D.H. A.N.: Hey, I'm back with the second part of Dreams. I hope every one had a great Holiday season, and enjoys the rest of their break Here's Chapter Eleven: Dreams Pt. II. Enjoy!!
Chapter Eleven: Dreams Pt. II
Mhera awoke to soft footsteps, but was asleep again faster than she knew. Sleep had taken its full hold on her once again, something that she was very thankful for. Another scene met her eyes. The room was warm, and recognized instantly as the den, only the moon wasn't full, or in the right position, as only two torches on either end of the room provided the room's light.
Almost inaudible footsteps were heard as a figure cautiously entered. The figure then shifted nervously into the room. Mhera's eyes then swept the room and met the eyes of her father. He stood from his chair, a look of slight displeasure making its way across his face. "You know why I have called you here, do you not?" His tone was cold beyond normalcy.
The figure walked into the glow of the torchlight, revealing a tan complexioned girl that Mhera recognized as herself, only a few years older, but not as old as the previous "Dream", if what had happened earlier could be considered that.
"I think so, sir." She swallowed hard. "Is it because of what happened today?"
"Yes, Arlomhe. You lack discipline and that will cause you problems if you cannot learn to control yourself, and that is where your problem lies." He said coolly. He then walked towards the redhead, footsteps echoing throughout the chamber. When he came face to face with Arlomhe, he remarked softly, "It's obviously evident that you lack new strategies as well. Coming up with new strategies is fundamental…" As he continued on with his lecture Arlomhe rolled her eyes, for it was obviously rehash. But Mhera listened, hoping that she wouldn't learn too much.
After he finished, her father waited for Arlomhe's answer. No answer came, which did not surprise him much. He dug through his pockets and a flash of silver was seen as Arlomhe caught a set of keys. He then explained his action. "Go get file 2756643-742784 and bring it to me."
"But that's my-"
"I know it's your file; that's why I ask that you bring it here." He almost snapped back. The girl retreated to do the appointed task without another word.
A while later, Arlomhe returned with a binder marked with the series of numbers mentioned. "Now, what did you say about my strategies?"
"They're somewhat…" He paused, trying to find the accurate word "Stale, to say the least."
"Stale? They are tried and tested. Stale is the worst thing one could call them. Boring would be a more accurate description. They're boring, if anything but not stale!" Arlomhe panted. Quickly she froze, as Marik took the binder somewhat roughly from her.
"Perhaps boring is the better word. Even so, you'll see what I mean." He strode over to a table, setting the binder down on it. "Let's see," He flipped through the binder expectantly. "Ah, this one; one of your more recent duels will suffice."
"It's…coded." Arlomhe murmured as she stood over the table.
"There is a key in front, but you needn't know the actual strategies, just their frequency of appearance." Marik replied,. Soon after, Mhera noted, much to her dismay, that everything was written in a coded fashion.
Both Mhera and Arlomhe were shocked at how much time this process must have taken. While the words, "Is this necessary?" was a phrase that was accurately usable, neither one was given the chance to ask it.
"And before you ask; it is absolutely necessary that I keep records on especially promising prospects." He glanced at her almost harshly "You should not be surprised that I include you in that category." He spoke softer this time, yet coldly still.
"Do you need anything else from me?" Arlomhe asked calmly.
"I just ask that you get a night's sleep, and prep yourself for a duel at noon." He saw Arlomhe slump as if under immense stress.
"Another one? Please sir, you'll duel me dry. I just had one this morning." Arlomhe pleaded.
"I won't be your opponent this time. Someone else will." He remarked as Arlomhe left the room, pale as ivory. Mhera was equally pale, yet alert, as her father coded another unused strategy into the binder. He spoke with great care. "What will interest me is when she comes up with this one. I know she will; she has forgotten that Sharti and Ishtar are one in the same." His words caressed Mhera's ears gently. It was as if a hand had stroked her sleeping form, and the effect was making itself known in this unique way.
The scene faded, and Mhera awoke with a start, looking at her clock, and seeing that it was near the time her future persona was to duel the day after the dream's time set. She found the exposed portion of the note placed under her pillow with great care, and read it slowly, noting the instruction on being silent in the hall. She wordlessly grabbed her deck, and made way down the hall.
When she arrived at the said destination, Mhera's eyes caught a tan mug and another deck on the table, both of which she assumed belonged to her father. Mhera decided to return the intended favor of uninterrupted sleep. She sat across from the two objects and waited.
D.H.: Hey, no cliff-hanger this time…Okay maybe a little one, but that's beside the point. I want to thank you all for reading this and I'll try and update in Mid-January. I can't make any promises though. Next Chapter: The duel I've talked about for…let's see three chapters now… is next in Chapter Twelve: Another Gift of the Heiress. Please Review.
