I know that this is the second to last chapter, and yet to be perfectly honest, I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to write here.
I guess I have a faint idea...ack. I need some inspiration.
(looks around in room for something entertaining)
ah. yes. A spool.
:D
Let's get to writing!!
THE GUARDIAN DRAWINGS:
There have been a few requests for a drawing of Romeli at the peak of her game. So I drew Romeli as I pictured her, standing on the roof menacingly just after she saves James and everyone discovers she's alive.
The picture is sort of referenced from Jennifer Garner. But don't worry. I made it original.
Romeli: http: // tinypic .com /r/ t8ofw 2/5 (minus the spaces)
I also drew a super sexy picture of James. THIS IS JAMES. Ahh. I want to lick him. As you can probably tell, I picture him as James Franco.
James: http: // tinypic .com /r/ 2u8cny 0/5 (minus the spaces)
If for whatever reason the links aren't working, shoot me a message or leave a review with your email in it (make sure you put spaces throughout your email address so fanfiction doesn't reject it)
Like this:
ktang 231 gmail .com (that's my email btw)
Song for this Chapter: Rehab → Rihanna. A perfect mixture of...well...rehabilitation and ass-kicking. Couldn't find a better song for this chapter even if I tried.
Chapter 62: Shedding Skin
In the last chapter...
Romeli totally duels the rest of the mages. Nothing of notable importance happens in the duel except for one thing: Romeli was about to kill Maggur (and so was the author), but decided against it (much to the author's disdain). Bottom line is, Maggur is still alive, and when the mages forfeited, leaving her victorious, the Scanran party fled.
She wakes up in the Healing Wing three days later, severely sore, bruised, and beaten. Her parents are beside her...bla bla bla...talk talk talk... "Oh Romeli you're so famous now because you saved the day" woooo...
Sleep.
When she wakes up again, it's the middle of the night. Alas! James is perched beside her bed. Romeli realizes that now Scanra will finally leave her alone (hopefully for good), meaning that her and James were free. This inevitably brings up a large makeout session.
"Nothing is impossible to a willing mind." - Books of Han Dynasty
For being one of the most powerful mages in the Mortal Realm, Romeli was not impressed with the rate in which she was healing. Ever since her initial blackout after the duel, she had been sentenced to bed rest until full recovery. As of this fine morning, she had been confined to her Healing Wing cot for a week.
The only good thing about staying cooped up with the injured was that where there was an injury, there was someone to heal it. That someone was Neal.
Her and Neal had become exceptionally close. It is safe to say that this closeness may have come out of necessity. Romeli, while sitting in a bed all day, was often bored, and Neal, never one to fill out paperwork, was always looking for a reason to procrastinate. The two hit it off immediately, discussing healing techniques, their past memories of each other, and embarrassing stories about James. Romeli would have considered Neal an uncle had it not been for the fact that that made James her cousin.
Neal and Romeli did not get along in one topic only: her recovery. Under strict orders from the Head Healer, she was not allowed to use her Gift under any circumstance. This, to Romeli, was preposterous. In reality, that was the only thing that was keeping her confined to Neal's presence. If she just used her Gift to heal what wounds she had left, she would have been out days ago.
Instead, Neal insisted on letting her body get the job done. As a mage, her Gift would subconsciously help her fight the remaining wounds, which would speed up the process. It just wasn't fast enough. Neal insisted on letting her Gift rest—it had been overworked and drained. Every time Neal brought it up, Romeli would always reply with one snappy remark:
"I have a pitless Gift you idiot, and I have plenty of it to go around! Now let me work my magic!"
This, of course, was proceeded with the 'silent treatment'.
Oh. Yes. And perhaps there was one other thing that needed to be mentioned.
Romeli was not the only patient in the Healing Wing. James had also taken up residence in the hall, on a cot conveniently placed next to Romeli's. Both Alanna and Numair insisted that he remain in the Healing Wing for a week or so. The damage done to his body during the ordeal at the gallows had also not been pretty.
One thing was for sure. To any visitor in the Healing Wing, the combination of Neal, Romeli, and James confined together was a riot.
Now, the three of them were passing time by talking. James was back on his feet again, though a couple cuts and bruises sprinkled what skin was exposed. Romeli knew that underneath his tunic was a large binding that covered the majority of his torso—along with massive bruising he had broken a couple of ribs. Around his neck were the faint remnants of a rope burn. The coil had whipped his neck before Romeli had the chance to cut it down. Every time her eyes fell to his wound a pang hit her heart, reminding her how much one insignificant failure had almost cost her.
At the moment, James was sitting at the foot of her bed while Neal sat at a chair placed at the cot's side. Romeli was the only one still put on bed rest (a thought that agitated her deeply). Whenever she insisted that she could get up, her body always betrayed her. She was still immensely sore and weak—there was an insistent throbbing on her chest where her powers had been spent and worn.
Romeli pushed away the throbbing now, focusing instead on the conversation in front of her.
"You see James, there are two things wrong with that statement," started Neal, a joking grin on his face. "One, boysenberry pie is horrible. And two, there's no way you could have possibly tasted every flavor of pie."
"Well we did," countered James, holding his chin out stubbornly. "And boysenberry was the winner. Even Romeli agrees."
Romeli looked at Neal and nodded. "It's true. We had to fight off a squirrel because it was so good."
