Presence [Chapter Eighteen - Part 3/3]

I asked for the guards to release him to me, in a final attempt to see his life spared. Molton granted permission, against the wishes of the guards. She knew as well as I that he did not mean harm to her, or anyone. Even towards me, the 'monster', he kept a smiling, oblivious face. I envied him, for he remained so positive, not aware of the cruelty that awaited him.

"Rekead, I need you to talk about Ragon." I whispered to him, as calm as I could manage. I tried to keep my voice low, so only he could hear, for I wished to keep him quiet on certain matters. Molton did not need to know of the Magpies. At least, not yet. "I need you to tell that he is gone. Gone from his cell-"

"What are you saying to him, Arrain?" Molton raised a brow, concerned for the words she could not hear. The rattling sound of moving armour surrounded her voice, as the guards drew close.

I clutched Rekead by the hand and led him towards the large windows that lined the great courtroom hall. Past the docks and pews, to where all the daylight was kept out by the thick, black drapes. He followed my lead, dragged by my fingers, until we reached the shadows. Molton's face told a picture of confusion and interest, as she followed loosely behind, her attentive ears always listening.

"Rekead, listen to me." I placed my hands upon his cheeks, my eyes bleeding into his for encouragement. "Speak that you saw Ragon was gone, and I shall give you the sun to see.”

"The sun! The sun...the sun...." He gasped, rattling the chains upon his wrist in a dance of pure commotion. "I want to see the sun....the flames burning the sky.... see them burning bright!"

"And you shall, but you cannot see it unless you talk. Tell Molton that Ragon was gone. That is all I ask. And you shall see the sun, and taste your freedom."

His excitement was getting the better of him. He was not listening, only talking. And not the words that Molton craved to hear. I was losing faith, almost as quick as Molton was losing her patience.

Rekead chanted and screamed, his voice possessed in a fit of hysteria. I tried to calm him, singing the wood nymph song of praise towards the third deity. It had worked before, and I remained slightly hopeful it would rest him, but it didn't. He only grew more impatient and wild with each passing second, tugging at me so viciously to show him the sun.

"I've heard enough." Molton growled, ordering her men with a pointed finger to seize him. "The boy is clearly not in the right mind. He either does not understand or is unwilling to co-operate. His stupidity will cost him dearly either way. He cannot be saved. Only in death will he be at peace."

Her hand shot out towards him, aiming towards his chest. Out of instinct, I dashed in front of him.

"No, wait! Please!" I begged her, shaking as though her wrath was meant for me. "There is someone. Someone who he trusts. If you allow him to speak with him, then he will talk."

"And you are certain of this?" In truth, I was certain of nothing. If anything, I feared I had made a terrible mistake. I wished not to drag Malafrik into this, but there was no time to backtrack now. I knew he would rather sacrifice himself in hope of happiness reaching Rekead, the same way I felt protective over Ede.

"There is a man in the dungeons who acted a father to him; a man who cares for him as his own. His name is Malafrik. Please, if you will allow him to-"

"Malafrik! Malafrik!" Rekead's voice threw itself around the courtroom. Bounding and flying through the air, reaching all ears far and wide. At first, Molton seemed convinced and trusting of my suggestion. The guards were beckoned to her with a curled finger, her eyes brushing towards the doors. But all was quickly dampened, as Rekead could not tape his mouth together.

"They came....took him....took him away....." He shrieked out, toneless and ecstatic.

"Who came?” Molton was the first to react, with an unsatisfied smirk upon her face. She leaned eager towards him, her breath held in anticipation. “Who took him?"

"Took him away....red smoke....gone....a ghost.....”

“He doesn’t know what he is saying.” I tried to conceal the truth, but the damage had already been done. Her interest had been intrigued, and I knew she would stop at nothing until she had it satisfied.

“Rekead, who took him? What did you see?”

“Magpies...Magpies took him! Stole him....into air!"

"The Ma-Magpies?" Her face paled, her eyes wide like moons. The word stammered from her lips, staggering for breath.

