Protectors: The Valdronius Kingdom

Helenna started to put a plan together. It was a choppy plan, but a plan none the less. There were so many new questions that arose. Many she was sure Ameilius and the others would get around to asking. What? Why? How? When? The one she was curious about, was the who. Who performed that spell on her? The ‘why’s’ didn’t much bother her. It was the who, that would answer all the questions. If the girl was telling the truth, then Embry didn’t know. But her eyes would remember the sight of the person. That would require a lot of sifting. But now that she could see, the eyes really are the window to the soul. Or a window to reflections. The eyes never forgot a sight, even if she was blind for most of her life. Her eyes would have seen everything; her brain just didn’t perceive any of it. Helenna wouldn’t even be breaking any rules. She wouldn’t have to lay a hand on her and the girl wouldn’t be harmed. She wouldn’t even know it was happening. The tricky part was getting Embry to look her in the eyes for a very long time or numerous times. It was going to take time, but it beat the alternative. Once she knew who she was looking for she could do just that, look for them. It was a seer’s magic, being able to back track time. A magic she had a knack for, the Temple certainly had its perks.

“What the hell?” She was snapped flush against the wall banging her out of her thoughts.

“We have a bone to pick with you, harpy.”

“Do you want me to throw it for you Alecko?” She was pushed further into the wall.

“You placed a spell on us.”

“Figured it out have you?”

“How did you wiggle your way around the rules this time?”

“Easy, I didn’t.”

“So you purposely went against Emlyn?” Felyx pushed her further into the wall with a shield spell.

“It was done before she said anything.” She had had quite enough of this. She pushed her hands against the field and pushed her power threw the magic. The force in front of her started to pulse quickly. The vibrations started to crack the wall, eventually breaking. Felyx grabbed at her throat locking eyes.

“Do you really want to play Felyx? I’m a lot crueler than you.”

“Take the spell off of us. Now.” Felyx released her.

“It already is. The spell has run its course dear brother.”

“Half.”

“You are tiresome Alecko.” Felyx stalked away.

“Do you think you could be crueler than me Helenna? Because I promise you, if you come after Felyx every again, I will show you just how far the depths of hell reach.”

“And when you reach the bottom, I will take you further, dog.” She spat the last word. Their eyes seared into each other’s eyes. No one moved a muscle until Felyx called for Alecko to leave it be. Alecko was the first to break contact. He would regret his actions. But at this particular moment she had a more pressing matter to handle.

Damien watched as Embry fiddled with the box. She wasn’t looking for a way to open it, just admiring the designs.

“What do you see?”

“What?” Embry looked up at him.

“You’ve been looking at that box for the better part of ten minutes. What fascinates you about it?”

“The sleek black color and yet it is wood. It has gold etchings that seem to shine, like a light is behind it. The etchings don’t line up though.”

“There must be a hundred different ways to match the lines up.”

“The lines can move?”

“Here, like this.” Damien took the box and started to slide pieces around. Every side had a different design that matched up at the sides.

“It’s like a rubrics cube only…worse.”

“A what?”

“It’s a block with colors. You have to match the colors up on all sides.” Embry took the box back and started looking at the lines.

“Your eyes then, they are ok?” He was generally concerned. What other spells could have been placed on her?

“They’re still sore but I can see clearly. Every ray of sun, every change in color, every…shadow.” Damien looked around the room.

“It’s never occurred to me how much I take for granted.”

“What would you want to see? If you knew that you’d lose your sight, what would be the last sight you would want to see?” Damien locked eyes with Embry. It was a simple question he had an answer for and yet he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“There are so many things I have yet to see. How could I possibly choose?”

“I don’t think Helenna would like that answer.”

“Helenna?”

“I would have thought you’d want to see her.”

“Why would I want to see her?”

“Because you’re engaged to be married.”

“Who told you this?”

“Helenna.”

“Helenna told you that she and I are getting married?”

“Yes.”

“This isn’t making any sense.”

“It’s alright Damien, I won’t tell anyone.”

“We aren’t. I would never marry that women.”

“Then why would she tell me that? She can’t lie Damien.”

“No, she cannot.”

“You don’t have to be embarrassed. You love who you love, you don’t have a choice in that.”

“What did she say exactly?”

“What does it matter?”

“Because I am not betrothed to anyone and she cannot lie Embry. But she is a words smith.”

“She said that your closeness would shine through and that she’d be remiss not to tell me that a proposal was made. I asked her if she was engaged and she said yes.”

“We are close, but not that close.” Embry put down the box and looked up at him.

“Then you’re not engaged?”

“No.”

“Then what was she talking about?”

“No Idea.”

“Why would she do that?”

