A Touch of Magic

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Brikwood

     I stood atop the wall dividing our two clans. From up there, you got quite the view. I climbed down into my clan's soil carefully and brushed away the dirt on my hands.
     As I trudged back to the castle, I couldn't help but wonder what Evergreen was doing right now. She both irritated and intrigued me. I knew better than to trust any one of those "good" people. Or so they call themselves. But there was something about her that seemed so genuine.
     I shook these feelings off as I ascended the castle tower and bowed to her majesty.
     "You're late."  She turns to me, her black dress and cape flowing over the ground like a curse. If you weren't in my place, you might find the queen of my clan quite beautiful with her long black hair and piercing blue eyes.  I suppose beauty is more beautiful when it doesn't have such a power hold over you.
     "I apologize to your highness. I had some trouble finding a deer this morning."
     She waves me off.  "Never mind that.  I am in need of your assistance. Recently, one of my handmaids has proven to be... inadequate."
     I wondered what she had done. The queen rolled out a scroll onto a table and pointed to a small cottage on the map.
     "Over the wall, there is a girl. She serves her family well. Take her."
     I swallowed. While those people were wretched, I hated stooping to their level. But would you be willing to say no to her majesty?
     I bowed and descended the tower. I assembled two orcs with me.  Hopefully, this wouldn't take too long.
     She put up quite the fight. That was, until I threatened to kill her family if she didn't comply.  That straightened things out. I brought her before the queen.
     "She'll do nicely," the queen said simply.  I escorted the girl to her room. In a way, I felt pity for her. But then again, not completely.