Wow, very nearly got the wrong chapter up first, that would suck, since this one was fun to write--and longer then usual, too. You're welcome.


Chapter 9- Nothing Gained

Although they stayed up past the midnight hour, debating, the group from the wall was unable to come up with any alternate plan. Sarra would go as the Queen, they finally conceded reluctantly. There was no other course of action except war, and if that could be prevented then it would have to be done. The envoy hadn't seemed violent, and they only wanted the Queen to make peace. Sarralyn had her magics to protect her. They could only hope that it would be enough.

Sarra made her way slowly to her rooms, eyes and feet heavy. She was exhausted, with no real reason to be. Sure, balls were taxing, but really… She let herself into her room, closed and bolted the door, and leaned against it with a sigh.

The quiet was soothing. She reveled in isolation, being on her own; no one to look at her, askance, when she wore proper breeches, no one to fear or resent her for her magics, nor ask about her famous parents…

Something rustled in the small room adjoining the main one. With a rasp of cloth on wood, a large shadow separated itself from the shadows and came towards her, unidentifiable in the scant moonlight from the window. She tried to cry out and found she couldn't make a sound.

The shadow figure pointed at her and uttered a single, unintelligible sound. A spurt of dark green flame shot out, missed Sarra by a hairsbreadth, and lit the branch of candles in the bracket next to her on the wall. In the circle of light that it cast, Sarra recognized the intruder.

"Marishk!"

"Hush, Shieve, you'll be wakin' the whole palace!"

"Hush yourself, you miserable hunk of Stormwing dung!" She whispered fiercely. "Haven't I told you not to sneak up on me? I could have killed you!"

"Not this late at night you couldn't. Besides, your less likely t' bite my head off if you're afeared." He grinned her favourite crooked grin.

She tried to remain angry, but it wouldn't work. She turned her back on him instead, using some of the flames from the candles to bolster the dying fire in the grate. "What are you doing in here?"

"I-I had to say goodbye, didn't I? You'll be Queen tomorrow, remember?"

"Yes, but-"

"Sarra?

Sarra heard her mother's sweet voice call from the hallway and paled. "Marishk!" she hissed quietly. "Hide!"

He dashed back in to the other room as a knock sounded on the door. "Just a moment!" Sarra called out, quickly removing her hair ties to make it look like she was preparing for bed. She opened the door.

Her ma stood there, clad only in a tunic that fell to her knees. "I thought I heard a shout."

"I stubbed my toe," Sarra improvised quickly. "Sorry."

"No problem, sweetling. Try-try to get some rest." Her eyes were moist.

Sarra hugged her tightly. "You too, Ma. I love you."

"Love you too, young one. Good night."

Sarra closed the door again and slid the bolt home. Marishk had returned to stand behind her; she trod on his foot when she turned around. "Marishk!"

"Sorry!" he said hastily, backing up so that they weren't so close, and looking down his long nose at her. "You're absolutely certain you want t'go through with this fool plan?"

Only his expression kept her from screaming in frustration. There was worry in his face, and something strange in his gaze. Anger? Whatever it was, it sent her heart racing. "Marishk. You know I've got to help if I can. Please- please don't try to talk me out of it."

He sighed. "I knew you'd say that."

"Well, then, why did you ask?"

"Forgive me for being concerned, Shieve."

"You? Worried?Why? I can take care of myself!"

"I know. I'm sorry. I-I had better be off. You need your rest." He back slowly-gracefully-to the far wall and the open window, which was, apparently, how he had gotten in to her room in the first place.

"Goodnight." Sarra said softly. She hung her head. She couldn't bring herself to add what she desperately wanted to, not now. Goodbye, Marishk-I love you.

Marishk turned back, hesitating; cool fingers lifted Sarra's chin. She met his gaze.

He pressed his lips to hers, gently.

And then he was gone, his final words resounding in her frozen mind: "Goodnight, Shieve-I love you. Be safe."


Reviews? You've got a whole chapter to review on and hopefully ch 9 will be up later since i've got no homework for 2 WHOLE DAYS!!!

Sarra