by Ainsley Shay
We turned the corner and walked into the main room. I wasn’t sure of her plan, and the guard standing on the opposite wall obviously wasn’t informed either, as his hand instinctively moved to the handle of his sword when he saw us.
“What is your name?” Adelina asked him.
“I only answer to my Lord,” he said.
Adelina motioned for me to stay. She walked up to the guard. He was more than a head taller than she was, but she stood confidently in front of him. He slid the sword half way from its resting position before Adelina spoke. “Do you know who I am?”
“You are the Carving Witch.”
She snickered. “I am.” Mirroring his stance, she moved her hand to her carving knife. Her long nail tapped the stone. “It always gives me great pleasure to hear that endearing name. You know, the Lord gave me the title because of what I can do. Did you know that as well?” The guard nodded. “Outstanding. Then, let me suggest you do as I say, so you do not become more of a statue than you are already.”
The guard lowered the sword into place on his belt. She handed him the torch.
“The Lord has asked me to fulfill certain obligations, the first being, to let his entire army know what to expect of Skelside. So, your first command is to gather the rest of the guards and bring them here to me.”
Adelina turned, walked back to the center of the room, and stood under the dome. Her breath hitched and caught in her throat. I glanced at her. She was looking at the dome. She smothered the gasp that followed with a cough.
“Isn’t it glorious?” I asked, in the deep tone mimicking the Lord as I smeared vengeance into her open wound. She winced. Although, she should have expected as much since she was the one who taught me revenge was vital to survival.
“He’s gone,” she whispered.
“Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Adelina regained her composure. “It’s all I ever wanted.”
“Well, then, aren’t you going to thank me?”
She whipped around, and slapped my face. “My gratitude will be given in time. But, I can assure you, it won’t be spoken.”
The sting lingered. Each one of her threats, slaps, and commands only fueled my intentions. Stomps and scrapes along the stone floor caused me to look away from the witch to the guards entering the room. Hard footfalls and harsh words echoed in the room as the guards began to funnel in. The guard Adelina told to gather the army stood at attention in the front of the line.
“Well done,” she told him. The guards demanded answers as they yelled their questions. “Silence!” Adelina yelled. Her voice boomed above the roar of the guards. All attention was on her. “You have all served Lord Darenfys for many, many years. So, I assume you know I am the Carving Witch.” The men nodded, and a low grumble of indistinct words was spat around the room. “Tonight, a serious crime has been committed.”
Adelina glanced at me and motioned for me to kneel. I did.
She looked back to the army of guards. “Lord Darenfys has been murdered by his own bride-to-be.” Her voice was loud, and full of righteousness. The guards all drew their swords at once. Their outstretched arms pointed in my direction. Fear still had not seeped into me. In between glinting swords and angry stares, I glanced around the room for two sets of familiar eyes, one dark, the other light.
“Her hands will forever have the blood of the Lord on them and she must pay for what’s she’s done.” Guttural growls were heard throughout the room. “The Lord sacrificed his blood to give you strength and immortality. He also gave those things to me. He wished for me to become a powerful sorcerer, and I could not deny him.”
I knelt on the floor listening to her speech to become president as I scanned the room. Light eyes found mine, and I let out a breath of hot air from my lungs. Chandler gave me a slight nod. Like the other guards, his arm was outstretched with his sword pointed at me. I mouthed, Blacwin. He shook his head. I wondered if Chandler couldn’t find him or Blacwin was no closer to becoming who he once was. My hope for the man I loved was slipping away and I hated myself for giving up.
Adelina took out her carving knife. The stone glowed with all her power. “Lord Darenfys told me before he was killed, with all of the power I possess, I was to rule Skelside and return it to its impenetrable and feared state.” She held the knife out to them. Some of them cowered, a few stumbled back. The tip directed at the group of soldiers, her eyes moved around the room, making contact with each to ensure she could trust them.
“Lower your swords,” she commanded.
They did.
“Please remove your face guards.” Her army gasped. “Can you blame me for wanting to see your handsome faces and getting to know each of you” She giggled. “Of course you can’t. So, you will no longer need them except in battle, which I don’t foresee happening any time soon.”
Reluctantly, the men removed their helmets. Chandler stood near the back of the group near one of the corridors I thought led outside the castle. After our eyes connected, he backed into the deserted hall and disappeared. I still searched in the crowd for Blacwin. None of the faces were familiar. Where could he be?
“Guards, you have my word, I will restore Skelside to the home you love and serve.” Each of the guards placed a fist over his chest in salute. Adelina did the same. “As for now, complete your duties as assigned. I will have a formal meeting during the next full moon, in two days’ time. You are excused.”
The guards fanned out and exited through the numerous corridors.
“What about her?” One of them bellowed.
Adelina slowly walked up to the guard. She traced the curve of his jaw with the tip of her pointed nail. “Don’t worry about my pet.” Adelina glanced over her shoulder at me. “I have special plans for her.” She looked at the guard. “If I need you to help me with those special plans,” she cooed, “You’ll be the first to know...”
“Jasper,” he said.