“Because she has a twisted sense of humor.”

“Damien, why did you bring her into this? I mean she’s done some awful things.”

“She’s been childish, yes. But compared to the extent of her twisted ways, she hasn’t come close. She can be a malicious force to be reckoned with. She is here because she will cross the lines we are too afraid to cross. She also collects magic.”

“Collects magic?”

“She practices magic outside of the magic she declared.” He watched as she picked up the small pouch that was once Felyx’s. He wondered what was in it.

“Is that bad?”

“It can be, not many people can handle the power. Helenna, she happens to be very…balanced.”

“Balanced? Her?”

“You know nothing of this world Embry, the harshness it can bring. Helenna is just trying to survive, the only way she knows how.”

“And surviving involves messing with me, Alecko…Felyx?”

“The triste with Alecko and Felyx dates back many years, they can handle themselves. As for you, Helenna knows that I find you interesting.”

“Interesting?”

“You’re a puzzle piece that I can’t figure out how to use.” Damien was too busy thinking about the pouch to realize that he voiced his thoughts. He looked up just as Embry stood up.

“That’s all that matters to you, isn’t it? Using whatever you can to help you out. I’m no better than this box.” Damien caught the box as she tossed it at him.

“I’m sorry…”

“No, you don’t have to apologize. You’re just being honest. I’m going to go find Felyx, he should have this back.” Damien watched her leave. He tossed the box back on her bed and noticed she forgot to take the crystal. He fumbled with it, as soon as he touched it he could feel the loss he had endured. His whole body ached to be whole again. How could she not know that he thought more of her. Didn’t he? He gave up and went to find Helenna.

Embry wasn’t sure where she was going, but being anywhere other than the infirmary was a bonus. He couldn’t just use people that way. She shook her head; she didn’t want to think about him. Where was she? There were no windows in the hallway she was in, no pictures, just candles. It was very bare. The walls were stone as was the floor, though a rug ran the length of the hallway. The only door she had seen in a while was on her right. She opened it and found stairs leading down. She took a second glance down the hallway.

“Well, this isn’t creepy.” She took the stairs slowly, it started to get dimmer the further she went. A tapping sound started to echo, then some type of machine. She reached the bottom and looked around. Dungeons. She had found the dungeons. A noise she couldn’t place was coming from her left. She rounded a corner and was rewarded with flying sparks. She couldn’t take her eyes off of them. They were bright, the color of fire and seemed to sparkle. She had never seen anything like it. The sparks stopped and she took a look at the man standing there. He wasn’t wearing a shirt and she could see every muscle of his large form. He had a head full of dark brown hair that was pulled back into a bun, his skin was a tanned peach color. He was tall and…

“Embry, what are you doing down here?” He took off the mask he was wearing.

“Felyx?”

“Aye? Oh, right. I heard you got your sight back. How is that going?”

“It’s confusing.” She gave a small smile; she wasn’t exactly sure how she felt about having her sight back. On the up side she could see, every wonderful sight to be seen. On the down side she wasn’t sure she wanted to see. She had lived most of her life blind, it was peaceful in a way, now it was like she was at war with herself. She realized she couldn’t stop staring at his features. He was a beautiful man, maybe more so than Alecko. Felyx could only be described as having a manly face. He had more facial hair than Alecko but not by much. His jaw was strong, cheek bones framed his eyes. His eyes were more human like, than the rest. But they were slightly larger as well, they were a beautiful pale green.

“Embry?”

“I’m sorry, I just…just taking it all in. You are a very handsome man.”

“Thank you. Ya are a very beautiful woman.” This made her smile. She knew he was just being polite, but it was nice to hear something pleasant about herself.

“I didn’t mean to bother you…with your…What are you doing exactly?”

“Alecko, he escaped last night. I’m just fixing what he broke.” Felyx placed the tool on the table behind him and Embry gasped at the stitched slashes in his back.

“You’re hurt.”

“I’ve had worse, believe me.”

“Shouldn’t you be resting? I mean, I’m sure this can wait till you’re better.”

“It doesn’t hurt much. Besides shouldn’t you be the one resting? How are you doing…with everything?” Embry shook her head at him.

“Honestly?” Embry took a seat against the wall.

“All ears.” Felyx sat next to her.

“It’s funny, after everything, the coming to a strange place, being put in a magical coma, Helenna, it doesn’t bother me as much as Damien.”

“Damien?”

“The way he’s using people, using us, as pawns for information. People have feelings, I’m a living breathing person. Not a puzzle piece.”

“Right, ya tell anyone I told ya this, I’ll deny it.”

“Tell me what?”

“To take it easy on him. He’s an idiot mind you, and I can’t stand the bloke. But he is a good man, selfless.”

