The Memory of Darkness (on hold until October)

6 - Only Stone Walls

Some people were too stupid to live.

The rat-faced man in his coarse brown robes was too stupid to live.

Now he was dead. It was only right.

Had she been pleased?

It was hard to tell.

He hoped so. He wanted her to be pleased.

He wanted to please her. She would please him.

He was sure of that.

She was going to Kyrvell. Her brothers were there. The heir and the libertine.

Perhaps she cared for them.

He remembered what it was to care.

It hurt to remember.

They hadn't understood.

She would understand. He was sure of that.

"Arianna," he whispered.

Her name was like the sweetest wine on his lips.

He needed to talk to her again. Soon.

Now it would be easy.

Kyrvell. Only stone walls.

So easy.

XXXXX

Kyrvell was like a second home to Arianna. She had been at the convent since she was seven, and in the twelve years since then, she had visited Anton in the city at least once a year.

They arrived at the castle with little ceremony. She thought that this was just as well. Too much attention made her uncomfortable at the best of times, and this was not the best of times.

Following the preacher's death, the short remainder of the journey had been spent in uneasy silence. Arianna wondered if all of her escort knew of Anton's real reasons for wanting her close by. It wouldn't explain why they had quickly left the scene of the probable murder; their job would be to get her away from any hint of danger as soon as possible, but it would explain the tension amongst the group.

Coren helped her down from her horse. She hadn't needed him to, but it was proper etiquette that someone assist her, and she found the gesture reassuring. The smile she gave him was returned, but she could sense that he was worried, and most likely had more than a few questions.

She had questions of her own, but none that anyone present could answer. Did he kill that man? It seems likely. Then he vanished. Is that a natural ability? Is it invisibility, or did he transport himself somewhere else? Was he following me, or the preacher?

"It's good to be back here," she said, keeping her hand on Coren's arm for longer than was necessary.

"You'll be safe here," he said.

Will I? Arianna said nothing in reply, but quickly took the necklace from her pocket and gave it to him. "Have this seen to," she said, purely for the benefit of anyone paying them too much attention.

"Of course, Your Grace," he said, nodding in understanding.

She looked up as the main doors to the castle keep swung open, and her eldest brother emerged, flanked by several more guards. Prince Anton smiled warmly at her, as he descended the stone steps down to the courtyard.

"It's so good to see you, sister," he said, embracing her.

"And you, Anton." Her spirits had been lifted by his appearance. For a moment, it felt like nothing bad could happen in his presence. He was the heir to the throne of Seltiria; who would dare to displease him? Her sense of peace was shattered by the unwelcome memory of the tall, hooded figure at the edge of the trees.