Marwynn had been walking for four and a half days and was feeling quite tired. He stopped by the Misty Coast and sat on a rock by the water. The water lapped quietly adding to the peaceful and eerie ambience. The water here always had a fog that wisped across the surface. Some days it was not as thick like today. Marwynn could see the familiar Northmoon Castle stretching out over the water. To him it looked like the tentacles of a kraken capturing the nearest prey. To anyone who didn’t know the inhabitant, it would look like a beautiful serene oceanfront castle. He rested here for a few hours and cleaned himself up before making his way towards the castle.
The castle was immaculate. There was not a crack or fissure in any of the walls. The only places that the vines and moss were allowed to grow was in meticulous designs across the exterior walls.
The guards on either side of the door opened them as Marwynn drew close. Entering the castle Marwynn strode up to the doors to the Lady’s quarters. The guard here said “State your purpose.”
“I request an audience with the lady” Marwynn informed him.
The guard chortled at the request “Good luck! Fill out the proper paperwork with your grievances.”
Undeterred Marwynn did not smile and added “She will want to see me.”
“What makes you say that” the guard humored him.
“I have information on the whereabouts of the prince.” Marwynn said.
Unimpressed the Guard responded “Nice try, she already has the prince in custody.”
“The other prince.” Marwynn stated.
The guard looked at Marwynn suspiciously “what is your name and from whence do you come from?”
“Tell her it is the fly.” He said.
The guard’s eyes grew wide and he said “Wait here.”
The guard disappears behind the door and leaves Marwynn alone. He walked to the overlook and saw the City of Sprigbottom where Honey grew up. He wondered what her childhood before they met must have been like. His thoughts were broken by the sound of a silky voice behind him.
“It cannot be, after all this time, has my lambkin returned?” Lady Revna crooned.
Marwynn kneeled before her and said “It turns out you were right.”
“How so?” the Lady asked.
“I will never fit in with them” he spoke softly.
The guard was listening intently to their conversation, Lady Revna did not appreciate the prying ears so she looped her arm in Marwynn’s, “Walk with me.” After a few paces she continued in a lowered voice “Last we spoke, you denied being anything like me.”
“I was mistaken” Marwynn conceded.
This brought a mischievous smile to the Lady’s lips and she caressed his cheek, “well then, welcome back.” Her face leaned closer to him and she asked, “I heard that you have news of the young prince?”
Marwynn did not hesitate, “yes I was traveling with him and know where he is this very moment.”
Lady Revna was intrigued “And how did you find yourself traveling with him?”
“We happened across each other by chance and upon learning who he was, I offered my help. I knew that I could not return to you with no gift.”
“How clever my little lambkin is,” she clasped her hands together in delight. “What knowledge have you gained of our little prince?”
“He poses no threat, he cannot even wield a sword” Marwynn divulged.
Ledy Revna deep in thought said “Some threats are unassuming, he always did appear as a nervous, weak little thing. However, for complete compliance from my subjects, I must add him to my collection for safe keeping.”
“Of course my Lady,” Marwynn bowed.
Lady Revna circled Marwynn like a bird circling it’s prey. “I would like you to bring him to me.”
Marwynn unblinking held her gaze, “I will need something to keep his trust.”
“Name it” she said content with his response.
“A little thing you have in custody as of recently” Marwynn answered.
“Take it” she declared. The Lady walked over to a chest in the corner of the room and motioned for it to be opened. The guard opened it and handed her the shadows crest that used to belong to Marwynn. She handed it back to him, “You will need this to roam about freely. I expect to see you at Whitehaven at the hunter’s moon.” Marwynn nodded and turned to leave.
“Oh. And Marwynn?” Lady Revna called out sweetly.
Marwynn turned back to face Lady Revna, she was an inch from his face. “Double cross me again and you will beg for the peace of my garden.” she said planting a light kiss on Marwynn’s cheek.
Lady Revna turned from Marwynn and walked back out the door with the guard closing it behind her. Marwynn headed towards the barracks to change into his uniform. He was one of the highest ranking shadows and needed to be properly dressed. He pulled on the black uniform, signature of the shadows, and fastened the crest to his cloak. Seeing his own reflection in the looking glass on the wall, his mind raced back to his last moments as a shadow.
Honey’s eyes pleaded with him for mercy as she struggled for her last breaths. He looked down with horror at her beautiful face that was growing paler by the moment. Marwynn had not realized that the poison had already been administered nor had he given the command. Marwynn held her body as the life faded from her eyes and they closed. He screamed for the nearest shadow and demanded “Who administered the poison!?” Fury filled his body as he spun around to each in turn, tossing them as they gave no response. The final one he began to strike and would not let up, he had lost control until a silky voice rang out “Calm, calm my lambkin. I did you a favor.”
