“Well, I think I am ready to return to Drishane. How about you two?” the woman who had been fucked in the sauna questioned the man andOctavia.
Without a doubt, I knew that I had to follow her. There was no way Drishane was still around and had been undetected. I raced to my quarters and stuffed my pockets and a satchel full of all of my forest chips. I layered on a few shirts and hurried downstairs just as their carriage pulled away from the edge of town. I ran to the edge of the forest and went just deep enough so that I could not be seen. I fell into the fog and kept a safe distance back as I traveled through the woods while they traveled along thepath.
Even over the sounds of the carriage wheels on the dirt, I could still make out most of theirconversation.
“Klyn, you do not fuck like the men who come into my shop. It is one reason I find you so irresistible,” the other womansaid.
“I am delighted that you find me irresistible. Next time you visit the castle, I shall take you to the stable, bend you over a bale of hay, and paddle that ass before I fuck it,” the manreplied.
The castle was still in existence. I could not comprehend how any of this waspossible.
“Any idea who you are going to select this year?” the lady who had been fuckedasked.
“No, not yet. This year we are allowing ten entrants, and they can enter up to five days before the pageant,” Octaviacommented.
The man clearly was not happy about the ten entrants and the fact that they could enter whatever pageant they were talking about, so late. Octavia and the guy went back and forth for a while, arguing about it. From what I gathered, he was possibly some sort of security source for her. Which makes sense, since she is now a queen. I tried to pay attention to them while navigating the woods and sorting things out in myhead.
As their carriage followed a curve, I saw the dirt turn into cobblestone, and the pitch-black darkness that had been in front of them turned into the most beautiful town. I eased back in the fog and let my feet settle on theground.
“Bloody hell,” I murmured as I stood firmly on the spot my feet hadlanded.
I walked slowly toward a town that was not supposed to exist. I came upon a sign, welcoming me to Drishane and the Darick Kingdom. How was any of thispossible?
As I made my way to the town square, it was with a heavy heart that I remembered the last time I was here. Hundreds of years ago, I tried to save some souls from the annihilation of a town at the hands of myfather.
I spent the night laying on my side on the cold stone bench. I was not even tired. I gazed all night long at the Darick castle. Behind those stone walls was the Darick mint, as well as the molds and secrets behind the Royal Darick coins. Those walls securely held all of the things my fatherwanted.
As I watched the soft yellow flames flicker in the distance, I thought briefly if this was what the prophecy was in reference to. Had the Gods seen this coming? Was I expected to hand this beautiful town over to my vile father and the CarpeNoctem?
First thing is first though. Tomorrow morning I need to find out what this pageant is that Octavia referenced, and I need to enter myself init.
