Chapter 15
Raven examined the suite she was given carefully. An easily defendable apartment... likely redesigned after the Immortals War. She had already examined the two bed rooms, of which one would be occupied by Anelee, and was now giving the sitting room the once over when the door opened.
Raven looked up to see Anelee.
The mage moved into the room and stumbled. Raven darted out to support her. Leading the Tyran woman to the couch, Raven saw that she was grey underneath her tan and had a particularly tired expression.
"Are you...?" the girl started.
"All right? I'm fine just a little worn out...." Anelee replied lying down on the couch, her head resting on an arm. "You should practice," the mage suggested sleepily. And then she was out.
Slightly surprised that the woman had made it from the Prince's office to their suite in such a condition surprised Raven. The amber-eyed girl looked at the scene before her.
'She used too much of her Gift...' she decided, 'No person should be able to portal twice, disintegrate someone, destroy a monster and bind another with her Gift without a large amount of sleep. In fact, it's completely unfair that she can portal twice in a day...I can't even char someone without passing out a hour afterwards....'
Raven glared at Anelee, jealous, before an unbidden thought crept into her mind.
'How is everyone at home...Do they miss me? What of Korosh?' Raven's cheeks burned when she recalled his kiss. 'Has he found someone else? Does he even think about me anymore...what of Draguen? Did he still play viola or had he opened his boutique? Had Thetar decided to become a craftsmen as his body dictated? Did 'The Roses' even exist anymore?'
Following Anelee's direction, Raven found Julian and set herself up to practice. As her finger went about tuning, the girl thought back onto 'The Roses'. They had had many first violin changes. First had been Draguen's sister who got married and settled down, then Demetrus who was killed in a 'traffic accident', then her, convicted of treason and murder, and then whomever they had found as a replacement, that blonde boy, if they continued to play.
She began her scales. D major, E minor, G major...repetitive, but necessary for tuning. Then came a series of arpeggios, seven note measures of melodic annoyance. Continuing and finishing with her warm-up, Raven faced her music and started to pick her way through that troublesome bit between bars 63 and 80. She slowed the piece down, emphasizes her shifts to ensure proper tuning for the tricky triple stops that played across her three lower strings. It was a method that Demetrus had taught her....
'Demetrus.' Raven's mind mourned as the girl thought back to when she got her first violin.
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"Raven..." the black-haired man called softly, "I have your surprise ready."
A young girl, about ten years of age, turned to look at the man from her spot on the floor. She had been trying to meditate obediently, but had failed due to her looming surprise. Rising gracefully, she patted at her clothing to shake off dust in the manner appropriate for the upper-middle class-men of Maren. Apparently the former street rat was adjusting to her new life. Shuffling over to the man she looked up at him with large, excited, amber eyes.
"Where is it?" she asked quietly, as though they were discussing a grand secret. "Can I see it now, Demetrus?"
The man, Demetrus, scooped the girl up and carried her over to a door in the room. It was usually a locked door; today it wasn't, as Demetrus open it and deposited the girl into the music room. Atop the piano bench sat an oblong figure wrapped with cranberry-coloured linen and twine. The girl walked over to it and then looked at Demetrus, unsure.
"Is this it?" she asked, seeking permission to open the package. Demetrus nodded, yes, it was hers; yes, she could open it. The girl smiled brightly and loosened the knots of twine, carefully slipping the cranberry packaging off of the figure. The removal of the cranberry coverings led to the discovery of a violin case with ebony in-lay and brass latches. Popping the case open carefully, the young Raven laid eyes on an amber-coloured violin nestled in cranberry-coloured velvet.
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She had gasped and then flung herself at Demetrus. In thanks for the instrument, in thanks for her life. The happy memory brought with it a cold feeling, however, a cold, wet feeling. Of stumbling in the rain...a memory...a review of a past event as Raven's song faded away from her ears. Instead of sheet music, she saw an alley. Instead of holding a violin, she held a small well-crafted knife. Instead of feeling secure, well fed and content, she was sorrowful, emaciated and edgy. Lighting flashed, candles were snuffed and thunder boomed repeatedly as the girl-child stumbled blindly, horribly beaten.
Boom, boom...knock, knock?
Raven's eyes shot open as the knock was repeated. Breathing a little heavy, from her re-encounter with her Rogue exile, Raven set Julian back in his case. Rushing to the door, she flung it open to meet the maid, Rose, with an embarrassed expression. Gathering herself, Raven smiled sheepishly at the short, spectacle-donning woman. Rose's soft brown eyes held some light of amusement, while Raven apologized profusely for making her wait.
"It is not I who awaits you, Miss Katharine, but the Prince Liam in his study." The maid explained.
"Ah..." Raven replied, feeling rather foolish, "Um...lead on." She added uncertainly.
Rose smiled and led the way.
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Away in Maren~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"This will require utmost care and precision. Now remember..." here Gaile looked pointedly at the warriors of various talents before him. "We are using a relay system to get to Tortall quickly. You must keep in formation at all costs. Ivan and Nathan will transport you all to the southeast tip of Maren; from there you will be portalled to the Tusaine Mountains, then to Olorun Forest and then to Corus. The mage pairs have already been assigned. One last reminder before you leave: Don't hurt her. We'd like her to be in the mood for conversation when she arrives. You are dismissed."
The group of twenty bowed to their King and filed out of the room when he went to sit at his desk.
"Tell him the mage will be dealt with." The acting-monarch stated to the emptied room. "Yes, she will be brought back if found. Killed if she refuses. The bind-mages will be fine. There are four of them each getting two warriors and forming a party."
This babble was met with silence.
"Yes, yes, they will sweep the capital, these four groups, and then will come back using the relay points. They will pick up the mages along the way, all eight of them. Never fear my lord, it is being taken care of. Ah, yes the next shipment of grain will be next..."
A hand laid itself on Gaile's shoulder, silencing the rambling king.
"Manifique, Gaile, mon cher, manifique."
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