Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Frey carefully maneuvered her wagon over the dirt road. She nodded to a fellow traveler as she past him. After some moments and making sure the road was empty, she pulled onto the side of the road.

“Now, lets see how you are,” said Frey.

She turned around and peeked under a bundle of blankets. In these past days she had wondered, perhaps even dare surmise, from what Viktor spoke to Xavier that Allegra could really be a contending heir.

No wonder he wanted to kill her so bad, thought Frey and scanned the warrior. A love child, perhaps?

The bruises on Allegra’s face and arms had already begun to fade away into a more dark tan color. She certainly looked nothing like Xavier or the paintings she saw in the markets of King Edward. In any case, it was not her place to be thinking if Allegra was a product of forbidden love.

Frey rummaged in a bag by her for some healing balm and found a small jar. She opened it and applied to them onto the bruises. She smiled as she gently swept the balm over the sharp contours of Allegra’s face. It was obvious that the warrior was half elven, especially her angular ears.

Her mother was probably a shade elf, thought Frey.

Allegra’s complexion and her azure eyes were strangely fascinating if not attractive for Frey. She had met some half-elves during her wandering and all of them took on their elven parent’s eyes of green.

“Arilyn,” murmured Allegra.

Two blue eyes slit open. Frey sighed.

“No, it’s me again,” she said.

Allegra shut her eyes but Frey could see her eyelashes rimming with tears.

“Sleep. You need to save your energy as your body heals,” said Frey.

She pulled the blanket over Allegra to give the latter her privacy to grieve. Since they have escaped the mad prince of Bastile, the warrior had called out that name. Arilyn. Frey shook her head and scattered visions of a bloodied body being stuffed in a cotton tweed bag flickered for a moment in her mind. She rubbed her eyes.

Got to stop thinking about this or else I’d have to use another sleeping remedy again tonight to sleep, thought Frey.

Nightmares had been keeping her from having a goodnight sleep and who wouldn’t after what she had witness.

“Now, let’s cover our tracks,” said Frey to herself.

She turned to her left and flipped a latch open. Then she pulled out a black bag. In this bag were a mix of minerals, ash and a secret ingredient made to cover scent. As a wanderer, she had to be careful. Lando was a continent plagued by the incessant danger of demons and she had her fair share of encounters with them in the past.

Frey climbed down from her wagon and stroked her horse. Even though she used a magical gem to transport herself and Allegra to her wagon on the outskirt of Bastile, the demons could still track them by their scent. She figured the mad prince wouldn’t waste time sending demons after them.

She opened the bag and began sprinkling it around the wagon and her horse. Then she proceeded to sprinkle some on the road. When she was satisfied she climbed back onto the wagon.

“It won’t be long, Allegra. My home is not far and we’ll be there by nightfall,” said Frey.

Frey was met with silence, something she had gotten use to. She opened her mouth to say some words of sympathy but quickly thought otherwise. Allegra would just feel more terrible than before.

We should get home and then think our next move, thought Frey.

Harthor, the legendary demon, had her deeply troubled and since that demon had aligned itself with Prince Xavier, it could only mean that destruction of Lando is underway. Taking in the reigns, Frey moved her horse onward with great urgency.

% % %

It was a dark and cold place but it was His place.

“What is the matter, my prince? Or shall I say my king?” said a deep, melodic voice.

“Your minions have failed to retrieve the bitch and her companion,” said Xavier.

“Aww, do not be angry,” crooned the voice. “It matters not to our plans. Lando will be yours. Just concentrate on getting me out as fast as you can.”

“The bitch we’re talking about is Allegra,” snapped Xavier.

The voice was silent for a moment.

“What can she do but try to assassinate you? She is no friend to Bastile and especially no friend to Paramecia,” said the voice. “Once I regain my full power no one can touch you. Not even the gods.”

“And when I’m not looking you’ll lop my head off, right?” said Xavier off handily.

“My Xavier!” said the voice indignantly.

A dark purple appeared and blended with the darkness.

“Do you not remember our fated meeting at the Chasm? How you cried out for someone, for anyone to save you?” said the voice. “Oh that heart of yours, how drawn I was from my deep slumber! “

Xavier felt a warm glow in his chest.

“You and I are one. What you love, I will love. What you hate, I will hate. Do you believe me?” asked the voice in an almost pleading way.

Xavier sighed.

“You always know how to get to me, Harthor. Alright, I’ll get you your deaths but what will we do of Allegra?” said Xavier.

Xavier felt a curl around the corners of his lips.

“My minions can only do so much in your world. After all, they are animals in the end. Why don’t you send someone of your kind after her? They can cross the lands without someone trying to kill them,” suggested Harthor.

Xavier thought for a moment.

“I think I have a plan now,” laughed Xavier.

“I am pleased, my king,” said Harthor.

“Your majesty,” interrupted Renald.

The dark cold place evaporated from Xavier’s mind and replaced with the throne room and a stocky man before him.

“Um, I’m sorry to interrupt you, but Captain Nico and Captain Winster request an audience with you,” said Renald nervously.

