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Author's Note: Hey people, it's FINALLY the holidays and I finally have time to update, and plus you finally get to figure out who the new warrior is if you haven't done so already. ^_~ Tala sounds really evil, doesn't he?? And more hints are given about Carly, even though they're extremely vague hints and you probably won't catch anything from them. Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you like the chapter and again the responses to the reviews are at the bottom, please review! ^_~ It's a nice Christmas present for me. ^_~
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Chapter 7: Hidden Conspiracy
"It's an outrage!!" Enrique snarled, "He brought down the whole church in one night, not to mention the forest and village surrounding it too! I will not stand for this any longer, tomorrow morning and I'm going to –"
"You're going to what?" Carly asked quietly, putting down her quiver of arrows, "Hunt him down? Where will you look? You are to stay here Enrique." She stared emptily out the window, "I need time to think."
"But princess!" Enrique protested, hurrying in front of her, his hazel eyes blazing.
"I have made up my mind Enrique, you are to stay here and look after Aquana," Carly said, casting a worried look at the room which contain the injured priest. "Flora will be busy tending to Father Nomin and –" Carly shot Tala who was playing with his mace carelessly a look of hot dislike, "Tending to him. I have no time to nurse someone to health and besides, I did not expect to hear a complaint from you, especially after I just condemned you to spending time with her alone."
Enrique flushed red, "I know that, but…it's just that she was just healing too! And then that stupid cursed knight had to come around an bring her painful memories of her homeland!" Enrique clenched his fist angrily, glass would have shattered in his hands if he held it.
"And you are mad because…?" Tala suddenly spoke up, his blue eyes staring Enrique cockily with a slight know-it-all smirk on his handsome face.
"Do you even have to ask???" Enrique shouted, "She could've been KILLED!!!"
"You said so yourself, you met the girl a couple days ago," Tala said with another small smirk, "I fail to see how that would lead to feelings like this. You can't have feelings for someone you barely know. It really makes absolutely no sense to me." He let out a small laugh.
"You can't tell me what I can or can't do," Enrique snarled, his voice growing louder and angrier with each word, "And tell me, with the long time you have known Flora, how come you act as if she's nothing but –"
"That is enough Enrique!" Flora snapped from the doorway, her eyes flashing, "Leave him alone! Would you guys stop hounding him already??? Even if you don't trust him, I do!"
"Oh, okay. So compared to him, I simply get tossed out to the junkyard! FINE. THINK WHATEVER YOU WANT!!!!" Enrique roared, obviously angry beyond reason. Storming out of the throne room, he disappeared in the West Tower, slamming several doors on the way.
"Unbalanced." Tala said softly, "Very unbalanced fellow. Flora, you needn't –"
"I would appreciate it," Carly said coldly, turning away from the window to fixed icy emerald eyes on Tala, "If you did not provoke my friend when it is obvious that he is distressed. Flora, where is…?" She stopped short when the man who had first warned them of the Nonda`Kanoste's attack stepped cautiously into the room, looking around curiously. She also noticed that the guards were throwing him dirty looks, obviously still disgruntled by his triumph over them a couple of hours ago.
"Princess," the young man said softly, kneeling down before her, "I am sorry about your monastery."
Carly smiled slightly, for once, this was one stranger whose eyes shone with sincerity, and these were times where that was rare. If Carly had looked behind her at Tala, she would've noticed that he was shooting a look a extreme disgust and contempt at the kneeling warrior. "Please rise. Warrior, I thank you on behalf of Ithildin for your words of warning. If you had not attempted to reach me when you did, I fear that the damage would have been much worse by the time I arrived on the scene. We are very lucky indeed that you were passing by and I thank you for your help of putting out the fires near the monastery. Can I be of assistance to you?"
The young man smiled as well, "Oh, I was looking for someone and it appears that I have found him." He did not notice that Tala has clenched his fists and rolled his eyes angrily as if the man had said something incredibly naïve and foolish.
"Tala? He's looking for you?" Flora asked, looking puzzled, "You know him Tala?"
//I wish she would stop saying his name in every sentence she speaks…// Carly thought, looking suspiciously at Tala, "You know each other?"
"Yes," Tala said, rather regrettably and unwillingly, his blue eyes lit in a false smile, "You shouldn't have come, I was doing fine without you."
"I knew you would," the warrior said, sliding his spear in his case, "But I feel more at ease checking anyways." His navy eyes sparkled roguishly, but sincerely.
"Perhaps," Tala said in a calmer, silky voice, one as smooth as satin, "You should introduce yourself to the princess."
Carly's eyes narrowed at Tala's rich voice, she was disliking the mysterious warrior more and more as she got to know him. If she wasn't the princess of Ithildin, if she didn't have to stupidly fair to everyone she met, this man would have had her dart stuck in his neck a long time ago!
