He trailed after me for some time we talked about home and what not well mainly he spoke flirtatiously while I tried to hold up a decent conversation. Each time I tried I fought the urge to throw one of the books in his face. Still he continued and after I managed to grasp one of the library books and leave. He had pulled me up and asked me about the future. “Do you even want to marry me?” he asked and I was shocked—I couldn’t exactly say no but considering that he is concerned for me and our situation does make me feel better well that was until he planted his lips against mine without even my consent. I was lost at first but once reality hit me, I hit him. Fair’s fair, love and more.
“My dear, that hurt.” he exasperates and I cross my arms turning from him.
“Good. I sure hope so.” I commemorate. “I’m gone for what two days and you lose him.” I growl turning back around to now face a red marked Altair. He just rubs his cheek as if to dull the pain. I had only arrived back from Earth after my encounter with the ex-Marshall who was assassinated. I would have gone after him but didn’t instead called for Nerelda and returned him back to the Order or what’s left of it for a burial ceremony that has occurred on the island—where the deceased citizens finally were at rest. I relaxed when I found out the children had escaped with several knights into the underground armory.
“It’s not my fault, he lied and disappeared.” His hand now slack by his side as he glances at me with a serious gaze.
“Why didn’t you go with him?” I retort, annoyed.
“Kal, you’re implying going with him to the bathroom. I don’t know how you ladies do it but men don’t go accompanying other men unless they are gay.” he says as a matter of fact, which, to my surprise is true. I saw that a lot on Earth and I was only there for a short time. I tap my foot on the stone floor in the Order which is now undergoing repairs.
“That’s not the point.” I say. “Vedric is gone. We have no way of finding him.” I rejoinder and glance at where my hand effectively slapped Altair. To be honest I had no idea what brought that on—still he deserved it. I would have felt guilty if Altair wasn’t such a harassing womanizer not that he’s forced himself or his hands on women who didn’t want him. I guess he’s just trying to find where he stands with us since I’m unsure about how I feel about him—yet.
“He’s not the Prince so you can relax and why did you slap me?” he asks innocently. I raise a brow. Is he honestly asking me that? His hand returns back to his face where I’m sure the pain is gone? I move my other hand down to where his free hand lies on my lower back; I twist his thick scales where the evident pain runs across his face. He pulls away and cradles his hand. “And what was that for?” he asks in reference to me pinching his hand. I sigh in defeat, sometimes I wonder why he even bothers asking.
“Now is not the time for your seduction!” I point out and his face drops into a pout which sends a small sing of warm through my chest. It is an odd sensation. He could have any woman he wants yet he’s trying to make it work with me even though we have many millennia before us. I turn from him and he walks beside me.
“Why does it matter?” he asks in reference to Vedic’s escape. I keep my eyes on the hall before me.
“I don’t know.” Yet something still didn’t feel right about that man. Reaching Gustof’s office is easy, the route molded in mind from years of making the same journey. Pushing open the wooden door I’m surprised by what is occurring before me yet not before I compose myself and walk over. The Chief sits behind his desk. Piles of paper is stacked around his wooden desk as the fire flickers gently in the hearth, the Chief’s eyes mound over a paper in his grasp his eyes straining to stay on the page. Hearing the sound of our footsteps he looks up, he returns to his paper his eyes straying to the seats before him.
“You two are required to escort Varden.” he says tiredly. I turn to Altair. This is new to us. “He is to be accompanied to Midra. The duke of Aland wishes to acknowledge the heir of the next royal family.”
“So he’s been recognized?”
“By us, yes, by the ‘Royal Court’, no. There is to be a hearing held later this month. By that time you are to deliver him there and protect him by all means.” states the Chief. Then like that with the wise words of the Chief we leave; Altair guides our horses along as we move through the scorched city of Muland. Several people are seen picking up bits of timber or things they can forage from the wreckage they once called a home. Their eyes drift to me before they turn to rest on Varden; once they’ve taken in all they have they turn back to their initial work at hand.
The city layout was small in the distance as the mountains across the ocean where we would pass seems too far away that I want to pull up my horse and turn around, hoping that maybe I would be able to return to the Order curl up under my thick covers and close it all off. Still, a job’s a job. If I were not given this I would be doing just that, trying to recuperate the energy I have lost. It wasn’t just physically I’m exerted but mentally and emotionally. These past few days have been painful for me but I can’t help it. I feel as though that this world is falling right under me and I can’t do a damn thing to stop it.
Moving through the empty yet silent forest appears to be a dreary task, I feel somewhat unsettled about the idea of Altair and Varden in the same place with me at the same time. The air is filled with this unidentifiable thickness. It is thick enough for a knife to cut through a block of cheese. That silence…this daunting feeling seems as though I’ve committed some atrocious crime. I ride a cashmere mare at the back of the group. Here is where I feel much safer—keeping a firm eye, on those two.
