Meeting Ve

Katherine had no leisure to turn around and look out for whatever brought that darkness. She could just pray in her heart that the screams of war and battle were not from her own comrades or Nathaniel while gasping for air. The pain in her belly was sharp like a knife, slicing into her and disrupting all coherent thought. Perspiration collected on her forehead and she could not comprehend how this pain should be something normal in early pregnancy. How could her baby survive that? Was the field doc a quack in reality?

The horse below her did not slow down, and the tremor only worsened the pain. She already felt her power flicker to life, and desperately tried to keep it at bay.

Then suddenly, just as abruptly as it began, the pain vanished. It left her heaving and exhausted in the arms of her enemy. For a few seconds, Katherine did nothing but that, her eyes closed, and her body slumped like a boneless puppet.

Very slowly, her awareness of the surroundings returned. The sounds of battle were muffled, as if far away. Over the clacking of hooves on the stony ground, she heard the dripping of water and Ethan's hot breath beside her ear. The surroundings smelled of earth and the cold air quickly made her sweaty skin tremble. Goose bumps rose on her arms.

Reluctantly opening her eyes, Katherine found what she expected. They were in a long, slightly steep tunnel, probably craved inside the mountain some time ago. Moss grew on the walls they passed, water tickling down and collecting in shallow grooves to both sides of the uneven road. With a whoosh, a torch in front lit up to guide the way and quietly extinguished when they passed. Unenthusiastically, Katherine wondered if it was magic technology or Ethan's doing. Anyway, it was obvious that she was alone again with her archenemy.

"Are you bringing me to your master now?", she asked quietly. The fire of rage in her was dosed by the pain, leaving her with an almost empty feeling. Vaguely, she knew that she should be searching for ways to escape, but she was just too exhausted. She would do that later... when she was feeling better.

"You know that I serve no master, Kitty."

His tone was slightly scolding, and she could imagine him grinning condescendingly. The image sufficed to make her sigh.

"You do. It's your own greed." Silence followed her words as if she'd surprised him. Before he could recover, she asked another question. "When will you betray this Ve? And did you already plan your soon-to-be father-in-law's death or are you waiting to put his descendants to sleep first?"

Silence again, then a chuckle. "What are you saying, Kitty? I won't kill anyone. I never raised a hand against those close to me. You should know that the best. Didn't I always spoil you as if you were my own little sister? Didn't I treat uncle and aunt like my real parents? I think I was always very well-behaved."

Gazing down at the hand over her belly, Katherine quietly rolled her eyes and tried to ignore his words that were surely meant to provoke her. His tone was what mattered. A liar like Ethan denying something so happily could as well be called a confession. She heaved another sigh.

Seeing that they were already far from the battlefield, it was unlikely that someone would reach here to save her. At least, not before some time had passed. And would they even know which way to take? This was the first time Katherine wished to wear more jewelry so she could leave a trail. Yet her only ring was too precious to her - and too small to be noticed on such a wide road anyway. Maybe she would leave it at a crossroad nonetheless.

However, as time passed, they did not reach a single crossroad. Instead, their own road got broader and steeper, and a cold breeze made her shiver. She knew the signs: They were nearing the end of the tunnel. And, probably, their destination. Katherine hoped that maybe she could find the means to escape when they were there and Ethan was distracted, but she did not really expect it. That was why she reluctantly asked one last question.

"What is it that you need from this Ve - I suppose he is the leader of Loki - before you can turn your back to him for real this time?"

Faked consternation laced Ethan's as he answered. "Hm? Me? Do I look this disloyal to you?"

"Just stop with your nonsense!" The words broke out of her mouth before she could hold on to them. Then she took a deep breath as she felt him chuckle behind her back. "Really, how did I ever put up with you when we were young? You are obnoxious!"

The chuckle faded like a candle blown out. As his hand over her belly flexed, anxiety reared its head for a second before Katherine heard him again. "There is nothing you can do, little Kitty. But if you follow my lead, you might live. Who knows?"

Yes, who knew? If the mercy of her treacherous cousin was the only thing she could rely on, Katherine thought that she was in a really precarious situation. She might be better off writing her testament now. Because even if Ethan could help, did she really want him to? Would her pride allow her to take help from her archenemy? Not really.

So, she had to find her own way out of the situation, as before.

Just at this moment, they reached the end of the tunnel and promptly entered a wide cave. Against Katherine's hopes, it was not above the ground, but at least there were several other routes to flee in the form of five tunnels and an opening in the cave's wall that opened the room into a half-round shape. She could see the flank of the other mountain through it and knew by the fact that the ceiling reached somewhat further than the ground that this was an impossible route for escape unless she possessed a very long rope.

Right in front of the mountain scenery stood a man in a white coat with his back to them. He had greying brown hair and a gold ring glittered on the hands that were clasped behind his back. That, Katherine assumed, must be the rumored leader of the organization, Ve. About ten other white-robed figures moved around a collection of technological instruments and a guard stood on each of the tunnel ends but none of their presences filled the room like that man's did. For a crazy second, Katherine wondered if she could just shove him down the cliff before he noticed her. Then Ethan's hand pressed again against her belly as he stilled the horse with the other. "Here we are."

Katherine swallowed her sarcastic reply and carefully dismounted after him. She knew that this horse would play a big role if she tried to flee. If she did not take it with her, she would probably be caught again instantly. Should she take her chance now? But Ethan watched her like a hawk and there were also the guards...

"We finally meet in person, Princess with the golden glow."

The shock of a voice right behind her made Katherine flinch. Obviously, this Ve could appear just as quietly as an air mage's wall. Taking a deep breath, Katherine turned around.