A/N: What do you know- I finally updated. Yay go me! Thank you to all who
left a review!
Chapter 3- Surprises at every turn
Tal and I walked silently down the halls of the former Violet level, heading downstairs to the feast. We did not speak for quite some time, but for some odd reason, Tal kept giving me strange looks. I shrugged this off, and continued to look around the castle.
Tal broke the awkward stillness. "So, umm, Milla."
"That's my name," I said nonchalantly, carefully glancing at my Sunstone ring.
He gave me a sarcastic look, and I silenced. "I was wondering if you knew what would take place in the following days from now," said Tal.
"Not really," I replied, "but Malen might inform me of them later."
"Oh."
"Why do you ask?" I questioned, turning to face him.
"I assumed that you wouldn't."
"You assume too much."
"Dark take you. Anyways, Clovil has been so kind to plan everything out for me," pronounced Tal sardonically, "that he made a grand ball, a banquet, a light show, and pretty much the whole works. So prepare for a long month ahead of you."
"I look forward to it," I answered smoothly, smiling and struggling to restrain myself from wincing. A whole month of being creeped out by Clovil's ideas. Lucky me.
Tal grinned as if he knew what I was thinking. "Hey, he's making me go to these too, so you can complain all you want. But he's very persistent on these things. I complained the moment he suggested them and he whacked me with a throw pillow."
I laughed. You had to admit, Clovil could be really determined to get his way, especially if he had to whack the Emperor to get it through. "Has anyone else tried to stop him- without getting slapped with a pillow?" I asked.
He chuckled. "Gill protested the loudest, and he threw the pillow at her. Naturally, it started some sort of pillow war. Feathers were flying everywhere."
"That's er- interesting."
"Very."
"Hey, you two!" A voice shouted.
"Darkness take it," muttered Tal, as he turned around. I laughed to myself.
Clovil was running towards us and beaming. "I finally found the missing lovebirds!"
My laughter died right there. I scowled at him. Unfortunately for him, he never noticed, but got right to the point, for once.
"You guys should really hurry up! The Crones and the Castlefolk are wondering where you are! And if you come any later, you're going to need one heck of a story to explain to them why you haven't been there from the start. And it's going to look mighty suspicious if they find that both of you were together," Clovil teased, and then he quickly darted off.
"I'm going to kill him," I muttered.
"I'll give him a second," responded Tal.
Then as if on cue, both of us chased after Clovil, who turned his head, mouthed 'uh oh', and ran for his life.
*******************************************************
At the feast, I sat down in my seat at the high table, but ate very little. Malen sat next to me, along with the Freefolk, and we discussed current events in our worlds. Malen seemed very bitter about something, and I told myself to remember to ask her later. Gill seemed to notice something too, and she shot me a look. I nodded, and resumed my scanty eating.
After the dinner, I ventured back to the halls with the Freefolk, Malen, Tal, and Ebbitt. Despite the late hour of the night, we had all decided to talk a bit about the past circlings. Why they decided to choose my room to talk in, I will never know. As we were walking, Malen carried Ferek on her back, both laughing as she swayed from his weight. Clovil was chatting animatedly with Ebbitt, Gill with me, and Tal with Bennem. Inkie remained as silent as ever.
Neither of us saw the dark shape before us, until Malen crashed right into it. Malen gasped as the hood fell from the person's face.
"Crow," whispered Malen, gasping as he collapsed in her arms.
*********************************************************
Bennem carried Crow as we rushed him to the Crones for healing. We waited anxiously for any signs of consciousness for half the night, until he began to stir. Malen and Bennem glanced at him, hoping for him to awaken soon. Crow's face was a deathly white, and a multiple scars grazed his arms and sides. He still retained his feathered cap, but his Sunstone and knife was missing from him.
Crow's eyes fluttered opened. Then he groaned and rubbed his head, which was bleeding profusely and wrapped in a cloth. "What happened?" he asked.
"That is what we wish to learn about, Crow," replied Malen, looking confused.
"I can't remember what happened," muttered Crow, closing his eyes, "It's fading away from my head."
All of us waited on bated breath, hoping to hear what Crow would say. None of us however, expected his eyes to darken into a demonic black, and a harsh voice from the past to emit from his lips.
"I will return, Crone. For shadows never truly die."
Crow's eyes returned to his warm honey color, and his body slackened. He collapsed once more, falling in Malen's arms, leaving us bewildered and frightened. Tal, Malen, and I all shot each other a stunned gasp. Then Tal breathed the name we could not speak.
"Sharrakor."
