Will of Sky
Introduction
The fish are biting today. Usually I have to forgo my fishing rod and use a net but I'm finally being rewarded for my patience. I've caught about seven fish when the boy who brings me packages and groceries or whatever comes running toward me.
I stand and meet him.
"Willow!"
He bends down, his hands on his knees. Sweat beads on his forehead. He sweeps his golden hair back and stands, his blue eyes concealed behind closed eyelids. A red shirt hangs loosely on his five foot eight stature.
He's eleven and growing rapidly. When he first started coming to me he was eight and short. Now we stand eye to eye and he's become something special to me.
"What is it, Evan?"
He pulls a royally sealed letter from the bag around his torso.
I stand there for a moment just staring at it. I knew this day would come but not so soon. The land has been in a state of peace since I last saw this seal.
"Thank you, Evan. Um, take the fish as a sign of my gratitude."
He nods and I turn away, starting the stroll back to my cottage.
When I first decided to seclude myself from the world, I traveled a lot to find the perfect place for myself. I was still injured and mentally inept. I had no idea what I was looking for. Then I woke up in this small town, in the house of a woman with a child who knew exactly who I was.
She cared for me until I was able to care for myself. She tended to my injuries and saw to my every need. She didn't get upset when I demonstrated anger or when I refused to explain who I was. That was mine and Evan's little secret.
He was the only one I took to. His innocence gave me faith again. His tenacity gave me determination. And his resilience gave me back my fight. He was what I was fighting for.
The weather in that town was fair, even; rain here or there, an occasional brush of cold to keep you humble and beautiful colors. I decided to stay but far away from everyone else.
I build the cottage myself, using the work as a distraction and conditioning for my body. I was well again but out of shape. After six months of building and sleeping in a tent, it was done; small but done and perfect for me.
It comes into view as my walk down memory lane ends. With no lock on the door, I walk inside, standing my fishing rod up near the entrance. I drop the letter on the side table next to my chair in front of the fireplace.
I start a fire and toss on a log. After washing my hands and face, I prepare a pot of tea and grab a roll of bread with butter. I cut the roll in two and spread the butter.
The letter draws my attention so I pick it up, twirling it in my hands. It's been a long time but not nearly long enough. I sigh as the tea kettle whistles.
I sip my tea and eat my bread. As I knew it would, it calms me. Whatever is in this letter won't change anything. I've grown quite accustomed to this life and I won't give it up; certainly not without a fight.
I stand and meet him.
"Willow!"
He bends down, his hands on his knees. Sweat beads on his forehead. He sweeps his golden hair back and stands, his blue eyes concealed behind closed eyelids. A red shirt hangs loosely on his five foot eight stature.
He's eleven and growing rapidly. When he first started coming to me he was eight and short. Now we stand eye to eye and he's become something special to me.
"What is it, Evan?"
He pulls a royally sealed letter from the bag around his torso.
I stand there for a moment just staring at it. I knew this day would come but not so soon. The land has been in a state of peace since I last saw this seal.
"Thank you, Evan. Um, take the fish as a sign of my gratitude."
He nods and I turn away, starting the stroll back to my cottage.
When I first decided to seclude myself from the world, I traveled a lot to find the perfect place for myself. I was still injured and mentally inept. I had no idea what I was looking for. Then I woke up in this small town, in the house of a woman with a child who knew exactly who I was.
She cared for me until I was able to care for myself. She tended to my injuries and saw to my every need. She didn't get upset when I demonstrated anger or when I refused to explain who I was. That was mine and Evan's little secret.
He was the only one I took to. His innocence gave me faith again. His tenacity gave me determination. And his resilience gave me back my fight. He was what I was fighting for.
The weather in that town was fair, even; rain here or there, an occasional brush of cold to keep you humble and beautiful colors. I decided to stay but far away from everyone else.
I build the cottage myself, using the work as a distraction and conditioning for my body. I was well again but out of shape. After six months of building and sleeping in a tent, it was done; small but done and perfect for me.
It comes into view as my walk down memory lane ends. With no lock on the door, I walk inside, standing my fishing rod up near the entrance. I drop the letter on the side table next to my chair in front of the fireplace.
I start a fire and toss on a log. After washing my hands and face, I prepare a pot of tea and grab a roll of bread with butter. I cut the roll in two and spread the butter.
The letter draws my attention so I pick it up, twirling it in my hands. It's been a long time but not nearly long enough. I sigh as the tea kettle whistles.
