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| Chapter Two - Trechery |
| Z�ric hastened his pace as he skulked down the murky marble passageway. He kept to the shadows cast by the great sculptures of deceased Kings, which prowled these forbidden areas of the castle, guarding the secrets with their hulking stone forms. Z�ric felt they watched over him, offering promises of terrible dooms to traitors such as he. "For that�s what I am," he spoke aloud to one stone King; "I am a traitor to you, and your country, and your children. But I am true to my Princess, for she will not lead me astray." "In that," a voice suddenly echoed from the walls, "you may be mistaken." Z�ric fell against the statue and fear choked him. He thought he had only been admitting his treachery to the air, but it seemed he had been overheard. "Walls have ears, Captain Marrs," Elias stepped out from behind a statue, his face solemn, "and treachery carries the punishment of death." All blood drained from Z�ric's body; he felt faint and nauseous. "Wait, no I did not mean in the literal sense my Lord!" He pleaded, his voice high and desperate. "I was�merely musing on my emotions!" Z�ric hunted for a way to excuse or dismiss his words - which now replayed in his mind, clouding his thoughts. "To even think of betraying your Queen is an offence!" Elias moved swiftly towards Z�ric, meaning to grasp his arm. However, Z�ric was a nimble warrior, and so slipped from his clutches. Without thinking he drew his sword in defence, and turning, the Prince stumbled upon the blade. Blood seeped over Elias' sky-blue robes as a setting sun saturates the sky with crimson. A gasp escaped his open mouth; his face creased with pain and disbelief, and Elias fell. Each moment seemed as an eternity to Z�ric as he stood, shaking, waiting to awake from this nightmare. He did not move though, until a hand fell upon his shoulder, bringing his mind violently back to reality. "Quickly," the hushed voice commanded, "withdraw your sword and follow! If we are caught here, it shall be the end for us both!" Ivie stood, dressed completely in ebony, her hand laid upon the jewel-encrusted hilt of her sword. Z�ric did as he was instructed, and he quickly found himself in the Princess' chamber. He did not recall the journey there, as he could think of nothing else but red slowly merging into blue. Z�ric awoke the next morning with sun on his face, and he thought it had been a dream after all. He drew his sword - it was clean and bright, light reflecting on its blade. However, he realised the gravity of his situation when he arose - Ivie was pacing the chamber, deep in thought. There was a bang upon the door, and Adman charged in without being asked to enter. "My Lady, excuse me," he apologised quickly, "but it is most serious and sad news I have to deliver. Last night my Lord Prince Elias Eringuard was attacked, and he lies in an un-waking sleep. The Queen calls for your support, while he lives." "Inform my sister I will join her presently, but I must change first." Ivie motioned to her lace nightdress, so Adman bowed and left. Turning to Z�ric, she spoke. "Our situation is serious indeed. They know not of your actions, and if they ask you, tell them you were guarding my side all night. I shall support your claims, for they would not doubt me. However, if you stumble, I shall not be dragged down with you Z�ric. Be grateful I have helped you thus far. If Elias dies, we shall be safe." "And if he lives?" Z�ric wished he had not asked such a question. "Then we must flee." Elias lay still, his breathing shallow and complexion ashen. To an onlooker he would seem but a corpse, but the healers said he lived still - barely - hanging on to the edge of life when it threatened to cast him overboard. He was caught in an un-waking sleep, and if he would ever recover no-one knew. As Ivie entered Alessa fell into her arms, sobbing. Ivie comforted her sister, whilst inwardly willing Elias' death to quickly arrive. Z�ric hovered in the corner of the room, waiting for someone to accuse him or guards to burst in and arrest him, but none questioned and none came. "So, it has begun," said Ivie ominously. "My sister, what do you mean?" Alessa's voice trembled. "What do you know of this�tragedy? Please, tell me!" "I have been studying the prophecies of this land, which were written before the stars we see now were ever born, and before this land was peaceful and beautiful. For this reason, I dismissed them as stories, to be believed by only the foolish. However, I wish I had paid more heed to one prophecy, one written by the most wise man to ever walk these lands - Lethorian." The Queen gasped at the sound of his name, for this seer had predicted the fate of R�v�lin for generations beyond memory. "Tell me Ivie! What is our fate?" "Do you really wish to know?" Ivie turned away from her sister and smiled. The time was right after all. |
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