Chapter 7

Vincent stood outside the door, his knees shaking and sweat dripping down his body. He lifted a hand to knock, but lowered it. He licked his lips and brought up his fist again, but couldn't bring himself to knock.

The door slowly swung open, causing him to take a step back.

"I've been waiting for you, Vincent," a deep voice said. "Come in."

The raven-haired man gulped before slowly walking into the enormous, but nearly empty room. At the very end of the room was a large fireplace, which was lit. A large maroon chair faced the fire. The sinister figure resting in the chair was almost completely hidden from view.

"Y-you wanted m-m-me M-ma-aster?" Vincent stuttered.

"Close the door."

He did as he was told.

"Come closer."

He took a few steps closer.

"Closer."

He stopped three feet away from the chair.

"Where is the Sword?"

"I-I-"

"You don't have it, do you?"

"Master, I had it! I did! I switched the swords just like you instructed me to!"

"Where is it?" The voice held a sliver of anger in it.

"I-I had it. I was on-on m-my way h-here when the s-suf-sufas attacked m-me."

"So the sufas have it?"

"Yes! No! I don't know!" he cried out in anguish.

"So are you telling me that you failed in your task?"

"Mercy, Master! Mercy!" He fell to his knees, sobbing.

"Why should I grant you mercy?" He spat out the word like it was poison.

"I searched for-for three y-years after the-the S-sword w-was l-l-lost-t."

"And you still didn't find it. You need a better reason than that."

"I…I…"

"Well? Your time is growing short, Vincent. Three. Two. One. Time's up."

"Wait! I-I got it!"

"Then speak."

Vincent cleared his throat. "I saw her."

"Who?"

"Zelda's descendent, the one that bears wisdom."

"Where?!" he nearly shouted, greed showing in his voice.

"Malclan, at least she was there a month or so ago. Her family had the Sword."

He laughed softly. "That means you know where she lives?"

"Yes, Master. But," He rose to his feet. "I think-"

"Since when do you do the thinking?" he interrupted in anger.

"Sorry, M-master. The girl's sister wants to become a hero."

"Why should I care about that?"

"Zale is teaching her."

"Zale?"

Vincent nodded before realizing his master could not see him. "Yes."

"So he has decided to come out of hiding," he muttered to himself. He fell silent.

After a few minutes of silence Vincent couldn't stand it any longer. "What am I-I to d-do, M-master?"

"What is the girl's name?"

"Melody."

"I want you to watch Melody closely. If Zale's taking an interest in her she must be destined for something great. Something that might hinder my plans."

Vincent sighed in relief. He wiped the sweat off of his face with his dark robe. "I won't fail you this time, Master." He bowed and walked towards the door.

"Vincent."

He turned. "Yes, Master?"

"Mercy is not a word I'm very familiar with. Next time I may not remember what it means."

Vincent gulped as he hurried out of the room.

Jerry stoked the fire in the lobby. He yawned as he rubbed his hands together. Rain was pouring outside and the chill was starting to seep in through the walls. The grandfather clock on the far side of the room chimed two. As the sound died away he heard the front door open. Good, they were back. That meant he could head to bed.

The door to the lobby opened and a tall sallow-faced man walked in. He was completely drenched, but he didn't seem to notice. A smile was pasted on his face.

"Good morning, sir," Jerry said. "What can I do for you?"

"I have traveled a long ways and would like a room for the rest of the night, and probably tomorrow too."

Jerry nodded. "It costs three copper coins per night."

The stranger jiggled his purse. The sound of coins jiggling was music to Jerry's ears. "I got plenty of money."

Jerry led him over to his desk and tapped a small stack of papers. "When you find the room you want sign your name."

He quickly scanned the list until he found the room he wanted. He grabbed the quill, dipped it in the pot of ink, and scrawled his name on the paper. Jerry glanced down at the page. "So you want Room 38, Mr. Vincent?"

Vincent nodded. Jerry pulled a set of keys out of his pocket as he walked behind the desk. He unlocked one of the drawers and pulled out a small iron key, which he handed to Vincent. "Here you are."

Vincent put the key in his pocket and set six coins on the desk before heading to his room.

Melody entered a few minutes later, soaked to the bone. "You didn't have to wait for us," she said to Jerry.

"Who said I was waiting for you? I was about to go to bed."

Zale stepped in after Melody and closed the door. He was bone-dry. Jerry raised an eyebrow at that, but said nothing.

"You can't always trust those that come at two in the morning." He gestured at the wet floor.

"My business it my business, Zale. Stay out of it."

He held up his hands. "I'm not prying, only warning." He started up the stairs. "Melody, go dry off by the fire before coming up," he called over his shoulder.

"All right."

Melody headed upstairs a few minutes later, leaving Jerry alone once again.

Vincent pulled off his muddy boots and hung his wet cloak on the chair. He froze as he heard Zale walked past his door and into his room. As soon as he heard the door shut he began to breathe again. Zale worried him. If he wasn't extremely careful Zale would know what he was up too. He finished undressing and had just climbed into bed when he heard Melody walk by. She had the room on the other side of Zale. He grinned in anticipation of what was to come. He was not going to fail in his task, not this time. He pulled the blanket closer, trying to stop his shivering. Not much time passed before he drifted off into an uneasy sleep…
Merry Christmas everyone!