Tears of Twilight
Chapter 26.
Ryo slowly awoke, frowning deeply. He had felt just as Sage had, thinking that
two hours just wasn't enough. But that wasn't what was troubling him. No, for
he had had a strange dream. A dream that made no sense, and one he wasn't sure
if Sage could interpret. He slowly rose from the floor and looked toward Sage
who raised his head to glance at him.
"Sleep well?" the bearer of Halo asked.
Ryo shrugged a little, wondering exactly how to tell him. He wanted to get it
off his chest, but he wasn't sure on how to explain what he had dreamt. His
mind went over it again and again. It confused him so much he felt as if he
were about to burst from the insanity of it.
Finally he could take it no more. He looked directly at Sage, his expression
soft, and yet serious. "I had a strange dream, Sage."
"Oh?" Sage asked, his eyebrows raised to show Ryo had his full attention.
"It was dark," Ryo began, his voice soft, but firm. I was running with
someone, I don't know who, and there was this tiny girl with us. She was no
bigger than my knee, perhaps smaller than that. Her hair was so long it went
past her ankles, but it didn't seem that long. Something was chasing after us,
zombies I think it was. We couldn't fight them off. Our surekills and attacks
had no effect on them whatsoever. We ran and ran down a long dark, deserted
highway road, but they kept coming after us. I had the little girl hanging off
my shoulders, hoping we could get away. But then, suddenly, she looked behind
her. Her eyes seemed to glow an unearthly light, and then rain came from out
of nowhere, and melted the zombies! I mean, they vanish as if something had
just vaporized them! And then when they were all gone, that's when I woke."
Sage was quiet as he considered Ryo's dream. He had never been told a dream as
quite perplexing as that. He tried to think of what it could possibly mean,
but he continued to come across a stalemate. He frowned and shook his
head. "Ryo, I'm afraid I can't think of what your dream may mean," he said,
apologetically. "However, I will say this: It's a sign and it's going to
happen in the future."
"Thanks," Ryo said, with a sigh.
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault," Ryo said as he shook his head. He frowned. "Flash still
hasn't returned."
Sage frowned. Flash had been gone for almost four hours now, perhaps longer,
considering he had left his watch at the house. And he couldn't tell what time
it was just by looking at the moon. Rowen could, but he wasn't here. Now he
was worried. What if they had captured her, and hurt her? What of White Blaze?
He was almost panicking, but then he forced himself to calm down and relax.
Getting worked up wasn't going to help matters.
"So what do you think we should do?" Sage asked as he peered out the window.
Just beyond the horizon, he thought he could see a few Dynasty soldiers
lurking in the shadows. No doubt they were searching for them.
"What else? Go out and look for her," Ryo answered.
"Are you sure that's wise?"
"Do you think we have a choice at this moment?"
Sage shook his head. He had to agree with his friend. In times like these,
there were little choices, and some choices could be either dangerous or
helpful, depending on how you used them.
Not taking any chances, the two of them summoned their full armor and kept
their weapons firmly in their hands. They headed out and went westward, hoping
somehow Flash would sense out Ryo, or that White Blaze would smell them. They
passed several buildings, walked across several bridges, and even fought two
dozen Dynasty soldiers who had suddenly attacked them from nowhere. Still,
they did not give up. They were going to find Flash, reunite with Rowen,
Kento, Scorpio, and Lightning, and then get to that castle and show Talpa you
don't mess with the Ronins and their friends.
After walking for a good mile and a half, Ryo and Sage came to an ocean. They
looked around, seeing nothing at all. The place was practically deserted and
there wasn't even a ship.
"Hey, Sage, how good of a swimmer are you?" Ryo asked.
Sage frowned as he tried to think of that answer. Then he realized what Ryo
was getting at. His eyes widened and he quickly shook his head. "Ryo, no! You
can't be serious! It's too dangerous!"
Ryo continued to stare out at the open water. "Well, do you have another
suggestion?" he asked, quietly. In truth, he really didn't want to go into
these deep waters. Who knows how this type of water would react to his
Wildfire armor?
