kidnapping and all."
"I understand complicated," Vander said.
They walked in peaceful silence for a while.
"Lolita hunts you," said Flora.
"I am aware of the Folk's killers," Vander said. Flora waited for him to say more before the moment became awkward.
"How does the talk of peace go?" Asked Flora.
"If the talks had even started I would be hopeful. I have met only some dignitaries, for all they might think they are important, most really aren't on the grand scheme of things, only a few have an effect. The human king is making me wait," he answered. "I mostly wander areas of the castle."
"Any idea as to when he will tire of that?" Flora asked
"Your guess is as good as mine," Vander said.
"And the other nobility, there is no luck of any help or leniency from them?" Flora asked.
"There a few, some of them own land where all the fighting happens. I think they may be tired of it. Though some of them hate our kind the most. Others who live farther from the battles are tired of funding it. They think we have safely been beaten already."
"Are you?" Asked Flora.
Vander smiled at that but didn't answer. "And any others? Well, some who have a heavy hand in trade truly want peace. But unfortunately, the first Noble that comes to mind in that regard is not currently here."
"So what truly brought you to the castle," asked Vander as they walked through a leafy tunnel. Small gaps in the foliage broke light through the surface as they walked. Taking Vander's face in and out of focus.
"I would have thought you would know since you think you knew who I was before," Flora responded.
"I knew who you were before," he said confidently. "But why did he want you?" Vander said.
Flora walked on, enjoying the shade while she thought about his question.
"I'm his long lost cousin—" Flora started as she watched Vander make an exaggerated eye roll. "Rolling your eyes won't help you be a good ambassador between our two people you know?" She told him.
"Apologies Miss Faodail," Vander said with a proper bow and a straight face, looking Flora in the eye, stopping them on the path they walked. "I was hoping we had moved past lies and fairy tales."
Flora looped her arm back through his and carried him forward. "Are all you Folk so impatient?" She asked.
Vander was looking at her oddly. "You don't even know the half of it."
"Folk dramatics get more interesting?" Flora asked.
All of Vander's teeth showed in his smile. "You don't even know. But please, continue what you were going to say."
"Well you've ruined it now, so maybe next time," Flora said with a casual shrug. "Anyway, I'm supposed to get close to Lady Dells. She is some sort of threat, though I'm not sure King Adriat even knows it. They seem rather close."
"Ah so that is what you wanted from her the other night," Vander said.
Was Vander smiling? Flora couldn't tell as she watched him in the dark shaded tunnel they had walked into. A smile certainly wasn't what Flora had expected to see. It must have been a trick of the light. Vander didn't respond as they walked on, coming out of the tunnel into a hedged garden filled with pruned sculptures.
"Know anything that would help me out with that?" Flora asked.
Vander straightened up as he answered. "I already told you what she wants. It is true, from what I understand. Miranda is close with the human king. She is much more than the Royal Tutor certainly. She actually owns land out along the mountains bordering my homeland. As politics stands right now, I think it would be safe to be on her good side, but I don't think you need to work about that."
"Safe isn't a word that will occur for me anytime soon," Flora said, at least not until she could find a way to get Dawson and Thren out of the castle. Or if Perry, Lorcel, and Roanan ever found a way in here. The pressure of that task was so much worse than anything that Lady Dells could make a problem for her. It was the one thing that weighed down her shoulders right now, and she barely knew where to start. "You told me she wants an elemental. I don't have one or know where one is, so I still do not know why I am here."
She lost her trail of thought as they exited the tunnel. Flora looked at the amazing creatures before her. Living green sculptures made from live trees. Their branches trimmed and formed to create images of life-size animals, the one directly in front of her looked to be a large eagle. Its wings out-swept and its beak screaming open.
Vander noticed her wonder. "They are topiaries," he said. "They became popular back in the first king's reign while the gardeners struggled to deal with the curse of all the bright coloured flowers."
Flora didn't respond as she walked around the first one. There must have been hundreds in the clearing, all scattered about in no organized matter. She could see wings and horns. Tails and flippers. Eyes the size of saucers. There were horses and dogs, elk and elephants, cobras and rabbits. Any manner of creature that Flora had ever heard of were there. Some she didn't even know what they were called.
Flora took in the array of animals as she wandered through, until Vander let her hand go to stand in front of the massive form of a dragon. It was standing on its two back legs, its other designed to press against a large stone beside it. It's wings were outstretched with its neck reaching long and straight up. Much higher than any of the other sculptures had been. Its mouth was in an open ferocious snarl. The gardeners must have had amazing skill, to make even foliage look furious.
"I'm surprised they have not chopped this down," Flora said to Vander.