“He is clearly confused."

“Yes,” Her councillor agreed with me, quickly. “The boy’s madness is warping his perception of realty. He cannot possibly suppose you to believe such travesty!”

The councillor’s thin lips tried in vain to sway her mind, but nothing worked. Not even the voice of her precious son could break through her stubbornness. The idea had become rooted into her mind, and instantly, she called for her guardsman to round Trenton for private words.

“Your grace, you are not sincerely considering the word of the sick, are you?” The councillor quivered, a little more than usual, at the earnest spark in her jade eyes.

“I knew this day would come.” Was all she could say, and nothing else, until Trenton arrived. With frantic eyes and legs, he rushed to her side, sporting a worried parting of lips. The two of the whispered frenetically to one another, speaking swiftly like the heat of the wind. Guards either side moved their eyes to and fro, trying to keep up. Finally, Trenton moved away, and turned his attentions to Rekead.

“If what you are saying is true, and the Magpies did visit the cells, how was it they were able to remove Ragon from his cell?”

"He doesn't know what he is saying." I tried to shield him from his wrath, but it was not my voice they were interested in. All thoughts of me were pushed aside, out of focus.

"Magpies....Magpies...." Rekead could say nothing more. He repeated it so proudly, as though he had earned his reward. "The sun....the sun...."

"Fetch the other prisoner Arrain mentioned. Malafrik, was it?" Molton gave the order, watching the guards scurry through the courtroom doors. "If it falls true that we have been visited by The Magpies, we must learn everything."

"Why are you so afraid of them?" I asked her. It was the first time I had seen Molton so fearful. Trenton, too, seemed particularly on edge.

“I am not afraid, Arrain. Do not confuse my unease for fear.” She scolded me, the way a typical mother would her child for saying something out of line. “I am simply finding this all a little too close for comfort, is all. You see, as a child, I suffered recurring nightmares about The Magpies. I would see them coming for me, chasing me in shadows, their eyes black and beaded like the birds; their mouths replaced with sharp beaks, peaking and prodding at my skin. And I would always awaken, just as they claws clasped hold of me. Usually at dawn, or just before it, when the moon and sun were both in a conflict as to which was to be more dominant.”

"The Magpies are just a myth, are they not?"

“There lies truth behind every myth, Arrain. And I believe the Magpies are no exception. I had first learnt at the orphanage of their legend. The nightmares I suffered were frequent then, and thought them nothing more than childish fears that my mind had not yet outgrown. But Danne told me differently. He said he saw it in my line.”

“What line?”

“Every breathing thing upon his earth holds an invisible cord that attaches their soul to the underworld. It is how our souls travel after our bodies decay. The line is cut from our physical form and is pulled into the next life. Danne said that our lines, above the earth, held our story. He said very few have lived that could read lines. But for those that did possess the gift, they were able to see all we are and all that we will be. Our past, present and future.”

“A gift like that is surely the gift belonging to the oracle. The omniscient children of the deities?”

“Yes, child.” All at once, everything fell into place. I pieced together the parts of her twisted puzzle, quicker than she had time to explain. The boy she spoke of, the sole friend that had been captured by the winged monsters at the orphanage; the one she called Danne, was in fact Dannetréo. The oracle's son.

I felt an uncomfortable pull in my stomach in learning such news. I had asked of Trystan to locate Dannetréo, in hopes of defeating Molton. If correct in my thinking, I had done nothing towards our cause to help. In fact, if anything, I had endangered us more. If Trystan were to even so much mention Molton in a bad light, I was certain he would lash out, if he remained as loyal to her as she had said.

Of course, it was possible for time to build a bridge between the two of them. Molton herself spoke of him as though he was dead. If he lingered a ghost in her mind, perhaps he too, would view her the same. There was no way of knowing, and no rules toward such oblivious territory.

"He was the son of the oracle?" I asked her, hoping she could deny it all. But instead, I saw the stomach-churning nod of sanction.

