Chapter 4
Jhori walked along the halls not knowing or caring where she was going.
"That is the meanest boy I have ever met," she muttered to herself, "I can't believe he would dare to hit me! I should have punched him instead of slapping him back…".
She continued down the hall until she finally came to a dead end. The hallway branched off to the left and right. After standing there for a few minutes she turned and walked down the left hallway.
"This place is like a big maze" she said quietly, " I wonder how they find their way around."
As she walked down the hall she thought she heard something. It was coming from a door on the right that hung slightly open. Her curiosity over came her instant impulse to turn and run. She walked quietly up to the door and peeked in.
Standing in the center of the room was Dilandau. He held his sword out it front of him and she watched as he began maneuvering around the room slashing at the air.
"I hope he hurts himself…" Jhori caught herself thinking as she moved a step closer to keep her balance but she had moved her feet a little too far front. Her left foot bumped against the wall and it sounded to Jhori like it was loud enough to wake the dead.
"I hope he didn't hear that" she thought. When she looked back in he was gone. The room was so dark she didn't know if he had used another door to leave or if he was hiding in the shadows.
"Maybe if I can follow him," she thought, "he will lead me to an exit out of this place."
Not feeling very brave but wanting to find a way off the Vione, she stepped into the room and let her eyes adjust to the darkness. She saw a door at the back of the room and decided to find out where it went.
She was just opening it when a hand came out of nowhere and yanked her into the shadows and up against the wall. She was pinned there and unable to move before she knew it.
She knew it was Dilandau because of the way his silvery hair looked in the dark. It seemed to reflect in his eyes.
"What are you doing here?" he yelled.
"I was just walking and I thought I heard something so I stopped to look," she snapped at him, "there's nothing wrong with that!"
He let go of her one arm and quickly pointed a knife at her throat.
"There is something wrong with it and you might not like the outcome next time" he said quietly.
Jhori stood unmoving with a straight face not letting him know that he had succeeded in scaring her.
"I should kill you now for slapping me" he continued, "but maybe I will let you have a chance to defend yourself…"
He kicked her legs out from under her and went to the door, opening it to reveal a closet full of swords.
"Go ahead," he said "take one."
She got up with a huff and stood looking at the swords.
"How am I going to fight him?" she thought "I don't know how to use a sword."
She picked one up slowly and then followed him to the middle of the room. They stood facing each other for what seemed like hours.
"Is he expecting me to attack him first?" she thought "I would much rather fight hand to hand….at least I learned Judo."
Dilandau lowered his sword with both hands on the hilt.
"I wonder what he is doing.." Jhori whispered quietly to herself.
"Maybe he wants to surrender!" That thought made her almost burst out in laughter. She knew that he wouldn't surrender to anyone much less a girl.
He suddenly charged at her, frightening her enough to make her scream and shut her eyes.
Miguel watched, unnoticed, from the door. When Dilandau charged at Jhori, he hurried to get between them so she wouldn't get hurt.
Jhori didn't hear Miguel's boots thudding on the floor as he ran to protect her. She knew there was no way she could defend herself against Dilandau while he had his sword. So she stood with her eyes closed waiting for the stab of pain that she knew would come any moment.
After standing there for a few minutes she hesitantly opened her eyes. What she saw shocked her almost speechless. Miguel stood in front of her shielding her from Dilandau but he was hurt.
Dilandau had tried to pull back when he saw Miguel jump in front of Jhori but it had been to late. His sword had cut Miguels leg and shoulder. Dilandau froze as he watched Miguel stand for a few minutes then crumple to the floor in pain.
"Look what you did you maniac!" Jhori yelled as she fell on her knees beside Miguel and put his head in her lap.
