I am here! Ha obviously, I am really impatient coz I have already written the ending but not the middle parts so I'm trying really hard to type as fast as I can. This one was really annoying to write, don't worry its here now. I have cut down the dialogue because I was dying and it got too long but hopefully its still okay, well here u are.

Chapter 3

The devils road

I was dragged into a beautiful house, and joyfully the decoration was magnificent. I hadn't seen such craftsmanship for centuries. I marvelled at the splendour that befell me, and I would have spent years in this astounding place.

I was mesmerised by how the light shone on the cold marble floors and how it made the threads in the tapestries on the walls, glitter like jewels. The ceiling was painted white, but there was a space in the roof where the light poured in which was covered over by a crystal glass dome. The room was filled with a warm glow that made the stone under my feet look like unattended hot embers on a fire. I was in total awe of this building, and I could see why Nina too loved this place. Not even in my own home was there decoration a sumptuous as this.

The teens that had brought me in had now wandered off to find their elders, as I stood there basking in the ardent rays. I was looking at the tapestries, the paintings, and I was overwhelmed by its beauty.

I was interrupted by the gentle footsteps of a person entering the room, I glanced at the entrant and saw a dazzling young woman whose auburn hair waved in the bristling wind. She was clothed in a very fine dress with silver trimmings. She looked so much like her mother.

She paced towards me, though she stopped half a metre away from me and studied me curiously as if I was an object or stranger that she had never seen before. Her glance was rigid almost as if frozen, but with a surprise she melted. All of a sudden she was running towards and then clasped in my arms, and she hugged me as tightly as her delicate arms could hold me.

I looked down at her, she was the runaway child in my grasp once more. I found it beautiful, I had discovered that I had a craving that I had long forgotten; I wanted to be embraced like I had with my bewitching Margarete. I savoured this moment for all I could, it seemed like forever that I was holding her but we withdrew and smiled at each other.

She took my hand and lead me through the next rooms, this was an occurrence that I treasured as well. It was all so innocent, never would I fall in love with her but she was contenting me with childlike kindness. We passed through rooms of the same excellence as the first, but still I was lead, until we reached a terrace that was behind the house.

It was covered over with exquisite draperies in shades of the sun and the garden. She offered me a seat and I accepted, the cushions I sat on were comfortable and made of the same material as the drapes.

She too sat down and looked out at the garden, but she turned and spoke to me for the first time, her hands gently in her lap. Her voice was calm and polite yet there was still the playfulness that I knew from the years passed.

I thank you for coming, I wasn't quite sure if you would get my letter or not, but obviously you have. You have been sleeping for a while, for almost a decade, but no matter you are awake and that is all that matters.'

I answered only too gratefully, taking to the same tone as she.

I am sorry I have slept for so long, I thought I needed a rest and I did not think that I would be resting for so long. I am glad I received your letter, it was an incentive to re-enter the world in all its glory.'

I was interrupted when another walked in, a man in his middle twenties. He wore a delightful suit of crimson suede yet there was an untidiness about him. He reminded me of Yuri, in his younger years, his hair a torment of hazel and dark eyes. I rose at once motioning to me, and we hugged briskly as men did at these times. He greeted me justly and we sat down.

It is brilliant to see you Halley, it has been too long.' He agreed with me and we began to talk of the past. Actually we talked for hours on the subject but it was good to replay the events. I think it warmed me, because I had been a part of something, something bigger than I would have ever known.

*AUTHOR NOTE: For the convo it will be minimal description, if I get time then I will add some but I am too eager to get to the end. I am very impatient!*

Why do you think that Albert stole Bacons name? I mean, Albert isn't that bad, so it's not the best name in the world.' Nina spoke.

I think it was that, Roger is probably the greatest alchemists of all time. He is a mastermind and he is one of the most generous people I am sure that you or I will ever meet. He has many a follower, because of the people that he has helped including lost souls. He has returned each if these mischievous spirits back to their bodies in hope that it would restore their sanity.' I answered (just for you Greyfriars)

That is true, maybe I should take you to visit him with me, ay, Nina. He would love it I'm sure. Now what are your plans Keith?

After I have left you I will visit Yuri and Alice, have you heard their great news?' They nodded and smiled cheerfully.

I cant believe they're having a baby, well I can but it's so wonderful! I got Yuri's letter just after I wrote yours. I really must go and see them, it must be 4 months old by now. Ohh how superb' Nina grinned joyfully. Halley gave her a worried look.

Don't you get any ideas.' He laughed shyly, and there the kid still showed in him. I'm scared of them as it is, let having one of our own.'

