CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

By now, Selene knew the pattern of the shriek. It was a high pitch wail that descended to a soft humming, then went up again. Selene sat on her bed, her chamber now holding herself and her sister. Selene locked the little princess inbetween her thighs and circled her with her arms, her own chin atop the child's head.
The shriek was untamed. Monotonous and pained. She wondered why the guards of the manor couldn't make a skinny servant quiet or maybe it was fright that the maiden may have been bitten and infected.
Selene could feel the shiver creep upon her again that morning.
She had seen the maid at the dinner the Lord had forced her to. The girl had led a smiling Mia to the dinning hall and promised to tuck her to bed after a bed story later. Then this morning the screams had woken her up, with a very confused looking Mia coming to her bed chamber escorted by a guard. The stories had come, by another older woman that came to prepare the princesses for the day, that Nina had gone into a fit once she saw her turned brother.
The boy had been at the night cleaning only to be attacked by a walker as narrated by his mates. His fever had begun shortly after and when all efforts by the nurses to help him was fruitless, they had sent for any relative of the boy before he completely went soulless.
Nina's wail was steady at different pitches, her cries from the walls of the dungeon - which was far off the royal wings of the manor- travelled through the entire palace. Maybe the girl had gone mad or she was turned, how else would she scream without her tone going hoarse.
"Will she be fine? " the littlest girl asked.
"It's alright Mia" Selene said
The footsteps approaching gave Selene the urge go shush her younger sister. Two guards were inside her room, at the walls and no doubt two were outside. The king's orders.
Maybe the maniac had broken free of the dungeon and was coming straight for her. Sol was no strange land. Every empire knew Sol. Not a prisoner went to the cell and escaped, not one recorded.
But that seemed not ease Selene's fear, she held her sister tighter as the thud came closer.
The door opened powerfully and...the Lord stepped in. His face stoic.
"Selene" the Lord addressed simply
"Why her? Why anyone at all? If we are unsafe at least tell us" Selene barked
"Get wed" The lord retorted stiffly. He was in no mood for her childish fuse.
"Get dressed Selene, we will journey a bit" He added and turned to leave without another word.
"I am no child Edgar " Selene snapped
"Then stop acting like one" Edgar bit back
The Lord's long strides had taken him to the hallway of the left wing chambers.
His back stiff as his face.
"How long will I stay watching my shadows? Am I threatened? Do I have to leave? " Selene asked
"Stay quiet child!! I am raged as it is, do not push me child, do not" Edgar roared
Selene took a step back subconsciously. The king's fury was clearly seen. The king was capable of so many, she didn't want to test any on herself.
"How could the dead come and harm us? I saw same yesterday. Now poor Nina, Mia will lose another friend, the poor girl deserves none of this. How could your men be put out to death? And you still parade like a king? How can your subjects not..."
The loud crash muted her.
The wall lamp was off the wall, it's oil spilt on the floor, the hot oil bathed the Lord's crimson coat.
"Get dressed we will go into the city and far, take some garments with you, I will send a hand to help you" Edgar said softly.
His mood amazed Selene.
Did his show of anger calm him or was he crazier than the mad maid at the dungeon?
"I am not coming with you until you let me know where we are going " Selene said
"We are going to see your father " Edgar stated
"How? " Selene asked
"We are going this morning. Once the council gives orders, it's not postponed. See him today or never" the Lord said
Selene turned and saw Mia standing at the doorway. She wore an excited smile.
"Did you have to be so loud? In her presence? " Selene asked
"Maybe you should grow child and not die a fool " Edgar said and spun you wall away. He had thought the princess would like a place away from the tense manor. He was wrong but he wouldn't let the woman disobey him. He had given her too much power. No woman would have that power over him. Never.
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Edgar watched the lady seated before him. Her legs crossed inside her yellow attire. Her lips moved with the piece of apple it chewed, the crust left in a bowl on her lap.
"I have repeated myself too many times than I like" Edgar said lightly. Now standing with her back to the lady. His face outside the window, to the uninteresting garden. Withering uninteresting garden.
"What have you repeated brother? "
"You carelessness. I believe you have heard that before" Edgar asked
"Did you walk here to insult me, brother?" Alexandra asked, sitting more straight on her feathery throne
"I came to warn you sister. Insult would be far too kind. This few lands to your name should get your utmost protection, do not sleep on that throne" Edgar stated
"Do you question my rulership? I remember always staying out of your affairs Edgar " she replied
"You have not been a threat go me. Neither my lands or servant. I can turn a blind eye to your foolishness but not when it is costing me too" The lord said
"I do not understand you brother? Does it bother you that I rule my inheritance? " Alexandra asked, her stare daring
"Listen! I do not care if Horace O'alistair willed all lands to you. I have conquered way too much kingdoms to envy your few plantations. Tempt me Alexandra and you will just be another one of the many kings I throw down and take their hectares as provinces" Edgar bit out angrily
"Do you threaten me Edgar? I have authority over my lands, all this I conquered, I choose how to rule my lands" she responded, springing from her chair.
