A/N: Ok, so I took a break after my exams. PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! I had to restore my brain cells!
Disclaimer: I don't own The Seventh Tower.
Chapter 10 – Exchange
Tal was not just restless, he was furious. Pacing alone in the Audience Chamber, he fumed silently. So much for rescuing Milla. It hadn't even been four days after the fiasco wedding of the century, and she had already turned up dying in the middle of nowhere.
I shouldn't have trusted her, Tal fumed as he sat on his throne. She wouldn't even show her face. He wanted to see Milla, but the healer forbade it, so he was stuck worrying on his own.
At least Milla still lives. Tal comforted himself with that thought. It was lucky the Guards found her when they did. Unconsciously, he rubbed his arm. The cut was healed, but it stung to think that someone would so blatantly wound the Emperor and attempt to murder the War-Chief.
If I find her, she's as good as dead, swore Tal, resting the first two fingers of his hand on his scar. By the Light, for both Milla and I.
I might die. But better me than her. She's needed. I'm not. I overstayed my visit to this world by almost eighteen circlings.
It's cold. I hate these clothes. They serve no purpose. They can't even keep me warm now.
That's Ebbitt's signal. Green for on schedule, red for abandon and run. We agreed on that earlier in the Cavern.
I should probably call the Crones now. I don't want to see any more.
I'm gagged and made to sit. I can't see it, but the knife is – should be - in her hand. I think she's still reluctant to do it. So I nod to encourage her.
The next thing I know, blood is pouring out, soaking the dress. My blood. Where it spreads, I feel even colder. But at least I'm too numb to feel the pain.
The ground falls away. No, I'm the one falling. Without any light, I can almost trick myself into thinking that I'll never hit the ground.
Then the road slams into me, knocking my breath out of my lungs. Pain shoots up my left side. My arm and leg on that side is probably broken.
I thought that it might happen. I wait. But even though I know that I might have to wait, I'm impatient. It hurts. They're too slow. I think I fell unconscious at this point, but it's a dream, so I don't.
Faces surround me. Nobody I know. Guards. Blue light. I don't recall telling Ebbitt… Never mind. The pain recedes and things seems clearer to me. A blanket is thrown over me. My hands and feet are unbound. I'm being carried.
All expected. But when I look at my saviours again, I see the Mother Crone instead.
The dreamer awoke, sitting upright in one violent jerk. "Mi-" she clapped her hand over her mouth before she could complete the rest and make an mistake.
"My Lady, are you awake?" A woman with bright red hair and green eyes approached her, wearing the garb of a Castle healer. "Do you need water?"
Not trusting herself to speak properly, she nodded, lowering her hands as she did.
The healer smiled sympathetically and turned around. "I'll go get a glass now. Wait for me." She left the room. Milla's Castle chambers.
The dreamer was left alone to sort out her thoughts. This is the room assigned to the War-Chief, she painstakingly recalled, organising her thoughts bit by bit. So that means that I, Miria, am in the castle now, currently masquerading as the War-Chief.
It wasn't hard to make herself look like Milla. They already looked similar to begin with, all she had to do was cut her hair and burn the ends with heat from a Sunstone to erase traces of cutting. The hard part was convincing Milla that she had to appear battered. Or rather, convincing Milla to do the battering.
Well, it worked in any case, thought Miria wearily, stretching her arms to the Sunstone-studded ceiling. Her left side felt sore, as did her abdomen, but it was definitely not intolerable. Now, the next part of the plan would be the problem. When she'd explained it to Milla and Ebbitt she'd made it sound as though she was well-assured of its success, but in actual fact she hadn't figured out all the details.
The door opened, and the healer came back with water, as promised. She held a jug and a glass, both filled. Miria thought it stupid, the way the healer had to manoeuvre through the door as such because both her hands were occupied. Why couldn't she have just left the glass empty?
The healer set the jug down on a table beside the bed and handed the glass to Miria, who took a sip from it and choked. She erupted in a fit of coughing.
In a flash, the glass was taken away and the healer was patting her back. "Easy there, you've been through a tough four days. Your injuries aren't even completely healed. You're bound to feel tired."
Miria's coughing eased. "Thank you. Are you the one who healed me?"
The hand left her back and the glass returned back to her hands. "Yes. Frankly, this is the first time I've seen someone in so bad a condition. Even in the battle four years ago, the injuries were minor. Sip slowly."
