Alexa studied Harbem’s face. His eyes. He had that same look in them that she had seen the other day. “Do you mean to say that you have been attracted to me for a long time already?”Harbem shook his head. “Do not flatter yourself my dear,” he said smiling. Then he held up his hand placatingly. “Had I known you sooner I would most likely have been attracted to you anyway. But no. What I mean is, for a person such as me to mix with royalty would be tempting fate. And possibly not a good one.”“I see,” Alexa said hesitating. “So if I can get in with you, how will that help?”“You will be able to see your mother and spend time with her. You will be able to talk to her all you like and understand what her situation is now.”“Do you really think so?” Alexa was doubtful.“I am sure,” Harbem replied looking into Alexa’s eyes.“I…
Gelyn nodded. “Yes. That’s what he told me. If he’s lying it’s not my fault.” Lored advanced on Gelyn quickly and she cringed in fear. She had never seen him so angry. “Please don’t, please don’t, please don’t…,” she cried. “And what gift did the Elfre give him?” “I don’t know. The legend says they never tell.” “So how does that help me?” Lored said drawing his hand back to strike her again. Gelyn held up her hands. “There is one thing.” Lored paused, waiting. “He said….. the Elfre told him never to cut his hair.” “Why?” Lored asked. “He doesn’t know.” “He doesn’t know? You’re lying!” Lored spat. “No! I’m not. I swear it’s the truth!” Lored drew his hand back further. Gelyn cringed in anticipation of his blow. Then Lored dropped his hand. “Here’s what’s going to happen.” Gelyn simply stared at Lored through tears and fear, waiting for him to continue. “I am leaving again. Now.” “Where are you going?” “”To do your dirty work as I have been doing forever!” hissed Lored.
She nodded. “Please go. Don’t make this harder than it is.”“Why? He told you we can’t be together?”“It’s more than that Sam,” Gillyn said using his short name.“What then?”“You don’t know me. You never will. You can never know who I really am.”“I don’t care! I love you Gillyn! That’s all that matters. If you think I can’t keep a secret, I can! Trust me.”“It’s not about trusting you Sam! I do! But we can’t be together. I am not Gillyn!”“Then who? I don’t care! Love doesn’t care!”“Please don’t do this,” Gilyn begged lowering her voice. “Please. I don’t want Arnson to see this. Us.Please just go.”“It’s him isn’t it? Did he threaten you?”Gillyn looked Samnom in the
She had never liked Breeger. She had always known he was a snake. And yet, here he was arrogantly walking through the streets with a wanted traitor. She knew Peter was not a traitor but he was outlawed nevertheless just as she was. Where were they going? She doubted that Breeger, as devious as he was, would openly ignore the king’s orders. And if she was right, that meant they were going to the palace to see King Benedict! She felt goosebumps rise all over like a wave of ice passing over her as the realization hit her.That could only mean one thing. He would tell Benedict that Alexa had joined the Black Cloaks. She would be forever outlawed.Two days after Alexa left to return to Mama Gracine’s orphanage, the word reached Harbem early in the morning that Breeger had an audience with Benedict to plead for mercy for a traitor. There was no-one he knew that could be considered a traitor other than Alexa or Peter. He was sure Alexa was at her post but decided
The speaker of the court cried for silence but was ignored. Benedict eventually held up his hand for silence and slowly sanity returned to the hall.“So how do you find yourself back here?” Benedict asked.“I escaped your majesty. There was an enormous sandstorm that destroyed the camp in the desert and I escaped under cover of the storm. I nearly died in the mountains but I survived and made it back here.”“Where is Alexa now?”Peter shrugged. “I do not know your majesty. I have not seen her since she left me in the desert. I know not who the leader of the Black Cloaks is. She betrayed me for a boy in the desert whose name is Muhay. That is all I know. Whether he even survived the storm in the desert I cannot say. As far as Alexa’s whereabouts is concerned, I believe she may be in the city.”Peter finished speaking making it clear he had no more news to share. People gasped in surprise and spok
Benedict breathed deeply then nodded. “Go on then.”“Of course I resented being prevented from leaving the palace. There are memories here that I live with every day because I cannot leave. I have no desire to be royalty in any way, shape or form anymore. I was thankful for the freedom afforded me when you disposed of Atomas. But then you as good as imprisoned me. Since then we have moved on. You and I have grown closer and we are now more than lovers. But still I have limited freedom and live under constant suspicion despite our relationship. How is that healthy for us in the long term? You have outlawed my daughter and I might see her decapitated because of your orders. What will that do to us?”Benedict was silent then sighed. “What do you want from me?”“You are the king. You have made your decisions and you must abide by them. You cannot retreat from your decisions now. It will demonstrate weakness. I fear though th
Malu rose and looked around identifying Breeger’s object of dissatisfaction. “As you wish master.” His face showed no emotion as he stood. He called out. “Whip! Now!”It was as if he commanded more respect than Breeger for the call went up amongst the servants until it reached the ears of a man responsible for the whip to be kept and maintained. He hurried forth from the villa shortly with the whip curled in his hand.He reached Malu and stood with his head bowed. Malu spoke with him quietly showing him who was to be whipped. The man nodded and crossed to the servant who was still kneeling on the path in the central square under the hot sun.“No-one move!” Breeger commanded. “You will all watch as a warning of what happens when you are disobedient.”The servants did not move or show emotion. They did as they were told.“Begin!” Breeger said to the man who carried the whip. He unfurle
Huthdel seemed to hesitate and his brow furrowed. “May I ask what it is you wish to discuss?”“It is a private matter Master Huthdel. A private matter and a business proposal I hope you shall find to be of interest.”At the mention of a business proposal, sparks seemed to light in Huthdel’s eyes.“Very well. Let us speak in my chambers.” Huthdel led the way to his chambers behind the temple and closed the door behind them.Huthdel’s chambers were sparsely furnished as could be expected for a member of any religious order in the kingdom. He offered Breeger a seat and then sat opposite Breeger.“Thank you for your time Master Huthdel,” Breeger said as he sat down.“You are welcome. I do not often have visitors but I do welcome the company.”“Good,” Breeger said sitting forward in his chair. “I have a business proposal I hope you may find to be of i