Allair

This was by far my worst idea yet.

It had been two weeks since we matched South-East. Two weeks and no one noticed the princess-mistress sneaking around the war camp. I didn't know why I thought they would notice. We didn't speak. All I did was match forward, silently biting my lip as my legs burned with pain from having to walk through the cramps and keep up. The other men spoke with one another of course, but never once did they approach me.

I soon discovered it was out of fear.

I was still dressed like a shadow knight - light armour with a black cloak that hid my body, my lack of weapons, and my face. It was a heavy cloak, much heavier than the ones I've been used to and I didn't understand how they moved so damn fast in them. But, they were thick enough to keep out the wind, rain and cold. We were only a day's march from the Eastern mountains, two days from the Kingdom on the rise - two days from Kaya. I was so close to my sister now that it hurt to think about.

I thought about slipping away, about making my way to the castle to see her...

But I knew I stood a better chance at survival here. And I also knew I could get more information if I stayed. Information that might help Kaya. But to get the information, I'd need to break through the Kings inner circle.

The camp was set out with the King in the middle of the army, surrounded by only a small company of men and all of the shadow knights. Sometimes the shadow knights were venture out, keeping to the shadows of the trees and dense forest as they counted the armies numbers and checked to make sure everyone was staying in line. The other soldiers thought I was watching them, and that was why I was so far from the rest of my fellow knights - I had overheard as much.

But I knew if I got too close to the inner circle, the shadow knights would see I wasn't one of them. I would be bought to the King and probably learn more about his plans, but I would also end up with his fist clenched around my throat for such a stupid act.

So this was my dilemma. Risk Jonathan's wrath but possibly learn some more information. Or stay on the edge of the war band and stay in the dark until all shit goes to hell. 

I wasn't leaning any particular way.

Taking another breath, I picked up a stick and started to poke at the lump of dirt on the ground. A leaf crumbled under the assault and was whisked away by the wind as if it were nothing but dust.

***

The fires burned so low now that I was sure the last few embers were on the verge of burning out. The stars were bright over head, lighting the night sky and the moon shone full, bright and low. It was still so cold. The army had beaten the heavy winter snows that would claim lives back in the North. For most south of the boarder, the chilly air would anyone from stepping outside let alone marching an army through the Forrest where the ground was damp and thick with moss. But to those born in the North, this was nothing but a nice winter breeze.

I was not born in the North.

I was fucking freezing!

My bones ached, my lips were blue and my body couldn't stop trembling.

I would give just about anything for a warm harth and soft bed covered in furs. It was these nights that I considered just walking straight into Jonathan's tent simply to have a warm body to sleep next too.

But I hadn't reached my breaking point just yet.

Instead I still shivered on the floor. I held my cloak tighter around me and curled in on myself, hoping that my teeth didn't chatter too loudly. The wind around me picked up suddenly, swirling just in front of me like a small vortex of air. I frowned and narrowed my eyes, wondering if I had seen it right or if it was a trick of the moon light.

Then there was a flicker.

A small light of blue beamed on the tree line.

And now I was seeing things for sure. I nodded at the conclusion and closed my eyes for a few seconds. I did not see a blue light. I did not see a shadow grow on the tree line. I did not see it morph into a human shape.

No. I didn't see anything other than trees and shadows. Just a trick of the moon light.

I opened my eyes once again and stared at the tree line again.

Nothing. There was no light and no shadow.

See, I told myself, your just losing your sanity nothing more.

It's the cold. Yes, the cold was beginning to freeze my brain.

I turned over and tried a new position, now facing away from the campsite and turning towards the darkness. I snuggled into the small pack that I used as a pillow and cuddled the cloak around me.

Another blue light flickered. My eyes blinked rapidly as I tried to clear my line of sight. But this time, the light didn't disappear. It glowed a little brighter. And that shadow appeared again. It shot up slowly from the shadowy floor, in the beginning it was hunched over like a large hound or a small bear, but then it stood again, standing straight like a person.

What the...?

I pushed up from my makeshift bed and looked around. No one else seemed to noticed the glowing blue light or the shadow standing beside it.

I knew it was foolish. I knew it was stupid. But slowly, I stood on my feet and started towards the blue light.

I moved towards the light and saw something out of one of the books I used to read as a child.

Her robes were a dark midnight blue and shredded in numerous places, tears throughout and fraying at every edge. It was well worn and showed the years of wear. Her age was almost impossible to tell from this distance. She looked young beneath her robes but yet the way she stood suggested she had seen much pain and sorrow far beyond that of a human life. A witch, I would call her for that was what my old books had called them. Women in the woods who, by day, roamed the forrest as animals. Some of them wolves, others a placid dear. And by night, they returned to their human form and sort out men - to warm their bed at night and give their soul in return.

I hid behind a tree, desperately trying to control my breathing as I watched the witch. Her fire was blue, flickering white at the base.

I wasn't waiting long before someone approached.

I would recognise him anywhere.

Jonathan stood before the witch, his eyes haunted and narrowed, his body tense. He looked fierce in the witches blue light.

"It has been a long time Prince." The witch spoke, her voice was like melody. It drew you in and warmed your heart. I wanted to trust her, just from the sound of her voice.

