Post by moony on Oct 19, 2010 18:31:37 GMT -5
“Then read my lips! I’m not going!” the shout could be heard through the entire castle; a young girl’s voice echoing off the solid stone corridors all the way to the top of the northern tower and down into the lowest levels of the dungeon. The sight in the throne room was pitiful. A man, undoubtedly king from the crown on his head, sat in the golden throne, his son standing at his right. The girl, from whom the shout had originated, was being forced down to her knees by two guards dressed in matching armor, her hands bound tightly behind her back with an unidentifiable synthetic material.
Struggling though she was, she could not shake them. After all, what can a mere girl of 17 do to two men of the royal guard? As pitiful as she may appear, the tables were turned to her favor. For the king, having eye contact with such a girl was unnerving. “Sky Timber of Vrogard, you are being stubborn and insubordinate.”
“That would be my name, and your powers of observation astound me,” she answered. A kick in the ribs from one of the guards forced her to add, “Sire…”
The king, in no mood to deal with a smart mouthed peasant, snapped his fingers. A beautiful burgundy mare was promptly forced through the magnificent doors and pulled to stand about a length away from Sky and her captors. Recognition was obvious on both the mare’s expression and the girl’s. A man, seemingly unnoticed beforehand stood at the ready with his back to Sky and his sword lying against the mare’s neck. Without a moment’s hesitation, she glared up at the king, “You wouldn’t dare hurt that horse.”
“Aye, on the contrary, I shall have my captain do just that if you do not do my bidding,” the king’s voice was thick with malice. Every inch of him proved his rank. His very aura was commanding, though his hunger for power was evident in his eyes. Eyes of coal, some would say. If ever a man who crossed the king stared into those eyes, the man was never the same again. Of course, Sky had heard the rumors before, but she was entirely too stubborn to listen to rumors.
The young lady before the king didn’t move, cold fury ran in waves down her body and into the air around her. At this, the king gave a slight nod to the captain, who pulled his sword up and swung downwards. “Wait!” Again, the cry could be heard echoing off the halls. She looked pleadingly at the king, who in turn raised his hand. The captain turned so that his sword hit the floor instead of the horse’s neck, an ear splitting clang reverberating down the halls. The mare visibly relaxed.
Sky let out an audible sigh. The king looked at her expectantly. “A’right, I’ll find him. King Claybron Deveroh of Delnur, you have my word.”
The king smiled and turned to his son, “You see, son? Sometimes one just has to show them who’s boss.” He stood and stretched, ignoring the look of disgust from the prince, before looking down his nose at the girl at his feet. “Good girl. I thought you’d come around.” At this, Sky hung her head in shame.
She was immediately released, for now that she had given her word that she would do something, she could not turn from the task. The guards did, however, place a necklace made out of the same unidentifiable material that they removed from her wrists, around her neck. Grimacing at the burn marks from whatever it was, she stood and made her way to her horse. “Oh, Cleo…what have I gotten us into now?” she asked miserably, laying her head on the mare’s neck.
“Ah, and by the way, Sky… My son, the Lord General, and the captain will be joining you on this expedition,” King Claybron called over his shoulder as he walked out of the throne room, his guard in tow.
Running her hands through the horse’s mane and along her coat, Sky muttered under her breath, “I’d like to tell him what he can do with his ‘expedition’. It’s called shove it up that dark orifice he sits on all day in his cozy throne room…” Her muttering became an indiscernible rant as she checked her horse for any bumps, bruises, or open wounds.
“You know, he’s really not that bad…once you get to know him.”
Sky jumped, she hadn’t realized the prince had walked up behind her. She was too busy talking trash about the king. “Your Highness…” she said as she turned and gave a slight curtsy. “He’s a cheat. I don’t care anything about the man. Cheaters, liars, and adulterers should burn in the depths of hell.”
The prince looked slightly taken aback by her quick and, quite frankly, rude response. “Watch your tongue. Though I consider you a guest in this castle, you are of lower rank. You will respect that,” his voice had the commanding tone of a king. It was clear he was used to getting his way.
Sky glared at him for a moment before sighing and breaking eye contact. She averted her eyes to the floor and mumbled an apology, “My apologies, Prince Derik. I should not’ve spoken to you as I did. You have done me no wrong, and deserve no rebuke.” After a few seconds worth of silence, she met his eyes once more. She made sure he wasn’t angry before turning back to her horse.
“We set out at dawn.”
“As you wish…” Sky sighed in response. “C’mon Cleo; let’s get you on good grass for the night. Don’t get caught again.” The mare whickered and followed Sky back down the throne room, through the front hall, and out of the castle.
It was a beautiful day outside. The wind was just high enough for a light breeze to take away the heat, which, in Delnur, even in the summer, was bearable. Sky sat on the grounds of the Delnur Castle, reveling in the strange turn her life had taken. The last season had been spent traveling. How word had gotten out about her gift and her two main weaknesses, she’d probably never know.
