Desires of the Crown

45 - The Betrayal of Friends

Allair

Chin up, head held high and my posture straight. I paid no attention to the eyes on me. I ignored the questions in their eyes, the judgement that swirled as I walked right past them. My clothes were dark, muddy and tore in more places than I cared to acknowledge. My hair had come loose and floated behind me in an array for curls and tangles. But still I didn't care. My necklace was on show for all to see, my families crest containing the blue jewel that seemed to almost glow in the light of the full moon. The heavy chest, cradled in my arms.

Threats.

Witches.

Ancient Curses.

And evil Kings.

I had had enough.

The war camp spread in two, creating a path for the woman with death in her eyes. None of them even tried to stopped me. None of them even dared to question me.

The last few soldiers parted, to reveal the King glaring down the line.

I glared right back.

My Pride had been in hiding long enough. And I was done pretending.

The sun was rising over the camp and more forces had arrived. Gabriel, the Lord of Rohan was standing by the horses and Demetri was already staring at me. His eyes widened ever so slightly and his lips parted.

I didn't care anymore.

I approached Jonathan, and dumped his precious chest at his feet. My eyes never once leaving his.

I didn't back down.

"Your war is over." I kept my voice stern and with that deathly edge I had been taught long ago. "Time to go home."

I walked past him then, not daring myself to look back.

Jonathan didn't call after me.

***

Two weeks in silence.

We were only a few days out from the Northern boarders and I was sick of the silent treatment.

Jonathan had ignored me since I 'made-a-scene' that night. I had been left at the back of the company under the watchful eye of Nicolai and another Shadow knight who remained mute the entire trip back. Jonathan clutched his mother's chest close and glared at me every time I caught his eyes.

My clothes were drenched and I was starving. My rations had been restricted as punishment for my actions and because apparently 'food was better spent on warriors than little girls throwing a tantrum' or at least that's how the King put it. I don't know why he was so pissy, I was the one who actually went into the castle and got his chest back - or at least that's what I've been made to say since I could hardly tell everyone that witches helped me get it without expecting to keep my tongue.

And so I kept my mouth firmly shut, listening to Nicolai ramble on about jokes and funny tales that he heard from a friend of friend.

I let my temper boil.

Dawn came sooner than I had expected. A light snow had started falling making my lips turn blue and my fingers start to ache. I watch my breath turn to smoke in front of me with each cold breath that filled my lungs. The soldiers made camp and I rolled out my sleeping bag. I had been kicked out of the tent that I once shared with the King and made to sleep on the damp snow.

But sleep never came.

The stars took over the sky and I stared at the patterns in the sky, making shapes out of the bright stars just like I used to when I was young. I would see dragons and wolves, while my brother saw things like a pot and sword.