Chapter 3 ~ Gwenneth's Tale
The morning sneaked through the open drapes of the infirmary. Gwen
fretted in the small bed, as the rays of sunshine brushed her soft
features. Soon after, her eyelids came open, revealing her intriguing
misty eyes. She groaned, not wanting to remember the horrible events
of the past night. The Keepers had found her, given her the test, and
then attempted to kill her. Why? She didn't have any magic, and she
didn't do anything remotely threatening. All she had done was leave,
as soon as she read that letter from her father. As soon as she got
her memory back. Gwen slowly moved to the side of the bed, her arm
was throbbing in pain. She looked over, and saw a neat bandage put on
it. As her gaze averted to the right, she saw the raven haired boy
soundly sleeping in a chair next to her. "Grey, you idiot, do you
know what you've done?" she wondered.
"Hey, what are you doing up?" he asked her, as he slowly came about.
"Don't even talk to me, you self-centered pig-headed jerk!" she blew
up at him.
"Well, so much for a good morning." Grey mumbled.
"How could you? Do you know what you've done? You cretin! I hate
you!" she stood up from the bed and started to pace about the room.
"Listen, I was a jerk, but you've got to believe me, I had my
reasons. First you steal from me, then you show up at Leon's house,
then at the palace, I mean..." he didn't continue, because Gwen's angry
hand came down on his face, blistering his cheek once again.
"Don't you dare make excuses! Have you no realization of what you've
done? They found me, and now they want my life! And I've got this
horrible mark on me too! How can I ever forgive you? None of this
would have happened if you hadn't tied me to that bed!" she yelled
angrily, tears glistering in the corners of her eyes.
She turned to face the window, breathing heavily while trying to gain
her composure. Grey just stood there, the guiltiest look in the world
crossing his face. Without any other words, he turned around and
left, closing the door softly behind him.
"How am I ever going to fix this?" he asked himself.
Breakfast usually was Grey's favorite meal of the day. He just loved
to sit outside on the balcony and look over the gardens. The sheer
beauty of the place made him forget the ugliness of his own life.
However, today nothing could cheer him up. Like always, he had messed
up, only this time he had messed up bad. Those people, whomever they
were, were after Gwenneth, and he had a feeling they wouldn't stop,
at any costs.
"Nice going Grey, you screwed up again." he thought and groaned.
Then, closing his eyes, he went into a meditative state. Taking deep
breaths at first, he managed to slow down his heartbeats, to an
imperceptible whisper. He felt the warm summer breeze brush past him
gently. "I wish the sky would fall down on me." He thought. "How
could I be such an idiot? Should I even tell her that I've dreamed of
her father's death and her escape for two rotations? I wish I knew
what to do..." Grey thought desperately. He concentrated on hearing the
whisper of the wind. Clearing his mind of all his troubles was the
best way to find a solution. However, today was not an ordinary day,
because an angry hand slapped on the table. Grey jumped up startled,
almost falling off his chair. He found himself starring at the red
rivers of soft hair belonging to Gwenneth. As the drowsiness left
him, he saw her sit across the table from him, observing him
carefully.
"Oh no, you're not here to slap me again?" Grey asked.
"You were doing prana and muscle exercises weren't you?" she asked
him.
"An attempt at decent conversation? I don't believe this, what
happened to the angry dragon I left back in the infirmary?" Grey
asked sarcastically. "I should be grateful she's even talking to me.
God, I have a bad case of foot-in-the-mouth disease!" he
thought. "That was meditation for your information." He told her.
"Meditation. I could teach you a better form that trains the muscles,
as well as the mind. That of course if you're willing to learn." She
told him.
"Woah, back up! Weren't you plotting my death up to a minute ago? Why
the change in attitude?" Grey asked. If there was one thing he
learned from the whole experience, was never to underestimate her.
"Listen, I know I was a little harsh back there. I don't usually act
that way, but you almost killed me. That was my old self's temper
showing through. I'm still recovering." She told him.
"Recovering from what?" Grey asked.
"Ok, before I get to my complicated tale, I just have to thank you
for walking in on me when you did. Now, for the story of my life."
she began.
