Astra: *jumps on stage*
Shizuko: *skips on stage*
Both: We're bbbbaaaa-aaacck!
Yoda: Read, you must! Review also!
Astra and Shizuko: Now WHO can say no to Yoda? Better READ and REVIEW! Tanks!
Chapter Eleven
Mariemaia added fuel to the campfire in front of her. Not that she needed it, her wolves gave off plenty of body heat and she had heavy clothing on, but she didn't want her prisoners dying of pneumonia or anything like that. She didn't know if that was what mother wanted.
Well, adoptive mother, that is. Mariemaia loved the woman with all her heart, but lately, she didn't know what mother was up to. She had changed, at first very subtly, but now, she was like a completely different woman. No, no one knew what Lady Une was up to.
One of her wolves, Tala, whined in her sleep. Mariemaia looked at her four, and only, friends. Tala, Silverpath, Bladefang, and Tallulah. Tallulah was the fastest and had a slight blue sheen to her coat, that was why Mariemaia named her Tallulah, it meant running water. Silverpath was the traditional gray-silver coloring and the alpha-male because of his size and intelligence. Bladefang was the best fighter though and most apt to attack with out her commanding him to. Tala was the sweetest of the bunch, always acting the peacemaker.
Mariemaia yawned and leaned up against Tala, who only shifted slightly. The girl fingered the whistle hanging around her neck. She didn't really need it; her telepathy gave her a connection with her wolves that required no sounds or gestures.
Mariemaia sighed. She wished her mother were there to say goodnight.
*
Midii left the Icys and crept along a dim passageway in the fortress. Voices behind one door made her stop abruptly and press her ear to the small space between the door and the wall. "…another has arrived?"
"Yessir. She entered through the east gate and found prisoner cell number three. We let her leave, thinking she was home free. She has re-entered twice, mainly giving the prisoners rations. And discussing how to get them out…"
"And you have listened in on this plans?"
"Yes."
"Good. A prison break could be the perfect excuse. You're dismissed."
"Sir." Midii heard the clink of armor as the soldier saluted and walked towards the door. Darting silently back down the hall, she turned a corner and waited, trying to control her breathing. They knew she was here.
*
Wufei was stomping bad-temperedly behind his companions when a sudden blue glow obscured his view. The shock made him stumble and bang his shin on a low branch. Hilde had to suppress the urge to laugh when she saw him standing there, biting his lip against the not-so-nice words that were threatening to spill out, his face absolutely furious. "Onna! What is the meaning of this?!"
Hilde sighed. "I got captured. Charms make it difficult to perform magic in here. Do you have a plan, Commander?"
The others were gathering around Wufei as he talked to Hilde. He glanced at their faces and grimaced. "Not really."
*
"…Yes, I have quite a few questions."
Relena bowed her head. What does she want? I'm low in the ranks, could it have something to do with whatever it was the guys were trying to explain?
Relena listened as Une took a breath, presuming the commander was about to start her interrogation. But she didn't. Instead, she took another breath, this one raspy and short.
Relena lifted her head. Une had her hand tight against her chest and was breathing shallowly. Her hand moved to her head as she took at faltering step back and fell to her knees. Relena gasped herself when Une fell to her side, not moving.
For a moment, a startled Relena could do nothing but stare at the still figure. What in the…
Before she could finish her thought, Une shot up, resting her weight on her hands in front of her. Her had snapped up to where Relena stood.
"Relena?" she questioned. Then understanding filled her eyes. She jumped to her feet, pulling an iron key out of her jacket pocket. She tossed it to Relena. "Unchain yourself, quickly, I don't know how much time we have left."
Relena conceded with the order, completely aghast. Une had run to her desk and yanked out a drawer of files. Tossing papers in the air she finally found the few she was looking for. She shoved them into a folder and wrote something on the front.
Une looked at Relena. "You're going out of the country. You can't be here anymore."
What?
Une grabbed Relena's wrist and led her to the left corner. The woman placed her hand towards the middle of the wall and pushed. Relena watched as the wall slid in and to the side, revealing a tunnel.
Une looked at Relena. "Follow the tunnel. It'll lead you outside the compound. Find yourself a horse," Une placed the folder in Relena's hand, "There's a map. Get out of here; get out. Follow the map to Crisadale in Haval. You have friends there."
Une shoved Relena into the passage. Relena whirled around to see Une staring at her for a moment longer. She spoke, her eyes pleading and sorrowful, "Tell…tell his Lordship to take care of his own daughter, her protector is lost…"
The door closed. Relena furrowed her brow.
I don't know anyone in Haval.
*
Midii was safely back in the woods. How, she had no idea. She moved her camp despite the fact that if they were watching her; they would know where she moved.
