章 13: The Messenger's Escape.
In the lecture room, an intense battle of wits was ongoing. A lone white knight and a king, stood on the checkerboard surrounded by a black bishop, a rook, and a king.
"I believe this is... checkmate." Alexander, suggested calmly.
I inhaled deeply. "Just a minute."
"Okay."
I could hear the subtle smirk in his voice. This was our fourth match and I hadn't even gotten close to winning. Except for now, and that one time he wasn't looking so I moved the pieces to my liking. I didn't think he'd be that observant...
"So... how's May?" He asked.
"What?"
"I mean Maria. Whoops."
"Oh..." I nodded in understanding. "She's fine. Actually doing pretty good. She owns a boutique in Esteban's District earlier this year."
"Business is booming?"
"Wonderfully." I smiled as I remembered when Maria had told me about her dream to establish a new era of fashion in men and women's clothes. I was happy and ready to offer any help. But the idea of her leaving for good stung a bit. "She made the dress I'm wearing."
"Ahh, so that's why you look slightly more good-looking today."
I mentally rolled my eyes. I already knew his game.
"You can try all you want to break my focus but I'm not going down without a fight." I smiled, moving my knight to a spot that wasn't a checkmate. I met his surprised look with a very smug smile.
He moved his chair closer to the table, rubbing his stubbled chin in thought. "I have no idea what you mean. So does she still come around? To work that is."
"Hardly. She has workers, a busy schedule and customers to cater to. But I do go there to help sometimes."
"You sew?" He lead his bishop on an attack to my knight.
"I model." I moved my knight to checkmate his king. Now it was his turn to take a sharp breath.
"That's... good. That's good. Fern too?"
"Huh?"
"Does he model for Maria?"
"Oh yes. We model the dresses for our age group. Secretly though."
"It's not much of a secret anymore now, is it?" He chuckled as he moved the bishop to protect his king. I moved my knight to attack the rook which was left wide open.
"I trust that you have better things to do than walk about spilling gossip."
"Not my ideal pastime activity no... A secret to whom might I ask?"
"Just Xeldia."
"Hm..."
The next few minutes went on in silence as we fought a battle with our 'indiviual intellectual strengths'. Finally, I cracked a smile, as Alexander stretched a hand across the table.
"Good game."
"Thank you." I shook his hand. "If you'll excuse me."
I leaped up from my chair, jumping around the room, as merry laughter escaped my mouth.
"You don't have rub it in you know..."
"I have no idea what you mean. I'm only celebrating my victory."
"It's a stalemate. A tie."
"But you didn't win so...." I went back to celebrating, while Alexander shook his head.
When I felt that my energy was nearly exhausted, I stopped at the nearby window, resting on the sill.
"You finished?"
"For today... yes..." I gasped.
He leaned backwards in his chair and groaned. After steadying my heartbeat and breathing, I looked to the clock on the wall.
"Five-thirty? How long have we been in here?"
"Can you feel your legs?" He asked with a raised eyebrow and folded arms. It was then I felt the pins and needles vibrating everywhere on my legs.
"Ack! Pins and needles!" I shook my legs to get the feeling done with.
I looked outside to the evening sky. My mind moved to a memory of someone.
"Dinner should be ready by now." Alexander mumbled from his seat.
I hummed.
"Permit me to ask, but are you in love?"
"Permission denied and excuse me?!"
"You have that fond look people get in fairytales when they're in love!"
"I... don't even know how you came up with that right now. I'm not smiling all silly like, am I? No." I answered for him. "I miss someone though. My aunt."
"I didn't know you had an aunt."
I shrugged. "She left a few minutes before you and your family first came two years ago."
"Just like that?"
"Of course not. She traveled after that. She gave my brother and I these necklaces." On instinct, I reached for the jewellery that dangled from my neck.
"So she hasn't been back since then?"
"My last birthday party marked two years so no. I believe she's fine. I miss her. I trust her."
"You're a bit lucky then. My uncle lived with us a few years and decided that 'the royal life didn't suit him', and set off to become a pirate."
"Really?" A tiny laugh escaped me.
"True story." He put his right hand over his heart. "He sends letters and cards from time to time. We reply them. He saw a recent painting of me. Says I could be the 'Prince of Pirates!' or something."
"Or something. How long has it been? You know, since you last saw him?"
"Well my upcoming birthday's going to make it eleven years. I win."
"She hasn't sent any proof of her wellbeing whatsoever. Checkmate." I said with an overly sweet smile.
