Albert Espusio was outraged.The man barely managed to control his anger until he returned home. Then he let loose, he was furious with the king for once again breaking his promise. He had been promised Sapphire's head but the king stunned him by exiling her. He stormed into the great hall, picked up a pitcher and a bowl and hurled both into the hearth .
In his fury he paced about, kicking and throwing anything in his path, acting like a spoiled child who wasn't getting his way. He swept a goblet and pitcher from the top of a chest and smirked with perverse satisfaction as it shattered against the wall.
"He played me" He ranted
"I'm the fool here for believing that lying son of a whore. Why did I think this time would be any different? When has that bastard pretender of a sorry king ever told the truth?When?"He shouted
Ten minutes later he collapsed into a chair at the table and demanded wine.A servant rushed into the hall with a goblet and a pitcher to replace the ones he'd broken. The goblet was filled to the rim with the bloodred liquid. Some of it sloshed over the side as she placed it on the table. She quickly wiped the spill with a cloth, bowed low and backed away from the man.
He took a long gulp, leaned back in his chair and let out a loud sigh.
"Abigail" He called out
A plain woman, Abigail was happy for the attention.she rushed to the table and took her seat at the opposite and facing her uncle
"What's bothering Milord?"
"Once again the king broke his promise"He whined impatiently
"But Milord, it was in your favor. You finally got rid of her"
Albert snorted with laughter
"But she is still alive "
She bowed her head
"Milord the king favors you I'm sure of that, cause why would he banish his daughter to become a fugitive for an unjust reason "
He paid no attention to her remarks. Albert gulped down the rest of the wine from his goblet, used his sleeve to wipe the drips from his chin, then poured himself more.
"I hope she does, that slut really deserves what's coming to her"
Abigail nodded" Milord when will Baron Chellub be back from Hittites "
Albert rubbed his Jaw
"In the next full moon "
"You promised to give him to me Milord, you know how much I adore him"
He hardly knew how to answer. He almost felt sorry for her because she had such impossible dreams. Chellub would never marry the likes of her. Albert doubted that any man would give her the time of Day, for she was most unattractive. Her skin was sallow and pock masked and her nose was crooked in a funny way. He had made out a good servant out of her ever since she was a child. But if Abigail longed for marriage, who could Albert find to marry her?
She didn't have much of a dowry unless he added to what her mother had left her. He knew that if the dowry were large enough, she would have many suitors but he was unwilling to give up any of what he had.
"One must always hope my dear" He muttered for lack of anything better to say
*****
"You won't survive even with my protection, desperate women like you should know when to stop"
Sapphire attempted a smile and said
"I have thought of all possibilities Milord and I'm going to use it to climb to the top where I belong "
This craze woman wasn't embracing the truth, he looked into her eyes which held emptiness, desolation, death, she wasn't far from it. Her resilence preyed him to lend a digit, he was a man of reasons and she gave him one.
He let out a long drawn out sigh. He should have known it wouldn't be easy. Things having to do with Creedom always ended up being complicated.
"You are going home with me but don't get your hopes high"
Embarrassment made her cheeks flush and Lord Typhon knew that if he didn't stop noticing such things he would never get through this . Clasping his hands behind his back he scowled and turned to his subordinates
"Move out"
His gaze fell on the Royal envoy who had turned completely white due to tension as he spoke
"Tell your king, I except tribute before the next full moon"
"Y-y-yes sire" The envoy mounted his horse in hesist as he fled the scene almost thankfully
Despite the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, sapphire told herself to stay strong. She would keep an open mind about these Hivites, if she didn't draw attention to herself, maybe he would pay no attention to her
"It's time to leave"Lord Typhon spoke directly behind her causing her to flinch slightly
"Can you ride a mule"He asked
"No Milord, Women aren't supposed to do such things"
"In my world, Women Are Men's Equal "..