Silverclaw

A Traitorous Plan

Jason stood at the window of the room that King Adonas had given him, staring down at the ragged army camped below. Having brought them across the border and into Adonis's land, he had then been quick to destroy any resistance to his plans, and then told them that they now served him instead of Melissa. After crushing the further resistance that arose from this news, he had taken great joy in making certain that this army would obey him by promising to increase their wages five fold, and their rations by three.

 After that, all he had to do was keep an eye out for any dissent amongst them. Behind him, Charlotte peeled an apple with her belt knife, her eyes on the man that had appeared without warning in Jason's rooms. He had brown hair and green eyes that promised retribution for the cuts that slashed across his chest, but Jason wasn't worried. He knew the man was a Silver user. How else could he have appeared like that? But, he highly doubted that the man told the truth when he said that he was an elf cursed into a human form. That was just ridiculous. After all, what would be the point in that?

 Charlotte leaned forward and slammed her knife into the man's hand, pinning it to the chair as she bit into a section of her apple. Turning away as he roared into the rag stuffed into his mouth, she nonchalantly walked over to where a pile of clothes had been piled on the table, examining them.

 'They don't really expect me to wear these, do they, brother? Surely they jest.' She scowled as she lifted a massive, billowing robe. 'This is big enough for three women my size!'

 'They do, and you must, Charlotte. These people follow the ways of the Star Father, and that means you, with your uncovered face, hair and body, are causing much controversy. We must fit in as much as possible.'

 'Well, I refuse to wear it! It's as ugly as their God is!' Petulantly, she threw it away from her. Instantly, Jason was there, his hand wrapped around her throat.

 'You will wear it, Charlotte, because if you do not you risk both our lives. It is the law here that woman wear these things, even from birth, and if one woman in a family does not wear it then the lives of the entire family are forfeit! We have too much on the line for you to ruin it by refusing to wear a bit of cloth.' He threw her against the wall, and she slumped to the floor, stunned. Jason walked over to the man and removed the gag before gripping the handle of the knife in his hand and ripping it free. The man screamed in pain and fury, then sat there, panting heavily. Jason smiled.

 'Stranger, you still have not told us your name. I apologize for my sister-she can be a little impulsive at times. If you tell us the truth about your identity, then we will allow you to leave.'

 The man glared at him. 'I have already told you my name, human! It is Oakfall, King of the Elves! And if it wasn't for that thrice blasted princess, I would still be an elf and not cursed to this form!'

 Jason stiffened. 'Princess? Which princess?'

 Oakfall laughed harshly. 'You humans call her Princess Rose Anastasia. My people call her Princess Silverfur, though they likely call her Queen Silverclaw now.'

 Jason pulled back in shock. His gaze jumped to Charlotte, who had been struggling into the robe. An evil smile spread across the siblings' lips. Using the same knife that had been buried in Oakfall's hand, Jason sliced open the ropes holding him in place.

 'You and I share a hatred, then, Brother. We know and detest the Princess, too. Charlotte wishes to destroy her mind, at which point I shall claim her for my whore. A good plan, eh? If you wish, you can join us in this aim, Oakfall.'

 Oakfall sat there a moment, rubbing his hand absently. 'You wish to keep the Princess as an eternal prisoner, broken and helpless?'

 'I do, yes.'