I don't own the characters created by Tamora Pierce
=Morning=
The Master's eyes flashed open. Something was restricting him from gaining maximum power. He cursed lightly as he realized what was truly going on. He had only one choice to get him out of this situation. He was still powerful enough to kill them because of the dagger he held in his hands. Granted the second he used it, his shield would be gone…but that was a chance he had to take.
And, with a new member to his elite, he could take more of them down.
He turned to Cedric and the child. The child would no longer do. He had to get Cedric to turn into one of his minions. His hand slashed out, grabbing the young boy.
The Master felt the slight sting of the sword that the woman used. He frowned. It didn't hurt him so much as annoy him. He would do her in sooner or later.
He carefully placed the dagger along Cedric's throat.
"You'll do just fine."
Cedric's eyes grew wide with fear. He was still a young boy, but he knew when his life was in danger. Suddenly, a white glob of spit flew out of the boys lips and landed in the Master's face. The Master winced momentarily, feeling the ooze pour down his nose and onto his lip. The boy grinned at his victory.
The Master smirked as well. "Fine, child."
Slowly, the dagger began to slide closer onto the boys skin.
"Erif"
Light blossomed from her hand and pierced into the shield. It was strong enough to startle the Master and he dropped the boy onto the ground.
Cedric curled himself into a ball, protecting the child in his hands.
Kel turned around in time to see a girl, the assassin called Moonlight, standing at the doorway. She was panting like crazy and holding one of her arms to her chest. It looked as if it were turning into some sort of lizard.
"Cedric, get away."
Cedric, about to protest, was captured in the arms of a woman, the one called Daine. She was clothed, sort of, and was holding him to her chest. "We have to protect that child, don't we," she whispered into Cedric's ear.
Cedric blushed slightly and nodded. "Yes," he murmured and stood up.
Cedar waited until her brother was out of the room before she met the eyes of the Protector of the Small. "Kill him," Cedar murmured and lunged at the Master.
The Master swung his leg to make contact with Cedar's stomach. "Not good enough, witch," he spat at her.
=Flashback=
The mob of people surrounded Cedar and her young brother. The wall was their only protection at their backs. She held the sword in her hands, ready to kill another, if it meant the protection of herself and her brother.
Her hands shook violently, and the woman who led the mob saw her opportunity. "They are the ones who plague the lands with diseases! Don't let their face fool you. At night they will steal your children and eat them. That's what witches do."
Cedar didn't know why they had hated them so. She backed up, feeling her brother's hands on her back. She turned to look at him and smiled softly. "Close your eyes, Cedric. Everything will be alright, trust me."
Cedric nodded hesitantly and shut his eyes. He also squatted down and plugged his ears.
Cedar took a few steps forward, the sword shaking rather dangerously now. "Don't come near us. We'll leave if you let us. You won't see us again."
The old woman grinned as she stared into Cedar's eyes. She turned to her audience and cried out, "See how she lies. She just wants you all to fall into her trap!" The old woman grabbed a dagger on the nearby floor. She turned around and threw it in the direction of Cedric.
Cedar reacted quickly. She dropped her sword and ran to protect her brother. She could feel the blade of the dagger sink into her skin and she cried out in pain. She pulled the dagger out quickly and began to chant a healing spell.'
"Look at her now," the old woman cried once again. "She's now trying to cast a spell to hurt all of us! Are we just going to stand here and take it?"
Suddenly the crowed surged upon the two children. Anger and hatred lighting their faces. "YOU KILLED OUR CHILDREN, YOU KILLED OUR CROPS! YOU'RE DEMONS!"
"QUIET!" A voice yelled as fire flared out around the people. A man clothed in black robes stepped between the people and the children. He turned to Cedar and Cedric, a kind look lighting his face. They would later call him, the Master. "Do you wish to leave this animosity? This hatred? Join me," he whispered.
Cedar stared at his hand for a moment, before she put her small one into his. She nodded slightly, sealing their deal for all eternity.
=End Flashback=
Cedar felt the dragon within her start to take over. If she let that happen, she'd loose all control and lash out at everyone in her path, no matter who or what they were.
She shut her eyes, willing her human side to take over. "I…" she murmured as she used her legs to propel her from the ground. She leapt once again at the Master as Kel watched in horror. Their movements were far too fast for the naked eye.
The Master flailed once again, but Cedar dodged it. She dodged his arm and ducked beneath to stand in the empty space between his arms. She looked up at him and whispered, "You promised me a life without hatred and animosity only to bring me into more. You're hatred, your animosity toward other people. You are the reason that there is so much unhappiness, you hypocrite."
Cedar shut her eyes, calling forth the animal magic within her. She had to use it, just this once without her usual fear of it taking over.
Reptilian scales formed at her legs and spread toward her abdomen, but it remained unnoticed to her. She opened her eyes, her slit pupil eyes, and brought her hand above her head. She grabbed his hand, the one with the dagger in it, and pulled it toward her chest.
She could feel the blade slip through her body, feel the power draining her, hurting her. She could feel the tears stinging her eyes, and more importantly, the sadness in her soul lifting away. "I'm sorry, Cedric," she murmured as she caught sight of Kel. She nodded slowly, pulling the dagger further into her body. This was it.
Kel forced herself to move forward. She swung the sword in a large arc, cutting through the fabric of darkness, into the very center of the being, of the Master.
===
From near the border of the camp, Cedric stumbled and fell. He felt a pain in his stomach, something that he couldn't decipher. It was strong and hurt a lot. He turned around to look back at the Master's workroom, only to see light flooding into the place.
Daine was by his side, helping him up. She blinked a few times, as she realized her vision was clearing.
The first thing she saw was tears, from a young boy with golden hair…
===
Numair's spell was broken. He landed on his knees with a hard crash and stared at Alanna. He shook his head and whispered, "It's gone. It's like it just vanished."
Alanna nodded shakily and looked at the rest of the group who were healing the children as best as they could.
Akane, who was nearby and helping a small child, let her hair fall in front of her eyes. She wouldn't let anyone see her tears as she said, "She did it. She set us free."
===
As the light faded, Kel was greeted with the sight of nothing. Where Cedar and the Master had stood, there was nothing but shadows etched on the ground. She took a step forward and searched around. There was nothing except for papers on the ground that told of all the noble birthed with healing magic. Kel grabbed them and pocketed them, a frown etched onto her face.
=End Chapter=
Well there's one more! YEA~