Renald dare not comment on King Xavier’s strange behavior let alone his odd new taste in décor. He was already not on the good side of the king and, since his failure to kill Allegra, he has been demoted to become the king’s personal messenger. Secretly he made a quick vow on Allegra and her companion.

“Let them come,” said Xavier.

Renald bowed and quickly exited the throne room.

Quite convenient that they are already seeking me, mused Xavier.

Several moments later, a lanky man with a goat tee and a woman with a scar over her right eye entered the throne room. They looked a little surprised at the ‘new’ change in the throne room.

“Captain Nico and Captain Winster,” greeted Xavier respectively. “Just the people who I was about to request for.”

Ninco and Winster bowed to the king.

“My king, Lord Nico and I came quickly as we heard of Allegra’s crimes,” said Winster. “I’m still processing that she even killed Lord Viktor, her master arms of all people!”

“I know. I was in shock too. Captain Viktor gave his life to protect me,” lied Xavier.

He even placed a hand over his heart and forced his eyes to water up. Nico kneeled down before Xavier.

“I’m sorry, your majesty, but I still can not believe,” said Nico.

Oh Nico, I would have you killed too if it weren’t for your stupidity and gullibility, thought Xavier.

“I have proof. Moments before killing herself, dear Princess Arilyn wrote her confession on her collaboration with Allegra to poison my father. Plus, a Grand Healer of Isiana confirmed the poison in my father’s body was the same as the poison found in Allegra’s room,” said Xavier.

Nico looked up wide-eyed and turned to Winster who shrugged.

“I-I am deeply, sorry your majesty!” said Nico and stood up. He pounded his chest. “Allegra must be brought to justice!”

“Your majesty, does that mean we go to war with Paramecia?” asked Winster.

It was no secret that this woman, known as the quickest sword master of all of Lando, despised Allegra for her elven heritage. Xavier nodded. He could always count on Winster on anything involving going against the elves.

“Captain Nico, since you wish to bring Allegra to justice, I need you track her down and bring a swift end to her wickedness,” said Xavier.

“I will use all means,” said Nico while crossing his arm over his chest.

“Good. Captain Winston, I need you to deliver a Declaration of War to Para along with Princess Arilyn’s confession and body. We shall let all of Lando know that we do not tolerate such aggression,” said Xavier.

Winster smiled and crossed her arm over her chest.

“It will be done, my king,” said Winster.

Xavier watched the two captains exited the throne room. Soon there will be enough souls for Harthor to materialize in Lando. He clapped his hands.

“Renald!” called out Xavier.

Moments later, Renald entered the throne room.

“Yes, your majesty,” said Renald.

“Get the heralds, the chancellor and all of the dignitaries to me. It is time to announce what has come to past in Bastile,” ordered Xavier.

“It will be done, your majesty,” said Renald.

Renald bowed and exited the throne room for the second time of the day. Xavier leaned back into his throne and closed his eyes.

“How was that for a start, Harthor?” asked Xavier.

“I couldn’t have done it any better,” said Harthor.

Xavier smiled and let his mind feel the pleasantries of Harthor.

% % %

Frey guided her horse to a small empty clearing in the middle of four giant boulders.

“We’re here, Allegra,” said Frey.

Allegra had woken up earlier and sat emotionlessly with a wool blanket wrapped around her head and body. Frey waited for a response but as usual Allegra remained silent.

“Yeah,” said Frey and trying to break the awkwardness building inside of her. “I know it doesn’t look like anything is here but I have to ward off demons, thieves and all sort of baddies somehow when I’m not at home.”

Without looking for a reaction from Allegra, Frey raised her right palm.

“By the protection of her grace, Haram, I am home,” she spoke.

Her voice reverberated off the four boulders and slowly appeared a modest cottage in the middle of the boulders. Frey’s horse neighed in delight as he parked himself and the wagon in the front of the cottage.

“Now shall we have a real meal?” asked Frey.

Expecting another silent answer, Frey began collecting her stuff.

“You have a home?” asked Allegra.

The warrior’s voice startled Frey and she nearly tumbled off the wagon. It was the first time that Allegra spoke and was not under some delirium or dream.

“Ah, yes, I’m not much of a wanderer if I have a place but I am also a collector of magical items and trinkets. So I have to store those items some place,” answered Frey with a slight chuckle. “Are you better now?”

Allegra didn’t answer her question and slid off the wagon.

“Wait! Stay!” said Frey and she scrambled down her wagon. “Please stay. It is safe here and we can think of what to do next.”

Frey held Allegra’s arm. “Please, come inside,” she pleaded.

Allegra looked away but didn’t fight Frey’s hold.

Gently, Frey led Allegra into her cottage. The moment they entered, they stopped. Before them was a cascade of trinkets, stones, sticks, metal scraps, magical hats and all sorts of second grade magical items littered on every space imaginable.

“Whoo, forgot to clean the last time I was here,” said Frey meekly and rushed to clean up the place.