I sip my tea and eat my bread. As I knew it would, it calms me. Whatever is in this letter won't change anything. I've grown quite accustomed to this life and I won't give it up; certainly not without a fight.
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Chapter 1
Evan and I are engrossed in a bit of a wrestling match. I've kind of been training him to defend himself and others; to take care of his mom. He's a fast learner and quick on his feet. He can handle himself but he can be brash and overconfident.
He's currently trying to work his way out of a mild lock I have him in when I hear horses, lots of then. I let him out of the arm bar.
"Hey! What-
"Go home. Stay there with your mom until I come for you."
He stands and jogs back the way he came. I go inside my house and find a chest buried deep in the back of a pantry. Inside I pull out two long knives, strapping them to my upper back. Then I take out the bow and quiver and go outside to wait. Some fifteen minutes later they come into view. When they're about 100 meters away, I stop them.
"That's far enough."
They continue to progress so I shoot an arrow some 50 meters in front of me.
"The next one will land in a body."
That stops them. The procession clears and two men on horses ride forward and dismount.
"I present, His Highness, King Derik Keldar Hasten III and Sir Knight Kellen Mezo."
My mentor. He saw my potential after the first war, took me under his wing. I haven't seen him since before the last battle. He doesn't look like he's aged a day. His hair is just as dark as ever and his seemingly yellow eyes just as light. Something about his face demands that you take him all in, chiseled jaw, scar on his neck. It didn't matter. He was still good looking.
"Willow?"
He's currently trying to work his way out of a mild lock I have him in when I hear horses, lots of then. I let him out of the arm bar.
"Hey! What-
"Go home. Stay there with your mom until I come for you."
He stands and jogs back the way he came. I go inside my house and find a chest buried deep in the back of a pantry. Inside I pull out two long knives, strapping them to my upper back. Then I take out the bow and quiver and go outside to wait. Some fifteen minutes later they come into view. When they're about 100 meters away, I stop them.
"That's far enough."
They continue to progress so I shoot an arrow some 50 meters in front of me.
"The next one will land in a body."
That stops them. The procession clears and two men on horses ride forward and dismount.
"I present, His Highness, King Derik Keldar Hasten III and Sir Knight Kellen Mezo."
My mentor. He saw my potential after the first war, took me under his wing. I haven't seen him since before the last battle. He doesn't look like he's aged a day. His hair is just as dark as ever and his seemingly yellow eyes just as light. Something about his face demands that you take him all in, chiseled jaw, scar on his neck. It didn't matter. He was still good looking.
"Willow?"
I'm sure I looked very different. When he last saw me, I had long sinewy, black hair, I was lighter, my lips were innocent and my chin wasn't nearly as defiant. I may have also been somewhat shorter but the confusion is warranted.
"Mentor."
I see the corners of his mouth turn up.
"We came to talk."
"Now we both know that's not true."
He looks at King Derik. "We just want to come to some type of agreement."
"Now we both know that's not true," I repeat. "You came to make demands. And when I don't blink under the intimidating glare of your demands, you'll threaten. Fair warning, I don't respond well to either."
"I remember."
"It was nice seeing you again, Mentor but your visit was too long and you've officially overstayed your welcome."
"It's Amara," the King blurts.
I don't flinch, "That's too bad. Good day."
"You'd turn your back on a friend?!"
"Never. Amara and I aren't friends."
"She needs you now more than ever."
"I don't care!" I shout, oddly losing my temper. "Your precious daughter betrayed my love and trust. She thought the worst of me when I needed her most, not unlike her family. No one in Laore deserves to visit me! Now leave!"
Inside my little house, I sit in my chair, feeling them still out there. Soon after, there's a rap at my door.
"I'm alone."
"Why can't you just leave me be?"
Suddenly, I hear screams outside, weapons being drawn.
"Dear, Lord," my Mentor says on the other side of my door.
I know the reason for the abrupt, palpable fear. Silver's out there. I can't let her hurt them. A scared monarch is a dangerous monarch.
"Silver, whoa!" I shout, running from my home. The twenty-eight foot long, twenty foot tall dragon stands with her front right paw on a soldier's chest, her mouth agap and aglow in preparation to emit a blue flame that burns both hot and cold and her thirty-six foot wingspan shrouding them both in cover.
She looks at me.
"Let him go. Don't hurt anyone."
But you were in distress.
"Yes but these men don't deserve to die for their king's insolence."
She closes her mouth and backs away, her wings folding in at her sides. I stand in front of her, facing King Derik.
"Leave Silver out of this." I turn and put a hand to her chest, "You should go."
