"Why are you traveling with a witch?" A low gravely voice asks me. The black bag in still tight around my head. The stink burns my lungs making it hard to breath. I woke up tied to a post, lungs still filled with smoke. I heard a door creak open and whoever took us started asking questions about Aurora. They don't seem to care much about who I am.
"That's none of your business. Who are you people?" My voice is raspy, the burning in my throat intensifying with each word.
"Given that you and that witch were stalking one of our own. I'd say it's definitely our business."
"I'm not telling any of you anything."
"Fine, have it your way." Footsteps get louder and I'm hoisted up the post so that I'm standing. A sharp pain in my gut shocks my system. I crumble to the floor, gasping for breath. Before I can catch it I'm pulled to my feet again. "Why are you traveling with a witch?!"
"Piss off." Another punch sends me back down to my knees.
"Listen here you prick, I've got orders not to kill you. But I swear by the roses you'll wish you were dead."
"Do your worst." I brace myself for a beating. But none comes. I hear the door swing open quickly and a shout from a familiar voice stops whatever volley of blows was coming.
"Calm yourself, we don't want our guests bleeding out on the floor do we?"
"Sir, I was just doin-"
"You're to report to the commander immediately."
"Aye sir." I listen as my assailant quickly leaves the room and shuts the door behind him. The bag is finally untied and lifted from my head. The stone room is dimly lit by only two primitive sconces on the wall. No moonlight peers through the nonexistent windows. Aside from the sconces, and the post I'm tied to the room is bare.
"Sorry about that Soren." My hooded savior is knelt in front of me, though his hood no longer covers his face. The goblin was right. The skin on his face is aged and leathery, a silvery beard grows thick but short. He brushes his long silver hair away from his dark eyes. "Though I do still have some questions for you."
"Uncle Triden..." All this time I'd thought he died with the rest of them. But he's here in front of me. He gives me a soft smile and nod.
"Aye lad. It's so very good to see you." He rests his hand on my shoulder for a moment before retrieving a hunting knife from his belt and cutting me free. I shake away the ache in my muscles and gently massage the tension in my wrists. "What kind of hot mess have you gotten yourself into?" I tell him everything. About the expedition, the coven, my encounter with the cult, everything.
"Once we returned from the Sorrowmoore, I explained to Nyx what happened. She told me I'd been chosen by The Black Rose as its Rose Knight." My uncle frowns.
"So it finally caught you. I had hoped this day would never come." I look at him confused.
"What do you mean finally?" He sighs and gathers his thoughts.
"Your father wasn't always a simple farmer. There was a time where he and I lived lavish lives in the castle of King Alaric. The very same who's son, your grandfather. Was the chosen of the Black Rose. Henrik was the firstborn, and so was first in line to become the next knight. But seeing the hell is caused our father, as soon as he was old enough... he ran. Your grandfather sent me after him, to return him home. But once I caught up to my brother and heard his nightmares. I was in no hurry to return home." He pauses for a moment, a wave of emotions washes over his face. "I had hoped that my father would outlive us all... But if what you say is true. Corvus is dead."
----
My uncle and I talk for what seems like hours in his private quarters. Recounting the past ten years of our lives. And reveling in shared memories of the past. After the raid he was enraged by the vileness of the cult and unwillingness of the Black Rose to stop it. So he left to join the White Rose Rebellion. An organization led by The Arator, and founded upon the salvation of the Noxland from the chains of both the Black Rose and the Noxbleum. He told me the rebels have spies in the coven, which is why he was waiting for us in Oakhaven. A goblin probably.
"The woman you're looking for. Her name is Natasha, she was a witch of The Black Rose Coven. But has since taken up arms with the cult, for reasons unknown to us at this time."
"Do you know where we can find her?"
"I cannot say that I do lad. But if you're after the cult, I don't believe The Arator will refuse to help you cut off one of its heads. I'll take you to her in the morning. For now, there's food in the mess hall and beds in the barracks. Get yourself some rest, I'll find you in the morning." He stands and walks me to the door, stopping just short. He takes my shoulders in his hands and gently shakes me, tears welling in his eyes. "It's so good to see you again."
I find Ivar enjoying a hearty bowl of potatoes and beef with Rhys and Durin, swapping stories with the two veterans. His booming laughter echoing throughout the large room. The mess hall is anything but. Tables are in perfect alignment and evenly spaced. The floor is a bright white marble so clean I can nearly see my own reflection in it. At the far end is a large stained glass window of a woman holding a white rose.
"Soren!" Rhys spotted me and is waving me over. "So. How was the reunion?"
"How do you know he was family?"
"I have my ways. And those ways consist of simply asking questions. We couldn't figure out where on Nox you were, so we asked around. Which with you being who you are, most willingly obliged."
Durin laughs at the story. "Rhys is talkin out his arse, he didn't ask nobody nothin. After all his time wastin away with the Coven, he's picked up an uncanny ability to be knowing things about people. Gives me the creeps."
"You stick to your metal and coals, I'll stick to people my friend."
"Gladly!"
"So." He turns his attention back to me. "How did it go?"
"We talked, reminisced, he told me I'm a direct descended of King Corvus. And then I came here." The three share glances.
"Your family never told you this before..." Ivarsays.
"They were trying to protect me from it. Said they hoped it wouldn't be able to find me ."
"If becoming the Rose Knight is generational, wouldn't it have been looking for your uncle?" Rhys asks.
"I... don't know." Why did it pick me over him? Has he found a way to escape it? Rhys leans in over the table quieting his voice.
"Did he have any information on Aurora? Does he know where she's gone?" My chest burns with silent anger at the mention of her. I will find her, but I need to break this curse first.
"She left." My tone is harsher than I wanted. Rhys eyes me warily.
"Something happen between you two?" I shake my head.
"It's nothing." The skeptical expression of his eyes bleeds into his face.
"Soren, what are you not telling us?"
"I didn't kill her, if that's what you're implying." I catch Ivars stare. He knows.
"That's not at all what I was implying, but since that was your first thought. Did you? I know the depths of the hatred you country folk feel for her kind." His voice is getting louder rising from his seat.
"You really think I would've waited this long to run a sword through her?"
"You mean waited until you two were alone, outside the Covens borders?"
"I didn't kill her Rhys!" I slam the table
"Then what did you do with her?!"
"Rhys!" Durin barks over our shouting. Everyone is watching us. "Mind yer own damn business or I'll cut all yer cocks off while ye sleep!" Everyone finds their meals far more fascinated than us. He rests a hand on Rhyr's arm. "That boy couldna even scratch our girl before she burned him to a crisp. She can take care of herself, you know that."
Rhys's anger cools. "You're right. I'm sorry Soren, I just..." He runs a hand through his hair and takes a breath. "I've known her since she was just a scared little girl. I taught her. Cared for her... raised her as my own. Not knowing where she is. Or if she's even alive... it's tearing me apart." My heart aches for him, but I cannot share in his compassion for the woman that murdered my family. Dark rage still boils within my blood, I need to cooldown. But it won't happen here.
"Triden will take us to The Arator in the morning. I'll try not to burn any witches in the meantime."
