C. 8 Tell Me Your Name

Portraits of long passed rulers stared back at me as I wondered out in to the connecting hallway. Their pointed faces and intense stares seemed to be a common occurrence. A trait that wasn't lost on Nicolaus. He shared the same high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes that most of the men seemed to have. There were only a few that held rulers with round faces or kind eyes. There was never both in one painting, opening the idea to wondering how they were while still alive. Having reached the final painting, I turned to the hallway, foolishly not looking where I was going. I came face to face with a pale, willowy woman, holding back a scream. I smiled lightly as I held my chest.

"I am so sorry. I didn't hear you come up."

The woman said nothing, her lips pressed into a thin smile as she turned easily. Her movements like water over rocks, motioning for me to follow her. I had no clue where I was and even if she didn't talk; she looked like she knew her way around. Following her, I once again tried to make a note of where I was. Despite not knowing my way around this route, it was rather easy. Unlike the others, I only had three choices laid out in front of me; left, right, or forward.

A painful squeal came from somewhere deep in the tunnels. Or was that from up ahead? I stood like a spooked deer in the middle of intersection. My eyes were so wide it hurt, heart pounding in my chest, I sneered at myself. Why was I getting so scared right now? Cracking my jaw, I cleared my throat and stood up straight. I turned to where I thought the noise came from. Once again coming face to face with the pale woman.

Her eyes were nearly white as a bone, matching her complexion near perfect. Her lips were a pale blue, looking as though she was frozen. Turning my head to examine her further, she took offence, turned and disappeared around a far corner to the right.

'Nice, Nyx. Run off the only one that knows where you're at.' grumbling to myself, I trod lightly as I made my way to the far end of the hallway. To the left I didn't see any source of light, still something was pulling me in that direction. Shaking my head, I turned to my right. The pale lady was standing there patiently, a look of concern presented itself on her ghostly face. I nodded a silent greeting before sticking with her the rest of the way to our destination.

I attempted to speak with her. Each time it fell on silence. Eventually, I stopped altogether, opting for the quiet that surrounded us. After a while, I could see a soft glow that grew the closer we got to it. Trying to hold any excitement in, I slowed when I realized it looked almost had the familiar glow of sunlight.

I had been under here all night?! There was no way it took hours to get to this point. Despite myself, I squeezed past the woman running for the opening. I had skidded to a stop. The doorway I ran toward ending with a small landing that gave way to nothing before dropping with a worn looking set of stairs to the left. What stopped me completely, however, was the giant tree that stood strong and proud despite the obvious sources of natural sunlight in front of me. This was the source of light that I had seen. It was warm and calming, the faint ringing of tiny bells premeditated from it.

Someone quickly snatched away it as everything went dark. Strong arms crushed my ribcage. I couldn't breathe. When my eyes formed black dots, I stopped struggling. They tossed me over their shoulder and hauled me off. As my breath came easier again, I rattled my brain, trying to discover how I hadn't heard this person. As I listened, I took note that there was one other with them. The wheezy breathing in part to their laugh reverberated off of the walls. A sick sounding laugh that made my hairs stand on end. 

After a short time, whoever or whatever carried me was huge, so the distance was different in the long hallways. I could tell by how they lumbered along they had an obvious height advantage. Now and then stealing touches of my ass or lifting my dress. Whoever did this received a kick to the wrist as I tried to fight back once again. A deep growl escaped the one carrying me. Then I felt fingers on the edge of my dress against my chest. I felt them tug at the fabric, hearing it tear as they threw me to the hard stone floor. My shoulder howled in pain as I felt the warm flow of blood down my arm and into the fabric.

Whimpering on impact, the second man's wheezy laugh turned into a cackle. He sounded like a crow that had seen the most amusing thing. The scream that escaped my throat as the bag only urged this on, along with a clump of hair that was ripped from my head.

Blinking hard against the tears that threatened to escape, I looked up to face the ones responsible for my pain. To my astonishment, the one looked oddly normal, almost frail next to his companion. This was the one that found my predicament so amusing. Even as he lowered himself to be eye level with me, the only thing worse than his cackle was his breath. Deliberately breathing into my face to get the full impact of the stench, it overwhelmed me with onions, garlic, and clove. His molars were rotten and black, his front teeth not far behind.

