The Curse of Thir
Chapter 9

Led by Gelnane, the party made its way down the exquisatly decorated hallway, filled neatly with paintings of stern looking human faces, both males and females, with dark hair. The strange glass cylinders that she had spotted in the city, took up positions near these paintings on either side, much to her confusion and humour, as they headed towards a massive open doorways.

She could tell Anakal was brimming with questions his mop of hair bounced from side to side as he gawked and stared at the richness he could never have fathomed, but the dirty clothe remained firmly fixed inside his mouth. Clearly the Dukes threat had made an impression. The feeling of grandeur that surrounded the castle squelch the sensation of unease and fear inside her, beauty and elegance looming around every delicately decorated pillar, even with the presence of guards. Their presence somehow added to the impenetrable beauty this castle held. They were well prepared for any threat Xylee and her fellow party members may or may not cause.

She stumbled slightly as a deep rumbling laughter could be heard. Receiving a not so subtle nudge from one unnamed guards to continue walking without fault, she looked about in fright. Nobody else had seemed to notice; perhaps it was merely fear of her current position manifesting itself clearly. She shivered.

They had reached the Kings court, which coincidently was the main hall and the court, and immediately forgot what she had been thinking.

King Tyres sat upon his grey marble throne, appearing regal and unconcerned with their sudden arrival, yet with one small motion she knew their lives could be forfeit by the ten guardsmen that stood by his side. Their cloaks soaked a deep red, the colour of the Tyres household, stood out dramatically against the pale marble which encircled them. This hall felt melodramatic, although sparsely decorated, the authority it and the king commanded caused a certain rush of defeatism up her spine. Two strikingly different figures remained lurking in shadows of his throne.

King Tyres raised a thick dark eyebrow and waited.

“Sire, I bring Duke Ruiter to you as you requested.” He bowed with sincerity. King Tyres acknowledge Gelnane and his guests with a slight dip of his head.

“My King.” Duke Ruiter went down on one knee, Bonifacio followed. Xylee and her companion had to be given a slight push down but everybody knelt before the King.

“What is this urgent matter Duke Ruiter? How has the treaty been broken?” The king viewed the entire party with an air of caution. He had seemingly prepared himself for the worst.

“Two peasant boys from a small village, near Bonifacios compound, broke into his compound and stole from their gardens. Bonifacio and his men caught these two intruders and beheaded them before any formal judgment could be made by local enforcement.” Duke Ruiter ended his sentence curtly with a grimace.

The King frowned deeply and sat forward.

“Bonifacio, you are well aware of how vital our treaty is, are you not? What have you to say about this incident?”

Boni stood up, addressed the king with a slight stoop in his shoulders. He seemed meek and pathetic, Xylee was shocked.

“Yes I am King Tyres, dis is why I handed myself over to the Watchers. I wish to remedy dis situation in any way possible.”

“But why behead them in the first place then Bonifacio? Although guilty of theft was their punishment not overly harsh and in direct conflict to our agreed upon treaty?” King Tyres spoke slowly and clearly as if communicating with an idiot.

Boni straightened his tunic and cleared his throat, clearly ignoring the kings tone.

“Well, King Tyres, I ‘aven’t mentioned dis to the Duke here, I thought I ought to tell you myself. But these two boys, they were also caught harassing my personal slave. I know it’s no’ right in the sense it aint equal. To kill ‘em... for theft an’ harassment...” Bonifacio looked down as an act of embarrassment. What sort of act was Boni pulling and what incident did he speak of? She racked her mind, yet could only see misty images that made no sense.

“I was mad at ’em you see, I ‘ave been rearing dis one for breedin’ and I thought they might of sullied her.” The King sat back again and sighed.

“Sullied? He raised a human girl? I don’t remember that.” Xylee frowned deeply in her attempt to figure out what Boni was up to. Luckily her face was hidden from view.

“So all of this,” he waved his hand about for emphasis, “is because you lost your temper and flew into a jealous rage at the thought of some boys sullying your breeder?” His hand went to his face and massaged him temple.

