Disclaimer: I do not own the Rhapsody Trilogy, nor do I own Requium of the Sun. These all exclusively belong to Elizabeth Hayden. I do, however, own any and all rights to the characters that do not belong to Elizabeth Hayden, namely Isis. This is also my plotline.
Summery: Achmed has finally admitted defeat. When Rhapsody safely gave birth to her child, she would always have a piece of Ashe with her, regardless of whether he lived as a human or a dragon. If matters couldn't be made worse, a new person arrives at Ylorc, seeking his hospitality. Her name is Isis, and she isn't all that she seems. With the F'dor constantly hunting the Three, and a new prophesy, Isis brings with her not only happiness, but the threat of bloodshed as well.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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*~*
Achmed paced his throne room silently, cursing the slowness of the midwives. He knew that a process such as child labor has to be delt with delicately, but due to the nature of the child birth, he wouldn't have it done any other way except slowly and carefully. Especially because of the nature of the child birth. Despite the pain it would give to Rhapsody, Achmed couldn't quite quell the one part of him that wanted the baby not to survive. She would be devistated, but that was the only way Ashe would ever be truly gone from her life. If the child should live, there would be no room left in Rhapsody's heart for Achmed. At least, not more room than he already had. Achmed's thoughts were interrupted at the sound of heavy footsteps. The heartbeat told him that it was Gunthor.
"Well?" he asked, easily keeping the emotions that went through his head from flickering across his face.
"'er ladyship and 'er li'le one are jes fine sir. Ashe is with 'er now, so ye can come in if ye want." Gunthor looked closely at Achmed's face. Achmed had confided to him once that he was in love with Rhapsody, and he knew that even when Ashe inevitably turned into a dragon, a part of him would live on through the child.
"Well, I'm glad that Rhapsody and her child are alright, despite the child's father," he replied.
"Ye alrigh' there, sir?" asked Gunthor.
"I'm fine, Gunthor. Though I can't say the same for Ashe when I go inside to congradulate the new mother." Gunthor smirked as Achmed abruptly started on his way to the room where Rhapsody had given birth to her child. He didn't bother knocking, this was his kingdom and as king it was his right to go where he pleased, whether the Lord Cymerian liked it or not. Needless to say, when Achmed entered the room, the looks on Ashe's and Rhapsody's faces were different. Ashe glared at Achmed, while Rhapsody's eyes lit up in delight, and she called out to him.
"Achmed, come over here! I want you to see the new baby," she said, a proud smile on her face. With a smug look to Ashe, Achmed sauntered over to where Rhapsody lay, and looked her over. She seemed fine, if a bit tired. In her arms lay a screaming red skinned little brat.
"Did you decide on a name yet?" asked Achmed.
"No, we're still deciding. Isn't he beautiful?" asked Rhapsody. Achmed had never seen an uglier creature in his life, but he smiled.
"Charming, Rhapsody. Might I hope that as he matures his looks take your trend instead of the father's?" Rhapsody, considering the statement a joke, chuckled. Ashe simply glared at Achmed.
"Better my looks then yours, King Achmed," replied Ashe. Just then a Firbolg midwife came in, and shooed Achmed and Ashe out.
"Better listen to her, Ashe. We wouldn't want you to become the stew for the baby, would we?" smirked Achmed. Ashe rolled his eyes and ignoring Rhapsody's chuckle walked out of the room, Achmed at his side.
"Speaking of which, Achmed," Ashe said after a moment, "we haven't gotten the official documents from you saying that Ylorc is part of the Cymerian empire yet."
"You're right," Achmed agreed, "you haven't."
"So when can I expect them?"
"You haven't gotten them for a reason, Ashe. Ylorc has no need to join with the Cymerians. Instead, we wish to be like Sorbold and remain our own country. Of course, for the sake of peace, I will be meeting with Lady Rhapsody to as to renew the trade agreement with your empire, along with another peace treaty."
"But...this is Canrif. This is Cymerian architecture, built by Gwilliam himself!"
