Chapter 25
Tal and Milla awoke almost at the same time. Milla awoke instantly snapping her eyes open as she was trained to do. Tal had sensed her awaken somehow and slowly opened his eyes. Milla smiled and untangled herself from his embrace. Tal was startled to see her under his arms and hoped she didn't take offense to it. Tal grinned sheepishly and apologised.
"Sorry I have a habit of doing that," he said still grinning.
"Did you sleep well? For a time you looked like the beast had risen again," Milla asked a little concerned.
Tal looked away. He could look at Milla in the eyes. It was partly his fault that the beast was unleashed to harm her. For a long silent moment he couldn't say anything then when he saw Milla twitch a little from the silence he looked up at her and said the only thing he could.
"I'm sorry. . ." he said and moved to get dressed, turning his face away trying to avoid Milla's hawk gaze.
Tal got dressed into his un-ruined Emperor robe and white coat. As he put on his boots he stole a glance at Milla who was half naked and cursed himself silently at what he was doing. Then Tal heard a dull laughter in the back of his mind.
"You're pathetic," the beast said.
"Shut up," Tal whispered out loud.
Milla turned to Tal as she heard him.
"What? Did you say something?" Milla asked as her eyebrow rose in question.
"No; nothing," Tal said and looked away with a blush rising on his cheeks as he saw her exposed chest.
Milla stared at Tal. He was acting strangely even for him. Milla shook her head and got dressed hurriedly as she noted that it embarrassed him to she her naked. Milla sighed. Tal was confusing indeed. He didn't seem to mind her nudity when they were in his bed at the castle, why would he be embarrassed now? Milla got fully dressed and turned to leave. Tal saw this and thanked the light it was over. Tal definitely would have lost control if he was in there any longer. Tal followed Milla out the door dying to know what they would do to solve the problem. He was about to ask Milla when they entered a room where Tal noticed three tough looking Icearls and a Crone who seemed very familiar. Tal stopped at the door and met the stares that were directed at him. Tal met them easily enough and as he did he observed them in more detail.
"Tal, let me introduce the Crone of the Far Raiders and her bodyguards Rallen, Wraith and Corin," Milla said gesturing to the respective person as she spoke.
Tal gave a small bow and smiled as he got back up. Then he went up to the Crone and bowed again in a gentlemanly fashion.
"It has been a long time," Tal said to the Crone as he got back up.
"You have changed a lot, Tal Graile-Rerem I can see it as plainly as your physical appearance; your status has also changed Emperor," she said giving emphasis on the last word.
Tal smiled and looked to the bodyguards. Corin gave Tal a sideways glance and looked away straight after he made eye contact. Wraith who was standing near the Crone looked straight at Tal and didn't blink which made Tal smile even broader. Then his eyes fell to a burly Icecarl lounging on thick furs.
"Emperor Tal, were you not a wandering story teller once?" Rallen asked and laughed out loud for all to hear.
Tal wasn't the least bit offended. In fact Tal knew he was going to take a liking to this man.
"Yes Rallen I was and I have plenty more to tell," Tal said chuckling along with him.
The Crone smiled and kept her laughter silent as she tried to formulate an answer to Tal's impending but Tal spoke before she could.
"It is nice to see everyone here and well but I would like to ask a few questions that will clear up a few issues. Like what is happening on the ice that involves the Chosen?" Tal asked getting serious.
The Crone took a deep breath and started her explanations, after all Tal did have a right to know.
"You have probably heard that all the trouble has come from the Far Raiders ice," the Crone started.
Tal nodded but didn't interrupt.
"Then you have also heard that we were also blamed for the impending plot against the Chosen correct?" the Crone said stating the obvious.
Tal nodded again but kept silent and kept his gaze neutral.
"They are lies, as you no doubt have guessed and now you are wondering who then is causing a civil war to break loose," the Crone basically pulled the words out of Tal's mouth.
"It would help to know my enemy," Tal said in a clear steady voice.
"Then I am sorry that I cannot offer you a positive answer," the Crone said dejectedly.
Several years ago Tal would have acted hysterical and would have started to shoot out questions but the present Tal was calm and collect and was listening intently.
"A positive answer?" Tal thought then out loud he asked "What do you mean by that?"
The Crone smiled and was happy to see that he was as great as Milla had thought him to be.
"You have grown Tal," she said simply then she sighed again and continued "We have reason to believe that a single rouge Crone is amassing an army that is large enough to storm the castle more ferociously than when Milla did seven years ago,"
"Who is this Crone?" Tal said patiently trying to get to the point.