“Then just how do you intend on fixing this then Bonifacio?”

Xylee had been listening intently to this exchanged. Did that actually happen? She felt a pair of eyes watching her intently, more intently than the questioning glances from the guards, yet she dared not lift her head higher than it was to look.

“Well I ‘ave offered to pay the families of the boys a bag o’ gold each.... and well, to offer you, King Tyres, two lives in return for the ones I took. You can do whatever you please with dem....” he added the last part nervously, perhaps fear the King would order his offerings death, or that this would not suffice as a fix towards the treaty. Boni was truly laying his acting on thickly, but neither the king nor his lackeys viewed his demeanour as odd.

The King sighed in frustration.

“In all honesty Bonifacio, ruining the treaty to appease two peasant families would be a bit much. Your offer is accepted. I shall get my ministers to write a note of condolences to the families and send them a horse each. This should be reasonable compensation for their loss, along with that bag of gold each.” Boni bowed and broke into a thousand sentence thank you.

“King Tyres. Is this wise? To let Bonifacio go, just like that?” Duke Ruiter looked highly offended at the Kings judgment.

“Duke Ruiter, are you that eager to go to war with the Dreag, over an act of jealousy and peasant families?”

“No My Liege, I just worry that the peasants will not replace this justice worthy of their sons lives. What if they seek vengeance?”

“If they are not happy with what I, their King, have decided, then I shall personally ride there and explain just how important the treaty truly is to all kingdoms. Are you satisfied with that?”

“Yes King Tyres.” The Duke bowed and bent his head, Gelnane smirked knowingly at him.

“Well then Bonifacio, are these two the ones you have chosen to give to me?” he gestured towards Anakal and the cloaked Xylee.

“Yes King Tyres, these are dem.” He pinched the scruff of Anakals neck and made him stand up. “This one here, he was the youngest an strongest male slave we had in da compound.” Anakal looked at the King with wide relieved eyes. He was no longer a meal for the Dreag.

“Speak boy. What is your name?” Anakal stared at the King, lost for a moment in his royal presence then spat the dirty cloth into his chained hands.

“My name is Anakal My King.” The King taken aback by his disrespectful action, stared at the wad of wet cloth in his hands.

“That’s disgusting boy. Why did you have that in your mouth?”

Before Anakal could answer Duke Ruiter spoke up. Xylees ears twitched, she could hear a stifled mumble of laughter from one silhouettes, yet it was not loud enough for the others to hear.

“He spoke far too much and far too often My Liege, therefore I found it wise to silence him in the most humane way I possibly could.”

“Oh.... well then put it back in your mouth then for now boy, I do not wish to see such a disgusting thing.”

Anakal viewed the soggy thing and grimaced as he placed it back in his mouth, almost gagging.

The shadowy figure that had held back their laughter at first could no longer contain it and burst into very loud fits of giggles. This was then followed by excessive shushing by the other, now panicking silhouette. Everybody in the room stared past the Kings throne and into the shadows.

“Dear, did I not tell you that the only way you could sit in on meetings is if you remained silent?” The King spoke to the laughing one. “Please quieten the Princess, Lady Francis, she is embarrassing herself.”

“Yes My King, I’m sorry My King....”

“Father, please. It is not Francis’ fault. It is yours for commanding the boy to put that disgusting wad of saliva back in his mouth.” The girls’ voice burst into more controlled giggles.

“Naveen, please, this is no laughing matter.” The King twisted in his throne to gaze back into the darkness. “These are serious matters that I attend to, and your laughter lessens my and its importance. You should be more respectful to certain situations.”

“I’m truly sorry Father,” the shadow figure stepped forward to reveal a girl no older than Xylee, with hair darker than the shadows she had stepped from and a face so sweet and tan it was said she could stop beasts with merely a look.

“But there is so little to replace humours these days father. Joy and laughter should be abundant.”She stopped beside her father’s throne, how she could be his daughter confused Xylee. Maybe her mother was beautiful. “May I sit with you seeing as my presence is now well known?”

“Yes, yes.” He sighed audibly with stress. This girl obviously had caused a majority of grey hairs on his once black beard.