Sage pondered that question as he looked up and down the landscape. He was
hoping some Dynasty soldiers would arrive in a ship. They could defeat the
soldiers and steal the ship, and use it to their advantage to make it across
the ocean. He looked back at Ryo. "Actually, I do. Let's find some tincans
with a boat."
Ryo smiled and nodded. "Right."
With that being said, the two Ronins turned and headed off, searching for any
soldier with a boat. One way or another, they would cross that ocean, together.
Flash and White Blaze headed through an empty city, void of life. It was like
walking through a ghost town. She kept her eyes peeled for any danger, and
White Blaze never let his guard down. The town was small, the buildings were
roughly in good shape, just empty.. Or were they?
White Blaze's ears suddenly twitched and he let out a low growl as he turned
his head. Flash looked back, then suddenly did a back flip as the tiger dodged
to the right. A spear missed them both by mere inches.
She lifted up her head and growled at the dynasty soldier standing a few feet
from her. The soldier charged at her again, spear raised, but she was too
quick. She somersaulted over him, and just as he was turning, she did a
roundhouse kick against his face. The soldier crumbled to the ground.
But more came at her. Flash spun, kicked, dodged, and somersaulted her way
around the soldiers. One spear, however, nipped her right arm, and she hissed
in pain.. The blood poured from the wound, but she refused to let it slow her
down. She gave one soldier a left hook, then kicked another underneath the
chin, sending him flying backward.
White Blaze attacked another soldier, grabbing it by its side and tossing it
from side to side like a rag doll before finally tossing it aside. He leapt
upon another, claws outstretched to tear it apart.
But the soldiers kept coming and coming, surrounding them, and Flash's arm was
burning with pain. They had to get out of here, and fast. Otherwise, they
would meet their doom.
Lightning sighed deep to himself as he walked away from the two Ronins and the
Warrior. So many conflicts were running through his mind, he wasn't sure how
to deal with them. He was angry, discouraged, full of remorse, and confused.
Never before had he had to deal with so many incompatible issues.
He, like Hardrock, wanted to get to the castle, but now with Blaze's words
running through his mind, he really didn't see the point.
He sat down, just outside the mouth of the cave, and stared at the huge castle
in the distance. Did Kaye, Cye, and Thunder know they would never get out of
there? Did they believe they would be rescued soon? Would they feel that their
friends had abandoned them all once they saw them all leaving the Dynasty? He
didn't want to think about it. For it gave him a pain like no other.
Rowen watched Lightning with a frown as he roasted a hotdog over a small fire.
Kento was already eating his, and Scorpio was putting one on a stick to roast
with. The bearer of Strata could tell something was deeply troubling the
tiger, and he wanted to ask, but something held him back.
His mind flashed back to when Talpa showed them all Kaye's dream, back to the
collars they had been wearing. What type of collars were they? A controlling
unit apparently. But what kind of control did they have over Kaye, Cye, and
Thunder?
Scorpio placed his hotdog over the fire and sat there, silently. He was
troubled. He had finally gotten to see his friend, and even though he seemed
all right, the bearer of Current knew he wasn't. Neither were Cye and Kaye.
Something had happened to each of them in there. What that was, he didn't
know, but he knew it would take them a long time to heal from it once they
were freed of their imprisonment.
Kento sighed heavily as he took the burnt hotdog off his stick and just ate it
like that, no bun, or anything on it. He wasn't really into eating that much,
so he neglected even dressing it up as he usually did. His mind was on Kaye
and how he had seen that collar around her neck like she was a dog. He growled
low in his throat. Damn Talpa and his partner. Of all people why did it have
to be Kaye? They were about to be wed! How could their dreams just suddenly
end like that?
He finished his hotdog off as he felt a lump coming to his throat. No, he
wouldn't cry. They would get through this, and Kaye would be held in his
strong arms once more. And Cye… he would be back in the kitchen, cooking, and
threatening to give him the Frying Pan of Death surekill if he took one step
into his kitchen.