"Yes. As children, we were not to know the truth about him and his power. I do not think even he understood himself fully. It was a taboo to talk about it. The grief was still raw from his mother’s passing. People had not moved on and were quick to blame him, and take out their anger and frustrations upon him. The oracle bloodline has been a cursed one, as well as it was blessed. For centuries, the omniscient people lived in hiding. Up in the mountains, away from civilisation. The deities had told them not to share their gift with the mortals, for their minds were too advanced. They held secrets that we were not to know. But as time moved forward, and explorers grew more desperate to seek them out, their presence became widely known throughout the seven realms. The oracle and her people settled in Maritten, in Págos Temple. No one can recall the temple existing until the oracle herself landed foot in Maritten, and it was believed by our elders that the deities themselves had fashioned it for her home. I saw the Págos Temple as a young girl; vacant, but nevertheless beautiful. The walls were made of ice. Pure ice, that not even the brightest summer’s sun could penetrate. One would never believe it unless they saw it with their own eyes.....”

I had seen the temple she was referring to in person. A few years back, Ede and I had taken refuge in the realm of Maritten. It was a humble county, always busy from dusk until dawn. It was exactly the way we both preferred it to be. Everyone was so consumed in their own business that they had little time to dwell into the business of others. For runners like us, it made for a fitting home, until the trackers caught wind of our attendance. We blended right into the never sleeping, breathing streets of Maritten, without so much a second glance. The only exception being Págos Temple.

There was something fascinating about that temple. Something magnetic and hypnotic. Something that pulled the eyes towards it, regardless of all else. We walked by the temple every day whilst in Maritten, being it sat in the centre of the entire city. Even the locals could not resist an eyeful as they strolled by in their daily routines. I do not believe it was solely because of its icy posture. But because of its mystery. Whenever the sun rose a little higher than usual, and the heat grew more and more intolerable, there was a worry shared in unison that the temple would melt. Thaw out into nothing but water and unsharpened blobs of ice, the last remnants of its once wondrous design. It was something so beautiful and potent, yet so fragile and petrifying at the same time. Just as the curse of their bloodline, as Molton told.

“Folk queued around Maritten’s winding streets in line to visit the oracle. They wished to ask her many things. Ways to cure the incurable. Prayers to speak to those whom had passed. Remedies for broken hearts and aging bones. All things that the oracle could not reveal, as part of her ancestral oath to the deities. In truth, I do not envy their power. Whilst one would be only naturally curious to know how the world works, in all its pain and bliss, it can only bring one tragic ending with it. Death.

“And death came to oracles faster than any other creature known. It was believed that their knowledge consumed them, too much for their bodies to function. It was one of the things Danne spoke about. He feared how long he would have upon our earth, before his mind took possession of his body. At first, I knew nothing of what he spoke of. But he would tell me things that no one could know. He knew things about my past, things I could not even remember. And he spoke often of what he saw ahead for me. Which is why I am most alarmed at the news of the Magpies visiting. He mentioned they would make an appearance, but as to what for, he was uncertain. Just as you, I thought them a myth. At least, I had always hoped so."

“Molton, your grace.” Trenton raised his voice, lowering his head with respect towards his ruler. “One has to wonder why the Magpies would choose here to visit. And more curiously as to why they selected that particular prisoner.”

“That is what I need to unearth, Trenton. And the sooner, the better.” She turned to me, her eyes bored of waiting. “Child, I think it best to return to your chamber and prepare yourself for our announcement in the city. It has been quite a troubling morning. I need not for you to look worn out on such an imperative day."

"I shall not leave until Rekead is set free. He spoke of what he saw, or at least what he think he saw. You said you would keep to your word."

"I am not finished with him yet." Molton curled her lips, her eyes rolling over Rekead. "If what he speaks is to be true, I require more details. I need to know all of what he has seen, and if that means having to torture it out of him-"

"You vowed not to let him come to harm."

