SIXTEEN
The minute I appeared in Pearu, I was swarmed by my father’s guards. I raised my hands in surrender as they tackled me to the ground. As they began to search me, I tried to ignore the fact that my father was treating me like a common criminal. I couldn’t blame him too much though. If I was in his position, I probably would have done worst, but since I wasn’t in his position, I felt a bit of betrayal and sadness.
“Let’s go!” The guard said yanking me up.
“How is the Queen? Did the medic get to her in time?”
“Quiet!”
The guard stared at me in the same way my father had. Somehow I’d gone from being their Prince to someone lower than a servant. The guards didn’t seem to have a carriage with them, so we had to walk to the palace. I didn’t seem to mind since it gave me some time to get my thoughts together before I greeted my father. My mind was a bit frazzled on what had happened. The last thing I could remember is being at the palace during the attack. Lilith was there. The Gods were there. Astraea was there.
Astraea. I remember going off with her, but I couldn’t remember where. I was so wrapped in my thoughts that I’d tripped over my legs. I fell down bring along one of the guards that was holding my arm.
The guard got up and sent a kick to my side. “Get up!”
“You sure you want to kick your future King.”
“You’ll never be King Aristaeus. No one will stand with you after finding out that you consort with Gods. Besides, it was your father who gave us permission to treat you any way that we would like. Now get up!”
The guard yanked me up as I thought about killing him and escorting myself to the palace. We started back walking as I turned to glance at the other guards. They all had a look of anger and disgust on their face as they stared at me. I knew the anger came from some of their fallen soldiers even though I do not see how I could be blamed for something like that. Lilith had taken out the majority and the rest decided to trade the loyalties determining their own fate. I would not apologize to them about the latter—I did feel sorry for the ones that stuck by the King until their death. I wanted to say this to them, but I knew they wouldn’t want to hear it.
We reached the palace as the bridge was let down. The bridge fell into place with a loud bang as we began to cross it quickly. The moment the last guard foot left the bridge, it was being lifted back up. My father wasn’t taking any chances with Lilith. She could return at any minute, even though I’m sure the last time she did not use the bridge to get onto our land. Climbing the steps to the palace, new servants opened the doors stepping to the side. The halls were still covered in debris, but most of it was being cleaned up. There weren’t any dead bodies lying around, and I knew they’d been taken out where they would be burned.
The guards led me down the hall past my father’s study, down to the dungeons. Around me there were new faces of guards and servants. I spotted a few familiar faces in the crowd, but at the sight of me, they turned their heads.
We arrived at the dungeons as the guards open the door to the cell.
“Home sweet Home” He grinned, his sharp teeth stained.
They shoved me in as I caught my balance before falling completely over. The door slammed behind me shutting me in. I was thankful this time they didn’t bother to chain me to the walls. I made my way over to the bench towards the back of the wall and sat. Rubbing my hands over my face, I sighed. When did my life get so confusing? I remember wishing for something better, some kind of excitement in my life. Now that I have it, I wanted to give it away. I guess that’s why the mortals say, “Be careful for what you wish for.”
A noise came from the next cell beside me as I waited in the room for a little while more. The door opened and the same guards entered the room.
“On your feet for the King.”
I stood from the bench as the guards stepped to the side and allowed room for the King. My father stepped through the doors, his eyes immediately landing on me.
“Leave us.”
The guards bowed and stepped outside the doors, closing it behind them. They wouldn’t go far. They didn’t trust me and there was no way they were leaving me alone with their King.
Left alone with my father, I widened my stance as I waited for him to make the first move. As I waited, my eyes took him in. Despite all that has happened— he was still dressed to perfection. He wore his purple blazer coat as his white collar shirt puffed out the top. His hair fell neatly to his shoulders and his nails seemed sharper than usual. The only thing that seemed to point out how he was suffering was his eyes. The dullness of his eyes was something that I’d seen before on my father. If he’d been mortal, I’m sure there would have been wrinkles around his eyes.
“Sit.” He finally spoke.
I sat down on the bench keeping my legs wide. I place my hands on my knees to show my father that I did not have any weapons and that I was not about to attack him.
“How is mother?”
He pulled a chair over a few feet in front of me and took a seat. I thought he would ignore my question, but he didn’t. “She will be fine. She is still healing. She is mostly worried about you. It is because of her request that I have not had you killed.”
“You would do that? You would kill your son?”
“You are not my son Aristaeus, surely you know this now.”
My eyes searched his as tried to figure out whether or not he knew I’d been down in the hidden room under his study. “I am still your son despite my mysterious birth.”
“That is up to me to decide, not you.”
“How is Dyos? Is he okay?”
“Your friend is okay. He like Kiowa has pleaded that I give you the chance to explain before ordering you to death.”
I stared at my father with sadness. “So you mean to tell me that you do not care whether or not if I live or die.” My father said nothing. He only stared at me which seemed to piss me off. I shook my head at the unfairness of all of this. It wasn’t like I asked to be brought to him. I was a victim in this situation just like he was. “I guess I should have known you would feel that way. You’ve never shown any signs that you cared about me before I changed, so why would I think you would be any different. I’m surprised you even showed any emotion when it came to seeing Kiowa unconscious, since you ignore her and act as if you do not love her any other time. I guess I should be happy that you at least have some type of feelings for you wife, even though you do not care much for your son.”
