Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Tales of Intempia ❯ Chapter Seven ( Chapter 7 )

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Chapter Seven

Cerulean. Azure. Cobalt. Sapphire. Turquoise. The grass was irritating his skin, but he couldn't be bothered to move. The fluffy wisps that claimed to be clouds floated overhead as he considered the colour of the sky compared to Alsentia's eyes. Said girl was curled up in the grass beside him, watching the river slide by.
“Tell me about your childhood, Alsentia.”
She lifted her head, peering at him through narrowed eyes.
“Why? I can't remember most of it.”
He propped himself up on an elbow, leaning in close to her.
“Remember yours, and I'll remember mine.” As he spoke, his lips brushed against the shell of her ear, and a shiver ghosted down her spine.

“Who are they, mama?” The little girl pointed. Her mama turned, following the finger.
“They are soldiers. Warriors going to keep our Algora safe.”
“Safe from what?”
“The rebels. Next to our country is Intempia. The werewolves and vampires live there. For many years they've been trying to enter Algora and take over. Heavens bless the Elders who keep us safe from those monsters.”
“But don't we try to take over their country?”
“For the good of everyone! The Elders are always right. The Intempians are savage barbarians. It is our duty to teach them how to be civilised.”
“By controlling them?”
“Enough, Alsentia! Enough of your ridiculous comments. I did not raise you, the daughter of a loyal servant to the Elders, to question those who know what's best for us. Enough.”

Cool fingers brushed her hair from her face.
“That's pretty much the summary of my childhood.” She shrugged, turning from his touch.
“You think differently to the rest of your people.”
“You think I don't know? There are others out there. There are executions occasionally when they get caught. I'm not alone.”
“You're never alone.”
Confused, she turned to him, but his eyes were unreadable.
“What do you mean?”
“Like you said, there are others of your race out there who think as you do.”
“That's not what you meant.”
He tilted his head, lips gaining a small smirk and she sighed in defeat.
“Why don't you ever let anything on?”
His laugh was brief, but loud.
“It all makes for a much better story.”
Her expression was non-plussed.
“Just imagine, one day you'll want to tell the world what happened between our countries. It'd make a much better story for me to not tell you anything, to let the tension build, to keep people guessing. Wouldn't it?”
“You're insane.”
He snickered, then abruptly stopped.
“Just a little.”

“Estyrn?”
“Hmm?”
&# 8220;How long have I been here?”
Silence.
“I believe today is the fifth day. Give or take. Your father will undoubtedly turn up at some point.”
“Are you ransoming me?”
Estyrn sighed.
“Is this really a good conversation to be having?”
“I want to know. I think I deserve to know seeing as I'm the one who was kidnapped.”
His expression was blank, then he sighed again.
“Not ransoming as such, more buying ourselves some more time. As much as we can.”
“To do what?”
“I can't tell you.”
“Can't or won't?”
His smile was slightly crooked.
“Both.”
“You never tell me anything.”
“How do you mean?”
“You won't tell me what you are. And you never told me about your childhood.”
“You never asked me to.”
“…”
He smiled at her dark look, gazing across the valley thoughtfully.
“There's not really much to tell.”
“Please?”
He rolled his eyes.
“If I must.”