Chapter 14 A New Friendship
Maria stopped when the path before her suddenly forked. One path led on into Xeros while the other led to Nathelien, the city of the Lost. She sighed and looked down both roads.
I know that I had intended to help the Chao, but the Lost need me as well, and they are in more immediate danger. Maria thought, wondering what she should do.
Maria nodded and clenched her fists.
"I have to go to Nathelien. Despite my personal feelings toward the Lost, they are still my people, and if Arawn's sister is killed then the Lost will fall into chaos." She murmured as she began to walk down the path.
"I thought you might go to Nathelien." She heard a familiar voice say from behind her.
It was Neo. He smiled and walked up to her.
"Neo! Did you follow me all this way?" Maria laughed in shock, but still happy to see him.
"Indeed. I wanted to make sure that you knew the way. If you are going to Nathelien then I would like for you to take this letter to Galen for me. It is from Arawn. He wrote it just before he left for Earth. Arawn told me that if he should perish, I must deliver it to Galen. It is indeed an odd request, but I must follow my orders." Neo explained as he handed her the small letter.
Maria took it and nodded.
"It is strange that he would give you orders to follow if he should die; especially, for someone as arrogant as him!" Maria said annoyed.
"None of us personally knew Arawn, save his sister, and even he kept secrets from her. We know nothing of his previous life. He could have been a completely different man for all we know." Neo sighed, obviously in deep thought.
"You'll understand if I find that hard to believe." Maria said as she crossed her arms.
"Of course, I will stop troubling you, and don't worry. The Lost followers who stayed behind to defend Nathelien are those who disagree with Arawn and his policies. When they hear that you killed him, they will welcome you into the city." Neo said amused.
"Thanks Neo! That's good to know. Farewell!" Maria laughed.
He bowed to her and ran off into Rathadur.
Maria ran to Nathelien at her full speed. She reached the gate of the city by nightfall. It was the Kalcazra, the wall that defended the city of the Lost. Only one time in history had this mighty city been besieged, and that was seven centuries ago during Arawn's campaign against the Hesbeorn. Despite their efforts, Galen and the Hesbeorn failed to even enter the city.
When Maria approached the gate, she was immediately intercepted by several guards. Most of them were female which didn't surprise Maria. She figured that a large majority of women in the Lost were not fond of Arawn.
"You... You are Hesbeorn! Are you a spirit, returned to avenge your people?" One of the guards yelled in terror.
Maria gave the woman a confused look.
"My name is Maria, and I am a Lost follower just like all of you. I slew Arawn and have come here to warn you of an impending threat. I must speak with Arawn's sister immediately." Maria said flatly.
"You certainly don't resemble a sister of ours. How can we believe you? Arawn is one of the most powerful beings in this world." She replied.
Maria then drew Dyrnwyn from its sheath. The guards jumped back away from the blade. Some even fell to their knees in cowardice.
"So it is true? That blade has the blood of our king upon it. We had heard rumors that our master's campaign had failed, but we knew nothing of his fate. Due to Agumar's treason, you now hold the right to his throne. I'm sure that's why you are here." One of the guards said as she sheathed her sword.
"No, I did not come here to claim any spoils of my victory. Not once did I relish in Arawn's death, for I committed terrible crimes in his name. In order to atone for my transgressions, I pledged myself to a new master, and that is not the only way in which we are bonded." Maria explained as she held up her left hand, displaying her wedding ring that shimmered in the light of Dyrnwyn.
"You certainly do not resemble any Lost follower that we know. A warrior as esteemed as you should not serve anyone but herself. However, if you are not here to claim your throne, then why are you here?" One of the guards questioned her.
Maria sheathed Dyrnwyn and pointed to the north.
"A shadow is spreading across this land to consume all that oppose it. It is that of the Necromancer, Agumar. Even now, his horde marches to claim Nathelien, and the rest of the Lost Region that was given to you centuries ago." Maria said sternly.
"And what would you have us do, may I ask? This is our last stronghold! Let that wretch and his army of filth come! You and I, all of us in the Lost, were created for the sole purpose of taking lives, and these fools in Northank are nothing but bodies waiting to be cut down!" One of the guards yelled furiously. He was one of the only men on duty.
"Do you think that we are the only ones in danger? The Chao have already fought and won a battle against this foe, but I fear that their victory will be short-lived. They need our help and we need theirs! I say we evacuate the city and head for Thrandyl. There, we will make our stand against the enemy!" Maria implored them.
