The Darkest Heart Chapter 1
The Darkest Heart
Part 1
Michelle Teague
Slemetodeath
Sled opened his eyes slowly. The pale morning light filtering through the slit in the curtains. His palace room barely warm enough to sleep in. His fireplace had gone out in the middle of the night. And now with winter approaching, the weather was growing colder. Standing, he stretched and walked to the fire place. Tossing a few more logs on it, he picked up a stick from the mantel and used the small oil lamp to light it. Then he poured some of the oil on the wood and lit it.
Taking a moment to enjoy the warmth, he looked to his room. It was not lavish. It would have been considered moderately furnished by the standards of a noble. But Sled was the son of the Emperor. Unfortunately not his only son, and not the eldest. Sled knew that the day his brother took the throne, his life would be ruined forever. If he survived that day at all.
The equine walked to the window and opened the curtains. Blinking against the glare, he sighed and looked out at the gray sky. The rain had been pouring like this for a week. If it didn't stop the crops would be ruined, or worse the rivers and lakes would flood. The prince stood at the window, watching the world before he sighed and walked to his dresser. Taking out his clothing for the day, he pondered what he should do. His usual routine was to ride out on the countryside, and speak with the citizens of the Empire. To ascertain their needs and try to meet them as best he could.
As he left his room, he was joined by a guard that had been waiting on him. "Morning sire." she said softly. He glanced at her and smiled. "Morning Angelica. How is the house of Wolfen this day?" She smiled, "Ever ready to serve the Duke of the East Hold." The equine smiled, pausing to look at his companion. The female was a wolf. She stood nearly six foot. Arctic fur covered her head to toe, and yet her thick mane of vivid green hair stood out, braided and tied properly, like a shield maiden. Her piercing emerald eyes looked past the uncertainty and fear he had often had. Her broad shoulders and strong frame hid under the armor. Her more feminine side was buried even deeper.
But Sled had seen it, once. It was a night they both looked back on fondly. "And if my brother orders my execution?" She smiled wider, "There are three hundred wolves at my command sire....he would have to get past all of them, and I before he got to you." The horse nodded and carried on. He was confident his brother would just banish him. Which was fine by Sled. The only concern was the people of the kingdom.
Coming to the dining hall, the horse took a seat at the table, motioning the wolfess to sit as well. "Come, dine with me Captain," he said softly. She sat as well as a servant came to set cups before them. As they sat, talking before the food arrived, the horse spoke. "I have thought to go to the North again. Your home is beautiful, and peaceful." Angelica smiled, "You are always welcome my lord. The gates of Shin-dar are always open to you." The colt nodded softly.
As they food was set before them, he smiled. He was never a fancy eater. Merely, he enjoyed having proper food in plentiful amounts. Oats, fruits of all manner, milk, bread, roast meat, and of course the simple pleasure of welcome company to dine with. The wolfess was polite in her eating, unlike many of the guards normally were. Sled had found it endearing that she was the perfect balance of body guard and lover. Though they were not a couple, they often enjoyed the company of each other in the most intimate ways.
After the meal, the colt ventured to the stables. He had found no end to the humor of a horse riding a horse. Though the beast was feral, he still saw it as brethren. So he always took excellent care of his steed. The wolfess herself sat upon a massive Clydesdale. Solid black, save for a single white patch on his face. She smiled as she stroked his ears. "Yes, I know you want to gallop. Too long have you been in the stables." The horse nickered and snorted softly.
As the pair came to the door, they pulled cloaks over their heads. The horses wore hoods to keep their own heads and manes dry. As they trotted along to the road, Sled spoke, "Angelica....how far is it to Baskival?" The wolfess thought, "Two days ride, if we take a slower pace. Could do it in a night if we ran our steeds hard." The colt nodded softly.
He was thinking on a matter that had plagued him for some time. His father was not long for this world. And by right, his older brother Seth was to take the throne. Seth had always hated his younger brother. And constantly reminded him of that single fact. However, the older brother could not touch his younger while their father lived.
Sled had begun to devise a place. The province of Shin-dar was a forsaken place to most. Cold, barren, high in the mountains with little food or game to hunt. And yet for thousands of years the Wolves of the North had been able to survive and thrive there. They were considered wild, untamed, savage at time. However, the prince had spent time with them. He had learned the ways they used to survive. He was amazed at how civilized they were. They were isolated yes, and oft walked in naught but their fur.
But he had seen just how they lived, and knew that if he had to hide that that was where he had to go. Angelica saw the look on his face, and smiled. "Pence for your thoughts my lord?" The colt smiled, "Thinking about home." She blushed, knowing full well what he meant by that. On one trip, they had gone to her home village of Baskival. Not too far into the mountains, but far enough that most travelers needed a guide to get there.
