Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 209: Scene CCIX

Even if congratulating the resilience the hawk had demonstrated, Jollveld’s mood became ominous as his hand took the message the bird had delivered. Calling with the clink of bells for the awaiting guards at his doors to give caring orders for the brave feather. Busy... while also unfolding the piece of parchment.

“You have called, your Sovereignty?”

“Tend to this hawk. Feed him and heal his wounds fully. Treat it carefully for it’s the Archduke’s loyal server.”

“Understood. It shall be as Your Majesty instructs.” — Coming closer to carefully take in his arms the wounded creature, the composed knight bowed respectfully, attempting to leave his Ruler’s presence... Solely to be stopped in place by Jollveld’s dreadful voice, that would add another order of further importance.

“... Wait.”

“?? Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Before tending to it... send word to Aslak. Tell him to come see me... immediately.”

“... Is there-”

“Do not dare ask. Tell him to come see me, right now.” — Stopping any attempt of the curious young knight, Jollveld glared as the small scroll was clenched by his hand. Watching intently how the knight offered a silent reverence in apology to quickly leave his sight; letting his solitude release a deep sigh once more only that this time any energy the King had tried to protect was taken away by the news conveyed in the message the hawk had brought.

“Why now... of all times... for it to happen now... Otrur Nolsvun... you wouldn’t make Uth send this if you weren’t sure, would you?”

Aware that the news could not be taken lightly, Jollveld’s headache intensified, holding his head with spread hand for the present was too harsh for the circumstances the Kingdom was facing.

“This kind of destiny... it’s not the one I had in mind... What is it that the earth desires from us... I cannot tell anymore...”

Time had become scarce for the Kingdom. And yet... to those ones requiring it, time would slip from their hands like the water separating two kingdoms would.

Aslak’s summoning was to be at the discussion hall, where political matters were usually agreed upon by the advisors of the King and the King himself. However, a decision was to be taken only by those sharing a speck of their blood, for even under the circumstances... Aslak was the one to take the lead in any option the advisors would take in a close debate.

*Tock...* — The sound of the door opening without announcing himself was clearly the sign of the Archduke’s arrival, and while standing before the luxurious map painted while carved in the stone making the vast wall of the discussion hall, Jollveld turned to meet the exhausted amber he shared with his cousin... solely that the true savage’s appeared void of the flame he had as the anticipation that drowned him in joy that morning was far forgotten.

“...”

“... How is she?”

“..... What happened.”

“... Is she alright now? I want to know.” — Seeing how the cousin avoided the question by lowering his head as the door was closed behind him by the knights outside, Jollveld took the time they did not have to care for his cousin whom he cared for as a brother. Demanding an answer while acting strict and using his Hierarchy that never before probed successful.

“..... She’s... she’s alive...”

“That’s good.”

“Yet I still lost her.”

“..... Aslak?” — To the certain mumbling the man let out, Jolleveld lifted his head to look him in the eye again, being stunned by the sight of drops falling easily from the wild man as the pain itself was drawn in his expression and stance. — “What... What are you suddenly saying?”

“It hurts... b-breathing hurts, Jollveld... my Fatædi... she prefers death before breathing alongside me...” — The Archduke, the cousin... the savage once known for his lack of sentiments towards the other now showed a distorted demeanour that demonstrated his humanity.

Aslak, broken-hearted as he was, saw in the king before him the only one whom he could tell the ripping sensations taking possession of his soul, chest and heart; meeting his eyes showcasing the despair his tough body did not know how to convey and would only tremble as the frozen hand that felt unable to hold onto anything extended towards Jollveld, asking with the harmful glint of his amber for an answer to what this torture was.

“Have I... with the hands I carefully touched her... Have I broken my zeal amour??”

“...”

“E-Ewelina wants to die... she said... She said she despises me...”

“... Calm down...”

“The axe I was to teach her with to fight, she used it to cut her wrist before me.”

“Aslak... don’t torture yourself-”

*Slap!*

“You didn’t see it.” — Slapping away the hand that was about to come to support him by placing it on his shoulder, Aslak, continued. Unable to make sense of his expression as this much grief had never been experienced. — “Her blood, it fell heavy on the ground of the chamber we shared. If I hadn’t stayed away as she yelled me to, the blood would have fallen from her neck!”

“Aslak, I know it’s difficult but fucking calm down.”

“I can’t!! Her hand! It didn’t hesitate!! She-”

“Aslak!! The branches are cracking!! The ground is ripping!!”

“..... What?”

The stillness penetrated like thunder into his bones.... Such brief sentences were the least expected for the Archduke to hear at this moment.

Branches cracking... ground ripping... Sortnafeigr’s dangers within its soil were rumbling in fury, announcing that gruesome days were to shortly fall on its habitants.

“... Grey, your hawk flew here with the message.” — Jollveld continued trying to ignore the shock in Aslak’s eyes. — “It could have died since I had already given the order to kill any feather going east... This isn’t the only problem right now, Aslak.”

“... To the east is Herklain.”

“Sigh... at least you understand why the order was given.” — Jollveld frowned. — “Today’s events have made a mess of the Kingdom’s stability... War will break out as soon as word reaches Herklain and now fury in the core of Sortnafeigr is about to take over... We need to decide what we’ll do from here on, Aslak.”