XLV. Stories

Cara

I scarcely believed it when I woke up the next morning. After somehow falling asleep, sometime late in the night, I had expected, slightly hoped, that Zoladie would end my life while I was unconscious. But my captor was a true evil, none like any Walt Disney writer could imagine or animate.

Once I had thought about things, I had realized that her intention was to make me suffer first.

Enacting revenge is more than just about the brutal, cruel murder.

Her aim was to torture me until I begged her for death.

First, you must suffer.

So far, she was doing a spot-on job. I was in emotional upheaval. My mind was never ease and I was fidgeting like a pregnant nun at a confessional.

A growl from my abdomen alerted me of my hunger. Amidst everything, for the first time in my life, I had forgotten to eat something. Luckily, the tray of food that I had dismissed the previous night was still there.

Cold chicken soup and rice may not be the most fabulous meal but one as hungry as I was, it is a full-on steak dinner and wine. I just about ate the plate itself.

The door opened the second I put the plate and spoon down.

My new-found strength helped me stand firmly in front of the witch.

Come on and dont fight me, your death isnt what I have planned for today.

I followed her, aware that putting up a fight may have resulted in my punishment. She gestured at me to take a seat at the small dining table where she had a pot and two cups set up. Still suspicious of her intentions, I did as she instructed.

Sitting there, with her pouring tea into her cup and mine, I took the opportunity to survey the room. I would have to rely on any simple household object to aid me in attacking the woman. My plan was to use the element of surprise. It was the only hope I had in a surviving the woman.

Drink up, lunch times far and my head hunter has just resigned, she chuckled warmly, but there was nothing warm about her. She was an ice queen. Searching the room again, I saw no traces of Hoffs presence. Yes, hes gone. He was getting rather annoying. Now drink up.

The mug shook in my grip as I carried it up to my lips, my mind busy manufacturing ideas on what could have happened to Hoff. A glint in the witchs eyes confirmed my suspicions. She had murdered him.

As I said, your death isnt what I have planned for today.

Air rushed into my nostrils as I gasped. Why was I even surprised?

She stood from her chair and went to the cabinet right above us. There, she grabbed a plate and two of what appeared to be bear-claws. My mouth salivated at the memory of the pastry. It had been a true delight in the morning before school back when my father and I lived in Manhattan.

Zoladie set the plate on the table. My confusion as of why she was being so hospitable caused a question to escape my lips without my full consent, why are you doing this? Not killing me?

She appeared surprised as she said, killing you so quickly. What would be the fun in that? And calm your nerves, when I said that first you must suffer. I didnt mean you. She leaned into the table. I meant

Ivan the word escaped my lips along with what felt like all the oxygen in my lungs. I barely managed to get out my next inquiry, why?

Its a long story but we are here all day, so lets begin.

The witch gulped down the remaining contents of her mug and nudged the plate of pastries my way. I didnt take one, the entire bowl of rice and chicken soup still sat in my stomach and with the addition of the tea, I was full.

Centuries ago, she began, her eyes meeting mine, a smile plastered on her plump pink lips. I could hardly stand her smile, the sight if her made my blood boil as I knew that this was the woman who attacked my friend and caused my separation from my father. Long after the wars that caused our separation from the human race, the kingdom lived in peace under the rule of a king, a werewolf, Augustus Dostruin and a weak queen, Rebecca Dostruin.

Soon an uprising began, one led by a man, a volk, one of the last remaining of his kind, your beloved. Ivans uprising grew stronger and stronger, many joining his revolt against the throne that was said to be incompetently and unjustly ruled. They spread lies, killed man without mercy,

She saw the look on my face and laughed out, oh, dont tell me you believe that your beloved is an innocent man, he has blood on his hands, much more than myself and that is saying a lot.

Of course, I knew that Ivan was no angel but it was not easy hearing of all his gruesome murder. I then reminded myself that the woman telling the story was my enemy. It could have just been a story, one she conjured up in an effort to torture my heart.

As the revolt expanded, spreading its false beliefs across the land, the playing that was once steep became oh so level. Soon Ivans confrontations on the throne became more and more direct. They battles were open and the revolt had even managed to seize land upon which it carried out its activities.

Zoladie paused, her face filled with a new grief and hatred, ravaged by depression and worry, Augustus fell ill. He was constantly looking over his shoulder, now that Ivan was in a powerful position, many of his allies were turning away from his and joining forces with Vasiliev.

She swallowed audibly, a night came when the kings fortress could no longer keep the uprisers out. After weeks under siege, the resources were few and the citizens had completely abandoned their king. Even his wife had left him, shes gone to be with a wizard who could perform magnificent enchantments on her mind.

Her silver orbs were sparkling, I could almost see her story playing out in their reflections.

Augustus was left with only a few men at his side, that was when Ivan came in

Her words were hard to believe. I would not let her waste anymore breaths telling me something I had no interest in hearing. Stop. Why are you telling me this? I dont believe you

I spoke loudly to her, unsure of her motive in telling me these tales. I despised the woman, as a result, anything she said registered as a lie in my mind.

You will not believe me, believe this, she grabbed my wrist. My skin stung under her touch. I attempted to force her away but I was to late, she was already, breathily uttering a spell. Words I did not understand flew out of her mind at great speeds.

Her other hand came up and touched me on the forehead and I was pulled in.

I felt a pulling sensation and suddenly I was elsewhere, no I stood on a field covered in bodies. The battlefield.

***