“I did not come down here to have a heart to heart with you about my feelings Aristaeus. I come to listen to you explain. So explain.”
I took a glance at my father as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs. He stared across at me as if he would rather be anywhere than down here with me at this moment. “I don’t know what you want to know. I don’t know how this change happen, only that it happen.”
“Do you honestly expect me to believe that Aristaeus?”
“You can believe what you want father. You will anyway.” I said. “Why don’t we hurry and get this over with by having you read my mind? That way you won’t have to worry about if I’m keeping things from you.”
“I’m glad you made the suggestion.”
My father stood quickly and before I knew it he was in front of me. He placed a hand in front of my face and closed his eyes. I felt my thoughts being pulled to him as flashes flew across my mind. Once the last image was out, I felt my body sink back against the wall. My father turned away from and folded his arms behind his back.
“See. I told you the truth. I do not know anything about this transformation. I’m just as lost as you are.”
“You know something. Your mind has been tampered with again. I can feel it.” He turned back to face me. “When Lilith was here, did she get the chance to touch your mind?”
“I do not know. She did place me under a spell t
hat paralyzed me for a long time. Do you think that could have had some effect on my memory?”
“Could be.”
“How is it that she can do those things? I know she’s not of this world, but shouldn’t her powers be taken once she’d entered Pearu?”
“Some would say the same thing about you Aristaeus when it comes to your powers.”
I sighed as I rubbed a hand through my hair. “You still did not answer my question.”
“I do not know how Lilith or even Eris can do the things they can. Eris is the original ruler of Pearu. She is bound to possess skills that I cannot possess even as King. The fact that she’s befriended a Witch seemed to have strengthen her powers.”
“You’re not telling me everything father. I know you’re not.”
My father turned to stare at me as he tried to read my thoughts. “You’ve been in my study.”
“Of course I’ve been in your study, you left me there remember?”
“Do not play dumb with me Aristaeus.” My father crossed over to me as his eyes peered into mine. “How did you discover that room? What were you looking for?”
I moved around on the bench nervously as my eyes darted away from my fathers. I’d forgotten all about hiding trying to hide that particular memory from my father. I knew I couldn’t avoid this question. He would want answers and if I did not give them to him, he would pick my brain apart until he got what he wanted.
“I’ve always knew you had a hidden room somewhere in the palace, I just happened to see the secret latch on your throne chair.”
“What were you looking for?”
“At first, I just wanted to see if the room was there and what was in it. After that, I wanted to find information on Eris. I could see she was beginning to stress you out which is rare for you. I wanted to find some information on her so that I could help you stop her.”
“I have told you to stay out of this several times!” My father yelled. “You do not seem to listen to anything I say! Eris is not your problem to fix, she is mine.”
I jumped up to face my father. “With all due respect father, she became my problem the moment her friend Lilith started to take interest in me.”
My father eyes narrowed as he raised a finger to point at me. “You are to stay away from Eris and that Baba Yaga, do you understand me. Those two are far more dangerous than which you believe. Do you think the Witch’s little appearance at the palace was by coincidence? Do you think that just because you seem to injure her during battle, that you can take her out? If so, you might as well remove such pointless thoughts from your head. She was just humoring you. This whole battle was just her way of entertaining herself. There is a bigger picture here, and until I know what it is, you are to stay away from her and away from that God.”
He was talking about Astraea. The mention of her once again had me trying to remember where we had disappeared to after leaving the palace. Why was that part of my memory blurred? I could see slight flashes but not the full image. Did she erase my memory? If so did I ask her?
“Aristaeus are you listening to me?”
I turned my attention back to my father. “I will stay away from them for now, but you have to tell me all that you know about Eris and Lilith. I have the right to know.”
My father stared at me before nodding. “I will tell you, but not now. For now, you need to go see Kiowa and your friend. They’ve been waiting to meet with you.”
“So I’m allowed to go free. You’re not going to have me jailed or killed.”
“I haven’t made up my mind yet.”
My father turned to leave towards the door when I said. “You were never going to sentenced me to death, were you?”
My father turned his head slightly, a hint of a smile around his lips, before exiting the room leaving the door opened for me. I found myself smiling, and then headed to exit the room.
I entered my parent’s bedroom and stopped inside the door. The last time I’d been allowed into their room or even in their quarters, was when I was young. Ever since then, my father would not allow me to enter their quarters. He’d never given me a good reason, only that I had my own quarters, why did I need to enter his.
Kiowa lay in her bed as servants moved around her, patting her head with a cool cloth, and picking up the dirty laundry. Her eyes traveled over to the door and she gave a half smile. “Aristaeus.”
The servants turned to stare at me, their eyes filled with distrust. Was there anyone in this palace that still trusted me?
