The Death of the Lake (9)

A dark fantasy

Chapter 9: Shadows of thoughts

Luke ran through the snows like a madman. He stumbled into the castle half-naked, covered in melting snow, slipping and falling on the wooden floor with his icy, wet boots, until he reached his chamber, shut the door behind him and sat on the floor trying to catch his breath. He slapped his own forehead and tore his wet hair. What had he done?! What will happen to poor Anaish after this? Will her sisters lose the chance to be married?

The storm outside calmed down and so did Luke. He took off his wet boots, got up and paced back and forth thinking. Maybe it wasn’t all that bad. Maybe Anaish’s sisters would keep quiet and it will all hush down. Nobody had to know! Snakelings were clever - the sisters must understand their own future was at stake. 

Restless Luke went to Herki; his brother would surely believe Luke meant no harm.

“Herks, I’m in trouble!” Luke said, his blue eyes full of fear.

“What did you do?” Herki smiled with disbelief, but before the latter could explain, a Snakeling servant knocked on the door. He summoned the young Thilian Lord to the hall, where he was expected by the Snakeling Lord. 

Luke grabbed Herki’s hand. 

“You must believe me, Herks, it was not like that! Whatever they say, it wasn’t…”

The servant cleared his throat obviously expecting Luke to follow at once.

Herki went along.

The barefoot Thilian walked into the hall, nearly everybody staring at him with contempt. Merush sat in his throne with the Snakeling Elders all around, in front of them stood both Anaish’s sisters and the girl herself. She appeared to have been dragged through the snow by her hair. Miserable and wet, she stood with the same fear in her eyes as Luke. 

Merush got up and walked to Luke. 

“Is this true, young Thilian Lord? These two women claim you have disgraced their sister?”

“I haven’t!”

“Are they lying? Did they not find you in bed with her?” Merush spoke calmly, but Luke saw the Elders behind him whispering and staring hatefully at both Luke and Anaish. 

“No, they’re not lying, but we did nothing! She was frozen in the snow, I just wished to save her…” Luke was rudely interrupted by the chorus of both sisters and the Elders murmuring disapprovingly. 

“Banished! Both should be banished!” the Elders hissed one by one. 

“We don’t want anything to do with this filth! We are decent maidens to be wed soon!” The sisters stepped away from Anaish. The poor girl was lost in the vast unfamiliar space. She tried to go after the sisters, but tripped and fell. Sad and miserable, Anaish sat on the floor abandoned by all. 

“Can you truly declare you did not want to take the girl’s virtue?” Merush addressed Luke again.

“Of course, I didn’t! I don’t even like her, as a girl, I mean… well, look at her!” Luke stuttered and gestured at the girl. Anaish flinched painfully. Merush shook his head and stepped aside with Luke.

“I cannot ignore the will of the Elders. My reign has just begun and they are not happy with me already,”

“But you must believe me!”

“I do! They expect me to act according to Snakeling laws,” Merush said looking at Anaish sympathetically.

“What shall be the Lord’ s will? The Elders insist on banishment!” They spoke. 

“What does that mean?” Luke asked quietly.

“It means you and Anaish are to leave the town and live in the forest. Not only is she disgraced, she was also not to be wed at all. Whatever you did, or didn’t do - you can’t stay here,” Merush explained. 

“No! Anaish can’t go into the forest! She’ll die in the cold! That’s what I saved her from in the first place!” Luke exclaimed.

“The laws are clear, young Thilian Lord. And she’s not the only one being banished. You may want to return to your father,” The Elders stated with no sign of mercy in their cold Snakeling eyes. 

Suddenly Mari, standing in the shadows of the hall, run up to Merush and whispered something in his ear. The Elders frowned with disgust at the sight of their Lord’s wife. Merush nodded silently to Mari.

“My will is such - the girl shall be banished, but only when the snows retreat. The young Thilian Lord is to return home if his father approves, if not - there are plenty of islands in the lake for him to find a new refuge,” the Snakeling Lord spoke.

“But our Lord! We shall not share a home with the disgraced one! We are decent maidens!” the sisters objected. 

“The girl will stay here and serve my wife for she is in need of a maid. But as soon as spring arrives - young Anaish will leave,”

The Elders hissed infuriated; they would have to share their roof with this filthy creature for several months!

