Song for this Chapter: Time to Dance → Panic! At the Disco. This chapter was really hard to find a song for. I think it's because it's mostly a filler chapter. Attitude fits all right thought. We got to fast paced spy mode music, but with a bit of apprehension and danger mixed in as well. Riske.

Chapter 32: The Not So Grinning Fly

D'mitri sat on his bed in his small room, unaware of his dull and dark surroundings as he stared at the books in deep thought.

Things have been so strange ever since I've met her, D'mitri thought in a daze. First it's the mysterious secrets, and then all of a sudden we're caught in a daring mission to get her powers back and set her free. It's not something that you do every day.

And yet, it feels like she's not even taking this mission seriously. It's like she thinks the whole escape process will be easy. The thought made him slightly angry. She's smart, but she has no idea how much risky this plan is—what could happen if it went wrong.

You don't either, he pointed out to himself. And even though that was true, he could feel his stomach churn uneasily.

D'mitri sighed. Well, I guess she can take care of herself. If she can stop a war, then she can escape slavery. Besides, you barely know anything about her. She may have other strengths and secrets that you don't even know about.

D'mitri shook his head to rid his thoughts as he looked at the books on his lap. He was told to read them and find Maggur's motive behind Romeli's capture.

A rush of curiosity came over him. This whole book about the God's Prophecy, it's all about her. There must be something in here that would help.

Lighting the candles around the room with his Gift, he peeled open the book and set to work. Looking at the table of contents, he turned to the section that was called History of the Prophecy.

A famous Scanran Seer named Tarantok Tanraroloph foretold the God's Prophecy. This prophesy, was said to pass around 400 HE. However, the prophecy has yet to come true, and was said to only be but a myth now. The prophecy, about a sought after powerful object that would start a war. had turned into only a tale that very few people remember and even fewer believe may come to pass. Some have even scoured the corners of the world, traveling across dangerous lands, in search of the great object. None have found even a clue, thus convincing more skeptics that Taranatok never Saw anything at all. However, Taranatok said that he had Seen the object in a vision. When people questioned him, he would only reply that its beauty and power were too dominant for words. He also said that his lips were sealed by the gods. Thus the name The God's Prophecy.

One month later, Taranatok died of a stroke. Curious townsfolk searched his home for any clues or pictures that may help them figure out the God's Prophecy. The information was all found burned and too damaged to read. This had started a theory that the powerful Seer had foreseen his own death and was told by the Gods to destroy anything that had to do with the prophecy. Even more mysterious was a note that he had written on his hand:

I have seen the world, and it shall be grim. May Your everlasting leaves reach to our souls, for You shall be our pool of decency in our Coast of Chaos. And so They say…

Unfortunately, the rest of the message had been smeared away before anyone could read it. Many people believe it was a message to the object.

Taranatok's many other prophesies, including ones about the Lioness, the making of the Dominion Jewel, the immortals, have all come true. So what is to say that this one wouldn't?

D'mitri nodded as he flipped through the pages again. This was good information. It would surely help them in discovering who Romeli was and what Maggur was up to.

It was getting dark and D'mitri was tired. He marked the page in the book and set it on the side table. Crawling under the covers, he stared at the ceiling for a while.

This all feels so unreal, he noted as he folded his hands behind his head. Life was so predictable before, but now it's like I don't even what's happening next.

D'mitri's thoughts bent to Romeli. His blood warmed at the thought of her. She was probably the nicest, strongest, most beautiful person he had ever met. He had almost kissed her back there, and now he wished he did. Nothing seemed more pleasing to him than holding him in her arms forever.

Frankly, he was surprised that she had never had a boyfriend. Surely someone had asked to court her before. There was something about her, it made him want to fall to his knees.

Sighing, he blew out the lights and rolled over onto his side.

OOO

Two days after the dinner with Maggur, Romeli was called back to meet with him. Remembering what Maryann had told her to do, she promised to herself that she would act polite and kind during the meeting, so that afterwards, she would have a better chance of completing her mission.

She dressed into a jade green dress that had a square cut neck line and short sleeves. The dress went down to her toes and had black imprints of flowers and vines sewn into.

She stepped out of her room and made her way to King Maggur's "room". She hoped that she was going the right way this time, because she most likely wouldn't run into D'mitri again. Literally. He had, just yesterday, given her a detailed tour of most of the important places of the palace. He even pointed out noticeable "landmarks" that she could look for to prevent from getting lost.

Surprisingly enough, she found Maggur's meeting place with little hesitation. D'mitri's tour was a life saver.

She ran a hand through her hair hesitantly before opening the door and walking inside. Here we go.

