KGWrites

Alyx

Alyx Cobalt’s Apartment, Falcon’s Nest Palace, Kingdom of Aldiron

Lady Alyxandra Cobalt.

It was a sentence Alyx was still getting used to, even nearly two weeks after Trident’s arrest and the king granting the estate and titles to the Cobalts. It just didn’t feel real, or even possible.

Today was particularly surreal however, as today was the day that their heraldry was to be finished.

Alyx looked down at the drawings spread out across the desk in front of her and her family. Lillian sat in the desk chair, looking over them with the look of a child that knows what they are looking at is very important, but for the life of them they don’t follow why. James was leaned against the wall, staring at the drawings intently.

Alyx tilted her head as she examined them. They were all variations on the same design, a cobalt blue field bearing two cats, one sat, the other prowling. They’d discussed lions, or some other big cats, but in the end, they had chosen to take the symbol of smaller, prowling cats.

“Alley cats.” James had said, referencing not only their origin and what they’d endured to get to this point, but also James’ own nickname for them both. 

“This one.” Alyx said after a moment, pointing to one of the four final designs. The sitting cat in the centre of the blue field was silver, its head turned off to the left and ears perked up like it had heard something. The bronze-coloured prowling one was twisted round behind its sibling, encircling it like a protector and looking off to the right, giving the impression of the two cats having one another’s backs. Out of the various designs they’d seen, something about this one spoke to Alyx.

It felt right.

It felt like them.

James leaned forward next to her, examining the one she had indicated a little closer.

“You silver or bronze there Alyx?” He asked with a chuckle.

“Bronze. You think I’m ever as on the lookout as Silver is? That’s you, I’m getting ready to fight.” She joked back, giving his shoulder a light punch. James chuckled, rubbing his shoulder in mock hurt before nodding.

“Yeah, I like that one too. Lil?” He asked, turning to the girl.

“How come there’s no cat for me?” Lillian asked, looking down at the sheet. Alyx pursed her lips and exchanged a look with James. She doubted “because that’d get really complicated to design” would go down that well with the girl.

“Because the best alley cats don’t get seen sneaking around.” James replied quickly, making Lillian smile and nod. The look coming across her face told Alyx immediately that she needn’t have worried, that Lillian either already understood, or more likely, didn’t care.

“Yeah, I like it too.” She said. James turned to the man waiting expectantly for an answer.

“The third design please. And pass our complements onto the heralds for making it such a difficult decision.” James told him and the man bowed his head deeply.

“Of course, my lord. Now, onto the next, I have plenty of people wishing to see you about renovations and changes to the estate.”

All this served to do was make James groan in frustration.

“And I’ve told them all before, we’ll talk about the estate. The estate outside the city walls, when there’s not an enemy army bearing down on us from outside those walls.” He snapped and the man nodded.

“As you say my lord.” The man nodded, before moving forwards, gathering the papers and hurrying from the room.

James sighed, leaning back against the wall and massaging his eyes. He was avoiding the estate, Alyx knew that. Too much of Trident still hung over it, any renovations they did do would have to be commissioned from a distance, neither of them was willing to return while it still held the ghost of the monster that had previously lived there. For now though, the war provided a convenient excuse to stay away from it.

The silence hung for a moment before Alyx walked over to the table by the fire, pouring a goblet of water and handing it to her brother. He sipped it, still staring at the ceiling.

There had been a few moments like this for all three of them. Moments where reality set in and they couldn’t help but stop and wonder if they’d made the right decision by swear allegiance and taking on noble titles, by staying instead of running. James seemed to get them most frequently though. Even free of Trident, the cloud of caution and fear still hung its shadow over her brother’s mind.

He always settled back on the idea that the choice to stay, to stand, was the right one. Sometimes he just needed reminded why.

“Spoken to Meghan lately?” Alyx asked, sitting down on the edge of her bed and tilting her head to one side. James snapped back to reality, looking down at her in surprise. Alyx laughed.

“Oh, I take one look at the princess, and you instantly notice that I’m interested. But you get surprised when I do the same to you? You look like a stray puppy every time she walks in a room James.” She chuckled, seeing an embarrassed blush rising up her brother’s cheeks and reddening his ears.

“I…” James began and then clearly gave up on whatever argument he was about to make. He looked down into his goblet and shrugged. “No. I haven’t spoken to Meghan in a while, since we got back really. We were both recovering and then she’s been in study, or training Iona. We’ve not had a chance to talk.”

“She’s avoiding you?” Alyx asked, reading between the lines of what James was saying in the way only siblings can. James shrugged again, looking somewhat sheepish.

“I don’t know. Maybe? It always seems she’s busy whenever I talk about meeting up to research the Brightblade or anything.” He said uncertainly. “Maybe I’m reading too much into it.”

