The clock ticked slowly in his room. It was almost time for her to be
there. He sat on his bed, checking his things one last time. He didn't need
much, just some food, water, and the book with the translated pages. His
sword was hocked around his waist. He was wearing his usual traveling
clothes: the same ones he had worn when he was traveling all through out
the outer lands. He occasionally glanced out the window at the darkness. He
was anxious to get going. He fiddled with the clasp on his cloak as he
waited for her.
There was a hesitant knock on Zelgadiss door. He turned rather abruptly. He approached the door and hesitated a moment before undoing the lock, pulling it open a crack. She stood nervously glancing up and down the hall. He opened the door just enough for her to slip in before closing a locking it again. Amelia was wearing her white traveling outfit with both her bracelets on. He could help but smile slightly as he looked at her. He had always liked that outfit better then her dresses, not that he ever voiced his opinion about her clothes. Despite two years of hanging in her closet, the outfit was still in perfect condition and fit her the same.
"White?" he whispered. She nodded. "Isn't that just a bit obvious to see in the dark."
"Mr. Zelgadiss, look outside. All the walls in Saillune are white."
The chimera paused, realizing she was right. "Never mind then. Are you sure you want to go? It's not to late to change you mind."
"I'm sure. Miss Lina's my friend and it would be unjust of me to sit here while a friend was in danger."
He nodded, giving her a half smile. He slung his bag over his shoulder and walked over to the window. When he had first come he had requested not to have a balcony; he was regretting that request now. Unlocking the window, he recited a levitation spell. Careful so he didn't make a sound and alert the guards out in the garden, he hopped through it, falling slightly while the levitation spell took effect. Amelia copied his actions and leaped out, her own levitation spell kicking in, shutting the window behind her. She nodded to him to let him know she was ready. Changing the spells, the each cast a silent ray wing and whirled around the side of the palace. Both kept one eye on the guards, being careful to avoid them. Finally, they came around to the balcony connected to the prince's room. The guards were changing shifts, so no one was there at the moment.
They landed, making only the slightest of sounds as their boots touched the white marble. Amelia went to the door and turned the knob slowly. "Locked," she hissed bitterly. She had known it would be, but was still hoping he might have forgotten to do so tonight. Zel reached under his cloak and pulled out a small cloth envelope. He reached in, pulling out two small wires: lock picks. He easily picked the lock, finding no trouble with them like he had expected. The locks to Amelia's balcony had a spell on them to prevent people from picking them...not that he had or would have ever tried.
The two slipped in soundlessly. Phil was fast asleep with a book flopped over his chest. Amelia watched him for a moment, silently apologizing for what she was about to do. Mouthing the words, she cast an inaudible sleeping spell. The Prince didn't stir, just continued to faintly snore.
"It's done," the girl told her companion.
"Good, now where's the entrance?"
"This way. She lead him in to a private study room of the prince's. There was a tall bookshelf on one wall.
"Let me guess, behind the book shelf," Zelgadiss commented dryly.
"Don't be silly. That's too obvious of a place," she quipped. "The entrance is under the carpet under the desk." She dropped down and crawled under the desk. She reached through the plush carpet and pulled a square of it up. Underneath was a wood trap door. Zel had to admit, it was pretty clever to hide it there and not somewhere in plain view. She lifted the hatch. "It's kind of small inside since this is just a tunnel to the main walkway a few feet off to the side. You'll have to crawl."
Shrugging, Zel crawled under the desk and slid in to the dark tunnel. Amelia hadn't been exaggerating when she said it was small. He was surprised the prince could fit through it. He got down on his hands and knees, his back scraping against the wood ceiling of it. Amelia followed him in, pulling the carpet and door back in place. When the door was shut and they were in complete blackness, he heard the sound of a heavy lock being slid in place. The princess recited a lighting spell to help them see.
"Ready?" he asked, still in a whisper.