I won't leave you with this.
I smile at her disobedience. She means a lot to me so I decide I have to take this hit for her.
"Lets talk, Mentor."
Silver follows us back to the cottage, sitting on the side while we enter.
I sit and he sits in the chair on the other side of the small table.
"A dragon? Why does that not surprise me?"
"Silver is my family. If any harm comes to her or her kind by way of the crown-"
"You have my word."
"Which means about as much as Derik's."
He stares deep into my fireplace.
"What did you do with the letter we sent you?"
"I used it to stoke the fire."
He chuckles, "Forever blunt."
"Why, Mentor, you speak as though you know me."
"I feel like you're insulting me by calling me Mentor. Call me Kellen."
"Mentor. Your King wants me to renew my services for a girl I no longer care about."
"I don't believe that. You guys were inseparable."
Feeling Silver bristle, I swallow my anger.
"You both, you all, act as if nothing happened. When Rhyder died," I begin, pausing briefly, "she disowned me. The king and queen felt shame over me. And you did nothing. Now something happens to your sweet little princess and none of that matters anymore, huh? Convenient. Unfortunately for you all, I'm still angry."
"What can we do to get you on board?"
"I don't know if there is anything you can do. I've enjoyed this peace and peace of mind. I haven't thought of Amara in a long time though, I do dream of Rhyder most nights, still searching for the memory."
We sit in silence while he takes that in.
"Remember that school in Evrok?"
"Siterra Academy?"
"Amara was sent there two years ago to complete her four year tenure that was interrupted by the war."
I look at him questioningly.
"She wasn't doing too well what with Rhyder's death having been so recent. She's going into her third year and now we're finding out that Evrok has been forced into a coalition with Xyobia."
"They just won't quit, will they?"
"They're holding Amara captive, unbeknownst to her, until we surrender. They say if Fa'Laore hasn't surrendered within a year, they'll kill Amara and invade."
"Why not just invade Laore?"
"They want to send a message to the people as well that the King values his daughter's life more than theirs."
"What parent wouldn't?"
"It's worst of a monarch."
"Now for the million romi question. What does this have to do with me?"
"King Derik and Queen Alona want you to infiltrate Siterra Academy as a student and get her out of there. You're the only one they trust to do it."
I scoff, "Trust."
"You're the only one they know can."
"That's more accurate. However, Amara's just not that important to me anymore. I cannot, will not, risk my life for her."
"Xyobia promises to kill Amara and invade this country. Isn't there anyone you love? Isn't there anyone you would risk your life for?"
An image of Evan and his mom flashes in my mind.
"My pupil, Evan."
"I think I saw him run past us. He's a good looking kid."
"He's great."
"Do it for Evan then."
"I could easily take them away from here."
But I've grown to love this town and its people. The only way to help this town is to help this country.
I sigh.
"I'll do it. Though it will be on my own terms and carried out in my own fashion."
"I'm sure that'll be fine."
"It will be. They have no choice."
"Mentor."
I see the corners of his mouth turn up.
"We came to talk."
"Now we both know that's not true."
He looks at King Derik. "We just want to come to some type of agreement."
"Now we both know that's not true," I repeat. "You came to make demands. And when I don't blink under the intimidating glare of your demands, you'll threaten. Fair warning, I don't respond well to either."
"I remember."
"It was nice seeing you again, Mentor but your visit was too long and you've officially overstayed your welcome."
"It's Amara," the King blurts.
I don't flinch, "That's too bad. Good day."
"You'd turn your back on a friend?!"
"Never. Amara and I aren't friends."
"She needs you now more than ever."
"I don't care!" I shout, oddly losing my temper. "Your precious daughter betrayed my love and trust. She thought the worst of me when I needed her most, not unlike her family. No one in Laore deserves to visit me! Now leave!"
Inside my little house, I sit in my chair, feeling them still out there. Soon after, there's a rap at my door.
"I'm alone."
"Why can't you just leave me be?"
Suddenly, I hear screams outside, weapons being drawn.
"Dear, Lord," my Mentor says on the other side of my door.
I know the reason for the abrupt, palpable fear. Silver's out there. I can't let her hurt them. A scared monarch is a dangerous monarch.
"Silver, whoa!" I shout, running from my home. The twenty-eight foot long, twenty foot tall dragon stands with her front right paw on a soldier's chest, her mouth agap and aglow in preparation to emit a blue flame that burns both hot and cold and her thirty-six foot wingspan shrouding them both in cover.
She looks at me.
"Let him go. Don't hurt anyone."
