Alphande'
The Damned

Anevil foreboding hung over my spirit despite the sense of hope that flooded thecamp. Men from Sebán had joined us now and the size of the army had swollen towell over two hundred thousand men, yet somehow I knew that it was not enough.Through the night I received random flashes of Verdans mixed in with Asher’smen slashing through our ranks. I tried to make sense of it all, but Icouldn’t. The Verdans would never fight with Asher—that was unless somethinghad changed their minds or suppressed their wills.

“Evander,” saidAndreas and I looked up from the blind spot I had been staring at on the table.“You haven’t said a word throughout this whole meeting. Do you have somethingon your mind?”

“Yes, I amthinking about the Verdans.”

“The Verdans?Why? As far as we know we share a common enemy—Asher.” he pressed.

“I believesomething has changed and we cannot depend on them anymore. If we happen tomeet a Verdan we should fight them tooth and nail with no hesitation.”

“What aboutDominic?” asked Noräin. “He gave us the gem.”

“Which we lostand is now in Asher’s possession. That gem gives Asher the ability to communewith other races, by now the Verdans are under his control.”

“And under yoursas well.” said Andreas as I had explained to him the salient details about thepower source of my ancestors extended abilities.

“Probably,” Isaid as the thought had not occurred to me. “It still doesn’t change much,extra vigilance will be needed.”

“You maybestressing over nothing. The Sebánese are skilled fighters and our numbers faroutweigh that of Asher.” said Andreas confidently.

“Maybe,” I saidas I couldn’t bring myself to adopt his sense of hope as the flashing images oframpaging Verdans flashed before me every so often. It caused me to shudder abit as I witnessed their violence.

“Are you surethat you are completely well as you have become pale—as pale as when you firstemerged from Au Valley.”

“Maybe I am notas recovered from my ailments as I thought I was. I should probably go now.” Isaid starting to get up. I stopped as I felt Noräin’s small hands encircle myarm.

“You don’t haveto leave, you could stay here,” she said as the meeting between us three wasconvened in her tent.

“I don’t thinkthat would be proper.” I said as I looked at Andreas and then back at her.

“Who cares aboutpropriety in these times? We are here today and tomorrow is not guaranteed. Wetake each moment as we get them. Then again I don’t want to force you to stay;the choice is yours.” She said as her hands left mine.

I regarded hersignificantly for a while and then answered. “I would like to stay…”

“And I want youto, so the matter is settled then.” I looked at Andreas and his expression wasa bit smug mixed with embarrassment.

“I think I willretreat as I notice that this invitation was not extended to me.” he saidgetting up. He kissed Noräin on the head and brushed her hair back, “Goodnightmy dear,” he said, “Evander,” he nodded. I don’t know why I was blushing sodeeply but I managed to return his nod and watched as he exited the tent.

“Is this reallyhappening or am I dreaming?” I said as I beheld her face. “You actually want tobe alone with me?”

“I was beingkind, don’t get any ideas in your head Gareth.”

“It is very hardnot to and the way Andreas was looking at us showed that my assumptions weren’ttoo far off.”

“Well hisassumptions were incorrect. I invited you to sleep here nothing else. It isn’tlike we haven’t shared a room before.”

“And a bed too.”I said warming at the memory of waking up and replaceing her beside me that nightin Indué.

“That iscorrect, we have shared a bed and if you don’t irritate me too much that Ichange my mind we will again tonight.”

“I must say thatit is awfully forward of you.” I said.

“Well if I aminsulting your honour you are free to leave. I am actually tired and will turnin now.” she said blowing out the candle and moving to her sleeping mat. Iwatched as she rested her head down and drew the covers. I hesitated at firstas I was sure that this wasn’t really happening. I then pulled off my shoes andthen lie down beside her. Her eyes were closed but I knew she was still awake.

“Why did you askme to stay?” I whispered as I beheld her face which was just as lovely as thefirst time I saw it, even with the bruises and scratches that had marked it.

She opened hereyes and seemed to be looking at me. “You made me curious.”

“About what?” Itraced the outline of her face branding the image in my heart.

“Two things. InIndué you said you loved me, was that true?”

I swallowedloudly. “I am hardly the self-sacrificing type as you know but with you it isdifferent. I gave you the knife to take my life as hurting you was utterlyunbearable to me. I had for a while held the notion that I loved you, but itwas then that I knew it to be true.” I said in a whisper as if I had confessedsomething terrible.

“Hmm,” was heronly response and I couldn’t tell whether she believed me or not. It bruised mypride a lot to receive this response, as I was usually on the giving end of sucha statement. Some poor girl would pour out her very soul to me, promising memuch more than I knew to be within her means and my response would be very muchlike this, ‘hmm’ and then I would quickly dismiss the poor wench after rollingin the hay.