"It's no problem. I was going to untie you and tell you I believe
you, but I guess I got my proof and then some." Grey said.
"Ok, well, now you know I am Gwenneth el Alcatrez, or Gwen. Anyhow,
my father was the great Ispano sorcerer Vincent el Alcatrez. Well, he
was actually more than that. He was the King's older son, however,
since he was born with magical powers, he wasn't able to take the
throne. We all know the grand rule of the Four Kingdoms. No magical
being is ever to take the throne of a country and rule. Thus, my
grandfather gave my father a secluded castle on top of some plateau.
I can't remember the name or much of it, but I know it was on some
plateau. Anyhow, that's where I grew up. My father didn't restrict
his field of study only on Ispano, and he began to travel around the
world, helping those in need. That's how he came about The Upper
Lands, and helped your father. Once again, I do not remember how.
Anyhow, my grandfather died when I was fifteen rotations old, and
then his younger son took the throne..." Gwenneth paused for a moment,
raising her eyebrows, as if trying to make the facts out from the
lies.
Grey looked at her silently. It all made sense. Gwen had always said
in his dream that the Emperor's Army was coming. "Let me guess,
because of rivalry between the brothers, the Emperor killed your
father, and he was planning on killing you too, but with his last
strength, your father sent you randomly about the world in a
transporter bubble." Grey completed her sentence.
"Well, yeah, that's as much as I can remember. The rest is too foggy.
How did you know?" she asked him amazed.
"I'll tell you later, continue. What happened after you left the
castle?" he asked.
"Well, now that I am more knowledgeable, I know that the risks of
transporting randomly is that you don't know where you're going to
end up. I guess my father knew that too, but preferred to take a
risk, rather than the emperor's soldiers finding me. Anyhow, I landed
on the edge of some cliff or something, I'm not too sure, and I fell
and bumped my head. Then I plunged about 10-20 meters down the
escarpment, and landed on some soft grass. I don't remember any of
this. All I remember is bumping my head. Then I blacked out. When I
woke up, there was a circle of monk like people surrounding me.
However, I knew they weren't monks. They were all dressed in black
cloaks, and I couldn't see their faces well. All I did see were their
menacing swords hidden under their cloaks. Meanwhile, I discovered
that besides not knowing where I was, I didn't know who I was. My
head was bleeding, and the people put some herb bandages on it. Then
they took me inside their temple, where they asked me all sorts of
questions. I couldn't answer any of them, so they gave me the
answers, and a name. Kya, that was what they called me. They then
asked me if I wanted to become a Keeper. I asked what that was, and
they told me they were "store-keepers". They collected magic, and
other objects that then they studied and with their findings helped
the people of Gaea overcome the magical threats in the unexplored
world. A feeling from inside me told me that before, I was a very
helpful person thus, I decided to join them. Immediately, my training
as a Keeper began. First, by being a servant and seeing how things
worked in their society. Then, by being a student and learning the
basics of what they did. Afterwards I was an acolyte working in a
group with others of my rank on a project the Keepers gave us.
Finally, the final stage in becoming a Keeper, was being the
Apprentice. There, you would work with an elder, and through your
efforts in maintaining their rules, you would earn your right to
become a Keeper. However, this is not even the beginning of what I
have to tell you. This is for you to understand how I got the
information I got. Remember how I told you that I lost my memory?
Well, it was true. However, I didn't lose all my memory. There were
still pictures of places and things I knew, but couldn't name. There
was also a voice in my head saying "Trust no one!". Over time, I was
having dreams of things that happened to me, and slowly the pieces
began to come together, as my injury healed. About two rotations
after the accident, on my 17 rotation birthday, I finally regained
the most important piece of memory ever. The memory of my father.
Then, everything came together, and I remembered most of the things
he told me. That was about two weeks ago. I then remembered he gave
me a letter, telling me what to do. That letter, told me to come
here. And I did. He told me not to trust the cults of magic-users on
Gaea, thus The Keepers would be out of question. So I left. However,
Garret - the Keeper I was helping- found out about it, and told me
they'll be back for me." Gwenneth finished.
"And then that test. What was that all about?" Grey asked.