But you were in distress.
"Yes but these men don't deserve to die for their king's insolence."
She closes her mouth and backs away, her wings folding in at her sides. I stand in front of her, facing King Derik.
"Leave Silver out of this." I turn and put a hand to her chest, "You should go."
I won't leave you with this.
I smile at her disobedience. She means a lot to me so I decide I have to take this hit for her.
"Lets talk, Mentor."
Silver follows us back to the cottage, sitting on the side while we enter.
I sit and he sits in the chair on the other side of the small table.
"A dragon? Why does that not surprise me?"
"Silver is my family. If any harm comes to her or her kind by way of the crown-"
"You have my word."
"Which means about as much as Derik's."
He stares deep into my fireplace.
"What did you do with the letter we sent you?"
"I used it to stoke the fire."
He chuckles, "Forever blunt."
"Why, Mentor, you speak as though you know me."
"I feel like you're insulting me by calling me Mentor. Call me Kellen."
"Mentor. Your King wants me to renew my services for a girl I no longer care about."
"I don't believe that. You guys were inseparable."
Feeling Silver bristle, I swallow my anger.
"You both, you all, act as if nothing happened. When Rhyder died," I begin, pausing briefly, "she disowned me. The king and queen felt shame over me. And you did nothing. Now something happens to your sweet little princess and none of that matters anymore, huh? Convenient. Unfortunately for you all, I'm still angry."
"What can we do to get you on board?"
"I don't know if there is anything you can do. I've enjoyed this peace and peace of mind. I haven't thought of Amara in a long time though, I do dream of Rhyder most nights, still searching for the memory."
We sit in silence while he takes that in.
"Remember that school in Evrok?"
"Siterra Academy?"
"Amara was sent there two years ago to complete her four year tenure that was interrupted by the war."
I look at him questioningly.
"She wasn't doing too well what with Rhyder's death having been so recent. She's going into her third year and now we're finding out that Evrok has been forced into a coalition with Xyobia."
"They just won't quit, will they?"
"They're holding Amara captive, unbeknownst to her, until we surrender. They say if Fa'Laore hasn't surrendered within a year, they'll kill Amara and invade."
"Why not just invade Laore?"
"They want to send a message to the people as well that the King values his daughter's life more than theirs."
"What parent wouldn't?"
"It's worst of a monarch."
"Now for the million romi question. What does this have to do with me?"
"King Derik and Queen Alona want you to infiltrate Siterra Academy as a student and get her out of there. You're the only one they trust to do it."
I scoff, "Trust."
"You're the only one they know can."
"That's more accurate. However, Amara's just not that important to me anymore. I cannot, will not, risk my life for her."
"Xyobia promises to kill Amara and invade this country. Isn't there anyone you love? Isn't there anyone you would risk your life for?"
An image of Evan and his mom flashes in my mind.
"My pupil, Evan."
"I think I saw him run past us. He's a good looking kid."
"He's great."
"Do it for Evan then."
"I could easily take them away from here."
But I've grown to love this town and its people. The only way to help this town is to help this country.
I sigh.
"I'll do it. Though it will be on my own terms and carried out in my own fashion."
"I'm sure that'll be fine."
"It will be. They have no choice."
-------
Silver hates horses. So when I finally arrive in Laore after my meeting with Kellen and making arrangements to have my home taken care of, I make an entrance. It's been some twenty days since they paid me a visit and two years since I've felt this soil under foot.
I'm dress in loose, black leggings, a long sleeve, waist length, black tunic with light, short sleeved clainmail on top of that. I've got on thin finger less gauntlets that come to the middle of my forearm; medal covers the outside and protects the knuckles. Then there's the hooded, black jacket, that comes to my knees. A grey, leather belt sits around my waist holding two long knives that are strapped to my back going to my right over my jacket and a quiver full of arrows going to my left. Everything I'm wearing is black.
People stare, moving away in fear of Silver but with my face hidden in the shadow of my hood, my identity remains mine.
I dismount from Silver and immediately hate the difference between the stone tiles of Laore and Altaya's soiled ground.
"Willow," Kellen calls in greeting.
The murmurs begin. I'm not forgotten here but the desire to be quickly wells up within me.
"Go, Silver."
I'll stay near.
"No!"
There's a pause as she brushes off my anger.
I don't trust them and neither do you. I'll stay near.
I shake my head as she takes to the skies. Sometimes she can be so stubborn. Then she is the youngest of her siblings, excluding myself.
"Is it really her? Is she here?"
