Warlord's Ward

His Bed

Killian rolled his arms over each other until there was a swelling black billow coming from his forearms and rising upward until it wafted in tendrils which reached me up on the balcony like bits of strings.

I found myself reaching out to grasp one. Stunned at how I was reacting.

But Killian was waiting below as if he expected me to. His arms at his sides and the black smoke now coming from his chest, up to me.

A mist full of life. A creature of its own.

I swiped the tendril, and it swayed a bit in the wind of my movement. So, I moved slower this time and was able to pinch it between my fingers. Guiding it down and twisting it around the balcony rail.

It latched on and took on a life of its own. Growing like a great vine. Twisting around the railing and clambering out from the corner for about three feet before it began amassing over itself. Growing thicker and hardening until it was something with substance.

I leaned over the rail to peer at it. As it became more staggered. Working its way down to Killian. Forming steps.

I heard footfalls over me and knew the king was up on the balcony. Moving to see.

He's going to see what Killian is doing.

He's not going to kill her. He's trying to save her.

Killian glanced up worriedly.

He put out his hand and near the fountain, on the side facing our balconies, the hazy form of a body lying on the ground began to form. Coated in blood along the chest.

I blinked rapidly as I realized it was taking shape and becoming Tanya.

His gaze fell to her and roved over her. Inch by inch.

In a way I'd have assumed was totally provocative, were it not for the fact that as his eyes scanned a part of her, it formed on the shape lying amidst the grass.

He's building her.

***

It was all happening very fast.

He shoved Tanya toward the weird smoky staircase. Barely sparing him a curious look as she lifted her mages robe and fled up the stairs toward me.

Killian swiped his hand, and the hazy outline of steps began dissipating right behind her until they were entirely out of view just as the King's steps stopped just above me.

Tanya leapt the last few steps and I instinctively reached to catch her. Both of us swinging with her momentum and the steps abruptly vanishing.

I pushed Tanya to the wall and put a finger to my lips. Much as Killian would've done to me.

She nodded with huge fearful eyes.

I dared peek back over the balcony and saw Killian below. Posed as a statue. Staring up at the King on the upper level with his hand gesturing to the fake corpse next to him.

I heard a grunt above me, that I sensed would've gone with a nod of approval. Then the footfalls walked away.

Killian looked up at both of us intently. His head lowering in warning.

Tanya nodded.

***

Killian returned to the Training Gardens. As regal as if nothing had occurred.

I admired the way he didn't shrink under the disapproval of the mages. The blatant resentment that made them all silent.

No one cheering for him now.