Chapter 68: Scatterbrain

Chapter 68: Scatterbrain

Maria opened her eyes and instantly sat up from the bed. She looked around at the room in panic but quickly calmed. Yes this was the room that she was brought to last night...

“Maria?” Maria heard her lover Rowan say from the side.

Maria turned to see him sitting up as he looked at her, his gaze filled with concern. Maria didn’t reply at first, feeling a lump in her throat. She felt a wave of anxiety wash over her, the anxiety was mixed with relief. She felt her throat tighten. Her breathing grewing laboured. Her body trembled and shook.

“Maria?” Rowan asked as he reached forward and pulled her into an embrace.

“It’s ok... we’re safe now...” Rowan said softly as he gently wiped the tears off her face. It was then Maria realised that she was crying.

It was hard to believe honestly. It all felt like a dream, one minute she was begging Rowan to look away as she felt that brute’s member against her entrance. Then the next the sound of splintering wood and the sound of a crash. She turned to see a white monster smashing the captain down into the carpet with a chair.

Then slaughter, the Tralis soldiers stood no chance. They couldn’t even hurt the monster named Legiana. Their swords bounced off like they were hacking at solid granite. Then again they were using steel swords which were useless against the more powerful monsters, that fact was plainly apparent when Legiana cut through the sword like paper.

“Rowan...” Maria whimpered as she raised her head and pressed her lips against his. The two kissed gently as Maria continued to feel her tears fall. She didn’t feel like she was crying but at the same time the tears kept falling.

When they separated Maria slowly felt her heart calm. Her cousin came for her... she knew this room, it was the guest room she used when she visited as a child...

At least now there was a chance... the Great Beast Legiana was right. If left to her own devices she would be living on borrowed time. She didn’t think of it at the time because of the panic, but if she hadn’t been rescued chances are they would have made Rowan watch as those brutes took turns with her. Then they would have probably made her watch as they cut Rowan’s throat.

After that one of two things would have happened. If Elysia won, both herself and her family would be executed for betraying Elysia. If Tralis won she would be a doll and a toy, with Rowan dead she had no idea what would become of her. Would she descend into madness? Starve herself to death? Throw herself off a castle spire? Would she do it immediately? Or would she finally crack when that monster finally put his child in her? Perhaps killing herself and the unborn baby in a final show of spite? Maybe she would let it be born just to smother it in its crib?

A dark future no matter which side of the coin landed. Will Elysia win? She is damned if it does, damned if it doesn’t...

But not anymore, her cousin had bought her a chance. She had somehow done the impossible, she had united the squabbling lords and ladies of Elysia. United Elysia for the first time since the fall thousands of years ago.

Yet... when she spoke with the great beast she couldn’t help but feel that it reminded her a little of her cousin. Cold logic, a calm acceptance of the cruel logic of the world and yet there was room for warmth within that intelligent mind. So many fall within the extremes, either hopelessly naive or unbelievably cruel.

There was a pair of sayings that were often said...

If you spend all your time getting everyone to love you, you will end up with the most loved dead man in town.

And...

Stick enough knives into others and you will eventually find one in your own back.

Or perhaps that wasn’t true... perhaps many know that one must balance it. They just appear to be extreme due to lack of skill in execution. To be kind often shows weakness, be too hard or strong and you will struggle to find allies. Knowing when to do what is always a struggle...

“We should probably get out of bed...” Rowan said as he stroked her head, taking Maria out of her thoughts.

“Yes, we should... I should greet my cousin...” Maria said as she separated herself from his warm embrace.

When she opened the wardrobe she felt the same warmth in her heart she did when she first opened this cabinet the night before. Maria gently retrieved a set of clothing, the dress was in the Elysian style and with Elysian colours. She gently ran her hand over the fine silk and satin, over the beautiful lace and fine embroidery...

These dresses were expensive, way more expensive than should be necessary. These were temporary clothes after all, noble dresses were tailored to fit each individual. Especially for the women of Maria’s station, she was a royal afterall.

When she was in Averlin, the prince had burned her old wardrobe in front of her and replaced it with cheaply made Volerian style dresses. Gone were the livery of fine gold and glittering jewels she once had, given to his soldiers like cheap trinkets. She no longer wore the dark colours of Elysia, the dark reds, purples, blues and black. Instead she wore the lighter colours of Voleria, she had grown to hate white in her time there...

As she looked at the colours of red, black and gold she now held she felt her eyes water once again. Maria held the dress to her chest gently like it was a prized heirloom.

“Maria?” Rowan asked, his voice filled with concern.

“Oh... it’s nothing... it’s just nice to wear the colours of my kin once again.” Maria muttered in response.

“I see... then let me help you get dressed.” Rowan said as he put a little pep in his voice, trying to cheer Maria up. She smiled in response and she laid out the pieces on the bed.

The dress, the corsete, the stockings, the garterbelt, the long lace gloves and the inner lace leotard. Maria shed her nightgown and turned around to face Rowan. She noted how he freezed when he saw her state of dress, afterall she was now only wearing her panties.

“Rowan... you’ve seen everything at this point...” Maria said as she blushed and looked away shyly.

“Yes but... it’s entrancing all the same...” Rowan said stiffly. Maria glanced over to his underwear and saw the noticeable bulge.

Maria blushed even redder, it was a nice thing to be desirable to your lover. Then again, she was already a soiled rag, if her lover still managed to find her desirable why not accomodate?

Maria looked out the window and saw that the sun was already high in the sky. The two of them had clearly overslept. At this point they would be having brunch not breakfast, if no servants have woken up chances are her cousin was expecting the two of them to sleep in. To be fair they did arrive in the dead of night...

