CHAPTER FOUR

The wails sounded, it kept ringing through his soul. The wails he was certain would forever be in his head. Edgar woke with a jolt. He had a nightmare-again. Rolling out of bed, he threw on a robe and went to his wine cabinet that sat behind a bookshelf. The potion the physician gave him only made him dizzy but sleep still couldn't find him. It was a useless as all the medicine's he'd taken for decades now, he needed wine. He smiled bitterly at the memories, the very first time he dared to love and nature had thrown it right back to his face. Making his heart vow never to be so foolish again. He bedded women and that was it, he didn't need to love anyone and he certainly needed no child. No matter what the council and Nicholas said of his lineage, he didn't want any boy to suffer his fate. He couldn't. He wasn't ready to sire a son or raise any child for that matter. Edgar hummed and sat on the soft quilt that laid on his large king bed. His mind drifting to the vixen he had injured, he was a master at breaking people. After being broken he certainly knew what it took to break, he knew words were most painful than knives. He wanted to think less of the spit fire and her tribe. The small Riverlands was the least of his worries. Alexnadra he was certain would own the land soon, he could not pity what would happen to them. The provinces would become their home. Edgar first dispute with her half sister had ended with her burning down a town with people in it to further stress her point that no one under her dared disrespect her. The council had pretended to believe it was a bush fire but every sane man knew Alexandra hate and bitterness and what she was capable of. Edgar saw her as no threat, if one thing he never believed in giving the sins of the father to the son, he had so much experience in that. Her step mother may have been a witch, literally and figuratively but he doubted Alexandra was too. She wanted her own path and he certainly gave her that. The manor was vast enough to fit them both without any running into the other at all unless they wanted to. The Sol Empire had the greatest lands before the Kiro, the lands they conquered added to their strength and mass. The dark passage that led to his sister's own side of the manor was their only barrier. He knew not what happened beyond and didn't even want to. Their father had divided them the land himself. But sometimes he saw it to monitor her routes, so long as Sol was a land despite the provinces, he owed it protection. He had left Alexandra to her woes after her demonstration with the fire, she wanted that power and he knew not to meddle in her affair, and he was certain she knew same. Edgar emptied his favourite bottle and stood, dumping it on the shelf and going to open the window, maybe the cold wind would lead him to sleep. *** Selene listened to the soft heartbeat of her sister. Her head laid on Selene's laps as she slept. She couldn't let the little girl out of her sight, it seemed she alone anchored her to sanity, nothing else was making sense but Mia, she was slowly losing sanity herself. The room they now slept was a brighter chamber. The double candle stand stood far from the windows and an oil lamp glowed faintly. The room still smelled of dust and old books despite being recently cleaned for them. Their clothes were packed and out in the closet by a lady who introduced herself as Diana and said she'd be their hand maiden until the trial. Selene had seen how the lady followed her about, with a guard not so far away. She knew her chances of escape was slim but she didn't lose all hope, surely they would tire with time and once she knew the routes she'd know what to do with what little time they had alone. The Lord had made it clear they'd be sold to the traders, she would rather die than be a slave or be defiled. She couldn't bear the thought of poor Mia being hurt in anyway either, she'd lay her life to safe her. Only if she had listened and left when all her sisters left, their mothers had hurriedly taken them away, no doubt selling them to every available suitor to scrape the cruel fate of Riverland But she had no mother to send her away and she certainly didn't want to be anyway, she could not let any man use her like her mother had been used despite their riches and gold.. Now she knew she would flee to somewhere safe, the further north had villages she could hide and take care of Mia till she was grown then they could find their path. She would prove the Sol lord wrong, she would prove her father wrong, she could do without being a man's pet. Selene yawned and felt the sleep come to her eyes. She carried the little girls head off her legs, they ache and she needed sleep as well. Her stomach growled as she stood, the little food that was given them she'd given to Mia after eating a bit to make sure it was safe. Now she wished she had ate a little more. She was fine though, anything to make her happy. Checking that the door was indeed locked, Selene dropped the key atop the nightstand and got to bed, throwing the blanket over them both and submitting to sleep. *** "Lead her in" Edgar said and watched as the guard went out and came back in with Alexnadra in tow. It was early morning and he was in a far better mood. "Good morning brother " she said with her smile "What brings you here" Edgar asked, eyes leaving his already forgotten breakfast "Can I not at