There was a moment of silence before the guards erupted in laughter. Maria tried to get their attention, but it was in vain.
"Please, the Chao are brave warriors! I fought alongside them!" Maria yelled furiously.
Another Lost follower walked out of the gate. Once the guards had noticed him they immediately returned to their serious expressions. It was obvious that this man was of high status in the Lost, and it was even more obvious to Maria that he was not a very pleasant person. He folded his hands behind his back and smiled at Maria. He observed her for a moment and spoke.
"Do you fear death, Mrs. Robotnik?" He asked curiously.
"I do not answer to that name, sir." Maria said as she crossed her arms.
"Answer the question, girl." He said calmly.
Maria said nothing and the man drew his sword. Maria then drew her blade as well. The guards stepped away from them out of fear that they would engage one another.
The man smiled and sheathed his sword.
"Very good. If you had simply told me that you did not fear death then I would have attacked you without warning. In the Lost, we answer through action, not prattle with meaningless words. My name is Saeros, one of the five commanding generals of the Lost. I am already aware of Agumar's actions. He is no threat to us. The soldiers that accompanied Arawn on his campaign are returning. Once Agumar besieges this gate, we will ambush him and his army will fall on all flanks. My officers and I have already staged our defense. Thank you for the warning, but it was not necessary. You may leave now." Saeros explained with no small amount of confidence.
He began to walk away, but Maria stopped him.
"I'm not leaving until I speak with Arawn's sister!" She yelled in defiance.
Saeros stopped, but did not face her.
"You came to warn us of the threat and you have. There is no reason for you to enter our city." He said sternly.
"Please, sir, at the very least, I would like to apologize for killing the last of her family." Maria pleaded with him.
"Very well... Though it is against my better judgment, I will allow it. Her room resides upon the eighth level of the tower. Raise the gate at once! For the second time in its history, Dyrnwyn shall enter this city, and for the first time shall its wielder enter as well." Saeros said as he walked through the now-opening gate.
Maria began to follow him to the tower, but he stopped to speak with a woman. She walked by them and heard Saeros mention to her that Arawn was dead. Maria looked over her shoulder to see the woman run away in tears. Saeros then gave Maria a look of much displeasure and walked off down another street.
"I guess not everyone is happy with Arawn's death..." Maria sighed.
The streets were silent with tension as Maria approached the tower. Despite this, Maria was relieved that no one challenged her to perhaps avenge their king. Maria entered the courtyard just outside of the tower. She froze when she saw who was sitting on the edge of the center fountain. It was Falath. Maria remembered that he set out for Nathelien a short time before she herself did, Maria could not understand how he had entered the city so easily. The Lost followers in the courtyard paid him no heed, save the woman who sat alongside him by the fountain. Maria could not imagine how the brother of Thadur could be welcome in the realm of the Lost.
Falath spoke to the woman that accompanied him as if they had known each other all their lives, but the woman's expression led Maria to think otherwise.
"I'm sorry, Falath. I wish I could remember you, but I can't. Arawn must have taken your friend's memory away when he used her soul to create me. I really am sorry..." The woman sighed.
"No way... Did Arawn reincarnate Thadur's wife and make her a Lost follower?" She murmured under her breath.
Whoever this woman was, Maria would have never guessed that she had previously been a Chao. She looked like most of the other female Lost followers. Tall with green fur and long hair. Maria noticed that very few of the female Lost followers had visible quills.
"I understand. You are simply not the Tenelwë that I loved. I apologize for wasting your time." Falath sighed as he began to fly away.
The woman jumped up and grabbed Falath. She hugged him tightly against her chest.
"Oh, you poor thing! I may not be the same person you remember, but we can still be friends! My name is Hope!" She said with much sorrow and pity for Falath.
"Hope? What a wonderful name, and beautiful in its simplicity.
"Well, I'm off duty. I can show you around the city and then you can come over to my house for dinner!" Hope yelled excitedly.
"Thank you, but I do not wish to intrude upon your family." Falath laughed.
"Nonsense! I have a little girl! She would be overjoyed to have you over!" Hope yelled as she ran off with Falath.
"That's right. I forgot that everyone here has trouble controlling their emotions." Maria laughed as she walked into the tower.
Wait! Does Avari even know that I killed her brother? Oh no! What if she attacks me, or worse, cries! Maria thought in terror as she climbed the stairs to the eighth level.
