Thru the Heart of a Dragon

A Bond is Made

Victor headed for the Queen's chambers.  There were servants scurrying in and out.  The Queen was restless but at least there were no screams.  He wondered what pain she held inside of her.  He had tried to read her mind, to gain insight but he has yet to gain entry."My Queen," Victor reached for her hand, "what can I do for you this night?"

She took his hand, replying "Oh, if only you could take this ordeal from me.""What ordeal is it that you speak of, tell me and I will do all in my power to take it from you" he gently kissed her hand.""If only you could, I'm afraid I have more to bear.  It is written in the stars for me, I'm afraid." she answered slowly wiping a tear from her eye."Please don't cry, a Queen should never be shedding tears," Victor smiled at her laugh."Queens sometimes have more tears than the great waters have drops." She laughed while asking Victor for something to help her fall asleep."I have a tea that should settle you down.  Let me get some hot water." Victor had several tea packets in his pocket, he just needed to get the water.  He had observed the servants leaving fresh water earlier; he just needed to get it warmed up.The fireplace was going strong.  Victor warmed the water over the fire.  The Queen was laying back playing with the bed covers nervously.  He placed the herbed tea in the hot water and let it seep to its full strength. 

The Queen looked at him with a forlorn look.  It seemed to Victor that she had lost faith in life.  After she had drank the tea and sank into her soft bed, Victor bidded her goodnight.  He assured her that he would remain nearby in case she needed him.Victor roamed the castle looking for something to eat.  His thoughts returned to Kizzie; maybe he should sneak out and see what she had in her bakery.  Would she let him in, he wondered.Kizzie was out roaming too.  She had to make it out of the castle to her daughter.  She had waited for Victor to be well out of sight.  She made sure to slip on some darker clothes and a cap to keep her hair contained.Victor was almost to the bakery when he saw a dark form.  He waited until the person was within his grasp. "What?" screamed Kizzie. "Victor! You're hurting me....let go!" she yelled."Be quiet, Kizzie" he commanded "or the guards will be upon us.""Victor, what are you doing out here? I thought you had to tend to the Queen." she questioned him."Actually, the Queen was only restless tonight, no screaming." he told her."Kizzie, don't tell me you were trying to leave the castle?  The moon isn't giving out its' best light."'"Okay Victor," she sighed, "Can I rely on you to keep a secret?" she looked sternly at him."Haven't I already saved you tonight?" he grabbed her shoulders. "Whatever it is, I give you my promise it will never cross my lips.""I have a daughter," she hesitated "She lives in a nearby mountain cave.""I don't understand, Kizzie, why would you not have her with you?" Victor asked out of concern."Victor, I can't tell you everything right now.  Just trust me, it is in her own best interest that she remain hidden. I have to go see her and soon.  She is being looked after by ....by.....oh, she's just being looked after until I can be with her." Kizzie was watching his face looking for signs."You know best, Kizzie. I'm sure you have your reasons." He took her by the arm, "You can't go out tonight. It is out of the question. Come to the castle and sit with me while I look out for the Queen.We can get something from the Great Hall to eat". The castle servants should all be abed; however, they were up and scurrying around.  One of the women called to him, "Victor, the Queen, she screams now."He had hoped she would have had a good night as she has very few of them.  She is a beautiful woman.  Even though the King ravished her and took her as a prize of battle, she has remained.  She thinks staying with him somehow gives protection to her people. Everyone tells him of the love they have for their Queen, Kyra.Since he first came to the castle, he has been free to roam the castle and all of the servants know him and that he is here at the King's request.  Only he knows that the King is out trying to lure in a dragon.  The King doesn't know why, he only knows that his mind tells him he must.  He must do it alone.  When the dragon appears, he returns to the castle.  He doesn't know what happens to the dragon.  When he returns to the castle, he is so tired he goes to bed and sleeps through mid-day.  The castle guards have little interaction with the King.  The King has no confidant.  Victor senses that the King is being influenced by something or someone. That influence is what brought him to the castle.  How did the King know of Victor?  Who wanted Victor here?  He'll worry about the King after he has figured out the Queen's ailment.

His thoughts return to the Queen. She is not haunted duringthe day.  She chooses not to speak of what she suffers during the night.  They talk of the King and the daily events in the castle.  She is glad that he is occupied and doesn't seek her out.  She is lonely, he knows.  She tries not to mingle with the people only because she doesn't know what to tell them about their King. She goes outside mostly to love the children.

Something has a hold of this castle.  If Merlin, his brother, were here, they could figure this out together.  He hasn't laid eyes on Merlin in many years.  They send their thoughts to each other only.  Maybe he should venture outside to clear his mind and contact him now.

Before he and Kizzie reach her bed chambers, they hear the screams of the Queen.  Victor rushes to her bedside.  She is weeping uncontrollably.  Her bedsheets are ripped to shreds.  The Queen's hair has been pulled out in patches.  Her cheek is red, not from crying but from someone having hit her.  It's clear the Queen has been ravished.  They both wondered where the King was and if he could have possibly done this act.  In that instance, they were aware of each other.  They felt their thoughts uniting. The moment was interrupted by actions of the Queen.

He grabs the Queens' arms and immediately sends his thoughts to mingle with hers.  He sends soothing sounds of music and sounds of children playing in the fields until he feels her relaxing in his grasp.  He cannot read her thoughts. The Queen drops into her soft pillows.  This was a violent act in that there were bite marks all over her person.  Her bed robe had been clawed with the strength of an animal leaving slashes on her flesh. He and Kizzie didn't speak of what had taken place. The servants need not hear what they should not know.

Before Victor could tell Kizzie about the bite marks and who did this terrible act, the King enters. He makes no eye contact with them, his eyes are on the Queen.  They stare at each other not knowing what they were to say or do. When the King touches the Queen, she turns and smiles at him.  He knelt by her bedside and, as if by command, he fell into a heap and was immediately asleep. The way the Queen looked at him, they realized he could not have done this deed.  Why is it that he did not seem aware of his surroundings.  Before they could question the Queen, she looked at them both, "Please go, I will see to the King when he awakes. There is nothing more to be done for either of us this night."They both were in awe that the Queen had nothing to say about what had happened to her.  What would she tell the King?  How could she explain her bruises? There was much to be learned here but the Queen would not be up to it now.Victor took Kizzie's arm and guided her out of the castle.  He took hold of Kizzie, "I'm going with you to see your daughter, you cannot be out alone and if I let you go, I know you will." Kizzie nodded and together they headed out to see Lucretia.