Princess of Darkness Read online

  There came the clanking of hammers against iron, as the blacksmith; Boadrius (Bo, as he liked to be called) and his apprentices worked hard to create weapons and armour for the King’s army; one of the many things growing on the island every day. Bo was a cripple, his left leg had suffered a terrible injury after a horse lashed its hind legs out at him, whilst he was changing its horseshoes. The beast had struck him in the leg and had broken the bone so badly, it never shifted back into place once the rest of the injury had healed. Yet, his hands were still of full use to him and he had an exceptional talent for forging weapons. It was a shame his crushed leg had Master Blacksmiths back at home turning him away after just a glance.

  Women sang in their bakeries within the castle square; the smell of bread and vanilla sponge cakes dancing in the wind. For an aftermath of a freak storm, everyone seemed cheerier than most people would have expected.

  “I think what you’ve done is both brave and admirable. You gave those otherwise shunned by a normal society the chance to make use of themselves. I mean, crippled blacksmiths – no use in their legs but, such skill with their hands. Criminals, men and women alike, who have paid for their crimes and were still thrown out of their previous homes – working as bakers and shopkeepers; farmers and teachers.” he paused to click his tongue again as his pony began to slow down slightly. “You’ve given everyone here a chance. You’ve given us hope, having chosen to believe in us. I hope you understand that we all believe in you, because of it. We know you won’t disappoint us. You haven’t so far.”

  Vestus was touched. He hadn’t realised he had impacted as many lives as he had. He took in the sound of a growing city. Children running over streets and roads freshly laid down; horses pulling carts with farmers leading them to orchards and fields of crops which were once never there. Across the horizon, fields and homes and the docks themselves stretched out before him. Nothing had been here before. Vestus had done this all. With his efforts and those of all the tremendous people, as brave and hopeful as him, Skull Island was finally getting somewhere.

  What made his achievements that much better was, with each passing day he learned not to care about what others said about him and his own. No one outside of his island knew what was going on here and for now, Vestus wanted to keep it that way. At the rate in which he and his people were going, there was hope for Skull Island and when the time was right, their armies would be able to swoop in and save the day when the Redbanes and their allies needed help the most.

  Viktor

  As the day of his wedding neared, Viktor had been allowed some time off from his duties as Emperor only because he was preparing to solidify his position through marriage. The least his court could do was manage the preparation of the wedding celebration themselves.

  After attending a meeting today which he had insisted on going to, Viktor felt what he truly needed now was some time to rest. He wondered how his father had managed to keep up with the demands of an entire empire but, then decided that that was what had made him such a good Emperor in the first place. Servants rushed around their Emperor, giving him quick bows or curtseys, whilst they carried jugs and plates and flowers alike. They all seemed so excited to be part of another royal wedding. It had been so long since the last one, Hathor and Damea’s, that the inhabitants couldn’t quite cope with the excitement. A few women even stopped to wish Viktor well and congratulate him profusely for having won such a beautiful bride. Viktor could only thank them in return and then walk off in silence before they noticed the true extent of his nerves. Thinking he didn’t have anything else better to do whilst he ‘relaxed’, the young Emperor wandered off in the direction of his fiance's chambers.

  The door was partially open and from within, there came the sound of women laughing and water splashing. He knew it was not gentlemen-like behaviour to spy on others but, Viktor was curious to find out what the women behind the door were laughing about. He approached the room in silence and peered through.

  Dominika sat on a cushioned stool, dressed in a beautiful silk robe of exotic gold. Her dark hair was out, which a serving girl stood brushing from behind. Around her, two other slave girls whom she had brought along with her sat painting her hands and feet in the beautiful black ink which the Princess had told Viktor about before. This was it. She was being marked as a married woman before her wedding tomorrow. The young girl seemed so excited.

  “Are you nervous, Dominika?” one of the girls asked in an accent as thick and exotic as the Princess’.

