Dulcea opened her mouth to protest. She wanted to assure him of her silence, but as the words rolled to her tongue, she realized she should not make promises she might not get to keep.
She sighed. “I understand, my lord.”
And she did. She, too, would have disliked divulging professional secrets to a stranger.
“I know you do. We all possess a certain… occupational pride.”
There came a distant, ghostly wail from somewhere in the ruins then. Dulcea gasped. The sound had been faint enough to confuse it for the wind, but the way it made a shiver run down her spine told her she had not imagined it. She knew it to be a part of the illusion, and yet the ruins of Gwyndoorn had such a profound effect on her. Dulcea shuddered. If she was this jumpy, what must have the other people thought of this place? The countless many who believed the rumors; they who knew not that the exterior was not real.
Krath strode on without comment, not the slightest bit concerned, and Dulcea followed him through the main gate into the courtyard. Dulcea glanced over her shoulder. Behind her she could still see the same scenery they had crossed to reach Gwyndoorn: cold brown earth with some long-dead shrubs and grasses sticking out of it. The fog hung low above the ground, pooling in their footsteps.
Dulcea frowned, wondering where the border of the spell went. “How can we enter the courtyard? Is the real gate not closed?”
“Not at the moment, no,” Krath said. “But you ought to know how illusions work, my lady. A brave wanderer could enter the ruins and explore them from top to bottom if he so desired, and yet he would never set foot in the real castle.” He motioned with his head toward the collapsed curtain wall. “Unbeknownst to him, he would stand still outside the wall, trapped in the illusion, and regain his senses only when deciding to leave the castle grounds. We are on the courtyard now, but only because I know the right way through the mist.”
“Yes, that makes sense,” Dulcea said, understanding.
The courtyard was a field of broken stone and long-since rotted old equipment. Water dripped from a protruding beam somewhere above, and there was a strong smell of moisture and decay. Dulcea followed Krath through the courtyard, arriving at a doorway to the half-collapsed keep. The frames held no door: the empty doorway opening to a dark hall beyond, and there were some odd, evil looking markings carved into the stone next to it. Krath ran his fingers over the engravings in a certain order and beckoned her to do the same. Dulcea did not want to touch such hideous images, but she did as he beseeched, and the illusion lifted.
They stood in front of a door to the main keep, on a courtyard that was clean and well-maintained. Several torches lit the open space, and warm light shone through the castle windows. The main gate was closing behind them, and Dulcea saw the black iron portcullis descending with the typical clanking of heavy chains ending in a loud thump. She glanced at the stone wall she had touched earlier and saw that the symbols had changed. The engravings now looked like harmless writing to her.
At Krath’s determined knock a servant opened the door for them and stepped aside to admit them. Dulcea entered the lofty entrance hall she remembered having seen before from a different perspective. Candles and charmed lanterns bathed the hall in golden light, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Krath gave her a look. “I assume you would like to change into dry clothes, my lady.”
“I would like that very much.” She gave him a pained smile.
Lucindra, Mey, and Violetta appeared out of a discreet servant entrance, arranged themselves in a row before Dulcea, and curtsied in unison. Her gaze flitted from them to Krath and back. She could not help but ponder if the maids wondered at all where she had been.
“Take your time,” the vampire said, a smug little smirk on his lips now. “We’ve the whole night to ourselves. The maids will bring you to me when you are ready, and then I will grant you your request.”
“Thank you, my lord,” she said, her heart beating faster at the thought.
Krath gave her a polite bow, departed, and strode off to the left with a male servant in his wake. She watched him go, turning to the maids only as he disappeared through a door. They led her back into her room in a tower on the southeast side of the castle. Once there, Dulcea requested a fresh change of clothes.
“Yes, milady,” Violetta said. “What would you like to wear?”
This gave Dulcea pause. Until now the maids had brought her things to wear without asking for specifics. Tonight marked the first time she had instructed them on what she wanted to wear. Maybe they remembered it and were adapting to her habits.
