Chapter seven! Wow, seven chapter already! Hee, anyway, last chapter you guys found out that Legault and Katida were once lovers (I wonder how Isadora would respond to that), though, I bet you all knew that already (or thought so). And then aspects of Tamesis were revealed through Renault. Ironically, Isadora asks Renault if there were any chances of LegaultxTamesis (Who knows? Maybe?) when instead she should be concerned with LegaultxKatida… Hee, so that brings you guys up to date! RRE (Read, Review, and Enjoy!)!
Previous Chapter (Legault):
"Yes…I will be. Thanks to you. You know, Legault, this brings back memories," Katida whispered into the crook of my neck.
The exact place where Isadora used to murmur… But it wasn't Isadora I was concentrating on at the moment.
"Like…?"
"Like before, when we were lovers."
Previous Chapter (Isadora):
"Isadora…I will…I will protect you from her. You will be safe now," Jaffar said.
My jaw dropped.
Maybe it was from hearing the mysterious assassin actually speak to someone other than Nino, or maybe it was from his arbitrary offering of help. Or maybe it was from hearing the words: 'You will be safe' coming from someone other than myself.
Desperation
I nearly choked on my next words.
"K-Katida, that was a long—"
"I know, I know. But can't I reminisce about it? Oh, I forgot, you love that wench, Isadora," Katida growled. I felt her start to tremble again with tears. No…not more tears…anything but that!
They came anyway.
"Y-You n-never truly l-l-loved me d-did you? Even though y-you told m-me you did! T-Tell me the t-truth, L-Legault, did you l-love me? Do you s-still l-love me?" Katida said, her tears breaking her speech.
Did I love you? Do I still love you?
Uh…how about you cry some more and make me feel bad that way?
"Answer me."
Didn't think so.
I made the mistake of looking into those emerald eyes so immersed with confusion—confusion that I caused in some way or another.
"Katida…"
"Legault…," she said, her voice holding a warning.
If I don't say anything…she'll kill me. If I do answer her, and she doesn't like the answer, she'll kill me. If I answer her, but tell her a bunch of lies, and she finds out, she'll kill me.
I really wish she'd just start crying again.
"You know the answer…," I started to say. Do I even know the answer? …Do I want to know the answer?
Her eyes narrowed.
"Do not answer me then, Legault. I will take your dithering as your answer. I understand where we stand now," Katida said, trying to sound indifferent. "You don't have to clarify anything." She drew away from me, crossing her arms in puerile defiance. Her mouth shaped into an alluring pout.
Stop. Staring. At. Her. Mouth. Now.
"Katida…don't be like this," I half-pleaded, half-demanded. What does she want from me? A confession of my sins…? She'll be there for quite a while then.
"Be like what?" she huffed.
"Like this. Like a child." Anger blazed in her eyes as her piercing gaze burned mine to cinders. Isn't she done with the anger phase?
"Don't you dare call me a child, Legault, when you're the one who left without a care for anyone but yourself."
At this point, I was glad she was no longer in my embrace.
"Left without a care…? Are you serious?" I fed off her fury as it festered in what soul of mine remained.
"I asked you to come with me, Katida! I asked you to leave with me and live another life, one that wasn't so twisted and wrong! And what did you say? You told me that you couldn't, that you didn't want to leave with me." She made a motion to cut me off, but I spoke up instead.
"You told me that you had to stay with Tamesis. How you couldn't possibly leave when you owed her so much. What about what you owed me? What about what we talked about? Did that mean nothing to you? Did I mean nothing to you? Tell me that, Katida!" I yelled.
The tears that I saw in her eyes almost made me want to sweep her into my arms again. But then I rose and paced, trying to cool down. It wasn't like me to burst like that.
But then again, it wasn't like me to love two women at once.
She rose as well, her tone timid when she spoke, "She did so much for me, Legault. You know that. When I was little, my father was abusive and hurt my mother day after day. She…she took it too. She cried, tears streaming down her face always, but she'd always take care to make sure I didn't see. But…I was a stealthy child then, and I saw. Saw everything and remembered everything. Memorized everything so that when I was old enough, I could punish him…punish him so Mother wouldn't suffer anymore." Katida angrily swiped at a tear that escaped from the corner of her eye. Her hands tightened into fists as she continued.
"And so I did. I punished him. Made him suffer, cry out for mercy, and confess his wrongdoings. Only then did I kill him. I was no torturer. I put him out of his misery. My mother, however, didn't take his death as kindly as I had thought. She threw me out of our house, marking me as a 'wicked child.' Villagers wouldn't even take me in. Everyone was scared that I would turn on them, killing them as I did my father."
Her eyes were held downcast now, her arms cradling her body.
"But then Tamesis found me in the forest. I was so close to death. I hadn't eaten for many cycles and sleep was a luxury I could not afford. There were so many dangers to hide from…almost too many to handle. If she hadn't found me, and taken me in, I'd surely be dead. I owe her my life, Legault," she whispered. "You owe her for finding me."