Neal shook his head, not giving in to their pie opinions. Instead he changed the direction of their chatter to a topic more serious. "How is your...well...everything doing?"
Romeli knew that by everything, Neal meant body, and her answer was as followed: "Fine. In fact, I feel great. Completely healed." She threw in a cheeky smile for full persuasion.
Still, Neal was not moved. He stood up from his stool and rubbed his hands together. "Let's see the Big One." Neal had found a nickname for each of Romeli's various injuries. By Big One, he meant the large gash across her abdomen from the merciless lash of Maggur's spiked whip.
James hopped off the bed and stood next to his father. Romeli sighed heavily, ignoring the sore muscles as she did so and lowered herself so that she was lying rather than sitting up in the cot. Neal gently took the hem of her shirt and pulled it up, exposing her abdomen.
When Romeli saw James wince, she knew it wasn't pretty. She tried to maneuver herself to steal a peek, but Neal pushed her back down again.
The gash was sealed, but the cut had been so deep that it left black and purple bruising all around it, leaving her flesh more purple than cream. Sprinkled across her torso were various welts caused by the same weapon.
Neal clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth in disapproval. "It's not healing as fast as I hoped."
"Gee I wonder why," Romeli muttered under her breath.
He gave her the warning look, but decided not to comment. "I'm going to give it another push along."
The mage closed his eyes and brought out his dark green Gift, the same color as James'. Romeli felt a cool and calming touch on her stomach as Neal placed his hands on her. At first the touch stung and burned, making her bite her lip so as not to scream out. She noticed James look away, inhaling sharply, a sign that things weren't looking good on Neal's side either.. The burning died down however, and Romeli found herself able to breathe again, savoring the cool feeling of Neal's Gift rushing through her.
After a couple of minutes, Neal extinguished his Gift and opened his eyes again. "That should speed things along," he started, though not so sure of the words himself. "Something tells me that whatever caused this wound was charmed to make healing a struggle."
Romeli clenched her jaw, frustrated. "Well maybe if you gave me a shot..."
Neal shook his head, still not moving his stance on their ongoing debate. "Not yet. If all else fails, then we will turn to that solution." He was silent for a moment, caught on a thought. "Romeli..." He said her name with some hesitance, before looking her in the eyes. "Where did you get this wound?"
Both James and Romeli's expressions darkened. Neal had just walked into rough territory—for the both of them.
Romeli glanced at the wound herself, winced, and then lowered her shirt hem before turning back to the question. "Maggur had tortured me...severely...before I could escape." She glanced down at her hands. "That particular wound was from a whip with a barb on the end." The final words were spoken with ice.
Neal attempted to clear his face of any emotion, but it was difficult. A small fire of anger burned in his insides, making his throat raw. He bit down on the inside of his cheek to keep himself calm. Over the year that he had known Romeli, she had become somewhat of a daughter to him. He felt obligated to protect her—he wanted to protect her. Though Neal knew that protecting someone bound to live a life forever at risk seemed pointless, he could not help himself. The girl needed some looking after, and that's exactly what he did.
"Okay," he replied professionally. "Well the magic I put in it should do just the trick. It will surely place the healing on the right track." Romeli nodded in reply.
James, who was silent during the whole exchange, finally spoke. His expression, which was covered under his hair at first as he looked down, was slightly pained. "How did you escape?"
Romeli stared at him for a moment, both of their eyes glued on each other. That was the one thing that Romeli had failed to explain to anyone yet. Of all the people who needed the truth, it was James. He was there, after all. James took the cue from her eyes, knowing she was about to dive into a very long story. He settled back down at the foot of her bed, and Neal took his place on the stool.
Settling herself more comfortably in the cot, Romeli began her long explanation.
OOO
Finally, Maggur had reached the breaking point of her will. He whipped her harshly across the stomach, the barb stabbing into her side and ripping across her flesh as it retracted. The large gash added to the numerous welts and cuts across her body. The blood from the wound only added to the growing puddle forming at the feet of the table. One of her arms was dislocated while the other appendages barely held on. The electrocution executed made her shiver violently.
Until...finally...everything seemed to fade away.
Death is peaceful, easy. Life is harder.
Or perhaps it's the act of dying that's hardest of all. The pain, the arduous torture. She could feel her blood thickening with every slowing pump of her heart. Each beat lulled, achieving a molto retardo that cast shadows in her vision.
Romeli was on her last. There was just one last thought. One last breath. One last stare into James' pained eyes.
One. last. chance.
Romeli was about to take that chance, though she knew the strength required was more than she had at her disposal right now.
Thinking was a challenge, and she did her best to push the pain coursing through her body out of her mind. The blood forming in a puddle on the ground didn't matter. The spikes lodged in her back, the electrocution, her torn and strained ligaments, the welts and cuts covering her body, even James—all of it had to leave to achieve the state of mind she needed.
Grasping for a hold on the simple meditation skills her parents had taught her in the beginning years of her training, Romeli slowed her breathing, focusing only on the cycle of air leaving and entering her lungs. After a couple moments, the pain started to hurt less, and she felt herself begin to sink into a somewhat calm state of meditation.
