Head in the Clouds

Chapter 31: Where is She?

When Clyde arrived at the wall, the last thing he expected to see was the familiar light brown tint of his brother's hair. Carter stood with his back facing the wall and his arms crossed over his chest as he came face to face with Clyde. There was almost a triumphant grin on his face. The younger of the two stopped, his eyes shifting between his brother and the wall. 

"She's here isn't she?" Carter asked. His long red coat dangled near the ground but had no wind to sway with.

Clyde didn't bother pretending.

"I think so," he confessed. He climbed off the back of his horse, "I think she's actually inside."

Carter's face fell into a scowl, "A mutiny," he mumbled.

Clyde didn't respond, heading for the wall instead. His eyes were trained right where the elder knight's blood dried, but just as he neared the center, a hand grasped his shoulder.

"Don't be foolish," warned the elder brother.

Clyde yanked his body to the side, his lips turned down and his brows knitted.

"They could kill her."

"And it was her choice to risk her life," Carter explained softly. His eyes, a much warmer tone focused on his little brother, "I know you care for her, but her actions have put us in a very vulnerable position. Now, we may be able to lose her, but not you."

Clyde shook his head, "How could you say that?"

"I'm being realistic, Little Brother," defended Carter, "You're the prince. The kingdom is relying on your marriage for survival. We need you to lead the troops. If she dies, it'd be a loss, but we could recover. If you die... I don't know what we'd do."

Clyde considered, but shook his head again.

"I have to make sure she's alright," insisted Clyde. As though his brother's warnings meant nothing, he continued on the way to the wall.

"Now, you and I both know she's more than capable of taking care of herself," Carter called, but Clyde didn't stop, "Maybe you should reevaluate why you insist on chasing after her."

Clyde paused, only for a moment, as though a moment was all it took to understand what his brother said, but disregard it nonetheless. When Clyde started for the wall the second time, Carter didn't stop him. Instead, he drew his sword prepared to protect his brother.

Before Clyde could utter a word, the wall split open. He held his breath for a moment. Pulling his sword from its holster, Clyde stood prepared to fight the winged children. He was focused, barely feeling the fear he should.

"I'll take one," he thought to himself, "I'll take one, keep them hostage, and make them tell me what's happened with her."

His mind was set on the ill-thought out plan, and he clasped his hand around the handle. Carter slowly approached his brother, more than ready to slaughter a few fairies to get him out of there, but both furrowed their brows as a figure emerged.

"D?" Clyde almost whispered.

Deidre appeared before them with a somber look on her face. Beside her was a girl- maybe a woman. Her hair was long and yellow and her eyes matched in a strange way. Her small lips were pulled into a small smile, and her hands remained clasped before her.

"Hi, Clyde," Deidre greeted her friend- ex-friend, sort of friend (the labels began confusing even her). 

Before Clyde could speak, the yellow-haired lady did.

"Hello, you must be the two princes of Jericho," she spoke so calmly it was almost nurturing, "I am Lorali, the fairy queen."

"Um... hello Lorali," Prince Clyde addressed the queen nervously, turning his attention away from Deidre and her tattered jacket, "Pleasure to make your acquaintance."