“That hardlysounds encouraging.” I said finally.

“I don’t knowwhat to think. I have hardly been loved by a man before. My husband certainlyheld me in no regard. I was only a vessel to settle his lust and to produce anheir.”

“And Evander?”

“I am not sure,he never did say what he thought of me.” she frowned slightly.

“And I never gaveyou the chance to replace out.”

“You didn’t,” shesaid with a tone of melancholy that ripped at my heart.

“You will neverforgive me for that I suppose.”

“I am not sure, Imight already have, but I am not sure.” she said.

A flicker of hopedawned within me and it gave me the courage to ask something that had beengnawing at me for some time now. “Do you ever think you will be able to love meknowing who I am and all that I have done?”

“I do not know whoyou are. You are hard to read Gareth, this minute you are quite tender, sayingthe right things—a skill you have mastered from your many conquests I wouldthink—then you can become so brutal at times. Killing is second nature to you.If I did love you, whom would I be loving?”

“Both of them Isuppose, what has been growing within me for years cannot be rooted out soquickly. I am both a scoundrel as well as a gentleman, but you will onlyreceive the best of me, that you can trust.”

“And I do trustit. I do trust you, immensely so. It is quite odd.” she frowned slightly.

“That is a start I suppose.”

She yawnedslightly and I could tell that she would doze off soon. “You said you werecurious about two things, what was the second?” I said hoping to prolong ourchat.

I noticed thatshe became more alert and seemed to blush even. “It was something that yousaid,” she started and then failed to explain further.

“I have said manythings.” Her blush deepened which made me even more curious.

“It was somethingabout you assaults being anything but unpleasant.” Her voice coloured withshyness. “I was curious to see what that was like.”

I couldn’t helpbut to chuckle lightly, “I thought I wasn’t supposed to make assumptions, nowthis doesn’t exactly follow that line of thinking.”

“I didn’t want tolead you on as I am quite fickle in my moods.”

“I see,” I laughedand she smiled as well. “I do appreciate your fickle-ness and though I wouldlike to show you that I am indeed I am as good as I say I am, I don’t think thatwould be appropriate.”

“Why not?” Hervoice coloured in surprise.

“You don’t loveme.”

“But you love meor so you say.”

“Not only say, Ido.” With every fibre of my depraved, unworthy being.

“Then what isstopping you then,” she hedged closer until we were only a breath away fromeach other.

“I have only asmidgen of your trust and I dare not betray that.” Despite myself I couldn’thelp but to brush the tips of my fingers along her hairline.

“I have neverbeen kissed by one who loves me, would you deny me that?”

“No I think Icouldn’t.” I let my hand rest gently in her hair as I guided her face towardsmine. I was gentle at first, letting her know that I was not forcing her to dothis and that the control was in her hands. She seemed quite surprised at thisand seemed to smile a little. She then pulled herself closer to me her lipsseeking mine out more urgently and I gladly obliged. Softly I kissed along herjaw line and neck but she hungrily brought her lips back to hers and devouredthem eagerly. I exalted over the fact that she was this close and I wasactually embracing her in this manner.

My one handroved up and down her back while the other rested gently on her hip. One of herhands slipped under my shirt as she kissed along my collar bone. The feelingwas more than divine which was why it was so difficult to do what I was aboutto.

“I think weshould stop as if this goes on much longer I am afraid will no longer be ableto just kiss you.” I whispered in her ear before I found her lips again.

“Then don’tstop.” she said before crushing her lips to mine once more.

I seriouslyconsidered her offer but after a very brief but painful battle with myself Iextricated myself from her hold and sat up. She soon sat up beside me.

“If it is theburn that you are worried about, it is gone.” she said as she kissed me and Ireturned her advance more earnestly before pulling away.

“By Avandor youhave made a saint of me.” I said I ran my hands through my hair.

“What did I do? Iam no good at this.” she seemed hurt at my declaration and started to pullaway. I held her steadfast in my grip and went on to explain.

“That is hardlythe reason. You are actually very good at this and maybe I am an idiot to denymyself this. However your trust is all that I have and I refuse to lose it. Youmay want to do this now but if we do go through with it and at a later date youregret it, I will be left with nothing other than your resentment and probablyeven hatred. I will not risk that.

“Bedding mewould be just a novelty for you Noräin, one I am confident that we would bothenjoy.”

“Then what isstopping you?” she breathed behind my ears making thinking next near toimpossible.

