Chapter 182: Plucking the Stars

A peek at the window shook Rosalia up, and looking toward it, she saw a black crow tapping, a letter wrapped around its leg. Getting up, her silk nightgown nearly slipped off before being caught. Opening the window, she smiled and rubbed the wet bird under the chin, knowing it must have got caught out on its journey before the rain became a large downpour. Taking the letter, it was still mostly dry, the crow’s wings and body likely having acted as a shield against the elements for it.

Leaning over and letting the crow perch inside, closer to the torch, Rosalia looked out and watched the downpour, knowing from the dark clouds that they would soon be met with thunder and lightning. ’Lord Sunflare will struggle in his next battle. Hopefully it gets Lord Nester killed so he can’t deny anything.’

With a small shiver, she pulled her arms away so they wouldn’t get any more wet and unrolled the letter.

’The rivers change. A lion whimpers.’

There was no signature nor any indication of who sent the letter, but Rosalia couldn’t help but be stunned by its contents. It wasn’t perfect at hiding its contents from anyone who understood what the Lion and river meant, and re-reading it, Rosalia couldn’t help but widely grin. Looking to the sky and seeing the pouring rain, she laughed and clenched her fist around the letter before dropping it into the torch hanging from the wall.

’Cleeve Cosmaton is dead, and the Waterway is in Anton’s hands.’

Her joy slowly vanished, replaced by fear. Everyone knew the Waterway, and what type of fort it was, yet it had already fallen. From what she knew, Anton had only arrived a week before. It was too quick.

’What type of creature are we facing? Even Lord Fletcher said it was impossible to deal with Cleeve so easily, and he did it already.’

It terrified her. Everyone knew of the stories about Anton, and whilst no one in their mission would dare underestimate the man, the stories about him had always felt unrealistic. They all knew that Anton was outnumbered during the Silent Hills, but even then, it was still far too unrealistic. Yet with the letter in her hand, she finally knew everything was real.

’This is our enemy?!’ Her faith had never faltered before, even when she was accepted into the innermost circle and told the truth of their mission. Yet now, hearing of the Waterways’ fall, she couldn’t help but be nervous and wonder if they could ever win. ’If he can do this, won’t this all just end up like the Red Rebellion.... No, I must have faith. I must trust we can do this.’

A sharp glint flashed through Rosalia’s eyes. ’I must carry out my mission. No matter the cost, even if I must die. Forget taking the long route; we cannot risk it any longer with that creature existing.’

Even if she would speed things up, there was still a need to be smart. Looking at the sky, she smiled. Soon enough, the weather would get worse. It was a matter of time before the thunder began.

’In the meantime, I must prepare.’ When she first arrived, all her belongings were checked. Whilst she managed to smuggle poison in, passing it off as some of her makeup, any conventional weapon would have been taken. Smiling, she walked over to the chest of her belongings. Throwing it open, she carefully grabbed a large hairpin. It was red in colour with numerous patterns running over it. Running a finger over the carving etched on it, she activated the runes, and the tip popped open, revealing a small blade. It was extremely thin, utterly useless for most tasks, but still long enough to reach the heart should it be stabbed into a person’s body and sturdy enough not to snap with too much force.

’If I add poison, all I need is a small cut.’

A knife would have raised suspicions, but a Magi artefact. Most couldn’t understand runes, and those that could wouldn’t be relegated to checking a prostitute’s belongings for it. Running a finger over the runes again, the blade returned, and the tip closed.

’Now then.’ Grabbing a black outfit, she stood before the mirror and slowly dressed herself. It was a classy dress, one that a lady of a minor house would wear, lacking any of the previous enticement the majority of the clothing she brought induced. Next, she applied the makeup, a light amount that was only good for enhancing her brilliant features. Vincent wouldn’t let her get close already, especially more so if she didn’t suit his aesthetic criteria. Rather than forcing a look that didn’t work, she would make the beautiful even better.

Finally, grabbing her long black hair, she took the pin and carefully wrapped her hair around it, remembering a trend a few years ago, when she had the hair pin commissioned. Even if she was protected in the Twins Peaks, one too many close calls with drunks had made her desire a weapon she could use, one that was both elegant and hidden.

Twisting her hair behind her head, she pulled it tight before stabbing the pin through to hold it in place, before finishing the final twist to create a bun. Staring at herself, her deep red lips were brought out by her pale skin and clear eyes enhanced by the black eyeliner. She couldn’t help but find herself lovely before frowning.

’This is Twin Peaks makeup, not the Hilllands. He will definitely know that. Also, was this hairstyle popular anywhere but Twin Peaks?’ Thinking to herself for a moment, she shrugged. Even if Vincent would be able to tell, it would only be him. For however observant William was, she could tell he didn’t care for women’s fashion nor would understand the subtle difference in makeup between each region.

In the middle of admiring herself, a knock on the door made her jump. Turning around, she took a deep breath and walked over, opening it to reveal William with a smile. "My Lord." Curtsying, William looked her up and down before smirking.

"You have made yourself look rather lovely. Is there a reason for it?" Rosalia smiled and nodded.

"I am sure you can guess who it is for," William shook his head and continued to stare, before taking a deep breath.

"If you wish to see him, go, but should he send you away, come to my room." Rosalia hid her disgust and curtsied again, as William walked off. Throwing a glare his way, she looked out the window a final time.

’With the Waterway secured, the King will likely march north again after he has set up a garrison. I must act now; I can’t be sure when he will come.’ The Starlight Fort may seem busy, but compared to how it usually was, it was rather empty. After all, the fort had been seized by Anton, and filled with men who didn’t belong to the family. There were only so many soldiers that could be spared for a minor fort not at direct risk of a siege. Anton’s arrival would completely change that.

