The welcome silence of night had come; that time of the evening when the guards were weakening from sleep deprivation, and the maids were at rest. All sounds of traveling footsteps and the bickering of gossip had fallen silent and would not return until the next sun. The fear of being caught and her plans unmasked froze Abigelle at the door of her chambers. A lump formed in her throat, and then she realized she had begun to second guess herself. Her hand moved to her belly, the pain had begun to cease, standing made it feel as if she carried a boulder in her womb rather than a child.
"My son, how the love within my heart grows for you. The thought of gazing upon your tiny face for the first time warms my soul. I pray for your forgiveness, I take you from your father's reach for a good reason. I believe he loves you, but if I were to birth you within these walls, I would not be a mother. I would be willingly placing you into the mouth of a hateful and venomous snake. That is not what love is supposed to be, nor shall I be blinded by the lies Tonisa speaks. I will give my life to protect you. It is my maternal instinct and my duty as a Tyliquin."
Abigelle twisted the knob of her door, pulling it open slowly, the hinges squeaking. She felt a heat rush over her. She was panicking. Closing the door, she moved down the halls and into the nearby study. It was the library of the Queen and was forbidden to her but that no longer mattered for she would never grace those walls again. There upon the fireplace mantle rested the key to the cellars, the dark rooms of secret Tonisa kept her new found pets contained in. Setting them free was the only diversion she could bring to mind, it was reckless, but it was her only option.
Her heartbeat filled her ears. So far no one had noticed her, but the thought Tonisa may spring from her bed terrified her. She had to pass her chambers, and she knew she did not slumber. The flicker of candlelight beamed softly from beneath her door, this time of night she was engulfed in her studies and would be on high alert. Tucking the key between her breasts, she continued forward, trying her best to be as silent as possible. There was talking, the voices of three within the room. She swore she could hear the voice of the King but who was the third?
"Keep walking." She thought to herself, and so she did, managing to sweep by without any recognition. Reaching the stairwell of the Eastern wing, Abigelle carefully made her way down. The railing was cold and rough, the stairs broken and unkempt. No one ever traveled this way, it was why it proved to be the perfect escape. The thought to look over her shoulder ran through her mind. The feeling of heat upon her back making her think she was being followed. Yet no one had yelled for her to halt. No one had tried to stop her. Not yet, but she was sure her time to leave the land of Dread was drawing to a close.
Coming upon the cellars, Abigelle fumbled with the keys, her hands shaking from her nervous state. The hounds within the cells laid resting, the soft growls of snoring reaching her ears. "Tsk tsk tsk, wake up, little pets. Wake," she spoke at last able to insert the key. The largest, Corongo, rose his fangs coming to bare at the unfamiliar female. Within that moment Abigelle realized exactly what the King had been housing, beasts of horror with a thirst for blood unlike any other. "Forgive me, my love. I do what I must."
Moving behind the iron cast bars, Abigelle swung open the door locking it to the wall to her right. The beasts flooded outward, Corongo turning to leap at the gates, his mighty jaws clamped upon the iron, his paws slipping through the horizontal bars. She leaped backward in fear of his ferocity both hands moving to hold her stomach. She needed the key, she had to take it with her it would be the only thing of value she had. Looking around frantic, she took hold of a mace taking a defensive stance. "Forgive me," she spoke just before swinging her weapon forth. It crashed onto the snout of the beast causing him to release his grasp. In a flash, Abigelle ripped the key from the lock and ran. Her legs were weak, her mind still clouded by the potency of the healer's herbs, yet she could hear it now, the screams of pain and death. The hounds had given up their chase on her and found more suitable prey. Her breath heaved as the pain began to return, the heavy swing awakening the fury of her son. She took a moment to rest upon the wall of the stables. She was nearly free, so close to ensuring the survival of her beloved Prince.
"Gods, grant me the strength to save my son," she spoke through bitter tears. The cold chill of the air traveled up her skirt and pressed her to keep moving. The stables were warm, and so much of her wanted to just lay down and sleep until the morning. "No, I cannot. I shall not." At the end of the stable stood Zaryion, the Calira's most favored stallion. She knew him well upon the King's request she had ridden him several times, and now he would carry her to freedom. But as she approached him, she gasped. His once regal and kept appearance now one of the dead. His coat was dry and dull, the shine it once possessed now a distant memory. His ice blue eyes had turned a deep orange, his pupils now slit like that of a snake. She realized all the horses had transformed in some way. "Oh Zaryion, what has she done to you?" The Vessel reached forward patting the stallion's cheek. "If it is of Tonisa you speak, she has made him stronger, unbreakable and immune to the likes of that which slowly devours us."
Her heart stopped her hand moving from the horse to her chest. There in the doorway stood his highness, bearing no more than a night's robe of blood and his claymore. "Your Grace, I..." He stepped toward her and pushed her aside, unlatching the stall that held Zaryion. "I know why you are here, there is no need to explain your reasons to me. To where do you ride that you think we could not find you?" He questioned. "I do not know, but I would travel anywhere to find shelter and the blessing of protection for our boy." "Do you think I would not protect him Abigelle?"
