A beast in human form -- Spare AMitA Prompt
Emmalaina Velvet Diamante Blazestone arrived in Whitekeep's capital by canal. The streets were too narrow for a coach, and the goat-carts were far too terrifying for her to try. According to her itinerary, she would have a day of rest before meeting her fiancee, the Viscount and heir to the Earldom, Purity Buckler Integrity Whitekeep, first of his name.
She entered the castle through the large, main door to the central courtroom. Where the reigning Earl Loyalty Temperance Halberd Whitekeep, fifth of the name, was waiting for her official welcome.
The Earl was wearing black, and a dour expression. Which may be of little concern. Earl Loyalty Whitekeep had worn black since his wife had died. He even wore the Jet Crown, and kept his wife's chair shrouded in black. He stood as the herald announced Emmalaina to the court, and all in attendance also stood.
The heir's seat was notably empty, and the second son was also wearing black. New mourning colours. Not the faded blacks of his father.
Emmalaina maintained a steadfast posture as she proceeded towards the elevated dais where the thrones lay. Her eyes kept journeying from the heir's empty chair to the dark, ominous presence of the Blood Throne. She expected the gourd-sized gemstone within to be blood red, not milky white. It was a stark contrast to the dark wood of the chair.
She reached the bottom of the stair to the thrones, curtseying to the Earl and the second son. "My thanks for your hospitality in your kind invitation to your home and lands. I look forward to meeting my betrothed."
"We have sad news on that account," said Earl Loyalty. "My son and heir Purity has... suffered a terrible accident."
The second son said, "Now, Father?"
"After the funeral," said Earl Loyalty. To Emmalaina, he said, "I have tasked a retainer to show you to your suite. You may meet your... new fiancee in a tenday. We must hold a funeral for my eldest son."
Emmalaina put it together before the maidservant-guide bade her to follow. She was going to meet and marry the second son. A man whose name she didn't even know yet. She had received education regarding the precedent. Worse things had happened in arranged matches. She was doing her utmost for her family, to cement friendly relations between Blazestone and Whitekeep.
She had a tenday to rest. It was understandable that they didn't wish her to attend her late fiancee's funeral. She hadn't met the man at all and, if gossip could be believed, he was a drunkard as well as a rake hell. Therefore she had nothing kind to say at his ceremony.
Emmalaina settled in, assigning her guards to the castle guard, ordering her maids to become acquainted with the castle, and otherwise taking her ease.
The Earl Loyalty had met her three days after her arrival. Still in black, though he had a newer, more formal black for this meeting. "How aware are you of the -er- Whitekeep history?"
"I've been told there's a family curse that manifests from time to time," she allowed. "Is it dire?"
"That depends on your opinion of Hellkin," said Loyalty. "Purity... became convinced he would sire the next Demon Lord of my mountains. He thought it was a fate worse than death. He said there was some mathematics regarding the event, but... none of us could unriddle what he meant by it. I thought it best to warn you, before..."
"Before it happens," concluded Emmalaina. "There have been much worse curses. I believe I can handle birthing a Hellkin."
"You... might not be able to handle Valiant's opinion regarding that," warned the Earl. With that strange prophecy, he left her to allegedly enjoy the rest of her tenday's idleness.
Ten days to become used to the castle and its peculiarities. Ten days to listen to the gossip her maids had discovered.
Ten days to dread meeting Viscount Valiant Stormwight Hallowfine Whitekeep.
It was a pleasant garden terrace, positioned to enjoy the fading summer heat as autumn began to conquer the mountain fastness. There was a small band of bards providing calming music, and a table with offerings of finger food and sweet wines. None of her personal favourites, and her servants had sent the list of recipes down to the castle kitchens. They had to know.
"Presenting, the Lord Viscount Valiant Stormwight Hallowfine Whitekeep, fourth of his name..." the titles and accolades poured out as a young man - so much younger than Purity - strode forth. He was still in mourning for his brother.
Out of deference to the sadness surrounding the circumstances, Emmalaina had worn grey rather than the Blazestone house colours.
Valiant did not look very pleased with her presentation. He walked like he wanted to get an unpleasant task over with. "Blazing stone on her bridal train," he snarled. "The crone is decades dead, but here you are. I already know how you'll betray me."
He was so... loud. Did he have trouble hearing? She took care to project her voice as well as make her mouth mobile enough to lipread in case he had that skill. "Forewarn me, then, my lord. I shall do my utmost to avoid the betrayal."
"It is foretold," he barked. "Don't even try to sweeten it up for me. We're all doomed, and our only hope is that you're barren." He added an extra snap, "I'm praying for it."
That was horrible!
Attrocious!
Absolutely beastly.
Emmalaina fought to maintain her composure. "Pray how you will, my lord," she said. "Shai's knots are already twisted into place."
Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say. Valiant erupted in a roaring tirade regarding the cruel fate that had beset him.
What of the cruel fate he was gifting her?
[Photo by Marta Poczykowska on Unsplash]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends! Or visit my hub site to see what else I'm up to.
My Prompt Forum is currently down, but if you want to send me a prompt, post it on my Discord's emergency prompt supply.
