Unreliable Narrator
Chapter Three

)O(

"You expect me to sleep on the floor? At the end of your bed?... Like a dog?"

Raven was unfazed by Malchior's incredulity, and tossed him a pillow, which he didn't even bother catching. "Yes. I do. I don't trust you to behave for anyone else, so you'll be my burden for some time, and you'll just have to deal with the fact that you're going to sleep at the end of my bed." She flashed him a coy smile as she moved to rest in her bed. "I do apologize for the inconvenience."

Malchior glared and cursed at her in his native tongue before sitting down on the floor. There was a long pause as he tried to get comfortable, and then he sighed audibly. Raven rolled her eyes and sat up to find him staring at her, eyes nearly glowing in the darkness. "What, Malchior?"

He blinked at her, and then lay back down on the carpet, staring at the ceiling. The silence grew heavy, and Raven thought she might kill him if he didn't speak soon. "I'm getting the distinct impression that after all of this is over, you will betray me and throw me back into the book."

Time stopped. Raven felt her blood boil as she thought about his "observation." He had to use that particular word, didn't he? Raven hissed breath between her teeth. "I'm sorry, but did I just hear you accuse me of betrayal?" Malchior didn't even bother turning to look at her, and Raven felt anger surge through her veins. The bastard was trying to do this to her. Fine, two could play at that game. "Furthermore, I don't ever recall your release being a permanent fixture in our agreement. You asked me to release you to help fight Rorek, nothing was ever said about you staying released."

Malchior finally sat up and stared at her. "You would do this to me? Deny me my freedom? And for what? Because I lied to you to get my way?"

"Because you betrayed me!" Raven threw another pillow at him and hissed breath between her teeth. Malchior's eyes narrowed but he kept unusually quiet. "Because you had no regard for my wellbeing or my feelings. You didn't just lie to me, you took advantage of me to get your way. You weaseled your way into the darkest hole in my heart just so you could have what you wanted. Tell me why I shouldn't hate you?"

"Because I care for you!"

"You keep saying that." Raven snarled at him. "Maybe it'll eventually become true. Now, go to bed before I lose my temper."

"What do I have to do to prove that I've changed, Raven?" Malchior lay back on the floor and sighed. "I do not wish to take advantage of you, nor do I feel it is necessary."

"Necessary?" Raven swore and stood up, moving to stand next to his head. Malchior just stared blankly up at her, and that only angered her more. She wanted to see anger, hatred, some kind of feeling, not indifference. "When is it ever necessary to take advantage of someone? Furthermore, to take advantage of someone who would have given you what you wanted if you had told the truth in the first place?"

Malchior snorted and closed his eyes. "You would have allowed me to take revenge on a fellow sorcerer? Don't bother trying to pretend that is true, we both know that you would have probably cast another spell on me just to keep me in that damnable book." His lips twitched before turning down in a frown, and Raven wanted to kick herself. She was giving him exactly what he wanted. He wanted her to be angry, because then she would make a mistake and something tragic would happen, like falling for his lies again. How could she be so stupid?

"I should have left you in there." Raven gave his shoulder a hard push with her foot. Malchior winced, but gave no other indication of pain. "Just… shut up and go to sleep before I find a valid reason to kill you." Raven crawled back into bed and pulled the book against her chest. Goddess help her if he ever got his hands on it.

)O(

Morning was awkward, to put it politely.

When Raven finally stirred, she opened her eyes to a shadow falling across her deep covers. Malchior was standing next to her bed, his back to her and staring out the window at the sun. Damnit. She had really hoped that everything last night had been nothing more than a nightmare. He glanced down at her as if unconcerned, then turned to look out the window again. Raven groaned and threw her arm over her eyes, trying to block out the light. "Do you have to be so creepy?"

Malchior snorted. "Did I just hear you accusing me of being creepy?"

"Yes." Raven grunted and rolled on her side, away from him. "What time is it?"

"Nearing noon."

"Oh my god!" Raven bolted out of her bed, stumbling for her bathroom door. "Are you serious?"

Malchior turned at watched her, and Raven could feel his curious stare follow her around the room. "Do you have somewhere important to be?"

