The Evil Queen

King Ashcroft Bergamot

Lord Bergamot stood pacing back and forth in the long corridor of the black and gold throne room. He was surrounded by his faithful entourage. His long black hair hung in tendrils adorned with silver beads. And upon his head sat a simple golden crown. He was nervous and his dark green eyes showed that fact. Suddenly he looked around and shouted, "GET OUT!" They scurried from the room out into the hall, only Barwick, his advisor, remained.

"Barwick, I think moving East is key." Barwick nodded, his old eyes looking on to the king patiently. "But the Elven in the North have threatened us if we don't return Theo. I shall set out to dispose of them first." He looked again at Barwick, this time the old man spoke. "Your Majesty, I do believe it would be a sure time to consult Theo on the matter. She can guide you to what is the best strategy, like always sir." Bergamot's eyes widened wildly, "Yes!" He snapped his finger wildly "Bring Theoda to me!"

Moments later one of his trusted guards brought a petite woman into the throne room. At first glance you couldn't tell she was Elven. Unlike the fierce Elves of the North she had long brown hair that hung in ribbon curls about her head. She had half of it pulled back with a jewel incrusted comb. The very tips of her pointed ears peeked out from under it. The golden crescent moon and three stars that were carved into her skin on her chest were the only set identifying marks on her body. Her chartreuse eyes were slit like a cat's in an eerie unnatural glow. She breezed gracefully into the center of the room despite the large iron ball that was chained to her thin ankle that she dragged behind her. The long purple gown swaying above her bare feet. She stood slightly swaying in front of Bergamot.

He smiled at her, showing a side of sensitivity and kindness. He touched her long brown hair looking up and seeing her ear. "What have I told you my love?" He reached behind her head and pulled the comb out, letting her hair cascade around her face. He tussled the curls and managed the hair in a frame. "There that's better. Keep those ears hidden love." She smiled "I'm sorry my Lord." He touched her face, she blinked sleepily. Her half open eyes were becoming a chore to keep open. He lifted her chin to look into her eyes. "Theo, I need you to look for something." She nodded, "Anything my Lord." Smiling he continued, "I need to know how our invasion of the East would benefit or if we should first eliminate the threat in the North." She blinked several times before losing the feeling in her knees. Bergamot reached out and caught her. She shook her head, "I'm sorry my Lord. Too much laudium" He frowned, "It's never affected your sight before, perhaps..." He stood her back up straight, "The bond is weak?" She opened her eyes and tried to capture the vision again, shaking her head she looked down. "I'm sorry." He flicked his wrist in the air, "Take her back." He watched her sway down the hall.

Bergamot motion for Barwick to hurry to his side. "Yes, my Lord?" Bergamot had his chin in his hand. "How much Laudium is she being given?" Barwick blinked defensively, "Well, my Lord you ordered it doubled due to her tolerance." The king sighed deeply, "Well I'm a fool, cut it again and don't give her anymore tonight. I can't have her dull." Barwick nodded. "Also Barwick please handle my affairs for the remainder of the night, I have some business to attend." Barwick again nodded as the king walked out of the throne room.

When Bergamot entered Theo's red and gold bed chambers she was sitting on the edge of the bed, head hanging down. "Theo?" She lifted her face, eyes still closed. He moved closer to her, untying the neck of his shirt. She slowly opened her eyes. "My Lord, may I have a piece of silk? Or muslin?" Bergamot shook his head with a sadden look on his face, "I've told you I can't." She nodded. He lifted her face and kissed her deeply. "I need you to see for me." She looked into his eyes sorrowfully, "Please Ash." He gathered her skirt up and pushed it past her thighs, her chain tinked against the stone floor. He kissed her neck as he pushed her up further on the bed moving with her. Making love to her was all it took to flood her with horrific visions. The laudium wasn't enough to keep the visions at bay, or tolerable. She gasped and cried out. Bergamot was there holding her, doing his best to try and comfort her through the waking nightmare. He kissed her face and hushed her until she once again was calm.

