Count Declan awoke and dressed. He decided to have Matsey awake the sleeping girl and ready her for breakfast. He walked down the hallway thinking about what he should tell the King. The tinkling of laughter caught his ears, and he stopped to listen. It was coming from the girl’s room. He walked toward her chamber door and found her talking with Matsey. He made a sound to show his presence, and Elise looked up, wide-eyed into the most beautiful green eyes she had ever seen. Captivated, she stared openly, lost in the swirling depths of his eyes. He was more handsome in real life than the portrait that hung in her room. She caught herself, before blushing and averting her eyes. Matsey watched the interaction and gently smiled, silently hoping her master had finally found someone. She paid no attention to the sinking feeling in her heart. She liked Elise, and wouldn’t mind having her as her new mistress. Makraim cleared his throat to regain Elise’s attention. She turned her head to him, evidence of her blush still on her cheeks, careful not to get caught in his hypnotic gaze again. She was still young and had never really had any experience with people outside of her town. This man was new to her and his pull on her confused her. “Madam,” he said angling his head. “I trust this room is to your liking and that you slept well.” Elise was mesmerized even by his voice. “Y-yes, thank you, my Lord.” She blushed again and shifted her gaze. Her voice was bell-like and Makraim found himself wanting to spend more time in her presence. He studied her features carefully. Her milky white skin looked softer with her rosy cheeks. Her eyes were bright and mirrored that of a midnight blue sky. She held a fire in them that he couldn’t name that threatened to scorch him if he got too close. Her very being thrummed with power, and her hair framed her face like a silken shawl. She was breathtaking. Count Declan was rendered speechless as he gazed on her. She turned to face him again and he had to mentally shake himself from her hypnotic spell. “Mm-- my Lord?” She questioned, squirming under his gaze, but steeling her resolve, “Please Sir, I cannot wait any longer to know, tell me your intentions with me and why I am here. It is not that I am ungrateful for the hospitality but I am away from home. I was told to go to the King, although, all I wish is to return home.” Elise looked down trying to keep tears from her eyes. She felt so out of herself here. She was not the brave adventurer she knew herself to be while at home. The walls here were closed in and she was not allowed outside the grounds in over four days. She was suffocating. Count Declan was taken aback. Was she being coy or had she really no idea? “My lady, I saw you running. In fact you ran straight into my person. You hit the ground hard and fell unconscious. I gathered you up and brought you here where it’s safe, hoping to find out why you were running and who you are.” She watched him carefully for a few moments, Makriam blushing under her gaze. She smiled at him and decided he could be trusted with the truth. “My name is Elise, and I am from Kegan. I was running from a man who meant harm to me and my family. I am afraid that is all I know to tell you. Please forgive me.” It was all she was willing to tell in the end. The Count watched her momentarily before deciding to tell her some of his own story. She had to be wondering what a person such as himself was doing in the area he found her in. “I am Count Makraim Declan. I was on a mission from King Bilmarath to go to Kegan. I was on my way there when I found you. I have just come from there two nights ago.” Here he swayed on the precipice, holding the last few moments or her hope before telling her what he had seen. Her eyes lit up with hope, and it killed him to have to tell her of the fate her village met. “When I arrived, I found it burnt to the ground, and the man I was sent to collect was dead.” Elise’s eyes teared up and she looked up to him. “Tell me! What of the blacksmith?” The Count’s eyes widened in shock and horror, “The blacksmith was who I was sent to retrieve. Him and his family. You, I gather, are his daughter? Have you other family living with you?” He said quietly. Elise made an impatient gesture not answering his questions. Count Declan sighed. “Your father has been slain. He had a note pinned to his hand. Perhaps you could tell me what it means, as it is meaningless to me.” Makraim handed her the charred paper. Elise read the note and rage began to shake her body. She began to glow then, a faint misty purple and the air around her thinned. Makraim looked to Matsey in alarm. Matsey was already chanting, trying to calm Elise before she killed them all without knowing. Her