Maggur was sitting at what looked like a large desk or a small table. Due to the outcome of their last meeting, many guards were posted around the room.

"Hello Romeli," greeted Maggur with his usual innocent drawl. He pointed to a chair across from him on the other side of the table. "Please sit down."

Romeli did so without a second thought. Maggur seemed slightly set back by this, not used to the lack of defiance. He smiled. Perhaps she is breaking after all.

"Romeli, how about something to drink and eat?"

Romeli shrugged. "Sure."

"D'mitri, could you please serve Romeli and I something to eat?" asked Maggur as he strummed his fingers on the table.

Romeli looked behind her chair confused and was surprised to see D'mitri standing against the wall behind her. He flashed a small smile at her before picking up a tray and walking over to Maggur. He gave him a cup and poured it full of grape juice. He also gave him a platter of finger foods and fruit. Walking over to Romeli, he inhaled sharply, loud enough for only her to hear. Then he itched his nose in clear view.

Romeli looked at him confused. What the heck was he doing?

D'mitri set down her own cup of grape juice and platter of food. Romeli looked at him. He itched his nose again. His eyes seemed watery.

Suddenly she understood. He was telling her something. She gave him the smallest of a nod, telling him that she understood. He gave a smile through his eyes and walked back to his place.

Maggur, if it didn't work the first time, then it really won't work the second, she thought as she took a sip of grape juice. Damn, Scanran food is good.

"Do you like the food Romeli?" asked Maggur as he stared at her intently.

Romeli smiled as she licked her fingers. "I don't think I've ever eaten anything better."

Maggur's brows arched up. "Well I'm glad that you like it. Say, just out of curiosity, how do you like Scanra?"

Romeli thought for a moment. King Maggur still looked thoroughly confused. He was obviously asking prying questions to try and figure out what she had done to neutralize the spells in her food. She smirked innerly. Nice try Maggur, but you're never going to figure it out. "Truthfully, I think this place is very beautiful, and…easy to get lost in. Even though I hate being cold, all of the beauty of Scanra makes up for it."

Maggur nodded as he took another sip of juice. He thought deeply for a moment. "Now Romeli, do you think I can trust that you cooperate with me if I give your Gift back? Just for our meeting, that is."

For some reason she knew he would ask that question, and she hesitated. How was she supposed to answer without sounding too innocent or defiant? She looked at him and smiled, eyes glinting mischievously. "What is the use of not cooperating, Highness, when we both know that I'll never win."

Maggur seemed shocked for a moment. Indeed, maybe he had broken her. It was a lot easier than he thought it would be. "Ah…well. Let's get to work then."

Romeli gulped. Now what were they going to do?

Maggur got up and got something behind him. It was a vase full of wilting flowers. The minute he put it down, she knew what he wanted her to do.

"Now, you may know that I am a very curious person," he started. "And when I heard that you had plant magic, my mind burst with questions. I didn't even know that such a thing existed. I'm very curious to see what you can do. Perhaps you can show me?"

Romeli nodded. What harm was there to help those plants? She could feel their need inside of her soul.

Maggur grinned. "Now I'm going to give you back your Gift, and I trust that you won't do anything drastic."

The thought didn't even enter her mind. Attacking would be pointless anyways. She needed to follow the king after the meeting to find his study. "I won't," she reassured.

Once again the tension released from her collar. She felt lighter and more relaxed.

And then she realized something. Why had the king given her Gift back if she was just using plant magic? She inhaled sharply, realization hitting her. The king thinks I need my Gift for plant magic. If I use my plant magic outside of our meetings, he won't think it's me.

"Romeli? Are you going to do it?" the king asked with anticipation.

Romeli looked at the king with raised brows. "Maggur, you of all people should know that patience is a virtue." She smiled.

Maggur nodded solemnly.

She shook away her thoughts and pushed them into the back of her mind for later. Right now she had to help those flowers.

Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply. Now she was seeing with her mind instead of her eyes. Looking deep within herself, she found the pool of plant magic and brought it out.

She could feel the plants grasping for the magic as she put it in view. Seeing them, she noticed that their veins were browning instead of their usual vibrant green. They were dying slowly.

She took another deep breath and sighed it out. She began to feed the plants all of their needs—all of the nutrients to make them well again.

Maggur watched in fascination as the flowers slowly began to tilt upright and grow brighter. When she was done, Maggur found himself staring at a fully blossomed and colorful bouquet.

Romeli opened her eyes.

"Well done Romeli," said Maggur deeply impressed. "I never imagined that such a thing could be done."

Romeli nodded. "I'm glad that you like it. Not many people appreciate plants." She laughed innerly. Fool, she thought. I nearly have him on his knees.

