It was early dawn, and the sun had yet to rise. Dove woke up earlier than usual, embarking on his daily stroll through the garden. This serene part of the castle always invigorated him, with its vibrant hues of red, yellow, and green. Amidst the beauty, he found solace, escaping the feeling of being an outcast among the illustrious court.
Today, he had a clear plan in mind. He would first feed the birds, endure the obligatory lunch with his stepmother, engages in fencing practice with Sire Louise, and then visit the bustling marketplaces. In anticipation, he had set aside a bag of gold coins to purchase food for the underprivileged children of Kestramore.
Walking ahead, Dove ventured into a patch of tall, imposing trees that cast a somber shadow over the surroundings. The air resonated with the echoes of woodland creatures, their sounds twisting and distorting until they resembled ghostly whispers.
As he ventured deeper into the heart of the dark forest, Dove noticed the trees had a sickly brown hue. Poisonous specks marred their bark, glistening like enchanted dust. The decaying air and stifling atmosphere created a haven for those who embraced darkness over light. In the dense shadows, spiders clung to their intricate webs, shimmering like steel mesh dipped in silver. The trees seemed to watch him, standing sentinel-like in silence.
Dove's complexion paled slightly, and he drew his cloak closer, adjusting his white silk shirt with embellished sleeves and tight leather trousers. He quickened his pace, seeking warmth from the friction of movement. Suddenly, he felt a tug on his cloak. He swiftly turned, his agility on high alert, but there was no one in sight. Despite the lingering trace of fear, he pushed forward.
Though the pounding of his heart drowned out most sounds, every snap of a twig and rustle of branches felt magnified. He stumbled forward, rushing headlong into a patch of darkness that glimmered with luminescent eyes. Branches curled menacingly, and the wind howled, flinging leaves at Dove, catching him off guard. Claw-like branches swayed toward him, striking out wildly.
He managed to take a few more steps before his foot met the loose ground, causing him to plummet into a stygian pit. Scrambling to escape, he frantically searched for a way out. A shriek escaped him, and he desperately grasped onto a vine, hoping it would hold his weight. He swayed, yearning to believe it was all an illusion and that he was safe within the castle walls. But the vine snapped.
Dove's scream echoed through the darkness, his body descending further until a human hand seized him. At first, he mistook it for another vine, but the grip was firm and steady. He has pulled away from the pit, yet fear still clutched at him, making him tremble uncontrollably. Sobbing openly, his vision blurred, and he struggled to catch his breath as the haze of panic slowly lifted.
Gradually, he focused on the warmth emanating from the person who held him. Seeking solace, he clung tightly, curling into a protective ball and inhaling deeply, clutching onto a piece of clothing that covered the body providing him comfort.
Blinking away tears, Dove slowly looked up at the person holding him, gradually relaxing in their presence. It was a boy he recognized, though the memory eluded him. The boy's shirt was unbuttoned, and his pants hung haphazardly on his hips. Dark eyelids studied Dove's expressions as he took in the boy's tanned complexion, sharp cheekbones, and toned arms that had supported him moments prior. As Dove realized their compromising position, a blush tinged his cheeks, and he quickly released his hold on the other boy.
"You need to leave immediately," the boy spoke, breaking the silence. "The queen has ordered me to kill you. If she discovers you're alive and realizes I disobeyed her command, the consequences will be dire. There will be a substantial bounty on our heads."
He extended his hand towards Dove, a gesture filled with conflicting emotions. Despite the boy's earlier attempt on his life, Dove detected no malice in his eyes. Perhaps he, too, was coerced into following the queen's orders. After all, she held the royal veto.
Dove grasped the offered hand and followed him stealthily out of the castle, evading the guards as they made their way toward a waiting carriage.
The boy assisted Dove in settling into the carriage before joining him inside. It took a few minutes before he finally broke the silence. "I've seen you before," he stated matter-of-factly.
"Yes, indeed," the boy replied.
