“Who’s in control? Why did I do it? How did I do it? Why did I show you?”
“Yeah, that pretty much covers it,” growled Skye, trying to keep his gaze from wandering back to the severed, dried out head on the floor. He was answered by a laugh so full of mirth it was quite unnerving.
“To answer your first question, I’m in control, of course. Your second, because I felt like it. And your third, I can personally demonstrate it for you later if you’re so curious.”
“I… can’t believe… this has gone unnoticed for so long.” While he hated to admit it, Skye acknowledged that something about Alden’s plan must have been working, otherwise he wouldn’t have gotten far as he had. He guessed it had something to do with the psychotic workings of his inner mind. It was a difficult think to keep up with.
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head off. Within two week’s time, this entire war will be over,” Alden crooned reassuringly. “The entire Empire will be in the palm of my hand with you as my right-hand man.” Alden crossed his legs, resting one elbow on the arm of the wooden “throne”.
“And what is it that causes you to obsess over me so?” Skye finally asked, relieving himself of the question that had been weighing on his mind from the very beginning.
“Why, our like minds, of course. We both bask in the feeling of ecstasy when we feel the sharp edge of our blades sliding unhindered through soft flesh. When the warm blood covers our hands like a pair of gloves, we can’t help but shiver in elation. You know, when I’m mounted on my unicorn looking over the expanse of writhing, bloodied corpses, I feel like I can see the world. Someday all the world will be nothing more than our prey. Isn’t it a marvelous thought? And with me, you can see this fantasy come true.”
“You’ve misjudged me,” Skye said, staring straight into the red eyes with a new sense of understanding, something he had never dared before. “I’m doing this because I have to.”
“What rubbish,” Alden barked, jumping off his seat and starting to circle the taller warrior slowly. “That look in your eyes that I saw today was so unmistakably familiar. You want power. That’s why you offered the king your services, to collect enough money to have that power. But now I’m offering it to you for free. I can offer you everything you’ve desired. All you have to do is obey my commands. I haven’t led you astray yet, have I?”
“Yet,” grumbled Skye. His right hand wandered to the sword hanging at his side. There was nothing he could do with it, but knowing it was there was comforting. Power… maybe Alden was right.
“Your suspicion thrills me,” Alden purred, one white hand caressing Skye’s arm as he made his way to his front where his other hand popped the button of the warrior’s cape. The green wool fell to the ground, collecting in a pile around his ankles. The soft smile on Alden’s face was offset by the furrowed eyebrows and glint of madness in the albino’s eyes as he traced Skye’s collarbone with one finger. “Yes, how very lovely. One day I will claim this as my own.” Licking his lips, he leaned in, kissing the hollow of Skye’s throat. The warrior went tense, his eyes unblinking and reflexes ready to respond. The red eyes glanced up, and upon seeing the man’s utterly terrified expression, Alden burst into uninhibited laughter.
“What about these troops,” Skye asked, stumbling backwards and attempting to avert his attention. “They’re loyal to the king. They won’t serve you no matter how much they fear you. Their numbers are greater than your lone person.”
“Didn’t I tell you not to worry?” he said grinning and put his hands on his hips confidently. We’re going to kill them first. As an example. Now you must listen to me very carefully and obey my commands, otherwise I will be very displeased with you. In two days we will march to meet the troops that have been sent out. You and I will take the rear. And when they clash, we will let them lose. If they try to call for reinforcements or escape, that’s where we come in,” he finished with a smile. “When we are captured, we are helpless peace seekers forced into battle by a nasty, power hungry king who cares nothing for his people. And when we gain our captor’s trust, we slaughter them too.”
“You know as well as I do that the plan won’t work. It’s too simple, the Periols will see right through your act.”
“You should be silent about things you don’t know anything about,” Alden hissed, his tone changing quickly from innocently sadistic to threatening. “As long as you follow everything I say, everything is in place for this to work. Now then, from here on out you will sleep in my tent with me.” Skye’s head shot up, looking much like a cornered animal with wide eyes and his body tensed.
“It’s too warm in here,” he replied as calmly as he could, but it was no use. The man could not just smell fear, he thrived off it.
“You’ll sleep just fine, I promise you,” Alden said with a sly smile. Slowly he turned around stripping himself of his garments one by one until he stood completely naked in the middle of the tent. But to Skye’s relief, he picked up one of the many blankets draped over the bed and wrapped it loosely around his thin waist before turning to face Skye again. Despite his astonishingly frail appearance, he still seemed to emit an aura of chaos that kept Skye on edge.
“Well?” Alden asked, holding up another blanket. “If you’re too warm, you’ll feel much better once you get those dirty clothes off your back.” Skye couldn’t argue.

The soft mattress sank as Alden eased himself down, propping himself up on one side with his elbow. With one hand, he patted the empty space between himself and the wall.
“I’d rather sleep on the floor,” Skye tried to argue, but Alden shook his head.
“Only dogs sleep on the floor. You are a much more valuable pet and must be treated as such. I’d rather not become angry over your stubbornness, as adorable as it is. Not when we are in need of a good night’s rest. Now come.”