Miria obeyed. She raised the glass to her lips and took a small sip. She forced in down her throat. "I've had worse. Why didn't the Crones heal me?" A wonder how different she could sound with water in her.
The healer smiled apologetically. "I would have liked if they did too, for your physique as an Icecarl demands slightly different treatments. But I was specifically ordered by Advisor Kazhua to heal you, so I did."
"I see." Miria could think of nothing else to say. She took another sip as she thought. For once, something Kazhua did was in her favour. This woman wouldn't be able to tell that she wasn't the actual War-Chief.
The healer watched her for a while, then stood up from where she was sitting beside the bed. "I must report to the Emperor now. If you need anything else in my absence, there is someone outside who will attend to you if you call." She headed towards the door. "Do rest more."
"Healer."
The woman turned. "Yes?"
Miria smiled apologetically, carefully. "I do not think I am well enough to receive visitors as of yet." She tried to sound as detached as Milla would have. "I would appreciate if you could let them know on my behalf, as well as deliver my apologies."
"Of course." The healer turned and resumed walking.
"Healer."
"Yes?" She stopped with her hand on the doorknob.
"What is your name?"
"Oh dear, I've forgotten to introduce myself again." She turned, beamed brightly at Miria, placed a hand on her chest and declared, "I am Cerul Erda-Rhond. And I am your healer."
Cerul entered the Imperial Audience Chamber and curtseyed.
"How is she?" Tal demanded eagerly.
Cerul raised her notes and began reading off them. "Your Highness, the War-Chief has been treated for an abdominal stab wound, a fractured left humerus, a fractured left tibia, as well as multiple scratches in various places. The burns on her neck and face are minor and are healed."
Tal winced at every injury Cerul listed. Not as if he didn't know that Milla's pain threshold was incredible, but the fact that she didn't die was a miracle. "So, am I allowed to see her yet?" he demanded, twisting the Violet Keystone ring around his finger restlessly.
"As for that, your Highness, the War-Chief has expressed her desire for rest and quiet for now, and I am inclined to agree with her. I apologise on her behalf for any inconvenience caused." Cerul bowed again. She tucked her notes under her arm and straightened up to receive her next order.
Tal pondered over it. So Milla had basically refused to see him. But even if he did see her, what was he supposed to say? "Hi, Milla, long time no see. Are you going to throw that sword at me?" That was probably the best-case scenario. But he wanted to know why she refused to see him anyway.
Cerul shifted. Tal noticed it and dismissed her so that she could continue with her work. She curtseyed and left.
Tal stood up and paced. It helped him think. The balance of power was shifting once again. After losing his temper in front of the Assembly twice, Kazhua had lost some support. Which was a considerable blow, since Tal still held the Violet Keystone. And after Milla was kidnapped and injured in his care, the Icecarls in the Castle were treating him with barely concealed hostility.
Now would be the best time to rally both the Assembly and the Crones, decided Tal, heading towards the same door that Cerul had just left through. It was high time that the Emperor joined the game.
As Tal left the Imperial Audience Chamber, with the Sunstones flashing in the ceiling, one thought surfaced. I see why Great-Uncle Ebbitt hates politics.
The next day, according to Castle time, Miria hinted heavily to Cerul that she was much better, perhaps even well enough to receive visitors. Consequently, as she had hoped yet dreaded, Kazhua bounced in not long after.
After Cerul's motherly attitude, Kazhua was certainly a cold slap to the face. Miria tried not to flinch as she sat at the table, listening to his overly joyful well-wishes and wordy laments on how her bodyguard, someone she trusted with her life, had betrayed her. With a tremendous effort, she forced herself to hold a conversation with this repulsive man.
"You should have more trust in the Imperial Guards," Kazhua was saying, assisted by numerous hand gestures.
"Yes, I should, seeing how efficient they are at apprehending kidnappers," she couldn't resist saying dryly. "I hear she is still at large."
Kazhua's face turned purple and he sputtered, much to Miria's smug satisfaction. He recovered quickly enough though, and pointedly added, "But you cannot deny that if they had not found you, you would have died."
"Point taken. As a matter of fact, now that there has been an attempt on my life, I would recommend that you increase security on this level as a whole." She silently added, So they can save me when you decide that I am dispensable.
"Very well," agreed Kazhua. "I will take note of that and ensure it is done. But on to a more pressing matter. The… event that was disrupted five days ago. When will you be well enough to carry through with it again?"