Grabbing the harp, she carefully picked it up and carried it along the halls. Few men passed by, and when they did, they stopped and stared, wishing to speak before carrying on, knowing that she was William’s chosen companion at the moment. It was a small blessing, her and William’s relationship, even if completely transactional, providing relative freedom compared to the rest of the prostitutes.

Turning the corner, she saw Vincent’s door and couldn’t help but shake her head. ’Is it arrogance or Williams’ dislike that he has no guards? Maybe it’s just because he can’t stand having them near him.’

Whatever the reason, Rosalia smiled and looked forward. Checking the halls, a clap of thunder echoed above, the sound of the rain getting heavier outside. With no life in sight, she stopped before Vincent’s room and knocked. After a moment of waiting, she heard nothing and knocked again. This time, an annoyed groan came from the other side, followed by footsteps.

’Should I just stab him when he opens it? No, a scream would be heard. But he will likely close the door in my face. Sex won’t appeal to him, nor will my music, I think.’ Her mind raced as the footsteps got closer. Looking around again and seeing no one, Rosalia sighed and prepared herself. This wasn’t how she wanted to do things, but the situation called for heavy measures.

’If he doesn’t invite me in, I’ll hit him with the harp. That should be enough. His summons was a possum, I think, no, something else. Whatever it was, it didn’t seem dangerous like Cleeve’s or Anton’s. It was different. Should the summon come, stab it; should it not, stab him.’

The door handle rattled, and opening the door, Vincent looked down at her with utter disdain. "I thought I told William I do not care for any company."

"My Prince, a moment." Rosalia smiled before the door could be closed. "I..."

"Do not give me the fake smile you use to charm other men into bed, whore." Vincent stopped her before she could speak. Within her mind, the logical side of the mission desperately tried to fight and calm down her anger, but slowly lost out.

’Whore. This fucking piece of shit.’ Her hand tightened around the harp. ’I am the voice of the true God, and he dares call me a whore. A Cosmaton piece of shit. Everything is for the Lord, and he dares.’ Before the door could close, Rosalia pushed the harp forward into Vincent’s chest with all her strength. A breath escaped his lips, and she climbed over, closing the door behind her and pulling the pin from his hair.

Running a hand over the rune, the blade popped. "The Debt is Ours." All the rage and shame at having to sleep with William. All the anger at the plans having changed because of the pathetic person Vincent was. All the fervent hatred at the sins against her Lord washed over her. Pulling the red vial from her pocket, she poured it on the blade.

"Blackwell piece of shit." Vincent cursed, hearing the words uttered by Rosalia. "We are allies." Throwing a hand forward, he knocked her to the side, and gold smoke formed from his body. Unlike what he expected, Rosalia didn’t fall over, instead quickly getting her bearings and cutting down. Lifting an arm, the blade cut through his sleeve, cutting into his skin.

Looking down at his arm, he felt the blood roll down his wrist before staining his glove red. "Bl....bl...bl...No, no, no." Grabbing his glove, he ripped it off, throwing it on the floor and quickly scrambled as a golden meerkat formed on the floor. Seeing the danger, Phillip leapt up towards Rosalia, its arms outstretched as it tried to do anything it could to Rosalia.

Rosalia watched and let it land on her. Phillip desperately swung its two claws down on Rosalia, creating two small wounds along her chest, and opened its mouth. "Stop." It was a soft voice, one of a young boy no older than ten.

For a moment, Rosalia stopped her attack on the meerkat, looking at it, finding it adorable and harmless. Looking at Vincent, even as he fumbled around cleaning his wrist of blood, she suddenly had the urge to leave. Before that feeling could overwhelm her, a burning rage, one she had never felt before, flooded her mind.

’He dares. I am so close, and it dares to try to make me stop without fighting.’ Biting her cheek, the pain and anger she felt broke whatever spell washed over her and lifting the pin again, she stabbed it through the meerkat’s neck.

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"AHHHH!" Vincent screamed, clutching his neck as Phillip fell to the ground, golden blood falling from the wound in his neck. A pain he had never felt before completely overtook him, and looking across the room, he saw Phillip twitching in agony. "Phillip....." Tears streamed down his cheeks, both from the pain and the loss of his summon. Looking at Rosalia, he couldn’t help but take rapid, short breaths.

"YOU BITCH!" Through the pain, his gaze hardened as he rose. Although he wanted nothing more than to run and clean himself, he knew it wasn’t a choice. Throwing a punch towards Rosalia, he hit her clearly in the stomach. The woman spat onto his face, and Vincent recoiled. It was a fatal mistake, as the blade quickly flew out, stabbing into his eyes.

"AHHHHHH!" Clutching his eye, he felt the blade come out and get stabbed into his chest, being pulled out again and plunged just below his neck. Stumbling backwards, his back hit the windowsill, and Rosalia smiled.

"The Debt is Ours." Saying again, her lips mockingly curled. With a powerful shove, Vincent felt the rain on his body before noticing the dark clouds above replacing the interior of his room. His scream was drowned out by the elements, and in a second he hit the ground, his body breaking on impact.

Across him, he could feel the wet mud climb over his body. The rain littered him, making him sticky. The stench of manure that filled the courtyard flooded his nose. His clothes absorbed the filth in an instant, and his heart beat rapidly, unable to cope with the sensory overload of so much.

"Ahhhhhh." A low moan escaped his lips, feeling it all. Choking on his blood, the pain didn’t even register as he felt himself being stained.

’It’s not fair. It’s not fair. It’s not fair.’

His eyes madly shook, and looking up at the window, he saw Rosalia poke her head out before running off.

’I didn’t ask for this....I didn’t want any of this..... I don’t want to die.....I don’t want to, I don’t want to, I don’t want to.....Walter....why did you leave me.....WALTER! I’M SCARED! PLEASE!’