Читать книгу Scars of Iron - Ivy G. Shadrick - Страница 10

I keep my identity hidden for many reasons. One of them being faith. If humanity realizes and truly understands that I am one of them, that I am human, all hope and faith in me would be lost.

Separating myself from mankind was no effortless task. I had to leave all I was behind to become the Queen my people needed me to be.

I have torn myself from humanity to create a mystery around my being. To give mankind hope and peace that they are not the governing force.

So, I have kept my face and name hidden from all people of the earth. I have removed myself from the world and the ever-watching eyes of humanity. And I have done so for their betterment.

I made myself abstract in their minds, I have become their unnamed and unrecognized god. And I have done all of this in the name of hope. But if I could speak to one person outside of the palace gates, I would tell them, it’s all lies my darling.

I raised the current population as my own children, I have loved and cared for them. But they do not know this, for the world does not even know my name.

-A.A public entry

[DELETED]

I strode into the training arena, heat rising to my cheeks as Elaric screamed at me, “You’re late. Do you have any idea how important your training schedule is?”

“Yes, I understand that I need to be here on time, it won’t happen again,” I responded, not fully trying to convince him. “I ran into Vassa on my way here.”

“That is no excuse,” he retorted, his voice finally lowering to a civilized volume. “Make sure to be on time for our lessons, you need to be training your mind and body constantly. And Vassa does not matter enough to keep you away from your training sessions.”

“Of course,” I said as I lowered my eyes. Not wanting to see the disappointment in his.

“Now, if you don't mind, I would love to begin,” he turned his back to me and walked to the sparring mat. “You will be staying overtime to make up for the time you wasted.” His eyes met mine and he hesitated for a split second before continuing, “And you will not be meeting with Aegiah tomorrow morning.”

I didn’t dare oppose his decision. And I walked to the mat, preparing my body and mind, by slipping into the void deep within myself. Retreating into that all-encompassing, unrelenting calm.

I began the swift and lethal waltz, leading the dance, and controlling the pace at which we fought. The two of us became one mind, one blade. I sharpened him as he sharpened me. We were equals, we were opponents, and over everything else, we were playing a very dangerous game.

“You leave your left side unguarded every time you shift your weight!”

I dodged his next blow, catching him off guard. I slipped under his arm with the agility of a sparrow and took the offensive position once more.

“Good,” he bellowed, “now make yourself more unpredictable, look for my faults.”

I lunged forward, but he had expected it. His blade cut across my abdomen, a sharp pain shooting through my body, making me desperate. I ducked beneath his sword hand, falling to my knees and kicking his legs out from beneath him. I had him in seconds.

I pinned his chest to the ground, and he hit the mat with his fist three times, signaling that I had won. I had beat him, and I would, no doubt, be punished for it.

I forced my body upright, maintaining eye contact with Elaric as he stood too.

But Elaric was beaming, and I was terrified of what that meant. Yet he wasn’t smiling with malicious intent, or with an underlying hatred. He was simply grinning from ear to ear. And then, I allowed myself to smile too, it was the first in so long, and I didn’t want the dream-like moment to end.

“That wasn't absolutely horrendous,” he finally said.

“Why thank you,” I returned. “I just think you’ve grown old.” Placing a hand over my stinging stomach, I examined the wound for only a moment. The damage was not enough to hinder my body much. Though a scar would soon appear there and the pain fogged my thoughts.

He looked at me and took a step closer, though only the slightest bit. I kept my hand clasped against the wound and grabbed his shoulder for support.

My stomach did several flips inside me, nausea filling my senses.

“Let’s continue, you’ve barely scratched the surface in weaponry training. And we will need to fix the sloppiness in your jabs,” Elaric let out a soft sigh. “But your form wasn’t horrible and you might just have a chance at succeeding in killing the Queen.”

“I'm willing to train harder than ever before, I promise.” I headed across the arena to bandage the gash. And Elaric followed me, though he didn't offer any help.

“Good, you will need to, because you are now in charge of your progress. I have taught you the basics and I will guide you moving forward, but it is up to you if you are going to advance.”

“I will do my best,” I said, lowering my head a bit. Wrapping a cloth around my stomach, and tying the ends tight, I stood to my full height.

“Your best try may not make you successful under these circumstances. But only time will tell.” He nodded, his eyes flicking to my stomach, where my blood-soaked shirt lay torn open, then back up to my eyes.

“I will get rid of the Queen with my own morals and reasons, but I'm not sure the best way to go about it.”

