Lunar Flare Book 2: Midnight Eclipse

Chapter 12

Cassian and Emil walked side by side down the dimly lit hallways, on night patrol of the castle together. So far, they had barely spoken a word to each other. Cassian had assigned Emil to patrol with him in the hopes of trying to talk to the young guard, but he couldn't figure out what to say, and Emil was as sullen as usual. However, Cassian was taken off guard slightly when suddenly Emil decided to speak.

"Cassian... I was wondering if I could... ask you for some advice..." Emil managed to push out haltingly, making it apparent that saying such a thing was a strain for him.

Cassian gave the soldier a look of utter bewilderment. "You're asking for advice from me?" he questioned in disbelief.

Emil let out a small huff, crossed his arms over his chest and looked away. "Yeah yeah, I know, you hate me, forget I even said anything," he said dismissively.

"Hate you? Emil, I don't hate you. Sure, you can be a right pain in the ass sometimes, but I know you're just acting out because..." Cassian trailed off, unsure if he wanted to broach that topic right away. "Go on, what did you want to ask me about?"

The tension had left Emil's posture somewhat, but he still didn't look at the officer. "I... what do you do when the person you... want... already has someone..." he asked very awkwardly and uncomfortably, and Cassian could see his cheeks starting to redden.

"This is about Beowulf, isn't it?" Cassian asked gently, which only caused Emil to look slightly alarmed and even more embarrassed.

"Is it... that obvious?" the younger guard asked, looking around anxiously.

"You'd have to be pretty blind not to see it lad," Cassian answered frankly.

Emil hunched his shoulders, frowning. "Then you think he... knows? Is he just being nice and not saying anything?"

Raising a finger to his mouth Cassian looked upwards slightly, thinking for a moment. "Could be but... Beowulf... well, surely you realise that he isn't the sharpest weapon on the rack..."

"Big handsome idiot..." Emil muttered to himself, which made Cassian smile.

"But you're right, the fact of the matter is that he already has a lover. Usually when that is the case, you're supposed to just let the person go, find someone else," Cassian explained tactfully.

"But... it feels almost like... there is something there between us, you know?" Emil said, finally turning his head to actually look at Cassian with his bright green eyes and an earnest expression.

Cassian pursed his lips with uncertainty. "Beowulf is a very nice lad to everyone you know. You sure you're not just reading what you want to see into his actions?" he countered gently.

"I..." Emil's expression suddenly fell, and he looked downwards. "He called me 'pretty boy'..."

"Is that so?" Cassian responded with light surprise. "Well, I-" he was suddenly cut off by a loud, high-pitched scream echoing down the hallway. The two guards looked at each other with shock for a moment, before they quickly started hurrying towards the sound.

The scream had cut off, now replaced by the sounds of yelling, which became clearer as the guards drew closer to the source. The yells also ceased as Cassian and Emil approached the room they were coming from, though the sight just outside the door to the room caused them to slow down and take pause.

A figure was laying on the carpeted hallway floor next to the door. Cassian slowly approached it, Emil trailing close behind him. Once he could see the figure better, he recognised it as Effie, the princess's nursemaid. Her white blouse was covered in blood from her slit throat.