A tear managed to escape his eye and he quickly brushed it off, hoping the
others hadn't noticed. He would not show that he was crying, but he couldn't
lie to himself. He was torn up emotionally inside.
He thought back to all the good times he had with Kaye. From the time he met
her, to the time he asked her to marry him. When she had said yes, he had been
so thrilled, the happiest man on earth. They had planned to invite all their
friends and family, have a big wedding in the park on a sunny day, buy a house
out in the country, but near the city as well, and plan for children in the
future. Now those dreams were nothing more than a fantasy, a dream which would
never come true.
He mentally smacked himself. He shouldn't be thinking like this! Kaye was
probably hanging onto the belief that they would marry and live their lives
together, and he should do the same. But sometimes it was so hard. He couldn't
believe they wouldn't be able to rescue her, Cye, or Thunder. It just didn't
seem fair. What had they done to deserve this? This cruel essence of being
called life was just too demanding at times. At times Kento wasn't sure he
even wanted to live, not without Kaye anyhow. But then he couldn't commit
suicide either. For one, Kaye would never forgive him, and she'd be miserable
and perhaps blame herself, even if it wouldn't be her fault at all.
No, he had to keep living and believing that he would be reunited with her.
Someday, no matter how long it would take, they would be. And nothing would
stop them.
Kaye was a wreck. Her eyes were red from crying, she was running a fever, her
face pale and blotchy. Cye and Thunder had her in bed covered up, and each of
them took turns guarding and helping her. Cye had thought about asking Thunder
to heal her, but Kaye plainly refused to be healed. And because of that,
Thunder himself declined. So instead, they continued to wipe her face with a
damp cold cloth, and Thunder put her in a healing sleep that would give her
spirit and body some rest.
Both boys knew why she was ill. Jakada had took the one treasure that meant
the most to her in the world. Her engagement ring. That was her bond to Kento,
her lover, her soul mate.
Cye was angry at Jakada. He wanted to get his hands on him, rip him to shreds,
make him pay for hurting his sister. He thought about the powers that Talpa
claimed he had, and wondered if it was true, whether or not he should practice
using them on Jakada.
Normally, Cye did not think such horrible acts of thought, but considering
Jakada, he was willing to make an exception. He glanced at Thunder with his
angry sea blue eyes. "That bastard has some nerve!" he said angrily.
Thunder nodded in agreement as he watched Cye wipe his sister's forehead
again. He himself thought this whole situation was ridiculous. Just because
Kaye refused to give into Jakada, he had to take something valuable from her.
It just wasn't right. But what could they do about it? It wasn't like anyone
but they themselves cared about Kaye. They were alone in this cruel dark
place.
"You're right, Cye," he replied quietly. "Jakada thinks that by taking Kaye's
engagement ring will break her spirit."
Cye turned to look at Kaye with pity. He really loved her, always had, but not
like Kento. Now that they were brother and sister, he loved her even more. And
he would not stand for her to be hurt like this. His eyes flared a little and
he stood up. "Watch over her, will you? I'm going to have a talk with someone."
Thunder raised his eyebrows at Cye as he watched the smaller boy walk to the
door. The door hadn't been locked when Talpa and Jakada left, making it easier
for Cye to just leave the room. He opened the door and quickly walked out,
shutting the door behind him.
Thunder sighed deeply and looked toward Kaye. For now she was asleep, and he
had no intention on waking her, nor allowing anyone else to do the same.
Cye walked quickly down the hall, made a right turn, walked down that long
hallway, then came to a set of large double doors on his right side. He stared
at them for the longest time, trying to gather up his courage. He really
didn't want to face this monster, but he felt he had no choice. Taking a deep
breath and letting it out, he slowly pushed the doors open and walked inside.
The room was semi dark with only two candles lit on either side of a medium
long walkway.
He stood there before the walkway, trying to see it exactly, and not wanting
to bump into any of the other candle posts. He didn't stand there for long,
however. The other candles immediately lit up, illuminating the throne room
and Cye's features. He looked up and saw Talpa staring at him, his eyes
glowing red and drumming his fingers against the arm of his throne.