A plump middle aged woman came out of the shadows and placed a small wooden stool next to the throne for Naveen to sit on.

“Thank you Francis, I’m sorry my daughter is such a handful, even at her age.”

“Oh no My Liege, it’s my pleasure to serve her My King.” The plump one fumbled nervously, glanced sidelong at Bonis ferocious form and backed into the darkness and staying there for the remainder of the meeting.

He turned back to the small group in front of him.

“Where were we? Ah yes. The slaves. That one is concealed, why is that Bonifacio? A trick perhaps or is this one horribly deformed?”

Xylee could feel Bonis hand reaching for the back of her neck, but she stood up before she could be grabbed. Bonifacio eyed her but said nothing of it.

“No, nothing like tha’ King Tyres. She’s the one I ‘ad... wished ta... breed with. It was jus’ easier ta transport her this ways.” He looked sad, as if about to lose a prised position yet enhancing his accent with every word. Besides that hadn’t she belonged to another Dreag, one with a large head? Her head felt cold and muddled.

“Her? Well let us view her then.”

“Before I do, just know that.... well... she’s ’armless but I guess you’ll just ’ave to see an judge her for yourself.”

The King sat forward expectantly to view the one who had caused Bonis jealous rage. The Princess seemed uninterested and bored.

He reached out to remove the hood of the cloak but she reacted by flinching away.

She did not want him touching her again, his hands matched the cold of her mind, he glared at her.

She shook her head flicking it backward removing the hood easily enough, but leaving her with strands of hair in her mouth. She heard a collective stunned silence around her as she attempted to remove the stubborn hairs with her chained arms, this proved to be difficult. Nothing surprising or new it seemed.

Straightening herself she sighed, ready to view all those that stood before her. The kings’ mouth hung slightly ajar, his guardsman had their hands grasping firmly, at the ready, on their swords. The plump lady in the darkness gave a squeal. These reactions were typical and expected from both Xylee and Boni. Naveen shifted slightly and viewed the girl with pitch black horns and deer like ears, curiously.

“What manner of creature is this Bonifacio?” The king pointed at Xylee.

“Well I don’ truly know your Majesty.” The expression on the kings’ face changed from surprise to confusion to anger all in the span of a few seconds.

“Is this some sort of joke then? That you bring it here, an unknown creature before myself and my daughter and claim it’s harmless?”

“She, father.” Naveen piped up calmly. “Not it. She.”

“What? Naveen the sex of the creature makes no difference. None of whatever its kind is, or its relatives are meant to exist in this realm. Duke Ruiter were you aware of what you where transporting?”

“Yes My Liege, my men and I were privy to the detail as soon as Bonifacio made contact at the nearest Watcher post.”

“Then why was I, your King, not privy to such detail?”

“Well My King, Bonifacio explained the matter and his hope to remedy the treaty with these two. The creature, as he made clear to me, was harmless and had been living in the compound for sixteen years. He thought it might show as an act of trust between us as this was his prised position.”

“That does not explain why I was kept in the dark, Ruiter. Where is the trust for your King?” The Kings growing anger at his lack of knowledge in this situation was very visible. Duke Ruiter bowed his head in apology and continued.

“My Liege, I beg your forgiveness. I did not want the information to leak within your fort walls and I had hoped for a sterner sentencing for Bonifacios’ errors.”

“You do not trust my men? To what end did you believe this creature would lead you?”

“I am truly sorry My King, but my trust is failing with certain members of your personal guard, I was uncertain if I would of even made it within your walls if I had said something and I had thought that it would be good if you were made aware of its existence.” The Duke made a point of looking at Gelnane.

“A personal matter with my guardsman is no excuse Duke Ruiter, and your lack of trust at my judgement is clear. Your judgment however has become poor; Bonifacio could have easily created this opportunity as a trap using it.” He pointed at Xylee.

Duke Ruiter opened his mouth to excuse his behaviour once more but was cut short by the Kings hand.