"And now it's Ylorc. Do not attempt to anger me into war, Lord Cymerian. It wouldn't be a good thing."
"You're right. I don't need your lands, Achmed. I've already got Rhapsody, why should I take all that is left away from you?" snapped Ashe. He turned and walked away, confident of his hit.
"I'm sorry, Tristan...oh, I'm sorry Ashe. Just listening to the two of you got me confused for a moment." Confident of his own hit, Achmed disappeared before Ashe could turn to respond to the insult.
*~*~*~*~*~*
It had been almost a year since that day. Gunthor was worried about Achmed. He had been getting quieter then usual. He knew it was because Achmed had finally given up on Rhapsody, but Achmed wouldn't confirm or deny anything.
"Really," snapped Rhapsody as she stormed her way into the room where Gunthor was reading a manuscript he'd found in the Library. The fire in the room flared up to a huge hight, masking her mood.
"Did ye have another row with 'is majesty?" asked Gunthor.
"Yes! The insufferable...I mention that it'd be a good idea for him to start selling Bolg weapons around to other countries, and he threatens to introduce the weapons to the throats of our soldiers. I don't know what Ashe said to him that day, but whatever it was has Achmed acting...UGH!" Rhapsody hit her fist in her hand.
"Oi think tha' Ashe owes 'is Majesty an apology. Oi also think tha' ye should stop buggin' 'is Majesty to cede Ylorc to yer alliance," Gunthor said, not too nicely.
Rhapsody looked at Gunthor, amazed. "But the Bolg are Cymerians too. They should be treated with the same respect that the rest of the Cymarians are."
"We 'ere are quite 'appy being our own country, Dutchess. Oi think yer fightin' a losin' battle 'ere. Oi'd say to quit while ye still have the alliance," he replied seriously. Rhapsody sat down for a moment and soaked in his words.
"You're right," she whispered. "We've been so stupid. I've got to go talk to Achmed. Thanks Gunthor." Rhapsody got up and gave Gunthor a hug.
"Don' mention it, Yer Ladyship. Jus' do me a favor an' make peace wit' 'is Majesty. It'd make my life happier," he said with a smile.
"I will, thanks Gunthor." With that, Rhapsody ran back in the direction she came, past all the guards and midwives, and back into Achmed's room. He wasn't there when she arrived, but she had a feeling that she knew where he was. Turning toward the concealed doorway in Achmed's chamber's wall, she ran through, and went right down to the cavern where the Sleeping Child slept. Sure enough, she found Achmed standing over her, talking to her softly.
"It was never meant for me," he whispered.
"Achmed?" she asked.
*~*~*~*~*
After Rhapsody stormed out of his chambers, an angry Achmed went down to the one place that held the one person he could adiquetly express his feelings to, the Sleeping Child. When he arrived, he gently brushed his lips up against her forhead.
"You're lucky to be sleeping," Achmed said to the child. "Up there...it's hard. Especially when you open up your heart and get it slammed shut." Achmed paused for a moment, and couldn't believe that he was doing this. No one was around though, so he supposed it was alright to talk to the child. It seemed right for some reason. "He'll never be gone now. She'll never be able to open up. I guess..." He sighed again. "I guess it was never meant for me."
"Achmed?" Achmed spun around, anger and embaressment flaring up. He managed to hide the embaressment, but didn't bother capping the anger. "What's never been meant for you?" Rhapsody asked as she stepped into the light.
"Apparently a moment to myself," Achmed snapped.
"Look...I want to apologize. I had no right to demand that you cede Ylorc to us. Having you as a trading partner and an ally is honor enough. I'm sorry." Achmed blinked as she said that, he was expecting a renewed assault.
"So long as you people stop bugging me about this, I accept your apology. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have matters of state to attend to." Achmed turned to leave, but Rhapsody put a hand on his shoulder.
"Friends?" she asked, clearly worried. Achmed smiled, despite himself.