"Oh, that. Well, you see, The Keepers have a High Council, of the
Sacred Twelve, governed by the High Priest. Anyhow, each magician on
that council governs one of the main areas in magic. The test of the
bracelet tells a new Keeper where his or her strength lies. Then, the
Keeper undertakes a project in that area. Some of them spend their
whole lives on one project." Gwen explained.
"An interesting tale you tell. However, you landed exact in the
Keeper's arms, and now they tested you. Do you know what area you
belong in?" Grey asked her.
"No, you see, I think there's something odd about me, or else Garret,
wouldn't have acted in that murderous way. I need to know what is so
special about this mark, and for that I need their Holly Book." Gwen
sighed.
"Their Holy Book?" Grey asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, it's their sacred magical guide. Only a Keeper has access to
it. It foretells the purposes of the clan, and gives instructions. Or
so I've heard. I never saw one. I only know it exists." Gwen told
him.
"But now they want to kill you. Do you think there's something
important about that mark? Something only told in their book?" Grey
asked.
"Yes. My memory is still a bit foggy. I don't remember names, or
places. It's mostly a jumble." The red haired girl sighed.
Grey looked at her, and his once hard eyes softened. He believed her
with all his heart. It was his fault that she got that mark, and that
the Keepers were now looking to kill her. All his fault. "Well, I
guess I have to help her. But where do we begin?" Grey wondered
silently.
"It's ok, we'll figure it out." Grey said.
Gwenneth looked at him strangely. She smoothed her hair and continued
to look at him.
"Well, aren't you going to say anything?" Grey asked her.
"No. I'm waiting to hear your ideas about how you're going to help
me." She said coldly.
"Oh no, mood swing." Grey muttered under his breath. "Well, I don't
know. We need to find that Holy Book. Don't we?" he asked her.
"Yeah, but it's going to be sort of hard to find that. Only a Keeper
has that. Anyhow, we'll talk later. Here comes someone." She said.
Grey turned around, and there was Neero, and his sister, Melanie.
Melanie was a tall slender cat-woman, of fifteen rotations. She -
unlike Neero- had red fur, and pink hair. She took after Sylphy, her
mother, whereas Neero took after his father.
"Neero, Melanie, how are you?" Grey greeted them.
The two cat-people approached the tables, pulled up chairs, and sat
down.
"Hello Grey, who's your friend?" Melanie asked in a sweet yet
implying voice.
"Melly, Neero, this is Gwen. She's a guest here at the palace." Grey
told them.
"Hello Gwen, that is a very pretty name. Where are you from?" Neero
asked, smiling widely at the red-head.
"Hello, it's very nice to meet you all. I'm from the Northern
Village." Gwen told them.
"Is it true that it's cold up there?" Melanie asked.
"Well, it's not that cold when you're used to it." Gwen told her.
"Great. So, Grey, are we going down to the village today?" Neero
asked him.
"Well," Grey began. Just then, a voice echoed through the hall.
"Master Grey, Master Grey, it's time for your history lessons."
Elrood's voice came though.
"Yes, we are!" Grey whispered fast. He then stood up, and jumped down
the low balcony into the garden. "Come on!" he told everyone else.
Melanie and Neero jumped after him, and Gwenneth just stood there
looking at them.
"Well, are you coming or not?" Grey asked her.
"Where?" Gwenneth asked.
"Anywhere. As far away from Elrood as possible. Come on, we'll go
talk to Leon after." Grey said.
"Ok." Gwen jumped after them, landing on the soft grass.
Quietly the four ghostly figures left the gardens and headed into the
village.
~~~~
Once in the village, the group of teens headed for the orphanage.
Gwenneth kept on looking to her right and to her left, trying to get
a better glance of the famous village. Everywhere she looked she saw
shops with colorful front windows, and inviting smells kept on
invading her senses. She followed Grey's friends through the crowd in
the market.
"So tell me again, why are we going to the orphanage?" she asked
Melanie, the small cat girl. She looked about fifteen rotations old,
although Gwenneth couldn't be sure.
"Well, because Neero and Grey help out there every day. His father
ordered the orphanage rebuilt, since there are many more orphans in
the streets every year." She explained helpfully.
