Their Bonds of Love

It was cold and windy as Conri stood in the darkness next to Argenta House. Though the house rested in the shadows of the Silver Palace, it could never go unnoticed. There was something about the tall building with its pointed roofs made of slate almost more imposing than the palace. Conri stood next to an old wooden door, huddled together with Efa, Caerwyn, and Aron.

They were strangely dressed in matching dark blue tunics and cloaks with black pants. Efa looked particularly odd wearing the garb of one of Lord Cecil’s guards. She was a little shorter than the rest, and she continually had to pull up her pants. They didn’t dare say a word as they waited behind Selven after he knocked on the door. Efa looked all around them, seeming to think they would be attacked at any time. Caerwyn’s eyes were glued to the palace, and Conri knew what he was thinking.

His mind was in the same place. All he wanted was to get in the house and through the tunnel to find Eleri. Once he saw that she was safe, he knew he could face whatever to escape the palace. If they came too late and found her severely impaired or dead, Conri thought he might surrender where he was. He knew it was a wicked and defeatist thought, but going on after such a blow seemed impossible.

He stared at the huge palace for a few moments, the moon shining off the silver-tipped peaks of different towers. He wondered where she was in the huge building and if she was looking forward to seeing him or angry that he had taken so long. The door opened in front of them, and Dillion Pirey peaked out. He nodded and moved aside so they could enter the kitchen of the house.

They hurried through the back of the dark and empty kitchens so quickly, Conri didn’t have a chance to look around. He was aware it was warm, and he could smell bread baking and some brewing tea. Dillion led them through another door and down a steep set of stairs. Efa held onto the back of Conri’s arm as he followed Caerwyn down, keeping his other hand on the stone wall.

They exited into a cellar filled with grains, vegetables, and other spices. It was even colder in the space than outside somehow. Dillion moved to a large shelf and started to try to push it. Seeing what he was doing, Efa raised her hand and moved it to the side. The shelf followed her movements, revealing a short wooden door with a metal beam across it. Efa raised her hand, and the beam unlatched and rose, falling along the doorframe.

“This is it?” asked Selven as he looked into the dark space.

“It is, and it should still be passable. I haven’t been in it, but it was built when the house was of the same stone. It is as sturdy as they come,” replied Dillion. He moved to a crate that had black cloaks piled on top of it. “Put these on and leave those behind. It will destroy them, so hopefully, this won’t’ be traced back to Lord Cecil.

They all took off their blue cloaks and replaced them with black ones.

“I’m going to go ahead and see what trouble I can cause,” said Selven as he turned away. “When you four get into the palace, you will need to find a way to blend in the best you can. Do not tarry long no matter what you find. I will see who I can draw out and then come back here to meet you.”

Caerwyn nodded. “Stay safe, Selven. If we aren’t back after a time, do not wait or come back for us. We might have to find an alternative exit.”

“I’ve already risked my neck and gone to enough trouble for all of you. I’ll be sure to get out of this smelly city as quickly as I can.” He looked at Dillion. “You can come with me if you want, but don’t pack anything. You will have to leave all your finery behind.”

Dillion only stared at his son as he went to the wall and grabbed one of the torches that burned there. He handed it to Selven, who took it. Selven looked back at them all before disappearing down the dark tunnel.

“We will give him about ten minutes before we go ourselves,” said Caerwyn. “That should give him enough time.”

“And then we do what we came to do, and we get out,” said Aron. “Our only mission is to save Eleri. Do not engage anyone that you don’t need to. Do not go looking through rooms you think might be interesting. This is not a time for revenge or gathering information. We will come for vengeance and saving our land later.”

Conri nodded. “I only want to see Eleri safe. We do know where we are going, don’t we?”

“I have been in the palace a few times,” said Efa. “I think I understand where Lord Cecil and Lord Rees explained she should be. If this tunnel comes out where they say it does, we won’t be far.”

There wasn’t much talk while they waited. Dillion paced a little as Caerwyn leaned against the wall. Aron stood still, looking every bit of the head of the Cadwin guard as he was, even without his uniform. Efa took Conri’s hand at some point. He squeezed it and held it for a while.