Curiosity piqued, Dove inquired, "Who are you? You don't resemble a Cascadian."
"I'm Neil, and you're correct. I am not a Cascadian," Neil replied. Though his words carried a hint of hostility, Dove couldn't ignore the fact that Neil had just tried to end his life. How could he be the one harboring hostility?
"So, what did she offer you?" Dove's voice held a mix of curiosity and concern. "My stepmother must have enticed you with something tempting or put something precious at stake."
"That's not your concern," Neil snapped, his tone sharp.
"But I genuinely want to know. Maybe I can help you," Dove persisted. "Please?"
Neil hesitated for a moment, then relented. "Fine! I'll tell you, but only to stop your incessant pestering. Jeez, you're worse than Eryx," Neil grumbled, pressing a vein on his forehead.
"Eryx?" Dove queried, his interest further piqued.
You pry too much," Neil muttered, his voice filled with frustration. "Anyway, someone very dear to me was lost recently, and the queen... well, she offered me a potion. A potion that she claimed could bring her back to life."
Dove's expression turned solemn as he listened, his eyes reflecting understanding. "I can empathize with the depths of the queen's malevolence. It played a part in the loss of my own mother. But bringing someone back from the dead? If that were truly possible, she would have resurrected my father long ago. I believe whatever she's offering you is a deception."
Neil's face fell, and he nodded slowly. "That's what I thought at first. But I witnessed it with my own eyes. She revived a dead bird!"
Dove took a moment to consider Neil's words before responding. "Even if we assume the bird was truly dead, there's a distinct possibility that the queen manipulated your perception. Did she offer you something to drink?"
Realization washed over Neil, and he frowned. "Yes, she did."
"I suspected as much," Dove replied. "It's likely a drink that distorts your senses, plunging you into a state of delusion. She's used similar tactics on me before. By lowering your body's stimuli, it tricks your mind."
Neil's disappointment was evident as he absorbed the information. "So, it's all a sham?"
Dove nodded sympathetically. "I'm afraid so. If you were to return now and the queen realized you failed to carry out her orders, your fate would be sealed. It's better if we escape together. I have a godfather who is a skilled alchemist. Instead of seeking refuge in the neighboring kingdom, we can go there and seek his help. He might have a way to expose the queen's true intentions and protect us."
"And why should I trust you? What if you're trying to manipulate me too?" Neil's voice was laced with skepticism as he questioned Dove's intentions.
Dove's eyes narrowed, his frustration evident in his response. "Seriously? Look around, Neil. We couldn't be any more different. She just ordered you to kill me, remember? If anything, I should be the one wary of your intentions. What guarantee do I have that you won't strike when I lower my guard?"
Neil's gaze hardened, his voice tinged with defiance. "There's only one way to resolve this conflict, Dove. Let's make an agreement."
Dove arched an eyebrow, intrigued yet cautious. "An agreement? What do you have in mind?"
Neil's lips curved into a cold smile. "Do you have any kruches on you?"
Dove's hand instinctively touched the hilt of his belt, reminding him of the pouch of gold coins he had packed for his visit to the marketplaces. Reluctantly, he replied, "I do. Why?"
"Perfect." Neil's eyes gleamed with a mix of determination and suspicion. "Here's the deal. We'll reach the docks, buy the necessary items for our journey, and during our travel together to visit your godfather, I won't attempt to harm you. However, once we arrive, if I realize that this was all an elaborate scheme of yours if I find even the slightest hint of betrayal, I won't hesitate to end you. Do we have a deal?"
Dove hesitated for a moment, weighing the risks and uncertainties. Finally, he extended his hand, meeting Neil's intense gaze. "Deal."
Their agreement hung in the air, fraught with tension and an underlying current of mistrust. Neil's eyes remained fixed on Dove, suspicion flickering in his gaze. The carriage continued its journey, against the cobbled road. A sense of shared purpose infused the atmosphere.
A/N
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