Chapter Ten

Delilah

Elyan stood and with a bow left for her patrol. Amber turned to speak with the others. "I am helping, but none of you are bound to do this."

Ellie growled softly. "Oh I'm going to. I was used for slave labor. No one should have to do that."

Jack nodded. "Yeah. Count me in too."

"I just want to rattle this Sylhira's cage." Ebony said with a grin.

Ram had remained very quiet through the whole tale. Jay looked over at him curiously. Something was going on in there. He could almost hear the cogs turning. When Ram met his gaze he let out a moan of understanding. "It was us wasn't it?" The others turned to him quickly.

Ruby frowned. "Us what?"

Ram locked stares with Jay for several long tense moments before giving a barely perceptible nod.

His eyes widened and he let out a small gasp. "My god Ram. Slave traders?"

"There were our biggest trouble-makers. I had to get them out of the city. So yes, I did indeed cut the first deal with this Sylhira woman." He shrugged. "I did what I had to do. I removed my problems. Or in other words, deleted faulty software from my program of control."

"WHAT?" Was the colletive outburst.

"So deleted meant, 'Sent to Sylhira', not 'killed'?" Amber asked breathlessly. Ram gave another nod. She turned to the others. "Our missing friends may be on this very island?" He nodded again.

"Ved?" Jay looked to Ram, who shrugged.

"I can't guarantee what she did with them, but I sent them here."

"We have to perform this raid." Amber stated forcefully. Everyone nodded in assent. "It is decided then. Now let's relax and have a bit of fun this morning. It may be the last chance we have for a time."

Three hours later the Mallrats made their way through the bustling marketplace. The fun of earlier had relaxed them all a great deal. Jack and Ellie had gently clasped each other's hand, and walked over to a vendor. They spoke quietly as they glanced over the wares. "It looks as though our vacation will be cut short." Ellie said, gently picking up a bracelet and admiring the craftmanship.

"Yeah, seems so. I guess there will be a backlash after the raid."

"No doubt." She set the bracelet back down, but the merchant picked it up and placed it back in her hand. The young woman grinned at Ellie.

"Keep it. I make them myself."

Ellie smiled brightly. "Are you sure? They are very beautiful."

The woman nodded. "Yes, and thank you for the compliment."

Commotion stopped any further words as a group of six riders entered the plaza from the forest trail. The first rider dismounted her blood-red bay mare and shook her hood off. Brilliant green leaves, in a chaining pattern, edged a tanned face with raven hair and bright blue eyes. One large intricate leaf stood out on her forehead. She strode ahead with purpose and confidence, her brown robe and boots churning up slight puffs of dust. The remainig riders dismounted, two having to help one, who limped. Their faces were still obscured by similar robes to the first rider.

She stopped in front of Amber. "Newcomers?" Her voice was suprisingly warm, and almost familiar. "Where is.."

"You, my sister, are late.." Ghost came striding across the plaza. She had changed back into her attire of the previous day, her golden curls pulled back severly in a silver clasp. Faint white marks blended with her pale complextion, a stark contrast to her sibling's.

"Ghost..." The two women embraced warmly.

"I see you have met our guests."

Delilah nodded. "Would you mind..." Her voice trailed off as she spotted Jay and Ram. Just as suddenly as her warmth had appeared, it was gone. "Are you mad, Ghost? They are the ones..."

"Silence. We cannot talk about this here. Come. Wysteria has the main hall prepared for us." Ghost looked over her sister's shoulder. "Is one of your companions injured?"

Delilah nodded. "That would be the reason for our tardiness. We had an accident on the way over here. He'll be fine. Zeke and Tara are taking him to see the healer." Her eyes turned back to the group before her. A critical gaze swept over each of the Mall Rats in turn.

Ghost reached out and turned her face to hers. "All will be explained at the hall." She turned and addressed Amber. "You should come as well. This involves you."

Amber nodded. The remaining two riders approached Delilah and dropped thier hoods as well. Copper hair and green eyes marked identical faces. The two girls bore markings similar to Delilah's, all save the larger leaf. Instead they each had a branch on their left cheek. "These are my advisors, Andra and Maya. I'm sure you remember them, sister?"

Ghost nodded. "How could I forget? Greetings." The twins nodded in perfect unison. "Come, let us go to the Hall." She turned and led them up the winding path. The Mall Rats fell into step behind the four, occasionally looking back at the two helping the injured rider to see the healer.

"Delilah talks funny. Don't you think?" Gel asked quietly, well, quietly for Gel that is.

Salene frowned. "I did actually notice that, too. She also seemed upset about us in general."

"I don't know if I trust her." May added. "She didn't seem too concerned about her injured friend."

"I don't know about you guys...but I already trust those twins with my life..." Lex chuckled.

"Achk! Geez Lex! I don't need to hear that!" May growled, slugging him on the shoulder. Ram snorted. May glared at him.

The arrived at the Hall and Wysteria appeared, greeting Delilah and the twins with smiles and bows. She led them inside and soon they were all seated in the receiving room seated on pillows. Delilah and her advisors continued to scrutinize the large group.

Ghost, trying to break the tensions, cleared her throat. "Perhaps introductions are in order?" Delilah gave a barely perceptible nod. "Amber, would you do the honor?"

Amber nodded. "I am Amber." Delilah nodded and motioned for her to continue. Amber went about the room performing the introductions. When she turned back to the trio, she managed a smile. "We are the Mall Rats. Your sister offered us her hospitality after our boat ran out of supplies."

Delilah managed to return the smile, even a bit of her warmth finally showing in it. "Yes, Ghost is quite the softie." Which brought a snort from Ghost. "As you have figured, I am Delilah. This is Andra." She motioned to the twin on her left. "And this is Maya." The twin on her right nodded. "Do not trouble yourself with telling them apart. It took me several long years to accomplish it myself."

At that moment the other three arrived in the room. "Ah. Just in time. These are my guards. Zeke." She motioned to a slender, dark blonde man. Also bearing the tribal marks of chained leaves, but with a leaf on his cheek instead of forehead. "Tara." The girl standing next to him was of similar build, with matching marks, but very pale hair. " And finally.." The figure standing behind them stepped forward, lowering his hood.

A collective gasp shot through the group. Only May, it seemed, could even form the words. "Oh my god...Bray..?"