Chapter 46: Blood in the Mainland
Why did they attack me? It was the question that formed in my mind the moment I was struck by an arrow on my leg. The answer didn't come even if I had another arrow planted on my back. And lying on my bed in the middle of my room, it was still a question which answer I was trying to find. Why did they attack me?
I closed my eyes as the horrible event played inside my head. I could still feel the icy chill that ran through my skin whenever I realized that I almost died that day. It would have been my end if not for the strange man in a black cloak who managed to stop my assailants and saved me. No. He didn't just stop them. He killed them. I could almost smell their blood spilling on the ground – I could feel it in my hands. I couldn't help but think that they were dead because of me. And this feeling brought me back to the Forsaken Land; when I was attacked for a title I didn't have and was saved by the most dangerous man in the pirate world – the Skull.
Such thought made me push my hands against the bed in a futile attempt to move. But I winced as I was welcomed by the surge of pain from my wounds that made me fall back on the soft mattress. My mother and Dorothy immediately rushed on the side of my bed.
"You have to be careful with moving for now or your wounds will bleed again," my mother said sternly.
I couldn't see them clearly for I was lying on my stomach and moving my neck required a huge effort.
"How long has it been?" I asked.
"A day and a half, I thought I'm going to lose you again."
My mother's voice croaked as she controlled the tears that started to well in her eyes. I felt guilty for forgetting how she would be feeling in this situation. She must be worried when she saw me coming back from the woods in blood and dirt. And with that, another question rose in my head.
"I remembered passing out before the horses reached me. What happened?"
"I saw Tarnus leaving the castle with his men for an errand. I told him about the attack and he immediately galloped into the woods." It was Dorothy who answered. I could almost sense her discomfort and my mother's glare towards her.
"I'm really sorry, Primrose – Lady Primrose. I didn't know that the woods became dangerous," she added.
"The Eastern wood is always dangerous," Lady Adeline retorted. Her distaste for the girl was completely evident.
Dorothy remained silent at my mother's remarks. I sighed and carefully moved so I could sit down on my bed. They immediately helped me and after being seated comfortably, I faced the two of them.
"I'm going to be alright," I assured them. "It just hurt a little for now but it will heal soon."
My mother crossed her arms and looked at me skeptically. It was her way of telling me that she still didn't approve of my past decisions.
"I will not allow you to roam again outside the castle grounds. Not when you're alone. And if you must go, you will bring a more reliable companion with you."
Dorothy was fidgeting on where she stood. She knew that Lady Adeline's words were completely directed at her. I gave my mother a meaningful look and she just rolled her eyes at me. Nevertheless, she stopped blaming Dorothy for what happened.
"Is Lord Caleb Crimson too busy to see his daughter lying on her bed?" I asked, trying to divert our conversation.
Lady Adeline's expression turned into a worried one. She sat on my bed and rested her hand on mine reassuringly. Such act made me think that something was going on.
"The four leading families and the council members called for another meeting to counter the decision in the North Castle. Your father decided to go with Lord William."
I clenched my fists as anger started to grow inside me. My mother slowly removed her hand from mine like she was just burned by it. She looked at me like she never recognized the fire in my eyes before.
"They planned for it! They had something to do with the attack so they can easily abolish the rule I passed in the North Castle." I said in gritted teeth. I should have known that they would never fight fair.
"Primrose, my love, listen to me." My mother started caressing my hair in an attempt to calm me down. I just looked at her with the same rage in my eyes. "The hunters who attacked you are the rebels. There are group of people who are too eager to bring the four leading families down. The meeting's purpose is not only for those pirates. They are not that important to have the rulers join together in a very short time. This is also for you. We are not going to let such attack happen again in the Mainland."
I softened at the worry she showed in her eyes. She was my mother. Ofcourse, she would think of me first before dealing with the pirates. However, I was still not convinced about this political meeting's purpose.
"I just want to see someone right now," I murmured. My mother straightened from sitting on my bed. She seemed to be willing to comply with my request.
"Do you want to see Tarnus? I'll call him for you. He's your saviour and –"
"No," I cut her off. "I want to see Aiden."
She looked at me in questioningly. It must be her first time hearing Aiden's name.
