And alas, another chapter arrives.
Raine: ...Why?
Because people wanna know what happens, and you make such a CUTE "dying wife."
Raine: My death...is "cute" to you?
You're not dead yet, sweetie.
Raine: -Thwack-
OW! -Grumbles-
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A groan passed her lips. The morning brought with it a sense of stiffness to compliment the pain she felt. She looked down at her most apparent wound, feeling a little lightheaded. How much blood had she lost by this time? She wasn't too keen on estimating. She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to sit upward enough to take off the tattered, hooded cape she'd been wearing. The mask that had covered the lower half of her face had long since been discarded. But the cape she could use to bind the arrow's mark as least in a temporary fix. Long enough to finish her letter. If she could summon the strength to rip it.
She used her teeth, ignoring the vile taste it brought, to tear a part of it into strips. She couldn't tie it, though, and so settled instead for pressing the strips against the still bleeding, probably infected puncture wound. She was very thankful, for a grand total of two seconds, that she was alone, as she heard her own stressed cry of pain echo in the small cave. But the grateful feeling passed quickly, to be replaced by the somewhat unfamiliar longing.
She picked up her letter, and used her dominant hand to write while the other clutched at the makeshift bandage.
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How long have I been here now? I believe it's been only two or three days, but it feels like longer. So, then, onto the third page.
This was another day when the Lezareno held you in your office, leaving me alone at home. But this was two days after my previous chapter took place. Those two days in between were quiet - and that made me nervous, too. at least if they made their move, I'd know what it was. But the feeling of uncertainty is never exactly pleasant.
I'll say it again - I'm sorry, very truely sorry, that I had to lie to you for so long. Maybe it was wrong, but I didn't want to see you hurt. Physically or otherwise. So I kept my silence for those two days, and tried to get on with life as normally as possible.
I know you were suspicious from the very beginning, and yet you hardly brought it up...So thankfully I didn't have to outright lie again. Now, fourty-eight hours after that first message, I got another one. Hardly a surprise for you, I'd say. These stories always have at least some predictable element to them. But anyway, it came. By the same boy that had brought the first one. And that made me think a bit, too.
But I had bigger problems. With a resigned sigh, I took it from him. It was early afternoon, and you were gone again for the moment. To tell George something, I think. I sat down, opened this second letter, and began to read.
"To the Lady Bryant -
We apologize for the lack of word the past few days, My Lady. The time was not yet ready. But I am happy to say that we have decided to go ahead with our plans. I think it only fair to announce the coming of Mister Damae Tudok at your house tomorrow around noon, when your husband is sure to be away at his Company making his living to support you, his darling wife. He will be your escort, for our plans will be set into motion in a little less than twenty-four hours.
We cannot meet this night, for I have a previous engagement. So I will tell you here and now what to expect. You are a half-elf, My Lady, as I am sure you are well aware. You can enter Exire without being feared, and so can...retrieve something of ours. In addition, you are part of the Reunification Group, and therefore bound to be powerful. The colisseum awaits you, dear. We need you to enter, to meet an adversary of ours. Next comes infiltration of Castle Tethe'alla. You are the wife of a noble, My Lady, and will be allowed inside to stay for at least a night...which is all we shall need.
I daren't speak anymore of the details. When the time comes, each mission will be quite thoroughly explained to you. Please note once more that your husband can not, and I repeat, can not, know of these plans. We have people inside Altamira including myself. If he is arted, be assured that we will know. And the consequences will be dire, as I have mentioned.
Til tomorrow, My Lady Bryant."
He didn't need to give me the details for me to resent what I was to be used for. An agent, a spy. A member of an underground ring of theft, vandalization. I wanted no part in it, truely. But I had no choice. Someone would be coming by the next day...I would have to go.
You returned while I was still staring at the paper. I had finished reading by that time, but it held my gaze. "What is it?" you asked, going into the kitchen.
I looked up, startled. And here it is again, yet another lie. "A letter from Genis. Just an update on his studies, that's all."
"How is he doing?"
"He says...everything is going fine. Regal..."
You slowed to a halt, having been coming back out to me. "Is something wrong, Raine?" Slowly, you came to sit beside me. I remember you started to play with my hair, but I took your hand to stop you. Somehow, it increased my guilty feelings. And that was something I didn't need right then.
"The--" But I stopped. I just couldn't tell you. "No. It's nothing, I just...I just wanted to say that I love you. No matter what happens." Even if you thought otherwise because I disappeared out of nowhere. You had to know that. I felt I had to say it just once more to your face, just to reaffirm it in perhaps both our minds.
You just sort of blinked at me for a moment before replying in turn, "And I love you, as well." You kissed me again, and it took all of my self control not to burst out with what I was hiding. I felt so faithless, disloyal. But I returned the kiss with a very genuine attitude - if you don't believe anything else in this letter, believe that. That last kiss. It was real on my part. Because I wasn't sure what was going to happen, or if I'd ever see you again after the next day.
I gave a faltering smile to you, said I was going to take another walk, and left before you could offer your company. Being around you in all your unwariness of the situation, and your gentle smile. It was sickening, because I knew I was holding a secret behind my own. I felt I was doing the worst thing, like I was breaking a marriage vow. Maybe I was...Was there one that said, "I promise not to hide anyone blackmailing me by using you as a an unwitting hostage and threatening to act against you if I don't cooperate?" Maybe you should recommend that to the next betrothed pair you meet. It may change something...
The days seem to grow shorter for me - I'm getting more weary earlier in the afternoon now. I promise I'll finish this letter before my body gives up the ghost, so to speak. Because you have to know why I left. You have to have more than that little, written farewell I left that day.
I can't write any more just now - I'm sorry. When I awaken(whever that will be, as my sleep schedule has been severely thrown off by everything), I will continue.
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The tears had begun to resurface while writing this section. She really did feel so horrible. All she had given him was a short letter to say goodbye, not even an apology for so many lies and all the deceit she pulled on him.
She put down the pen and her four written pages, rasing a hand to brush one single salty droplet of water from her cheek. "The Professor," however, did not allow any more to fall. She needed to sleep, to rest her mind, so she could continue on next time with a clear head.
As her eyes slipped closed and sleep tugged at her fatigued mind, she murmured his name again without even realizing it.
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Awww. Poor girl. -Huggles-
Raine: Let go of me. You're disgusting, juvenile lunatic.
...Tell me what you really think, whydon'tcha?
Raine: I believe I just did. Unless you'd like me to think of stronger words.
Those'll do, thanks. -.- Stay tuned.