A KISS OF RAGE AND FIRE

ELEVEN

KATHARINE ARATHORNE

Drelaire. It was a small city located several kilometers north of Lancaster. Isang syudad na naririnig lang niya at hindi siya makapaniwalang narito siya ngayon. Drelaire is famous for its jewels that can contain magic power. There were also philters that can give one a temporary power magic power, and other magic items being sold at a very cheap price. She tried one of the philters that granted her a temporary ability to be invisible. It only lasted for ten seconds but it surely freaked Killian out. Much to her satisfaction.

They stayed at a local tavern with Katharine's fire that served as their warmth. Katharine doesn't have a choice but to share a room with Killian.

And she never thought it was a good idea and she almost set their room on fire when she saw a shadow monster sitting on her bed while sipping on what looked like a bottle of blood. One wave of her hand extinguished the fire, thankfully. But she looked at the monster on her bed.

Nakatingin lang din ito sa kanya at bilog ang asul na mga mata nito. May suot itong itim na balabal na parang gawa sa usok o anino--hindi niya matukoy. And its scythe, almost twice her height, was casually leaning on the wall.

The monster blinked while sipping on the bottle. And she couldn't move from her spot as she stared back at it. Hindi niya makita ang mukha but she can clearly see its glowing blue eyes.

Napatingin siya kay Killian na nakaupo lang sa bintana at nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa. Killian raised his liquor bottle in her direction sabay sabing, "He likes sheep's blood."

"Why is there a shadow monster drinking sheep's blood on my bed?" tanong niya and she could have sworn it huffed in disagreement when she walked past it to Killian's direction. Sure, she has fought sand wraiths but this monster on her bed is very different. Mukha itong inosenteng bata kung tingnan habang umiinom ng dugo ngunit alam niyang hindi ito ordinaryong halimaw.

"You'd offend him. That's Thorin, one of my Shadow Demons."

Shadow Demons. Alam niyang makapangyarihan si Killian but she doesn't have a complete grasp of what his power is. But seeing the monster, she understands why he became the Captain of the Kingsguard. Killian is a conjurer. He can extract a dead bodies' spirit and make them obey his commands. Hindi niya alam kung ilang Shadow Demons ang mayroon ito.

"Thorin, this is her Royal Highness, Katharine. But I'm sure you already know that," Killian said in an unfamiliar language yet she can sense the blandness of his tone. Nakita lang niyang tumango nang paulit-paulit ang halimaw habang nakasipsip pa rin sa bote ng dugo. Nang maubos nito ang iniinom, kinuha nito ang sandatang nasa pader at dahan-dahang lumubog sa lupa na para bang hinihigop ito pababa. All the while looking at her eyes.

She cleared her throat, "How many Shadow Demons do you have?" She asked when Thorin completely disappeared.

"Seven of them," Killian shrugged as if it was something to be shrugged about. Hindi na siya nagtanong kung paano at saan niya ito nakuha. Thankfully, dalawa ang kama na nasa loob ng kwarto nila. Killian went somewhere in the city that night and thinking about not seeing any monster's head popping out of the floor relieved her so much she went to sleep immediately.

The next day, Killian handed her a philter at sinabing inumin niya iyon. Nang tanungin niya ang lalake, he merely said she'd regret it if she doesn't. Kaya napilitan siyang inumin ito. Turns out, it was to reduce the nauseatic effect of winnowing or what the assassins called Shadow Transport.

But most importantly, "I thought you can't winnow!" she asked when they found themselves in another city named Arenith.

"I couldn't. But this city has no wards so I can winnow easily. But from here to Arythea, we'd have to fly again," Killian said and started walking. Sumunod naman siya. It's already almost noon at nagugutom na rin siya kaya naman laking pasasalamat niya nang pumasok ang lalake sa isang magarang kainan. The place was big enough. Nasabi niya iyon dahil may mga kwarto ito, where people can eat peacefully, in their own solitude.

