The earl had given his permission, so Katherine saddled her new shire horse early the next morning. The mare was friendly and slightly curious. It's pure white fur was beautiful as if it came right out of a fairy tale. It was the ideal horse to take a princess home. Sadly, the matching prince was missing.
Petting the horse's forehead gently, Katherine said: "How have you been, Belladonna? Is your box comfortable?"
Not expecting an answer, Katherine knitted her brows. "Although I get why you're named like this - you are both beautiful and deadly after all - but it's a tad long. How about I call you 'Bell' instead?"
The nearly two meters tall horse rubbed it's head on Katherine's shoulder, sending her a step backwards in the process. Katherine giggled. "You like it? That's good. Here, this is for you, a gift for our first ride together."
In her flat hand, she presented an apple. Brown eyes with long, white lashes blinked at her, before Bell slowly bent down
After building up so much tension, the 'I can't ride' wasn't really enough to shock Katherine. She just nodded. "Oh, so that's it."This simple reply, on the other hand, made Hazel's stunned. She'd been so anxious that the lady would be disappointed over her lack of ability, but Katherine didn't seem to be disturbed at all. "But milady, aren't you sad that I can't go with you?"Irritated, Katherine knitted her brows. "Why shouldn't you come with us? Isn't it just riding? I can ride, those two can ride. As long as you don't fear horses, you can get on.""M-milady!" Hazel's eyes filled with tears again, but joyous ones this time.With a chuckle, Katherine rolled her eyes at her. "Stop crying, silly, and get on!"She led Bell to Hazel's side and reached out her hands. The both of them were wearing trousers underneath their dresses today, as Katherine knew sitting sideways on a horse like real ladies was just too troublesome.It took three tries
The woman in the bed looked pale and was surrounded by four other woman, who had striking resemblance to her."My daughters and my wife Melissa.", the merchant introduced them. "This woman by my side is a healer from another caravan. Lina, show her the leg."With a nod, one of the woman sitting next to the patient lifted the cover till there was a leg to be seen. The tent filled with a strong stench.There was a long slash on the leg, but that alone wasn't troublesome. The clotted blood and pus as well as the purple color of the surrounding flesh was. Inflammation, although a regular phenomenon of wounds, was one of the many things that couldn't be countered by Katherine's power. She would need to remove the inflamed flesh first. How troublesome.Heaving a deep sigh, she said: "A regular doctor would need to amputate this leg. You're really lucky that I have some special means. Now, take some alcohol first to lessen the pain.".The mood of
"We'll take it!", the merchant shouted excitedly, before turning to Katherine and correcting himself hastily. "I mean, we'll make it! The bet! Make it now!""Very well", Katherine grinned, glancing at the wife for a second, before turning to the daughter. "Then I'll begin now. Don't forget to follow up your words."The merchant snorted. He was absolutely sure there didn't exist a person who could make his daughter healthy again in only an hour. The gold pile was as good as his! Why else would that other girl throw him chilling glares? She most likely knew that this young doctor or whatever she was, made a big mistake when placing the bet. He gave her a triumphant smile.Her face darkening, Hazel turned away from the blasphemer. Outrageous! How could he even think about winning against her goddess!The wife of the merchant pulled at her husband's arm softly, whispering: "Darling, do you really think this is the right choice? Why should she initiate a bet i
The first daughter of the merchant - the last to leave the tent when Katherine began to cut the flesh off - showed Katherine to the other injured. Of course, she didn't know yet about the bet, as her father was still unconsciousness. It didn't take long to heal everyone. The other injuries were not half as serve as the leg of the second daughter. Still, there were some who wouldn't have healed seamlessly without her magic, so the people were actually quite thankful after they overcame the astonishment about her skill. That was one of the reasons she didn't dare to leave Hazel alone with the patients. Or else, who knew how big her cult would be already?While doing her work, Katherine noticed that no-one seemed to be respectful of the merchant they claimed to be their leader. Instead, they all spoke highly of his wife. It seemed like she was the real spiritual leader. The one who held them together. That matched what Katherine had seen so far. The wife hadn't been blinded by t
Only when the sun nearly reached the horizon did Katherine departed with her entourage. A while later, Pete murmured: "I didn't know you were this good at lying. You can't really do anything to the leg, right?"The lady's eyes glittered with a faint guilt. "Nope. But they don't know that."Not noticing her awkwardness, Jack let out one of his roaring laughs. "Well done, well done!"Slowly, Pete nodded. "He is right. If they believe it or not, they won't dare to try it out as long as you don't get too overbearing. But your conditions are well within their possibilities for now.""That is because I want it to be a long-time cooperation. If I don't give them any benefits, they would try to back out of it. Maybe not now, but in the future.", Katherine explained when they reached the inn."Milady", Hazel suddenly said. She hadn't said much for a while now, so Katherine had been worried already."Yes?"Hazel had her hands folded on her ches
