Another chapter, whee. Sorry, this one took me longer than the others. Pshhh.
Raine: ...I still resent this story.
Oh, I know that. But then, you know I don't really care.
Raine: Quite obviously.
Well then, stop complaining and get on with life.
Raine: How can I if I'm dying?
...Point.
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This time when she came to awareness, she noticed it took a much longer time to clear her vision. And even then, it wasn't perfect. She felt even weaker than she had the last time. Likely the fever was settling in to be with her to the end. Probably even speed up the process. Was it just her fuzzy thoughts, or did it seem like she was in an almost suicidal frame of mind?
This nearly amaused her as she picked up the letter to continue. The smile faded quickly, though. She didn't want to die...not really. She just knew she really had no choice in the matter. Bracing herself against the on-going pain in her stomach, she put the pen's tip to the paper, and began to slowly write the next chapter in her tale.
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I woke up to find myself lying on a bed apparently at the Inn. Tudok's angering grin was the first thing I saw as he bent over me. "Good morning!" he greeted, jubilantly.
I sat up, pushing him out of the way. I remember my back ached from the hit I'd taken the day before. But I ignored it, of course. Wein was standing nearby with a sapphire in his hand. He brought out the ruby and sat them side by side on the table. I must admit, I was intrigued by what happened with them - each kept their own color for the most part, but there was a swirl of the other's hue in the center of both. They were interacting, and I'm ashamed to say it drew my interest.
Kenneth offered his help when I stood, but I rejected it firmly. I just wanted to get this third and final task over with, so I could go back and face the consequences of my blasted thievery. "Now that you're awake, My Lady Bryant," purred Wein, looking up at me. "We can retrieve the last gem."
They still hadn't told me what they needed these three stones for. And I wanted to know. "Of what importance are they to you? I demand an explanation, since I'm the one getting them for you."
"A little touchy this morning, aren't we?" Tudok cocked an eyebrow. "The Lady must still be tired and sore from her battles yesterday."
"The Lady," I returned, irritably, "is sick of working blindly for this group of thugs. I'm only here to protect Regal and the Lezareno. What do you outlaws want with a set of three gems?"
"Not just any gems, love. Each of these are special. Not particularly valuable in a sense of currency and profit. But infinate in their worth regarding the power they hold. However, this explanation can and will wait until we have the Castle's emerald."
"Alright, My Lady. You can take off the mask for now, as your identity should be known this time. You'll be allowed into the Castle only because of your rank as the wife of an esteemed noble." Another smile from Damae Tudok. Oh, how I did hate him so.
But I took off the mask gratefully with the sole comfort that you might see us again, and of course recognize me more confidently than you had before. But you and I didn't see eachother again after that, not once. I didn't even catch a glimpse of you. I don't know if that means you gave it up - in which case you probably never will read this letter. But in case you do, it has to be written.
We made our way toward the Castle Tethe'alla where my identity - my real identity for the first time since this started - was relayed to the King, and I was granted an audience. Again, Tudok accompanied me inside. He was like my body-guard figure to outsiders now, though to me he seemed anything but.
I was told to claim that I was there for a record held in the royal archives about something historical. The specifics were up to me, and the first thing that came to my mind was the Otherwordly Gate. I asked if I could see it, and I was questioned as to "where my husband was." To this I dutifully and shamefully answered, "I'm meeting him here tomorrow for a little vacation."
As Wein and his possy predicted, I was then invited to spend the night in the "Crimson Chamber," or whatever that room was called. It was purely out of courtesy on His Majesty's part, I know. Because I also know he still has ill feelings about our marriage. But nevertheless I accepted, and soon enough the sun had set.
Night fell upon Meltokio, and Tudok informed me that our move must be then. He dragged me out into the dark halls, my cloak and mask alike both donned again. Silently we slipped past the guards and to the Royal Chambers. Oh, yes. I had to steal the thing directly from the King's bedroom. I'm sure you can imagine how interesting that might be.
So he took me to the side of the room where existed another crest - much more fancily done than the one in Exire. It was decorated with probably every kind of jewel imaginable. I suppose that's to be expected in the chambers of His Royal Majesty. But it didn't matter, as my target was very clear. The emerald embedded in the very center, that flashed at me as the ruby had done.
I cast a weary glance at the royal's sleeping form, and reached out to work it from its resting place. Once it was securely in my pocket I turned a heated glare on Tudok and accompanied him back to the Crimson Chamber.
When morning came I bade the Castle farewell and set off with supposedly no knowledge of the theft. It wasn't until later that the residents of Meltokio found out about it - and Wein, Kenneth, and Tudok all acted as puzzled as everyone else. It was safe to say no one suspected us. So we left the city directly, heading for the near coast of the continent.
I'm happy to report that the end of this letter is drawing near. Just one more page, and it should be finished. Then I suspect it won't be long until my life comes to its end as well. I'm sorry, Regal, but it's a little hard to be optimistic in this situation, and when my body is in this condition. Besides, you know me.
I'm a realist.
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With that, she ended the latest chapter in her tale. It was true - she wasn't going to last long, and she knew it all too well. It was a good thing the next page would finish it, or else it would never be finished.
She put down the pen and paper, curling weakly into the corner of her little cave. She had to admit, she was afraid of death. she knew it came eventually to everyone. She knew it would come early to her. But she was still afraid of it.
Perhaps she could have accepted it more easily if she'd gotten to speak to him in person just once more. If she could feel him hold her as life let go - that would be easier. But she couldn't, and she knew that, too. So the only thing to do was finish her letter and resign herself to the inevitable arrival of Death himself.
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Wow, Raine. You're such an optimist. You know, you're really depressing!
Raine: You're forgetting one little detail...You're the one who wrote it, my dear girl.
Meh. Details, shmetails. You're still depressing. Stay tuned, readah peeps.