Evolution of A Slave of Slaves
I know of a sonata, thundered in the seas,
Echoed through dreams, to put at ease
I know of a song, rarely sung,
For those who are worthy, their war has begun,
I know of a sound, only few can hear,
When our world is dark, and full of despair,
I know of a symphony, carried by the air,
Whispered to only the heir,
I know of a soul, guarded by a beast,
To bring an end to it all,
To bring Tahakén to Peace.
Azandura, Tahakén Prince, Year of Creation
Alanna glared at Raku as he clasped her chains to the bed and tightened them until they were pinching her skin. She was lying on her cell-bed while flames lapped at a bowl of bubbling silver liquid, which cast a sweet smell, which sat next to her head. Next to the liquid were a series of knives, ranging in size and shape and another smaller bowl. A series of closed pouches sat next to that.
Raku was moving about the room, muttering to himself and emerald fire sparked at his fingertips. Alanna sneezed; he was using very powerful magic.
She stifled a gasp as her bed was raised further off the floor and she was turned over. Feeling panic rise within her she fought to turn her head, so she knew when to brace for the torture.
There was a hiss and then she bit back a scream as some sort of acid dripped onto her neck. Then she did scream as a small knife pierced deep into directly below her skull. Through the pain she wondered exactly how Raku had done it, as the cell-bed was several inches thick of strong steel and she could feel his hand brushing her hair away. Raku spoke an incantation and Alanna screamed again and then again and then again each time as first the liquid from the bowl seeped into her skin, then a drop of Raku's own blood and then a mixture from the pouches.
Tears were leaking from her eyes and her breath was coming in pants.
Raku moved down to her wrists and repeated the process for each, the magical aura in the tiny room growing with every word he spoke. Then to her ankles he continued the ritual, Alanna beyond speaking, she was only capable of crying and screaming between each breath. He did something else to her skin, though the pain was easily drowned by her wrists, ankles and neck.
Her stomach clenched as she was turned back over to face the ceiling, and there appeared to be a lull in the ritual, or he had finished. Alanna mentally crossed her fingers and hoped he had finished.
Looking him over she noticed his skin was pale and he was drenched in sweat, quite a feat considering he was usually so calm and composed and always well presented.
Taking a deep breath he appeared to fortify himself and then began to speak again.
Alanna screamed and her voice cracked and broke at its pitch and her breath was gone. She was unable to breath, the pain flooding her body to much to bear and any air inhaled was immediately met with an exhale consisting of nothing, for she had no breath to scream.
Next to her Raku roared a final word and then he too collapsed, moaning in pain.
Sudden images rose in her mind from somewhere as the wound at the back of her head began to burn and cast a wave of heat foot ward, the wounds at her wrists matching it.
"No! She screamed as she burst through the door in time to watch Michael complete the ritual on Tamsin. Michael screamed and fainted, the pain of the binding bringing him to his knees. Tamsin screamed and she rushed over desperate to save her, to halt the ritual but already knowing it was too late.
She kicked her twin out of the way as she bolted to the cell-bed and began to frantically tear at the manacles, forgetting she had magic. Remembering she stood back and pointed at the chains, they burned white hot and melted away. Swooping forward she pulled her younger sister into her arms and ran, out the door and away from Michael.
She heard The Master roar at her, ordering her to stop. Ignoring the order, and the inner voice screaming at her to stop, she raced for the ramparts. Guards came running for her but she ignored them, using her Gift to its full extent as they charged her, some with swords drawn and others calling to their magic.
Casting them aside like the insects they were she took to the skies, avoiding the fireballs and spells cast after her. The portal from Tahakén began to close and she used her Gift to speed herself and Tamsin. Diving into it she mentally pictured the place she wanted to teleport once she was free from the Magical Powers around Tahakén.
Bursting through the portal as it closed behind her and into open ocean, she clutched Tamsin closer and then disappeared.
Bursting into the place she had envisioned she lowered Tamsin onto the grass and checked her vitals with her Gift. It flowed over her sister until she was cloaked with it and then began to heal her. Tamsin remained unseeing as she worked and she began to panic.
Sitting back on her heels she buried her head in her hands.
Suddenly an arm shot out to clutch at her, "Tamsin!" she cried.
"Raku, don't let them take me," she begged. Alanna shook her head, "I won't, I promise." Tamsin's eyes focused on hers and she smiled through the pain she was visibly in.
