[A/N] So, today, it is a very special day, and this chapter is in honour of that person. It is the 26th of August today, which means it is TTigerz birthday! :D Happy birthday TTigerz. I motivated myself to write this chapter with the thought of it being a little special treat. (And I really had to upload another chapter because you and other people were poking me to death with it and told me to hurry up). Anyways, I hope you enjoy! [A/N]
The three of them were sitting at the table, having dinner. The conversation had immediately fallen flat when N had said the last line. Susan had then proposed to make dinner, which N gratefully accepted. During dinner, it was mostly silent. Will ate her food, but never took her eyes off of N. Susan watched the two of them eat and her eyes constantly switched from her food, to Will, to N, back to her food, in a seemingly endless repeat. N, however, simply ate the food and did not pay attention to Will or Susan. This annoyed Will. He had given her a promise, maybe a fake one, but still one filled with hope. But also, disappointment. Promises meant nothing. They could as easily be broken as they were made. She wanted to know the truth. So many questions were on her mind, but left unspoken. Dark and light thoughts coming through the separate parts of her mind, into an endless clash, an endless struggle, to gain control over her body. Who was this man? Seemingly an old friend of her mother. What was his purpose, what was her purpose in his plan, his scheme.
"So. That was delicious. As always, Susan." N said, giving a small nod to Susan.
"Well thank you, N. I am glad to know that you can still appreciate my cooking after all those years."
N then focused his attention to Will. They both sat in silence as they looked at each other. Will noticed that he didn't look at her chest. Not once. That was quite…unusual…for a man. At least, for what she knew about men.
"So many questions racing through your mind, aren't there?" N asked. "Promises, hope, lies, deception? Truth? Dark and light thoughts."
Will seemed surprised.
"How do you know?"
"It was a guess. You see, I have the same thoughts at times, maybe you have the same. We are quite a lot alike, you and I." N said, and a dark thought followed immediately. 'And that makes you all the more dangerous.'
"How do you know we are alike, you just met me." Will said, an eyebrow risen.
"Not exactly. Do you not think I have kept an eye on you for as long as you have lived. But from the distance. Far away, in a castle, surrounded by books and formulas and…magic. I have watched you for a long time. And it saddened me that I could not help you all those years back."
"That sounded really creepy and as if you are a stalker." Her voice was bitter, probably due to the last sentence.
'She is mad at me for not helping her, while I am now here. At least, that is, if we are truly alike.'
"You are here now! You could've come sooner, got me, got us out of here. YOU COULD HAVE HELPED ME!" She screamed, her eyes slowly starting to water up. "Why are you here now! And not then!"
"I could not take you away, I could not take you with me, since that castle is situated in Aetherfall. I nearly never left it. My wife…my son…I needed to watch them too. I had to watch over not one, not three, but eight people, myself included. If I had taken you with me, you would probably give away your identity. As soon as your identity was discovered, you'd be killed. You know why, don't you? Your mother told you the story, I presume. And with your raw potential of power, you'd cause quite a lot of collateral damage."
He used the last words on purpose. Will's eyes got bigger and Susan immediately got up and took her in an embrace. She angrily looked at N.
"Look what you've done. It's all right sweety. It was an accident…"
"I…I…What have I done…" Will muttered, her voice muffled by her mother and her tears.
"You accidentally killed someone." N whispered. "Just like me…"
Susan looked up and looked questioning at him. N remembered she didn't know about his past after she had fled Aetherfall with his help. Thus, he did not answer.
Instead, he walked to Will, and when she looked him in the eye, she could see the same sadness as she felt. "I know how you feel, Will. I truly do. And the both of us wish it never happened. We are both torn apart on the inside. The difference is, that I hide it on the inside and try to make up for what I've done, while you are angry and sad and lash out. Alas, that is the difference of age and wisdom. But you have the advantage of youth, you can try to get over what you have done, while I am old, and forever haunted by memories of better times. You…will get better times. I am not lying. If you trust me, then I will teach you to control not only your power, but also yourself. I cannot take away the pain, I cannot undo the damage your soul has endured. But I can try to help mend it, and make sure it will not get damaged more."
"Can you do that?" Will asked, her voice soft and blurred.
