Chapter 7: The Demon and the Guilt
A/N: Hey all, there was an important detail in the last chapter which I left out, so if you reread the scene where she goes into the guy's mind, there it is. Anyway, I've been a writing fiend for a little while (yay it's break!) so I hope you like it. :)

Karina leaned back into the steaming water that filled the tub and sighed as the scalding heat permeated her body. She never wanted to go through that again. Ever. So what if she was the best telepath on Gaea, she didn't want to do this. The images were still in her mind, the feelings. Terror, determination, bravery, not that any of these had a chance against her. She was a telepath; it was her job to get through, and goodness knew she had gotten through. She closed her eyes, remembering pieces of that day, and grabbed the scrubbing brush that sat next to the claw-foot tub. She began to scrub, wishing she could wash away the feeling of horror, and worse the feeling of power, that she had been feeling ever since yesterday.

She couldn't even be permitted to forget it. No, they had to come into her room, the Dragonslayers all asking her ridiculous questions about what it had been like to read somebody's mind, and then she'd had to relive it all again with Folken. That hadn't been fun. It was fascinating, admittedly, and a little enjoyable, holding onto his large, gentle hands and connecting with his mind. But it hadn't been any fun relaying through images what she had seen and found out.

And of course there was Dilandau, who had been ruthlessly taunting her about her aversion to reading people's minds. He had been making absolutely sure that she knew just what he thought of her; she was a stupid, spineless bitch apparently, not that it really bothered her. She had actually been learning to deal quite well with Dilandau. He was really a bit of a child, whining and teasing and throwing a tantrum when things didn't go his way.

Karina shook her head and put down the scrubbing brush, wincing as the hot water made her realize she had scrubbed her back raw. Gently she reached behind her and touched the tender skin. There was a little bit of blood on her fingers, and she decided her bath wasn't as relaxing as she'd meant it to be. She stood up and looked at her back in the full length mirror at one end of the bathroom. The top of it was indeed bloody, the viciousness of her scrubbing apparent in the deep scratches. Not that I don't deserve it, she thought bitterly. I had no right to do such a terrible thing.

It's not like you really had a choice, a reasonable part of her mind argued. After all, they would have killed you had you not consented.

I did too have a choice. And come on, it's not like Folken would have me killed, as close as we've become.

Are you sure?

The disturbing part of it was, Karina wasn't sure. So she pushed these upsetting thoughts away and pulled on her clothes, not bothering to dry off all the way. She hadn't done an honorable thing, it was true, reading the man's mind, but the least she could do was go to see Folken and find out what was going to be done with him now. She hoped they would just let him go. But she had the feeling that Ziabach wasn't willing to let such a security risk.

Karina stepped out her door and walked quickly down the hall toward the throne room, where she knew Folken would be, pulling on her belt as she went. She wasn't even sure he had actual rooms; he seemed to exist completely in that giant chamber. It took her only a little while to get there, for her quarters were quite near the throne room, and she didn't bother to knock but instead imperiously threw open the doors and strode in.

Folken was sitting on the throne in the middle of the room, and for some odd reason, Karina had the strangest impression that he was surrounded by cloaked figures rather than genuine darkness. But the notion was fleeting and she ignored it as she walked closer to him.

she said stiffly, not forgetting that it was his orders which had made her perform the horrid task. Her bow was so slight it was barely visible, and a small smile on his face showed that he regarded with a good deal of amusement her frigid manner.

Yes, Karina? he said in the smooth, sensuous voice which he used when saying anything.

Karina frowned at the flutter that caused her heart, and stood straighter in an attempt to remind herself what she was here to do. Strategos, I have a question I'd like to ask, if—Karina, dear, by all means ask your question, but I thought we had taken care of this absurd habit of calling be Strategos. He got up at this question and walked up to her, looking down at her with a warm smile and a bit too much warmth in his eyes for her comfort. I'm Folken, remember?