power was overwhelming. It was raw and it hurt. Matsey gave a pained yelp and Elise slowly calmed and opened her eyes. She still did not realize her own power and since her eyes were closed she could not see what was around her. She assumed the looks from the two people in front of her were for her to give an explanation. “Sir Garot of the Arots is hunting me, he’s seeking me as his bride. I know nothing more than that. I knew nothing really of the man at all, outside of his numerous attempts to commission my father. He wanted armor, and swords enough for an army from my father, but father refused to forge for him. Sir Garot became angry, and threatened my father. I overheard him say to punish him for his refusal, he demanded that my father hand me over to him in marriage.” Makraim looked into her eyes, searching for lies but found only honesty and fear. It was confirmed. The man he fought along side so long ago was no longer. In his place was this vile creature. He assumed that Garot knew more about Elise than anyone thought. He sought a union with her because of her power. What he intended to do with that was beyond Count Makriam but he knew one thing, he would need to keep her hidden and safe. More information would be necessary before he reported more to the king. “Elise, can you remember anything at all that would give us a clue as to why Sir Garot is after you specifically? He has black magicians at his disposal and a full army. You are a beauty but a man like him is after power. Although you are powerful, you are untrained and that kind of untrained power is useless to him. There must be something else. Think.” Elise tried to think but her memory was hazy. She could scarcely remember anything before a few years ago. She closed her eyes and tried to think harder. Broken images flashed into her mind. A picture of a kindly old woman came forward and just as she was trying to place her, pain overtook her and a white-hot light shot from her body. Matsey jumped and pushed the Count out of the way. Elise screamed, and Matsey and Makraim ran to her to calm her. Matsey’s aura turned pale pink, and she closed her eyes and chanted under her breath. Elise calmed, and when Matsey and Makraim looked back to her she had fainted. Makraim looked at Matsey for an answer. Matsey shrugged. “She is marked by a seal. Someone wants her to remember nothing. The pain and power surge came from her remembering something long since blocked. We’ll have to wait for her to awaken before we are able to see what she remembers, and from now on we’ll have to be more careful. With a seal that powerful, once broken, it is unpredictable. Memories could flood from her causing a breakdown. The seal could turn on her killing her. I don’t believe the seal is that harmful though, with it’s power, it is hard for me to really tell.” Makraim dismissed Matsey to her daily duties and sat on the edge of Elise’s bed. Matsey looked back before leaving the room. Her heart ached to see him look at Elise so. Makraim watched Elise’s chest rise and fall and noticed the peaceful look on her face. He felt a fierce emotion rise up, taking root within him. He saw red. He wanted to harm anyone who got near the girl, to protect her, both physically and mentally. She was his now. The burn of his possessiveness shocked him, and he turned away from her to collect his thoughts. She was a girl, just older than a child. His emotions needed to be put in check. Makraim was about the call for Matsey and leave when Elise stirred. Elise woke and sat up. Unseeing eyes scanned the room and she babbled something under her breath before her sight cleared. Seeing Makraim on the edge of her bed, she reached out and touched his shoulder. “I’m sorry for troubling you. I think it’s important, now more than ever, that I reach King Bilmarath. My father is dead. He told me to go to him. I know not why or what my connection is. But something is telling me that the king will know me. Something inside me is urging me forward and something or someone is calling to my heart.” Makraim turned to her. “ I shall take you to the King tomorrow. It will take about a week of travel to reach him. I don’t know what possessed you to go it on foot. Please, stay the day and night here.” He said, attempting to convince her to stay longer. “May I not just have a horse and be on my way?” Elise said, her impatience getting the better of her. Makraim raised his brows at this. “My lady, the castle is five days journey from here, as I said before, it would be unwise to head out now, and it is unheard of for a lady of your age to go anywhere unattended.” He was not use to the bold tongue of a woman. Usually they were quiet and kept their eyes down especially in an unwed