"Dallas, your father told you to go into town with Winnie," Kellen scolds.
"Then Father is a fool if he thought I was going to miss seeing Willow again."
She works her way around Kellen, throwing herself at me and her arms around me. She falters when I don't return the gesture.
"Willow?" she says, her voice disconcerted. I feel the scowl on my face as I look down at her.
"You should have listened to your father."
I remove her arms from me and let myself into the palace, remembering exactly where Kellen's quarters are.
I sit in the chair on the opposite side of his desk and wait for him to join me.
"That was harsh," he comments, entering several minutes after me.
"What did you expect of me?"
"Better. Dallas has always adored you. She was the only one who continued to fight for you when you left. She would let no one tarnish your name; at least not in her presence."
"Which is exactly why I made sure no one saw me accept her. She need not be seen associating with the likes of me."
I'm dress in loose, black leggings, a long sleeve, waist length, black tunic with light, short sleeved clainmail on top of that. I've got on thin finger less gauntlets that come to the middle of my forearm; medal covers the outside and protects the knuckles. Then there's the hooded, black jacket, that comes to my knees. A grey, leather belt sits around my waist holding two long knives that are strapped to my back going to my right over my jacket and a quiver full of arrows going to my left. Everything I'm wearing is black.
People stare, moving away in fear of Silver but with my face hidden in the shadow of my hood, my identity remains mine.
I dismount from Silver and immediately hate the difference between the stone tiles of Laore and Altaya's soiled ground.
"Willow," Kellen calls in greeting.
The murmurs begin. I'm not forgotten here but the desire to be quickly wells up within me.
"Go, Silver."
I'll stay near.
"No!"
There's a pause as she brushes off my anger.
I don't trust them and neither do you. I'll stay near.
I shake my head as she takes to the skies. Sometimes she can be so stubborn. Then she is the youngest of her siblings, excluding myself.
"Is it really her? Is she here?"
"Dallas, your father told you to go into town with Winnie," Kellen scolds.
"Then Father is a fool if he thought I was going to miss seeing Willow again."
She works her way around Kellen, throwing herself at me and her arms around me. She falters when I don't return the gesture.
"Willow?" she says, her voice disconcerted. I feel the scowl on my face as I look down at her.
"You should have listened to your father."
I remove her arms from me and let myself into the palace, remembering exactly where Kellen's quarters are.
I sit in the chair on the opposite side of his desk and wait for him to join me.
"That was harsh," he comments, entering several minutes after me.
"What did you expect of me?"
"Better. Dallas has always adored you. She was the only one who continued to fight for you when you left. She would let no one tarnish your name; at least not in her presence."
"Which is exactly why I made sure no one saw me accept her. She need not be seen associating with the likes of me."
He smirks.
"She was the only one." I shake my head and stand. "I don't know why I'm here."
"Sit down, Willow."
"You no longer have that right."
"Of course I do. You may have been allowed to roam free but you still belong to the King."
I can't help but burst into a fit of laughter.
"I hardly think this is the time for your acerbity."
My laughter ends abruptly, "And I don't believe this is the time for your politics. You occupy no dominance over me. I am here because I agreed to come here. Should I desire to walk away from this empty-hearted indenture with you, it shall be so."
He stands slowly, "Willow-
"Who can stand against me? I have not lost a step. You remember my power. You've met my dragon."
This is so typical of the kingdom.
"You get me here under the whimsy of duty. You! My Mentor! Then you attempt to slap obligatory assignments on me. This disloyal kingdom hasn't changed in the least."
He looks defeated. He knows they were wrong. I gave three years of my very young life to this kingdom; to this war. The last war we won because of me but I awake to nothing but disgrace and poorly hidden contempt. What had I done to deserve that? What hadn't I done to deserve that?
"I didn't invite you here to fight."
I scoff.
"You're here to help your friend."
"She's not my friend," I emphasize. "I'm here to help my town and my dragon family. Had I been a loner when you came to me, I wouldn't be here."
"Then I'm grateful for your kindness."
"Sit down, Willow."
"You no longer have that right."
"Of course I do. You may have been allowed to roam free but you still belong to the King."
I can't help but burst into a fit of laughter.
"I hardly think this is the time for your acerbity."
My laughter ends abruptly, "And I don't believe this is the time for your politics. You occupy no dominance over me. I am here because I agreed to come here. Should I desire to walk away from this empty-hearted indenture with you, it shall be so."
He stands slowly, "Willow-
"Who can stand against me? I have not lost a step. You remember my power. You've met my dragon."
