Madness
"My lord, we have long awaited your return." Eli stammered bowing. "I hope you are well and that the journey was pleasant." Dmitri did not stop to look at the man. His manor was in ruins. There was a time when the Ashlyns had ruled this land, and the land was prosperous. It had been a mistake giving the diplomacy to Puer's ancestors; one that his ancestors had made and he would have to fix. He had gone to Rion to see that Puer would give up the power, but Puer had refused.
"Enough Eli!" Dmitri said, his loud voice echoing across the courtyard. The little man had continued rattling on. "Where is Jai?" He asked.
"Upstairs I presume my lord." Eli answered. Dmitri ran his hand through his dark brown hair.
"Very well and what of the girl, Asha, have you located her."
"I have long tried my lord, been to mediums of all sorts." Dmitri took a long breath; he could not lose his patience on this stupid man. "Some of them claim to have seen her but there is no proof. I think she is gone." Dmitri stared at the man, his golden brown eyes as dim as an endless pit. There had been a time when those eyes once sparkled and laughed, but the time was long passed now. "Dead my lord, and even if she is alive there is no way of knowing if she still has her powers, or if her parents even passed them down to her."
"Lord Aaron was one of the most powerful Ashlyns, so maybe he was a fool but there is no doubt that his daughter has immense power. I need her Eli, without her the line stops. I give you one task and four months to complete it and you have nothing." Eli nodded, to afraid to speak. "Leave me to rest." With that Dmitri walked to his quarters, or what was left of them. The beautiful mansion his forefathers had built was crumbling. Only with Asha could Dmitri have the child he was destined to have and bring back the glory of the Ashlyns. He would find her no matter what it took.
*_*
Meanwhile Jai was in his quarters. He had heard Eli announce that Dmitri had finally arrived but he did not go down to meet. He did not want his brother to see him in pain. The pressure in his head was agonizing. He did not know what had brought it on. The pain had appeared from nowhere. So instead of going to greet his brother he was hurdled in a corner trying to shield any light from his eyes. Jai did not know how long he sat there but time seemed to almost slow. Then he heard them, voices at first a whisper but then louder shouting at him.
"Kill him." One said. "It will be so easy." Another one screamed. "KILL HIM." "KILL HIM." "KILL HIM." Like a chorus the voices called out to him beaconing him to complete this evil deed. Jai opened his eyes screaming out in agony. "Kill him." Called the final whisper and then silence.
*_*
I awoke to a bright and warm day. Birds chipped noisily outside the cabin. I got up from the cot feeling numb. So much had happened and the answers I had received had only made me more completely confused in this wild adventure that I was on. At least the new day promised breakfast and perhaps a much needed conversation with Mother Eugenia; the breakfast was toast and eggs and Mother Eugenia was not around.
"I have not seen her since last night." Lysander said after I had questioned him about her. He smiled at me. "Probably for the best." I laughed. We were sitting at a log table eating breakfast. The others of our group were far from us and kept throwing me curious glances.
"Why is everyone away from us?" I asked.
"They are just a little nervous." Sander answered.
"Why Tophia seems to be relatively calm. They worry too much." I said.
"It's not that." He said taking a deep breath. "They are nervous about you"
"Me?" He took my hand.
"Well I'm sure you know the legends about Ashlyns and your episode in the meadow was frightening to say the least. Don't worry about it I will speak to them before we move on." I sighed.
"When will we be leaving?"
"Soon, if you are well enough to travel." I nodded. "Well tomorrow then. We have already lost half of today and I am sure the others will appreciate the rest."
*_*
Mother Eugenia gripped on tightly to the back of her nephew. The stallion they rode on was fast and she was frightened. Her nephew pulled the reins of the horse slowing it.
"How much longer?" He asked her.
"Not much." Came her crackly reply. They continued on until Mother told him to turn into the forest. Here they slowed and Mother's nephew began to think if his mad aunt had any idea where he was taking her. Just as he was about to turn back he saw it. A massive stone mansion built deep into the forest. "There." Mother whispered to him. The mansion was amazing, the highest tower rivaling the top of the tallest trees in the forest. There was a stone gate built around it and intricate iron work made up the door of the gate. Although it was beautiful the nephew noticed that the walls of the manor were crumbling in many places. "Leave me here." Mother Eugenia said interrupting his thoughts.
"You do not wish for me to wait for you?" Mother did not answer and instead ran to the doors of the manor. Once at the door she made a motion with her hands that he took for leave. So with that he turned around leaving Mother Eugenia at the doors of this mysterious manor.
With her nephew gone Mother Eugenia took to pounding on the thick wooden doors. She knocked until a servant opened the door.
"May I help you mum?" The servant asked eyeing Mother suspiciously.
"I must speak with your master." Mother said in a low voice.
"What was that?" The servant asked getting ready to shut the door on this odd woman.
"I MUST SPEAK WITH YOUR MASTER." She shrieked. The servant promptly shut the door in Mother's face. She was startled to say the least. No one ever came to the manor and the woman was positively disturbing. Hearing the disturbance Eli ran to the door.
"It's some mad lady sir." The servant called to him. "I wouldn't open the door for her." Eli rolled his eyes and opened the door to see none other than Mother Eugenia the gypsy he had been to, the one that claimed she could find Asha but failed.
"Sir," smiling with crocked teeth. "I am Mother Eugenia, you may not remember me ―
"I remember you." Eli cut in. "What can I do for you?"
"May I enter I have news that I think you will be very happy to hear." Eli nodded letting her in. Once they were seated in the parlor, Eli beckoned.
"Now what is it that you must tell me?"
"Well," began Mother Eugenia "Last night a rather interesting group reached my village." Eli smiled. "This information is very valuable, how will you pay me."
"First I must know what the information is and then I will give you proper payment."
"Ha." Mother laughed. "And why should I trust you." The woman laughed again, most certainly in hysterics.
"Enough" Eli boomed after some time. "Get out of here." The woman was silenced not by Eli but by Dmitri entering the parlor.
"Who is this?" He asked.
"My lord she is a foolish woman who is leaving." Eli answered.
"Yes, but what does she want? Who dares disturb me with foolishness?" Dmitri said.
"It is not foolishness sire I have news." Mother Eugenia answered.
"Ah, and what would that news be."
"I have found her for you." She said turning to smile at Eli. "Asha the girl you seek she is at my camp." A smile crept to Dmitri's face.
"Wonderful." He said.
"And how will you repay me sire?" Mother Eugenia asked.
"I will not kill you which should be payment enough." Dmitri answered.
Well, how do you like Dmitri? Hope you all had very happy holidays and will have a happy new year. Lastly Please review, tell me what you think, if i should change something, anything. ~Lily~