I’ve met more spies here than I would’ve thought possible. He probably has a warlock at his disposal as well… Sky thought, rolling her eyes. I’ll give them points on knowing their quarry. Cleo, sensing the girl’s resentment, snorted. Sky rubbed her neck in reply and sighed. “I’m sorry, girl…I’ve never been caught before. Then again, I’ve never met anyone who knew what it is that renders me helpless.” Sky gripped the necklace as Cleo snorted and went back to grazing about a length out of reach. Sky laid back; resting her head on her linked hands, and stared at the clouds.
Time seemed to no longer exist. How long she laid there is hard to say. It was nearing dusk when she decided she might as well eat supper with the rest of the castle. After all, technically she was a guest here, though her invitation had been a trap the whole time, and her refusal to eat with the royal family would be taken as an insult.
Mentally rolling her eyes at the thought of facing the king again, she stood and tapped Cleo on the rump. The horse promptly looked up and cantered on down the grounds, past the training fields and into the forest. Sky raised her hand in farewell and turned back to the castle.---------
The meal that night was trying, but not near as trying as the king’s attitude. The main course was a steak that had been cooked thoroughly. Sky shook her head in disgust as soon as it was set in front of her. The king though, was twice that.
As soon as he entered the hall, the entire company already at their place at the table stood, as per usual. He walked in and glanced at the attending guests. His eyes lingered on Sky and he snapped his fingers. For most of the meal, there was a guard behind her, sword at the ready. Every smart remark Sky spoke aloud resulted in a sharp prod in her ribs. More than once she had to keep herself from tearing the young man into shreds.
Most of the conversation was centered on what the king planned to have done to the traitor Sky was to find. She knew of him. The man’s name was Angelo. He was rumored to be a werewolf which wasn’t hard to believe based on where he was from. The kingdom of Silenk was a place of war, terror, destruction, and death. She was also quite certain he was a mercenary, though who he was intended to kill this time, she was at a loss, as was the rest of the castle and possibly kingdom.
He’s good… Sky found herself thinking several times during the king’s rant. He’s really good. I feel like an amateur in comparison. Sky, though having only 17 years worth of life, was wise beyond her years. Some said this was because of her gift. She’d mastered it faster than anyone thought possible, causing fear to be spread. Try as she could, Sky couldn’t completely tune out the conversation at the head of the table.
“That traitor is going to get his just deserves! I’ll have him publicly beheaded!” the king slammed his fist on the table. A cheer rose up from his audience. Sky shook her head in disgust. “No one travels my kingdom and does what he has done unnoticed.” This was followed by another cheer.
“Have him hung!”
“No, the dungeon!”
“Yes, let him rot!”
“To the rack with him!”
Sky had sat and ate in silence with the occasional mumble resulting in a sharp prod to her ribs. She couldn’t hold herself any longer. “You call this man, this Angelo, a traitor, yet, no one can say what it is he did. Is this kingdom really as low as they shall decapitate someone without even knowing the crime he has committed!? Or call a man a traitor who is not even from this land!?” By the time she had finished, her chair was tipped over and she was standing, a glare that would’ve made most men cower was turned on the king. “Are you so low as to allow your people to do such horrid deeds as have just been suggested?”
A sharp pain indicated that there was now a sword being jabbed into her lower back. She turned with a speed unusual for such a slight frame, caught the flat of the blade on her arm, and kicked up with much of the power in her body. The top of her foot hit its mark on the back of the guard’s hand, sending his sword flying. Without looking at it, Sky turned, planting her elbow in the man’s astonished face and caught the side of his neck with the edge of her hand. Before he could hit the floor, Sky held out her hand where his had been holding the sword moments before. The sword landed in her outstretched palm, and her fingers curled over it. No one moved, no one even breathed, until she had sat back down in her seat and began eating again, acting as if nothing had happened.
Fury was clear in the king’s very existence. “What did you do!? Guards! Guards! Seize her!”
Sky looked up at the king in disbelief. “Oh, for the love of magic, get a grip!” She gripped the sword under the table, waiting for the guards to charge. They appeared wary. As they should. “He’s not dead. He’ll come to in a few minutes. Control yourself, King Claybron. You shame me.”
The man looked absolutely astounded that a peasant could or would speak to him as thus. Finding nothing to say, he sat and waited for the guard to wake from his blackout. They only had to wait a few minutes.
“Oh…” the guard moaned. “What happened?” As he glanced up, it was clear his eyes were still out of focus.
“What happened!? I’ll tell you want happened. This girl—”
Sky cut him off by raising her hand, palm out, toward the king. No one moved for the man was directly behind her chair, and no one in the room was willing to risk their neck for one of their own. No matter. Sky stood from her chair and knelt at the man’s side. “I knocked you out, probably broke your nose, and quite possibly broke your sword wrist. Next time, don’t poke the hell out of me every few minutes. Now, hold still.”