He didn't say anything, and I continued to watch the slowly dulling clouds. In the distance, I could see a section of the city. It gave me chills when I thought of the people who's loved ones hadn't come home yet. Father...
"I think I just realised my problem with you."
"What?" I asked unamused.
"You refuse to remain beaten." He tapped his fingers on the table.
"Well I have a problem with you too." I pulled the window shut. "You refuse to stop being so stuck up!"
"I am not-did you hear that?" He turned towards the window I had just shut.
"Hear what?"
"Shh."
"What? I don't hear anything except my stomach. I'm hungry."
"It's like... wind whistling along something."
"We're inside and the window is closed. How can you-"
"Shhhushhhh!"
"Fine."
He tilted his head to listen more intently. After a few seconds, his eyes widened.
"Get away from window!"
"Why?" I took a step back, already alarmed.
"I said get away from the-"
He suddenly leaped from his chair, heading straight for me. I closed my eyes and held up my hands in front of me. The next thing I felt was the impact of his body pushing mine to the ground. The sound of shattering glass followed immediately after.
I opened my eyes and looked down, and saw Alexander's arm over my stomach. He groaned, and pushed himself up. A hiss of pain left his lips, because he realised that little pieces of glass had pierced into one of his hands.
He got up and looked at me. "You okay?"
"Your nose is bleeding." I pointed to mine to show him which nostril. He put a finger and sighed when it came back bloody. "What was that?" I took the glass-free hand offered to me, and flapped my gown to get rid of the little glass pieces on it.
"I don't know. I-" A hacking cough interrupted him. We turned to where it came from. Something did break through the window, and it wasn't just a big stone.
It was a person that had an odd shape I couldn't look away from as they laid on the floor. As the person slowly got up, I gasped.
A bird! It was some kind of huge birdman!
"Veer!" Alexander called out, and rushed to his side.
The birdman held out an arm with feathers attached to stop him. I spotted blood dripping from a wound in his side as he flicked his wrist, and a letter materialised in his hand. Alexander took it, then the bird-man looked up and pulled together a charming smile.
"Thank you for waiting." He said before his smile faded, eyes rolled to the back of his head and he fell.
Alexander managed to catch home before he hit the ground. "Help me!" He called, visibly struggling to bear the weight.
I scrambled to my feet, not minding the pain of glass in my palms. Once I draped his arm over my shoulder, we began to pull him out of the room. His unconscious increased weight coupled with his floor length wings made it harder. Luckily, two guards on shifts saw us coming down the hallway. We handed him over with care.
From the floor above us, Fern, May and my mother rushed to the scene, all with evident confusion. I followed their gaze past me to Alexander. A part of the right side of his shirt was soaked with blood, along with one leg of his trousers. My eyes continued to follow the trail of blood to the room, back to a soaked Alexander standing in front of me.
My head started throbbing and I could no longer feel the floor I was standing on. My stomach performed a series of violent somersaults. Whatever Alexander was saying, I couldn't hear. I only saw his mouth moving before my vision started spinning as well.
Right now, all I wanted to do was sleep.
°°°°°•••••°°°°°•••••°°°°°
"Uugghh...."
I slowly became aware of my surroundings. I felt the woolly texture of my blanket. I winced because I could now feel the throbbing pain in my head. However, compared to before, it was mild. As I intended to sit up, I heard whispers that let me know I wasn't alone.
"She's awake!"
"Shh. Not so loud."
"I am not!"
"Yes, you are! Now shh!"
"You all suck at whispering." My voice was a bit off, but it was enough for both of them to stop their bickering. My brother's face loomed over me, his eyes searching my face for something.
When I cocked one eyebrow, a grin nearly split his face as he yelled, "YOU'RE AWAKE!"
"Aahh!" I turned away from him. His loudness left my ears on fire.
"Dummy!" I heard a small smack followed by a complain.
"Sorry..." Fern rubbed his arm.
They both remained silent afterwards. I sighed and sat up.
"It's fine. Come on." I managed a smile and spread my arms wide. Fern ran into them, giving me a light squeeze.
When he sat, I noticed Alexander was also in the room, seated beside Fern on a stool.
"Hey."
"Hey." I looked at his bandaged hand.
"The glass. Your doctor picked it out." He explained.
I nodded.
"Yours too." Fern piped up. I brought my hands up to see that they were bandaged.
"They're so heavy..." I moved them around the feel the weight.
"She really cares about you." Alexander chuckled.
"Mhm. Maybe a bit too much. Where's mother?"