"I told you I'd always be behind you, Rhapsody. I meant what I said." With that Achmed disappeared into the shadows to go back upstairs.
*~*~*~*~*
"WHERE IS THAT GIRL? AND THE DIAMOND?" a voice screamed. A woman winced, and pulled the bag with the diamond peices in it, along with the large diamond, closer to her body.
- Where can I go? - she thought to herself as she heard another roar. The mud that she had rubbed all over herself as a disguise itched, but she couldn't afford to scratch it off. If one bit of mud fell off before she could get out, get someplace where the F'dor didn't have a hold, she would be in trouble. Not only would she be in trouble, she would get tortured again. This time she wasn't sure if she'd be able to survive it.
"FIND HER!" the voice screamed. The woman scrambled over a ledge and fell down the mountain with a small cry of pain. Just then, there was a break in the clouds, one of the few that ever occured. In that brief bit of sky, she managed to make out a star. It's name was Ulia.
"Ulia! Guide me!" she called. The star brightened.
"SHE'S OVER THERE!" a voice screamed. From behind the woman, a man's voice called out, and what sounded like a good ten people started running at her.
"Ulia! Guide me to Ylorc!" she cried. The star's light brightened.
"Get her before she asks the star to guide her!" called the leader, but it was too late. The light brightened and the woman and her sack of diamonds disappeared.
"Did anyone hear where she was going?" asked one of the men who followed her.
"No...we didn't," replied another one.
"We're going to be in big trouble," muttered the leader.
*~*~*~*~*
Rhapsody was getting ready to leave Ylorc when a ray of starlight hit the ground in front of her. She sheilded her eyes until the light dissipated. When she was able to see again, where the beam of light once was lay a woman who looked like she was about Rhapsody's age. She was covered in mud, every bit from her hair to her clothes. Rhapsody bent down and the woman's eyes fluttered open for a moment. They were a bright green, similar to hers, except they had bits of gold and brown flecked in them. At the moment, they were glassed over.
"Achmed..." she whispered.
"Achmed? Why do you need Achmed?" asked Rhapsody.
"F'dor..." the woman whispered.
"F'dor?" Rhapsody asked, her blood running cold.
"F'dor...looking...The Brother..." the woman was trying to hang on to conciousness, it was obvious.
"What do you know about The Brother?" asked Rhapsody, worried. No one here was supposed to know that Achmed was The Brother, save herself and Gunthor.
"Achmed...is...The Brother...F'dor...knows...must...see...Achmed..." With that, the girl lost her grip on reality and fell into a full faint. Rhapsody's eyes widened. The woman had spoken the last part in the Bolg tounge, with a mix of ancient Seren. Rhapsody picked up the light form, along with her bag, and started running back towards the palace.
"GUNTHOR! GET ACHMED!" she screamed. Her screaming caused a commotion. Her two handmaidens that travelled everywhere with her ran towards her immedietly. "You three," Rhapsody ordered, pointing to the maidens and one of the Bolg who was in charge of keeping the front area clean, "take this woman and put her in the room next to mine. Draw her a bath, and tell me when she wakes up. Go!" The three nodded, and the Bolg picked the woman up delicately before running off to do Rhapsody's orders. Gunthor came bursting in as they left.
"Dutchess? Wha's wrong?" he asked. Achmed walked in soon after him.
"What's going on here? I thought you had to meet Ashe," said Achmed. Rhapsody looked him in the eye.
"I was leaving, when a beam of starlight touched the ground in front of me. It brightened, and then faded revealing a woman covered in mud. My guess is she used the star to travel. Whatever she did, it left her weak and barely concious. She said your name, Achmed. I asked her why she needed you, then she replied 'F'dor'. That made me get suspicious. Then she said...'F'dor...brother.' Eventually she was able to tell me that the F'dor know who you are, Achmed. And they're looking for you." Rhapsody watched Achmed, though he gave no outword reaction.
"Where is she?" asked Achmed.