“I think that is enough time,” said Aron as he moved forward. “We should go. Caerwyn, stay close to Prince Conri. Remember, your main duty is to keep him safe. Efa, come up here with me. If something needs moving or unlocking, it will have to be you.”

Efa let go of Conri’s hand and stood next to Aron as Caerwyn went to Conri’s side. Conri looked at him, seeing his dark eyes cast down as he breathed heavily.

“It will all work out, Caerywn,” said Conri.

“How do you know?” asked Caerwyn as he moved his eyes from the floor to Conri.

“I feel something within me that is making me feel calmer than I have in some time. I can’t explain it, except it almost feels like coming home after a long journey or being embraced by someone you feel safe with.”

“You are coming home,” said Efa as she looked back. “The palace is your true home as it has belonged to your family since the beginning. Those who hold it now are thieves and traitors. Even though you must sneak through the halls tonight, remember that all we see is yours.” She walked forward with Aron as he took a torch from Dillion Pirey.

Dillion handed one to Conri. “Your highness,” he said with a bow.

“Thank you for your help Mr. Pirey. I will not forget it,” said Conri.

“Pass on anything you think you owe me to my son. Give him what you can to help him live a happier life than he has experienced so far.”

Conri nodded at Dillion as they moved on into the dark tunnel. The smell of stagnant water was all around as they moved through the narrow space. It was just tall enough that Conri didn’t have to crouch, through Caerwyn was very slightly bowed. The only sounds were their loud steps on stone, their heavy breaths as they moved quickly, and the sound of dripping water.

Before long, the tunnel angled slightly upwards and narrowed even more. Caerwyn fell behind Conri as they both held on to the walls for support against the uneven ground. They came to a stop at another door, and Aron looked back at them. They all gathered close as he and Conri put out their torches. Aron slowly opened the door to find two guards lying on the ground by each side.

Aron looked over towards an open door. “Let’s drag these two over there, Caerwyn. You and the prince can take their shirts and cloaks, so you do not stand out so much.”

Caerwyn nodded and took one of the guards as Aron took the other. Conri looked around as he followed them into the open door. The empty hall was long and wide. Torches burned along the walls, with portraits in between.

“Come along, Conri. We need to hurry,” said Efa as she grabbed his arm.

He walked with her into the room, which was a small parlor with a small fire still going. He stopped by the plush couch where Caerwyn was pulling off his cloak. Conri did the same as Aron and Efa worked to undress the unconscious guards. One groaned as she took off his shirt.

“Should we kill them?” asked Aron as he stood up with a cloak and shirt in hand.

Efa stared at the young man before her. “I don’t see a need. I can make sure they sleep for quite a while.” She put her hand on one man’s head, and he stopped groaning. She went to the other and did the same. Once Conri and Caerwyn were dressed, they walked out into the hall.

“Caerwyn, you walk in front of us, and you to the back, your highness,” said Aron. “That way, if we come across any other guards, perhaps we can convince them you are escorting us to be questioned or something. If Selven caused enough of a ruckus, maybe many will be confused and let us go. If not, we will have to fight.”

Conri touched the sword that hung at his side, ready to do what was needed to get through this. He felt so strange being in the palace walls. To think, he should have grown up there. Every hall and room should be familiar to him. There were so many memories that were stolen from him, ones that included his mother and father. He had many years lost with Eleri. They would have run through the halls together in their youth. Perhaps they would have been friends that grew to something else. Instead of some false wedding that would never happen, maybe the palace would have been preparing for his joining with Eleri.

“Eleri’s room should be down this hall and to the left. I am sure there will be some sort of guards at her door,” said Efa.

Caerwyn walked to the door and opened it. He looked out before turning to them all and nodding. They hurried down the hall, still meeting no one. It felt strange to be in such a grand hall in a state of expectation and dread to find it so empty.

“Turn up here, Caerywn,” whispered Efa.

They turned down another hall to the left through an opened door. Two guards stood up off the wall by a door.

“What are you doing here?” one of the guards asked. “No one is supposed to be down here.”

