Rebel Age! I love this Age and I wish we could have explored it more thoroughly in the game.
On another note : the number of views on the chapters are steadily rising so I know people are reading this story but no one is reviewing. So I am going to ask again, pretty pretty please, will you take a few seconds to review? You have no idea what a simple review does for my self-esteem.
When she opened her eyes, she realized she was in some kind of grotto. Through the natural stone arches she could see a lake with the massive tree on the other side. Melody watched for several moments, entranced by the twinkling lights within it's branches. It seemed almost magical.
It was nearly dark. Melody's eyes were heavy, but she knew she couldn't rest yet. She had to figure out how to get to the tree and convince the rebels she was a friend. She hoped someone spoke English or things were going to get sticky.
To her left, she had to squint to make out a wooden statue erected in an alcove in the rock wall. From the symbol on it's chest, she guessed it was supposed to represent Gehn. She couldn't help but giggle at the twenty or so knives stuck into it. No god-like worship for Gehn around these parts.
Several footsteps made her turn and look up. Two guys were coming her way, talking quietly among themselves. There were wearing the same kind of clothes as Mr. Gorgeous. Both had dark hair, but while one wore his in a pony tail, the other had a buzz-cut. Pony-tail had a mask in his hand.
They saw her about the same time she saw them. They exclaimed and began to speak rapidly in another language.
Melody threw up her hands and tried to look non-threatening. "Whoa there guys. I'm not here to make trouble. I'm trying to free Catherine..."
At the mention of Catherine's name, their eyes went wide and they came at her.
Melody stepped back and shrieked as Buzz-cut grabbed her and Pony-tail threw a hood over her head. She continued her muffled screams as hands lifted her feet and arms and carried her away. They ignored her struggles. She was handed down into what felt like a boat.
This was just perfect. This was the second time she had entered an Age and been captured within moments. What were these guys planning to do to her? Take her to their leader? Who knew what these people's religion was like. Her imagination tortured her with images of Mayan-like sacrifices.
And if they didn't kill her, what would they do to her? She was a young woman alone in a world not her own with no one to protect her. What if what they had in mind was worse than death?
Melody shook her head furiously. Her situation was bad enough without adding any other 'happy' thoughts to her terror. The sack made it difficult to breathe, but when she tried to take it off one of the men grabbed her hands and held her down.
"I can't breathe!" she protested, but that outburst only succeeded in getting a hand clamped over her mouth. She struggled as the edges of her vision began to go dark. Her lungs burned for air.
She vaguely felt the boat bump against a dock. She was lifted out of the boat and carried a short distance. She heard shouts and the men put her down.
The sack was whipped off her head. Through bleary eyes she made out the shape of Mr. Gorgeous's face before everything went black.
ooooh what's this? Don't worry I'm not gonna leave you hanging. I should, but I won't. It would be too short a chappie then ;)
Melody groaned as she came to. She was lying on a bed. She would thank whoever was responsible for that at the earliest opportunity.
She rubbed her hands over her face. How long had she been out? Where exactly was she? And most pressing, did the place have food?
Opening her eyes, she realized she was inside a circular wooden room. The bed she was lying on had been carved out of the wall, as had the table, chair and fireplace that made up the rest of the room. The only door out of the room was, predictably, locked. A tiny window above the bed looked out over a small lake surrounded by cliffs. She was inside the giant tree she had seen before.
The door opened. Melody prepared for the worst, but relaxed when she realized only a young woman had entered. She had dark hair, dark eyes and was carrying a bowl of water and a cloth. She set it down and spoke to Melody in a kind voice, making gestures about washing her face.
Melody moved forward slowly and did as she was bid, washing her face and drying with the cloth. The woman left and came back moments later with a plate of food. Melody ate hungrily.
"Thank you," she said to the woman with a smile.
Her tone must have conveyed her meaning because the woman laughed. The sound of it was light and flutter-y, like how she imagined a butterfly would laugh. It had Melody laughing lightly in return.
"Melody," she said, pointing to herself, much like she had with Neera. "Mel-o-dee," she repeated and pointed to the woman.
"Nelah," the woman responded with a smile. "Nee-lah."
Nelah waited until Melody had finished eating, then left again only to return five minutes later followed by several other women carrying a tub of water. After an embarrassing almost-conversation which consisted of gestures and Melody blushing, the women convinced her to let them help her bathe. They washed her hair gently, running their fingers through it and making appreciative noises.
After the bath they produced clothing for her, a vivid red skirt and long sleeved top that looked Middle-Eastern. The top hit her just below her rib cage so there was more of her stomach exposed than she would have liked, but the women disappeared with her other clothes after making gestures of pulling a needle through cloth.
If this was how prisoners were treated maybe this wouldn't be so terrible after all. She dried her hair in front of the fireplace, then sat and waited.
Then she waited some more.
After what felt like an eternity, the door opened again. Melody was fully prepared to see Neelah coming back with her clothes. Her mouth dropped open when she turned and saw Mr. Gorgeous himself standing there. He was frowning, but since she hadn't seen any other expression from him she suspected that was his normal state.
After several moments of uncomfortable silence, Melody cleared her throat.
"I imagine I have you to thank for the bed, the food, the bath and the clothes," she said, coloring a bit. "Thank you for your consideration." She tried to add a smile to convey her message.
He folded his arms over his chest.
"So..." Melody said, dragging out the word. "You're the leader of the rebels. I can't say I'm surprised. You look like a man more used to giving orders than following them."
He continued to stare at her.
"I really wish you could understand me. Isn't there anyone here who speaks English?"
Nothing.
Melody sighed. "This isn't going to be easy. Look, I need you to let me go," she said, gesturing to herself and the door. "I also need the book that you took from me before," she made a motion of opening a book. "I need it to rescue Catherine."
He frowned. "Catherine?"
Melody had to fight to keep from fanning herself. Even his voice was gorgeous. She closed her eyes. "Aw man, I really wish you could understand me. I'd ask you to tell me a really long story. Yes," she nodded. "I'm going to rescue Catherine and capture Gehn."
His frown grew darker at the name.
"Yes," she nodded. "Very bad man. Catherine's husband Atrus sent me to trap Gehn in the book," she made the book gesture again. "And free Catherine," she closed her hands, then opened them like she was releasing a bird.
He stared at her for a few moments, his eyes searching hers. Finally, he turned and left the room.
Melody sank to the bed with a sigh. That could have gone better. If only she had asked Atrus to pack her a Rivenese language book. She shouldn't have brought up Gehn. Now they probably thought she was working for him.
She stared out the window and watched until the sun faded and the shadows lengthened once again. Another whole day gone. How much time did she have left before Riven collapsed with Catherine on it?
If the rebels couldn't be reasoned with, she'd have to find a way to escape. She had to keep her promise to Atrus, no matter what.
Now I will leave you hanging. Ta-ta til next time!
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