"I promised no such thing." Her reply was stern, as her stone face. "The situation we are facing is a very serious one. If my realm and the people within in are under threat, than I must be able to defend it. The ones that broke into the dungeons and abducted a high-risk prisoner are not only guilty of treason and the perversion of justice, but for the use of dark magic. The protective measures and enchantments used within these towers are of the most experienced and perfected range. I have met none that have penetrated so far, and if a weak link has been breached, I must know where and how it was achieved. It is for the safety of us all, Arrain. I must do whatever possible to prevent any further incidents.”

“And persecuting a boy, with your own councillor’s diagnosis of madness, is what you consider an appropriate measure? You wish to protect your people by abusing them?”

“I said if he speaks the truth, he will see his freedom. My word is my word. But suggesting the presence of the Magpies is a dangerous tomb to be opening. Either he is lying most ludicrously, or he holds the key to Ragon’s disappearance. In my eyes, he seems as though he is drowned in his madness, but I am yet to be convinced if his tongue is dishonest."

“Your grace,” Trenton diverted Molton’s attention towards the courtroom opening doors. Malafrik was brought in, guarded in thick chains and secured on each shoulder by Molton's men. His face could be described as nothing more than utter despair.

He knew that souls brought up from the dungeons were seldom seen again. His face bathed in misery, as though he was wrestling the acceptance of his fate in his mind. But it was a difficult battle; tears were pouring over his cheeks, his thin lips quivering and shaking as much as his knees.

"Malafrik, I presume." Molton announced his name, which only illuminated his fear further. "I have been told you share a close bond with this man."

"Rekead." He named the man she pointed to, his eyes not faltering from the careless innocence of his face. All with eyes could read the absolute worry and concern he had held over him; I could imagine the questions that had ran through his mind, toying with Rekead’s life and death. "I ask of you, why was it he was taken? He has not done anything wrong. Not a foot tread out of place in all his years."

"He is a witness, to the disappearance of a particular prisoner." The councillor informed. "He seems to speak of something of certain interest and concern. The Magpies."

Malafrik's eyes widened. He knew that Rekead had said too much. But regardless, he could never hate him for it; only hate the world around him for punishing him for the truth.

“I do not know what would prompt him to lie. He has not been raised to be dishonest.” He was lying through his teeth. I knew if I knew it, then Molton did. “It must be the hunger. It worsens his mind. He gets confused more easily.”

“I believe him.” Molton proclaimed, her voice aggressively echoing to the high ceilings. “The boy has no reason to lie to me. He said it out of his own will, without the need for anything violent. Although, that can be arranged. I need details. And I shall get them one way or another.”

“You are barking up the wrong tree. Rekead had nothing to do with Ragon’s removal. None of us were involved.”

“That is not what was asked.”

“I know that he knows nothing. The boy was asleep.”

“And how can you be certain he did not wake in the night, unless you, yourself, were awake to grant him his alibi?” Molton’s mind was clever, but so was Malafrik’s.

“It was not him that saw The Magpies. It was me.” A chorus of gasps swam around the room in a ghostly whisper. Council-men and guards alike stood in shock, hearing the confirmation from the prisoner’s lips.

“Well, this is interesting.” One could almost hear the creak of Molton’s bones as she leaned closer towards Malafrik, her eyes gleaming in the dull light.

“I will tell you everything I know. I vow it, but only under one condition." He said, gravely.

“Go on.”

“Exchange Rekead’s life for mine. Extend my sentence with all of his, and allow him to be free. The boy knows nothing to do with the Magpies. It was all my eyes and ears doing.”

"But how can I be sure that Rekead knows something you do not. At this moment of time, he has proved the greatest help towards his disappearance than any. It would be foolish of me to simply allow him to-“

"No!" Malafrik remained firm. His fear of Molton was evident; his knees were buckling, uncertain whether they could hold his full weight. But his face did not wear his phobias as proudly. "If you wish to know of the Magpies, and methods they used to extract Ragon, than I qant your word that Rekead is free from harm. Once he is released and safe, I shall tell you everything you wish to know. I vow it."

"Very well." Molton knew his mind was too stubborn. Much like her own. "Have the boy's sentence overruled. Return him to his family home."

