The room was dark beside a few torch's of sickly golden fire illuminating some parts of it. So, it was quite difficult to distinguish the four figures sitting in a half circle at the far corner of the room. They were three males and one female- as far as one could tell- dressed in pristine and immaculate tunics of rich colors and on their forehead was a diamond-shaped mark of a dark opaque color given them some kind of regal image. But, those four people were anything but regal or anything close to it. They were disgusting power hungry people that would do anything to get what they wanted. Like send people to kill innocents just to prove a point.
Kaizen Amare, was the perfect example of that. After all, that same night he have just killed the only person that have ever treated him as something else but a weapon shaped and molded to do what it was asked of. Now…that person was long gone. Because he have served his purpose in life.
-Has it been done?-Asked one of the man-whose tunic was a pale jade- that was sitting a the left side of the half circle without even glancing his way. No one of them has, since he appeared in the middle of the room.
-Yes.-He say without any inflection on his voice. It was monotone, bleak and devoid of emotion. Like it have to be. But the hand folded in a fist against the cold stone floor under him was clenched so hard that he could feel the blunt nails digging past the thick gloves covering his palm.
-Good. Now the Emperor can't deny the truth. -Say the same man again. His expression didn't change but if someone looked at his eyes they would see the greed and triumph in his dark eyes. Kaizen didn't have to look to know what look was in his eyes. He know the man enough to be able to tell by the timbre of his voice.
-Well done, Môder. -Say softly the only woman glancing for a second in his direction. At hers words Kaizen clenched his teeth but say nothing. He only bowed his head a little in response.
-You can leave now. -Say the same man of before to what Kaizen bowed his head lower than before, disappearing right after of his position on the floor.
-Won't he betray us?-Asked the man beside the woman sounding a little worry even though his faces was devoid of expression like the rest of them. The man with jade robes simply shook his head a little without saying anything to what the only woman sighed softly before answering.
-He won't. Why do you think that he killed the woman that basically raised him?-The man thought for a while before his eyes opened in surprise and a little bit of fear but he say anyway.
-Brilliant!- And it was. Threaten a man desperate to feel human again with taking away the only thing that make him feel like it and he would do what you ask. In the process he would actually loss a big portion of the humanity that he was trying to protect.
-What would we do now?-Asked in a low tone the last man. Rising from his place the man with jade robes say.
-The Royal Rojko has died. Is only right to let the Emperor know.-
~0_0~
The king didn't even have to raise his head from where he have it in between his hands to know who had entered the throne room. The soft smell of lavender that always followed his wife around was a big giveaway of who it was. But, even though he was happy of knowing that the beautiful woman was close he didn't raise his head. He didn't have it in himself right in the moment to force words and smiles that he wasn't feeling at all. He feel her sit beside him on the stairs right in front of the throne but still he didn't move from his position. He hear her sigh softly before feeling her hands against his covering his face.
-Stop moping around. It doesn't suit a king, my love.-She say in a soft voice pulling his hands away from his face reveling red rimmed eyes filled with tiredness and sorrow. The beautiful woman made a sad noise before kissing his forehead. Right at that moment he looked more like a lost child that anything else. Hugging her against his chest he leaned his head on her shoulder.
-I am so sorry, Teri Mi. -He whispered feeling the tears dragging down his face but he didn't make any sound. Opening her eyes wide in surprise the woman, Teri Mi, hugged him a little tighter wondering what he was talking about. Softly, like she was doing something she wasn't supposed to do, she whispered close to his ear: -Yehu?-Breathing in shakily the man pulled a way from her and took her face in his hands looking at her directly in the eyes finding confusion in her pretty eyes before laughing softly without to much feeling. -I am sorry. I m not acting like myself. -The woman smiled slightly thinking that it was a understatement. He wasn't like himself at all. Searching for her eyes she caressed softly his left cheek when she found them. Feeling braver the man spoke letting out what have been stuck on his throat for a while now. -I thought that it was just a legend. Things say to scare the people and keep them in line. I thought that the Sages where just trying to control me. I never thought…-Closing his eyes Hanh Hei Yehu lowered his head and apologies again showing her the man with who she feel in love with-and that have been hidden himself behind the mask of the king- in that moment letting her finally understanding why he have been so different from his usual self since a while back. He was blaming himself. Shacking her head right away she pulled his head up and say.-No. No, love. You are wrong. No one of this is your fault.-
"Its mine"
She wanted to say but she bite her tonged and hold it inside. Even if she wanted to spill all what she have inside she knew she couldn't. She made a vow and she couldn't brake it even if it killed her.
