2
Sparrows and "Friends"?
Valkyrie looked Skulduggery. "He really was happy to see her, wasn't he?" she asked.
"Yes," Skulduggery answered. "However, I wish we hadn't caught her."
Valkyrie looked at him in surprise. "Why," she asked.
"Because that way, he won't keep hoping that we can save her. All this searching he's done, it is all in vain. No one has been cleansed before. He knows that. He also knows it is impossible."
"Cleansed?"
"Ridding ones body and/or soul of unwanted substances. Like a remnant."
"Then why are you leading him along by tracking down the mages?"
"I am not. I think that that is just a rumor. However, I think that these mages who have the secret of defeating you is a lot more crediable."
"Ah, then what are you going to tell Ghastly."
"That they couldn't help."
Valkyrie was silent for a minute. "How are we going to track down these mages. Because I don't like them already."
"Does it have anything to do with the fact that if it is true, the world is looking to them to defeat you?" Skulduggery asked.
"It has nothing to do with that. It more has something to do with the fact that they would keep something like that secret."
"Are you sure, because I wouldn't like the mages who were going to kill me. And maybe they are new to magic and haven't heard of the so far imminent destruction of the world as we know it."
Valkyrie looked at him. "You know, you are fantastic at making people feel better about things like that. And you didn't answer my question about how are we going to track these mages down."
"I was going to see an old friend of mine. A sensitive who goes by the name of Fugue Plectrum."
"What kind of old friend is she?"
"Sorry?"
"Is he one of those ones that actually likes to see you, like Finbar? Or one that hates you?"
"Everyone likes to see me."
"Not everyone."
"Name someone."
"Dragonclaw."
"Doesn't count seeing as that was the first time I had seen him. Although he most likely had heard of my greatness."
"Wait, you are great?"
"Valkyrie, I am this close to using the sparrow flies south for the winter." He held his thumb and forefinger an inch apart.
"Really, should I be scared?" Skulduggery muttered something she didn't quite catch. "Sorry, care to repeat?"
"Nothing." She looked at him. He looked at her. Skulduggery looked at the road. Valkyrie continued to look at him. "What is it they say? Take a picture, they last longer?" Skulduggery said, still looking ahead. Finally, he looked her. "Can I help you?" He asked her. He sighed. "Remember, the second time we ever meet. You were being attacked. I came in and saved your life. And you stared. Then I went to see Ghastly and guess what, you stared. What is with you and staring?" Valkyrie looked at him a little longer before looking away. "Thank you," He murmered. They sat the rest of the drive in silence. A little while later, they pulled up outside a clean, small, cheery looking wooden house just outside of Dublin. It was painted a calming blue, with white trimmings and a neat, green lawn. "I like this house. But it looks too good to be true." Valkyrie said.
"Welcome to the house of Fugue Plectrum." Skulduggery replied.
Sorry, couldn't help myself. Fugue is a musical composition in which a theme is repeated in different parts. Plectrum is an impliment used for plucking the strings of guitars. And I opened my dictionary to random pages and chose the first words I saw. Fates funny like that.