The snows came early, trapping them in the village. Staying in her hut, they shared everything they had. Including their deepest secrets. It was there that she and he had indeed made deep love. And it was there that their child was kept, secret and safe. Though they could not wed, they were both content. The child knew it was loved, and understood, after these few years, that Mother and father could not always come home.
The colt smiled softly as he looked at the wolfess. "Perhaps it is time we went home." She stopped and turned to look at him. "My lord?" The prince smiled and shook his head. "There are things happening I want to discuss. And there is no safer place than at home. Among our own people." The wolfess instantly understood. This was not to be just some idle chat about what bothered him. "I shall make arrangements sire." she said.
She raised her paw and in her palm formed a ball of pure green flames. She flung it off into the sky and it went where it needed to be. The wolfess then looked at the colt. "Our supplies will be ready when we return this evening my lord. We may start out at dawn. Though I fear your brother will voice his opinions." The colt nodded as they turned back toward the palace.
The rains began to pelt down harder as they arrived back in the stables. As they were putting their steeds away, the sound of a violent and vulgar screaming voice filled the stables. Sled turned and came face to face with his brother's blade. "No. You will not be taking a vacation and leaving me here with father. The answer is no, no NO." Seth grit his teeth. "I will not let you go, even if I have to kill you to keep you here." Seth then gasped. He realized too late his mistake. Angelica stood to his side, her paw inches from his face.
She looked over with his eyes only. He saw the wings. The wolfess was a damn half breed. Half mortal, half something else. Heavenly or damned, he didn't know. But it didn't matter. Her paw was right there and he had seen what she was capable off. She could obliterate him if she wanted. Ash or even less and she really didn't like Seth in the least.
He lowered his sword and let it fall to the ground. "Turn and face me you snip." Seth turned slowly, getting a good look at the glow in her eyes. He said nothing as he looked at the paw. He could see the runes, as they pulsed softly. Angelica spoke softly, "If you come within a yard of him again, with a weapon in your hand, I shall end you. They will find now body, they will find no trace of you. Only a note that says you have gone to find something for yourself.... now get out of here."
Seth turned and walked away. Sled picked up the sword. "He's going to complain to father now. You may not have a position anymore. If he convinces father to send you away...." She smiled, "Then I can go home and be with my son." The colt smiled softly and nodded.
As they came into the palace, she took Seth's sword and passed it to a servant to be returned. As they came to the throne room, Seth was already there, ranting about the rabid wolfess. Angelica smiled, as the Emperor looked at her, the knowing look in his eyes and the soft smile on his lips making her want to laugh. "Seth. Silence your waggling tongue. I shall deal with this in my own fashion. Now leave."
Seth left, fuming but silent. The Emperor stood and motioned for them to follow. They followed slowly to his private chambers. "So is it because you love my youngest son, or because he has fathered your child that you defend him so strongly my little wolfess?" Angelica curled her paw, cupping a small flame. "How have you come to know about our son?" The old colt turned to her and smiled, "I have lived many years my dear. And long have I seen him grow. My grandsire is a strong lad. Gifted in magic of his mother. And the handsome face of his father."
The wolfess let the flame die. "What do you want my lord?" She whispered. "I want you to take my son, and run for your lives. I am not long for this world. Seth has a hand in my demise. I know he does, but not where or how." Sled grit his teeth, "Then let us have him. Let us try him for his crimes." The old colt raised a hand. "My son, please. He would kill you before you had him. He has turned half the council against you. Which is why I am speaking to you now. I want you to run away. If you decide to fight back, you will need to have the power to fight him. He has the backing of the Mages' council. And you do not have enough magic in you to fight them my son."
Sled lowered his gaze, until his father spoke, "Son. I want you to sit upon my throne. But I can not give it to you. You must take it from your brother. If you can become strong, and destroy him, then you will have the the throne by right." Sled looked up and smiled at his father. "I shall father. I vow I will have the throne, and shall rule as you have. Fairly and honestly, just and true." The old horse put his hand on his son's shoulder. "I know you shall my son... Now, quickly. Flee this city. Run to your stronghold. Gather your allies, and prepare yourself my son."
The Pair were on their mounts at midnight, riding for the North. Seth had no idea his younger brother was gone until dawn. It was then he was dining when his father came to the table. "You will have the throne Seth, of that you should have no fear. But I have sent your brother away. He is a Duke, and shall be protected as such. Am I clear?" Seth was fuming mad, but nodded softly. "Yes father. I understand."