Raven paused and looked at him, eyes narrowing. The movement of his tattoo distracted her for a moment as it shifted restlessly across his skin. "I don't see how my plans are any of your concern." Malchior shrugged and motioned to the book that was still in her hands. Oh. Right. He was tethered to the book, so where ever she went, he had to follow. Great. She shoved hair out of her face and sighed. "I'm going to see a friend of mine."

A strange look passed over his eyes, something dark and unreadable, and Raven took a step back out of surprise. He cleared his throat and leaned back on his heels, his tattoo still making quick, anxious movements. "Unfortunately, due to our current circumstance, I'm afraid I'm going to have to come with you."

"Ugh. Whatever." Raven made her way to the bathroom, moving at a slower pace. What was the point in fighting with him? He was always going to find a way to get under her skin and annoy her. "Just… get ready and leave me alone. And cover your… mark up, you're going to attract unwanted attention." She jumped into the bathroom and slammed the door shut. She tossed the book on the counter, earning a grunt from Malchior on the other side of the door.

"Will you kindly stop abusing my book?"

Raven had the overwhelming urge to say something rude and profane, but managed to keep her mouth shut, which was probably for the best. She sighed and jumped into the shower, turning the temperature to extra hot. The tenseness in her muscles seemed to ease under the temperature and she let go of a deep breath she had been holding. Everything felt weird now… uncomfortable and awkward. Not that it wasn't before, but there had always been a certain degree of separation between them. She never had to see Malchior face-to-face, only hear him in a book, but now… things had changed. She would be forced to face Malchior every day until she was able to release him permanently.

Her stomach churned under the thought. Malchior, completely released. What if she was wrong, and he had no intention of changing, or even trying to change? Then what would happen? And how would she ever be able to make things right again? The idea was sickening to her, and failure was not an option, not when there were thousands of innocent lives at stake. For now, she had no other choice but to trust the fork-tongued lizard. Raven sighed again and stepped out of the shower. She had a busy day ahead of her, and to add insult to injury she had to bring the bane of her existence everywhere she went now.

"Are you done, Raven?" Malchior sounded anxious. But over what?

"Almost." Raven dressed quickly and opened the door. Malchior was standing next to the frame, scowling as usual. She pushed passed him into her bedroom and quickly made her bed. Malchior's stare seemed to follow her around the room, and it only worsened the tension between them. She looked up and growled. "What's your issue?"

"I am curious as to why you made plans." He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Am I not allowed to exist without your permission, oh scaly one?" Raven cringed a little under the glare she received, but it was worth it. Sometimes he really did deserve all the torture she gave him, especially when he treated her like this. Raven sighed as his stare continued. Of course, he would just stare her confession out of her. "I am meeting with a friend of mine in regards to your book, I have a few questions I wanted to ask him."

Malchior blinked and cocked his head to the side, as if confused. "And I was not allowed to come to a meeting regarding my own book?"

"Honestly, I didn't think you would be here now. I did not anticipate having to haul a book and a sorcerer around with me." Raven went and pulled her wool coat from her closet. Today was a sans-uniform kind of day. "I just have some concerns and I wanted to ask him about them."

"But not me? Even though it was my prison for a century and I know more about it than anyone else… you still do not want to ask me questions? You want to go to someone else?" His voice was filled with incredulity and he took a step forward. There was a flash of emotion across his face and he looked away from her, still frowning. "The more you speak, the more I become seriously concerned that you will not uphold your end of our bargain, Raven. What kind of secrets do you wish to keep from me?"

"There's a reason they're called 'secrets', Malchior. And there were some questions I wasn't sure if you would give me a straight answer or if you even had the answer. It seemed better to me to ask a third party, than to get a convoluted answer to a very serious question." Raven picked up the book and started for her bedroom door. Malchior followed the pull of the book and trailed right behind her, cursing under his breath. Raven rolled her eyes at him. "Stop whining like a child and hurry up. We're going to the bookstore."

Malchior said something in his native tongue, but still followed her out of the tower with few protests. It was a fairly nice day for January. The snow had held off for a few more hours, and there were plenty of people milling around the city streets, shopping or running errands. Unfortunately, Malchior seemed to be a beacon for everything female, which was seriously slowing Raven's pace down. A group of teenage girls stopped and stared at Malchior before turning to each other and giggling. Raven groaned.