"Don't let him do it, brother".
Alanna took her hand and held it close to her, feeling her heart peel into two. "I won't, I swear. I will kill you first."
Tamsin's eyes closed at the promise and she squeezed Alanna's hand, "Thank you."
Power crackled in the air and Michael appeared, leading a group of warriors behind him.
"Raku," he snarled and Alanna's hackles rose, "Give our sister to me!"
Alanna shook her head and then, grasping the sword she made from the water around her, plunged the blade into her sister's chest. Tamsin's eyes opened in pain and her lips parted in a soundless scream, her eyes flicked to Alanna and she read the thanks and forgiveness in her eyes.
"No! Michael roared as he charged forward, his hand raised. A wall hit Alanna and she was flung backwards, and into the portal opening behind her. As she fell into The Master's chambers she saw Tamsin's body dissolve and then disperse like petals on the wind. The Master stood before her, furious and as he pointed at her she knew it was worth it. She had freed her sister from becoming a Tahakén Slave of Slaves.
Alanna's eyes opened, the pain had faded to a dull ache, a dull ache for her which would be agony for anyone without her "training", allowing her to think.
Her entire body screamed as she took a deep breath and she restricted herself to short sharp pants until her body adjusted. Slowly, forcing her body upright, she pulled her legs towards her and then froze. Peering closely at her legs she frowned, and then looked even closer at her feet.
Leaping from the bed she stumbled from her room and headed for a mirror, ignoring her state of undress and her smarting body.
Gasping she looked over her body, starting from her feet, legs, torso and neck. Where she had bones there were scars, it was as though her skeleton had come out of her body and settled onto her skin. Around her ankles, wrists and her neck where the runes similar to those she had seen on Raku's neck, scarred into her skin.
They weren't fresh wounds, they were wounds that had healed over after years, not only a few hours. Wait, how long had she been unconscious?
Spinning she came face to face with Raku, her familiar fury and hatred stirred before her memory told her different and she felt confused.
He gazed at her for a while before beckoning with one arm before turning. Alanna followed him, ordering her body to stay upright and after Raku. He led her through various halls and doors she had never seen before, before halting in front of one and gesturing for her to enter. She moved past him and in the doorway she spoke softly, "That was a brave thing you did for her."
Raku frowned and gripped her arm, tightly but without hurting her.
"For Tamsin," she elaborated, sensing his curiosity. Raku's reaction was surprising, he released her and pain, not physical, flashed across his face. She took advantage of his distraction to dart out of reach, but paused when he made no move to follow her. Eying him warily she shifted from foot to foot, ready to flee.
"Do you think so?" he asked softly, suddenly looking lost and small.
Again she felt confusion and hid it swiftly as she nodded slowly, still prepared to flee.
Raku sighed and then flashed a small, shy smile, so unlike him that she gaped and stared. He brushed past her and into the room and torches flickered into awareness.
The room was small and light, covered in a pale marble and etched with gold. On one wall was a painting of the ocean meeting the sand and beneath it was a small desk of wood. On the tabletop were candles and several bottles of liquid varying in different shades.
Next to another wall was a long curved bench with a soft cushion folding into the contours and another wall had a cabinet full of liquor and juice. Raku walked over to this, walking easily over the image of a sun cast into the floor.
"What would you like?" He asked, scouring the beverages available.
"A juice, thank you," Alanna answered cautiously as she inched into the room.
Raku poured her a juice and then sent it towards her with his Gift. Alanna snatched it out of the air and nodded her thanks before bringing it to her lips, watching him warily.
"No harm will come to you here," Raku looked at her calmly, "while you are here you will not be hurt in any way, nor will any conversation or action be punished when you leave." Sensing Alanna's disbelief he added, "I swear."
Alanna straightened, but knew that Raku wasn't a liar and gratefully downed the juice. Raku frowned at her, "Savour it!"
Alanna glared at him and poked her tongue out at him. He sighed and the glass floated out of her hand to appear in one of his paws. Juice drifted off the shelf and tilted, tipping more into the glass. Then the glass re-appeared in Alanna's hand. She raised an eyebrow and he shrugged, "Savour it," he insisted.