"In a room near mine," replied Rhapsody.
"Was she bleeding at all?" Rhapsody thought for a minute before her eyes brightened.
"Yes! She had a small scrape on her back! I couldn't treat it because of all the mud, but it's there. I'll go get you some of that blood." With that, she ran down the hall to do as he'd asked. About a half hour later the Bolg came back and delivered Achmed a message along with a cloth soaked in blood.
"She's waking up."
*~*~*~*~*
The woman had to make this person understand. She needed to see Achmed...and everything went black. She didn't know how long she'd slept, but when she woke up she wasn't on the ground. She was in a bed, and sitting next to her was the woman she'd tried to get the message to.
"I'm glad to see you're awake. You've certainly caused a bit of a stir to this place," she said. "My name is Rhapsody. Might I ask what yours is?"
"Where am I?" the woman asked instead.
"You're in Ylorc, in King Achmed's palace," Rhapsody answered.
"I'm...I'm in Ylorc? I got here? Thank you Ulia," she said. Rhapsody recognized the star's name.
"Yes, well we have a bath for you...Miss..."
"Oh, I'm sorry Miss Rhapsody, I just needed to make sure I was in Ylorc so I can use my real name. My name is Isis." Isis stood up and streached a bit, causing some of the mud to flake off.
"Why couldn't you use your real name unless you're in Ylorc?" asked Rhapsody. Isis's eyes darkened.
"Then the F'dor would get my name. It was bad enough he had my star. My name is the last thing I want him to have. He called me Serena." Isis turned towards the bathroom. "Would you be able to help me out with that bath?" Rhapsody shook herself out of her reveree and got up to use her fire lore to heat up the tub.
"Sure," she said absently. Isis smiled.
"Thanks. I've got enough mud on me to fill a pond," Isis replied as she took off her mud soaked rags. Underneath she was covered in mud as well. Rhapsody couldn't help but stare. She didn't even have that much mud on her when she exited the Root all those years ago.
"How did you get that much mud all over you?" Rhapsody asked. "I haven't seen that much mud on someone...ever."
"I needed to disguise myself," Isis replied absently. She dipped her toe into the massive tub, and the water began to color brown.
"That much?" Rhapsody asked.
"You'll see when I get out," replied Isis.
"Oh, I took the liberty of having measurements taken of you when you were asleep. My hand maidens should be finished altering one of my old dresses for you to wear. King Achmed wants to see you immedietly." With that Rhapsody left the girl to her bathing. She returned a few minutes later and layed the dress, along with some undergarments, down on a chair inside.
"You can use the vanity and everything on it when you're finished," she called to the muddy woman, who was trying to clean herself with brown water.
"Thank you again," Isis replied. As soon as Rhapsody left she stepped out of the mucky tub and drained it, only to refill it with clean water.
It took a good hour, but finally Isis managed to get all the gunk out of her hair and off her body. Thrilled to be clean again, she quickly dressed in the dress that Rhapsody provided for her. It was a dark green dress with a long, full skirt. Rhapsody had been thoughtful enough to provide matching slippers. The light, silky fabric hugged her upper arms, and flared out slightly by the time they reached her wrists. The neckline was just low cut enough to hit at some of Isis's cleavage, but was by no means revealing. The dress hugged her perfectly until just above her hips, when the skirt loosely fell to the floor. Isis ran a brush through her long, dark blond hair, and found laying on the vanity some ribbon that matched the dress. She braided it into her hair, leaving a few tendrils to waft down over her face. She picked up the muddy bag, and took out of it several black silk bags. One she openned and took out a thin gold chain. Resting on the chain was a glowing peice of a star, carved in the shape of a teardrop. She merely grabbed the other two bags, and left the bathroom after making sure that the tub was clean. Rhapsody was plucking a few strings of a harp as she sat on the bed, awaiting Isis's appearence. When she finally walked out of the bathroom, she looked a bit shy. Rhapsody's eyes widened.
"Do I look alright?" Isis asked.
