Of Blood And Royal Bones

Chapter 17: An Attempt At Freedom

Kassia bounced her foot anxiously atop her ankle in her cell, her legs crossed over one another as she leaned against the stone wall. She opened her mouth to speak, her courage crumbled, and she closed her mouth once more. She snuck a glance at Jurgen who sat shirtless against the farthest wall of bars facing her. His skin was marked in burns and lacerations and a thin coat of sweat glistened over his face, his dark hair disheveled. She took in what sliver she could see of the circle emblazoned with her initial that the demons had branded on his shoulder. It hadn't done well in the healing process and still shone bright red, the irritated skin glossy. Edith had offered him more of her crystal healing tears but Adem had refused to pass over the vial. Kassia knew exactly why, though Edith had certainly given him an earful on the matter, bickering at the sight of Jurgen's repugnant wounds.

Kassia slowly dragged herself to the partition between her and Jurgen's cells. His eyes jumped to her in surprise– she rarely ever neared those bars nowadays.

"When they take you," she started quietly, "in what direction is it that you go?"

He looked at her curiously. "I've no idea, they claim my vision just as they do yours."

"No, I understand that. But you track your turns, do you not?" She whispered determinedly.

"Whatever it is you're planning–"

She held a finger to her lips to stop him and he ceased talking. She tapped her ear, then pointed to the iron door of the dungeon in silent message of the threat of the shadow demons.

He shifted to her and traced small fragmented lines in the dirt of the dungeon floor which Kassia understood to be paces. He made a ninety degree angle veering it to the right, then another one veering to the left several steps away from the first. He brought his hand to rest in his lap and slumped against the bars in exhaustion.

She studied his makeshift map, memorizing the number of paces between each turn and each destination and nodded reassuringly, her eyes coming up to meet his. His countenance was glazed with nervousness and she sensed his conjecture of her odd question.

"Have trust." She said to him, but his face did not ease at her reassurance.

After several more silent moments, the door to the dungeon swung open and Jurgen and Edith were ripped from their cells. When the shadow demons had cleared the threshold, the iron door slamming in their wake, Adem turned silver eyes to her.

"Queen?" He questioned at her odd behavior towards Jurgen.

"Basia and Ziam would be awful together." She commented.

Adem's eyebrows scrunched in befuddlement.

"Do you not agree?" She prompted. When Adem only continued to look upon her with uncertainty she went on. "I, for one, cannot imagine the two together. I mean, it's quite absurd, him with her. She is far too knowledgeable to choose someone with such a poor character."

Adem's face relaxed as realization dawned on him. "Oh, yes I quite agree. She is far too beautiful as well. Perhaps her and I would make a—"

"That's quite enough." Ziam said from his shadowed corner. "What is it you want from me, Queen?" He said, stepping from the shadows to reveal himself.

"Second to my freedom? Nothing. Adem and I were engaging in a private discussion. You may leave now." She waved him away, shifting closer to the barred door of her cell.

"I do not think so. I am not foolish enough to believe you've just happened across this particular topic out of boredom. Why have you summoned me?"

"It seems you've summoned yourself here of your own volition. Though now you may leave." Kassia turned to Adem once more as she continued in full nonchalance. "You would have my blessing should you wish to pursue her."