Flesh wounds, p.18
Flesh Wounds, page 18
part #1 of The Vampire Elite Series
Not persuaded by the fairy’s offer, the brunette responded with pessimism.
“Home is where your family is, and by now that’s pretty much a bloodthirsty demonic queen that’s trying to kill me.”
Blue ignored the remark and tried again to lift the young royal’s spirits.
“There’s an old fairy saying: if someone believes in you, you’re never alone. The people love you!”
“Given the choice between me and my stepmother, I’m sure they do.” Maragret replied, not looking in Blue’s direction.
“Be patient, princess. You’ll gain supporters soon enough.” The fairy patted her shoulder, forcing her to meet her gaze. “I must be going now, but you know how to summon me.”
Maragret nodded and gave her friend a parting embrace. “Of course, just wish upon a star!”
The fairy smiled as she turned back into her fairy form, leaving the brunette with one last piece of advice: “Be careful. Danger can appear harmless at first.”
As Blue flew away, Maragret found herself already missing the fairy’s company.
After a few hours of walking, Maragret was pleasantly surprised when a stray dog crossed her path. She had a soft spot for animals, and this shaggy mongrel was no exception.
“Hey!” She cooed as the collie approached, “Where did you come from?” The dog, happy to receive attention, wagged his tail and barked when she reached out to pet him.
Unfortunately, it turned out that the dog had an owner who wasn’t far behind, wielding the same ax from earlier.
“I see you met my friend.” The bounty hunter stated as he buried his weapon into a tree stump.
“You!” Maragret yelped upon recognizing him, “How did you find me?” She stared at him wide-eyed and frozen to the spot.
“Well, you’re nothing but a lost little princess, and this particular breed excels at finding strays.” He showed her the scrap of torn fabric he acquired from their previous encounter. “They just need to get a scent.”
When the woodsman came closer, Maragret spat in his face.
“Oh come on, I’m not going to kill you!” He laughed as he wiped his face off, “I’m just going to take you to your queen and get a reward!”
Before she could escape, he grabbed her by the arm and threw her into his nearby bounty wagon.
“Let me out!” Maragret screamed as she repeatedly kicked the padlocked door in desperation. They had been travelling for at least an hour, by her estimation, and when the wagon suddenly stopped, the princess didn’t waste a second.
“Someone help!” She yelled as loud as she could to attract attention, but received nothing but silence in return for her efforts. No one was going to come to her rescue.
Having resigned herself to that fact, the brunette was stunned when her cries were answered.
“Hello?” A man inquired as he banged on the door, “Is anyone in there?
Initially, she was overcome with relief, but then she recognized his voice.
“David? Is that you?” She held her breath until he responded.
“Maragret ? Princess Maragret ?” He simultaneously sounded confused and grateful.
“Thank the gods, I thought you were dead!”
“I will be if you don’t break the lock!” She exclaimed as adrenaline coursed through her veins, “Quick, he’ll be back any minute!”
As his footsteps receded, Maragret was left to worry about his safety.
If her captor found him, he would surely be killed. However, the prince returned with a rock large enough to smash the padlock, doing so with considerable strength.
Once she was free, Maragret joyfully embraced her savior. “I’ve never been so happy to see anyone in my entire life! What are you doing out here, anyway?”
David chuckled as they made their escape. “My father sent me to meet with King Edward, although he was sparse on the details. I’m supposed to discuss our alliance or something equally boring.”
Puzzled, Maragret watched him mount his horse, packed with enough supplies for a long journey.
“Even so, this isn’t the predominant path from Nyx.”
“I took the scenic route.” The prince answered and motioned for her to join him atop his stallion. When they were a safe distance away from the bounty hunter, David was full of questions.
“What’s going on, Maragret ?” He asked, which caused the princess to cringe and sigh deeply.
“Other than my stepmother wanting me dead? Not much.” She bitterly chuckled and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m sure you’ve seen the posters.”
“Everyone in the Enchanted Forest has, you’ve been missing for the past three years! Hell, it’s been so long that most people think you’re dead!” He looked back at Maragret resting on his shoulder.
“I’m assuming you ran away?”
“It’s more than that, Akasha is…dangerous. That’s all I can say.”
David raised an eyebrow, “Dangerous how? Maragret , you can trust me. We’re friends, remember?”
Maragret shook her head. “It’s insane, you’ll never believe me. And even if you did, you can’t repeat it to anyone.”
“Try me.”
The princess took a deep breath to prepare herself for his reaction.
“Akasha was bitten by a vampire before she married my father.”
“So…the queen’s afraid you’ll spread the word.” David stated after hearing Maragret ’s confession, still trying to take it all in.