"Now my love, what did you see?" Bergamot's gaze was intense and one track. Theo licked her lips, "It's not your move that important at this moment my Lord..." Her head fell back as the drug kicked back in. Startled Bergamot pulled her back shaking her gently, "Theoda, what did you see?" She opened her green eyes again. "My Lord...you're under attack." Bergamot let go of her and sprang up off the bed fumbling with his clothes as he dashed out of the room calling for Barwick and his guards. Theo weakly crawled the rest of the distance to the top of her bed and rolled into the heavy blankets.

Algar and Dax sat atop their horses besides the kitchen access of the castle. Algar looked up at a window then turned his gaze to his little brother. He jetted a finger straight up; Dax shook his head disapproving. Again, Algar pointed, Dax rolled his eyes and dismounted walking over to the wall and studied it for a moment looking for a ledge to grab. Watching his little brother, he noticed something peculiar, there was no barking dogs. In fact he had not seen one since they arrived, or any evidence of them. He watched as Dax slipped into the window, feet disappearing. Algar made his way around to the other side looking for another entrance, they could cover twice the ground if they searched separate sides. He silently said a prayer before dismounting and crawling into a drainage pipe.

Dax had found his way up a servant stair case, fortunately there were no servants. He looked down hallways and realized he didn't see anyone. This is way too easy he thought. That was until he rounded a corner and nearly was seen by some men, heavily armed running down the corridor. Apparently the castle was not abandoned. He ran in the same direction trying to out run them when a door across the way caught his attention. Not only was it the only red door he had seen with a golden star on the front, but it was slightly ajar. He ducked in quickly, silently shutting it behind him. Once inside he turned and studied the room. It was vast, the walls were covered in floor to ceiling tapestries. They were dark red and black with golden embellishments and swirling designs. All the furniture was dark rich wood, most with flower and animal carvings in them. In the center of the room was a large bed. Grand itself, it could have held him and his brother in every way and they would have never touched one another. Pillows and blankets piled on top of it, he was moving closer to it to admire the carvings on the head board when he noticed it was occupied.

He was about to turn and leave, when he saw the tip of her ear poking out above her brown curls. "Got ya." He came quietly up to the side of the bed and nudged the girl. Her chartreuse eye flew open, the cat like slits startled him. He quickly shook it off and put his hand on his dagger. "Get out of the bed miss." She rolled her eyes around, like she was having a problem keeping them open. "I can't she replied and rolled onto her back, she winced before closing her eyes again. Dax scoffed at her, he pulled the blade from his side and put the edge to her flesh. The poke to her neck brought her around again. She looked at him seeing him for the first time. "Are you fae?" He shook his head and ordered her up again. She slowly grabbed the blade and pushed it away from her skin, "I can't....the chains." Dax narrowed his eyes looking down the length of her body, he grabbed the great red blanket and yanked it. As it fell to the floor he saw the huge wrought iron chains wound around her legs and secured to either side of the bed. There were large red burn marks where the chains had touched. He looked back to her in horror and saw she had closed her eyes again. She didn't seem dangerous.

Quickly he sheathed his dagger and pulled the sword from the back of his shoulder. Bringing it high above him he struck the chain. It dented the metal, but it did not release her. Looking around he thought quickly and again struck, but this time hitting the lock secured to the bed. It splintered into hundreds of pieces. Returning his sword, he unwrapped her legs carefully, grabbing her arms he pulled her to a sitting position. "You must come with me, before they find me." Dax shook her slightly pleading with her. Her eyes fluttered open and she nodded. Standing up she lost her balance and fell, Dax caught her before she could hit the floor. "What's wrong with you?" Her head fell back as she finished collapsing. He slipped his arm under her legs and heaved her up carrying her out of the room. "I've been drugged." He held onto her tightly.

In his hastiness Dax forgot from which way he had come. He started wandering aimlessly down halls and through doors. Theo's chain rattling against the floor the whole way. "Dax!" Hearing Algar's voice he turned. His brother wore a look if astonishment on his face. "Well, well, well. I see you subdued the elf and brought part of her wardrobe." Confused Dax glanced down her chains still hung from her legs. "Algar, she's been drugged, I can't remember how to get out of here." Algar rolled his eyes and motioned Dax to follow him. Outside Dax hoisted Theo up to Algar, waiting on his horse. "I'll meet you at camp, can you get to your horse?" Dax nodded before bounding into the darkness. Algar buried his heals into his horse and took off into the trees.