“Leave us”
The servants bowed to the Queen and hurried towards the door giving me a half bow before disappearing out the door and closing it behind them. Kiowa held out her hand beckoning me to her, and I made my way over. I grabbed a nearby chair and placed it beside her bed. I sat down on the chair and took her outstretched hand in mind before placing it on my face. I missed her. I missed when things were simple.
“I’m glad you’re okay Aristaeus.”
I looked up at her. “I should be the one saying that. You’re the one lying up in the bed covered in scars. Why haven’t you healed yet?”
“The medic says it’s the type of blade Lilith used. The blade was stained in some kind of venom. The venom could be from our world or hers. Wherever it’s from, the venom is weakening me, but he’s given me enough blood so that it’s beginning to leave my system. So do not worry, I’ll be out of this bed soon.”
“I’m sorry mother. I tried to get to you in time.”
Kiowa grabbed my face and pulled me closer. “It’s okay son. I know you were trying to make it to me. But as the Prince, it was your duty to defend this palace.”
“But as your son, my duty is to defend you. I should have let the guards handle the intruders at the door and came to find you.”
“You do not really believe that, do you Aristaeus.”
I glanced away from her eyes. She was right. If I had it to do all over again, I would have reacted the same way. I just wish I had the strength that I do now. I could have saved a lot more lives then.
“Mother, may I ask you a question.”
“Yes.”
“This ring. This ring you and father gave me when I turned twelve, where did you get it?”
Kiowa sat up some so she could see the moonlight ring on my finger. Once her eyes lay upon it, a smile came to her face. “I remember that ring. Your father has one exactly like it.”
“Yes, his is black. Is it a family heirloom?”
“Goodness no. I bought it from a market when I was traveling in Arwid. There was a woman selling them. I’d been to the market many times in Arwid, but that was the first time I’d ever seen her there. She had a strange feel to her.”
“Strange? What do you mean strange?”
Kiowa chewed her lip as she found herself drifting off to that memory. “I couldn’t determine what kind of creature she was. It was like she was blocking me from seeing her true face. The harder I tried to peer at her, the more I was force back. Then as if a light switch had been turned off, I forgot all about trying to see what she was. It was like my mind was telling me I was okay with not knowing. That I didn’t need to see her face.”
“Is that when you bought the ring?”
“Yes. She had several moonstone rings. They were all beautiful. I wanted this pink one for myself, when she gave me the one you were wearing. She told me to give it to my son. I remember telling her that I didn’t have a child. But she only smiled at me, and said you will soon.”
“This was before Grethen brought me to you.” I asked.
“Actually it was the same day Grethen brought you to me. I’d taken the moonstone ring home and showed it to your father. Your father seemed intrigued by it and wanted one for himself. However, with your arrival I couldn’t go into Arwid for another couple of months. When I went back, the woman was nowhere to be found. No one seemed to know who I was talking about.
Instead of getting a moonstone ring from her, I bought one from another vendor. I never told your father any different. I didn’t think it important. Maybe I should have said something.”
I shook my head. “You did right. If it would have been after Grethen’s disappearance, then he would have searched to the ends of Pearu to find this woman. From what I could tell, this woman doesn’t seem to want to be found.”
“I guess you’re right. Why is it that you asked about the ring?”
“No reason. It’s the last couple of days— I’ve found it to be quite beautiful.”
Kiowa smiled as she patted my hand. “I’m glad that you love it. Just promise me not to tell your father the truth about his ring. He would surely throw it to the side.”
“No worries, he’s still a bit put out with me.”
“Your father is only pretending Aristaeus. He has a face to put on as King, you know this.”
I nodded. “Yes, I know this.” Standing up, I leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead. “I need to go see Dyos and wash up. You get some rest.”
“I will.”
I turned and walked towards her door when she called my name. “Yes mother.”
“I know you’re going through a lot. I can sense your troubles. I just want you to know that I still love you, despite what you might become.”
I smiled at my mother and exited out of her room. As I left her quarters, my mind played back on what she’d told me. This woman seemed to know that she was going to have a son. That same day Grethen arrives with me. This couldn’t have been a coincidence. Could this woman be the same woman in my dream, or could she be one of the woman’s allies. This was another thought I needed to keep from my father. While I didn’t exactly know how to block my thoughts from him, somehow I’d managed to hide the vision and the dream from him. I just needed to practice so I could block everything from him.
I headed down the halls towards my quarters. For once my quarters weren’t heavily guarded. It probably had to do with the distrust they felt towards me, either way I didn’t care. I climbed the stairs and headed down the hall to the guest room Dyos often vacated whenever he was at the palace. Standing outside the door, I rapped against it two times. I could hear some shuffling inside before the door opened revealing Dyos.
“It’s you. Come in.” He said stepping to the side.
I entered the room as he closed and locked the door. I turned to stare around the room. His bed was untouched and so was his food. “Why haven’t you eaten and gotten rest? You’ve been in battle.”
“I couldn’t sleep or eat until I knew what the King would do with you.”
“Well I’m fine, so start eating.”