man’s presence. She was challenging him and he was growing to admire her more. Her voice was still soft but forceful and something in it begged him to listen and pay attention. She was dangerous to him. He was loosing his resolve. “Then I shall leave tomorrow, unescorted. I have troubled you far too much already.” She held his gaze determined and had a stubborn tilt to her chin. She knew she was challenging him and figured she should back down. But something was telling her to stand her ground with this man. He was no threat to her but she could not be docile around him. Elise was careful to keep the warning of her father in her head and kept her voice soft as a whisper. She rose it just a bit to make her point. The Count felt his possessiveness rise within him yet again. He had to calm himself before he spoke. “Be assured you are of no trouble to me. As you are the daughter of the man I was dispatched to retrieve, I am honor bound to deliver you to the castle regardless.” She thought of this for a moment. Briefly the kind face flashed in her mind again. She was understanding her memory flashes more after being here. The kind face she had remembered moments ago, was her aunt’s face. She had an Aunt in Rumox, which was three-day’s journey. She would flee the manor for Rumox in the night, for her protection, and for the protection of the people within the manor grounds, and leave from there for the shore lands. She would leave for a ship out of the country. She had no idea where all of this was coming from and it confused her. It should have frightened her to gain memories so long forgotten but she would have to think on that later. For now she needed to leave and she needed to leave soon. Rumox stayed in her mind so she assumed she must have been there at some point in her life and had just forgotten it. Later she would look at the painting in her room to see if it was still in Cargaroth or if it was in a bordering section. “Very well then, I accept your offer to stay,” she lied smoothly. Her mind kept telling her she needed to leave Cargaroth quickly and possibly leave Noru altogether. She had to flee Sir Garot. The idea burned her, deep down; however something was tying her down here, something that upset her at the thought of leaving, so she would run to Rumox instead. She would find her aunt, and hopefully answers, there. For now, the smell of food from the dining hall made her stomach leap for joy. “Count, I am hungry. Could you escort me to breakfast.” She smiled charmingly and watched the Count. Makraim knew she meant to flee, it was written all over her face. But her smile disarmed him and he found himself offering his arm and not questioning her further. He would stay by her side today to keep an eye on her, and when he was not available, he would keep Matsey by her side. This woman wasn’t leaving them so easily, he needed answers. He looked over at her and saw she was deep in thought, and her eyes full of pain. He had forgotten that he had just given her the news of her father’s death. What of the rest of her family? He would have to ask Elise or maybe even Matsey. Matsey and Elise have seemingly grown quite close. For now, he would monitor her movements and get some food for the both of them. Count Declan called for breakfast as he and Elise reached the dining hall. He sat her across from himself at the table. It was laden with fruits of every type, breads, and a selection of breakfast meats. Elise looked at Count Declan. He motioned for her to ready her plate and they both began to eat. Elise’s eyes met Count Declan’s from across the table. She hated how his gaze made her feel like he was looking into her soul. He watched as she finished her breakfast, as he was already finished with his own. He rose from the table and crossed to Elise and offered his arm to escort her to the gardens. Tentatively, she took his arm as yet another blush adorned her cheeks. The Count took notice of her embarrassment, and tried to make her at ease by placing his other hand on her hand that clung to his arm. The contact sent shivers down Elise’s spine and caused her head to feel fuzzy. Elise cleared her throat. “This manor is so large. Surely you must get lonely.” Immediately Elise’s cheeks burned at her presumptuous comment. How she must sound to him! She chanced a sidelong look at him and was relieved to realize he was smiling at her. “It is spacious, but I am rarely here, since I see to so many of the King’s affairs.” Makraim thought about the implications of her statement, and the embarrassment she showed at asking such a thing. He decided he would tease the poor girl. “Are you seeking to fill the emptiness?” To his amusement, she blushed yet again but remained quiet. Makraim smiled a