“We’ve come to see Lady Eleri,” said Caerwyn.

“No one sees Lady Eleri,” said the man.

The other withdrew his sword and moved in front of the other guard. “What do you want with her?”

Efa put his hand on Caerwyn’s arm and pushed him over slightly. “We want to take her away from this place and home where she belongs. I’d rather not have to hurt you or worse to do it.”

The guard studied Efa closely as he lowered his sword. “You are her kin? You kind of look like her.”

Efa nodded. “I am her aunt, and she is one of the dearest people in the world to me.”

“Deri, what are you doing,” asked the other guard. “Our orders are that no one can see Lady Eleri or go near her room.”

Before Deri could answer, Conri turned as he heard the noise of many doors opening.

“If someone is here who doesn’t belong, kill them on site,” said a loud voice.

Conri felt frozen into place as Caerwyn grabbed his arm and put him behind him. “We have to get Eleri and get out of here.”

“No one goes through that door,” said the guard next to the one called Deri.

Efa moved forward, but before she could do anything, a large group of guards came from the right side of Eleri’s room through a door at the end of the hall. They stopped when they saw the small group in front of them.

“What do we do?” asked Conri.

“We fight,” said Aron as he pulled out his sword.

As Conri unsheathed his, and Efa raised her hand, many more guards came from the other side. Conri heard a voice that made his blood run cold even as the heat of anger filled his body.

“What is going on down here?” Lord Fellen pushed through his guards until he came to the very front. He stopped and smiled before giving a small bow.

“What a pleasant surprise. I take it you came to see Eleri and offer your congratulations. If you are looking for accommodations in the palace, I am sure we could find you an appropriate place to stay.”

Conri turned fully and faced Lord Fellen. Something within would not let this man bully him in his palace. “I don’t think you have the right to offer my guest or me anything in the Silver Palace. It is I who can decide whether you stay or not,” said Conri.

“Under what authority?” asked Lord Fellen with a laugh. “You have no rights to this place anymore, Prince Conri. The Gildan kings are all dead.”

“I am not dead,” said Conri. “I am the true king of Elathia, and even as you play at leading this land, you know it.”

Lord Fellen’s eyes narrowed. “Kill them all. It will be a mercy since they are living in a fantasy world.”

Conri heard Caerwyn growl. Before his eyes, Caerwyn fell forward and emerged as his large white wolf, his clothes in pieces around him. He looked humungous confined in the hall, and his growl echoed off the stone. A few of the guards on both sides took a step back.

Lord Fellen shook his head. “You choose to fight and draw this out? So be it.” He nodded and fell back as his guards came forward with the swords out. Caerwyn and Conri faced one side as Efa and Aron the other. Guards converged on them slowly as though afraid of what would happen. Efa threw out a spell, and four guards in front of her spun through the air before being smacked into the walls, their lifeless bodies falling and leaving a trail of blood.

Caerwyn’s tail twitched as he showed his teeth. Conri held up his sword, wondering if he should shift. The first row of guards ran at them, but Caerwyn jumped forward and grabbed one by the leg. He tossed the guard like a rag doll into the line, causing them all to fall. Conri met one guard with his sword. They traded blows for a moment before Conri found his mark, burying his sword in the guard’s chest. He met another as more and more guards converged. He was aware of Efa’s spells circling him, some meant to attack others, and some meant to shield him and Caerwyn.

The fighting went on for several minutes, and though they were holding their own, Conri wasn’t sure they could keep it up. It seemed like they could not make a real dent in the guards. The uncertainty of Efa’s spells and Caerwyn vicious growls and bites kept many guards from attacking quickly, but even Efa and Caerwyn would get tired.

Conri was on the verge of shifting, thinking perhaps he could do more damage and fight longer as his wolf when there was a bang against the door to Eleri’s room. He heard it again and again. He glanced over and saw Deri pulling out a key on his belt. He was thrown back before he could unlock the door as it flung open, and Eleri emerged from her room.