How could she forget? Yes, Folken, she said once she had managed to recover her voice again. I wanted to know what is to be done with the prisoner now that I've—now that your question has been answered.Ah, yes, the Oracle from Asturia. Well, he will naturally be released from his prison. What else would we do with a prisoner we've no more use for? Karina said, the relief obvious in her voice. I'm glad to know that he will be free to live his life. She turned to leave and smiled back at him. Thank you, Folken.You're welcome, Karina. he told her as she left. An ironic smile lit his face for a moment as the door closed behind her. But when did I say he'd live?

Outside the door Karina smiled a little, relieved that the man would be able to get on with his life and maybe even forget about his stay on the Vione. That was all she could ask for really. What was done was done, and though she would have liked to take back her interrogation of the prisoner, she was glad at least that not much evil had come of it.

So deep were her thoughts that she didn't watch where she was going, and as she turned a corner, ran straight into somebody. A little gasp of surprise escaped her as she stumbled into a very solid chest, and strong arms kept her from falling.

Watch where you're going, wench. A sharp voice snapped into her ear as she attempted to recover her balance. Karina looked up into the deep red eyes of the General and frowned—it was just her luck that she would have to meet with him right after she had received good news.

Dilandau looked down at the girl who had so stupidly run into him and smirked (A/N: he seems to do that a lot, doesn't he?). Good god, couldn't this woman do anything? Not apparently. Even walking was too much for her to handle, which was why he was now holding her up. He frowned. Why the hell was he holding her up? Roughly he pushed her away, annoyed that he had let the bitch get so close to him.

Why don't you watch where you're going, bastard? she retorted once she managed to stand up on her own.

The sound of the slap was magnified by the empty corridor, and Karina's head snapped to the side with the impact. To her credit, she didn't cry out, but as soon as the stinging receded a little she lifted her hand to slap him back.

Dilandau caught her wrist when her hand was mere centimeters away from his face. Sorry, woman, but I don't let people like you touch me, though I'm sure you want to... I bet you'd like me to touch you too.Yes. I definitely want you to touch me. Karina said sarcastically, trying to work her wrist out of his very firm grip. I need you so bad, please, take me and take me hard.

Dilandau would admit that the girl had spirit—spirit he wanted to break. I could, he whispered softly, leaning closer to her and delighting in the way she squirmed futilely to get away. I could easily take you and nobody would dare to stop me having my way with you—nor would they want to.The Dragonslayers would stop you.You're a fool if you think that. Their loyalty lies with me and nobody else. They would not save some stupid wench like you from my wishes. Besides, he added, pulling her a little closer. I have a feeling you would like it.

Karina cringed as he pulled her closer, knowing he was only doing it to piss her off but finding it terrifying nonetheless. She didn't think that he would have the audacity, or the inhumanity, to carry out such a threat, but she couldn't be sure. She leaned forward with malice in her eye, and whispered three words very clearly into his ear. In your dreams.

Dilandau pushed her away in disgust, more with himself than with her. Why had he wasted so much time threatening her? And with threats that couldn't possibly have given him any pleasure had he chosen to carry them out? In my nightmares, more like. he said disdainfully, letting her wrist go and stepping away from her. It was disturbing how close to her he had gotten, how near he had come, not to carrying out his threat, but to—

Do you think you could move? Karina asked after a moment. The strange look on Dilandau's face was disturbing her far more than his bloodthirsty look did, and she was willing to do quite a bit to snap him out of it. I kind of need to get past to get to the kitchens, and you're blocking my way.

Dilandau looked at her and then at the five feet of space on either side of him. Why do you need to go the kitchens? he snapped, realizing that her telling him to move was just to irritate him. She was good at that.

I'm going to celebrate a little, and I hear they have some really good scotch. he said sarcastically, you really enjoyed delving into that poor Oracle's mind didn't you? Though his tone was mocking, her words were more than a little worrisome. He didn't like the thought of her liking to read people's minds randomly, especially not his.