“I don’t understand?”

“With everything that he is doing, it’s his life that he’s sacrificed.”

“Sacrificed?”

“The Shades are very strict and particular. If Damien wages war, then he forfeits his life.”

“They’ll kill him?”

“Aye.”

“Then why is he doing it?”

“Because he believes we can win this war. We wouldn’t be here if he didn’t.”

“That is madness. Why can’t someone else wage a war or why even wage a war at all?”

“The responsibility is a great burden. Besides it’s his burden to find the Sword. His life, his rules.”

“If we find the sword before a war is waged, his life, will it be spared?”

“That is a big ‘if’. He won’t be without punishment, but he’ll live.” Embry didn’t know if she was mad at Damien for not telling her or upset that he was in this position. Whichever it was, gave her a new motivation to find the sword. Find the sword, then she could grill him on his people skills.

“Oh, this is for you.” She handed the pouch over and watched as Felyx’s gaze turned to a confused one.

“How did you come upon this?” Felyx held it in his hands

“When we went to see Dresdin. The man raised the stakes. I remembered Damien said that you had lost something there. So I asked for it.”

“You shouldn’t have gone there. Damien should never have taken you there.”

“It was my choice to go. I said I would help.”

“Help, not risk your life.”

“It wouldn’t be very fair if I didn’t risk my life, just like the rest of you.” Felyx cleared his throat before he spoke.

“I am glad that you are still with us. You are, well a breath of fresh air. I am in your debt, truly.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s the least I could do, seeing as you risked your life to keep me safe. What is it?” She wasn’t trying to be nosy, but it just came out.

“This?” Felyx smiled softly and opened the pouch. A small wooden box fell out. A soon as he opened it a small glow stood out against the dimness of the dungeon. Embry came closer to look.

“Is that a ring?” The ring was gold with a diamond in the middle. It was very medieval looking and had an inscription that ran around the band. It also had some crest on either side.

“Not just any ring. It’s the ring of my family, my name and everything we stand for. Part of our magic flows through this ring. It’s also the ring.”

“The ring?”

“The one I wish to give to Alecko.”

“It’s quite magnificent, definitely not plain.”

“Aye, that it’s not.” Felyx closed the box.

“Do you need me to stay down here? I could help, maybe.” Embry stood up and looked around at the metal.

“I’ll be fine.”

“We’ll if you change your mind and want company, I’ll be in the infirmary trying to open the box.”

“The box?”

“Oh, the scrolls of six?”

“That’s what you went for? Bloody idiot. No wonder you got a dagger.”

“They’re really important then?”

“Dangerous. How’d ya win it?”

“Riddles.”

“Try the library instead of the infirmary.”

“The library?”

“The Manor, it has a way of giving ya answers.”

“Right, magic Manor. Thanks Felyx, for everything.”

“Aye. Can I ask ya one thing before ya go?”

“Of course.”

“Why talk to me and not Alecko? You two seem to click fairly well.” Embry smiled at him.

“Before I came here, I would have been talking to Jeffery. You have a comfortableness about you that Jeffery had. It makes me feel safe.”

“Then I promise to keep your secret’s.”

“Same goes for you, if you ever want to talk I’m here.” Embry left him with a smile and silently wondered how she was going to find not only the library, but the way back to the infirmary. She almost went to ask Felyx, but decided to let the manor lead her instead.

Damien found Helenna roaming the halls. Actually he wasn’t sure what she was doing. Coming from out of the shadows he stopped her in her path.

“What exactly are you doing?”

“I’ve been walking these halls for an hour. Apparently the Manor doesn’t want me to go anyway remotely away from my room.” Damien followed Helenna.

“Then you must be up to no good.”

“Hardly. I had a little tit for tat with Felyx and Alecko. This must be my punishment.”

“Serves you right. I was on the receiving end of yet another one of your schemes.”

“Another?” She asked innocently.

“Why would you tell Embry that you and I are engaged?”

“I told her no such thing.”

“Fine, why did you imply that we were engaged?”

“Because I wanted to know just how far her infatuation with you went. But perhaps it is your infatuation that I should be looking into, hmm?”

“Are you engaged to be married?”

“Have we been down this hallway?”

“Answer the question Helenna.”

“Fine. Yes. But ask me not who it is, they wish not to be known. I gave my word Damien.”

“Fine. I will not make you break your vow. But your trifling’s with all in this Manor is finished. No more Helenna, your word.”

“I give my word, that I will not trifle with any helpful persons to our cause that reside in this Manor.” Damien eyed her carefully listening to her words. He was positive that there was a trick in there somewhere but he couldn’t foresee where.

“Very good. Now what are you up to?”

