Darkthorn’s Blog

Blackmain allowed himself to wake, feeling more confused by his memories than refreshed. Why was he having that particular one now? It wasn’t a pleasant memory, the final parting had been so painful for both of them. He looked over at the still-slumbering Julia, and once again noticed her likeness to Kolark. She was royalty, yet here she was on his floor, like a sleeping cat. Blackmain wondered what elements of her father she embodied, Kolark’s genes seemed to be as forceful as her personality in expressing themselves. It was no question where Julia got her temper from. Her sleeping form was so peaceful, her face smoothed out and hair somehow laid out neatly on the floor. If he didn’t know better, by the rise and fall of her chest, he would have said she was more dead than alive. Ishton’s form on the bed was much less graceful, he was sprawled over the whole thing, limbs twisted and stretched alternately as he twitched and murmured in his sleep. Blackmain smiled. He might not look relaxed, but the mind waves emanating from him indicated a very pleasant dream indeed.

Julia wouldn’t be waking for a while still he thought. Time enough to fulfill his desires. He reached out towards Ishton’s slumbering mind, but discovered with dismay that he was still firmly entrenched in the dream-world. Blackmain sighed in frustration, it would have been a good release for them both, there was so much tension in the air. As tempting as it was to wake Ishton, it wouldn’t be right. Blackmain decided that he should go for a ride instead.

Blackmain followed the same path as Julia to the paddock. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the flattened grass from her passage. Blackmain did however notice Starless’ coat, far from its normal luster. It looked like someone had been riding him hard, and then had carelessly left the horse un-groomed. Blackmain growled under his breath, in both annoyance and anxiety. Starless never allowed anyone else to ride him. Blackmain touched the horse’s mind carefully, the sensitive horse often noticed him probing and objected venomously. He winced involuntarily; something Starless knew how to do was kick.

Starless’ memories were just beginning to form. A young woman had come out for a ride. She had left him like this because she didn’t know where the groom was. She had tried her best though, no need to be too angry. It must have been Julia! thought Blackmain to himself. She must have come out and ridden him while Blackmain was sleeping. But surely, Starless never let anyone else ride without Blackmain’s consent. Even Ishton, who was very good with horses, wasn’t allowed on Starless’ back. A nuisance sometimes, especially if something was to happen to Blackmain. It would be a shame to have to kill the horse because he had died too.

Blackmain probed deeper. But all he could get was a vague thought of “Blackmain-like”. Perhaps because he had rescued the girl? No, that wouldn’t account for it. It wasn’t possible that they were related. Blackmain still didn’t know who his mother was. Julia was from someplace else, a foreign princess. Her beauty did not fit in with the regular population. Her beauty, like Kolark’s. Starless could have sensed it in her. Kolark’s daughter? It couldn’t be. Kolark had always been able to ride Starless, but it was immediately obvious that Starless preferred Blackmain. Eventually, Starless had even completely rejected Kolark, especially after their relationship had started to disintegrate.

Julia, Blackmain mused, she was somehow related to him. A new thought: His daughter? Perhaps that was why he was having all these memories brought back. What could this new connection do to him though? This did not fit in well with their plan for her. How could she replace the old king if her father was a common man, like Blackmain? He wasn’t made to be a father. This wasn’t his role. Blackmain reassured himself, it wasn’t like she really needed one anyway, she was a full-grown woman now. If it was true, what then, what would they do? Ishton would have to be told of course.

Blackmain suddenly remembered that Julia was lying at home, still sleeping. Out cold on the floor in fact, because she had realized some of their plans. How would she react if they told her? Blackmain slowed his thoughts. It wouldn’t do any good. There was no proof that she was his daughter after all. Perhaps she would know more. That was it. But Kolark would not have told her the truth. It would have been too dangerous to admit it. It would have sparked off a war as the king of Naxos would have been insulted by receiving a bastard daughter in tribute if he had known.

Blackmain sighed. Why couldn’t life be simple? It was pretty absurd of him to expect a quiet life, he had chosen to be an assassin after all. He was getting old though, someone must be found to take his place. He would go looking for an apprentice tomorrow. It was rare for any practical trade to get new apprentices before winter, but there was a surprising amount of theory that needed to be covered before any fieldwork would be completed. He laughed at himself. The likelihood of finding anyone vaguely suitable was slim anyway. Not to mention a boy who would put up with a female and an elf being treated as equal in the house.

Assassins had to be choosy, one small slip would cost you your life. And it was a duty, which had to be served before everything else – including love. Being invisible, and upholding the proper values of the continent were the requirement. No chance of a normal life. Blackmain had his horses, but really, no-one knew who he was. That was a small price to pay for his freedom. Freedom? What was freedom? He was bound to protect the land and it’s people, the waiver he had signed when he was first apprenticed himself had squashed all ideas on normalcy. It wasn’t as if he could plan for his future. He was planning Julia’s future for her though, the next best thing. Was that right? What would she want? Ironically, Blackmain realized that he was indeed being her father by guiding her, living through her.

Blackmain looked up. It was getting late, and he had barely moved in the entire time with Starless. The horse stamped, aware that his master was paying attention to him again.

“Yes, let’s ride.”

Blackmain boosted himself on, and melded into the horse as they flew together down the path. The sun set as Blackmain and Starless rounded the crest for home. Ishton was standing in the doorway, observing them. Blackmain gave his friend a cheeky wave, maintaining his hold on Starless with his knees only. Ishton didn’t seem to notice, he returned inside the house.

The ride had cleared Blackmain’s head. He dismounted, and went to get the brushes from the rocky shelf hidden carefully nearby in the wall surrounding the property. He made up his mind to tell Julia where they were. If she liked horses, it was something else she could do when they were cooped up for the winter.