  Dominika didn’t hesitate as she shook her head. “No. I am a woman now, my father will be expecting me to have made some progress regarding a pregnancy and quickly.” she replied.

  The girls around her giggled.

  “What? What’s so funny, tell me?” the Princess begged with a laugh of her own.

  The slave girls shared a few glances before one of them spoke. “Do you reckon he’ll want you to share his bed like a western woman?”

  Dominika let out a gasp, and she nudged the girl playfully with her foot. “Maybe! That doesn’t mean I can’t show him how we do it in the east, he seems like a man who can handle anything.” she replied. “Now enough talking about my fiancé like that – we will show him respect even behind his back. Imagine if your father caught you talking like this.” despite her attempt to scold the girls, Dominika laughed with them nonetheless and then continued to chat away happily about the wedding tomorrow.

  Viktor remained a moment longer and then left the girls to be. He smiled as he walked, his hands held behind his back, and even he felt rather excited abut the wedding tomorrow. He reckoned his father would be proud. Now if only Saff and Adelaide were here to share in his happiness too.

  Serendipity

  High hopes of anything good happening within Valkenn Castle always seemed to go to waste for Serendipity. She had really wanted to spend the rest of her day either alone or with someone other than Aderico, only her fiancé had taken her away from Valerius, after catching them talking together in the corridor.

  When they were alone, Aderico lectured the young Princess about being with his cousin especially whilst Marcus and his father were around.

  “I'm sorry.” was all Serendipity had managed to fit in whilst he continued his tedious lecture. Despite his obvious annoyance, he hadn’t placed a hand on her. Now, with his ranting over, Serendipity could finally apologise to him properly – although she didn’t understand why she had to in the first place.

  “Look, I’m going to be leaving Valkenn for a while and I need to know you’ll be safe whilst I’m gone. I also need to know I can trust you not to do anything rash either. My father may be gone at that point too but, Marcus’ eyes are everywhere.” he explained. “When I return, we will get married then. My father insists on it, after Marcus had given him the idea.” Aderico said to the Princess.

  Serendipity’s heart sank inside her chest. “Why so soon?” she asked, hoping to have concealed any signs of disappointment.

  “When we are married, we will find our own place, be it a fortress, or a cottage tucked away in a forest. I won't have my son's growing up here, that's all I can say.” Aderico explained kindly.

  Serendipity held no interest in continuing the conversation, so she told him she was relieved about him planning for them to leave and left him to pack for his own journey first, with a servant as his only companion.

  The atmosphere of the castle had changed since Serendipity last went about it, only about an hour ago. It seemed to be bursting with life all of a sudden and there were sounds of servants yelling at each other whilst men shared private jokes on duty. As Serendipity weaved through the groups of people who stood clustered together, she ran into a face she wasn't expecting, nor entirely hoping for.

  Kalyani stood before the Princess, her hands on her hips, and she looked her over in disgust. “Oh, I thought you'd be dead by now.” she said to Serendipity far too casually than was considered acceptable. Her lips curved into a wicked smile as she spoke
.

  “Excuse me?” the Princess replied. Her eyebrows creased in confusion and she watched as Kalyani simply went to examine her nails. That habit of hers was really starting to annoy Serendipity, so much so that she wanted to just break each and every finger of hers straight off.

  “I never would have expected my brother to go for such a young, uneducated virgin. You poor child, I bet you tremble at the word 'bed'.” she mocked (as though she knew any better about it all). “Of course, I've seen the men around the castle staring at you. Yet both you and Aderico fail to see that yourselves, even Valerius has noticed.” she yawned delicately and, apparently bored with the Princesses company, she pushed past her and made for the grand hall. “Look out for Reynald.” she called out to Serendipity as she walked. “Because he’s certainly looking out for you.” Kalyani slipped out of sight as quickly as she had come, leaving the Princess alone to be engulfed by her threatening words.