**********
Later that night, Malen, Tal, and I were conversing in my room to discuss the words of Sharrakor. Malen insisted on discussing the Crones, Tal wished to talk to Crow further, Ebbitt was pacing around the room, and I was already planning in case of a war.
"Ebbitt," I called, motioning him to come, "may I see the Codex, please?"
Ebbitt halted mid step and crashed into Tal, who was leaning against my bedpost. The silvery Codex slithered away from him to the floor, changing into the large silver pillar. I asked it to show me many maps, while Malen communed with the Crones. I sketched the intricate maps from the Codex, and was so intent on it, that I was startled when I picked up snatches of Tal and Ebbitt's conversation.
"We're only friends, Uncle!" exclaimed Tal.
"Doesn't seem like it." I could just imagine Ebbitt grinning widely.
"Well you're seeing things," huffed Tal. Through the corner of my eye, I saw him cross his arms and look away. I wondered what they were talking about, but continued to draw.
Malen coughed. All of us turned to her, waiting for the Crones' decision. Despite Tal's role as Emperor, I knew he would follow the Crones' orders to prevent war between our people. Again. Malen's eyes remained cloudy, and then she spoke with the massed voices of the Crones.
"Sharrakor will be a great threat to all if released once more. Stop his return in any way possible, and we will do what we can to prevent the shadow from gaining power. Be discreet, and do not let the people know."
The voices faded, and Malen sank in the bed. "I hate carrying the Voice," she muttered.
"Practice makes perfect," suggested Tal.
"But no one is perfect," snapped Malen.
Tal opened his mouth then shut it, at lost for a retort. He scowled, and resumed his spot at my bedpost, making faces at the back of Malen's head. Malen sighed, and sat up. "It's getting late," she yawned, "I will retreat to my own chambers now, and consider the problem. Good night."
"Good night, Malen," I said, clapping my fists and bowing. She returned it.
One by one, everyone exited from my room. Ebbitt dragged the obstinate Codex away, and Tal slowly stood, raising an eyebrow as he watched his comical great-uncle struggle with the silvery Codex. Assuming they would exit shortly, I flopped onto my bed, closing my eyes. I heard Ebbitt curse and mumble a hasty goodbye.
Unbeknownst to me as I traveled into my world of dreams, Tal hesitated at the doorway, watching my sleeping form on the bed. He sighed, walked towards me softly, and placed the blanket over me. "Sweet dreams, Milla," whispered Tal.
The door swung silently behind Tal as he disappeared. Then, in the shadows, my eyes snapped open in wonder.
************************
At the other side of the Castle, Malen padded gently through the corridors. Despite what she had alleged, Malen was not heading for her chamber to sleep. She would have gone the opposite direction from her current path. No, I knew where Malen would visit.
Crow.
In our battle with Sharrakor, I had been knocked unconscious by the monster. Yet I had still been able to witness Crow's supposed death over the pyre. Everyone had watched him plunge to his doom with Sharrakor, and I caught the reactions of Tal and Malen. Tal had been stunned and unable to move, but Malen- Malen had looked heartbroken. While Tal was conversing with the Old Khamsoul on the pyre, Malen stared at the ground, unshed tears glistening in her eyes. This conversation was bound to be interesting then.
Malen eased the infirmary door open, and went to Crow. Her footsteps were light, yet as she approached his bed, Crow rustled in his sleep, as if he could sense her presence. Malen sat upon the chair next to his mattress and gazed on his sleeping form. A bruise continued to bleed slowly on his head, and the blood had dripped to form a dark stain on his cloak. Malen quickly noticed this, and blotted the blood from his face with the end of her sleeve. As she moved her arm away, she heard him speak, though his eyes were still closed.
"You're supposed to be sleeping, Malen."
Crow eased his eyes open smirk, only to see Malen grinning right back at him.
"So are you," replied Malen easily.
"Well, when you're bruised and in pain, it can be difficult to sleep, can it not?"
Malen pulled her slim medicine pack out, and said softly," Pain only tells us what must be healed before the worst can happen."
She began to place an unidentifiable powder on the wound and instantly, the pain lessened on Crow's forehead, and the blood clotted. Crow smiled as he looked up at her and said, "Thank you."
"Anytime," answered Malen, running her fingers over the scar. The scar had been deep, causing her to wonder what had happened. She jumped as Crow's hand closed over hers.
"Don't worry, Malen," whispered Crow, "I'll explain everything later. Go to sleep."
Malen continued to look at him with worried eyes. Yet Crow just kissed the knuckles of her hand and repeated, "Rest. I will explain later. Promise."
