Disclaimer: I do not own the Rhapsody Trilogy, nor do I own Requium of the Sun. These all exclusively belong to Elizabeth Haydon. 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.
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A/N: I'm going to put this stuff on top, since it's easier for me that way. If people don't want to read it, they don't have to. I was honestly thrilled to see two reviews up here. I was worried because there's now a total of three Rhapsody fan fics. Just so people know, this is based around Achmed, not Rhapsody (in case people couldn't tell). Elizabeth Hayden does enough with Rhapsody for herself and fan fic writers alike. And I'm one of the many Achmed lovers out there. This has been bugging me, so I decided to write it.
quinda - You're right. I rechecked my books, and I honestly can't believe I've been calling Grunthor Gunthor. I feel dumb now, I've read all Four of the current Rhapsody books, and an excerpt from the newest one Elegy for a Lost Star (I can't wait until February now.) and I never noticed. Thank you SO much for pointing that out to me. As for the way Achmed acts, some of that was intentional, some of it wasn't. I wanted to provide an insight into Achmed's mind, but I hate writing interior monologues like that for some reason (don't ask) so I had him talk to the Sleeping Child. As for the child, Achmed didn't ever want to act on it's being dead. At first they didn't know if the child would live, so Achmed was weighing the pros and cons. The second part showed that Gunthor/Grunthor had figured out the same thing, and was worried about his friend. And the little part about stew was to imply that Achmed would feed Ashe to his baby, not the other way around. Just wanted to clear all that up, since my writing was a bit vague. :) Thanks for the review though, I absoltely love getting reviews that are critiques as well.
Rhapsody's Song - I also love encouragement, I'm glad you like this.
And now, back to the story for Chapter Two: Isis
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Achmed was sitting on his throne impatiently. He wanted Rhapsody to hurry up with this woman. The fact that she knew of The Brother implied that she was in fact from the old world. The fact that she knew he was in fact The Brother was disturbing, especially since she mentioned a F'dor.
"Where is she? Rhapsody was told that she was awake an hour and a half ago," he muttered aloud.
"She's pro'ally bathin' or somethin'," Grunthor said easily. "Ye've been checkin' her hear'beat, righ'?"
"Of course I have been," Achmed replied. Finally Rhapsody's beat started to move closer to them. "There, she's finally coming."
"Y'alrite sir?" asked Grunthor.
"Of course, Grunthor. Just overly suspicious." Achmed settled back in his throne and stared at the door. When it openned, Rhapsody stuck her head inside to make sure Achmed and Grunthor were both there. Achmed merely raised an eyebrow, and Rhapsody walked in all the way.
"Might I present the Lady Isis," she said, and turned to show her in with her arm.
"I am not, nor have I ever been, any form of nobility." A clear voice spoke out in the Bolg tounge. A woman, Isis her name was, entered the room after saying that. Achmed didn't betray any outword reaction to her appearence, but that glance was enough to tell him that the only way she could be a carrier of the Bolg was willingly. Her skin was touched with an undertone of gold, and seemed to give off a soft glow of it's own. In her eyes before she knelt in an elegent curtsy Achmed could easily tell that she was a strong person. Around her neck though was a peice of a star. He didn't know which one it was, but by the way Rhapsody's eyes were glued to it, he thought she did. He made a note to ask her about it later. If she was a F'dor, she wouldn't be able to be wearing that. Ether was much stronger than Fire, as it was the first element, therefore a F'dor would be unable to wear it. Isis silently looked up at Achmed, and he made a signal with his hand for her to rise. She did so, but Achmed didn't speak to her. Instead, his first question was to Rhapsody.
"You've spoken with her?" Rhapsody nodded. "And does she speak the truth?" Rhapsody turned her eyes back to Isis. She was weighing her, not as the Lady Cymerian, but instead as a Namer. After a few seconds, she spoke.
"There was truth in every word," she said with a smile. Achmed nodded and turned his attention to the woman.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Which, my true name, or the one that the F'dor believes is mine?" she asked.
"Both."
"My name, my true name that is, is Isis. The F'dor knows me by Serena. He tried to get my true name, but he gave up eventually. He didn't think he needed it." Isis's eyes flashed with a bit of hatred at the mention of the F'dor. Achmed had another question though.
"If he didn't hold your name, how did he force you to do his bidding?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"He held my star. This star that is around my neck. A peice of Seren. Unfortionatley for him, his plan held one flaw. Unlike a name, which he usually holds his underlings by, I could steal back my star. Which is exactly what I did." Isis raised her chin defiantly.