“Maybe? I mean, is there a reason she might be avoiding you?” Alyx questioned him, sifting through the pieces of the puzzle in her mind. James hummed and gave a half nod.

“Guilt maybe? I think she might feel guilty about…” He trailed off, gesturing to his now healed nose. The injury had healed nicely, not even scarred or partially flattened like Alyx’s had. The benefits of palace physicians against setting it herself in a Winter District alley, Alyx had supposed, trying not to be jealous.

Alyx worked her mouth in confusion, her brow furrowed as she tried to follow James’ logic. She couldn’t see why Meghan would feel guilty over Trident’s men breaking James’ nose.

“It was her idea to come, Trident told me to come alone. She found a loophole in what he had written and came. He didn’t really care. But he had this done as a punishment when he found out.” James explained.

“That was still Trident though. And if she hadn’t been there… we’d both be dead right now. Which I’ll say is worse than a broken nose and a few scars on my back.” Alyx replied. Her back had healed well from the whip scars, it no longer caused her pain. But it was occasionally stiff or tight when she sat down for a while or just after she’d woken up, and it had left a latticework of pale scars across the olive skin of her back. Even the cut on her cheek from the knife had healed properly without scarring. All in all, she’d gotten off lightly from the punishment she’d endured. They both had.

And it was a punishment that Alyx laid squarely at the feet of Aaron Trident, no-one else.

“I know that, you know that. And I think deep down, Meghan knows that too. But still, if she thinks that her clever words got me hurt… I don’t know, maybe that’s enough.” James said uncertainly, before tipping his goblet of water down his throat.

“I think you definitely need to talk to her James, she needs to know you don’t blame her.” Alyx told him gently. James scoffed, then smiled and nodded, acknowledging Alyx’s point. Then he moved and sat down next to Alyx on the bedside.

“You’re one to talk little sister, considering you haven’t exactly leapt at the chance to talk to Iona since we got back.” He teased and Alyx sighed, chewing her lip.

“Yeah.” Was all she said after a moment’s silence. James bumped her shoulder with his.

“Come on Alyx, she kissed you. I’d say that’s a pretty good indication that she’s interested.” He said, beaming excitedly at her. Alyx was glad he was happy for her, but it wasn’t as simple as he made it out.

“Not that easy James.” She replied, chewing her cheek and staring at the floor.

“Well sure it wasn’t then, but we’re actually damn nobles now Al. You’re a lady. Lot harder for them to turn their noses up at you courting the princess now.” James responded but Alyx shook her head.

“They still will. Plenty of Junices out there. But I don’t give a shit about them, never have.” That was a lie, and by the look on James’ face, he knew it. Junice had long since wormed his way into Alyx’s mind and try as she might, shaking off his words was taking more than her new title. But that wasn’t why she’d been avoiding talking about the kiss to Iona.

“Trident used the fact that we love each other to hurt us.” Alyx began slowly, finally putting voice to the decision she’d made not long after returning from Trident’s estate. “And my job, my duty, is to make sure Iona doesn’t get hurt. If I was with her, then I’d be a weak point, something to be used against her. I was nearly the death of you and Meghan because evil bastards used the way we care for each other against us. I can’t be that for her.”

It was still as painful saying it as it had been to realise it and internalise it before. But pain was something Alyx was familiar with, and she was getting used to it.

James sat in silence for a while, examining his sister and considering her words. Then he gave his head a short series of shakes.

“Seems a lonely way to live Alyx.” He said softly, one hand giving his sister’s shoulder a squeeze.

“At least I’m alive. At least she’s alive.” Alyx replied, leaning her head on his hand for a second. She had been expecting a lecture, but clearly what she’d said had made sense to James. It had upset him certainly, seeing her make that choice, but it seemed at least he understood.

He looked ready to speak again when a knocking came at the door. All three Cobalts quickly stood.

“Come in.” Alyx called and the door opened to reveal Thalia, the other member of Iona’s royal guard that often stayed near the princess alongside Junice. She bowed her head seeing all three Cobalts within the room.

“My lord, my ladies.” She began, making Alyx sigh. She’d long ago told Thalia just to call her Alyx, but as with so many in the palace, etiquette dictated the woman’s actions above all else. “The king requests you join him in the war room.”

Alyx exchanged a quick glance with James before looking down at Lillian.

“All of us?” She asked and Thalia nodded.

“He specified my lady. Lord Cobalt and both ladies.” She explained, repeating the king’s orders.

Alyx looked back at her brother who simply shrugged and nodded.

“Lead on then.” Alyx said, gesturing towards the door. “Oh, and Thalia. Alyx, not ‘my lady’, yeah?”

