Chapter 13: No Rest for the Weary

Chapter 13: No Rest for the Weary

The King awoke to the sound of voices outside his door. He lifted himself from his bed sleepily and opened the door silently. What he saw was a strange sight indeed.

There was Issak holding his sleeping daughter in his arms. He was talking to her two bodyguards in a hushed tone.

“I tried to sooth her as best I could, even so,” Issak muttered his eyes finding the floor. “She cried herself to sleep before I could make it here.”

“What happened?” Tao asked cooly.

“I know not,” Issak replied cautiously. “I awoke to find her this way.”

The kings eyebrow lifted in suspicion.

“My situation is such that I would never be able to have such a love...” He remembered Issak's words vividly, did he break his daughters heart tonight? Perhaps...

“Do you think that there will be any long term effect?” Merade said softly, interrupting the King's thoughts.

“What doesn't kill you only strengthens your resolve to live,” Issak said softly. “Before she fell asleep she muttered something about an angel.”

“An angel?” Tao said. “That's preposterous what would an angel want in this castle.”

“I would assume it was after me,” Issak said coldly.

“You don't know that,” Merade almost shouted. “You always attack yourself and unless you are going to tell us about the sin that haunts you I will not hear another word of your useless self-pity!”

“Pity,” Issak said distantly. “I wasn't asleep the entire time they were in my room. However if she, if I, caused this much pain I will leave in the morning.”

“Until you have found the motive of this apparition that haunts you I will not permit you to leave.” the King said sternly as he appeared from his bedroom door.

“You don't understand,” Issak began.

“What I understand is that you have once again saved my daughter and I will not leave you with that debt unpaid!” The King said over Issak's complaint.

Issak sighed slowly. “I leave her in your care,” he said as he headed Elenor over to Tao and turned to leave. His tall form slowly disappearing into the darkness of the hall.

“Now that that's settled,” the King yawned. “I must return to my quarters. Merade, follow Issak and insure that he does not leave this castle tonight.”

Merade nodded and ran down the hall after Issak. Her feet making no sound in the still air of the hallway.

“Do you really believe this man?” Tao said after Merade had vanished.

“I know not,” the King said sadly. “I will ask Elenor about it in the morning. But, for now, she needs rest. As do you Tao.”

Tao sighed and carried Elenor off to her room. If Issak had hurt Elenor tonight she would kill him without hesitation. He was just a man after all. Silence covered by a feeling of discontent and sorrow filled the hall. All the while Anri stood in the shadows, lost in contemplation at the man they called Issak.

“So you saw me?” Anri thought pleasantly. “That will remove the need for caution at the very least. Until we again, sweet Elenor...”

Author's Note

Another short chapter. This one was more crucial to the character development especially the bodyguards. What do you think?

Reviews

[FantasyLover24601]

Noticed some fragmented sentences that need fixing:
-“I leave her in your care,” he said as he headed Elenor over to Tao and turned to leave. His tall form slowly disappearing..." would read better as “I leave her in your care,” he said as he headed Elenor over to Tao and turned to leave, his tall form slowly disappearing..."

-"Merade nodded and ran down the hall after Issak. Her feet making no sound..." should be "Merade nodded and ran down the hall after Issak, her feet making no sound..."

I read your note about this chapter being more crucial about the character development of the bodyguards, but other than them being clueless about what is going on, I don't feel like I know them any better as characters. I'm not saying that you should throw all of the character development into just one chapter, but I just don't get the sense that these bodyguards have grown and changed in the slightest bit. But, I could just be really anal-retentive about the character development today and perhaps you mean to have the character development grow with the overall story. Also, where is Elizabeth? You said that she was an important character, but she seems to have been written out of the story. I hope that's not the case!

[ewest1220]

Sounds like I need to add a bit more detail :-) as far as Elizabeth goes she turns up when everything hits the fan. As far as the character development goes the big thing I try to get across is the difference between Tao and Merade's opinion of Issak which has been a tough one for me. All that being said however I'm once again thrilled you took the time to give me such great feedback I really appreciate it thank you so much for your help!

[FantasyLover24601]

You're welcome!

[gombeggar]

the story is progressing interestingly...still think when this is all done u muct fleash it all out some more, very much more...details details details...this is prose not a screenplay...or is it for u?

[ewest1220]

Nah it needs more fleshing. It's going to be submitted to several literary agents when completed so I can get it published so I absolutely agree. It's nice to know from people who read this what is missing though it's been a great help. Thank you so much for your help my friend!

[gombeggar]

just trying to help a fellow writer out is all

[ewest1220]

And your doing a great job by the way. Your help has been amazing!

[Yheela]

I like it, that the bodyguards are completely clueless as to him being a very dangerous man.

[ewest1220]

Perhaps ;) lol you'll see soon enough :D

[Lost in Wonderland]

Hm I wonder what'll happen next:D can't wait!

[ewest1220]

Thanks :D I hope I don't disappoint!

[Lost in Wonderland]

well you haven't so far so I'm sure you won't haha:)

[Anonymous Girl]

Its so nice. Please keep on writing. Such a good story ^.^

[ewest1220]

Will do ^_^ Thanks again for reading!

[Anonymous Girl]

Its okay ^.^

[Amanda]

I'm anxious for the next chapter and I hope it's posted soon. Your characters are developing nicely and so is the storyline. Keep writing :)

[ewest1220]

Next chapter should be up soon :) can't wait to see what you think.

[Junert]

Until we meet again.

[ewest1220]

lol that was an attempt to sound old fashioned. In old shakespearian work I vaguely remember this statement being used so I tried it. Not sure if it'll stay though I'll admit...