Inhaling deeply Alanna closed her eyes and bought the rim to her lips, slowly she tilted it and allowed the liquid to moisten her tongue and she moaned as the taste hit her, truly hit her. She relished the sweet taste before swallowing and took great delight in the feeling of it moving down her body.
A smile crossed her face and she opened her eyes, feeling her body relaxing as the juice worked its magic. Suddenly she frowned and glared at Raku, "You tricked me! She snapped.
Raku smiled wryly and teleported next to her to catch her as she fell forward. "Neither I, nor anyone else will hurt you while you are here," he said as he scooped her into his arms. At a snap from his fingers the tiles moved and opened to reveal a bath in the middle of the room. Steaming water flowed from an opening in one side of the bath and another jet fell from another.
A small ball from one of the baskets rose and fell into the water with a plop and Raku moved forward, his clothes snaking from his body. Retaining his pants, he walked down the steps into the water, Alanna trying vainly to regain control of her movements. Shivers crossed Alanna's skin as the water swamped her and Raku as he moved and sat down, Alanna still cradled in his arms. He relaxed into the warmth and after a while so did she, then she would stiffen as she realised who was sharing the bath with her.
"Water, I have found, often eases the pain."
Alanna opened her eyes in puzzlement and found herself facing a muscular, but scared, chest. Realising she had fallen asleep, and in Raku's arms, she blushed and tried to move away. Jerking back, she recoiled as her breast pressed up against Raku's forearm and then shifted when the other did the same against his torso.
Blushing she refused to look at him even when she felt his amusement deep within his chest. Shudders, not of fear or cold, for the water had remained a steady temperature, ran across her skin as his laugh vibrated into her body.
Raku abruptly released her and she darted to the other end of the bath, staring at him with wide eyes. Then she glared at him, he looked away for a moment before focusing on her with a determined glint in his eyes. Alanna was the first to look away but her head snapped back as his soft whisper, "Come here".
Alanna blinked and then blanched when he repeated himself, gesturing for her to come closer. She swallowed and met his eyes, refusing to look away.
Something was different and as he gazed at her Alanna felt jolts of electricity rushing through her body. She blushed and slowly let her eyes roam over his visible body before returning her gaze back to his.
Her body moved forward though the water, ignoring her mind ordering otherwise, until she was right in front of Raku. Her face matching her hair she allowed him to raise one hand and slowly stroke a stray strand behind her ear. Cupping her face he leaned in slowly to press his face against her neck, inhaling her scent. Then he slowly kissed his way up her neck and along her jaw, leaving her skin burning where he touched.
Pulling back slightly, his emerald eyes met hers and she shuddered again, before leaning into his palm. Raku's eyes glowed and then he leaned forward and pressed his lips onto hers. Alanna's arms latched around his neck, one hand grabbing a fistful of brown hair and Raku pulled her closer as she deepened the kiss.
Alanna's eyes flashed open and she quickly took stock of her surroundings. She was lying in Raku's arms and had fallen asleep in the bath. Realising he had said something she made a noise and he repeated himself.
"Water, I have found, often eases the pain."
Alanna blushed furiously, remembering his words from in her dream and then determinedly thought of something else. Her grunt in reply could have been an agreement or disagreement, but as she took stock of her body she found herself agreeing with him.
Then a thought crossed her mind, "What did you do to me? What have you done?"
Raku stood and Alanna dropped deeper into the bath unceremoniously, yelping before her head disappeared beneath the water. When she surfaced, Raku was holding two pieces of black fabric out to her. Glowering, she walked up the steps and out of the bath, water cascading from her body.
She took the offered clothing and then looked at it confused. The bath water began to drain from the bath and the droplets on her skin lifted before floating from her body and to the bathwater as it drained. Raku offered his hand and after staring at it for a moment she cautiously reached out to touch it. As she did she felt a tingling in the back of her mind before it faded as Raku withdrew his hand.
A silent oh of surprise left her lips as she realised she knew how to wear the offered undergarments. Sighing she slipped the bottoms on and then growled in frustration at the mess of fabric that was called a Bra.
Raku watched in amusement before offering to dress her himself, "Allow me?"
Alanna halted and turned a furious glare on him, no one had dressed her since she was a child and she wasn't to restart the habit now! Raku raised his hands in a gesture of peace and his clothes reared from the tiles to wind across his skin, leaving him fully clothed.