“A dress,” she said, after consideration. “With matching shoes.”
Violetta curtsied and exited the room. A few minutes later she returned with a heap of glossy lilac silk in her arms with fresh lace underwear folded on top. The shoes were in a small embroidered pouch dangling from her arm. Mey and Lucindra had, in the meantime, helped Dulcea out of her damp leather outfit and were busy combing and drying her wet hair. Dulcea appreciated the help because it left her mind free to focus on the task ahead of her.
A bout of madness must have seized her in the woods. Dulcea sighed. How else could she explain challenging Lord Krath to a high stakes game while hoping it might get her out of here? Her palms sweat, and her breath hitched. The more she thought about it, the more nervous she was. What she had in mind was perhaps a terrible idea, but she did not want to go back on it, either.
To be sure, she had not yet committed herself to anything else except a game, but Dulcea knew the vampire had noticed she had a plan. No doubt he expected to find out what it was. It would not do her any good at this point to suggest a harmless, friendly chat over a game played for nothing but to pass the time. It would disappoint him, and that was not a risk she wanted to take at this stage.
She had analyzed his strategies with care. A few times already she had come close to winning. Dulcea thought she had a chance against him by now, but the risk was still tremendous. It all depended on one game, and if she lost, she would have authored her own demise. Perhaps she ought to have played the obedient captive for a while longer. It would have allowed her to further study her mysterious host, but something in her instincts pushed her in this direction. Dulcea was a firm believer in facts, not so much in instincts, but something told her this kind of bold move would amuse Krath. Perhaps it would make him look at her with favor.
When the maids had finished dressing her, Dulcea sat down for a moment to let them arrange her hair. It would not hurt her cause to make Krath notice her beauty. He was no ordinary man but looking good could only help. Dulcea fisted her trembling hands, trying to gather her courage while she watched her and the maids’ reflections in the silver mirror of the dressing table.
At length, after what felt like an eon to her fevered mind, the girls stopped with their primping of her. Dulcea studied her image in the looking glass. Elegant leaf-shaped golden hairpins held her bangs back from her forehead, with some small braids woven into her silver white locks as attractive details. The shimmering silk of the lilac dress caught the gold of the candlelight when she moved, looking almost alive as it clung to her slim figure. The color brought out the green of her eyes.
Dulcea knew this might have been the last time in her life when her fate was still in her own hands. She sighed. If the worst happened, at least she would meet her end looking her best.
She stood up. “Show me to your master,” she said to the maids.
Krath was in the solar again. He had also changed his clothes, dressed now in black trousers and high boots but wearing only a rather becoming white linen shirt on top. Wearing no vest or coat, the effect was almost like she had caught him in the middle of undressing, and Dulcea felt her cheeks grow hotter at the sight. Perturbed, she shifted her gaze to the floor but had to look up again as Krath addressed her.
“So, my lady,” he said. “We are here at your behest. I believe you desired a game of Dominion.”
“Yes
, my lord.” She swallowed, trying to master her nerves.
Krath motioned for her to sit, and they took the familiar seats opposite of each other, the Dominion board arranged and ready on the table between them. Dulcea took a deep breath. She knew she had to present her case now or risk disappointing him.
“I wish to play for a prize, my lord, just like we did before,” she said, “only I feel this time the stakes should be even higher. Would that meet your fancy?”
Krath raised an eyebrow. “What are the stakes we are talking about here?”
His tone was mild, but she could tell he was pleased. Perhaps he had already guessed her intention, or perhaps he just liked surprises. Dulcea braced herself.
“Here are my terms: if I win, you will let me go at once. You will let me leave this castle unharmed, and you will not seek to capture me again. You will also give me back my Golden Staff of the Suns and the dragonstone.”
Krath grinned at her and considered her words for a long moment, running his pale fingers on the lacquered surface of the table. Dulcea waited with her heart pounding.