She asked one of the guards where Avari's room was. He led her to it and returned to his post.
"Here we go... Get ready, Maria. If Arawn was so immensely powerful, then I can't imagine what she's like!" Maria said shakily as she reached for the door.
The knob turned with a click and the door swung open on well-oiled hinges. At first, Maria had to close her eyes, for the room was so bright compared to the dim torches of the corridors.
Maria walked into the room, it's walls and floors a dazzling white marble. It was lit by a large chandelier that hung from the center of the ceiling. The first thing Maria noticed about the room was that it had windows, something the rest of the tower was extremely lacking. There were three of them, each with long white curtains that touched the floor, and each of them opened out onto a balcony that overlooked the city. On the right side of the room was a large bed, framed with dark mahogany wood and covered with a very clean white sheet. The bed looked rarely used. Maria looked on the other side of the room and found out why. Avari was asleep on a long sofa with an open book covering her face. It was obvious that she enjoyed reading as her room was filled with more books than Maria had seen in all of Nathelien. They were scattered about the pristine floor and laid sprawled out on a table in front of two full bookshelves.
Maria, so taken aback by the luxurious room, allowed the door to slam behind her. Avari awoke with a start and, dropping the book to the floor, jumped up to her feet.
"Wow... You're uh... very beautiful." Maria said, stumbling over her words.
Indeed she was, for Avari was famed as being the most beautiful woman in all of the Lost. Despite her humble nightgown and her ragged white hair, Avari was still as beautiful as ever.
"Whoa! Are you A Hesbeorn? Wait... You didn't come here for Galen did you?" Avari asked warily.
"What is it with people thinking I'm a Hesbeorn? I'm a Lost follower!" Maria laughed.
"Well, you resemble them in many ways, or at least, what they look like in my books. I've never seen one in person... besides Galen of course. You look nothing like him though. So any way, who are you and why are you here? It's awfully late, not that I mind company." Avari said wearily.
Maria could not speak as she was to stunned by Avari's joyful persona.
"Um... Is something wrong?" Avari asked confused.
"Oh! Sorry, I just never expected Arawn's sister to be so... unlike him." Maria said happily.
"Believe me! Besides being my brother, Arawn and I have no relation at all." Avari said as she rolled her eyes.
"Well, the reason I came here was actually concerning him. I... I killed your brother, and I wanted to apologize. I'm so sorry. I know that he was the last of your family, but he-"
Avari ran to Maria and embraced her. Maria screamed, expecting Avari to slam her into the wall, but she was wrong. It was indeed a genuine embrace of joy.
"Oh, this is wonderful! Please, what is your name?" Avari asked excitedly.
"Um... M-Maria..." She said as sweat beaded on her face.
"Oh, Maria, we are going to be best friends! Please, have a seat! Wait! Let me get me something to drink!" Avari laughed as she ran to the pantry in her room.
"That's fine. I don't... Wait- what did you say?" Maria asked confused.
"Oh did you want something too? I just felt like a drink. Sorry, I'm not used to having guests. Actually, you're the first guest I've ever had!" Avari laughed as she poured herself a glass of wine and began to drink it.
"Avari, your brother's dead." Maria said flatly.
"Yes, he is, and all thanks to you! Please, sit! I'll get you a glass!" Avari said as she ran back to the pantry.
"Um... Avari, how many drinks have you had?" Maria asked, laughing uncomfortably.
"Well... including this one... one!" Avari said with a cheerful grin.
"What is wrong with this chick?" Maria sighed.
"What's that? You want to know what makes me tick? Well-"
"No, I changed my mind! Really, I don't want to know!" Maria yelled as she waved her arms frantically.
"Oh, well, then what makes you tick, or should I ask the guy that gave you that ring?" Avari asked inquisitively as she pointed at Maria's wedding ring.
"Enough! What is this, some sort of interrogation method?" Maria demanded furiously.
"What? No, I just wanted to have a girl talk, you know? My brother never let me socialize with anyone outside the tower." Avari sighed as she sat down on the sofa and poured another drink.
"Wait. Is that why you're not mad at me?" Maria asked confused.
"Oh, my brother was just a cruel man. He had it coming, Maria. He made way too many enemies too fast. The only way he managed to survive this long was because of his cowardice. Do you know how many lives my brother has taken in his wars? Tens of thousands! Do you think all of those people deserved that fate? I certainly don't! Do you think my brother deserved his fate? He was never much of a brother any way..." Avari explained, pausing several times during her rant to take drinks.
