Chapter 14
Seilnai sat up in bed, screaming at the top of her lungs, then fell back against her mattress. Her scream alarmed her guard of two Forsaken soldiers outside her door. They burst in, searching for an intruder only to find the room empty. Only Seilnai was in the room, sleeping in her soft bed. She suddenly started thrashing her arms and legs again, screaming a piercing, painful scream. They rushed to her side and shake her by the shoulder.
Her eyes opened to find two ugly creatures with gray skin and dreadlocks staring down at her. Even through their grotesque features, she could see a look of concern for their queen on their faces.
“Who attacked you, my queen?” One of them asked.
“Nobody,” she said, then propped herself up in bed. As she did, she felt the blood soaking into the sheets.
Seilnai jumped out of bed, staring at the blood in horror.
“Undo the back of my dress,” she commanded the Forsake soldiers.
One of them unzipped the dress to halfway down her back, then she walked to the mirror in the room and turned around. Looking over her shoulder she saw gashes from whip wounds up and down her back. Before they merely appeared as scratches or scars. These looked more like fresh wounds. She had no idea what was causing her injuries, she would have known if someone had entered her room.
“Maybe we should go back to the castle,” the other Forsaken suggested.
“No!” She snapped.
The Forsaken flinched as she raised both of her hands. Then she closed her eyes and pointed her index fingers at her back as she muttered a few words. The wounds sealed up, then suddenly one appeared down her chest with many more right after. She fell to the floor, writhing in pain and screaming once again. Once the wounds stopped appearing, she got to her feet again and sealed up her new wounds. She didn't know how, but she had to figure out what the problem was and fast. She couldn't have this kind of thing happening in battle.
“Ready the troops. We need to be in Serpa as soon as possible,” she commanded.
The Forsaken left the room to follow out their orders while Seilnai studied the wounds on her chest.
How is this happening? She asked herself. What kind of magic are they using on me? This must be Serina's doing. She did something when she was in my head.
Seilnai vowed she would kill Serina with her own hand for giving her this debilitating condition. This could cost her the war if she didn't get it corrected and soon.
Seth wanted to kill the men in Serpa for the cat calls they were throwing at Serina and Karis. He had to remind himself that these men were criminals, all confined to one area. The law of Eranithia didn't apply to them as long as they remained in Serpa.
The city of Serpa surrounded the entire Serpant's Head Lake. Much of the city had even spilled onto the lake itself. There were many wooden avenues leading to homes and shops on the lake. Those who lived on the lake had a small rowboat to travel from place to place, or to the mainland if need be. Had it not been for the dirtiness of the city, because of the lawlessness of the criminals who occupied the city, then it might have been a nice place to live. They had a great view of the Gar Mountains, being set at the foothills of the Blood Mountains. From the location of the city, most of Eranithia could be seen.
What Seth was looking for, though, in Serpa was the largest house. Your wealth in Serpa was determined by your possessions. The one with the most money owned the largest house and had the most stuff to fill it with. This person was also seen as someone of a governor as well. Seth knew if he could get through to this person, then most of Serpa would follow.
Looking over at Serina he could see her poise. Seth was impressed at her ability to ignore the comments thrown at them by the vulgar men of Serpa. Karis, on the other hand, looked ready to lop off the head of any man who came too close. He had no doubt she would either.
When, finally, they saw the largest house in Serpa, they stopped, admiring the structure. It looked like a small wooden castle of sorts. More house-like, but it was incredibly large. It looked to contain about eight rooms for sleeping, four gathering rooms, and each of the three stories had places for gather on the outside. The first and second floors had wraparound porches, and the third had two large balconies on the front of the house, and one on either of the sides as well. Seth assumed the back looked similar to the front.
The house was painted a grayish-blue color with white trim. The railings of the balconies and porches were also white. Seth climbed the five steps up to the first level wraparound porch, then knocked on the dark blue door. He heard shouting and swearing from somewhere behind the door, mixed in with the other noise going on inside. From what Seth could hear, it sounded like a fight was happening inside. In any other place, he might find that a reason for alarm, but seeing as they were in Serpa, it was normal to see a fight break out in just about any direction.
Steps came closer to the door, then the handle turned. When the door swung open, there stood a rough looking man about Seth's size. Defined arm muscles worked with the thick hand that gripped the doorknob. From his sleeveless and wide open white shirt, stained here and there (with blood or coffee, Seth couldn't tell), a strong, muscle ridden torso was revealed. As Seth looked up into the face of the man, angry, green eyes pierced through his brown ones.
“What do you want?” the man barked in his gruff voice.
Seth didn't let this man unsettle him. He knew he could take him in a fight if he needed to.
“I came to speak to the man of the house.”
“You're lookin' at 'im.”
“Good, I am Seth, Damien's son, and I ask for a little of your time.”
“I thought you looked familiar.”
Seth's blood froze. This man recognized him from when he had tried to live here ten years ago. Seth's hand hovered towards the hilt of his blade, ready for a fight.