"But Grey's a prince. He could help the orphans through other means,
not merely physical labor." Gwen pointed out.
"No, Grey's second born. That doesn't give him any rights better than
the son of a wealthy man. And plus, Grey and his family don't get
along very well. That's why he lives all alone in the west wing.
That's one of the reasons Grey's so odd most of the time." Melanie
whispered quietly.
"I don't understand." Gwen whispered back. The cat-child wasn't
making much sense. Even if Grey was second born, he would still have
political influence. He was after all the son of a very powerful
king. And not getting along with his father, that she could
understand. After all, when she came to the palace to talk to King
Ramond he had heard him talk of Grey in a scornful manner. "So what
is it about this boy that enraged the royal family so much that they
now consider him an outsider?" she wondered.
"It's ok. If you'll get acquainted to Grey, he might open up to you,
although not even Neero knows much. For some reason he just keeps is
all to himself." Melanie sighed. "We've been his friends for almost
ten years now, and he hasn't told much to us either. It's really sad
though." she said.
"It's ok. Sometimes it's better to leave the ghosts of the past
alone, and try to look at the future. I'm sure that that's what
Grey's trying to do." She said and smiled at the cat-woman.
"Yeah, maybe. Well, in any case. He's been against his father's
wishes ever since he turned fifteen. That's when he began pursuing
his own path. He has been running away from his tutors for two
rotations now, and there's nothing no one can do that'll keep him in
one place. Sometimes I think that that's his way of getting back at
his father for ignoring him ever since he was little." Melanie
continued. However, she became silent when he brother threw her a
warning glance.
Gwen's eyes continued to scan the village. With its paved streets,
and small houses, as well as clean surroundings, she felt like she
was in another world. Nothing like the dark abyss she had been living
in for two years. The Keeper's temples were always dark, and musty,
filled with hot air, in the summer and freezing air in the winter.
With all the dark alcoves, you could never speak freely, for you
never knew what menacing eyes were peering at you from behind.
Gwenneth rubbed her forehead with a groan. Her frequent headaches had
found her even now, when her memory was restored. What was it about
them that always left her so cold and afraid?
"Are you ok?" she heard his soft concerned voice beside her.
Gwenneth looked up, and saw Grey starring at her with his piercing
chocolate eyes. She smiled at him, and nodded.
"Maybe you should sit today out, and just play with the children. I'm
sure you're still in shock from last night's incidents." He said
gently.
"I'm all right." Gwenneth said as she unconsciously brought her hand
to the throbbing red mark on her left arm.
"Gwen, please. I don't want you getting hurt more than you already
are. After we're done here we can go see Leon, and sort everything
out. But first we need to be here." He explained.
Gwen looked up at the dark haired boy starring down at her with his
velvet glance.
"I didn't complain. And it's your job to be protecting me, now more
than ever. I also understand that you want to help your people. I'm
alright with helping out at the orphanage." She answered his unasked
question.
"Thanks," he shot her a sly smile.
Grey hurried to the tool shed, and brought out his materials.
However, his thoughts couldn't stop thinking about how he messed up
and almost cost Gwen her life. It was odd how, ever since the red
haired beauty had stepped into his life he could never stop thinking
of her. He found peace when he looked into her misty eyes, and an
understanding he had not hoped to fund anywhere else. How odd that
she, a stranger would torment him so. Grey was conscious of the
imminent threat The Keepers posed. After all, they had already tried
an almost successful assault on her life. "I won't let them get her
again." he thought angrily as he began to beat the nails into the
floorboards. Just then, a piercing scream filled the air. Grey
quickly jumped from his spot. He exited the orphanage, only to see a
darkly cloaked figure on a horse drag Gwenneth away by her red locks.
"Gweeennnnneeeetttthhhhhhhh!!!!!!" Grey yelled as he jumped on the
first horse and began to follow her kidnapper.
Author's Note:
Yes, I had probs with my comp, and lost this chapter, and this whole huge story. Sorry the format stinks. I really meant it nice. I'll try to fix it. just not rite now. Hehe, soo... where's Gwenn going eh? Heh, yes, well, next time I'll be more careful and save my work in 2 places. Sorry for the inconvenience!!!!
