Call of Darkness

Chapter 3

The next day we were up on the road before dawn, and sure enough Captain Morgan pushed us into a canter. After an hour of cantering, we walked for two, then cantered for another hour. This continued for the whole day. The mood in the group was much lighter now, soldiers talked freely amongst themselves as we came closer and closer to the capital. 

I laughed as Mr. Parker recounted a questionable story of that time he faced a bear alone. Mr. Horn and Mr. Gelden roared in laughter, slapping their knees at Mr. Parker's tale. I chuckled at the man's antics. The clear day passed quickly and soon enough we were setting up camp again. I was sent to attend to the horses once more, before having dinner and sleeping next to the fire. 

It was getting colder as the days passed - the bite of winter was starting to settle into the land. Once-green trees faded into rotten browns and yellows, and some trees stood naked in the face of winter. 

The next day passed quickly, as well as the third and fourth. Soon, the roads more well worn in and we saw more small villages and towns as we came closer to the capital of the kingdom. "We'll under the gaze of the moon. We'll be at the palace tomorrow morning." Mr. Horn informed, steering his gigantic horse closer to mine. 

"Start preparing to meet the king. I love my king and would give my life for his, but he is an intimidating man." I nodded, flashing him a smile, "I didn't think many get more intimidating than you, Mr. Horn." I joked, eyeing up his huge, muscular build. "You'll see." He chuckled, drifting away.

Sure enough, we rode all night. Fatigue tugged at my bones as I fought to stay awake. Just before dawn, I spotted the blanket of light that glittered in the near distance. "That's it, isn't it?" I asked to no one in particular. Mr. Parker nodded, riding just ahead of me. "Aye, it is. Welcome to Hercule City, Miss. Black." I looked back to the city, which seemed to glow in the darkness. 

There was a industrial beauty to it, that's for sure. The lights looked like the stars in the sky, but yellowed. Impure. The thought made me quell my wondering thoughts. I was going to meet the King soon, and I needed to focus on my future if I were to survive this mystery.

The sun rose in the distance as we drew closer to the front gates of Hercule city.

"Are you sure you don't know why the king called on me?" I asked Mr. Parker. Surely, they would know, wouldn't they? But he shook his head. "'Is majesty don't tell us much. Just 'Fetch him' 'kill them' an' 'Get this for me, will ya?' He's a scary brute though, I'll give em' that." I nodded, facing the forwards.

As soon as we passed through the gates of the city, there was no doubt in my mind that it was nothing like I'd ever seen before – The buildings seemed to progressively get bigger and taller as we walked through the cobbled streets, where people dressed in colourful clothes weaved their way to their destination. 

They gave our party a large birth as we passed and kept their heads lowered, bowing in submission. I kept my wondering eyes off the curious one's of the children and instead focused on the gigantic palace that loomed up ahead. It looked out of place in a city of browns and greys - Massive white columns of stone rose up to meet a towering roof, with clear windows peeking out of the walls. The sheer size of the palace was astounding, yet I made no comment.

It was nearing midday when we reached the stables, where Conquest was taken away from me with a promise to be kept well while I was swept into the palace by a crowd of maids and soldiers. It was almost chaotic as they escorted me towards a room, everyone saying everything and nothing at once. 

I was overwhelmed but tuned everything out as they squabbled between each other. The room was beautiful, with tall white ceilings and huge windows that had a view over the city. A large four-poster bed laid in the middle of the room, covered in a large duvet and a huge wolfskin on the end. The walls were hand painted with flowers of all sorts, some big and colourful and others small and plain.

The guards stepped outside, while the maids quietened down a bit. They wore long dresses that ended above their ankles, made of thick black cotton. A white apron wrapped around their waists, lined with frilly lace. They wore black bow's upon their neat, tied-up hair.

 A maid wearing a white bow instead of black stood forward, bowing to me. "Welcome, your highness-" I sighed, interrupting her "Why does your king request my presence?" The maid stilled, frowning, "Has no one informed you, your highness?" She asked. I shook my head no.

"Well, welcome to Hercule city, the heart of the kingdom of Rune. We are here to help you be ready to be presented to the king, as of his, and their majesties King and Queen Black's orders based on the treaty of Galumber." I swore, causing the maids to jump, "Your highness, are you alrigh-" "I am fine." I snapped. "I left my family a long time ago." I sighed. "This will not be good."

The maid nodded sympathetically. "We were sent here to dress you for the king and their highnesses. I am Miss Elda, the head maid here at Hercule palace. First we must clean you. Come." She led me into a separate room, where a large tub lay. It was filled with water, and I immediately turned around. 

"Out." I said. "I'll come out once I'm done." Miss Elda went to argue, but I held up a hand. "You can do what you wish, but there are some things no one will ever see." Her eyes darkened as she nodded in understanding. "Out!" She barked, waving the maids towards the door. She turned back to me, "I understand." She said, turning around and dropping the sleeve on her shoulder. A nasty scar lay there, marring her smooth skin. 

She turned back around. "Use this and this to rub your skin. Use this," She handed me a sponge "to massage into your skin." I nodded and collected the items.

Miss. Elda closed the door behind her and I made quick work of stripping and cleaning myself. I scrubbed the dirt, stench and sweat from my skin. The silvery stuff in the bottle made my pale skin glow, and made my white hair shine like silvery glitter. 

Pulling a towel around myself, I knocked on the door. Miss. Elda entered alone with a pile of clothes in her arms. "I apologise Miss. Black, but I doubt you'd ever be able to dress yourself." With a shaky breath I nodded. She lay the clothing out, and handed me a shift. "Put this on." She turned around and I slid the shift on.

Too soon, I was dressed in the restricting clothing, a beautiful black dress that had black and ruby red crystals sewn into around the bodice. The back was laced with maroon ribbon, and the sleeves were made of black lace. Miss. Elda took me out into the main room where the rest of the maids waited, a chair ready for me. 

With a sigh, I ungracefully sat down and tried to stay still as they started pulling at my face, hair, arms and nails. I winced when they used some gum-like substance to rip the hair from my arms and around my eyebrows. They continued to work on me relentlessly, and it seemed like they were never going to give in.

Finally, they let me free. A mirror was placed in front of me, and I looked in wonder at the strange woman that stared back at me. She looked beautiful, yet deadly. Her white hair was pulled back into an elegant bun that was draped in ruby red and black crystals and chains that made a crown-like pattern. 

My nails were painted black and my eyes were lined with black kohl. "It's been a while, friend." I grinned. The maids looked at each other with worried eyes as I stood, gems clinking and fabric rustling. 

"Let us meet this king of yours." I said, heading for the door.