Author's Note:I am SO sorry I was not able to update sooner. I will not go into the disaster, but merely say that my Microsoft Word was not available. All my work had to be rewritten again. My individual responses to your reviews will be at the end of this chapter. Thank you for reading, and for the others, thank you for your reviews.

This is for my friend, Eriko Myoujin/Word of a Sayre. It's a welcome back present, basically.

Disclaimer:Not mine, will never be, I wish it was, don't sue me. On with the story.

Chapter Ten:Attempts of Escape

Tal was unable to comprehend the situation around him. Malen and Crow had just departed for the main halls of the Castle, and now he was alone, amidst the dank cavern, with no company save for

Sharrakor had a surprising defeat earlier from the Crone Malen, but he had not departed from the Castle with peace. His shadow minions still lurked above, creating havoc. Perhaps they had not yet learned of their master's demise. Crow and Malen were supposed to have left to settle that disturbance. How, he did not know.

He also wished he had followed them. Though he was Emperor of the Castle, he did not venture frequently to the underground chambers. The result of this was his current situation.

He was lost.

How long had he been wandering this cavern? Several minutes had passed already. The enormity of his situation perplexed him, and he fervently wished he was three years old once more, playing Colors with his Great-Uncle Ebbitt.

He could not though. He was Emperor now. And his duty was to protect his people.

Do not worry, Tal. Help is arriving soon.

'Thank you, Milla,' Tal thought weakly. He immediately quickened his pace, breaking into a run. He had long since given up with the bed of light for Milla, and was now carrying her. Unfortunately, this also depleted him of energy. Shaking his head, he focused on finding an exit. Spiritshadows were currently ensuing chaos above, and he needed haste.

'Milla, where is the current location of the Freefolk that are supposed to meet me?'

I cannot contact them anymore. The keeper at this...dismal place I am in has limited me to speak to only one being. But I remember that your uncle Ebbitt and Clovil are arriving soon.

'Why can you not speak to them anymore?' asked Tal, dodging a boulder in his path. 'And why did you not choose Malen?' Tal was finding it difficult to multi-task- looking for an exit, carrying Milla, talking to Milla, and focusing on his Sunstone. 'Were you able to speak to Ebbitt?'

Malen is much too preoccupied with her current situation, and of...other thoughts. Ebbitt's mind was complicated to delve within, and his thought patterns were rather sporadic to attempt comprehension.

'And I do not appear preoccupied?' replied Tal exasperatedly. 'Did you expect my uncle's mind to be organized and understandable? What of Clovil?'

Clovil did not know where they were when I was last able to speak to him. He claims they are lost, despite Ebbitt's own claims that they were not, for they had the Codex's instruction-

BOOM.

Milla's report was interrupted with that ear-splitting explosion. The explosion caused numerous fine stone particles to fly in the air, as well as many more other sizeable pieces of rock. Even though Milla was dead and unable to virtually feel pain, Tal immediately faced away from the explosion, covering Milla. Coughing, he instinctively began to form a Red Ray of Destruction. Spiritshadows could not make solid objects implode, could they?

'To attack or not to attack...'

Do not attack, Tal.

'And why not?'

Listen.

'How is it that you force me to listen to my enemy first when you met me by trying to strangle me? I find this highly unfair,' protested Tal. But he tensed, trying to listen. Muffled voices were ensuing from the dust around him.

Voices that sounded very familiar.

"...have to do that?' said one, exasperated and coughing.

"No other way my good man," answered a second voice, surprisingly gleeful and clear through the clouds of dust. "And it was fun!"

Tal recognized that voice immediately. Who else, after all, did he know that would detonate cavern walls and then later speak of it as an enjoyable task?

"Hello, Uncle Ebbitt," greeted Tal. When the two blurred figures began to look around wildly for his voice, he raised his free right hand, focusing his Keystone to glow violet. Unfortunately, his left side was steadily becoming numb as he forced it to carry the weight of Milla. If she could see the situation she was in right now, she would be very…affronted. He sighed and returned her to both arms. "Over here!"

You know Tal, I can still hear your thoughts.

"Dark take it," cursed Tal. She was either smirking at him or raising an eyebrow. Either one.

"Dark take what?" Clovil appeared next to him, a cloth pressed against his mouth.

