Ascent From Ash, page 15
It was around her third week back at Highland Castle, that Sophie began feeling ill. She was throwing up like she had a stomach bug and was tired all the time. The healer brought her things like plain toast and ginger, but nothing seemed to help. Everything she ate or drank came back up. When another week passed and she did not get her blood with the new moon, she thought of Bastian. Oh no, what have I done? Sophie thought of the last day they spent together. A tear rolled down her cheek as her hands protectively felt her stomach for signs of movement. There weren’t any yet, but the bottom of her stomach felt hard and just a little bloated. It was not much bigger than normal, maybe the same as it was after a large meal. I need to keep this to myself for now, she thought.
27
Akiri
Kamara was a gracious host. Temple Ophay was beautiful and homey. It wasn’t large like a castle, but it did have plenty of guest rooms and Akiri’s favorite part, a gorgeous lair with bubbling hot springs. Akiri liked the forest, it was a lot better than the dry island of Ash. She thought of Gabe and hoped that he was doing well.
Before she left, Akiri had already given three of her council members false locations, and Gabe was feeding the other three information. He was also in charge of watching the councilmen making sure they weren’t discussing the locations with each other and uncovering their lies. The plan counted on them not finding out that they each had a different location. Weeks passed and Kamara and Akiri spent much of that time talking and getting to know each other. Akiri had been good at concealing her sadness in the first few days, but her thoughts weighed on her until they became too much. Kamara saw her expression and couldn’t stand it any longer.
“Akiri, would you like some tea?” Kamara asked.
“No thank you, I just need someone to talk to.” Akiri was in the sitting room on the end of a sofa nearest the fireplace. Kamara walked over and sat down beside her.
“What’s wrong?” Kamara noticed a redness in Akiri’s eyes.
“Gabriel is still in love with Sophie. I tried to overlook it because I wanted a clutch of eggs, I wanted children, but now I realize that I only want love-his love. The way he looks at her… he’ll never look at me that way.” Akiri wiped a tear from her cheek.
“That sounds difficult, I can't imagine how hard that is for you. Is he at least trying?” Kamara asked. Akiri nodded. “Perhaps in time, he will come to love you just as much,” Kamara added.
“Maybe, I don’t deserve his love. Honestly, the only reason I accepted his proposal was that he was a Silver Talons Guild member. I thought having him in Ash would gain me leverage. I thought he might be able to call the Guild Army to his back should Ash need to defend itself. Then when I got to know him… I just wanted him to like me as much as I liked him, but I blew it.”
“Maybe not. Gabe is honorable and determined. He made a promise to you and I don’t see him breaking it, he will try to work things out when you get back, I know it.” Kamara was trying to comfort her, but it was hard to shake the feeling that she had messed everything up.
“I have another cloak with a hood here somewhere, we could go into town and find something to do. I don’t think anyone here would recognize you.”
“I can do better than a cloak.” Akiri used her magic and turned her hair blonde, and changed the shape of her face. She looked like a completely different person.
“That’s impressive!” Kamara said as she looked at the girl in front of her who looked nothing like Akiri. “What should we call you?”
“My nanny when I was young, her name was Margaret, She was my favorite, I think I will go by ‘Maggie’ in her honor,” she replied.
“Maggie, it’s nice to meet you, are you ready to go to town? I know just the place to wash those blues away!” Kamara said.
They took the horses and a short ride later, they rode out the western Blackwater gate toward the docks. When they reached the Loose Anchor Tavern, Kamara hitched the horses out front and pulled their oat bags over their snouts.
Jovial music and the pounding of heels against the wooden floorboards greeted them before they even opened the door. Akiri had never been to a Tavern like this. The one in Ash was quieter, more like a place of lament than celebration.
“Come on, Maggie!” Kamara called as she danced her way through the crowd to the bar.
“Two honey ales please!” Akiri heard Kamara say when the barkeep approached her. “I normally don’t like ale, but their honey ale is delicious!” Kamara was talking very loudly so that Akiri could hear her over the sound of the music and dancing.
When the barkeep slid their drinks across the counter, Kamara handed him a silver piece and then waited for Akiri to try the ale. “It’s good huh? I told you!” Kamara smiled and took a big gulp. When they finished their drink, Kamara pulled Akiri out onto the dance floor. They blended in with the crowd and were as invisible as they had hoped to be. They had a few more drinks until they felt tired and like it was hard to hold their eyes open. A few times, Akiri felt like the room was spinning, or maybe she was spinning.
“I need to sit down, in the fresh air,” Akiri said, as she stumbled to the exit.
Her heart was pounding, and so was her head, and Akiri had only made it a few steps out the door when all the ale came back up. She did at least manage to turn away from the footpath and vomited into the bushes instead. Kamara walked out of the tavern right behind Akiri in time to see the aftermath of her honey ale.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I guess we had a little too much. What do you say we get back home? You might want to put your hood up, I think your spell has dropped, you look like yourself again.” Kamara said. Akiri’s hair was once again raven black, and her skin was ghostly pale. Akiri drew her hood and mounted the horse as best she could. Kamara helped her and strapped her feet into the stirrups. She hooked the horses together as if they would be pulling a cart and then mounted her horse.
