The Last Day of the First Life

Darkers Days Brighter Nights

The carriage jostled down the unkept roads towards the Detsu mountains, miles from James Walder's home. This job would be the biggest yet even if it's only just a simple meeting, without this deal I may never see my small family again. I was scared, something no man should ever feel in this world, that's not how you survive. I can't protect my daughter if I'm afraid, she has Ruby's strength to guard her and my home, but she's my responsibility at the end of the day. There's no guarantee he'll even accept this deal, not until he sees what I'm capable of. Many think the king rules this region but that's never been further from the truth. The men are greedy and will do anything for money, they're dangerous and capable, and I'm the only one that can compete with them. But all those traits include myself, I was money hungry and not willing to watch myself suffer after my father abandoned me to the forests. He waited for my death, leaving me to the beasts that have torn men to shreds for less then being in their space. But I got out, thanks to one person that I can't even remember their name anymore. But now I could lose everything, if these men don't take the deal it could mean the end of everything. The end of me, the town, Gardania as a whole. Everything could fall and my precious little gem could fall as well. The child is uncontrolled and wild, but she has the spirt of a lone queen, and she could rule one day, even if the kingdom is just her.

The carriage jerked to a stop at the pass and I leaned out to take a look as to why. There stood my deal, a few paces early, but that could be negotiated. I need to make them fear me to respect me, for I am James Walder, and I am the most powerful man in Gardania. Not just in matters of business, I will win or die trying. A man stepped out of the shadows and lowered his hood, "James, sorry to have intercepted you, this needed to be done sooner rather than later my friend". I stepped out of the carriage, adjusting my tailcoat, I took the mans hand "nice to see you too Geralt, how's the family?"

The fire crackled menacingly as the servants poured tea, all male, quite odd for this region. A woman stepped out of one of the rooms and sat in the adjacent chair "I hate to disappoint you dear James Walder" she sneered with a smile "but Geralt is not the one you will be dealing with today". The woman was beautiful, long red dress that shined in the firelight, bright blue eyes of the finest ocean jewels, and red hair like Ellisandria's, extremely odd indeed. I held my hand out to the lady, she took it with a smirk "and who is the lovely lady I am dealing with today then if I may ask, it is formal to know my business partners name" she took her hand back, smirk still shining proud "my name is Garnet Compton". My brow furrowed "Lady Garnet, I did not know you settled in these parts, you've been on the edge of Gardania for quite some time then?" She laughed lacing her fingers together and resting her chin on folded hands, gold and ruby rings glinting off the deep orange light. "Oh I've always been here dear James, the people just didn't realize a woman controlled the Detsu mountains" she took a sip of her red drink, "but I believe our talks today will be much more interesting then my living arrangements, don't you agree?". Garnet leaned closer showing red stained lips, my body stiffened. I couldn't let this woman see she was intimidating, I felt the stares of the servants, always looking for gossip. I sat up straight, "well let us see then Lady Garnet, but I don't think your servants should hear of such business deals, just a tad improper, don't you agree?". Garnet leaned back and chuckled "Oh James I assure you this will effect none of them, they've heard worse from these walls" she smiled sweetly and licked her lips, she knows what I'm capable of, I pulled the same routine at the Port, gossip travels fast. "Alright", I looked around, servants disappearing into the background and fire burning low, "I hope you won't disappoint, Lady Garnet " she smirked again, sharp teeth poking out slightly, "oh darling, I can assure you I never do".

A servant brought a table into the room, the cross breeze making the firelight flicker. He set the table in front of Lady Garnet and she pulled out a leather bound pocket book from somewhere unseen. "Now, don't you think we should get started? The sun will be up soon and we have made no progress" she dipped a pen in red ink as the pages began to glow inside the bindings of the book. I've seen this many times in my dealings but it amazes me every time without fail. These people aren't like our own, and it's my job to keep the peace, "what brings you to my territory anyway James, it's not like your company needs me, shouldn't it be time to cut ties" smirk never leaving those red stained lips as she writes something in the book. I can feel myself start to panic slightly, if she denies the deal I'll have no choice and I'll be ruined. She looked up, setting the pen down she leaned over the table, keeping the book out of my reach, not that it mattered she could have me killed in a second. "Our families were born into war, James, a terrible one that will go on for centuries until the end of one of our days" I stood up with clenched fists, she will not see me flustered, not today "and that's not my fault, my father gave me a job and I intend to do it, not for my father, but for these people, my daughter" the words stung as they left my lips, I shouldn't of mentioned Elly in a deal. I gravely endangered her life now, but I was fighting for scraps I had lost and needed a quick end. Everything in my soul screamed to back away, but I've fought too hard for my place in this room, the people were depending on me, even if they would never know it. Elly was depending on this deal even though her name left my lips, I need to return as soon as this deal is done so I know she's safe, I could be too late now.