"I see," Maggur said, resting his chin in his hand with his elbow propped up on the desk. "So…what exactly is plant magic?"

Romeli took a hearty sip of her drink. "Well, most people think that plant magic is just like wild magic, except with plants. In reality, the two have nothing to do with each other. As you know, plants do not hold the same type of intelligence as animals do. They need different needs and have different structures. Basically, if you have plant magic, you have the ability to give the plants what they need. When you're 'healing' a plant, you are giving it the nutrients it needs to grow. But plants are very greedy and stubborn creatures. Once you open up your magic to the outside world, needy plants will start grasping it, and it can be quite painful. If you're trying to make a perfectly healthy plant grow, especially a tree, they'll need a bit of a push."

Maggur nodded, interested. "That is amazing. Say, if you have plant magic, could you actually force them to move?"

Romeli thought for a moment. "Like I said, plants are very stubborn creatures. If you try, it usually doesn't work," she lied. She thought it was a good call, telling him that she could not control plants. Otherwise he might use her plant magic for harm.

"I see," said Maggur thoughtfully. He stared at her for a long moment. "I think that we will leave it here for today," he said. "Frankly Romeli, you have been very good today and I am happy. You shall be rewarded for your excellent attitude. You are dismissed."

Romeli smiled. "Thank you, Sir," she said as she stood up. She drained the remaining drink in her cup. "Good grape juice," she commented smiling. She turned around and winked at D'mitri before leaving.

She walked out of the door and quickly reeled herself into the nearest empty room—a small closet. She shut the door and sighed. Acting was hard.

Now for the harder part, she thought. Closing her eyes, she focused in on transforming into the perfect animal for her spying.

She felt herself shrink dramatically and a tail and ears grow. Her sight became sharp and keen and her sense of smell very advanced. She could feel the sharp claws hidden away in her soft paws.

Romeli the black house cat walked towards the door when she noticed something. How the heck was she supposed to open the door?

Romeli sighed, standing up on her back legs. She jumped up and tried to snatch the knob with her front paws, resembling a naughty kitten trying to snatch a canary more than a cat trying to escape.

This is no use, she thought with an exasperated sigh. Quickly she transformed back into herself and opened the door a smidgen. She turned back into a cat and padded out.

She walked back to the room and waited for Maggur to leave so she could follow him to his office. She sat down on the wood floor, waiting patiently with glowing green eyes.

The door creaked open and Romeli watched intently, prepared to follow.

D'mitri came out with a pale face. He looked worried for some reason. Romeli's tail curved in an elegant wag as she padded up to him.

She rubbed against his legs affectionately and purred just like any other cat. D'mitri looked down confused and then smiled.

"Hello little guy," D'mitri said running his hand down her back. Romeli rubbed her head against his hand, her ears twitching back and forward.

D'mitri picked her up and scratched her behind the ears. He suddenly looked at her oddly as he ran a finger along her collar that resembled any other pets. Her green eyes were transfixed on him.

"Romeli?" he whispered, shocked.

Romeli the cat looked at him intelligently and nodded.

D'mitri's eyes widened, but he smiled. "Where'd the green hair go?"

Romeli purred and licked his cheek. D'mitri laughed.

"Be careful," he murmured as he touched her nose and set her down.

Romeli walked around him once and nodded. She meowed innocently.

D'mitri walked away just as the door opened again, and Maggur came out walking briskly. She dodged out of sight and then began to follow him around the corner.

Well, here we go, thought Romeli as she trailed him. She made sure to keep a safe distance, her silent paws padding behind him.

Maggur walked stealthily, as if he himself were on some type of mission. He turned left and walked down another hall quickly. Romeli had to trot to catch up with him.

Maggur looked around the hall before opening a door. Romeli hid behind a column so that he wouldn't notice her. When she peeked around the corner, the door was already swinging shut behind him.

Shoot, thought Romeli. She bounced from behind the corner, and sprinted as hard as she could towards the closing door.

Come on, come on! She thought. This whole day would have been tons easier if she had her Gift.

The door shut right in front of her nose.

Great, now I'm going to lose him, she thought angrily. She looked down at the crack between the door and floor.

Romeli looked around for any sign of anyone looking. She quickly transformed into a small snake.

The ground was hard to move on, its smooth surface hard for her muscles to grip, but she quickly made it through. Transforming into a cat again, she trotted after Maggur who had just turned the corner of the hallway.

Maggur stepped in front of a small oak door that glistened in Romeli's sight. Maryann was right. His office was concealed by a spell. Fortunately, the spell was only a simple invisibility spell that she could see as easily as any other door.

Maggur ran his hand over the door and the glistening vanished. He stepped inside letting the door swing behind him.