Dyos made his way over to the cart filled with trays of food. He immediately dug in as if he hadn’t eaten for days. Battle did that to you. Stuffing his mouth full of meat, Dyos asked, “What did the King say to you? Can you still be King?”
“I think I can still be King. He didn’t seem to say much on that issue. However, his guards seem to think otherwise. As for what he asked me, he wanted to know the same thing everyone else wants to know, what I am.”
“I don’t see why it matters. You’re still Aristaeus. You just seem to be more.”
“I do not scare you.”
Dyos laughed. “Haven’t you learned anything from being my friend all this time? I fear nothing. You’ve just seem to have gained some extra strength, I can still take you if I needed too.”
I laughed. I didn’t notice the slight fear I’d been feeling. I thought Dyos would react like everyone else. I thought he would hate me. I should have known better.
“So are you banned from leaving the palace again?”
“For now, but for once I am right where I need to be?”
Dyos placed a piece of bread on is plate as he stared at me confused. “What do you mean?”
“Do you still have those extra vials hidden in this room?”
“Yes? I never used the ones here.”
“Good, we’re going to need them.”
“I knew there was something off about me.” Dyos said. “Have we created trouble again Aristaeus?”
“Not yet, but we’re about to.”
SEVENTEEN
Dyos and I made plans to meet up later once everyone was asleep. It would be hard to move around the palace without being caught especially with the increase of guardians, but we could handle it. I left Dyos to his meal as I retreated to my room. Entering my room, I closed my door and headed over to the oval shaped mirror. Standing in front of it, I saw myself for the first time. My long black hair seemed darker than possible, the ends with a hint of gold to them. My eyes were no longer the color of black, but now the iridescent color I’d seen on the Gods. The outlines of my eyes were still that of a demon, the shattered lines veiling my colorful eyes. I blinked and watched my eyes turn from green to orange.
I closed my eyes and took a step back. This was too much for me. Who was I fooling? I thought I would be able to handle seeing the new changes in me, but I wasn’t. It only seems to prove more that I was no longer be a part of this world. If I couldn’t accept myself, how was I expecting the citizens of Pearu to accept me as their King? Yelling in frustration, I sent my fist into the mirror. The mirror shattered into pieces dropping down to the floor. There was a slight cut on my hand that seemed to heal just as quickly as it appeared.
The door to my room opened as a servant peeped her head in. “Your highness is everything okay.” She glanced down at the shattered mirror and rushed forward.
I raised a hand stopping her in place. “I am fine. I’ll clean it up.”
The servant nodded and backed hurriedly out of the room. She didn’t want to spend more than a second in here if she didn’t have to. I walked over to the door and locked it behind her to make sure no one else intruded in on me. Walking over to my bed I sat on the edge of it and waited for those in the palace to sleep.
The sky finally darkened as the noises in the palace began to cease. Opening my door, I peeked my head out into the hallway. The hallway was clear of any guards or servants. I slid through the door and closed it quietly behind me. I walked down the hall to Dyos room and opened the door. Dyos sat on the edge of the bed, his body tensed. At the sight of me, he sighed in relief.
“I thought no one would ever go to sleep. The palace seems to be a busy place even after the King has called it a night.”
“Never mind that, did you get the servants to bring you up the starfish.”
“I did. I think they’re starting to suspect something Aristaeus. The guards have been walking past my door more than usual, and the servants are giving me weird stares.” Dyos said.
“They do not trust you.”
“Why? I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Yes, but you are my best friend. They think you’re helping me hide some big secret.” I said. Dyos scoffed as I walked over towards the new cart filled with starfish. I removed the lid on the trays and poked the fish. “Did you find your hidden scroll?”
“Yeah I did. I can’t believe I didn’t find it last time. I could have saved us a lot of trouble.”
“No, you would have caused a lot of trouble. It was best you didn’t get your memories back right then and there. My father didn’t need to know that we were in the Giants land.”
“So you’re just going to let him think Lilith erased our memory.” Dyos asked.
“That is the plan.”
I grabbed the starfish and handed it over to Dyos. Dyos took the starfish out of my hand and began to suck the ocean water from it as I did the same with the other fish in the tray. Closing my eyes, bits and pieces of my memory came back to me. Opening my eyes I stared across the room and waited for Dyos to obtain his full memory. A few seconds later his eyes opened.
>
“My memory is back and full, yours?”
“No. There are some things still missing.” I now remember teleporting to the field with Astraea. I remembered the kiss. I remembered seeing Zeus there. I could see Astraea being pulled away and I could hear the world “Sacrilege” replaying over in my head. But that was all I could remember. There were flashes of a conversation I’d had with Zeus, but I couldn’t remember what we were talking about. I tried to pull something from those pieces. The only thing I could catch was Zeus hand’s nearing my face before blackness. “I can’t remember much from after I left Pearu with Astraea. I thought the ocean water from the starfish would have helped.”
“You’re different now Aristaeus. The same things probably don’t work on you anymore. Did you take a vial or something while you were away? Did you take something to protect your thoughts from your father?”