least dine with my only brother?" she asked with an exaggerated frown "You can, but I doubt it is food that has brought you here Alex." Edgar said "Oh... You know me too well" Alexandra replied and took a seat across him. Nicholas took a bow and exited the dinning room "I hear the Riverland Princess is taken out of dungeon" Alexandra said "They are not prisoners yet, just hostages" Edgar said with a frown at such question "And you cared not to inform me" she proded "I must not seek your counsel for every action I take Alexandra, I saw fit to make the princess more comfortable" Edgar said "I see...perhaps you know better" Alexandra replied "The Riverlands deserves that little respect till Cedric is tried by the council" Edgar replied "Then they will still rot as commoners, as filth " Alexandra said with a shrug "You forget that the villages have done nothing to you" Edgar said "And have all the Kingdoms you took done something to you? It's about the power Edgar, you know this" she whispered with a smirk. "Father forced me!" Edgar replied "Oh he did, he must have. You see brother, I see beyond all this hunt and greed for more land" Alexandra said "I take land from irresponsible leaders and give the people freedom, no one deserves bondage, not unless it is well merited" Edgar said. "I will not answer to you, I rule my land as I see fit, those weak lowly humans have no worth, maybe they should become more useful" she spat "I can swear even father in his insanity didn't see this madness of yours " Edgar stated "Ooohhh he did not, I wouldn't even care if he did. I sought your warriors to take down Riverlands for a bargain, a third of my prisoners. I will see to it that I keep to that. Keep away from my business brother that I may keep away from yours." Alexnadra said as she dabbed her chin with a napkin "I have no place in your business Alexandra, I do not fight women" Edgar replied calmly. "Thank you for breakfast, it was amazing" she said as she rose and left the room with the clicks of her heels. *** Selene glared at the woman who stood behind them. She took her fork and took a bite of the pork. The stew tasted good but she wasn't so hungry anymore. Mia probably saw this as one of their many visits to the dukes and Chiefs in the town, she explored the hallways and Diana was happy to oblige, restricting them from the lords chamber, the royal dinning and the throne room as instructed. Selene was relieved at Mia's innocence and was glad, only wishing she was that naive. "When will we go back, I miss daddy" Mia said in hushed tones Speak of the devil, Selene thought and chewed on her food, trying to stay calm. "He is coming Mia, maybe the weather isn't good for travel" she said "But it is not quite winter yet" Mia said "Hey enough talking and eat, no talking on the table, it's unladylike" Selene hushed and Mia muttered a sorry and went back to her food. Selene sighed and looked at the doorway again. Diana still stood, looking at a book in her hand and a guard stood behind her. She needed a plan and fast, the faster she left, the sooner she would begin her trip before winter came. The land had the coldest winter and it was fast approaching. "Excuse me Mia, wait for me here" Selena said and rose. A very distracted Mia only nodded and focused on her plate of pork stew. Selene walked past the two at the doorway and heard them whisper before the lady remained with Mia and the man went with her. Good, she thought. She wouldn't leave Mia with any man. She strolled to the garden. All the while aware of the guard walking steps behind her. She slowly began to loosen her corset which was looped at the front and drew it down. Careful not to be noticed. Getting to a daisy bush, Selene bended to pick one up and gasped as the corset fell off, exposing her low cut blouse which hid very little of her breasts "Oh my" she said and attempted to cover her self but the cloth kept slipping off her hands rather intentionally. She turned to the guard and gave him a sheepish smile. "Would you help me fasten this?" "I will get the lady at once" the watching guard said looking uneasy and hurried into the manor. Selene wasted no time in hiding behind the thick daisy bush and then fleeing into the darker walls of the manor. *** "I am certain my lord. The walkers are greatly accepted among them, many living in the outskirts and preying on humans that stray into the region" the warrior said "The lord Helsing has a fair knowledge of this, his butler is a walker" the other guard said and bowed "How did you lose William? " Edgar asked "We met some walkers outside the borders and we were attacked, they killed him but we slayed them all my lord" the head warrior spoke. "No traces, I cannot risk Helsing knowing I am watching him" Edgar said "Certainly my lord, we took the bodies to our land before burning them" the warrior replied "Well done, see to it that William's family is compensated accordingly. Dismissed" Edgar said and the men filed out, leaving only the head of the troop. "My lord, I am afraid to say but there are walkers among us, we have seen bodies bitten and discarded on the woods of the provinces, it seems to be a frequent route my lord" the man confided "I have always known this, Alexandra needs to be more attentive to avoid intruders in this land. If we leave our gates open then the plague will spread to us" Edgar said and the guard nodded eagerly "See to it that the