So much was happening that Katherine could barely understand. Who would want to kill her? Why? What In the dead gods are elves doing...existing?! And who is this man laying in a guest house in the castle, skilled enough to defeat four elves? She had gone to the town today as she did every once in a while, for she didn't have much to do.
She had gone with joy in her heart and instead came across elves trying to kill her, or maybe they weren't. If they wanted her dead then the first arrow shot could have been in her chest and not the chest of her guard. She certainly did not see this coming. According to ancient books, Elves were considered extinct after the Armageddon, a war believed to be so old it was now considered a myth.
The war against creatures man refused to live with. At every turn man was fighting with either a fae, or an elf, or a troll or other more dangerous things. So they split the land. The unnatural creatures took the three kingdoms now known as Baros, Mohja and Embberdale which were across the sea from the lands man chose. Arocelli, Guresque and Belvedere.
Soon man and beast began crossing the boundaries and the killing started again. Only this time it triggered several wars on sea, raids on land and the death toll was far too high. Man had the worst of it, the creatures were far too powerful, too great and too magical, a word that seemed hilarious to her till now.
Soon man knew the war was lost for them until Abadan, a man considered to be Armageddon's hero, found that pure iron was a weakness against their strength...then the war truly turned on its head. It was a massacre for the creatures until they were pushed out of all six kingdoms into a place uninhabited till this day. A place where no one came back from. Well until now.
The last elf was captured and brought to the castle for questioning. Katherine did not consent to the guards means of questioning but it was out of her hands when it came to the security of the princess. They had to know all they could.
The elf was thrown into the dungeons while the mystery fighter who saved her life and the life of six of the remainder of her escort guards was put in a guest house in the castle. Katherine saw to it that he was attended to by the best healer.
While he was being cared for she went to see her sister who had run out of the castle earlier crying and craving to hug her and kiss her cheeks. Katherine had assured her sister she was well. They couldn't deal with more loss...they couldn't.
Soon after, with two guards trailing her and a guard ahead, she reached the throne room where her sister was on her glass throne on the dais. She was addressing her five advisors, no doubt it would concern the matter that occurred earlier today.
She walked past them and acknowledged them with a nod, in turn they bowed to her but not deeply. That was meant for the queen. She then bowed deeply to the Queen, Esther.
"Your majesty." she said, then winked at her. Esther giggled and it was a beautiful thing.
Esther had moon white hair like Katherine, and her skin was a slight bronze. No one could say the queen wasn't a beauty. The Arocelli women often were.
"Come on up Kat." Esther said. Katherine climbed the dais and sat on the glass seat her sister had had made for Katherine alone.
"We're glad you fare well lady princess." Banner said. He was the one who mostly spoke on behalf of the advisors, but he was also the most cunning and untrustworthy.
Nonetheless he was still the queens leading advisor because of his brilliance and pragmatism in solving difficult situations in the kingdom.
"Thank you lord Banner." she said.
"We'll take our leave now. Shall we pick this up tomorrow lady queen?" Banner asked.
"Of course." said Esther.
With that, they all turned on their heels and exited the throne room.
Katherine saw Esther loosen her shoulders and heard her release a breath. Being the Queen was no easy task and that Katherine knew, for she had no desire to be in the position of tough decision making her sister was often in.
But most times she was there for her sister as a friend and everything else she needed her to be.
"You okay?" Katherine asked. Esther laughed and it was laced with worry and weariness.
"I almost lost you today Kat. I...I really don't know what I would have done if I did lose you". Esther said
Katherine got up and hugged her sister tight.
"it's okay S." she said "I'm alright, I'm here and I'm not going anywhere okay?"
They stayed like that for a while in each other's arms then eventually broke up.
"How's it going with the elf?" Katherine asked.
Esther sighed "The elf. Long ears and sharp teeth. They actually exist Kat." She said.
It was another minute before Esther spoke again, trying to gather her thoughts no doubt.
"Mateo is interrogating him." she said.
Katherine couldn't stomach the fact someone was being tortured in the premises despite the fact that the person tried to attack her.
"Isn't there another way? Perhaps a way that doesn't involve broken fingers and forcefully removed tooths." Katherine said.
Esther looked at Katherine then.
"There's no other way to get the information Kat. As it is he's still not cracking, and if they tried to kill you, we have to know if they worked alone or if there's someone out there who will try it again."
Katherine sighed knowing her sister was right. They needed answers.
"Alright then. I'm going to check on my mystery hero." She said.
"Oh? How is he?" Esther asked.
"Adela said he'll live despite how deep the wound was. She's quite gifted don't you think?" Katherine said.
"Indeed. There will be many thanks in store for this man who has saved you."
"Yes, there will." Katherine said smiling.
"What crazy ideas do you have in store now dear sister?"
"Oh stop being so suspicious."
"Your ideas are often terrible you know right?"
"Well this one isn't." Katherine said before walking out of the throne room.
Her guards took formation again and it was becoming tiring but she accepted their presence knowing her sister would not relent.
When she reached the guest house where she laid the injured man, it was late in the evening and Adela was just leaving.
"Lady princess." she said with a bow of her head.
"How is he Adela?"
"He is well lady princess, he should be in bed till the morrow. He must not stress the stitches or else it will tear open again."
"Thank you Adela."
Adela bowed and then left the room.
She ordered the guards to wait in the foyer much to their disapproval. The man lay on the bed sleeping when she walked in. His abdomen was bandaged neatly.
She took in his features. His thick dread locks that were turning a shade brown perhaps from days of travel and lack of proper care. He was well built and his palms had cuts most probably from lots of sword use. His face was something women would fight for, rigid and soft at the same time.
She'd know his eye color when he woke, she thought. She looked around the well spaced room. A large sword was placed against a sofa at the corner of the room. She walked towards it, deeply tempted to touch it.
It's hilt was beautifully designed, it's blade gleaming at the edges. She knelt close to it seduced by the way it showed her her face like it was a mirror. Then she touched its hilt.
"Don't touch that." she heard behind her.
She jumped up in shock and turned to see the wounded man putting on his boots.
"How are you even...?" She lost her words when she realized what he was doing. "You can't go, you need rest." She said.
He didn't even reply her, he just put on his shirt and grabbed his jacket from its spot on a stool. He then walked to grab the sword but she side stepped him.
"No." she said glaring at his nonchalant face.
"I must go." he simply said.
"Fine. But at least eat something. Wait while I go tell the guards too alert the kitchen."
He grunted as he stepped back and sat on the bed. She walked out of the room and to the foyer where her guards were.
"I need you to get food from the kitchen." she said to one guard. Then to another she said "Tell Adela to give you sedative pills. Come on hurry."
She then walked back into the room to find the sword and the man gone...and the window left ajar. No way she thought.
She ran to the window but the courtyard beyond was empty except for the guards patrolling. She found that there was indeed a way to climb down from this height but it would take a great deal of carefulness and balance and time...and foolishness! She thought. Truly now she must know...who is this man?