Ascardia

Chapter Two: The Mercenary

Nyx was in the gardens, it was truly beautiful. Of course, she had never seen the entirety of it. It was four hundred miles of multi colored roses. One day she'd get to the other side. For now, even a hundred miles in, she was satisfied. The pinks and reds contrasted greatly against the darkness of her hair. Her daggers laid an arm reach away as she lounged by the pond. She didn't think any danger would find her, but she was always cautious.

Her nature was greatly influenced by her father and his paranoid reasonings behind training her to become a warrior. Her mother despised this; Nyx knew that her mother wished for nothing more than to have a ‘normal’ daughter. Someone to practice embroidery and sipping tea on the veranda, going for long strolls through the gardens, planning balls and weddings. Alas, Nyx was not ‘normal’ she didn’t fill her days with normal womanly duties and habits, she spent her days with swords, horses, and sweaty men. She learned battle strategy, discussed politics, went over the many treaties that entailed truces, visited the lands her father had acquired in his youth. But, Nyx wouldn’t have it any other way.

As she looked at the clouds above her, she noticed the native bird of Ash. Dingas, that meant trouble for Nightingale. She mounted Obsidian and raced back to the palace, her day of relaxation interrupted.

She entered the gates just as the giant eagle landed beside her father, who was questioning a leather clad man, not much older than herself. He was very handsome, he had breathtaking emeralds for eyes, and a chiseled jaw, and he looked to be in excellent shape. She noticed he was armed, from swords, to a bow and arrow. She realized he was the male version of herself.

She guided Obsidian over to the mystery man and his own horse. Her father was reading the letter attached to the eagle. Not paying any mind to his daughter for once. She heard him muttering curses in their native tongue,

"Dingas! Karcas!"

"Hello. I'm Princess Onyx Rose, but everyone calls me Nyx. Like the goddess of night."

The man looked at her, as if sizing her up and when he couldn’t find anything to fault her for, he took her hand and bowed.

"My name is Enoch Ashbury. But you can call me Nox." She faintly recalled Ash's native tongue. Nox, meant darkness, and loneliness. Why was this handsome man alone?

"Nice to meet you. What a lovely beast you have." Nox smiled at her compliment.

"Her name is Matilda fastest horse in the world I think. Made a nearly seven hundred mile journey in two moons and three suns."

"Impressive. This is Obsidian. He's faster than he looks." Nox laughed.

"So, you're the Warrior Princess of Nightingale."

"Is that what Ascardia is calling me?"

"Afraid so."

"I haven't even been in a true battle." Her father returned, a troubled look upon his aging face.

"Papiso?"

"Oh Ki'Finesse, we must get you inside, you too Nox. Philip, take the horses to the stable please."

Philip bowed to not only the king but to Onyx and Enoch as well. He guided Obsidian and Matilda away. Her father ushered them both indoors and closed the doors himself.

"Papiso what is wrong?"

"Meet me in the grand hall Ki'Finesse. Nox will tell you enough. I must go and get your midra."

Worried, Nyx didn't protest, instead she gathered her skirts and led Nox to the grand hall. She sat on her throne, the one adorned with wooden roses and anxiously waited for Nox to say something, anything.

"I suppose I should start with what and who I am."

"That would help, you Diaor!" Nyx all but shrieked. Nox winced but continued.

"When I was five, I was framed for the murder of my parents. I was banished to the Forbidden Forest with my nanny, Hannah. As I grew older I realized that I knew who killed my parents, my brother Edmond the current Duke of Ash. The same man that has asked for your hand in marriage to get to the crown. Once he is sworn in, he will kill you. I was asked by my sister Lady Emmerson to protect you and I will, but it involves taking you from the only home you've ever known."

Nyx stared at the Mercenary, coming to the conclusion that he was the legendary Nox, the shadow that was never seen and never heard. She felt great privilege to actually see the Shadow. He had volunteered to protect her.

"What's in this for you?"

Nyx couldn’t help but to feel overly cautious. What if he was only pretending to be here to help; what if someone hired him to kill her?

"A chance for vengeance."

"Why haven't you killed Edmond before now?"

"I'm banished from Ash. I couldn't get in, even if I tried. Ash uses a special magic to keep the banished out."

"You've waited eighteen years for this opportunity, yet you're fleeing with me? I can take care of myself you know."