“Those are some steep demands, my lady.” He tapped his chin. “What will I get if I win?”
“Name your price,” she said with confidence.
Krath leaned back in his chair, looking like he enjoyed the situation and not caring to hide it.
“No. I think you should offer me something enticing in return. I ask you again: what will I get?”
Dulcea worried her lip with her teeth, her thoughts a jittery mess of nerves and anxiety.
“… You mentioned earlier that you hungered for my blood.”
“I could have your blood any moment if I so decided. That is no prize.”
Dulcea wiped her hands on her dress. She hoped he could not hear the slight tremor in her voice.
“But I would fight you if you… if you attempted it now. If you win this game, however, I would do anything you asked of me.”
The change in him was immediate. Fascination flickered in those captivating turquoise eyes, and a look of serious interest replaced his earlier languorous smile.
“Go on.” Krath straightened in his chair.
“I am not sure what you would require of me.” She gazed at him with open vulnerability. “However, I am prepared for anything. If you wish to drink my blood, I will submit, and if you want to keep me as your slave, you will not need to put me in chains. If you grow tired of me and decide you wish to kill me, I will accept that. I would… I mean… if you want to have my body, I would give you that as well.”
“You will be mine in whichever way I choose, and you will not fight it?”
It sounded ominous when he said it aloud like that. Dulcea gave him a shaky nod.
He grinned. “Are you sure you wish to enter into such a deal with a vampire?”
She felt sick to the pit of her stomach. Her blood bounded in her veins. It was too late to take back her words now. She had engaged his interest, and that was all that mattered.
All she needed to do now was to win the game.
“Yes, I am sure, my lord.” She squared her shoulders. “Shall we play?”
“Perhaps. There are a few conditions I need you to agree upon first, my lady,” he said.
“What conditions are those, my lord?”
“Should I win, I will reserve the right to think over in peace what I will do with you. It might take anything from months to years. You will not complain or try to challenge me into a new game for your freedom in that time. You will remember your promise and wait for my decision. Then again, should you win, I demand you will tell no one where you have been these past three days. If at some point the truth must come out, then so be it, but you will not seek to tell anyone about me. You will neither reveal my location nor lead anyone to this castle past the illusions, and you most definitely will not allow your dragons anywhere near this place. My presence here is a secret, and I wish to keep it that way. You will go about your life as if you had never met me.”
Dulcea found this reasonable. She nodded.
“Very well. I agree to these terms. I wish there to be no enmity between us, no matter who wins. If I win, and you let me go as agreed, I promise not to take up arms against you unless you stand in my way. And I will keep your secrets as though they were my own. If you win, I will remain your obedient servant, but the kinder you treat me, the more fervent the loyalty you’ll inspire in me.”
“Be aware I did not promise to be kind, my lady,” Krath said, his tone colder. “I will choose a fate for you, and I do not think you would like any of the options I have in mind. I will only promise you this: whatever it is, I will execute it with as little pain as possible.”
“Thank you. I call that kindness, my lord.”
“As you say, my lady.” He motioned at the board. “I believe it is your move then.”
Chapter 11
An Unexpected Outcome
Krath was merciless. He gave her no leeway, and an hour into the game Dulcea had lost her Castle and most of her soldiers, while his losses were but a fraction of hers. The game made her lose heart, each casualty a wound on her confidence. The more she thought about losing to Krath, the poorer she played. Sweat pearled on her brow. At some point, just to stall the game, Dulcea requested for refreshments and paced the room while they waited for them.
Krath raised an eyebrow. “Giving up already?”
Dulcea scoffed. “I never give up.”
“I know. That is both admirable and foolish.”
