Cinderfella - 8. Chapter 8 The Plot Sickens

As the ball continued, things began to relax a little. And now Seth or Prince Phillip was with me! Yea! And I swear, he actually smiled! And not at me, but I’m glad he did smile at me if no one else. I mean, he smiled at me, of course, but he was smiling at the guests that didn’t seem to be repulsed by his appearance. There were hesitant approaches, but once they spoke with him, dared to get closer. He was going to be their next king. It never hurts to suck up the man in power as soon as you can. But King Alexander never let him get out of his sight. And he was always looking. If he was like most people, the idea of two men joining in marriage….whether they knew it was more than just a political move…I wasn’t sure. I was sure that having his dead son returned to him, he didn’t care if it was more! I insisted Seth keep the mask off. If his people got used to seeing him, if would make things less of a problem. The man survived a fire! Of course, he’s going to be scarred. I wasn’t blind. Of course, I saw the scars, but he was gorgeous to me. As I explained before, the left side of his face was untouched and that profile was very handsome, but his overall being was beautiful to me. Hard work had shaped his body to near perfection. He was absolutely beautiful!

He danced a few dances with some ladies, but I finally got tired of watching him dance with others. He was marrying me, not them, right? I walked up and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to look surprised. “Do you want to dance with her?”

I shook my head with a smile. “No. I want to dance with you.”

He grinned. “We’re pushing this thing, aren’t we?” He bowed to the lady who was looking like she wasn’t so sure. Then Seth turned to me. “Okay. Who leads?”

We were only a few inches apart, but he was taller. “You do. It’s logical since you’re taller.”

We started our dance and naturally, we were being stared at by almost all there. This just wasn’t done. Men don’t dance with men! Yeah? Well, men don’t marry men, either, but we were getting married. And it wasn’t just political. I don’t think any of them considered anything else but the politics of it.

“Do you still want to go by Seth, or should I start calling you Phillip now?” I asked.

Seth grinned. “What do I call you? Day one when I met you, you were David. Now, you’re Prince Erik.” Then he chuckled. “If the name Seth had been given to me by Thorne, I would change it back. But my mother….or the woman I thought was my mother always called me that. It was from the scriptures, she said. The same for Samuel.” But his eyes drifted to King Alexander sadly. “It’s true. He is sick. The rumors are true.” He watched as an attendant walked over to the man he now knew as his father that gave the king something from a bottle and then gave it to the king to drink. King Alexander nodded and drank it, but then shook his head to whatever the attendant had said to him waving him away.

“He is,” I said sadly. “What he has, I don’t know. Maybe he’ll tell you. You are his son.” I smiled at Seth. “He didn’t even tell Christian, but I know Christian said he doesn’t have much time. That’s why he’s doing this.” I explained. “He didn’t want to die a king and leave the throne up for grabs. He didn’t think he should say who his successor was, so he chose me to make that decision.”

Seth frowned. “I wish I remembered him.”

“You’ve given him a reason to stick around a bit more.” I smiled. “One of his sons has returned alive. The other he knows is alive and he’s motivated to find Samuel.” Neither of us was paying attention and wondered why everyone had stopped. Then we realized the music had stopped.

“And you really don’t care about these scars?” Seth asked.

I put my hand on his shoulder. “They are who you are. Someone or something tried to kill you, but you didn’t let them. That shows determination.” I chuckled. “In fact, I think they add character.”

Seth laughed lightly shaking his head. “I can’t believe anyone would say that.” He bent to kiss me, but I pulled back. “What’s wrong?” Seth asked. “We’re getting married.”

I took his hand and led him to the room we had been in when he found out he was the prince. “Nothing.” I grinned, then pulled him into a kiss, smoldering as ever. “You are a sexy man, Seth. But many out there see this alliance and us marrying as a mere political ploy. A marriage in name only. If they see us kiss, well…that would be pushing things, as you said.”

He chuckled. “Okay. For now.” He kissed me again. “Do you know what sex is between men?”