"Seren..." Rhapsody whispered, staring at the star with a look of longing and awe on her face. Isis didn't seem to notice though, her eyes were locked on the Firbolg king.
"And what made you decide to come to my lands when you were free?" Achmed stared right at her. Many men have quailed under that look, he counted on it sometimes. Isis however was different. She not only took the look, but managed to give an equally piercing look back at him.
"I came here for a few reasons, Achmed the Snake, King of Ylorc, assassin who was once named The Brother, former servent of a F'dor. First this is the one place that has the least likely chance of being infested with the demons. I came here because I thought that there would be a chance that you would have a place for me to stay, seeing as you identify with my plight better then anyone. No one else has been forced, totally against their will, to submit to a disgusting demon's whims. Not only a demon, but a demon who's strength did not match yours. Yet this demon held something vital to your existance so you were forced to do what he asked, fighting back the urge to kill yourself. Because even in death the torture would not end. All you could do is serve him and wait. Wait for an oppertunity to run and hide. You were the only other who was known that has done what I have. Others have slipped out of the F'dors' grasps, but were killed. You are the only one who lives, other than myself. And I have one more reason that I must warn you." Isis didn't move her gaze from Achmed.
Achmed was staring back at her, but part of him was unwillingly drawn back into the days when he had played servant to the F'dor. The anger, the loathing, and in a deeper sense the fear. Achmed remained that way for a moment, and he saw a bit of a change in Isis's eyes. Was it sympathy? Understanding? - Actually, - Achmed speculated, - it looks like a mixture of both. -
"And for the final reason, I've come to warn you, Achmed. The F'dor knows who you are. He knows you escaped." Isis's eyes changed slightly. It could've been the light, Achmed didn't know, but he couldn't be certain. "F'dor don't like it when their puppets escape their strings. He knows who you are. He knows where you are. And he wants you dead."
Grunthor looked back and forth between Isis and Achmed. Their gazes were locked in mutual understanding.
"Oi think the miss should stay 'ere with us," he said, breaking the silence of the room. "Oi think tha' we shoul' keep 'er with us while we figure out wha' to do."
"He isn't strong enough to take Ylorc right now," Isis said, turning her gaze to Grunthor. Being used to it from Achmed, he didn't flinch or anything. "Besides, I'm a more immediate concern. And he doesn't know where I am. Only you three have seen me without the mud, and only Ulia has heard where I said I was going to go. I can't imagine that it would take too long for him to put two and two together though."
"Besides, she has no place to go, and not even proper clothes. The maids threw out those old rags, so what she has now is all she owns...oh yes, other then those silk bags she has with her. Achmed looked in her hand, and saw that indeed she had two bags.
"What's in the bags?" he asked.
"Achmed, is that really that important?" asked Rhapsody.
"Yes, it is." Achmed and Isis spoke at the same time, and immedietly stared at each other. Isis was the first to shake out of her shock, and made a motion to show that she wanted to walk over to Achmed.
"May I?" she asked. Achmed merely nodded. She walked over and took one of his hands. As he was just in Ylorc, it was currently ungloved. Achmed stared at Isis, looking for the flicker of disgust or fear that his veined hand usually caused people to have, but she didn't show anything like that. She didn't show any reaction. She picked up the smaller of the bags, and overturned it in Achmed's hand. A bunch of tiny shards of diamond fell out into it. Isis poured it in such a way to make sure that not a single peice fell to the floor. "This is the diamond that imprisoned this F'dor once. I didn't know if it could be of use, but he hoarded it for some reason. I was expected to attend to it, he wouldn't touch it." Isis openned up the bag again, and Achmed dumped the diamond shards back into the bag. Isis closed it and handed it to him.
"This may help, I'm not sure," he said. "What's in the other bag?" Isis smiled and openned it.
"This I'm sure you will find to be more useful," she said. Achmed openned his hand again, and she placed the bag in it. He put his other hand in the bag, and grabbed what was in there. Whatever it was, it was big. He had a suspicioun as to what it was when he felt the size of it, but when he took it out he couldn't help but smile.
"Tha's huge," Grunthor breathed.
"It's at least as big as the one that the Lirin had. It might be bigger." Rhapsody said.
"He had me guarding that one too," Isis said. "I thought it might be important, so I took it with me."