"You look beautiful. Come, lets go see Achmed." Rhapsody held out her hand in invitation, and led Isis to the throne room.
Summery: Achmed has finally admitted defeat. When Rhapsody safely gave birth to her child, she would always have a piece of Ashe with her, regardless of whether he lived as a human or a dragon. If matters couldn't be made worse, a new person arrives at Ylorc, seeking his hospitality. Her name is Isis, and she isn't all that she seems. With the F'dor constantly hunting the Three, and a new prophesy, Isis brings with her not only happiness, but the threat of bloodshed as well.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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*~*
Achmed paced his throne room silently, cursing the slowness of the midwives. He knew that a process such as child labor has to be delt with delicately, but due to the nature of the child birth, he wouldn't have it done any other way except slowly and carefully. Especially because of the nature of the child birth. Despite the pain it would give to Rhapsody, Achmed couldn't quite quell the one part of him that wanted the baby not to survive. She would be devistated, but that was the only way Ashe would ever be truly gone from her life. If the child should live, there would be no room left in Rhapsody's heart for Achmed. At least, not more room than he already had. Achmed's thoughts were interrupted at the sound of heavy footsteps. The heartbeat told him that it was Gunthor.
"Well?" he asked, easily keeping the emotions that went through his head from flickering across his face.
"'er ladyship and 'er li'le one are jes fine sir. Ashe is with 'er now, so ye can come in if ye want." Gunthor looked closely at Achmed's face. Achmed had confided to him once that he was in love with Rhapsody, and he knew that even when Ashe inevitably turned into a dragon, a part of him would live on through the child.
"Well, I'm glad that Rhapsody and her child are alright, despite the child's father," he replied.
"Ye alrigh' there, sir?" asked Gunthor.
"I'm fine, Gunthor. Though I can't say the same for Ashe when I go inside to congradulate the new mother." Gunthor smirked as Achmed abruptly started on his way to the room where Rhapsody had given birth to her child. He didn't bother knocking, this was his kingdom and as king it was his right to go where he pleased, whether the Lord Cymerian liked it or not. Needless to say, when Achmed entered the room, the looks on Ashe's and Rhapsody's faces were different. Ashe glared at Achmed, while Rhapsody's eyes lit up in delight, and she called out to him.
"Achmed, come over here! I want you to see the new baby," she said, a proud smile on her face. With a smug look to Ashe, Achmed sauntered over to where Rhapsody lay, and looked her over. She seemed fine, if a bit tired. In her arms lay a screaming red skinned little brat.
"Did you decide on a name yet?" asked Achmed.
"No, we're still deciding. Isn't he beautiful?" asked Rhapsody. Achmed had never seen an uglier creature in his life, but he smiled.
"Charming, Rhapsody. Might I hope that as he matures his looks take your trend instead of the father's?" Rhapsody, considering the statement a joke, chuckled. Ashe simply glared at Achmed.
"Better my looks then yours, King Achmed," replied Ashe. Just then a Firbolg midwife came in, and shooed Achmed and Ashe out.
"Better listen to her, Ashe. We wouldn't want you to become the stew for the baby, would we?" smirked Achmed. Ashe rolled his eyes and ignoring Rhapsody's chuckle walked out of the room, Achmed at his side.
"Speaking of which, Achmed," Ashe said after a moment, "we haven't gotten the official documents from you saying that Ylorc is part of the Cymerian empire yet."
"You're right," Achmed agreed, "you haven't."
"So when can I expect them?"
"You haven't gotten them for a reason, Ashe. Ylorc has no need to join with the Cymerians. Instead, we wish to be like Sorbold and remain our own country. Of course, for the sake of peace, I will be meeting with Lady Rhapsody to as to renew the trade agreement with your empire, along with another peace treaty."
"But...this is Canrif. This is Cymerian architecture, built by Gwilliam himself!"
"And now it's Ylorc. Do not attempt to anger me into war, Lord Cymerian. It wouldn't be a good thing."
