Cosima enters the Tavern

Cosima enters the Tavern.  It is crowded and noisy, smoke fills the air and most the men are drunk.  How can this be the place to find the other her spirit has spoken to her of?  There are only cut throats and worse here.  "Look around, and you will know" her spirit whispers in her head.  She does as he bids, and there in the corner is a cloaked and hooded figure sitting at a wall table.  Cosima thinks it a good place to sit with ones back to the wall.  She is about to go forward to meet this stranger when someone places a hand on her arm; she turns fear in her eyes, but finds the owner of the hand in none other than Merle.

"I told you I would come, we're in this together."

So together they approach the table, seating themselves across from the stranger.

"I don't remember inviting anyone to sit with me."

Both Cosima and Merle are surprised; the voice of the stranger is the voice of a woman.  She removes her hood to reveal beautiful long red hair and intense gray eyes.  Her skin is pale, a trait of those whose business is done not in the day, but in the dead of night.  Her tight red shirt should clash with her hair, but somehow, it gives her a more dangerous look instead.

"I was told to come here for you tonight, I am Cosima a spirit seeker, my spirit is the one who seeks you, to help in our quest."

"A quest never involves money, and I don't kill for free little girl."

Cosima is now more than a little scared, "Spirit, this is an assassin you have sent me to."

The spirit within her caresses her, calms her. "Tell her to watch for a sign, she will help you then."

"My spirit asks for you to watch for his sign."

The stranger laughs, she's not sure if she is amused or annoyed.

"Leave here before I change my mind and kill you and your friend, without payment from anyone."

She starts to stand, to make good on her promise when a black feather falls from nowhere to land on the table before her.

"No it can't be.  He is dead."

"You know him, know his name?"

If he won't tell me maybe this stranger will.  The spirit whispers to her "Don't ask you could kill your friend with the knowledge."  Cosima is torn between wanting to know and the sure knowledge that he is right.  She doesn't ask, but instead replies.

"If you know the name of my spirit, do not speak it.  The knowledge is dangerous."

"Yes I know his name and I will not call him by it.  I know that he is one with reasons he sometimes chooses not to reveal, and there is usually good reason.  What ever you need I will do it for respect to his memory."

She picks up her drink and relaxes back into her seat.

"I am known as Tayles, I am an assassin without match.  Tell me now what we must do."

Cosima tells Tayles of her friend, and the man that has taken her.

Tayles listens without interrupting; it's not the kind of work that requires an assassin.

"And this man who is being driven insane, the one you wish for help in breaking into his home, does he have a name, or is he also to remain unnamed."

Merle has remained silent till now.  It's time for her to speak, for she will be the one to betray her best friend, to try to save him.

"He is the King of Fanelia."

Tayles finishes for her.

"Van Fanel, and the home is the Castle of Fanelia, I was wrong, this task does require a assassin after all.  The room where your friend, Cherry Blossom is being held, you know its location?"

"Yes, and to enter the castle, you will have to use the east gate and up three stories to my room.  It will be the easiest and closest location to where the room is."

"You have thought this out well, what of the guard patrols there?"

"The guard changes at three a.m.  That's the time to come."

Cosima and the spirit have listened to all that has been decided.  "Tell them we go tomorrow night.  Merle is to stay away from Van, I feel the evil one around him is growing even stronger and may be able to see our plot in her mind."  Cosima relates this information to both Merle and to Tayles. 

"It is best we are not seen together again.  Leave now and we meet at two at the eastern gate to the castle."

The next day is long and drawn out. Merle has done her best to stay in her room, so not to run into Van.  He had even sent for her once, but she sent excuses back and stayed away.

Late in the evening Merle hears a commotion from the end of the hallway.  She leaves her room for just a moment to see what is going on.  At the end of the hallway are Van and Allen.  They are arguing about something. She hears part of what is being said.

"Van, I came as your friend, your lack of replies to the dispatches sent from Astoria had everyone worried."

"That's not the real reason, I know why you are here, Allen, and you won't get near."

"You're making not sense."

Suddenly Van turns and sees Merle.  The look in his eyes is madness, and then they narrow as if looking into her mind.  He turns without another word and leaves.  Allen strides down the hall to where Merle is and places a hand on her shoulder. 

"What is happening here Merle?"

"Please Allen, no questions, the answers are just too dangerous.  What ever happens tonight you are to stay in your room.  Please promise me, I don't want you to get hurt."

"But I can't. There is something wrong with my friend, and I came to help him as you should be."

"He is not Van anymore, if you truly want to help do as I ask."

Allen doesn't want to promise, but he will get no answers out of either Van or Merle.  I hate to break a promise to a woman, but in this case I will for the best.

"OK Merle I promise to you not to leave my room tonight."  He promises her but thinks to himself. "It's not a broken promise if I don't go into my room tonight."