  “Bitch.” Serendipity finally muttered and strolled down the corridor as if nothing had happened. She couldn’t be bothered with Kalyani’s bullshit. Or Marcus’, or Aderico’s; or anyone's, for that matter.

  Valerius stood locked in a deep conversation with a few of his men, Reynald included, and he stabbed his finger at the table in frustration. Smiling, Serendipity leaned against the pillar and admired the Lord from a distance.

  “Where do you think you’re running off to now?” a voice asked from over her shoulder.

  Serendipity went to turn but, she found that her arm had been pulled back behind her and moments later the mysterious figure had her pressed against one of the pillars. Serendipity’s face was squashed against the cold stone and she hissed in pain as it bit into her skin.

  “My dear Serendipity, I see you aren't entirely affected by Aderico's news. Of course you know your place, you're not to ask a man about his business.” the figure whispered.

  “Marcus?” the Princess hissed. “What are you doing?”

  Marcus peeled Serendipity off the pillar and spun her around to face him. “You've caused some trouble here, Princess - I won't have you playing with Valerius' thoughts. I won't have him thinking of you when he should be thinking about Adelaide. You have your own fiancé to think about, especially seeing as he is leaving so soon. Do you not care at all why he is going? Or where?”

  The Princess scowled at Marcus and shoved his hands away. “I'm not and I don't care why Aderico is leaving, I'm simply happy that he's leaving in general.” she went to slip past the Grand Lord, however, he only pressed her against the pillar again. His arms were leaning on either side of her, blocking her way out, and Marcus dared to get a little closer.

  “I could have killed you at the camp. Instead I've invited you into my home to marry my brother’s son; you have a strange way of showing gratitude.”

  “And you have a strange way of showing hospitality, Lord Marcus.” Serendipity pushed past him. She wasn’t fast enough as he grabbed onto her wrists and tightened his grip.

  “I have just a few warnings for you Serendipity. You fail to please Aderico, your brothers will die. You fail to marry Aderico, your brothers will die. You fail to accept that you are now a Valenti and that all the lands that should be given to you will also go under my family name...your brothers will die. You should be expecting an incomplete family reunion soon enough when your sister is brought here. For now, keep your eyes open Redbane, I'm not the only one watching you.” he loosened his grip and Serendipity tugged her hands free. Marcus gave her a wicked smile and kissed the Princesses knuckles tenderly. “Your Majesty.” he bowed his head and then left the girl quickly. Making his way towards the hall, he whistled cheerfully as he walked.

  Whilst Serendipity, on the other hand, stuck her middle finger up at him as he left. She felt glad he hadn’t seen the gesture.

  Adelaide

  The journey to Aarengoth seemed to get worse and worse each time Adelaide stepped foot onto a ship. She had refused to let her guardians go near her as she had hung her head over the rails of the ship, vomiting; whilst Saff held whatever curls had fallen loose from her band out of her face. The princess had decided she would have her brother witness her like this, rather than a trio of men older than her who had no doubt been smirking under their hoods the entire time.

  Now, as they sat in a splendid carriage which rolled towards the Fort with some haste, Adelaide cursed her still unsteady stomach. She clutched the handle of the door closest to her as she pressed herself back against her seat and tried to calm herself. At least she was on land now.

  “We’re nearly there, Ada. Perhaps you’d like to retire to bed once we greet Viktor? You’re looking paler than usual.” Saff asked, being considerate as always.

  Adelaide could only nod weakly as her stomach lurched again. Her mind was playing tricks on her, making her think she was still at sea. The roads were getting bumpy enough to send the carriage bouncing – she would need to bring that to Viktor’s attention when the time was right. Saff placed an arm over his little sister’s shoulder and pulled her closer, so that she could rest her head against his shoulder. He held her like that the entire way to the Fort.

  All the while, the princess’ three guardians said nothing as they took in the gesture. They knew it was meant to be comforting on Adelaide’s part and defensive on Saff’s. The young prince still did not trust the three assassins, whether they had given him any reason to or not. There was just something about them that Saff did not like. It was an insult to the assassins’ honour. But the three men said nothing about it, for now was not the time to pick a fight.

