Chapter Four

Anora’s hands moved steadily as she folded laundry, lulling herself into a meditative state. Light from the full moon was bright as she worked alongside the other handmaidens in the small field next to the castle grounds. Rows of clotheslines were filled with the uniforms and dresses of everyone in the castle. Klissa and the other handmaidens were there as well, whispering and giggling at Anora. But, Anora kept her eyes down, focusing on her work.

A warm breeze ruffled her hair. She closed her eyes for a moment, turning her face up to the cloudless black sky. The guards stationed around the perimeter of the field shifted on their feet. Ever vigilant. Ever watchful. And were extensions of the two Wardens of the Castle, who were tasked with maintaining order within; but primarily to ensure Anora could not escape. There were few places she could find peace within the confines of the Castle walls. But, under the open sky, surrounded by the clean scent of soap, she could almost forget her circumstances. Almost forget that she was little more than a gilded prisoner.

If not for the tomes she was allowed to read, she would know little about the world outside; one ruled by Viempire, Lycanth Wolf Lords and other, more ancient and mysterious, beings. But it was the kingdom of Lothoran, in particular Hygard, which was the enemy. Ironically enough, because of the tomes Anora was allowed to read, she was able to see both sides of the conflict. Hygard sought to rid the world of what they deemed unholy or evil. And the Viempire with their allies, were no different. They wanted to see the world of men fall, to see them defeated.

Anora’s education was laid out by Odessa’s design and, by extension, the Dark One. It was curious to her that they would shape her indoctrination in such a way. However, they might not have had a choice. Deucard had always been forthcoming with information regarding her past. And Anora understood far more than Odessa realized. More than anyone realized.

Anora harbored no illusions about her future. Odessa meant to use her, to bend her gifts to the will of the Dark One. Her education had been carefully shaped to that end. But Odessa had made one fatal miscalculation. She had allowed Anora to retain her memories of life before the Castle. The half-forgotten glimpses of a time before she was stolen from her home sustained her.

The moon reached its peak as Anora and her companions came to a halt, settling down for a meal of pottage and fruit. But to their surprise, Deucard brought food to them. Though outwardly cordial, Anora sensed something sinister beneath his refined facade. She shuddered as his gaze lingered on Klissa and the others. There was a hungry look in his eyes. But it was the way he looked at her that unsettled her most, his gaze felt like a creeping caress.

“Good day ladies,” he bellowed with a grin. “Rabbit stew for today, and potatoes too I think.”

The handmaidens murmured their thanks, barely looking up from their bowls as he handed it to them

“And for you, my special child,” Deucard said as he presented Anora with a serving.

She accepted and nodded in thanks.

“Anora, might we have a word?” he asked in almost a whisper.

She nodded again, this time the wings on her head lowered in silent discouragement. “Of course, my lord.”

“Let us walk, then,” he suggested, gesturing ahead.

“What of my food, my lord?” she asked, hoping it would prevent her from going.

“Take it with you,” he instructed.

Anora hesitated. “Should we not have a chaperone?”

His bushy eyebrows scowled. “We won’t tread far.”

The thought of being alone with Deucard filled her with dread. But, she had no choice but to comply. They walked just out of earshot of the others.

“Klissa told me she heard you weeping the other night, in the garden,” Deucard said abruptly.

Anora froze, angry that Klissa had not only heard her vulnerable moment, but that she was the one to do so.

“I am certain she was mistaken,” Anora said carefully.

“Yet I am inclined to believe her,” Deucard remarked. “I Am sure you understand my concern...given your history.”

Anora decided to meet his implication head-on. “You are referring to the time I attempted to end my own life,” she stated bluntly. “I was but a foolish child...naïve and unwise.”

The bluntness of Anora’s words caught Deucard off-guard. “Yes, well...” he stammered, clearing his throat nervously as he tried to regain his composure. “Your mental state is of great concern to both Odessa and myself. We often disagree on how best to handle you. I tend to allow you more...freedom. Whereas she believes restraint is needed to control your emotions.”

“I am grateful for the freedoms I am allowed,” Anora replied blankly, as if what she was saying had been rehearsed.

“Do you know why I permit them?”

Anora shook her head.

Deucard felt his beard as he prepared to explain. “The night you disappeared four years ago, the night you…harmed yourself, panic swept through the castle. For hours we searched, fearing you had fled. However, the truth was far graver. I knew then that Odessa had gone too far in your treatment. Changes were needed.”

“Changes?” Anora asked.

“Your early years here were spent in isolation. You were a prisoner, in a way,” he clarified. “After your tragic act, we realized you required freedom to grow and become a...”

“Person?” Anora interjected mockingly.

“A woman,” Deucard stated plainly, looking her over.

Anora clutched her bowl tighter at the uncomfortable attention. “How did you find me that night…the night I did what I did to myself?”

Deucard rolled his neck, seemingly bothered, before answering. “A stranger had you…apparently he’d bandaged your wounds and was taking you to town for help.”

Anora’s heart fluttered at the thought of discovering who her rescuer was. “A stranger?”

“Yes,” Deucard replied briefly.

“Who was he?” she eagerly asked.

Deucard’s expression flattened. “No one,” he stated.

Disappointed, Anora’s head dropped.

“There are more pressing matters for you to focus on,” Deucard remarked, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You are a woman now, closer to your destiny. The Enemy will be near…and we must be cautious.”

Anora’s wings tensed up anxiously. “Will they find us…the Lothorians?”

“They are powerful, of that there is no doubt,” he explained. “We have been fortunate to avoid their notice...but as the hour of your sacrifice draws near…and they will come.”

“How can you be certain?”

“The Dark One has foreseen this,” Deucard told her her. “Worry not, for we have mighty allies.”

“Valtheia?” Anora guessed.

Deucard nodded. “Yes. Their king and queen are Viempire and very powerful.”

Anora’s wings perked with interest. “As powerful as Hygard’s Archknights?”

Deucard chuckled, his white beard bobbing. “I can see you know more about what is going on than I assumed.”

“I know that Valtheia and Lothoran are at war,” she replied.

“Yes…they have been for sometime,” Deucard confirmed. “But, you needn’t fret over that. Just know that after your life is given to the Dark One, he will rise and bring an end to the War. Hygard will fight for survival, but their efforts will prove fruitless. And all loyal to the Dark One will inherit the earth.”

Anora lowered her head glumly.

Deucard continued, “A shame, really, for one as beautiful as you…to die so young, never taking a husband-“

Anora screamed internally, balling her fists against the urge to flee or strike him.

“-Aeldar beauty was legendary,” Deucard continued, “the reason the Dark One loved one.”

Anora’s wings perked with interest once more. “He loved an Aeldar?”

“You are much like human girls your age…curious about boys, tempted by notions of love,” Deucard remarked.

“Not me,” Anora stated harshly.

“A pity,” he mused.

“Not all of us require love or to be loved. I certainly cannot afford such frivolous thoughts,” Anora countered.

“Of course,” Deucard conceded. “Off with you now, your chores await.”

Anora nodded and returned to the clotheslines. The other maidens had left by that time so, she gathered the dried linens into a basket and headed back inside the Keep.