The morning sneaked through the open drapes of the infirmary. Gwen
fretted in the small bed, as the rays of sunshine brushed her soft
features. Soon after, her eyelids came open, revealing her intriguing
misty eyes. She groaned, not wanting to remember the horrible events
of the past night. The Keepers had found her, given her the test, and
then attempted to kill her. Why? She didn't have any magic, and she
didn't do anything remotely threatening. All she had done was leave,
as soon as she read that letter from her father. As soon as she got
her memory back. Gwen slowly moved to the side of the bed, her arm
was throbbing in pain. She looked over, and saw a neat bandage put on
it. As her gaze averted to the right, she saw the raven haired boy
soundly sleeping in a chair next to her. "Grey, you idiot, do you
know what you've done?" she wondered.
"Hey, what are you doing up?" he asked her, as he slowly came about.
"Don't even talk to me, you self-centered pig-headed jerk!" she blew
up at him.
"Well, so much for a good morning." Grey mumbled.
"How could you? Do you know what you've done? You cretin! I hate
you!" she stood up from the bed and started to pace about the room.
"Listen, I was a jerk, but you've got to believe me, I had my
reasons. First you steal from me, then you show up at Leon's house,
then at the palace, I mean..." he didn't continue, because Gwen's angry
hand came down on his face, blistering his cheek once again.
"Don't you dare make excuses! Have you no realization of what you've
done? They found me, and now they want my life! And I've got this
horrible mark on me too! How can I ever forgive you? None of this
would have happened if you hadn't tied me to that bed!" she yelled
angrily, tears glistering in the corners of her eyes.
She turned to face the window, breathing heavily while trying to gain
her composure. Grey just stood there, the guiltiest look in the world
crossing his face. Without any other words, he turned around and
left, closing the door softly behind him.
"How am I ever going to fix this?" he asked himself.
Breakfast usually was Grey's favorite meal of the day. He just loved
to sit outside on the balcony and look over the gardens. The sheer
beauty of the place made him forget the ugliness of his own life.
However, today nothing could cheer him up. Like always, he had messed
up, only this time he had messed up bad. Those people, whomever they
were, were after Gwenneth, and he had a feeling they wouldn't stop,
at any costs.
"Nice going Grey, you screwed up again." he thought and groaned.
Then, closing his eyes, he went into a meditative state. Taking deep
breaths at first, he managed to slow down his heartbeats, to an
imperceptible whisper. He felt the warm summer breeze brush past him
gently. "I wish the sky would fall down on me." He thought. "How
could I be such an idiot? Should I even tell her that I've dreamed of
her father's death and her escape for two rotations? I wish I knew
what to do..." Grey thought desperately. He concentrated on hearing the
whisper of the wind. Clearing his mind of all his troubles was the
best way to find a solution. However, today was not an ordinary day,
because an angry hand slapped on the table. Grey jumped up startled,
almost falling off his chair. He found himself starring at the red
rivers of soft hair belonging to Gwenneth. As the drowsiness left
him, he saw her sit across the table from him, observing him
carefully.
"Oh no, you're not here to slap me again?" Grey asked.
"You were doing prana and muscle exercises weren't you?" she asked
him.
"An attempt at decent conversation? I don't believe this, what
happened to the angry dragon I left back in the infirmary?" Grey
asked sarcastically. "I should be grateful she's even talking to me.
God, I have a bad case of foot-in-the-mouth disease!" he
thought. "That was meditation for your information." He told her.
"Meditation. I could teach you a better form that trains the muscles,
as well as the mind. That of course if you're willing to learn." She
told him.
"Woah, back up! Weren't you plotting my death up to a minute ago? Why
the change in attitude?" Grey asked. If there was one thing he
learned from the whole experience, was never to underestimate her.
"Listen, I know I was a little harsh back there. I don't usually act
that way, but you almost killed me. That was my old self's temper
showing through. I'm still recovering." She told him.
"Recovering from what?" Grey asked.
"Ok, before I get to my complicated tale, I just have to thank you
for walking in on me when you did. Now, for the story of my life."
she began.