Miria forced a cool, disinterested look on her face as she had seen Milla done before when dealing with overanxious politicians. Now she had begun treading into dangerous territory. "The fact that I am able to see you today like this is proof that I have completely recovered." Which was not a lie. Cerul's treatment had worked wonders, and she could move about painlessly, even perform back flips.
"Good, good. In that case would tomorrow be fine? I am anxious to see this over with and give you the complete protection of the Castle." Kazhua leaned forward. He concealed his eagerness and greed well, Miria had to concede. She hoped she was as good as he was in masking her emotions, at least.
"I am fine with it," enunciated Miria carefully, although she wanted to flinch in disgust.
"Then I shall go tend to the preparations immediately." Kazhua patted Miria's hand, the one resting on the table. The other, hidden from his sight, was gripping the seat tight enough to break it. "You should rest. Tomorrow will be long and tiring for you."
Will immense willpower, Miria forced a semblance of a smile on her face and stood up to see Kazhua out. She kept the mask on until the door closed and his footsteps faded away. Then she sprinted to the washbasin and scrubbed her hand in disdain.
Milla would have done better. Miria let her look of disgust show, even though it was probably not professional behaviour. But she had been close to cracking already.
She stopped just before Cerul entered. As usual, the calm and comforting atmosphere that surrounded her made Miria feel at ease. It was also much appreciated after Kazhua's visit.
"My Lady, how are you feeling now?" Cerul asked, her voice filled with genuine concern, so unlike Kazhua's false one.
Miria shrugged, her face returning to the detached calm of the War-Chief. "Physically fine, but mentally exhausted."
Cerul laughed lightly. "I must agree, politics is a taxing job."
Miria smiled back, but felt guilty for slipping for a moment. Milla would never have revealed how she felt.
A brainwave struck her. "Cerul, do you know who Gill is?"
The healer paused.
"She used to be one of the Freefolk," added Miria, already half-regretting asking.
"No, no, I know who she is. She's a medical student now. I'm just wondering who you want to see her." Cerul looked at her charge expectantly.
"I merely wish to speak of times past." Miria shrugged nonchalantly. She didn't want to lie to Cerul, yet she was worried that Cerul would be endangered if she didn't.
Cerul flashed her trademark bright smile. "Well, I might take a while to find her, so you just sit tight and wait." She waved as she left. The Sunstone ring on her finger reflected the light as she did.
Miria stared at the twinkle until the door shut and it disappeared. Then she scrounged around the room for paper and a charcoal stick. After procuring them, she sat down and started writing a note to Milla and Ebbitt in Icecarl runes. She felt somewhat guilty for always relying on Cerul, but it saved her the trouble of looking for Gill herself.
There was a knock on the door just a Miria finished writing the last rune and folded the note. "Come in," she called out.
The door opened and Gill practically ran in. "Milla!" she squealed. "I thought you were a goner! Why did you come back-"
Miria had risen upon Gill's entrance. Before Gill could say too much and betray them both, Miria placed a finger on her lips, then pointed to the door quickly, indicating surveillance. Gill got the message and changed tack. "I meant, are you alright now?" she asked, closing the door with a definite snap.
"Yes," she replied shortly. She indicated with her hand that Gill should sit, then added loudly, "I have not seen you in such a long time. I hear you're a medical student now. It is fitting." She waved and gestured rather frantically for Gill to keep up the charade for the Guards outside.
"I learnt how to make objects out of Light with my Sunstone. Can I show you some of them?" Gill pulled out a chair and sat down. She turned to face the person she thought to be Milla and hissed, "What's going on?"
Miria took a seat next to Gill and held up the folded note. She pulled Gill close and whispered, "Do you remember how to get to the old Freefolk Fortress? I need this delivered to the Icecarls there. Preferably before tomorrow. Can you do it?"
Gill shrugged. "Sure I remember," she whispered back. "You want me to deliver this to that Shield Maiden, that Elza? This whole thing is a set-up, isn't it?"
Miria had long forgotten that to the Castle, she was "Elza". When Gill reminded her, she was struck by the unpleasant realisation that she seemed to be spending all her time pretending to be someone else, as though she found herself to be lacking in multiple ways. Which, sadly, happened to be all too true. She likened herself to a mirror, always reflecting others' light, but never emitting any of her own.
"Milla?" Gill prodded gently.
Miria started. She'd slipped again. Milla wouldn't waste time thinking about matters unrelated to the task at hand. "Ah, yes. In a way. So, will you help me?" she asked again, holding out the flimsy Castle paper.