Vander looked at the sculpture with a huge grin. "Me too, rumour has it that it was the first King of Merridan that killed the last large dragon. The dragon this one is based after if I had to guess. Or so everyone thinks," Vander paused and looked at the sculpture. It must have been three times the size of him, and he was no small man. "Though it looks almost like the real thing. Maybe they keep it as a reminder. They have overcome so much power that could have been used against them, with nothing more than their mental abilities to create. To overcome such magic like dragon's is quite the feat."
"How would you know what the real thing looks like," Flora asked.
"The Folk and the dragons have been known to occasionally get along," Vander said grinning.
"Lady Dells told me a bit about dragons. She lent me a book on them actually, about their extinction. It tells of how we killed them, its hard to believe
seeing even a replica of one that their tactics would have worked," Flora paused. "It is really sad we won't ever get to see one," said Flora wishfully, reaching a hand up to see how they made the foliage shimmer like what she imagined real scales would have. "They used to live everywhere," Flora said. "Some even in the bottoms of Lakes and Oceans, using their wings like flippers instead of fins, raising their young underwater, living on Kraken and mermaids."
"I believe it was the recluse dragons that did it that way. As I understand it, the last ones alive preferred to live deep in the ground, even in volcanoes. It made it harder for people to get at them," Vander said.
"Do you know much about them?"Flora asked.
"A friend once taught me some things that are not in the books," Vander replied with a closed lipped grin. "Their scales—" he continued on, telling her all of what he knew about dragons. They moved on towards other sculptures, leaving the dragon to watch over the rest of the animals below.
Flora had only seen maybe half of the other sculptures when Vander spoke up. "I think we have a visitor." Flora followed his gaze to see a large eagle sitting onto of a snake topiary.
"I think I have seen that eagle before," Flora said.
"That is likely," Vander said looking over his shoulder to check if they were alone. "Hello Zanfur."
The eagle's wings opened and the bird made to drift to the ground. Before it got there however, there was a loud snapping sound and a heavily scared Folk stood before her.
"Greetings," said Zanfur with a polite bow. "I have come as requested."
Flora's jaw dropped. "Folk can change forms?"
Vander smiled. "It is not common knowledge. Flora meet Zanfur."
"It is a pleasure to finally be acquainted," Zanfur said with anything stiff bow.
Flora nodded in response, still shocked.
"What news do you have Zanfur?" Asked Vander.
"Lord Reynald's progress has not been as magnificent as he makes it seem." Zanfur said, his voice low. "The lower villages are still secure."
Vander bowed his head and let out a breath. "That is a relief."
"Lower villages of your home?" Asked Flora.
Zanfur looked between Vander and Flora before answering. "Yes."
"Please send word that my work in the castle is not going as well as planned," Vander said and Zanfur bowed his head.
"I will." Zanfur said.
There was a long moment of silence as each Folk waited for the other to say more.
"There is a flower at your feet," Zanfur said and Vander and Flora looked down.
"Well, that is a sight," Vander said, reaching down to pick up the small yellow bloom. "Maybe times are changing."
"Maybe. Do not ask me to expose myself here again," Zanfur said before he snapped back into an eagle and took off from the ground, disappearing over the castle.
"We really should be headed onwards as well, I assume you can keep this secret of mine as well?" Vander said holding out his arm to Flora who took it again and they moved on down the trail.
"Of course. Do all the Folk turn into creatures?" Flora asked.
"Yes," Vander replied. "Sometimes it takes years for the body to sort out the form though. Whatever animal that you are destined to change into you actually have to meet in the wild. I don't fully understand it, but that is how the magic is triggered. Its why our kind love the wild places. It gives us more chances to find out form, for the magic to actually work. Some Folk will spend decades trying to find their form."
"What is your form?" Flora asked.
"I have been a wolf for about seventy years or so," Vander said.
"Seventy," Flora gasped and took a step back. "But you look...well you look as old as me," she said blushing.
"Us Folk age well," Vander joked backed with a wink.
"Apparently," Flora said.
"I'm glad you agree." Vander said with a wink and Flora felt a tingle rise up through her body.
"Truthfully, I thought those wolves were going to eat me when I met them. I was so young. Barely past the stage of crawling. The wolf pack had been running by, blood dripping from their mouth from the hunt, when they came across me. I had fallen as I had ran away. I was so young to know better, fear took over. But I tripped and when I turned to look back one was standing over me. But then, just like that, with a flash, I turned into a wolf. A younger version of the one I am now. I've be able to do it ever since."
"So the eagle, Zanfur, is how you spy on the palace?" Flora asked.
"I can not tell you all of my secrets Flora," Vander said smiling.