"Not alone. I cannot mend your soul and heart, you have to do that yourself. But I will try to help you in all regards I can." N said.
"Will we leave?" Will asked. It was both a hopeful as a sad question: the choice of opportunity versus family.
"No. We will not. At least, not yet." N said. "But eventually, we will. I cannot stay here forever, and you don't want to stay here forever. Eventually, we will both be pulled forward, and we have to move on."
Will nodded.
"Will," Susan said, "Leave us."
Will normally would not have accepted such a command, but now, she just walked to her room. She was too overwhelmed by it all. Thus, she left the room calmly, while N and Susan looked at her.
Susan looked at N. "When are you planning to leave?"
N hesitated for a second. "In less than two weeks, the sooner the better."
Susan sighed. "Then I will have to stay here, not?"
"If everything goes according to plan, you can just come with us." N said with a smile. "I sincerely hope I can get you back with us, Susan. I've missed your presence."
Susan smiled at him. "And, how's your wife? Who is she? And you even had a kid? What's your son like?"
N laughed. "I think you know who she is. And she's fine."
"Cassidy?" Susan asked, getting a nod from N. "So that girl finally managed to get to you, huh?"
"Well, girl, she's a woman now. And we're both getting a bit old." N said.
"Well, of course. Nobody can stop time. And would you want that, to be honest?"
"I think I'd go insane if I'd live forever. All the tragedies of the past, all the losses of friends, everything around you disappears and only you survive…at some point, you're bound to get cold and distant, not wanting to see somebody you care about die again…No, I'd prefer death over that. Death is, too the well-organized mind, just another step. And sometimes I think it's a safety mechanism. We would've killed each other in pure insanity a long time ago if we couldn't die of natural causes." N said.
"We're killing each other already." Susan remarked.
"That is true…"
They then were silent for a while. They heard it started raining outside. The raindrops fell on the roof in a rhythmic fashion, and soon small leaks started to reveal themselves. Small raindrops fell through the cracks and fell on the ground. Every drop seemed an individual that unrightfully came to its end in the wrong spot in the wake of their conversation.
"What are you planning to do with Will?" Susan asked.
"I will teach her to control her powers. Therefore it will take longer for her to lash out and do something she will regret later. And I will talk to her about her fears, and hopefully lessen their impact on her mind and soul."
Susan smiled. "I would be so grateful if you could do that."
"For starters, don't let her do her work again, if you know what I mean. I have enough money to get food for her and me for two weeks. I'm sorry I don't have more."
"It's fine. If I have to…do my job for two weeks, and then get a better future, I will do so. But please, take me with you afterwards." Susan said, her voice almost sounding as if she was begging.
"I will." N said.
…
That night, Will lay on her back in her bed. She thought about what N had said. About giving her a brighter future and watching over her. And about being the same as him. It made her think about a song.
"He lives in you…He lives in me. He watched over, everything we see. Into the water…Into the truth…In your reflection…He lives in you." She murmured.
Of course, she had just met him and didn't know anything about her, she didn't know if it was true. But it was one of her favourite songs, and now, she could really give a meaning to it, a bright one, instead of the dark one she usually did. Her accident.
She often thought that he was now in Heaven, looking over her and reminding her about her mistake. She thought this pain she lived in was some sort of divine punishment. But now, N told her she would have to learn to live with what she had done. That way, she could become a better person. She would be redeemed. At least, that's what she thought he implied.
She got up and looked at the sky. Lightning hit the ground in the distance.
'If you trust me, then I will teach you to control not only your power, but also yourself.' N had said.
In the distance, lightning hit the ground again, the thunder roared like a drum. The darkness of the sky seemed to affect the surroundings and made it spooky. She thought about her powers, which seemed so normal to her. N said he could learn her to control them. How then? He didn't seem a magician at all. Well, he had that staff with that pink crystal in it. She had noticed it when it was around, but did not put too much attention to it. But now, it was stuck in her head. The image, the crystal…it had something that made her want it. She didn't know why. She shook it off as curiosity. She looked outside again. The dark clouds seemed to twist around and create but a small part of light in the middle. But that light soon got smothered. It made her think about herself. How her once bright soul was taken and after a lot of sexual and mental abuse, broken and spit out, dark and empty. It was then that she had found out about her powers. That she could shoot lightning. It had felt so great. The idea that nobody could do something to her. But when she wanted to electrocute a guy that was trying to molest her, it failed and she didn't feel anything. She had felt so sad inside. She didn't want to kill him, just make him back off, not touch her. But it didn't work. And that some night, she had went to her field for the first time and got mad again. Then, lightning did appear. When she was angry, no, furious, her powers would appear.
