The Dance of the Keepers

Chapter 39 Accusations and Revelations

The next afternoon after a very few hours of sleep, I spent a bit of time with Vienna. She was coping as well as was to be expected and her physical injuries were well on their way to a full recovery. The emotional scaring, however, would last for life.

The story came out that Legato had taken her on a walk through the gardens as he often had and came onto her. At first, she was so flattered at his interest in her that she had let him, but when clothing started to get removed she panicked, realizing she wasn't ready for what was to come. She'd asked him to stop, first softly, then frantically when he ignored her.

That's when things went very wrong. He became aggressive, demanding she give into him and though she tried to struggle against him, he was stronger than any of us might have given him credit for. He had backhanded across the face, cutting her cheek. Then he had taken hold of her wrists and shoved her into a tree trunk. She managed to land a kick or two into his knees when he whipped out a knife, threatening to slit her throat if she didn't let him have his way. He had then pinned her to the ground and committed the atrocious act, despite her fearful pleading for him to stop. (I should mention at this part in the story I nearly crushed my coffee mug with my bare hands trying to control my anger)

"He kept telling me this was what I wanted and it was my fault he was upset, my fault that it hurt so bad."
Vienna admitted.

My blood boiled hearing that and it took every shred of self-control I had to keep my mouth shut and let her speak. She told me she had been brave enough to let out a scream for help before Legato had closed off her airways with one hand and pressed the blade against her lower ribs with the other. Thankfully, that was all that had been needed to attract Jasper's attention, who had been doing some scientific reading at the nearby fountain and hurriedly came barreling in to the rescue. I felt there were some details she had left out, not all her wounds were accounted for, but I knew she would tell me when she was ready. Just that alone had brought her to a puddle of tears, shaking fearfully from the memory.

All too soon I was dragged from my friend's bedside to be dressed for evening number two of the gala. Tonight's dress was peach colored with two small battle axes crossed behind my back. I wore short chocolate brown boots with peach stitching that were just visible beneath the hem of the dress and the top of the gown was designed to look like a leather vest. It wasn't necessarily my color of choice but I felt pretty tough wearing the ensemble, like some sort of warrior biker chick. They curled my hair and left it down, doing my make up darker than normal. Honestly, I was a little scared of myself when I took a look in the mirror.

Upon arriving at the palace, I caught sight of Ranen standing with the rest of the royal family and the king made a public decree for the rolling cameras. Our eyes met despite the crowded entrance and I found frustration in the Prince's gaze.

"Too long have I been lenient on this country. The good people of Itova cannot live in peace while those who would seek to destroy us live! We must return fire with fire, rout out these rebels so that life may go back to the way it once was."
The King began.

There was excitement in the crowd of reporters and partygoers from those who hated the Coalition and believed the King's lies.

"As such, I will be instating several new policies for the time being until the rebels have been destroyed. A strict curfew will now be in order, those without license to be out past 8 o'clock will be shot on sight."

There was some mumbling, the nobles with their fancy get-togethers weren't going to enjoy this rule.

"Starting next year, the Tournaments will have 24 competitors and a fifth Tournament will be added for Los Eres."
The King continued on.