"I think he just wanted to make sure no one else could get it," Achmed mused. "A F'dor would have no use for the diamond. As for the shattered remains, he probably kept that because he was trapped in the diamond, and to him this was a trophy."
"Achmed, it's almost mid day here," Rhapsody said. "I think it's about time you got us some horses and came with us to Bethe Corbair. We have some shopping to do." Rhapsody had a special gleam in her eye when she said that, one that Achmed immediately recognized as a look of a woman who's about to go shopping. "The people here are good with clothes, so we'll get you a few ready made things, and I've already got my seamstresses that came with me here making you more clothes."
"One question," Achmed said dryly. "How is this getting paid for?"
"Why, Achmed, you should provide for your honored guests without question," Rhapsody said with a mischevous gleem in her eyes.
"Ah, yes. And how much is this going to drain from my coffers?" he asked.
"As much as it's needed," Rhapsody stated, cutting off any protests that Isis might have.
"Lovely," Achmed said sarcastically. "I think I'm going to come with you, if only to keep you from leaving my kingdom bankrupt. First I'm going to put these in a safe place." Achmed rose, and left the room. "I'll be back soon."
"I don't need much for clothes," protested Isis. Rhapsody shook her head.
"Nonsense. You're getting the best we can give you." Isis couldn't help rolling her eyes a bit. She never did like the grandest of clothing and other amnities.
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Achmed checked to make sure that Isis wasn't following him. When he was sure, he moved to hide the diamonds. He entered his chamber and stuffed the silk bags with some bits of stone, taken from the tunnel to the Sleeping Child. He then took the diamonds and hid them in a box full of jewlery that Rhapsody insisted that he keep. It was basic treasures that other kingdoms had sent him, and the only reason he agreed to keep the treasures was because otherwise she might actually run him bankrupt. As for the other diamonds, he put them in another bag, and placed that at his hip. He wasn't sure what he would do with them, but he had a few ideas. For now though, it'd be best if he could keep it with him. After he was satisfied, he took some coinage out of his personal stash, and made a stop at the treasury to take some more money. He intercepted a guard on the way back to the throne room and had him go to the stables to ready horses for the three of them. The guard saluted and ran to do the king's bidding. When Achmed arrived back in the throne room, he didn't make his presence immedietly known at first. Rhapsody and Grunthor looked like they were debating. Isis was walking around the room observing everything. Achmed watched this new person who came to his kingdom. He hadn't seen anyone in this world that could rival Rhapsody's beauty until now. Her hair looked like dark honey, and in a braid it fell to the middle of her back. Her figure was as exquisite as Rhapsody's, yet different. Her skin drew the eye, and the faint glow it gave off wasn't unappealing. In fact, it was the exact opposite. Her eyes were green, just like Rhapsody's, yet they were different. He saw flecks of gold and brown in them as well. She was obviously not a human...but what was she? He made a note to ask her about her lineage at a later time. For the moment though, he thought he caught a small smirk on her face. Shaking his head, he stepped from the shadows and made his presence known.
"I took the liberty of finding a guard to prepare our mounts for us. We should be back within a few days," he said. Rhapsody and Grunthor looked up and nodded. Isis nodded as well, but she'd already been looking in that general direction.
"Let's go then! Grunthor, we'll be back soon," Rhapsody promised.
"So yer gonna be stayin' yer ladyship?" asked Grunthor hopefully. Rhapsody smiled.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss this for anything."
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"So, you couldn't find her?" The head of the soldiers who had gone off to find Serena shook his head.
"No."
"Is anything else missing, other then Serena and her peice of Seren?" the person hissed.
"Yes, your majesty. The diamonds she tended."
"Including the shattered remains of MY diamond?" the voice of the F'dor demanded.
"Yes your majesty."
The scream of fury that was given forth could be heard for about a mile around.
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Rhapsody dragged Isis around Bethe Corbair buying dresses, accessories, face paints, perfumes, jewlery boxes, anything and everying she could get her hands on. The look on Isis's face amused Achmed. It looked like a cross between shock, gratitude, and irritation. Isis made sure that the first thing that was bought was a few cloaks for different weather. She immedietly put a light one on when she got it, and pulled the hood up so it covered her face. Rhapsody was surprised and tried to object. Achmed pulled the Namer aside, and whispered in her ear.
"Rhapsody, let her be. In case you haven't noticed, she doesn't want to attract attention to herself, so let her do as she wishes." Rhapsody looked at Achmed and sighed.