Maria sat down next to Avari and put her hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Avari. I didn't know what all your brother had done to you." Maria sighed.
"There's no reason to be ashamed, Maria. Here, have a drink!" Avari laughed as she handed Maria a glass of wine.
Maria, not wanting to offend her, took a drink. She coughed and sat the glass down on the table.
"Come on, Maria! You're gonna have to learn to drink if you want to spend time with me! You can't even become intoxicated! My brother didn't want any of his little toy soldiers accidentally giving away information." Avari said as she rolled her eyes.
"I'm-I'm sorry." Maria said as she attempted to take another sip.
"I was just joking, Maria!" Avari laughed.
Maria laughed with her, but it was obvious that she didn't think it was very amusing.
"You're a sweet girl, Maria. I may not look it, but I'm actually over a thousand years old, and in all my years I've never truly had a friend. That's why I went a little crazy on you earlier." Avari sighed.
"A little..." Maria murmured.
"I know that I'm quite odd, Maria. It's because my brother never allowed me to socialize with anyone, but I understand if you don't want to be my friend." Avari said sadly.
Maria stared at Avari's forlorn face and could not help but cry. Just as Avari had at first inspired her with so much joy, now she had filled Maria with sorrow. Avari was like a flower in full bloom, but now it was as if she had wilted.
"No, Avari, I'll be your friend! I think you're a wonderful and beautiful woman!" Maria begged her.
"You will? Thank you, Maria!" Avari laughed as she hugged her tightly, "However, I'm not that gorgeous. You have to give yourself some credit. I mean, look at you! Now you're gorgeous! Whoever gave you that ring is a lucky man."
"No, I'm the lucky one, Avari, and who are you kidding? I can't compare to you and on top of that, this armor is hardly elegant." Maria laughed.
"Oh, I think I can fix that. Come with me!" Avari said excitedly as she got up and walked over to her wardrobe next to her bed.
"Oh, this isn't necessary, Avari. You don't have to share your clothes with me." Maria laughed as she walked over to Avari.
"Share my clothes? Nonsense, Maria! Grab that chair and take a seat! I'm giving you a full makeover! I'm gonna show you just how pretty you can be!" Avari said excitedly as she fumbled through her wardrobe.
Maria did as she said.
"Um... What exactly do you have in mind?" Maria asked nervously.
"Okay. First things first. What color do you like?" Avari asked inquisitively.
"Well... I like red and black. Blue's nice too..." Maria pondered.
"White it is then!" Avari said as she pulled a white dress out and shoved it into Maria's hands.
"Wait! But I-"
"Go ahead and change. That armor must be very uncomfortable." Avari said, ignoring her.
Maria, with little excitement, removed her armor and put the dress on.
"How does it fit?" Avari asked as she walked around Maria, observing the dress.
"Well, it's a little tight around the hips; especially, for a dress..." Maria said embarrassedly.
"Really? Oh, wow! You've got a nice tail, Maria, and I'm not talking about your literal one. I bet your husband-"
"No, whatever you're about to say, the answer's no! Just fix me up, okay?" Maria cut her off while trying to hide her rapidly blushing face.
"Alright, alright! Just sit down. Marech used to make trips to his world. He brought me back some things that will make you look stunning!" Avari assured her as she took a box out of her wardrobe and opened it.
"Thank you, Avari. I'm honored." Maria laughed while she seated herself.
"Careful, Maria. If you break my chair with that big butt of yours then you'll be in trouble." Avari warned Maria as she began fixing her hair.
"I'll try not to, Avari..." Maria murmured as she rolled her eyes.
"You know, I'd say your husband likes it when you get in trouble because he gets to-"
"No, Avari! for your information, I do everything my husband asks." Maria chided hastily.
"Oh, well in that case-"
"Not a word!" Maria yelled briskly.
"Come on, Maria, I'm already making this incredibly awkward for you. How's cutting me off before I finish my lines going to help?" Avari asked annoyed.
"Avari, I'm starting to question if you're really over a thousand years old." Maria sighed with frustration.
"Well, I can understand that, I've been immortal ever since I was eight-teen." Avari laughed.
"I was thinking more around just plain eight." Maria said smiling.
"What? Maria, just look at me! I've got-"
"Mentally, Avari, I meant mentally!" Maria yelled as she covered her eyes.
"Stop that! You'll rub off your eye shadow!" Avari yelled as she smacked her hands away.