“Snakelings are known to be cold-blooded beings, but we are not ruthless. Are you willing to take this girl’s death upon your souls? She will be banished, but not driven into certain death,” Merush said sternly, making all the Elders go silent. He bowed to them, they slightly nodded and paced away. Mari and Ulise ran up to Anaish, helped her up and took her away. 

“That was not good at all, my brother,” Herki came to him.

“I already told you - I was saving her life!” Luke objected.

“Not that. You weren’t exactly kind to the girl just now,” Herki shook his head.

“Oh… oooh… I didn’t even think about it,” Poor Luke stared at his feet ashamed. 

Luke couldn’t sleep that night, tossing and turning in bed. Not only was he to blame for all this mess, he had also been unforgivably rude to Anaish. Mari and Ulise took care of the girl. Luke didn’t dare to look for her to apologise that night. He did not show his face outside his chamber. 

Of course, Anaish couldn’t serve as a maid. The castle was unknown to her; both Mari and Ulise helped her to get around. The next day Luke gathered all his courage, and knocked on the door of the small chamber given to Anaish. Mari opened. She frowned, yet went out to let the two speak.

Luke was surprised to see Anaish wearing a pretty dress, not the usual Snakeling clothing - a long, knitted tunica with a belt. She wore an Autumnian dress that Mari gave her. Luke had to admit, properly attired with her hair brushed and pinned up neatly, Anaish appeared almost pretty. If she would have smiled with her dimples showing, Luke could’ve even called her beautiful. The boy stood silent trying to find the right words.

“Don’t!” Anaish scolded him, before Luke had even made a sound. Her large green eyes turned at him. Although he knew she couldn’t see, her stare was mercilessly slamming Luke’s guilty conscience.

“What?” he asked stupidly.

“Don’t apologise for telling the truth. You said exactly what you thought - I am hardly desirable to a man,”

“I didn’t mean … I was just…”

“I wish you would’ve let me die in the snow. What a beautiful death it could have been! I fell asleep listening to your song,” Anaish hung her head. 

Overwhelmed by her words, Luke rushed out of the chamber like a fool. What could he say?!

Luke ran through the halls, without even looking where his feet took him, until he accidently pushed a maiden in his way.

“Only a fool without a single sensible though in his head runs onward blindly!” The maiden cursed him.

“A thousand apologies, miss!” Luke swiftly turned back. His eyes widened, the boy stood struck by the beauty he saw before him. The girl wasn’t a Snakeling, she wasn’t a Thilian or an Autmnian either. The girl had thick, wavy, black hair, fair skin with red cheeks and piercing black eyes. Indeed, she appeared wise beyond her years. 

Without knowing any better, Luke bowed.

“You might be a fool, but a Thilian as well; the ones who came from the sun. A bright and honest soul you possess, a ray of sun on the darkened land,” the girl spoke with a soft smile.

Surprised by the unexpected compliment, Luke bowed once again.

“Young Lord Lukean of Thilia island, son of Lord Hadrian. And you must be the dead Healer?” Luke started his introduction confident, but cursed his own foul tongue by the end of it.

Crane gave a girly giggle. 

“Sometimes an honest young fool can do more good than a deceitful wise man. Especially if the fool is handsome,” She winked at Luke and went past him, but after a few steps turned around, just to witness the bewildered boy staring at her backside. Crane laughed melodiously and added,

“Yes, I am the dead Healer! My name is Crane. I’ll see you again, the one who came from the sun,”

Luke tried not to stare at her features in case she would look back again, but it wasn’t an easy task for the boy - Crane indeed had a nice figure for her young age. He smiled looking at the girl disappearing behind the corner. 

“Did you apologise?” Herki came up to him. 

“What? Oh, no… Anaish didn’t want me to apologise,”

Herki sighed heavily.

“Poor girl! The fate has scolded her without a reason. I can easily understand you wanting to help her, but…”

“I know, I know! I should think before I open my mouth to speak,” Luke rolled his eyes; he had made himself look like a fool more than enough these last days.