"Great. We have someone as paranoid as you on our hands."
After another hour, the gratitude was fading from Isis's face, or at least the few glimpses of it Achmed could see. He could see why. Rhapsody had already bought her enough dresses so she could wear a different one, with a different pair of shoes and jewlery for every day of two weeks. Achmed was lucky that he'd gotten so much money in, this was going to cost him.
"Rhapsody, don't you have to send an avian message to Ashe?" Achmed finally asked.
"Oh, you're right, I do. But we haven't finished shopping yet for Isis," she said, obviously torn.
"I'm sure Achmed and I can finish this up," Isis said quickly, "How about...if we meet you for lunch?"
"Alright. Don't let him be too cheap on you though," Rhapsody warned. She waved goodbye and began to make her way to the post office with the avian messengers.
"Thank you so much for that," Isis said as soon as Rhapsody was out of hearing.
"You're welcome. Is there something you don't like about her?" asked Achmed neutrally.
"No, no, she's lovely. I just don't like being dressed like a doll. I'm not one for all this...finery." Isis guestured towards the pile of dresses that was laying on a horse behind them. Achmed snickered to himself.
"Might I make a suggestion for a shop?" he asked.
"Please, do," Isis replied. Achmed turned away from the streets with the nobles all over them, and started heading down towards the streets where the simpler folk were shopping. Eventually they found a small shop with some simple clothes and robes displayed in the window.
"Will this do?" he asked.
"This will do nicely, thank you." Isis went inside, and immedietly found exactly what she wanted. Normal looking trousers, shirts, boots, and stockings. They were made of stout wool, and were a brown that went nicely with her hair. She got some outfits based around dark green as well, not only did they match her eyes, but they were very nice for blending into places. When she was finished, she begged use of the changing room.
"Do you need to try things on?" asked Achmed, who was waiting as she had gotten fitted.
"No, I just need to get changed out of this dress before it drives me crazy," Isis admitted. She started to walk into the changing room, but turned back at the last second. "And no peeking inside, your majesty." With that she closed the curtain, so she didn't see Achmed's smile. It didn't take her long to change, and when she came out she was wearing the boots, a pair of the green pants, a white shirt, and a dark green cloak. She left the braid in her hair, but she seemed to be more comfortable in her civilian clothes. The clothes did not serve to diminish her beauty, however, it only served to enhance it.
"You can call me Achmed you know," Achmed said as he paid for all of this. Everything she had chosen from this store cost less than the cheapest dress that Rhapsody had bought her.
"Hm?" Isis wasn't paying attention, she was busy adjusting her cloak's hood so it covered her entire face.
"Instead of Your Majesty."
"Oh...alright. And you can just call me Isis. I don't want to hear any of the Lady crap in front of my name," she replied. Achmed hid another smile, and looked her in the eye.
"Shall we meet Rhapsody for lunch?" he asked.
"On one condition," Isis replied, now satisfied with her outfit. Achmed looked it over, and bought her some gloves to match the brown and the green. Then she'd be able to disappear easily.
"You might want these for your hands, especially if your skin glows. And what's your condition?" he handed her the gloves.
"No one orders mutton. Even the smell of it makes me sick," she replied. "And thanks. I just didn't want to spend that much." She put the green gloves on, and was now satisfied. She could easily fade into the background.
"You won't have to worry about mutton with me," Achmed said with a snicker. "And don't worry about the money. If I need it, I'll just return one of your dresses." Isis laughed softly, and Achmed led her out of the store and into the busy streets. As the crowd became larger, Achmed suddenly felt a hand on his arm. Whipping around and pulling out a daggar, he saw that it was just Isis.
"Do you mind if I keep a hold on your arm?" she asked. "I don't want to get lost in an unfamiliar place."
"You've never been here?" he asked.
"No, I came from the same area as you, but let's not keep Rhapsody waiting," she said. Achmed nodded. They would discuss this later.
"Getting lost wouldn't be a good thing. I'm sure Rhapsody would never forgive me," he replied.
"Yes, but if I did get lost, your coffers would be refilled," she responded.
"That's true. Do you want to tempt me to lose you on purpose?" In an immediete response, Isis's grip tightened on his arm. Achmed took his other hand and took her free hand. "This would be easier," he said.
"Yes, and less attracting," Isis agreed. "Any passers by would just assume that we're lovers." Achmed snorted at her last comment, and led her over to the pub that he and Rhapsody had eaten at the previous two times they were in town.
