Chapter Two: Meetings

Valkyrie opened her eyes slowly, not daring to move. She remembered the horrible pain she had felt, and she wasn't keen to feel it again.

She recognized the room instantly; she was at Kenspeckle's. Valkyrie tried to ease into a sitting position, but groaned and fell back onto the bed.

"Relax Valkyrie."

Valkyrie couldn't turn her head, but she knew it was her best friend who had spoken. "What happened?"

She could see the living skeleton from the corner of her eye, shift uncomfortably. Something was obviously making him anxious.

"Who saved us?"

"A Sorcerer, by the name of Alanna Memoria."

"Why did she help us?"

"That's a very elaborate story."

"I'm not going anywhere. Who is she?"

Skulduggery pulled his chair closer, so he could look into her eyes. He looked at her and gently took her hand in his.

"What's wrong?" Valkyrie lifted her hand which nearly made her scream because pain shot up her arm. But she continued and placed her hand on his jaw, a look of concern crossing her face.

Skulduggery didn't bother to remove her hand, he merely began his story.

"Remember when we first met how I told you about the war?"

Valkyrie gave a small nod, to say that she did remember.

"I told you the story of how I died, how everything was taking away from me." Skulduggery didn't wait before he continued. From the tone of his voice Valkyrie could tell he had suffered.

"Nefarian Serpine killed my wife and child, and then in turn killed me."

"But you came back," Valkyrie interjected softly.

"Yes I came back," Skulduggery agreed. "But in the end Nefarian won."

Valkyrie had never heard him admit defeat before and it was scaring her.

"Serpine is dead. He's not coming back. We nailed that bastard with the Scepter of the Ancients." She was getting confused now. What did any of this have to do with the woman who had saved them?

"I know he's dead Valkyrie. And he most certainly is not coming back. That wasn't the purpose of this story." Skulduggery said his voice rising a little with emotion.

"Then what is this story about?"

"My. . . . ." He began but stopped, if he had had eyes he would have been crying.

"Your what," Valkyrie asked gently.

"My wife," Skulduggery finally whispered.

Valkyrie was taken aback. "I thought she was dead."

"I thought that myself. . . . . . Until now."

"Your wife is alive?"

"Yes."

"Was she?" Valkyrie began, her heart pumping faster than before; anticipation gripped her stomach and shook it to the point of sickness. Skulduggery answered her question with a small sigh.

"Yes. She was the one who saved us in the restaurant. If she hadn't come when she did, you would be dead."

"I'm sure you would have found a way to save her Skulduggery. You always were one to improvise." Skulduggery's head snapped to the new voice. The figure walked over to the other side of the bed, and looked down at the wounded girl.

"How are you feeling?" She asked, her voice hinted subtly by a European accent. Long red hair hung down her delicate shoulders, in a wavy disarray, reminding Valkyrie of the Ariel, the Little Mermaid; one of her childhood heroes.

"I've felt better," Valkyrie replied trying not to stare at the beautiful woman.

The female mage chuckled. "Well you gave the doctor and Skulduggery a good scare. It was nearly impossible to do my work properly with them standing over me questioning my every move."

"You healed me?"

"I was a healer by trade before the war, and Kenspeckle would have healed you, but it was an older type of Magie Neagra, so he was somewhat lost."

"Maggie Negro what," Valkyrie asked lifting an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry I slipped again didn't I? It's Mag-ray Knee-gray; or in English, Dark Magic."

"What language is that?" Valkyrie asked interested. She could swear she had heard it before.

"Romanian; I was born in Tulcea but grew up in Bucharest. When I was eighteen I came to America and met Skulduggery. He taught me almost everything I know." Alanna smiled over at him, her teeth perfectly straight.

Skulduggery nodded once to acknowledge the comment.

Just then another woman joined them. She was tall, and looked like she was in her early twenties. She wore knee high black boots, and a neon green and black top hat. It was clear that she loved bright neon colors, for her entire wardrobe was made up with them. She wore a halter top with the words, (I'M NOT INSANE YOUR JUST NORMAL!) written all across the chest and she wore short shorts. Valkyrie smiled; she liked this newcomer already.

"Lann we got company!" She said happily clapping her hands together twice, a look of complete bliss covering her pretty face.

Alanna stood up straight her eyes flashing dangerously, "Company? I killed the waitress hours ago Luny."

"Not the waitress," the woman explained impatiently. "Just a butt load of hollow man; I'd estimate bout thirty. I thought you might want to join in the fun?"

Alanna smiled, and the mage named Luny smiled back evilly. "We'll be back Skulduggery," she gestured with her hand, in parting, "Valkyrie."

They left the room, and Skulduggery shook his head sighing. "They haven't changed."

To those of you who have read this before, I'm going back and correcting my errors as well as adding more information where it is lacking. And for you newcomers I hope you are enjoying this. -Lyn.