"What do you think we have here?"

"Servant girl that lost her way." His companion answered, holding the burlap bag used to blind me up to his nose. Taking a deep breath, lust filled his eyes. "Can we have our way with this one? She is awfully pretty, Cy. She isn't a crier like the last one. Just a taste? She doesn't need to show such a pretty neck." The last of his words were deep, like rolling thunder as he threw the bag to the side.

Swallowing hard, I looked at the smaller man, Cy, with a glare that normally worked. He didn't wither. Instead, he met my glare. We sat there, unmoving for a time, before he opened his mouth to speak. Testing my gag reflex once more.

"We can't do that yet. Torture her first, get some answers. If she still doesn't speak, we'll just have to make her by other means."

Cy lowered himself, aiming for my mouth to kiss he got a mouthful of hair. This didn't seem to bother him as he slid down to my neck. I could feel my dress being pulled at as this man took a deep breath, letting out a moan as his fingers grazed my skin. Gasping, I pushed him back. This only aided in his amusement further.

"She could be a spy. She is trespassing either way, so we can see to her punishment." Cy pressed the back of his hand against my cheek gently. When he spoke again, his tone had softened. "If you are a spy, I will take pleasure in extracting information from you."

The one who had carried me in cast the bag aside now, lunging for me only to be blocked by his companion.

"Not yet." Cy hissed.

I swallowed hard enough for him to hear. An ice cold stake buried itself in my chest. This was turning out to be a bugger of a first night. All I wanted was to return to my room. The party even seemed better than this. When I tried to push myself up, my cheek suddenly stung. Gasping, I turned to this man, trying to glare at him once more.

My eyes, however, missed him and focused on a third figure in the corner. The one that wanted to devour me in every way possible didn't take notice of him.

I tilted my chin toward the third figure, judging by the build it was another male. "What about him?"

The second man, who didn't seem to notice the thirds arrival, walked over. In his hand, something gleamed in the torchlight. Reflecting in my eyes brilliantly. Taking advantage of my momentary blindness, I felt icy hands grip my wrists as the horrid smell filled my nostrils once again.

"We will have our way with you, then." Cy shoved his thumb and forefinger under my jaw, squeezing steadily. "Then we will kill the little spy and anyone who comes looking for her."

With these words, they surrounded me in darkness. This time, however, was different. They placed nothing over my head. The room, the source of light that had been given, was snuffed out. The fingers around my neck turned to a fist, clenching tightly before being ripped away.

"Damn it!" I heard Cy yell angrily. "Show yourself, you-"

He didn't finish as it cut his voice short. The sounds of a blade penetrating flesh poured into my ears. Crawling on my hands and knees, I reached a corner of the room, out of danger and hopefully out of sight. Gasping for air and grasping my throat. The rest of my senses went into overdrive. I couldn't make anything out other than the sound of armor shifting, followed by a spark now and then. Grunts and moans of pain emanated from the darkness. It quickly muffled cries of anger and anguish before dying out completely. My heart pounded in my ears. Hearing heavy, deliberate footsteps approach me in the darkness, all I could do was hide.

I had nothing to defend myself with. I had no way of knowing if I was now this one's prize or if they would set me free. My breathing came in rapid succession as I tried to send the message to flee from my brain to my legs.

"My lady, are you hurt?" The voice was deep, edged with an accent that I couldn't place.

In an attempt I could only assume to ease any tension, the man lit a torch, throwing the space into brilliant light and sharp shadow.

"Come with me and I will get you back to the party."

Gesturing to the two men, I opened my mouth to speak. However, before I could say anything, I was forced against this man's chest, shielding me against the scene he had created as he took me from the room. When I felt the air pressure change, I pulled away from him, almost knocking the torch from his hand.

Heart still pounding in my ears as I looked up at him. "Did you kill them?

"Aye, my lady. I did." The man took in my form, confusion seeping into his expression as he continued. "You are prince Nicolaus's fiance. Where is your guard? Why is he not with you?"