"I don't doubt it for a second. But Ed has nearly two decades more of training. "

"So did daddy's general. He got a bit frisky so I put him in his place."

The Mercenary was silent as he processed what she had said. Enoch looked up, astonished,

"He tried to deflower you didn't he?"

"If you can call it that. Stupid arse. He was new, a replacement. Sir Todd was the one who trained me, but he died in the Dark Forest. Sir Cantor took an unhealthy and unwise fancy to me. One day he cornered me in the stables. He touched my bosom so, I cut off his hand with my dagger, he found out why I'm compared to the biore micto."

"You dualed him whilst he was one handed?"

"If it eases your moral compass, I only fought with one hand. I didn't even use the Blade of Zedora."

"Zedora? The legendary dual bladed sword?"

"The very same. I found it by the waterfalls in my garden. It chose me." The way she said it, chilled Enoch's blood. The doors opened once more and King Aragorn entered, followed by a distraught Queen Aris.

"Onyx! Oh Ki'Pinca you must depart immediately! Ber Niore will aide you I know it!" Queen Aris cried, embracing her only child.

"Ki'Lissa calm yourself. This is why we trained her to be a warrior. She's known to many as Ber Kramaka Cattra towe Nightingale. Ber Mortuse Micto. She will be fine."

"Midra, while I appreciate your concern I am quite capable of protecting myself. Besides, I've never lost a dual."

"Edmond possesses dark magic Ki'Cattra. You've never encountered a Warlock. They are predominantly only found in Ash." Enoch interjected.

"And I suppose you can go toe to toe with a witch?" Onyx sneered.

"Warlock princess and yes I can. There's a reason I'm so successful as a Mercenary."

"So you're a warlock as well?"

"Gods no. I'm a Wizard. Warlocks are evil magic users. My brother being the worst of the worst."

Queen Aris gasped fearfully, clutching her throat with bejeweled fingers.

"Fine. Where should we go?"

"To my home. In the Forbidden Forest."

"That's awful close to Ashbury." Aragorn said warily.

"And Edmond will be here. Looking for the princess. Direct him to the furthest point of the garden. I'll meet him there."

"How?" Onyx asked.

"Horseback isn't the only way to travel for a Wizard." Enoch said cryptically. "Just stick to the plan."

***

With one last tear filled goodbye, Nyx mounted Sid. Her saddlebags filled and her person armed to the teeth, she heeled Sid into a steady canter. To her surprise, the mare that Nox rode matched his stride. They rode in silence neither one sure what to make of the situation.

As they entered the Dark Forest, she heard the cries and wails of the creatures within. The forest was their biggest defense, if anyone left the path lined with the Black Rose or Biore Micto, they would not survive.

"So, Diaor what is your special ability?" Nyx asked after a while. Nox smirked at the word she called him.

"I'm sure a spoiled cattra such as yourself could figure it out. I am called Ber Niore. The Shadow. What do you think my ability is?"

Nyx scowled at his assumption. She wasn't spoiled, doted on, but not spoiled.

"I think it's just a bunch of fairy tales midras tell their children to keep them behaved. There's no way in Moctorem that you can control the shadows; much less blend into them."

"Really? We shall see cattra towe mortus."

Nox didn't look the least bit shaken. He simply urged his horse forward. She herself didn't mind the forest. It made for good practice.

By nightfall, they had reached the gates of Cantenburg. She had once been betrothed to the prince, but he had died unexpectedly. She'd met him a few times, and each time she had grown more and more fond of him, until she admitted she loved him. He loved her as well.

She had mourned him for a long time. She had spent months in their cabin in her garden. Crying out for him to come back to her. She missed Axel everyday, but everyday she learned to move ahead with her life.

The people of Cantenburg knew her well, and each bowed their heads as she passed. They reached the gates of the palace and the guards opened them.

"What are you doing?" Nox asked.

"We're staying here for the night. It has been a long time since I have seen Esme and Lloyd. Come on now."

He groaned but urged Matilda onward. He had to admit, even to himself that it beat sleeping in the hostel.

"Edwin, will you care for Sid and Matilda please?"