-We couldn't have know that this would happen.-She ended saying even though those words were the less that she wanted to let out her mouth. Those words were a lie.
-But if I have only believed what the Sages say…-
-No. -She stopped him before he say the words that she didn't wanted to hear at all.
-You know better than anyone what the Sages want. Maybe you could have changed some things if you have listen to them like you say, but even so what happened wouldn't have. -She say with conviction shaking her head with resolution.
-But…or child.-Sighing softly Teri Mi touched his cheek softly.
-He would be alright. Ok? I promise you.- Nodding Yehu rubbed his face trying to quiet down his own thought while forcing himself to pay attention only to the words that his wife say. Seriously, what was he doing? He was the king for goodness sake. He couldn't loss his marbles like this. Breathing in deep he calmed down enough to laugh under his breath.
-I am sorry, dear. I shouldn't have let you see me in such a state.-Smiling softly Teri Mi was going to say something when a knock at the doors of the throne room could be hear in the deepness of the place. A light blow of familiar but disgusting energy was feel by both of them at the same time. Right a way the mask of coldness that Hanh Hei Yehu always wore appeared on his faces at the same time that Teri Mei rose from her place. Smiling in his direction for a second she walked to the left side of the throne. Pushing slightly against the wall, where a portrait was hanging, she disappear through a door that reveled itself when the portrait was pushed back. When the portrait got back on its place the king rose from his place and sat with the arrogance and laziness that characterize him in front of his subjects- but of which wasn't even a little bit a part of him when Teri Mi was in the same room- on his throne.
In a cold voice he say:
-Come in.-
The door was pushed open by a servant and the two figures that he never wanted to see entered the throne room. His eyes turned colder than they already were even though he already know that those people were going to enter the room. A woman and a man with tunics of rich colors, that dragged with them that disgusting energy-thick as a cloak of fur- inside the room. They were a eyesore. Like always. Standing a few step before the stairs in front of the throne both of them bowed till the waist just for show. He know quiet well that bowing to him was the least that they wanted to do. He know that what they wanted was to be right where he was and being bowed too. At the thought a little smirk crossed his lips right before his uninvited guest straighten from their position. When they did his cold and arrogant expression was the only thing that they saw. He would make sure that they never got what they wanted. He could falter and think that he was doing the wrong thing from time to time. But he would never give them the throne. And now he have a heir. A heir that would take his place in the future. Him and no one else. (A heir that could have never been according to the legends that now he feared were true)
-Your Majesty. We apologies for coming unannounced but we have news to deliver. -Say the woman, pulling him away from his thoughts, in a soft voice though Yehu noticed the little disdain that flashed in her eyes for a second when she talked. They weren't even so discreet with their reals thoughts anymore. That have something to do with the fact that they underestimate him. The thought that he could tell what they actually thought every time that they put on a mask was something that didn't even crossed their mind. And it was something that he used to his favor. Leaning a little forward in his position, showing that he was listening, he made a gesture for them to talk. This time the man talked and he have hoped that he wouldn't open his mouth at all. Between the two of them, that man was the one that he couldn't tolerate at all.
