Chapter 144: Whitefall I
The camp had gone up quickly, with wood from the forest efficiently cut and processed into defensive towers and strategically placed barricades. Tents of white and blue placed in uniform rows made up temporary barracks for the soldiers, while larger variations emblazoned with the banners of an eagle, bear, wolf, and panther surrounded the Kings pavilion.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om
I could feel my old fears resurface, eating at me like a rat gnawing through my guts.
In the twenty-some years Id survived my father, there was really only one unwavering rule that withstood the test of time: expect the worst, and know he will still somehow plunge deeper. King Gil would be the pinnacle of fairness one day, an utter monster the next. And my detailed familiarity with that volatility, and the harrowing anticipation which followed, was almost as terrible as the volatility itself.
Id bought myself the requisite time to secure the infernals. But I still had no idea at what cost. Id hit him. With all of my strength, Id struck my father with my own hand. That, along with Mayas gambit, had served to waylay his single-mindedness.
But that was nearly a day ago.
A day hed spent stewing over what Id done, with an instrument of reprisal readily available in the form of my most cherished companion.
He wouldnt kill her. Maya had done well, establishing both her station and her value as a healer. Nevertheless, there were countless ways he could make her suffer.
Two knights with open visors stood at attention as I approached. They looked less than pleased at my return, a brief look at their blackened armor was explanation enough. The men were probably among those on the front line for my gambit the day prior. One of them gave me a long-suffering look, and clanked slowly as turned and called back over the barricade.
Make way!
A collection of knights and servants pushed several smaller barricades aside. As I passed into the camp, a man in a tabard and rope belt approached, his sandals sinking into the mud.
Shall I tender your horse, milord? The mundanity of the exchange was overshadowed by the way the man shivered, despite the early leafwake warmth. When I kicked a leg over and dismounted my horse, he visibly jumped. For a moment, I thought he might sprint away.
Whats your name, servant? I asked, hoping to confirm Mayas whereabouts.
No one of import, milord. No one at all. He took the reins with a practiced hand and immediately retreated.
The hells? I muttered under my breath.
My attention was drawn away from the man as a nasally monotone sounded from my left. And so the prince returns. Resurrected anew.
I grimaced. Is that a snake I hear, slithering through the grass?
I should have known to treat any information as suspect from the moment my whisperers within the enclave began to vanisht. Thaddeuss hairless scalp gleamed with dew-like perspiration as he sidled up next to me. Arms clasped behind his back, he studied the camp before us. The misdirection with the letters was sloppy. But the suppression of information and deception was leagues above what Ive come to expect from the Enclave. He gave me a sidelong glance. Whoever coordinated your smokescreen has exceptional talent.
Or youve lost your edge.
Unlikely, your grace.
In truth, I had no idea what he was talking about. Ralakos or Persephone were the most likely possibilities. Given the additional detail of vanishing contacts, however, it was probably the latter. Id never known Persephone to play nice, regardless of the setting.
Wheres Maya? I asked coldly.
In a moment. Thaddeus placed a hand on my arm, considering me thoughtfully. I understand you may harbor some residual distaste towards me.
You have no idea.
Thanks in no small part to the King and Queens tendency to squander my talents on monitoring your activities. An irritant for us both, let me assure you. I would like for us to start anew. Thaddeus continued. You have proved yourself in more ways than one.
I looked at his hand on my arm until he removed it. Minutes after my return, and youre already currying for favor.
I am merely a man who can see which way the wind is blowing.
Another servant struggled through the mud, a woman carrying firewood. I called out to her, Wheres the infernal
I watched, aghast, as the woman dropped the firewood, turned tail and ran. What has my father been telling everyone? Why are they all scared of me?
Thaddeus chortled. Nothing, save that the crown prince died at the hands of the infernals. Shortly after, that same prince who is now very much alivemarched up to the battle-lines and started throwing up columns of violet fire, capping it all off by punching the king in the face and living to tell the tale. Why do you think theyre afraid?
I pinched the bridge of my nose. They think Im some sort of avenging spirit who fought my way back through the hells, imbued with demonic power.
Arent you? Thaddeus peered at me.
In a way.
I heard that you fought a revenant in the Everwood, and won. Thaddeus pried, his amusement fading somewhat. Quite an accomplishment for a distinguished soldier, let alone a boy of ten at the time.
Ah. There it was. He was probing me, trying to find out how much I knew.
I gave Thaddeus a sadistic smile. Oh, Barion? A twisted monster to be certainwhat with all the kidnapping and child experimentationbut he loved the sound of his own voice.
You talked to this creature? The beads of sweat crowning Thaddeuss head grew in number.
At length. I said blandly. Before I knew his true nature. He had much to say on his purpose, the intent of his research I locked eyes with Thaddeus. and the organization that spurned him.
I see. For possibly the first time ever, Thaddeus looked genuinely blindsided.
