Carmine

Archonmin was a huge and amazing site. The walls were sky blue with embossed shapes and strokes of human art that flowed with a stroke of sharp motions.

A child pointed up at the two lion impressions of brilliance carved into the wall deep on either side of the black metal gate that raised high.

We were currently Kello's prisoners. Though, I was not being held in a metal meshed cage as Valor was, for I was allowed to sit on a horse even if my hands were tied. I was in the capital city of Eathen now and Kello probably planned to parade me before the King to gain favor.

How the King of Eathen would react to me was a mystery to me, but I knew his wife, so I carried that up my sleeves.

Valor refused to speak to them and mostly kept silent as the horse-led cart rocked on the road to the palace. Xallion and the other Justice made for good conversation.

Xallion was their leader and lead the procession on horseback, while the bishop lounged inside a carriage.

Still, I could not deny a sense of safety around all those men. No one would dare attack the great Eathen Judgments.

We continued onward making note of the low buildings of wooden roofs, and brick walls. In the distance, a deeper sight presented before our gazes, revealing the large maze-like temples of the city. Tall buildings overlooked the man-made mounds. A swift zephyr hits my face with dust off the cracked streets.

The heat was insufferable as the pungent smell of the city's wastes flowed like a black river along the many dark corners of the close-knit houses.

My eyes fluttered as I kept my chin up and fought the harsh air.

We reached past the slums and lowly housing with their hands close to their weapons, yet there was more serenity here. The buildings were not so low, but of various uses and sizes. From granaries, stores, and large carts with fresh ground provisions, and fruits on sale, so it was a delicious selection.

We reached the holy ground of the Erot Grand Chapel. It was a large set of buildings all built and grouped with the splendor of slender bridges and opaquely structured walls.

I crumbled before the height of this place. This was my new home and where I would be provided a bed, while Valor was carted off.

I was taken to my room. White walls surrounded us. The bed was large and thick columns at its diagonal drove into the canopy with a headboard carved with delicate curves. It was fitted with milky brown sheets and an iron stair led up to its high presence.

The window was large with bars covering the inner side of it, while a short curtain clasped to the wall thanks to metal cuffs on either side. It was unlikely to be killed by an outside assailant.

I breathed out. The cold of the night came to my doorstep. I was glad somewhat, yet saddened to some extent.

"Is this to your liking?" the male retainer asked.

"Yes, this is good," I said, turning to smile.

"An attendant will be coming to assist you soon."

From the corner of my eye, I noted the other smaller, flatter bed in the corner. I twisted my lips and uttered, "No males."

The retainer nodded and left.

By the time I got to sleep, I was swiftly woken. Much to my chagrin, another retainer brought me to a dungeon. The walls were grimy with rough streams of liquid and I was not sure if it was water or not. We passed by some cells. Most were empty, but one was not, and Valor was in that one.

Kello stood down the narrow path. They were two male priests dressed in white thick robes, and lined with blue satin on the four corners of the arm. Xallion and another Judgment were standing by.

The last one was wearing a beautiful thick robe, gold lined with jewels glittering in patterns along the front vest. He held a tall staff that surpassed his height with a round head fitted with clear gems and a gritty-looking gold exterior.

I saw Valor sitting untethered and depressed in appearance. He was staring into the wall away from the lot of us.

Kello gestured with his hands towards me then Valor. “Lady Carmine, I was hoping since you became such good friends, so quickly could you appeal to his senses and get him to tell us where he was planning to bring you.”

I twisted my lips. Valor didn't make a move. I wanted to know that as well, but Valor was stubborn like I was. So, I knew that was a tall order.

“Valor, please tell me where you were bringing me,” I said.

“No.”

“Valor—”

“Insolent, you are speaking to royalty refer to her properly or we will cut out your tongue," The man in the golden robes interrupted.

Valor shot that man a glare. “Lady Carmine, I beg your apologies, my lady, just stay safe until I get out of here.”

“You arrogant little fairy! You believe that you can escape us!” One judgment proclaimed.

Kello was an air of calmness. “He will not escape. We will torture you and you will give us the information we seek soon enough.”

Valor looked away again at the wall. “Do your best, your threats do not scare me though."

Torture?

A sickening dread swarmed over my body, but I restrained myself from the unnerved shivers. I moved closer and grabbed the bars of the cell. “Valor just tell them.”

“Go back, Lady Carmine.”

“Tell them!” I shouted.

Valor's eyes shot towards me as he shook from the thunder of my shout.

“Just tell them, I do not want you to be tortured. Not because of me—please just do it—you owe me your life anyways,” I said.

Valor stared at me for a long time. There were whispers beside me, but I did not heed them. Valor finally rolled his eyes and sighed. “Fine, Tiam, the King of Tiam. He ordered me to carry you there.”

I stepped back from the bars in shock.

“Idiot, you should have told me. I know him. I—loved that man,” I said trailing off in mumbles.

Valor and the others looked on in confusion. Kello asked, “Lady Carmine could you repeat—"

“May I be excused my esteemed men of her Majesty Erot?” I asked.

The one place I did not want to go to was the one place that wanted me the most. I breathed out and brushed away the anger that welled up in me. If only I knew, yet I still did not want to go.

I knew why the King of Tiam wanted my presence, but It became foreign to me now.

The man in the robes nodded his head in respect. “Of course.” He turned to Kello. “I will have to report this to his Majesty. Lady Carmine wishes for the fool to be untouched, so leave him be, for now.”

He looked at me. “Ah, Corona you came.” No, it wasn't me."

I turned to see a long blond-haired woman. Her eyes were dark brown and had a delicate touch to them, because of her high cheekbones. It was a beautiful virgin. What we called a nun. Why the Erot faith allowed her to dye it in that color bemused me.

I thought nuns were restricted in how they lived in the missionaries of a district chapel.

It was normal to see dyed hair among the wealthier nobles in the land. She must be of noble blood, preferential treatment I guessed. I saw it a lot when I was younger.

Still, it looked odd with our darker skin and I was never much of a fan of it. I knew only the basic idea of how it was done, but I heard it was hard to maintain such luster.

Corona came up to me and smiled. She was taller by an inch. “Princess, a pleasure to meet you.” She curtsied before me. I flinched. It had been so long since anyone bowed before me.

When I returned to Ascus, getting used to that was the plan among other matters. She rose and said, “Please come with me.”

“Yes,” I said. I looked back at Valor. He was staring at me oddly. His eyes were wide. Valor's eyes moved between the men behind me and myself. Those men were already having discussions themselves.

I turned and followed Corona. What was going to happen, for the King of Eathen would not likely allow me to go to Tiam.

My desire was to go to Ascus. I needed to find out what was happening in my country. Hopefully, the funeral had not occurred yet. I looked back again.

Valor was up to the cell bars, and his arms waved erratically. He made gestures with his hand across his neck. Valor wavered his hand in pointing motions aggressively at me.

I touched my chest.

He waved his arm saying negative to that. I was about to react when the men moving behind me blocked my view of Valor. Some laughing at a joke I missed.

As soon as they came out of view, I saw Valor again, but he was looking at the wall without a care in the world.

“What is it, Queen Carmine?” Corona asked.

Startled, I turned to her holding my chest in fright. She was staring at me, yet she was not. Her eyes pierced through me and her head tilted to the side as if she tried to stare around me. I said cautiously, “I am not a Queen, yet.”

Her eyes widened and lit up as much as her smile. At this point, I could detect the counterfeit in its quality.

This woman…

”Of course, Lady Carmine,” she said.