In the evening, the guests of the Snakelings were summoned to a meeting with Merush and the Elders. They hissed at the sight of Luke sitting down by the council table with them. Merush explained,

“Young Lord Lukean represents Thilia island, since his father is unable to join us because of the lake being frozen. The matter is much more significant than the recent events,”Merush paused as the Elders kept murmuring hatefully, “As you all know Lord Morten is bound to recover from his injury, but our young guest from the Birdling folk has provided me with useful knowledge on the nature of his recovery. Crane, would you be so kind to share with the rest of the council?”

“Of course, Lord Merush. Since our enemy received a good amount of Birdling blood I predict a full recovery by autumn. His strength shall be tremendous, his powers - amplified. If he indeed plans to turn lake Autumna into land, there will be power within him to do so even more than before,”

All the while Crane spoke, Luke couldn’t help but stare at her with admiration - such beauty and wisdom combined, within a frail, feminine body! 

She went quiet and to Luke’s delight gave him a tiny, barely noticeable glimpse of a smile. 

“And what are we to do, Lord Merush?” the Elders pondered, “our only weapon against him is young Lord Herkian, who’s injury is a proof of both being equal in strengths, but with his father gaining an advantage…”

“That is the reason we must summon all our allies; Lord Herki shall not stand alone - the Snakelings, the Thilians and every islander in the vast Autumna lake should join him,” Merush said standing up straight and looking into Herki’s eyes. The latter sighed and shook his head.

“But will that be enough? Or furthermore - it would be an unnecessary sacrifice. No one should die from my father’s hand. I’ll have to disagree. I shall stand alone,”

The Snakeling Elders did not object. 

“I would rather die fighting, than wait to witness your defeat and bow to the villain!” Merush replied. It was the first time anyone had even heard him raising his voice. He had not forgotten all the malice he witnessed in Lord Morten’s court.

“You are speaking for yourself, we presume, my Lord? The Snakelings are wise - if our survival means submitting to the Lord of the Lake, we will not go to an open war,” one of the Elders objected.

Lord Merush looked at him spitefully with his green eyes shining. The speaker flinched; truly Merush possessed the power of a ruler. 

“There is only one Lord of the Lake - we owe our lives to him and he is sitting here beside us!” Merush said sternly, looking each of the Elders in the eye. One by one they bowed their heads. 

Merush took a deep breath.

“I shall write to Lord Hadrian of Thilia informing him of his son’s return. We will accompany young Lord Lukean, for we must discuss our further actions. I hope to visit Thilia as soon as the ice releases the lake,” he gave a slight nod to Luke. 

With that Merush declared the meeting was over, though he gave Crane a meaningful look and she stayed behind. Merush also stopped Herki at the door.

“Crane would like to examine your injury, young Lord,”

Herki frowned - why now? Crane could look at his wound any other time. It had healed well. Still, he stayed.

Crane did take a quick look at Herki’s injury. She nodded approvingly. 

“We have a proposition for you, young Lord. I don’t know how you shall take it, but I believe the stakes are too high for you to deny it,” Merush spoke, slowly pacing around Herki.

“Don’t frighten me, Merush! Oh, I mean Lord Merush,” Herki smiled, but the other two looked at him most seriously. 

“After taking my blood and recovering Lord Morten indeed will be more powerful than you or the forces of all the islanders combined,” Crane said straightforwardly. 

“We propose to give you Crane’s blood, to make your chances even,”

Herki stared at him with both disbelief and shock.

“You’re serious?” 

“We are. I am willing to give you Bridling blood with all the magic it possesses,” Crane explained.

“No! No! It’s unthinkable! Crane, you almost died after the last time,”

“I am willing to sacrifice my blood to save many lives from an evil Lord,” Crane stated, raising her chin proudly.

“No! I do not agree!” Herki shook his head and went to the door.

“Think about it! We’ll be waiting for your reply,” Merush called after him.

“My reply is - no!” Herki didn’t even look back.

He ran back to his chamber. Unbelievable! How could Crane herself think of something so vile? Herki rushed into the chamber and embraced Ulise tight.

“What is it? What happened? Is your wound not healing well? What did Crane say?”

But before he had the chance to answer - the flame woke inside him. Since Herki began to recover, slowly the flames were awakened by Ulise’s nearness, yet he held them back until his full recovery.

Once again, the fire rushed through his whole body. His hands burned holes in Ulise’s dress, she shrieked in pain. Herki pulled away from her and ran out of the chamber.