I stroke her mane and the side of her masculine neck as if fearing I’ll be pulled from reality. No one has talked and I wonder why but at the same time don’t want to know. Nerelda was the one to point out Varden’s looks in comparison to John. I didn’t realize it until she said it and I couldn’t find any words to add. They do look like they could be related—if not—reincarnated. I push the idea aside. John, a man I can never have because no one will accept us. We ran in different circles, him and I.
9:Frost
© 2014—All rights reserved by author
Why my life has become more complicated where all three have brought down my defenses? I guess to a degree I should be happy Altair and Varden haven’t killed each other. Still the thought of why is an unknown yet haunting sensation. The thick snow covered tree line begins to fade as we make our way across a once yellow meadow to a now white desolate blanket. The wheat’s that had once swayed to the rhythmic beat of the gushing winds are now frozen like pinnacles. “We’ll continue on.” states Altair; it is the first thing that breaks our silence. I’m the one, two stars, higher than him—it’s like a degree—not a university one but a plastic tape used to define the class of an individual on a combat level. I had to undergo intense ninjitsu and jujitsu training, both of which are Japanese originated.
I nod. Not wanting to speak.
We push our horses, they slowly trots through the field where, my long black hair dances around my back, whipping over my shoulders every now and again. In times like this I am proud to where my helmet. The way it covers my features while protecting my head and my sanity. Finally, managing to make our way through the calming meadow where scarecrows are positioned throughout, to ward off the birds that will enjoy feasting on the grain and insects. We pass a small cottage where a woman cradles a woven basket at her hip, a white bandanna covers the top of her brunette hair, her eyes rest on me as she stops and watches me pass even after we have passed the cottage I still feel eyes on me.
We manage to make our way to a small town, with red and dirty yellow tiled roves. The sight of it is calming against the opaque walls. We ride our horses ever a small bridge where men and women gaze at us—no—me! I’m startled by the amount of eyes on me. They are fixed on me, their expression, unreadable yet unnerving. I don’t believe the others have noticed or are trying to ignore it but still—this sensation—is far worse tha
n before. If there is anything I don’t like; it would be crowds. The way people’s or a person’s attention is stuck to you, every fiber of my being is telling me to run but the other part of me tells me to investigate.
“Why am I not surprised?” I mutter under my breath and notice their gazes never seem to waver; we pass the town square and head towards the Inn positioned at the base of a dormant volcano. Well I hope it is dormant otherwise we’ll be required to run the other way when it is active.
It’s because of the rich soil that they still live here.
I demount my horse and guide it into the stables while Altair and Varden enter the Inn. I didn’t mind that they left me be, the thought of them being around me is still making me uneasy. I wonder what this sensation is but try and not press the matter too much. I must have been deep in thought because I didn’t hear the approaching footsteps of a woman. “She’s beautiful.” I hear a soft voice ring. I turn my attention to its source to find a woman, in her mid-teens. Clearly at the age of maturity in this world which I find so bizarre but then again I was expected to marry Altair, from the day I was born.
“We’ll thank you.” I say and she laughs.
“I meant the horse.” She moves over to where my mere stand feeding on a stack of hay that is humbly left from the Inn keepers for their guests riders. “Is she yours?” she asks me turning her brown eyes upon me. I shake my head and her smile drops; still there is a small tug of her lips as she strokes my temporary white beauty.
“Do you like horses?” I ask.
“Yes, very much so, but my father doesn’t approve of the beasts.” She glances at me with painful eyes and I wonder if her father is a strict man or not. She definitely fits the category of the “sheltered and protected”.
“Why don’t you have any room for a stable on your land?”
“We do have a stable but it’s not for us.” she pronounces sullenly. “My father uses it for the guests alone.” My eyes grow wide at her words.
“You’re the Innkeeper’s daughter?” I ask a little bewildered that the old Innkeeper, we spoke to, has a daughter. She laughs. Then again some have children, some don’t. It’s really all about personal choice I guess.
“Is that a surprise?” I shake my head. She holds out her hand. “I’m Lucinda, you are?”
“Kalverya.”
“What an unusual name.” she states with intrigue and I shrug.
“My parents didn’t exactly like common names.” I say knowing that, that was only, half the truth, the other half would be that the names on Nephelia are either names from the bible or otherworldly names that people don’t often think of. There are some old human names used like Altair but they aren’t too common though.
“My father doesn’t but my mother did apparently she named me after a female Knight.” she admits and I nod in understanding I was wondering why her name sounded familiar, Lucinda Summers—a famous and well respected Light Knight. The Light Knights that were created to swindle and move crowds of people with words and their service, they are the real—true knights. There is Silver which is the division which I’m aquatinted too than there’s the Shadow Knights.
They are not the Rangers but work side by side the Rangers on surveillance and transportation missions. We however, the Silver Knights are people who work with the Mystical and Supernatural or otherworldly. The Shadow Knights and Light Knights only work for the planet’s Order and upon the lands they know but there are times when the Shadow and Light Knights would cross to our world to share vital information but nothing more.
I follow Lucinda into her home, the large mansion, setting of an Inn. She guides me in through the back terrace where people relax I think the way she put it was, “drift away” still I couldn’t help but smile at that remark. This place is beautiful. Lined in pearly white stones for both the walls and outside titles, a small well is centered in the middle of a four by four courtyard where off to the side the stables lay.
