One Dark Destiny

Queen Ariadne Chapter 4 - Threat

The woods outside Sunpool

Queen Ariadne is in the woods again. Her footsteps fall softly on the wet moss and her fingers trace the thick bark of the trees. Her dark hair spills down her back, loose for the first time in a long time. Without Astra's braid, it feels very free.
"I am sixteen now," she mutters. She leans her back on a tree and observes the pattern of the bark. Sunpool has the most interesting trees, she has always thought. Tall, with a thick trunk and rough bark.
"And this year I am meant to fight my sisters," she says.
Ariadne has always wanted to see the elemental gift. And she has heard that her sister is very powerful. She is not so sure about the poisoner. She has heard that they are cold-blooded and cruel. She wonders why. Perhaps it is something about all the poison they eat. But perhaps that is a myth too.
"It is surprising how much I actually do not know about my sisters. And about the rest of the island. I mean, I am an Oracle. I am supposed to know things."
She sighs.
"But I have not left Sunpool in ten years. And it is not as if people tell me things."
Cyrene has always refused to speak much about the other Queens. Or the other gifts. Ariadne is not sure why, but she finds it very unhelpful.
But, knowing things or not, she will have to fight them. She will have to kill them. She really does not like her chances against an elemental. Especially if she is as powerful as they say.
She slides down to the floor, hands stroking the mossy ground.
What can an Oracle truly do in a fight? If Ariadne came face to face with her sisters, the elemental could probably freeze her, the poisoner could... poison her? But she could just sit there, telling the future. They say she is powerful, but what use is power if it cannot help her win against her sisters.
Oh well. Perhaps it can. Perhaps she just has not figured out how. Ariadne brushes her fingers through her hair, trying to think less. Cyrene says that she thinks far too much. She gets up and lets out a slow breath. Everything is happening so fast.
Suddenly, she thinks she hears something. Like footsteps... only quicker. Louder. She spins around just in time to see a beautiful black horse come to a stop. On his back is a man. The man dismounts quickly and comes towards Ariadne. Ariadne doesn't know what to think. She has been warned to stay away from people she does not know. There are people who would pay a lot of money to have her killed. But he does not look very cautious. If he was trying to stay hidden, he is not doing a good job of it. She backs away and turns to run, heartbeat quickening.
"Wait!" His voice stops her. She knows that it shouldn't, but it does. She turns towards him, eyes full of fear.
"I am not here to hurt you," he says.
"I am a messenger from the Black Council."
What?
But the Black Council was in Sunpool only two days ago, why would they send a messenger? What would they want? She steps towards him, curiosity getting the better of her.
"Queen Ariadne, " he says, bowing.
He pulls a broach from his jacket and holds it up for her to see. She cannot read the engraving, but it looks official.
"I did not expect to see you here," he says.
"Sofara Milone has requested your presence in the Capital. I am told it is urgent."
Ariadne raises an eyebrow.
"Are you sure? what could they possibly want me for?"
"Is Cyrene Lermont here?" he asks.
"No," Ariadne replies.
"She is back at the Lermont house. Would you like to speak with her?"
The man nods and Ariadne watches him tie his horse to a tree.
"Follow me," she says, starting down the hill towards Sunpool.

Ariadne finds Cyrene in the Lermont gardens. She is sitting on a garden bench with Viv on her knees.
"Cyrene," Ariadne says as they near.
Cyrene looks up, and her eyes open wide when she sees who is behind Ariadne.
"Who are you? Ariadne, what are you doing?"
The man is not from Sunpool, it is obvious. He has olive skin and short black hair, with no white streak.
"I am Karan Feiland, a messenger of Sofara Milone. I come from Indrid Down with a message for the Oracle Queen."
Cyrene stands.
"You are from the Black Council?"
"Yes, " he says, holding up his badge again. Cyrene examines it before nodding to him.
"What is your message?"
"The Black Council are currently dealing with... Something of a crisis."
Ariadne glances at Cyrene.
"They wish for the Oracle Queen to come to Indrid Down to meet with them."
"Indrid Down?" Ariadne asks.
"I am going to the Capital?"
"And what kind of crisis would this be?" Cyrene asks skeptically.
"I was told not to disclose any more information, but... The island is under threat. You will learn more on the way."
Ariadne gasps.
"I am really going to Indrid Down!" she says.
"Ariadne no, what will everyone think?"
"The Black Council have requested that this operation should stay... as quiet as possible," Koran says.
Cyrene nods. She takes a breath
"Ariadne," she says.
"You should go. If the Black Council needs an Oracle... they will want you."
Ariadne grins.
"But we must think about this."
"How are you going to keep it a secret?" She asks.
Cyrene shakes her head.
"I will think of something," she says.