-The woman by the name Vessna Näkotne, knows as well as the royal Rojko, has died early on this night. We offer our condolence, your Majesty. -
~*~
Entering her courtyard Teri Mi, breathed in deep the soft aroma of flowers and clean air, thanks to the many trees and nature on the area, before thinking a little about the people inside the throne room now. She didn't know about what exactly they could be talking about but if it were those people it couldn't be anything good. Opening her eyes after closing them when a soft breeze passed by she looked in the direction of her own royal courters before walking to it. In her way the servants that she passed by bowed to her when they saw her while she could see others working on their shores diligently. She could see that most were in good spirits doing their jobs while smiling and talking between them. The weather was a nice one after all. At least they weren't looking as glumly as the person waiting for her on her rooms. Her mother. She know why she was there and she could understand it. But right now she didn't wanted to talk about that at all. Two servants opened the door to her rooms while bowing. Entering she could see right away her mother. By her appearance she could tell that she wouldn't talk about what she feared. No like that make her feel any better. Her mother looked worst than she though that she would after what happened a few days back. She was paler than usual and her eyes were red. She have been crying and the circles under her eyes obviously talked about her lack of sleep. Between her arms was a little bundle of clothes. Little chubby hands could be seen coming out of it and soft little sound made by a young child. At it more tears could be seen slipping out of her eyes. Sighing softly she walked closer and kneel in front of her. -Mother, please.- She say softly putting a hand over one the hands holding her baby. Sobbing softly her mother didn't answer. Her eyes- of a soft brown color- were focused only on the little eyes looking right back at her. -He would suffer so much.- She whispered. Closing her eyes, Teri Mi bite her tongue and keep in her desire to cry. She wouldn't cry in front of her husband nor of her mother. -I know. -She whispered instead opening her eyes again. Her mother raised her head and looked at her. Her face was young for her age but right at that moment she looked like she have aged the years she didn't looked. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and a kind of compassion that she never wanted to have directed at her. -You would too.-She say. And Teri Mi smiled in a deprecated way. She would and she have known. Looking at the baby falling asleep on her mother arms, Teri Mi thought that it was wort it. For her child she would do what she did and more.
A little while after, she was back in her courtyard- after telling her mother to rest and a few of her most trusted maids to take care of her- and under the shade provided by one of the biggest and oldest trees of the courtyard. She sat down on a little bench made close to the rots protruding from the ground. On her arms was her baby boy sleeping soundly. Looking at him she smiled softly leaning down to kiss his forehead lightly. The tears that she have been holding back since her child have been born three weeks ago finally came down and drenched her face. Leaning back she looked at the long branch of the tree over her and at the many leaf's like they hold the answers to all her questions and pleads. Sobbing she closed her eyes and simply cry. Cry for her child, her husband, her kingdom and for the future that awaited them all. She cry for the vow that she made in the night that her baby was born, for the cold fear gripping her bones even now, for the bloody eyes that she felt watching her even though she know that it wasn't the case. She cry and cry until she couldn't anymore. But the thick pain on her chest didn't go away.
But it was strange that she didn't wished for it to go all away. Because she know that even if she was given another chance she would do the same thing again and again. Because it was what happened that night that give her the chance to meet her child. Though, she did felt some kind of regret.
Regret, for she have cursed her child to live a life full of pain for a future that she wasn't even was sure it would come true- even though she know in her very bones that it would- thanks to a vow that she made with her own blood.
~(*)~
The sight at his feet was one that he have been expecting. He knew what he would find when he entered the little house deep in the woods. He know. It changed nothing. -Like so many times in the past- Being careful of his steps he kneeled beside the body of the young woman killed just a few hours ago. Her skin was still a little warm and the blood making a puddle under and around her hasn't dried yet. The woman was smiling and her eyes devoid of life were glancing to her side. Flowing her gaze he saw the full moon and little dots of soft golden light dancing in the night sky. Closing his eyes for a moment he sighed softly.
Knowing what would happen. Knowing that it has to happen…it never helps. Its like a knife making its way through his chest and poking his heart again and again in a mocking manner. The worst part of it is that only the pit of the knife digs in every time. The wound isn't deep enough. And the guilt makes doesn't make up for it. Opening his eyes he reached out with his left hand and closed the eyes of the woman. At the same time little fragments of memories flashed in front of his eyelids making his guilt grow with each passing one. Every little detail of the last moments of the woman were viewed by him. But one moment stood out from the rest.