*AUTHOR NOTE- I decided to shorten it, I'm tired damn it (-_-) -z-z-z-z.*

We laughed together, it felt so natural, what had made me turn away from the joy that I had been experiencing in those hours? Or maybe it was that joy had turned its back on me, but I would never know and I was too busy enjoying myself to really notice these questions.

Someone came out onto the terrace and spoke to the couple. They took their leave of me and invited me to look around the gardens, if I wished to do so. I decided that I would. As I walked down the stone steps, I was in a magical garden, well the aura about it was definitely enchanting. I wandered these gardens that, were grand in excellence and size.

I went into a particular garden, it was full of roses and secluded from the rest of the grounds. It was resplendent in its making, wild yet tame, forgotten but tended to. I was amazed at the wondrous messages I was getting from this place, it was calm and tranquil. I would even say it was better than my own rose garden in its full glory, yet now it was neglected from its time to grow.

Something puzzled me, why hadn't Nina or Halley asked about Margarete? It must have been out of kindness and respect, they wouldn't pry into my affairs if I didn't offer them the information. I was quietly grateful for their discretion on the subject, though I felt I was almost lying to them. It hurt deep inside of me, like someone stabbing you from the inside, yet that could have been my thirst. I buried it deeper so I would forget about it

I walked about this garden in particular for a while, I soon found a pagoda it was covered in pink climbing roses that were so very charming in their own manner. It was then that I saw them there, the three elders, sitting quietly talking on matters such as the older generation talk about.

As I walked to the towards them, Koudelka noticed me, she was just as graceful as ever and had the same playful expression as Halley. Michelle looked overwhelmed at my presence and rose to great me, she embraced me much the same as her daughter had done. The other that was still sitting smiled at me, it was obvious that the years had caught up with the aged adept and his joints complained more often then usual.

They motioned me to sit down with them, and I accede to do the same. I stared at them, their years had increased but their appearances had not really changed that much. Yes they had matured but they still had the splendour of their youth, apart from the adept as he had lost his youth too long ago. We talked on the matters of what I had missed, the government, wars, countries, art and music.

Yes, it seems that I have missed too much. I wish I had not slept for so long. It was foolish of me.'

They looked at me sympathetically as if they knew what I was going through yet I think in a way they did understand, which contented me some what. Then came the question I had been avoiding from the time I had risen and come into this town. It was Michelle that asked the sought the question, though I knew that they all burned to ask me. She inquired tenderly and sensitively as not to upset me, if there was bad news but I think they knew that too.

I know all is not well with you.' She took hold of my pale hand and put it in her tanned one, and she continued. For you would have brought Margarete with you, no?' She looked at me tenderly and nodded for me to answer, but they already knew, it was too blatant for them not to decipher my foreboding. Slowly I answered, I would have to have told someone soon enough, if it were them or Yuri and Alice.

..She went and I never saw her again, I couldn't follow her because her thoughts told me she didn't want me to. Then I slept and the remainder you know.'

They gazed at me in the same way that I was feeling, and I was close to tears again. Though I kept my composure and accepted there condolences, I was breaking inside but I had been here long enough and I had outstayed my welcome and I took my leave of them.

They continued insisting that I stay longer, but when I told them of my plans to see Yuri and Alice and then to start my search of Margarete their appeals were lessened though they did not diminish completely. They seemed to understand how I must leave to find my beloved, but I was only to leave if Zhuzhen was to come with me. It was no matter to me, I would carry him if he slowed me down and at least I would have company. I agreed to these terms and we set out to say my sincere goodbyes to the others.

It pained me to leave them again, but to each one I gave my humble wishes for the future just in case I was not to see them again for a long while. I held each of the women with gentle embraces and innocent kisses and the others the brisk handshakes and hugs.

I went back to my mansion and sorted my belongings for the journey, I would not take much as there wasn't really that much to take. I would take my journal, a present for the child and a few belongings of Margarete, if I was ever to find her.

Zhuzhen was soon at my door and he had had the sensibility to have packed lightly, probably more lighter than me. He said that there wasn't really that much to take, a couple of pills for his joints and gifts for the family. At least we had one thing in common, we knew how to travel.

I told him of our transport, which in this case was me and at first he seemed terrified that I was to take him into the air and fly there. After I had told him it was quicker and that it was perfectly safe I was able to persuade him and I perceived that he was positively intoxicated with curiosity. We soon left the surroundings that we knew and we were heading straight for the essence of the new world; England.