"He does not hold a family home.” Malafrik reminded. “He has nothing."

"Then have the boy set loose on the snow." Her mercy was not as generous as Malafrik had hoped his word could bribe. "I care little where he goes, that was not in our agreement."

"He will freeze to death out there! He has no money, no clothing, no food-"

"He is no longer my problem.” She flagged for Trenton to remove Rekead from the courtroom. Something of a task that I did not envy. “Nor yours."

Rekead was firmly sewn in arms to Malafrik. He gripped upon the elder so tightly. The older man begged through tears, watching the young child in the eyes of Rekead being torn and ripped from his chest. He knew as well as any in the room that he would not survive a day in the cold.

"Rekead can stay with me. My chamber has enough room for him, and my plate is always too full for me."

"I shall not share bread with a man as backwards as him." Molton creased up her nose, disgusted at the idea. "No son of mine shall have to burden himself with a maddened mind."

"He is no burden, and if any, he is mine to take on. And I choose to take him in."

“That is not your decision to make, but mine. It was not in the agreement made, that I would be held responsible for housing a common sinner.”

“He will be my responsibility. He needs guidance, does he not? He needs an example to lead from, and what better person than a boy who is being guided himself as an heir?”

“I do not like this, Arrain.” Her eyes swept upon me, as though none else were in the room. "Why is it you care for him so dearly? What has this man done to deserve your compassion, over the likes of your own Mother's wishes?"

“There is not always a reason for compassion.”

“Yes, there is. It is given in the same universe as mercy is, and cruelty. There is a reason for everything, my boy. So what is yours?”

"As a Mother that has known her son to grow without the warmth of a family's love, I thought you more than most would understand the need to nurture those whom have been without love. My heart breaks at the thought of him dying without knowing anything wondrous of the world. The same heart that you share, in wishing to know me better.”

She knew very well what I was asking. It was a test. A test of her motherly love. She knew if she wanted me under her control, she needed to loosen the reins of her strict ship. If she were to see Rekead come to harm, she knew it would damage all chances of me accepting her as the broken, orphan girl she detailed she was.

"We will discuss his living arrangements later.” She hummed, her lips curling in uncertainty. “Have Rekead removed from the courts for now. I have matters to attend to concerning no one but Malafrik. Inform all under guards watch to keep the towers protected. Any suspicious activity is to be reported at once. And if any more witnesses from the dungeons are to come forward, have them brought straight here.”

“Of course, your grace.” Trenton left the company of his ruler, with a kiss upon her ringed hands. “And am I to tell the men of the Magpies?”

“Not yet,” She resolved. “I will extract all the details from Malafrik first. We need not worry the staff with horror stories, at least, not just yet. All those within this room is sworn to absolute secrecy. Any mouths caught breaking that oath will be executed. No exceptions.” Her head turned from her attentive workers, towards me. “That goes for you too, Arrain. And Rekead. If he is to utter even a single word of madness regarding the Magpies, his head will be the first to the chopping block. You understand?”

“Yes, Mother.” I spoke that word as a reward to her generous ears. I saw her face spread with warmth, and even the small attempt of smile irking at the slits of her mouth. I was surprised, to say the least, that Molton had allowed Rekead to leave and live. All in court were. It had been a miracle. But I was not finished pushing my luck.

“And may he be fed some of the breakfast we left over?”

“Fine. Allow the prisoner to be taken into the feasting hall. But you must go with him. Call for the maids to accompany Arrain and his guest. Have him suited up, reading for our city announcement for when I return to him.”

Molton’s word was always final, although this time, it had been my voice that had altered hers. It seemed for the first time, her mercy had been stretched. Had I not been present, the fate of Rekead would have been drastically different. I knew this, and so did Malafrik. He looked upon me with great respect and appreciation, but also fear.

“Thank you, young Arrain.” He mouthed to me, tears bleeding down his cheeks. His wishes to see Rekead’s freedom had been met. I could only hope it was worth the torturous pain Molton had planned for him.

