A short Chapter, to pass the time. I'm trying to fugure out how to reveal EXACTLY who Nick is.

Diclaimer: I don't own Dragon Knights

Chapter Eleven: Calming Tides

"Ruwalk!" a voice yelled out as he stopped to close the door to Kaistern's hospital room. "Mr. Ruwalk!"

"What is it, Delte?" he asked seeing how distressed the fortuneteller was. Then again, everyone in the Dragon Castle seemed to look like the world was ending these days. A pity, it was for sure. "Anything wrong?"

Delte swallowed hard, trying to form the right words to say. It was a delicate matter to report and she wanted to help Nick out as much as she could. "That new girl, the blond, she was up. Tetheus brought her to me to have her fortune read."

"That's fortunate," Ruwalk laughed. It seemed he had to make more jokes these days to lighten everyone up. It occurred to him that it was time for new ones. "I mean, that girl is amazing. Up walking around in no time. Do you like her? I have yet to meet our guest, I must admit."

"I like her fine," Delte said, still uncomfortable. "Which is why I wanted to tell you of the reading and not the security officer. I do hope my predictions of your reactions are wrong."

"What is it?" Ruwalk asked, more curious now. "Is it bad?"

Delte looked at the tiles, a nervous red coming to her face. Why was it she had to have done the reading? Cesia was the main fortuneteller. As of that moment, Delte envied Cesia of her illness.

"Well, I…I believe t-that girl to be as closely related to the Demon Lord as, well, d-demonly possible."

It was out now. Out for anyone to take and abuse or terrify or torture with.

She didn't hear a sigh or any kind or recognition to tell her that Ruwalk had even heard her. She looked up. Ruwalk was looking at her but she could tell it was a mental stare; he was thinking.

"You're sure?" he asked after a minute.

"A dark card came up that has never before come up. When Nick left, I did a reading for the Demon Lord. The same card came up." Ruwalk didn't seem to care about any of this. "I am sure."

Ruwalk nodded and began toward the main part of the castle, motioning Delte to follow. "What else did you find?"

"Uh…" Delte was confused. "Sir?"

"Anything in the reading? Impending doom, fall of all civilization, that sort of thing. Any of that?"

"No," Delte said. "No, mot much else about her was…frightening."

Ruwalk seemed happy by this information as he began humming. The sound relaxed Delte a bit and allowed her to take a deep breath to let in the peace. It was a beautiful day, and the breeze was so nice. The weather had been perfect these last few days. She wondered how long it would last.

"Did you say Nick left your chambers?" Ruwalk had stopped humming.

"Yes," Delte replied feeling well again.

"Was she with someone?" Ruwalk asked.

"No," Delte said. Then the reality hit her. Nick wasn't supposed to walk around without anyone. Tetheus had told her that. Now that they had learned that Nick to be connected (assembly generically) to the Demon Lord made the order all the more important. Instantly, her panic was back. "Do you think we should find her!"

"Oh no, I'm sure it's fine," Ruwalk said, still looking ahead. "It looks as if Rath had her."

Delte looked as well and saw the Fire Knight leaping over walls and benches with the blond directly behind him. It was a really funny scene, actually.

"I wonder what he did this time," Ruwalk mused.

Rath, after years of experience in ticking Alfeegie off, knew exactly when and how to get under the officer's skin. And never before had he seen the man THIS mad. Demon or not, the girl was hilarious.

"Do you think we should stop and apologize to that guy?" Nick yelled to him.

Rath risked a look over his shoulder at the cursing Alfeegie. "Nah, better not. He'll be fine in a month or two."

"A whole month?"

Rath smiled. "I wouldn't come to dinner if I were you."

TBC...

I like the fact that Nick gets in trouble no matter what. And oh the trouble to come...