She let herself think of only one thing: a solution. Every other thought was pushed out of her head. Her mind reeled, imagining, analyzing, and rejecting any idea that she thought up. She couldn't use her Gift, it was blocked. She couldn't use her Golden Magic, that needed her Gift. Escaping through physical force was out of the question considering her state. The factors left her with practically no solution.
Except for one.
Everything seemed to click into place then. You see, not only did Romeli have to escape Maggur, but she had to trick him. If she managed to get away with Maggur realizing it, he would sick his whole team of guards on her—with her current state, there was no use fighting them. More importantly, she had to save James. If she just got up and ran, Maggur would kill James for sure. No, the only way out of the mess was illusion.
It wasn't exactly illusion that was Romeli's answer to the predicament, but something more organic. While traveling for various reasons, there were the occasional moments that Romeli would discover something peculiar on the side of the road. Sharpfang, too, was guilty of his natural habit: shedding skin. When Romeli's churning thoughts landed on those insignificant memories, she knew her life was saved.
Only if she could pull it off, that is.
And Romeli sent a quick prayer up to the Gods that she could. It was a feat of Wild Magic she had never attempted before. Sure, she could apply certain attributes of given animals to her human form, give herself the strength of an elephant, or the speed of a cheetah. Applying this ability to such an intense degree however, seemed nearly impossible. She was going to shed her skin like a snake, leaving behind a "copy" of herself for Maggur to finish off.
There was only seconds to do it. Even now, Romeli could feel herself fading away, her heart thumping slower than usual. Each breath grew more labored, and her arms and legs were growing numb. Once again, she pushed out the thoughts and looked towards her Wild Magic.
Romeli pictured Sharpfang maneuvering himself out of an aged layer of skin no longer needed and applied it to her own circumstances. She covered her body with a net of copper Wild Magic, and made sure the action of shedding her skin was her one and only thought. A weird sensation covered every inch of her from head to toe, and she peeled away from herself, quickly transforming into a small mouse in the process.
She hid for a moment in the mess of her copy's emerald hair. Eyeing her own body on the table, she felt quite impressed. Perhaps the Gods were with her in this after all. The skin shedding was risky—perhaps too risky. After all, it was only a dead, inside-less version of herself. As she stared however, the copy almost convinced her. It looked solid and real. Even blood still streamed out of her various wounds. Not willing to risk another second, she quickly hopped from the table, and limped towards a hole in the wall. Just because she had left a shed version of herself behind, didn't mean that her wounds were gone.
She was dying, and she had to work fast.
OOO
James was staring at her with confusion, obviously trying to grasp the idea of her accomplishment. "That's...impossible." He was unable to think of another word to describe it.
Neal gave Romeli's words more thought. "That must have taken a tremendous amount of power."
She nodded. "Power and something else." Her tone of voice softened as she contemplated just what that something else was. "I never would have been able to 'shed' such a picture perfect copy of myself without some sort of outside help. At first I thought that James had done something..."
James immediately shook his head. "I wouldn't have been able to even if I tried."
"I came to the same conclusion," she replied after his words.
"You're touched by the Gods," Neal said aloud, sure of himself. "It's the only reasonable explanation. Romeli met his eyes for a moment. Neal seemed so positive, and yet she was unsure how true those words could be.
"Maybe they just gave me a little push," she concluded, impishly.
"What happened after you escaped the torture chamber?" questioned James, his eyes craving for more of the unfinished story.
Romeli looked down at her hands again and drew a big breath.
OOO
As soon as she was out of the hole that conveniently conjoined the torture chamber and a nearby hallway, Romeli transformed into a cat. Every transformation she underwent was immensely painful. Her muscles were already damaged, worn, and stressed. Putting them under severe metamorphosis was practically stupid. Her dislocated arm was proof of that. In cat form, her left front leg shriveled up uselessly against her body.
Unfortunately there was nothing she could do about her injured state. She needed her Gift to make any improvement, and she was still under the Blood Spell. So that was goal number one: destroy the Blood Spell.
She limped on as quickly as she could. From the looks of things, she was in one of the palace's many lower levels. It wasn't a question of where she had to go or what to do. It was a question of whether or not she would be able to make it there. As she neared the first staircase, dread swept through her. This would not only be hard, it would be impossible.
Romeli needed help, or even better, a miracle.
Sharpfang? Romeli called through her mind.
Romeli? Sharpfang replied quickly, his soft voice echoing clearly in her mind as if her name had been said aloud. Romeli where are you? I've heard terrible rumors from the other People...
No time for that, Romeli interrupted quickly. Sharpfang I need your help. It's very important.
Sure, anything.
I need you to go to my bookshelf in my room. On the bottom shelf should be a very old book bound in dark leather—it's full of magical incantations. When you get it, I need it to get to me...somehow. Romeli's voice faded off as she came across two problems: Sharpfang wouldn't be able to carry the heavy book, and even if it somehow reached her down in this hallway, she would be completely exposed. Being discovered was something she could not risk. She had to go somewhere remote...
Sharpfang, she quickly added in. Pass the book along to the other People. When you find it, tell the People to bring it to the clearing in the forest. You know which one I'm talking about?
Of course, Sharpfang confirmed.
Romeli swore under her breath, remembering a vital factor that would make the incantation book completely obsolete if she didn't prepare for it . I also need you to gather the People and ask them to bring the following items to the clearing: A pot and spoon, dragon powder, ivory, essence of rain, goat's milk, and...um...oh yes!...griffin's hair.
