Mickey Reichert - The legend of Nightfall

The prince’s reply was firm, making it clear that he would brook no further suggestions. "I appreciate your offer, Sudian, but I’d rather handle this exactly as I instructed."

Nightfall’s next recommendation, that he accompany them, died on his tongue. Edward’s manner suggested it would not be well-received. "Yes, Master. I’ll see you back at the room." He headed for the exit, the oath-bond becoming stronger with each step he took. He quelled it with the understanding that he would not leave Edward alone with Kelryn. Even if not for the risk of her association with sorcerers, he had no wish for the two to discuss him without knowing what got said. Although he felt certain Edward would trust his word over hers, he could prepare better if he knew what he needed to defend against. Likely, she would tell Edward things she would not dare to have mentioned in Nightfall’s presence, at least about how he had struck her that evening. Surely, she knew she could not dissolve the relationship between prince and squire in a night. She might insidiously infuse Edward with information, winning his trust until she delivered the blow that destroyed them both: Nightfall for being the demon of legend and Edward for associating with him.

Nightfall backed into the shadows outside of the tavern and waited.

Shortly, Prince Edward and Kelryn exited into the warm, summer air. He kept her arm in his own, worrying for her every step like a mother with a toddler. Nightfall waited until they passed, then followed at a distance that kept him well-hidden but revealed nearly every word of their conversation.

"Feeling better, lady?"

"Much, thank you, Ned. I think I just needed the night air."

Prince Edward seemed noticeably relieved. "I’m sorry about the food. I wanted to nourish, not poison, you."

"No, please, don’t apologize.” Kelryn touched the prince’s upper arm with her free hand. "It was the best meal I’ve had in a long time. And I really do feel fine now."

"Do you still want to go straight home?"

"A walk might be nice.”

Kelryn’s words and gentle tone brought back vivid remembrances of Nightfall’s own times with her. With them came a raw jealousy he could not deny. Bad enough Kelryn seemed to be striking up a friendship with the one he needed to protect. The thought that she might sleep with him drove Nightfall back to the wrath the shock of hitting her had dispelled. Worse, he could not quite figure out why the idea bothered him so much. It might do for the prince to lose his sexual innocence. He just wished it could be with anyone but her. Wished, not only for the prince, but for himself. For all that he hated her, the love and esteem he had once held for her could not be fully banished; and that realization only fueled the anger.

Prince Edward and Kelryn strolled through the darkened streets, oblivious to the shadow that trailed them in practiced silence. Although they seemed to walk together, stride for stride, only Kelryn knew the town well enough to lead the way. They chatted about the sights, such as the night allowed, and the meal, gradually wandering further from the streets and alleyways to a grassy knoll just north of the town’s edge. There, they sat beneath a spry, young oak; and the conversation ceased as they settled into place.

Nightfall found a hiding place, low and shadowed by a copse of prickly bushes. He kept his need focused. Every movement, of Kelryn or a surreptitious stranger, might mean danger to Prince Edward. Every word might place Nightfall in a compromising position that risked anything from simple punishment to the loss of his soul to magic. Yet, he could not help but notice how the moonlight striped highlights through Kelryn’s silver hair and the dress outlined a figure that had come to define female perfection, at least in Nightfall’s mind. Even her face seemed to gain a beauty in the glow. The moon complimented the prince as well, adding life to golden features that needed no enhancement.

"So how did you and Sudian come together?" Kelryn started the conversation, turning it back toward the topic that most bothered Nightfall. The tactic surprised him. He had expected her to snuggle up to Edward first, winning him over with sex before turning him against his squire. Yet, Nightfall could also see the strategy in defining his relationship with Edward before attempting whatever evil she planned. Perhaps she was still in the fishing stage, gathering information, checking Edward for a natal talent or for wealth, and seeking the best means to sell out Nightfall and his gift/curse once again.

Prince Edward studied Kelryn, obviously liking what he saw. "He came to the palace and pledged himself into my services with a vibrant loyalty to me and my causes that I appreciate every day we’re together." He looked away into the distance, a transparent attempt to balance his staring. "Does he do that often? Pledge himself, soul and mind, to people and their principles?"

Kelryn shook her head. "Never before that I know of. You must be as special as you seem." She pulled her legs to her chest and stared at the stars. "In fact, Sudian tends not to trust anyone."

"I’ve noticed that." Prince Edward glanced back to Kelryn, excited by his observation. "Why is that?" His words disappeared into an uncomfortably long hush. The song of night insects seemed to grow impossibly loud.

"I don’t know that he would want anyone to know this…"

Nightfall crouched deeper into the darkness, attentive, locked into one strategy. If he retaliated for Kelryn’s revelations, he would add credence to them. The only sensible response would be to remain in place, listening for the details so he could consider ways to counter her lies and truths.

Kelryn continued. "I told you our families were close, but I didn’t say why. Sudian never knew his father, and his mother had no interest in or experience with raising children. She was an only child, too, I think."

Nightfall listened intently. He had avoided talking about his childhood, even with Kelryn, and had told her only that he had no father and his relationship with his mother was less than ideal. His love for Kelryn had made him want to discuss happier details and confess the deepest, darkest secrets about himself; but he had avoided the sore specifics.

The insect chorus rose and fell in cycles. Prince Edward stretched into a more comfortable position, attention fully focused on Kelryn. "He had a bad mother? That makes him not trust?" Edward struggled for the connection.

Kelryn tried to supply it. "Many times, he’d come to our cottage limping or too bruised to play or sit. Once, I remember, he couldn’t use an arm for months. Lots of nights, he’d sleep with us or out in the streets or in a field somewhere. He never said so, but I’m sure his mother would send him away or beat him when she got upset. And we were all poor, even with a Papa to earn money, so there was lots to get upset about."

The story disturbed Nightfall, hitting too close to the truth. Kelryn’s intentions still eluded him. It made little sense for her to talk about him rather than flirt with her victim, and she had so far managed only to evoke pity. Perhaps she did not realize that Edward’s drive to help the downtrodden would only make him more sympathetic to the plight she had described.

"Oh, poor Sudian." Edward lowered his head, clearly sorry. "I didn’t know.”

"And that’s probably for the best." Kelryn shifted, but Nightfall could not quite tell if she had touched the prince’s hand or only made a soothing gesture. "I don’t usually like lying, but I wouldn’t tell him that you know. I think compassion and understanding make him uncomfortable, for the same reason as trust." She returned to the original question. "Whenever I saw her with him, his mother was always loving and merciful. It seemed like she was constantly apologizing for something, and she probably was. So, anyway, I think Sudian associates comforting with hitting. And caring with betrayal. So he doesn’t trust anyone." She added quickly, "Except you, apparently. You must be really special."