A/N: Dang, school's getting on my nerves again. So anyway, I never thought that a story with so few hits would get so many reviews. Thank you, all of you! Also, I know many of you will start drawing all the wrong conclusions when you read this chapter. Just hang on, I'll explain, okay?

Disclaimer: I don't own The Seventh Tower.

Chapter 3-Believe What You See

Miria's first, foolish thought was that she ran into a mirror. After all, the girl that stood on the other side of the doorway had the exact same face as her, down to the shade of the eyes. And Miria was sure that the expression was the same as hers, as though she was truly looking into a mirror.

But as Miria stared, she became increasingly aware that if it was a mirror, it was bending all the rules that governed it. Her "reflection" had short hair, and was wearing the silver furs of the Ursek. Miria wasn't that high-ranking, if she even had a rank at all. And to top it off, on top of her very short hair was a polished white bone circlet.

It was the bone circlet that made her realise that she hadn't been looking in a mirror. Only one Icecarl wore a bone circlet since the time of Danir. Only one Icecarl bore the title that had not been used for two thousand circlings.

Miria clapped her fists slowly, as though she were in a dream. "War-Chief Milla Talon-Hand," she whispered.

Milla's first thought, too, was that she had slammed into a mirror. But she had an easier time disbelieving it. After all, she knew she would never leave her hair that long. And the girl carried a bow. While Milla could use all weapons, archery was not one of her preferences.

It became very obvious that she wasn't looking into a mirror. Besides, why would there be one in a doorway? And if it wasn't a reflection, it could be a free shadow, one powerful enough to take on a human shape. Instinctively, she dropped into a defensive position, Talons held at ready.

The shadow didn't respond. Normally, one would stay as far away from the Talons as possible. In the flare of the light from the Talons she could see that the girl had a natural shadow. So perhaps it wasn't a free shadow of Aenir after all. Then it had to be…

Milla suddenly realised that they were standing there foolishly, doing nothing. She took the other girl by the elbow and guided her to her room. The girl didn't resist. She was still in shock.

When they were out of sight of any inquisitive Shield Maiden cadet, Milla turned to look at the girl again. She had recovered enough to respond then. Milla asked her for her name.

"I'm Miria, War-Chief," she said, clapping her fists and smiling. Her voice sounded familiar and strange to Milla. Then she realised that was what her own voice would sound like if she were gentler and more cheerful. The thought sent shivers down her spine.

"Please, just call me Milla," she said. She didn't know why she was so… so free with Miria. There was something about her that made Milla decide that she liked her. Perhaps it was her spirited ways. Most Shield Maidens she had met were decidedly cold. They were nothing like Miria.

Miria decided to chance a question. "I don't understand how the Crones haven't said anything about it before. Surely they had to notice."

"Mm…" mused Milla. "Were you from the clan of the Far-Raiders?" Genetic flukes occurred sometimes. After all, there were only about a hundred Icecarls in one clan, so the genetic codes were all quite close. Every now and then there would be two Icecarls who looked much like each other. But she never thought that would ever happen to her.

Miria shook her head, her smile sliding off her face as a memory she had always suppressed burst in. "I don't know. All I know is that I was raised on the Ruin Ship."

Milla frowned. "That's strange. The Ruin Ship is not a normal clan-ship. No one is born or raised here. Why would you be kept here for all those circlings?"

Miria shook her head again, feeling frustrated. Here she was, talking to one of the most famous Icecarls alive, and she couldn't even answer her questions. "I don't know either. I'll ask the Mother Crone later, if I see her. I'd like to know why too."

Milla could tell that she had upset Miria, and she regretted ever bringing the subject up. She decided to change the topic. "Can you tell me more about yourself? You know, life for you here." Normally she wouldn't be so talkative, but just being around Miria brought out her bright side.

Miria smiled again and told her.

In another room of the Ruin Ship, the Crones watched them. Then their eyes cleared and they looked at the Mother Crone, waiting.

"Is this wise?" asked one of them, a silver-eyed, old Crone. "At such a time…"

"No, I don't think so either," answered the Mother Crone. "But wisdom and necessity do not walk hand in hand all the time." The Crone made as to speak again but the Mother Crone raised a hand, cutting her off. "You have seen the vision, as have I. You know as well as I do that we do not have a choice."

Another Crone, a blue-eyed one, spoke up. "If this is so, then why now, of all times? There is not much time left."

"It is better to choose the time ourselves," replied the Mother Crone heavily. "It may tip the scales in our favour."

"Then should we not tell them everything?"

"No. Let them think it a coincidence. A friendship develops better without external influence." The Mother Crone looked around. "We will not tell them. Please do not present her an opportunity to question you. Now go."

There was a ripple of sound as the Crones murmured to each other and nodded. They left the room, leaving the Mother Crone by herself. Her eyes clouded as she turned her sight back to the two young Icecarls.

I'm sorry for doing this to you, my Miria, thought the Mother Crone. But you may be all that will stand between us and destruction one day. I have watched you grow up and grow stronger. I wish I can tell you how proud of you I am, and will be, child.

A/N: A bit short, I know. And look! No cliffhanger! I don't want to risk my neck again, haha. I hoped you all enjoyed this… very short chapter. Please leave a review!