“Trying to find a way out of this maze. You could help with that.”

“No chance. I rather not be lost in here…again.”

“You could show me your morphing trick.”

“That is dangerous territory, even for you Helenna. Please tell me that you are not trifling in shadow magic.”

“I am not trifling in shadow magic.”

“Helenna. This is serious.”

“And I gave you my answer.”

“Very well.” Damien turn around and started the other way.

“Where are you going?”

“Away, I have other matters to tend to.”

“You’re just going to leave me here?”

“Yes.”

“Heartless Damien. You’re heartless.”

“You deserve your punishment Helenna.” With that Damien left through the shadows.

Ameilius hadn’t quite planned on spending his day in the library. But he wasn’t against the idea. Emlyn was busy keeping an eye on Helenna. Damien doing what Damien does. Alecko sleeping and with Felyx in the dungeons he had ample time to root through his old texts. The only one he couldn’t quite place was…

“Embry.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“Not at all dear. Come, come sit. You are always welcomed here.” Embry took a seat in the arm chair.

“Those seem very old.”

“Ah. In deed they are.”

“What are they?”

“Old texts full of history. I see you haven’t come any closer to figuring out the Urna Autem Mortem.”

“Urn of Death?” Ameilius nodded his head.

“Has Damien told you what the Scrolls of Six are?”

“No.”

“Are you familiar with the Seven Deadly sins?”

“This is Pandora’s box?”

“No. Quite the opposite.”

“Shouldn’t that be a good thing?”

“In essence they are the opposite of the Seven deadly sins, but at their very worst.”

“Wouldn’t that be the Cardinal Virtues?”

“One would think. What would you consider the opposite of Pride to be?”

“Humility.”

“And in Humility is the action to make people feel for you, tricking them. Once you feel for a person they have you in their palm. Envy?”

“Kindhearted.”

“Kill them with kindness my dear. Wrath?”

“Peace. Many a war has been waged over peace.”

“To much of a good thing. So why are we trying to open this box?”

“With each scroll there is a test. It is said that if a test is passed then the master of that scroll will grant you the totem.”

“And if you fail?”

“Urn of Death is not a catchy phrase.”

“Right, Totem?”

“Each scroll has a totem to be possessed.”

“And Damien thinks that one of those totems are beneficial.”

“That is my guess.”

“How do we know what the totems are?”

“To know that, we must first open it.”

“Right. Where is the seventh scroll?”

“Seventh?”

“This is the Scrolls of six. There are Seven sins.”

“Ah, well therein lies the trick.”

“The box. It’s one of the…opposite sins. Which one?”

“Take a guess.”

“You don’t know?”

“If I did, the box would be opened.”

“Right, sorry.”

“Not at all my dear.”

“How does the answer help with the lines?”

“Ah well, each sin has an ancient name, symbol. Find the Symbol, find the key.”

“Hence your history books.”

“That is the idea.”

“If no one knows the language, how are you going to find the answer?”

“I wouldn’t say no one. But the language is very well hidden.”

“Damien, he said he’s seen the language. That means it’s been open before. Would there be any record of that?”

“I am afraid not, it wouldn’t be very prudent to have a spare key to something so dangerous.”

“No I suppose not.” Embry looked at the box again, so many combinations. Even if she figured out what the answer was, she didn’t know the symbol. This is the riddles of all riddles. But it would be a start. Where to start? Pride-Humility, Envy-Kindhearted, Wrath-Peace, Sloth-Vigor, Gluttony-Indifference, Greed- Generosity, Lust-Apathy. At least that would be her definition of opposites, not to mention adjectives, adverbs…and the rest. There are so many words…too many words. One word, we were looking for one word. Apathy could be used for at least three sins. So a connection linking them all? Which sin could define all sins? Or define all opposite sins? She was pacing aimlessly, but her thoughts were anything but.

“Embry? You’re mumbling.”

“Talking helps the thought process.”

“Then by all means.”

“Connections. Too many words…All sins, opposite sins?”

“You’re not making any sense. Embry the box is valuable…”

“Envy, lust, Wrath. Gluttony and Greed. Pride and Sloth, idleness. One could be to Prideful to lift a finger Right?”

“I do suppose. But the box, you shouldn’t mess with the pieces.”

“Gluttony, indulgent in oneself. Prideful, lusting after oneself. Lust, many wars, wrathful. Envy, envious fits anywhere. Circle back. Greed and Gluttony. Both over indulgence, Pride in possessions. Lusting after desirables, the Pride to be a desirable...no Pride in being desirable. To carry out Wrath, Pride in one’s abilities. Pride.” Embry stopped walking and looked up to find Damien.

Click.