Song of Feathers and Claws

Part 5

"Come on Dyar, pull!" Anue grabbed the rope as her horse started moving forward, as they pulled the unconscious celestial out from the pit. It had taken her some time to get out from under him and then move all the broken limbs from the path to get Dyar close enough to help her.

Once they got him up out of the pit, Anue took the ropes and untied them from her horse and then used it to tie him up, just in case he tried something again.

As she was hoisting the Celestial up onto Dyar's back to drag him home. A group of her fathers soldiers appeared with her Guard Derrick with them, funny how The Duke was nowhere to be seen with them.

"Princess Anue, are you injured?" Derrick asked, Anue dropped struggling with the monstrous size man, and got up on Dyar.

"I am uninjured, but I am tired. Get this celestial back to the castle, put him in one of the extra secured prisons." She pointed down at the man.

The Soldiers saluted, "I will head back with Derrick, work quickly, his strength is nothing to play with." Anue moved her horse over to her Guards horse, "Let's get going, I wasn't joking about the being tired part"

Derricks eyes narrowed as he followed behind her. "Are you sure your uninjured?"

Anue paused, after he fell on her, she had gotten pain in the side of her head near the temple. It was horrific rippling through her in waves, she dropped and then when she woke, and struggled to remove him. She's felt weak since, then of course did all the labour to get him out of pit strained her too.

"I am sure," she hissed, as a new pain running through her back started. "Let's just get home. I wish to rest."

The two quickly returned, dropping their horses off at the stable and then inside. Where Anue's handmaids were quick to her side. She was shuffled into a lounge room and was brought drinks.

Anue generally would have protested but she didn't have the strength, she felt like she got dropped on the sky.

King Ensio walked in with his set of personal advisors and guards, tagging along was Duke Fenwick. Anue couldn't help but groan as she watched him walk through.

"My girl, what happened? Gustav here told me about the celestial" the King gestured to the Duke next to him.

Anue sighed. "I am fine and nothing happened. I do wish to ask, why didn't the Duke come to my aid like our soldiers"

The Duke went to defend himself but the King interrupted, "I couldn't risk losing a foreign allies Duke."

Anue didn't like the answer but she believed her father that it was his idea and not the Dukes.

"Now, tell me about what happened"

Anue told them what happened, with the trail ride with the Duke, to see the Celestial blood following it. She did omit the part about the flashing light and now feeling pain, she had a gut instinct that she should keep that to herself.

They all gave her talks about how dangerous that was. Then the men decided to discuss what to do with the Celestial. The idea of studying it was the most common. Anue excused herself so she could leave. She honestly didn't care what they planned.

Her handmaids took her to her room. Where she proceeded to sleep for the time being. Anue woke sometime as the sun was just starting to set, she felt better, no pain, weakness or tiredness. She took in a deep breath and stretched.

"Ah, there you are M'Lady, we were wondering how long you were going to be out for. You missed Supper."

"That's fine" Anue said as she stood, she walked over to the window and looked out watching the sky. "Bring me some biscuits and fruit and we'll call it good for my night meal"

Her handmaid bowed and headed out.

Anue stood their watching out towards the forest remembering what happened that day. She was curious about the glowing eyes. She didn't know who too ask, except maybe Duke Fenwick, and she really didn't want to do that.

Anue's stomach turned.

She placed her hand down to lay over it, as it felt like it was rolling down a hill. That's when the pain stirred up. Anue dropped to her knees, letting out a scream.

Derrick rushed in "Anue-"

He saw her on the ground and looked around, "Princess?" he got down on his knee next to her.

Anue looked up, back at the sky and she felt something hit her. Though no one was striking her. As her eyes locked onto the blackness of the sky, a memory that wasn't hers flashes into her vision covering over the sky she saw.

Anue dropped her head forward.

Derrick called out for someone to collect the Doctor.

Anue's head snapped up "They are torturing him!"

"Who?"

"The Celestial-" she cried "My father and the Duke- they'll killing him" her voice rattled. As she shoved her head forward to lay against the wall. She didn't know how she knew this information, but she knew it was true.

"Get my blade" Anue's eye flashed that silvery hue again. "I'm heading to the dungeons"