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Forever Branded
By Hippoclymae @^Y^@
Chapter 3
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" What the hell do you think you were doing?" Syaoran growled.
" Whatever do you mean?" The woman looked sincerely puzzled.
" Sending Sakura into THAT room when you knew very well that there's a
dead body in there!" Syaoran continued to grip her collar threateningly,"
What's your angle, Lady?"
" First off, I think I should introduce myself first, so as you'll cease
addressing me, as 'Lady'. My name is Meyra Karris VI, and I am the first
wife of Prince Marcka." Syaoran was pried off of her collar," Second, I
never meant to scare your little friend, as I had no knowledge of the 'dead
body' as you say."
" None at all?" He asked skeptically.
" No." She shook her head," But, I have a feeling that I know where it
may have come from. Please, lead the way."
Syaoran stomped
into the shower-rooms, where Sakura was sitting in an open door stall,
combing her now shiny golden hair into little pigtails. She wore a very
modest white full-length dress tunic, belted by a white sash, and embroidered
with cherries on the left shoulder. A pair of oiled leather boots of tan
were laid out for her feet. But, this wasn't what interested Syaoran. He
led the woman to the stall, shoved the door opened, and motioned at the
cadaver. Meyra gasped in genuine astonishment. Her hands were akimbo and
she clucked her tongue.
"
I can't believe those girls would sink so low."
"
What are you talking about?"
"
This, used to be a man named Lutra Puilis. A former 'plaything' shall
we say. He disappeared about 3 years ago. No one ever mentioned him again."
Syaoran
grimmaced. He put his mind on other things, like Sakura's changed appearance.
Her hair was no longer a copper, but golden brown. Her eyes were a lovely
ocean green, complimenting her outfit nicely. Meyra seemed to notice Syaoran's
glance. She looked at his outfit, and left momentarily, returning with
a pile of neatly folded clothes.
"
Perhaps this will suit your needs better." She motioned him into a stall,
then urged Sakura outside. At first, Sakura was hesitant to leave Syaoran's
side, feeling vulnerable, but after some coaxing, she reluctantly followed
Meyra back outside. They seated themselves among the pillows, and Meyra
once again clucked her tongue, this time in sympathy.
"
You poor thing, look what that son of a sow husband has done to you...let
me have a look." Meyra tried to touch the scar, but Sakura backed away.
" Cautious little thing aren't you? Does it hurt?"
Sakura
nodded. Meyra brought out a tiny bowl, and tried to rubbed the contents
on Sakura's scar, but was met with indignance.
"
Alright. You don't trust me? You apply it then."
Sakura
cupped the bowl, and carefully put the paste on her wound. There was a
slight burning sensation, that made her gasp, but she soon found the constant
nagging hurt disappearing. Meyra smiled.
"
Are you a prisoner?"
"
Yes, we are." Syaoran answered. He was dressed in a pair of tan colored
trousers, and a tunic of a pale blue. A pair of black leather boots completed
the outfit, along with a short bronze belt. Meyra smiled.
"
Fitting that you should speak for her, seeing her current condition." She
meant this in an admiring sort of way.
"
It is the least I can do." He seated himself, and Meyra rang a small bell.
Immediately a girl of about 10 entered. " Bring our guests and I something
to eat, Timdes."
Timdes
spotted Syaoran. She smiled at him. He noticed and blushed. Sakura found
herself steaming. Meyra, noticing the situation tried to patch things up.
"
Ahem." The girl nodded in acknowledgement, and left. Meyra turned back
to them.
"
Timdes is my most loyal servant here. Possibly because she's not a concubine
of Miserable Marcka."
"
Yes, I see." Syaoran seemed a bit dazed. Sakura didn't like it one bit.
She looked to Meyra for help. The lady smiled then changed the subject.
"
Now, what has my sadist of a husband done to you two?"
"
We're condemned as criminals-"
"
On what charge?" She seemed shocked that anyone of their age could be condemned.