"Her and May are with Veer, I'll let them know you're awake." He left the room.
"So, how do you feel?" Alexander asked once Fern left.
"Drunk." I stated dryly.
"Have you ever been drunk before?" There was rightly justified doubt in his voice.
"No."
I could feel the somersaults in my stomach coming back for an encore performance. "Bucket." I croaked out.
"Hm?"
"I need a bucket." I repeated while clutching my stomach.
"Here." He handed me a bucket almost immediately. I felt something rising from my stomach, up to my throat. But what came out was... a belch.
"False alarm." I dropped the bucket to the floor on the other side.
"Wow! I was not expecting that." He laughed.
"Me neither. Why is there a bucket in my room by the way? I mean, thank you, but I'm curious."
"Fern said you might throw up when you woke up so... I brought the bucket before that would happen. Why didn't you tell me you don't like seeing blood?"
"There hasn't really been an opening for that kind of conversation, has there?" He pursed his lips into a thin line. "Plus you were really panicking and he really needed help so... yeah."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Moving on, did I really see a birdman?"
"Well the more appropriate term for that is a Farghonian. But yes, what you saw wasn't a trick of the light."
"Ha. Funny."
The door opened, revealing my brother behind it. "Mother's asking if you can walk. She needs us in the sickroom downstairs.
"She'd better be able to walk. I can save you from shattering glass-"
"Didn't totally save me. Just saying." I waved my boxing gloves in the air.
"But I am not carrying you upstairs."
"No one asked you to, and Fern would gladly help me if I couldn't walk. Right Fern?"
He slammed the door on his way out.
"Coward!!!" I yelled before getting on my feet. "Help me with the door."
"You could say please."
"I won't."
He opened the door anyway.
"You know, it's not that I can't cope with the sight of blood... Well I can't. But I can only handle a little."
"You mean like a finger prick?"
"More than that."
"Knee scrape?"
I pictured that in my head to see if I would get nauseous. "Almost there."
"Uh... Knife cut. Across the palm."
I gagged. "Bingo."
When we entered the sickroom, my eyes flew to the birdm-Veer sitting up in a bed with a bandages on his left wing and side.
"He is really real." I breathed out.
"Yes I am. Good evening your highnesses."
I took a moment to process the deep voice. It didn't match with the gentle features he possessed.
"Evening." I grabbed a chair. Mother sat on the other side of Veer, and near the foot of the bed Fern and May sat close to eachother. "You said you wanted us all here?"
"Yes. Regarding to the recent developments, I have additional information to be shared with all kingdoms. However..." He looked at himself. "I've been rendered immobile."
"How so?" Mother asked, but her eyes were on his waist. Probably scared that the wound would open up again.
Veer stared ahead for a few seconds before leaning back into the pillows and scoffing. "I should have seen it coming really. All my calculations were spot on, my senses were well sharpened and yet... Taken by surprise." His frown deepened.
Nobody tried to speak or comfort him. Somehow, I think everyone knew that would only add to his apparent frustration.
"I was on my way from Turiehn. After speaking with the queen, I decided to fly above Unity Road to gain more knowledge on the appearance of these criminals. I was prepared for a whatever combat situation I might have found myself in, yet a battle commenced and I wasn't even aware. Didn't even get a good scratch in." He slapped his palm to his forehead. "But now you know that it isn't just a small group we are dealing with. They're a lot. At least that's what my wounds state."
"How were you able to escape?" May's hands gripped her gown tightly. Veer met her concerned eyes, then let a small smile formed on his face.
"Oh my little princess. I wish I could tell, but I barely remember anything after I spotted that accursed forest..."
"And you shouldn't force yourself to." Mother rose from her seat to get him some water. As he drank, I took time to study him.
He had balanced features of man and bird. His face was human, but covered with tiny light brown feathers, becoming bigger as they led to his mid section. Huge feathers were connected to the length of his arms that formed wings, but he had fingers. His eyes were so pale of blue, they were almost white.
A knock on the door brought us all out of the dreary mood. A guard told mother of father's return.
"Alright, I have to meet him downstairs. You all can stay here and keep Veer company."
When she left, we all turned to Veer, who had a raised eyebrow. "What? Is there blood on my face?"
"No, but there's feathers..." I stated.
His eyebrows furrowed. "Farghonians... are shape-shifters so... Is there something I'm missing here?" He asked Alexander, who had a knowing smile on his face but shook his head. "Then why are they so surprised to see me?"
"I'm not." Fern raised his hand. "A little, but not as much as her. I paid attention during our classes. You guys are legendary!"