It was ridiculous. How come she has so much power over me?, Nathaniel wondered. She just called his name but it felt like a fresh breeze gently blowing his anger away. If her enraged self mesmerized and provoked him, this soft call made him completely helpless in front of her. He didn't expect her to do this. No, he wanted her to shout and fight like she used to. This way he could have taken out his frustration on her. But why did she have to call him so sweetly...Feeling the sorrow in his chest multiplying, he walked out of the darkness step by step. Her call was like a bond pulling him closer, despite his unwillingness.His eyes were fixed on her face, noticing every little change in it. When she saw him, her soft, pink lips slightly parted, her breath hastening. In her bright, violet eyes lingered astonishment as if she didn't expect him to finally heed her call and come forward. He himself also didn't expect it. But here he was, riddling about why this soft call w
When the earl reached his chambers, a disheveled Sam already waited in front of it. It was obvious that he was awoken out of deep slumber shortly before. He informed Nathaniel that what seemed to be a scout troop of the Renat kingdom had been sighted in the forest on their side of the border. The Renat's troops were moving faster than they expected."Double the patrols in the area. If we can catch them, it would be great. However, it will still take a few days for the army to cross the forest either way. In that time, the towns need to be evacuated. When everything is ready, we can start the next phase of the plan.""Yes, milord.", Sam nodded, and excused himself. The plan was moving faster and faster..On the next day, the sky was as gloomy as the earl's mood. The message that they didn't manage to catch the scouts only worsened it. At breakfast he deliberated why he asked her to come with him today. It was not like it was a pleasant thing to do. Maybe
Neither the scream nor the push managed to shake Nathaniel out of his stupor. Here he thought the only thing he needed to care for was that she didn't touch his skin. How wrong he had been. He hadn't been prepared for this softness in his hands. Mind me, even though he found her mesmerizing and sweet, he always thought that she was a bit childish. Her chest, however, was anything but that. It was a big, mature ball of softness. Uncomparable to anything he'd touched before.Always buried in his work and knowing that he couldn't go further, he didn't seek the contact with woman. Though over time more and more woman tried to cling to him, he didn't touch any of them. It was partly out of the thinking that he might be tempted more if he did, and partly because none of them interested him.Now he was left in a stupor, because he suddenly realized that the last statement wasn't quite right anymore. He should have recognized it much sooner, yet he didn't. The fascination he h
Five years later"Your Holiness - Uh, ah, Majesty, I mean!"Leaning on the newly-built rails atop the dome of the palace, with the view of the Capital in the background, Katherine scolded lightly: "Shht, Hazel, she just fell asleep."In her arms rested a baby, maybe a few months old, with a tuft of black hair and fair white skin. If she opened her lids, angelic blue eyes would blink up innocently at the viewer.Hazel's head appeared at the end of the staircase leading to the roof. Apologetically, she bit her lip and whispered. "I'm sorry, your Majesty. A letter arrived from Dragsa, and Prince Patrick hurt his knee while playing. He's on his way here.""Dragsa...," Katherine muttered and stretched out a hand to take it. "I wonder what they want. They were very quiet in the latter years."Lowering her head, she took a glance at the paper. Instantly, her brows furrowed, later followed by a deep sigh. "I almost expected it. What a shame."Her gaze wandered to the west, in the direction of
For once, the third wall belonging to the palace let nobles and commoners alike pass. They flooded in in masses and coagulated on the streets and the grass field before the dome. Everywhere, where they could hope to catch a little glimpse of what was about to happen in the throne hall.In front of the dome, Nathaniel dismounted and reached his hand out to Katherine to help her off as well. For a second, Katherine remembered how Pete helped her when she mounted Bell for the first time, and her smile grew shaky. Pete and Jack. One retired after suffering grievous wounds, and the other fell in battle when the undead attacked the palace to free the Queen, Emilian, and Helmina.The burial was in the time of Katherine's long travel back but she and Nathaniel visited the grave two days ago. Still, she could not believe that her funny, one-eyed companion was truly gone. It was delusional but she could not shake the thought that if only she'd been at the Capital, her power might have saved him
Weeks later, the couple reached the Capital and was welcomed with much tom-tom. Aston, it seemed, was back on his feet. The new scar parting his right brow even suggested that his exaggerated description of a battle with the best undead swordsman in history might be more than just bragging. Infuriatingly, however, the scar made him even more handsome, and he confidently put it on display at any opportunity he got. Especially in front of the ladies.Shortly after their return, King William officially announced his retirement in favor of his nephew. Though the commoners were confused at Nathaniel's sudden emergence, the prepared aristocrats soon placated them, and the rumors of his activities as the illusive sixth General did the rest.Katherine was surprised to hear that word of her ability had elevated her picture in the icelandic society to somewhat of a saintess. King William obviously prepared on this end as well, and thus nobody dared suggest that a dragsean noble was unfit to be