Oh, the idea of electrocuting people and that way subjugate them to her will. It was such a good dream, such a beautiful thing to think of. It had to be the reason why she was called Will, and why everybody thought her name to be weird. Names like Kirdwyn were usual here. But no, she had found out the reason for her name. Everybody would bow to her, and if this N was right in teaching her and he indeed wasn't a magician but a philosopher or something amongst those lines…oh, the power, the ideas. And she would take that crystal from him, just because she wanted it and could do it.
"Oh, the idea…" She whispered. "That one day, I could be big and strong. And then I'd be a Queen! They'll pay! My mom's exiler, dead! Those men, all dead, the city, the country, the world, in my hands. Oh, a dream so pretty, it sooths my inner soul. The power of lightning at my command! The other magic users won't be able to stop me! I'd create a symphony of death! Nobody would be able to stop me. I'd be revered, the thunder would sound like the drums of war, and when they would be heard, they'd knew they were doomed. The lightning against the blood-red sky!"
The sky adapted to her mood, and more lightning started cackling, and she loved the sight and sound. The dark clouds kept turning around, the middle being the most unrest of all. Again, the thunder sounded like a drum, this time, of war in her imagination.
Then, lightning struck in the middle of the thunderstorm and it broke open. Moonlight reached through and hit her window. It should've been impossible, but it happened. She did not know how. Once it touched her face, she found herself bathing in light, she became calm, thought it to be soothing. She loved it. She then realized it. The light and darkness. She liked both. Her dark thoughts had made her revel in it, in the thoughts of revenge and power, while this light made her calm and soothed her pain. Was it a choice she had to make? Or was it a warning? Was she lusting for power? Would she take the opportunity if she got it? And would it end well? The power, unlimited power at her fingertips, the power to rule over everyone and everything…
A scream, a man falling backwards, his hand blistered and blackened, Will's cry of anger and despair, of sadness about what she had done, and a flash of a few words: "It's not worth it."
Will shot up in her bed. A dream, it had been a dream…Or had it been? She wasn't sure. But she wasn't sure about anything at this moment. She fell backwards in her bed and closed her eyes. A single tear rolled down her cheek. She soon fell asleep again.
N was sitting on the roof, right above Will's room, he had read her thoughts and changed the weather to her mood, then interfered to let her choose…She had not yet made her choice. That was dangerous. But he had the experience on this area. He thought about his old friends, Halinor, Kadma, Yan-Lin and Cassidy.
"It really isn't worth it…"
…
Cornelia sat on her horse, looking into the distance mindlessly. She had a lot on her mind. How she was riding her horse herself, for example, and not be driven around in a carriage. And of course that her father had just thrown her out of the house. She had tried to look as normal and untroubled as ever to the rest, but she knew Irma would look right past that. They had been living together since they were both brought into existence, they didn't know a life without each other. Of course, they often teased each other, and Cornelia, being of a higher class, often acted like she was superior, but she knew, deep down, that her relation with Irma was one of good friends. And good friends teased each other, right? They played games together. They just played the game called dominance. She remembered the time when they were still small. Then not she, but Irma was the dominant person. But as they grew, the roles reversed. More notably because Irma was adopted than for any other reason. Luckily, Irma knew she shouldn't tell this to the others. They knew Cornelia had arrived a little shaky, but hadn't questioned it. Maybe they too knew she would rather not talk about it? She had often pondered the possibilities why her father had just thrown her out. Of course, he had talked about her destiny lying with N. But still, he could have just told her that nicely and she probably would have complied in the end, even though she would (and didn't) like it in the beginning. She would quickly have turned, especially if Irma would've left. But instead, he simply threw her out of the house. N didn't seem all too happy about it either. The entire situation troubled her mind and her emotions. Thus, she mindlessly sat on her horse and accepted all orders Caleb gave without question.
