When Angels Fall

Chapter 12 - A Special Gift

Mikal

Mikal knew that he was dead.

No one would come to his aid. Once King William's letter reached the North, Bernard would probably burn it at once and no one would ever find out that he was still alive.

And that was why he had to think of another plan to get himself out of here...

At the sound of approaching footsteps and the creaking door, Mikal quickly turned and sat in the corner of his bed facing the wall, his back turned to whoever entered the cell, so that no one would see his ruined face. He frowned, wondering what could be the reason for this unusual visit. It was too early for dinner, and he had just been served a generous lunch not a long while ago, which he made sure to finish to the very last bite. Mikal dared not skip any meals since that day when Tristan had humiliated him, and he shuddered every time he remembered his threat to scar away the other half of his face if he didn't eat.

"Sir Mikal?" It was Heike, calling his name so tenderly, and by the hopeful note in her voice she was apparently expecting him to turn around and face her. Of course he would never do that! He could hear her taking two steps forward, and he could hear two guards stepping behind her and standing on alert. Mikal stiffened. He did not want anyone to approach him. And it just stressed him out having to sit there like a cornered animal being carefully watched by cautious hunters.

"Will you please turn around?" She asked, taking two more steps forward. Mikal moved in closer to the wall, his nose almost touching the cold stone.

"Please, Sir Mikal," she insisted, yet Mikal did nothing to move or even acknowledge that he heard her.

And the next thing he knew, thudding footsteps stomped towards him before he was grabbed away from the wall and forced to turn around.

"Please, that's not necessary!" Heike said, attempting to stop the guards from interfering. 

But it was too late. Mikal was already facing Heike and the two guards who restrained him. And he also noticed a dark haired maid he had never seen before, standing at the back of the cell and holding a dark bundle in her arms. She was literally gaping at him, her expression a mixture of shock and disgust. A flare of fury rose within him. People had always looked at him in awe. Now he was looked at as if he was some kind of freak!

Heike ordered the guards to let go off him, before she approached him with a gentle smile. He turned his face away towards the right at once in an attempt to keep his scar out of display.

"Sir Mikal, I have something for you," she said before she gestured for the horrified maid to come closer. The maid was visibly shaking as she approached him, and she was now very obviously avoiding looking at his face at all costs. Fuck, I am not a beast!

"We have arranged some new clothes for you," Heike said as she took the dark bundle out of the maid's trembling hands. 

And the next moment, her job being done, the maid turned and scurried out of the cell as if escaping from a deadly demon. Heike shook her head and turned to Mikal with an apologetic smile.

"I hope you don't mind dark colors," she said as she placed the neatly folded clothes next to him unto the bed. Well of course he didn't mind. He would definitely appreciate any new clean outfit, dark or not.

"And this," Heike added as her smile widened, "is a special gift..."

Mikal looked down at the small piece of black silk in her hands and his heart beat anxiously as she unfolded it. An eyepatch!

"Now you wouldn't have to keep hiding your face from everyone." Heike smiled, while Mikal stared down at the eyepatch with awe.

Fine gold embroidery adorned its heart, and delicate black feathers traced its outline, growing a bit long at the right side and especially much longer at the bottom, likely resembling a single wing. It was more like a half face mask rather than an eyepatch, as the feathers were definitely long enough to completely hide his scar.