The miserable Dragonling stumbled into the Snakeling castle’s kitchen, took a large bottle of Snakeling booze and sat down on the floor drinking the burning pain away. The beverage was indeed strong - soon enough he felt relieved. Quiet footsteps came up to him through the darkened kitchen; it was late and all the Snakeling cooks had gone home.

“The Dragonlings suffered a fate worse than death, bound to live with a dragon’s flame within them,” said Crane standing in front of Herki.

“A high price to pay for vanity,” she added.

“I have not been vain, why am I punished with such a fate?” Herki’s teary amber-coloured eyes stared up at the Healer.

“The kind dragon…” Crane gently stroke his black hair, “indeed, you suffer without a guilt. It’s never fair for the innocent to suffer from the long-lasting malice of the guilty. Therefore, I beg you to consider my offer; take my blood, you’ll save the Lake and all the innocent lives dwelling on its islands,”

“For the cost of your life? No, I shall not act like my father!”

“You still have time to think it through; I have to gain more blood and strength. But don’t hesitate too long; we must do the infusion before Lord Morten strikes again,”

Herki looked away and drank a mouthful of the booze.

“It is not the best way to drown your flame, but…” Crane took the bottle from his hand, smelled the drink and gave it back, “it will do for now. You must be gentle with young Ulise, knowing the state she’s in,”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, you halfwit folk who see nothing! Why must the Birdling Healers be cursed with a sharp eye!” Crane cried out, but then she smiled, “your wife carries a child. You must protect her from your flames. But don’t overdo it with the Strong water!”

She left Herki sitting on the floor with his mouth open.

Herki ran past Luke without a word, the latter stared after him, raising his brows. Herki appeared overwhelmed by happiness. Whatever was the cause of his joy, he did not stop to share with his friend. Luke presumed it had something to do with Ulise, and didn’t tag along to find out. He turned around a dark corner, just to run directly into Crane.

“A thousand apologies, miss… Healer!” the startled boy exclaimed.

Crane didn’t seem surprised at all. It almost appeared she was expecting Luke to come.

“You may call me Crane. And I will call you Luke, because I’m well aware you prefer it rather than Lukean,” she smiled.

“Can you… can you read thoughts?” Luke asked blushing, he desperately tried not to think anything embarrassing, but his imagination went wild.

Crane laughed.

“I can see shadows of thoughts,”

“Really? I must apologise for… my… shadows… ,” the poor boy stuttered. Crane blushed and touched his cheek.

“I see your soul of sunshine, and your thoughts are cloudless - pure desires of a young man’s spirit, not yet tainted by lust,”

Indeed, Luke’s thoughts revolved around admiring Crane’s beauty in the soft candle light and an urge to kiss her.

“I… should go now. I don’t mean to disgrace another maiden,” Luke spewed out, hating his loose tongue, and rushed onward.

“You meant no harm, just to save her from the freezing cold, I know!” Crane shouted. Luke looked back smiling - at least somebody believed him. Both stood with their eyes locked in a smile, lost in time, for both did not know how long they lingered, until they were interrupted by somebody bumping into Luke.

“I’m sorry,” a quiet voice said. It was Anaish. She stumbled her way forward, touching the walls with her hands.

“What are you doing here alone?” Luke turned his eyes back to Crane, but she was gone.

“I have to know the castle if I’m to serve as a maid,”

“Nobody expects you to really serve. Come, I’ll take you back to the chamber,” Luke suggested and took her hand. Anaish hung her head and went along.

“You were not alone,” she said after a while.

“I was not,” Luke confirmed.

“Forgive me, I didn’t want to…”

“But you did! Please don’t go walking around the castle alone! I’m sure Mari or Ulise will be glad to take you for a walk,” he didn’t wish to scold her, but the words came out more harsh than expected. Anaish nodded silently. Luke led her into the chamber without saying a word, all the while thinking of Cranes deep, black eyes.

Herki was overwhelmed by the happy news - he and Ulise both radiated joy walking through the castle hallways. Nevertheless, time went on, Merush wrote to the Lord of Thilia requesting a meeting on the island. He inquired if Lord Hadrian was willing to take his son back. The Lord’s answer was such - he agreed to hold the meeting on Thilia island, for he too had heard of Morten’s dark scheme to turn the lake into land. Lord Hadrian was glad to receive Luke; one child he had lost to death, other to evil, he wished to have his son back. The formalities of the meeting were yet to be settled, but Lord Hadrian did not agree for Herki’s presence on the island. The meeting was set on the next day after the lake would be free from its icy covers.