This is so typical of the kingdom.
"You get me here under the whimsy of duty. You! My Mentor! Then you attempt to slap obligatory assignments on me. This disloyal kingdom hasn't changed in the least."
He looks defeated. He knows they were wrong. I gave three years of my very young life to this kingdom; to this war. The last war we won because of me but I awake to nothing but disgrace and poorly hidden contempt. What had I done to deserve that? What hadn't I done to deserve that?
"I didn't invite you here to fight."
I scoff.
"You're here to help your friend."
"She's not my friend," I emphasize. "I'm here to help my town and my dragon family. Had I been a loner when you came to me, I wouldn't be here."
"Then I'm grateful for your kindness."
We exchange a look before I take my seat once again.
"What's the plan?"
He pulls a map from a drawer in his desk and proceeds to refresh my memory of Evrok's land. I point out the school to him considering how once upon a time, I badly wanted to attend. Another thing that was denied me yet freely given to her.
The plan is simple. Attend Siterra, learn the ins and outs, floor plans, secret tunnels included and execute the best way to remove her from the premises and the country. I'll report to no one, a stipulation of my own. Once inside, I'm on my own.
As we're wrapping up, Derik walks in. Kellen bows. I don't.
"Good day," he greets.
"Good day, my King."
I raise my chin higher.
"You're capable of exercising some semblance of civility with Kellen. Show me the same facade."
"I dislike Kellen almost as much as I dislike you. This facade is not."
"You are a knight who is under oath to me!"
"And you are a king who owes nothing to his servants. I am expendable. Dispose of me for my treasonous slander."
I pull one of the knives at my hip and hold it out to him while kneeling.
"Stand, Lady Willow."
Queen Alona enters dressed in a long emerald gown. Her dark brown hair mimics mine, a feature personified by countless residents mistaking us for relatives. Her eyes are a warm brown and I remember them well. Of the adults, besides Kellen, I was hurt most by her betrayal.
When I stand, I make eye contact with her.
"Willow-
"I don't want your insincere apologies. You need me and that is why your sudden remorse, guilt, has finally surfaced. I'll do this thing for you but after that, forget my existence."
I take hold of my knife, returning it to my hip, walk around them all and exit Kellen's chambers. I remember a grassy area that was not far from the palace when I was here and find that it's still there.
I sit then lay back in the soft grass. It's as soft as I remember. I close my eyes. I haven't relaxed since they visited me. They make me uncomfortable. Soon after, Silver lands next to me, her gleaming scales reflecting the sun. The reflected heat warms me.
She lays down next to me so that I am wrapped within her. It's been a long day. I think we both doze off.
"What's the plan?"
He pulls a map from a drawer in his desk and proceeds to refresh my memory of Evrok's land. I point out the school to him considering how once upon a time, I badly wanted to attend. Another thing that was denied me yet freely given to her.
The plan is simple. Attend Siterra, learn the ins and outs, floor plans, secret tunnels included and execute the best way to remove her from the premises and the country. I'll report to no one, a stipulation of my own. Once inside, I'm on my own.
As we're wrapping up, Derik walks in. Kellen bows. I don't.
"Good day," he greets.
"Good day, my King."
I raise my chin higher.
"You're capable of exercising some semblance of civility with Kellen. Show me the same facade."
"I dislike Kellen almost as much as I dislike you. This facade is not."
"You are a knight who is under oath to me!"
"And you are a king who owes nothing to his servants. I am expendable. Dispose of me for my treasonous slander."
I pull one of the knives at my hip and hold it out to him while kneeling.
"Stand, Lady Willow."
Queen Alona enters dressed in a long emerald gown. Her dark brown hair mimics mine, a feature personified by countless residents mistaking us for relatives. Her eyes are a warm brown and I remember them well. Of the adults, besides Kellen, I was hurt most by her betrayal.
When I stand, I make eye contact with her.
"Willow-
"I don't want your insincere apologies. You need me and that is why your sudden remorse, guilt, has finally surfaced. I'll do this thing for you but after that, forget my existence."
I take hold of my knife, returning it to my hip, walk around them all and exit Kellen's chambers. I remember a grassy area that was not far from the palace when I was here and find that it's still there.
I sit then lay back in the soft grass. It's as soft as I remember. I close my eyes. I haven't relaxed since they visited me. They make me uncomfortable. Soon after, Silver lands next to me, her gleaming scales reflecting the sun. The reflected heat warms me.
She lays down next to me so that I am wrapped within her. It's been a long day. I think we both doze off.
~
