Blood Bride (Aarabassa World) Read Online Free PDF Page A

replied the messenger, confused. ‘He took his own life. The Princes had already left the city on their journeys to bring together the Lightlands Council. As far as I understand, they are not yet aware of their father’s death.’
    ‘Thank you Erat for delivering such grave news. At ease, soldier.’
    The Captain took the piece of paper the messenger grasped tightly, as if holding on to it would mean his King still lived. The messenger looked relieved at his dismissal. This was not news anyone would gladly part with.
    ‘I cannot believe King Alfred would do this,’ Heather quietly expressed to the Captain. 
    ‘Aye lady,’ Captain Yanomi spoke his reply, for Heather’s ears only. ‘There is more to this story, I wager. We must get you on your way so my troops can return to the Royal City. We will be needed by the High Mages. I cannot think how order will be in Beldroth with our King dead.’
    This is sombre news for us all , the Queen Mindtalked to Heather.
    I cannot help but wonder if his sudden death is anything to do with Morte-Bielz. We must make haste with our mission Heather. We will prepare quickly so the young Prince can still be rescued. I do not like to think of that monshaad Emperor holding him for one moment longer than necessary.
    ‘First, Queen Thimat, I must contact my father, the Head Mage. I must know what develops in Beldroth and what my father advises.’ Heather turned her attention to the Captain. ‘Captain, I will go meet with the prisoners now and report back to you on my judgement.’
    The group continued to disperse, the dragons following their Queen down a large passageway and Heather following the guards to the cells, on another level. 

 
 
 
5                    Aunt
     
    Entering the dank, gloomy chamber she came face to face with Fedros in the first cell. He stood rigid, clutching the iron bars of the gate and staring with crazy eyes wide in surprise. An eerie orange glow surrounded him in his cell as the burning torch spread its fingers of light. The fetid smell or stale urine swirled around her nostrils.
    ‘Ahhh,’ he whispered loudly. ‘Here you are Changeling, finally you have arrived. My Master will be pleased that he can now progress with his plan.’
    ‘Who is this master you speak of?’ Heather recognised Fedros from his role as Leon’s temporary guard. She remembered, at the time she had thought him an unlikely looking soldier.
    ‘My Master is keen to meet with you Changeling. My mother and I are to accompany you, so you can tell that to the stinking dragons. If they attempt to hurt me, they will have to answer to the Emperor Morte-Bielz!’ he shouted, podgy white fingers wrapped around the iron bars of the gate, shaking them furiously.
    ‘Don’t you see Changeling? Our Master has his eyes on all his servants. He watches you closely, so treat me well,’ he laughed oddly, his wild ice-blue eyes gaping back at her. Heather backed away from his cell gate, unsure if indeed he was as mad as the soldiers had implied in their gossip. Treading the dusty floor, grit crunching under her step, she took a right turn towards the cell of the old woman.
    Rikka sat upon a hard, cold stone bench that must surely make her bones ache with discomfort. Her tangled hair hung in long dirty strands. Her robe grubby from lack of cleaning and her skin dirty from lying on the floor of the dusty, damp cave. 
    ‘Ye have spoken with my son, Changeling?’ she asked of Heather. ‘His words are those of a man possessed. I explained this to the captain, my son has evil in his blood. The evil got him when the young Prince was taken from us. All of his words are lies. My only master is the King.  My only son is possessed of an evil devil, ‘e is lost to us.’ She stood up and hobbled to the gate, shaky in her balance as she slowly seated her frail bones on the floor, bowing her head in mock disgrace.
    ‘Rikka,’ Heather spoke gently through the iron gate and knelt down