Luke once again went to the tower of the Snakeling castle. The air was cold, but the scent of early spring hit his face with the fresh, cool wind. The night was late, yet Luke knew - she’ll come. She always did. He and Crane had been meeting on the tower every few days. He came and somehow Crane knew, and she appeared more quietly than the stars in the evening skies.

They spoke softly, they looked into each other’s eyes and held hands. The innocence of their togetherness hadn’t yet been broken by a kiss. Though Luke longed for it.

The lake was finally free from its icy shackles, tomorrow they were to sale to Thilia.

A pale full moon shone upon the wavy waters. Luke didn’t wait long until Crane came. He rushed to hold her hands; her soft palms always greeted Luke with warmth. Luke kissed them and looked into Cranes eyes smiling.

“The one who came from the sun, you brighten my soul every time I see your smile,” she whispered.

“It’s easy to smile whenever you’re near me,”

Both stood in silence diving deep into each other’s gaze. Luke could not stop himself - the time was right. He felt the girl longing for the kiss as much as he did. Both leaned closer their lips nearly touched, but suddenly Crane stopped, pulled back and stared at something in the lake.

“Luke, you are needed. Look, the Snakeling maiden!” She pointed at a dark silhouette of a girl wading into the water with her hands awkwardly stretched in front of her.

Luke saw her, but when he turned to Crane - yet again the Healer had disappeared. No time to look for Crane! Why was that mad Anaish going into the lake? It was too cold for a swim!

Luke ran down to the shore; Anaish was already chest-deep in the water. He didn’t dare to follow, Luke pushed a boat into the lake and rowed to the girl.

“Stop, Anaish! Stop! What are you doing?!”

She didn’t stop, but stubbornly swam away from Luke. He comprehended - soon enough the cold water will become deadly to the Snakeling maiden. When he got to her, Luke reached over the side of the boat to grab her, but Anaish wouldn’t let him. Luke lost his balance, the boat tipped over, he was in the ice-cold water! The poor boy struggled and gasped for air. Anaish held him above water, but the girl herself was barely conscious because of the cold.

Suddenly the water held them up and a strong current carried them to the shore - Herki swam to them, and the lake obeyed his will. He pulled both of them out of the lake.

“Crane called me. What were you thinking?!” Herki scolded them, “never mind! Let’s get her to the castle before she freezes to death!” Herki carried Anaish, the poor girl was indeed cold as ice.

“Why did you do it?” Luke asked Anaish, while Mari went out of the chamber to get her some tea. Anaish laid in bed stubbornly crossing her arms.

“I did not do it for you!”

“I didn’t even think…”

“What life is there for someone like me? I’ve lost my home and my sisters, I’m left alone in the dark. As soon as it gets warmer, I’ll be banished to live in the part of the forest I’ve never been to. No sunlight’s warmth would reach me there, nor a bird’s song to comfort me,”

Yet again Luke didn’t know what to say. But slowly he realised what was he to do.

“Why did you ever come after me? You can’t swim!” Anaish yelled at him.

“It’s true, I can’t. But I couldn’t let you drown either. And I will not let you die,” Luke said sternly.

Mari came back with tea and a bottle of Strong water. Anaish was to drink the booze to help her regain body warmth.

The next morning a tall ship awaited by the shores of Snakeling island. The Snakeling Elders, their Lord, Mari, Luke, Crane and Ulise were to sale east to Thilia island. The Snakelings were allowed to take as many bodyguards as they wanted. Ulise wished to visit her family.

Though Herki was banished from Thilia island, one of Merush’s bodyguards had a suspiciously Autumnian-like facial features and darker skin than the Snakelings. He wore a hood over his face and blended amidst the other bodyguards.

With the swift west wind blowing in their sales, the travellers reached Thilia island late in the afternoon.

Lord Hadrian greeted them kindly. He was truly happy to have his only son back.

“My dearest boy!” Lord Hadrian embraced him. Although Luke was glad to be back, he seemed unusually thoughtful and distant.

After the greetings and a festive dinner, the travellers were summoned to a meeting, for the evening was late and their business - urgent.

