A Crimson Tale

by K. L. O Johnson

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” she asks and I grind my teeth. Why do I even care, he’s a womanizer. I knew that and just because he hunted with me the other night doesn’t mean anything even if it’s a ritual among the married. If he wants an escort, I’ll have one too. I move over to Varden and grasp his arm.

  “Let’s go.” I didn’t give him another second to react and begin to drag him along the floor, to my surprise he didn’t mind it but that’s not what’s bothering me at the moment. Looks like an old dragon can’t be taught new tricks. I think. Then again why should I care? He’s not my responsibility.

  “Alright, I’m coming, just don’t pull…” he calls after me. After we have left the room I continue to pull Varden under an archway that led to the quarter garden. I continue to hold my grasp on him until I’ve finally managed to find my way to the snow covered ground, where my boots crunch the ice beneath my soles, I place my elbows on the frozen balcony rail.

  Varden stands beside me but doesn’t touch the rail.

  “I just don’t get it…” I begin to think out loud, only than do I realize what I had said, I sigh and regard the frozen valley below where the garden in spring would be colorful blooming flowers and lush lively leaves. Varden remains silent. I turn to him. “You think I’m an idiot don’t you?” I ask.

  “No I don’t.”

  “You know…I’s okay if you do, I won’t be mad. I way past that emotion.” I mutter. This is one of the main reasons why I never go for the alpha males, they either have women lined up outside their door, countless mistresses or a just plain womanizers. Sometimes, I wonder what chemicals in the male brains causes them to play around with women like that and their emotions.

  “It’s not you I think is an idiot.” he says at last. I glance at him confused.

  “Who?”

  “Altair,” We both laugh at that, knowing it is true.

  “How could I miss that?” I say with sarcasm, “It was obvious.” He laughs before pauses and regards the ground with furrowed brows. “Varden?” I ask as I place a hand on his shoulder, hoping our eyes would meet mine, something was bothering him and I’m afraid it’s my fault. I really do feel like kicking myself or rather maybe I should.

  He sighs and runs his fingers through his blond tresses and leans on the cold ice. I can hear his heart rate increase. He’s either nervous or cold, I’m falling towards cold, why on this earth would he be nervous around me, it just doesn’t seem plausible. “You know, if I had the power to, I would kill Altair.” I’m shocked at the ice in his tone and the seriousness of his face, the hard outline and his firm gaze on the distant mountains we had entered to arrive here.

  “Wh…Why?” I stutter, too shocked.

  “Because…he has the most beautiful, smart, talented, fierce woman behind him, he doesn’t know how lucky he is. Where I’m from men will fall over each other to marry you…what I wouldn’t give to kill Vedric for touching you than Altair for hurting you.” My chest fills with this uncontrollable warmth, I can feel my heart race and myself becoming happy at his worlds. “Sorry.” he adds, I’m snapped out of my reprieve.

  “What are you sorry for?” I ask.

  “For ranting…” he trails off, his face becomes red and I laugh. He scowls at me and I laugh more. “What so fun—” he yells and I hold up a finger against his lips.

  “I wasn’t laughing at you…I was laughing at what you said.”

  “What’s the difference?” he growls.

  “The difference is…you weren’t ranting, you were…” I trail off and he goes quiet, it’s like something unspoken has been spoken and I can’t help but feel comfortable in this silence and I can’t help but feel more comfortable around him.

  “I know.” he finishes for me and I drop my hand, and stare at him, his eyes are so alluring, I’ve always been a sucker for pale blue eyes, there just so mystical. I feel hypnotized and find myself inching closer to him, heat radiates between us and it only pulls me in. Only the sound of approaching footsteps yanks me from my attempt to kiss Varden.

  I step away. I shouldn’t do that!

  “We need to talk.” Is all Altair says and turns his heel. I take one last glance at Varden, hoping my look was apologetic and follow after. I shouldn’t have done that but I don’t know whether to be happy or mad I was caught almost kissing Varden. The journey to our compartment is irritatingly slow. I can’t help but want to yell at him to hurry up but I know he’ll just ignore me. He opens up the door to our compartment and gestures for me to enter.