"Can't you be less attractive?"

Malchior jerked in surprise and looked down at Raven. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I mean… look at this!" Raven motioned to the street around her, where women had started to inch closer, trying to get a glimpse of him. "I can't even take five steps without some woman just drooling over you. It's making me sick, and they are starting to get in my way." Raven elbowed a girl in the ribs, but she didn't seem to feel the impact. Great. Raven hissed out another angry breath. "This is annoying."

"I hadn't noticed." Malchior returned his stared to the "Do Not Walk" sign, unfazed.

Raven snorted. "Oh, please. I'm sure you had women fawning all over you back in Lamir."

He glanced down at her again, frowning. "Raven… you do realize that different cultures have different ideas on what beauty entails, right?"

Raven rolled her eyes. "Yes, and?"

"Well, to put it simply, I was nothing more than an unattractive commoner who happened to be lucky enough to find himself in a position of power. If people thought I was handsome, it was because I was a sorcerer and had nothing to do with my looks and everything with my position in the castle." The light finally turned and they started across the street.

"I find that hard to believe." Raven took a right down a small side street where the buildings were close together, and dirt seemed to know how to procreate rapidly. She side stepped a toppled trashcan, nearly bumping into Malchior.

"And why is that?"

"Because, I think you're…" Raven stopped before the words came out and looked away. That was almost too stupid to imagine. She felt like color flood her face. "Never mind. It's not important."

Malchior paused and looked down at her. "Do you think I am attractive?"

Raven sighed and looked up at him. There was a ghost of anticipation in his eyes as he watched her, and the sight made something in her stomach jump. She ignored the feeling and settled on rolling her eyes. "When you aren't a conniving dragon… absolutely. But those times are rare." She sneered before moving ahead. Malchior grunted as his anger spiked, but what did she care? He was only in this to be released, so why was he concerned about her opinion? And why did it matter if she thought he was attractive or not?

"Raven?"

Raven jumped and turned around, facing a tall, lanky, dark-haired boy who was barely holding onto two paper grocery bags. He took a few steps toward her, but lost his handle on the second bag and it started to topple. Raven jumped forward and snagged the bag before it hit the ground. She smiled at him as she stood up. "Well, Aurelius, you're as graceful as ever."

"Ari, Raven. It's always Ari with you." He smiled back at her and readjusted the bag on his hip. "I heard you were coming by the shop today and realized we were out of tea… as well as a bunch of other things. Grandfather never really gets out that much."

"Well, when you're his age you have to rely on your strapping young grandsons." Ari's face turned red and he gave a nervous chuckle. Raven opened her mouth to say something else, but a cough made her stop. She turned around to see Malchior just staring at her, arms taut against his sides and lips trembling in barely contained anger. Raven rolled her eyes and turned back to Ari, who seemed transfixed on Malchior's form.

"Who's your companion?"

"Ah…" Raven felt color flood her face again and she glanced back at Malchior again, who was still staring at her, but now his arms had moved to cross his chest. Raven bit back a sigh. Did he have to be so creepy? She turned towards Ari again. "Ari, this is who I wanted to talk to your grandfather about… meet Malchior."

Ari paled and looked over at Raven before turning to stare at Malchior. "As in the Malchior? Who was defeated by Sir Rorek, who used the ancient book of Nol against him?" Raven nodded, but Ari continued talking. "Malchior the Dragon, who destroyed the capitol of Lamir in pure hatred for the queen?"

Malchior growled low in his throat and Raven held up her hand in an attempt to stop him from speaking. It was a useless effort, of course. "Well, Ari, the details of that particular story are somewhat debatable."

Ari's lips turned down in a frown. "It's Aurelius, if you don't mind." He looked over at Raven, choosing to ignore Malchior. "If you don't mind me asking… exactly how did you happen to meet such an unsavory character as Malchior, Raven? You are not exactly the kind of person to hang around…" Ari stopped when he saw the exasperated look in Raven's eyes. He turned away, his face beet red. "I'm sorry, Raven, it's not my place to pry."

"Let's just get going, shall we?" Raven pushed past him and Malchior to continue down the street. She felt Malchior approach her from behind and had to fight off another glare. The air hung around them, waiting in anticipation. Raven sighed. "Yes, Malchior?"