I nodded. “I do. Though I have to admit there isn’t a lot of material out there. But yes. Don’t you?”

“Yes, but I first saw two men when I was fourteen having sex. Two of my father…sorry,” he smiled. “Two of Arthur Thorne’s men were doing something I was interested in. So, I asked them about it.”

“But you did it with them?” I asked quietly.

His eye grew. “What!? No! I’ve never done anything with anyone.” He was going to proceed, but stopped, looking at me. “What I’m going to say makes you a little angry when I say it, and furious when said by someone else, but you have to understand. This,” he motioned to his face. “…no one wanted to touch this. Except when you did.”

That made my heart ache. “I am so sorry.”

He shook his head. “People always reacted when they saw me. Always withdrawing and screaming. As I said, that’s why I didn’t go with Samuel when he left. Who would hire me? Where would I live?”

I pulled his head down, resting my forehead against his. “Which I’ll never understand.” Then I sighed. Then remembered my fairy godfather. “Now, I’m going to let you meet someone that helped bring us together. You met him briefly when we came in here, but prepare yourself. He’s not like us.”

Seth’s eye was suspicious. “Not like us? What do you mean?”

“Demetrius,” I called quietly. “Will you show yourself?”

“Of course I will,” Demetrius said, making Seth spin to see a man that had not been in the room when we’d come in. There was no way he could have snuck in.

“I said, he’s not like us.” I reminded Seth.

“Who are you?” Seth demanded. “What are you?”

Demetrius shrugged. “I am who I am, and what I am.”

“Are you a demon?” Seth asked.

Demetrius frowned. “Why is the first question is whether I’m a demon or not?” He shook his head. “Why not ask if I’m an angel?”

“Are you?” Seth asked.

“No.” Demetrius smiled. “I’m neither. I’m not evil, nor am I always good.”

I laughed. “I will attest to the fact he isn’t always good.”

“Hey!” Demetrius objected.

“But you’re not human,” Seth said to Demetrius. “You look human.”

Demetrius nodded. “But we did not descend from Adam and Eve.” Then he scratched his head and sat down. “And this is legend more than fact, even for us so…We are the sons and daughters of Adam, by his first wife. Lilith.”

“Who?” Seth asked.

I nodded. “Lilith? Didn’t she become a demon?” I asked.

Demetrius shrugged. “I can’t say. According to legend, she, like Adam was created independent of Adam. Eve was made from Adam. Adam and Lilith had many children in the Garden and lived for countless years. We are their descendants. Are we human? Perhaps we are the ones that truly are human. I don’t know. In my four centuries of life….”

“You’re four hundred years old!?” I balked when I heard that. “How old is Ella’s godmother?”

“Three hundred,” Demetrius said as if to comment it was raining outside. No big deal.

“That’s why you can tap into the magic?” I asked.

Demetrius nodded.

Then I remembered another thing. “If you can tap into this magic, why is it that everyone….saw me as someone else, Darius, Deena even Christian, when I took the ring off, but Seth just saw me. As I truly am.”

Demetrius shrugged and shook his head as he thought about how to explain it. “I’m not sure.” Then he rose and began to pace in front of us. “The magic is just there. It is. It’s neither good or evil. It is whatever the person is that can tap into it. What it is, we still don’t understand. But it is. Whether you believe it to be God or something else….that’s you. My wife tapped into it to create a coach out of a pumpkin and mice into horses. It’s been tapped to break a few fish and loaves to feed thousands. Turn water into wine.” He grinned. “Am I making sense?”

Seth and I both nodded.

“Well, for some reason, the magic thought everyone should see you as someone else. But decided Seth should see you, as you.”

That’s when the door opened and Christian came in. His smile didn’t quite fade, but he still wasn’t sure about Demetrius. “Oh, hello, Demetrius.”

“Christian! Great party!” Demetrius grinned.