"Is he one of the council members from the North Land? I'll send someone for him," she asked.
Dorothy cleared her throat and said, "It's the young pirate in the barn."
My mother gave her a deadly look before turning back at me. She slowly shook her head as if it would change the request I made.
"Please, Primrose. Not a pirate in the castle," she pleaded.
But I've already made my decision. I also wanted to see Tarnus and thank him for coming and trying to save me from those hunters. But at that moment, it was Aiden I needed to see the most. I was desperate for a rope that would somehow connect me to the man who came like a deadly storm and left with tragedies around me.
"Mother, I want to talk to Aiden," I said firmly.
Lady Adeline didn't answer right away. She seemed to be weighing the situation and the possible consequences if ever she would grant my request. She turned to me abruptly and exclaimed, "No one would like to get near the pirates!"
"I can call him for you." Dorothy suddenly volunteered from the corner. I smiled at her gratefully in which she received a deadly glare from my mother.
Lady Adeline finally realized that she won't be able to change my mind. Sighing deeply, she stood from sitting on my bed and crossed her arms. She clearly showed her disapproval but still, let Dorothy go to get Aiden.
"Your father will not be happy about this," she said and after assuring her that I would be okay, she left the room.
She disliked the idea of bringing the pirates to the East Land. I understood if she would refuse to be in the same room with them. But in the future, I would try to change her mind about the pirates. I'd like her to see them with brand, new eyes.
Dorothy entered my room again after a few minutes. Aiden was behind her and continuously looking at the walls and decorations of the castle. He probably didn't find things such as these in the pirate ships or houses in the Forsaken Land. He still seemed not aware that they had already reached my room and I was watching him with amused eyes.
"How's the castle, Aiden? Does it suit to your taste?" I asked.
"It is a magnificent fortress and I –"
He stopped and finally turned to me. And in just a second, he was on my side. Worry was plastered on his face upon seeing my condition.
"I've heard about the attack from the gardeners of the castle. I thought your body would be so fragile to take two arrows. But when they said that you made it out alive, I concluded that your assailants are not really skilled."
I laughed at the strange way he was seeing my situation. He made me feel like I was once again on a pirate ship and a single wound was not really a big deal to the tough pirates. They would even brag about it to their peers and wear the scars proudly.
"I am deeply insulted, Aiden. I'm not that weak," I objected. He returned it with a cheerful smile.
"Aye, Captain! I've forgotten how strong you are. Please accept my apology." And he bowed his head like a real gentleman. The castle has really gotten into him.
"Noble clothes would suit you, young lad. Please remind me about sending one to your place," I suggested and he let out a loud laugh.
"No, thank you. I can't imagine myself wearing such uncomfortable costumes."
Somewhere amidst our conversation, our laughter died and he looked at me with seriousness in his eyes. That's when I knew that it was the time to talk with him about what happened. I looked meaningfully at Dorothy and she immediately understood that she needed to leave us alone for a moment. When she closed the door, I loosened up and said, "I saw him. I saw the Skull. He killed those men and saved me."
Aiden looked at me sceptically. "Did you see his face? Did he talk to you?"
I shook my head warily. "He was wearing a black cloak that almost covered his face. He didn't even say a single word. But I know it's him. I would never forget his scent, the way his presence makes me feel."
He didn't respond right away and instead, crossed his arms. He wasn't too acquainted with the Skull – none of the pirates in our custody are. But they quite knew him and I had preferred to talk to Aiden about it. I had built trust in him on one of the decks of the Pirate City. When I helped him with his wounds and he protected me from the attack of one of the pirates, I knew he was a good person.
"Primrose, listen. What we saw in the woods are probably different groups of people. Maybe the unfamiliarity of the surroundings had played trick on us. Markus claimed that he saw his brother but we all witnessed him fell from the ship with his blood tainting the sea. It's possible that this was just an illusion."
I clenched my fist as I listened to him. I had a glimpse of hope for the pirate world when I saw them in the barn. But now that he was denying the whole thing, I couldn't help but feel sad and disappointed.
