FOREVER KNIGHTS: #12 Primal Intent

WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country

ALAZAR

Alazar could still feel the icy edge of the blade on his neck. “Damn her for thinking she could kill me.”

“That was rather brazen.” Bast was watching his twin pacing the small servant’s quarters agitatedly.

“Are you going to get out of that bed and hear me out?” Alazar asked. Looking at his brother who was still abed despite that it was noon.

Bast groaned and started to rise but a hiss from the far corner of the room had him sliding back down the pillows cautiously. “Nope. Apparently, I am not.”

Alazar hadn’t realized Elsabet was standing there but could clearly see her outline in the blackness now. Eyes glowing red in agitation.

My, my. She’s unhappy with him.

“Are you on a forced bed restriction?”

“Apparently?” Bast sent a questioning look to the corner where there was a slow nod. “Yes. Why, yes I am…” He grinned at his brother.

Alazar looked from one to the other. Quite the power she has over him. I’ve been trying to get my brother to listen for centuries with no luck.

“Why’d she want to murder you anyway?” Bast returned to the former subject.

“I don’t know.” Wounding entered Alazar’s tone. “All I’ve ever done is try to protect her…And whatever she asked of me.”

“Well that makes no sense.”

“It does if she doesn’t want to care about you anymore. If it’s too painful and complicated…” Elsabet’s voice rose thoughtfully as she stepped from the corner. Stepping into the light slashing in from the hall through the open doorway.

“I don’t know if she even does.”

“If she wanted you dead for no reason you understand, it was most certainly that one.” Elsabet said decisively. She sat on the edge of the simple brass bed and put the back of a hand to Bast’s forehead.

Checking his temperature.

Bast was nearly glowing under her ministrations.

Glad to have the attention.

He’ll be playing quite ill the next sevennight. Alazar suspected. He has to enjoy this more than inciting her.

Alazar grunted. “Well something interesting to think about at least.” He turned to leave.

“Good luck, Brother.” Elsabet’s soft words stopped him dead.

Brother?

“Tend him well, Sister.” He returned. Pausing in the doorway and looking back to see her peering tenuously over one shoulder.

Gauging my reaction. But Alazar hadn’t thrown meaningless words. It wasn’t his way. He meant them.

Despite how unsettling she is. She has grown into a sister.

Probably to all of us. Thinking on it as he headed back to Nightway he realized she had tended most all of them at some point or another from injuries.

Alazar was back on patrol tonight. His fur cloak pinned to his armored shoulders as he walked the bailey for nightly inspection. A bit of movement caught his attention.

He glimpsed the outline of a peasant girl slinking in the shadows and out the back entrance into Nightway. A simple double-doored entrance backed against the moat, making it a highly dangerous exit.

She was wearing scruffy peasant closed but Alazar would always know the way she moved.

Riaura. Where are you off to? He swept after her. Opening the double doors and looking at the narrow stone path that was only about as wide as hips. Underneath the thin coating of ice on the moat he could see the blue remnants of the foundation of the old castle that had been felled a century ago. Bits of archways still visible.

Looking less then appealing to fall in. Who’d want to come out this way?

A princess sneaking off to somewhere she shouldn’t be. He saw her brown skirt moving in the distance.

Ugh. I’m going to have to catch up. Heading back in he found Erstwhile Knight in the stables and led him out.

“Jacob. Post two more guards in the bailey. There’s a detail I need to go tend to.”

“Yes, Sir.” Jacob nodded from the walkway atop the drawbridge.

He’ll take care of it.

Jacob had never let him down.

Down the road he found the tracks where a small horse had been tied for several hours.

Ingenious. Her awful little brown mare. He was sure of it.

Hopping atop Knight he followed the path into NightVille.