"Shadow..." Maria sighed.
"Stop talking for a bit and pucker up so I can put your lipstick on!" Avari said excitedly.
"Oh, what? I'm sorry..." Maria said as she giggled to herself.
"Act like your about to kiss your husband!" Avari laughed.
Maria did as she commanded, but imagined that she really was kissing Shadow. Even if it had only been a day since she had seen him, Maria still missed him greatly.
"I don't understand why it embarrasses you so much when I talk about your husband. I mean, you're the one who's married to him. I should be the one getting embarrassed." Avari laughed as she searched through her makeup box.
"Well, our relationship is more complicated than that. I sort of swore myself to his service and we've only been married for about four days." Maria explained.
"What? You mean that you're his slave? Does he have other slaves?" Avari asked terrified.
"No, I'm not his slave, and he's not some sort of tyrant! You can call it whatever you want. It doesn't matter. He doesn't treat me like a servant. In fact, I often feel as though he's serving me. He's helped me to realize who I am. Oh, he's perfect, Avari!" Maria said as she clasped her hands together.
"I know, Maria. I was only joking, but I still don't understand why you would swear service to him if you were just going to get married. Isn't that what marriage is about? Serving one another?" Avari asked confused.
"It was before we were married, and I had done some terrible things to him. I broke his heart, Avari. I wasn't deserving of his love, but he gave it to me nonetheless. I pledged to serve him, and he asked for my hand in marriage. I couldn't believe it. I still can't. That's why I told you that I was the lucky one." Maria explained as those painful yet wonderful memories came back to her.
"It sounds like you two have had it pretty rough. Well, I'm done! Oh wait! Put on these heels!" Avari laughed as she tossed Maria a pair of high heels.
"Avari, you've got to be kidding. I'm a warrior. I don't wear these!" Maria sighed as she observed the shoes that already made her feel uncomfortable.
"You're also a girl, Maria! Just wear them! They're not that bad." Avari laughed.
Maria reluctantly put them on and carefully stood up. She noticed that she was now taller than Avari when they were originally the same height.
"Alright, Maria. Take a look at yourself!" Avari said, brimming with excitement.
Maria walked over to Avari's mirror. She screamed once she saw herself. Avari had curled her hair. Now it was like a golden waterfall that poured down her back and over her shoulders. Her face was now light with blush and her lips were as red as a rose.
"There wasn't much to fix, but I did what I could." Avari said, obviously pleased with her work.
"Oh, it's perfect, Avari!" Maria cried as she hugged Avari.
"Don't cry, Maria! You'll ruin your mascara." Avari laughed.
"Right, sorry." Maria said smiling.
She looked into the mirror once again.
"Oh, I wish I had looked like this when Shadow and I got married..." Maria sighed.
"Wait! Shadow? You don't mean the Shadow that my brother was so obsessed with do you?" Avari asked in shock.
"The one and only!" Maria said dreamily.
"No way! I heard my brother talking about his plan with Agumar. He used you to get to Shadow! No wonder you killed him! I'm really sorry, Maria."
"No, it's fine, Avari. If he hadn't used me then I would have never met Shadow." Maria laughed.
"I guess that's one way to look at it..." Avari murmured as she rolled her eyes.
"Oh, I can't believe this, Avari! For the first time, I feel like the real Maria that Shadow knew. If only he could see me right now..." She said in awe of Avari's work.
Maria suddenly gasped with revelation.
"Hold on! Shadow isn't coming here! He's going to Thrandyl! I have to go and warn the Chao about Agumar's invasion! Sorry, Avari! I've got to leave!" Maria said hastily as she grabbed Dyrnwyn and ran to the door.
"Wait, Maria, what about your armor?" Avari asked confused.
"No time! Besides, this is the perfect disguise! The Chao in Thrandyl will never expect me of being a Lost follower. They'll think I'm a Hesbeorn like you did. Wait! Hesbeor? Quickly, where is Galen? I need to give him this letter!" Maria said nervously.
"Oh, his room is just a level below mine. Come out onto my balcony!" Avari said excitedly.
She opened one of the windows and walked out onto the stone platform. Avari then leaned over the side railing. Galen was indeed standing out on his own balcony just a ways below them.
"Good evening, Galen!" Avari yelled down to him.
He stared up at her in shock.
"Avari? Why are you not in bed?" Galen asked concerned.
"My brother's dead, Galen, and this is who killed him! Her name's Maria! She wants to speak with you!" Avari yelled excitedly.