Thalia swallowed and nodded. But the look in her eye told Alyx everything she needed to know about Thalia’s thoughts on that. Bloody noble title and I still get ignored.

They followed Thalia through the halls of the palace, moving down into the bowels of the building, deep within the cliff that it sat upon. Eventually they came to a heavy iron banded door of dark wood. Stood outside the door were two guards, Captain Conrad Turner and Sir Reynard Junice.

Turner gave them both a respectful nod of greeting as they passed, while Junice stiffened. His face twisted as he fought to keep it stoic and emotionless, then he bowed his head.

“Lady Cobalt.” He said through gritted teeth. Junice was the one person Alyx didn’t mind using her noble title, because it was funny to watch him struggle with it. He looked constipated every single time. She nodded her head back at him.

“Junice.” She said simply, before walking past him and into the room.

The room was made of carven stone, like it had been hollowed out of the mountain itself rather than constructed. Light came from outside filtered through long, thin tunnels that led to windows set within the cliffside. In its centre was a table bearing a map of the realm with little figures carved into shapes like falcons, dragons and bulls. Next to it stood King Samuel Ravellan, staring down at the map intently.

Alyx’s heart beat a little faster when she spotted that Iona was also in the room, stood in a ray of sunlight from outside that shone brightly through her hair. She willed it to still, remembering her conversation with James mere moments before.

“Alyx, James, Lillian, welcome. Thank you, Thalia, that will be all.” King Samuel said as the Cobalts all bowed to him. Behind them, Thalia saluted and then walked from the room.

“How goes adjusting to noble life?” Iona asked, moving from the light to stand by her father.

“Well enough. Still not used to all the bowing, but we’ve finalised our crest. James is holding off any work on the estate until we’ve kicked Draconeus back into his hole. He’s a little worried the house gets caught in the fighting.” Alyx replied, slipping effortlessly into the casual rapport she and Iona had long established with more than a little relief. At least that hasn’t changed. King Samuel laughed at her words.

“Smart choice. With the added bonus of if Draconeus burns it down then you get to rebuild something that Trident had no hand in.” Then he leaned forwards onto the table. “It is about that that I have summoned you here though. Not the estate. But beating Draconeus back into the pit he crawled from.”

James nodded, moving towards the table as well when the door opened and Meghan Whiteoak strode in, her purple silks flowing in the air behind her.

“You were right.” Lillian whispered quietly to Alyx as the king turned to greet the newcomer. Alyx turned to look at her in confusion and she nodded towards James. “Lost puppy.” She said with a mischievous grin.

Alyx had to bite her finger to keep from laughing out loud.

As Meghan settled in and Alyx brought her laughter back under control, earning a confused look from Iona and an embarrassed blush from James which only served to make things worse, Lillian moved to the table. When she felt able to compose herself, Alyx joined her, making sure to position herself so that she didn’t catch sight of her brother and start laughing again.

“Every day, Draconeus’ forces march closer to the city. Grand Marshall Hills and the second legion are doing all they can to delay them, but still, the noose is closing on us. While Iona and Alyx have been training, James and Meghan have been researching the legends of the Brightblade, a weapon that can kill Blood Demons like Draconeus. How goes that search?” King Samuel began, summarising the past few months to ensure everyone was caught up with what was happening.

“Considering we started from a position of a myth no-one believed was real, quite well. But in a very practical sense, we are still far from holding the Brightblade in our hands.” James replied. Meghan hummed and leaned forwards, laying a tome on the table before her. Alyx couldn’t read the text on the cover, but she recognised the patterns and styles as Evellien.

“We’ve tracked down the Brightblade to an old Evellien text, from a time when their kingdom splintered into three separate realms, ruled from places I have only been able to translate as Throne, Market and Tower. Each of these kingdoms was given a piece of the Brightblade, as a reminder of Evellien friendship and co-operation. But where ‘Throne, Market and Tower’ are? That information has eluded us.” Meghan took over from James, frustration at their lack of progress clear in her voice.

“Do you have any leads at all?” King Samuel asked and Meghan sucked her teeth, tilting her head in a half shrug.

“Not here. But if there are going to be records of three Evellien kingdoms and their capitals anywhere, it’ll be in the Sea Lords’ Hall of Records in Blueholdt. They have the greatest collection of Evellien artefacts and histories in the known world there.” She said after a moment. Samuel nodded, his face unchanging.

“Good. Then that’s where you’ll go.” He said causing the entire room to turn their heads to look at him in confusion.

“Your majesty? There’s an army bearing down on us. We can’t just-.” Meghan began.

“You can and you will Lady Whiteoak. You too Lord Cobalt.” Samuel replied, cutting Meghan off. James shook his head.

