Chronicles of the Soveriegn

Chapter 8: The Enchantress's Snare

We both fell on the floor, each of us rubbing our heads.

“Watch where you’re going,” Rory said cooly as she got to her feet.

I stood up, still rubbing my temple. “I’m really sorry.”

Her eyes scanned me. “What are you wearing?”

As I looked down I realized that I was still wearing my overcoat now dirty from the woods. “Oh, you know, just wanted to go out for a little stroll this morning.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I caught the traitor this morning. You being unarmed and all, he might have killed you.”

My thought process halted. “Traitor?”

“Yes, Innelo. He was trying to escape to the forest this morning, but I caught him and brought him back to my father.”

Was she really trying to take my glory? I’d never felt this angry before in my life. My vision started to spot with gray. I turned to leave before I did anything rash.

“Ariadne, aren’t you going to say thank you?”

It took all of my self-control not to lunge for her throat as I turned. In the most sarcastic voice I could muster said, “Thank you your highness, I don’t know what I would do without you or your magic.” That was taking a risk; she now knew that I was aware she had powers. Without looking back to see her reaction I left to go back outside.

Etana! I need you right now!

What? Her voice was faint. She must be far away.

Rory took Innelo in and got our credit.

Etana didn’t respond. I marched back to the palace and after changing and sticking a knife in my boot headed for Cedric’s chamber. The door was locked but with a little help from my knife I picked it.

Alright, I know what you must be thinking. What right does Ariadne have doing something like that; sneaking into someone’s bedroom with no apparent reason. And I must say that I agree with you. However when I get angry I lose a lot of my rationality.

I looked through the trunk at the end of his bed; Just a bunch of clothes. Same thing with his wardrobe; nothing was in it. There was a set of drawers next to his bed. I riffled through them. I found some potions, a few books and some very weird things that I assumed to be potion ingredients. I still had not found what I was looking for.

A memory struck me. Roland had always kept his love letters from Tirana under his mattress so that he could read them before he went to sleep each night. I lifted up the thick mattress and found dozens of papers.

Dear Cedric,

I miss you so much. My father says that I need to stay in Arma for schooling but I wish that I could go visit you in Mrall like I did last spring. It’s always so nice to visit you and your family.

Love,

Rory

Dear Cedric,

I know this letter won’t reach you until after your trip with Tulus, but I just need to let you know that I’m thinking about you and I can't wait until you come to visit.

Love,

Rory

So it wasn’t my imagination, Rory did have a thing for Cedric and he liked her back. There were tons of notes like these. I didn’t read them all – they were making me sick. Then why had he never mentioned her before? It was as if the only time he was in love with her was when he was around her or somehow under her influence. This would make sense of course if she really was an Enchantress.