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To be continued later. I've gotta go.
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A/N: I'm going to put this stuff on top, since it's easier for me that way. If people don't want to read it, they don't have to. I was honestly thrilled to see two reviews up here. I was worried because there's now a total of three Rhapsody fan fics. Just so people know, this is based around Achmed, not Rhapsody (in case people couldn't tell). Elizabeth Hayden does enough with Rhapsody for herself and fan fic writers alike. And I'm one of the many Achmed lovers out there. This has been bugging me, so I decided to write it.
quinda - You're right. I rechecked my books, and I honestly can't believe I've been calling Grunthor Gunthor. I feel dumb now, I've read all Four of the current Rhapsody books, and an excerpt from the newest one Elegy for a Lost Star (I can't wait until February now.) and I never noticed. Thank you SO much for pointing that out to me. As for the way Achmed acts, some of that was intentional, some of it wasn't. I wanted to provide an insight into Achmed's mind, but I hate writing interior monologues like that for some reason (don't ask) so I had him talk to the Sleeping Child. As for the child, Achmed didn't ever want to act on it's being dead. At first they didn't know if the child would live, so Achmed was weighing the pros and cons. The second part showed that Gunthor/Grunthor had figured out the same thing, and was worried about his friend. And the little part about stew was to imply that Achmed would feed Ashe to his baby, not the other way around. Just wanted to clear all that up, since my writing was a bit vague. :) Thanks for the review though, I absoltely love getting reviews that are critiques as well.
Rhapsody's Song - I also love encouragement, I'm glad you like this.
And now, back to the story for Chapter Two: Isis
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Achmed was sitting on his throne impatiently. He wanted Rhapsody to hurry up with this woman. The fact that she knew of The Brother implied that she was in fact from the old world. The fact that she knew he was in fact The Brother was disturbing, especially since she mentioned a F'dor.
"Where is she? Rhapsody was told that she was awake an hour and a half ago," he muttered aloud.
"She's pro'ally bathin' or somethin'," Grunthor said easily. "Ye've been checkin' her hear'beat, righ'?"
"Of course I have been," Achmed replied. Finally Rhapsody's beat started to move closer to them. "There, she's finally coming."
"Y'alrite sir?" asked Grunthor.
"Of course, Grunthor. Just overly suspicious." Achmed settled back in his throne and stared at the door. When it openned, Rhapsody stuck her head inside to make sure Achmed and Grunthor were both there. Achmed merely raised an eyebrow, and Rhapsody walked in all the way.
"Might I present the Lady Isis," she said, and turned to show her in with her arm.
"I am not, nor have I ever been, any form of nobility." A clear voice spoke out in the Bolg tounge. A woman, Isis her name was, entered the room after saying that. Achmed didn't betray any outword reaction to her appearence, but that glance was enough to tell him that the only way she could be a carrier of the Bolg was willingly. Her skin was touched with an undertone of gold, and seemed to give off a soft glow of it's own. In her eyes before she knelt in an elegent curtsy Achmed could easily tell that she was a strong person. Around her neck though was a peice of a star. He didn't know which one it was, but by the way Rhapsody's eyes were glued to it, he thought she did. He made a note to ask her about it later. If she was a F'dor, she wouldn't be able to be wearing that. Ether was much stronger than Fire, as it was the first element, therefore a F'dor would be unable to wear it. Isis silently looked up at Achmed, and he made a signal with his hand for her to rise. She did so, but Achmed didn't speak to her. Instead, his first question was to Rhapsody.
"You've spoken with her?" Rhapsody nodded. "And does she speak the truth?" Rhapsody turned her eyes back to Isis. She was weighing her, not as the Lady Cymerian, but instead as a Namer. After a few seconds, she spoke.
"There was truth in every word," she said with a smile. Achmed nodded and turned his attention to the woman.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Which, my true name, or the one that the F'dor believes is mine?" she asked.
"Both."
"My name, my true name that is, is Isis. The F'dor knows me by Serena. He tried to get my true name, but he gave up eventually. He didn't think he needed it." Isis's eyes flashed with a bit of hatred at the mention of the F'dor. Achmed had another question though.
"If he didn't hold your name, how did he force you to do his bidding?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"He held my star. This star that is around my neck. A peice of Seren. Unfortionatley for him, his plan held one flaw. Unlike a name, which he usually holds his underlings by, I could steal back my star. Which is exactly what I did." Isis raised her chin defiantly.