Following her minds instructions Alanna eventually mastered the Bra and then turned to follow Raku out of the room and down some more corridors. Then he led her further into the restricted parts of the castle. Slaves, seeing both her and Raku bowed low, offering the gesture of respect to the two of them and Alanna stiffened.
A door off the side of an elaborately decorated corridor opened to reveal a room as crimson as her hair. She waited until they were inside and the door closed behind them before turning on Raku, "You're making me a Slave of Slaves!"
Raku looked at her in puzzlement, "You already are," he rumbled. And Alanna reeled in shock, her mouth gaping.
"I just had to complete the ritual, but The Master wished you to be married first," Raku explained and sat down easily on the bed. "I do not know why, but He wished it and it was done."
Alanna sighed; she knew why it was done. It had been the final step to her Breaking, mentally of course. The Master had known that what she had fled her entire life from was a marriage to a Nobel, to become a Lady of the home, to be restricted to womanly duties and actions, to be tame and submissive.
At her sigh Raku's eyes narrowed and she knew he was reading her mind, it didn't even bother her as much as it should of, and she was nothing. It no longer mattered.
After mastering the womanly arts to perfection, she had been taught the art of espionage and persuasion until she reached a level where she could talk her way out of a murder everyone knew she had done. Once the Master's deemed her fit for duty she was married and spent over half a century performing the role she had been moulded for. She was the perfect wife, seen not heard, always presentable, a delightful host and, to the best of the Barons knowledge, a good mother. He did not know that any child she "bore" was one of her fellow slaves given a child's body and that those children would grow up to wed into other families and restart the cycle until all the powerful families would be controlled by the Tahakén slaves.
Once she reached an age, deemed old by society, she retreated into her castle, maintaining the illusion of her age until she was called home. Her new friends had had children, and grown old while she remained untouched by time, the illusion covering her telling otherwise. Eventually they all passed into the Peaceful Realm's and Alanna, under her guise as the Baroness, had to attend every funeral.
When she had returned to Tahakén she had been broken, in every sense of the word. And remained nonchalant to any and all form of abuse she suffered from anyone. One particularly notable experience was when she had been blinded by scorching oil and someone new had come to torture her. The person had entered and had stood staring at her for what seemed like hours before Raku came and ordered the person to torture her. Obeying, the slave had begun to torture her and Raku left satisfied.
It didn't take her long to begin screaming and when she did the stranger became livid and the blows became harder and faster until she was certain that the stranger meant for her to die. Raku had to intervene several times to spare her life, in this instance the stranger would growl at him and repeat a sentence, then Alanna would be tossed into the Heart of Endurance exercises without remorse. Over time, centuries of it, she became accustomed to the torture and almost began to welcome it. Then the stranger vanished, and when Alanna had days of respite she would wander the halls in search of him to know his face so that when she grew stronger she could kill him. She never found him.
Eventually she regained her spark, her inner fire and though she had been broken and melted down ready to be moulded into another form, her fire rekindled and grew. It was this fire that led her to remain scornful whenever confronted, it was this fire that led to her insult and bait her captors, especially Raku, even though she knew she would be punished.
The pain was always replaced and so she grew accustomed to it until she reached a stage where she could take even the most severe of torture without a sound, with some excruciating exceptions, though occasionally she would groan in pain and hiss before regaining control of herself.
Returning to the present Alanna sighed and flopped down on the bed next to Raku, ignoring his proximity. "So, what now?" she sneered, "What marvellous "training" do you have in mind for me?"
Raku stirred and looked at her, "The Heart of Endurance exercises and every other art taught by our Teachers."
Alanna blinked and straightened immediately, "No torture?"
Raku shook his head, "You have been trained to take pain, the longest I have ever seen; now you will only be tortured as a punishment."
Alanna felt a stirring of pride; she had been the hardest to break!
"I will teach you the fighting arts and magical," Raku continued, "along with mental and physical control techniques. The Heart of Endurance exercises will develop your body until you are perfect. Should you prove worthy, you will rise in the ranks until your final test."
Alanna's eyes narrowed at the challenge, "What test?"
"The one that allows you the privilege to carry the title "Tahakén Princess"", was the answer she received before Raku got to his feet. "You have been assessed by the Head of the Heart of Endurance and exercises and challenges have been prepared for you. Also, during your recovery days you will be assigned a Master of Craft until you pass all they have to teach."
