Bringing of the Shadows

Blue morning, blue morning
Wrapped in strands of fist and bone
Curiosity, Kitten, doesn't have to mean you're on your own
You can look outside your window
He doesn't have to know

Counting Crows. A Murder Of One.

Miranda looked about the main hall. Just yesterday she had found out about Wink, and after speaking to one of the guards who had seen her she was positive that it was her sister. Today she was going to be something of a hunt. She had already enquired the help of most of the guards, and informed the rest of the dragoons about the slight problem. It was unlikely that Wink knew how much damage she could do by just telling the three about who they were...

No time to waist however, she had to be off looking for her rather misplaced sister.

She headed up the main flight of stairs, looking intently at every maid who went by her. Which wasn't very many since there were about four or five different paths which were hidden for them to travel with. They had been informed as well about the newcomer, or outsider. With any luck they would catch her first.

However something concerned her, she sister had been know to be a bit of a bookie... No one but Albert ever went into the library... So, carefully opening the well worn doors she looked inside. A few masses of papers and pens lay strung about the desk, while about four filled and neat book shelves rested behind it. Wait till Albert sees his wedding gift... She thought to her self knowing that some of the precious copies from the National Library of Mille Seseau would make him explode.

She leafed about some of the books on the shelves, mostly common things about history. Quite a few banking records and things about taxes, land owners, and so forth. Only a few scientific novels, and one book which had simply things like fairytales. She picked it off the shelf and looked into it.

And surprisingly there where seven figure of winged creatures standing on columns right on the front. Poorly illustrated, but no the less spectacular. It was hard to believe that only a year ago most of the world still thought that Dragoons were fairytales and Winglies stories....

Hard to believe that someday it will be the same, people will forget... I'll be just another fairytale. So strange...

She pealed the old book open to the first page, well decorated with some different little figure that made her think of Mermaids.

On the ancient days, in the ancient times... people, rise... The great empire rules, and a god gave it's life for the...

It was horribly faded, almost so much that she couldn't make any sense of the strange pieces. So tired of the far less than interesting novel Miranda shut it carefully and moved from the library to the main part of the castle. Her footsteps carried her past a few of the Knights, one of which was chatting about the missing blond maid... "Bet she a hot one!" "I think she must have gotten kidnapped!" Soa can't these people get anything right?

She flung her fair hair out of her face and turned to head towards the Royal Garden, almost running smack into a black clothed man.

"Excuse me Sacred Sister Miranda." He said stepping back, she got the impression that he was attempting to get away from her as soon as possible.

"Ah... Who are you?" She asked thinking that anything having to do with him wasn't good... Better to stall him after all.

"I'm Alulan King Albert's counselor and tactician, I believe I was introduced the other night to you.

"Yes, I didn't quite catch the name." She couldn't help the nasty little glare she gave him. "And I suppose you must be quite bored now that the war is done and over with."

He reacted at first annoyed but recovered with an edge. "Not at all, King Albert has quite a lot to deal with on his hands due to the up and coming wedding so there is much to do."

"I'm sure he does... You wouldn't have happened to see that blond maid anywhere would you?" She asked wondering if he had seen anything since the other day.

"Not at all, however I'm quite sure that if anyone sees her it will be one of the knights."

"Hmpf." He's treading me like I'm some damn princess... For crying out loud not even Dart can stand me when edge him on... "What do you think of the soon to be Queen?" She tried to hiss at him, after all what better way to shove Albert's nose in the fact that he had higher his best friend's murderer than getting the guy to attack someone.

"I don't know her personally but she is quite beautiful, and Albert is quite happy about her so I see no reason not to like her." He paused as if considering something. "In any case I'm quite busy and if you'll excuse me I'll be going."

"Of course... Nice to meet you Alulan." He didn't show any sign at her nice reaction, maybe he was expecting it. Personally Miranda didn't care, however she was a bit to curious about where he was going. She waited for him to go out of sight, and then started down toward the Gardens, there just wasn't any other place he could go unless he was heading unto town and she'd be able to see him if he went that way. A small smile crept to her face.

"Just like cat and mouse..." She pondered as she glanced out a window and was caught by surprised as Raizel and Alulan suddenly appeared not far from the window, yet well hidden behind a large hedge of roses. Soa I hate roses...

She watched for a bit longer and was quite stunned when Balder came walking up to them, giving them both a nod. Damn it! I just know they are scheming! And with those thoughts she headed around to the other entrance of the Garden to attempt to spy.

"Alulan, Raizel." Balder said as he joined them.

"Balder." Alulan responded, while Raizel smiled.

"I heard the whole castle is on alert for some blond girl." He said. "She have anything to do with us?

"I didn't think so however... The Light Dragoon Miranda seems to be quite interested in the matter, rather annoying about it in fact."

"I think that's just Miranda." Raizel stated, flicking her hand through her hair. "I think... Shana doesn't like her very much. And according to her Miranda has always been quite the bitch."

Alulan gave her an odd look. "She didn't seem to horribly bad, more like she was testing me."

"Hm..." Balder looked around. "In any case this girl, I get the feeling she has something to do with us."

"So do I." Raizel agreed seeming slightly more creepy than normal.

"All in favor of trying to contact this person before the Dragoons get to her?" Balder asked, while both of them nodded. "Alright. I'm considering that one of us try to do some looking about during the wedding. Anything would be helpful, and since they will all be busy with it, it should give us time to look about."

"Maybe we can uncover something on this Melbu figure." Alulan commented.

"Oh! Balder! Shana talked to me, she said we were together... And stuff but it was awhile back or something so I think I got in a fight with you." Raizel piped up.

"What?" Alulan puzzled.

"Never mind..."

A/N: Some expos on stuff!

Raizel = Not so dark and POed cause she forgot all the crappy things that have happened to her.

Balder = Is like a little kid cause he's blond and forgot all the crappy stuff too.

Alulan = Stuck up cause he's around all these stuck up ministers and peoples. Also less depressed cause he forgot stuff!

TADA! ^.^