Okay, Shadowdancer replied, making a mental checklist.
One more thing, Romeli told her cobra carefully. Tell everyone not to spread the news that I'm alive. Don't even think it! It is incredibly important that my mother does not find out I'm alive. Can you do this for me?
Sharpfang was quiet for a moment before speaking very slowly. I don't know what plans you have in your head, Romeli, but I will follow your orders. I deserve an explanation when this is all sort out.
Of course you do, Romeli told him quickly, relief flowing through her. Thank you so much, Sharpfang.
Sharpfang bid her a reluctant farewell before disappearing from her People-radar. Romeli turned to her next task—getting to the clearing. For this, she turned to her other great friend.
Shadowdancer! Romeli called, her mind now focused on the stables set outside the palace.
Shadowdancer replied quickly, as if she were waiting for a call. Romeli! Where have you been? I've been cooped up in this stable for days now. Are we going on a walk?
Romeli's heart fell at Shadowdancer's hopeful words. When she communicated with her friend again, her voice was a little weaker. Something along those lines...
Shadowdancer caught on to the tune of her voice easily. Something is not right, the smart mare said, coming to a sure conclusion.
Look, I'll explain everything when I see you, Romeli told her mare, comfortingly. If I see you, she thought sadly. Her bleeding had not stopped, and her cat form was fading away fast. It wouldn't be long before she would be unable to hold on to her Wild Magic at all. If that time came, she would be forced to fend for herself as a human. I need you to get out of the stables and go over to the back palace door. I will meet you there as a cat. Once we meet, we need to go to the clearing in the forest. And please, Romeli added in quickly. Make sure that none of your thoughts reach my mother. Do you understand?
Yes! Shadowdancer replied seriously. I will be there soon.
It's not you I doubt getting there, Romeli thought eyeing the staircase above her. She inhaled deeply and began her first ascension.
It took three staircases to reach the main floor of the palace. Luckily, when she did reach the correct floor, the back door was only a few steps to her left. It was even conveniently open, making her convinced that luck was on her side. When she made her way outside, Shadowdancer spotted her immediately and trotted over, a blanket held in between her teeth.
Romeli limped down the couplet of stairs between her and Shadowdancer. When her paws touched the cool grass, she found the energy to make the last step to her horse. Shadowdancer silently dropped the blanket on the ground and Romeli stepped on it weakly. With intelligent care, Shadowdancer grasped one corner of the blanket in her teeth and then the other. She then picked up the blanket, Romeli cradled carefully inside, and trotted towards the forest.
OOO
"I don't remember that trip to the forest clearing at all," confessed Romeli as she toyed with a stray piece of string on her sheets. "The last thing I recall is stepping into the blanket. Shadowdaner took good care of me from that point on." Romeli thought about her horse with a hand squeezed around her heart. She was still unable to visit her to explain the events of the past week.
"But you made it to the clearing safely," said James, his eyes meeting hers expectantly.
Romeli nodded. "The next thing I remembered was Shadowdancer licking my face in the middle of the clearing..."
OOO
Romeli, wake up! This is no time for a nap! The horse nudged her with her velvety snout.
She groaned and sat up, using her good arm to hold the weight of her back. It was then that she realized she was in her human form. She must have lost focus on her Wild Magic during the black out.
Romeli looked over to her right and spotted the leather book and potion supplies laying safely in the grass. She sent a quick thanks to Sharpfang and stretched out her arm to grasp for the various ingredients.
More than ever, she wanted to sleep, but she couldn't. This was the only way she could save James—and herself.
Shadowdancer, can you collect firewood? Romeli asked of her horse wearily. The mare nodded her head and trotted towards the trees, sifting through various pieces of branch.
Romeli swiftly accessed the ingredients before her. Thankfully she didn't have to use just her memory to recreate the potion used to deactivate the Blood Spell. The leather book held the directions. She opened the reference to the correct page and began the lengthy and complex process.
Before even beginning the potion, Romeli wondered whether she could make it to the end. The process of destroying the Blood Spell was a long one involving meticulous details and many opportunities for mistakes. She didn't have a choice however. It was either complete the spell successfully, or kill both her and James.
And so she dove into the ingredients, following the directions on the page before her to the best of her ability. When Shadowdancer was done obtaining the firewood, she settled down behind Romeli, giving her friend a warm and solid backrest to support her bleeding and broken body.
In a way, Romeli was thankful for having experienced the consequences of the Blood Spell before. Without the previous experience, she would not know how to handle this situation without the Gift. While slavery in Scanra had been a hard life, it also taught her how to survive without magic by her side all the time. This was proven by the handmade fire now burning in front of her. The pot containing the potion boiled above it.
It took around half an hour for her to complete the potion. Though the time was a lot shorter than she had anticipated, it had taken its toll on her strength. Her face was sickeningly pale and she was starting to lose feeling in her hands and feet completely—a sign that blood was only circulating near her vital organs. If she did not hurry, her whole body would begin to shut down. Dizziness was already beginning to cloud the corners of her eyes.
She picked up the now cooled pot and swallowed it down. The taste was bile, and she was tempted to gag it back up again. Fortunately, her stomach held it down. Within seconds she could feel the Blood Spell fade away. Suddenly, a new wave of strength hit her: her Gift was back.