“No. I didn’t have any vials on me. There was a moment where Zeus touched me. Do you think he could have erased my memory?”
“It’s a possibility.” Dyos said. “You probably asked him to. What else do you remember?”
“I remember him saying that I was a Sacrilege.”
“Sacrilege? What’s that?”
I turned to stare at Dyos. I knew I could trust him. I just didn’t know if he could handle what I was about to say to him. “It’s what I am. I’m half Hell Demon. I’m half God.”
Dyos stared at me and took a seat on his bed. “What…wait…I do not understand…huh?”
Sitting in the chair next to his bed, I proceeded to tell him any and everything that I could remember. I told him about my birth, the vision and dream I’d had, I told him about the woman who’d given Kiowa the moonstone, and I finished it off with bits and pieces of the conversation I could remember from Astraea and Zeus.
“So you’re half God, and you can hear them? You can understand everything they say, even if they’re not speaking aloud.”
“Yes.”
“Unbelievable.” Dyos said still staring at me in awe. “So do you think that’s why Lilith has taken a sudden interest in you? She knows you’re half God and wants you to come over to the dark side.”
“I don’t think that’s the case. She seemed taken back at my transformation. I think she knew there was something different about me, but I don’t think she was expecting me to be that powerful. In the world she comes from, I doubt she’s ever seen anyone quite like me. I don’t think she’s going to make another appearance any time soon. She’s somewhere hidden, probably trying to regroup.”
“At least that will give us some time to figure out everything. I remembered that you want me to get the battle plans from my father. I’ll leave in the morning to go see him so I won’t tip anyone off. I’ll also see what I can find on this Grethen character.”
“Thank You.”
“Do you really think your father is going to tell you everything?”
“I think he will tell me what he feels I need to know.” I said. “If I could have blocked my thoughts on his hidden room, I could have gone back there to search some more. I doubt he’ll leave the room unattended now even for a second.”
“I agree. So what are you going to do?”
“First I will hear what he will have to say, and then I will head to Arwid. That is where Kiowa saw the woman who gave me this moonlight ring. My father’s ring doesn’t seem to do anything or even move like mine. I believe the woman who sold Kiowa this ring, made it especially for me. I must find her. I believe she will have the answers that I will need.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“Then I will continue to look for them. I have to find out my purpose. If I’m an abomination to both sides, why was I even created. Someone is using me as a pawn in their little games. I must find out who. I think once I find out all these answers, I will know what to do with Lilith.”
“She’s not going to be easy to get rid of.” Dyos said staring out the window.
“I know. But neither will I.”
“Of all times, I wonder why Eris is going about this now. She’s had plenty of opportunities to take out the Gods. Why wait until you’re almost in reach of the throne and why send a Witch to do her dirty work?”
“Like others in Pearu, she does not see me fit as King. The citizens see me as just another royal who just happened to be a good fighter. If something were to happen to me, they would mourn and they would move on. Until recently, a fight with me would have been pointless. Now, Eris has me to consider in her plans. We’ve angered Lilith and she won’t let the embarrassment go unpunished. The next time she strikes will be a dangerous one.”
“Well I say let her bring it on. We’ll be ready. The creatures of Pearu never shy away from a fight!”
I laughed at Dyos. “It’s good to have you on my side dear friend.”
“Finally, you’ve learned to appreciate me. I knew eventually you would mention how much I mean to you. By the way? Now that you’re half God, do you think there is a chance that you and the lady God can be together?”
“Her name is Astraea, and I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
“Things are difficult right now Dyos. I’m a creature that wasn’t supposed to be release, and yet somehow I have. The fact that they’ve been warned about me throughout their lives might counter in when it comes to being with Astraea. For now, the best thing I can do for her, is to stay away.”
“Are you sure this lady is worth it?”
I stared at Dyos. The way he phrased the question brought strange vibes to me. “What do you mean?”
“I’m not trying to destroy whatever you’re feeling for this woman and I know that I don’t have the best track record when it comes to relationships. But, if you get with this lady, if you guys marry, have you thought about the repercussions it would bring on this world.”
“My love for my world will not change.”
“I’m not asking you that Aristaeus.”
“To be honest Dyos, I am not thinking about the repercussions anymore. I know that the two of us getting together will not be good, for both worlds, but my heart is telling me to do this.”
Dyos scoffed. “Your heart. You sound mortal.”
“Maybe they have it right. They might be annoying vile creatures, but when it comes to love, true love, they do not worry about the repercussions, and they just go for it.”
“Being in the mortal world is making you spout nonsense.”
“No, being in the mortal world is making me see things differently.” I said. “Have you ever thought what we be without them? We argue and complain that those in the mortal world are the abominations and need to be removed from existence, yet we forget they are the reason we exist.”
“Be that as it may Aristaeus that does not mean we should worship them as the Gods do. We were created to be evil. Do not deny your Hell Demon blood. No matter what changes you’ve gone through, that part still lurks in you. It’s time you start embracing it, because one day you will be King of our land, and your people will need to trust you in order to follow you.”
“You do not fully trust me, do you Dyos?”