Frey kicked her way through the living room, making a semi-path way to a pile in the middle of the room.

“Uh, wait a moment until I clear the table,” said Frey. “Oh, I was looking for this and this too!”

Frey grabbed an iron ladle, a feathery hat and then some until she her arms were full.

“Do you need help?” asked Allegra as she watched Frey strain to reach a copper spoon will cradling her other items.

“What did you say—eek!” Frey tripped on a wooden chair and all of her items flew out of her arms. “I think I found the chair, ow.”

Frey grimaced and rubbed her shoulder as she hung over the chair. Then she felt strong arms gently take her by the waist and raise her to her feet. The smells of spices mix with earth were unmistakably Allegra’s.

“Oh, thank you,” blushed Frey.

Allegra moved around her and sat down on the wooden chair. Frey clasped her hands together and tried to put on her most cheerful smile.

“I’m going to cook. So what do you want to eat?” asked Frey.

“I’m not hungry,” answered Allegra.

A moment of silence stretched before them as Frey tried to figure out what to say next.

“Thank you,” said Allegra, breaking the silence. “For saving me.”

Frey pulled a large bucket from a smaller pile, turned it upside down and sat on it.

“I had to. I couldn’t let this injustice go unnoticed,” Frey hesitated, “I guess it’s time I spilled the beans as they say.”

Frey took a deep breath and folded her hands onto her lap. It was time to reveal why she was at the castle in the first place.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to. As of now I am a fugitive, traitor and failure,” said Allegra. “Oh goddess, I couldn’t…I couldn’t even get revenge. The bastard was right in front of my face and I couldn’t even hurt him!”

Allegra slammed her fist onto the table and then slumped her shoulders. Angry muted tears brimmed on the brink of bursting down her azure eyes. Without thought, Frey reached over and held Allegra’s tight fist.

“Grieve, you must but you are blameless. Though we cannot stay here for long. As soon as we can, we must go to Para,” said Frey.

“Para…no, I can’t,” said Allegra and shook her head. Allegra could not return to her lover’s kingdom and the memories spent there with the lovely elven princess spasm achingly in her heart.

Frey sensed Allegra’s outright opposition to go to Para was connected to Arilyn. She sympathized with the warrior. Losing a lover is a very painful experience that she was lucky to never have gone through. However, she had never been in love either.

Still, Frey would rather not go to Para for a personal reason if it weren’t the unfortunate discovery of Harthor’s return. “The Right Hand needs to be warned and I can go there while you stay here if you want,” she said.

“What are you warning them about?” asked Allegra.

“A great evil has appeared again in this world through Prince Xavier. The demon Harthor,” answered Frey.

Allegra face became grave.

“Xavier said that name before blowing a hole through Viktor,” said Allegra.

“That is just one of the many things Harthor can do. Apparently, according to the scriptures of Mosak, the demon cannot be killed. So don’t feel too bad that you couldn’t defeat Xavier,” said Frey.

“Not helping,” said Allegra and then studied the shorter woman with the keenness of a leopard.

“Sorry,” apologized Frey and looked away quickly. She still felt Allegra’s intense stare piercing through her. “I don’t quite know the details but the Right Hand should know what to do. Harthor had been defeated by Her grace before. Is, um, something on me?”

“For a wanderer that likes collecting magical items, you sure know a lot about this Harthor and demons,” said Allegra. She was quite aware that through out their trip to Frey’s home, the wanderer had covered their tracks. She figured it was from Xavier’s demons. That was not a very common knowledge.

Frey laughed nervously.

“Oh, I read a lot when I was little. I was a very curious child,” said Frey and smiled brightly.

“Hmph, maybe you should tell me why you were at the castle anyways,” said Allegra.

“Well…to steal,” confessed Frey. “Well, I was leaving compensation too!”

Allegra raised an eyebrow and perhaps a very slight grin. Frey coughed and tugged on her collar.

“You see most of this stuff here belongs to my friend, Mr. Connor. He died a month ago and named me as sole inheritor to his properties. But he’s a funny man even in death. In his will, he asked me to retrieve an item he had regrettable sold off and bury it in his grave. I managed to track it to Bastile castle but the late king had somehow obtained my friend’s item. Asking or buying it back was out of the question,” explained Frey.

“So you decided to sneak into the castle and steal it,” said Allegra.

“Yeah but I kind of overheard Xavier’s plan for your demise and, well, you know the rest of the story,” said Frey.

Allegra bowed her head to contemplate.

“I am impressed. Not many would try to stop a royal conspiracy let alone help a total stranger,” said Allegra.

Frey cheeks lit up like a candle.

“T-thank you,” said Frey.

The warrior looked up and gave a sad little smile.

“Your bravery burns like the Goddess Isiana,” said Allegra.

“Ahahaha, oh now I’m hungry so I’ll go cook something for myself,” said Frey rapidly.

Is she figuring it out? I hope to the goddess she doesn’t! yelped Frey internally.

Frey got up and clumsily made her way to her kitchen.