“Jasper. That’s one of my favorite names. Why don’t you find something guard-ly to do while I make arrangements for our murderer?”
“Yes, my Lady.”
The guard turned to leave when Adelina stopped him. “Jasper, you will do right to call me your Queen.”
“Yes, my Queen.” He bowed and left the room.
Skelside’s newly self-appointed queen strolled around the empty room. Her smile was twisted into a shameless grin. She tapped the blade of her carving knife against her palm. “You know what I’ve missed the most?”
I said nothing as I watched her display her lust for power.
“Making statues.”
21
My skin went ice cold at the sound of those two words. I prayed she’d start with the guards and not me.
“Did you know Lord Darenfys kept my room intact? Every statue I ever made while I was here is in there. I’ll show you if you’d like. But first, I’d like my medallion back.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I find the medium you use rather nauseating.”
Adelina pointed her carving knife at me. The wicked point glinted. “Don’t tempt me, blind girl.”
I didn’t move. Adelina wouldn’t hesitate, especially since she was already in a mood for carving. I had forgotten about the medallion. I hoped it was where I left it in the armoire in my room. “It’s safe. I hid it in my backpack.” While I am there, I planned to get the vial for her blood.
She stared at the painted dome again. “And, where might that be?”
“In the back of the armoire in the room I was kept in.”
“You make it sound like you were a prisoner. I know very well where your room is, and it’s hardly a prison cell.”
“It doesn’t matter that I had soft linens and fresh water. I wasn’t allowed to come and go as I pleased. Hence, a prison cell.”
“You ungrateful girl.” She lowered the knife and put it away. Adelina called for a guard. “Take her to her room. She needs to retrieve something. Then, bring her back to me,” she commanded. “Do not let her
out of your sight.”
“Yes, my Queen.”
She looked at me. “Don’t try to be clever.”
I stood and went with him. During the few minutes it took to get there, I desperately tried to remember if there was anything in the room I could use a weapon. I’d thought of nothing by the time we stopped in front of the door. He pulled out a ring of large keys, unlocked and opened the door. It was exactly the way I had left it. He stood at the threshold and watched me.
“I’m going to change. Do you mind closing the door?”
“My Queen gave me orders not to let you out of my sight.”
“I know what she said; I was in the same room.” I went to the window and pulled back the curtain to reveal a stone wall. “Where am I going to go you big oaf?”
He scowled and closed the door. I went to the armoire and reached inside for my backpack. The medallion was in the side pocket where I’d left it. Chandler had been right to keep the medallion from Adelina. Again, it had bought me time, and a chance for freedom. The vial was still near the basin. I went back to the armoire and pulled out my t-shirt and jeans and changed into them. I hadn’t thought about what Adelina would say; I didn’t care. I shoved the vial into my front pocket, and then searched the room for a weapon, or anything I could use to inflict enough pain to escape.
The door opened. “Let’s go,” the guard said.
I thought about taking my backpack, but I knew I wouldn’t get away with it. I tightly held onto the medallion and walked out of the room. We passed a few guards on the way back to Adelina and it was strange and different to see their faces. I hoped we’d pass Chandler. I wondered what he was up to. I hoped he had found Blacwin; my Blacwin.
We entered the domed room and saw Adelina lying on the floor under the dome. Her arms were out-stretched and she stared at the painting above her.
“Here.” When we passed her, I dropped the medallion on her chest.
She didn’t say anything. She only picked up the medallion and clasped it in her hand. I watched her close her eyes. A single glistening tear rolled into her hair.
“Why do you want the medallion so badly?” I asked.
“It’s the only thing I have left of him,” she answered, without opening her eyes.
Adelina mourned a man she’d loved, cursed, and eventually had killed. I wasn’t sure what was more disturbing, the fact she’d had him killed, or the heartbreak she felt.
Two guards entered the room. Neither of them were Chandler. Which was good, when I thought about the fact he no longer was allowed to wear his helmet and she would know him immediately.
“My Queen,” the taller one said.
“What is it?”
“There’s been a disruption in the courtyard.”
“So, handle it,” she spat. “Can’t you see I’m in mourning?”
He took a step closer to her. “I’m sorry, my Queen, but you might want to come see for yourself.”
Now my curiosity was up. “Come on queen, go do queenie things,” I mocked.
Adelina rose. I was shocked she ignored me.
“Bring her with us,” she said to the guard.
He nudged me hard in the back. “Ow!”
In a single file line, we followed the two guards who had come to inform their queen. In the last corridor before we would open the door to the courtyard, there were dark stains on the stone walls. The smell was revolting. It was rot mixed with body fluids.
When the guard opened the door, sunlight blazed. I hadn’t known until then if it was day or night. Adelina gasped as she stepped outside. I sped up to see what the disruption was. As soon as I saw the body, I, too, gasped and covered my mouth. I also knew who was responsible for it. Thick rope was tied around Penemuel’s neck. His body hung from one of the jutting iron spears. I looked around the courtyard. Guards were huddled in groups, their heads bent, their mouths moving, but I couldn’t hear their muffled words.