Black brown vines complement the red snow covered tiles of the roves as they creep up the side of the rough walls. From what I can see it was purposely designed that way. The architect might I say is something of an “artist” I stop in the breezeway where I see Varden and Altair exit what I believe to be reception room. “I’ll leave you to it, it was nice talking to you Kalverya.” she utters and I smile as she waves turning her heel and heading towards another part of the Inn or should I say of her home.
“Made a new friend have we?” queers Altair and I raise a brow and cross my arms defensively.
“What?” I question, “Do. You. Mean. By. That?” I grind my teeth uttering each word with resent but I clearly knew what he meant, his words translating to: “I didn’t know you swung both ways” the thought of it doesn’t bother me but I’ve found I’m attracted to guys, I experimented when I was young and found I liked guys more and prefer a relationship with them but that doesn’t mean I’m going to be a bitch to a nice girl, some men, honestly.
“Easy now big girl, I’m sure Altair’s just teasing,” cuts in Varden as he steps before me with weary hands as I scowl at Altair who does the same, it’s not uncommon on our world where both homosexual, heterosexual and asexuals live. The thought that he would even think that pisses me off even more but I clench my teeth and Varden regards me skeptically I can feel his weariness running off him in waves. I move over to Altair, my movements quick and seductive as I step close into his personal space, our lips only centimeters away. He looks almost lost and I fight back a smile.
“Now why would you feel bad? You’ll always be my favorite.” I whisper as he gulps, slipping my hand in his I smile at my achievement and move from him, “Now if you don’t mind. I’ll like to freshen up boys.” I say and move away from them as I notice Varden stands not looking at either of us, his feet planted shoulder width apart. His face contorted into an unreadable expression which I notice he’s trying to keep as I glide past them and stop at the end of the breezeway.
“With what keys?” Altair teases and I smile. Holding up my hand, a large iron key on an iron hoop and a wooden tab just like the rest of the Inns, I’ve been to so far, dangles from my slender fingers. I hear him grunt in annoyance.
“With these of course,” I say and wink at them, turning my back I walk towards our rooms. I hear Altair sigh loudly before saying.
“I hate it when she does that.” His words witty which; only makes me smile more. The sight of their faces would have been hilarious if I stayed to see but I knew I had better things to do. Since I will no doubt be sharing a compartment with the boys; rooms which are built together around a small ‘Common Room’.
This is practically what we have; a compartment, with three rooms, a spacious Common Room by the fire. I know if Varden has to use the bathroom it will be outside. I honestly feel sorry for him, it’s snowing right about now or is going to since my nose practically feels frozen within but I don’t let it bother me as I take in our room. Hearing approaching footsteps I turn to see Altair and Varden behind me as they take in the room. “Is this it?” asks Varden and I scowl at him. Altair pulls the keys from my hand and brushes past me.
“Hey!” He waves it in the air. I see his lips pull into a grin.
“It doesn’t feel nice now; does it?” he says and I mutter some curses under my breath. I enter the room and step aside allowing Varden to rush over to the fire where it burns in the hearth. I close the door and don’t feel any change in the temperature; it’s not too cold and not too hot. It’s not just right either for me but then again I’m not home. I’m sure Altair feels the same. Altair places his knee while he stretches out on the couch practically taking up all the space. I glower at him. “I’m sorry, did you want to sit down?” he teases. Yes I did but don’t say nor think as I turn my heel and pick out a random flanking room.
“No. I think I’ll sleep, thank you.” I say as I push open the wooden door.
“I thought you were going to freshen up?” he says emphasizing the last two words in a sarca
stic manner that I know he’s using air quotes for and I don’t even bother turning over to scowl at him as I skate into my room and under the covers. I know we have to stay here for a few days and investigate a few matters but I think I like the idea of sleep. It didn’t take me straight away but once it did, I didn’t wake till the next morning.
The morning light, enters my room though the small round glass window. I kick my brown woolen blanket from my form feeling almost hot. I can hear no stirring winds so I figured the snow storm has past. I hear gentle knocking on my door and look up to see a shadow under the door. I stride to my door and pull it open, revealing Altair standing with a sly grin and I frown. “Hungry?” he asks. I nod. “What? Not talking to me today.” he says but I brush past him and let him think whatever it is he thinks when things don’t go his way or “did” in this case. “Breakfast is to be prepared soon in the adjacent tavern.” he says and I nod once more at him, opening the front door I exit our shared compartment.
Yesterday, I have to admit was more fun than I had in years. Beats scowling or frowning because I couldn’t be bothered caring most of the time when I know that’s mostly true…dejectedly there’s a part of me that’s still attached to those around me but buried deep within my heart or my soul even that I can’t begin to weave out because it feels like an impossible task. I move towards the adjacent tavern where I hear the laughter of men and women well before I manage to make my way close enough. The sound of their deep laughter and merry music is what brings my mood up a bit but still I remain impassive.
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