The man laughed and said, “I'm not gonna kill you! Because of you, I was able to rise to where I am today! You killed my brother, who was in line to inherit our father's possessions. Now, I am king over Serpa! Come in! Come in!”
Seth looked back at his travel companions. Serina and Arland stepped forward to join him while the others stood guard outside. Karis and Tobiith took guard on either side of the door, hands resting on their swords, ready for anything. Gaith and Hiln remained on the road, to watch for any kind of danger.
“Take it outside!” The rough looking man barked at the group of men fighting in his sitting room.
The five men who were fighting all looked at him at once, frozen in their brawl. Then the ruffians quietly left the room and sat in the kitchen, waiting for their breakfast to be served. The each took a seat in a plush chair around the room, while Randall sat on the sofa, with his back to the large window next to the front door. He crossed one leg over the other and stretched his arms out along the back of the sofa.
“Family,” he said with a chuckle.
Seth grinned back at him.
“Well, since I know who you are, I guess it would only be polite to introduce myself. My name is Randall Craig-son, son of Craig Michael-son, head over all of Serpa.”
“It is our pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir,” Seth said, dipping his head in respect to Randall. “As you know, I am Seth, Damien's son, and this is my twin sister, Serina. Our companion, here, is our most loyal friend, Arland.”
“Looks like a Wood Elf,” Randall snarled.
“He was born into a clan and once raised by them, but he was banished because of his father's blood and his hatred for their ways. Sol created him differently, though the blood of his father, so that he would not be fully associated with the Wood Elves.”
“I don't care about that. Wood Elf or good Elf, it means nothing to me.”
Seth looked at Randall feeling a little confused. Then why the comment about Arland looking like a Wood Elf?
“As far as I'm concerned, he's an Elf and not welcome in my home.”
Seth realized Randall hated all elves. He looked at Arland who stood up to leave.
“Arland-” Seth started to say.
Arland held up his hand to quiet Seth but kept his eyes on Randall.
“Not to worry, Seth, I will leave. If my presence offends our host, then I shall step outside and wait. I will stand guard with the others.”
Seth didn't know what to say, then Serina spoke to his mind.
Seth, he understands the importance of winning Serpa and is willing to make any small sacrifice he must to gain their trust.
Seth looked at Serina then back at Arland. He nodded his thanks to the Elf and Arland dipped his head in return, then stepped outside with the others.
“That's better,” Randall said.
“Just to let you know, Randall, Arland is one of my closest friends, and an insult to a friend is considered an insult to me and the throne of Eranithia.”
“Then maybe you would like to leave?” Randall suggested.
Seth breathed deeply to calm himself before saying, “No, I apologize for bringing an unwelcome guest into your home, it was rude of me.”
Seth hated to submit to the racism of Randall, but instead of acting out in his anger, he prayed that Sol would bring about a change instead. Peace and freedom was what they were fighting for, so he must show peace to all men.
“So, what brings you to Serpa, young king?” Randall asked.
“We have traveled here to ask for your support in our fight against Arnath. We need all the help we can get to take the throne back from our uncle,” Seth told him.
“And what's in it for us? You know this town isn't part of the Eranithian kingdom.”
“Yes, but Seilnai has already brought some of the Geoth into Eranithia, so either she provided them with protection while they are here, or she has erased the line that keeps them in Geotha.”
“What is your point?”
“They have always wanted complete control of the Blood Mountains. What will stop them if they are allowed in Eranithia once again?”
Randall looked from Seth to Serina, lust in his eyes. Seth didn't like how Randall looked upon his sister, but there was nothing he could do about it at the moment. He couldn't offend Randall again.
“We can defend ourselves against a few giants.”
“From the information we have picked up from Arnath's and the Cathian troops is that the Geoth's numbers reach to just over one hundred.”
“That's an interesting fact, but still not enough to persuade me.”
“You must realize that if Arnath wins this war, he will come and reclaim all of Serpa, including the Serpentine River and Serpentine Valley. You will lose the freedom that is recognized by the good kings of Eranithia. The truce that was made between our kings and yours will vanish.”
Randall sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees and rubbing his chin with one of his meaty hands. Seth looked at those huge mitts and thought they could snap even his neck if Randall could get a hold of him.
“I would hate for us to lose the freedom we do have,” Randall admitted. “But what gain is there for us if we join you? You will take back this land as well, will you not?”
“If you stay true to us, we will allow you to keep your great city,” Serina said, piping in.
Randall looked at her with that lustful look again, “Is that right, Princess?”
Serina kept herself calm and cool.
“Now, you two are twins right?” Randall asked.
They both nodded.
“Then why is it she looks so much younger?”
Serina smiled and said, “Have you not paid attention to what has been happening the past ten years? How my parents were murdered, and how they faked my death, then framed my dear brother for it?”
“I guess I don't get out much, seeing as I'm not to leave Serpa.”
“Well, I will catch you up on the past ten years then, Randall,” Serina said, still in her cool and calm voice. She told him the entire story of the murders of Damien and Seraphim, the enchanted sleep she had been under for ten years and how it was the prophesied twins who rescued her. She even told him how Seilnai was the twin sister of the pair who had rescued her and how Seilnai wasn't who she really was. Seilnai was an alias taken on by the evil inside her. She explained to him how over the past year and a half, she has aged four years to catch up to where she should be.