I owe her nothing!
Silence settled upon us uneasily and heavily, dulling both my senses and wit.
"…So you lied to me," I said quietly. I fought the urge to just leave her there, as a mess, dying slowly.
"Yes…I did. I had to. You wouldn't have trusted me if I told you otherwise!" Katida stopped, realizing she had slipped.
My fists tightened.
"She told you to deceive me…and you complied," I said slowly, not wanting to believe what I had heard. Tamesis' demands I could understand, she was notorious for backstabbing, but Katida…?
How dare she.
"Legault, I—"
"Here is my answer to your previous question: You mean nothing to me now," I hissed. "We are even."
"You d-don't truly m-mean that…do you? Legault, you must know that I loved you! I still love you!" she cried. "Tamesis made me lie to you! I would never otherwise! You must believe me!"
I swore I thought I saw desperation hidden in her eyes.
What does she want? Desperation is something Katida, the Black Cat, does not feel. What is she hiding? Could her desperation be linked to my summoning? But what does she need me for? There can't be anything I can do for them any longer. They've survived for so long without me…unless…Tamesis is being threatened and needs my help.
But, for once, it seems as if Katida needs my help.
"Love me? Love me? You hardly know what love is if you loved me. And you must know less than I thought if you still love me now."
Katida marched up to me, her stance defiant.
"Then call me an ignorant fool for I still love you, Legault. And forgive me if I'm wrong, but I know you still love me too," Katida said, her eyes level with my own.
"…Then we are both fools," I whispered sadly.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"I will…be safe?" I repeated. Getting over the initial shock of hearing Jaffar speak, I felt like talking to the mysterious man for hours. From what Renault said, Tamesis is something of a legend among assassins. If Jaffar lived…he could tell me so much than I thought to ever know. And I must know.
All the enigma did was nod. Oddly, that was enough for me.
"…Can you help me then? I have so many questions to ask—" Jaffar was beside me in seconds and had the blade safely secured in my satchel that was tied to my waist. Seconds later, he was in front of me once again.
He was fast—faster than Legault.
"Whoa…that was…swift…," I said. Jaffar met my gaze. His eyes were somewhat unnerving.
"I am not nearly as fast as Tamesis is," he muttered. Hearing that didn't exactly lift my spirits.
"She is that skilled, Jaffar? Then how did you—I mean, not that I'm upset you're alive, but how did you manage to survive? If she is as ruthless as Renault made her to be, then I cannot believe that she'd let you live," I said. Jaffar's face remained emotionless.
"…A deal was made for my life. If she let me live, she would get an ancient spell in return. The parchment held enchantment, I remember, strong and deadly," he said. "It was a curse." My breath caught in my throat.
"A curse. You don't mean—" He couldn't mean this curse. My curse.
"Yes…the curse you are afflicted with."
"Well…I cannot be too surprised with that," I paused, and then continued, "Though, why did she want a spell if it was already cast onto the blade? It does not seem like a new spell, it seems quite old."
"It is… The blade has been around…for many years. Though one family has laid claim—" For some reason, Jaffar chose to stop. I knew someone was behind me.
"Isadora?" It was Harken.
I turned around tentatively, remembering what had happened the last time we had spoke. I knew that Jaffar had left; only, I wish that he had stayed. Who knew I'd ever take the company of an infamous assassin over Harken? Then again, who knew that I'd fall in love with a thief?
"Harken, I am sorry if I sound rude, but I was in the middle of talking. I must go find—"
"No. We have to talk." He sounds desperate. Why?
"I know, but not now." I tried to move past him, but he stepped in front of my path. I felt my anger flare suddenly.
"What are you doing?" My voice was icier than I've ever heard it, and Harken flinched slightly. Not icy enough for him to move out of the way though.
"Have I done something to anger you, Isadora?" he asked. My heart said no, but my mind was screaming yes. He's blocking your way, Isadora! He's trying to control you. He wants you to do what he wants. Remember what happened the last time you did as he asked? He left and never came back. So he's here now, so what? Your lover is out somewhere with this woman, Tamesis, and you know he doesn't want you meeting up with him ever again. Harken wants to destroy your relationship with Legault. He wants to take you back… Don't let him!
"Anger me? Yes, why yes you have," I said. A smile cracked onto my lips as I drew the dagger from my satchel. I shouldn't be wielding this blade… Yet, he deserves being cursed, cursed and dying…like I am. He deserves to suffer, suffering like I am. What he did to me isn't fair! He should pay for it!
My mind agreed readily. My fingers agreed lustfully.
"Isadora…where did…where did you get that dagger from? Isadora, put it down. Did you hear me? Put it down," he ordered. See? He's commanding you. Do you see? Again, he's trying to control you. Are you going to do as he asks? Are you going to be hurt again? Aren't you going to learn from your mistakes? Don't listen to him, Isadora! Do what you want, for a change. Who cares what Harken wants? I know you want to coil your fingers around the hilt and spread the venom…use Guthrie's Gift!