Alanna watched in wonder as Raku left, she was going to learn everything!
The magical runes burned into Alanna's skin flared and she screamed. As familiar as she was with pain, she had never had this done to her and it was excruciating, similar to being held on a rack though the difference was that two Death Walkers were stretching her, not ropes.
Death Walker's guarded The Master's chambers and their purpose in his service was vast, though mainly they looked frightening and ignited fear in all who faced them. The purpose of these two was to stretch Alanna, having been beyond the age of enticing further growth from her limbs, The Master had decided she needed to be stretched to be an acceptable height.
Alanna was certain she would be pleased with her added inches, once it was over, as her height had always been her weakness and she truly wished to be taller, but not like this. The Death Walkers held her wrists and ankles and raised her parallel to the ground before drawing their arms closer to their bodies. Black magic twisted around their torso's and alternated with normal human chest form and shadows. Black fur rippled over their arms and the fragments of skin that materialised between the magic.
Alanna maintained her screams into the night and the nights after as her body was lengthened, centimetre at a time. After a day and a half a slave came in baring food and some liquid in a pitcher followed by more slaves carrying slabs of meat. Never halting their arms constriction, the Death Walker's allowed the slaves to offer them the meat and ate easily while Alanna was forced to drink the liquid.
At first she was grateful for the respite to her parched throat and it soothed her on its way down. Then it began to burn and her stomach muscles protested. She began to thrash, as much as she could held as taunt as she was, and moved her head around. A slave came and held her head while the rest of the liquid was forced down her body. Eventually her body accepted the liquid and the lengthening continued.
After a few days Raku came by and lounged easily in a chair next to her, carrying a book. It was bound in leather and was well worn. Raku held it fondly and opened it by moving his hand above the cover and the book came to life with a beam of light before fading.
"This is called Palace of the Mind," Raku explained as he gazed at the first page, "It will teach you how to build a fortress in your mind and store immense amounts of information and even build your own Lavaruax Aroa, or –."
Alanna's eyes flashed open and she looked at him excitedly, "Dream State," she finished. Raku looked at her puzzled and she smiled, "I spent some time on the Crimson Dawn, remember?"
"Ah yes, the Demigod," Raku did remember, he had even spent some time on the vessel himself.
Alanna raised an eyebrow and Raku looked at her amused, "I have lived a very long time and am at the height of my power, to not be able to correctly identify a Demigod would be a source of shame. I am a Tahakén Prince."
Alanna mentally shrugged, he always finished sentences' describing impossible feats with "I am a Tahakén Prince" as though it explained everything. Though, after consideration, Alanna realised that it was probably true. Tahakén Princes' could do anything.
"Yes, I can do anything."
Alanna glared at him and he shrugged, "You were thinking about me. When you do, even if I am not reading your mind, I will hear your thoughts."
Alanna paled, wondering if he had heard her thoughts about her dream- wait no, she mustn't think about it! Raku's lips twitched and he quickly schooled his features into a neutral expression.
"Now, the first skill I will teach you is fortification of the mind and thoughts, meaning you will learn how to defend your mind from invasion," Raku explained and Alanna blinked, she would learn how to keep him from her mind!
"Then you will learn how to enter other people's minds, without notice, and read their thoughts, memories and intentions. After that you will be taught how to control that person, then several at a time," Raku paused to gain a breath and Alanna interrupted him.
"How does the information storage work?" She asked curiously, doubtful as to how much information she could retain at any one moment.
Raku's eyes narrowed, he hadn't finished and he told her so before answering her question, "The process involves memorising something and then storing it in a portion of your mind where it can be retrieved at any moment."
Raku leaned down and lightly pressed his hands to her temples and she closed her eyes.
Opening them she found herself aboard a small rowboat as it navigated calm waters towards an island. Jagged rocks surrounded the base and Alanna saw, as the boat took her around the entire island, the entire landmass. There was a light wind that caught the boat and pushed it port-side towards a small beach. Guided by an unseen hand the boat smoothly moved between the rocks and glided softly onto the sand. It was white sand and the grains were soft and it was smooth, without footprints', driftwood, shells and seaweed.
The beach itself was small, only a few dozen meters wide and about half as long. It ended abruptly with the wrinkled face of a cliff. No handholds could be found on the face and it stretched around the beach in a quarter moon shape, leaving Alanna stranded on the beach.