secret triumphant smile. Vaguely, he thought he should be ashamed of his behavior but he squashed that thought. He led them out to the gardens, where she detached herself from his arm to run out towards the bridge over the pond. She was leaning over the railing, looking at the pond, watching brightly colored fish swim about when Makraim caught up to her. He gently rested his hand on her shoulder and said, “We will leave after dinner for the palace.” For some reason his comment made Elise sad, as if something were being taken away from her. She knew she was going to have to leave, but for some reason her heart felt heavy at the thought of leaving the manor. Makraim saw the look on her face. He would have Matsey sit with her the rest of the day. Elise was still a girl and he had no business even attempting to court her. He would deliver her to the king as his ward and nothing more. The day passed by quickly. Matsey and Elise spent most of it outside, lounging in the sun and talking. Dinnertime came quickly, and Matsey excused herself from Elise’s company once she saw Makraim approaching. She bowed to him, and when she rose his eyes captured her. She had never really looked directly into his eyes before. Her breath hitched. He stared into her eyes for a moment, lost to thought, before he recalled himself. “Elise is well?” Matsey shook herself free of the snare of his eyes and replied, “Yes. She has been fine all morning.” Matsey bowed again and excused herself, slipping inside to help with dinner. Makraim watched her go. From the veranda, Elise watched the exchange and began to wonder. She approached Makraim and his attention turned to her. She saw the wonder in his eyes. “What is it that troubles you?” It took a moment for Makraim to answer. “It is nothing. Something I remembered, nothing more. Shall we dine?” He offered her his arm yet again. They entered the dining hall and Elise gave a delighted squeal, forgetting her manners as she ran to the table. Count Declan laughed behind her. The table was heaped with roast duck, turkey, dressings, vegetables, desserts, and many other oddities that she had never seen. The Count seated her, and took his seat across from her. He motioned for the servant girl standing nearby, and told the servant to serve her as she wished. After they had finished eating, Makraim led her to the library for the evening. Matsey soon joined them and she and Elise read poetry to each other while Makraim listened. After a time, he dismissed Matsey saying he would attend Elise himself. Elise looked to Matsey and saw her face fall a little. She turned to Makraim and he smiled at her. “We will leave shortly, I promise you.” She watched Matsey and Makraim exchange a non verbal communication before Matsey left the room. Elise browsed the books, and chose one about love. She sat herself by the fireplace and began to read. A servant hurried in and spoke to Makraim. Elise watched out of the corner of her eye as Makraim’s face fell grave at the information the servant brought. Makraim dismissed the servant with a wave and crossed the room to Elise. “It would seem we are unable to leave tonight, and will have to leave in the morning. I’m very sorry. I will call Matsey for you. I have some matters that need attending to.” Elise rose quickly and asked, “Is there anything I can do? What is the matter?” Makraim turned to her and cupped her chin. “Don’t worry, frowns don’t do your beautiful face any good.” With that, he left and Matsey re-entered to find a very flustered Elise. Elise recovered quickly at the quiet giggle Matsey let out. She hated to do this to her friend but she needed to leave before things got more complicated. “Matsey, please forgive me for what I’m about to ask of you, --I need your help. You must keep your silence. I need you to have a horse prepared for me at once. I must leave here for my Aunt’s house in Rumox.” Matsey stood rooted to her spot, utterly shocked. She had thought that things were progressing quite well between her Master and her new Mistress. She was completely bewildered as to what would make Elise feel she had to leave so quickly. Perhaps it was the difference in age? Her own parents were about twelve years age difference. She would fix this. “Elise what has you fleeing our home so fast? It is dangerous for you to be alone. Sir Garot is still after you as far as we know.” Elise had little time to think of Garot. She had been amusing herself as much as she could to avoid thinking of anything related to that man. Elise had not even properly mourned the death of her own father. Now, she was going to be fleeing yet again to keep the people in this manor safe. She had a feeling that her time here should be short. Something was coming for