"I'll take the biggest one," Killian mumbled to the server, who was an old woman. The latter nodded and led us to the second floor kung saan may mas marami pang mga kwarto.

They entered a room, a very dull one. May isang mesa sa gitna, probably where they'll eat. It was big, yes. But too big for them. Unless...

She was about to open her mouth when the server whipped her hand in a swift motion at sa isang iglap, nagbago ang loob ng kwarto. Where it was dull and gloomy, it suddenly changed into a magnificent view of the forest. There were trees around them, and she could actually smell the leaves and the dry woods, and feel the fresh air damping on her skin, filling her lungs.

Parang nasa isang totoong gubat sila, in a clearing, to be exact. Ang mesa nila kanina ay nasa gitna at ngayon puno na ito ng pagkain.

"Can I have seven bottles of sheep's blood?"

"Yes, my lord." Sagot ng matanda and with another whip of her hand, seven bottles of sheep's blood appeared on their table. Napalunok siya.

She was right. She'll be dining with Killian's Shadow Demons today. But Killian must have seen the hesitation in her eyes dahil sinabi nitong, "Don't worry. Thorin will just take it and they'll drink where we couldn't see them."

Napahinga siya ng maluwag.

* * *

Their stay in Arenith was quick and Killian flew her to Arythea. Turns out, Arenith is already part of Killian's lands and now, naglalakad sila papunta sa Archeron Manor, Killian's home.

"How long since you last came here?" she asked habang binabagtas ang daan.

Killian inserted his hands into his pockets. "Long enough that I think the maids have forgotten about me,"

Since he was a kid. Killian left when he was a kid. Iyon ang naririnig niya. In fact, ang mga nalalaman niya ay base sa mga kwento ng maids sa kanya when they're busy in her room. All she knew is that her father had selected his Kingsguard by a competition. Adarlan has an Institute of Magic where youngins could study and hone their magic. At the end of their studies, the professors select the best magic users and holds a competition to see who'd win. Her father's Kingsguard was among the strongest. And Killian was at the top of it.

She was never formally introduced to the Elite Magic Knights. So she asked, "How are they like?"

Killian instantly knew what she meant that he said, "People don't want to mess with them. After all, they're one of the strongest magicians in Terrasen."

"And you're their captain," she said. More in amusement as she realized just how powerful this man is.

"That is true," Killian gave her a sideways glance and smirked at her.

A few minutes later, they found themselves in front of a huge granite black gate. There were no guards stationed on it dahil hindi naman nila kailangan iyon. Everyone wouldn't want to mess with the Archerons. Everybody in this place should know that.

One blast of Killians power at nabuksan ang gate. She gulped when she saw the manor. It was huge, in fact, it was so huge that she muttered, "Fuck." while roaming her eyes.

The Lancaster Palace was huge too but this manor was wide she couldn't imagine how many rooms it contains. She could see a huge lawn in front of it, with trees neatly trimmed. Hindi niya mapigilang mamangha. But she knows those elegant, neatly trimmed trees and the magnificent landscape was all to cover the deadly power this family has.

They were about to step in the gate when they both staggered back. Na para bang may invisible gate doon ay ayaw silang papasukin.

"What a hassle," Killian muttered, and in an instant, nawala ang invisible gate. They walked the cobblestone pathway bordered by maple trees.

"What did you do?" tanong niya rito. Hindi na ito sumagot ang sauntered to the house. Killian opened the door and what greeted them was a very posh main hall. She could see the pillars gilded with gold and a round table at the center ornated with fresh roses and other vines unknown to her draping on the side of the table. It was pretty. Kita rin niya ang mga pinto sa gilid and at the very end of the room is a twin staircase sweeping to the second floor. She could see another table draped with roses cat the center landing, complimenting the huge portrait that hung above. It was a family portrait.