“I suspect what has brought the Snakeling Lord and the Elders to Thilia, but you may clear things, if you will,” Lord Hadrian said without an introduction.

“Let’s not waste time. Our enemy is determined to destroy our home. Without the Great lake Autumna our islands would be small patches of land amidst Morten’s newly made realm. He shall devour us without any mercy,” Lord Merush answered.

“I have heard of Morten’s injury. What do you propose?”

“We must gather the strengths of all the islanders before Morten fully recovers; a fleet to attack Autumna alongside young Lord Herkian, who will carry the protection of the lake on his shoulders and…”

“Cursed be his name! I shall not side with my enemy!” Lord Hadrian interrupted Merush.

“Like it or not - he saved us from Morten once, and he’s our main force of resistance, therefore he is to take place at this meeting,” Merush gestured at one of his hooded bodyguards, Herki took off the hooded cloak.

“Preposterous! Guards, seize him!” Lord Hadrian shouted.

“I was allowed to take any bodyguard I wished, you wrote this in your letter. I chose young Lord Herki as my bodyguard,” Merush waved a piece of parchment, “is this not your letter?”

“A snake shall be a snake!” Lord Hadrian grunted, but could do nothing.

“This meeting would not be whole without our strongest weapon - the Lord of the Lake. Take your place at the council table, if you would,” Merush gestured at an empty seat.

“Thank you! I shall stay where I am,” Herki replied standing behind Merush’s chair. He bowed to Lord Hadrian, but the latter stubbornly ignored the kind gesture.

“Father, Herki did not kill Ari, it was Aurora! You must admit it now that you know she voluntarily married Lord Morten and lives happily with the scum!” Luke yelled at him.

Lord Hadrian sighed and shook his head. He had nothing to object; the rumours of Aurora’s lustful life in Autuma had reached his ears.

“How could I never notice what she had become? My daughter a….”

“Slut and a murdered,” Luke finished his father’s sentence.

“I see you have not changed, my son,” Lord Hadrian said with a rueful smile, he then looked at Herki.

“I may have been hasty by accusing you,”

“I tried to protect Ari from myself, but I could not protect her from Aurora,”

Lord Hadrian nodded.

“Now that you have settled your differences may we discuss the forming of the fleet?” Merush asked.

The meeting lingered deep into the night. After it had ended, Herki and Ulise crept through the castle halls.

“I hope you two know what you’re doing?!” Suddenly Crane appeared behind them.

“We’re just going for a nice, gentle swim,” Herki said innocently, but couldn’t hide the flames in his eyes. Ulise held back laughter.

“A very gentle swim. And keep her warm, the water is freezing cold,” Crane squinted her black eyes.

“I promise!” The two rushed ahead giggling. Crane rolled her eyes. Yet she didn’t go to her chamber.

Luke waited in the highest tower of Thilia castle. The sight was breathtaking - hundreds and hundreds of stars sparkled in the black sky, but all Luke could think of were Cranes eyes, until they appeared in front of him.

Luke kissed her hands, then embraced Crane.

“There is something on your mind. A shadow has darkened the sunshine,” she whispered worriedly.

Luke stared into her eyes without a word. Both leaned toward each other’s lips. A star fell down illuminating the sky above the tower. They watched as the blazing light dissolved into darkness.

Luke pulled the girl closer again, but this time Crane gently put her fingers on his lips.

“Now I know - the Foreverold is giving me a choice. If I remain untouched by mortal desires I shall be like a shining star; I’ll heal souls and lead them to the light. But if I fall - my life will be a bright, short flare,” Crane said with tears in her eyes.

“What will you choose?” Luke asked, although he already knew the answer.

“I am a Birdling Healer. My life would have ended, but I received it back to heal others…” Crane couldn’t speak, tears flowed down her cheeks.

“You’re not the only one who had to choose. There is something I have to do… I don’t want to….” Luke confessed.

“I know. You must help the one that’s left in the darkness. Your song and your warmth shall save her,”

Luke kissed the girl’s hands once more. Both stood with their foreheads touching for quite a while. Loud laughter resounded over the lake, Luke turned his head to look; it was Herki and Ulise swimming to the shore. When Luke turned back - Crane was gone. Somewhere near the castle a crane bird’s cry echoed into the night.