“Come along Rekead.” I goaded the maddened boy along, towards the large doors to the hallway. I slung the large furred shawl from my arms, and dressed him in it, cupping his shoulder with direction.

“The sun...the sun....” He chanted, as we passed the burning candles.

“Yes, the sun. You will see it, just as I promised.”

The two of us were greeted by the three maids I had suffered the misfortune of being assigned with. Roisin being the sole exception. In truth, I was most pleased to see Roisin make a reappearance, for I had been worried of her absence. Her eyes seemed just as charmed to be met with mine, although her mouth wore a frown of such sadness. Something was wrong.

“Come, sir Arrain.” Their ringleader took charge, as always. I lingered, close behind Roisin. Her skin was tender around her cheeks, as though she had been weeping. It was the same puffed up look Ede wore whenever I caught her up in the night. She would always pretend as though it was tiredness, and worry, but I knew better. It took one to know one, as they say, and I was one that had never been ashamed to cry.

Once in the feasting hall, the maids scurried into the kitchens and began preparing Rekead a small meal from the leftovers. It was a challenge to settle him into a seat, and even greater a struggle to teach him how to hold the cutlery. It amazed me so how little he had experienced of life. It made me grateful for the one I had led, even throughout all the tragedy and pain I had suffered.  

“The sun...the sun...” He grew impatient, caring not for the smell of warm food in front of him, but for his never-ending desire to see the light.

“Why does he ask for the sun?” Roisin spoke out, coyly and quietly so the others did not hear. She placed down a small silver plate in front of Rekead, coy, as though he was a wild beast.

“He has never seen it.”

“He has never seen the sun?” She, too, was just as sympathetic and dazed as I was when learning such horrible news. Her eyes changed their judgement upon Rekead; they were no longer scared or repulsed, but sorrowful.

“He’s known nothing but his cell in the dungeons. Confined in darkness and cruelty as punishment for his father’s actions, for daring speak against Molton in the trials against Ragon.”

“Hush!” She hissed at me, as the other maids returned with a tray of bread cakes, a goblet of wine and a large cloth for the predicted spillages.

“I expect this shall be enough for the prisoner. His appetite will be small, as his stomach will not have grown much in the dungeons, and we do not want him to overindulge and throw it back up, do we?”

“I am very grateful for the food, as Rekead is. He may not say so himself, but his lack of manners comes from lack of language, not appreciation.”

“What he is doing eating upon the royal feasting table is somewhat of a mystery to me, but I shall follow all Molton’s orders with pride.”  She threw her nose down upon him in great disgust. “And whether he is grateful or not, sir Arrain, I do not forget that he is a prisoner. You would be wise to remember that too.”

“He is no prisoner. Not anymore.” I was glad to correct her. “Molton has announced his freedom. He is to be staying with me until she has decided in full as to where he will be housed. You will treat him the same as me.”

“I shall treat him as a mortal when he behaves like one, and not a farms pig.” Her face turned away in revulsion, a groan of loathing humming in her throat. “Look at him! He cannot even command his hands to travel his food to his mouth.”

“Those living in the dungeons do not eat as we do. They seldom see food, and when they do, desperation teaches them to eat it as fast as they can. To feed the starvation within their bones.”

“Well, it is ghastly.” She lashed her hand out towards Rekead, threatening to slap him if he made more of a mess. I could not bear to see him being punished for what was not his fault.

“Ghastly or not, he is staying with me. And as the son of Molton, I command you to serve him as though he is also of royal blood.”

“We serve Molton and her word. Not yours.” Her eyes fired into mine, a deep rooted anger erupting through heavy hisses of air.

“Very well, I shall go interrupt her within the courts then. I will present my questioning to her upon your recommendation that to serve me is to ignore my wishes. I am sure she will be delighted to hear such news-“

“Fine, sir Arrain.” She held her violent tongue. “We are all to treat the prisoner as royal blood. But only until Molton has been freed from her duties and has discussed it further with us.”