“Perhaps I am too lenient a king. Your behaviour of late has troubled me as well Duke, the Watchers behaviour too. Your people do not seem to be aware of the chain of command in Ridgare. I am your King; you are merely a Duke who was fortunate to be heir to the last of the wars greatest army. Do not reach higher than your neck can stretch Ruiter. If anything such as this or even less is to happen again I shall make sure you are stripped of everything.”

King Tyres face was etched with his warning.

“Bonifacio, explain what this is. Leave nothing out.”

Xylee saw joy seep out of Gelnane at the Dukes embarrassment, although he did not smile visibly this time.

“I speak the truth when I say tha’ I don’t know what type o creature she is and to my knowledge she as never ’armed anyone or anything, she doesn’t even eat meat!” Boni scoffed at this. “I found her sixteen years ago and I ’ave raised her in my compound ever since.”

She was confused and not certain of any of the information her mind held right now.

“So she is not a Dreag then?”

“Ha, no, defiantly not. She’s far too pretty to one of us.” The King did not replace Bonis’ little joke amusing and scowled at him.

“Sorry King Tyres.” He looked down and then up again at the king. “Did you ever here that tale o’ the demon child, Sire?”

“Yes I have heard it told by Lady Francis. It is a childish tale to keep children from wondering away at night. What of it?”

Boni proudly beamed and gestured with both his arm as if delivering a prize.

“Well, this is her! The demon child o’ the night Sire!”

“She steals souls for you? You bring me a soul stealing demon? Are you mad?”

“No, no, no... tha’ parts all made up by them silly yokels. She just steals clothes.”

“So you brought me a demon thief?”

Boni gawked stupidly at the king.

“... I guess.... she’s harmless though. Wouldn’t harm a fly.”

“I doubt that mister Bonifacio,” Naveen sat openly staring at Xylee with curiosity making her shift uncomfortably in her gaze. “Everybody has hurt a fly. I replace them rather annoying, don’t you?” the last part of her sentence was cautiously directed to Xylee. Nobody said anything and Xylee was unsure of whether or not she should answer.

“Creature! My daughter has spoken to you, answer her.” The king crossly watched her as she slowly opened her mouth to speak.

“...Yes?” she did replace them annoying but she didn’t believe her opinion on flies really mattered, especially in this situation.

“Is it dull witted Bonifacio?”

“Oh no Sire. She’s remarkably quick-witted. She even knows how to read.”

“You taught it to read our words?”

“Father!” Naveen scolded her father “She is not an it. Please be civil.” She paused and addressed Xylee once more.

“We cannot go around referring to you as she and creature, it seems awfully rude. Do you have a name?”

Xylee was in shock and had no words with which to speak. So Boni spoke on her behalf.

“Princess, please excuse her, I think she might be a bit’ overwhelmed with everythin’. But her names Xylee.”

“Such an odd yet pretty name, what do intend to do with them father?”

The king sat back, his anger had not subsided and his face carried a hint of frustration at being told off by his daughter in front of others.

“I shall keep the boy, strong young men are always welcome in my army. Perhaps Gelnane could take him on even. But that thing.... she, must be killed.” Bonifacios face creased at this news, Anakal smiled and nodded his delight.

“What? That’s’ far too cruel a punishment for a girl. Besides father, he said she has never hurt anyone or anything.”

“It is no mere girl Naveen and I cannot in good conscious believe the words of Bonifacio. She is remnants of the old times. It cannot be allowed to live.”

Xylees face fell, but deep inside she had hoped for this fate.

“I can stop living in fear and pain....” her thoughts where calm “....not yettt......” the voice was cold and insistent. She shook her head and the thoughts disappeared.

“But still, she looks as old as I am, and I doubt she has done anything to warrant such a punishment. Is there no other way, anything else that can be done? The Null? What of that? She can be sent there instead.”

The king shook his head.

“No, it took a lot of magic to exile those creatures there and many a brave mage died doing it. It is far too risky to do the same thing for one creature. It must be put to death immediately. Duke would you do the honour?”

Duke Ruiter bowed and received a sword from one of the kings guards.