Following some unseen direction she walked in a diagonal towards the cliff, noting that should an attacker navigate the rocks they would be faced with a cloud of arrows, for archers could easily defend the only entrance to the island.
Reaching the cliff face she hesitated and, to her surprise, the cliff began to rumble and a staircase of stairs led from the sand up to the cliff-top in a zig-zag pattern. Steeling herself, Alanna began to climb and at each point, where she doubled back on herself, was a wall of stone, with space behind it for several warriors. At the top of the wall a groove had been carved out and Alanna glanced at it as she passed, wondering at its purpose.
Reaching the top she was met with sharpened spikes facing her in rows. Coming to the first spike she halted and looked through them, trying to find a path. The earth began to shift and the spikes retracted over some area's to reveal deep pits with even more shafts inside, each was tipped with a black liquid, a poison.
Alanna looked about her and watched as spikes retracted into the earth to form a track past the spike, the size only slightly bigger than a Knight's charger. As she stepped forward and followed the path, the spikes slid back out as she passed and presented a gleaming point to any that could have been following her.
Between her and the castle was a long sloping plain with small brackets jutting from the grass in random patterns across the earth. The castle itself held her in awe.
The Palace of Tortall was a small village castle compared to this fortress and as Alanna moved closer she couldn't help but gaze in wonder.
A moat surrounded the castle and the drawbridge was out waiting for her. The outer walls were vertical stretching several Raoul sized people into the sky. Perfectly cut stones were pressed together so tight that a hand hold could not be grasped and they reached around the castle in a perfect circle. The walls themselves were smooth and had been filed into flatness. At the hole in the battlements magic flared in her vision and Alanna guessed there to be a spell of some sort around the gap. Ten empty towers glowered down at her and each had a strange cut along them, almost like they were broken. A small globe was atop each one.
Entering beneath the portcullis she hesitated and jumped forward as the first one slammed behind her like the closing of jaws. Moving hurriedly forward she passed beneath the second and winced as she felt it pass through the air, mere hairs widths behind her.
Approaching the inner wall she noted that there where paths that led around the belly of the castle to each wing and a great open gate was waiting at each. There were long plains for farming and several trees, barren of all leaves. Walking around a small fountain she continued forward towards the Keep. The towers of this wall were bigger and more imposing; though there were less of them than before and the globe above each one was visibly greater in size. The inner ballium held stables, barracks and what looked to be an archery range; all were empty, like the rest of the castle.
The final wall surrounded the keep, stretching up so high it became a part of the keep itself. The keep looked to have been built and then the wall mounted around the outside, here vicious looking tripods held a strange cross-bow and the entire building made her shudder.
Stairs lazily led to the entrance and bowls of fire flickered next to her. Great statues, twice the size of the normal man, stood at attention with their heads tilted to where she was to walk, and Alanna hesitated before jumping quickly through them. They were too alive, even though made of stone, for her liking.
The ballroom was long and bland, two staircases met between the floor and the tier of rooms above before branching out in a pincher form. A space was between the staircases and as Alanna began to climb the one to the right, she absently thought a statue should go there.
After climbing several flights of stairs she came to a final door and they opened to allow her onto the roof. Walking over to the wall, which was a direct match to the outer wall, she gazed out over the kingdom. In all four directions the horizon mingled with ocean and rocks bristled out of the waves surrounding the island. The castle was positioned so that even if a vessel dared the rocks, a catapult wouldn't reach far enough to pummel the walls.
If any troops were to land on the beach they would be met with archers and should they navigate the cliffs and pass the spikes an army could fend them off from the plain. Passing that, great logs drifted in the moat, crocodiles some part of her mind said, and then there were the walls of the castle itself. Then climb the stairs and reach the roof where she was now, but she couldn't see a way further up.
Circling the base of the keep Alanna came across only one way up, several lengths above her reach. There was a jut in the traditionally smooth face of the stone, just enough to curl your fingers over. Further above that there was a small ledge and on from there, alternating from right to left, where other ledges, just high enough to swing yourself up and over to the next one.
Alanna glared at it, hands on hips, still furious at her small stature. Growling she threw her hands to her sides, palms parallel with the stone. Magic blasted from her palms and threw her forward and into the sky.