"Everything," mumbled Tal.

"Why is everyone talking in the dust?" An indigo light flared around them, and Tal was able to see his great-uncle Ebbitt and his rather prominent nose. Ebbitt grinned maniacally at him. Clovil glanced at him, apparently doubtful of his uncle's sanity. Tal couldn't blame him.

"Perhaps because you decided to explode a path here?" replied Clovil, quirking a brow.

"Nonsense!" cried Ebbitt, waving his arms airily and nearly concussing Clovil and Tal. "Never mind that sticky bit. Besides, the Crones want to talk to Tal. Time to go!" And with that, he immediately did an about face, marching through the halls, oblivious to the fact that the two were staring blankly at his retreating back.

Meanwhile, at the former Violet level, Malen and Crow ran haphazardly through a new battle raging between the Icecarls, Castlefolk, and Spiritshadows. The refreshing part was that the Icecarls and Castlefolk now fought together with a purpose, unlike the last battle five circlings ago, where they fought each other. Malen was confident that the Spiritshadows did not stand a chance against the combined power.

Unfortunately, the battle was rather difficult to cross. Malen desperately sought council with the Crones, but like before, could not concentrate amid the chaos. Crossing the field of battle was dangerous and nerve wracking, as beams of light shot past the two once in a while, a sword thrust would come a little too close, and a Spiritshadow would come ever so near…

Luckily for her, she had many benefits. For one, Crow was her companion, and every once in a while, would fire at any lunging Spiritshadows, and instantly blocking her from harm. Another thing was her black furs- they made her recognizable as a Crone, and despite the confusion of her people on why a Crone would be amidst a battle, they covered for her too.

Lost in her thoughts- which were very inconvenient to think of at the moment- Malen's head was nearly sliced apart from a sneaking shadow with blades for arms. Fortunately, a nearby Icecarl slashed at the offending creature's body, tearing it apart. "Crone Malen!" gasped the Icecarl. "Are you unharmed?"

"Yes," replied Malen, shouting through the shrieks of battle cries and shadows. Quickly, she dodged a nearby Red Ray of Destruction. "Do you know of where are the Crones located at the present? I must speak to them right away!"

"The Crones are gathered at the Audience Chamber," replied the Icecarl in an undertone. "Be wary of your entrance, however. The shadows also seek entrance.

"Thank you!" cried Malen, grabbing hold of Crow and began heading towards the Hall.

"Good luck," whispered the Icecarl. The warrior disappeared into the fight, slicing through the shadows in her path, shouting a battle cry.

Crow, who was not as slender and graceful as Malen, had extreme difficulty trying to follow her through the fighters. Every once in a while he would nearly be singed at his face. And he could not worry only of himself. In her haste, Malen was clearly oblivious to the Spiritshadows trying to murder her, and he had to continue firing light at the fools who tried. 'How far away is this Audience Chamber?' he thought furiously.

He almost crashed into Malen when she stopped, paled, and shoved him into a hidden corner behind several statues of famous Chosen. "In there!" she hiss, running after him.

"What happened?" he asked, bewildered.

"Look out there," replied Malen, wringing her hands. "Ohh…how are we going to enter?" she muttered.

Crow peeked out from the statue of some Chosen named Ramellan, and stared at two giant gleaming doors. This was where the fiercest battle lay. The Spiritshadows undoubtedly wanted to kill all that were inside, and the Icecarls were doing their very best to keep them at bay. To his surprise, many of the Castlefolk had joined the fray, protecting the Icecarls. This was new.

A sharp prod to his side returned him to reality. "Any ideas on how to enter, Crow?" asked Malen. "It seems rather impossible- so many are blocking our only way in. And if we do manage to enter, a shadow will follow us in…"

But the former Freefolk leader returned her worried face with twinkling eyes, grinning. "Why are you smiling? I find it highly impossible that you can find humor in our current predicament. So why do you smile?"

"Because," Crow said impishly, visions of a nose-picking child coming to him, "That is not the only way to get in."

Malen's eyes widened, and she whispered, "Lead me there."

"So what took you two so long?"

Clovil rolled his eyes, and then replied apathetically, "Ebbitt was using the Codex."

"That makes no sense," answered Tal, glancing at him. "The Codex is the most informative object in the Dark World. How could you get lost?"