My arm was raised high, to strike at him, to make him suffer—but I stopped myself. Who is Guthrie? How do I know him? What's going on? The sane part of me told me something was very, very wrong. How can I have knowledge of someone I know I've never heard of?
"What has gotten into you, Isadora? Have I wronged you so deeply that you must raise a weapon against me?" he cried. My head whirled. What is wrong with me!?
"You…I cried…so many…days…never came back…loved you…not…anymore…I love…not…," I choked.
"Isadora? Is that you? Harken? Put down your sword, Isadora! Do you hear me?" Marcus yelled. …Marcus?
My broken voice faded down to a whisper at the sound of Marcus' words. The flame that ignited in me before seemed to lose some of its bombastic nature, smoldering still, but a candle at best. My head and heart seemed to be in accord for both were advising me to lower the blade. Marcus alleviated the headache I was previously experiencing…and all murderous thoughts towards Harken.
"Isadora, what possessed you to hold a weapon against a comrade? And against a fellow knight of the same realm! Preposterous! I cannot believe what I just witnessed!" Marcus bellowed. "Give me that—"
"No," Harken said, stopping Marcus from reaching towards the blade. "Let her keep it. Legault has left and it was his. We should allow her this one memento to remind her of him."
I regained control over my arm, and sheathed the tainted blade inside. My fingers were trembling and I felt as if part of me had left. Something was wrong with me, but I couldn't figure out what. …Part of me didn't want to know what was wrong. I should thank Harken for stopping Marcus, but I cannot. I am too ashamed. I nodded to him instead. He understood in that way he used to. So maybe he still understands me…?
"Hmmph, fine. Isadora, I would like to know what business you had—"
"It was just an argument. It was nothing to be alarmed over, Sir Marcus. We are fine now," he said. I was grateful for the way he handled the situation. He made it seem as if nothing was wrong when everything was wrong. Harken smiled at me, and I returned a small one back. Just like old times…
"Well, uh, good. I hope I don't see anything like that again. For two knights, you quarrel like an old married coup—uh, not that you are! I mean, uh, it's not like you're going to or…I mean, Harken didn't say he was…" Harken laughed, and I felt my smile widen.
"Harken has already asked for my hand, Sir Marcus. You did not ruin any surprises as far as I'm concerned," I said, grinning. Marcus nodded and pretended not to be stressed by his almost-blunder.
"Of course, I wasn't aware that he had asked. So, when's the date? Have you planned anything yet? As for food, I know an inns woman who—" It was Harken's turn to become flustered.
"Sir Marcus, your help would be very accommodating…in the future, perhaps… Or maybe not, it all depends… On whether… I mean… Uh," Harken said awkwardly. I laughed softly to myself.
"I have yet to answer, Sir Marcus," I said.
"What? Why haven't you answered the boy yet? Elimine knows he's been waiting!" Marcus said rather loudly. Harken's face rouged a few more shades. He conveniently found a bird singing on a branch more interesting. I laughed again.
"Really?" I said, faking surprise. "I didn't know that!" Harken looked like he wanted to disappear. I found his discomfort…comforting, almost endearing.
"Well, he has, Isadora, so put the boy out of his misery already! Tell him what he wants to hear!" I laughed a little louder and walked closer to Harken who still found the blue bird to be the most interesting thing on the planet. Its song sounded familiar, however, soft and melancholy…
"Would you like to know my answer, dear knight?" I asked lightly. He didn't look at me right away, his cheeks still pink.
"Yes…I mean, only if you would like to… I do not want you to just answer because…well, I mean, Sir Marcus may have been a little misleading…"
"I have thought about my answer already. However, if Sir Marcus was wrong…then does that mean you do not want to hear my answer?" I asked, enjoying the kind of power I had over him. Legault would never be this easy to manipulate. Legault has never been this easy to manipulate. He wouldn't let me pull his strings.
"No! I mean…! Uh, not that I'm eager…I mean, I am eager! I would like to know. But…" His voice trailed off, and his eyes finally met mine.
What is in those eyes of his? Those eyes I've searched for so long. What is hidden beneath those depths? What am I trying to find in him that wasn't there before?
"You talk too much," I said as I wrapped my arms around his neck in an embrace. His body felt good against mine since I had nothing but a thin slip as clothing. Years of training and doing his duty had done him good. He felt surprised, but held me close. I leaned in, positioning my lips at his ear, whispering the words he needed to hear….
And so we end! Hee! Okay, so maybe it's a bit of a cliffhanger…hee! I can't help myself! The story writes itself! Anyway, I hope you guys liked that chapter and review it, too! Next chapter will probably focus on Legault and Katida more…though; I dare not leave Isadora alone with Harken…hee. And, ooh! Tell me what you think Isadora said to Harken! Did she say yes or no or something completely different… Let me know what you're thinking!