"The Crone of the Ice Hunters. She has taken many ships into her fleet and is now making quite a name for herself by attacking those who stand in her way of her goal." The Crone said frowning as she thought back to the Far Raiders battle with the Ice Hunters.
"Mainly all other clans that don't become loyal to her get attacked and are given the choice to join her or die," Milla finished as the Crone was lost in her thoughts.
Tal propped a hand under his chin and started to pace slowly in a circle. Tal was in deep thought and was trying to figure out what the Ice Hunter Crone's motive was.
Similar thoughts rippled through everyone's mind and before anyone could say anything two people came through the thick fur curtain. Tal smiled as he realised they were the guards that had guarded the main entrance. Tal smiled at them both and received a small hesitant smile from the one whom he caught giggling while on duty. The girl who was always serious seemed locked in a gaze with one of the bodyguards and Tal noticed straight away that there were issues afoot. Before Tal could ask Milla Breg spoke.
"The meeting will be held in the judgment hall in ten minutes," she said looking from Milla to Tal with barely hidden awe.
Tal thanked them as they left and could have sworn that he heard laughter escape Corin's lips. Tal looked to the boy and saw that he had his head bent over and was chuckling to himself. Tal looked to Milla as if to ask why and she moved her eyes to the door. Tal understood and left as soon as he excused himself.
Milla followed suit and soon Tal found himself making his way to the feasting hall with Milla by his side.
"So what is between Corin and the girl? Oh and what are their names?" Tal asked curiously.
"Their names are Kira and Breg. Kira was supposedly challenged by Corin and she lost," Milla explained briefly.
"Kira is the serious one correct?" Tal asked trying for clarification.
"Yes and they are both. . . unique," Milla added with a smile.
"Unique? In what way?" Tal prodded.
"They are very talented and feel as though their talent isn't put to good use. Therefore they become troublesome when they don't mean to," Milla explained.
"Right, I suppose you know the feeling," Tal said with a knowing smile.
"What do you mean by that?" Milla asked sarcastically smiling and putting a hand to her chest gesturing to herself.
"Oh nothing really. I once knew a girl who was very talented in everything she did and then one day she met a scrawny boy who put her talents to good use," Tal said stopping her in the empty corridor and looking her in the eyes.
Tal sighed before he continued.
"Although this boy felt that she was a braggart and had a superior demeanor at the time, his feelings towards her moved to respect then to admiration then to a feeling that he had never. . .known. . .before but. . .knew. . .what it was when he saw her again after several long years apart," Tal said trying to make his intentions known.
Milla knew what Tal was saying but suddenly felt uncomfortable with expressing her feelings on the matter. Milla opened her mouth to say something but it got lost as she couldn't find the right words to say. Tal continued on and pressed the issue.
"It was once said that if you don't say something the moment it needs to be said the moment passes you by leaving nothing known. This boy is now waiting for a sign from this girl to tell him that she feels the same way," Tal pressed.
Tal had unconsciously moved forwards when he spoke and had now backed Milla up against the wall. Tal was now staring into Milla's eyes only inches away from her moist lips. Tal didn't expect Milla to reply so he leaned in for a kiss. He closed the gap slowly closing his eyes with the last image of her confused face fading into nothing. Milla looked at Tal and wanted desperately to return the kiss but too many complications stood in the way for it to be a true kiss of love. Tal was now so close to Milla that she could feel his warm breath on her lips. Milla was about to kiss Tal but then a pang of fear and doubt gripped her heart with a vengeance and Milla had to move her head to the side making Tal connect with her cheek.
Tal opened his eyes and found himself looking into locks of white blond hair. Milla's sweet scent washed over him as she moved her head to avoid looking at Tal's stunned expression. Tal closed his eyes and frowned slightly. Tal pulled back and stepped away so that he was up against the wall opposite Milla. Then she spoke as Tal looked at her with a hint of hurt in his eyes.
"This girl you speak of," Milla said playing along with Tal's game "Also grew to respect and admire the boy but instead of feeling the bliss of an unknown feeling she felt confused and. . ." Milla gulped and Tal realised how hard it was for Milla to continue "Scared and every time she was near him she felt nothing but those emotions,"
Tal listened to her in a silence that defended his ears. Then the empty hall suddenly became busy with Icecarls moving between them. Milla and Tal both knew that their moment had passed and so many things were left unknown that it hurt the couple deeply in a place where only time could heal.
