Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 145: Hell Tide: Reign

Within the study of the Blackwood Manner, Reina had not been happy. She did not like being apart from Altair, and she did not like Alyssa. The way the Amazon stared at her Prince had always made her hot in the face, though she was loath to admit it. Alyssa was beautiful. Dark-colored skin over hazel eyes glistening with the golden flecks of morning light.

Her hair was braided and oiled, and despite the long travels, smelt of the earth.

Reina had been inclined to remain poised like her Prince, to show a smile to everyone, but she could not bring herself to do so before Alyssa.

"Reina..." Alyssa began. " May I ask what you remember of that dreadful explosion?"

"Not much," She admitted, though they had managed to piece a few things together. "Why do you ask?"

"Two of my sisters died," Alyssa said ominously, lifting her ornamental bracelet where two cracked rubies shone. "Audry... the one whose arm you cut off and Tothra. I didn't see how Audrey died... but Tothra blood smeared my face as a stone bashed open her skull."

"Hells," Reina heard herself say.

"We amazons live for battle. It's the dream of every Amazonian to die on the battlefield rather than in our beds, old and decayed." She was looking at Reina now with a hazel-eyed fury. "What happened back there had been...she didn't deserve that. None of them did."

So she seeks revenge, Reina reflected. "And what would you have me do? Why come to me? Why not Altair?"

"The only use a man has to us Amazons are their cocks," said Alyssa with nary a blush. "I came to you because you bested me and my sisters single-handedly. Not Altair. "

For a second, Reina nearly believed her. "So I'm to aid you in your quest? And what is it I gain from this alliance?"

"A loyal handmaid. A pawn." Alyssa shook. She had not even been able to take Tohra into her arms before her body was hurled away, never to be seen again. "I don't care. Help me... and I'll do anything."

It wasn't until high noon that Altair returned to find Ren in deep thought. Sipping tea within the atrium, bathed in light, looking out at the clear view of Forwin. It had seemed so desolate from what she had remembered.

Reina had appeared lost in what to do with Alyssa. She had never much cared for followers or servants. That was Altair's job, she believed. He was the Prince, the lord who bore that invisible crown of his since the day they met.

'Am I to also take up that mantle?' She looked down, finding her tea cold to the touch and her heart weighted by duty.

"What's got you all worked up?" Altair asked. He took a seat beside her and gestured to the servants to leave them.

Reina smiled at his return. "Art..." she said when they were alone. "Do you plan on being a king one day?"

'Naturally,' he wanted to say but held his tongue, noticing Reina's troubled expression. "Why do you ask?"

Bitterly, Ren told Altair of Alyssa and her quest for revenge.

'So there is a part of Ren that feels empathy, or is it guilt? Guilt that the attack meant to kill us killed another?' The Prince reflected, unsure what to say.

Altair had been born to rule. Had been conditioned since birth. He had the charm, the knowledge. All that was missing was the people and the kingdom.

"If I am to remain by your side, I don't want to be a shadow upon your heel." She told him, resting her head against his broad shoulders. "Though I am loath to rule."

He laughed. "Then what will you do?"

"What else but reign by your side."

"You will be with Reina, Talia, Aurora, and myself." Altair stood up, decked in a black wool doublet and britches over boots. He yawned and gave Nia a charming smile. "We will be returning to battle tomorrow. Though I hope you are ready. The last thing I need is to bring back your remains."

With that, he was off, returning to his study, to his fifth meeting for today, to where a blue-haired boy awaited him. Vance, they called him. And had been one of the troublemakers when he first arrived.

"What can I do for you?" Altair asked, finding his seat behind his abhorrently large desk. When Altair had first seen it, he had wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness of it.

Vance squirmed uncomfortably in his seat, having to look up at Altair. "The noble fraction are growing restless and are demanding that they be allowed into the main house or that the commoners be kicked out."

Altair made a face. "I'm confused."

Of the hundred that followed, outside Fat Mike and Cedric. Ten of them had been highborns. And had been allowed to reside in one of the three annexes within the estate. It had been Fat Mike who had made the suggestion that they all remain together, and Altair had agreed. There was strength in numbers.

"They claim the stench of the commoners is..."

"You asked for a meeting because of an issue like that?" Altair said incredulously. "The smell. The nobles are complaining about the smell... the smell."

"Yes," Vance said, not picking up on the scorn in which Altair spoke. " Lord Thayem says that the commoners ought to be placed in pavilions or be tossed onto the wall. Granting them a place in such a lovely Manor is a most cruel punishment, wouldn't you agree? Most of these commoners have never even so much as had servants a day in their lives. But now they are fed three times a day.

Some of their living quarters are as large as their entire house back on Earth. How will they ever survive when they return?"

"... the smell." The Prince repeated.

"Well? What do you say?"

"The smell..."

"I'm sorry?" Vance responded. "Lord Blackwood, forgive me for saying this, but this is your chance. Not counting Fat Mike or Lord Vandel, this is your chance to rise back on Earth. Yarwin is a backwater realm. When we arrived, we saw soldiers eating rats and snakes. Whatever they could find.

Cats and dogs." He reeled, disgusted by the memory. " There savages, my Lord. I wouldn't be surprised if they would begin eating other commoners."

Altair stared at the man, wondering how someone could be so blind. So what if they were eating rats? This was war. And to survive, he expects nothing less. It wasn't something to be shamed over. Those men and women were fighting tooth and nail for their families and friends.

'It's like night and day.' Altair told himself. Recalling the day, Nia scolded him for torturing one of their fellow soldiers. He had felt more disgusted by her attitude then. Nia had a noble heart. She did what she thought was right. And while he didn't always approve, he respected it.

But this man.

Altair didn't understand what he was feeling at this moment as he pointed towards his door. "Tell your nobles they'll be on the battlefield tomorrow. If they don't like it, they can find somewhere else to live. Now get out."

"You! Lord Blackwood. You know as well as I do. That this battle is unwinnable, those demons are unending." Vance swore. " we—"

"I've never been one to repeat myself, " the Prince said coldly, his voice thick with presence.

Vance visibly paled and waddled out.

On top of his chair that sat like a throne, Altair felt a tinge of bitterness filling his mouth. "You may scorn a man for his lifestyle, but never shame him for it." He stood up and looked towards the great Cathedral of Light, off in the distance through his window.

His thoughts were... fathomless.