Bound by Roses (The Bound Series Book 1) (13 page)

Upon the bed lay Saledii, gowned in rich and light absorbing ebony. Small diamonds glinting in the candlelight as stars would in the night sky. Her fire red hair electric in candlelight, skin pale, and blood cleaned away, but still stained.

All the room was silent.

All Zhan’ding was quiet.

All were mourning.

From the mirror, Ophiuchi appeared as silent as the room. The orb of mist floated towards the bed, the Fairy, brighter than a candles flame. A misty tendril brushed Saledii’s cold cheek as the Fairy overlooked the dead ruler, “
Death suites you, Lady Red. My Queen will find what she is after, and your attempts to keep it hidden, would have been for naught.
”

Footsteps outside of the room and a jiggling handle signaled that the Fairy did not have time to waste. Ophiuchi’s light vanished and the creature sank into the floor. Two attendants dressed in black entered.

Ophiuchi began to search.

Theodora Talisa wanted something she believed Zhan’ding held.

Eight.

It was not long before Captain Iritis and Marguerite entered and overheard the yells and commotion of the gathered Ministers,

“Does Ashok Orai have the room to foster any refugees?” Minister Emon declared. His voice echoed upwards into Marguerite’s ears.

“Or the resources—” Another announced, but fell quickly silent with a sharp gasp and intake of breath when he saw Marguerite stride down, followed closely by Iritis. The Minister cleared his throat and lowered his head as he shuffled backwards away from the staircase.

“Ashok Orai
will
make the room, Ministers. It is our duty,” Marguerite descended swiftly. Her voice carried itself with grace and dignity down the steps ahead of her.

“As for the resources, well. We have a surplus in the storehouses; I believe the last report read. Is that not correct, Minister Avana?”

Minister Avana forced a smile through his wrinkled brow. Beady eyes glared sharply at Lady White through round spectacles half the size of his face, “We have a surplus, yes, but that is taking into account the current population of Ashok Orai alone—”

“Do we not take into account potential population growth into this count?” Marguerite asked.

“Of course we do, Lady White, but—”

“Then refugees added to that will not greatly affect what we have plenty of,” Marguerite stopped before the final step.

“But how long will these resources last?” Minister Vani’s voice broke out, “Refugees will be a serious drain upon
our
resources.”

“We are helping our brethren, Ministers,” Marguerite approached the stone table with Iritis, “bakers, farmers, and soldiers. All will contribute to that which makes Ashok Orai great.”

“The refugees are fleeing their broken city,” Minister Emon began to speak again, “Who says the Wolves will not follow?”

“There is no proof to back up any claims you make,” Marguerite slammed her hands upon the stone table.

Captain Iritis stepped forward, hand in his sword’s hilt, “Should your fears be justified, Ashok Orai is better equipped to handle a few stray Wolves.”

The Ministers grumbled to themselves. Kaniz, who slipped in before them, remained among the wall.

“What do you suggest we do then, Lady White?” A Minister questioned.

“We will build our friends a new Quarter. One where they can live in peace, and we can share in their culture,” Marguerite took a seat at her chair and sat tall.

“And who will we displace in the process of this grandiose idea?” Minister Avana rose his voice in concern, “And the resources?”

“We will take the city of Zhan’ding, and incorporate it into the already stable infrastructure of Ashok Orai,” Marguerite sat calmly as she spoke. She crossed her legs and adjusted her gown. The Ministers screamed and yelled all at once, one or two hit the table before them.

“Expansion?” Minister Vani roared, “You cannot be serious?”

“I am very serious.”

“Why should we have to expand?” Minister Emon leaned upon the table, a hand shot to the sky, “Should the refugees wish to enter Ashok Orai, then they should have to live as we do!”

“These are citizens of Zhan’ding, not savages, Minister,” Marguerite said, both hands holding tight to the arms of her chair.

“Ashok Orai, has not seen an expansion of that magnitude in nearly a century!” Minister Emon who stood closest to Marguerite exclaimed.

“Or more!” Minister Aarohn clamored on. He rubbed his hands together nervously.

“Then Ashok Orai is overdue. I personally feel that a new Quarter is needed to liven up the city. What say you Captain Iritis?” Marguerite stared across the table at the Captain. He had been leaning upon the wall, watching. He adjusted and cleared his throat.

“I fully agree. I could use some more walking room. And Zhan’ding was always too far to travel for fresh brewed rose wine,” Iritis joked. Hands clutched behind his back. Kaniz brushed hair out of her face and giggled softly to herself. She was the only one who laughed.

The Ministers took up protest, and screamed. Their arms flew in all directions. Their voices overtook one another. They echoed like thunder. Marguerite merely stared at Iritis; both tried to contain their laughs.

“And what of us? Surely the Zhan’ding Ministers will want a say in day to day operations?” Minister Olan leaned forward looking.

“Then the Minister’s Council will expand,” Marguerite leaned upon the arm of her chair.

“Expand the Minister’s Council?” Minister Vani yelled.

Marguerite smiled, “Some fresh blood may do this stale Council good!”

“Stale?” Minister Emon barked.

“Lord White would have never—”

“Again I must remind you, that my father is dead!” Marguerite choked back the rage she wished to unleash upon the Ministers, as she interrupted Minister Tanba.

“May I interject, Lady White?” Captain Iritis stepped forward with a single hand in the air.  Marguerite nodded her head without speaking while all eyes fell to him.

“What could you have to offer?” Minister Thani mocked, “regarding such, political issues.”

“I may not know much, being just a humble underling, of insignificant birth” Iritis chuckled through squinted eyes. He placed a hand upon the table, “but many of the Ministers are dead.”