Malen stood and bid him good night. But the anxious thoughts did not leave her through the night.
Chapter 3- Surprises at every turn
Tal and I walked silently down the halls of the former Violet level, heading downstairs to the feast. We did not speak for quite some time, but for some odd reason, Tal kept giving me strange looks. I shrugged this off, and continued to look around the castle.
Tal broke the awkward stillness. "So, umm, Milla."
"That's my name," I said nonchalantly, carefully glancing at my Sunstone ring.
He gave me a sarcastic look, and I silenced. "I was wondering if you knew what would take place in the following days from now," said Tal.
"Not really," I replied, "but Malen might inform me of them later."
"Oh."
"Why do you ask?" I questioned, turning to face him.
"I assumed that you wouldn't."
"You assume too much."
"Dark take you. Anyways, Clovil has been so kind to plan everything out for me," pronounced Tal sardonically, "that he made a grand ball, a banquet, a light show, and pretty much the whole works. So prepare for a long month ahead of you."
"I look forward to it," I answered smoothly, smiling and struggling to restrain myself from wincing. A whole month of being creeped out by Clovil's ideas. Lucky me.
Tal grinned as if he knew what I was thinking. "Hey, he's making me go to these too, so you can complain all you want. But he's very persistent on these things. I complained the moment he suggested them and he whacked me with a throw pillow."
I laughed. You had to admit, Clovil could be really determined to get his way, especially if he had to whack the Emperor to get it through. "Has anyone else tried to stop him- without getting slapped with a pillow?" I asked.
He chuckled. "Gill protested the loudest, and he threw the pillow at her. Naturally, it started some sort of pillow war. Feathers were flying everywhere."
"That's er- interesting."
"Very."
"Hey, you two!" A voice shouted.
"Darkness take it," muttered Tal, as he turned around. I laughed to myself.
Clovil was running towards us and beaming. "I finally found the missing lovebirds!"
My laughter died right there. I scowled at him. Unfortunately for him, he never noticed, but got right to the point, for once.
"You guys should really hurry up! The Crones and the Castlefolk are wondering where you are! And if you come any later, you're going to need one heck of a story to explain to them why you haven't been there from the start. And it's going to look mighty suspicious if they find that both of you were together," Clovil teased, and then he quickly darted off.
"I'm going to kill him," I muttered.
"I'll give him a second," responded Tal.
Then as if on cue, both of us chased after Clovil, who turned his head, mouthed 'uh oh', and ran for his life.
*******************************************************
At the feast, I sat down in my seat at the high table, but ate very little. Malen sat next to me, along with the Freefolk, and we discussed current events in our worlds. Malen seemed very bitter about something, and I told myself to remember to ask her later. Gill seemed to notice something too, and she shot me a look. I nodded, and resumed my scanty eating.
After the dinner, I ventured back to the halls with the Freefolk, Malen, Tal, and Ebbitt. Despite the late hour of the night, we had all decided to talk a bit about the past circlings. Why they decided to choose my room to talk in, I will never know. As we were walking, Malen carried Ferek on her back, both laughing as she swayed from his weight. Clovil was chatting animatedly with Ebbitt, Gill with me, and Tal with Bennem. Inkie remained as silent as ever.
Neither of us saw the dark shape before us, until Malen crashed right into it. Malen gasped as the hood fell from the person's face.
"Crow," whispered Malen, gasping as he collapsed in her arms.
*********************************************************
Bennem carried Crow as we rushed him to the Crones for healing. We waited anxiously for any signs of consciousness for half the night, until he began to stir. Malen and Bennem glanced at him, hoping for him to awaken soon. Crow's face was a deathly white, and a multiple scars grazed his arms and sides. He still retained his feathered cap, but his Sunstone and knife was missing from him.
Crow's eyes fluttered opened. Then he groaned and rubbed his head, which was bleeding profusely and wrapped in a cloth. "What happened?" he asked.
"That is what we wish to learn about, Crow," replied Malen, looking confused.
"I can't remember what happened," muttered Crow, closing his eyes, "It's fading away from my head."
All of us waited on bated breath, hoping to hear what Crow would say. None of us however, expected his eyes to darken into a demonic black, and a harsh voice from the past to emit from his lips.
"I will return, Crone. For shadows never truly die."
Crow's eyes returned to his warm honey color, and his body slackened. He collapsed once more, falling in Malen's arms, leaving us bewildered and frightened. Tal, Malen, and I all shot each other a stunned gasp. Then Tal breathed the name we could not speak.
"Sharrakor."