"Seren..." Rhapsody whispered, staring at the star with a look of longing and awe on her face. Isis didn't seem to notice though, her eyes were locked on the Firbolg king.
"And what made you decide to come to my lands when you were free?" Achmed stared right at her. Many men have quailed under that look, he counted on it sometimes. Isis however was different. She not only took the look, but managed to give an equally piercing look back at him.
"I came here for a few reasons, Achmed the Snake, King of Ylorc, assassin who was once named The Brother, former servent of a F'dor. First this is the one place that has the least likely chance of being infested with the demons. I came here because I thought that there would be a chance that you would have a place for me to stay, seeing as you identify with my plight better then anyone. No one else has been forced, totally against their will, to submit to a disgusting demon's whims. Not only a demon, but a demon who's strength did not match yours. Yet this demon held something vital to your existance so you were forced to do what he asked, fighting back the urge to kill yourself. Because even in death the torture would not end. All you could do is serve him and wait. Wait for an oppertunity to run and hide. You were the only other who was known that has done what I have. Others have slipped out of the F'dors' grasps, but were killed. You are the only one who lives, other than myself. And I have one more reason that I must warn you." Isis didn't move her gaze from Achmed.
Achmed was staring back at her, but part of him was unwillingly drawn back into the days when he had played servant to the F'dor. The anger, the loathing, and in a deeper sense the fear. Achmed remained that way for a moment, and he saw a bit of a change in Isis's eyes. Was it sympathy? Understanding? - Actually, - Achmed speculated, - it looks like a mixture of both. -
"And for the final reason, I've come to warn you, Achmed. The F'dor knows who you are. He knows you escaped." Isis's eyes changed slightly. It could've been the light, Achmed didn't know, but he couldn't be certain. "F'dor don't like it when their puppets escape their strings. He knows who you are. He knows where you are. And he wants you dead."
Grunthor looked back and forth between Isis and Achmed. Their gazes were locked in mutual understanding.
"Oi think the miss should stay 'ere with us," he said, breaking the silence of the room. "Oi think tha' we shoul' keep 'er with us while we figure out wha' to do."
"He isn't strong enough to take Ylorc right now," Isis said, turning her gaze to Grunthor. Being used to it from Achmed, he didn't flinch or anything. "Besides, I'm a more immediate concern. And he doesn't know where I am. Only you three have seen me without the mud, and only Ulia has heard where I said I was going to go. I can't imagine that it would take too long for him to put two and two together though."
"Besides, she has no place to go, and not even proper clothes. The maids threw out those old rags, so what she has now is all she owns...oh yes, other then those silk bags she has with her. Achmed looked in her hand, and saw that indeed she had two bags.
"What's in the bags?" he asked.
"Achmed, is that really that important?" asked Rhapsody.
"Yes, it is." Achmed and Isis spoke at the same time, and immedietly stared at each other. Isis was the first to shake out of her shock, and made a motion to show that she wanted to walk over to Achmed.
"May I?" she asked. Achmed merely nodded. She walked over and took one of his hands. As he was just in Ylorc, it was currently ungloved. Achmed stared at Isis, looking for the flicker of disgust or fear that his veined hand usually caused people to have, but she didn't show anything like that. She didn't show any reaction. She picked up the smaller of the bags, and overturned it in Achmed's hand. A bunch of tiny shards of diamond fell out into it. Isis poured it in such a way to make sure that not a single peice fell to the floor. "This is the diamond that imprisoned this F'dor once. I didn't know if it could be of use, but he hoarded it for some reason. I was expected to attend to it, he wouldn't touch it." Isis openned up the bag again, and Achmed dumped the diamond shards back into the bag. Isis closed it and handed it to him.
"This may help, I'm not sure," he said. "What's in the other bag?" Isis smiled and openned it.
"This I'm sure you will find to be more useful," she said. Achmed openned his hand again, and she placed the bag in it. He put his other hand in the bag, and grabbed what was in there. Whatever it was, it was big. He had a suspicioun as to what it was when he felt the size of it, but when he took it out he couldn't help but smile.
"Tha's huge," Grunthor breathed.
"It's at least as big as the one that the Lirin had. It might be bigger." Rhapsody said.
"He had me guarding that one too," Isis said. "I thought it might be important, so I took it with me."
"I think he just wanted to make sure no one else could get it," Achmed mused. "A F'dor would have no use for the diamond. As for the shattered remains, he probably kept that because he was trapped in the diamond, and to him this was a trophy."
