Shift

Chapter 11

11

Drake knelt before Valdor. He hadn’t been killed on sight - that was a good sign.

The sun never touched this place. Darkness hugged every surface and the trees long since devoid of life creaked with an invisible wind.

Valdor stood before a mighty wooden throne, carved out of the trunk of an ancient dead oak. He seemed to wear the shadows that surrounded him and everything else became insignificant when you laid eyes on him.

His face was ageless, pale and perfect. His features were chiselled and rarely showed emotion aside from anger or sadistic pleasure. His eyes were cruel and a dark, unrecognisable colour. His lips were pale and thin, pressed together in a firm line. He stood tall and fearless. Only his hands betrayed his true age. Their skin was thin and translucent, and gathered at the knuckles in countless wrinkles. They bent at unnatural angles and resembled the talons of a fierce bird.

“You failed in capturing the princess, when she was handed to you on a platter, and you dare to show your face to me?” Valdor’s voice was low and menacing. He never yelled, even when he seemed to barely hold onto his sanity. Drake resisted the urge to flinch.

“My liege, I have failed you completely, but before you name my punishment, I bring news to you.” Drake begged. Valdor paused, and turned to sneer at him.

“You have been absent for weeks Drake.”

“Yes my liege, because I was captured by the Houses when I crossed the wall.”

Valdor showed an emotion that Drake had never seen before and he deduced that it was surprise.

“You crossed the wall?” Valdor asked in a tone that demanded the truth.

“Yes my liege, in pursuit of the escaped princess. I was detained in their dungeon but I managed to escape to tell you of my discovery.”

Valdor paced silently, no doubt planning how he could use this new information to his advantage.

“It seems your failure has been useful Drake, You are of value yet.” Valdor commended Drake, and then turned and vanished into the trunk of a scarred dead tree.

***

“You helped him escape, didn’t you?” Sofi murmured while she braided her sister’s hair. Vera stilled.

“How did you guess?” Vera answered cautiously, shifting her weight and making the bed creak.

“I spoke with him, remember? And I listened when you told me about him. I knew you would help him.”

“You’re not mad? He was responsible for killing you!” Vera reminded her.

Sofi slid off the bed and walked around her room.

“That wasn’t directly his fault, and besides, he wouldn’t have come here if I hadn’t been sick. He wouldn’t have realised there was a way for him to save both.” Sofi explained in that quiet, careful manner of hers.

“What do you mean, ‘save both’?” Vera frowned at her sister. Sofi didn’t answer.

“I’m glad that your paths have been set straight.” Was all she said.

***

Lana was waiting atop the hill when Vera arrived.

“Took you long enough!” Lana called.

Vera panted as she crested the hill.

“Not everyone is from the House of Equine!” Vera reminded her.

“Doesn’t matter!” Lana laughed.

“You trying running with cat-sized legs and then tell me that!”

Vera reached Lana and collapsed onto the ground. The view was lovely, green pastures, the town at the bottom in the near-distance, and the woods sprawling out behind. Bees and butterflies fluttered around and small wildflowers dotted the grass.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” Vera asked.

“I’ve been thinking,” Lana began.

“You always are.”

“About Drake, the forsaken, and about what role we’ll have in what’s coming.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t sound like that. You started this. And you were right, we have to take responsibility of our people. It’s time we called the other princesses together.”

“Lana!” Vera interjected in alarm.

“I’m not saying tell them about Drake, but we need to be united in how we move forward, and they need to get in the loop.” Lana explained. Vera nodded.

“Ok, I’m with you. When and where?”

“I was thinking tonight in the spare parlour. My parents are at a meeting so they won’t return home until tomorrow morning. We will have secrecy if we need it.”

Vera smiled slightly. If Lana was opening her mouth about something, she almost always already had a timetable and seating plan in her head.

“Sounds fine, I will gather Irene and Maya. You will speak to Erika?”

“Yes,” Lana confirmed.

“It’s a beautiful day,” Vera remarked.

“That it is,” Lana agreed.

“It would be a shame to waste it.”

“An utter disgrace,”

They sat together in silence and enjoyed the bliss of being alive.