"I don't know why you are out of your room, Torrent, or why you even came
here, but I suggest you go back now."
Cye gulped, feeling incredibly nervous. He had to do this. It was now or never.
He took a step forward, keeping his eyes on Talpa. He could sense that this
dynasty master's anger toward his disobedience was increasing, but he wasn't
going to return to the room. Not until he had his say. "I need to talk to
you," he paused for a moment, then forced the last word out, "father."
Talpa stared at him as if debating whether he should see what he had to say or
make him go back after a whipping. Finally after a long pause, he sighed
heavily. "This had better be important," he growled.
Cye nodded and stepped even closer to him. He had finally gathered his
audacity, and now he wasn't about to back down from it. "Kaye's sick," he
started off with, not missing Talpa's lack of concern. He ignored that however
and continued. "When Jakada took her ring, she kept crying and wouldn't stop.
Now she's in bed with a fever."
"Why should I be concerned about Tiger?" Talpa demanded.
Cye's eyes narrowed at him, but he kept his anger down as best he
could. "Because, if you want her to train me, she needs to be at her best,
doesn't she?"
Talpa thought about that and nodded. "I suppose you're right, Torrent. I can
see what you're trying to get at. You do know I have every right to refuse
you, do you not?"
Cye nodded unwillingly in agreement. "Yes, I do, T.. father."
Talpa narrowed his eyes at him, catching that slip. He decided to let it go
though. At least for now. He nodded his head. "Very well, I'll have a talk
with Jakada and make him give the ring back. However, if Tiger dares to try
anything, such as disobedience or even striking me again, I will grant him
permission to take that ring back after the prophecy has come to pass. Do I
make myself clear?"
Cye bit his lip and nodded his head. He knew that Kaye would not like this,
but what choice did she have? "Yes, father."
"Now go back to your room." Talpa ordered.
Cye turned on his heel and immediately left, feeling triumphant. Now all he
had to do was help Thunder make Kaye better and wait for Jakada to return her
ring.
Chapter 26.
Ryo slowly awoke, frowning deeply. He had felt just as Sage had, thinking that
two hours just wasn't enough. But that wasn't what was troubling him. No, for
he had had a strange dream. A dream that made no sense, and one he wasn't sure
if Sage could interpret. He slowly rose from the floor and looked toward Sage
who raised his head to glance at him.
"Sleep well?" the bearer of Halo asked.
Ryo shrugged a little, wondering exactly how to tell him. He wanted to get it
off his chest, but he wasn't sure on how to explain what he had dreamt. His
mind went over it again and again. It confused him so much he felt as if he
were about to burst from the insanity of it.
Finally he could take it no more. He looked directly at Sage, his expression
soft, and yet serious. "I had a strange dream, Sage."
"Oh?" Sage asked, his eyebrows raised to show Ryo had his full attention.
"It was dark," Ryo began, his voice soft, but firm. I was running with
someone, I don't know who, and there was this tiny girl with us. She was no
bigger than my knee, perhaps smaller than that. Her hair was so long it went
past her ankles, but it didn't seem that long. Something was chasing after us,
zombies I think it was. We couldn't fight them off. Our surekills and attacks
had no effect on them whatsoever. We ran and ran down a long dark, deserted
highway road, but they kept coming after us. I had the little girl hanging off
my shoulders, hoping we could get away. But then, suddenly, she looked behind
her. Her eyes seemed to glow an unearthly light, and then rain came from out
of nowhere, and melted the zombies! I mean, they vanish as if something had
just vaporized them! And then when they were all gone, that's when I woke."
Sage was quiet as he considered Ryo's dream. He had never been told a dream as
quite perplexing as that. He tried to think of what it could possibly mean,
but he continued to come across a stalemate. He frowned and shook his
head. "Ryo, I'm afraid I can't think of what your dream may mean," he said,
apologetically. "However, I will say this: It's a sign and it's going to
happen in the future."
"Thanks," Ryo said, with a sigh.