Romeli worked at lightning speed. She closed her eyes, ignoring the weariness that came with it, and studied her injuries. First thing was first, she had to use her Gift as a spark, and kick her heart back into gear. It would get her whole body back in motion again. Romeli centered in on her heart, and willed her Gift to surround it. With a little push, she sent a jolt of energy through the organ, jolting it to its normal tempo. After that, she worked on killing off the fatigue that settled in her muscles.
Caution while using her Gift was of the utmost importance. She could not risk healing every wound she had. Even jump starting her energy back to life had taken its toll. Though technically she had the pitless Gift, it was her energy and endurance that had her concerned. She had to preserve as much power as possible to save James.
So instead of healing her wounds, she merely made sure that her body was on the right track towards recovery. The rest she would take care of once this whole ordeal was over.
By the time she opened her eyes to the clearing around her, it was already nightfall. To her surprise the healing had taken her multiple hours. Shadowdancer eyed her expectantly.
Thanks for holding down the fort, Romeli told her horse as she held the blanket around her tightly. A slight breeze was beginning to settle in.
Sure, Shadowdancer replied with an inclination of her head.
Both Romeli and Shadowdancer looked up just in time to spot a descending hawk. In the birds beak was a small pile of clothes, which he dropped accurately right into her lap. Romeli thanked the hawk genuinely as he flew away into the moonlight.
Especially with the cold beginning to settle in, Romeli was thankful for the shirt, breeches, and even underwear. She put them on quickly and sat down next to Shadowdancer once more.
You should sleep, the horse advised seriously. Though I don't know the details of your latest mission yet, I'm not daft. You almost died.
For once, Romeli did not fight the advise given to her. She only nodded and yawned. Though her head was cloudy and heavy, a sure sign of a long sleep, she wasn't sure if she would be able to. She felt guilty turning in for the night knowing that James was still out there in danger. Besides, she was only halfway finished with the spells she needed to complete before the rescue mission. The scars around her neck were a grave reminder of that.
The dreadful thoughts of what loomed ahead consumed her for a time before sleep finally took over. Wrapped up in the blanket, she curled up against Shadowdancer and fell asleep.
OOO
Romeli paused again to take another breather. When she looked up at Neal and James, both of them stared at her silently, wide-eyed.
She felt a little uneasy under their stares and lowered her eyes back down to her lap. She still toyed with the bit of string subconsciously. Still, they had not spoken.
"Um...should I continue on?" she asked of them when she looked up again, unsure.
"Yes!" blurted out Neal, his eyes glued to hers. "Er...I mean...yes. Please continue."
OOO
Romeli woke up sore and pained. Sitting up was an adventure in itself, and when she finally did make it to her feet, she noticed that her clothes were soiled with blood and grime. When she tilted her head up to locate the position of the sun and therefore the time, she discovered it was already dusk. She had slept for almost a whole day!
Horror filled her rapidly and she discovered that Shadowdancer too was no where to be seen. She felt foolish for even falling asleep in the first place, though she knew that she had slept that long for a reason. However, it now meant that she would be up all night thinking up a plan for James' rescue as well as destroying the slavery spell that kept the scars rooted on her neck.
The sound of hooves on the ground came up from behind her and she turned around to meet Shadowdancer.
You slept for many hours, the horse informed her gently.
Yes, I know, said Romeli with a nod. She looked down at her bare feet and back up at Shadowdancer again. Thank you so much for your help, Shadow. You saved my life.
That's what friends are for, she returned modestly, though she shook her head, basking in the compliment. I assume you must leave now?
I must, Romeli confirmed with a hint of reluctance. There is a life to save, Shadow. A very important one. I will see you again soon. ...hopefully...
She had a feeling the risk of her latest adventure was only just beginning. Romeli wrapped her arms around Shadowdancer's neck in a hug and then walked stiffly towards the palace again.
With every step an uncomfortable combination of soreness and pain shot up her body, but she carried on anyhow, carefully stepping over the forest floor with her dirtied bare feet. When the palace came into view, she stopped. Here came the hard part.
Somehow she had to make it to Maryann's study. She knew that somewhere in there was the very book that contained the incantation to destroy the slave spell. The only problem was that she didn't know how to get into Maryann's rooms without stepping inside the palace. Flying to her window would be a mute subject anyways—her arm still hung uselessly at her side.
The only factor that seemed to be on her side was that it was already night. The palace would be asleep soon if not already. It made sneaking a much easier task.
Jaw clenched determinedly, Romeli set out across the palace grounds, eyes on the alert. She maneuvered slowly, keeping as low as her body allowed and slinking behind stray rocks and trees when given the chance. It took a long time to finally reach the sturdy rock wall of the palace foundation, but no one sounded an alarm. So far she was clear.
Romeli looked around, eyeing the closed palace door around the corner and the guards perched on top of the wall on night duty. They would certainly spot her if she just opened the door and walked in. There had to be another way.
She looked down at her bloodied hands, thoughtful. If she used her Gift, she could cast an invisibility shield, rendering their eyes useless. On the other hand, using her Gift would alert any nearby mage to her alive presence. Exhaling shakily, she closed her eyes.