“What favor!” Marwynn raged at Lady Revna.
Serenely Lady Revna stepped closer to Marwynn, “She was your last little hiccup, now you can fully give yourself to me.”
Marwynn felt a burning hatred flow through his veins and he hissed “I will never be with you.”
“I know you are angry my lambkin, but one day you will understand that you and I are alike and perfectly suited to one another.” She spoke with an even tone.
As Marwynn’s heart tore over and over again over Honey’s lifeless body, Lady Revna’s voice grated at his mind. The fury within would not subside over this cruelty. All of his emotions crashed over him like the ravine at the bottom of a waterfall cascading over a cliff. So deep were his emotions that his body was shaking “I will never be like you.”
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Marwynn looked away from the reflection in the glass. He did not know if he could bear this again. He leaned into the wall trying to compose himself before strapping the sword to his back. He took a deep breath grabbed his pack and headed out to the mines.
The mines were a place that was known but only seen by those unfortunate enough to live in Embergate village. The villagers were unable to keep any of the proceeds from the precious gems that were extracted and thus their village was made up of shacks and hollows carved out of the rock. Lady Revna held control over the mines and pocketed quite a sum for herself before sending the proceeds to the crown.
The villagers were too afraid of Lady Revna to revolt against her. They could still remember their first attempt at revolting for fair wages a few years ago. When they were in front of her castle to petition, her shadows fell across their village and extracted all the children from the ages of two through five and added them to her garden. There was not a family unaffected. From that point on, the villagers lived in quiet servitude. At least they were not trapped within the mine and still able to wander freely.
The village was silent as Marwynn passed by and curtains were pulled shut. Marwynn was in some small way, glad he did not have to converse with anyone as of yet. It gave him some time to get into character.
The main entrance to the shaft was reserved for the villagers. There was another entry point that the shadows would enter that led to a different chamber within the mine. In this chamber the prisoners of Lady Revna were housed. A waterfall broke through the rocks that ran through the side and channeled down into the deepest depths. The only light was the glimmer of torches along the carved stairs that followed the stream down. Screams of despair reached Marwynn’s ears as a prisoner in the distance was receiving a punishment for some perceived wrong. Marwynn followed the stone steps until he reached the chamber. The shadow that was in charge of the prison leaned against the stone wall by the entryway. He was built like an ox, battleworn and marred. A scar ran across his forearm and wrapped all the way to his bicep. If he smiled, which he did not, it was more like a scowl.
His booming voice reached Marwynn’s ears, “The fly is back eh?”
“It’s nice to see you too Komodo.” Marwynn replied.
“It took you a long time” Komodo answered.
Marwynn leaned his back against the wall as well. “What has changed since I’ve been gone?”
“Not a whole lot, here anyway, just a few more friends for me to play with.” Komodo said.
Marwynn nods and for a moment they are silent.
“Why are you back?” Komodo asked.
Marwynn was ready for this question and did not hesitate to answer, “I realized the error of my ways and that there is more good for me to do here than there ever was out there.”
Komodo nodded, and answered “All the same, its been dull around here without you. I imagine that you didn’t come here to just see me though.”
Marwynn chuckled, “No.”
“What is it your after then.” Komodo got straight to the point.
“A little critter from the old Roseglen that recently served in the royal household. I believe his name is broom or sweepy is it.. ah no that’s not right..” Marwynn trailed off.
“Ah you must be speaking of Duster, the new arrival about a week ago with the other lot.” Komodo began shuffling through his papers.
“Others, how many came in with him?” Marwynn questioned.
“Oh it was an entire village out in the far west, kettleclub oh wait I think it began with an N..” Komodo found the paper he was looking for. “Ah! Yes here it is Nettlewood.”
Marwynn’s mouth flinched at the sound of his home. “The entire village?”
“Yes the shadows were told that the village was housing the lastof the Caladrius. She was unfortunately not located, those ones are so slippery.” Comodo said.
Marwynn felt like he might be sick “Were there any casualties?” he asked afraid to hear the answer.
Comodo answered, “There were a few. Nothing significant. Personally to me, it was entirely unnecessary to bring them here and a waste of our resources. I’m not sure what they did to upset the lady but she took it a bit too far this time.”
