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Chapter Nineteen
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The Villain's Hero Chapter Twenty
Aien did not want to talk to me and actively avoided doing so, locking his door each night, and either leaving in the morning before me or, when I tried to out-rise him, stubbornly refusing to leave his room until I was forced away by my own embarrassment at being caught by the servants scratching at his door like the distraught rejected lover that I was.He did, however, spend a lot of time in the training courtyard, practicing his sword skills with anyone who shared the grounds with him, attending classes although he did not need to do so as he was meant to be preparing for the campaign, and I even saw him attempt the gauntlet several times. If he saw me, he would turn the other way, and I wasn’t sure what was worse, the pain in my heart at his rejection, or the embarrassment that surely everyone had noticed.I concentrated on preparations for the campaign in order to distract myself and make his abandonment of me less noticeable. There was much to do, I found. Not only were there n
The Villain's Hero Chapter Twenty-One
“In this…” Daerton said anxiously to me.All around us in the grey dawn light, those joining the campaign hurriedly added their last belongings to the wagon caravan, whilst the knights and their squires adjusted their saddlebags and weaponry. I saw Aien, the hood of his cloak pulled up around his face, cross the courtyard to the wagon behind mine, throwing a bundle of clothing into the back before climbing onto the seat next to the driver. They talked casually as they waited, and I saw Aien offer the driver sunflower seeds from a bag.He did not look my way. I did not know if he knew I was in the wagon, or if the arched canvas cover of the tray hid me from his sight. “I know,” I told Daerton, focusing on the mage and not the man I loved. “The anti-venom for the spider creatures.”“And this…”“I know, Daerton,” I told him gently, placing my hand over his. “I have listened and paid attention to the entire process. I know what each vial contains.”“Of course, you do,” he said, meeting
The Villain's Hero Chapter Twenty-Two
Derien Verstarjen’s stronghold was nestled in the one pass through the mountains. It had originally been built as a human military point when they had been forcing the Fae from the lands. The Fae had, however, not lingered on the other side of the mountain range but followed its curve toward the coast. The land on the other side of the mountains had become little more than a wilderness as a result, with a few small villages clinging on, isolated between the Fae forests no wise human would traverse and this intimidating mountain stronghold with its temperamental and murderous owner.The road up to the stronghold revealed its lack of use in the overgrowth of weeds and deep potholes. It would not have been an easy journey, even if the road had been well maintained, as it was steep and winding, picking its way through the ramble of the rocky terrain. We were forced to dismount the wagons to ease the load on the horses and make our way on foot, the stones slipping beneath our feet and dust
The Villain's Hero Chapter Twenty-Three
The open doors shed light into the chamber hopefully before fading away into shadow as if unable to combat the darkness of the mage who lived within, and our footsteps echoed hollowly. There were more statues in the entry hall. Servants I assumed, who had been turned to stone due to the displeasure of their master.A large, grand fireplace stood cold, and the torches on the wall had long burned out. The chill of the mage’s magic, I realized. A chill that probably prevented the grand fireplace from being lit. I had heard of such things occurring, where the magic was steeped with profound sorrow and grief, usually accompanied by the presence of shades.Drifts of dust scattered under the movement of air through the door, and along the wall, I saw several rodents pause in their scurry to sniff at us, evaluating our threat to their missions, before dismissing us and continuing along their paths.Derien stood on the first landing of the staircase and for the first time swept back the hood
The Villain's Hero Chapter Twenty-Four
“It is a shame that there is no lady’s maid,” Tarragon observed. “A dragon’s braid is hardly the height of Fae fashion.” “You are doing very well,” I told her. In the polished metal of the looking-glass, I could see that she had started the braids over my ears, in several thicknesses, and was winding them back into each other. “Father would be proud.” She flashed me a grin in the reflection. “It is a pity you will not let me use any of the pins,” she returned her eyes to her work. “I understand why, but they would look fair in your hair.” I had explored the various dainty little boxes on the dresser and the drawers, finding pins and other trinkets that a lady would use to do her hair and decorate it, as well as the remains of cosmetics and perfumed water. In one drawer were miniatures of the family – a little folding frame. On one side was a very pretty woman with Aien’s eyes. To the other, a little boy whose face was lit with rosy-cheeked happiness. Aien - before the loss of his mo
The Villain's Hero Chapter Twenty-Five
Tarragon did not give me the option to argue, catching me by the elbow and propelling me down the stairs at a pace that took all of my concentration not to fall. Before I knew it, we were entering the grand hall of the keep. There were swags of sweet-scented greenery, flowers woven into long chains, and tables heavy with tablecloths, candles, and platters of food.Considering the state of the household when we arrived, Derien had used some magic to transform the chamber, making it what it had been before tragedy had struck the household despite his earlier cautions that the household would not wait upon us.I wondered at his change of attitude.Not all those gathered were from the campaign. Many were from the villages at the base of the mountains from their clothing and as I had not seen their faces before. They looked terrified. Had Derien abducted the poor villages from their homes and forced them to attend? Why?The mage sat in the head chair upon the raised dais, a table that held
The Villain's Hero Chapter Twenty-Six
I hurried to the room and removed the dress with a sense of relief, inspecting it carefully to ensure that no wine or blood soiled its fabric, before folding it and wrapping it again, as I had received it. I placed the package in a chest at the base of the bed, finding other clothing stored within. I packed up Tarragon and my possessions, anticipating that we would no longer be welcome at the stronghold. I hoped that Derien Verstarjen would not prevent us from continuing and braced myself for my sister’s ire when she returned to the room. Through the window, I could see the slow retreat of torches toward the village as the villagers made their way home. It took longer than I had thought before the door handle turned. “Dae,” Tarra said as she entered. “Put only what you can hold into this bag,” she held out a satchel of the type that our family used when riding dragon-back. “Tarra…?” I asked uncertainly as I took the bag from her. “Cara will take you to the village on the other sid
The Villain's Hero Chapter Twenty-Seven
Our entry to the tavern ended the revelry. They might not have known what we were, but they knew enough that our presence amongst them caused them to be cautious. Caraway pretended not to notice, weaving his way unfaltering through to the bar and leaning against the wood.“A room, please,” he declared confidently.“We… are… full,” the man behind the counter declared uncertainly.“Come now,” Caraway slid his eyes towards him, letting the human take in Caraway’s slitted pupils and irises that were, definitely, not human. “I am certain you can work something out. My sister and I require a room for a few nights until our company catches up to us.”There was a whispering through the crowd, the sort of ear cupping that was less discreet than it was intended to be, as the occupants exchanged opinions and information.“We are full,” the man repeated firmly.“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” Caraway said. “Are you sure there is nowhere that my sister and I might find to rest tonight?” He set a gol
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