Lady Garnet stood from her seat, book forgotten on the table, pages still emitting the softest light. Her rings shined as she stood before me, "your petty inner squabbles are of no interest to me Mr. Walder, do you want to discuss a deal or not", I couldn't take my eyes from hers, she had me right where she wanted me, I don't have a chance. I took the most subtle breath I could, I know she heard it, she can hear everything in this room. I sat back down in the chair I had been given, she returned to hers, opening the book once more. "Oh course my dear Lady, it's why I've come all this way, I never intended to waste your precious time, so I'd love nothing more" I exclaimed, slowly taking the contract from the confines of my coat pocket. Before I could think twice, the contract was whisked away and became one with the leather bound book glowing on the table, pages mending with the contract and swallowing it whole. Lady Garnet thumbed through the pages agonizingly slow, eventually stopping at a place in the middle. A small photo appeared, set on top of the contract letters. She signed the page under the picture and handed the book over to me along with the pen. I almost missed the picture, it was so small and hard to make out against the print of the contract. I studied it for longer than I should have when I finally realized, this picture was Ellisandria. I slammed the pen down and stood, hands on the table, "what the hell is this Garnet!" She crossed her legs and smiled showing the tell tale sign of her lineage, "don't worry so much James, I don't control the book, just take the orders of the pages, and according to this ", she turned the book towards herself smiling at the page and touching the picture of Elly "your little girl is destined for something big soon, I would sign if you know what's good for you, and go back to your precious gem". She set the book aside and sipped her drink, while I stood motionless, not believing the words that would dare come from those red lips. As I opened my mouth to speak she held up her hand to me, "you can not threaten me for what the book shows you dear Walder, you would be dead before you even drew that dagger in your coat" her eyes shifted from deep sea blue to blood red as she got closer, grabbing my shoulder she whispered in my ear, "do not forget who really runs this kingdom, James, now go, leave my manor while the sun rises and I can promise you no harm". I was shaking with rage as she let me go and opened the door, rage that she got me where she wanted me, rage for the deal, rage for Elly. "I'm just telling the truth darling, go to your little girl" she whispered as I crossed the threshold, "before it's too late James" the door shut, and I sprinted down the stairs and out into the safety of the morning rays, I have to get to Elly.

The wind was cold as I crossed the paths to the carriage, my only thought is Elly. As I sat myself in the confines of soft leather there was an overwhelming feeling of dread, I know Elly's not home. Ruby keeps tabs on her, watching my wild child like a beast of the forest, and enables the townspeople to do the same. The girl runs off to the woods every chance she gets without knowing what's in this world, what could end her without a second thought. My heart sank as the carriage set off, back towards the other edge of Gardania, the safest patch of town bordered by the ocean. But I know how this world works, I know the king is just a face for the kingdom. The real rulers are not human, they boarder Gardenia and swarm like rats when the subjects get out of line. My thoughts were cut short as the carriage stopped suddenly, an army sat before me, blocking the way to the main city. Why now, Garnet wouldn't send an army after me so soon, not in the daylight. I stepped out of the carriage, observing those who stood before me, black armor gleaming in the sun, but green accents stood out to me. These aren't monsters, this is the kings army.

They were waiting for us, but I couldn't take them on, not without alerting the town and dampening my name. I searched for a familiar face as helmets lifted, then I spotted one, "general Anders, for what do I owe the pleasure". A sickening smile crossed my lips, this is the army I've worked with, I know these men as well as I know myself. I walked towards them, arms tight to my side, feeling the dagger brush my hip, the men lowered their heads and kneeled, knowing their place in my presence. They stood still long enough for me to make it to general Anders, he took off his helmet fully and tucked it under his arm, "Sir Walder, what brings you to these parts? You know this path is off limits, even to men such as you". He chuckled at his own joke, he knows men such me belong wherever they please. General Anders is the only one to know of my work, the other soldiers are smart enough to mind their business. His laugher is more sinister then anything, he has other orders, ones from higher then the king. "You are not permitted any further Sir Walder, you are to be escorted to the castle immediately, the queen requests your presence," his voice dropped with calm poison, he has better things to do then escort me to the castle, once again out of my way to Elly, but even I can not deny a Queen's request. I nodded sharply, "if it's for her majesty, how could I deny her" making my way back to the carriage, I slammed the door behind me and held my head in my hands as we rolled forward. I may never see my daughter again with this detour, I was already too late when her image was presented in that damned book.