Clenching my hand to my chest, I looked up at him. He didn't stop me as I took a step back. I was stuck between trusting him and trying to flee. My legs couldn't decide, as every thought that tried to form was jumbled. It ran to places it shouldn't when one faces potentially losing their life. While he had killed the men who attacked me, I could tell by his clothing that it would be easily overlooked. He was a knight, or at least a guard. A high ranking one by the looks of his gold lined, midnight blue cape he wore over his shoulders. This man was easily over a foot taller than me, even in the shoes I wore.

Cursing myself, I wondered not for the first time where my height challenge came from. If I was just three inches taller, I would feel more confident. However, the more I looked into his crystal blue eyes, the more I felt at ease.

That he had just killed two men with no hesitation should have worried me. In a sort, it did. I questioned how safe I truly was with him. However, if this man wanted to kill me, he could have back in the other room.

This man still looked down at me, his eyebrows twisting into a scowl as he waited patiently. Flexing his tree trunk like arms, his body swelled as his eyes continued to search me for answers.

"Before I answer questions of yours, I would like to ask one first. What is your name?"

The man took a step backward and bowed shallowly, his right hand going over his chest. "My name is Ayon, my lady. I am part of the king's guard and, while making my rounds, saw those two men carry you away."

"Ayon." I repeated. His name rolled off of my tongue so easily I wanted to repeat it. Pulling my head back, I looked at him closely. He wore little anything else but the uniform. His hair was thick and dirty blonde, trimmed close to the skin on the sides while leaving the top portion longer. It was a different hairstyle. I had seen none of the men back home wear it, however, that meant little. Sobell was a new place and while I was used to closing cropped hair or baldness, he was confident in leaving it as is.

Continuing to look at the ground, he seemed to wait for my instruction. I watched my arm move absently as I reached out, grazing his hair gently with my fingers. Bringing them down over his temple, gliding along his jaw, I felt the pricks of a beard threatening to come in. It wasn't until I caught his chin with my fingernail that he dared to look at me.

"Is there something the matter, my lady?" Ayon asked, the ghost of a smirk on his lips as he tried to remain serious.

The heat rose to my cheeks instantly. Pulling my hand back, I wanted to disappear into the tunnels again.

'What was that? Did anyone see?' Panic filled my limbs for a beat before I took a breath and finally took myself in. I was a mess and needed to escape without being noticed.

"You can help me get back with no one realizing I was gone?"

With a decisive nod, Ayon turned and led the way back. Despite his height, I kept pace with him. I knew they expected me at the party, but the thought of collapsing on a soft bed and getting tonight behind me was overwhelming. Absently, I reached for the pendant that rested on my chest. The sharp points pierced the pads of my fingers as I turned it.

"Gizora, my lady." Ayon's tone was loud against the walls despite him trying to keep his voice low. "It is one of our brightest stars. We can see it during winter." He explained, pausing at the corner to listen for footsteps before gesturing for me to follow. 

"Gizora." I sounded it out before turning to him. "If it is a star and one that you find important, it has to have a story. So what is it?"

He left the question unanswered as we approached a basic looking wall. Nothing to show on it but a large painting of a woman riding a massive steed. Pushing against one side of it with some effort, Ayon pushed the stone, revealing a door. With a sigh and putting the torch he carried against the wall in a small metal ring, he wiped his hands and stepped over the threshold. I looked at his back and then at the torch. The flames licked the low ceiling protruding from the top of the door as we entered an ordinary, albeit dark looking corridor.

Steadily, we made our way through the darkness. The giddy feeling of excitement filled my limbs briefly before quickly being extinguished by the creaking of another door just at the end of the hall. Swallowing hard, my heartbeat pounded in my ears. Reaching out, I put my hand on his back and waited for his own movements to propel me forward. My memory flashing to games I would play with my brothers and father.

Stepping out into the room, Ayon had led me into my chambers. Stifling a small groan when I saw the bed, I second guessed going back to the party.

"Please, my lady, allow me to go in first. Your guards should be here." Ayon pushed past, his footfalls echoing in the vastly quiet room. Soon he was back, opening the door completely.

