Roses on Fire ~ The Tale of Roses and Thorns 2.

When she stepped out she fell to the ground feeling dizzy and weak. Adrastos crouched next to her.

“I’ll be fine, I’m getting used to it.” she closed her eyes firmly “Just give me a few minutes.” she felt Adrastos standing up and heard Delroy arrive with the portal. The two men started speaking in a low voice.

When she felt her dizziness cease, she stood up shakily and walked up to them.

“We’ll need new clothes and horses.” explained Adrastos “The next town is two hours away.” Ivelle just nodded. “Let’s go.”

When they arrived at the town, they were shocked by the sight that welcomed them. Ivelle recognised Bridgegate, the first town in Sanctuary she set foot in. Her heart broke as she examined her surroundings. The once lively and prosperous town was now burnt down, and the streets were filled with homeless and miserable people. The town was oddly calm and quiet, Ivelle felt like she was walking in a graveyard. They hid in an alley and Adrastos sent Delroy to get clothes and information. Half an hour later he came back with a bag of clothes.

“Do I want to know how did you get these?” asked Ivelle raising her eyebrows.

“There was a clothes shop down the street, it’s closed now.” he said matter-of-factly “I managed to get these without anyone noticing.”

“So, you stole them.” Ivelle earned once again a disapproving glare from Adrastos. “Just saying.” she shrugged, picking up her clothes and hid behind a pile of boxes so the two men wouldn’t see her change. She examined the clothes: black leather pants with black boots, white linen shirt and black leather jacket.

After she changed, she walked back to the men. Delroy tossed her a black cape.

“So, what did you learn?” asked Adrastos.

“This half of Abonwan is now ruled by Merikh.” he started on a low voice “He’s taken away every boy who was able to lift a sword.” Adrastos nodded.

“I hate to say this, but we have to ask for help.” Ivelle jerked up. Why would he ask for help now? “Delroy, you and Ivelle will go and buy horses,” he tossed Delroy a sack of coins “and meet me outside the town. “They nodded and started their way towards the market.

The market that once was the place of trading, and where cheerful citizens were chatting, and children were playing was now more of a casual ward. There were temporary beds, mostly made of hay everywhere. Injured people were laying on the so-called beds, most of them laying silently or sleeping, others, who suffered more severe injuries, were moaning. Women were cooking something in cauldrons, but as they noticed the newcomers, some of them went off to gather the children, and got out of their way. As they passed by, the people of the town shared uncertain looks and eyed them mistrustfully. Ivelle couldn’t help but noticed as the men took a few steps closer and as they slowly reached under their coats, probably for their daggers. Delroy nudged her lightly: he noticed the horse trader at the other end of the market. They slowly approached him, trying to look as trustworthy as possible.

“Good day, Sir.” said Delroy “Do you have horses for trade?” the man examined them suspiciously.

“It depends.” He said on a neutral tone “Who are you? ”

“I’m Drystan and this is my sister. We are just travelling through.”

“Then why don’t you two have horses? ”

“Because the Dark Soldiers took them from us as ‘booty’. ” said Delroy with a deep breath, looking at the ground. The trader’s expression became friendlier at once.

“I have two.” he motioned them to follow him and led them to a black and a dark bay horse. “The others were taken as booty.”

“How much?” asked Delroy without hesitation.

“Three golds each.”

“Three?” he looked the horses up and down “Very well, here you are, Sir.” the man nodded and left them without a word.

They quickly joined Cirillo outside the town. Delroy gave him back the sack of coins and handed him the reins of the black horse.

“Just two?” Asked Adrastos,

“I’m happy that the man gave us these two. Didn’t want to push it any further.” Adrastos nodded.

“Okay, but in this case, Ivelle will sit behind you.”

Three days later they arrived at a way too familiar river and border crossing point.

“We’re in Lorlea.” Ivelle said, examining her surroundings.

“Will be.” corrected Delroy.

“But how are we going to get through the guards?”

“We won’t.” seeing the confused face of Ivelle he added “But we’ll pretend to try. Just play along and everything will be okay.”

They slowly approached the border guards. A high and thin guard walked up to them and made them stop.

“Who are you and what’s your business here?”

“I’m Abraxas, ” said Adrastos “this is my friend Drystan, and his sister Lashay. We seek refuge in Lorlea.” the guard examined them for a minute and spoke up.

“Take off your hoods.” Adrastos hesitated for a minute then took his off. The guards immediately pulled out their swords and encircled them. “Get off your horses and put down your weapons. “He ordered.

Adrastos got off his horse and Ivelle and Delroy followed him. They put their weapons on the ground and waited. The guards slowly approached them and tied their hands. When the guard finished with Ivelle’s hands, he pulled off her hood. With widened eyes he took a few steps backwards.

“Captain!” he yelled, and the high and thin guard walked up to her “For Ryuu’s sake that’s Lady Ivelle!” he looked around “We have to take them to the city.”

A few days later they were locked up in the dungeons of Lorlea. Ivelle set on a small bench leaning against the wall. Adrastos was very calm and leaned against the wall. Delroy sat on the floor and played with a straw.

“We’ve been here for three days.” started Ivelle “Would you mind telling me what was your plan?”

“You said it yourself: we need help.” said Adrastos turning his head towards her.

“I can’t see how being locked up helps us.”

“Patience, Elle, patience.” Ivelle wanted to retort but at that very minute a guard came in, opened their cell and tied their hands.

