Episode 4
Snow gasped, seeing her friend stabbed. She dragged her up, but she was half closing her eyes, looking faint. Winsley had woken up too,as he appeared behind Snow. Alice was panting,her breath rough. Snow dragged her up to the bed,and laid her, supporting her head with a pillow. "What went wrong, Alice? Who did this to you?" Snow questioned.
"Shhhh...they...they are outside,l... looking for me. They wanted to kill me"Alice said.
" Who are they? Talk to me, Alice? Were you stabbed?"snow questioned, getting a torn cloth and cold water to clean the face of the wound. " I...I was...was stabbed..."
"My God. Who stabbed you? Did you steal something?"Snow asked, observing the cut on her face. "They want to ruin your pretty face. Talk to me, Alice" snow asked, wringing the cold water off the torn fabric. She cleaned the face of the cut on top of her chest. It was a deep wound. Snow brought out a small container containing some powder. She poured little of the powder on the wound. Alice grabbed her hand suddenly,"Snow,get out of here when it is morning. They would come for you,I know. I must leave now,to distract them from here" she said. "Like this? You are wounded, Alice! I mustn't let you leave like this!"
" Listen to me, Miss Potter,you must be out of here in the morning. I'd distract them now"Alice said, snatching the powder from her before staggering out in the darkness. Snow quickly bolted the door. She looked out of the window. "Quick,get her!" The men shouted. They must be after Alice now. But,who could be after her? Why? She didn't know anyone. Why would they be coming for her? She didn't know. She couldn't lay on the bed,in her worries. She drew Winsley closer to herself, stroking his head. "It's fine,old boy. We would be out by morning" she said. She looked around,"But why would we have to leave all these luxury? It's so hard" she looked sad. Everything in her head was unexplainable.
*. *. *
Lucas could not sleep after everything he had heard. He was turning from one side of bed to the other. He knew the emperor would most probably be aware of their moves,and that made him scared. He got out of bed and walked to lady Myre's bedchamber. He knocked. Her light was still on. She was probably not asleep yet. He opened the door.
He met her reading a book on her bed. She was really into the book, but when he came in,she raised up her head,and muttered,"Lord Lucas."
He just came to sit beside her bed. He heaved after a few moments of silence.
"I would suggest you go to the big town for a while."he said,his eyes holding worries.
" Why is my lord suggesting I go to my mother's town for a while? Is anything wrong?"
" A war is coming,and I'd be involved. It's like a coup. I'm helping the governor out."he whispered.
" Why,my lord? It's such a reckless action. The emperor has had his eyes on this household before. Won't it be wrong to prove his thoughts right?"
" You think I'd do it without reasons? Of course, I'm doing it for you, lest he comes for you again,and I'd rather die than let that happen."he didn't look at her when he said that. Lady Myre felt the compassion in his voice. " My Lord, I'd feel guilty for the rest of my life,if I let you do this alone, because of me. I'm not willing to hide away like some teenage girl, My Lord. I really want to stay here,and see how you defeat the Emperor. I would pray for your victory."she said, holding his hand and squeezing it lightly. Lord Lucas felt like it was the first time he was close to his wife after their years of marriage. He coiled his fingers around hers. He looked into her eyes,then her lips. She was wearing her usual sexy sleep clothes. It was soft and light,and he had specifically chosen it for her, to make her nights enjoyable.
He started moving close to her,to kiss her, but she refused. He released her hand and went away in a rush,for the fear of not being able to control himself. Lady Myre heaved.
*. *. *
It was silent in the emperor's palace. Soldiers were standing at every corners of the place. Two men were coming. They were Lord Gerald and his assistant,Clint. They were walking with such agility that the sounds of their boots were heard echoing. As they got to the entrance, Clint whispered some words to the soldiers at the entrance. One of the three men went inside,and after a few minutes he came back outside, inviting them in.
General Gerald was the first to enter,while Clint trailed behind. They both paid obeisance. The emperor acknowledged them and after that,he invited Gerald to sit, while Clint stood at the door.
"My Emperor, may I know why you summoned me at this time of the day?"
" General Gerald. Brilliant and young. You have been wonderful,and my best general ever. "Gilbert commented.
" Thank you, My Lord. I'm honoured to serve you and the empire anytime."Gerald said.
" Well,I guess you have the men ready. We are going into a war against the Old town."
Gerald suspected something," Against a state under your rule? They are your people, Your Highness. You can tell them to do whatever,and I bet they dare not ask you why."
The emperor gulped down his wine. He shook his head," It's not about the people. It's about Dawkins. It's a personal war."
" If you would not be annoyed, Your Highness, I'd suggest that you shouldn't go to war with them,as it would affect the people,and they would suffer in the cause of your clash with the governor."