"Achmed, it's almost mid day here," Rhapsody said. "I think it's about time you got us some horses and came with us to Bethe Corbair. We have some shopping to do." Rhapsody had a special gleam in her eye when she said that, one that Achmed immediately recognized as a look of a woman who's about to go shopping. "The people here are good with clothes, so we'll get you a few ready made things, and I've already got my seamstresses that came with me here making you more clothes."
"One question," Achmed said dryly. "How is this getting paid for?"
"Why, Achmed, you should provide for your honored guests without question," Rhapsody said with a mischevous gleem in her eyes.
"Ah, yes. And how much is this going to drain from my coffers?" he asked.
"As much as it's needed," Rhapsody stated, cutting off any protests that Isis might have.
"Lovely," Achmed said sarcastically. "I think I'm going to come with you, if only to keep you from leaving my kingdom bankrupt. First I'm going to put these in a safe place." Achmed rose, and left the room. "I'll be back soon."
"I don't need much for clothes," protested Isis. Rhapsody shook her head.
"Nonsense. You're getting the best we can give you." Isis couldn't help rolling her eyes a bit. She never did like the grandest of clothing and other amnities.
*~*~*~*~*
Achmed checked to make sure that Isis wasn't following him. When he was sure, he moved to hide the diamonds. He entered his chamber and stuffed the silk bags with some bits of stone, taken from the tunnel to the Sleeping Child. He then took the diamonds and hid them in a box full of jewlery that Rhapsody insisted that he keep. It was basic treasures that other kingdoms had sent him, and the only reason he agreed to keep the treasures was because otherwise she might actually run him bankrupt. As for the other diamonds, he put them in another bag, and placed that at his hip. He wasn't sure what he would do with them, but he had a few ideas. For now though, it'd be best if he could keep it with him. After he was satisfied, he took some coinage out of his personal stash, and made a stop at the treasury to take some more money. He intercepted a guard on the way back to the throne room and had him go to the stables to ready horses for the three of them. The guard saluted and ran to do the king's bidding. When Achmed arrived back in the throne room, he didn't make his presence immedietly known at first. Rhapsody and Grunthor looked like they were debating. Isis was walking around the room observing everything. Achmed watched this new person who came to his kingdom. He hadn't seen anyone in this world that could rival Rhapsody's beauty until now. Her hair looked like dark honey, and in a braid it fell to the middle of her back. Her figure was as exquisite as Rhapsody's, yet different. Her skin drew the eye, and the faint glow it gave off wasn't unappealing. In fact, it was the exact opposite. Her eyes were green, just like Rhapsody's, yet they were different. He saw flecks of gold and brown in them as well. She was obviously not a human...but what was she? He made a note to ask her about her lineage at a later time. For the moment though, he thought he caught a small smirk on her face. Shaking his head, he stepped from the shadows and made his presence known.
"I took the liberty of finding a guard to prepare our mounts for us. We should be back within a few days," he said. Rhapsody and Grunthor looked up and nodded. Isis nodded as well, but she'd already been looking in that general direction.
"Let's go then! Grunthor, we'll be back soon," Rhapsody promised.
"So yer gonna be stayin' yer ladyship?" asked Grunthor hopefully. Rhapsody smiled.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss this for anything."
*~*~*~*~*
"So, you couldn't find her?" The head of the soldiers who had gone off to find Serena shook his head.
"No."
"Is anything else missing, other then Serena and her peice of Seren?" the person hissed.
"Yes, your majesty. The diamonds she tended."
"Including the shattered remains of MY diamond?" the voice of the F'dor demanded.
"Yes your majesty."
The scream of fury that was given forth could be heard for about a mile around.
*~*~*~*~*
Rhapsody dragged Isis around Bethe Corbair buying dresses, accessories, face paints, perfumes, jewlery boxes, anything and everying she could get her hands on. The look on Isis's face amused Achmed. It looked like a cross between shock, gratitude, and irritation. Isis made sure that the first thing that was bought was a few cloaks for different weather. She immedietly put a light one on when she got it, and pulled the hood up so it covered her face. Rhapsody was surprised and tried to object. Achmed pulled the Namer aside, and whispered in her ear.
"Rhapsody, let her be. In case you haven't noticed, she doesn't want to attract attention to herself, so let her do as she wishes." Rhapsody looked at Achmed and sighed.
"Great. We have someone as paranoid as you on our hands."