I snapped my fingers. What was their name again? Crustaceanno. Chrysalis? Thats not it. It was insect related, Im sure.
We should speak more on this at a later time. Thaddeus said quickly.
Im counting on it, old friend.
Thaddeus watched me carefully, before finally breaking his gaze. The infernal is in the Kings pavilion.
A cold chill went down my spine. To what purpose?
Loud since the day he was born. My father growled.
Im loudYoure hungover. Youre both hungover. I realized.
What else was there to do besides bet and drink while you were pussyfooting around? King Gil rolled his eyes.
You did teach me how to convincingly scream in pain. Maya said plainly. That killed some time.
I nearly choked.
Mmm. All in the diaphragm. My father said gruffly.
What
He waved me off, putting a hand against his temple. Sit down before you fall down, boy. When he peered out and saw I hadnt moved, he sighed. These gossipy bastards were either going to assume I was beating her or fucking her. And it wouldnt do to let them think I was fucking her.
Indeed. Youre a married man, after all, your grace. Maya sipped her tea.
King Gil snorted. I prefer my women hornless.
Youre unharmed? I asked Maya.
Entirely. The king has proved a magnificent host. She peered at me. Were you successful in your mission, Prince Cairn?
Yes. I said quietly, barely even surprised, as Maya held out a hand and King Gil tossed her a copper rod. You were betting on me.
King Gil shifted in his seat. I expected youd run out of time, come back here with your tail between your legs, and wait for me to summon you. The infernal contested that.
Dont forget the tea. Maya pointed out.
Pressing your luck, girl. My father growled. How was I to know hed become a damned apothecary overnight.
I did tell you, your grace.
After six bottles of wine, you told me.
There was a rush of warm air as the tent flap behind me opened. Is everything
A single blink was all it took for my father to cross the room. An honor guard in dark armor collapsed on the floor, clinging to his throat and gagging as blood ran freely between his fingers. King Gil crouched over him and slowly wiped a dagger long enough to be a short-sword on the fabric beneath the guards armor. I made it abundantly clear, he growled. That I was not to be disturbed. For any reason.
Numbly, I stepped aside as the blood soiled the carpet Id been standing next to. This was the father I knew. A tempest in human form. Only distinctly faster than I remembered. Hed always been powerful, immensely strong. But this speed was alien to me.
Understanding dawned.
In my past life, King Gil grew increasingly bitter and angry as the kingdom thrived over an age of peace. He stopped practicing in the training yard. Relied on others to handle the sparse fighting for him.
For all his posturing, hed taken me seriously. This was what my father looked like, preparing for a distant conflict on the horizon. Instead of falling into complacency, hed honed himself into a living weapon.
This was my doing.
Maya retained her calm. But she was sitting up, her back ramrod straight. Shall I heal him?
King Gil glanced down at the dying guard, still choking on his own blood. Mercy dulls the message. He clucked his tongue. Then stuck his head outside the tent and roared. Pack it up, were due for Whitefall!
There was a raucous cheer as the camp immediately buzzed to life, awash in the sound of a thousand hurried footsteps.
King Gil pointed to Maya. Emissary. Youll be placed amongst the noble women and children.
Mayas eyebrows furrowed. As you please, but Im uncertain if theyll be amenable to my presence. My kind has something of an infamy in association with children
He reached in his satchel and, instead of a copper rod, withdrew a golden pin, emblazoned with the likeness of the frigid mountain range that surrounded my home. I sucked in a breath. The crest indicated Skathis Favor. It was frequently bestowed on human diplomats, but as far as I knew, a non-human had never received it. That will grease the wheels. My people learn slowly. But they will learn.
Maya fixed the pin to her dress and curtsied deeply.
As she straightened, regal and calm, I felt the significance of the distance between us. Maya had transformed in my absence. And Id missed it.
Boy. My father waved for me to follow as he exited the tent. With me. I gave Maya a small wave and felt the pain in my chest lessen as she returned it. Then followed behind King Gil as he weaved through the frenzied camp, ducking beneath a deconstructed log before the elves carrying it could register his presence.
Elves?
I glanced around. Now that I wasnt in such a rush, a peculiarity stuck out to me. The majority of the camp was human, but there were a small number of dwarves, elves, and even infernals on the fringes packing up the camp. None in the army or the guard, but still. Not a single non-human in chains.
Are you a sheep? King Gil asked suddenly. It took a moment to register that he was talking to me.
No. I answered evenly.
Then stop grazing at my heels and walk beside me. King Gil commanded.
I nearly tripped. It was all but written law that any nobles or members of the royal family followed in the kings wake, reinforcing his place as figurehead.
I couldnt shake the feeling that I was walking into a trap, but I took my place beside him, feeling his eyes on me.
Much has changed, in your absence. My father said.
Its certainly not the same world I left. I murmured agreement, my mind struggling to keep up.
Suddenly, he slapped me on the back and grinned wickedly. Lets talk about this war of yours.