Screaming in surprise Alanna lost her concentration and began to fall back down to the cobblestones. Flipping herself, Alanna fell with her head first, her arms flailing, when suddenly an idea came to her. Unsure whether it would work or not Alanna called to her Gift, rejoicing in the rush it gave her. Purple fire once again gathered at her finger tips and closing her eyes, Alanna thrust her magic forward and out of her, towards the stones.
Her decent gradually slowed until gravity and her own Gift were balancing her. Maintaining her state of mind, she twisted her body until her legs were facing the ground and then applied more magic to her palms. She jerked and flew further into the sky, calming herself she reduced the amount and she slowed, but maintained her steady rise.
It gradually occurred to her that she was flying and a grin stretched across her face and she laughed for what felt like the first time in centuries.
Drifting over the slight wall she settled down on the stones and looked about her. A wooden roof covered a small pool of silver in the middle of the building and an even greater globe hovered above it. A man was sitting in the water, eyes closed, as his brown hair drifted with the waters movements.
Alanna walked over to him, confused as to what didn't look right. Finally she saw it, the water wasn't moving, it was smooth and glassy, but Raku's hair was moving as though it were flowing around, and he wasn't breathing.
She draped herself over a chair, with so much grace that her etiquette Master would be proud, if not for how she sat afterward. The water stirred and Raku slowly rose to the surface and turned to face her, the liquid fell from his skin and down his body until every drop rejoined the greater mass.
"Alanna," he nodded and removed himself from the pool.
Alanna inclined her head slightly, a second move that would have her etiquette Master swooning, and tilted her head back to watch him.
The sides of the pool shifted and two sheets joined in the middle, covering the liquid. The wooden roof above them creaked and then folded in a shape similar to a Lady's umbrella, leaving them with the full radiance of the sun.
"Welcome to my mind," Raku boomed, opening his arms and Alanna nodded, she had guessed as such. Raku frowned at her, slightly hurt that this feat was merely brushed off.
"Not anyone can create something like this," he snapped and gestured around him.
Alanna shrugged, "Sorry, I'm all out of enthusiasm, torture does that to you."
Raku sighed, exasperated, "A little more interest would be greatly appreciated, you know. You might even learn something."
Alanna blinked at him, "I already know I am to learn, regardless of my will or not. You are to teach me everything you know, as are the Master's of Craft."
Raku scowled and folded his arms, "Fine. Don't show interest." He then added, "You gave me the idea's for some of this," to put her off.
Alanna jerked back and her eyes narrowed as she gazed around her, "How?"
Raku beamed at her, "I got the idea's from your mind," he informed her.
Alanna tilted her head, "I don't have a mind like this."
"Ah, but you will! Soon enough," Raku answered and lead the way to the wall. Alanna frowned and followed him, how would he know she would have things like this that he could take ideas from?
Then she halted, suddenly. He could see into the future?
Raku called over his shoulder as he pivoted to face her, his back leaning over the wall. "No, but go to the future in Tahakén, yes. Time is only limited by power, and we have infinite amounts."
Then he leaned further back and allowed himself to freefall into oblivion. Alanna rushed to the wall and then felt silly as Raku was calmly floating several metres beneath the wall.
"Aw, your concerned about me," he grinned, and Alanna mentally told herself her racing heart was for fear of his safety, "I'm touched."
Alanna glowered at him, "Touched in the head!," she snapped before jumping up onto the wall and, without a thought to the idiocy, threw herself forward. She freefell until she was about a hundred metres above the ground; Raku falling easily with her, and then she ordered her body to halt. To her surprise, though she had prepared for it, she halted immediately and then, ordered her body to slowly float to the ground.
Raku plummeted past her and just when Alanna thought he was about to die, he flipped and landed with a soft puff of earth around his boots, his knees bending to take his weight.
As Alanna landed he looked to her, "You will learn how to do this, also."
Alanna grinned, she would be unstoppable!
Author's Note:
Wow. I should say I'm gonna quit every chapter! Thanks guys, I feel better. I have, however, somehow found a writer's block... perhaps this is because I have been reading too much and not writing... Anyway, I have a new Harry Potter fic, so if you like HP, go take a look J
Anyway, I'm still working away ,my chapters may just be few and far between for the moment. RL, is a pain in the ass.
Thanks for reading guys, my self depression is over J
Enjoy