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault," Ryo said as he shook his head. He frowned. "Flash still
hasn't returned."
Sage frowned. Flash had been gone for almost four hours now, perhaps longer,
considering he had left his watch at the house. And he couldn't tell what time
it was just by looking at the moon. Rowen could, but he wasn't here. Now he
was worried. What if they had captured her, and hurt her? What of White Blaze?
He was almost panicking, but then he forced himself to calm down and relax.
Getting worked up wasn't going to help matters.
"So what do you think we should do?" Sage asked as he peered out the window.
Just beyond the horizon, he thought he could see a few Dynasty soldiers
lurking in the shadows. No doubt they were searching for them.
"What else? Go out and look for her," Ryo answered.
"Are you sure that's wise?"
"Do you think we have a choice at this moment?"
Sage shook his head. He had to agree with his friend. In times like these,
there were little choices, and some choices could be either dangerous or
helpful, depending on how you used them.
Not taking any chances, the two of them summoned their full armor and kept
their weapons firmly in their hands. They headed out and went westward, hoping
somehow Flash would sense out Ryo, or that White Blaze would smell them. They
passed several buildings, walked across several bridges, and even fought two
dozen Dynasty soldiers who had suddenly attacked them from nowhere. Still,
they did not give up. They were going to find Flash, reunite with Rowen,
Kento, Scorpio, and Lightning, and then get to that castle and show Talpa you
don't mess with the Ronins and their friends.
After walking for a good mile and a half, Ryo and Sage came to an ocean. They
looked around, seeing nothing at all. The place was practically deserted and
there wasn't even a ship.
"Hey, Sage, how good of a swimmer are you?" Ryo asked.
Sage frowned as he tried to think of that answer. Then he realized what Ryo
was getting at. His eyes widened and he quickly shook his head. "Ryo, no! You
can't be serious! It's too dangerous!"
Ryo continued to stare out at the open water. "Well, do you have another
suggestion?" he asked, quietly. In truth, he really didn't want to go into
these deep waters. Who knows how this type of water would react to his
Wildfire armor?
Sage pondered that question as he looked up and down the landscape. He was
hoping some Dynasty soldiers would arrive in a ship. They could defeat the
soldiers and steal the ship, and use it to their advantage to make it across
the ocean. He looked back at Ryo. "Actually, I do. Let's find some tincans
with a boat."
Ryo smiled and nodded. "Right."
With that being said, the two Ronins turned and headed off, searching for any
soldier with a boat. One way or another, they would cross that ocean, together.
Flash and White Blaze headed through an empty city, void of life. It was like
walking through a ghost town. She kept her eyes peeled for any danger, and
White Blaze never let his guard down. The town was small, the buildings were
roughly in good shape, just empty.. Or were they?
White Blaze's ears suddenly twitched and he let out a low growl as he turned
his head. Flash looked back, then suddenly did a back flip as the tiger dodged
to the right. A spear missed them both by mere inches.
She lifted up her head and growled at the dynasty soldier standing a few feet
from her. The soldier charged at her again, spear raised, but she was too
quick. She somersaulted over him, and just as he was turning, she did a
roundhouse kick against his face. The soldier crumbled to the ground.
But more came at her. Flash spun, kicked, dodged, and somersaulted her way
around the soldiers. One spear, however, nipped her right arm, and she hissed
in pain.. The blood poured from the wound, but she refused to let it slow her
down. She gave one soldier a left hook, then kicked another underneath the
chin, sending him flying backward.
White Blaze attacked another soldier, grabbing it by its side and tossing it
from side to side like a rag doll before finally tossing it aside. He leapt
upon another, claws outstretched to tear it apart.
But the soldiers kept coming and coming, surrounding them, and Flash's arm was
burning with pain. They had to get out of here, and fast. Otherwise, they
would meet their doom.
Lightning sighed deep to himself as he walked away from the two Ronins and the
Warrior. So many conflicts were running through his mind, he wasn't sure how
to deal with them. He was angry, discouraged, full of remorse, and confused.
Never before had he had to deal with so many incompatible issues.