Opening his eyes he looked at the woman's neck. The neckless that should be there was absent. He frowning a little. He didn't liked two of the last decisions of the woman but he should deal with it later. Shacking his head he sighed. They were Vessna last wishes. The least he could do was let it be. Raising from his position he walked to one side of the little room-cold and filled with the smell and presence of the dead- and leaning down he took the white paper- that have fallen from his original place because of the night wind- which he have seen a glimpse of in the woman's last memories. The painting was still breathtaking even if know it was covered in blood. Folding it neatly he put it inside his close. It was made for him after all. He should keep it. Getting closer to the woman again he took her in his arms gently not caring if blood got on his clothes while doing so. Walking out of the little house he made way through the forest, having no problem even if the light of the moon couldn't reach him because of the thick branches of the trees surrounded him. Soon, he entered a large clearing where the grass was low- many flowers of soft colors could be seen swaying in the night wind-where the full moon could be seen clearly and a river was making way through the forest at the end of it. And millions of the golden dots of before were flying around the area. They laid on the petals of the flowers, moved around the branches of the closest trees, touched softly the surface of the water of the river before pulling away, got close to the sky before coming back down and danced around themselves. When he got closer they tangled between strands of his hair, touched softly his faces like they were saying hello, fluttered around his clothes before staying close to the woman in his arms. He watched them silently noticing how their luster fluctuated while they were closer to her. It was like they were mourning her. Going down a little hill he started entering the river- the cold water not making him feel anything but a soft relief- with the woman still in his arms. Little by little more and more golden dots were gathering around him. Getting to the deepest part of the river, the water reaching his waist, he let the woman laid on the water. Her clothes- tunics of a beautiful amethyst color- started floating in the surface along with her hair which strangely enough started changing colors. From the deep brown hair of before it changed to a pure silver that resembled the rays of light from the moon. Softly he let her go. She didn't sank neither slipped away. She just stayed floating in the river like a lotus flower. Taking a step back in the water he watched how one by one the golden dost got closer to her. How they covered her completely little by little like butterflies. How they starting glowing brighter and brighter till it was painful to look. Right after the body of the woman, Vessna, dissipated in many golden particles along with the golden dots. A strong wind suddenly came to life, shacking the branches of the surrounded trees, blowing away the petals of the flowers on the clearing and taking strands of grass away on little whirlwinds. He watched the particles being dragged away by the wind, how they dissipated in the air and the feeling of guilt just grow almost impossible high to bear when a soft and fading voice whispered against his hear.
-Thank you for everything, Lärare. -
He didn't deserved a "Thank You" he deserved to be cursed.
Sitting in the clearing a while after, just looking at the full moon, feeling the wind hitting his face softly and watching the remining golden dots dancing around. He was feeling numb again. Sighing he closed his eyes while falling back on the grass with his arms folded behind his back. After almost drowning on his guilt, now he felt like always. Almost dead. He guessed that was what he deserved in the end. But just his guilt definitely wasn't the only thing that the people that left this world deserved. They deserved his sorrow, his pain, they deserved at least two and million tears. But the only thing that he could muster was guilt as deep as the ocean before his heart got frozen over again. It wasn't how it should be. But he couldn't helped it. This…thing… was what he was now. Almost dead.
A cold snot against his cheek pulled him away from his thought. A soft chuckled left his lips and he opened his eyes looking straight into luminous green eyes. Raising one hand he scratched between the ears of the wolf sitting now beside his him.
-Hey. You are here. -He whispered softly to what the wolf pushed his snot against his cheek again.
-Yeah. I know. I was moping.-Sitting he looked the wolf over noticing that it didn't have blood on his fur nor any wounds. Curious he asked.
-You didn't go hunting?-The wolf shook its head while getting closer till he could lean his head on his lap. After doing so he closed his eyes and fall asleep almost immediately making him smile a little when he saw some golden dost lying on his fur like he was a comfy pillow. After a while of running his fingers through the wolf hair he looked up at the moon.
His eyes turned cold and his expression blank. Soon, very soon, many things would change. All because of a trade and a vow made by a desperate woman. Sighing he closed his eyes and just breathed. For now he would just do what he have to do. Make sure that the future came to be. Even if it wasn't a happy one.
~"Closing the page on this stage."~