章 8: Chapter 8: A Meeting With Fire
Arc II: Chaos Amongst The Valentine
It's a beautiful fall day. The light breeze gives me goosebumps but I don't mind, It's just how I like it. I'm sitting on our porch in my favorite chair. The cushion makes me feel like I'm seated on a cloud. Naturally, I love to sit here and stare at the ones in the sky. But this isn't me, I don't recognize my own body. The only thing that makes sense is the light seal on my right hand.
"Want some lemonade?" A man says stepping outside from the door to my back. His face is blurred but I feel like I still know him well. So well that the blur doesn't even bother me as I accept the drink. I take a sip and it makes my tastebuds scream. The sweetness has a kick. "Thank you," I go to say but we're interrupted by men riding in on horses. Burgandy and gold armor, and Valentine crest on their back.
Suddenly the entire landscape shifts, fading away into a deep inky black. The black ink forms another picture, one where I'm now covered in blood and beneath my feet...Grandfather?!
I jump awake with one big gasp. The panic from my dream carries over as I struggle to recognize where I am. It's dark, the only light source coming from a few candles on the wall. I'm still in my armor, lying on a metal bed with a thin sheet covering me. To my right, there's a man dressed in an all-black uniform guarding the door. Once he meets my eyes he swiftly exits through the door next to him.
"The witch is finally awake," I hear a familiar voice behind me. I turn around to the cell behind me. "Who is that?" I ask, unable to make out their features in the dark.
"It's Lauriel," she says standing up and walking into the little light we have. I leap out of my bed in excitement but my legs nearly give out. I fall to the brick flooring and suddenly the air leaves my lungs.
"Take it easy, darling." I hear Helen's voice in my mind. Why is she still here?! Hearing her voice makes me remember all the awful things she did while in control of my body.
"Your aura output is pathetic," she continues. "Take some of mine." Suddenly I'm filled with new wind and energy.
"You okay?" Lauriel asks. You've been passed out for days, you know. I have to report whatever the hell this is to King Harris and the council. That's if we make it out of here first."
"Days?! How's David? Did the fire..."
"He's okay," she says, and I sigh in relief.
"So, Ethan was telling the truth? An army came for us? Do you know how Athys is?" I ask.
"Yes," she nods her head. "He was, but instead of invading as planned, they took us back to their ships and sailed us to Espin. Seizing the Valentine heirs is more valuable than sacrificing their men. They split us all up once we arrived. That guard that was just here doesn't leave often, I'm guessing they were waiting for you to wake. After the first day of shaking you around, they just gave up."
"Why me?"
"Isn't it obvious?" She gestures to my right hand. "The Valentine children and knight squad falling into your lap is one thing. Imagine their surprise when one of the Valentine children mysteriously has a fire seal. Speaking of, Helen, is she still there?"
"No, I shake my head.
"Good choice," Helen says.
Lauriel exhales sharply. "Good, because once the council is made aware, they're going to put you on trial if we ever get back."
"On trial? I'm a Valentine!"
"Valentine can be put on trial too. You'll get your chance to plead your case. Let's not think about it too much right now. We need to focus on getting out of here. Who knows how long it'll be until King Harris sends reinforcements. Hell, who knows if he will at all. I look at the walls and notice the many seal dampeners hidden in the shadow.
"First thought," Lauriel laughs.
"He has to come," I say. "He wouldn't just leave us."
"Deep down you that isn't true," Helen says.
"What do you know? Stop acting as if you know us. I'm going to find a way to get rid of you and that'll be the end of this." I reply to her inside of my head.
I notice Lauriel squinting at me when the door suddenly opens. The soldier who was here earlier walks in with whom I assume to be Florence Hazel. She fits the description, the wavy blonde hair that all Hazel's share. She's skinny like me but more muscularly toned, and there's her ethereal face. She wears an all-black uniform with the Hazel insignia, a ravishing yellow flame against a black background, hanging from a gold chain around her neck.
"Open it," she says as they walk up to my cell. The soldier grabs a key from his waist and opens the lock. She walks into the cell and stares at me momentarily. "Explain the seal on your hand."
"I-I can't explain it."
She looks me up and down before turning away, "Bring her along," she says walking out of my cell and then the door. The soldier grabs my arm and walks me out with him.
"You're not taking me too?" Lauriel yells as we leave. We step out of the door and it's like we've entered medieval times. We're in an actual castle, this castle must be over two hundred years old from the looks of it. We don't have much information on the Hazel's after their decision to depart from the treaty and go on their own. So, this is all new to me. Not that their living situation actually matters when they're trying to kill you and take your kingdom. I'm interested in history; always have been.
"Give me control," I hear Helen.
"No. I'm gonna end up passed out somewhere for a week if I give you control." I reply inside my head. "Speaking of, why didn't you just give me some of your aura when we were being attacked before? I wouldn't have been so drained."
"I didn't know it was possible. While you sleep, pass out, or lose consciousness, I'm still awake, but now I have more freedom. You were out for so long that I tried to see if I could regain control myself. Nothing worked, but I found a way to share my aura with you by strengthening our aura bind."
"I don't even understand what you're talking about, I hope you know."
We reach a pair of double doors. Florence opens the door and I'm blinded by the light shining through the huge windows in the back of the room. The soldier walks me forward and I get close enough to see Brianna and Elijah. I'm so relieved to see them that I could cry. They don't seem too thrilled to see me though, especially Brianna. They both seem to be in good health though.
"Here's the one with the fire seal," the soldier says kicking me behind the knees, I fall to the ground and Florence walks over to stand beside the man before us. William Hazel, the current king of Espin. He's a big man, about 6'6, and with a little extra weight on his bone and a thick beard. He looks like Santa, but mean. Also, meaner than Father if that's even possible. I can see how those two would become rivals. They probably just hate each other's faces, and now I notice I'm making jokes because I'm not sure what this is.
"She claims she doesn't know anything about it. I believe her." Florence relays to William.
"Well, I never would've thought I'd see all three Valentine children in this predicament," William says. "I've got the future queen, the…whatever you are," he points to Elijah. "And now, the witch." He finishes with a laugh. Harris is always trying to outdo me, even with his children."
"I beg to differ, Father. Their king is an idiot. Who sends their own children into battle?" Florence asks.
"Please excuse Florence. She has a temper and well, she understandably hates your family," William says laughing again."Let's get to business, shall we? As you've seen, I've placed witches and warlocks in my army. All in hopes of conquering Athys. But the three of you fell into my lap. I don't lose soldiers, I have leverage. This is monumental…for me, at least. I'm disgraced by the previous Hazel's who wore this crown. Cowering behind your family in fear. Now, look at you, on your knees before me."
"Take down the seal dampeners and we'll see who's on their knees then," Brianna sneers. "You're also creating a huge risk for everyone else by training these witches and warlocks, what if they overthrow you? They take your kingdom, continue to build, and decide they want the rest of us next."
"Nearly spot on," Helen suddenly chimes in. I'm getting so used to ignoring her that her words pass me by without much thought.
"Luckily, that's not possible." He smiles. "I have my soldiers in line. I didn't bring you here to have a political debate. I summoned you to let you know that I've sent your Father a proposition. He can relinquish control of Athys within one week, and bend his knee to me. Or we'll kill the three of you. Maybe not this skinny one," he points to me. "But…the point is, that week is almost up, and instead of just killing you. I thought we'd have some fun first. Make sure you get some rest, tomorrow you'll be put into The Abyss."
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