He, like Hardrock, wanted to get to the castle, but now with Blaze's words
running through his mind, he really didn't see the point.
He sat down, just outside the mouth of the cave, and stared at the huge castle
in the distance. Did Kaye, Cye, and Thunder know they would never get out of
there? Did they believe they would be rescued soon? Would they feel that their
friends had abandoned them all once they saw them all leaving the Dynasty? He
didn't want to think about it. For it gave him a pain like no other.
Rowen watched Lightning with a frown as he roasted a hotdog over a small fire.
Kento was already eating his, and Scorpio was putting one on a stick to roast
with. The bearer of Strata could tell something was deeply troubling the
tiger, and he wanted to ask, but something held him back.
His mind flashed back to when Talpa showed them all Kaye's dream, back to the
collars they had been wearing. What type of collars were they? A controlling
unit apparently. But what kind of control did they have over Kaye, Cye, and
Thunder?
Scorpio placed his hotdog over the fire and sat there, silently. He was
troubled. He had finally gotten to see his friend, and even though he seemed
all right, the bearer of Current knew he wasn't. Neither were Cye and Kaye.
Something had happened to each of them in there. What that was, he didn't
know, but he knew it would take them a long time to heal from it once they
were freed of their imprisonment.
Kento sighed heavily as he took the burnt hotdog off his stick and just ate it
like that, no bun, or anything on it. He wasn't really into eating that much,
so he neglected even dressing it up as he usually did. His mind was on Kaye
and how he had seen that collar around her neck like she was a dog. He growled
low in his throat. Damn Talpa and his partner. Of all people why did it have
to be Kaye? They were about to be wed! How could their dreams just suddenly
end like that?
He finished his hotdog off as he felt a lump coming to his throat. No, he
wouldn't cry. They would get through this, and Kaye would be held in his
strong arms once more. And Cye… he would be back in the kitchen, cooking, and
threatening to give him the Frying Pan of Death surekill if he took one step
into his kitchen.
A tear managed to escape his eye and he quickly brushed it off, hoping the
others hadn't noticed. He would not show that he was crying, but he couldn't
lie to himself. He was torn up emotionally inside.
He thought back to all the good times he had with Kaye. From the time he met
her, to the time he asked her to marry him. When she had said yes, he had been
so thrilled, the happiest man on earth. They had planned to invite all their
friends and family, have a big wedding in the park on a sunny day, buy a house
out in the country, but near the city as well, and plan for children in the
future. Now those dreams were nothing more than a fantasy, a dream which would
never come true.
He mentally smacked himself. He shouldn't be thinking like this! Kaye was
probably hanging onto the belief that they would marry and live their lives
together, and he should do the same. But sometimes it was so hard. He couldn't
believe they wouldn't be able to rescue her, Cye, or Thunder. It just didn't
seem fair. What had they done to deserve this? This cruel essence of being
called life was just too demanding at times. At times Kento wasn't sure he
even wanted to live, not without Kaye anyhow. But then he couldn't commit
suicide either. For one, Kaye would never forgive him, and she'd be miserable
and perhaps blame herself, even if it wouldn't be her fault at all.
No, he had to keep living and believing that he would be reunited with her.
Someday, no matter how long it would take, they would be. And nothing would
stop them.
Kaye was a wreck. Her eyes were red from crying, she was running a fever, her
face pale and blotchy. Cye and Thunder had her in bed covered up, and each of
them took turns guarding and helping her. Cye had thought about asking Thunder
to heal her, but Kaye plainly refused to be healed. And because of that,
Thunder himself declined. So instead, they continued to wipe her face with a
damp cold cloth, and Thunder put her in a healing sleep that would give her
spirit and body some rest.
Both boys knew why she was ill. Jakada had took the one treasure that meant
the most to her in the world. Her engagement ring. That was her bond to Kento,
her lover, her soul mate.
Cye was angry at Jakada. He wanted to get his hands on him, rip him to shreds,
make him pay for hurting his sister. He thought about the powers that Talpa
claimed he had, and wondered if it was true, whether or not he should practice
using them on Jakada.