Christian entered. “I had nothing to do with it. I’m just here as a guest.” Then he looked at Seth and me. “It’s almost dawn. King Alexander is going to bed. We need to let these people leave.” He indicated to those outside the door. “Ella and the children will be on their way here. You are turning eighteen after they get here.” Christian explained.

I nodded. “I’ll turn eighteen anyway.” I grinned. “But I know you’re looking forward to it. Seeing Ella, not my birthday.”

Christian grinned. “I’ve been away before, sometimes as long, but yes…I’m looking forward to seeing all of them. And Ella.”

“And then what?" Seth asked.

Christian smiled. “Well, he will turn eighteen on that Tuesday after they arrive, if they arrive on time in three weeks. On that Saturday, you two will marry. On Sunday, you will be crowned king.” Christian walked over. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but legally…it’s very necessary.” Then Christian smiled at me sadly. “Then I have to return to A’Dore.”

I knew this, but knowing my brother was leaving…hurt. “I know.” I smiled at him. “You are king.”

Christian smiled. “But we’ll always be brothers. Even a thousand miles apart.” Then he looked at Demetrius. “Perhaps you could deliver messages occasionally?”

“Do I look like a messenger service?” Demetrius asked irritated.

“Demetrius,” I growled. “A simple yes or no is fine.”

Demetrius looked at us, rolling his eyes, for apparently, we looked sad enough. “Okay, okay. I’ll deliver the occasional message. Happy now?”

“Very.” Christian grinned.

“Uh, guys.” Seth began not wanting to interfere. “I know this is my new home…or rather my home again, but I don’t even have a room.”

“We’ll ask your father. I know he’ll have one near his.” I took his hand. “Come on, we’ll say goodnight to the guests and then you can talk to your father. Okay?”

Seth nodded, still he had this hesitant look. He still had little confidence. “Sure.”

‘ We did just that. We said goodnight to the guests, then Seth walked with his father to where the king’s room was. King Alexander was still very happy, but he was very tired.

As Christian and I headed back to our perspective rooms, he yawned. Normally he would stop it and if he had to, do it discretely, but not this one. But it was just me, so no problem. “I don’t have to tell you to wait until the wedding night, do I? To do….whatever.”

I bumped him in the side as we walked making him just stumble a little, but caught himself. “I know. If for no other reason than to keep things….proper.”

Christian threw a brotherly arm over my shoulder. “Well, he’s a good man, this Seth. I admit, when I first saw him I couldn’t believe you were attracted to him, but I can see now, he’s a good soul.” Then he stopped at his door. “Now, when I say this, understand. When he meets the kids…”

I nodded knowing what he was going to say. “I’ll make sure he has the mask on.” I patted Christian on the chest. “But we’ll explain it to them. They’re sharp kids. They take after me.” I grinned as I walked on to my door.

Christian just grunted his response. His way of calling me a wiseass. He was always Prince Charming.

The next few days, I saw Seth some, but mostly he spent time with his father alone. They talked and got to know each other again. I was very pleased with that. He and his father could get a chance to become close again. Later, when I was researching through the archives again, Christian came in.

“This studious nature you now have is impressive.” Christian sat in a chair by me. “Boning up on the history of Blethos?”

I nodded. “There are some fascinating things in here.” I gestured to the books. “Did you know that there were a few of King Alexander’s family that actually tried to divide the kingdom?”

“Really? Is Thorne one of them?” Christian groused.

I shook my head. “No. That surprised me. Of course, King Alexander stopped them.” Then I opened a book I had read. “This is an insert about the attack on King Alexander’s castle, the night his wife was killed and his boys were taken away. It seems there was no direct attack on the kingdom itself, just the castle. It was only because of a few Creide swords and other items they concluded the attack was by the Creides. And King Mordor, the Creide’s king claimed over and over that he did not nor sanction the attack. He claimed innocence.”

Christian nodded. “Does that really surprise you?”

I shook my head. “No. But I thought the Creides were barbarians.”

“They are.”

