A Tale of Time: The Malice of Men

Chapter 23: Knowing

It hits us hard; the ugly truth.

It takes all that was truly good.

It leaves us with a bitter taste. Now this future you must face,

Or suffer to let it pass; pass and let you pass by into oblivion.

The time had come for her mysterious appointment with the King's aunt. She often wondered what it meant and if Asteryn could be there with her. He always knew what to do. His disarming smile was all the confidence that she ever needed in life. As it turned out, he wasn't accompanying her this time.

So she went alone.

Luckily, there were always people to guide her through the place. Tee Gods alone might have known how April would gave managed without them. Ërastir was a maze of sorts. Nobody knew how large it was. Asteryn claimed to have full knowledge of the passages and tunnels that ran through the castle, but did he? The papers were long since lost and not all were recovered by the King. While it was true that nobody could navigate through Ërastir like Asteryn, he himself did not have full knowledge. She wondered if her husband recognized the fact.

Of course he does. Part of her whispered. What do you think he is? An arrogant fool?

She brushed those thoughts aside. The sun was setting, it was a beautiful evening and Lady Asterya was waiting for her. Her skin tingled with excitement. This was something interesting. She remembered the feeling well. It was like the first time she came to the castle.

Asteryn took her there, holding her by the hand with a huge grin on his face. He was using another one of those secret passages. "won't we get into trouble?" April had asked. "Only if we get caught." Asteryn replied, turning to face her. Oh, his smile! it always removed all doubt and fear from her mind, filling her with hope and a joy unbound. April giggled. "And if we get caught you will leave me to my fate?" 

"Your fate is with me." Asteryn said, drawing closer to her. April closed her eyes. her lips parted as she felt his loving embrace.

The memory of it made April smile. It was all so long ago. How many things had happened since that fateful day? How many things, fortunate or otherwise, had come to pass?

Just then, she entered the courtyard. Her chain of thought was broken by a call from Lady Asterya.

"Ah, there you are." She said, breaking into a smile. She raised her arms to embrace her, painfully reminding April of how old the late King's sister looked. She was a good ten years elder than him, but by the new law, she could not rule. 

Now, she was old and frail. Her skin hung loosely about her thin limbs. Her sight was failing. She had lost a great deal of hair and what was left had turned white. Nevertheless, nobody had argued about any deterioration on the mental side of her being. She was as sharp and shrewd as she had been all those years ago when she had to ensure the smooth succession of her brother. Now she was doing the same for his son. In a way, it felt unfair. Lady Asterya had demonstrated her capabilities time and again. She had played the part of the silent hand, the iron sword that held the realm together. If the old laws were still followed, she would have been queen all those years ago.

"I'm so glad you came." She said, drawing her close." We have much to discuss. " She said, whispering into her ear. April was Surprised.

"Come." She held her by the hand. "Let us walk."