"You're right. I don't need your lands, Achmed. I've already got Rhapsody, why should I take all that is left away from you?" snapped Ashe. He turned and walked away, confident of his hit.
"I'm sorry, Tristan...oh, I'm sorry Ashe. Just listening to the two of you got me confused for a moment." Confident of his own hit, Achmed disappeared before Ashe could turn to respond to the insult.
*~*~*~*~*~*
It had been almost a year since that day. Gunthor was worried about Achmed. He had been getting quieter then usual. He knew it was because Achmed had finally given up on Rhapsody, but Achmed wouldn't confirm or deny anything.
"Really," snapped Rhapsody as she stormed her way into the room where Gunthor was reading a manuscript he'd found in the Library. The fire in the room flared up to a huge hight, masking her mood.
"Did ye have another row with 'is majesty?" asked Gunthor.
"Yes! The insufferable...I mention that it'd be a good idea for him to start selling Bolg weapons around to other countries, and he threatens to introduce the weapons to the throats of our soldiers. I don't know what Ashe said to him that day, but whatever it was has Achmed acting...UGH!" Rhapsody hit her fist in her hand.
"Oi think tha' Ashe owes 'is Majesty an apology. Oi also think tha' ye should stop buggin' 'is Majesty to cede Ylorc to yer alliance," Gunthor said, not too nicely.
Rhapsody looked at Gunthor, amazed. "But the Bolg are Cymerians too. They should be treated with the same respect that the rest of the Cymarians are."
"We 'ere are quite 'appy being our own country, Dutchess. Oi think yer fightin' a losin' battle 'ere. Oi'd say to quit while ye still have the alliance," he replied seriously. Rhapsody sat down for a moment and soaked in his words.
"You're right," she whispered. "We've been so stupid. I've got to go talk to Achmed. Thanks Gunthor." Rhapsody got up and gave Gunthor a hug.
"Don' mention it, Yer Ladyship. Jus' do me a favor an' make peace wit' 'is Majesty. It'd make my life happier," he said with a smile.
"I will, thanks Gunthor." With that, Rhapsody ran back in the direction she came, past all the guards and midwives, and back into Achmed's room. He wasn't there when she arrived, but she had a feeling that she knew where he was. Turning toward the concealed doorway in Achmed's chamber's wall, she ran through, and went right down to the cavern where the Sleeping Child slept. Sure enough, she found Achmed standing over her, talking to her softly.
"It was never meant for me," he whispered.
"Achmed?" she asked.
*~*~*~*~*
After Rhapsody stormed out of his chambers, an angry Achmed went down to the one place that held the one person he could adiquetly express his feelings to, the Sleeping Child. When he arrived, he gently brushed his lips up against her forhead.
"You're lucky to be sleeping," Achmed said to the child. "Up there...it's hard. Especially when you open up your heart and get it slammed shut." Achmed paused for a moment, and couldn't believe that he was doing this. No one was around though, so he supposed it was alright to talk to the child. It seemed right for some reason. "He'll never be gone now. She'll never be able to open up. I guess..." He sighed again. "I guess it was never meant for me."
"Achmed?" Achmed spun around, anger and embaressment flaring up. He managed to hide the embaressment, but didn't bother capping the anger. "What's never been meant for you?" Rhapsody asked as she stepped into the light.
"Apparently a moment to myself," Achmed snapped.
"Look...I want to apologize. I had no right to demand that you cede Ylorc to us. Having you as a trading partner and an ally is honor enough. I'm sorry." Achmed blinked as she said that, he was expecting a renewed assault.
"So long as you people stop bugging me about this, I accept your apology. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have matters of state to attend to." Achmed turned to leave, but Rhapsody put a hand on his shoulder.
"Friends?" she asked, clearly worried. Achmed smiled, despite himself.
"I told you I'd always be behind you, Rhapsody. I meant what I said." With that Achmed disappeared into the shadows to go back upstairs.