All right. The guard says they know I've been in three times. Wait…no…I HAVEN'T been in three times…there's been five. The first time, one time to deliver rations, one attempted and failed visit to the dragon's pens, a second time to deliver rations and discuss escaping, a trip to their stores for my OWN rations, and this last time. They wouldn't want me to know that they knew I was there, and the guard only mentioned my visitations on the imprisoned Riders and Flyers. So what was different about the other two trips? Maybe they are only monitoring the cellblock? But if they could, why didn't they just monitor everything?
*
Ah, yes…strolling along a LOVELY mountain trail on a beautiful day…what could be better? Duo looked around him. Oh…I don't know…dropping the escort of four maniac wolves and an extremely STRANGE child?
Duo shrugged. I wish we had our mounts too, instead of them being left tied up at the cave. I hope Vlieger will be okay. Well…it isn't going to get any better. Might as well enjoy myself.
He began to hum a nameless tune.
He got louder…
And louder…
And…
The wolf on his left growled and snapped at him.
Duo was silenced, quickly.
Quatre grimaced. Those wolves could have come in handy if they weren't on the wrong side…
The whole group continued trudging up the mountain. Where, neither Quatre nor Duo knew.
*
Wufei, Trowa, Heero, and Dorothy stood around Hilde's com. orb. On the other side of the connection, Hilde and Catherine sat in a corner away from the door. All six of them stared at each other intently. Who was going to come up with the brilliant plan to save them all?
No one spoke.
For a very long time.
Until…
"Well…we could…"
"Maybe…"
"I suppose…"
"Perhaps…"
"If we're lucky…"
"If we wanted to just wing it…"
Silence.
*
Relena was running away from Crest Falls as fast as possible. She needed to get as far as she could before the sun rose. It would be hard to look for her, magic or not, without light. Once she made it past the plains immediately surrounding Crest Falls to the forest just beyond, she could hide there.
The trees were in view.
The sun was starting to break into the sky.
Relena picked up her pace.
*
Iria sat on the window seat, staring out over the woods and faint paths that crisscrossed below. She heaved a sigh, and an emerald-hued snake slithered up beside her. It shifted and became Rhea, who looked at her older sister with slight concern. "You're thinking about Quatre, aren't you?"
Iria nodded, still looking out the window. "He didn't say goodbye."
"It's not the first time it's happened. He does that when he needs to be somewhere fast. You know he loves us all no matter what."
Iria rubbed her hands up her arms and shivered slightly. "I know, I know. It's just that…well, it's more dangerous now. People and creatures alike are stirring; something's happening. Worst of all, I can't shake the feeling that something's happened to Quatre. I would have liked to say goodbye…before—"
"Don't talk like that!" put in Rhea sharply. Iria looked at her. "Sorry," said the younger. "It's just…it gives me the creeps when you say stuff like that. Quatre's fine; he'll make it back. You'll see."
Iria blinked a few times and turned her uncanny eyes to the window again. "Hn." There was silence for a while. "I saw him last night while I slept."
"And?"
"He was pale…and bloody. There were wolves. I tell you, something's happened, Rhea. I feel like I shouldn't be just sitting here."
Rhea looked a little confused. "So…"
"Maybe it's time we got involved. Everyone knows that a single shape-shifter is a force to be reckoned with, and, well, we've practically got a whole army here."
Rhea grinned. "Sounds good. I like your ideas!" Iria sighed as she watched her younger sister bound out the door in a jackal form, skidding and scratching up the polished wood floor in the process.
*
Hilde grimaced. "We've gotta think of something soon. I can't hold this orb too long."
"How's it going, Hilde? Any progress?" The soft voice floating through the orb made Trowa stiffen.
"Catherine?"
The chestnut-haired head poked into view. "Trowa!"
"Catherine, are you okay? What are you doing in prison?"
"I'm not sure… You're not hurt, are you?"
"No."
"Oh, good. I was worried."
Hilde gritted her teeth. Thankfully, Trowa and Catherine had no more catching up to do. "So…" started Heero, "what are we gonna do?"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Not again…"
Shizuko: *ahem*
Astra: *looks up from her book* Oh? They're done? Time for the explanation?
Shizuko: *nod*
Astra: K. You may notice that one pair of the wolfy names is very different from the other. That is because Shizuko named two in the section in chapter ten, and I named two in the section in this chapter. We both name characters VERY differently. Obviously. *shrug* We didn't fell like changing them to match, so there you go!
Shizuko: By the way, I named Silverpath and Bladefang…
Astra: And the lovely QUEEN of Hyperdom (namely me) named Tala and Tallulah. Both of which are "real" names. Tala is Native American.
Shizuko: Well then…
Astra: Tats it.
Shizuko: Keep reviewing please, thanks to those who have!
Astra: Some of you may note our reviews cover TWO whole pages now, lets work together and make it three? K?
Shizuko: Pls?
Audience: *melts under the stares of two powerful puppy dog eyes and reviews*
Astra and Shizuko: *grin*