"Yeah. It's straight forward." The crawled through the cramped tunnel until they reached a second hatch door in the wall in front of them and another tunnel off to the left. Zelgadiss had never been afraid of small spaces before, but this place was beginning to make even him feel claustrophobic. "It's through the hatch."
"Where does the other tunnel go?"
"The other escape way," she informed him. He nodded and pushed open the door. He dropped down in to a tower like room with a circular walk way going both up and down. The room felt very open compared to where he had just been. The stones were gray instead of white like everything else in the holy city. He started to head down but stopped when he felt a small hand on his shoulder. "That's the wrong way, Mr. Zelgadiss. That will take you to the guard's room. It's up and over, then down."
The shaman swordsman stared at her half in disbelief. "Up then down? Isn't that just a little confusing?"
She shook her head. "Not at all, if you know the way. Besides, it makes it harder to chase someone through here."
"I noticed."
The climb wasn't far and they came to a long hallway full of old, uncleaned windows. The place was covered in dust so thick, they were leaving foot prints. A faded pair of shoe prints were on the floor leading in the opposite direction they were going. If Amelia saw them, she pretended not to. Zelgadiss knew what they were from and decided not to mention them. The hallway smelled old to his senses and the dust they disturbed tickled his nose, threatening to make him sneeze. They came to another door at the end that led to another set of stairs going downwards. Double checking her lighting spell, Amelia led the way downward.
The path down was another set circular stairs against the wall. Once, they passed a small set of holes right about eye level for the average man. When he asked, Amelia said they were for spying on privet meetings of the council. "My great great grandfather didn't trust the council when it was first set up by his father, so he had those put in to make sure they weren't plotting against him. I don't think they've ever been used since."
"Does the council know they are there?" he asked offhandedly.
"No. No one even thought it would be good for them to know. They might get suspicious and try to have the current ruler removed," she explained. He shrugged. It made sense.
The stairs took them down six stories before they finally reached the ending. It came out in an open room, leading to a series of underground tunnels. There were a series of water ways following each man made path. The whole thing looked like part of an underground sewer. The air was a bit foul, but nothing too bad. Carrying the light spell in her hand, Amelia led the way through. The tunnels took many strange turns that seemed to have no pattern whatsoever. Zel felt completely lost, though the princess seemed to know exactly where she was going. He was feeling rather impressed by the great detail put in to the underground passages. It was like a maze and anyone who didn't know the way could spend weeks lost in here. It was a great way to escape if danger came. Typical royalty, he thought, always have several secret passages out of your own castle...
"Here we are," Amelia stated, interrupting his thoughts. She pointed to an earthen tunnel, leading out side. The water trickled down the side of the small hill the entrance was on. He strolled out, glancing back over the hill. Off in the distance he could see the white magic city. Amelia came up next to him and smiled. "Told you they would take us a ways away," she chirped.
Zel smirked. "So they do. We should get going before they realize we're gone."
"Right."
*****
When Phil awoke, it was mid afternoon. He glanced at the quiet clock on the wall. 2:17. He jumped, realizing the time. He had slept half the day away. "Uh, I must have slept like a rock," he commented to himself. "Doesn't feel like I slept at all, though." He slid his legs off the side of the bed and shook his head, trying to clear the drowsiness away. He rubbed the sleep sand out of the corners of his eyes and yawned. He stumbled up to his feet and hurriedly cleaned up and dressed himself. All the while, thinking about Amelia and Zelgadiss.
He had always known his little girl was fascinated with the blue skinned man. Even when she had first introduced him to the chimera, she had seemed fond of him, despite not knowing him very well and him looking like...well...a demon. There was no other way to put it. He was a third demon, after all. He had never thought much of her innocent early crush, knowing she would get over it. And she had. When he had left over two years ago, she had let him go and pretty much forgotten about her little crush. And then you started with trying to get her to marry some prince who doesn't even care about her well being, a voice in his mind nagged. She had argued it was unjust but he had insisted. No wonder she went back to him, the voice persisted. He sighed, glancing in the mirror while he straightened his wild hair.
