Forbidden Essence

Forbidden Essence : Welcome Home

Forbidden Essence 

Chapter 18 : Welcome Home

I froze in fear, and my body trembled to have to face my father's wrath, and his words.

"Let the Lady go, or I swear it on my Lord, you will not use those hands again!" Sir Caden cried in horror as he rounded the carriage and pulled out of his menacing, long sword. His features were twisted in anger and he looked truly murderous that even I flinched. Many of father's men unsheathed their swords also, but the one who had the blade against my throat commanded loud and clear,

"Do not take another step, knight, you stand on our land." he said without fear, his voice held a mocking tone.

Sir Caden spat on the ground, "I see how honorable you are to your land, you will regret you ever held your sword against the throat of your greater." 

"Do not speak of honor with me, you-!" The man behind me was cut off when Father himself appeared. He was surrounded by knights sent by Kind Reddings, however, they stood a step behind, rather than walking around him as if he was a prisoner. My eyes widened as I watched him march towards me, his eyes not on me but on the man who held me.

"Stand down, men." He demanded to his knights without looking at them, "Sheath your sword Knight." He called to knight who had me in his grip, still unloosened, and still unwavering. Father's jaw clenched and his eyes went from passive to cold as the knight stayed unmoving. My breathing became labored as I began worrying if he would end my life, my being trembled as father did not even glance at me. Father's expression was not to counter with, and instantly the grip from my throat was gone and I dropped to my knees, gasping and taking relieved breaths. King Redding's knights watched King Jerediah closely, but Sir Caden watched the knight had finally sheathed his sword and stepped back from me. 

I slowly glanced up as I reigned in my breathing, my eyes trailed up the figure of father, his menacing stance, his feet set apart, with his large, strong hands on his waist where a sword hung. His shoulder of wide breadth, his strong neck and finally his eyes.

His dark, grey eyes.

My eyes had begun watering as my eyes studied him, and my mind frantically told me to stay resolutely strong and confident, to not let him see past more than a mere servant, but glancing behind him at the sight of King Redding's knights- whom watched us with great interest - I knew that was a lost reasoning. I bit back a whimper as father took a step, making me fall back in response and I scrambled to stand, my breathing once again labored. 

I took a deep angry breath, anger fueled at myself, and at him. The sudden emotion gave me enough confidence to look up at him with eyes shining with moisture and say five simple words;

"I have done nothing wrong."

It seemed just, as it broke the silence that had fallen on us and suddenly father raged, 

"So it is true." He growled. He looked back at the knights with a deathly glare and turned back to me, "Since your lovely knights have already spoken in great detail to me, it seems it is time that we have a talk, do you not agree, daughter?" I trembled as he called me daughter, my eyes pinched closed as tears sprang out, despite my attempt to keep them in. "I shall lead you all to the castle. There will be no cold blooded deaths here, and if I catch even a whiff of a dispute, I will have you beheaded. An arrangement is an arrangement, and my orders are to be followed." He said out loud, his voice emanating power, and demand.  

Sir Caden was instantly at my side as father began walking towards his carriage, his orders being instantly followed. Sir Caden bowed his head to peer at me,