Romeli let it shut.

I have to be cautious, she told herself as she sat by the door. Since Maggur is such a careful person, chances are that he has some type of surveillance system in there. Like a Seeing mirror or something. I'll have to go there unnoticed and destroy it once he leaves.

What should I transform into though? There wasn't an animal alive that could walk in unnoticed, except…

Romeli sighed. She hated transforming into insects. They were the hardest.

Closing her eyes, she concentrated on being a small and weightless pesky fly. She felt herself shrink to a tiny size and sprout multiple eyes.

She crawled through the crack of the door and took flight in Maggur's office.

His office was a lot smaller than she thought it would be. There were no windows, but…two doors? She would have to investigate that later. Maggur was currently sitting at his large desk, writing down things and muttering to himself. His office looked pretty normal. It had a couple extra chairs and a few paintings.

There, thought Romeli flying around the room. In the corner of the ceiling was a mirror. That was the surveillance system. Romeli had seen them in use when Jonathan needed something to be guarded. They were called Seeing mirrors. Currently, a soldier or someone was looking into a mirror, watching Maggur's office for safety.

Romeli landed on Maggur's desk, out of the way of swiping hands, as she watched closely.

Maggur picked up a rock. It must have been some form of communication.

"Hello Fredrin," said Maggur through the rock.

"Highness," greeted a cold voice radiating from the rock. "How is your project going? Have you made a breakthrough?"

"Yes," Maggur said pleased. "I am confident that she is broken."

Romeli would have grinned if she weren't a fly. He fell for it!

"Excellent," said Fredrin. "Any findings?"

"Yes actually. I have found out much about her plant magic that may be of use to us. I'll send the notes to you once I'm done here. But we still don't have an explanation as to why the drugs don't affect her."

Fredrin seemed displeased. "We need to examine her," he said. "Our plan won't work if we don't."

Maggur nodded. "I know. I'm working on it."

"Good, once we do, our plan will be achieved in time."

Maggur grinned. "Soon, all of the realm will be in my hands."

He put the rock away and began to organize a few papers.

"Now, I just need to put these away, and I'll be out of here." He stood up and walked into the second door of the room.

Romeli decided to wait until he left his office before investigating.

Seconds later, Maggur was out. He looked around his office once more before leaving and shutting the door behind him.

Now, for the real work to begin, Romeli thought as she flew in front of the second door and landed on the floor to crawl through the crack.

When Romeli was in, she stared in complete shock.

Gods…I think I found what we're looking for, she thought grimly.

Heehee. You guys haven't had a cliffie in a while.

Replies:

Mercury-Shadowfeather: Good. You sit and be patient. And I'm sorry, but teasing people is just something I do. Lol.

Jewelz: Fantabulous. Haven't heard that one. Lol. sweet. Yes, D'mitri will die in time. Just be patient. And of course the dream will be reality. How can it not? Silly. Romeli will understand her past in the Sequel. Hoorah.

Aravuli: I actually don't want Romeli and D'mitri to hook up. But I had to kill him off somehow! And it really messes up Romeli, which is a bonus! I'm glad you like the dinner part, it was really fun to write.

Mystique Angel: yum…twisty. I hate RD fluff too. No worries. D'mitri will die. Hey cool name. I like Mystique Angel. It has a…spark to it. Lol.

Silver-star-0: This is ur favorite story? How touching! (Does an I'm touched dance). Yes poor James… don't worry. James will be not so poor soon.

Kuyaga: You thought I died? Sweet. Perhaps I did, and didn't notice. Yes it would be awful. Good thing I'm killing him. Hooray! Yeah, I read Circle of Magic books. I don't think they're as good as the other ones, but they're still okay. What I'm really crazy about is Dan Brown's new book. Do you read Dan Brown? I'm not sure when it's coming out, but oh well. Yes, I would consider this a filler chapter, everything went as usual. Lol. Good. Don't cry. He needs to die.

Dark Horse Queen: I updated. Happy? Lol. Yes, I guess we all are weird.

Apathetically Interested: You didn't see it coming? Neither did I. In fact, in my original idea, there was no D'mitri, Maryann was a bad guy, and Romeli's life was much worse then it is now. I'm glad you don't use radiated pillows. You would probably have cancer or something. Toodles!

Purple Eyed Cat: I don't know why she's affected by D'mitri. Maybe because she wants James so bad, that D'mitri is the replacement. Not for long though. Snigger snigger. D'mitri's going to die, so we don't have to worry about a heartbroken James.

Akira Shinaichi: Wow…that was the second most confusing thing I've ever read. I like the idea. Perhaps a little too evil, but it could work. I'll consider it. Heehee.