Still, I didn’t see Chandler, who was no doubt hiding out or spying from a remote place to watch everyone react to his grotesque display. Nor, did I see Blacwin.
“Get him down!” Adelina yelled, and went back into the castle.
I took one more glance around for Chandler. Nothing.
“I must say, I’m not too upset it was Penemuel. What I am upset with, is it was displayed in my castle,” Adelina roared. “I want every guard, servant, and rodent brought to me.” She slipped her carving knife from its sheath. Her voice lowered into a menacing growl as she tapped her knife in the air annunciating every word. “One by one, I will find out who disrespected me and Skelside.” She held out her arms. “This is my castle, and I’ll be damned if there is a death I am not responsible for.”
22
I was led back inside, into the domed room. Several guards followed and stood at the mouth of the corridor. Adelina’s features were tight with fury. Her full mouth had decompressed into a thin line. Her eyes were slits as she scanned the room.
“I want two servants at my side now,” she hissed. One male and one female servant were bowing at her feet within seconds. Adelina pointed to the woman. “You will draw me a bath. And you,” she glared at the man, “will bring wine to my room.” The servants didn’t hesitate; they each went in different directions to fulfill the queen’s orders.
I thought of several smart-ass comments, but I kept them to myself. She was strong with the Lord's blood, she also had the blood of a witch. What was so frustrating was I knew I could take her, if it wasn't for the damned carving knife.
Adelina turned on me. “I’m positive your lover or brother had something to do with this little episode of disrespect. When I find them, I’ll summon you to witness their punishment. Until then, you will go to your room and stay there until I am ready to see you again.” She nodded to one of the guards to fulfill her next command.
“Enjoy your bath, Carving Witch,” I said. Her brisk, determined walk slowed, but she didn’t turn around to lash out. She unclipped the barrette in her hair. Long waves fell to her lower back before she was out of sight. The guard took hold of my upper arm. I tried to fight and free myself, but his grip was strong and I was in a defenseless position. Once we were out of earshot and out of the dome room, he told me I needed to show more respect for my queen.
I barked out a laugh. “She's not my queen.” I wanted to tell him to stop being afraid of her. But, he was probably unwilling to stand up for the same reason I was, her carving knife. He unlocked the door to my room and shoved me inside, closing and locking me in. I still had the vial in my pocket. Some things were still in my favor. I knew something had to be done soon. Chandler had to be working on something, anything to get me out of here and to finish this. We were so close to the end.
Now that I had more time, I searched the room for a weapon. In my backpack I found Chap Stick, a half filled water bottle, a dead cell phone, and a granola bar. My stomach growled. I opened the granola bar, took a bite, and sat on the bed. I slammed my hand on the bed. God, if only Penemuel had not fallen out the window with my dagger still stuck in his chest. The jerk was dead and he still had a way of making my life difficult. I finished the crunchy bar. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept. I lay back on the bed and closed my eyes; promising I would only rest for a little while; a short power nap to recharge my energy.
I had just closed my eyes when a loud crack outside my room startled me. The door opened.
Chandler waved, turned back to the hall, and dragged the guard into the room. He closed the door behind him. He was filthy, and he smelled worse than he looked. Reaching into his pocket, he took something out. “Turn around.”
I did. “What are you doing?”
“Something I told myself I wouldn’t.” Chandler put something around my neck.
I looked down to see the necklace I had hung on Blacwin’s sword. I gasped. “You found him? Is he okay?”
“Calm down. I told you I’d find him.”
I was petrified to ask my next question
. “Is he... himself?”
He scoffed. “Don’t get your hopes up.”
My hopes were raised as soon as I saw the necklace. “Too late.” My determination and taste for revenge was all that mattered to save Blacwin.
Chandler had to know I would never give up on Blacwin. “Ready to go?” he asked.
“More than you know.” I hugged him. “Thanks brother.”
“No problem.”
I grabbed my backpack with its useless items and followed Chandler. “We need to get to Adelina.”
“Where is she?”
“Taking a bath, if we get to her soon enough, she’s vulnerable.”
He reached his hand behind him and I took it. I wasn’t sure how he knew where Adelina’s room was. The spying and lurking he’d done had paid off, though. I knew it was Adelina’s room as soon as I saw it. A guard had just let the male servant into the room. He held a tray with a goblet of wine on it.
Chandler pulled me out of the guard’s sight. “I’m going to take out my sword and use it to guide you like you’re my prisoner. And, for the love of anything that’s worth fighting for, do not speak. Got it?”
I smirked. “Got it.”
We came upon the guard who held up his hand. I stepped aside. “The queen has requested to see this girl.” The guard nodded, not seeing through the lie his brother soldier told, he gave the salute, Chandler returned it.
My gaze fell to the disturbing sight of the male servant. He was standing near the large extravagant bed holding the tray. His body was stone. My eyes went wide. I covered my mouth and breathed slowly through my nose to calm my agitated heart. I wonder what he had done to deserve that. The sound of water trickling could be heard from an adjoining room. The servant girl came out a side room to our right. Chandler hurried to put his finger over his lips to tell her to be quiet. Gratefully, she did.