Huzzah, a new chapter arrives. Don't die, Raine! Haha...Kratos moment there.
Raine: -Thwack- Get on with it!
Owwwww. Fine. Hah - interested, are we, dear Professor?
Raine: No. But I don't like your rambling, either. Get on with it. Now.
Tch...Fine. Grouch.
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Relief flooded her as she found herself returning to conciousness. Well, she wasn't dead. That was good. But her head was pounding viciously, and she was still sore and stiff. Still hopelessly trapped in this cave. She was still going to die, wasn't she? The relief ebbed a bit, and weakly she took up the unfinished letter. She knew that it might be a good idea to be a little less detailed, to ensure that she finished it before...before the end. But if she was going to write this, she was going to write it well.
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Ah, the conclusion of day five. Well, let's see. Tudok led me to the Elder of Exire's little hut, where he quietly knocked at the door. We were shown in, and my "escort" gave a respective bow. It was returned in smaller emphasis on the other's part, before we were asked, "What can I do for you?"
"We're here on a matter of some importance, sir. Leene is in danger - or at least, she believes she is. She is convinced that something terrible is going to happen to her along with the world we live on. I have been taking her from Temple to Temple so she can pray."
I blinked at him. So not only was I to be a thief, but my false identity was that of a mentally disturbed priestess who sought to pray at each altar and appease the wrath of Martel. This just kept getting more interesting by the day. I almost contradicted him, but he sent me a look that clearly said, "Play along."
So, resignedly, I obeyed. What choice did I have? "Yes." That was all I said - I wasn't about to go into elaborate detail of yet another fabrication. At least I wasn't the one who had come up with that that time.
"Forgive her, sir. Being a Priestess in the Church means she does not talk often to outsiders. We have come here, to Exire, in hopes that you will let us see the Stone of Maxwell. Leene wishes to pray there, as well."
"This is very unusual - to see a half-elf hold a place of some importance in the Church. Or anywhere at all...Let alone to have a human indulge her as you seem to." Indulge? Hardly.
"Leene and I have become close friends. The rest of the world's prejudice is of no concern to me. May we have your permission, sir, to remain here in Exire so she might pray to ease her restlessness?" Tudok flashed another smile, and gave another bow.
My fellow half-elf raised an eyebrow, but gave a nod. "Very well - do as you wish, my friends. Exire is open to you."
I wanted to open my mouth right then, to tell him what was really going on. But before I could, I was being pulled out of the small house. "We will remain here," he said, speaking into my ear as we walked, "for a total of thirty-six hours. That should be enough time for you to convince the people that you're here to appease Martel's anger, and for you to retrieve the item."
"You still haven't told me what it is I'm supposed to be stealing." I wanted to know what my job was, and I wanted to get on with it. The sooner this was over, the sooner I could get back and explain. And I do so wish it had worked out like that.
"There is a jewel here. I don't know if you noticed, but there was a crest on the wall of that house, beside the book case. In the center is a ruby. That's what you're after."
"It's what you're after," I corrected him sternly. I may have been forced to work with him, but I did not want him thinking of me as part of their little band. "And might I ask why you want it?" Why, after all, would they come all the way to Exire just for one little jewel?
"All in good time, My Lady. All in good time."
So we stayed in Exire for the next day and a half - through to the next afternoon, and then into the night where all was quiet and still. A thief's work field. I had to kneel consistently by Maxwell's stone, I suppose to make myself look convincing. Tudok brought me food regularly, most of which I refused to touch, and finally the fateful night came.
I still kept the cloak and mask donned as he tugged me along quietly through Exire. Our footsteps were hardly audible, and I think he was quite experienced in this line of work. We stopped at our target house's door, and he slowly pushed it open.
The elder was, of course, sound asleep. And there across the room, behind the table and beside the shelf full of books, was the crest. And ultimately the ruby. He smiled again and ushered me forward in silence, so I reluctantly went forth to the crest.
It flashed at me a little as I got nearer, which startled me in itself. But I reached out to take it, hating myself more with every inch of distance that was covered between my hand and the object. When I had worked it out of the crest and slipped it into my pocket, I returned to the door and gave him an icy glare he'd not soon forget. I'd have hit him, too, if he hadn't started tugging me away again.
We shut the door softly, and Tudok led me along toward Maxwell's Stone again. "Ready?" he asked me in a stage whisper, his grin evident. I only glowered at him in response, and let him do his fancy Ninjutsu to return us to solid ground. Wein and Kenneth were waiting for us, and the former held out his hand for the gem. Silently, I dropped it in his palm. "Let's just get this over with."
"Not so fast, love. It's a few hours til daylight, and the Colisseum doesn't open until morning. You'll have to wait...Come, we can still get into the Inn in Meltokio even at this hour. You've had a long day and a half, Lady Bryant. You should rest." His eyes flashed like the ruby I'd given him, and I hated him more.
Once again I apologize for any grammatical or spelling mistakes I might have made in all of that. My concentration leaves something to be desired lately. And I am still so very sorry - to Exire, to Meltokio, and most especially to you. I did so many things against everyone, I don't know if I can be forgiven. Except maybe by you - I don't deserve it in the least, but somehow I like to think that you won't hold it against me.
Thank you, Regal. You mean the world to me, as I'm sure you well know. But I'm afraid I'll have to stop here for now. Yes, my hand is cramping, and my concious mind losing its battle. Til tomorrow.
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The pen nearly slipped from her slackened grip, but she held long enough to neatly lay it and the paper aside. She shuddered, biting back something of a groan, or a cry. She wasn't sure what it would have sounded like had she allowed it to pass her lips.
It was growing dark. Or maybe that was just her own little world of awareness going blank...Most likely it was both of them combined, from soon her head fell back against the rock and slumber took her again.
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Raine: -Sigh-
Don't worry. You're alive.
Raine: For how long? -.-
I don't like what you're implying.
Raine: It's true! You're already planning for "The Silent Voice" to--
WOAH! Hush! Stop that! Red light! No talky. -Tapes her mouth shut- Geez. Anyways, stay tuned for this fic!