Conri stopped fighting for a moment to gaze at her. He wasn’t sure, but it seemed as if all around him went still. She wore a bright red dress that appeared to be floating around her. Her hair was down and looked as though some wind was blowing it. She walked to the middle of the hall, her green eyes shining. Whatever was going on around him, Conri did not know. His entire being was captivated by Eleri as she held out her hands to her side.

He put his sword down, feeling nothing but a pull to her. He walked towards her as she looked at him. A small smile formed on her lips before she threw her hands down. A bright light erupted from her and filled the hall. Conri closed his eyes and turned away as he felt a wave of power sweep past him. He heard the sound of falling stone and the cries of men in pain, and then silence.

Opening his eyes, he realized he had continued to move towards Eleri. He stood directly in front of her as the light faded around them. She looked at him curiously for one moment as her eyes went wide, and she reached out her hand to him. He took it.

“Conri,” she said quietly. “I remember. I remember everything.”

He swallowed hard as she blinked a few times before she stumbled slightly towards him.

“Eleri?” he said as he squeezed her hand.

It appeared as if she tried to say something before she started to fall. Conri caught her and held her to him. He put his hand against her stomach and could feel that she was breathing.

Efa cautiously walked up to them and put her hand on Eleri’s cheek. She is weak and exhausted. We must get her out of here.”

“How?” asked Aron. The way to the tunnel is cut off now.” Conri looked up to see Caerwyn’s wolf sniffing the fallen in ceiling and walls in front of him.

Conri scooped Eleri up in his arms as she moaned softly. He looked around, seeing dead palace guards surrounding him except for the one called Deri. He looked frightened out of his mind as he stood hunched against the wall. “You,” said Conri as he slightly shifted Eleri. “Can you tell us a way we might get out?”

He stood up a little straighter. “You really won’t hurt her?” he asked as he looked at Eleri.

“She is very safe with us,” said Efa. “We only want to get her out of here so we can help her.”

“Then come with me,” said Deri. “I think we can make it to the hall by the kitchens. It leads to the servants’ yard. Perhaps there won’t be as many guards there.”

Caerwyn moved towards Deri and growled, causing the guard to back up.

“We have to trust him, Caerwyn,” said Conri. “We have no other choice. Eleri left him alive for a reason.” Caerwyn looked up at Conri and bowed his head as he backed away from the guard. “Lead the way.” Conri nodded to Deri.

They moved through the hall in front of them, stepping around fallen guards. Conri had never seen so many dead men or such carnage. He tried not to focus on any particular part, only moving forward with Eleri in his arms. He could not blame her for what she had done. She had saved them all, and it was the only way to do it.

He held her close to him as they moved down the hall. He tried not to jar her too much, but it seemed as if he couldn’t get her comfortable in his arms. She was not heavy, but she just felt wrong no matter how he positioned her. After going through a pair of thick doors, they arrived in a short wide space with doors on each wall.

“It’s this one,” said Deri as he moved towards the one across from them.

Conri followed Deri as another door opened to their right. A group of guards spilled out, causing Conri to stop with the others. Efa and Aron moved in front of him as Caerwyn growled by Conri side.

“Conri, you need to get Eleri out of here. Go on with this young man, and we will take care of these guards before we escape,” said Efa.

“You want me to leave you here?” asked Conri. “I’m not sure I can do it.”

“You cannot fight with Eleri,” said Efa as she waved one of her hands. Conri felt a block go up between the guards and their group. “Go now, and we will find you in the woods.”

Caerwyn looked at Conri and moved his head down before going to Efa’s side.

“It is just through this door,” said Deri. “We only have to make it through a short hallway to the servant’s courtyard. There is a door there to the outside.”

Conri looked down as Eleri blinked her eyes and moved in his arms. She looked up at him as she put her hand to her neck.

“Go, your highness,” said Aron as he readied his sword. “We will find you.”

Conri glanced at Deri and nodded. He opened the door, and they entered the small, dingy hallway. Conri kept Eleri very close to him so she wouldn’t hit the walls in the narrow space. She moaned more frequently as she seemed restless. The closer they got to the door, the more she moved in Conri’s arms. It was almost as if she was trying to leave them.