The ship of the king of the Glaciar Coast was a gigantic vessel with a kind of lofty wretchedness to it. In fact, Katherine thought that the silver ornaments on the dark wood looked like bones, and if the sail had been a bit more tattered, the "Charon" would've been the perfect ghost ship. When she mentioned it to Lady Brandon in jest, the sister of said king laughed out loud."Oh, he'd love to hear that! If his crew wasn't ridiculously superstitious, I bet he'd search the whole ocean floor for a sunken vessel to serve him!""Is that so?" Katherine lifted her brows, perplexed. "Isn't it already enough that it can fly?"Granted, the hovering of the gigantic vessel wasn't completely 'flight' as the ship was only lifted by the water the Glaciar Coast's mages manipulated with much afford. It could also only be implemented for short periods close to a water source. For the unsuspecting viewer, however, it looked exactly as if the ship was flying.It was this practical fea
Katherine woke up feeling fresh and well-rested. The plush cushions under her head were like soft clouds, and the blanket bore just the right amount of heat. The air smelled of salt and herbs, an unusual but welcoming combination."Hmmm." With a blissful sigh, Katherine stretched. She didn't feel so good since they resided in the hut in the Icelands with King William, his mistress, and son. Did she only dream of that long, arduous journey to a mountain in Dragsa?"You're awake." Her eyes snapped open when she heard that voice. It was undoubtedly the deep timbre of her husband, Nathaniel. And there he was, sitting next to the bed in a cushioned chair, a gentle gaze in his eyes.Eyes that rested strangely deep in his pale face. A face that was bare of the slight smile that sometimes tugged on the corners of his mouth when he looked at her. Instead, he seemed solemn, exhausted, plagued by a deeply hidden sadness that he maybe wanted to hide. Yet to her eyes, his feelings were an open
Deep satisfaction brought some power to Katherine's exhausted body, yet she did not like the feeling at all. The guilt over hitting an innocent civilian clouded her mind, together with the question if it was the right thing to do. Trapping Ethan in the other dimension was too easy. It didn't feel right.Days and nights she'd dreamed of how to take her revenge, how she would torture him and finally look into his eyes when he died. Now, she'd acted impulsively, and the results were anything but what she imagined. Yet, should she have let the chance slip by?When she'd heard him giving orders, she'd finally stopped in her path because she felt like a coward who ran from the only real battle she'd sworn herself to fight. At first, she only wanted to observe and hid where the canyon's wall stood out a bit, just in earshot of Ethan. But the opportunity was too good. She didn't know how her smart and cunning cousin could act so dumb. It didn't match his usual approach, yet maybe
It was Ethan. He stood just outside the rift, his usual harmless smile on his face, and the hands hidden in the pockets of his dark trousers. "Kitty. Fancy meeting you here."If Katherine had been raised in any lower class than aristocracy, she would've spit in front of his feet. Even so, her face soured as if she'd bitten into a raw lemon. "I don't... fancy it at all."Stepping aside to give the rest of the dark stream free access to the rift, she noticed that Ethan'd brought two helpers who lingered in the back nervously. The white lab coats outed them as researchers. She glanced them up and down and decided not to ask where Ve was. After all that happened today and with her magic nearly depleted, she wanted nothing more than walk away from this whole mess.So, she did just that. Turned around and walked along the canyon that was now almost free of the dark substance.After a second of surprise, Ethan called after her: "Hey, don't you want to know what I'll do with this? Aren't
Meanwhile, the Duke of Sleipnir got comfortable on the edge of the cave. Shortly after he'd disposed of the corpses by sending them into the rolling dark river below, some of Loki's staff came over. They were shocked to see only one person left in the cave. "Um, your Excellency, where... where is the leader?""Hm?" Ethan turned and blinked. "Oh... he... how should I put this? He was too enthusiasistic when he saw his experiment finally succeed. Look, the brilliant result of all his hard work is below this cliff. He didn't want to wait anymore and took everyone to follow him down. Which might have been the wrong decision, so to say."The staff carefully crept closer to the cliff, and when he saw the darkness below, though it was more a creek than a mighty river now, his eyes widened. "Do you mean to say the leader is...?""Dead." Ethan nodded unemphathetically. "Most likely."Unexpectedly swiftly, the staff got over his shock. For a moment, he pondered, then asked: "But the experiment
"Ahhh! It hurts! It hurts! You're tearing me apart!" Nathaniel felt the unusual urge to roll his eyes. He never knew that his magic was such a sissy. First, it asked for his help, and now it screamed like a pig on the slaughter bench because of a little pain. And why could it even feel pain? Its body was nothing but insidious black smoke that appeared like a black liquid in its compressed form. There were no tendons, no bones, no flesh, and no nerves - in short, nothing that could hurt. "Shall I stop pulling then?", Nathaniel asked sarcastically in his mind. Well, if that magic of his wanted to go by itself, all the better for him. "No, no, no! Please don't let go! Don't let goo-oo-ouuuuuuch!" It felt like mentally pulling on an elastic band, Nathaniel decided. Somewhere where he couldn't see, something else was pulling the other end, turning the band longer and longer. It got harder for him to hold on with each passing second. Then, with a last loud howl fr