No, dumbass. she replied coldly. Because he's leaving, and I'm glad to know that he didn't have to be tortured to get the information.Leaving? The prisoner's leaving? How was he supposed to get his anger out if the prisoner left?

she said, in a tone that said very clearly duh.' He's going to be released, since he's served his purpose. Dilandau repeated blankly.

Yes. I just went and asked Folken. Oh, poor Dilandau. Now—I was noticing the dungeons are a little bare of people—you don't have anyone to torture do you? But her taunting seemed to go unnoticed, and she was irritated to find he was laughing. What the hell are you laughing at?Folken told you.So what?Folken told you that the prisoner was going to be released and you believed him? God you are a fool. Dilandau continued laughing, absurdly pleased that she had been so stupid.

What are you talking about? she demanded as he continued to chuckle.

Good god, woman, the man practically tries to seduce you every single time you see him and then you actually believe him when he tells you a prisoner is being released? He's just trying to get you into his bed faster, if you haven't already been there. He saw the confusion and betrayal on her face, and continued. What, surprised that good, wonderful Folken should lie to you? The truth is, woman, that the prisoner is going to be executed tomorrow morning. Karina's voice came out much smaller than she had wished it to, the hurt she was feeling making it barely above a whisper. How could he have lied to her like that? How could she have believed him? Dilandau was a bastard, and she had no doubt that he would lie to her to cause her pain, but she couldn't escape the ring of truth to what he said.

Dilandau was surprised and a little irritated to find himself not entirely happy at her pain. It should have caused him joy, should have made him leap about with the beauty of it, but instead he just felt a bit cold. Damn energists, he cursed to himself. They can make a hunk of stone fly, they can power machines, but they can't heat a frickin hallway.

He spoke to her again in an effort to make her get that ridiculous look of sadness off her face. But you never know. he said, trying to make the indifference in his voice sound genuine. You could always ask him not to be killed, and the Strategos might even listen. He laughed. Or he might just tell you to get over it and kill him anyway, but hey, it's your decision. With that he left, desperate to get out of their since, for the first time he could remember, he had been conscious of a desire to comfort another human being.

Five minutes after he had left Karina still stood there, trying to decide what to do. Hell, she didn't know if there was anything she could do. What was she supposed to do, run in with her meager sword skills and break him free, then fly a guymelef which she had never even touched?

But she couldn't let him die. She didn't want to let him die. It was just unfair.

An idea began to form in her mind, an idea that though it had little prayer of working, would at least give the man a chance of escape. Karina turned on her heel and walked toward the cafeteria, outside of which the schedule for the Dragonslayers was posted. It showed when they would train, when they had special drills to do... when they had to guard various parts of the Vione.

Karina grinned as she thought of the reaction of both Dilandau and Folken if the prisoner escaped. Dilandau would be furious, and he would know it was her—if he believed she had the spine for it. Folken would have his suspicions, but he wouldn't accuse her because he wouldn't be able to. After all, it wasn't as if she was going to leave any evidence behind her. What was in the mind stayed in the mind. For most people.

Karina checked the schedule as she reached the doors to the cafeteria and read it again and again, making sure she had the information correctly in her head. Chesta and Dalet were on guard duty tonight in the dungeons. Dalet would take his break first because Chesta was too nice for his own good, and everybody knew that Dalet would take a longer than necessary break to flirt with the servants. Lucky for her, Chesta couldn't hold his liquor, and with a little spiked drink as a gesture of kindness, he would be out of the picture too.

The next thing Karina did was to head to the dungeons. The prisoner would be there, she knew, probably with a very definite idea of what was going to happen to him, if Dilandau had been threatening him, and she needed to see him.

Karina stopped before she stepped into the dungeons and stood a little taller, making sure her clothing was in order. She had to look commanding if she was going to be allowed to see a prisoner without an escort.

A soldier she didn't know was currently guarding the dungeons; he was part of the unit of soldiers below the Dragonslayers, the sub-elite. Karina marched up to him and looked him over coldly, hoping she looked appropriately authoritative.

she addressed him shortly. I will see the Oracle from Asturia, if you would lead me to his cell.