I suppose there's a reason me and James practiced making my Gift undetectable, she told herself as she brought in her focus. Hopefully it will work this time.
Romeli brought out her Gift and cast it over her like a net, shielding her from the eyes of anyone who looked in her direction. She was completely invisible. Unfortunately, she had no way of knowing whether or not mages could detect her. So far she didn't sense any disturbances.
She slipped around the corner, cradling her dislocated arm gently. When she got to the door, she tugged it open and slipped inside.
The hallways of the palace were dimly lit, casting shadows in the corners and on the ceiling. Not many people would be awake at this hour. She still kept the invisibility shield on however. This was not the time to be taking chances. Wearily, she padded down the hallway, her heart thrumming in her ears.
Perhaps it was the fact that she was sneaking around the palace at night that made the palace seem so eery, or perhaps it was the fact that everyone thought her dead, and she could not let anyone find out otherwise. Either way, she continued, climbing stairs and walking through halls with caution. She moved at an incredibly slow pace, her back pressed against the walls she walked down. Better safe than sorry.
It felt like hours had passed when she finally reached Maryann's door. Once she got there, a new problem hit her: how was she supposed to get in without waking the ex-spy up?
The real situation rooted itself in the fact that Maryann was a spy above all else. Nothing fooled her, and certainly nothing got past her. Romeli couldn't honestly think she could get past her front door without being tackled in the process...
And what other choice do I have? I wont be able to find the incantation anywhere else in time. I wouldn't even know where to start looking! This is the only way... I just have to make the best of it and wing it. Just like any other mission.
She rubbed her hands together, feeling the magic electricity spark between them powerfully. Then, as quietly as possible, she placed her hands on the doorknob and gave the locks a little push with her Gift. The door swung open easily. Romeli winced slightly when the hinges gave out a quiet creak.
Cautiously, she stepped inside and closed the door again.
"Who's there?"
That voice was all too familiar to her, and she bit her lip with dread as Maryann ran into the room with a dagger in her hand. She backed up a couple steps. Maryann's trained eyes seemed to follow her, sensing the invisible presence.
"Show yourself," the spy said aloud, holding the dagger in an accurate throwing position. If Maryann tossed the weapon now, it would go straight through Romeli's middle, maiming her more than she could handle right now.
Maybe if I just shift my position...
But it was too late, Maryann was coiling up her arm muscles for the attack. Romeli had no choice.
"Stop!" Romeli yelled as she disabled the invisibility shield around her.
Maryann froze, her eyes widened. "You're...you're alive?!"
OOO
"Maryann knew the whole time?!" James interjected, disbelief across his face.
Romeli shook her head. "I wouldn't say the whole time. By the time I got to her room and explained enough to keep her quiet about the whole thing, it was already two in the morning. I only had a few hours before dawn—and your death."
She glanced at James for a moment before looking at the infirmary door. Maryann had visited a few times over the past week, and she looked forward to all of them. Though she had never planned on anyone figuring out that she was alive, she had come to the conclusion that Maryann finding out was for the best. It shouldn't have even been a surprise, really. Maryann knew her just as well as James did, if not more. Besides, it was Maryann who got her out of the mess in Scanra. Of course it would be Maryann who got her out of this mess as well.
"She was not at the gallows," observed Neal. "I did not realize this until you mentioned her just now..."
Romeli nodded, already knowing this. "She decided not to go. When I told her what I planned to do—save James, she didn't feel the need to accompany me. Though she insisted on giving my regards to Maggur..."
"Which you did wholeheartedly," Neal stated with a large grin on his face.
Romeli gave him a weak smile and nodded. "I suppose so."
"So how did you destroy the slave spell?" asked James curiously. His eyes lowered to the spot on her neck where the scars used to reside. Now they were completely gone.
OOO
"Romeli, you are an unstoppable force of and in itself," Maryann growled as she beckoned for the girl to follow her into the study.
To weak to reply, Romeli just followed, clutching her bad arm to her side. The pain was beginning to die down now, and she didn't know if it was because of the adrenaline or the endorphins.
"So we're looking for the incantation to rid you of Scanran slavery for good," the spy murmured as she sifted through shelves and shelves of books. The only light in the room came from an unimpressive branch of candles.
"Yes," Romeli gasped leaning on the center table. "The one I failed to complete during my escape from Scanra."
Maryann turned around from her searching and eyed the young girl, her eyes assessing Romeli's weakening stature. "Please...sit down," Maryann said slowly, gesturing to a nearby chair.
"I should really help you search for—."
"If you want to be a help then do the world a favor and not die," Maryann snapped seriously, making Romeli freeze. "James would appreciate it."
Romeli made sure to sigh audibly before slowly settling herself down in the large chair. Her muscles screamed and the large gash across her stomach felt like it was beginning to split open again. The pain she felt now would be nothing compared to the wrath of Maryann if she stood back up again, so she remained sitting.
"Aha! Victory!" exclaimed Maryann, extracting a large book from one of her highest shelves. "This is the very one you read out of to disable the spell in Scanra. Are you ready to give it another go?"
"I'm ready," Romeli replied. For once during this whole escapade, she was sure of her words. This time she wasn't going to fail.