“I don’t wantyou to bed me.” I ran my hands through my hair and then looked at her. I then made the boldest and probablystupidest declaration a man in my position could ever make, “I have bedded manywomen and that is just not enough for me anymore. I will not make love to youNoräin until the day you replace that you love me as well. When that day comes, Ishall take you as my wife and my physical love to you I will make known to youonly then.”

“Are youserious?” she began to laugh quietly.

“Very,” I saidsombrely and she stopped laughing. Her fingers outlined the planes of my faceand then stopped over my lips. “I am not willing to lose you over anything.” Isaid.

“Very well. Itseems that I have chosen to give my trust to one who is worthy of it.” shepaused. “Since you refuse to make love tome tonight, could I ask one thing of you?” she teased.

“Yes, of course.”

“If you don’t mindI would like you to hold me close while I sleep.” she said settling back down.

“I do not mind atall. Rather, I would delight in doing so.” I said as I settled beside her anddraped my arm around her waist. She placed her head on my chest and draped anarm around my waist. It was so we fell asleep.

My heart thuddedheavily as I was running away from something. I wasn’t sure what it was, but itwas fast and closing in on me. I looked back. There were two of them. The firstwolf emerged from the brush as graceful as it was deadly. Its grey fur lookedalmost sliver in the sunlight and its powerful bounds brought it closer to mewith each passing second. It companion whose pelt was as white as snow dashedpassed, sprinting ahead until it drew to a sudden stop. I too skidded to a stopand tried to change direction but the wolf that was behind me was already theresnarling and snapping at me. I could see hate and murder in its lupine eyes andI realised that I had seen this wolf before. It was the one that Evander rode. Greyshanks. It seemed to let me know itsname. It wanted me to know that she knew what I had done and that it was herthat would bring my life to an end.

Slowly it movedforward and paralysed with fear I could only watch. It seemed to crouch low andin a giant lunge forward she went for my neck. I raised my arms in front of mebut I knew that it wouldn’t be enough.

I bolted straightup and looked around me wildly. I was still in Noräin’s tent. She had her backtowards me rolled into a ball under the covers. At least I didn’t wake her. Istroked the planes of her cheek and then planted a small kiss there. Shestirred slightly and I saw that she even smiled but she didn’t wake up.

I got up frombeside her and then found my shoes where I had left them. I tugged them on andas quietly as I could I went outside. Dawn was approaching and the huge senseof foreboding that had gripped me yesterday was doubly strong now. Today wouldbe the day, I thought and as I looked around at the sleeping camp and we wouldbe totally unprepared.

I found the tentI was looking for and pulled the flap open not surprisingly I found him awake.

“Evander,” hesaid taking in my presence. “You are here early.”

“They are coming,today I feel it.”

“Who is coming?”he looked at me trying to decide whether I was really awake or sleep walking.

“Verdans,bloodwolves, soldiers, which ever get here first.”

“That would meanthe bloodwolves. Humans are too slow and the Verdans prefer the night orevening, so my guess would be the bloodwolves.”

“We are a stepahead and know they are coming.” he said with a certain amount of authority.

“A step aheadhow? An army approaches and we are still asleep.” I said slightly panicked.

“They will be upsoon. Dawn approaches.” he said calmly as he took a sip of tea he already hadseeping.

“You don’tunderstand Andreas, I think you areunderestimating what is to happen.” he looked at me seriously.

“Probably youshould explain it to me then.”

“I cannot explainit!” I said almost shouting. He seemed surprised at my outburst but I didn’tcare. I told him that something was wrong. I was the king and should bequestioned after all. The dreams terrified me more than I liked and I would notbe the one to admit that openly. I sighed deeply. “I must leave now.” I saidsuddenly getting up.

“To go whereexactly?” he said putting down his cup and standing to face me.

“Back to Indué orto wherever Asher is.” I said as I had made up my mind about my next course ofaction. In fact it was my only course of action if I was to come out theoncoming onslaught alive.

“But why wouldyou do that? You could get hurt or killed.”

“I need to getthe gems from him. In fact I am the only capable of doing so.”

“I do not thinkit is wise.” he warned.

“I never askedyour opinion on this matter and so your wisdom means little me at this pointAndreas.” I snapped. I knew that the comment was a bit harsh and even out ofcharacter but at this point I didn’t care. “I had never had any form ofrestraints placed on me growing up and I refused to start now. I need to leave.I have wasted enough time.” I started out the tent and then I stopped. “TellNoräin that I have left.”

“You don’t wantmy advice yet my stance remains the same.” he said as he sat back down. “As forNoräin you tell her yourself that you are leaving.”

