Royals and Deviants

Chapter 2

We made our way through the corridors of the castle, even in our haste seemingly taking forever because of its endless hallways. Hellwater was massive. Within the castle, there was a ceaseless number of rooms. Expansive twists and turns of marble floors and dark ornate rugs lead up to doors at every turn.

Below, there housed a dungeon that spanned the length of the castle. I have never seen it in person. The stairway entry leading down to it is always under surveillance by guards, and even if it wasn't, I'm not sure I would want to. As far as I know, that's where Stormbell's thieves and miscreants resided.

Four thick, square towers surround the castle, reaching twice the height of the walls and are connected by big, sweeping barriers. The walls are built of stones of varying sizes and shapes, each one unique. From a distance it is a uniform grey, from up close it is a mosaic of humble rocks, each of them nobody would think anything of if they were seen on the side of the road. Small, elegant windows are scattered thinly across the walls in an asymmetric pattern, along with same-sized holes for archers and artillery. Soldiers are always on patrol, roaming the perimeter on the grounds as well as upon the walls. Nearly three sides of Hellwater rested atop rough, jagged cliffs that were the boundaries of the Catcana, which was extremely advantageous in the event of an attack. With only one side of the castle facing the countryside, that gave potential enemies only one option to attack. Unless, of course, they came from the sea. Hellwater has not been under attack in ages, not since the Campaign of Carthage against the west all those years ago. And with the castle walls' strength being unparalleled, no place was safer.

The large courtyard boasts a slew of wagons, livestock, and goods coming into the castle. I was rarely allowed to be there, but every so often I would find myself drifting there, just to watch the villagers come and go. People were always milling around, laughing, arguing, a constant whirlwind of activity. It was dirty but bright. It was the opposite of my life within the castle. Inside everything was clean and polished. But dark. Somber. It was a nice change from the tedious and dreary schedule that was my life. Eventually, Thea or Gordon would always find me skulking around like a cat and shoo me out and back into my gloom to continue whatever mundane task I had been doing.

As I got older, I got a little better at hiding. I would climb up and perch like a graceless bird on the thatched roofs that line the yard, trying to keep out of sight of Thea or Gordon or anyone that might recognize me. I would spend afternoons atop those roofs within the yard and just watch everyone come and go. I always made sure to stuff my icy colored hair into a hat so no one would notice me. It may as well be a bullseye.

Eventually, we made our way to the main hall and found my mother and the rest of her court guests situated in the throne room, everyone awaiting the impending arrival of our southern guests. Visiting families and noblemen meander around the room, chatting with one another and picking at the food that has been set out.

Some people I recognize, but most are strangers to me. I can see the Maddocks, cloistered together in the far corner of the room. They seem to be talking with one another rather intently, sipping their wine as their eyes scan the room. I have heard that the Maddocks are cold and callous, and judging the looks on their faces, I can already tell that it's probably true. "Snobs," I think was the word Thea used to describe them to me once, after a visit from them resulted in every servant in the castle avoiding them for fear of lashings or worse. They control the province south of us, a territory called Nessus. Its lands span Stormbell's southern line and end on the eastern coast of the Catcana. On its other side, its western boundaries are nudged close to the staggering mountain pass that not many attempt to travel through unless necessary. The mountains, known as the Dark Heights, have a deadly reputation as precarious and unforgiving to anyone trying to cross them.