  I eye him uncertainly and enter.

  “Look if you’re angry because—” I’m cut short by Altair’s lips against mine, I’m shocked and mad at the same time I really don’t know what brought this on but by the time he pulls away I’m slightly flustered. That just annoys me more. I’m irritated by the smirk across his face, I bring up my hand and slap him hard across the face—Vedric may have stabbed and left me to die but that was when I was unconscious—now—I’m conscious I refuse to be seduced by any man—including Altair. “Are you kidding me? Seriously…you’re here trying to…what? What are you trying to do anyway?” I ask before I add yelling at him. “And I’m not taking off my scales!”

  “I never said but if you insist…” That earns him another slap across the opposite side of his face. I cross my arms and huff.

  “Nice talk…Altair.” I leave. “My god he’s unbelievable, is this how most men act or is it just him…” I mutter as I storm towards the Common Room. “He’s lucky I didn’t start kicking him!” I growl under my breath and stop when I hear a gasping sound. I hesitate, if that noise is what I think it is than I don’t want to interrupt. I’m caught between checking and leaving.

  Instead, curiosity gets the best of me.

  I push open the door and the second I do, I come to an empty hallway with a woman crouched on the ground, she’s crying…why? Knowing something bad has happened, I walk over to her. “Hey, are you all right?” I ask.

  Her head whips to me.

  “You!” It’s the receptionist. Great… “I practically threw myself at him and he denied me and it’s all because of you!” I’m taken back, my mind goes blank before I force it to rummage through the new information. “They say only a fool denies a woman who offers herself and he is a definite fool! Men chase after me every day and you don’t hear me complaining!”

  Talk about egotistical.

  “I’m sorry…” I say unsure what else to really say.

  “Really?” she asks me with a quirked brow. I nod my head and she smiles. “though I’m not all that convinced…” she adds after some time. Come again?

  “What…why?” I ask.

  “You may want me to feel bad because you have that Nephalem! You’re nothing more than another Zylarian!” she growls. “Nephalem don’t normally date outside their species explaining why everyone wants them.” She’s quick to stand and cross her arms that’s for sure which only adds to her odd—hope. I regard her with impassive concern and unsure about why she called me a Zylarian when I’m no such thing. I thread my fingers through my hair at my waist and realize it’s shorter. I glance down.

  Black!

  My hair is black—not a good sign. “So it is,” I say casually and flip my hair back over my shoulder. “and?”

  “And…Nothing…I’ll have him.” She lunges towards me and I step out of the way.

  “You don’t want to do that.” I suggest as I raise my hands before me in an attempt to calm her down which doesn’t help. Instead it just aggravates her more. At this point I’m surprised at the anger and pain twisted tightly into her features, I never would have thought it possible, until now. Why do I have to run into her of all days?

  “But I do!” she growls and I turn my heel and run. “Get back here you coward!” Coward? Since when am I a coward? I just don’t want to hurt her but in my Idol Form, now, I should be as strong as her. Still I’ve proven time and time again that I was stronger than the majority of women I ran in
to. As I speed down the halls and around corners attempting to distance—she chases after me like an in ranged bull after a red fabric. She hysterically screaming after me, her voice is the only thing that keeps me from running into her.

  If this was a war; she’ll be dead in moments. I shake my head.

  I mustn’t think such cruel things! I scold myself even though she deserved to be brought down from whatever pedestal she’s climbed upon. Once I hear her voice retreating in the distance and I slip around the corner that I’ve been hiding around for some time and held my breath as I saw her glide past muttering curses under her breath. Now that I’m alone I only realize now that I exhale, releasing the breath that I didn’t realize I held.

  Honestly this woman is such a troublemaker. I think and turn my heel before stopping in the red carpet lined hallway. No…it’s not her but Altair that is the troublemaker.