"I do not like the way he looks at you."

"Like a person and not a meal?" Raven glanced over at him before adjusting the bag on her hip. "I'm sorry if that concept is new to you, however it does happen in the real world."

"As if you were a potential mate."
Raven felt color flood her face again and she turned and glared at him. "And why should that bother you?"

Malchior blinked at her before speaking. "I thought I made my intentions perfectly clear during our discussion in the hallway last night, Raven."

Raven's stomach churned as the memory hit her again and her blush grew darker. Of course, that conversation, he just had to bring that up. She huffed out a breath of air. "Please just stop talking and spare me the misery." Malchior opened his mouth to respond, but Raven took a few steps ahead of him, avoiding conversation. Her shoulders slumped as she felt Ari approach her from her other side. "Yes, Ari?"

"I'm sorry, Raven…" His voice was pitched to a whisper, probably in some vain attempt to keep Malchior from hearing. "It's just… I don't feel like you understand the seriousness of this. I mean, this is Malchior, the quintessential antagonist in nearly every ballad of Sir Rorek, like Beowulf's Grendal, and he is following you around. It's just not safe and I am concerned for you."

"Ari…" Raven sighed for what felt like the millionth time that day. "Have you ever heard of an unreliable narrator?"

Ari jerked slightly in surprise. "Of course."

Raven just turned to him and raised an eyebrow, but said nothing more. Ari shook his head, but kept quiet. Of course Ari's fears were perfectly grounded, the mystery and connotation that followed Malchior's name were enough to strike fear in any heart. But he didn't know about Malchior being tethered to the book, nor did he know about Raven's previous encounter with him. And quite frankly, Ari had no need to know about her previous mistakes with dark magic. That was her own burden to bear, and she would do just that.

The bookshop was right around the corner, tucked in a dark, nearly forgotten alleyway. Kristoff was standing on the front steps, leaning against a gnarled cane. "Why, if it isn't my favorite customer… Miss Raven, I see you've found my grandson. I was beginning to think he'd gotten lost. It has been known to happen." Ari turned red, but said nothing. Kristoff just smiled at Raven and started down a few steps. His eyes drifted over Malchior, lips twitching in thought. "And, I see you've also brought a rather ancient and powerful friend, haven't you?"

Raven nodded. "Malchior's release happened a bit earlier than we anticipated."

"Well, the best laid plans of mice and men and all that…" He looked over at Malchior and gave a small, polite bow. "It's an honor to meet such a talented sorcerer, Malchior. Your work for the castle in the wetlands of Harshaire are quite legendary. The spells were so complex and quite beautiful." Ari made a noise of protest, but was quickly silenced by a look from Kristoff.

Malchior nodded in response. "Thank you, sir." Raven turned and looked at him, but he just shrugged. She continued to stare, and he gave a dramatic sigh. "If you must know, the castle of the neighboring kingdom was destroyed by war, and I went to help rebuild it. I may or may not have added a few precautionary protective spells."

"Unfortunately your spells couldn't protect against the natural elements forever, but you can still feel them even now when you visit the ruins, and they are a millennium old. They were simply amazing." Kristoff glanced up at the sky and took a step towards his front door. "It is going to snow again soon, and getting far too cold for an old man like me. Why don't we come inside and take tea by the fire?"

Ari pushed past Malchior, giving him a glare before following his grandfather into the shop. Malchior glared at the back of his head, mumbling under his breath. Raven grabbed his arm and shook her head. "Just let it go, Malchior." There was a pause before she spoke again. "You've never told me about the castle in Harshaire. I didn't know you were such a humanitarian."

"You never asked about my past, and I am sorcerer… I'm required to uphold basic human necessities, like shelter. It was an oath I had to take when I left the school." He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded towards the bookstore. "I didn't know your bookstore housed an Elder, and an incredibly knowledgeable one at that… I sense he was probably a very talented mage some years ago."

Raven nodded. "Though this be madness there is method in it…I had a reason for coming here, Kristoff accidentally sold me the book of Nol, which is why I wanted to come speak with him."

Malchior raised an eyebrow. "Kristoff did, or was it his clumsy grandson?"