Tal and Milla awoke almost at the same time. Milla awoke instantly snapping her eyes open as she was trained to do. Tal had sensed her awaken somehow and slowly opened his eyes. Milla smiled and untangled herself from his embrace. Tal was startled to see her under his arms and hoped she didn't take offense to it. Tal grinned sheepishly and apologised.
"Sorry I have a habit of doing that," he said still grinning.
"Did you sleep well? For a time you looked like the beast had risen again," Milla asked a little concerned.
Tal looked away. He could look at Milla in the eyes. It was partly his fault that the beast was unleashed to harm her. For a long silent moment he couldn't say anything then when he saw Milla twitch a little from the silence he looked up at her and said the only thing he could.
"I'm sorry. . ." he said and moved to get dressed, turning his face away trying to avoid Milla's hawk gaze.
Tal got dressed into his un-ruined Emperor robe and white coat. As he put on his boots he stole a glance at Milla who was half naked and cursed himself silently at what he was doing. Then Tal heard a dull laughter in the back of his mind.
"You're pathetic," the beast said.
"Shut up," Tal whispered out loud.
Milla turned to Tal as she heard him.
"What? Did you say something?" Milla asked as her eyebrow rose in question.
"No; nothing," Tal said and looked away with a blush rising on his cheeks as he saw her exposed chest.
Milla stared at Tal. He was acting strangely even for him. Milla shook her head and got dressed hurriedly as she noted that it embarrassed him to she her naked. Milla sighed. Tal was confusing indeed. He didn't seem to mind her nudity when they were in his bed at the castle, why would he be embarrassed now? Milla got fully dressed and turned to leave. Tal saw this and thanked the light it was over. Tal definitely would have lost control if he was in there any longer. Tal followed Milla out the door dying to know what they would do to solve the problem. He was about to ask Milla when they entered a room where Tal noticed three tough looking Icearls and a Crone who seemed very familiar. Tal stopped at the door and met the stares that were directed at him. Tal met them easily enough and as he did he observed them in more detail.
"Tal, let me introduce the Crone of the Far Raiders and her bodyguards Rallen, Wraith and Corin," Milla said gesturing to the respective person as she spoke.
Tal gave a small bow and smiled as he got back up. Then he went up to the Crone and bowed again in a gentlemanly fashion.
"It has been a long time," Tal said to the Crone as he got back up.
"You have changed a lot, Tal Graile-Rerem I can see it as plainly as your physical appearance; your status has also changed Emperor," she said giving emphasis on the last word.
Tal smiled and looked to the bodyguards. Corin gave Tal a sideways glance and looked away straight after he made eye contact. Wraith who was standing near the Crone looked straight at Tal and didn't blink which made Tal smile even broader. Then his eyes fell to a burly Icecarl lounging on thick furs.
"Emperor Tal, were you not a wandering story teller once?" Rallen asked and laughed out loud for all to hear.
Tal wasn't the least bit offended. In fact Tal knew he was going to take a liking to this man.
"Yes Rallen I was and I have plenty more to tell," Tal said chuckling along with him.
The Crone smiled and kept her laughter silent as she tried to formulate an answer to Tal's impending but Tal spoke before she could.
"It is nice to see everyone here and well but I would like to ask a few questions that will clear up a few issues. Like what is happening on the ice that involves the Chosen?" Tal asked getting serious.
The Crone took a deep breath and started her explanations, after all Tal did have a right to know.
"You have probably heard that all the trouble has come from the Far Raiders ice," the Crone started.
Tal nodded but didn't interrupt.
"Then you have also heard that we were also blamed for the impending plot against the Chosen correct?" the Crone said stating the obvious.
Tal nodded again but kept silent and kept his gaze neutral.
"They are lies, as you no doubt have guessed and now you are wondering who then is causing a civil war to break loose," the Crone basically pulled the words out of Tal's mouth.
"It would help to know my enemy," Tal said in a clear steady voice.
"Then I am sorry that I cannot offer you a positive answer," the Crone said dejectedly.
Several years ago Tal would have acted hysterical and would have started to shoot out questions but the present Tal was calm and collect and was listening intently.
"A positive answer?" Tal thought then out loud he asked "What do you mean by that?"
The Crone smiled and was happy to see that he was as great as Milla had thought him to be.
"You have grown Tal," she said simply then she sighed again and continued "We have reason to believe that a single rouge Crone is amassing an army that is large enough to storm the castle more ferociously than when Milla did seven years ago,"
"Who is this Crone?" Tal said patiently trying to get to the point.
