His fists loosened as his hands started hurting so much that he couldn't hold them anymore. Arms, torso, up to the neck, everything except the heart-region was filling up with the darkness. His breath got labored. The lungs didn't want to work properly. Every breath hit off a new wave of pain. But there was still so much darkness. He wasn't sure if he could pull it all in or the dead particle would fill up and kill him first. It was the worth of several fields after all. From the beginning, he had been playing with fire. Yet, if he made it, it would be worth it all. He was sure the rumor of the darkness and an whole army vanishing was enough that that old man couldn't ignore him anymore. So he had started his crazy plan despite risking his life.
Slowly, the darkness crept onto his face. His sight got blurry, before everything drowned in pain and darkness. He wasn't unconsciousness, though. The darkness only robbed him of every sense: hearing, seeing, smell, and touch. Only pa
On a cold autumn day, Katherine was on her way to the hut in the forest that was her and Ethan's preferred playground before he turned it into a laboratory. Suddenly, she heard wolves howling in the distance. The two guards guiding her looked around cautiously.Instead of being bothered, the twelve-year-old Katherine was more curious. Maybe her trust in the ability of the guards was too high that she thought she was completely safe. Anyway, Katherine had never been scared before and took pride in that fact. So, her first thought when she heard the wolves was: do they really look scary up close? Her mother had once drawn one for her to see. She had told her to be careful with these dangerous creatures, that they could terrify even experienced hunters. Katherine, however, had thought that they looked rather cute.In remembrance of the words of her mother, Katherine tried to restrain her curiosity. She had promised her to not put herself into dangerous situations anymore.
Two days later, the patient was finally out of critical condition. It would have been much faster if casting magic wasn't this exhausting. She had been overly glad that the short time without breath on the first day didn't kill him, but even after that the life signals had been unsteady for a long time when the poison nearly reached the heart or unexpectedly clotted in his veins.In the last two hours, everything seemed to be calming down finally, so she assumed that the biggest threat was over with. The one thing that worried her though, was that he still didn't wake up. His lungs were working properly and his heartbeat was steady, albeit a bit fast because of the stress to his body. Still, the eyes under the closed lids didn't move once. She didn't know what the reason was, and could only hope and continue her work of pushing the poison out and replacing it with fresh blood where necessary. If she found any injury, she repaired it, but there was strangely little real damage
Like a worried mother hen, Sam had never left the earl's side. He didn't expect it to turn out like this. He was sure even the earl didn't predict it. In their imagination there had only been a possibility for death, but none for continued unconsciousness. They just didn't think about it.It has only been two days, he tried to calm himself down. Two days were nothing. He could still wake up every minute. Since a while now, Sam had been unsure if he should remove his magic that altered the earl's hair and eye color. Maybe something would change if Katherine managed to chase away the darkness in the earl's eyes. After all, they said that the eyes were the window to the soul.Sam crossed his hands and discovered a new age spot on the back of one. This boy, always making him worry and age faster. Sam sighed. He would wait for a few days more and tell Katherine to concentrate on clearing the earl's face of poison. Hopefully, that would suffice to wake him up. The eyes were
After a few minutes of thinking, Sam returned to the infirmary and closed the door tightly. Maybe, he thought, the earl just didn't want Katherine to know he was awake. It was a matching reaction for him.He walked to the bed. "Milord? Lady Katherine is already gone."Looking at the man laying on top of the white sheets, there was not even the twitch of a brow. Just slow, steady breathing. Sam sighed. A shame. He had waited for so long for this to happen and now he couldn't even see the reward for his afford. And because of this, maybe this reward would turn into a catastrophe instead.Slowly, Sam took out the envelope. He had to know how bad it was. The bold golden letters on the front read: To the Earl of Hymirhall. Although the person knew Nathaniel's name very well, he obviously preferred a more distanced address.The Earl is asleep, Sam reminded himself, as he opened the envelope. Though he knew Nathaniel would approve of his actions, he felt a bit g
The beauty looked down on her servant with irritation. There were many people she hated and didn't want to see again. How would she know which one that dumb servant was talking about? "Who is coming back? Speak clearly!"The servant flinched. She knew better than to call out the name as the last time she dared to speak that man's name - oblivious what it meant to her master - , she had been graced with the burn mark on her cheek. She didn't know what the connection between her master and that seemingly insignificant man was, but his name alone had been enough to turn her into a madwomen. Ever since, she had carefully avoided the topic. "It is..."Her voice left her out of fear, and her mouth felt dry. Pressing her head even deeper onto the ground as if she wanted to bury it in the earth, she opened her mouth again. Tears of fear threatened to fall from her lashes on the ground between her hands, which were clawed into the earth for support. "He is... Your majesty, it's
"Well", Sam tried again, "He is searching for the origin of the 'black tower' - how you called it - right now. However, he will go straight to the capital after this, and as we are taking the patient along, he would most likely overtake us even if he starts a whole week later than us. Carriages can never be as fast as a single horse. They need a good road to ride on, and I can't promise that for all the roads to the capital."Thinking about it, Katherine thought it did sound right. However, there was another thing that irked her interest in his words. "You said before that the mansion won't be safe anymore. Is it because the guards will go with the earl to the capital or is there a direct threat?"If something like a direct threat existed, there was no doubt the patient would be safer if they left despite his condition. If not, she would make a stance for staying here until he was at least awake. This was not only for him, but she had some leftover business herself. If
After hearing everything about the chocolate-event, Anni knitted her brows. Katherine was sitting opposite her, but didn't dare to look into her eyes. Right now, she looked very much like a cooked shrimp waiting for it's death sentence. At least she was as red as one.You shouldn't have told her, the voice of embarrassment rang inside her. What will she think of you? Now she knows the earl is disgusted by you! She won't ever look at you with the same eyes.But maybe she can help me, the rationality responded, a mere whisper compared to the embarrassment. She's an older woman, maybe she knows what mistake I made...She most likely had to seduce someone else when she got to the capital, and she didn't want to repeat her errors. Anni wouldn't come with them, so she couldn't help her anymore then. She should use the opportunity.The silence was impossible to bear. Just when Katherine was about to jump up and escape, Anni raised her voice. "I can't be sure, bu
Another scream, this time muffled by her own hands, escaped Hazel's mouth. The girl was scared to death, but her lady had warned her not to make a sound, and she would rather bite her tongue off than disobey her lady.Katherine bit her lip and peeked to the door to see an iron-studded boot hang in the opening, before being set on the floor of the carriage. The boot was big, indicating that it's owner was a big person, too. Way bigger than her. She only had one chance to hit him when he stepped in the carriage. She had to do it right, or both Hazel and her might die. Clenching her hands even harder around the hilt of the dagger, she willed them to stop trembling.Suddenly, the boot was pulled back weirdly, followed by a 'thud' of something heavy falling on the ground. A second later, she heard the rough voice of her bandit-guard: "You okay, milady?"Relieved, all air escaped her in one breath and her arms relaxed. Then she looked though the door frame, and grinne
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