When Men Meet Monsters

Ellova ~ 8 Friend and Foe

Isvarr's shouts could be heard from down the hallway, through the stone walls and closed doors. I leaned against the pillows and waited. He ripped open the door to our room, yelled at his guards, then slammed it back in their faces. His flushed cheeks and scraggly facial hair made him look unhinged. At least, more unhinged than usual. He turned his crazed eyes to glare at me. "What do you want?" I shook my head slightly and said nothing. Isvarr huffed and stomped into the bathroom. Once he was out of sight and earshot, I let out a breath.

Ever since Commander Abdel's execution, Isvarr had been more irrational and angry. I could not figure out if it was his way of grieving, or if it related to the sudden shift in personality before the execution. Isvarr howled from the bathroom. Through Priculonian curse words, I gathered that his bathwater was too hot. I made a mental note to hide the servant who had filled it. He continued to curse so loudly that I almost did not hear the tap on the window.

I looked over. A falcon, with a grey body and bright yellow legs, tapped its beak on the glass again. I smiled. At last, perhaps some good news. I went to the window and opened it, glancing behind me at the bathroom. No Isvarr. The little falcon gently pecked at my hand to get my attention. "Yes, thank you," I said to the bird. A metal tube was fastened to its leg. I carefully removed it and pulled the tightly rolled parchment from the tube. A few weeks ago, I had sent out three letters to neighboring kingdoms for aid in reclaiming Thaedia. What remained of our soldiers were not enough to overthrow Isvarr and his Priculonian soldiers. The small kingdom of Sintar had already refused, saying that they were already involved in conflict elsewhere. Kainga, well, Kainga would not help us now that we had declared war on them, so this was my last hope, Iluidan.

I unfurled the page. My hands unconsciously came to my mouth as I read.

Queen Ellova,

I, along with the rest of the Iluidan people, were shocked and horrified by Priculon's brutal takeover of Thaedia. We offer our deepest condolences on the loss of the late King and Queen.

As for sending aid and troops, our council is divided. For us to go to war, we need a unanimous vote. That will take time, which I am afraid you may not have. I will do all I can to change their minds, but we urge you to look for aid in other places.

Sincerely,

-President Obaze Igdion

My hopes sank. But, further down the parchment, someone had written something else. The handwriting was so messy, it would have been illegible to anyone but me. I knew that handwriting. I had a stack of letters just like it in the drawer of my nightstand. Akalze was the daughter of President Igdion, and a good friend of mine for many years. My eyes scanned her sentences.

Something is wrong, Ellova. Something or someone that is threatening not just Thaedia, but all of Secla. I have reasons to believe that your new husband may be connected. I cannot write any more here, but will explain as soon as I can.

Buteo is one of my older messenger falcons, so I might reach you before him. Don't worry; I will be discreet. Our secret spot.

-AK

My hopes stirred in my stomach at her coming, but were unnerved by her crypticness. Buteo, her falcon, chirped at me, then dove headfirst out the window. I leaned out to watch him go. His little body became a smaller and smaller speck on the horizon. He had many miles to go before he reached his nest in Iluidan. How many miles lay between me and Akalze?

I realized that Isvarr had been silent for a long time... too long. I slipped the letter into my skirt pocket and walked to the bathroom's arched entryway. He was not in the bathtub and the water was still. When I noticed him, he had a towel around his waist and was staring intently into the mirror. That was not unusual, except that this time he was not fixing his hair or practicing a roguish grin. He leaned his body so close that his nose brushed the mirror. His breathing became shallower and quicker, but he kept his eyes fixed on the reflection. "Get out," he hissed. I opened my mouth to apologize, but I realized that he was not talking to me. "Get out." He said it a little louder, and the tall ceilings made his words echo. His fingers curled into fists and his body shook. "Get-" His voice broke like he was in pain. A tear slid down his cheek. "GET OUT!" He slammed his knuckles against the mirror. It shattered into pieces. He breathed heavily and glared at his broken image like a feral beast. When I looked at the mirror, I saw his eyes glaze over. His expression fell into numbness and his breathing became rhythmic.