After another hour, the gratitude was fading from Isis's face, or at least the few glimpses of it Achmed could see. He could see why. Rhapsody had already bought her enough dresses so she could wear a different one, with a different pair of shoes and jewlery for every day of two weeks. Achmed was lucky that he'd gotten so much money in, this was going to cost him.
"Rhapsody, don't you have to send an avian message to Ashe?" Achmed finally asked.
"Oh, you're right, I do. But we haven't finished shopping yet for Isis," she said, obviously torn.
"I'm sure Achmed and I can finish this up," Isis said quickly, "How about...if we meet you for lunch?"
"Alright. Don't let him be too cheap on you though," Rhapsody warned. She waved goodbye and began to make her way to the post office with the avian messengers.
"Thank you so much for that," Isis said as soon as Rhapsody was out of hearing.
"You're welcome. Is there something you don't like about her?" asked Achmed neutrally.
"No, no, she's lovely. I just don't like being dressed like a doll. I'm not one for all this...finery." Isis guestured towards the pile of dresses that was laying on a horse behind them. Achmed snickered to himself.
"Might I make a suggestion for a shop?" he asked.
"Please, do," Isis replied. Achmed turned away from the streets with the nobles all over them, and started heading down towards the streets where the simpler folk were shopping. Eventually they found a small shop with some simple clothes and robes displayed in the window.
"Will this do?" he asked.
"This will do nicely, thank you." Isis went inside, and immedietly found exactly what she wanted. Normal looking trousers, shirts, boots, and stockings. They were made of stout wool, and were a brown that went nicely with her hair. She got some outfits based around dark green as well, not only did they match her eyes, but they were very nice for blending into places. When she was finished, she begged use of the changing room.
"Do you need to try things on?" asked Achmed, who was waiting as she had gotten fitted.
"No, I just need to get changed out of this dress before it drives me crazy," Isis admitted. She started to walk into the changing room, but turned back at the last second. "And no peeking inside, your majesty." With that she closed the curtain, so she didn't see Achmed's smile. It didn't take her long to change, and when she came out she was wearing the boots, a pair of the green pants, a white shirt, and a dark green cloak. She left the braid in her hair, but she seemed to be more comfortable in her civilian clothes. The clothes did not serve to diminish her beauty, however, it only served to enhance it.
"You can call me Achmed you know," Achmed said as he paid for all of this. Everything she had chosen from this store cost less than the cheapest dress that Rhapsody had bought her.
"Hm?" Isis wasn't paying attention, she was busy adjusting her cloak's hood so it covered her entire face.
"Instead of Your Majesty."
"Oh...alright. And you can just call me Isis. I don't want to hear any of the Lady crap in front of my name," she replied. Achmed hid another smile, and looked her in the eye.
"Shall we meet Rhapsody for lunch?" he asked.
"On one condition," Isis replied, now satisfied with her outfit. Achmed looked it over, and bought her some gloves to match the brown and the green. Then she'd be able to disappear easily.
"You might want these for your hands, especially if your skin glows. And what's your condition?" he handed her the gloves.
"No one orders mutton. Even the smell of it makes me sick," she replied. "And thanks. I just didn't want to spend that much." She put the green gloves on, and was now satisfied. She could easily fade into the background.
"You won't have to worry about mutton with me," Achmed said with a snicker. "And don't worry about the money. If I need it, I'll just return one of your dresses." Isis laughed softly, and Achmed led her out of the store and into the busy streets. As the crowd became larger, Achmed suddenly felt a hand on his arm. Whipping around and pulling out a daggar, he saw that it was just Isis.
"Do you mind if I keep a hold on your arm?" she asked. "I don't want to get lost in an unfamiliar place."
"You've never been here?" he asked.
"No, I came from the same area as you, but let's not keep Rhapsody waiting," she said. Achmed nodded. They would discuss this later.
"Getting lost wouldn't be a good thing. I'm sure Rhapsody would never forgive me," he replied.
"Yes, but if I did get lost, your coffers would be refilled," she responded.
"That's true. Do you want to tempt me to lose you on purpose?" In an immediete response, Isis's grip tightened on his arm. Achmed took his other hand and took her free hand. "This would be easier," he said.
"Yes, and less attracting," Isis agreed. "Any passers by would just assume that we're lovers." Achmed snorted at her last comment, and led her over to the pub that he and Rhapsody had eaten at the previous two times they were in town.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
To be continued later. I've gotta go.