Raven glared at him. "It was a mistake, Malchior, we all make them." She started for the shop's front door. "Would you like me to list some of yours?"

"I'd be more than happy to list yours as well." Malchior followed her inside. The shop was tight, small, and felt as if everything was slightly crooked and leaned to the left. Books were piled from floor to ceiling in haphazard stacks, and Malchior nearly tripped over a small stack next to what might have been a coat rack if it wasn't coated in scrolls and paper. Raven rolled her eyes.

"Will you watch yourself?"

Malchior opened his mouth to respond, but snapped it shut when they heard raised voices from the kitchen.

"Grandfather, I don't care what our duty is! There is a mass murderer standing outside, next to Raven. And you're being nice to him!"

"The truth, Aurelius, is what we strive for. I cannot stress that enough. Hasn't it ever seemed odd to you that every piece of history about Malchior is the same? He was a deranged sorcerer with a lust for blood… that's all you ever hear. Even the evilest of persons have some supporters, some people who believe that what they have done was just and correct, but Malchior has none… not one person who is on his side, and that does not seem strange to you?"

"He's a murderer. And he's following Raven around!"

"And whose fault is that, Aurelius?" There was a long pause and Raven could feel and overwhelming sense of guilt fill the small shop. She took a small step back and looked up at Malchior, who had a look of intrigue on his face. Kristoff clicked his tongue. "It was a mistake and I know that… but now it has become Raven's choice to bear this burden. The only thing we can do is offer her our help."

"I know, grandfather. But… I…"

"Aurelius, I know." Ari shuffled around the small kitchen as he moved to put things away. Kristoff however, never even shifted his weight. "You know my feelings on that particular subject."

Ari grunted. "Yeah, yeah. There will always be time after I train."

"See…" Malchior whispered into Raven's ear. "I told you he was looking at you as if you were a potential mate." Her face flushed and she elbowed his ribs, earning a wince. "What is it with your obsession to inflict bodily harm on me?"

"What is it with your obsession to annoy me?" Malchior just rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"No. That is not what I have told you about that subject… I have told you that no one can make that decision except for you. You either jump into the pool and hope you can swim, or stand at water's edge and assume you cannot." Kristoff moved toward the kitchen door, making a strange, clunky noise. "I am going to entertain our guests, please bring us tea."

"Yeah, yeah…"

There was a sharp smack of Kristoff's cane on Ari's hand. "Don't get sassy with me."

"Sorry, grandfather."

The kitchen door swung open and Kristoff stood there, leaning on his cane and smiling. "Ah… I thought I heard you two come in. Raven, why are you still carrying my groceries? Just put them in the kitchen and let Aurelius take care of them." Kristoff turned to Malchior and nodded. "Why don't we move to the parlor? Aurelius is going to bring us tea as soon as it's done." Malchior followed Kristoff deeper into the shop, and Raven entered the kitchen. Even the counters were lined with books and ancient articles she had no name for.

"Hey, Ari." Raven smiled politely and Ari looked up, blushing.

"Hey, Raven… Oh my gosh! I am so sorry! You've been carrying those groceries around the whole time." Ari moved to take them from her hands and put them on the counter. "I just… forgot."

Raven shrugged. "You got caught up in something else, no big deal."

"I'm still sorry…" Ari turned away from her before glancing over his shoulder. Raven could see the tips of his ears turn red, and she felt color floor her own face in response. Oh no, not good. "Hey, Raven? I was just wondering if maybe… if you have time later… you might want to go… and do something."

"Ari… I…" Raven sighed and shook her head. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I have a lot to handle right now." Ari's face fell and his shoulders slumped. Raven closed her eyes and felt guilt seep through her. Why did she tell him no? Ari had been a good friend to her for several years, and they were fairly close. If he had asked her a week ago, she would have said yes in a heartbeat. But things were so much different now… and Malchior was not the kind of person she should trifle with, in any way. "After all of this is over, Ari… I would love to go and do something with you, but until then… it's just not a good idea."

"Oh…" Ari fidgeted for a moment before looking into her eyes. "I guess I didn't think about it like that."

"I'm sorry, Ari."

"It's okay, Raven…" He tried to look nonchalant, but Raven could see the disappointment in his eyes. He shifted his weight again before motioning for the door. "Grandfather is probably wondering where you are, you better go see him."

