Italics- are mind to mind speaking
Tahir watched Kel hurry off after her friend. He shook his head as he slumped onto the bed. There wasn't a way to remove a Binding. He knew that much, there had been many others before him, and he wasn't alone now by any means. There were many others here. Sometimes there were so many people in his mind he wanted to scream.
He wouldn't let Miar have it though. He reached back into his hair, untying the slim piece of stone. It dangled on a common cord, darkly beautiful with its curves, and faint silver lights within its depths. He watched it entranced, but dropped it as the scars on the palms of his hands throbbed.
The small thief doubled over clutching his head in his hands. He fought to hold, to keep Miar from his mind, but the mage was stronger; he was always stronger. Tahir collapsed onto the bed, a quiet moan escaping his lips. His body remained paralyzed as the two minds fought for possession.
"You are mine thief. You agreed when you took the markings. Bring me the Shadow Blade!" the voice formed the words from Tahir's mouth, still sounding as dark as if uttered by its own body.
Tahir laughed, "You don't own me. I make my own decisions."
The voice became patronizing, "What does the King want with such as you. Didn't your little sojourn in prison after trying to stay away from me convince you of that? Only through me will you ever be great!"
Tahir's voice was bitter, ""Great? Being absorbed into you? You are more of a thief than I ever was.
What does it matter? They will never listen to you; you're something to be used and discarded, garbage.
Then…I…will do it…alone! Tahir roared attacking the invader. Pain shot through his body then. He arched his back, hands clenched on the blanket as he gritted his teeth. The voice whispered to him as it withdrew, perhaps to sulk.
"This time I'll leave you with a reminder. Don't bother to bring it to me. I have already sent out for it. You know who is coming." With that Miar faded, leaving Tahir to catch his breath, slowly forcing his hands to release the blanket and force himself up.
For sometime he just leaned forward on the bed, trying to find the strength to stand. He wavered forward, but the more steps he took, the easier it became. A picture of Kel presented itself to him. He couldn't help it when she smiled; it just made him feel better, less like a worthless street thief. But he pushed it aside; there were other things now, more important things
After all, Miar was right about some things. Nobles were all the same; even this lady knight would be just like the others, no matter how much he wished it was different. Miar knew where he was now, he had to leave. Neither the Knights nor the castle mages could help him with what Miar would send, who Miar would send.
A large open window stood at one end of the ward. He pushed aside the curtain and gingerly heaved himself unto the ledge. Tahir cursed the year in prison that had made him so weak as he lowered himself to the ground below.
Of course when something was necessary he would get it done, no matter how difficult it would be. Tahir slipped the Shadow Blade back into the loop in his hair as he stole across the path, unnoticed by the guards. His scars blazed as he released it and clenched his fists, lips tight to prevent any sound from giving him away. There would be time for rest later, either this would all end happily or he would be dead and it would end for him anyways. Night hid his movements as he slipped into the city.
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Kel wearily trudged back to her room. Numiar's great discovery had turned out to be nothing more than another dead end. She paused at the ward hoping that at least Tahir would be getting some sleep. She frowned when she saw the rumpled bed, but no thief.
Kel looked around quickly cursing with all the words she had learned on the practice fields. Tahir was gone. She turned and raced out of the infirmary and down the hall to Neal's room; rousing the sleepy knight.
"Kel? What's going on?" He yawned. "That thief's not giving you trouble again is he?"
"Yes he is. He's gone."
That statement snapped Neal awake, "What! Gone? How?"
Kel shook her head, "I don't know, I think he got out through the window."
"What are we going to do?" Neal pulled on his tunic and brushed his hair into place with his fingers.
"We go after him." Kel's voice was grim and brooked no argument. It didn't take long for them to prepare. Kel dropped a note by Numiar's door, not wanting to take the time to wake him and explain, before leading Peachblossom through the castle gates.
You aren't getting away from me that easily Tahir. I know you're important and dangerous. We'll finish this together. Even though she knew the thief couldn't hear her Kel made the promise. It was her duty to defend Tortoral against all threats where ever they may come from.
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Deep within the city's slums Tahir paused as he scrambled over a wall, dirty rags wrapped around his aching hands. For a moment he had thought he heard something, but just shook his head before dropping down and into the shadows.
Sorry if it's short, but I needed to do the final setting up and get these last things in.
Hey! I got nice reviews! Thank you, thank you! I got a nasty one on a different fic, so these kind of restored my confidence!
Especially, thank you to flaming flamingo, this chapter was off your suggestion. I was trying to figure out how to do something like this, so I hope you like it!