As Eva walked, she could feel her heartbeat drumming in her chest. She clenched and unclenched her fists in an attempt to calm her nerves.
Her black dress floated across the crimson carpets of the castle. All around her, doors and windows were decorated with elaborate gold trim. Every inch of the palace was filled with pastel colors, soft fabrics, and detailed feathers. A sweet honey aroma clung to every hallway. The smell made Eva nauseous. The pretentious colors spread threw the palace like a disease. From the king himself to the servants who fed the pigs, each person was immersed in colorful clothing—everyone except Eva. Her black hair and dark dress were like a stain on the palace's ornate facade.
As Eva made her way through the palace, servants hurried out of the way, sneering and whispering in her direction. Looks of disgust and distrust followed Eva everywhere she went. She kept her gaze low, taking care to stay out of sight. Using alternative routes throughout the palace she often went unnoticed. Nonetheless, there was only one route to reach the king's study, and it was always filled with servants.
"Aaa- There you are! The King will see you now!" A round man dressed in pink and blue satin opened two large doors leading Eva into an extensive library. He eyed her up and down disapprovingly.
As she walked in, the round man promptly turned around and shut the doors, closing Eva In the study alone. The room was still and quiet; only rain pattering on the windows could be heard. Eva walked forward slowly, looking at the walls covered in books. It had been months since she had last been in this library. She passed under three archways of books until the room opened onto a large rotunda with a glass dome above.
Rain poured down, and Eva could see droplets slide down the glass panels.
In the center of the room a heavg mahogany desk stood. Gold lines spilled over the sides of the desk. Accompanying the desk was chair of red velvet. On it sat King Baal. Even though he was sitting, one could see that King Baal was a tall man. His outstreached figure bent over the desk as he sat stiffly flipping through papers on his desks. Small gold glasses hung on the edge of his noes. His silver hair spilled over his shoulders. He was an old man, yet his face showed minor signs of aging. His skin was soft and with a blue hue. The lack of age in his face gave him an unnatural appearance. Though his eyes, light blue like crystal sea water, gave away his true age.
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and for King Baal this was true. His eyes showed age and wisdom. A kind of wisdom one gained only through experience. He had seen many things come to pass and his blue eyes held on to many secrets.
"Your majesty." Eva said softly, curtsying so low her noes was nearly pressed to the ground.
Not acknowledging Eva the King flipped through paperwork on his desk.
Eva stood still staring at the King. It was so quiet she could hear her breathing. She willed herself to take deeper breaths but the air felt thick and her lungs would not expand. The awkward tension in the air felt like a weight of bricks pressing on her chest. When she could no longer take it, the King stood up.
"Eva, let me get a good look at you." The King said in a low firm voice.
Taking off his glasses, he turned towards her. Hands folded behind his back he inspected her walking slowly around her.
Eva held her breath as if it were trapped inside her.
"You've grown." The king said with hardly any emotion, a matter of factly.
"Rhye was right; you are indeed growing into a beautiful young woman."
He made his way to the edge of the dome rotunda windows and considered the rain drops.
Eva wanted to reply anything, but fear gripped her throat.
"Do you know why I called you here?" He said, hands behind his back, staring into the distance.
"No my King." A small airy voice came out of Eva.
The rain began to pour harder outside, filling the room with the sound of pattering water.
The king stood watching the rain.
"It hasn't rained in months; I thought this time the drought would be eternal." He said with deep concern.
"The rain is a great gift from the Gods. I pray it continues to pour." Eva said, hanging on each word coming from her mouth, hoping she chose the right words.
"That is why I have summoned you." The king said turning towards Eva.
"Do you know why it does not rain like it once did in the age of Aragon when our borders were open to all?" He said, circling the room back and forth.
"They say the northerners curse our lands." Eva replied.
King Baal leaned against his desk and looked Eva in the eyes.
"And why do they do that?" He asked.
"Because they are traitors who do not wish to eradicate unholy magic. They chose to send dark curses on us for choosing to follow the light. They dry out our lands and await our destruction." Eva spoke with great conviction and passion.
"Very good, the Gods of light smile upon you for your true words." King Baal smiled and picked up a peace of paper off his desk and handed it to Eva.
"This is an account of all the attempts we have made to secure the North in this year alone. Every-time we lay siege to their border; we are ambushed. They know where we will go, even before finishing a battle plan. My spies tell me the queen's son has the gift of dreams. Born of dark magic, he sees where we will strike before we get there. The Gods have chosen you to bring justice to our people."
"I am honored, your majesty." Eva knelt to the ground, bowing low.
"You have never let me down, bring me his heart, and you will be washed clean of your sins." The King pulled Eva to her feet.
Unsure, Eva asked in a low voice. "If I may ask, your highness, but why do you not send Rhye to do the God's work?"
"Do you not wish to be cleansed of your sins!" The King shot Eva an annoyed glance.
"No! I am honored my only wish is to serve the Gods." Eva bowed again low, her hands shaking.
The king pulled her up once more softly he smiled cupping her face in his hands.
"I need the job done well the first time. Rhye is no match to you when it comes to using a sword. If you do this, you will be like us, Eva. Washed in the light of Gods, no longer draped in darkness." He said sweetly running his fingers through a strand of her black hair.
Eva smiled softly. "I will bring you his heart." She said firmly.
"Very good, prepared yourself, you ride to silvers edge at nightfall. An Oracle has told us Prince Jasper is sure to be there. We do not know why he will be there or if he will be accompanied so you must be watchful. The Oracle was very adamant that you do not go near the woods and stay on the path. The woods are filled with dark magic."