"Thank you." Veer had a full smirk on his face.
I rolled my eyes at both of them. "Care to educate me then?"
"I will gladly do so!" *In song form! Hehehe...* He dropped his cup on the nightstand. "Farghonians, are a race of warrior shape-shifters, originating from the Peace Era. You do know the Peace Era, right?"
"Yes, the period when the 'guardians' watched over the forgotten land. Right?"
"So you can change into anything?" Fern's eyes shone in wonder.
"Well, I am only a half-descendant. Possessing complete fighting abilities, but lacking the ability to shape-shift freely. So this is my only other form. I can tamper with it though."
"How?"
"Obser-"
"Veer. I don't think it's a good idea to demonstrate while you're healing." May warned in a soft but steady voice.
"Oh don't worry princess. Look," He used his free hand to push a part of his waist bandages away. "Already healing."
Where the deep gash ran from his ribcage to his hip was already closing up. May hesitated, but gave in.
Veer cleared his throat. "Now, observe." He closed his eyes and slowed his breathing. It felt like forever, as we waited for something to happen.
"Done."
"What?!" Fern and I yelled.
"This is going to sound weird, but check my feet."
"Uh..." I moved back a bit, but Fern went ahead and flipped the blanket off his legs.
Or what used to be legs.
In place of feathered human feet were six inch talons that curved wickedly.
"Oh my..." My voice trailed off.
"Wow!" Fern's eyes grew even bigger. "How did you do that?"
"As a shape-shi-"
"No. No. And no." May stood fast, and placed both hands on her hips. "You might have accelerated healing abilities, but the fact that you need rest to regain strength still remains." She met him with a hard look, daring him to argue.
Veer simply smiled and nodded. "Very well your highness. I shall respect your wishes."
She let out a relieved sigh after he said that, then urged us to leave.
"But I still have questions!" My brother whined as she pushed him towards the door.
"He'll answer them tomorrow."
"That is a promise!!!" Veer waved to us before May closed the door.
"Well it's off to dinner then." I broke the silence, and started on my way to the dining room.
"I'll come with." Fern walked up to me, then looked at May. "You coming?"
"I'm a little tired." May yawned. My eyes went to Alexander.
"You?"
"I feel a bit peckish, save some of whatever it is for dinner for me in the kitchen, yeah?"
"Okay." I shrugged.
Once we were alone, Fern began to stare. Normally I wouldn't have a problem, because he does stuff like this to get attention. However this time was different.
"What?"
"I have a few questions for you."
"Shoot." We sat across from eachother at the table, while two servants brought the food.
"Thank you." I smiled to them before digging in.
"You just said thank to that maid." Fern gestured with his fork to where she had exited the room.
"Um, yes? It's a good thing to do."
"Bet you didn't thank Alex for saving you." He smiled slyly while shoving more spaghetti into his mouth.
"I did."
"But you didn't though."
"I did thank him!"
"For saving you? Or for the bucket?"
Now it came back to me. "How did you-"
"And if I remember correctly, he thanked you, for helping him carry Veer."
"I-i... you... H-how do you know this?"
"Eso no fue bueno hacer Freya..."
"So now you're rubbing language lessons in my face."
"De hecho yo soy~"
"¡C'allate! I'll tell him tomorrow. Things were a little rushed okay?" I reached for a glass of water to wash everything down.
This is not from my knowledge. 100% Google translateThe only Spanish I know is from Dora the Explorer. Forgive me for possible wrong translations .
"Okay." He shrugged. "Oh, and by the way, I was outside the door for a while when you guys were talking. You're friends now!"
The water went the wrong way, forcing me to spit the rest out. I was now gasping for breath and hitting my chest. Fern's hand at my back helped a bit.
When my throat finally reopened, I took a wheezing breath. "We... are not... friends."
"Yet." He added cheekily. "You should..." He hit his chest with his fist.
I did it twice, and felt something was wrong. He caught my widened eyes and asked.
"My necklace! I-i-i I'm not wearing my necklace. I was wearing it before-" I gripped at the empty space where it usually hung as realisation dawned on me. "Before I fainted... Oh it must have fallen loose during all the commotion!"
"Oh... Well you have to calm down. Then you have to try remember when exactly you felt it on your neck last."
Which wasn't a problem, except I've been wearing that thing so often I can't even tell when it's on or off. Not that its been taken off frequently either.
My hands automatically entangled in my hair.
"Oh no... I've lost aunt Genevieve's gift..."
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