"The Crone of the Ice Hunters. She has taken many ships into her fleet and is now making quite a name for herself by attacking those who stand in her way of her goal." The Crone said frowning as she thought back to the Far Raiders battle with the Ice Hunters.
"Mainly all other clans that don't become loyal to her get attacked and are given the choice to join her or die," Milla finished as the Crone was lost in her thoughts.
Tal propped a hand under his chin and started to pace slowly in a circle. Tal was in deep thought and was trying to figure out what the Ice Hunter Crone's motive was.
Similar thoughts rippled through everyone's mind and before anyone could say anything two people came through the thick fur curtain. Tal smiled as he realised they were the guards that had guarded the main entrance. Tal smiled at them both and received a small hesitant smile from the one whom he caught giggling while on duty. The girl who was always serious seemed locked in a gaze with one of the bodyguards and Tal noticed straight away that there were issues afoot. Before Tal could ask Milla Breg spoke.
"The meeting will be held in the judgment hall in ten minutes," she said looking from Milla to Tal with barely hidden awe.
Tal thanked them as they left and could have sworn that he heard laughter escape Corin's lips. Tal looked to the boy and saw that he had his head bent over and was chuckling to himself. Tal looked to Milla as if to ask why and she moved her eyes to the door. Tal understood and left as soon as he excused himself.
Milla followed suit and soon Tal found himself making his way to the feasting hall with Milla by his side.
"So what is between Corin and the girl? Oh and what are their names?" Tal asked curiously.
"Their names are Kira and Breg. Kira was supposedly challenged by Corin and she lost," Milla explained briefly.
"Kira is the serious one correct?" Tal asked trying for clarification.
"Yes and they are both. . . unique," Milla added with a smile.
"Unique? In what way?" Tal prodded.
"They are very talented and feel as though their talent isn't put to good use. Therefore they become troublesome when they don't mean to," Milla explained.
"Right, I suppose you know the feeling," Tal said with a knowing smile.
"What do you mean by that?" Milla asked sarcastically smiling and putting a hand to her chest gesturing to herself.
"Oh nothing really. I once knew a girl who was very talented in everything she did and then one day she met a scrawny boy who put her talents to good use," Tal said stopping her in the empty corridor and looking her in the eyes.
Tal sighed before he continued.
"Although this boy felt that she was a braggart and had a superior demeanor at the time, his feelings towards her moved to respect then to admiration then to a feeling that he had never. . .known. . .before but. . .knew. . .what it was when he saw her again after several long years apart," Tal said trying to make his intentions known.
Milla knew what Tal was saying but suddenly felt uncomfortable with expressing her feelings on the matter. Milla opened her mouth to say something but it got lost as she couldn't find the right words to say. Tal continued on and pressed the issue.
"It was once said that if you don't say something the moment it needs to be said the moment passes you by leaving nothing known. This boy is now waiting for a sign from this girl to tell him that she feels the same way," Tal pressed.
Tal had unconsciously moved forwards when he spoke and had now backed Milla up against the wall. Tal was now staring into Milla's eyes only inches away from her moist lips. Tal didn't expect Milla to reply so he leaned in for a kiss. He closed the gap slowly closing his eyes with the last image of her confused face fading into nothing. Milla looked at Tal and wanted desperately to return the kiss but too many complications stood in the way for it to be a true kiss of love. Tal was now so close to Milla that she could feel his warm breath on her lips. Milla was about to kiss Tal but then a pang of fear and doubt gripped her heart with a vengeance and Milla had to move her head to the side making Tal connect with her cheek.
Tal opened his eyes and found himself looking into locks of white blond hair. Milla's sweet scent washed over him as she moved her head to avoid looking at Tal's stunned expression. Tal closed his eyes and frowned slightly. Tal pulled back and stepped away so that he was up against the wall opposite Milla. Then she spoke as Tal looked at her with a hint of hurt in his eyes.
"This girl you speak of," Milla said playing along with Tal's game "Also grew to respect and admire the boy but instead of feeling the bliss of an unknown feeling she felt confused and. . ." Milla gulped and Tal realised how hard it was for Milla to continue "Scared and every time she was near him she felt nothing but those emotions,"
Tal listened to her in a silence that defended his ears. Then the empty hall suddenly became busy with Icecarls moving between them. Milla and Tal both knew that their moment had passed and so many things were left unknown that it hurt the couple deeply in a place where only time could heal.