*~*~*~*~*
"WHERE IS THAT GIRL? AND THE DIAMOND?" a voice screamed. A woman winced, and pulled the bag with the diamond peices in it, along with the large diamond, closer to her body.
- Where can I go? - she thought to herself as she heard another roar. The mud that she had rubbed all over herself as a disguise itched, but she couldn't afford to scratch it off. If one bit of mud fell off before she could get out, get someplace where the F'dor didn't have a hold, she would be in trouble. Not only would she be in trouble, she would get tortured again. This time she wasn't sure if she'd be able to survive it.
"FIND HER!" the voice screamed. The woman scrambled over a ledge and fell down the mountain with a small cry of pain. Just then, there was a break in the clouds, one of the few that ever occured. In that brief bit of sky, she managed to make out a star. It's name was Ulia.
"Ulia! Guide me!" she called. The star brightened.
"SHE'S OVER THERE!" a voice screamed. From behind the woman, a man's voice called out, and what sounded like a good ten people started running at her.
"Ulia! Guide me to Ylorc!" she cried. The star's light brightened.
"Get her before she asks the star to guide her!" called the leader, but it was too late. The light brightened and the woman and her sack of diamonds disappeared.
"Did anyone hear where she was going?" asked one of the men who followed her.
"No...we didn't," replied another one.
"We're going to be in big trouble," muttered the leader.
*~*~*~*~*
Rhapsody was getting ready to leave Ylorc when a ray of starlight hit the ground in front of her. She sheilded her eyes until the light dissipated. When she was able to see again, where the beam of light once was lay a woman who looked like she was about Rhapsody's age. She was covered in mud, every bit from her hair to her clothes. Rhapsody bent down and the woman's eyes fluttered open for a moment. They were a bright green, similar to hers, except they had bits of gold and brown flecked in them. At the moment, they were glassed over.
"Achmed..." she whispered.
"Achmed? Why do you need Achmed?" asked Rhapsody.
"F'dor..." the woman whispered.
"F'dor?" Rhapsody asked, her blood running cold.
"F'dor...looking...The Brother..." the woman was trying to hang on to conciousness, it was obvious.
"What do you know about The Brother?" asked Rhapsody, worried. No one here was supposed to know that Achmed was The Brother, save herself and Gunthor.
"Achmed...is...The Brother...F'dor...knows...must...see...Achmed..." With that, the girl lost her grip on reality and fell into a full faint. Rhapsody's eyes widened. The woman had spoken the last part in the Bolg tounge, with a mix of ancient Seren. Rhapsody picked up the light form, along with her bag, and started running back towards the palace.
"GUNTHOR! GET ACHMED!" she screamed. Her screaming caused a commotion. Her two handmaidens that travelled everywhere with her ran towards her immedietly. "You three," Rhapsody ordered, pointing to the maidens and one of the Bolg who was in charge of keeping the front area clean, "take this woman and put her in the room next to mine. Draw her a bath, and tell me when she wakes up. Go!" The three nodded, and the Bolg picked the woman up delicately before running off to do Rhapsody's orders. Gunthor came bursting in as they left.
"Dutchess? Wha's wrong?" he asked. Achmed walked in soon after him.
"What's going on here? I thought you had to meet Ashe," said Achmed. Rhapsody looked him in the eye.
"I was leaving, when a beam of starlight touched the ground in front of me. It brightened, and then faded revealing a woman covered in mud. My guess is she used the star to travel. Whatever she did, it left her weak and barely concious. She said your name, Achmed. I asked her why she needed you, then she replied 'F'dor'. That made me get suspicious. Then she said...'F'dor...brother.' Eventually she was able to tell me that the F'dor know who you are, Achmed. And they're looking for you." Rhapsody watched Achmed, though he gave no outword reaction.
"Where is she?" asked Achmed.
"In a room near mine," replied Rhapsody.
"Was she bleeding at all?" Rhapsody thought for a minute before her eyes brightened.