"The Lands I conquered for you! I rule Sol, there is one Sol and I stand as its king. I do not share my glory with any woman. Blood or not! " Edgar replied.
"I see...this is your meddling in my life Edgar, and I do not laugh at threats " Alexandra smiled
"No...i did not wish you to. Keep watch at day and dusk. Secure the open woods. siege the manor. Let no more walker come to this land. I have fought battles. Do you think your weightless sack of coins actually bought my men and myself to fight and conquer lands to your name? Do you honestly think your sickly men were my want? I did it for blood. If the burden of leadership has taken its toll on you, rest Woman! And stop acting stupidly. " Edgar said
"So we war? We fight because of the walkers?" Alexandra asked
"I say you wake up woman. Do not give me reasons to see you unfit to rule this lands. And remember Sister, I do not give second chances"
Edgar said and spun on his heels to leave.
"Does all this bother you because of the whore child? Alexandra asked
"I won't come here again for this woman. Quote me" Edgar replied
"Does it scare your plaything? Is it because the girl was her handmaiden? Are you growing soft? " She asked
.
"Maybe she should whore herself at the northern Lands....earn more coin" Alexandra said
Edgar knew it a waste of time to talk. Alexandra thought any woman was herself. Gold diggers.
Now he thought of it. Maybe the trip would be a walk away from the tense manor
As he retreated, he could still hear the woman's angry echoes.
Maybe, just maybe she was stubborn than he thought. And much more careless. His fight with Helsing was her fight as well. She had to learn that.
The turn to the tunnel was eerily quiet. His men tensed as they walked by him, hands on the hilt of their swords nervously. They'd heard of the tunnel. It's horrors and the dead body they burnt daily. Citizens and strangers alike.
The walk through the tunnel endured tensely until they went into the open path that led to his garden. He walked into his manor, dismissed his men and strode to his royal wing.
"My Lord" came the voice as he passed the throne room.
Nicholas stood with his sapphire blue uniform and gray beards.
"Sir Nicholas" Edgar replied
"I have heard of the incident" He said
"Everyone has" Edgar replied
"My lord, I do not think we have done enough " Nicholas said
"You old sag, I sleep little every night to keep watch and yet this comes in, not through the front walls or the gate. How else do I secure this manor? Should I stand as guard for the place?" Edgar asked hopelessly
"Maybe you seek to see the devil in it's own coat, it could be cloaked as a saint" Nicholas replied
"I am in no mood for your proverbs man" The Lord dismissed
"I am not foolish son of Horace. I wasn't sought by your father for my emptiness " Nicholas said
"I am not my father" Edgar said
"Then do not fall for the same sword that slew him. Anger and ignorance " Nicholas barked
There was a brief silence. The king too tired to speak. He was clueless. For once he knew his sword would not mend this. Kiro was no child land. It held men, fierce and feared men. And if the walkers were as he knew then battle was one to be prepared for. But time was costing him.
"The wait for the council is making me grow impatient " Edgar confided
"The Elders will not just give a permit to war with a dominating empire, it could rake havoc on the lands and on law itself. They are not foolish" Nicholas said
"I bet. They will know better than to condone socery against Sol. They can not conceal the laws, no matter what consequences it could hold. And my men, I could destroy Kiro in a cry, but I fear what will be left of Sol, the peace of my people should the council raise the legion against us" Edgar replied
"To war with Kiro unplanned will perish Sol, even Sol is not invincible should the Empires rise for our disobedience. We need to watch my lord, vigilance " Nicholas said.
"I have tarried Nick. How else do I protect this place. And the child, she worries me most" Edgar confided
Nicholas watched the Lord sternly. Would a woman bruise him again, was he so stupid to let it?
"We look amongst us. An old African proverb says if there are no enemies within, the enemies outside can do us no harm" Nicholas said
"My men? Would any have the guts to betray me?" Edgar asked
"perhaps. I do not Know " Nicholas said
"Why do you speak like you know of what I don't " the Lord asked him
"I only beg you to be careful. Wolves could dress like cats" he said
Edgar watched the man a while. His face as blank as he knew to make. No. He trusted him men, his men knew better than that.
Helsing needed war and that he would get. Patience. The badge would arrive soon.
"I think you should be at the manor Nicholas. I will see the princess to the council" he said and walked out.
He was confused already as it was, the least he needed was the old man's paranoia.
The carriage could be heard rolling to the manor's porch.
Nicholas whispered to the man servant that handed him a packed up chest. He stepped outside to the waiting carriage.
The princess wore a yellow dress with a yellow shawl over her hair. The little girl behind her wore a blue black skirt and a black blouse. He was quickly reminded they were royals. Not his people. But Riverlanders.
He sighed as the princess ignored his outstretched hands and instead struggled in to the carriage herself. The younger girl was led in by the stable boy.
The driver climbed and conversed with the horse a while before it strolled away from the manor.
The rocky path that led out into the towns and provinces of Sol did not cease to amaze Selene even after seeing it once.
The busy market was bordered by a livestock ranch that looked as busy as the market but of the absence of vegetables and linens. People still hurried about cattle and sheep stalls. Horses and pigs alike.