Marwynn’s heart sank but he was too practiced in hiding his emotions for his face to betray him. He said “well I should be on my way, can’t leave the Lady waiting. Could you bring me to the critter?”
Comodo replied, “Certainly, follow me.”
They walked into the main cavern that housed the most recent occupants of the hunt. The hunt is what the shadows called it when they rounded up creatures that were not human. The main cavern was the entry point until they were sorted into the smaller spaces. Marwynn walked by a particularly angry wood sprite that was chanting words in another language that Marwynn was not quite familiar with. Her black eyes bore into his as he reached the next entry point. Turning from her face he followed Comodo. They walked next to the stream that continued further into the depths for a few more steps. On the next landing there was an opening in the wall to the right with a wooden arch. Once through the arch, they stepped into a space that looked more like the inside of a castle dungeon. There were small groups of brownie-like creatures huddled together in different parts of the room.
Komodo called out “Duster of Roseglen, step forward.”
There was no reply and not one of them moved an inch. Komodo annoyed that a direct order was dismissed spat out “Duster! Come forward!”
Marwynn saw movement in the corner of the room and a small brownie about three feet tall came forward.
“Yes, oh great commander.” Duster said sarcastically.
“Lucky for you, this little misstep will be forgotten today. You will be released.” Komodo said.
“This is one of your cruel games, and I am not going to play.” Duster crossed his arms and turned up his chin.
Marwynn spoke up, “this is not a trick, I have been ordered to take you to the Lady.”
Duster’s eyes bulged open and he began to shake. “N.n.no I will be good I promise!” He grabbed onto Komodo’s arm and pleaded “I am sorry, I will answer every time that you call from now on, please!”
Marwynn knew what Duster was thinking, that he would be changed into stone and placed in the Lady’s garden. It was not being stone that brought fear. The fear came from knowing you would be fully aware and able to see everything but be incapable of moving or speaking. Her unnatural garden was truly a fright to behold.
“Listen critter, it is not up to me what the lady does with you, its only up to me to get you to her” Marwynn said coldly.
Duster recognized Marwynn as soon as he saw him, “M.m.marwynn? Is that really you? Please, don’t you remember me?”
Marwynn grabbed Duster’s arm forcefully and chained his hands together. “Duster continued trying to reason with him, “P.p.please Marwynn, it’s me Duster, you know me!”
“Shut it!” Marwynn spat.
Duster started to sob uncontrollably and his speech turned more towards incoherent babbling. Marwynn gave Duster a hard tug and demanded “Move.”
Komodo walked with Marwynn out into the main cavern. The entire way, Marwynn tugged at Duster frequently forcing him to fall. Komodo reacted “I forgot just how ruthless you are. I thought that being out there may have softened you up a bit.” He seemed almost disappointed if it were not for his scowl.
“On the contrary, the world has made me remember why I joined in the first place.” Marwynn said.
“Well ok, I guess I’ll be seeing you around again.” Komodo allowed them to leave.
Marwynn noticed the black eyed wood sprite was missing from the cavern and he continued dragging Duster out of the cave and back through the village. Once they were clear of the village he slackened his grip. Duster’s sobs turned to silent tears and his mumbling had mostly subsided as though he was accepting his fate.
They came to a road sign that pointed the way back to North Moon. Marwynn went the opposite direction and led Duster into the woods. Startled Duster weakly asked “Where are you taking me?”
Marwynn did not respond and brought him further into the woods. Once they were clear of the road, he turned to Duster.
“I am terribly sorry for the way that I had to treat you Duster.” Marwynn implored him.
“What is this, another trick?” Duster replied.
“No, no more tricks, it’s me Marwynn, I had to go undercover to retrieve you.” He explained.
“How do I know I can believe you?” Duster said skeptically.
Marwynn took the chains off of Duster’s wrists and threw them to the ground. “I was known for being ruthless when I was in the shadows, if I had showed any weakness, my cover would have been blown.”
Duster rubbed his wrists, “how did you know that I was in there?” he asked.
“I was with Declan and Honey told us.” He simply answered.
Upon hearing Declan’s and Honey’s name, Duster loosened up a bit and seemed satisfied that Marwynn spoke the truth. “It’s ok, but do you have any food? I’m starving.” He asked.
Marwynn smirked, “Of course I do.” He pulled out a bread roll and handed it to Duster. Duster snatched it out of his hand and devoured it.
“Where is Declan? I have something important I have to tell him” Duster asked.
“I am going to take you to him now, but we have a few things we need to talk about on the way.” Marwynn said.
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