It was late, around midnight and most of the castle was silent except for the few guards patroling the corridors and rooms of this great building. Régidal as usual was still awake with Luzalé present in the room with him. She was reading a book while he was playing chess with Aesta. Osmadrey and Sarika had went to their own rooms.
-You are in danger my, dear Régidal. Said Aesta with a smirk.
She was in position to win against her chief and brother of heart. He then silently moved he pawns but the following action of his companion was her decisive hit. She won the duel.
-Congratulation. He said with monotone voice.
-Thank you. I have become better at this.
-It was certain coming from you. Like i said earlier, you are smart, strong as well.
-It's rare to hear compliment from you. What happened ?
-Nothing, i am just acknowledging your qualities. My father once told me that it was important to recognise the worth of my companions and friends.
-I see. Thank you, it really is nice coming from you.
-It's nothing. He said as he was placing his pawn on the chessboard for another round.
-You know, talking about fathers, i always secretly wished that one day i could have a conversation like this with mine. I would have love talking to him, to know who he is, what does he loved or hated. What was the true sense of his love for my mother ? But sadly, life gave me someone that my heart could not reach.
-Maybe he was the one not answering your calls. I cannot really see from your point of view, since my father and i were close.
-That's normal. How is it ?
She said while playing first. Régidal played after her and replied.
-What is it ?
-How is it to...have a father in your life ?
Luzalé looked at them after hearing that, she could feel the small pinch in the heart of her friend, Aesta. Régidal also looked at her eyes, he could see that it was something important.
-In my eyes, having a father, a good father, is like having a oak in your life. It is strong, it does not bend against the storm, it is hard but soft to touch at the same time. It protects you from the rain, the heat of the sun with its leafs. it is an assurance of stability and safety. My father was strong and rough sometimes but i knew that could always count on him, no matter what could happen. He was an oak, proud and mighty full of love.
Aesta was staring at the chessboard, listening with opened ears her friend talking about what she could have had, what she wanted to live. Régidal knew that it was touching something deep in her heart.
-Thank you. She said with a voice knotted a little. I must confess that i envy all of you sometimes. She added with a nervous laugh while drying her teary eyes.
Luzalé stood up and went to hug her beloved friend, Aesta laughed again nervously.
-You may not have had the father you craved for but today, despite that, you are a great woman, smart, strong, beautiful and a loving friend. There is not a day that Régidal and i regret accepting you among us. We love you very much, i hope it is enough to fill your heart.
-Of course it is. Aesta replied with a retrieved joy overtaking her small sadness.
-You are very important to us, to Belda, she deeply loves you.
-Well, i love her even more. I am with her the same way my mother was with me, i hope even better. She said happy.
-Like she say often, you are the best. Replied Luzalé standing next to them.
-It's true. Oh and Régidal, i believe that you should be closer to Belda, give her attention and try to understand her way of seeing the world. She love you very much, alot more than me or the others except for Luzalé. You are what comes closer to a father for her, please be that for Belda, be better than your father for her sake.
He listened to his friend with attention, under the tender eyes of Luzalé.
-I believe too. She even added. You are precious to her.
-I will try my best.
That was the simple answer of Régidal. Both of the ladies smiled at each other and looked back at him.
-What ? Did i say something ? He was truly curious.
-No, you are just funny sometimes. Replied Luzalé.
It was enough to take a very small chuckle out of his mouth.
While they were here, bonding over wishes and memories, Horaldir and his wife were both asleep in there bedroom. A peaceful place soon disturb by shadows. Two balck figures had broke into the chamber, wearing cloak and equiped with daggers. They were on the side of Horaldir, then they raised their arms still with the weapons in hands.
Suddenly, Ajéta, the wife of the duke screamed with terror, surprising the assassins and waking up her husband. When he saw the danger and the shining blades, he immediately invoke a magical barrier around him and his wife. The dark figures still tried to kill him but they did not managed to break the barrier. Horaldir then generated a shockwave to pushed both the intruders against the wall.
Luzalé, Régidal and Aesta felt that, they looked at each other for one second before the chief said.
-Luzalé !
She immediately put her right hand vertically infront of her face while closing her eyes. Then the whole room started to fade away like mist, she and Régidal were phasing through different room of the castle at a high speed, like a train passing many stations. After two or three seconds, they arrived in the room of their host. Ajéta screamed again while Horaldir was facing the mysterious intruders.
-You are here. The duke said while maintaining eye contact with his enemies.
-Who are you ? asked Régidal with a penetrating voice.
They remained silent.
-What are they waiting ? Demanded with confusion Horaldir.
The assassins were not moving surprisingly.
-Luzalé has paralyse them. They are not a menace anymore.
-Wait really ? That easy ? Replied with shock the duke.
Régidal got closer to the attackers and took off their hood, revealing their faces filled with unreadable expressions.
-Speak ! Ordered coldly the chief of the Varapren.
-We will say nothing, you scum loyalist ! Replied one of them with an irritated voice.
The assassins were looking at him with frowned eyes, he understood that he could not gain anything from them in this situation.
-Very well, we will which one you break first. Call you guards and throw them in your prison. We will interrogate them tomorrow. Make also your guards look around the castle and inside, there may be more of them.
-Understood, my lord. Retorted the duke.
He left his room, leaving the rest to more competant people. Luzalé moved the two assassins by making them float in the air and made them leave the room.
-Thank you. Said Ajéta, still a bit shocked. By Varanita, what a nightmare.
-If they tried to kill your husband that means he knows something. We will have to ask you some questions again.
He voice was not the most gentle or compassionate, he sounded almost threatening. His gaze was rough and piercing. Ajéta was more scared of him than the assassins. He then walked out of the room, followed by Luzalé.
-Please, excuse his attitude but the situation is forcing him to be that way. Said the lady with a softer tone.
-I..i understand.
She then left the room too.
A bloody had been avoided but the danger had increased now. Without knowing much, they both could feel that something was not right. Régidal was now more determinate to find an answer to his questions.
-I alerted every guards in duty, lord Régidal. Explained Horaldir to Régidal on his way back to him.
-We will have to talk, Horaldir and this time, i want the truth or i promise on the name of the Varapren that you will not see another day.
He didn't yelled or raised his voice, he just calmly proclamed this to his vassal with his stern face and tone. Horaldir looked at him with a lost expression before the noble left him, still followed by Luzalé. She put her hand on his shoulder, gave him a smile befor advancing again.
Horaldir was scared.