"If I push her more, she'll simple run further away," he thought out loud. "Then again, if I leave it be..." he trailed off, not sure what would be in all honesty. He wanted her to be happy, he really did, but he also had to think of what was best for the kingdom. He had had an arranged marriage and it had worked out fine...though he never loved quite like he had loved another woman, who had died before he met his wife. He would have married his first love in a heartbeat if he had been allowed. Why should she have to go through the same thing? he questioned. It is ultimately her choice. Why should she not be happy? He does seem to care for her...he wanted to protect her... He sighed again. "If that's what she truly wants..."
He smoothed down his tunic as he walked down the hall towards her room. He was hoping she might be there reading, though he doubted it. He knocked on the door, but received no response. He knocked again, but only silence followed. "Amelia?" he called, opening the door and peeking inside. She wasn't there. He went over and glanced out on her balcony but didn't see her there either. He was just about to leave the room, when he spotted a note on her dresser with the word ÔDaddy' on it. Taking the note, he unfolded it carefully.
Daddy,
Over the past few days, I've been helping Mister Zelgadiss translate one of the strange books he brought her with him. After going through it several times, we found a prophecy that involved Miss Lina. We're not sure exactly yet what is going to happen since not all of it can be translated, but we know it is not good. We left a copy of what we have so far on the table in Mister Zelgadiss' room. Once you read it, I know you will understand why we left in such a hurry without saying good bye. I'm sorry I did not tell you earlier. Please understand why I had to go. Miss Lina is my friend, and it is only just that I do all in my power to help her. I will be back as soon as I can. I promise. And don't worry about me. I will be fine.
Love
Amelia
Phil read over the note several times, just to be sure that his eyes were not playing tricks on him. He crumpled the paper in his hands.
(See, this wasn't a very long chapter. It's only five pages instead of the typical nine or ten. He he. I know most of the chapters are sometimes long and I'm sorry about that. They just don't want to end sometimes. Well, on to write the next chapter. This is where things from my last fic start to overlap. Please review. Pwetty Pwease.)
There was a hesitant knock on Zelgadiss door. He turned rather abruptly. He approached the door and hesitated a moment before undoing the lock, pulling it open a crack. She stood nervously glancing up and down the hall. He opened the door just enough for her to slip in before closing a locking it again. Amelia was wearing her white traveling outfit with both her bracelets on. He could help but smile slightly as he looked at her. He had always liked that outfit better then her dresses, not that he ever voiced his opinion about her clothes. Despite two years of hanging in her closet, the outfit was still in perfect condition and fit her the same.
"White?" he whispered. She nodded. "Isn't that just a bit obvious to see in the dark."
"Mr. Zelgadiss, look outside. All the walls in Saillune are white."
The chimera paused, realizing she was right. "Never mind then. Are you sure you want to go? It's not to late to change you mind."
"I'm sure. Miss Lina's my friend and it would be unjust of me to sit here while a friend was in danger."
He nodded, giving her a half smile. He slung his bag over his shoulder and walked over to the window. When he had first come he had requested not to have a balcony; he was regretting that request now. Unlocking the window, he recited a levitation spell. Careful so he didn't make a sound and alert the guards out in the garden, he hopped through it, falling slightly while the levitation spell took effect. Amelia copied his actions and leaped out, her own levitation spell kicking in, shutting the window behind her. She nodded to him to let him know she was ready. Changing the spells, the each cast a silent ray wing and whirled around the side of the palace. Both kept one eye on the guards, being careful to avoid them. Finally, they came around to the balcony connected to the prince's room. The guards were changing shifts, so no one was there at the moment.
