The Raven King

Chapter 12: The Ambusher

"So, Letitia, what would you like to eat?" Eleanor asked as her own gaze flickered across the various stands that were now open, releasing their smells and spices into the air.

A child reached up to one, a silver coin in his hand, which he happily exchanged for what seemed to be a fish shaped patty.

And maybe I can actually learn what some of this stuff is. A familiar tingle spread down her neck causing her nails to scratch in that area. She bit her lip. She had turned six when the first signs of her skin condition started to appear. Little spots along her legs and arms that reminded her of patches.

They came over night and caused the doctors little concern with them. Still, that didn't mean her classmates were any less ruthless. Spotty and dalmation were some of the nicer insults that were thrown her way, with others leaving her a crying mess throughout the day.

When the tears became too much, she was finally prescribed ointment to help hopefully treat it. However, when she woke up the next day, she was mortified to see new patches, bigger patches, all over her skin.

Her scream shattered windows for miles.

A hand flickered in front of her face, chasing the memories away.

"Hmm?" Eleanor hissed as a flare of pain raced down her neck.

Letitia's eyes widened as she signed frantically. You're bleeding!

Seeing the panic in the woman's eyes, a flash of guilt struck her chest. Don't worry, Eleanor signed back. I just..scratched my neck too much. Lowering her hand, Elenaor grimaced at her blood coated fingers.

Frantic footsteps approached them. "What happened?" Elenaor jumped at Vilem's question. "What did you do?"

As her eyes narrowed on Eleanor, the latter couldn't help but feel like a child caught with their hands in the cookie jar. "I was just...scratching my neck."

"TIll you bleed?" Vilem questioned. "Wait, is your neck turning white?"

When she took a step forward, Eleanor staggered back. Her hand covered her neck as she fought the urge to turn and run. "I...um..."

Letitia, thank goodness for her, stepped between Vilem with a slight push against the guard's chest. Leave her alone. She's bleeding, remember?

Vilem stepped back. "Right, right." She glanced back at Eleanor. "Stay here. I'll be right back." With a flare of her wings, Vilem took off. As soon as she was from sight however, a hand grabbed her wrist.

Come on. I know a place we can go. Elenaor glanced back at where Vilem had disappeared too. I shouldn't leave her but...Those judgy eyes flashed through her mind. What would she say if she saw them? Would she be like those kids? Would she think I was diseased?

Eleanor nodded, letting Letitia pull her away from the shops and tree cafes. The deeper into the forest they went, the more the tree around them thinned out, leaving patches of wildflower filled meadows. Letitia would stop occasionally, picking up a few before they continued on their journey.

"Where are we?" Eleanor questioned.

A tree, clearly old and sickly, had a slanted door carved out while the inside smelled of mold and rotten wood.

How had this place not collapsed? Eleanor's first thought at the clearly water damaged walls and ceilings. Letitia led her over to a rug of fur where she pushed Eleanor down onto it. The latter simply watched as Letitia gathered a pot and some water into it before adding the flowers.

Soon, a nice soft fire crackled underneath the pot as Letitia gathered a rag and some bowls. Hold still, she signed. Eleanor swallowed, closing her eyes as the soft rag touched her neck, leaving a trail of cold across her burning skin.

SIlence fell between the two of them with the sound of water being the only sound along with the crackling fire. Another wipe, another squeeze, and Eleanor opened her eyes to see Letitia staring at her neck.

I know what it's like. She signed. To be treated differently because of something I can't control. She tapped her ears. No one wants to have a deaf partner.

Elenaor's shoulders dropped at her words. "Is that why they're so harsh to you?" She signed back. "Because you're deaf?"

Deaf and alone. A bitter smile haunted her face. To them, I'm nothing but a mistake.

"But you're not a mistake," Eleanor signed back. Her hands clenched, hating the look of disappointment and guilt that filled Letitia's eyes. Noone had the right to call anyone a mistake. She wasn't a mistake. She was perfect.

And what about you? The voices whispered. How can you sit there and say that when you can't even look at yourself in the mirror? Eleanor's nails dug deeper into her palm. Could she really tell others they're beautiful, that they're special, if she hated the way she looked. She was hypocrite, plain and simple.

And Theron wants you as his queen. He clearly made a mistake- Suddenly, a cup was shoved into her hands, breaking through the poisonous thought. A familiar smell reached her nose as Elenaor inhaled the mintiness of the tea.

A glance at Letitia's soft expression eased any last tension from her shoulder. Lifting the cup to her lips, Eleanor sipped on the sweet tea. "Thank you," she mouthed, causing Letitia to simply nod as her own smile grew.

We should probably head back- A thud echoed throughout the tree; the sound shuddering through the walls. Eleanor turned just as a book nearly slammed into her face. What...

Another thud then cracking filled the air and threatened Eleanor's eardrums. Light seeped through as a hand grabbed her arm. With a strong yank, she was pulled out the tree, racing away from the danger above them.

What was happening? She glanced over her shoulder.

The same creature, the one that burned her home down, was leaning against the tree as its metal claws grated into the bark. Its bright red eyes weren't focused on them though. What is it looking at?

Eleanor followed its gaze. Her heart dropped. A bear cub clung to the tree for dear life as its jaws released pitiful cries. A metal claw swiped at it, nearly missing the bear as the ambusher roared again.

The bear's terrified cry pierced Eleanor's heart. Her heels dug into the ground. Her gaze slipped free from Letitia's as she sprinted back toward the tree. "Hey! Hey, over here!" She shouted.

The ambusher ignored her as its jaws parted, bathing the cub in a bright orange light.

Elenaor's gaze snapped around. I need-I need-I need- Her eyes landed on a rock. Dunk tank arm don't fail me now! She flung the rock with all her strength.

Ping. The pebble bounced off the ambusher, not even leaving a mark. However, her idea worked as its red eyes flickered to her, quickly reminding her of one crucial detail. I didn't think ahead!

Eleanor stepped back as leaped onto the ground, releasing a deep rumbling noise. Its tail dragged against the ground as its eyes burned with pure hatred. Eleanor stepped back, before her gaze flickered to the crying cub.

She couldn't leave it. She couldn't-

Bang! A force of light slammed into the ambusher's side. A pained roar left its maw as black seeped from its wound.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Eleanor's head turned to the voice.

Stepping out the shadows, the man's outfit reminded Eleanor of those detective or undercover police men with a leather vest, jeans, and trench coat. A pistol was pointed at the ambusher as a metallic sounding chuckle left the man's lips.

The ambusher growled. Its body lowered to the ground as its bright red eyes narrowed on the man.

The man didn't even flinch at its furious rumble. "You might want to stay back, your majesty."

Eleanor's eyes widened. He knows who I am? Before she could even think any more on it, the ambusher lunged.