The soldier looked at her with a hint of confusion on his face. Milady, I have orders not to let anybody but the Strategos and the General in to see the prisoner.Well then you will let me in anyway, before I get angry. Karina did her best evil glare and hoped it would have the slightest effect on him. Not that she expected it would. If he had been around Dilandau at all, nobody's evil glare would have an effect on him.

I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave, Milady. The soldier said reasonably, taking her arm and guiding her to the door again. I'll escort you to your chambers if you wish.

Karina changed tactics. she murmured softly, glancing up at him through her lashes. I just-I want to make sure he's comfortable before he's, before he— she broke off then and made a convincing little whimper, praying that the crying damsel in distress would work better.

The soldier sighed and turned her around. All right, but you can't see him for more than three minutes. I'll escort you and make sure you don't leave too late.Oh thank you! she cried with a genuine amount of enthusiasm. But I'm sure I don't need an escort. All I'm going to do is talk to him, after all.

He conceded and she walked through the corridor to the only occupied cell. The others looked like nothing like representations she had seen in movies. There were no bones stuck in chains in the walls, no decaying skulls grinning at her from behind the bars. It was all spotless. But from what she knew of Folken that was to be expected. He liked things clean.

The prisoner gasped and scooted to the back of his cell when he saw her coming towards him and Karina prepared herself for a lot of arguing. It he had this reaction just seeing her, what was he going to say when she told him she was going to help him?

she whispered, not knowing his real name. I need to talk to you.Go away, Mind-walker. he said frigidly, terror and adrenaline making his voice tremulous.

I'm trying to help you. she told him gently. I want to help you out of the—predicament you are currently in.What are you saying?You realize you're going to be executed tomorrow morning, don't you? she asked him bluntly.

I do not fear death. he said defiantly, not coming any closer.

Well you may not fear it, but you might fear getting tortured to death by a very sadistic General.I fear neither death nor pain.Whatever. Look, do you want to die?

He hesitated before answering. Well I can solve your problem, or at least give you a chance, but I need you to trust me.

He scooted forward a little. Why should I trust you?What the hell am I supposed to do to you? Nothing I could do would any worse than what he'll do to you. So give me a chance. The last came out as a plea, and she hoped he would let her try to help him—she only had a minute left.

All right.Good. Come here.

The man came to the bars of the cage, and looked at her expectantly, if not a little warily.

Gently Karina placed her hands on his, and said softly, as she tried to find his mind again, Now listen very closely.

∞§∞

The cloaked figure paced the room, the long swathe of dark fabric covering his form barely making a noise as he restlessly moved back and forth. His face was shrouded in shadow, but it was obvious that he was thinking, a grave matter troubling his normally self-assured mind.

The figure finally spoke, his voice sounding much too loud in the silence of the chamber.

Yes, my Lord?Your mistake was lamentable.My Lord, as far as I can see, I made no mistake.You should have guarded the prisoner better. Nobody has ever escaped the Vione.One has.Nobody other than your brother has, and that was some years ago.

Folken was silent this time, wondering what the Sorcerer was thinking.

The presence of the telepath is dangerous. The Sorcerer finally said, turning and looking at Folken, for the first time stopping his incessant pacing. We cannot be sure when she will turn against us.You were the one who told me to find her in the first place.Yes, I did. He paused, and ran a nervous hand through his hair, pulling back the hood of the cloak. But the fact is that it wasn't our power that brought her here. We have only ever seen this kind of transportation once before, and that was when the other woman from the Mystic Moon appeared.

Again Folken said nothing, but instead looked away, out the window and to the mysterious planet that the Lord was speaking of.

Nothing like this escape may ever happen again. Is that understood, Strategos?

Folken looked back at the man and inclined his head a little in agreement. Yes, my Lord.

A/N: Who wants to review for me? I know you do! So pretty please do. Oh yay that rhymed.