Gill took it readily. "Always," she assured her. "But why before tomorrow?"
"I told them that if they didn't hear from me by this sleep, they should leave."
Gill bit her lip, silently calculating the time she would need to travel down to the Fortress. "I'll try my best. I should be able to make it if I go now."
"Then by all means, leave." Miria clapped her fists, silently even though Gill deserved one that can be heard by all. Then she said loudly, "That was an impressive display. Is there more?" She pointed at the note in Gill's hands and mouthed the word "hurry".
Gill nodded in acceptance and concealed the note under her robes. She replied as loudly, "I would love to show you more, but I have an appointment with my mentor now. I must take my leave."
The Icecarl gave her the good hunting sign and said, "Then go. I shall not keep you."
Gill returned the sign and stood up. The chair scraped across the floor loudly. She waved as she passed through the door, for the sake of the Guards. Now, to the Fortress, she thought to herself, as her hand closed protectively on the fragile piece of paper in her pocket.
Hours later, Gill approached the bridge to the cavern. She'd used the most inconspicuous ways to get there. Even though Milla didn't say so, she automatically knew that the journey she was undertaking was dangerous, much like her life four years ago. She was glad her instincts hadn't dulled after four years of complacency.
And now, those same instincts told her to approach with caution. After ascertaining that she wasn't being followed, she crossed the bridge as silently as possible and entered the Fortress in which she had lived, up till four years ago.
Milla heard the tell-tale sounds of someone trying to be quiet. She continued to draw the bucket up the well so as to not alarm the intruder, all the while observing him out of the corner of her eye, watching him flit from shadow to shadow. Ebbitt had slipped off long ago with the Codex, no doubt to re-explore the place, leaving her to rage and bemoan the long wait alone.
At least she wouldn't have to worry about protecting Ebbitt as well, if that really turned out to be one of Kazhua's goons. Just one sleep had passes since she left Miria at the Castle doorstep, which was too soon for her to recover. So this was probably someone sent to check if the Fortress was currently inhabited.
She gripped the handle of the bucket, still following the moving shadow surreptitiously. The Talon of Danir on her right forefinger extended in response to her tension. If the intruder left, she'd attack. If he attacked her, that would be so much better.
Come on, she thought as she lifted the bucket clear of the rim of the well, turning her back to the shadows to set it down. She hoped that whoever it was would be lured by the promise of a successful assault. I'm waiting.
Ever cautious, Gill kept to the shadows as she entered the cavern. She moved from shadow to shadow, searching for the intended recipient of the note she now held in her left hand. She hoped that there wouldn't be a need to search the huts as well.
Luck was with her. She spotted someone dressed in furs drawing water from the central well. This must be the Elza Milla spoke of, though she couldn't be sure as blond hair curtained the Icecarl's face.
Best to approach directly, she decided. She was armed but she was one hundred percent sure that she would lose in a fight against a Shield Maiden. She took a deep breath and strode quickly towards the well.
Milla heard her would-be assailant draw breath and rush forward, not even bothering to conceal his footsteps. She waited until he was two steps away and then sidestepped to the right, sweeping her foot towards him as she did.
He tripped as she intended, but she didn't let him fall. She seized his right wrist and pinioned his arm behind him before showing him towards the well so his upper body dangled over it, face down. Her right hand with the extended Talon was positioned directly below his throat.
All this was done in the space of a single breath.
It was the she noticed the arm that she was pinning down was devoid of weapons. And that her assailant was a girl.
She took a second look. "Gill?"
Before Gill even knew what was happening, she was dangling over the well. She'd barely had time to say "Ow!" before her arm was pinned behind her and her breath forced out of her lungs. She'd lost her grip on the note for a second because she was so shocked but managed to grab onto it again. Now she was gripping it precariously between the last two fingers of her left hand.
She hung there trying to regain her breath. Behind her, there was a sharp intake of breath and a familiar voice rang out. "Gill?"
Curious, she twisted her head around to look behind her. What she saw made her eyes go wide and her muscles go weak.
"Milla?"
The note fell from her outstretched hand.
A/N: This is easily the longest chapter that I have written for this fanfic. I actually finished drafting it out before my exams, and it's actually now about a week after my exams. I hadn't anticipated that it'll take so long to type out. And my results will be coming out next week, so expect some time off while I recover from the blow. In the meantime, send some reviews my way to help me get over it XD