"Oh. Okay… thank you, Ari." Raven left the kitchen feeling a little sick to her stomach and wound her way through the maze of books to the parlor. Dusty, dingy light filtered in through the huge display window, where several stacks of books seemed to be showing off their tattered spines. The parlor was just as cluttered as every other space in the house, but in the corner that was a huge, intricately carved desk and an ornate brass cash register. The only sign that this was an actual shop and not a storehouse for books.

"Raven, glad you could join us. Please… have a seat." Kristoff sat in a threadbare, wingback chair next to the fire, while Raven politely moved books of the settee to sit down next to Malchior. Kristoff pulled a pipe out of his pocket and began to clean it. "Malchior and I have just been discussing your peculiar situation. He has shed some interesting shade of light on several questions I had. For example, I always wondered why every ballad painted Rorek as such a golden hero… but it makes sense this way. After all, technically the only person who ever saw and lived through the battle was Rorek." Kristoff glanced at Raven's bag. "So… you have come to me with questions about the book of Nol?"

Raven nodded. She pulled the book out and set it on her lap. "I released Malchior. Twice."

Kristoff nodded. "I know. Malchior informed me of your… unique relationship. He also said that he is still tethered to the book, and must follow you if you move it anywhere. So, what are your concerns?"

"I… I am curious about releasing him fully… I know that Rorek is someone who should not be underestimated, and that I will need all the knowledgeable help I can get. But, what Malchior is asking me to do seems dangerous, and I have to know what the repercussions are of doing something that is so dangerous?" She felt Malchior glare at her, but chose to ignore it. Let him be upset with her, he knew that this was not an easy task for her, and she couldn't make decisions without being prepared. She needed all the help she could get. "He is a dangerous being, and I have considered not releasing him any further."

Malchior growled and looked over at her. "You lied to me?" When Raven didn't turn to face him, he shook his head and sneered. "Of course, I should have known not to trust someone like you."

"You did the same to me! Don't try to pretend that you have the same morals as I do."

"I told you why I lied, there was no excuse for you."

"Other than I cannot trust you? That you've been tricking me at every step of the way?" Raven huffed out a breath of irritated air and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I do not trick you."

Kristoff just chuckled, as if the violent words were nothing more than teasing threats to him. "I see there is a lot more going on than either of you wish to admit."

Raven felt color flood her face and she looked away. "It was a mistake in doing what I did, promising you that I would release you forever, but I would rather live with the guilt of betrayal than the guilt of a thousand innocent lives."

"You are simply terrible, Raven. You think that you can sit there in your ivory tower and preach to me about innocent lives?" Malchior was met with silence. He gave a humorless chuckle and stood up. "I see. Well, in that case I will be in the kitchen with the child. Let me know when you're done plotting my demise, oh heartless one." He stalked off, leaving Raven and Kristoff in silence.

"Hm…" Kristoff continued to clean his pipe, never making eye contact with either of them. "You love him."

Raven paled and looked at Kristoff, who didn't bother looking up. "What?"

"The pain is still fresh, even after all these months, Raven… wounds like that go deeper than you care to admit." Raven had the urge to swear at him, friend or not. How dare he accuse her of something so vile? He finally glanced up at her, a small knowing smile on his lips. "But that is just an old, nearly blind man's observation. What do I know?" He paused and packed tobacco into his pipe. "And, we are not here for Malchior, we are here for Rorek. You must keep me on track, Raven, I am getting old and senile."

"I…" Raven tried to keep her emotions at bay, but she was pretty sure she still heard something break on the floor above her. Leave it to Kristoff to upend her life in just a few seconds. "Right, Rorek…"

)O(

So, there it is. I know, the ending is a little all over the place, but I promise it will make sense later.
Originally this chapter was going to end up like 8000+ words and that just felt too long, but if you want to see a preview of what is to come, visit my blog:
Running With Toilet Paper and a Princess Wandto see what happens next chapter. You can find the URL on my FFnet profile page.

Anyway! I am sorry for the radio silence for so long, but I am getting married in a few days and have been crazy busy. Sorry. I'll be back on track soon! Thank you for reading, please leave a review!