Starting a fire, I watched as the flames roared to life. Ayon was still in the doorway, watching me intently. "You don't need to stay here. Thank you for showing me the way back, Ayon."

"You're dress has been torn." He looked around for something, settling on a burlap sack that someone had stuffed away. "Get that off and put it in here. The seamstresses can fix this for you."

Blinking hard, I looked at him for a long moment. "I can get things taken care of on my own, thank you." I snapped.

Looking for a new outfit as I tried to ignore him and his insistence on helping. I could find the seamstress, ask her to fix the dress for me. Not that big of a deal. Taking a deep breath, I continued to ignore him as I rummaged through my closet. Most of what I had were delicate dresses and flowing gowns.

Among them were nightgowns I had been given. They were soft, cut low and long. Taking a silver one down, I disappeared behind the privacy screen. Before I fully undressed, I checked that the man wasn't looking. To my pleasant surprise, Ayon faced toward the secret door we had come in from now. His head turning slowly, ears on high alert as he could watch the main door. It didn't take long to slip the gown off and get into the new dress. Gathering up the dress, I stepped from behind the screen and stopped short. Lynx was standing across from Ayon now, both still and silent as statues. My eyes widened as I looked at them. Worried about any rumors that might spread.

I was relieved to see the door had been left open. Turning to Lynx, my words came out strained. "Did anyone see you?"

"No, my lady."

"Good." Ayon snapped, crossing the room quickly. "Now stand out here and make sure no one disturbs the lady Nyx for the rest of the evening."

Lynx looked at me for an explanation. Although Ayon wore the king's colors, he was clueless. Ayon was his superior and, despite everything, would have to listen to him without my leave when the time came. However, at the current moment, he seemed far too relaxed, much like he had the night before while fighting against Rhinard. I still had to decide if he let him with that or not. For now, I didn't want to find out. Lynx, however, was having none of it as he stood his ground and sized Ayon up.

"You wouldn't last against me." Ayon tilted his head in amusement. "Though if you want to try, I welcome it."

"Nothing is wrong. I'm fine. Just had an accident while trying to find my way back to the party and Ayon was kind enough to help me." I looked at both men. "I would like to retire for the evening. Lynx, you can stand out there for now, at least until another guard comes to relieve you. You have my thanks for this evening, Ayon."

Pushing them out of the door, Ayon didn't have to be asked twice. Carrying the bag stuffed with my dress in one hand, he made his way silently away from the door. Lynx lingered in the doorway, his shadow almost reaching me as he turned. His eyes were still full of concern and a longing for answers. He was as lost as I was here, but it couldn't be helped. I would not explain everything that had just happened that evening. I wasn't even sure of what I had seen myself. For now, I could only attribute it to the wine I had drank earlier tonight.

"We will speak later. I am sure there is a lot to discuss as far as our new roles go here. Goodnight, Lynx." I closed the door slowly, his foot moving from its path. Looking up into his eyes once again, something danced behind them that promised either danger or protection.

"I feel strange calling you the name of an animal. What is your actual name?"

"It is Ryan, your highness. I will stay posted outside of your door until I am told otherwise." Ryan bowed his head before turning so his back was to the door.

Closing it behind him, I rested my forehead on the wood. Already I had been kidnapped, threatened, and then saved. It had been my fault. Curiosity got the better of me. Instead of running to Nicolaus with it, I hid behind this door. My knees gave way under me as I allowed myself to give into exhaustion and slide to the cold stone floor beneath me.

Cursing myself for not carrying a weapon of any kind, it left me to wonder what would have happened if I had one. A pig sticker wouldn't have done much of anything and I wasn't allowed a sword. I had to leave everything to that man, to Ayon, who had somehow fought them in the dark with ease. I hadn't been able to see anything. No one I knew could fight in pitch black. Though if it was training, it was a smart one. Who would expect to be attacked in the dead of night? Enough of them to make a well knit squad and easily king Yarrow, they could conquer his entire region.

"Who are you, Ayon?" I mumbled, uselessly to myself.