“That's quite the story,” Randall admitted.
“Here is our promise to you, great ruler of Serpa,” Serina said, buttering him up. “We will allow you to stay in control of Serpa, and to even run it as you see fit, if you will pledge your allegiance to us, and join our forces with whatever men you can bring. We will provide protection for you and all who join our side and give you your land back after the war is through.”
“That's pretty impressive, however, there is still the problem of being under Eranithian control.”
“It's better than losing all control if Arnath wins. Your land is beautiful, and he wants more for himself. He doesn't care who he hurts to get what he wants,” Seth said. He could feel his face turning red as it grew hot with frustration.
Randall grinned at him, seemingly pleased at Seth's frustration. Suddenly they heard a commotion outside. They all stood and stepped outside the door. Karis and Arland looked as if they were about to burst in to warn them about something.
Down the road they saw Seilnai's troops spreading throughout the streets. They weren't attacking the citizens of Serpa, but tossing gold pieces to them. They were bribing the Serpians to join their side!
“Now, that's something hard to argue with. Gold,” Randall said, “is the one thing any Serpian can understand.”
Seth's blood ran cold as his stomach sank and his heart raised into his throat. How would he win the Serpians now? Seth grabbed the hilt of his sword as Seilnai came towards them, slowly making her way up the steps of the porch.
“Randall, is it?” Seilnai asked sweetly. Seth could hear the voice of Jennifer in there somewhere.
“Why yes, ma'am, you are correct.”
“May I have a word with you?”
He looked to Seth and gave him a wink, saying, “Thanks for stopping by, Seth. It was great catching up.”
Seth stared at him, dumfounded at what had just happened. Seilnai must have played some sort of mind trick on him to allow this to happen. Suddenly he felt someone's hand on his arm. He turned and saw that it was Serina. She was pulling him away from the house.
“It's no use now. We've done all we can,” she said sadly.
Seth watched as Seilnai entered the house. She looked back with one evil grin, then closed the door behind her. Jennifer was lost forever, in Seth's mind. There was no way to bring her back. What could they possibly do to bring Jennifer back to them?
Seth walked away with his small guard. Some of the Underworld creatures tried to attack them, but they were tossed away by an unseen force. Seth assumed it to be Serina.
Nice toss, he said to her.
That wasn't me, she said. Sol is protecting us while we're in Serpa. As we were walking in, I noticed a couple arrows flying for us but before I could repel them, they flew back into the hands of their owners.
Seth had no idea that Sol had protected them like he had, but Seth also didn't care at the moment. He was full of self-pity and self-doubt. He doubted they would win the war now. Randall would lead all of Serpa to Seilnai's army. She would more than likely have them turned into werewolves or vampires. Jennifer was lost forever to Seilnai, there was no hope in bringing her back to light. Seth believed that the light in her head that was all the good left of Jennifer was now out.
That night, as they slept around the campfire, Serina sensed someone approaching their camp. She found a pebble and threw it at Seth, hitting him square in the head.
“Ow!” He said, sitting up. “What was the meaning of that?”
“Someone is coming!” She whispered.
The rest of their camp stood, weapons ready to face their enemy. Serina searched with her mind for any thoughts of who was approaching. Then she met the mind of Randall. He had fifty men and their families with them.
How many are with you in all? Serina asked Randall.
Two-hundred. Sixty of them able to fight.
That is all you could bring? Serina asked.
“That's all that weren't swayed to Seilnai's side,” he said as they entered the light of the fire.
“What happened?” Seth asked, stepping up to Randall.
“She tried to turn my mind against me. I'm not as easily swayed as people might think,” he said.
“What about the rest?”
“Like I said, gold is hard to argue with,” he said sadly.
“Well,” Seth reached out his hand, “it is good to have you with us.”
Randall nodded then gave orders to his men to spread out around the fire and set up a perimeter to protect their families with. Serina started smaller campfires, surrounding the main one, for families to share and keep warm easier. Randall nodded his thanks to her.
“So, what made up your mind?” Seth asked him as they sat next to each other by the main fire.
“I could see the lies in her mind as she tried to control mine. However, there seemed to be a small light in there somewhere, conflicting with the darkness and the lies. I can't explain it, but it's like there was someone else inside her, like you were saying.”
Serina looked at Seth with a smile. Jennifer was still in there somewhere. Serina was impressed by how strong Jennifer was. Granted, Seilnai was doing horrible things, but the real Jennifer was still holding on! Still trying to be seen! Striving to be freed!
“But something else happened that I found strange,” Randall said.
“What is that?” Seth asked.
Serina looked at the man curiously as he explained himself.
“She suddenly screamed as a large scratch appeared on her face. It just came out of nowhere. Nobody hit her or anything. It just opened up and started bleeding.”
Serina looked at Seth who looked back at her with the same confused, but intrigued, look she was giving. What could this possibly mean? They both wondered at this mystery.
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