They landed, making only the slightest of sounds as their boots touched the white marble. Amelia went to the door and turned the knob slowly. "Locked," she hissed bitterly. She had known it would be, but was still hoping he might have forgotten to do so tonight. Zel reached under his cloak and pulled out a small cloth envelope. He reached in, pulling out two small wires: lock picks. He easily picked the lock, finding no trouble with them like he had expected. The locks to Amelia's balcony had a spell on them to prevent people from picking them...not that he had or would have ever tried.
The two slipped in soundlessly. Phil was fast asleep with a book flopped over his chest. Amelia watched him for a moment, silently apologizing for what she was about to do. Mouthing the words, she cast an inaudible sleeping spell. The Prince didn't stir, just continued to faintly snore.
"It's done," the girl told her companion.
"Good, now where's the entrance?"
"This way. She lead him in to a private study room of the prince's. There was a tall bookshelf on one wall.
"Let me guess, behind the book shelf," Zelgadiss commented dryly.
"Don't be silly. That's too obvious of a place," she quipped. "The entrance is under the carpet under the desk." She dropped down and crawled under the desk. She reached through the plush carpet and pulled a square of it up. Underneath was a wood trap door. Zel had to admit, it was pretty clever to hide it there and not somewhere in plain view. She lifted the hatch. "It's kind of small inside since this is just a tunnel to the main walkway a few feet off to the side. You'll have to crawl."
Shrugging, Zel crawled under the desk and slid in to the dark tunnel. Amelia hadn't been exaggerating when she said it was small. He was surprised the prince could fit through it. He got down on his hands and knees, his back scraping against the wood ceiling of it. Amelia followed him in, pulling the carpet and door back in place. When the door was shut and they were in complete blackness, he heard the sound of a heavy lock being slid in place. The princess recited a lighting spell to help them see.
"Ready?" he asked, still in a whisper.
"Yeah. It's straight forward." The crawled through the cramped tunnel until they reached a second hatch door in the wall in front of them and another tunnel off to the left. Zelgadiss had never been afraid of small spaces before, but this place was beginning to make even him feel claustrophobic. "It's through the hatch."
"Where does the other tunnel go?"
"The other escape way," she informed him. He nodded and pushed open the door. He dropped down in to a tower like room with a circular walk way going both up and down. The room felt very open compared to where he had just been. The stones were gray instead of white like everything else in the holy city. He started to head down but stopped when he felt a small hand on his shoulder. "That's the wrong way, Mr. Zelgadiss. That will take you to the guard's room. It's up and over, then down."
The shaman swordsman stared at her half in disbelief. "Up then down? Isn't that just a little confusing?"
She shook her head. "Not at all, if you know the way. Besides, it makes it harder to chase someone through here."
"I noticed."
The climb wasn't far and they came to a long hallway full of old, uncleaned windows. The place was covered in dust so thick, they were leaving foot prints. A faded pair of shoe prints were on the floor leading in the opposite direction they were going. If Amelia saw them, she pretended not to. Zelgadiss knew what they were from and decided not to mention them. The hallway smelled old to his senses and the dust they disturbed tickled his nose, threatening to make him sneeze. They came to another door at the end that led to another set of stairs going downwards. Double checking her lighting spell, Amelia led the way downward.
The path down was another set circular stairs against the wall. Once, they passed a small set of holes right about eye level for the average man. When he asked, Amelia said they were for spying on privet meetings of the council. "My great great grandfather didn't trust the council when it was first set up by his father, so he had those put in to make sure they weren't plotting against him. I don't think they've ever been used since."
"Does the council know they are there?" he asked offhandedly.
"No. No one even thought it would be good for them to know. They might get suspicious and try to have the current ruler removed," she explained. He shrugged. It made sense.