“If you want to...” Maria said as she grabbed the side of her panties and pulled it down. Rowan visibly baulked at the sight.

“Maria... it’s the middle of the day...” Rowan said a little shakily.

“If you want to, I don't mind, I’m already a soiled rag, what difference does it make?” Maria said, her voice hollow.

Maria saw Rowan freeze for a moment but then he sighed and he stepped forward. Maria felt him pull her into a gentle embrace.

“You aren’t soiled, you didn’t ask for any of this... please don’t think of yourself like that...” Rowan said as he cupped her cheek.

“I won’t lay with you unless you want to. You don’t have to do anything to please me.” Rowan said as he embraced her and gently rubbed her back.

“Indeed but that relies on speed and your weapon must be able to withstand such strikes. Where did you get those blades? I have never seen their like, it doesn’t look like much but it has amazing durability.” the Lord Warden said as he removed his helm, revealing a sweaty face with a scar running down from his right eyebrow to his right cheek.

“It’s an old relic, a very old relic. The wards have mostly faded due to neglect but the alloy is very strong.” Lyra said as she unsheathed one of her blades and handed it hilt first to the Lord Warden.

“Neglect you say... I assume you found it?” the Lord Warden said as he gave the rapier a few practice swings. Maria could tell from his expression that the Lord Warden was quite impressed by the weapon.

“You could say that.” Lyra replied with a nod.

“It’s very well balanced, almost amazingly so. It’s also very light for a weapon with such material strength. What alloy is this? One of the ancient lost alloys?” the Lord Warden said as he ran a thumb along the flat of the blade.

“It’s apparently built from some metals found only in the Endther.” Lyra replied.

“The Endther? Now that is a tall tale, many doubt that the old world even existed... legend says the world anchor was destroyed and it collapsed in on itself...

The Endther and Aeither the first two secondary worlds, the supposed precursors to the Searing Hells and High Heaven.” the Lord Warden mused as he handed the sword back to Lyra.

“The legends say many things, all I know is that I have not seen another set of blades like the ones I wield.” Lyra replied as she held the rapier in her right hand.

“If that story is true then that set of blades are one of a kind. The Endther is no more, lost to oblivion and all it’s treasures with it.” the Lord Warden said.

“Yes, sadly I may never know the truth.” Lyra said as she slashed at the stone below her, gouging a gash in the hard stone amongst a shower of sparks.

“Indeed, few blades can receive such abuse and remain unscathed. You met many of my strikes with the edge and yet I saw no damage whatsoever. That metal is remarkably resilient.” the Lord Warden said.

“It is, well thank you for the bout Lord Warden. It is refreshing to fight an opponent like you.” Lyra said with a bow.

“You do me great honour Lady Lyra, you defeated me with plenty of strength to spare. I would not have stood a chance if we were fighting to the death.” the Lord Warden admitted with a chuckle.

“Perhaps, but it was a good bout regardless. You are faster than I expected for someone your size.” Lyra replied courteously.

“I am grateful for the praise.” the Lord Warden said with a smile and a nod.

The two of them traded some final pleasantries before they bid each other farewell. Maria watched as Lyra approached her. Lyra’s strides were confident as if daring the world to throw it’s best shot at her.

“Come Princess walk with me, you look like you have a lot of questions.” Lyra said calmly and that statement took Maria off guard slightly.

“I’m good at reading people.” Lyra said as if reading Maria’s mind.

“I see...” Maria replied hesitantly as she followed after Lyra.

“So ask them.” Lyra said as the pair exited the room and walked down the corridor.

Maria paused as she pondered this. Yes she had a lot of questions, what was the plan now? Was her cousin really confident with regards to winning the war? What was the Black Box?

What was the Black Box... the fear in the servants eyes was clear as day... it must be something truly fearsome...

“What is the Black Box?” Maria asked.

“Oh now that is a juicy question. Where did you hear about that?” Lyra asked with a grin.

“I was looking for my cousin but the servants said she was away at the Black Box.” Maria replied.

“Ah well, the Great Beast is no doubt concocting some new horror to throw at Tralis.” Lyra mused.

“Some new horror?” Maria asked tentatively.

“The Great Beast is a hive creature as you know, the Black Box is where he makes his new creations. It is also where condemned criminals are sent. Criminals go in but none come out, I trust you know that Hive’s often create new creatures from the foes they slay. So why can’t they be created using sacrifices?” Lyra asked.

“Does... Does my cousin know?” Maria asked shakily. In her heart she knew the truth, she suspected it the moment she saw the Great Beast’s servants that ferried her to Averlon. But somehow she wanted to deny the fact that her cousin was complicit in this... it just felt wrong.

“Of course she does, the Empress, her servant and the Great Beast are the only two people that are able to leave that place once they enter.” Lyra replied.

“That can’t be...” Maria said shakily.

“Tell me Princess, you knew that the Empress was at the Black Box, so why did you think she was none the wiser?” Lyra asked as she stopped in her tracks and Maria froze as well.

“I... I don’t know...” Maria sputtered, yes why did she believe that?

It didn’t make sense, was she delusional? Does this have something to do with her erratic emotions? The panic attacks? The numbness she felt at times? She was having problems paying attention and remembering things. She had a constant desire to please her lover with her body... no it was just a constant urge to have sex with Rowan... When he turned her down this morning she was quite disappointed...

Did that brute poison her or something? Or was it something to do with herself?

“Hmm...” Lyra muttered as she narrowed her eyes slightly and stared at the flustered Maria.

The Empress will be back for dinner

I’ll let her know you want to see her...