  A pair of guards greeted the young prince and princess at the bottom of the steps leading up to the fort where another set of guards stood on duty by the door. No doubt another set of four inside had laid themselves out like that, too. It was always the way Hathor had organised his soldiers and both Saff and Adelaide were pleased to see that their brother had not let his guard down either. In fact, they found that there were nearly double the amount of men inside.

  “Viktor had warned me before I’d left that some people might not like having an Eastern Princess as their Empress. I see Viktor has not spared a single guard to protect the entrances to the Fort, and rightly so.” Saff whispered to Adelaide. He also knew that the Princess from the east, Dominika Urveed, had also brought some of her own court with her and were no doubt wandering around making themselves useful somehow. They wouldn’t dare play spy, not with the amount of soldiers on guard watching their every move. People from the east did not often have reason to come to the west, so their presence would keep the soldiers guards up until enough time passed for them to deem the foreigners safe.

  Saff entered the Fort first and the sight of his older brother rushing towards him was truly a wonderful sight. He was dressed in his nightwear and with his hair slightly ruffled, and even from where Saff stood he could see the relief on Viktor’s face as both brothers gave each other a tight hug. Saff did not fail to notice how his brother’s grip seemed to linger a little longer than his own.

  My poor brother, he really must be nervous about his wedding tomorrow. Saff thought but, did not dare say aloud.

  “Viktor!” Adelaide cried out with joy. She leapt into her brother’s arms and buried her face into his neck, smiling as he spun her around wildly.

  “You’ve made it. I’m so pleased. For a moment I was beginning to think the worst, that perhaps you would’ve both been held up by something.”

  Saff placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder and shook him roughly. “You really think we’d miss one of the most important moments of our brother’s life? We would have fought the sea itself, with sword and shield if we really had to.” he replied.

  Viktor took Adelaide’s hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. His skin seemed to glow, and despite his nerves, he seemed content with the idea of getting married. He looked to Adelaide and then Saff. “Come,” he said. “I want you to meet her.”

  *****

  Viktor knocked on Dominik
a’s door before entering. Even though he was going to be Emperor and this Fort was now his, he did not forget his manners.

  The young princess had just finished changing into a navy nightgown made of silk, with a long split down the left side. She wore her robe of liquid gold again and she turned to face the Emperor, her dark hair swaying with each movement. “Viktor.” she said with a smile. The slave girls around her dropped to their knees at the sight of the Emperor and his siblings entering, and they pressed their heads against the floor briefly in greeting. Dominika laughed lightly as she took in the looks of utter surprise from all three Redbanes. “Girls, thank you. I believe we all ought to get some rest now, please.” she spoke so gently to her slave girls, her attitude resembled nothing of what Viktor had heard about most royal members in the east. Some were cruel and some were just about tolerable. It seemed Dominika was a rare exception.

  She’s beautiful, Adelaide could not help but think. And she looks to be about Viktor’s age too, near enough. He must be very pleased.

  Dominika appeared to be thinking the same thing about Adelaide and to her own embarrassment, Adelaide blushed as the young eastern princess approached her. Dominika took Adelaide’s hands in hers and pulled her in for a brief kiss on each cheek; just as she had learned before arriving. It had been important to her to get some western customs right, just so she did not insult any of her new family members or make a fool of herself; or even worse, of her father.

  “Forgive me, I look a mess. Our travels have been exhausting.” Adelaide said. Her curls were wilder than usual and her eyes more tired but, she still looked lovely nonetheless. It was nothing which food and drink, and a little rest could not do to help. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Dominika.”

  Dominika allowed Saff to take her hand and kiss it gently in greeting. She looked to Viktor. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow. Your brother is a fine man and I’m sure he’ll make a most excellent Emperor.” she said.