The guard led them to a room with a huge, round ebony table. A bunch of people were sitting around the table: she recognised King Xaun the fairy king, Pádraig, Allerick, Hagan, and to her biggest horrors, Cirillo, King Dragomir and -to her biggest relief Prince Áedh from the dragons. Lord Vortigern and Lady Merle from the sorcerers were also there, and -to her biggest surprise -King Sorin from the dwarves and Queen Branka (who now was dressed in all black and her face was covered with a black veil- from Abonwan. There was another man too, whom she didn’t recognize. At once all eyes were on them.

“So,” stood up Allerick and walked up to them “The Dark Prince, and his soldier. It seems you were right, Lord Chavdar” he turned to the unknown man “He really did foul us once again.” he gave a grin to Adrastos then turned to Ivelle “I assume you were abducted.”

Ivelle straightened her back and looked into his eyes.

“No. Well, not entirely.” confused murmuring started in the room “I’m with Adrastos and Delroy from my own free will. I wasn’t forced to stay with them.” the murmur became louder.

“Then you’re either mad or a traitor.” said Xaun. Adrastos grunted loudly.

“Typical, so typical.” he took a step closer to the table, but the guards immediately stopped him “You can’t see through that light elf, dark elf thing, can you? Do you really think that I would be here if I didn’t want you to capture me?” he said with an emotionless and arrogant tone “You think too much of yourselves, Your Majesties and Highnesses.” he said the last three words on a mocking tone.

“So, you say that you wanted to be captured?” asked Lord Chavdar.

“Sharp as a tack.”

“Then you’re crazier than I’ve thought before.” said Xaun not caring to look at them.

Adrastos sneered.

“Are we now?” he looked around “Oh, I don’t know I feel quite sane. Delroy?”

“I’m completely fine, Your Highness. Lady Ivelle?” he looked over at her.

“I don’t feel insane.” she gave a quick grin to her companions.

“I think we should execute them.” said the short and stocky dwarf king.

“I agree.” said Xaun and soon Queen Branka, Lord Vortigern, King Dragomir, and Lord Chavdar started nodding and murmuring their agreement too.

Allerick looked around and took a deep breath.

“Take them to the dungeons. Put Ivelle in a different cell we’ll deal with her later.” ordered the elven king. Ivelle felt panic take over her body. She couldn’t think nor move. They can’t execute them, not now. She caught the eyes of Adrastos who remained very calm. The guards came and grabbed her elbows. She fought against them, but they were too strong and started dragging her towards the door.

“Kill us, and you’ll lose your only chance to defeat my dear brother.” sneered Adrastos. At that very minute Allerick waved the guards to leave them.

“What do you mean?”

“He has the Dark Blade.”

“Your brother? ” Asked Sorin on a cynical voice.

“Yes.” Adrastos took a deep breath and started his explanation like he was talking to a child “You know, my dear father and that sorceress Delaney had a son. And he has the Blade.

“The Dark Blade was destroyed.” said Xaun with slight boredom.

“No, it wasn’t and now Merikh has it which means that he’s now capable of ruling the whole army of my father.”

“And how could you help us?” asked Pádraig not taking his eyes of Ivelle. Ivelle turned away which was a great mistake since now she was facing Cirillo, whose eyes were filled with anger.

“Oh no, no, no, we won’t help you, you’ll help us.” said Adrastos.

“What’s the difference?” asked Dragomir with rising anger.

“A lot. You’ll help us, which means that we will resume our...journey and you give us the help we require. If we helped you, we would be your little puppets.”

“That’s absurd.” stood up Lord Chavdar “You’re the Dark Prince and can’t be trusted.”

“In this case, we’ll leave.” he said and the handcuffs on their wrists turned into snakes and slid away. Lord Vortigern quickly stood up.

“Impossible.”

“What do you suggest?” asked Allerick not paying attention to the lack of handcuffs.

“We have to get to the Forgotten Lands.”

“It’s just a myth.” countered Xaun.

“Amardad sent us there.”

“She’s dead.” said Vortigern.

“Because there’s another Sister.”

“All of them are dead.” said Merle.

“You’re quite negative today, aren’t you?”

After a few minutes of silence Allerick spoke up again.

“Why do you need to find the last Sister?”

“I don’t know. But Amardad asked us.” he said honestly with his hands behind his back.

“And since when does Adrastos, son of Erebos and Dark Prince of Nendawin obey a sorceress?” Asked Cirillo still looking at Ivelle.

“She asked me nicely.” he sneered “And who am I to deny her dying wish?”

“You killed her?” asked Sorin.

“Not me, my brother.” he turned to Ivelle “For Keres’s sake,” there was a loud hiss coming from the others, which made Delroy and Adrastos grin “How could you bear them?”

“I’m very patient.” she shrugged.

“What do you need?” Allerick stood up and walked closer.

“A plan, horses and of course I want our weapons back.” Allerick nodded.

“You can’t live your quarters without the guards and can’t have your weapons with you while you’re here.”

“I understand.” he nodded.

“You can’t be serious?” said Cirillo standing up “That’s Adrastos.”

“Sit down, Son.” he said not caring to look at him “And one more thing.” Adrastos looked at him expectantly “You take two of our people with you.”

“I’m okay with that, but Ivelle choses them.”

“Me?” she asked with wide eyes.

“Yes, you.”

“Then it’s settled.” he turned to the guards, “Show them to three empty quarters.”