The Evil Queen

A Nemesis is Born

Theoda's eyes slowly opened, it was the pounding in the base of her skull that brought her to. "Don't you move." Her head came up to see who was speaking to her. Miguel looked at her with caution, he pushed her head back down against the horse. "What happened? Is Dax really dead?" She did her best to keep her voice from shaking but it still broke. Miguel ignored her and kept walking with his head straight. Anger rose from deep within her. "Miguel!" She ordered, "Tell me what happened." Miguel turned and rose his hand, Theo caught him by his wrist. With one effortless twist she felt the bones break as he let out a horrible shriek. Bounding off the horse she shoved him to the ground.

She was nose to nose to him, "I asked what happened." Miguel winced as he growled in frustration. "Yes, Dax is gone." She continued to crush his wrist and arm. "I asked what happened, why was I out?" "Lord Godrick struck you in the back of the head madam." Anger welled up inside her and she heaved down. Miguel's entire right arm was worthless when she was finished. Standing she looked down on him with a startling calm, "Never cross me again." Miguel withered on the ground moaning holding his devastated arm. She looked at him with disgust as she turned and walked toward the castle.

"Miguel!" Godrick rushed to Miguel's side. "What happened?" "Theoda, she took off toward the castle." Algar chuckled, "Ohhh, you made her mad." Godrick aided Miguel up, "Did she say anything?" Miguel took a nervous breath in. "She wanted to know how she became unconscious." Godrick gazed up to the castle.

Within the confines of her room Theo had stripped, she paced the full length of her chambers bare. Finally she turned to the wardrobe. Pulling the dresses out and tossing them to the side. She sighed heavily. Pulling on her robe she threw open her door and found her way to Godricks chambers. She tossed his wardrobe open and began to pull through it. Toward the back she came across a familiar sack. It was dirty, and torn, but without a doubt she knew who's it was.

Back in her chambers she ran her hand along the soiled material. The last time she saw it was in the woods with Algar and Dax. Flipping it open there were dirty clothing, all Dax's. She picked it up and breathed in his smell. "Dax." Shoving the clothes back into the bag she tossed it into the back of her wardrobe. Randomly she yanked a silvery gown with low shoulders down and slid it on. As she crossed the floor she looked down at her skirt. Brandishing the dagger she found she slit the sides up to her thigh. Going back to the bag in the back of the wardrobe she retrieved a belt, threading the dagger into a sheath she settled it low on her hips.

"Theoda!" Godrick was once again opened random doors and hollering her name. As he opened the door to the fencing room Theoda stood so close it startled him. "Theo!" Miguel stood next to him, still cradling his arm. Godrick looked his wife up and down. "My dear what are you doing?" She slid a leg behind her and bowed. "Waiting for you my Lord." He looked sideways to Miguel, "Miguel, go get some attention for that hand. I need to speak to my wife." Miguel curtly nodded. Godrick turned back to Theo, who had a devilish smirk on her face. "Wife, you have been holding back from me." She lowered her bow and held her hands to her side, "Not anymore, test me." Something sadistic flashed in Godrick's eyes as he took two steps toward Theo.

His stance was relaxed, somewhat cavalier. "Theo, don't do this. It won't be fair." She plucked the blade from her belt and dropped it on the floor. He smiled at her, "No my love, not because of you." Again anger welled up inside her and she burst forward toward Godrick. The first blow pushed him back a couple feet. His arms went around her and interlaced them as he pulled her forward into him. "Theoda, stop before I have to hurt you." She gritted her teeth as she jerked away from him effortlessly and swung landing an upper cut on his chin. He fell back, stumbling. His attitude changed that moment, and he marched toward her, "This is enough." She reached for him letting out a banshee like scream. As she came toward him he opened his left hand and blew its contents into her face.

Burning and suffocation were immediate. She laid back on the floor gasping and screaming, clawing at her face. Godrick shook his head. "Powdered Iron. It has to work it's self out. Calm down Theo, nothing is going to change the situation. You are going to be my faithful wife, and Dax Hunter is going to be dead." She wailed part from the pain of the iron part from the pain of hearing the truth. He knelt down to her and gritted his teeth, "And if you ever attack me again I promise I will put you to death myself."