"Not so loud, Avari." Maria whispered harshly.
"Stand back! I'll be there shortly!" Galen said nodding.
"What's he doing?" Maria asked confused.
"Hurry! Get away from the rail!" Avari laughed as she pulled Maria back.
Galen flipped through the air and landed on Avari's balcony. As soon as Galen stood before them, fear immediately gripped Maria's heart. He was very tall, the tallest Mobian hedgehog she had ever seen, in fact. His fur was the same shade of green as Avari's. He wore black gloves, black boots, and a black cloak that he had tied around his neck. Despite his bleak fashion, Galen also wore a gold crown atop his head that was set with yellow gems. However, what truly inspired Maria's fear were his eyes. They were a sickly yellow color. They looked so unnatural that he appeared to be some sort of evil spirit or demon. Never had Maria been so terrified.
"How have you been, Galen?" Avari asked cheerfully.
"I'm better now that I am in your presence." Galen said smiling.
"Oh, you're so sweet! What was it you wanted to give him, Maria, a letter? Um... Maria?" Avari laughed.
Maria was back against the other railing, cowering in fear.
"What the- What are you?" Maria said trembling as she stared at Galen, her eyes wide with fear.
Galen sighed and began to jump back down to his room.
"Wait! I'm sorry, Galen. I should have just brought you the letter myself. I forgot about your curse..." Avari said regretfully as she grabbed his hand.
Galen closed his eyes and the fear suddenly left Maria. She composed herself walked up to Galen. Even in her heels, Galen was still much taller than her. Even with his eyes closed, Maria was still quite intimidated by him.
"That's right! Neo told me about your curse. I'm really sorry! I should have been more respectful." Maria said with much guilt.
"I do not blame you, Maria. I have seen my own reflection. I know how terrifying I am." Galen said amused.
"That's not true! You aren't scary at all! The curse might be frightening, but you most certainly are not!" Avari yelled in protest.
Galen opened his eyes and stared at Avari. She showed no signs of fear. In fact she laughed and stared back in a similar fashion as a way to make fun of him. Maria, however, could not help but cringe and turn away from him. Despite this, she could still feel his glance, as if it were a shadow over her.
"Here! Just take it! I've got to go!" Maria said hastily as she shoved the letter into Galen's hand.
"Wait! Maria, you can't run all the way to Thrandyl in those shoes!" Avari laughed.
"I know. I'm going to fly!" Maria said, trying not to stare at Galen.
"What? But how-"
"Farewell, Avari! I know we'll meet again. Be careful!" Maria said happily.
She jumped off the balcony and erupted with green flame, launching herself through the air.
"Tell Shadow I said hi!" Avari yelled as she leaned over the railing.
She watched as Maria disappeared into the night like a star of green light.
"I felt much strength within her. She should be proud, for she did what I could not." Galen said admirably.
"Only because my brother was a coward!" Avari said crossing her arms.
Galen laughed and smiled at her.
"Thank you for your support, but I alone am to blame for my failures." Galen said smiling.
"I don't agree, but it doesn't matter. It's in the past. Well, I'm going to bed. I've got a bit of a headache." Avari sighed as she gripped her forehead.
"No doubt because of your drinking." Galen said amused.
"Come on! It's not like it hurts me in the long run..." Avari laughed as she rolled her eyes.
"Being immortal doesn't mean you don't have to take care of yourself, Avari." Galen scolded her.
"Yeah, I guess. Good night, Galen. If you need anything just come and see me. I know how difficult your nights are and now that my brother isn't here, he can't stop us from seeing each other." Avari said happily.
"I know. Sleep well." Galen said nodding.
Avari jumped up and kissed his face before walking back into her room. Once she was gone, Galen immediately felt the depression of his curse return. He opened the letter and read it. He then read it again to be sure of its accuracy.
"This can't be... Arawn wants me to protect his sister in his absence?" Galen whispered under his breath. Suddenly he shuddered and dropped the letter. He grimaced in pain and shook his head.
"What was that... It felt so evil and dark..." Galen murmured in confusion.
He heard a deranged laugh from behind him. Galen jumped around expecting whatever it was to run away from him, but what he saw was merely a shadow of some being, more animal than man. It then vanished without a trace.
"Mavok... I must find Marech immediately." Galen said as he jumped back down to his balcony and ran to the throne room.
"I'll be back, Avari, I promise." He murmured as he ran down the corridor.