“Good.” I smiled to myself, flashing a private victory smirk towards Roisin. But she did not seem as cheerful as I had anticipated her to be. I fed Rekead his broth, just as one would spoon-feed their child. He perched upon the edge of the seat, rocking back and forth, his feet shaking against the table legs the entire time. Confusion swam through his body, not only from the warmth of the broth, but from the kindness he was shown.

“I wish for him to be washed and clothed. I will need to speak to Dandous in my chambers, too.” I added, wiping his mouth from the crumbs and dribble.

“I may have agreed to play along with housing the prisoner, but do not behave improperly. It is rather disrespectful towards Molton to even suggest offering such luxury towards-“

“He is no longer a prisoner. His name is Rekead, and you shall address him as so.” I stood up from the feasting table, lifting Rekead up with me. “He has suffered enough. A little kindness is what he needs to learn from. And when Molton and I are to take our walk into the city for the announcement, I plan on taking him with me, so he can for the first time see the sun.”

“The sun! The sun!” Rekead’s excitement caused his hands to flicker and dance around, knocking down the goblet of wine.

“Oh, now look at what the fool has done!”

“It is only a splash of wine. Clean it up.” Although I did not voice it, I was enjoying myself in charging her around. Each time I opened my mouth, I knew she detested it. Which was more reason why I gave out so many orders. Her sour face had done nothing but dampen my spirits, and in truth, I held a secret motive in wanting to return to my chamber. I sought to speak to Roisin. Alone.

“I will take Rekead to my chamber. Clean up the breakfast, and call for Dandous to meet me within the hour. Roisin, you are to come with me and assist Rekead in washing.”

Through the protesting pouts and scowls of the other two maids, Roisin came with the two of us. She spoke not a word, nor wore anything other than a grim frown. Not even Rekead’s excessive singing could break her into anything close to an escaped laugh.

“Here we are,” I grinned to Rekead, “Your new home.”

I released Rekead, before the doors had even fully opened, watching his eyes chase the birthing light of the sun through the barred windows. It had still not risen in full; only illuminating the sky in its orange gaze.

“The sun will be here soon.” I told, knowing he would not be moved from the windows edge until he had witnessed his dream. I left him to it, returning my attentions to Roisin. Behind closed doors, she was no different. She stood as a shell of herself, as though her mind was elsewhere.

“Roisin.” I ran my hand along her cheeks, down to the spike of her chin. She looked up, awoken.

“I am sorry, sir Arrain.” Her eyes were coy, and strayed away from my touch. “Unless you have orders for me, I should not be here.”

“You have been crying. Why?” Her face paled, her eyes broad, exposed.

“It is nothing.” Her lips quivered, her voice quiet and coarse.

“It must mean something if it has upset you enough to weep. Tell me, please.”

“I just-“ Her body was too weak to hold her. She fell into my chest, her arms clutching urgently around my body. She broke down entirely against me. Her tears wet through my clothes, until she could not breathe. “I just cannot take this place any longer. Molton would have my head if she knew what you and I discussed. I fear that the others know. It is only a matter of time, I can feel it. When I was called to the kitchens, I presumed that was it. I had convinced myself that I would find myself queuing up for the chopping block. Thank the deities I was wrong....but I am afraid that our secret won’t be safe for long.”

“I won’t let anything happen to you.” I held her close as she cried harder. She felt so cold and fragile in my arms, like a small child. “I promise, just as I promised Rekead.”

“Deities knows how you saved that prisoner.” She spoke, catching her breath. She pulled away, smearing the tears from her reddened eyes. “Perhaps your influence is rubbing off upon Molton. If you came from her, surely that is proof enough that she cannot be all that bad....”

“I cannot be certain whether her mercy was gifted because of my pleading, or for her desires to rid me from the courts. But what I do know is this; there is a way to put an end to her rein. And with your help, we can accomplish it.”

“How?” She seemed most curious. “How are we ever to end such a nightmare?”

“The answers we seek are not that far. In fact, they came to us.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“The Magpies.” I said, calmly. “The Magpies will save us.”