Dyos stood up and pointed a finger at me. “Now wait a second. I never said that.”
“You didn’t have to. I can sense it. You’re trying to be the good friend by trying to understand what I’m going through and I thank you for that. However, I know a part of you is struggling with the new me and whether or not if you can trust me. It’s okay if you feel this way. I wouldn’t expect you to feel any different. In fact, I would be more worried if you didn’t feel this way.”
Dyos stared at the floor in embarrassment. I didn’t mean to bring embarrassment to him, but at the same time I wanted him to know that he could be honest with me. I know there was a part of him that had doubts towards me no matter how big or small. I still had doubts towards myself, and I’m pretty sure my
parents had several doubts about me as well. But I couldn’t change myself no matter how much a mortal wanted to change skin and become someone else. I was stuck with these new powers, and instead of pouting and whining about it, I would take and harness these powers until I became someone great.
“I’m sorry.” Dyos said glancing towards me. “I’m trying to act like it doesn’t bother me. I thought I put on a great act for you earlier, but like always, you’ve figure me out.”
“That is why we are friends. We always seem to know when one is having problems. Despite, whatever challenges we may face, we still remain friends. Right?”
“Right.”
Staring across the room at my friend, I knew that I didn’t have anything to truly worry about. Once we find out what my purpose of living was, he would begin to feel more at ease. I know I would too.
EIGHTEEN
Morning the next day seem to drag as I slowly pulled my way from the entanglement I’d found myself in within my sheets. Today, I would hopefully find out more information on Eris from my father. Dyos would also be leaving the palace to go home and search for the battle plans and anything he may find on Grethen. I promised I would see him off this morning so I needed to get a move on. I showered and dressed making sure to wear the Pearu’s colors as a sign of good faith and brown nosing my father. Once done, I headed out the room to join Dyos who was waiting in the hallway talking to one of the servants. There was an annoyed look on his face as he said something to her before she scurried off. Seeing me approached, the look was erased replacing his signature smiled.
“It is about time you’ve risen. I feared that you would not wake in time to get me out of here.”
“I almost didn’t. My bed was feeling great this morning. I haven’t had a good rest in a while. But, this is more important. Sleep can wait.” I said. “I saw you speaking with one of the servants, are we caught?”
“No. She just happens to be someone I may have spent some time with before she became an employee at the palace. Seeing me, she hoped to spark some old flames, but I sent her away.”
“Do you think she will cause trouble for us?”
Dyos chuckled. “She might be an annoying little gnat, but she knows how to keep quiet when it comes to me. So are we ready to do this or are we going to stand here chit chatting and wait to get caught by one of your father’s guards.”
“There is no need to worry about my father’s guards.” Reaching into my pocket I pulled out a piece of parchment paper with a purple seal on it. I handed to Dyos as he gave me a confused look. “I thought about this before I went to bed. If we were to go with the original plan, it may look as if you were running away in some type of guilt. The best way to get away unnoticed sometimes is to simply walk right through the front door.”
“I’m not following.”
“This letter is sealed with the King’s stamp. It should be enough to get you through the doors and a carriage back home. They shouldn’t ask to open the letter, but just in case they do, I have written a letter agreeing that you could leave the palace on official duties to the King.”
“You’re right.” Dyos said sticking the letter in his coat pocket. “This is a much better plan. I will contact you when I have word.”
I nodded as I watch Dyos disappear from my sight. Checking my surroundings to make sure no one had noticed our little encounter, I headed down the stairs. The guards and servants greeted me as I entered the main hallway.
“You’re up early my lord.” The servant from yesterday said bowing to me.
I couldn’t let anyone know that I knew Dyos had left the palace so had to put on act. “Yes, I know. Dyos and I were going to fence before breakfast. Is he up yet?”
“I’m sorry my lord, it seems he has already left the palace this morning. He had a letter from the King so it must have been under his orders. Do you want me to send word to him?”
I waved my hand. “It is fine. I’m sure my father had a good reason. Is there any word on the Queen? Is she doing better?”
“I hear from her court ladies that she did not sleep well through the night. His highness spent some time with her before she sent him away. She has been asked to be moved to the guest room in the King’s quarters until she is well.”
I frowned at that. Kiowa was not getting any better. The medic has said that Eris used some type of venom on the end of her blade. I’d been scratched with her blade, but I’d healed thanks to my new powers. Yet, Kiowa was not healing.
“Prepare her a healthy breakfast and grab some flowers from the garden. I think she’ll do better if we can brighten up her room some. Also put in a request for the kitchen for me. I would like them to make scorpion stew for breakfast.”
The servant stared at me confused. “Forgive me your highness, but I was told we only make that for the King during the middle of the season. Why are you requesting this now?”
“Do not worry about why I am requesting this, but get it made. Call me when breakfast is served.”
I left the servant standing there open mouthed as I walked away from the main hall. I moved a finger signaling one of the guards to follow me. He glanced at his buddies with a suspicious look before following me. I led him to the arena and headed over towards the swords. My weapons were still in the dungeons being held by the guards. I made a mental note to make sure and retrieve them later. I tossed a sword over to the unsuspecting guard.
