When I regained consciousness again I was in the bed. My head throbbed, but nothing major. I sat up. I was alone in the room with Ophelia, and she was standing closeby.
"The girl?"
"I don't know, she just left" Ophelia answered.
I have nothing to worry about. She knows enough to know that outside of me every other place is hostile territory for her as an elf. I might have implied otherwise but she obviously care about herself, her other self. Hopefully she's not that powerful or doesn't think she is.
Ophelia had a look that suggested she had questions—many questions—but she wasn't forthcoming with them, or perhaps she didn't know how to ask. I had too much on my mind to care, so I ignored it. After a long silence, she finally spoke. "They said the 'barbarians' have arrived."
More politics. I grow weary of them already, even though I'm yet to start. I still hadn't heard from Whitlock about the cube. Still contemplating whether to pay him a visit or summon him. I really don't want to take the risk of summoning him, because I fear he won't come and I will have to do something about that, but at the same time, I'm too lazy to go down city just for that.
I let out a sigh and climbed out of bed. One thing at a time. No time for a bath—I changed into regular clothes and stepped out with Ophelia.
As we walked down the hallway I saw a curious sight that made me approach the window. About a dozen agama lizard looking beasts, of various variation. They are big and vicious looking, but tamed, going by the saddles. Maybe lizards are not known for just short bursts of speed and are faster than horses.
We continued toward the lesser waiting hall. The knights opened the doors and I entered into a very rowdy scene. It took a few moments for them to acknowledge my presence as I approached and a respectable silence fell in. Their eyes were on me, assessing, weighing. I think they expected more from what they were seeing, and were having doubts if I was truly the king.
Compared to us, they were of a new breed growing up in the world on the raw edge of the forest--men and women who grim necessity had taught survival. They were all dressed similarly to Vojnka, and were all gaunt and scarred and hard-eyed; sinewy and taciturn. But unlike Vojnka, not a single one of them was awakened. It was disappointing. I would have said it was understandable, their ancestors been offsprings of a wild outsider breed that forced themselves on human women and refused to die out as the centuries goes by, but there's Vojnka. Is she an outlier? Why? Her outsider blood has been diluted enough?
Slow rise of side talks and murmurings made me realize I've been quiet for longer than usual. I looked around.
"At this particular moment I'm interested in one person," I said, "And you know who"
There was silence and their savage eyes were still on me. "I must say I'm surprised you are a coward" I continued, stepping closer. "But if he is not identified, I will take it out on everybody"
Mind you I'm alone with them, with just Ophelia with me and the heavy doors shut. They averaged very well above 6 feet and beautifully massive, with bigger and harshly developed muscles than I had ever seen in my life. I had also instructed that they should be allowed in completely armed, and knowing fully well I lack the presence that comes with the strong people of this world I had to feign absolute confidence, and the fact they were unawakened helped. To their senses I am weaker than them, but they must have heard stories about me and I came to them, unarmed, and without a single knight with me. I can only imagine the confusion their simple minds were going through.
"Did you bring us here for a fight?" someone amongst them said. He was a massive fellow with low cheekbones, straight black hair, and brown eyes which had a slight mongoloid fold. "I believe that's the man you want"
He gestured towards another barbarian who was even bigger than he is, and older, with a red-brown hair and a large red beard.
"Coward" the new barbarian spat at the first who only just laughed and looked away.
I looked at the strong man and he was defiant when he held my gaze. It felt like such a waste but I needed a statement.
[Blood Arts Activated]
Maybe it was out of primal instincts, he felt the danger before blood arts exerted on him, but he wasn't able to reach his axe in time, not that it would have mattered. Dragged away from the rest, he was squirming midair, trying to fight back the pain. I controlled the blood in his lungs, choking him while he physically breathed fine. I flooded his nerves with amplified pain signals, turning the blood in his veins into molten agony. He let out a terrible cry.
The doomed barbarian's cries of fear and pain quickly became gurgles as blood poured into his airways and everyone watched in silence as he struggled against the inevitable. Urine soaked his leather loin cloth and the smell of faeces filled the air as his bowels emptied in fear.
I let go and he slumped to the ground, dead.
"Send word to his people" I said to no one in particular. "If they still intend to belong, they should send another representative in 4 days. We reconvene then. The palace will provide you accommodations if you choose to wait"
With that I left. Few moments after we left the door, Ophelia walked faster to my side, "You could have taken her?" she asked, looking at me.
"Perhaps" I said, knowing exactly what she was referring to.
"Why didn't you?"
I looked at her and smiled, "Because it's better when they come on their own"
She understood, because that's exactly how I got her. At least that's what she thought.
┌─────── ♕ ───────┐
Vojnka came to the underground dungeon with Erik. It smelled like death, and the terrible screams they heard before sounded again, but this time much louder and agonizing. There was a palace maid, the witch, the priestess, and two knights. They were all standing close to the brutalized man in the torture table.
When Vojnka came close, the scene was almost too much for her. She has seen lots of blood and brutality, but this one disturbed her, and she wasn't the only one. Even the witch meting it out on him seemed drained. There was relief in her eyes when she said she came for her.
"The king sent you?"
"No," Vojnka replied, taking her gaze from the soulless eyes and quivering lips of the suffering man. "He is in meeting with the people of Elgwood"
Then she proceeded to explain their situation to her, without telling her why they were in the forest.
"This is a dire situation, and it's solution is not simple," she said, "it needs to be resolved immediately, but unfortunately the king needs me here. Talk to him about it"
Vojnka clenched her jaw. When she was told the witch was busy, she came, hoping she would refer her to someone. She can't afford to go before the king, too much at risk.
"It has to be you" the witch said, as though reading her mind. "This is important to the king, he won't permit for a pause unless from someone he holds in special regards"
That didn't convince Vojnka, but when the torture resumed she left the dungeon. The archer-knight has been quiet and she didn't know why, nor does she care.
"You will have to go to the king" the barbarian knight said when they were outside, but Erik didn't reply.
Something about her was changing. It could be her true nature, but he doubts that. He is having regrets now, but what can he do?
"Windermere?" he heard someone call.
He turned, it was Matt. He looked like he knew where they were and had been waiting.
"Is there a problem?" he asked, a bit impatient. He was feeling drowsy and needed rest. It felt foreign on his body so he thinks it might be the curse.
Matt came closer, his face a tad worried, and even before he said what was on his mind Erik knew it.
"The king has to know" he said,
"And he will," Erik assured, "Give me a bit more time"
"We don't have time, Erik" Matt moved forward suddenly again. "The more time we waste the more likely the king would find out on his own, and I can't have that."
"He said to give time!" the barbarian replied harshly, very uncharacteristic.
Matt considered her for a moment. "Make no mistake I intend to tell the king now if you refuse" Matt answered calmly and saw the hostilities lit up in their eyes. "And for my safety I have told 3 others."
"So why come to us? Why not save your own neck?"
He looked at Erik, a bit disappointed. "I believe you can tell it better. " he finally said. "We can all make it out alive if your dear friend goes to the king herself."
They both turn to her.
"I'm not going" she said
"You don't have much of a choice" Matt insisted coldly. "Either you go and save us all, or I go and condemn you and yours."
Her eyes were filled with such hate that they made the knight's spine tingle. There was something primal about the hate, but even for a knight, Matt gave his all not to cower, and even though she said nothing before she stormed off toward the royal residence, he heard the threat loud and clear. The barbarian in her primitive mind has marked him as an enemy.