6
As I grew up I used to fear the end. I used to bite my fingernails until ichor dripped into the soil it came from. Now I fear that the end might never come, that I’m stuck here and cannot seem to find a way out. Free but caged, caged but free. I wait for death as I wait for the moon to rise. Death will take my hand and I will feel the warmth of it, because once he takes me, i’m all his. I see myself there, in the palm of death. Quiet, warmth, soil. I will not feel trapped in the dark for I cannot see my cage.
I was drinking my thoughts away at The Old Inn when Esmeray found me.
?You should stitch that up, Mother.” She took the seat next to me.
?If you ever call me that again I will cut your tongue.”
She smiled. ?So, what are you going to do?”
?Nothing, Mournridge Den can sustain itself.”
?I meant about the Crimson Base.”
?Are you still true to your word?”
She turned to look at me.
?I am.”
?Sources told me Vaelens’ out of the mountain pass to meet with new allies. We’re going to burn your fathers’ castle down.”
?I was going to suggest that myself,” She grinned as she stood up. ?I’ll let Mercer know, he won’t want to miss this.”
?~ [?] ~?
This time I remembered the way to the Crimson Castle, it was just outside of the Valley of Sins.
Some said the Valley was originally built as a barrier against the assassins of Mournridge Den until they took over.
Esmeray walked towards the main gate, raising her hand as a greeting. A man wearing a crimson suit opened the gates for her. He was the one from last time, this time he spoke in the mainland tongue.
?I am afraid Vaelen is away with duty.” His eyes fell on mine. ?What is she doing here?”
?She’s here to join us.”
He raised his brows as if he had something to say about it, instead he turned to the side and gestured towards the main entrance.
?May Alyster stain your white suit crimson.”
I nearly pulled my dagger out when Esmeray layed her hand on mine.
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
?Stop, that is our holy prayer to our judgement custodian.”
?I don’t care who he is, tell him that the next time he insults the Valley I will be the one to pass judgement and it will be death.” I whispered.
Esmeray smiled.
?And you will get your chance.”
We walked in.
The castle was even bigger than I recalled, the ground was made of smooth white stones, Esmeray informed me they are called marbles. The ceiling was painted with victorious stories of the Crimson Base and in the middle, standing upon all was a hand with eyes for nails.
?That’s Alysters’ Hand of Judgement, the all knowing hand, the all seeing eye. It is said my father has it.”
?And where would he keep such hideous thing?”
She smiled.
?I want to show you something.”
We walked down three corridors, each leading to rooms with at least three Crimson rats. They would stop to look at us but none seemed scared or surprised by my presence there.
?What are you planing to do about this?”
Esmeray shrugged.
?Let Mercer deal with it.”
?You think he can fight against dozens?”
?He won’t come alone. Have some faith, you are Mother because of him.”
?I told you not to-”
?We’re here.”
The room was even bigger than Mothers’ old chamber, the courtains embroidered crimson were falling like a cascade of whispered vows. As the light shone through the space given in between the courtains I found myself wrapped in the lie of safety. I wanted to lay down and let the rays of the sun stroke my hair until I fell asleep and never awoke.
?This is my fathers’ chamber.” Esmeray’s voice woke me. ?I always dreamt of taking his life here, his blood one with the carpet.” She took a seat on the sofa and spread her legs.
?Is the Wraith here?”
?Who?” Esmerays’ face was painted with confusion.
I looked away, he must have used a different name. The thought of him following that bastard made me want to retch. The Wraith was many things but not a dog. If anything, him following Vaelen made me thing he had ulterior motives. Something in me felt it, he would never follow a man like that. And if it wasn’t his heart that would stop him it would be his conceitedness. What about the love for you? I heard myself ask. I brushed the thought away as the pain in my shoulder brought me back to real life.
The sound of the door opening brought Esmeray to her feet as she had Mercer at the throat.
?Fuck, you scared me.” She said, backing off. ?It seems you were successful?” She asked, a smirk resting at the corner of her lips.
Mercer wiped the blood from his blade.
?Yes.”
?Is everyone else dead?” I asked.
?Yes, besides that guard, Esmeray said he’s yours to kill, Red Bird. We have him tied up for you.”
I looked at her, she must have noticed the disbelief on my face because she grinned.
?I noticed the way he treated you, I am not blind. Thought you might enjoy gutting him.” She said.
?Are your men always so easy to take down?”
Esmeray shrugged.
?My father has no reason to leave good men behind. Besides, this is just a castle and these are just men.”
?Mercer, bring him here. I’d like to ask some questions.”
?Yes, Red Bird.”
The man spat at Esmerays’ feet as she tied him to Vaelens’ chair.
?How dare you betray your own father? May Alyster-” She punched him so hard two teeth fell out of his mouth and on the carpet.
?Give me the dagger.” I ordered.
The man made no sound as I carved his nails out. ?Mercer, bring me five eyes.” I shifted mine to the man. ?What do you know about the Wraith?”
?I do not know who that is and even if I knew, I’d die before telling you.”
?I would love to see that but sadly you’re the only one left alive so I’ll need some cooperation. Esmeray, hold him.”
This time, as I chopped three of his fingers, the man screamed.
?What do you know about the Wraith?”
?May Alyster stain your suit crimson you sinful-”
His head fell to the ground with a silent thud, rolling over the carpet. Esmeray attached her blade back to her holster.
?Did I fucking tell you to do that?”
?We both know he wouldn’t have told you anything. The man that talk do it after one nail.”
?Find Mercer.”
?On it.” She turned to leave but stopped in the doorframe, ?Do you still want to burn this place?”
?No, let them see what happened here.”
We left the room as we found it, the only thing uncanny being the hand with eyes instead of nails we left on Vaelens’ table and the corpses stacked one upon another right in front of the gates.