He tightened his grip on her, and she cried out as if in pain. Conri worried she was injured somewhere, but he didn’t have time to look her over. Deri opened the door and moved out of the way. Conri stepped out into the cold night air of the courtyard. A few servants were out, one smoking a pipe. They looked up at Conri as he walked forward but did not move.

“Just through that door over there. You will have to be careful as guards patrol even this exit from time to time. The palace will be on alert, but they may not have had a chance to cover this door yet fully. If you walk straight and then to your right, you will come to the back of Argenta House. I hope you can find a way out from there. ”

Conri nodded, knowing that Dillion had fewer guards patrolling the perimeter. “What will you do?” asked Conri.

“I will go back and see if I can help the rest of your group. Lady Eleri talked a little about her family and friends. I know they are important to her,” said Deri.

“Why are you helping us?”

“She was very kind to me even though I was a palace guard. I know Lord Fellen and others hurt her, but she never blamed me. I didn’t even really want to be here, but I had no choice. My father has too many sons and not enough money. I had to do something,” said Deri. “Now, you need to go.”

Conri adjusted Eleri again as she struggled in his arms. “It’s alright, Eleri,” he said quietly. “You are almost safe. Efa, Caerwyn, and Aron won’t be far behind.”

“No,” she moaned. “I cannot.”

“It will all work out. You will see. Now rest for a moment.”

“I can’t leave him. I want to, but I cannot.” She tried to sit up in his arms, but Conri kept a firm hold of her.

“You aren’t leaving any of them. They will all be along in a minute.”

She continued to struggle, but Conri kept hold of her as Deri opened the door. He looked out to see the tail end of a couple of guards run around the wall. Taking his chance, he stepped out. He made his way to Argenta House, passing no one. He wished he had thought to stop and cover Eleri with his cloak to hide the bright red dress and keep her warm, but it was too late.

Either by a miracle of the goddess or luck, they made it to the back of the house. There was a tall gate on one side. He gently put Eleri down and held her to his side. She leaned heavily against him, whispering something to herself. The gate latch was locked, and he cursed as he fiddled with it.

“Eleri, I know you are tired, but can you undo this lock?” he said as he looked at her.

She kept whispering to herself with closed eyes. “I cannot do it. I cannot.”

He turned her, so she was facing him. Gently he lifted her head, and her eyes blinked open. “I don’t know what you have been through, but I will not let anyone else hurt you. Please, you have to help me so I can get you to safety. I will take you to see your father. I will take you home.”

“I cannot go,” she said as tears fell out of her eyes. “I hate him, but I cannot leave him. It hurts too much.”

“You can’t leave who?” he asked, fearing filling him as he waited for her answer.

Her hand went up to her neck. “I am his now. I didn’t want it. I didn’t ask for it, but he did it anyway.”

Conri slowly took her hand and, as gently as possible, moved her hand. He saw a red mark on her soft pale skin that was already starting to bruise. He let his fingers skim it as she hissed and drew back. Fury, as he had never known, filled his body. That man had marked her forcefully. He had been told of it only once in his studies. It was strictly forbidden and against every law in the land. He turned to look back at the palace. He took one hand off of Eleri as all he wanted was to go back to the palace and face Lord Fellen.

He turned back as he heard Eleri sob. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to let him, but I have been so weak. He’s been poisoning me with my dresses and crown. I’m sure my food as well. The pain was too much.”

“Your dresses?” asked Conri.

She nodded as she pulled at her gown. “He dressed me in heavy ornate dresses that held some sort of poison to weaken me. This crown was my mother’s, and he tainted it, so it causes me pain.” She reached up and gently touched the golden grown on her forehead.

Conri softly touched her face, wiping away one of her tears before he reached up and took off her crown. She cried out as it left her head. He could see angry red marks in the shape of the golden vines on her forehead.

“Please don’t throw it away,” she said as he held it. “It truly was my mother’s, and I don’t want to lose it.”

He nodded as he undid his belt for a moment. He placed the belt through the crown before refastening it. Looking up at her, he asked, “Your gown is causing your pain?”

“Yes, it is hard to breathe.” She held her stomach with one of her hands.