“Among other things, yes. She still hasn’t forgiven me for Daniel’s desertion.” The princess replied, surprised at how well David was handling the information.
“Which wasn’t your fault, I would have run away too if I was in his situation.”
David let go of the reins to massage his temples. “Gods, Maragret . You’re lucky to be alive.”
“I have her father to thank for that.” She admitted, reflecting back on the night Henry helped her flee the castle. “He got me out of her clutches, and in exchange only asked for my silence.”
David scoffed, finding the request ludicrous. “He can’t seriously expect you to hold your tongue? Maragret , who knows how many people she’s killed!”
“Which is why I have to stay silent until we have proper forces. If we go up against Akasha without an army, it’ll be a massacre!”
The prince begrudgingly agreed, but that didn’t stop him from suggesting a plan of his own. “Wasn’t your father friends with King Edward? Accompany me to Lionheart Castle and ask the king for his support.”
It was a tempting offer, and one that Maragret couldn’t bring herself to turn down. She missed the comforts of home, and King Edward’s castle was as close as she was going to get.
“It’s worth a shot.” Maragret replied, amused by David’s immediate victory yell.
“Well then, princess,” He proclaimed as he eased his stallion into a gallop, “adventure awaits!”
Enchanted Forest: Kingdom of Polaris
Lionheart Castle, 1561
The crown prince’s prolonged absence caused Polaris to descend into a period of constitutional vulnerability. With the heir to the throne gone, the few aristocrats opposed to Locksley rule rebelled in an insurrection that was subdued in a swift and effective manner.
However, because of the unrest, the council called into question the future of the current monarchy.
“Your Majesty, surely you understand our concerns?” Lord Walton’s gruff inquiry echoed throughout the ornate chamber as the nobleman gestured to his peers. “We agreed to a few months, not a few years!”
Similar statements filled the grand hall until King Edward called for silence, his hand raised in gesture. “Alright, enough! I will not have this meeting dissolve into chaos!” Once everyone had settled down, the monarch continued:
“As for the matter at hand, Lord Walton, your anxieties are well received: my son’s prolonged absence has not been ignored. In light of the uprising, and for the sake of stability, Eleanor and I are prioritizing his return home.”
Mollified, the lords of Polaris took their sovereign’s answer as confirmation that the crown prince would soon resume his regal duties, an action that they hoped would prevent future revolts.
“That’s all we ask for, Your Majesty. The people will be glad to hear it!” Lord Canterbury exclaimed as the session concluded, the congregation on their feet for King Edward’s departure.
“How dare they question your capabilities as a monarch!” Eleanor voiced, outraged, as her husband communicated the outcome of the morning’s session.
“Our son’s absence from court has no bearing on your competence!”
The Locksley king relaxed his posture in an effort to calm his wife. “Dear, I appreciate your undying confidence, but you shouldn’t take it personally. It’s their job to hold us accountable.” Edward continued to hold Eleanor’s heated gaze with his own. “Besides, they have a point: it’s high time Robert was returned to us.”
His spouse acquiesced with a heavy sigh as she rubbed her temples. “I don’t disagree Edward, but it’s been months since we’ve heard from him. I can’t control court gossip for much longer.”
“No I suppose not, not with Nottingham spreading endless rumors and inciting panic.” Edward replied as his wife followed him to the study.
The monarch then drafted a letter to Queen Akasha requesting that his son be released from her employment and left it on the desk to be sent out.
Satisfied, Eleanor was about to ask her husband if he wanted anything to drink when they were interrupted by their youngest son Charles.
“Mother! Father!” The youthful prince shouted, his tone implying a degree of urgency. “Prince David has arrived, as expected, but he isn’t alone. The guards weren’t sure, but they thought a woman was with him!”
The royal couple wore matching inquisitive expressions as they listened to their son’s information. Who was this mysterious woman?
After a few moments of thought, the king quickly decided to proceed as normal. “It’s alright Charles, have them escorted to the throne room straight away. I don’t foresee any danger.”
As the young prince took his leave, the king and queen found themselves supremely unsettled by this new development.
From his throne, Edward held his breath as young Prince David and his lady companion arrived, anxious about the reason for this stranger’s visit. While he trusted David, and his judgment, the last thing Polaris needed was more conflict.
“I apologize for my delayed arrival,” the prince began, “but during my journey I encountered someone who is in desperate need of your assistance and protection.” He gestured to the brunette at his side, who curtseyed appropriately.
Edward was surprised that this woman knew how to follow protocol, given her state of appearance, and wanted to inquire further.
“Go on then, child,” he lightly encouraged, “speak freely. No harm will come to you here.”