" It's final. Gather the men. Get a few trusted governors,and we would fight."the emperor said with a tone of finality.
"Yes, my Lord." Gerald bowed deeply, giving up, knowing he wouldn't be able to change the emperor's mind. He walked out.
*. *. *
"Potter Snow, I'd see if you would not be triggered to save yourself now! Save yourself! Get up!" A cloned version of snow spat at her. It was a dream.
She jerked awake from dozing. She had not been sleeping all night. She looked around the room,but Winsley was nowhere to be found. She had her greatest fear. Maybe the people were here for her already. But, she preferred to get hurt than the dog. She quickly packed up a few needed things into her bag and was about to open the door when it flung up by itself. The atmosphere was tense. She slowly and carefully leapt out,but no one was outside,except for Winsley,whose legs and paws were tied with ropes. It laid there, whining softly.
"Gracious goodness!" Snow sobbed,as she carefully untied the ropes. Winsley was tired,too tired to even jump for joy at his release. He was panting hard,as if he had just ran a race. "Who did this to you, Winsley?"
Winsley whined softly. Snow hugged him. A dark shadow appeared behind her in the morning sunlight. Winsley had probably seen the person,and he started to bark. Snow looked back and saw a huge man, overshadowing her. Before she could do anything,he raised a fist,and she blacked out. Winsley's barks were muffled.
*. *. *
Her eyes were opening slowly, but it was still blurry. She felt a wet lick on her leg,and jerked awake. Snow had blood running down her nose. She wiped it quickly and took note of her environment. She was in a wooden carriage,with winsley by her side. She couldn't see outside,but she heard horses'neighs. Winsley was licking her hand now. She rubbed his head. "Are you okay?"she asked him.
The right side window of the carriage flung open. A man riding on a horse beside it, looking huge and wearing a cloak with hood stretched out an handkerchief to her. When she refused to take it,he barked,"I would take no credit for that blood on your nose when we get to town,girl. So,take this now."
Snow glared at him,"I would take no handkerchief from a stranger!"
He laughed,and his big front tooth showed. He threw the handkerchief to her and slammed the window back to a close.
Snow rested back in the carriage. She was confused. Probably, these people were the ones Alice warned her about. She was more confused, because they treated her nicely. Except for her bleeding nose. She wondered where they were going. The house! And the new foodstuffs she and winsley just restocked. How she wished she could go back and get them all. She rubbed winsley's head and braced her mind for the worst to come.
*. *. *
Gerald was seated in his office in his army division. Two men came in. It was his right hand man and the Baker,from whom snow stole earlier.
"General Gerald,this is the man you asked me to usher in."the young man, looking a little bit younger than Gerald, gesturing to the muscular baker,who smelt of snacks and baking.
Gerald dismissed his man and invited the baker to sit on the chair in front of him. He sat.
"So, tell me what happened with that ostracized earlier"he demanded.
"You are reminding me of my loss, General Gerald."he said,his face unhappy,and his voice grim.
Gerald burst into laughter,and asked instead,"You could make do with some rum, Roland. Drop the formalities."
He poured them both two cups of rum and placed one in front of Roland. He smiled and gulped it down in an instant. "Thought you'd be busy with the king's task. I heard the rumors on my way from the market."Roland said, placing down the cup,while Gerald poured another.
"I'm in a tight end. Now that people know about it,they would be wondering about their fate."Gerald said.
Roland smirked,"I advice that you turn the emperor down,and switch sides"
"Now, that's the most expensive joke I've heard today"
Both men laughed together. Roland gulped his rum down again,and said in a sad voice,"That white haired girl stole my pies and bread. I wanted to make an official report when I didn't hear anything from you"
"My men are still out, looking for her. But something was different about her eyes. They looked..."
"I'd say you have taken an interest in the young miss"Roland said, cutting off his speech. Gerald cleared his throat,"Of course, that's not true. I can't have an ostracized beside me. It would mean going against the law. Ours is a clean state"Gerald said.
Gerald's right hand man came in to declare,"General,your presence is needed in the emperor's palace"
Gerald dropped his cup knowingly. "I was expecting that."
Roland was rising up to leave. "I guess I need to get back to my shop now. I would let you know if I see her again." Roland teased,and bowed, while Gerald followed him outside.
*. *. *.