her and it was coming fast. She became very anxious and fidgety. “I do not wish to burden you further.” Was all she could get out, and her face became blank. “Oh, you are not a burden to him, I assure you. See, you are the first woman to be brought here. Anyone else he might have helped would have been taken to an Inn. I don’t know why, but it seems he tries to avoid women mostly. You though, you he seems to be most taken with.” Matsey was busy and did not see the blank look on Elise’s face. She had been through so much in the last five days. Matsey had wondered why she hadn’t broken down yet. Elise blushed and wondered aloud “How can one of such inferior birth merit the affections of a Count?” But as she said this, a far off look crept into her eyes, and a distant smile crossed her face. She began to think of how she would feel waking to his beautiful green orbs every morning. Even as she thought this her heart gave a ping. Matsey smiled thinking she had won, but frowned again when moments later she was proven wrong. “It’s of no matter. I must leave and without his notice. I fear for this manor’s safety if I remain.” “Fine, I will have two horses ready by midnight,” came Matsey’s firm reply. None too amused by the confused look on Elise’s face she added, “I was told to attend you and attend you I shall.” With a look of finality and warning, she dismissed herself to prepare for their inevitable departure. Matsey was worried. She would need to steal into the night with Elise. Her master was wise and missed nothing going on in his own house. She had many spells she could use to aid them. Misdirection would probably do the trick. She fussed with the collar of her shirt. She hated to deceive anyone but something told her she would be forgiven. She had spent a few years now with the count and many years in the service of the king. Determined she walked out of the manor and towards the stables to talk to the stable boy. Once done she would pack her things and then Elise’s. She only hoped the girl would wait the couple minutes it would take her to talk to the stable boy and pack meager belongings. Elise was finally alone. Her thoughts went to her father and the slain villagers. Everything came crashing down on her at once. She was orphaned, she was alone, and she had no home to return to. The weight in her chest felt like it was going to take her very last breath. She leaned against the wall for support, her breathing labored. He was dead, her village destroyed, everything she knew was gone, and the man responsible was hunting her down as if for sport. Tears streamed from her eyes. Grief bore down on her. Something else was happening to her. She had glimpses of pictures that made no sense to her. She had feelings that were new and instincts she never remembered having before. Elise began gasping for breathe and fell to her hands and knees, heaving. Heart breaking sobs racked her body as she cried. In the midst of her soul wracking pain, she felt it; she felt him. Fear overtook her sadness and swept through her body, and every fiber of her being told her to run. He was calling to her. His soul was blackened and threatening to overwhelm her. Sir Garot found her and he was biding his time getting to her. It was like a cat and mouse game. Finally, flight won out over fight in her body, and she ran. She ran outside of the manor gardens to the stable. She took the first horse she came to and without another thought, she fled alone into the night. Count Declan heard the girl run. He made to run after her but was stopped by a servant running to him. “My Lord!” Cried the frightened servant girl. She fell to her knees in front of him head touching the floor and visibly shaking. “He has come! Oh save us!” Her behavior was baffling until he heard a loud bang. He ran from the frightened servant toward the front of his house. At the door stood Sir Garot. He smiled a crooked smile and spoke with venom in his voice. “Hello old friend. I believe you have something that belongs to me.” Puzzled, Count Declan just stared at him before finally speaking. “I am no friend to you. There is nothing here that belongs to you. Get out and leave my household in peace.” Sir Garot’s smile quickly vanished, “Pity, I’m tired of overly righteous people like you. I have been told my bride-to-be is here and now I’ve come to claim her. I’ve come to end my hunt.” Realization dawned on the count. “She is not yours. Leave her be, you have done enough to her. You have taken everything from her. She is just a child!” “Silence, fool! I am about to give her everything. She is mine. What I took from her won’t matter when we are together. Just stay out of my way. You know nothing” Sir Garot spat out. He strolled forward into the