Navy eyes twinkling without any notice of the tension in the room, the young man bowed again to Carly, "Excuse me princess, my name is Michael and I'm Tala's v –"
Tala cleared his throat loudly, shooting the warrior a death glare with his now cold blue eyes.
"You were saying…?" Carly asked, completely ignoring Tala.
"I'm…Tala's friend," he said slowly, and in confusion, "I was just following him in case he got hurt."
"How come you didn't travel together?" Carly asked, debating whether it was a lie or not, "It's much safer to be out in groups than in solitude."
"Because…um…because my skills aren't as great as Tala's," Michael said, flustered, wringing his hands anxiously as if he didn't know what he should say, "I would only slow him down."
"Then he must be in a great rush, I wonder -" Carly said pointedly, staring at Tala. //He's a horrible liar, but he's sincere…// She suddenly stopped herself and smiled sweetly at Michael, "Forgive me, I got carried away. My name is Carly Tariena Algos and as you know, I am the ruler of Ithildin, but please just call me Carly. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish as your friend is staying as well." She emphasised the word 'friend' with great loathing. Her emerald eyes darkened in concentration, looking from Tala to Michael with an air of suspicion, "Now, if you would excuse me, I have a monastery to redesign!"
"Princess," Tala said quietly, "May I ask who that knight was that attacked Ithildin?"
"I don't know who the hell he thinks he is," Carly said, obviously enraged at the mention of, wincing as a stab of pain jolted from her side to her head, "He's known as the Nonda`Kanoste and he's attacking here because he wants the Imperium Gem. And may the Lord have mercy upon him when I trap him!"
"So it is here," Tala said, smiling slyly in satisfaction, "I thought so."
"It has nothing to do with you," Carly said firmly, "The gem is in my possession and whoever wants it has to go through me and I assure you, it's not an easy task. The gem will remain neutral as my father wished it to be, my father had dedicated his life to protecting the Imperium Gem from the forces of Darkness while never once using the gem for his own accords, I will continue his work." The tone of her voice was almost daring him, challenging him to provoke trouble.
But Tala merely smiled and bowed slightly, the smile never reaching his cold eyes, "I'm sure it's well-guarded, princess."
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"How are you feeling Father?" Carly asked softly. She carefully placed a cool cloth on the priest's forehead and wiped the blood from his face.
The old priest manage a half-smile at the princess, "You should've left me to die…"
"Don't say such things Father Nomin," Carly said firmly, "If anyone deserves to die, it's that stupid Nonda`Kanoste!"
"5 years ago princess, you would've thought very differently," the priest said sadly, "It's a shame actually, if his Majesty had not ordered it…I would've stopped it from being done. It was wrong…very wrong…" He didn't finish because he doubled over, coughing weakly.
"Don't strain! But…stop what?" Carly asked curiously, placing a tray beside the priest's bedside, "Why would I have thought any differently? I would've killed him when I got the chance!"
"Take no heed of an old man's words, child," the priest said tiredly, "Perhaps when the time is right, you will recover all that was lost to you. Leave me now, princess, you have done more than enough, I will rest now and summon back my strength…"
Carly pulled the window closed as the priest fell asleep, looking out at the black night sky, //Why does everyone act like they know something I don't? How come everyone knows everything I know then? Am I being too open? I will not show any sign of weaknesses…even though…even though my worst nightmare is coming in a few days. How will I survive him? Oh, just you wait Nonda`Kanoste, you won't dampen my spirits, I will have a monastery built back before you know it and I will get that goblet back from you, you wretched snake!//
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"What the –" Michael yelped as someone grabbed his collar and practically strangled him to death. He choked on the piece of bread he was eating and doubled over, gasping.
"Explain yourself Michael," Tala said coldly, staring down at the young warrior who was coughing on the floor.
"You needn't choke me," Michael said impudently, pulling at his collar is distaste.
"You seem to have forgotten your place," Tala replied in a cool voice, "I expect my questions to be answered right after they are asked without any sort of remarks."
"Sorry," Michael muttered, "I told you, I followed you here."
"You were told to stay back," Tala snapped, "You nearly blew my cover!"
"Because you never told me WHY you are here!" Michael hissed, "It's dangerous here with the Nonda`Kanoste and everything. You have no business here, let's just go home and who's that girl you've picked up already?"
Tala looked insulted, "I didn't 'pick' her up as you so conveniently put it, I have no clue who she is, but she's convinced that she knows me. It doesn't matter, she'll be useful sooner or later."
"That still doesn't tell me why you're here?" Michael snapped.
"Don't ever talk to me like that again," Tala said threateningly, "You forgot who's in charge Michael. I am a knight and you are naught but a squire."