The ranch stretched out to a vast empty land. It's rich red loam left uncovered for hectares until it became a bright green. Men worked at the plantations and carriages went about.
"Sol's many lands. We can never hunger" Edgar took pride in pointing out.
The princesses were already transfixed at the sight. All staring out the carriage.
"We will see My Father King? " Mia asked as he caught the king's eyes on her.
"Yes we will " Edgar replied
"I don't think she asked you that" Selene snapped with a hiss
"Oh but I did, sister" Mia agreed
Edgar looked at the child. She was angry no doubt. Her countenance portrayed at much. Maybe her marvel at the beautiful scape had wore off and she was her self - her grumpy self.
"When will we see mother? " Mia asked
"We can not" Selene replied in a soft whisper
"But why, we are going to be with dada why can't we see mama too " the baby asked
"We... We just can not. We are living and she's.. Look. Mummy is with the angels, and father is just far away, we can see him but not be with him" Selene responded
"But we'll be with father right? " Mia asked
" We can not stay with father Mia. He's not...he's far away. He has to be alone " Selene said
"Like with the angels " Mia questioned again
"Not like the angels lady Mia. He has to be away so he's safe. No one will hurt him there. Do you want him to be hurt? " Edgar asked the girl.
She shook her head decisively
"Then he must be away" Edgar explained, making the little girl nod.
"But I see mummy sometimes " Mia blurted with a distant smile
"Hey, stop it" Selene retorted
"Where do you see her?" The Lord asked, interested
"At bed, when I am not awake. She calls me" Mia answered quickly
"Enough Mia. Mother is gone. You shouldn't see her again " Selene rebuked
"But I do. I promised her last night I'll be with her soon. She was happy. She held me"
Mia argued
"You shouldn't see her soon Mia. Won't you miss your sister? " Edgar asked
"Mother said so...but I miss mummy more, maybe Selene will come with us too" Mia said hopefully
"Enough of this nonsense! Stop speaking what you don't know young woman! " Selene scolded
The carriage become quiet. Even the king was quiet, suppressing a chuckle at the sisters.
"I'll be with mother soon. You'll see" Mia said with a smile.
Selene ignored the child. Holding her own tears. How could the child want to be with her deceased mother. She missed her too, she missed her mother dearly.
The trio fell into silence as the carriage drove left and went into a willow forest.
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When did it become so cold? The lord thought as he stretched. He couldn't remember falling asleep but somehow he knew he had stop listening to the driver's annoying old song and drifted off.
The princess stirred and sat up, she quickly left his shoulder which she'd leaned. A blush creeping up her cheek. She looked out the carriage window, her chin lifted up. The baby princess was still laid drooling on her lap.
"We have entered the council lands my Lord " The coach driver said
The mountains surrounded the spiky bushes of the lands. It's path, a fine clay soil that made the carriage drive smoothly.
The lord hummed in response.
Selene could see the ugly bush turn to a fine lush grass where men could be seen ploughing.
The drive moved slowly past the walls that recognized the carriage's official seal and greeted the Lord in a brief whisper.
The driver parked before the
gravelled sycamore shed. Other carriages parked. A few bearing seals he could recognize.
Edgar was received by a sword wielding knight, he took the Lord past the archway where servants began to light up the building. Then did Selene notice that the sun was down. The grey sky was quickly darkening up.
They were led with a half asleep Mia up the stairwell and to a large well illuminated room. The Elder that sat on the second of four seats was the old woman. Her red lips still obvious, she rose with a brief nod to acknowledge Edgar, speaking with a guard in hushed tone before turning to a guarded dark hallway.
"The elders are retired. You will be granted audience at dawn, Lord of Sol" the guard said with a long bow.
Edgar turned to look at the princess.
"We had planned an audience today. She just left us " Selene spoke.
"It will hold tomorrow " Edgar shushed
"You said they did not. Not. Postpone a meeting. Why should they keep us" Selene asked loudly.
"Do not embarrass me child. The council makes peace. It houses all lands great or small. There is no safe place like the Council" Edgar said, holding her hands in a tight grip.
Selene looked to her sleepy sister that still tugged at her arm.
"How do we travel at dark" Selene asked. The actual worry and fright setting in. The events of the morning flashed past her mind.
"I am too wise to travel at dark. Not with two children. The council will host us till morning" Edgar replied and led the girls towards the uniformed maid that stood at the door. She curtsied and moved to the opposite hallway. Taking two stairs before coming to a grey painted hallway. Large red curtains covered it's walls, the candles as long in their stands as that of Sol's huge manor.
"You will stay here my lady. I will see to you. Please come imside" The woman said
Selene plastered a smile for the lady and held Mia as she opened the mahogany brown door.
"Goodnight Selene" Edgar said, as a plump man came to lead the Lord to a different chamber.
Selene nodded and watched as the Lord walked away without a glance back.
She hoped all this would be worth it. Now she thought hard, she wondered what she'd tell her father when they met. Goodbye no doubt but how?