Maryann set down the book and quickly flipped to the correct page. Romeli studied the incantation with keen eyes, taking in every detail of the spell. When she felt confident with her success, she brought out her Gift and began to recite the words on the page, her eyes glazing over in internal concentration.
Within minutes her eyes shifted back into focus again. She blinked a few times and then looked up at Maryann, a look of confusion on her face. "Did it work?" The last time she had attempted that spell it seemed nearly impossible. Now, she didn't even break a sweat, even after going through all the other exerting tasks she had accomplished the past couple of days.
"See for yourself," Maryann told her, holding up a mirror.
Romeli took it nervously, dreading the moment when she would have to look at her neck. What if she still had the scars? When her reflection stared back at her however, she noticed that the scars had vanished without a trace. Only a couple of cuts and bruises covered her neck now.
"I did it," Romeli whispered breathlessly. "I'm free."
"Yeah about time," Maryann grumbled dryly.
Romeli couldn't have said it better herself. When she set the mirror back down, she stole a glance at the window directly in front of her. The sun was beginning to peak above the horizon, coloring the clouds with a magnificent red.
"I have to go," Romeli told the spy, rushed. In no more than an hour, James would be dead.
Maryann looked at her incredulously. "You can't honestly expect to save James in this condition, do you? You're practically dead on your feet!"
Romeli shook her head and stood up. Instantly another flash of burning pain erupted through her middle. She held her good arm across her stomach for a moment, bracing herself. When she felt the fire begin to ebb away, she took away her arm—it was covered in blood.
"No. There is no way you are going in that condition. We have to get a healer."
"Maryann, there's no time!" Romeli hissed earnestly, glancing at the window a second time. The sun seemed to be rising quicker than usual. "If I don't go, James will die!"
"And if you go, you'll die."
"Well that's a risk I am willing to take."
Maryann was silent for a moment, staring at her in disbelief. Finally, she shook her head. "You are all different sorts of stupid, you know that?"
"Yes," Romeli replied quickly. If they finished this scolding quicker, than she would be on her way to the gallows in no time.
"Well I am not going to your little shebang over in death valley," Maryann retorted, folding her arms across her chest. "I am in no support of you just sauntering off and killing yourself...for love." She said the last word with distaste.
"Oh I don't plan on sauntering," Romeli told the spy with a wide grin. With a flash, two elegant wings sprouted from Romeli's back. Their black sheen glistened in the candlelight playing tricks with Maryann's eyes.
"Don't tell me you just grew wings," Maryann drawled, unamused.
Romeli walked over to the window and opened it quickly. With a wince, she maneuvered herself onto the railing. "Of course. How else do you expect me to get to the gallows in time?"
"Oh gee I don't know," the spy started. "Maybe via a complete animal. Something normal. Like...a deer!"
"Yes, but what about when I transform back into me?" Romeli asked of friend smartly. "I'd be confronting everyone completely naked, and that's hardly respectable."
Before Maryann could think of another snappy reply, Romeli was off, her wings carrying her across the gardens and towards her final challenge.
Maryann closed the window grumbling to herself. "What does 'respectable' even mean these days anyways?!"
OOO
"From there I flew over to the gallows," Romeli told her two listeners, a small smile forming at her lips. She couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
"What's so funny?" James asked suspiciously.
Romeli covered her hand with her mouth as she tried to calm down. "It's nothing really," she told them once she had her small fit under control. "It's just that I've never flown with just wings before. The human body is not supposed to fly, and I had a hard time in controlling where I was going."
It was true. If she had transformed into a bird instead, her arrival would have taken half the time.
"I suppose the time wasted in getting to the hanging ceremony was for the best," she explained after a moment. "I made it just in time."
OOO
Romeli crouched down on the roof, her head just high enough to view the scene below her. Her hiding place was behind the noose, so it wasn't the best location to not be seen, but it was perfect for the task at hand. The crowd below her was eerily silent, and she did not bother looking at her friends and family. That would certainly just distract her.
Instead, she kept her eyes glued on the wooden platform where James stood with his hands bound. A handful of Scanran guards accompanied him.
One of the guards announced a string of formalities that she could not hear, and then James was walking towards the noose. With each step he took, Romeli's heart beat faster and faster.
The seconds were dwindling down, and if her timing was off by even a second...
Her heart tightened. With narrowed eyes she watched one of the guards place the rope over his head and tighten it around his neck.
She kept her eyes glued on the lever one of the Scanran guards grasped. Sensing that he was about to pull the trigger soon, she took out her Gift. It glowed serenely in her good arm as she crouched low on the roof.
The guard's muscles flexed, and the bottom dropped from under James' feet. Romeli threw out her Gift in a bolt of powerful fire. The rope snapped and she saw James roll on the ground until he halted, unconscious.
Her heart was pounding her ears now, and she could barely hear the gasps and exclamations as she slowly rose to her feet, her wings bracing her weakened balance.
This was where the real battle began.
OOO
Neal whistled, impressed. "And Romeli saves the world again."
She shook her head. "I didn't save the world," she told him sincerely. I just saved my world. When she glanced over at James next to her, he flashed a warm smile.
"Well I'm sure all of Tortall would beg to differ," mentioned the Head Healer knowingly. "The whole city has been throwing festivals in your name for days."
Embarrassment flushed in her cheeks and she looked down at her blanket. Every time James or Neal went there way to make this statement, she always replied with one word: "Great."