Killian's father looked exactly like him or rather, Killian got his looks from his father. Ruggedly handsome, eyes are of the deepest blue and they both have aristocratic brows as if they'd judge one's whole existence with just a look. His mother was water to his father's fire. She looked gentle, with kind eyes that looked like they see the good of everyone. Katharine thought she's beautiful and her smile was so kind and genuine. She was standing next to her husband. Her eyes are gray and her hair the color of gold. Her arm was resting on a boy's shoulder. It was Killian. Even when he was a kid, Katharine could see the sheer arrogance of the way he smirked at the camera. And next to him is a younger boy who looks exactly like their mother. Killian's brother.

"Well, look who just arrived." Katharine whirled to see someone at the door. And judging from his golden hair, and his uncanny resemblance to the portrait above she already knew who it was.

"Lauris," Killian said gravely before he faced his brother.

Lauris just smiled and opened his arms wide. "Welcome home, brother," he said merrily. Despite the merry aura he emits, Katharine thought there's more to this man despite the smiles

"But you come home and start destroying everything. Oh, what will father say, Killian."

Killian waved a hand. "That will serve as a warning to you. I destroyed your ward with half a thought. You wouldn't want a whole army of monsters penetrating the mansion, would you?"

"That was a strong one. You destroyed it because you're Killian. No ordinary monster could destroy that ward."

Katharine bristled. And she doesn't know if Killian just ignored the fact that his brother subtly called him a monster. And he destroyed the ward? With just half a thought?

"Where is Father?"

"On a meeting. He'll be back tomorrow or later tonight." Then Lauris' eyes went to hers. A grin escaped his lips as if he just noticed her standing there. Nararamdaman na ni Katharine na hindi niya rin magugustuhan ang lalakeng ito.

"Well, well. If it isn't the notorious wild Princess of Terrasen." Lauris walked closer and bowed to his waist. Kinuha nito ang isang kamay niya at hinalikan ang likod nito. "Welcome to our humble abode, Your Highness." He said as if mocking her title. She doesn't care, though. She just can't stand his grinning face na para bang may binabalak ito.

"I am Lauris Archeron."

"I've heard things about you," she said. Kita niya ang pagtaas ng kilay nito at tumingin sa kapatid.

"Then pray tell, what did my brother tell you about me?" He smiled.

Katharine smiled back, baring her teeth. "Nothing interesting. It was nice finally meeting you, though," She said and she could have sworn Killian was stifling his laughter.

Lauris cleared his throat and averted his gaze from her. Mabilis din itong nakabawi at hinarap ang kapatid. "What brings you home?" he asked, the grin still not disappearing from his lips.

"She's here to complete some tasks," sagot ni Killian. And Lauris' answering smile made Katharine think he knows what she'll be through.

"Oh?" His eyes went back to here. "Then good luck, Your Highness." He straightened his clothes. "Well, I shall be off."

"Where are you going?" tanong naman ni Killian.

Lauris gave Killian a look. "In case you forgot, dear brother, you destroyed this house's ward. I need to make it again." Tumingin ang lalake sa kanya bago ito umalis.

Killian called one of the servants and escorted her to one of the rooms kung saan siya matutulog sa pananatili nila rito.

"Be out in the fields after you settle." Killian merely said at naunang lumabas.

"What field?" tanong niya.

"That's part of your test, Princess," Killian smirked and disappeared leaving a trace of black shadow and smoke.

So she trudged her way to the huge hallways with portraits of the Archeron bloodline hung on both sides of the hallway. Then she made her way to the huge halls, praying she wouldn't meet Lauris but after what she said earlier, she's confident he wouldn't be talking to her. Then she got outside finally, cursing the huge-ass mansion dahil ang layo ng nilakad niya. Then she finally trudged the well-made lawns, noting the guards stationed in certain places. She could hear horses neighing and galloping kaya napagdesisyunan niyang pumunta doon, from a distance hoping Killian will be there.

* * *