FOREVER KNIGHTS: #7 King of Assassins

Rosewynn Manor, Outside Meadowbrook, Grier Country

DERAGAN

Nora finally found a badly needed washroom. Done in gray and white marble. It’d only taken all morning to locate. She’d searched the top floor desperately before opening a last creaking door. Sighing in relief, as she spotted a large basin topped with a lever which pulled cold water. Creating a gurgle in the corner pot. A rope dangled over a clawfoot tub.

Nora shedded her clothes and cautiously tugged that cord. Instantly discovering that it apparently freed a connection to the NetherRunnel or possibly an icy marsh somewhere. Gasping for air at first, she was too stunned to move as it poured over her. Inhaling against the cold, she leapt from the tub and skid across the floor before catching herself. Teeth chattering, she spotted a shorter rope. Giving it a hearty yank plugged the icy drizzle.

Breathing quickly she finally calmed. Tugging a towel from her bundle of her clothes, she patted her hair dry and dressed quickly. Switching feet in an attempt to keep them off the chilly floor.

Downstairs she found her brothers eating at the table. Still shivering, she drug out a chair. She sighed as she sat.

“Found the washroom?” William asked knowingly. Hair still slightly damp from a similar experience.

“Rough morning?” Marcus teased.

Her eyes narrowed.

“Guess so!” Grimacing he edged away.

Eating her portion of hard bread and softened cheese, she listened to the twins speaking of their plan to explore the grounds.

“What you going to do today?” Marcus asked.

“I’ll figure out what needs doing to make the house livable.”

“I’ll help you, Nore.” Beth added softly. Blinking huge brown eyes.

“Not me!” Airon declared. Puffing his chest as he set down his bit of bread. “I’ll be outside with the men.”

Marcus responded. But his voice dulled to a murmur as Nora glanced at the nearest candleholder. Now only a hard puddle of wax.

In daylight, Rosewynn was overrun with vines and weeds. Behind the house, was a tree graveyard. Looking fire-stripped. Nora stood frozen as the wind blew her tan dress around her.

She was mesmerized. A vision so potent it’d stopped her in her tracks, overtook her. A vision of two people wandering the trees. The couple’s hands intertwined as they plucked fruit, laughing freely. It was blurry and she could only make out the long strands of the woman’s blonde hair flowing around her shoulders. And the man was tall. His voice a deep murmur. The sun winking of his midnight hair. And there was a flash of deep blue eyes as he turned his head in the shadow under a tree.

Deragan sensed what she saw, peering into her thoughts to glimpse what had caused her to freeze like a deer. That was us.

Nora shook her head to banish the image. Twisting the ring on her finger.

All she has left of her mother. He knew.

After a long while she stood. Her worries intruding in Deragan’s thoughts.

She’s worrying about supplies. It was a reasonable concern. Their older brother will send coin but it won’t make it until next week.

She blew a shaking breath.

“Don’t be sad.” Beth murmured, taking her sister’s dangling hand.

Nora jumped. “Where’d you come from?”

“I wanted to see what it all looks like now.” Grabbing her arm Beth tugged her down to tuck a lock of hair behind Nora’s ear just as their mother had often done for them.

“There. It’ll all be better soon.” Beth said confidently.

Nora swallowed. Before wrapping her arms around the girl and clutching her close.

Deragan retreated further into the trees of Gunnison Forest. Letting a heavily leafed branch slap back into place.

Sighing he turned and walked away. Heading back to Meadowbrook. To see what Worthington is up to now.