"It's no problem. I was going to untie you and tell you I believe
you, but I guess I got my proof and then some." Grey said.
"Ok, well, now you know I am Gwenneth el Alcatrez, or Gwen. Anyhow,
my father was the great Ispano sorcerer Vincent el Alcatrez. Well, he
was actually more than that. He was the King's older son, however,
since he was born with magical powers, he wasn't able to take the
throne. We all know the grand rule of the Four Kingdoms. No magical
being is ever to take the throne of a country and rule. Thus, my
grandfather gave my father a secluded castle on top of some plateau.
I can't remember the name or much of it, but I know it was on some
plateau. Anyhow, that's where I grew up. My father didn't restrict
his field of study only on Ispano, and he began to travel around the
world, helping those in need. That's how he came about The Upper
Lands, and helped your father. Once again, I do not remember how.
Anyhow, my grandfather died when I was fifteen rotations old, and
then his younger son took the throne..." Gwenneth paused for a moment,
raising her eyebrows, as if trying to make the facts out from the
lies.
Grey looked at her silently. It all made sense. Gwen had always said
in his dream that the Emperor's Army was coming. "Let me guess,
because of rivalry between the brothers, the Emperor killed your
father, and he was planning on killing you too, but with his last
strength, your father sent you randomly about the world in a
transporter bubble." Grey completed her sentence.
"Well, yeah, that's as much as I can remember. The rest is too foggy.
How did you know?" she asked him amazed.
"I'll tell you later, continue. What happened after you left the
castle?" he asked.
"Well, now that I am more knowledgeable, I know that the risks of
transporting randomly is that you don't know where you're going to
end up. I guess my father knew that too, but preferred to take a
risk, rather than the emperor's soldiers finding me. Anyhow, I landed
on the edge of some cliff or something, I'm not too sure, and I fell
and bumped my head. Then I plunged about 10-20 meters down the
escarpment, and landed on some soft grass. I don't remember any of
this. All I remember is bumping my head. Then I blacked out. When I
woke up, there was a circle of monk like people surrounding me.
However, I knew they weren't monks. They were all dressed in black
cloaks, and I couldn't see their faces well. All I did see were their
menacing swords hidden under their cloaks. Meanwhile, I discovered
that besides not knowing where I was, I didn't know who I was. My
head was bleeding, and the people put some herb bandages on it. Then
they took me inside their temple, where they asked me all sorts of
questions. I couldn't answer any of them, so they gave me the
answers, and a name. Kya, that was what they called me. They then
asked me if I wanted to become a Keeper. I asked what that was, and
they told me they were "store-keepers". They collected magic, and
other objects that then they studied and with their findings helped
the people of Gaea overcome the magical threats in the unexplored
world. A feeling from inside me told me that before, I was a very
helpful person thus, I decided to join them. Immediately, my training
as a Keeper began. First, by being a servant and seeing how things
worked in their society. Then, by being a student and learning the
basics of what they did. Afterwards I was an acolyte working in a
group with others of my rank on a project the Keepers gave us.
Finally, the final stage in becoming a Keeper, was being the
Apprentice. There, you would work with an elder, and through your
efforts in maintaining their rules, you would earn your right to
become a Keeper. However, this is not even the beginning of what I
have to tell you. This is for you to understand how I got the
information I got. Remember how I told you that I lost my memory?
Well, it was true. However, I didn't lose all my memory. There were
still pictures of places and things I knew, but couldn't name. There
was also a voice in my head saying "Trust no one!". Over time, I was
having dreams of things that happened to me, and slowly the pieces
began to come together, as my injury healed. About two rotations
after the accident, on my 17 rotation birthday, I finally regained
the most important piece of memory ever. The memory of my father.
Then, everything came together, and I remembered most of the things
he told me. That was about two weeks ago. I then remembered he gave
me a letter, telling me what to do. That letter, told me to come
here. And I did. He told me not to trust the cults of magic-users on
Gaea, thus The Keepers would be out of question. So I left. However,
Garret - the Keeper I was helping- found out about it, and told me
they'll be back for me." Gwenneth finished.
"And then that test. What was that all about?" Grey asked.