“I am sorry thatyou feel that way. I had considered you wise Andreas, but it seems I wasmistaken. I have wasted enough time. We are damned, every single one of us—damned.I refuse to remain so any longer. Goodbye Andreas and tell Noräin that I had todo what I must to protect her.” I walked out not looking, listening or caringif he had said anything else.

“One man cannotdefeat an army Evander!” he shouted at me.

“Yet it has to bedone. Get our men ready. If all goes well we meet in Indué.”

The desert was along way behind me and I had entered the outskirts of the forest surroundingthese plains.

“Gareth!” said avoice—the only voice that could stop me in my tracks. I turned around to seeNoräin coming behind me.

“What are youdoing out here? You could have gotten lost.” I asked as I turned back to meether.

“I should askyou the very same question.”

“It isimpossible for me to get lost in these parts.” I said side stepping herquestion.

“That is clearlynot what I meant and you know it too. Where are you going?”

“To Indué.”

“Without anarmy, that is about the stupidest idea you have ever had Gareth. Unless you areon some sort of suicide mission?”

“You don’t knowwhat I saw!” I growled but she didn’t even flinch.

“Andreasexplained it to me and it seemed like an even greater reason for you to stayhere.” She said defiantly. “Bloodwolves, Verdans. Asher.” Those aren’t thingsyou can take on by yourself.”

I heard somethingcoming in the distance and I hurried over to Noräin. “Shhh,” I said placing myfingers over her lips.

“Gareth what...”she mumbled and again I shushed her as I listened. The cutting feet through thebrushes I was sure I heard them approaching.

“Climb quicklyinto the tree.” I said as I pushed her up. “Something is headed here and itcoming fast.” She struggled to get up on the first branch and I realised thatshe would be too slow if I didn’t climb up to help. I clambered ahead of herand pulled her up along the way. When we were a safe distance up I stopped andtold her to hold on.

From thisdistance I could see the movement among the bushes that were headed this way.“Keep quiet, I am going to lead them away.”

“Gareth,” shestarted to protest.

I silenced herwith a kiss.

"You've gotto stop doing that." she said breathlessly.

"Dowhat?" I asked innocently.

"Kissing mequiet."

“I don't thinkyou would want me to. Hold on and don’t come down.” I said before starting mydecent.

I listened oncemore, the sounds were hooves and not paws and I breathed a slight sigh of relief.They were just men.

I waited untilthe two riders were in my clear sight before I walked out to meet them.

“A ho there! Icalled out to them and they turned towards me. “What are the likes of you doingin these parts of the country? The king has no friends here as this isforbidden territory.”

“Nothing isforbidden to the king and who are you to make such bold statements?”

“Is that aninsult?” I said staring unbelievingly at the man. “You don’t know who I am. Imust be losing my potency it seems.”

“State yourbusiness peasant and let us be on our way.” said the burlier of the two.

“I am afraid Icannot allow you to do that.” I said pulling my sword.

“You intend tochallenge us, both.” said the heavy set man looking highly amused.

“I am no peasantand both of you would hardly pose a challenge to me.” This made him stoplaughing and his brows drew downwards.

“We’ll see aboutthat.” He said as he galloped towards me wielding his club about his head.

I waited untilclose where I caught his hand and pulled myself up on the horse behind him. Ithen stuck the sword in his side and withdrew it before I flung him off.

The other soldierlooked frightened and he started to retreat.

“Oh no youdon’t,” I said not allowing him to go far. I could feel the strength reeling upin my arms and I threw the sword forward like a javelin it sliced through thebrittle vegetation and lodged in his spine. He slumped forward on his horsethen fell off, the animal racing on without its rider.

I trotted up tohim and jumped down. I unplugged the sword from his back and then flipped overwith my foot. I could still see him gapping his eyes wide open with fright.

“I am Gareth ofTel Anir tell that to your friend when you meet on the other side.” I said as Ikicked him across the face and snapping his neck.

I pushed the swordback into the scabbard and walked away.

That feltabsolutely amazing! The strength, agility and power! The gems worked wonderseven from this distance. There was no need for me to go to Indué. I should letAsher come. This was one battle that he was not going to win.

“Noräin,” I saidcoming back to the tree where I had left her.

“Gareth?” she saidcoming from behind the trunk.

“I thought I hadasked you to stay in the tree.”

“And I thoughtthat I preferred staying on the ground more.”

“Always sostubborn,” I said without any real annoyance in my tone.

“Who was it thatcame this way?”

“Two of Asher’smen, but I took care of them. Come on.” I said taking her hand and leading herto the horse.

“Where are wegoing?” she asked. “I am not going with you to Indué.”

“That is goodsince I am not going to Indué either. We are going back to the camp. We have awar to win and we are going to do it together.”