“My king, I understand the need, but I won’t leave my family behind in a siege. I’ve only just made sure they were safe from the last monster.” He objected and Samuel nodded.

“I understand that Lord Cobalt, and don’t worry yourself. You won’t be leaving them behind, they’re going with you.”

Now it was Alyx and Lillian’s turn to look confused, drawing back from the table in shock. Alyx looked to James, and then over to Iona next to King Samuel. I will remain by her side and see that no monster, demonic or otherwise, tear this Falcon from the sky.

“I made an oath your majesty. My place is at Iona’s side.” She replied and Samuel nodded again.

“Yes, it is.” He agreed simply. Understanding slowly spread around the room. It seemed to reach Iona herself last. Her eyebrows shot up and she turned her head to her father in surprised outrage.

“No! I’m not leaving! My place is here, standing with my people. The weight of the crown is that you must always do your duty to your people first, no matter the dangers. Those were your words, that’s what you told me.” She said, confusion and hurt clear in her voice. Samuel just watched her, a sad expression on his face, then he nodded.

“You’re right Iona. We must do our duty to our people first. And our duty, your duty is to put an end to Draconeus. You can’t do that from behind the city walls. We need the Brightblade and a leader to wield it. That’s the duty I’m entrusting to you.” He told her, his voice firm but gentle, his explanation slow and calm.

“Let someone else wield the sword. I should be here, with the defence, with our people. I shouldn’t be running off into the wild.” Iona argued and Samuel shook his head.

“We bring hope to our people. We stand strong in the face of the enemy yes, but that doesn’t mean we’re rocks in the tide. We must flow with it, adapt. There are many ways to bring hope. And even if we batter Draconeus away from our walls a hundred times, he’ll keep coming back. Until we bring that blade to bear on him. There’s only one person I trust with a duty like that.” He said. Iona lowered her head, lost in thought for a second before she spoke again.

“All the training, the swords, horses, all of it. This is why, isn’t it? You’ve been preparing me to leave this whole time.” She said, it wasn’t a question. King Samuel nodded slowly.

“I needed someone to rely on out there. And there’s no-one in Aldiron, not a soul, that I trust more than you, dear daughter.” He told her sincerely and Iona watched him carefully for a while before she turned back to the map, chewing her lip.

Alyx’s gaze remained on the king though. Because she’d seen a look cross his face when he’d been speaking. A distant look of surety and resignment. It was a look Alyx recognised from a distant, buried memory.

Sigmund.

The old man had had that same look the day that Alyx and James had first fought Spyder, when he’d realised the game was up and the Oasis would fall into Trident’s hands.

And now Alyx understood. The king didn’t need Iona to be the person wielding the Brightblade, he could send anyone to do that. He didn’t need Iona to leave because she was the only one he trusted to see the mission through. No. King Samuel needed Iona to leave because she was his daughter, and he knew that time was no longer on their side.

If he wanted Aldiron to survive, the royal line to survive, his daughter to survive. Then he needed to send her away before the demon arrived.

Something Trident had said wormed through Alyx’s mind. “When the Falcons finally stop flying. You don’t want to know what’ll happen to dear Iona. You should be thanking me.”

Something about those words had seemed more like a warning than anything else, like Trident had known something about what Draconeus had planned for the royal family. Maybe Samuel did too.

“Alright father. I’ll go. I’ll find the Brightblade and return, lift the siege and cut the head off the demon.” Iona said resolutely after a moment, pushing off the map. “But if Blueholdt gives us nothing, if there are no more leads to go on. Then I’m coming right back and helping you kick his army so hard he never even thinks about crawling back across the Bloodfields.” Samuel chuckled and nodded.

“I’d expect nothing less.” Then he turned to the rest of the group.

“Prepare your equipment for a journey. Travel light. There won’t be many of you which should make avoiding Draconeus’ forces easier. You leave at the end of the week. James, Meghan, I trust you both to do whatever is necessary to find the Brightblade, our kingdom depends on it. Lillian, you help them as much as you can.” The other three nodded, accepting their given task. Then the king’s gaze turned to Alyx.

“Alyx, I’m putting my heart in your hands out there. You’ve done admirably in your short time as Iona’s guard, now keep doing so. She’s the future of us all, keep it safe.” He commanded and Alyx nodded, looking from the king to Iona and back.

“You have my word your majesty, if anyone even thinks about hurting her, they’ll have to kill me first. And I’m really damned hard to kill.” She told him and the king bowed his head in thanks.

As Meghan, Iona, James and Samuel began discussing routes, and the supplies they’d need, Alyx looked at her brother.

Well, we got our wish. We’re not going to be stuck here during a siege.

We’re going to be doing something so much worse.