Kaija: Queen of Stone

25

"How dare you!" I screamed, pushing the tip of the dagger in. He winced, holding up his hands in a defensive position. "You are a coward and traitor to your kind!"

Tears welled in his eyes. "My Queen," he said with a quiver of his lips. "I was not in my right mind. Please forgive me for going against you. I sent you into the woods to show you the truth. You saw what those monsters have done, right? I am on your side now. I just wanted my lad back. Understand, my queen ! "

"How am I supposed to trust you? Because of you, two Udanians are dead!"

"Because I would never risk the life of my family," he whispered. "Never."

"How am I to know that you are telling the truth?"

"Allow me to show you," he answered. "Just let me go into my pocket."

"Fine," I answered, not moving the blade. "Make it quick."

He pulled the cork on the vial he was holding. A dusting of violet magic fell before me. "What is—"

I was back in Udan. I looked down at my hands, noticing they were ones of a man. My laugh was joyous and free like Lenox's. He had placed me into his memories.

"Like this Papa?" a little boy with brown hair asked, blinking wildly as he wound a string on a piece of wood.

"Aye that's it, lad," he said, patting his back. "We will go fishing at the river in no time."

From behind us, Dari cooed her name, drawing me away from the memory. "Rodi."

I blinked, staring at Lenox. I thought he would try to run but he remained on the ground with his hands back in the air.

"I have a son," he said. "Now you know. I have to save him."

"Just because they took your boy doesn't excuse you from their deaths! They were innocents," I screamed. "They died because of you!"

He shook his head. "Not I, but the creatures in The Sacred Forest."

"You knew about them before we entered?"

"Aye," he admitted.

"What were those?"

"Servants of the Guardian," he answered. "Now that it is dead, they are guideless, wreaking havoc wherever they see fit. There was once a balance, but now there is no more."

I gritted my teeth. "Give me a reason not to sever your head."

"I can bring you back to Udan as soon as you are done speaking with the King in Kaija," he said. "I do possess magic, that was true. Udan is in danger. You need me! You cannot kill me! Spare me so!"

"We have days till we reach Kaija, you've claimed so!"

"No," he breathed. "I was lying."

"Where are we!" I screamed. "Tell me now."

"Beyond the carcass of the Guardian is Kaija," he explained. "It's below the cliff."

I released the dagger from his throat. Lenox fell forward, laughing. He scrunched his fingers, pulling the bloody grass from its spot.

"We need to move then," I answered. "How far is it by foot?"

"A few minutes," he explained.

"We must make haste," I replied. I leaned down, tearing a piece of fabric from my dress. I moved, tying Lenox's wrists together, letting the wound on his hand still bleed. If he died, it would be without honor. He deserved death for betraying his own. A sense of deja vu rushed over as I pulled the knot.

"You are held prisoner until I know you will not betray me," I hissed. I looked over to Dari who was still hallucinating. "If you are a user of magic, conjure a spell to cure him," I said, pointing at Dari. "If you kill him, I won't waste a breath in killing you."

"My hands are bound," he whispered.

"Now!" I screamed. "Or I will not hesitate to slash out your tongue next!"

"Fine!" he called out. "Reach into my pocket."

I hesitated then shook my head, driving my hand into his pocket. I felt something hard from within.

"Pull it out," he encouraged, laughing.

"This better not be a joke. If that is your member, you will lose it."

"No, no," he answered, "no joke."

I pulled, bringing a lengthy black vial from the depths of his trousers. I stood, keeping a careful eye on Lenox before stalking over to Dari. Kneeling, I uncorked the vial, pouring the liquid in his mouth.

"If this doesn't cure him, I'll kill you."

"How many threats does this make now?" he mocked, clicking his tongue. "Oh, four."

"Shut it," I hissed, watching as Dari's pupils returned to normal.

He sat up, groaning. "What is going on?"

"We are near Kaija," I answered, sparing details of Lenox's betrayal. "Help will be gathered soon."

Dari stood, his knees shaking. He fixed his blouse and stalked toward Lenox. "Why is he tied?"

"Because I ordered it. He is not the man we thought him to be," I answered, walking forward, I grabbed a handful of his bind. "We move now. There is no time to waste, and plenty of it has been wasted because of this fool."

"Forgive me, my queen ," Lenox hissed. "But it seems you are the true fool."

Dari shook his head. "Give me the order and I'll cut out his tongue."

Lenox rolled his eyes. "These same threats aren't having the same effect as before, y'know?"