"Oh, that. Well, you see, The Keepers have a High Council, of the
Sacred Twelve, governed by the High Priest. Anyhow, each magician on
that council governs one of the main areas in magic. The test of the
bracelet tells a new Keeper where his or her strength lies. Then, the
Keeper undertakes a project in that area. Some of them spend their
whole lives on one project." Gwen explained.
"An interesting tale you tell. However, you landed exact in the
Keeper's arms, and now they tested you. Do you know what area you
belong in?" Grey asked her.
"No, you see, I think there's something odd about me, or else Garret,
wouldn't have acted in that murderous way. I need to know what is so
special about this mark, and for that I need their Holly Book." Gwen
sighed.
"Their Holy Book?" Grey asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, it's their sacred magical guide. Only a Keeper has access to
it. It foretells the purposes of the clan, and gives instructions. Or
so I've heard. I never saw one. I only know it exists." Gwen told
him.
"But now they want to kill you. Do you think there's something
important about that mark? Something only told in their book?" Grey
asked.
"Yes. My memory is still a bit foggy. I don't remember names, or
places. It's mostly a jumble." The red haired girl sighed.
Grey looked at her, and his once hard eyes softened. He believed her
with all his heart. It was his fault that she got that mark, and that
the Keepers were now looking to kill her. All his fault. "Well, I
guess I have to help her. But where do we begin?" Grey wondered
silently.
"It's ok, we'll figure it out." Grey said.
Gwenneth looked at him strangely. She smoothed her hair and continued
to look at him.
"Well, aren't you going to say anything?" Grey asked her.
"No. I'm waiting to hear your ideas about how you're going to help
me." She said coldly.
"Oh no, mood swing." Grey muttered under his breath. "Well, I don't
know. We need to find that Holy Book. Don't we?" he asked her.
"Yeah, but it's going to be sort of hard to find that. Only a Keeper
has that. Anyhow, we'll talk later. Here comes someone." She said.
Grey turned around, and there was Neero, and his sister, Melanie.
Melanie was a tall slender cat-woman, of fifteen rotations. She -
unlike Neero- had red fur, and pink hair. She took after Sylphy, her
mother, whereas Neero took after his father.
"Neero, Melanie, how are you?" Grey greeted them.
The two cat-people approached the tables, pulled up chairs, and sat
down.
"Hello Grey, who's your friend?" Melanie asked in a sweet yet
implying voice.
"Melly, Neero, this is Gwen. She's a guest here at the palace." Grey
told them.
"Hello Gwen, that is a very pretty name. Where are you from?" Neero
asked, smiling widely at the red-head.
"Hello, it's very nice to meet you all. I'm from the Northern
Village." Gwen told them.
"Is it true that it's cold up there?" Melanie asked.
"Well, it's not that cold when you're used to it." Gwen told her.
"Great. So, Grey, are we going down to the village today?" Neero
asked him.
"Well," Grey began. Just then, a voice echoed through the hall.
"Master Grey, Master Grey, it's time for your history lessons."
Elrood's voice came though.
"Yes, we are!" Grey whispered fast. He then stood up, and jumped down
the low balcony into the garden. "Come on!" he told everyone else.
Melanie and Neero jumped after him, and Gwenneth just stood there
looking at them.
"Well, are you coming or not?" Grey asked her.
"Where?" Gwenneth asked.
"Anywhere. As far away from Elrood as possible. Come on, we'll go
talk to Leon after." Grey said.
"Ok." Gwen jumped after them, landing on the soft grass.
Quietly the four ghostly figures left the gardens and headed into the
village.
~~~~
Once in the village, the group of teens headed for the orphanage.
Gwenneth kept on looking to her right and to her left, trying to get
a better glance of the famous village. Everywhere she looked she saw
shops with colorful front windows, and inviting smells kept on
invading her senses. She followed Grey's friends through the crowd in
the market.
"So tell me again, why are we going to the orphanage?" she asked
Melanie, the small cat girl. She looked about fifteen rotations old,
although Gwenneth couldn't be sure.
"Well, because Neero and Grey help out there every day. His father
ordered the orphanage rebuilt, since there are many more orphans in
the streets every year." She explained helpfully.