As they talked and Flora learned more about the Folk their trail paralleled another trail that guided a mass of Nobles walking along all in the same direction. Some under umbrellas held by servants to shade themselves as children ran underfoot laughing and shouting.
"Where are they going?" Asked Flora.
"Same place we are. I was told there was going to be a performance soon and that my attendance would be appreciated. But that is all I know," he replied.
"You know more than me," Flora replied, drying her palm along her front skirt. "Will Lady Dells be there?"
"I am not sure," Vander said.
This new path ended along the top of a pavilion, rows of seats dug into the ground, covered in well-trimmed lawn, circling half way around an open pit with doors inside. Vander escorted Flora to her seat. They passed a servant carrying a tray of water and Flora's pleading eyes was all it took for Vander to politely grab her a glass.
The jester stood to attention his bells bouncing along his hat. "Good morning fools and failures, our Lord thought we should interlude this garden little get together with some amusement," he said and bowed to the King Adriat who sat next to Lord Reynald near the front. "Some of our favourite prisoners are in need of exercise. And as we don't want to be inhuman as we deal out justice," some of the other garden guests laughed, other clapped, "we shall be bringing some out to move around. For all it sounds dull, I assure you it will not be." He finished, bouncing along the side of the pavilion before disappearing along the edge.
Vander rested his hand on her elbow "Would you sit with me?" he whispered in her ear as the crowd continued talking. Flora nodded with a small dip of her head as she followed and they sat around a lowered garden terrace, hoping whatever the demonstration was, that it would be short so she could escape to shade elsewhere.
The Wolf
Lord Reynald brought up a pale struggling Dawson from behind the bushes. Chains at his wrists, head twisted back behind him staring with wide eyes. His neck muscles were bulging from the strain as he pulled against his chains, away from whatever was behind him.
She saw Vander look over at her from the corner of her eye, but she could not look away. "Is that who I think it is?" Vander said.
Flora cringed but did not have to wait long to find out what that something else was being brought from below. A wolf, held every step of the way by two guards, only yards away from Dawson. The wolf's patchy coat dusty and slobber dripped from its mouth is it walked. The wolf stretched between the two chains wrapped around its neck extending out on either side, the two guards muscles trembling as they tried to contain it between them. It was no small wolf.
Lord Reynald held Dawson close as if to shield himself before he shoved Dawson into the ring. Grabbing a rusty knife from his belt and tossing at the stone wall on the other side of the pit where it thudded along the sandy floor.
"You better get moving," Lord Reynald said with a laugh, his voice drifting up, before he waved the guards forward. He walk upstairs from the lower pit taking a seat beside the King and Queen of Merridan. The two faces leaned in to watch the show.
The guards hauled the wolf into the pit, still snapping at the chains. The guard gave one last heave on the chains and let go at the same time before jumping back behind the safety of the slammed gate.
It clanged close in time for the guards to keep his hands as the wolf struck the door. The snap finally knocked Dawso
n out of his stupor and he finally took his eyes from the wolf. He scrambled around the pit, his fingers looking for any grip in the stone in which he could haul himself out with, finding none.
Flora saw the bloody streaks along the walls that said this was not the first time this has happened, but she hoped it was a different wolf. A wolf that had not already played this game before, but the creature below was so scarred and bloody it was hard to be sure.
Dawson's eyes now roamed the ground until he finally saw the knife. He lunged for it.
Thankfully the wolf was too busy snapping its teeth at the bars on the gate to yet notice Dawson, chains still dangling from its neck. Lather from its mouth was running in large droplets down the side of the metal bar it chewed to moisten the ground below. While Dawson's red hair, scrambling along the edge of the pit, finally caught the creature eyes, and it turned snarling.
The wolf started to circle Dawson his paws rising and falling slowly as Dawson matched him walking around the ring. His back to the wall. Settling the knife in his grip.
The wolf ignored the slobber that steadily dripped from its chin. Until the wolf lunged.
Coming at Dawson so fast and with so much strength that Flora was shocked when the wolf's teeth barely missed his foot as he dove out of the way scrambling along the sand. Thankfully, the sand made its paws falter and the wolf was unsteady along the surface while the chains wrapped around its feet. Unfortunately, the sand was affecting Dawson as well.
Flora gasped as her arm came out to latch onto Vander's arm. Feeling her nails biting in as she watched her brother. Lord Reynald looked over his shoulder to smile at her.
"Enjoying yourself?" He asked.
"This is horrible," Flora said back while the nobles around her laughed. As she struggled to contain the anger on her face, she knew she bit her tongue when the bitter taste overwhelmed her senses, and all she could think of was blood and Dawson.
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