Michael fell into a glum silence and nodded shamefully.
"I'm going to steal the Imperium Gem," Tala said, as if it was the most casual thing to do in the universe.
Michael's eyes popped out and his mouth fell open in shock, "No way! You have GOT to be kidding me Tala!"
"I," Tala said slowly, as if Michael had just issued another horrible insult, "Never joke."
"You can't," Michael stammered, turning as white as sheet, "The princess guards it, she'll never give in to anything. You can't Tala; you'll turn into a thief. Why must you have it?"
"That is my business," Tala said shortly, "And mine alone. You will ask no more. I will kill whomever I have to in order to get that gem, mark my words Michael, it will be mine."
"You can't mean…you'll kill Carly?" Michael whispered.
"Does it matter to you?" Tala demanded, casting him a sideways look, "Yes, I would."
"You could get hanged if you were caught," Michael said in a hushed voice, "And Carly…I like her…she's got authority and she knows how to use her power, in a good way."
"Well, I know how to use mine too," Tala said with an evil smile, "Do not forget your place. Since you're here anyways, I might as well make use of you somehow. If you breathe a word of this to anyone, I will personally make sure you wish you were never born. Good night Michael."
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"You shouldn't have rushed at him like that!" Enrique said with a deep scowl on his face, looking furiously at the girl laying on the bed, "Do you want your life or not???"
Aquana turned on her side, not looking at Enrique, "He was mocking my homeland, besides, I saved your life!"
"I didn't ask for it, did I?" Enrique said, rounding on her furiously, "I would've escaped fine on my own."
Aquana sat up, her eyes blazing, "You men are all alike! You think you're all tough and you never admit it when you need help. That fire would've burned you alive!"
"Well, what good does it do if he killed you instead??" Enrique snapped, his hazel eyes smouldering like hot coals.
"I was only trying help!" Aquana said angrily, "You don't need to use that ungrateful tone with me Enrique!"
"I'm not ungrateful, I just wish you would use your head a bit before rushing off into things!"
"Look who's talking!" Aquana shrieked, "And then I thought I was doing you a favor. Well, don't expect any favors from me anytime soon, not if you're going to be such a jerk about it!"
"I just thought –"
"Would you just shut up?!" Aquana shouted.
Both of them fell silent, stunned by each other's outbursts, glaring at each other in silent rebellion.
"I was just trying make sure that it didn't happen again," Enrique mumbled, banging his fist against the wall, and dropping his head against his arm wearily.
"And I was just trying to save your life!" Aquana said, looking at him as if she was seeing him in a whole new light. "You didn't need to lecture me about it."
"Next time, just look after yourself, okay?" Enrique muttered, "There's no sense in getting hurt over nothing."
"Over nothing!!" Aquana said, the anger returning in her voice, "That's what you consider your life?? Nothing?!!"
"Listen," Enrique said, pulling himself away from the wall, his voice rising in fury as well, "Is it so bad that I don't want you to get injured because of me???"
"Why do you even care??" Aquana yelled before she could stop herself, "You barely know me!"
Enrique looked as if she had slapped him across the face. Slowly taking in what she had just said, Enrique slowly replied, "So that's how you feel."
"I don't feel anything!!! Lord, Enrique, I've only known you for a couple of days and now you're being such a JERK! Oh, I give up! Just SHUT UP!" Aquana snapped back, falling back on her bed and throwing the covers over her head, "Go away!"
"Gladly!" Enrique muttered under his breath before stomping out, "Women!"
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Enrique was so furious that he didn't even notice Carly as he stormed right past the princess who was casually leaning against the stone wall.
"From the look on your face," Carly said in slight amusement, "I would say that it went very well."
"Don't taunt me now Carly," Enrique said through clenched teeth, "I'm liable to explode any minute now, so I would advise you to stay away!"
"You had to go shoot off your old ego act…"
"I wasn't being egoist, I was worried!" Enrique protested.
"Well, most people don't enjoy being yelled and lectured at, no matter how worried the other individual is," Carly replied simply, "You've got to forget about your past experiences. Enrique, it's not your fault what happened with Trisha. If you had asked me, which you never did, I would've told you that she was a complete idiot."
"Still…" Enrique mumbled, looking extremely crestfallen, "I cared about her and I guess she never returned the feelings."
"And you guessed right," Carly said with a slight snort, "She was too empty-headed to tell a knight from a pig, well, that's her problem. Auta miqula orqu for all I care." She suddenly stopped short, looking confused.
Enrique was staring at her in horror, his hazel eyes wide with anxiety, "Carly…? What did you just say?"