James laughed out loud as he placed his hand on her knee. "I suppose you've never been one for fame."
"No. I haven't."
"Well get ready, Romeli. There's not much you can do about it now." Neal stared at her wickedly as he spoke, making Romeli want to hide beneath her blanket and never come out again.
James laughed at Romeli's embarrassment before getting up and messing up her hair affectionately with one of his big hands. "We best give her some time alone," he advised his father seriously. "I have no doubt she could detonate this whole palace if she wanted to."
Romeli groaned miserably before hiding her head underneath her blanket, swearing to never resurface.
OOO
Two weeks later, Romeli was finally released. The day Neal told her she could leave the infirmary was one of the greatest moments of her life. She whooped enthusiastically as James took her hand and they departed—hopefully for the last time.
When they reached the front door to her room, a funny feeling overcame her. She eyed the doorknob with hesitance before turning it open.
The answer to her uneasiness was answered when the two of them walked into her room. Her eyes grew wide and she quickly shut the door.
"Sclythe? Old White?" Romeli whispered surprised. The two patrons were lazing on the sofa at the foot of her bed. The very sofa she had conjured for herself while trying to magically produce a milkshake.
Romeli walked further into the room, James trailing behind with some hesitance. He could tell that the exchange about to take place was out of his league.
Hello, Romeli, said Sclythe smoothly. James looked up surprised, hearing the voice in his head just as if it had been spoken aloud.
We've been waiting for you...for a while now actually, Old White stated, licking his paw.
"Yeah. Sorry about that..."
We didn't come here for apologies, Old White told the girl. Please, sit down. We have a lot to talk about. Romeli obliged immediately, unable to defy her Guardian's orders.
James stood in the corner awkwardly, unsure if he should leave or stay. The question was answered when Old White looked into his eyes, making him shiver. You should sit down too, Jameson of Queenscove. This concerns you as much as it does her.
O.O!!!!!!
O__O ...and you thought all the action chapters were over...
Ladies and Gents (Gents? Do we have any gents?). WE HAVE ONE CHAPTER LEFT!!!!
Replies:
KrazyBookLuver: Oh dear. I totally panicked when I read your review. I was like 'OMG I FORGOT TO REPLY!!'. But I double checked, and I believe you didn't leave a review for chapter 59. Unless my eyes deceive me, which happens more often than I would like. AHA!! Thank you. That is one of the best compliments a reader could ever give me. I feel like I have gotten better too. Though I should hope so...considering I started this when I was in middle school, and I am now going into college... hey! Anyone can be a writer. :D I am sad that this story is almost over. To say that it's been my life for the past...I don't even know how many...years, is an understatement. I will definitely have a sequel. It's required!!! ahaha. Keeping James alive is a hard task. But I shall try. ;) I always have the sequel to kill him off. Haha.
Saphiria: AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! You reread it?! You amazing person! Man, those beginning chapters are horrible aren't they? I really need to go back... ugh. And no worries! Though it's almost over, I am writing a sequel! It may possibly be a trilogy. I'll have to see. :D
Grace: lmfao. Action packed! To a new level! Yeah...that update was still pretty slow though. It's all those action scenes! You know what I like writing? Spy scenes. But duel scenes? They drive me insane. Yes...Daine has kind of been abandoned. But I brought her back...for a lil. Haha. I will never back out of the sequel!! I just have to plan it out. I know the ending, but I don't know the beginning or the middle. Lots of thinking and plotting will have to take place. OMG! The pic!! It's finished. I...ok. I'll load it into this chapter.
LittleMissGiggles'94': Yeah...Gosh writing duel scenes is really not my thing. It was so hard! You know what I like writing? Spy scenes. With spying. Now those are fun. I am sad that it's the end too. This story has been my life for years now, and I never actually thought I could finish it. Now it just has one chapter left! Ah yes. But don't worry. There will be a sequel. The story may even be a trilogy. :)
RandomTamTamlover: hahaha. Pretty much it? It is never pretty much it! We have much to learn in the next chapter still. And not to mention the sequel... Oh. I am mad at myself for not killing Maggur. I had all intentions of killing him, trust me. But than my humane side interjected. HE WILL DIE. Somehow. Somewhere. The third guardian! That, you will find out next chaptah.
Alliekat1996: James is so good when he's hot and steamy. It's kind of a problem. I just want to eat him. Hahaha...yeah I did have quite a slow update there. But I had reasons! I had my graduation, and packing, and the fact that I can not write dueling scenes to save my life!! I really do want to conert this into an original, and it would be awesome if you could look it over! The thing is that, I'm going to be redoing a lot of things. Taking out characters, etc. It will take a long time, but I want to do it. Seems like you're pretty busy there. Nap time??
natsumi456: :D WE'RE ALMOST DONEEEEEE!!! and a fast update! How bout that?
Dares to dream: I am glad I gave the mage some nice parts too. It just seemed necessary. And real. You know? Haha. Oh Golden Magic. I got pretty vivid there, didn't I? But I had to think of something that would horrify Romeli into not using it. She needs more training anyways. I think I will cry when this is all over also. It's just...unbelievable. Good news is I'm converting it to an original, so I may never be done. And also...THE SEQUEL!! We have to figure out Romeli's heritage o' course!!