“I’m sorry my lord, I do not understand.”
I glanced at the sharpness of the other swords trying to decide my pick. “You’re new here, I am correct.”
“Yes, your highness.”
“So I thought.” I finally picked a sword and turned to face the guard. Out the corner of my eye I could see his buddies peeping through the door. They did not trust me to be alone with him. Ignoring them, I focused back on the guard. “I’m sure you may have heard that I am the one who trains the guards around here. The latest attack from Lilith has left our palace vulnerable. We lost some good friends due to surprise and betrayal. I will not let that happen in my home again. On guard!”
The guard raised the sword nervously to his face as I stared at the way he held it. I sighed. This was going to be a long morning. The guard and I battled, or more so I chased him around the room as he ran dodging my hits. He finally realized I would not let up until he defended himself, so he turned to fight me. I was showing him how to move his feet when locked in with a Minotaur when the servant entered the room.
“Your highness breakfast is ready.”
“Is the King joining?” I asked.
“Yes your highness, he will be joining you for breakfast.”
I nodded. “Thank you.” The servant left as I turned to face the guard. “We shall pick this up another day. To gain more practice, try with some of your spying buddies over there and let them know they will be next.”
“Yes, your highness.”
He bowed down to me as I accepted it. I passed him my sword so he could return it to its proper place. I headed towards the dining hall to have breakfast with my father. Entering the room, I noticed the cold lonely feeling. The curtains were closed on the King’s orders keeping us enclosed in darkness with only the help of candlelight helping us to see. Habit had me stopping down at the end of Kiowa’s side of the table. Reaching out a hand, I touched the top of her chair and sighed. I needed her to get better. Like a mortal child, I never wanted to think about my parents leaving this world even though it was something bound to happen.
“Are you going to stand there like a fool or are you going to join me for breakfast?” My father voice came from the other side of the room.
I opened my eyes to see him waiting for a servant to pull out his chair before sitting. I made my way down towards his end of the table as his eyes followed me. They landed on the purple blazer as I watched a sign of approval flash through his eyes. His eyes did not hold the faintne
ss to them from the other day. Today the color of purple was sharp.
I bowed to him. “Your highness.” I pulled out the chair beside him and sat down in it.
“Where is Dyos?”
I glanced out the corner of my eye to make sure there were no servants around before answering. “The servants told me he returned home this morning. He had some prior engagements he promised his mother he would do today. He says he will return once he is done and sent his regards by them.”
A servant entered the room holding a silver pitcher making her way towards us. My father lifted his glass for him to fill his cup as he scoffed at my comment. “If Adeline has given him duties, he will not return for a couple more days. If he calls, tell him it is fine. I know how demanding his mother can be.”
The servants came in and out the room filling the table with breakfast. As they placed a bowl of scorpion stew in front of my father, his eyes shot to the servant ready to bellow at him.
“Father before you set your teeth into his neck. I feel I should warn you that I was the one who requested this meal for breakfast.”
My father eyes flew to me. Sudden understanding came to his eyes as he sat back fully in his chair. His fingers entwined as a hint of a smile hung around his lips. “So is this how you get information from your rats Aristaeus? If so, I have to say I am not too impressed with your methods.”
“Trust me father, I have other ways of getting information.”
He grinned, his sharp teeth resembling a carnivore. “Let us eat first before we have our talk.”
The two of us dug into our breakfast, the hot broth of the scorpion stew soothing my throat. While I attacked my meal like a starving man, my father ate his as if he was full and could not take another bite. Realizing my eyes were on his, he stared over at me with a gleam in his eyes. I knew he was eating slowly on purpose. Despite this being his favorite meal, he had no problems torturing me when it came to releasing information.
I finished my bowl before he did and waited for him. He finally finished, picking up a cloth to dash against his lips. It’s strange, even though we weren’t mortal, we had mortal tendencies. From the way we lived to the way we talked. It was all similar.
My father raised a hand to the servants to clear the dinner table. “Do not return the room once the dishes have been taken away. The Prince and I will be having a meeting. Alert me to any changes to the Queen.”
“Yes, your highness.”
The servants quickly cleared the table and then closed the doors leaving my father and I in silence.
“Aristaeus, what do you plan to do with this information?”
“I’m not planning anything with it. I’m just trying to figure out all that is going on.”
My father glanced at me his eyes filled with distrust. It was all well, I’m sure my eyes will hold them by the end of his conversation. I did not plan on him telling me the full truth. I hope he would however, but hope is a thing with wings.
“I could only give you a little information for it is all I have.”
“Start with when you began to suspect Grethen.”
“I’ve always suspected Grethen. I suspect anyone from Eris to your mother. It is in our nature not to hold trust in others. It is when I began to realize that something was wrong with you. From an early age, you had a gentleness around you that was useless in Pearu. As you know, Grethen had brought you to us two nights after the Gods had sealed the Gates.”
“I didn’t know that it was two nights after that. I just thought he brought me a night.”