He had a look of astonishment as she spoke. His hand was over his nose. Yes, it was broke. As for his wrist, it didn’t feel injured. She pulled his hand from his face and looked at his nose. Nodding, she grabbed his right arm and checked both his hand and his wrist. For her entire examination, no one spoke. It was so quiet in the dining hall, one could’ve heard a pin drop. “I’m no healer, but your nose is broke and your wrist is sprained. I suggest you get someone to put your nose back in its proper place and a bandage on your wrist. You’ll be fine in about 2 days. Oh, and water will help clear your head.”
“Th—Thank you,” he stammered. She nodded in reply and sat back down, finally allowing him to stand and leave the room, his sword in hand.
“Now, I can’t be that bad, can I?” Sky sent an evil smile at the king. He visibly shuddered. “I think I’ll retire for the night, excuse me.” She stood, gave the king and queen a formal bow, and the prince a formal curtsy. “I shall meet you in the stables at the morning twilight.” The prince nodded in reply, and Sky took her leave from the dining hall, all 50 or so nobles staring openmouthed after her.----------
The next morning found the four dressed and ready to go. Sky, in a pair of loose breeches, riding boots, and a skin-tight animal hide sleeveless shirt, had her long red hair pulled back and tied in a pony tail. If not for the definite feminine attributes on her chest and curved line of her jaw, her cold blue eyes and saddle posture could have allowed her to appear male. The prince rode a black stallion ,two or three hands taller than Cleo, and was dressed in attire fit for his rank. His expensive clothing caused a look of disgust from Sky. Both the captain and Lord General were dressed in matching armor, the only thing showing rank being the different color of their cloak. All in all, Sky guessed they were going to be very uncomfortable.
“Beautiful riding weather,” the captain said, in his characteristically optimistic tone. The other men nodded. Sky grumbled. “Oh, come off it. Enjoy yourself! We’re out to have some fun!”
“Fun?” she stared at him in disbelief. “Fun? You’ve got to be kidding! ‘Fun’ is taking a ride through the forest. ‘Fun’ is playing a game of hide and find as small children. ‘Fun’ is having a nice go on the training field.” She paused to catch her breath, “Heading out on a ridiculous quest in search of a werewolf who would just as soon eat me as glance my way with two absolute imbeciles such as you and a prince who gets his ass handed to him by his own guard does not fall under the category of ‘Fun’.” She pressed her heels into Cleo’s barrel and took off at a canter without another word.
Several hours passed before the three men caught up to the young lady. When she took off earlier, they knew better than to chase her. The prince proposed they keep steady pace for Sky would stop to wait on them eventually. Of course, he was right. As Cleo began to tire from her canter, Sky found a stream just off the road. Allowing the mare to rest for a few minutes, and the men to catch back up, she kept watch. It wasn’t long before she could see three figures against the horizon.
“Well, well. Look who finally decided to show up…” she stated sarcastically as they rode into earshot. Cleo snorted.
“Look who finally decided to wait on her escort.” The prince’s reply was sharp and quick. Of course, Sky wouldn’t stand for that and fired back immediately.
“Hold up. I never said I’d go on this absolutely ridiculous quest with the three of you idiots. I’m not intending to insult you; I’m just stating facts. The Captain is gold whipped, the Lord General has air for brain, and you can’t fight to save your own life. Who in his or her right mind would agree to travel with the three of you at the same time!?” she was obviously frustrated with the situation. “I’m going to go utterly insane!”
“Sky, control yourself,” the Lord General decided to cut in.
“Lord General Vrohauf, keep your nose stuck squarely in your own business. Though the words may, the argument does not, in any way, have anything to do with you. Also, you have no authority over me. Shut your mouth.”
None of the men could think of anything to say to that, so Sky swung lazily back onto Cleo’s back and rode on. The dirt path they were travelling was easy on the horses so water stops became few and far between. The men, on the other hand, couldn’t take a full day’s ride under a hot sun without multiple canister refills. It was at one of these, that the silence was broken.
“What do you mean, I’m gold whipped?”
Sky raised herself from the grass she had just laid upon. “I meant, as long as you get paid by the king, you’ll do whatever you’ve been told. It’s embarrassing.”
“I most certainly do not,” the captain replied, visibly taken aback.
“Oh, but Captain, you do. Name one time where you did something you were told to do and it was not because you would get paid at the end of the moon,” Sky challenged.
“Well, uhh. …erm… There’s been plenty of times.”
“Yeah…and you can’t name a single one?” her tone was mocking. “That I doubt. Let’s ride, boys.” Without another word, Cleo was loping into the setting sun, Sky astride her back.