“You know, When we first got these horses, I did name one of them, but I forget now what I named it. What are some good horse names you think?” Kamara asked. If Akiri weren’t completely drunk, she might have recognized that Kamara was just trying to keep her awake.
“Umm, Ale and Rum,” she said, pointing from Kamara’s horse to the one she was riding.
“Is that because you like rum?”
“Nah, it’s ‘cause Ash was… its history… the uh, rum runners and um… What was I talking about?” Akiri wasn’t used to her mind working so slowly, and not being able to think of the words to say what she meant.
“The names for the horses, Ale, and Rum,” Kamara chuckled.
“That’s right! I forgot. Ale for yours, and Rum for this one.” Akiri said. There was a long period of silence between them after that as they listened to the birds in the trees and the shuffling of the horses’ hooves through the debris on the forest floor.
“I think a nice long soak in the hot spring sounds lovely when we get back,” Akiri said longingly.
“You’re right, that does sound nice, If you can put the horses in the pasture, I will make us some tea and meet you in the lair. The silvery temple had just come into view and they both sighed in relief at the thought of spending the rest of the evening relaxing.
When they dismounted, Kamara handed the reigns of her horse to Akiri and they went about their separate tasks. Kamara started a fire in the hearth and heated the kettle on the hook over the fire. When the water was hot she made a cup of tea, both for herself and Akiri.
Kamara strolled through the back garden with a cup in each hand. She wasn’t close enough to see inside the lair, but she had a feeling that something was wrong. She called for Akiri as she got to the mouth of the cavern but received no response. Then she saw them, boot prints too wide and long to be from Akiri’s small foot. Someone had been in her lair. Kamara set the tea down quickly. She rushed to the hot spring and looked around the empty lair. Oh no, oh no, what’s happened? Kamara thought as she ran back out to the entrance of the cavern. Then she saw it, it was the tiniest bit of evidence, but it was evidence nonetheless, a blood-stained rock discarded carelessly to the side. The boot prints seemed to go no further than the entrance.
28
Dominic
The King was happy to have his son home again, he had of course wondered why his son had not brought his Princess with him. Dominic had said that she was feeling under the weather and that she chose to stay at the Temple Ophay. He told his father that he had come to practice his royal duties, this made the King very happy and of course, he had commanded a banquet in his son’s honor. He set the date of the event three weeks in advance to give all of the guests enough travel time.
On the night of the banquet, Dominic wore his royal uniform the coat was a royal blue with gold embroidery along the buttons, and his collar was an elegant white lace ruffle that covered the top half of his vest which matched the coat and trousers. Dominic’s father was not the only one to take notice of the fact that his wife-to-be, Princess Kamara had not accompanied him, and as they usually do, the whispers began to spread.
“Prince Dominic!” The Prince whirled around to see Bastian approaching him with outstretched arms and a smile. “It’s been too long.” He said as Dominic took his hand in a firm shake and clapped his other hand on Bastian’s shoulder.
“How are you, Bastian?” Dominic asked politely.
“Honestly, I’ve been better. I’m lovesick. I was hoping that Sophie would be here but I haven’t seen her.” It was more of a question than a statement, Dominic could tell that he was hoping that Dominic would offer up some information as to her whereabouts.
“I haven’t seen her either, not for a few weeks,” Dominic said. Bastian looked forlorn. “But hey, there are plenty of ladies here tonight, perhaps you can find one to help you forget?” Sophie had never confided in Dominic her true feelings for Bastian, but he thought if she wanted to be with him then she would have invited him to travel with her.
“I don’t want to forget. Sophie is the one I want. I think I’m in love with her,” he said dreamily.
“Has she told you how she feels about you?”
“Not with words, but I know she feels the connection we have.”
“I’m sorry, I wish I could help you, but my father is calling for me. I wish you and Sophie the best of luck!” Dominic called as he maneuvered his way through the crowded banquet hall. He stopped at the series of buffet tables along the wall on which, sat beautifully arranged and delicious delicacies for snacking. He picked up a plate and selected some strawberry tarts, pineapple chunks, a couple of samosas, and some kofta made with ground beef and lamb, mixed with herbs and spices, skewered, and grilled over the fire. When his plate was full, he took his place beside his father at the center of the banquet table. The King raised a chalice and toasted to Dominic and the Kingdom of Ledora. The crowd cheered as they all took their seats at the table. The servants brought course after course while musicians played music on stringed instruments.
When the banquet was over and most of the castle had retired for the evening, Dominic found himself thinking of Kamara. He thought about going back to the temple to see how things were going, but he couldn’t tell anyone in Ledora about the black dragon.
“My son, why do you look so glum?” Dominic hadn’t heard his father approach and he startled slightly at his voice.
“Oh, sorry, I’m just missing Kamara.”
“What’s going on? Why has she not joined you? You have been away for weeks now and to my knowledge have not even received a messenger from her.” King Haki sat down beside Dominic and prepared to listen to his woes. Dominic did not tell him of the notebook and that he had been talking to Kamara regularly.