They continued. With food and drink in her belly and a free moment to strategize, she felt stronger, more confident. They did not talk, both focused on observing each other and the pieces on the board. Dulcea felt renewed in her determination. Dominion was not an unforgiving game: one could still win after a poor start. Every fiber of her being resonated with the significance of their duel. The danger ahead terrified her, but Dulcea was also tenacious and resourceful. She had allowed him to intimidate her, but she would suffer it no more. Her playing reflected her sudden hopeful mood.
They both spent a long time considering their moves. It came close at the end, both only a few moves away from victory. Dulcea began to despair, fearing that the game would end like all the others with Krath defeating her by a hair’s breadth. She stared at the board; the pieces blurring in her vision. Clarity rushed back to her a few seconds later, and all at once she noticed a clear avenue to defeating his Sovereign. She was so nervous she could not even feel her own hand as she watched it move her Lady to force his key piece into the Moat. Her breath hitched, and she feared she might faint from sheer relief.
Both stared at the board for a moment. Her heart would not stop its mad rhythm. Exhaustion, relief, and incredulity battled for supremacy in her heart. She had done it. She was free. Unless… Cold sweat broke out on her brow. Would Lord Krath honor his word? She looked up at him in sudden fear, but he swallowed his defeat with remarkable composure.
“Thank you, my lady. This has been most interesting,” he said, gazing at her with a thoughtful expression. “Well played indeed.”
Dulcea was at a loss what to say. Shock turned her tentative smile a little wobbly.
He tilted his head. “I believe you wanted to leave at once, so let us consider how to go about that.”
Relief and gratitude flooded her at his words, making her dizzy. She had assessed correct then: he was a man of honor.
“Could you give me my Staff back first?” she asked.
“Not yet, my lady. We agreed you may not call your dragons anywhere near Gwyndoorn so as not to implicate me,” Krath said. “I do not doubt the word you gave me. However, as I am sure you know, the dragons will sense your whereabouts if you even as much as touch the stone.”
Dulcea did not like to hear this, but she understood his reasoning.
“What are you suggesting then?”
“You may leave the castle at any moment. However, you must walk a considerable distance before the dragons would not
draw any connection between you and this place. I would hand you your Staff back in its magic-voiding box, and you may only discard the box when you have passed the next settlement.”
“Where is the next settlement?” She frowned.
Dulcea had not thought there was anything between Gwyndoorn and Haden’s camp at East Ford. She must have been even further east than she thought.
“There is an all but forgotten, tiny little fishing village west of here. Few maps recall its name these days. It is a day’s walk at least. I regret I do not have any horses; else I would give you one.”
“You know my camp at East Ford? How far are we from there?”
“One and a half, two days on foot, maybe?”
She had judged correct then.
“What’s the village called? I shall not miss it, shall I?”
Krath grinned. “It’s Avesdeen. Less than five houses. Blink and you missed it.”
“Would you accompany me?”
“To make sure you keep your word? No. I trust a lady’s word when she gives it to me.”
“You kept yours, so I am honor bound to keep mine.”
“I will provide you with food and clothing if you prefer to walk. There is another option, however, if you wish to reach your camp faster…”
“What option is that?” It felt redundant to ask. Something told her she already knew.
“I could take you there through the Netherworld and leave you in some convenient location, perhaps somewhere on the outskirts of your main camp. I would have to bring you separate from your Staff, though.”
Krath’s offer was tempting. The long walk aside, a lot could go wrong in the day or two it took her to reach Avesdeen or East Ford if she missed the former. She also harbored a persistent fear of what the Saruseans or the internal conflicts among her followers might cause in that time. Dulcea wanted to be back as soon as possible. With Krath’s help, she could get all the way back to West Ford, at the edge of the Amon Sea in the west. If she walked, however, she would only reach Haden’s camp. That was close to two hundred and fifty miles between East Ford and where she wanted to be. It would take the whole day for Amparo to fetch her to West Ford. But what of the alternative? Dulcea shuddered. The thought of braving the Netherworld again was off-putting. She also wondered what his price was for this favor.
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