My father shook his head. “No. It was the first sign that something wasn’t right. Grethen was always a quiet creature. During the meetings I had with The Courant, he would always be in the back sitting in his silence. He’d speak every now and then when he disagreed with a rule. Other than that he was quiet. He never stayed behind to converse with me like the others did. Once our work was done, he’d leave. The fact that he was the one to bring a child to us instead of one of the others was strange. I told him this that night.”
“What did he say?”
“He simply said he did not like the palace to be in distress. It disturbed the peace.”
“Okay, what’s wrong with that.” I said. I too found it disturbing and uncomfortable whenever my father was angry about something. It was the like the palace could feel it. It is the same now that Kiowa is sick. It is as if the palace feels as we feel.
“Are you not listening to me Aristaeus? Did you not hear me when I said Grethen never spent more than the time needed in this palace? For someone who only comes every blue moon, he should not care how the palace feels to him. He did not have to live here. Grethen never respected the palace or my authority. He never addressed me as his King or Kiowa as his Queen. He always gave off the feel as if he was just visiting. So why care about the emotions of royalty he did not respect?”
“Maybe he was just being kind.”
My father pointed at me as if I’d just struck gold. “Now you’re getting somewhere Aristaeus.”
I stared at my father as what he was saying started to come together. Members of The Courant were not kind creatures. Not even that, creatures of Pearu were not kind creatures. Grethen character was not like one of The Courant. The members of The Courant would not bring my father a child. Not because they did not care for their King, it was simply because it would mean there would be someone else to take the throne after my father is gone. It would be another creature in their way for the seat of the King. If anything they would persuade my father to forget having a child. Grethen however, someone who never seemed to care about the happenings of the King, brought him a child. Not just any child, but a son. A son who will automatically be given the seat as King. And he’d just happen to find a child two nights after one of the biggest events in Pearu.
“You wear the same look that I’d worn when I realized this.” My father said. He sipped from his glass and placed it back down. “I knew your mother was at the door listening, so I could not question him the way I could. I could sense her excitement from the other side of the door and I knew she’d seen you. She likes to pretend she had no clue, but I knew she did.”
“So you let Grethen go.”
“I let him go, though I think he knew that I was on to him. I knew if I sent guards to spy on him, he would flee immediately. So, I hired citizens in Pearu instead. They didn’t seem to mind earning extra money to spy on a member of the elite. They found information that Grethen was consorting with a woman. I wouldn’t have found it so strange if they hadn’t mentioned how uneasy the woman made them and the fact that she did not seem to be a creature from here. Receiving that information, I gathered the guards and went to bring Grethen in for questioning. However, he somehow gotten word that I was coming for him and disappeared.”
“Did he disappear like Eris?”
“Indeed he did.”
“Do you think the woman was Eris?” I asked. I knew the woman couldn’t have been Eris, but I wanted to know if my father suspected the same person I did.
He seemed to prove that he did as his eyes darted to me. In habit he entwined his fingers. “Do you think the citizens would not recognize their dethrone queen Aristaeus? If anything they would have ran in ready to bow and praise her on the destruction she’d ordered in the mortal world. No, this woman was someone else. Someone that Eris seems to hate right along with Zeus. I believe she is the one who helped him disappear.”
“Father, in your diary it seemed like this woman and Zeus were in cahoots together. Do you really think that?”
“I think the God and this woman know each other. I use to think she was one of Eris sisters that she’d thought she’d killed. But with the change you have endured, I think this woman is no Rakshasa.”
I stared at my father. “Then what is she?”
“This creature… I have no clue what she is.”
I
exited the dining hall closing the door behind me. Leaning against the door I closed my eyes and tried to recap everything my father had talked about. My father thought this woman was a God. He then went into this tirade about how he believed the Gods were planning on attacking Pearu, and that this woman was the one in charged to get background on our world. His reasoning was so far off that I wanted to slap him across the face and tell him to get some sense. The Gods were not planning a surprise attack on us. If they wanted to find information on our world, all they had to do was simply look down here and gather information. Plus, where did I fit into their so called plan of surprise attack. Did they have some kind of switch on me, so that when the battle started, I would lose it and attack my own people? I sighed. The Gods were just as clueless as my father was. Though he’d given me some information on Grethen, it was not what I’d hoped. My father had nothing. He was just grasping strings. It was up to me to gather the information I would need.
“Your highness.”
I turned my attention towards a servant who made her way towards me. It was the one from earlier who’d been with Dyos. She glanced around nervously. Reaching in her gown, she removed a scroll. I took the scroll from her hands as she quickly bowed and darted out of sight. Unrolling the scroll, ink drawn images came into view. It was the battle plans the General had made for my father for the war against the Gods. Dyos had come through. There was a torn piece of parchment paper in the middle. I picked it up and read Dyos handwriting.
It is all that I can deliver to you for now. I will meet you tomorrow morning with more information at the entrance to Arwid.
Calling fire to my hand, I burned the parchment and stared at the scroll again. My father was losing his sanity. It would be up to me to save the world of Pearu and stop Lilith. It seemed that only I could do it.
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