"Sure it makes sense," mumbled Clovil. "Ebbitt was reading the Codex while it was his breast-plate again. And it took an hour of suspicious walking in circles for me to realize that he was reading it while it was upside down. Ebbitt couldn't figure out where we were, so he just well, blasted his own path to you."

Tal groaned and stared ahead at his uncle, who was humming tunelessly to himself, staring at the jagged walls in fascination. To his shock, Ebbitt was many stretches away from them.

"I guess those Crones gave him some good exercise, eh?" said Clovil, following his gaze and grinning. "Uhh…Tal, why are you smirking at me like that?"

"Because," replied Tal, smiling, "were Milla alive, you would not be, especially after that comment."

Clovil paled slightly, shooting a terrified look at the body Tal was still carrying. "You know, I was about to offer to carry her for you, since you looked so tired, but now I fear even in death, she'll still find a way to bring me there too."

Tal slumped his shoulders. "It was a good offer though. I'll ask Milla if she minds you carrying her…"

NO.

"…And that's a no." Tal sighed, and adjusted her body once more. "And it's going to be a long walk…"

"Sorry, Tal," said Clovil. "But it looks like both her and I are unwilling."

"Dark."

'Anyways,' thought Tal, 'How was Ebbitt at the Ruin Ship?'

He provided entertainment, truly.

'Are you being sarcastic? Oh, and do you know why the Crones want to talk to me?'

No. To both questions.

Tal sensed her frosty reply. 'Do you want to be left alone?'

YES.

'Yes, ma'am,' replied Tal meekly.

Author's Note: And that's the end of chapter ten. Yes, it was rather talky, but that's my fault, being the author. I hope you liked it. I'll write longer chapters as the story goes on. I don't even know how long this will go! Anyways, I would appreciate it if you left a review to tell me what you thought. I'll have this update soon.

And here are the individual replies I promised at the start!

Saya: Wow, you commented fast. I had just placed the ninth chapter and then hours later, your review comes…but for the earlier chapter. Oh well. Everyone apparently liked the arguments with the consciences. I guess the 'first sign of madness' thing must have started for Tal and Milla. Thanks for reviewing!

Ninjamonkey: Thank you! I'll update sooner this time. Promise.

Bob (for both reviews): Malen will be a bit more distrustful of Crow, as it is her nature. As of now, she's in a bit of a hurry to talk to the other Crones to suspect him. Bad timing, but she'll learn. As for your other question, it's not exactly Milla's time to die, as later chapters will prove she will be needed.

Largosan: Thank you! Er…wait. I wrote Milla without her Talons? Dark take it all…EDITS

WingedUnicorn123: Glad to hear it ;

Chris: Yay! I hope you liked this chapter too. Thanks for your TWO reviews.

Fish Dance: Woohoo! Someone likes my fanfic! Sorry it took so long to update! Thanks for your three amusing reviews.

Momeythecow: I'm horrible when it comes to settings. Once I start writing about the settings, it's going to be hard to stop. I'm naturally a narrative writer, but this story's been mostly dialogue. Darn it. Hmm…yes, at the epilogue of the sixth book, Garth Nix said that Malen would stay with some other Crones at the Castle as a permanent embassy. Ebbitt liked the sound of the Crones and went with Milla. Hope that cleared things a bit.

Sasafras: Ack, forgive me for the rather unrealistic point of view on Seventh Tower. This is my bit of fantasy, so I apologize if it offends you. Thanks for your opinion.

MzHissyFits: I'm so sorry! You could still write your story! I'd love to see your ideas.

ShaDowX287: Okay! I'll set right to work on those things then.

Jon: I'm really sorry that the story faded from what you were expecting. I tend to write humor stories though, as serious moods are difficult to portay. Thank you for voicing your thoughts.

Frannie: Hiii Frannie! Heh. I personally replied to your review, so you've already had the reply. More chapters are coming soon!

Audi Katia: Aww, thank you for the compliments and the rose! I'll be updating more frequently, so you will see Milla's fate. She's not going to stay dead, that's all I can say. Tal and Milla stories are awesome.

Coldfire: I love reading Garth Nix's books too! His Abhorsen trilogy was a wonderful read, though I do wonder about Lirael's future. I might write a fanfiction for that series one day. Thanks for your review!