The girl looked unsure as she stepped forward, but recovered well, her posture confident as she addressed the monarch. “King Edward, you may not recognize me, as it’s been years since we saw each other, but I am Princess Margaret .”
She noted the shock on the elder Locksley’s face, but proceeded with her request. “As an ally of my late father, I humbly ask for your cooperation in the upcoming war against my stepmother.”
King Edward didn’t respond until he had composed himself, completely overwhelmed by the implications of the reveal. “Well, I certainly was not expecting this!” He continued to stare at Maragret in total awe. “When Akasha announced her intent, we feared the worst was going to happen. Thankfully, I am relieved that we were wrong.”
“So am I.” Maragret replied as she watched the king descend from his throne. “I take no day for granted anymore.”
Once the pair had properly embraced, Edward suggested that they move their discussion to the private apartments and away from court gossips. His guests took no issue with the proposal, which is why Eleanor found the trio casually seated around the fireplace in the library.
“…I’m all for disposing of that witch!” The queen overheard as she entered the room. “She is holding my son hostage!”
“Edward!” his wife admonished, “that’s not true!”
The monarch’s disgusted scoff demonstrated that he entirely disagreed with her opinion.
“Then what the bloody hell do you call it?” He growled, “Diplomacy?”
Maragret and David both raised an eyebrow at the king’s outburst, the princess utterly confused. “Is this a recent development? As far as I can recall, Akasha never spoke of visitors.”
“Queen Akasha came to Polaris two years ago after hearing stories of our Robert’s achievements. She wanted him to be her personal huntsman.”
Eleanor clarified upon observing her husband’s emotional state. “And ever the gentleman, Robert accepted.”
“Of course he did!” The king spat. “He’s a man! The poor sod fell victim to a pretty face and a tantalizing figure!”
David looked to Maragret to confirm Edward’s rather bold description of the queen. “The only time I met your stepmother was at your birthday ball, but I was too young to remember what she looked like.”
“King Edward is correct in his characterization of Akasha,” the princess responded, “in fact I’m not surprised that Prince Robert went with her willingly. She has a rather…seductive effect on most men.”
The sovereign mumbled in agreement and tilted his head in his wife’s direction. “Dear, what are your thoughts on the subject? Should we support Princess Maragret ’s cause?”
“Of course!” Eleanor replied, her stance on the matter resolute, “We owe it to Leopold to ensure his daughter’s welfare.”
“And bring Robert home.” Edward concluded, pleased that they were in agreement with one another.
Satisfied, the queen was about to excuse herself from their guests when it occurred to her that they were forgetting the most loyal of their subjects. “Edward, let’s arrange for Maragret and David to meet with the Merry Men. They will want to be involved in this.”
The blond monarch considered the idea for a brief moment before he voiced his assent, unable to find fault with her proposal. “Brilliant, Eleanor, why didn’t I think of that?”
He rose from his seat and retrieved a gold tipped arrow ingeniously hidden in one of the statues. “There is an odd looking tree near the mouth of the Nottingham River, you likely saw it on your way to the castle.”
The king explained as he handed the arrow to David. “It’s carved to look like a lion.”
“Yes, I know the one.” The prince affirmed as he tucked the pointed weapon into his quiver. “I assume you want us to leave it there?”
Edward nodded. “It’s a symbol Robert established to signal when he needed them. Target that particular tree, and they will come.”
Enchanted Forest: Kingdom of Polaris
Sherwood Forest, 1561
Much to their surprise, the king’s instructions were genuine. Once they placed the arrow, three hooded figures emerged from the trees, all with their bows drawn.
“Who are you, and what have you done with Enkil Jr?”
The tallest of the three demanded as he stepped closer, his expression guarded yet curious.
Maragret immediately raised her hands to show that they meant no harm.
“Easy! I promise you we are not your enemy, we’re here on behalf of King Edward!”
“Ol’ Ned?” The shortest of the trio inquired as he lowered his bow. “Has something happened?”
The giant introduced himself as Little John and led the group away from the meeting point. “You’ll have to excuse us, ever since the unrest we’ve been a little wary of strangers.”
“It’s all right, we understand.” She pointed toward herself and then her companion as she gave both their names. “Don’t suppose there’s somewhere we can talk?”
Little John, Alan, and Will exchanged glances before the former nodded.
“Aye, we have a camp not far from here. Best you come and meet the lads.”
The Merry Men’s encampment was a hidden network of tents, lookout towers, and bridges that housed a brotherhood of twenty undercover royal knights. Scattered about the camp were lanterns, bed rolls, clotheslines, and cooking utensils around a central bonfire. In the event they were discovered, a carefully dug maze of trenches led to shallow pits with hidden trap doors, large enough for two men to take temporary shelter.