I nodded. “Then how do you explain they had a fluid…a flammable substance that burned….according to this…white hot and hotter than any fire ever recorded.”

Christian frowned. “Perhaps they discovered this…whatever…by accident?”

“And never used it again?” I asked. “Not once, ever again. It proved to be very effective, so why not use it again?”

Christian looked at me warily, his eyes narrowing. “What are you planning?”

I shrugged. “Well, I’d love to talk to King Mordor.”

“No!” Christian stated flatly. “No way! Absolutely not. They’re dangerous.” He shook his head. “Besides, they’d be on you in seconds if you went in their territory.”

“Maybe Demetrius could just….get us there? Undetected.”

Christian stood panicked. “Do not do this, Erik! It could be taken as an act of war with the Creides.” He began pacing as he spoke. “You could be getting Blethos into a war that can kill thousands! They are savages!!”

I nodded. “I know.” I reached and took Christian’s arm pulling him back down. “But something happened twenty years ago. If we don’t find out who and why it can happen again. Don’t you see that? I don’t think the Creides were the ones that attacked Blethos. I’ve got to find out!”

Christian looked at me, now looking more scared than I’d ever seen him. “I can’t go with you. If I do, they may attack A’Dore. I can’t fight by your side. You’re not a part of Blethos yet. I don’t think they’d put you with A’Dore, if they did catch you, and we’re too far away for an effective conflict. I can not lose you!”

I got up and hugged Christian. “I’ll be careful.” I grinned. “But you know, I may not have to go at all. Demetrius can do some amazing things, perhaps he can think of something else. But I’ve got to know. For Seth’s sake, and King Alexander.”

Christian nodded. “If he can. Do it, but don’t take any unnecessary risks.” He hugged me again. “Promise me.”

“I promise.” I hugged him back. Then turned. “Demetrius.”

“I heard,” Demetrius said irritated as he came out of the bookcase again. “Normally, we don’t get involved in the conflicts of men.”

“Love isn’t a conflict?” Then I turned to Demetrius. “I’m not asking you to get involved with any conflict. I want to prevent one. Is there a way that I can speak with King Mordor unharmed?”

Demetrius’ left eye narrowed. “Maybe.” He shook his head. “I can’t transport you if that’s what you want.”

“If I can speak to him without going there, sure. How can I speak to him?” I asked.

“You could be here, but I can make it possible for you to speak to him there,” Demetrius suggested. “You’d be a disembodied voice.”

I nodded with a grin. “That would be perfect.”

“But he could lie,” Demetrius said.

“To a disembodied voice?” I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”

Demetrius nodded. “Fine. We’ll do it tonight. After everyone has gone to sleep, including King Mordor.”

That night, after everyone was asleep, I sat waiting until Demetrius appeared.

“Let’s do this,” Demetrius said sitting in a chair he brought over to sit in front of me. “Get ready. You’ll see and hear everything in the castle of King Mordor. And he will be able to hear you.”

I nodded. “I’m ready.”

Demetrius put his hands on the sides of my head. “Close your eyes.”

I did, yet suddenly I was over my own body. I could see both myself and Demetrius in front of me. It was like I was a spirit. Then with a speed that was unbelievable, I was moving incredibly fast through Blethos. To the mountains to the north and then farther. Farmlands became more scares and soon I spotted what I guessed was King Mordor’s castle. To say it was a castle was being generous. It was made of rock with the lookout towers at certain points, but unmanned. Who would attack them and for what? I was instantly in a room with no real furniture but a bed, where I saw a man in bed with two women under a fur cover. All asleep.

“Wake up, King Mordor,” I said and my voice was louder than I intended.

The man opened his eyes and sat up, looking around. He was bearded in his fifties, gray hair in his thick beard and gray at his temples. He was heavy and looked around. “Who’s there?”

“Who I am isn’t important,” I said. Noting the women were now awake and looking about to see what was going on. “Do you still have that liquid you used when you attacked King Alexander?”