“What? Are you truly going to kill her now, here in front of me? No, please father.... Let me keep her! I always wanted a pet. Please!”

“Naveen you have pets, this creature is unsafe. It must not remain in our world and I fear if given the opportunity it shall attempt to escape. Avert your eyes or leave Naveen.”

Naveen looked on desperately, unable to change Xylees’ inevitable fate. Anakal and Boni stepped out of the Dukes way. Ruiter held the blade over her neck and arched it upwards.

“Gelnane please help!” Naveen pleaded towards the guardsman. With one single bob of his head, his arm whipped out from beneath his cloak to reveal a bark like material encasing his arm. The cracks in-between formed intricate patterns which lit up in a brilliant green colour which then irrupted from his hand and hit Duke Ruiter on his side, flinging him backwards and into one of the Dukes men.

“What is the meaning of this Gelnane?” the king stood up. “Do you wish for death or do you merely seek our destruction by letting that thing live.”

Gelnane shrugged.

“I simply did as the Princess wished.”

Duke Ruiter lay sprawled in a heap of metal.

“You need not worry Sire. The Duke is not dead, I simply stunned him, and he shall wake in an hour. Refreshed or bruised, either one.”

“Naveen! What did you intend to happen here?” The other two Watchers unsheathed their swords and pointed themselves towards Gelnane who simply raised his hands in defeat.

“What did you do to my father you stupid mage?” The female Watcher the Duke had called Delvessa knelt next to the unconscious body of her father.

“I just told the King, Delvessa, he’ll be fine in an hour.”

“Do not speak to me as if you know me Gelnane. You are nothing.” She continued to stare helplessly at her father.

Xylee gazed warily at Gelnane and then the Princess. Why did they save her? What did they want?”

“Please Father, I am truly sorry, I did not know Gelnane would do that.” She stopped and turned towards Gelnane. “That was a bit much don’t you agree?”

“You asked for help, you got help, and I happened to get a slight amount of satisfaction.” His smug helmeted smile made itself visible again.

“I sometimes wonder at my judgment to make you captain of my guard and allow you to be one of Naveens tutors.” He commanded the Watchmen to sheath their weapons.

“She cannot be kept, Naveen. We do not know how dangerous it truly is.”

Naveen searched for an answer, but before she could, Gelnane spoke up.

“I could bind her, Your Grace.”

He walked casually up to Xylee.

“If she were ever to cause anybody harm, a simple word would stop her, like a dog collar, with magic. She is unique in all my years on this earth I have never seen one such as she. Perhaps we could learn something, something that may aid towards future endeavours?”

“Father? Please?” Naveen pleadingly looked at her father.

“Fine then. My decision has been bested by my daughter. But,” He glared at Boni, Gelnane and his daughter, “ if this creature tries anything that can be seen as a threat towards myself, my daughter or my kingdom, it will be put to death and seen as an act of war between humans and Dreag. Are you prepared to bet the kingdom and countless lives on a whim and a promise of innocence?” Bonifacio nodded and Gelnane bowed mentioning that she shall be kept in line. The king turned to Naveen and waited.

“...yes...” It was a huge responsibility to take on but Naveen, for some reason found the very idea of this girl’s death chilling her to the very core, it somehow seemed worse than a war.

Signalling to his men Xylee was collected up along with Anakal.

“Put the boy with some trainees, and send that creature to the dungeon for now but double the guard for the time being. When will this spell be done then Gelnane?”

“It should take less than a day, so it should be done by tomorrow Sire.”

Naveens smile was broad and lit her face up.

“Thank, oh thank you Father. You are truly great!” She kissed him on the cheek. “I shall see you tomorrow then Xylee, I hope we can become friends.” The king frowned at this statement and began to seriously whisper to her.

Xylee stared intently at this beautiful princess Naveen, the surprise at being spared had left her dumbfounded. The kings’ guards pulled her along towards her sleeping place for the night.

The last two things she viewed was Duke Ruiter being picked up by his daughter, and the disappointment of her no longer imminent death turn into a triumphant smile on Bonifacios face.