Nyx asked the stableboy, the boy nodded and took hold of the reins. She walked up to the palace doors and entered as if she belonged. Maybe she did. He followed her into what he assumed was the throne room. It was a tea room, the biggest he'd ever seen. It had been a long time since he'd enjoyed such opulence. He heard an older woman cry,

"Oh sweet Nyx how good it is to see you! How are you holding up darling?"

Did this Queen Esme know of her situation?

"I take the pain day by day Esme."

"Axel loved you so very much dear girl. It would pain him to know you still yearned for him after so many years." King Lloyd said quietly. Who was Axel?

"Dear who is this?" As if remembering Enoch was there, Nyx looked to him, and then back to Esme.

"This is Enoch, he is, a bodyguard." Better than saying the Shadow he supposed.

"You can call me Nox."

Nyx sat with Esme, distancing herself from Nox even more, fine by him. She was just a means to an end anyhow. She didn't have to like him.

"You know, Onyx has never needed a bodyguard before. Why now?" King Lloyd asked him.

"There has been a threat to her life, so King Aragorn hired me to keep her safe in an undisclosed location."

"My boy, I have known Onyx since she was but a caterpillar. You can trust me."

"Yes, but if you don't know, you can't lie about her location. Lying to the man who has threatened her is dangerous and I don't want to put you or your Finecta in harm's way."

"You remind me of my pinco Axel."

"If you don't mind me asking, who was Axel?"

"He was Onyx's betrothed. They loved each other very much. He died before they could wed. She still mourns him. When he died, a piece of her died as well. Come to think of it, it was around the time she began to adopt the name Biore Micto towe Mortus."

Nox frowned, he looked at the girl in front of him, the beautiful jewel of Nightingale. Her heart was broken, and it seemed she had no interest in mending its broken pieces. She was content to use the shards to stab those she deemed her enemy.

"When did he die?"

"Four years ago, today." King Lloyd said stiffly.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you...Nox."

King Lloyd looked so sad, is this what it looked like? To lose someone you actually loved? Nox didn't remember crying over the death of his parents. Moctorem! He didn't even cry when he was banished.

***

Nyx strolled through the gardens of Carrow, the castle in the center of Cantenburg. She let her mind wander to the times when Axel would accompany her. Her hand resting on his arm as he led her along the cobblestone. Pointing out the different varieties of flora.

☆☆☆

"Come Ki'Lissa. I shall show a special place, just for you. I had it made for your stays here. I want you to be happy here ki'kimaleta bloomay."

"Ki'Lissa I am already happy here. What could possibly make me happier?" Axel laughed, she loved his laugh?

"Ki' Locklay towe ki mortem. It is a surprise."

Nyx allowed her love to lead her deeper into the gardens until they stopped in front of a locked door. Axel pulled out a heart shaped key and handed it to her.

Nyx smiled and inserted the key. She pushed the door inward, and a miniature replica of their portion of her garden was in front of her. She gasped at how precise it all was, even their cottage was the same.

"Axel! It's beautiful! It's perfect!" She embraced him, and kissed his face all over. His gray eyes flashed with desire before he pulled away.

"I'm glad you approve Ki'Lissa." Onyx kissed him deeply before leading him deeper within the replica...

☆☆☆

Onyx pulled out the tarnished key from her leather riding pants. The once golden heart shaped key was almost completely black. Like her broken heart. She inserted the key and pushed inward.

The once beautiful replica of her beloved garden was just as tarnished as the key, and just as broken as she felt. With no one to keep it up and tended, it fell into disrepair. Tears pricked her eyes as she stepped deeper into her once beloved rose garden.

Axel's terms of endearment floated around her, embracing her as her lover once did. It was hard to imagine that they had only been fourteen when Axel had gifted her this part of the garden.

Their little cottage was in ruins. The roof was caved in, and the stained windows were shattered, wild flowers and weeds sprouting through the cracks. It was morbidly beautiful. She walked along the cobblestone, the weeds wrapping around her boots, trying to claim her as part of the garden.

"Ki'Lissa, ki'mortem. I miss you so."

Nyx allowed herself to fall to her knees. She allowed her tears to fall. She was alone, for once she allowed her many walls to crumble. The weight of her heartbreak too much to bear today of all days.

"Oh Nyx! Why did he die so soon?" She didn't expect an answer. The Gods never answered her. "Zedora give me strength to defeat my enemy. Nyx, fill me with your love so I can continue on my journey. Allow me to heal so I may move on."