gates are secured and the tunnels as well, we can only be truly safe when Kiro is eliminated by the council for good" Edgar said "Yes my lord" the guard replied "You've done well, go to your woman tonight, I'll see you tomorrow" Edgar said and watched a silly smile grace the strong warriors face as he left the throne room. *** Selene waited until she heard the footsteps of the lady completely fade away before she rose. She didn't have much time before another guard was assigned her for the night . She wanted to be sure she had it right, the last thing she wanted was running with Mia to a dead end, she had to be certain of their way out first and she decided to do that tonight. Throwing on a black silk gown, she held her black lace over her hair and left her shoes. Making sure not to wake Mia, Selene tip-toed to the door and quietly unlocked it with a faint click. Ensuring to lock it again, Selene quickly went down the short stairs that led into the hallway. She stayed behind shadows and prayed to be unnoticed as few servants completed their cleaning chores for the night and some lit the tall candles an the walls of the hallway. Selene turned to the corridor that led outside to the garden and quietly went out. Shifting her clothes tighter as the cold wind blew against her skin. She turned into the tunnel she had discovered earlier that day. The ground was wet with what smelt like urine and whatever animal had rot in there. Selene refused to think on the stench that permeated the tunnel, focusing on moving forward. She hurried to the glow she saw and carefully went into the passage that looked brighter. She followed the line of candles and got to a dead end. She turned to her left and there was another path with lit walls. Selene could feel her heartbeat hammering louder by the second, she knew she had to get a clue or they'd be searching for her soon. Her next step was halted when she heard a splash. Someone was in the tunnel. Selene held her breathe that echoed the hallway and leaned on the wall. The steps got closer as she heard the water move along, the intruder seeming to take her route as well. Selene used her lace and quickly put off the candle closest to her on the wall, she backed more into the shadows and held her breathe. The steps was accompanied by low guttural sounds that echoed in the tunnel. She felt panic set in as the footsteps seemed to lead to her. She knew she'd probably be thrown to prison, or worse fed to the walker. And her paranoid instinct told her she should have heeded.... "Ahmpphhhhhhmmmmmmm" her screams were muffled by a large hand as she was pulled into a body. "Shhhhhh" the familiar voice shushed her A sword was drawn out and she resumed her struggles. Kicking, hitting and scratching the assailant "Stop moving" he said and Selene was frightened to muteness. He walked out to the tunnel and led her behind him in a tight grip. They could hear as the steps retracted and quickly left the tunnel. "You idiot! You put off a candle when you're scared? That leaves you helpless! " Edgar asked angrily "It was just you" she said stupidly "I know you maybe foolish but if you're also suicidal then wander this tunnels again and I won't be the one to kill you, the walkers will" Edgar said, hands on her shoulder for emphasis "What difference would it make? You promise a worse fate, remember? " Selene replied scornfully "You little fool" Edgar muttered and slammed her on the wall, holding her throat as he had a sudden crave for blood, for death, for fear and fright. How could she think it was so easy? they would turn her, her beautiful skin would crack open and dry up, her hair would die and her body would rot, only her darkened soul would live. Just like his Monique, all that fire would leave her eyes. He couldn't let that happen to anyone again. Her weak but frantic struggles pulled him out of his insanity and he came to notice he was choking the girl, her hands tried to pry off his stronger ones as she fought to breath. Edgar quickly left her neck and held her to his chest as she lost balance. Shaking as he felt her take sharp breathes. He was losing it, she reminded him so much of Monique, the same hair, the same feistiness. He held her and calmed his own breathe as her small body fit into his larger own. Her hands clung to his arms as she regained her balance. Edgar closed his eyes and held unto the young princess, trying to discard the thought of what would happen if a walker ate her or turned her to one of them. "Let go of me" Selene yelled as she got herself together. Edgar seemed to wake from his state as well and released her "You will not come here again. Am I clear? This passages are not very safe " he orsered Selene looked as him defiantly, her eyes saying "No" even if she kept mute. "I said am I clear? " Edgar asked again sternly "Yes you are " Selene spat and attempted to turn away. Edgar grabbed her hands and led her to the corridor which led to the tunnel. He took the stairs up his wing and opened the door to his chamber. Quickly dragging her along even as she fell on the floor. Edgar dragged her to the east wing and dumped her on the floor, a guard at her door staring in confusion "Make sure she stays in this time and do not let her out till I say so, put her in the hole if you need to" Edgar ordered, glaring at the guard and his carelessness before leaving the wing. Maybe the princess was best left in the dungeon.