"Open the gates!"a husky voice shouted from somewhere. The large, metal gates opened suddenly,to reveal a bridge with sands. There was a flag with the sign of ram. Snow tried to peek outside the window. She saw the bulky man from earlier at the front,on his horse. They rode in. The bridge was a wide one. At the far end of the bridge was a totally new world,with humans,men,women and children moving around. It was the market. It was bustling,with voices around. Women selling and buying. Loud and fast voices threw words. As their carriage entered the market,the people bowed. Snow wondered why. She was supposed to be a captive,but why was she being taken care of by these people? Maybe they were bowing to the proud man at the front,or maybe it was the carriage. She didn't know.
As they entered the palace,the carriage stopped,and she was brought down with Winsley. The palace was a large and slightly modern one. Snow held Winsley's collar protectively as she was being led.
"I told you to clean off the blood on your nose on time. Now, you'd make me receive some scolding,"the bulky man said.
"I'm so glad you'd be scolded. You deserve it.".
He made a face that seemed like,'Fuck you, bitch'.
As they walked on,one of the maids at door quickly opened it as soon as she sighted them. The king and queen were seated at the high table. They were both wearing ram horns on their heads. That was their crown,as Snow guessed.
"Your Highness. Your Grace."the man at the front gestured, while the men behind him bowed. The king,a man of about fifty,with a huge and bulky body,raised his hand as a greeting. The Queen was the opposite of him. She had a mini stature,and was slim. She was beautiful.
"Kalas,you have come with the Prince's Rua. Welcome back."the king said. "Thank you, your Highness. Even though it was hard to get a unique one,as requested"the bulky man said.
Rua? What did that mean? She didn't know. Was she to be the Prince's wife? Or what?
"Come here. Let me see you,"the Queen requested,and Snow felt her feet dragging underneath her,towards the Queen. As she came close to the woman,she felt like she was placed under scrutiny. "She has beautiful eyeballs."the queen whispered to the King,who nodded. The queen's eyes traced her hand down to Winsley. "You have a pet?"she asked.
"Y...yes, your Grace"snow said stuttering, not knowing what to say. "It's a beautiful,white dog. The colour of your hair"the queen said,her eyes looking envy of snow's hair.
The King,as if uncomfortable with the queen's scrutiny said,"Take her to bath first. The Prince has gone on a hunt. He should be back soon"
"Yes, your Highness."Kalas replied, and Snow bowed to both royalties, and followed him. She wondered what was going on. As they entered the place where she would take her bath,she turned to Kalas. "What's going on? What am I doing here?"she asked.
"Don't ask me questions. Take your bath as the king said."
"I'd injure myself and shout,that you wounded me"Snow threatened.
Kalas gritted his teeth. "Why are you so bitchy? Why do you have to know?"
"Because you captured me,and brought me to where I don't know. See? I'm just sixteen. I'm still a kid."
"That makes you more fit for the role"Kalas said. "Am I going to be a slave? Or some prostitute? What's Rua?"she asked.
"I have to be on my way now,to give you space for a beautiful bath. Enjoy your day."Kalas said,and went out. Snow fisted a ball.
*. *. *
"Out of the road! Out of the road!" San shouted, as their horses entered the market. Gerald was riding some meters away from him. The people scurried away from the road.
"Isn't that Lord Gerald? Celiac, would you open the window?"lady Ella demanded,and her maid opened the window. Gerald and his men were riding on the horse.
"It really is! I would have loved to have a word with him!"Ella said excitedly.
"I think he's going to master's house. They have some business to settle,I guess"celiac said.
"Tell the horsemen to turn back to the house in this instant!"
"Yes, Miss!"
Ella looked excited.
*. *. *
Snow sat by the glowing candle, looking dejected. She had been put in a room,with maids and guards at the entrance. Winsley was beside her,not touching any of the foods laid on the table too.
"Winsley, boy. I can tell you are as confused as I am right now."she muttered to him,and he gave a reply,by licking her hand. "Have some food. It's all good food,"snow said, tearing some meat, and giving it to winsley. He ate it greedily. Snow retired back into the sofa, without touching the food. Her white hair was stained by the orange candle light. She was curious. She thought about Alice now. She wondered where she was. But, Alice was the least of her concern now. She wanted to know why she was here,what she would be used for.
"The Prince has arrived!"someone announced from the door. She looked less freaked. The Prince,a fine,young man of about twenty two came in, looking curious and inquisitive. He came straight to snow. His eyes were deep brown,and he was wearing tracksuits. He looked handsome.
"My Rua"he said,rather hastily.
Snow eyed him. She moved away from him. He surprisingly didn't follow her,but moved back a bit. "What am I doing here? What's Rua?"she asked.
"This is the land of Aries. I am Prince Lathow. My English name is Andrew"
That explained the ram symbols. She just understood. "That's not the answer to my question. I asked you what Rua was"
"Bedchamber maid."he said.
"What?" Snow asked with disbelief in her eyes.