Chapter 7

The Terms of their Agreement

Leaving the BRPD would be difficult for Nuala she felt sadness she had made friends with Liz Sherman. Liz had her troubles with Red so she knew how she felt. Once Nuala told her she hoped she and Abe would marry. However there was a certain look in Liz's eyes after she let it be known of what she planned. They never spoke of it again after that. Nuala had the gift to read minds and would have liked to have known what Liz was thinking. It made her uneasy.

The last night with Abe she sat next to him near the fireplace as he read her a love poem. He looked up from the book every once in a while to catch her gaze. Abe said, "Nuala you seem preoccupied". Nuala replied, "I have a lot on my mind". "Tom told, me that he wouldn't pay me the wage, it seems I am making too many mistakes". Abe said, "Don't worry my dear, I'll find something for you to do that will be simple".This angered Nuala, but she said calmly, "You know I did not realize how much of a simpleton I am". Abe replied, "Don't worry, I'll take care of you". Nuala sat there fuming, but yet she said nothing. She promised herself that their last night together would be perfect. They, finally got ready for bed, Abe was with Nuala for part of the night and then he would return to his fish tank as was his custom. Nuala awoke very early, and placed the letter where Abraham would find it. She only packed a few items of clothing, mostly what Abraham had given her. She turned and looked back only once, and then slowly made her way to the Troll Market. Nuala came to the gate and had gained admittance. The Trolls were there to greet her and told her where her chambers would be.

Before leaving her they informed her that Prince Nuada would be calling on her.

Nuala unpacked quickly and before she knew it her brother called from outside her curtains. She stepped outside and they bowed to each other as was customary.

Nuada spoke to her in their native elvish tongue "Sister I have been thinking about your situation with the BRPD and about your suitor Abraham Sapien". Explain to me in detail of what your expectations are here.

Nuala answered, "brother as I have explained I only wanted a place to stay until I can decide what I shall do, currently my options are limited."

Nuada turned on her, and replied, "yes indeed sister your options are limited. Such that I feel that it is in your best interests to only stay at this place for less than one year to which you will reside elsewhere. It seems to me that you have chosen strangers to the Unseen Realm as your allies. And yet they seem to have abandoned you."

Nuala stated simply, "Tis no one's fault but my own". "They have taken my articles of clothing and my valuables and locked them away, for the preservation of history."

Nuada shot her a cold look, "Sister, by any chance did they put away another crown that was in your safekeeping". Nuala felt her stomach tighten, she only answered him "Yes, Nuala they have her crown!"

Nuada, cursed and kicked the hard dirt floor beneath him. "Damn you, Nuala our Mother's Crown , that you were to wear at my Coronation?!".

Nuala turned her eyes away from him, in tears, for she was ashamed.

Nuada's tongue was sharp and biting as he said to her, "With this last revelation I will lay down the terms of our agreement, in this year, I am to train you as my successor, to this enterprise known to the Unseen Realm as "Troll Market". Which you loathe and always have, you who have had no use for the Trolls. And yet some of the finery you wore they paid for it with the sweat and the toil of their backs. With a gleam in his eye He stated firmly "I will have my answer, Yes or No!

Nuala stared at the hard dirt floor beneath her and she answered, "Yes, my Lord I will learn. So be it, with the Trolls as our eye witnesses this Agreement can not be broken."