It took almost the two full days before Algar's execution for Theo's eyes to clear up enough to see. It still felt like glass shards were in her eyes when she blinked. Occasional tears of blood rolled down her cheeks. She sat with her regal husband facing the innermost part of the courtyard. Algar stood on the gallows, neck in noose. He stared down at Theoda with despise. She stared back at him hard with just as much contempt. With a sudden lightness she waved her hand at the man in the hooded cloak. Theoda's eyes never left Algar's. With a heavy slap the wooden door fell, Algar didn't even flinch as he fell.

Surprise is the only way to describe the look in Algar's eyes as he felt himself begin to suffocate. The pulse in his temples and eyes made it feel like both would burst. He struggled in vain to free his hands. He no longer could see Theo; his vision was beginning to tunnel and close into darkness. Across from him Godrick looked with pleasure at his quiet, still wife. Slowly he reached her and slid his hand into hers. They sat watching their mutual enemy stop struggling. When Algar was still Godrick stood, faced his wife and kissed her lightly, before turning and walking away.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, she knew that Godrick would soon be in to speak with her. Blood tears had started again, the burning was almost unbearable. It still felt like she had swallowed broken glass and she often sneezed blood. Powdered iron, the bastard was crafty. She had to give him that. A light tap on her door brought her out of her thoughts. "Yes?" Slowly it opened, Godrick strode into the room shutting the door behind him. He stared at her for a time, "I'm proud of you. Even if you did it for Dax, and not the right reason." The way he emphasized 'right' irritated her. "Now that this is all over, you should be able to concentrate on your gift. And our crusades." His hand came up suddenly, gently he wiped the blood from her face. "I have to leave. I have some business to attend in Hope Shire." Theo nodded. Moments later he was gone and she was pulling a night gown on. The sun had been setting for the last half hour and she wanted to get down to the catacombs beneath the castle.

Theoda had requested the body be moved into the castle to be cleaned and prepared for burial. He had already been cleaned, redressed now awaiting burial. He was covered with a gauzy burial shroud. "I really hate you." She circled the body. "I enjoyed watching you suffer. Dax was your fault." She ran her hand over him, touching his chest, moving up his chin and cheek. She lined his lips slowly then leaned down to his ear. "Algar...." She whispered, "Algar, it's time to wake up." Suddenly his red eyes flew open, he arched as he sharply gasped air into his starving lungs. He jerked his head at her, his eyes burned at her. Before she could react his arm lunged out and grabbed her by the throat. He was on his feet and slammed her against the cold stone wall of the catacomb. His strength only lasted moments before he had to lean against the wall himself. Still he held fast to Theo's slender neck. She tried to brace herself enough to breath. "Bitch!" He was growling at her through his teeth.

In a single clutch Theo had Algar on the ground with his arm and wrist twisted. "You are alive, aren't you? I knew you would wake up, why else would I be here?" He leaned down so her lips were inches from his ear. His eyes were like daggers as she spoke. "Watching you die slowly made me feel like I had some justice for Dax." Moving back her eyes coldly studied him, then dismissed him as she let go. "Nothing would please me more than to watch you die, over and over again...forever." Algar stood up wincing at the pain in his arm, he stared hard at her, and shuttered after the thought settled. Would she really kill him over and over for eternity? They both had it, how depraved could she become. "So Queen, where do we go from here?" His tone was sour. She rolled her eyes, "False allegiance will get you nowhere. You will go far away to whatever lonely hell awaits you. Stew in your guilt for Dax. I'm staying here."

Algar shook his head as he took several steps toward Theo. She glided back. "What audacity." "Do you really think you're really staying here when you owe me so much?" She growled and her eyes closed, "Owe you? Honestly with my powers increased do you think you can make me do anything?" He scoffed, "Then now? What the hell is this?" She turned and strode to the entrance, "This?" She paused as she ran her hand along the wall. Without turning she whispered just loud enough for him to hear, "This is the battle and the enemy you have been preparing for. " And then she was gone.