“Honestly, things between us were great, we were setting up a home at the temple. It’s easier for us to work with the guild this way, but truthfully, I am here, and she is there because we are on assignment. We are trying to lure out a rat,” he confided.
“I see, that is a demanding assignment, to be away from the one you love.” The King showed empathy.
“I think I am going to take a walk and get some fresh air,” Dominic said.
“Should you need to talk again, you can always talk to me, no matter the time.” The King rose to his feet and hugged his son before they parted ways.
The night-time air in Ledora was cool, a blessed reprieve from the scorching sun of the daytime hours. Dominic walked from the castle through the Golden City, then out the eastern gate toward the beach where he and Kamara always landed. The moon, although not full, still cast the beach in a soft white glow. A low, rumbling sound stopped Dominic in his tracks. He tiptoed up behind the dunes and peeked out across the crest. He saw a cloaked figure shift into the form of a black dragon.
Dominic gasped and then, afraid the dragon might have heard, clasped his hands over his mouth and ducked down behind the dune. He waited, anticipating the sound of the dragon’s footsteps in his direction, but instead, he heard the beating of two large, leathery wings as the dragon took flight to the northwest. He had to get back and use the notebook from Sophie, he had to let all of them know that the dragon was in Ledora.
Dominic ran across the beach toward the western gates of the Golden City. His feet sank into the sand as he ran and slowed him down. By the time he reached the steps of the castle, he was gasping for breath. He rushed to his bedchamber and bolted the door behind him.
The notebook was in his bag, he grabbed it and dumped it on the bed. He opened the notebook and scribbled; The Black Dragon was just spotted at the Lair in Ledora.
Not long after he wrote the message, his notebook lit up. I know who it was, it was Akiri’s guard, Horace Stewart. I will handle it on my end. Meet here as soon as possible. -Gabe Right after the message from Gabe, another message appeared. Akiri is gone, they’ve taken her. I’m headed to Ash right now. It was from Kamara.
29
Sophie
Sophie was in a deep slumber when the sound of heavy armored boots marching down the corridor stopped at her chamber door. She was already up and on her way over when the metal armor clanged against the wood.
“Your Grace, I am so sorry to disturb you at this hour, but there is a gentleman at the front entrance who is very insistent upon seeing you,” the guard explained through the door.
“Did he give you his name?”
“Bastian, Your Grace.” Sophie’s heart leaped. She was so happy that he had found her. After Sophie left Ledora to go to Ash she wondered how long it would be before she got to see him again. Sophie tied her dressing robe around her waist and ran to the stairs and took them two at a time to get down them faster. When she reached the front entrance, she was out of breath but threw her arms around Bastian’s neck at once. The guards averted their eyes as this stranger handled their queen in such a familiar way, grasping her backside as he lifted her off the ground and parted her lips with his tongue. One of the guards cleared his throat. Remembering that they were not alone, Sophie led Bastian up the stairs to her room. He tried to kiss her again as soon as they crossed the threshold, but Sophie stopped him.
“I want to see you undress,” She commanded. Bastian began quickly untying his tunic, but again she stopped him. “Slowly.” Sophie sat down on the edge of the bed and watched him intently as he pulled at one string very slowly and the knot came untied with an almost inaudible pop. He slid his fingertips under his tunic, letting his hands showcase his abs and chest as he lifted his tunic over his head. He walked up to Sophie, positioning the tie to his trousers close to her mouth. She touched him, running her palms from his chest down to his hips.
She kissed the sensitive skin between his belly button and his trousers and then took the end of the string in her teeth and pulled the bow loose and then quickly pushed him backward. He hooked his thumbs into the waist of his trousers and then slid them down. Sophie watched with anticipation as her prize was slowly revealed.
Sophie stood up, untied her robe, and pulled the silk belt from the loops. As she glided over to where Bastian was standing she could tell that he was imagining her shape beneath her robe which hung open, barely obscuring her breasts. Sophie put the silk belt around the back of Bastian’s neck and used it like reins to guide him to the bed.
She pushed him back onto the bed and then slipped out of her robe as she crawled onto the bed after him. “Put your arms up.” She commanded.
“As you wish, My Queen.” His eyes never left her as she used the silk belt of her robe to tie his arms to the headboard of the wooden canopy bed. She trailed kisses from his lips, to his neck and down his chest, then his inner thighs. He writhed beneath her, as she paid attention to every part of his body except for his sex which was throbbing with desire. He moaned as her breasts grazed his skin as she kissed her way back up his thigh and then took him into her mouth, swirling her tongue around the tip which was salty with the first drippings of his seed. She stopped then, leaving him wanting more as she crossed the room for no other reason than to let him desire her as she stood out of his reach.
“Sophie, please,” he begged.
“I didn’t say you could speak,” Sophie said quietly. She stared at him intently as he continued to squirm, and move his hips in an attempt to relieve the pressure. She smiled as he moaned and begged for her without daring to utter another word. She crawled onto the bed again, this time she straddled him. She leaned over to kiss his lips as she let him slide into her. He groaned as she rolled her hips slightly, arching her back as she rode him. He longed to touch her body, fondle her breasts, and thrust into her deeply, but she was in complete control.