All the Ministers remained quiet. A few hung their heads low. Marguerite rose with her palms on the table. She leaned heavily into them, “Looks as if you have no real worries on this matter then. Correct?”

“No, none,” Minister Emon was the first to speak.

“All the Ministers were killed?” Another asked.

“Yes,” Iritis said, hands behind his back. Minister Emon rubbed his eyes and wiped away a tear.

“I do hope the challenge of coming up with the design will not be too difficult?” Marguerite broke the second silence brought on after Minister Emon spoke. “I suggest incorporating the beautiful red tiles of Zhan’ding roofs, always loved the color. Speaking of, Captain.”

“Yes?” Iritis stood at attention across from Marguerite.

“Is Zhan’ding secured?” Marguerite asked.

“Yes, Lady White,” Captain Iritis, held tight to the white tipped jewel of his sword and bowed. The jewel under his palm glistened faintly.

Marguerite moved away from the table. “Then we must go.”

“Surely, we can send soldiers to do any task?” A Minister asked.

“I have already stated my intent and reasons. That is all.” Marguerite stepped away. The Ministers uproar over all the events went unnoticed by Marguerite as she, Kaniz, and Captain Iritis ascended the stairs.

Fast as the Wind and quieter than storms, Marguerite was saddled up and ready to ride to Zhan’ding with Iritis, “I wish you would allow me to accompany you, my Lady.”

“No Kaniz, what I have to do in Zhan’ding, is best kept for one pair of eyes. Too many would put you, or anyone else in danger.” Marguerite ran her fingers across her handmaiden’s face. She brushed a thick strand behind Kaniz’s ear.

“Very well. Keep her safe Iritis!” Kaniz called out, brushing hair out of her face as the wind picked up.

“I plan on it. I lose her, I lose my job!” Iritis joked, approaching his horse. He winked to the beautiful handmaiden. Kaniz blushed as she watched them race away.

The two were off and out of the city of Ashok Orai. They raced to the forest before Ashok Orai, where the first caravan of refugees arrived. They all carried what they could, or what remained in their destroyed homes. Marguerite did not know which. They were tired. Flanked by soldiers in white. Marguerite could see they were apprehensive in the woods. From what she knew of the woods beyond Zhan’ding, she could understand. Marguerite and the Captain raced past and out of the forest.

Nine.

While Marguerite and Captain Iritis rushed onward, near chaos tightened its grip upon the dying city. Its citizens tried to fight to remain in the only home some had ever known. Broken shards of brick flew through the air. Citizens clashed with the white armored Ashok Orai soldiers. Shields were high, but swords remained sheathed.

“Many of your soldiers are dead!” An Ashok Orai soldier tried to calm the storm that brewed, “No one is going to protect you should you not decide to relocate!”

“Do you think that we need your kindness?” A resident threw another stone at the soldier. It deflected harmlessly off his shield with a dull
ping
.

“We do not need your generosity!” A second resident yelled.

Another rock flew towards the soldiers.

“We have protected the realm, while your precious city reaped the rewards. We will protect ourselves!” Another stone flew it at the soldiers, who raised shields in defense. More residents threw stones at the soldiers as they backed into a wall. A soldier looked upon another, “Go! Get Captain Iritis! Fly on the Wings of Sarenith! GO!”

A soldier slipped away on horseback. He fled through broken streets. Many who saw him, threw rocks, bricks, and bottles. Anything they could find. He sped towards Ashok Orai but barely escaped the cities crumbling gates when he stopped before the approaching Marguerite, “Captain! Lady White! By the Gods!”

“Report, soldier,” Iritis calmed his horse, as the soldier rested his.

“The citizens are unhappy,” he exclaimed.

“What do you mean, unhappy?” Marguerite asked.

“They grow restless. We are under attack.”

“Let us go,” Iritis declared. With a snap of the reigns all three were off. Marguerite and Iritis followed the soldier through the poorly kept streets. The crowd had grown, noise thunderous.

Marguerite’s horse moved between the soldiers and crowd of citizens. The horse neighed loudly whilst upon two legs before landing sharply. It’s hooves echoed like thunder.

“Enough!” Marguerite stared at the Zhan’ding citizens, “What is the meaning of this?”

“If it isn’t Lady White herself, come to evict us?” The first resident bellowed, bowing as low as she could. In her hand a broken red brick.

Marguerite climbed off her horse,

“We do not force any to leave their homes.”

Captain Iritis soon followed suit and was next to her. His hand gripped the handle of his sword apprehensively as she continued to speak, “if you wish to stay, Ashok Orai will help you rebuild.”

“Are you here hoping that your voice will cause us to see new light?” The voice of the opposition grew stronger with each passing moment.

“I have merely come to pay respects to Rose Red,” Marguerite declared loudly.

“How
dare
you use that name!” Another cried out in tears. “You will address her as Lady Red!”

“She was a sister to me, and I will do no such thing!” Marguerite held back tears as she shouted to the crowd. Iritis placed a hand upon her shoulder and she took a deep breath.

Another stepped forward, “Then what? Force us to Ashok Orai?”

“We can offer you safety and security, something we have failed to do as of late,” Marguerite stated.

“Ashok Orai does not have the room for so many!” A voice called out. The crowd grew in number with every passing moment.

“We shall build the room. Help us. Help us move the stones of Zhan’ding to Ashok Orai. Together, we can build a new city. A new future for both Houses,” Marguerite tried to talk louder than those that opposed her, empty hands in the air.

The House of Red has fallen!
People shouted

What of the lands beyond? Who will protect them?

Ashok Orai is the last Great House.

We would be citizens under the banner of the White Rose!

The people called one after the other.

“Then we shall make a new Great House!” Marguerite yelled, “a better House.”