"It's King now." Jonathan was stern.

The witch crocked her head and smirked. No long a beautiful women, but a wicked thing that was hungry like a wolf.

The witched chuckled. "You maybe a King to them, but to us, you are forever a prince."

Jonathan stepped closer towards the blue flame and examined it.

My heart tightened as he took another step. I was afraid. Afraid for him. Why was he meeting with this witch? Did he wish to sell her his soul? Or, perhaps he already had. He was cold and cruel at the best of times, was that because he had already given his soul to a witch. But why? He was a King, what could he possibly need so badly that was worth such a high price.

"I must say, I was shocked to hear your call." The witch turned and flicked her wrist making the flames leap higher. Jonathan didn't step back as the flame brushed his skin.

"Your flames run cold today Natalia."

The witch - Natalia - narrowed her eyes at the King before her. "So does your heart Prince. I can still feel the ice around it."

"I have a few questions for you." Jonathan began but Natalia interrupted.

"And I you Prince. Tell me, why do you march East? I was under the impression the mortal realm had found peace after that pathetic little war."

Jonathan didn't like her words, or her tone.

"That is none of your business."

"Oh come now Prince." Natalia began circling him, like a predator circling her pray. "Your business is my business after all."

He gave her an unbelieving look.

"Fine. I shall trade you, an answer for an answer."

"I risk war to retrieve something." Jonathan quickly spoke. "Now on to my question. Has the curse began?"

Natalia seemed to still for a moment. "What do you seek to retrieve young Prince?"

"That is two questions Natalia." Jonathan mocked her with a sly smile.

"Humour me." The fire flickered and brightened as Jonathan caught her attention.

"My mother's chest was opened and I am missing some vital letters." There was more behind his words, more than just what he was saying and Natalia seemed to know exactly what he meant.

"Then you have a serious problem Prince."

"Thank you for stating the obvious." He rolled his eyes, not caring for her words.

"You didn't call me here just to ask about your curse did you?"

Jonathan smiled then. "Clever one aren't you."

Natalia growled her displeasure.

"I'm going to distract the Kingdom by marching my army to their doorstep. I need you and your witches to go inside and take what is mine."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then you and your clan will be burning along side me Natalia. Your eternity will end much sooner than you expected."

Natalia was silent for a long moment, her attention on the blue flames.

"I take your silence as a yes. Now about that curse..." Jonathan began.

"Yes it has began." Natalia flicked her wrist again and flames began to slowly die, retreating into the ground. "Twenty-five years is what was promised. Anything more is a bonus."

"That was hardly twenty-five years, I felt the damn ice start well before I was even twenty!"

"I didn't say they'd be good years Prince."

Jonathan rolled his eyes and bit back his retort.

"Don't take your anger out on me. Blame my foolish mother, she knew there would be a cost to loving a mortal."

"She paid that price with her life." Jonathan spat out the words with a ferocity I had never seen before.

"But before she died she bought you into the world. A child that was never meant to be born. Cursed from the day you took your first breath, you're lucky that the curse choose to give you a chance to live at least. Lucky it didn't claim you in your crib."

"Does it end with me?"

Natalia examined the King from head to toe. "Your bloodline was never meant to exist. Why shall we let it continue?"

"Were you behind the attack on my Mistress then?"

Natalia chuckled. "No, although it was entertaining to watch. The girl had this startled doe look in her eyes the entire time. Oh and her face when she killed him..."

"That's enough." Jonathan was stern, commanding her silence.

Was I really like that? The twist in my stomach at the thought of the attack was enough to unsteady me. I leaned my weight against the tree.

"No need to worry. We shall not touch the girl." There was something behind the smile that made my heart race faster. "Tell me, have you learned what blood runs through her veins just yet?"

Oh shit!

Shit! Shit! Shit!

This had Jonathan's attention. "You know who she is?"

"Of course I do. Although I won't tell you."

Oh thank the gods!

"I'll find out soon enough on my own."

Natalia shrugged as if she didn't believe him. She held something he wanted very badly and wouldn't let it go without a price. "Is there anything else Prince?"

"No. You can go now."

The blue flame leaped from the ground and onto the witch's robes. Her eyes glowed blue like her flame and a small crown made of blue fire encircled her head. She bowed her head at Jonathan before she began to hunch over. Slowly, her midnight blue robes turned into black fur. She moved down until she was on all fours, her body morphing into that of a wolf.

She flicked her tail and twitched her nose before trotting off into the darkness.

Jonathan's figure disappeared into darkness.

I felt like I was drowning under the pressure of all my thoughts swirling in my mind. What the hell was all that about?

I turned from my tree and took a few steps back towards the camp - although it was difficult in the dark. I tripped over what I think was a thick branch and fell, loudly.

Shit! I started cursing myself again.

I felt the cold kiss of a blade against my skin, and the burning warmth of blood seep into my clothes.

***

Sorry guys for the late update, I've had a super busy week. Renovating the house, a job interview and trying to squeeze in a social life. But here it is! I plan to write a bit more in the coming weeks so I shouldn't be too late with the next few updates.

I also haven't read through the chapter so I know it's full of mistakes.

Please vote and comment.

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