Chapter 24: Foes and Arrows

Little flakes trickled from above, laying the forest to sleep under a blanket of snow. The grass stood as spikes below and the lake lay frozen in time. As the faint sun began to make its descent over the hills, the two butterflies were still in the air, hovering before the dark woods.

Uncertain of the path, Enzo turned towards Valleric, prompting for any direction, "Where to now, my lord?"

"Straight through till we reach a shallow river. From there we move up where we reach a dark stone castle. The Moth King stays there," he explained, still gripping the reins tightly. "Though keep your eyes and ears open. This is not our territory."

Enzo nodded, gulping. His imagination stirred. Stories of wicked sprites, hungry foxes, and hideous bats clouded his mind. "I wish Lance had joined," he whispered, "He would have made it all seem like a joy ride."

Valleric steered closer, swinging an arm around the anxious guard. "You need not worry, dear Enzo. The moths have eyes too and they will certainly turn away at the sight of green."

"What do you mean? They live in a green forest." Enzo grimaced.

"My wings, Enzo, they are aware of the color of my wings and certainly the stinger that comes with it."

Enzo frowned deeper as he tapped his heel against the stirrup, driving his horse nearer to the first forest entrance. "You mean to inform me that the moths know of you?"

"Names travel far. At times, further than kingdom borders. What can I say, I am well known," chuckled Valleric, "And my engagement with the queen spiked that popularity."

"You arrogant bastard, you mean to tell me you're only up her Highness' skirt only for the fame?" gritted the guard, to which Valleric reacted rather coldly.

The lord's facial expression dropped to one much like a provoked wolf. "Do not be mistaken, Enzo, I would cross oceans and fire swords for Her Highness."

"So you would do anything for her?"

"Anything."

"Even killing a monarch?"

Valleric yanked the reins to abruptly stop Enzo's horse. "Think carefully about what you choose to blabber about. You are no longer under the queen's watch and I see no pain in staining my hands with blood."

Enzo gritted, his fists clumping on the leather straps, "Is that a threat?"

"Would you like to discover it yourself?" Smiled the lord, venomously inviting the guard to take action. An artery started protruding from Enzo's forehead, his eyes flicking towards his boot. Valleric's eyes followed, his grin only growing. "Will you be brisk enough to reach your dagger in time?" he mocked, leisurely setting his chin on a first, dangerous amusement prancing over his gaze. Enzo scoffed, "Sleep with one eye open. The quest is my priority."

"Good choice, little guard," hummed Valleric, sitting back in his saddle, and turning away, "Otherwise you would have been sleeping in the wolf's belly."

Enzo sent him a fowl glare, kicking the mare to fly towards the claw-like branches. "I hope Her Highness will put you in your place."

"Ha!" bursted Valleric, as if the tension in the air dissipated, "I am constantly trampling on my toes around her. Sometimes I sit back and enjoy watching the world burn around me all because I know she sets mine on fire."

"You are mad," grumbled Enzo, shaking his head. "How did she end up entwined with a man like you?"

As the horses descended into the darkness, the ground seemed to have been swallowed up in twilight and the branches above stabbed the sky, darkening the area with each flutter forward. Valleric scanned the surroundings, his eyes searching for any indication of danger. He licked his lips. "Well," said the lord, "I've been around for quite some time. You would surely know."

"I am aware of your longstanding presence but how did she come to know you?"

"She didn't." He replied. "I came to know her."

Enzo simply stared at the lord. A gaze of disgust. "You are a disgrace."

Valleric sent him a bored shrug. "Yealousy is not your color, Enzo. I suggest you reassemble your wardrobe to a brighter scheme." The guard clicked his tongue in annoyance as if the lord was an idiot of some sort. Enzo blinked away the gathering red tint in his view. Sucking in a breath he stated, "I recognize the bow and arrows you brought with... the arrows have intricate carvings. They are the ones you and Drystan scratched out with your broken pocket knife. It is amusing that you still carry them along; yet, how does it not bother you that one of those arrows killed your best friend?"

The world seemed to pause. The deformed branches seemed to disappear. The cold seemed to hold its breath as the stillness of the forest clamped back its sound to make room for another.

A silent whistle. A piercing crunch. A thud. A groan.

Valleric lowered his bow, eyes fiercely focused on his target, who had dropped into the depths of the darkness. His ears rung, blood rushing. Heat rose up his collar as he glared below his feet.

With a slow decent he landed next to the wounded butterfly. Enzo lay on his back, an arrow extended out of the flesh of his right shoulder. His wings were chipped, damaged by the crash. The loyal grey mare landed next to his frame, sniffing at the puncture.

Enzo coughed dryly, the muscles in his face distorting as they twisted in pain. Through tight slits he glowered at the menacing lord standing over him. "You bastard!," he spat, "How dare you turn on your compeer?"

Valleric's lip twitched as he held back a snarl, forcing his voice to speak calmly, "No compeer of mine would threaten me in unknown territory. You have audacity, Enzo, but you possess too much for my liking." He squatted down, balling the rough fabric of the guard's shirt in his hand. He pulled the insolent guard closer to his face. With a low voice he warned, "Threaten me once more and I'll fly back home with only your wing as proof of your demise. Riona is harsh towards traitors and I do not tolerate them either. Your choice is to either to obey me like a good guard dog or face an unpleasant event in these woods. So what shall it be?"

Enzo gulped, evidently debating. A small smile crawled onto Valleric's lips, yet Enzo snorted. He airily laughed, confusing the lord, "Does it not scare you that you have been so numbed, that you barely feel the tip of my dagger at your side? I know you, Spunky, you are not the only swift assassin in the castle."

Valleric's dark eyes leisurely traveled down, following Enzo's arm. It was true, the guard was pressing a blade to his ribs. "Well played; though, what if I do not fear death?" prompted Valleric, tightening his hold.

Enzo's eyes grew wider, speckles of blood patterned over the whites of his eyes from the impact. He pressed his lips shut. "Very well," he sighed, "I shall abide by your requests and will submit."

Valleric let go, derisively patting Enzo on the good shoulder. "Well decided, dear man. You will live another day," he hummed delightfully, yet it was anything but only to mock Enzo for giving up the fight.

"Have you always been this hot and cold?" grumbled the guard, wincing as he attempted to sit up. Valleric pushed a palm behind the guard's back, aiding him to sit. He assessed the wings, slightly dropping his brows. "You have known me since childhood, why don't you answer yourself."

Enzo was quiet as Valleric looped a hand around the arrow, abruptly yanking it from the flesh. A hiss pushed past the guard's teeth. "Never to this extent," he groaned uncomfortably, his eyes squeezed shut.

The dark lord rose up, moving swiftly towards the grey mare's saddle to search through a satchel. As he retrieved a bandage he paused. "Another thing," he started, turning towards the wounded man, "We are simply allys as of today. In this forest we must not be seen as close — they will surely use it against us."

"Who are 'they'?"

"The moths, of course, they relish in the havoc of others. If we do not tred carefully, then they will use us against each other to gain something. So you know nothing of me and I nothing of you."

Enzo slowly nodded, repeating, "Nothing at all. You are a stranger."