“That,” he murmured, “that is for you to decide. You’re the keeper of your own fate, remember.”

My cheeks heated, “I still believe that, and I will do anything to keep my destiny in my own hands. But, I’m asking for your help. You know my skills better than anyone else, you know my abilities better than even I do. Help me find the least painful, least violent route. That's what I want.”

“Well, you're a pretty good shot. Long-distance is your best bet, either a handgun or a dagger would serve you well.”

His eyes lowered to my neck, where the thick red scar cut across my throat. The healed gash from one of our first fights. I reached my hand up to brush my fingers across it, the memory of the blade that gave it to me still haunting me.

But now it was not the only one on my body. Many long, brutal days of weapon training had brought so many more scars.

And I no longer cared that my body was as changed as my mind was. Because I was not that scared little girl in the burning world of The Renewal anymore. I was not the little girl cowering in the corner of my aunt's house. I was the only person capable of being broken over and over again, I was the only one that could restore humanity.

“However,” Elaric continued, “you could poison her with a potent drug. Or give her a sleeping solution then run her through with a blade.”

My breath caught, I had never thought of poison. My jaw went slack, and my eyes widened in realization.

“Unfortunately we do not have access to any lethal poison, only a heavy sedative.”

“Yes,” I said, unable to form any other words. “Uh, yes, I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Okay, then it's decided. You will poison the Queen. Nevertheless, you still need to train in the art of weapons and combat. There are guards posted everywhere in the castle and you may need to take several out.”

“I know that, but,” I coughed a bit to clear my throat. “Yes. I'll poison her.”

Aegiah had prepared a simple meal of vegetables, fresh bread, and fruit. Accompanying the two plates of food sat glasses of pale wine. Aegiah’s was already half-drained and as soon as I sat down, I took a deep swig of my own.

“So, he doesn’t suspect anything?” Aegiah asked.

“Nothing, he’s actually starting to warm up to me,” I paused, “I think.”

“Well at least he hasn’t sent either of us away from the property, I think that’s a good sign,” she said. With so much sarcasm in her voice that I couldn’t hold back the small laugh that came out of me.

“Indeed,” I nodded.

“I do believe your progress deserves a toast.” She raised her glass. I raised mine. “To renewing our world.”

“Again,” I added.

We clinked our glasses together.

“And to healing,” I said.

We drank.

“Have you thought much about who you might want to rule after the Queen and prince are gone?” Aegiah finally said after many long moments of quiet.

“Actually, I haven’t,” I lied. “I’ve been so preoccupied with training that I haven't had the time.” I pressed my fork into a pile of leafy greens and shoved them into my mouth.

“Well, you don’t have much time left. If I were you, I'd think about who you trust with your life, who you believe would be able to make the world a better place.”

“Can we save this for a lesson? I don’t want to worry about the fate of the world for just one minute,” the corners of my lips curved up into a smile. But I had to force the grin a bit because I did worry.

“Alright, let’s save it for another day. But what do normal people talk about at dinner?” She asked with such a severe expression that I let out a genuine laugh.

“I don't know,” I shrugged. “Does it look like I’m a normal person?”

“Well, I guess not,” she laughed too. “How about we get to know each other, you’ve lived here for like five weeks and I barely know anything about you. Who are you, Lithiah Everette?”

“There’s a lot to that question, do you want the long story or the short one?”

“Let’s start with the short one, and see how I feel by the end.”

“Either way it’s a long story, but, you asked,” I said, taking another bite of my food.

“Yes, I did, because I want to understand you. I’ve been able to read every person I've ever met, but you’re a mystery. Not only to me but a phenomenon our world could never possibly understand.”

I shared stories of my survival of almost a century with her. How I had remained undetected and nearly at peace. I told her about my job at the bakery and the mortal songs I used to sing as a child.

And she shared about her own life. A peaceful life, for the most part. One that I deeply envied.

It was only a few hours before dawn when Aegiah and I opted to return to our rooms to get some sleep. For hours upon hours, we talked and laughed and cried together. I had never told anyone the story of my survival. And I felt an immense weight lifted off my shoulders as I opened up to Aegiah. Though she could never truly understand what I had gone through. But I didn’t care.

All I needed was to share my hardships with someone I could trust, someone I could confide in. Someone I considered a friend. She was my first real one in decades, and I could never express how much that meant to me.

When I reached my living quarters, I flopped onto my bed and fell asleep. I didn't dream and terrors didn’t enter my mind. Because, for the first time in years, I didn’t carry the full weight of my tremendous burdens.