"I am not sure, my love, my cries for mercy for a being of your loins went unanswered for the likes of lust." "I heard your pleas. They remained unanswered for the likes of love and success. The words you spoke to me were found to be true. My father never once fought for my safety, and when my mother attempted, she was killed." "Yes, by the very woman who wishes for our child to be slain. How much more torment shall she bring upon you before you realize she does not love you?" "I am not sure what new torment may lie ahead, but I am deeply in love with her and will stand faithful to my promises."
"So, what shall you do with me? Carry me back in chains so that I may be judged by her will and not that of my King's?" He dropped his head and applied a bridle and reins to the horse. "No. I am going to help you escape. I will not be the father Ramsra was to me, to live knowing my child would wish me dead or be ashamed to bare my name would kill me. You have a pure heart and loving intentions, and I know the life you carry inside you will be the same. I wish to break the cycle and see my son by my side as I rise to my birthright and my claim to power."
"You are going to let me go? Let me run with our child never to be seen again?" He began assembling the saddle. "I will see you soon enough. I shall come visit you after its birth. Ride to my sister in Crystal Springs and claim sanctuary under the name and protection of Incendartou, Hexonia will protect you. All of me resents her, but she is known as the Queen of mercy."
"But if Tonisa finds that you aided me...she will be furious. As for Hexonia, what if she asks me of my child's father? What shall my answer be?" He laughed. "When is she not, but I give you my word no harm shall come to my son or daughter whatever may spring from your womb. I am the King, and as of now, she is but a mistress. Alexandria's presence shall keep her anger at bay. As for my sister, tell her the truth. Honesty will get you far in her realm. You need not worry for me but for yourself. You travel a great distance alone and heavy with child. Promise me you will do all you can to remain among the living until you bring our baby forth."
She watched him tighten the straps on the steed, the sound of yelling and orders growing closer. 'I swear it. I will do all I can." He gave a grim smile. "We haven't much time. Come to me." She did as told and walked into his arms, and to her surprise, his lips locked with her own in the most passionate of ways. He pulled away, and as he did, she began to cry. "Shhh, conserve your tears for those of happiness for the birth of our child. You must focus and succeed in what you have started. But know this, I have no knowledge of this hold you have placed upon my heart, but I enjoy it. I will greet you again, sweetheart, before the moon fills. Take these with you, it should be enough to last the journey."
The scent of herbs and the weight of elixirs came to greet her hand. "How did you know I was to flee?" She asked, her face yet plagued with tears. "I heard you pass Tonisa's room, the feet of an expecting mother are anything but light. Come, let me help you. Step into my hand." She made her way onto the saddle as awkward as any time before. The horse reared slightly sensing her unease.
"Calm yourself, boy. Carry her to the lands of my sister, to the shining pastures of Crystal Springs, and when your duties have been accomplished, return home to me." The dragon and his war partner locked eyes for a moment as if they understood each other completely. "Ride long and ride free, my dear. Let no one stop you from achieving your goal." Taking the reins in hand, Abigelle nodded and trotted from the stables. The gait of her savior swift and strong, as they faded into the black she broke down, the affection of a cruel King touching her. The heavy steps of galloping were all that Calira was left with. The mother of not only his child but his future was gone never to return. He watched them fade away and with them his only chance to be with his beloved.
"Majesty! Majesty!" Yelled Sir Kabram, his bright burning torch leading a scouting party of more than ten behind him. "I am in the stables, someone has stolen Zaryion!" He replied moving into the light to address his men. "You idiots, the thief ran into the direction you came. How did you not see him!" "Apologies, milord, but we could not see him in passing. The night is dark and must have cloaked him," spoke Sir Calafran, his sword drawn. "I should see you all hung or beheaded! My best horse has been stolen yet you stand before me gawking with empty apologies when you should be out tracking down the fool who has stolen from me!"
The tired men all gave a nod and took leave in search of the false thief, all but one. Kabram lingered a while. "My King, I am sorry to inform you that the witch Abigelle has been seized from her chambers, it may be so that the same person who has stolen your horse has taken her as well." Calira furrowed his brow. "You mean to tell me that the young witch has vanished?" "That is correct, your Grace. Before coming to search your whereabouts, we scanned the entire perimeter. She is nowhere to be found. It seems she has vanished without a trace."
"And the Foreseer does she remain within my walls?" "Aye, your grace. She is aiding the others in confining what hounds remain. Most were slaughtered. They went mad."
"How many remain of the six?" "Two your majesty, one male, one female." "See that lady Tonisa tends to them well, and explain to her that I expect them under her control by the morning, or I will see them from my fucking land." "Would there be anything else, your Majesty?" "See the rest of the horses moved to the stables beneath the castle. I do not want to become the victim of such crimes again." "Of course." Kabran gave a bow and set off to join the others. Calira took a moment to look toward the direction Abigelle had fled to, a soft smile coming to spread his thin lips.
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