"Yes! She had a small scrape on her back! I couldn't treat it because of all the mud, but it's there. I'll go get you some of that blood." With that, she ran down the hall to do as he'd asked. About a half hour later the Bolg came back and delivered Achmed a message along with a cloth soaked in blood.
"She's waking up."
*~*~*~*~*
The woman had to make this person understand. She needed to see Achmed...and everything went black. She didn't know how long she'd slept, but when she woke up she wasn't on the ground. She was in a bed, and sitting next to her was the woman she'd tried to get the message to.
"I'm glad to see you're awake. You've certainly caused a bit of a stir to this place," she said. "My name is Rhapsody. Might I ask what yours is?"
"Where am I?" the woman asked instead.
"You're in Ylorc, in King Achmed's palace," Rhapsody answered.
"I'm...I'm in Ylorc? I got here? Thank you Ulia," she said. Rhapsody recognized the star's name.
"Yes, well we have a bath for you...Miss..."
"Oh, I'm sorry Miss Rhapsody, I just needed to make sure I was in Ylorc so I can use my real name. My name is Isis." Isis stood up and streached a bit, causing some of the mud to flake off.
"Why couldn't you use your real name unless you're in Ylorc?" asked Rhapsody. Isis's eyes darkened.
"Then the F'dor would get my name. It was bad enough he had my star. My name is the last thing I want him to have. He called me Serena." Isis turned towards the bathroom. "Would you be able to help me out with that bath?" Rhapsody shook herself out of her reveree and got up to use her fire lore to heat up the tub.
"Sure," she said absently. Isis smiled.
"Thanks. I've got enough mud on me to fill a pond," Isis replied as she took off her mud soaked rags. Underneath she was covered in mud as well. Rhapsody couldn't help but stare. She didn't even have that much mud on her when she exited the Root all those years ago.
"How did you get that much mud all over you?" Rhapsody asked. "I haven't seen that much mud on someone...ever."
"I needed to disguise myself," Isis replied absently. She dipped her toe into the massive tub, and the water began to color brown.
"That much?" Rhapsody asked.
"You'll see when I get out," replied Isis.
"Oh, I took the liberty of having measurements taken of you when you were asleep. My hand maidens should be finished altering one of my old dresses for you to wear. King Achmed wants to see you immedietly." With that Rhapsody left the girl to her bathing. She returned a few minutes later and layed the dress, along with some undergarments, down on a chair inside.
"You can use the vanity and everything on it when you're finished," she called to the muddy woman, who was trying to clean herself with brown water.
"Thank you again," Isis replied. As soon as Rhapsody left she stepped out of the mucky tub and drained it, only to refill it with clean water.
It took a good hour, but finally Isis managed to get all the gunk out of her hair and off her body. Thrilled to be clean again, she quickly dressed in the dress that Rhapsody provided for her. It was a dark green dress with a long, full skirt. Rhapsody had been thoughtful enough to provide matching slippers. The light, silky fabric hugged her upper arms, and flared out slightly by the time they reached her wrists. The neckline was just low cut enough to hit at some of Isis's cleavage, but was by no means revealing. The dress hugged her perfectly until just above her hips, when the skirt loosely fell to the floor. Isis ran a brush through her long, dark blond hair, and found laying on the vanity some ribbon that matched the dress. She braided it into her hair, leaving a few tendrils to waft down over her face. She picked up the muddy bag, and took out of it several black silk bags. One she openned and took out a thin gold chain. Resting on the chain was a glowing peice of a star, carved in the shape of a teardrop. She merely grabbed the other two bags, and left the bathroom after making sure that the tub was clean. Rhapsody was plucking a few strings of a harp as she sat on the bed, awaiting Isis's appearence. When she finally walked out of the bathroom, she looked a bit shy. Rhapsody's eyes widened.
"Do I look alright?" Isis asked.
"You look beautiful. Come, lets go see Achmed." Rhapsody held out her hand in invitation, and led Isis to the throne room.