"The best thing for you to do now is to rest and recuperate fast. It seemed that there are people who want you dead in this land. Unlike in the pirate world where your enemies would fight you in your face, in the Mainland, people are great plot masters. The arrows shot behind you are clear evidences."
I sighed and agreed with him silently. Whether it was the Skull who saved me or not, the truth that there were people who wanted me out of their way was enough to make me worry. It was not too long since I've come back to the Mainland. For them to assassinate me, I must have done something that threatened their goals. I thought of the past decisions I had and the possible people that could get affected by it. So far, I had caused damage to our ties with the West Land. But it wasn't enough reason for them to kill me. Even Lord Chester came to the East Castle to make sure that our connection was still strong. Or maybe, someone had an ulterior motive and I unconsciously put myself on that person's way. Whatever and whoever was that, I swore to uncover it.
I spent the rest of the day in my room with some of my favourite books as company. I wanted to keep my mind from thinking about what happened. It would only lead me into frustration for not being able to do about it at the moment. I promised myself that when I had finally recuperated, I would see the authorities in the Mainland and investigate about it. I knew that it wasn't a normal attack on a lone girl in the woods. They talked about golds and the prize for my head. Someone was definitely behind it.
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of the eager footsteps that passed behind my door. It was too early for breakfast so I couldn't ask anyone about what's happening outside my room. Without Dorothy or my mother's help, I tried to sit myself on the bed. I could still feel the pain on my back and my leg but it wasn't as sore as yesterday. I set my feet on the cold floor and padded slowly to the door. The first step was hard but it got easier with the following ones.
When I finally opened the door, I realized that the noise was coming from the servants talking at the corner of the hallway. They immediately became silent when they saw me. Two of them immediately ran on my side to help me walk while the rest of them disappeared in the hallway.
"What's happening?" I asked the servants who approached me.
"Lady Primrose –" One of them started but was immediately cut off by the other servant.
I looked at them questioningly clearly disappointed for keeping something from me.
"Milady, it's best if you'll hear it from Lady Adeline," the servant said.
It made me even more curious about what's really going on that even though it was hard, my steps quickened even the servants tried to keep up with my pace. They reminded me about being careful but I didn't listen to them. Something was telling me that it was urgent and I had to reach my mother immediately.
I saw her at the entrance of the castle with servants surrounding her. Tarnus and West Land soldiers were talking silently while she sobbed with her knees on the floor. I ran to her immediately, it was an awkward run and the servants were struggling in helping me but I didn't care. I had to get to my mother as fast as I could.
"Lady Primrose," Tarnus called when he saw me approaching them, worry was written in his face. I didn't answer him and instead, knelt down next to my mother – holding her shoulders tightly to tell her that I was there.
"Primrose," she whispered with her tear-stricken face.
"What's wrong, mother?" I asked. I glanced at the West Land soldiers, confused about their presence in the castle. "Father is supposed to be home from the West Land. Why is he not with them?"
My question brought more tears to her eyes and I became even more worried. With the help of the servants, I stood on my feet and face Tarnus and the West Land soldiers. I knew that the only thing I would hear was bad news based on how my mother was helpless on the floor. But I was also aware that I had no choice but to receive whatever it was. If I wouldn't be strong for myself then who would do it for me?
"What happened?" I asked, this time I focused on the West Land soldiers.
There was a look of surprise in their faces upon seeing my willingness to hear the news myself. They probably heard about the attack in the woods and thought that I would be scared to hear any bad news. The Western Soldiers straightened and looked at me respectfully.
"My lady, there was an ambush in the boundaries between the East Land and West Land. Lord Caleb Crimson and his group were not able to reach the West Castle safely. We apologize for the tragedy."
At that moment, the world seemed to stop for a few seconds. I could feel my heart stopped beating and the people in the castle stopped breathing. I couldn't even feel the pain on my wounds anymore. I became completely numb and when the world decided to move again, I felt every pain rushing back to me, crushing my heart into pieces.
I wanted to cry but at the same time, I had to be strong for my mother. Tarnus was on my side, apparently, he was afraid that I would break down just like Lady Adeline. But I breathed deeply; summoning all the strength I needed and said, "Where is my father's body?"
And I thought that was the most heart-breaking question I had ever asked in my entire life.