  “Who is she?” a voice asks, and I turn over my shoulder, images begin to flash in my mind of crystal clear waters and lush green forests, ”A horrible cross-dresser…”

  “You have no idea.” the female voice enters and I freeze. It’s the same voice that has been guiding me. My head begins to ache and I drop down on my needs and squeeze my palms against my temple—attempting to reduce the pain I was in—it stops. I notice before me, white heeled wedges under a fleecy gown and tight scales. I glance up—armor—scales—long sleeves.

  Galataia!

  I stare…a little in shock. I find myself on my rear staring at the being who looks like my sister with both confusion and fear. My heart begins to pound in my chest. There’s nothing in this world that scares me more than the walking dead.

  It’s a good thing they don’t exist.

  “Kal…” Her voice is barely a whisper. “Varden…”

  “What about Varden?” A loud clashing sound occurs, I jump to my feet and sprint towards the nearest window.

  Men and women dressed in the Grattican colors stand in large numbers at our gate. The Duke strides towards them with his head held high. His attire comprises of a dark purple and crimson cloak, his clothes are hidden from my view though I know they are fine. The sound of a rifle fired makes its way to my ears and I freeze, the Duke is pushed to the ground by a Knight, the second Knight that stood behind him slowly falls to his knees.

  Blood smears his hand and he collapses.

  Sirens ring and the Duke is forced from the courtyard. I hear large booms occurring overhead and cannon balls fly towards the soldiers who managed to break down the gate and I curse. I glance over my shoulder and the figure which appeared like my sister is now gone and I glance down at opposite ends of the halls and make my way down corridors and stairs towards our shared compartment.

  I force open the door to see Varden casually sitting on the sofa with a book, he smiles at me with admiration. “There you are.” He stands and makes his way towards me and I close the door behind me and pull down the large wooden block and seal us within the room and hopefully them out. I force Varden to the couch and set him down glancing over my shoulders, at the windows and ceiling. “Are you okay?” he asks and I move from him and begin to close all the windows.

  “Where’s Altair?” I ask.

  “Not here,” he says with hidden malice and confusion. I turn to him and place my hands on my hips.

  “We need him,” I declare.

  “Why?” He jumps to his feet. “We’re perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves.” he adds and I don’t argue, a part of me agrees with him, the other part is telling me to find someone with enough strength to fend them off. In my unknown condition, I’m not fit for battle. I curse. I’ve never been so useless in my life!

  “Is there another way out?” I ask dumbly as I slip my black strands behind my ear and kick off the rug, hoping to find some hidden door.

  “What are you doing now?” he demands and strides towards me. I brush past him and search the opposite ends of the room. I can’t think about being near him or Altair right now, we need to get out of here. I glance at the sword on the wall—only a display sword—I drag a stool and climb on it reaching for the weapon. Varden is at my feet. “Get down, you’ll hurt yourself,” His hands attempt to steady me at my thighs. I can tell the uneasiness in his voice is him getting used to where his hands expectantly flew to.

  I manage to pull down the sword and with his help I stand once more on firm ground. I may not have muscle power but I certainly do have brain power.

  Think!

  If we can’t get out of here than we can at least hide until they consider the room “Clear”. Though, we’ll have to find a very good hiding spot and then sneak out. I glance around the room, slightly frustrated, slightly annoyed and above all slightly confused. Why would the Grattican be at our doors? Other than the fact that they are sworn enemies of the Nephalem…what connection do they have with the Zylarians and above all their Orders?

  The steel is cool and comforting in my hand, I test its weight and realize the metal isn’t strong but should do. I glance at the doors and as if years of training pays off, my eyes narrow, at the shadows under the door. I force Varden from the door and into the furthest room, Altair’s room. I close the door and glance around the room and see a window is closed—not just closed but locked. I quickly pace towards the window and stab the blade into its hinges attempting to force it open, a click occurs I feel myself more confident about our current predicament.

  We just may get out of this—alive.

  War, the only explanation, the only cause for greed and suffering. This is something that no one can ever forget. Famine and drought occurs due to the continuous strain on the land and the unpredictable climate change. How can one possibly hope to survive in such harsh environments? Not even men are invincible—they too have their limits which they refuse to acknowledge.