Irma came riding next to her. She started riding slower and, unconsciously, Cornelia slowed down too. This way, they came to ride at the end of their small caravan. Caleb and Taranee rode in front, with Hay-Lin close behind them. Then, normally, they should follow, but now the guards were in between them.
"How are you feeling, Corny?" Irma asked.
For once, Cornelia didn't mind hearing her nickname. "Terrible. Troubled."
"I can understand why." Irma said. "Want to talk about it?"
Cornelia thought this question over a little while. "Maybe."
Irma then rode on for a little time in utter silence. She hoped Cornelia would start the conversation. It was always the best to let the troubled one overcome their fear of talking, of outing their concerns, and then refute all their troubles with logical and emotional answers. That is always better than just start talking, make assumptions about how they feel, and then be wrong about them. But Cornelia didn't talk. She just stared at the way ahead of them, at how Caleb and Taranee were talking. It didn't seem to happy, but it slightly agitated her nonetheless. It took her mind of off her father for just a little while, but then created more questions to trouble her.
"You know," Irma said eventually, "You are lucky to have a father."
Cornelia looked at her with a questioning face.
"I never knew my own father. My family abandoned me long before, leaving me to fate. I would've died had it not been for N bringing me to you and your family taking me in. You have had good times with your family. I…never really was a part of it. I just stood by, being your maid and doing what you desired."
"This isn't really cheering me up, Irma." Cornelia said.
"Sorry. What I meant to say, is that, no matter how bad it might seem now, your dad loves you. He has been under a lot of stress lately, and just this one action shouldn't cloud your entire view of him. Just accept that he doesn't want to confine you to the castle. Of course, he could've said it in a different tone, or in a different way, but I think he sort of snapped due to the stress and N's sudden appearance. He may not even have announced his arrival. Though it did seem that they had some kind of agreement of sorts in the case N showed up. Remember, N went to talk with your father after he send us out. I think he didn't like this either. Maybe he broke the agreement? But I digress. What I meant to say with all this, is that you should think about all the happy times together. I'm sure that, when you return home, he'll welcome you back with open arms, as if nothing has happened."
"You really think so?" Cornelia asked, doubt unquestionably heard in her voice.
"I know so for sure." Irma responded, making her voice sound as firm and confident as she could.
Cornelia had a small smile on her face after this, though she still didn't seem to happy and confident. Nonetheless, Irma felt a little accomplishment.
'At least she isn't just staring off into the distance anymore.'
Suddenly, the group halted, and Irma and Cornelia nearly bumped into the guards. They saw Caleb hold up his right hand. Irma and Cornelia quickly rode to the front, even though Cornelia's ride was a bit shaky and bumpy.
"What is it?" Cornelia asked.
"We have arrived at Cryssandor, ladies. If you had stayed in line, you would've heard that." Caleb said, his military drill sounding through in his voice. He obviously didn't like it if his orders were ignored.
"Sorry." Cornelia and Irma said at the same time.
The group looked out into the distance, and noticed it was only about fifteen minutes away from them. They saw a small city, surrounded by a mountain range and a wall. Boulders lay around the wall at random locations. A small hole could be seen in the mountain, which was probably one of many mining facilities. In the mountain itself were small shining things to be seen.
"Diamonds?" Cornelia asked, pointing towards the shining mountain.
"No," Caleb said, "Similar, but of lower value. Much lower. Fake diamonds, if you will. But there has been a different discovery here. And that's what we're here for."
With those words, Caleb rode forth again, and everybody immediately followed. Was it his choice of words, his timing of them, or just body language that made them immediately understand a not-said command. Cornelia thought that to be a good skill for a general to have. And a ruler as well.
Slowly, they rode on and Cornelia made note of the area. After all, if she needed to use her powers, she would need to know what means were to her disposal. She tried lifting some small rocks and examined them, figured out their weight and how much damage they could do. Then she tried to feel the bigger rocks and thought of how tough they were to get through so she could use them as shields. She also made some mental notes about the plant life. She had heard Caleb talk about something in the background, but hadn't really paid attention to it.