Normally, Cye did not think such horrible acts of thought, but considering
Jakada, he was willing to make an exception. He glanced at Thunder with his
angry sea blue eyes. "That bastard has some nerve!" he said angrily.
Thunder nodded in agreement as he watched Cye wipe his sister's forehead
again. He himself thought this whole situation was ridiculous. Just because
Kaye refused to give into Jakada, he had to take something valuable from her.
It just wasn't right. But what could they do about it? It wasn't like anyone
but they themselves cared about Kaye. They were alone in this cruel dark
place.
"You're right, Cye," he replied quietly. "Jakada thinks that by taking Kaye's
engagement ring will break her spirit."
Cye turned to look at Kaye with pity. He really loved her, always had, but not
like Kento. Now that they were brother and sister, he loved her even more. And
he would not stand for her to be hurt like this. His eyes flared a little and
he stood up. "Watch over her, will you? I'm going to have a talk with someone."
Thunder raised his eyebrows at Cye as he watched the smaller boy walk to the
door. The door hadn't been locked when Talpa and Jakada left, making it easier
for Cye to just leave the room. He opened the door and quickly walked out,
shutting the door behind him.
Thunder sighed deeply and looked toward Kaye. For now she was asleep, and he
had no intention on waking her, nor allowing anyone else to do the same.
Cye walked quickly down the hall, made a right turn, walked down that long
hallway, then came to a set of large double doors on his right side. He stared
at them for the longest time, trying to gather up his courage. He really
didn't want to face this monster, but he felt he had no choice. Taking a deep
breath and letting it out, he slowly pushed the doors open and walked inside.
The room was semi dark with only two candles lit on either side of a medium
long walkway.
He stood there before the walkway, trying to see it exactly, and not wanting
to bump into any of the other candle posts. He didn't stand there for long,
however. The other candles immediately lit up, illuminating the throne room
and Cye's features. He looked up and saw Talpa staring at him, his eyes
glowing red and drumming his fingers against the arm of his throne.
"I don't know why you are out of your room, Torrent, or why you even came
here, but I suggest you go back now."
Cye gulped, feeling incredibly nervous. He had to do this. It was now or never.
He took a step forward, keeping his eyes on Talpa. He could sense that this
dynasty master's anger toward his disobedience was increasing, but he wasn't
going to return to the room. Not until he had his say. "I need to talk to
you," he paused for a moment, then forced the last word out, "father."
Talpa stared at him as if debating whether he should see what he had to say or
make him go back after a whipping. Finally after a long pause, he sighed
heavily. "This had better be important," he growled.
Cye nodded and stepped even closer to him. He had finally gathered his
audacity, and now he wasn't about to back down from it. "Kaye's sick," he
started off with, not missing Talpa's lack of concern. He ignored that however
and continued. "When Jakada took her ring, she kept crying and wouldn't stop.
Now she's in bed with a fever."
"Why should I be concerned about Tiger?" Talpa demanded.
Cye's eyes narrowed at him, but he kept his anger down as best he
could. "Because, if you want her to train me, she needs to be at her best,
doesn't she?"
Talpa thought about that and nodded. "I suppose you're right, Torrent. I can
see what you're trying to get at. You do know I have every right to refuse
you, do you not?"
Cye nodded unwillingly in agreement. "Yes, I do, T.. father."
Talpa narrowed his eyes at him, catching that slip. He decided to let it go
though. At least for now. He nodded his head. "Very well, I'll have a talk
with Jakada and make him give the ring back. However, if Tiger dares to try
anything, such as disobedience or even striking me again, I will grant him
permission to take that ring back after the prophecy has come to pass. Do I
make myself clear?"
Cye bit his lip and nodded his head. He knew that Kaye would not like this,
but what choice did she have? "Yes, father."
"Now go back to your room." Talpa ordered.
Cye turned on his heel and immediately left, feeling triumphant. Now all he
had to do was help Thunder make Kaye better and wait for Jakada to return her
ring.