  The acknowledgment of ones limit, is the cause of one’s success.

  I pull Varden along behind me as we sprint down alleyways, around corners and past people who regard us with confusion and wariness as their eyes finally land upon the blade within my grasp. “Move!” I yell my voice strains as I force my way through the recently parted crowd.

  I’m convinced that we are not being followed but I can’t help but feel paranoid, even though the Grattican may have lost us—It’s the ‘Recorders’ I must avoid. Even the nicest person can be our enemy. A large City Guard stops us in our attempts to flee, his large thick hands, are held up in such an influential manner that I stop at his gesture. “I will not tolerate a public nuisance.” I scowl at him.

  “Move.” I order in a deep fierce tone. At my words, several of his men begin to surround us. I drop Varden’s hand and clasp the hilt of the sword firmly. “Move and you’ll be spared,” I warn. Laughter occurs around me and I grind my teeth. I don’t have time for this!

  “A woman threatening us?” peers a man beside what appears to be the Captain of this group. “Last time I checked…I’m stronger than you—” I charge. The first few men attempt to bring out their swords but I’m quick and manage to slip past their line and point the blade at the Captain’s throat.

  “You may be stronger but I’m more nimble. Stand your men down.” It takes several long stretches of silence before the Captain nods his head and his men sheath their blades, I don’t take my eye of the Captain and keep the men in my peripheral vision. I can’t afford to be seized now, not after everything I’ve been through to get this far. I won’t have it, I won’t surrender.

  Varden slips through the crowd, he turns to stop behind me and I slowly pace back and Varden does the same, he turns his heel and sprints on, I follow after. I glance over my shoulder—they still stand there, their faces are masked in anger and fear. Serves you right, may be you need to be shown up, to become humble and smarter. I think. The sound of hooves and whining of horses pulls my attention. I glance to the right flank and lock my eyes on a stable. “Varden!” I call and he stops several paces ahead of me and turns around. “There!” I nod my head in the d
irection of the stables and he smiles.

  It’s not every day that people manage to escape with their lives but somehow we did and I pull up the horse at the edge of the valley where the city of Midra stands tall under the yellow sun. The frozen air doesn’t seem to have changed and Varden pulls his jacket around himself to insulate what warmth he has retained from the burning fire at his feet. I stroke the mane of the pearly white horse, its breathing is rigid. We pushed her a little too hard but we had to put as much distance as we could between us and the Grattican. Though I’m concerned about Dante and for starters about Altair, I wonder if they’ll make it. I know they will but I can’t help but worry and I feel rather ridiculous because they can take care of themselves.

  21:Justice?

  © 2014—All rights reserved by author

  I hope you guys are all right. I think.

  ‘Kal?’ I hear Altair’s voice. I freeze.

  ‘Altair?’ I ask.

  ‘It’s me, where are you?’

  ‘At the edge of Willer’s Valley. Why?’ I glance around at the still, snowflakes, situated upon the pine like leaves of the woods around us.

  ‘You need to keep moving…it’s not safe.’

  ‘I’m not leaving you guys.’

  ‘Well…you kind of did.’ I feel a tinge of pain strike my heart and I remain silent. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll be all right. They want Varden.’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘Make your way back to the Order.’

  ‘What makes you think that the Order hasn’t been infiltrated if the Sector in Midra has?’

  ‘Good point. If you can, at least try and get as far away from Midra as possible.’ I hear the sound of distant marching.

  ‘Oh no.’

  ‘What?’ he asks and I didn’t realize I thought that but at the same time I can’t exactly not, I tell Altair what’s bothering me before severing the connection. I pick up some snow and smear it over the fire, lifting my gown, I stomp down on the remaining flame until it’s extinguished. Varden begins to complain and I place my fingers to my lips and look over the small Cliff-side, it’s not too far off the main path but far enough to be hidden from sight—only if we remain silent. I feel Varden crawl towards where I kneel peeking through the over-grown pile of snow.