Taranee had been discussing their negotiation plan with Caleb. Caleb wanted to be humble, while Taranee was sure that they also had to show some dominance. After all, if they seemed to weak, they might get dominated. Caleb had a strong personality and could also do well with words, but if he was too humble against the other nations that would probably not matter. Caleb had taken heed to her advice and together they had taken the time to create a small opening speech for their country. As they closed in on the main door, one of the guards rose the banner of Aetherfall on her command. The door automatically opened for them.
As they rode through the door, one of the guards who had opened the door yelled: "The delegates of Aetherfall!"
Many inhabitants of Cryssandor looked at them as they rode in. Caleb looked sternly in front of him, worthy of a military leader, but he had a certain grace and atmosphere around him that made him look intimidating, but not hateful. He seemed more like your good neighbor who was in a small dispute with you. Which he technically was, too. Taranee, on the other hand, rose her hand to them and greeted them with a wave and a smile. She seemed like your neighbor's friendly sister who didn't care about the dispute. Cornelia, Irma and Hay-Lin waved too, while the soldiers marched at the same tempo and represented the military power. Of course, this was all planned. What made it notable, however, was that it had been Hay-Lin's idea.
*Flashback*
"…also need to show some sort of superiortity. If we look weak, we might get dominated during negotiations." Taranee said.
"Yes, that is true. What do you suggest for an opening speech? Everybody has to do a small one. I was personally thinking of…" Caleb started, before he was interrupted.
"If I were you, I'd…" Hay-Lin started, before getting a glare from Caleb for interrupting him.
Hay-Lin looked a little uncomfortable and then smiled. "If I may talk? I have a good suggestion, I swear! You won't be disappointed!"
Caleb looked at Taranee and she rolled her eyes.
"Fine," Caleb said.
"Thank you!" Hay-Lin said happily, levitating a bit out of her saddle, causing Taranee to grab her by the arm and pull her back.
"Don't get too excited, you." Taranee said with a small smile, while Caleb laughed.
"Sorry. But, what I wanted to say was, first impressions count the most. And your speech is not your first impression. You enter the city first. So, I suggest that we all adopt a certain attitude when we come in. So, let's figure out what attitude everybody needs to adopt. For example, Caleb is a military leader. He needs to look intimidating, but not too intimidating, otherwise we'll just be seen as aggressive conquerors. We need to find that perfect balance for everyone."
"Right." Taranee said. "I think…Caleb should show pride and sternness, being the military leader and showing his military drill. But he must also look relaxed, his weapon only barely in sight, as a sort of 'We're not going to use it aggressively, but we will defend ourselves if necessary' warning. Sit firmly in the saddle, but not forced. Make it seem natural. You are the military leader who is out for a peaceful solution to it, but will defend himself and us as necessary. And with grace. Try to look graceful. The perfect mix of grace and aggressiveness will deter enemies from attacking us and thinking we are weak, while knowing that we are open for peaceful negotiations and a good solution to this situation, which will benefit everybody in a way."
"Yes, I agree." Hay-Lin said. "Do you think you can do that?"
Caleb nodded. "Of course."
"Now, for you, Taranee," Hay-Lin started, "You are N's apprentice. N is well known around the world, seeing he is Aetherfall's royal mage and the only archmage at the moment. If we announce you like that, it will also bring about great respect. But for the presentation…I think you should be like N, actually. Be cheery, wave at them, talk in a respectful manner. I think you can do that."
"I would be surprised if I couldn't. I've been his apprentice for about twelve years. I should by now know how he talks." Taranee said with a small smile as she remembered all the times she had been with N during his lessons of rhetorica.
"And you," Caleb said to Hay-Lin, "will have to look as harmless as possible. If nobody knows about you being magic users, although they will probably guess that, we can have an advantage. Plus, N told me to trust him in his judgment about magical companions. But still, I would rather take as low a risk as possible and make the surprise even bigger."
"I will try. I cannot assure you it will hold up for long. After all, imagine if I have to sneeze." Hay-Lin said, her eyes a little bigger as she thought about the possibility of sneezing.
"The longer the better. If it falls apart quickly, oh well, if we can hold out until the end, perfect. But just for the introduction, try to be the 'hidden powerhouse'." Caleb said.