The stairs took them down six stories before they finally reached the ending. It came out in an open room, leading to a series of underground tunnels. There were a series of water ways following each man made path. The whole thing looked like part of an underground sewer. The air was a bit foul, but nothing too bad. Carrying the light spell in her hand, Amelia led the way through. The tunnels took many strange turns that seemed to have no pattern whatsoever. Zel felt completely lost, though the princess seemed to know exactly where she was going. He was feeling rather impressed by the great detail put in to the underground passages. It was like a maze and anyone who didn't know the way could spend weeks lost in here. It was a great way to escape if danger came. Typical royalty, he thought, always have several secret passages out of your own castle...
"Here we are," Amelia stated, interrupting his thoughts. She pointed to an earthen tunnel, leading out side. The water trickled down the side of the small hill the entrance was on. He strolled out, glancing back over the hill. Off in the distance he could see the white magic city. Amelia came up next to him and smiled. "Told you they would take us a ways away," she chirped.
Zel smirked. "So they do. We should get going before they realize we're gone."
"Right."
*****
When Phil awoke, it was mid afternoon. He glanced at the quiet clock on the wall. 2:17. He jumped, realizing the time. He had slept half the day away. "Uh, I must have slept like a rock," he commented to himself. "Doesn't feel like I slept at all, though." He slid his legs off the side of the bed and shook his head, trying to clear the drowsiness away. He rubbed the sleep sand out of the corners of his eyes and yawned. He stumbled up to his feet and hurriedly cleaned up and dressed himself. All the while, thinking about Amelia and Zelgadiss.
He had always known his little girl was fascinated with the blue skinned man. Even when she had first introduced him to the chimera, she had seemed fond of him, despite not knowing him very well and him looking like...well...a demon. There was no other way to put it. He was a third demon, after all. He had never thought much of her innocent early crush, knowing she would get over it. And she had. When he had left over two years ago, she had let him go and pretty much forgotten about her little crush. And then you started with trying to get her to marry some prince who doesn't even care about her well being, a voice in his mind nagged. She had argued it was unjust but he had insisted. No wonder she went back to him, the voice persisted. He sighed, glancing in the mirror while he straightened his wild hair.
"If I push her more, she'll simple run further away," he thought out loud. "Then again, if I leave it be..." he trailed off, not sure what would be in all honesty. He wanted her to be happy, he really did, but he also had to think of what was best for the kingdom. He had had an arranged marriage and it had worked out fine...though he never loved quite like he had loved another woman, who had died before he met his wife. He would have married his first love in a heartbeat if he had been allowed. Why should she have to go through the same thing? he questioned. It is ultimately her choice. Why should she not be happy? He does seem to care for her...he wanted to protect her... He sighed again. "If that's what she truly wants..."
He smoothed down his tunic as he walked down the hall towards her room. He was hoping she might be there reading, though he doubted it. He knocked on the door, but received no response. He knocked again, but only silence followed. "Amelia?" he called, opening the door and peeking inside. She wasn't there. He went over and glanced out on her balcony but didn't see her there either. He was just about to leave the room, when he spotted a note on her dresser with the word ÔDaddy' on it. Taking the note, he unfolded it carefully.
Daddy,
Over the past few days, I've been helping Mister Zelgadiss translate one of the strange books he brought her with him. After going through it several times, we found a prophecy that involved Miss Lina. We're not sure exactly yet what is going to happen since not all of it can be translated, but we know it is not good. We left a copy of what we have so far on the table in Mister Zelgadiss' room. Once you read it, I know you will understand why we left in such a hurry without saying good bye. I'm sorry I did not tell you earlier. Please understand why I had to go. Miss Lina is my friend, and it is only just that I do all in my power to help her. I will be back as soon as I can. I promise. And don't worry about me. I will be fine.
Love
Amelia
Phil read over the note several times, just to be sure that his eyes were not playing tricks on him. He crumpled the paper in his hands.
(See, this wasn't a very long chapter. It's only five pages instead of the typical nine or ten. He he. I know most of the chapters are sometimes long and I'm sorry about that. They just don't want to end sometimes. Well, on to write the next chapter. This is where things from my last fic start to overlap. Please review. Pwetty Pwease.)