Conri turned her around and examined the ties on her back. They were done tightly and held in knots. “Stay still, Eleri,” he ordered as he pulled out a small dagger on his belt. He sliced through the ties as she let out a loud breath of relief. He put back his dagger while she tugged her dress off of her, leaving her standing in the cold in a thin white shift.

Conri took off his cloak and threw it around her. He fastened it under her chin before holding her close. “Is that better?” he asked.

He felt her nod of agreement against his neck. “But I still don’t know how I can leave. It feels wrong to leave him behind. I want to go, but I’m afraid to do it.”

Conri thought over what he remembered about being marked. It didn’t have to be forever, especially one done without permission. It could be taken back by the one who gave it, whether forcefully or by death. It could also be covered by being marked by another. He would gladly go find Lord Fellen and make him confess to Eleri that it was wrong before Conri ripped out his throat, but he knew it would be foolish. He had to find a quicker way to help her.

She leaned back and looked up at him. “Conri, I do remember everything. Even with this horrible mark, I know I love you. I will never truly want anyone but you, but I understand if you have to let me go. If I go back to the palace, I can get Lord Fellen to let you all leave. I can marry him, and you can go back and plan to take your throne. I will never help him. I will pray for you to take your place, but I know I am tainted now. You must hate the sight of me.”

“What?” asked Conri, confused. “Eleri, how could you possibly think I would let you go after you just told me you love me. I have lived in dread for many weeks, thinking you may never truly remember our time together. Everything will be alright. We will find a way past this. I love you. You know I do.”

She leaned into him as he wrapped his arms around her. “Then will you help me?” she asked. “I know it isn’t fair, and you might not be ready, but I don’t know how else to move forward.”

“You mean, you want me to…” He looked at the house and all around. He heard the sound of men shouting in the distance. He knew, eventually, guards or someone else would find their way over to them.

“You can go and leave me if you want. I hate asking you to do it here, like this.” She pushed away a little and wiped her eyes with her fingers. Standing up a bit straighter, she stared at Conri. “I do love you. I love you like I never thought possible. I have witnessed real love between my father and mother and Grace and Efa, but I thought perhaps I would never find it.

“With Caerwyn, it always seemed out of reach, but with you, it was so simple that I thought it was some trick. I didn’t want to accept it because I didn’t think it could be so easy, but now I see it really is. It is as simple as breathing because it is the most natural thing in the world.

“I don’t care if it is because of some prophecy or magic. All that matters is that I love you completely, Conri, and I know you love me. You have seen the darkness in me, and you still love me. This may not be how I wished this to happen, but if you mark me now, I know I will never regret it.”

He reached out and pulled her into his arms as he kissed her. His hands went under her cloak, feeling her warm body under her shift. “I do love you, Eleri. I have known for a while that I will never love another.”

He kissed her jaw as she raised her head. He moved slightly back, staring at the small red mark on her neck. This was not how he wanted it to happen, but it was all he could think to do. He leaned down close to the mark. He could feel the heat coming from it. He kissed it gently, and Eleri’s hands went to his hair as she whimpered slightly.

The shouts of men and the sound of horses were coming closer. His tongue brushed over the mark, tasting her skin around it. His instincts took over, and even if he wanted to stop, he could not. His teeth found her flesh as he bit into her. She moaned in pleasure as he tasted a bit of her blood against his tongue. It was almost sweet, and he bit in a bit further. Her hands moved in his hair as she arched against him.

“Yes,” she gasped.

He finally forced himself to pull away as he claimed her mouth in a deep kiss. All he wanted was to take her somewhere and love her. He could feel the connection between them. Though she hadn’t officially claimed him, there was still a bond. He felt a need to protect her like never before. He wanted to show her just what she meant to him.

She broke their kiss with a small smile before turning from him. She raised her hand, and the gate opened immediately. He grabbed her hand and guided her towards the side where four horses stood. He helped her up on one before mounting behind her. Taking one look at the palace, he prayed the others would follow quickly. He put one arm around Eleri as the other gripped the reins. He kissed the side of her face as she leaned into him. They took off into the night, towards the east exit of the city.