manor, only to be met with the point of Makraim’s blade. He knew of the Count and of his skills, he fought along side him in the war. He did not wish to test them so early. He felt the girl fade from his senses and he groaned. “She has fled this place. I have to move to catch her now. I will take my leave, but do not be foolish enough to think I am done with you.” Sir Garot left. He had time to chase her so he moved his army to the open fields of Cargaroth and bid them do as they please with whomever it pleased them to do it with while he sought to reconnect with the girl’s powerful aura. Makraim’s anger quickly left him to be replaced by fear. It was not a fear for his life, but for hers. He had to get her to the King, and get her there quickly. What was that stupid girl thinking leaving on her own? Where was he to find her now? Then, a thought gripped him. He tore through his house yelling for Matsey. When he found her he slapped her across her cheek, sending her sprawling to the floor. “I told you to attend to the girl!” Matsey rose trembling. “I left her in her room. Please, forgive me.” Matsey dropped to her knees pleading with him, tears in her eyes. “She told me to ready her a horse, and I had planned to go with her myself. I would have never, I would never let her go on her own. Oh Lord, please, forgive me for being so deceitful.” She was face down on the ground now. The Count found all of his anger draining from him. He did not like to see her this way. He picked her up from the ground and noticed her visible flinch, “I’m not going to hit you again. You must help me find her. Sir Garot has just left here. He came for her tonight. She probably knew he was here and fled. Please, tell me, where were you two going?” He held Matsey while she shook with tears. Her cheek stung from the slap but she had to respond to him. “S-she s-said s-she had an aunt in Rumox. B-beyond tha-that I do not know.” Matsey choked out between her tears, trying to remember if she had said more. Her body finally relaxed in Count Declan’s hold. He needed to get a grip on himself. How could he have ever raised a hand to this poor girl? She meant no one any harm and was probably just as distraught about her friend’s disappearance as he was. “Get our horses ready. We are leaving now.” Makraim ground out before turning on his heel and heading to prepare to leave. He was angry at his actions and lack of control. “Y-yes master!” Matsey looked on after him and raced to the stables to begin the process of getting the horses ready. Her heart was heavy. It felt good, it felt right to be held by him. She was his servant but she was still a female and her feelings for him grew over time working for him. She would have to think on those things later. He must love Elise or at least feel very strongly for her. He was laying his life on the line and here she was following him. Was this really all for Elise? Sure she loved her like a sister but really she was in this house to serve the count, she had no place leaving, and yet he was bringing her. Was it for Elise? Makraim’s mind was racing. The girl was already gone, why did he want to go after her so badly? She would be safe in Rumox with her aunt, provided she made it. Sir Garot surely wouldn’t put forth enough effort to find her, and yet he still couldn’t put her from his mind. At the Stables, he found Matsey had the horses ready. She had prepared her own horse, a beautiful white mustang, and a chestnut quarter horse for Makraim. Matsey looked up at her master’s approach, if a little apprehensively. He looked angry. What was going though his mind? He was running trough a barrage of unanswered questions in his head. Why did she run? Did she not trust him to protect her? Had he not been able to show her she was perfectly safe? Then his mind took an unsettling turn. How did Sir Garot know the girl was with him? Who tipped him off? He hated to think any one of his servants could or would turn spy against him. That thought made him uneasy. He approached Matsey and realized she was standing there, looking wide-eyed at him. He called for Goelik and told him he was leaving with Matsey and that Goelik would have to re assign someone to her chores while they were gone. Goelik bowed and watched his master go off into the night. Matsey looked back with an uneasy feeling toward Goelik. When she was no longer able to see him she turned to Makraim, “Are you sure it wise to leave everything in his care?” Makraim didn’t think before he answered her, “He has been my most trusted servant for years. He helped raise me and was here the night my parents died. He will do a good job. Fear not Matsey. Declan Manor is in good hands.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 4