"Auta migula orgu?" Carly repeated slowly, with a puzzled look, "Hmmm…now that's strange…where did I learn that? Oh well, must have just popped up in my mind." She laughed, "With all the insults I've heard these days, I'd be crazy not to remember some of them. Why are you looking at me like that Enrique?"
"What does it mean?" Enrique asked carefully as if he was fearful of the answer.
"I'm not exactly sure…" Carly said thoughtfully, "I think it means to kiss an Orc or something, it's nothing, it's just some stupid insult, that's all. Well, I'm off to bed, you and Aquana should be on better terms tomorrow. Think before you speak, you jerk! Good night Enrique and stop looking at me like I've lost my mind." She disappeared inside her room with Enrique staring behind her, looking very much at a loss of what to do.
//That's not good…it seems that the more she fights…the more it comes back to her…// Enrique thought anxiously, his hazel eyes flickering anxiously, //I have to make sure that it doesn't trigger anymore unusual thoughts…this is crazy…she shouldn't be having these memory flashes, it was all put away a long time ago and I won't let it come back. If it does, it'll destroy her completely!//
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"Excellent…" Daeloth drawled, taking the golden goblet from Johnny and adding it lovingly to his massive gold collection, "Excellent work knight. I am most pleased."
"Ha, that was nothing," Johnny scoffed, "It hardly took much effort, but…" A satisfied smirk lit his face, "It was entertaining see all those stupid villages cry out as their beloved monastery crumbled to pieces. I haven't been so entertained in years!" Leaning lazily against the wall, Johnny smiled again, "Nothing tastes sweeter than victory."
"That's the attitude I like," Daeloth said, drumming his bony fingers, "It will only be a matter of time now. Are you up for your next challenge?"
"Oh, just give it to me now," Johnny said dismissively, "I'll go for it whenever I feel like I need a bit of cheering up."
"Bring back the Purity Orb from the fountain."
"The what?" Johnny looked dumbfounded, "There's a gem in a fountain?"
"It's not just any fountain, you fool," Daeloth snapped, "It's the fountain that delivers water to all the residents of Ithildin. The Purity Orb rests within the hands of a stone-carved maiden in the centre of the fountain, it purifies the water and ensures that it's uncontaminated. Taking that away would be most intriguing."
"Haven't you noticed that you're after everything expensive?" Johnny complained, "And who the hell, in their right mind, would leave such a precious gem outside in the middle of the kingdom where anyone would be able to steal it?"
"I told you before fool," Daeloth growled, "It purifies the water, it must stay in the fountain."
"Whatever you say," Johnny said with a scoff, "If it's the orb you want for your collection, it'll be no problem." Sweeping his cape behind him, Johnny left the room and gazed out the barred window, watching the cold night lie in silence. He snickered quietly to himself, "Watch out Tariena, you're facing more than you can handle. Next time I'll destroy more than just a simple building, I'll take lives too."
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Star_Blizzard: Because Johnny's being annoyingly sarcastic and mocking. ^_~
Cry Of The Red Phoenix: It doesn't matter, as long as you review, it's fine, even if it's only half a word, lol! ^_~ Tala's not exactly a traitor, he's just got his priorities mixed up.
preaura: XD Compliments, lol! ^_~ Thanx, I love adventure and magic, it's a mix that you can't avoid! ^_~
The Great Kuro Neko: Sometimes when I review, it doesn't show either. _ Tala! *skipz* Poor Flora, she's so naïve too. O_o
whisper*2*imaginary: Yeah, Johnny's abrupt and states exactly what he wants and Tala slyly gets it through trickery. :P I always put 'update soon' at the end of my reviews, always! ^_^
RBMIfan: All I know is that Bakura's really quiet and soft-spoken when he's not controlled by his Yami. Finally, winter holidays are HERE!!
Magical Soul: *glompz* Yay! LOTR is out!! ;_; But I have to wait a week before I can see it. _ Can't wait to tell you guys what the big secret with Carly is. ^.~ Yeah I agree, sometime protecting just leads to worse circumstances, but that makes a fic fun! ^^
Yin: Well, we all know it's Michael now! I love Michael, lol! Flora is really really naïve, isn't she? ^^ Poor girl, she can't realize that Tala's totally playing her.
Silver Swiftness: YES, Michael! ^^ It was Michael, phew, glad that's out, I can't stand more saying anymore. :P
Saffron: Aaaaahhhhhhh, I made Michael sound like a priest?? *eyes pop out* Uh-oh, he's isn't, lol, but he's very respectful and sincere in my fic. Everyone wants the Imperium Gem, it's conspiracy…to powerful. :P
bimbo-blonde: ^_~ You know Michael, right??? ^^ *imagines if Carly killed Johnny right on the spot…* O_O Nooooooo, my Johnny, even tho he's evil! ^^