"
-treason. She was accused of disobeying the wishes of the Prince."
"
And what wishes might that be?"
"
I cannot divulge them at the moment, in regards to my colleague's honor,
but let me just say that she has been through a rather traumatic experience..."
Meyra stopped him.
"
I understand. No need to say anymore-" She stopped mid-sentence as a servant
entered carrying a tray. Both guest's felt their mouths water with anticipation.
The servant placed it gently on the floor, and left. Meyra watched their
faces, and made a great show of lifting the cover. Who'd believe their
eyes could grow any wider at the sight of the food: some fruit, sliced
peaches, grapes; milk in two tall glasses; bread, steaming from the oven
and with a dollop of fruit preserve; and to top it off, a slice of pie,
one for each. They looked at her, as if to say ' May we?' and she
smiled invitingly.
"
Well, go ahead!" They needed no more coaxing, and began to eat as if they'd
been starved for many days, which of course was true.
"
So...I don't suppose Mr. Good and Generous told you what your punishment
was?"
"
Actually...*gulp* he did. Something about going to the Dark World in search
of a staff or other...staff of Lenisar?"
"
The Staff of Ledinar?"
"
That's it!!! Staff of Ledinar."
"
And he trusts two children to fulfill a task like this?" Meyra murmurred.
"
Hey, I can take care of the both of us just fine! I don't need your help!"
Syaoran snapped.
"
Forgive me, I meant no disrespect...I never doubted that you can handle
yourself, but this is different. This is a quest that even men 4 times
your age have never achieved...perhaps that explains why it is your punishment."
"
Maybe that was his mistake. Never send a grown man to do a young man's
job." Syaoran continued to eat.
"
Maybe." Meyra said vaguely.
All
was quiet, and Sakura stopped eating. The two of them seemed to be in deep
thought, she observed, maybe some memories brought back. The calm did not
last, of course. It was night, and Meyra filled with concern.
"
Maybe you two should sleep here tonight. I'll stand guard."
"
No, need..."
"
Oh, there's plenty of need. Those concubines don't give up that easily.
They'll be back." Meyra brandished her staff. " Looks like I'll have to
give them another lesson on who runs this place."
Syaoran
watched quietly as she slipped silently out the veil-door. Quickly, he
followed, and caught her attention. She returned from her post.
"
Is there something you need?"
"
I was just thinking, maybe you could come with us..."
"
What?"
"
You know, join us. You don't seem to be having a very fulfilling life here,"
Syaoran blushed in embarassment," And to tell you the truth, I could use
your help when it comes to defense."
"
I'll think about it." Meyra tried to keep her voice level, but was obviously
surprised and flattered. But, she wasn't stupid. She stopped him," Actually,
I must decline your offer, as tempting as it sounds..."
"
Why?"
"
The rules. You can receive no help in your journey."
"
But, he doesn't have to know, and you seem like you could be doing better
things..."
"
No...I can't..." Meyra's eyes flickered as Syaoran's face implored," You
must understand...I'm doing this for your sake."
"
Meyra...this is a chance of a lifetime! Please..come with us."
"
No...I'm sorry, Syaoran, but lives are at stake...yours..." She cupped
his hands between hers," Don't worry. Knowing you, and your personality,
I believe you can handle yourself just fine."
That
didn't convince Syaoran one bit. Meyra sat silently, then took her staff
and placed it in Syaoran's hand.
"
Take, this. For protection."
"
But, I can't its-"
"
Yours now. Go ahead. You'll need it where you're going..."
"
Thank you."
"
Go to sleep now. You'll have a long journey ahead of you, and there's many
obstacles to overcome."
Finding
nothing more to converse over, he returned to the room. Sakura had already
snugged under a layer of pillows, soundly asleep. Syaoran chose a spot
nearby, and he too was soon asleep....
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Made it as long as I
could! Yes, yes. Hope you enjoyed it! I for one am glad that you readers
like this series!
