Tributes

Chapter Twenty Eight

Edmund woke up in a forest, looking up at a canopy of green leaves and warm sunlight coming through. Only it was winter and he had been picked as a sacrifice so that didn't make any sense. He blinked twice before sitting up, looking around as he tried to remember what had happened. He had been about to be dragged off to the dungeons to a fate he apparently didn't deserve according to the strange man who had appeared in the carriage with them. Anna had been clinging onto him desperately and Edmund had been trying to get her to let go so she wouldn't be in danger too. 

Then Luke had saved him. Or maybe just brought him some more time. Edmund stood up slowly and looked around. Looking closer, he could see were the castle walls were, and the occasional brick appeared in the lush grass. A fountain was in the centre of the strange place and flowers bloomed. The space was big but it seemed to just be another part of the castle. Edmund could feel magic humming around him.

"This, is unexpected," Edmund decided on, speaking out loud mostly to check he could still hear.

"Sorry about that," Luke's voice commented from the side sounding hoarse. Edmund turned to find the man up in a tree. His long sleeves were now pulled up, and his arms looked similar to the bark on the trees. Twigs attached up and down his arms to the wood of the tree making him look like an extension of it. The look on Luke's face was painful to look at. A strange contortion of pain and bliss. The strange bark that appeared over his arms had appeared on his cheeks too and his eyes looked less human than before.

"Just what are you?" Edmund asked, walking over cautiously. Fae, spirits, Edmund knew the stories as well as anyone else but he had never heard of anything like this before.

Luke shrugged, a sad look passing over his face. "A product of what happens to people who live here and are not cautious enough," he commented eerily. "I can't... The trees missed me. I can't leave for a bit but they won't let anyone in until I am ready. You are safe for the moment," He slumped, leaning against the tree.  "We are going to have to wait a little while. Just try not to touch the trees. They don't like strangers much."

"You... our God won't be happy with you will he?" Edmund reasoned gently. He sat down on the ground making sure to stay away from the roots about him. Now that he looked twice, they did seem to move slightly.

"No. Master won't be," Luke acknowledged with an almost resigned look, "But it's worth it," he said firmly, "There are rules, you know? To who can be chosen for this life and why..." 

"And the Dungeon Master broke them in regards to myself?" Edmund commented, tilting his head, "Or at least you think so." 

Luke nodded, seemingly unfazed by the way he was attached to the tree despite the slight look of pain which was on his face every time he shifted ever so slightly. The branches around him were like arms hugging him close and Luke didn't seem to be fighting the hold in any way.  "I think so, yes. I could be wrong. But," Luke closed his eyes, "I'd rather risk it and check Master agrees before letting you go there," he murmured. "I'm sorry. Don't try to escape here. It's safe. I promise," Luke trailed off before falling unconscious. 

Edmund waited a moment to check Luke was actually under. Edmund sighed looking up at blonde haired troublemaker who was risking a God's anger over him before laying down himself. His stomach rolling uneasily. It was probably safe. "Because that makes me feel safe," He snorted. Still. Hope grew in him. Maybe his life wasn't going to be as bad as he had first feared.