The man lit another candle. Standing up, he was naked and believe me, I didn’t want to see that. “What liquid?” The women were now looking around terrified at a voice when they didn’t see anyone. “I never attacked King Alexander! Do you think I’m an idiot!?”

“I don’t know what you are.”

King Mordor was still looking for the voice's source. He might have been ugly to me, but it was clear, he was a king. “Look at us! I have a few thousand people. King Alexander has ten times that...more perhaps. If I attacked them, it would be suicide! My warriors are fierce and mighty, but King Alexander’s men are also mighty and outnumber us. If I had such a liquid, I sure wouldn’t use it like that. There is no liquid nor did I attack King Alexander! I am not a fool!”

He was telling the truth. “Do you know who did?”

“No!” King Mordor answered. “But I can guess. You should ask Lukus Caine, that's l, u, k, u, s, c, a, i,n, e, the name is odd and there is Arthur Thorne. They came asking for my help twenty-five years ago. I refused.”

“Your help to do what?”

“Get rid of King Alexander.” King Mordor answered as if that were obvious.

“That is appreciated,” I said. “I don’t think you’re an idiot. Thank you. Goodbye.” I quickly opened my eyes and then shuttered. “Eww!”

“You bet, Eww.” Demetrius groused. “I was there, too. I saw and heard everything as well, and that smell!” He shook his head to clear what we’d experienced. “Someone should introduce bathing to them.”

But my mind was working. “I never saw the name Lukus Caine.” I thought. “Not on the list of nobles in Blethos.”

Demetrius watched me. “I don’t know it either. It might not be the real name.”

“But we both know who Arthur Thorne is.” I frowned. “Why attack King Alexander’s family? To take over the throne? Then why keep Seth and Samuel safe after the attack? Why not kill them when he had the chance?”

Demetrius stood. “You need to ask Arthur.” Then he grinned. “You said you didn’t think Thorne was so thick in the head not to see those kids as the children of King Alexander. Maybe he is thick. I never got the impression he was all that sharp.”

I chuckled. “No. You’re right. But someone that was sharp was involved. We need to find this Lukus Caine.”

Demetrius nodded. “Tomorrow.” He hugged me. “Good night.”

Seth greeted me the next morning at breakfast. He kissed me as I sat beside him. “How about we spend the day together?”

I smiled at him. “I’d love to.” I looked around for King Alexander. “Don’t you want to visit with your father more?”

Seth shrugged. “He’s got….Blethos’ issues today. He’ll be meeting with….” His mind worked, but he grinned. “…a whole lot of people.” He looked toward the windows. “I never left Thorne Valley, and hardly ever far from the estate. I’d like to see Blethos.”

“You’ve got a date.”

Christian came in, in a hurry. I knew it wasn’t because he was hungry. He was, but that’s not why he hurried. “Well? What did you find out?” He sat at the table with us. “Hi, Seth.” He greeted.

“Hello.” Seth greeted back, looking at me. “What you found out? About what?”

“I saw King Mordor,” I explained.

“What!? When? How?” Seth nearly shouted. Everyone knew their reputations!

“Down boy, down.” I put my hand on his. “I wasn’t seen. He never knew who I was. Demetrius helped me.”

“And?” Christian asked.

“There was a meeting with King Mordor. Between Arthur Thorne and him….and a man named Lukus Caine.”

“See! I knew Thorne would be involved.” Christian said angrily. “I don’t know this Lukus Caine.” He looked at Seth. “Have you met him, Seth?”

Seth shook his head. “I’ve never heard of him.”

“Well, King Mordor even said, it would be suicide if he attacked King Alexander. From what I saw, he was telling the truth. He didn’t know this liquid used to attack the castle.” I answered. “He said, and I saw, he has little resources to attack anyone. I believe he didn’t. But he was framed to make us believe he had, to take the heat from Arthur Thorne and Lukus Caine if it went wrong.”

Christian nodded. “We need to find this Lukus Caine.”