"But Grey's a prince. He could help the orphans through other means,
not merely physical labor." Gwen pointed out.
"No, Grey's second born. That doesn't give him any rights better than
the son of a wealthy man. And plus, Grey and his family don't get
along very well. That's why he lives all alone in the west wing.
That's one of the reasons Grey's so odd most of the time." Melanie
whispered quietly.
"I don't understand." Gwen whispered back. The cat-child wasn't
making much sense. Even if Grey was second born, he would still have
political influence. He was after all the son of a very powerful
king. And not getting along with his father, that she could
understand. After all, when she came to the palace to talk to King
Ramond he had heard him talk of Grey in a scornful manner. "So what
is it about this boy that enraged the royal family so much that they
now consider him an outsider?" she wondered.
"It's ok. If you'll get acquainted to Grey, he might open up to you,
although not even Neero knows much. For some reason he just keeps is
all to himself." Melanie sighed. "We've been his friends for almost
ten years now, and he hasn't told much to us either. It's really sad
though." she said.
"It's ok. Sometimes it's better to leave the ghosts of the past
alone, and try to look at the future. I'm sure that that's what
Grey's trying to do." She said and smiled at the cat-woman.
"Yeah, maybe. Well, in any case. He's been against his father's
wishes ever since he turned fifteen. That's when he began pursuing
his own path. He has been running away from his tutors for two
rotations now, and there's nothing no one can do that'll keep him in
one place. Sometimes I think that that's his way of getting back at
his father for ignoring him ever since he was little." Melanie
continued. However, she became silent when he brother threw her a
warning glance.
Gwen's eyes continued to scan the village. With its paved streets,
and small houses, as well as clean surroundings, she felt like she
was in another world. Nothing like the dark abyss she had been living
in for two years. The Keeper's temples were always dark, and musty,
filled with hot air, in the summer and freezing air in the winter.
With all the dark alcoves, you could never speak freely, for you
never knew what menacing eyes were peering at you from behind.
Gwenneth rubbed her forehead with a groan. Her frequent headaches had
found her even now, when her memory was restored. What was it about
them that always left her so cold and afraid?
"Are you ok?" she heard his soft concerned voice beside her.
Gwenneth looked up, and saw Grey starring at her with his piercing
chocolate eyes. She smiled at him, and nodded.
"Maybe you should sit today out, and just play with the children. I'm
sure you're still in shock from last night's incidents." He said
gently.
"I'm all right." Gwenneth said as she unconsciously brought her hand
to the throbbing red mark on her left arm.
"Gwen, please. I don't want you getting hurt more than you already
are. After we're done here we can go see Leon, and sort everything
out. But first we need to be here." He explained.
Gwen looked up at the dark haired boy starring down at her with his
velvet glance.
"I didn't complain. And it's your job to be protecting me, now more
than ever. I also understand that you want to help your people. I'm
alright with helping out at the orphanage." She answered his unasked
question.
"Thanks," he shot her a sly smile.
Grey hurried to the tool shed, and brought out his materials.
However, his thoughts couldn't stop thinking about how he messed up
and almost cost Gwen her life. It was odd how, ever since the red
haired beauty had stepped into his life he could never stop thinking
of her. He found peace when he looked into her misty eyes, and an
understanding he had not hoped to fund anywhere else. How odd that
she, a stranger would torment him so. Grey was conscious of the
imminent threat The Keepers posed. After all, they had already tried
an almost successful assault on her life. "I won't let them get her
again." he thought angrily as he began to beat the nails into the
floorboards. Just then, a piercing scream filled the air. Grey
quickly jumped from his spot. He exited the orphanage, only to see a
darkly cloaked figure on a horse drag Gwenneth away by her red locks.
"Gweeennnnneeeetttthhhhhhhh!!!!!!" Grey yelled as he jumped on the
first horse and began to follow her kidnapper.
Author's Note:
Yes, I had probs with my comp, and lost this chapter, and this whole huge story. Sorry the format stinks. I really meant it nice. I'll try to fix it. just not rite now. Hehe, soo... where's Gwenn going eh? Heh, yes, well, next time I'll be more careful and save my work in 2 places. Sorry for the inconvenience!!!!