Caleb did not express his fear that his 'hidden powerhouses' might still be 'hidden card houses which blow up after a single breeze'. Hay-Lin seemed happy that her plan was accepted and that Caleb didn't really mind if she would let their charade fall with a sneeze if they were inside. Caleb was glad that he had Taranee with him, he at least knew her capabilities and was sure she was a good sorceress. And then there was this other sorceress. The last 'guardian'. She apparently had the power of Quintessence, as N had 'said'. Well, he had left a message in the ground that he had been the Guardian of Quintessence, and seeing he had four girls with him, from which none had the power of Quintessence, whatever that might be, it hadn't taken that long to figure it out. N had also promised that this last girl would be strong in her powers and could use them well. Albeit for the wrong reasons. What could that mean? Was she a criminal of sorts? Or did he mean something else with it? He wasn't quite sure, but if N and this last girl would arrive, he would question N what he meant and if it was fixed.
*End of Flashback*
Caleb strode onwards, when a seemingly important woman in a long, purple dress and with a tiara on her head came towards them. Caleb rose his hand and the entire group immediately stopped. The soldiers even stopped in the middle of their step.
"Delegates of Aetherfall, welcome into Cryssandor. I am duchess Alexandra. We are a peaceful people, seeking to trade and sell the minerals from our mines. Now, we have found a special, valuable crystal. As it seemed many nations were eager for them and were seemingly willing to go to war for them. As we did not want to be dragged into war, nor did we want the rest of the world to go to war, a call to all nations was made. The place of Cryssandor would become neutral grounds, and a meeting for a trade deal would be held."
"And we have arrived here, my fair duchess Alexandra, for exactly that reason." Caleb responded. "We have come in peace and to strike a trade deal, not to conquer."
"And who are the 'we' that are giving us their word?" duchess Alexandra asked. "Who are the ones that are asking for our trust and a site to place their camp? Who is the 'we' that are asking for a safe haven during the negotiations?"
"I am Caleb, general of Aetherfall, commander of the fourth legion, and you have my word that I am of good will and here for a peaceful solution. As proof, I have brought a small amount of troops with me, only for protection around the camp."
"And who are these girls you have taken with you, General Caleb?" duchess Alexandra asked. "Will they form a threat?"
"No, they shall not. This is Taranee Cook, apprentice of archmage Nicholas." Caleb said, as he extended his right arm to the side, drawing the attention to Taranee, who came forth.
Taranee bowed her head. "I am truly honoured to be here, my lady."
"And who are the other three girls?" duchess Alexandra asked.
"Those are my friends." Taranee answered. "These are Hay-Lin, Irma Lair and Cornelia Hale."
When Cornelia's name was said, duchess Alexandra's eyebrows rose. "Cornelia Hale, daughter of Duke Harold of Elzas, and heir to his throne?"
At this Cornelia wanted to come forth, but Caleb rose his hand and she immediately halted. She didn't know why. She was royalty, he was but a General. Yes, he was a general of the most powerful nation on the continent, possibly the world, but that didn't change the fact that he was lower in class than her. She should be commanding him around, not the other way around. Yet, she immediately had halted. Why? Was it the aura? She was certainly intrigued by this general. She would need to find out more about him.
"Yes. That is this Cornelia Hale indeed." Caleb answered. "However, she is not here out of Elzas' or Aetherfall's interests. She's just here because she is one of Taranee's friends."
The duchess looked at Cornelia with squinted eyes for a little while. "Very well. Guards."
Two guards came up. "Bring them to their camp site."
The two guards saluted her and then marched in front of the group from Aetherfall. The group followed them to their site. When they arrived, the guards and Caleb started to set up camp, while the girls went sightseeing in the city. They had gotten the order from Caleb to be careful though, and to be back on time. Tomorrow would be the first meeting of the delegates, so they would have to get up early…
[A/N] And that was it for today! Maybe it's not really eventful, but certain things need to be done before we can get to the dramatic things. This is one of them. Before you can have negotiations you have to arrive at the place of negotiations, no? Also, there's certain psychological things that are addressed in this chapter, which should still make it worthwhile. Next time, the negotiations are starting and Will gets her training! So, stay tuned, and I'll see you next time! [A/N]