**********
Later that night, Malen, Tal, and I were conversing in my room to discuss the words of Sharrakor. Malen insisted on discussing the Crones, Tal wished to talk to Crow further, Ebbitt was pacing around the room, and I was already planning in case of a war.
"Ebbitt," I called, motioning him to come, "may I see the Codex, please?"
Ebbitt halted mid step and crashed into Tal, who was leaning against my bedpost. The silvery Codex slithered away from him to the floor, changing into the large silver pillar. I asked it to show me many maps, while Malen communed with the Crones. I sketched the intricate maps from the Codex, and was so intent on it, that I was startled when I picked up snatches of Tal and Ebbitt's conversation.
"We're only friends, Uncle!" exclaimed Tal.
"Doesn't seem like it." I could just imagine Ebbitt grinning widely.
"Well you're seeing things," huffed Tal. Through the corner of my eye, I saw him cross his arms and look away. I wondered what they were talking about, but continued to draw.
Malen coughed. All of us turned to her, waiting for the Crones' decision. Despite Tal's role as Emperor, I knew he would follow the Crones' orders to prevent war between our people. Again. Malen's eyes remained cloudy, and then she spoke with the massed voices of the Crones.
"Sharrakor will be a great threat to all if released once more. Stop his return in any way possible, and we will do what we can to prevent the shadow from gaining power. Be discreet, and do not let the people know."
The voices faded, and Malen sank in the bed. "I hate carrying the Voice," she muttered.
"Practice makes perfect," suggested Tal.
"But no one is perfect," snapped Malen.
Tal opened his mouth then shut it, at lost for a retort. He scowled, and resumed his spot at my bedpost, making faces at the back of Malen's head. Malen sighed, and sat up. "It's getting late," she yawned, "I will retreat to my own chambers now, and consider the problem. Good night."
"Good night, Malen," I said, clapping my fists and bowing. She returned it.
One by one, everyone exited from my room. Ebbitt dragged the obstinate Codex away, and Tal slowly stood, raising an eyebrow as he watched his comical great-uncle struggle with the silvery Codex. Assuming they would exit shortly, I flopped onto my bed, closing my eyes. I heard Ebbitt curse and mumble a hasty goodbye.
Unbeknownst to me as I traveled into my world of dreams, Tal hesitated at the doorway, watching my sleeping form on the bed. He sighed, walked towards me softly, and placed the blanket over me. "Sweet dreams, Milla," whispered Tal.
The door swung silently behind Tal as he disappeared. Then, in the shadows, my eyes snapped open in wonder.
************************
At the other side of the Castle, Malen padded gently through the corridors. Despite what she had alleged, Malen was not heading for her chamber to sleep. She would have gone the opposite direction from her current path. No, I knew where Malen would visit.
Crow.
In our battle with Sharrakor, I had been knocked unconscious by the monster. Yet I had still been able to witness Crow's supposed death over the pyre. Everyone had watched him plunge to his doom with Sharrakor, and I caught the reactions of Tal and Malen. Tal had been stunned and unable to move, but Malen- Malen had looked heartbroken. While Tal was conversing with the Old Khamsoul on the pyre, Malen stared at the ground, unshed tears glistening in her eyes. This conversation was bound to be interesting then.
Malen eased the infirmary door open, and went to Crow. Her footsteps were light, yet as she approached his bed, Crow rustled in his sleep, as if he could sense her presence. Malen sat upon the chair next to his mattress and gazed on his sleeping form. A bruise continued to bleed slowly on his head, and the blood had dripped to form a dark stain on his cloak. Malen quickly noticed this, and blotted the blood from his face with the end of her sleeve. As she moved her arm away, she heard him speak, though his eyes were still closed.
"You're supposed to be sleeping, Malen."
Crow eased his eyes open smirk, only to see Malen grinning right back at him.
"So are you," replied Malen easily.
"Well, when you're bruised and in pain, it can be difficult to sleep, can it not?"
Malen pulled her slim medicine pack out, and said softly," Pain only tells us what must be healed before the worst can happen."
She began to place an unidentifiable powder on the wound and instantly, the pain lessened on Crow's forehead, and the blood clotted. Crow smiled as he looked up at her and said, "Thank you."
"Anytime," answered Malen, running her fingers over the scar. The scar had been deep, causing her to wonder what had happened. She jumped as Crow's hand closed over hers.
"Don't worry, Malen," whispered Crow, "I'll explain everything later. Go to sleep."
Malen continued to look at him with worried eyes. Yet Crow just kissed the knuckles of her hand and repeated, "Rest. I will explain later. Promise."
Malen stood and bid him good night. But the anxious thoughts did not leave her through the night.