'It's good to see you alive, rabbit' Tei'jal said, as though indicating she was happy that Mel had completed an assignment in time. 'Meet my husband, Galahad...'
Galahad stood up and smiled at her, somewhat warmly unlike she had expected. The deep cut running down his eye made him look intimidating.
'You're married?' Mel said, moments later wishing she hadn't asked the question, for it seemed quite rude on her part.
'Yes' Tei'jal said shortly, without elaborating. Mel realized now that though Galahad seemed a normal human, his color was indeed slightly paled, an indication that he was a vampire. She was unclear why his color had not completely changed line Tei'jal's white skin, but kept the question aside.
'I was just attacked by two vampires' she said instead. Both of them looked at each other. 'I used the water you had given me, it worked wonders'
'That was a lucky one' Tei'jal said grimly. 'I was beginning to fear we would be too late, and it turns out that we almost were...'
She stood up from the chair and closed the shutters of the windows.
'You must stay inside for the night' she said after a minute. 'Tomorrow, you must leave Thais'
'Where do I go?'
'Okay, listen this out carefully now' Tei'jal began, looking serious. 'It seems that this particular ancestor of yours-'
'He's not-' Mel protested.
'Being the scion of the darkest wizard in centuries does not make you a bad person' she said, quieting Mel. 'Now, it seems like this particular person created not one, but two orbs: the orb of darkness, and the orb of light. These orbs would probably the complete opposites of each other, which means that the effect of one could be countered with the other. I hope you follow?'
Mel nodded.
'Now this particular orb you handed over to Gyendal allows him to bring darkness to the world, and thus establishes his rule immediately. The catch, is that he needs a mage descendent of the wizard to use the orb'
'Well then he's trying to get the wrong person!' Mel said aloud. 'I'm not a mage, so I can't use the orb!'
'That is something I haven't figured out yet' she said, nodding. 'However, one thing is clear: the only way is that you must not fall into his hands. Another way would obviously be that you are killed; if you're obliging, I can do it now!'
'Stay away from her' Galahad said in a low, but fierce voice.
'Anyway, I have no intention of doing it' Tei'jal said. 'That wouldn't probably be of much use either'
'But he can always find another descendent, can't he? There must be hundreds!'
'It was probably an achievement, tracing you. I don't expect him to go through the ritual again, though you're right. Anyway, that's not the point. The point is, what if he does manage to get the orb working? There's only one solution to that. You must find the other orb'
Mel nodded again. The plan wasn't hard, but she wasn't sure where they would start.
'So where is it?' she asked skeptically.
'He himself said the orb rested in a place called Naylith, and that he has killed the guardian. Where Naylith is, a question I cannot answer. But what you must do, a question I've answered already'
Mel shook her head.
'But even if I do find it, how are we going to use it?'
'That would be a thing that we would have to work out. Anyway, you cannot possibly have a chance of that without it, can you?'
Mel nodded again. They didn't speak for a few moments.
'We'll be leaving now' Tei'jal said as both of them stood up.
'What?' Mel exclaimed. 'Can't you stay for the night?'
'That wouldn't be wise. We don't have much time. Me and Galahad are going to Harburg and try to find any information we get about the orbs. Either way, staying here would only make you easier to find'
Mel didn't like it, but had no choice.
'Be careful, lamb. Don't let anyone get you, cause I'm in line' Tei'jal said, her smile slightly sly. Galahad glared at her. They looked at each other for another second, before Tei'jal opened the window. One after the other, they jumped out, leaving Mel standing, still a bit confused and very cold.
It was no more than a couple of minutes later that someone nodded feebly on the door. Warily, knife in one hand, she opened the door an inch.
'What are you doing here?' she said, surprised, opening the door fully. It was Stella. 'Shouldn't you be resting? Come in, anyway, the night is not safe'
Stella staggered in. She was limping a bit, but looked much better. Her face was pale and she looked drained from the walk.
'I'm sorry' she said softly, sitting on the chair, wrapping the cloth she was carrying around herself securely. 'I couldn't help but overhear your conversation'
'You were eavesdropping' Mel said angrily. 'I could kill you for that!'
'Please don't!' she said. 'I couldn't help it. I think I'm involved too!'
Mel frowned. The girl was obviously lying.
'The last thing I just remembered was being chased' Stella said. 'Now I think vampires are behind me too'
'How do you know?' Mel asked, unbelieving.
'There was a man, who was the leader. I don't remember much, but that something happened. Then I fell. He was wearing a red dress'
That last sentence froze Mel, almost about to interrupt. The first and the last time she had seen him, Gyendal had indeed been wearing a red cloak. She frowned and tried to make sense of it.
'That's likely...' she said finally.
'I'm sorry?' Stella said, confused.
'It looks like you are a descendent of Mordred Darkthrop as well. That explains a bit, though not the fact that you fell, unless he was trying to kill you. That's sounds odd though, cause he'd like to use you rather than kill...'
'So I was thinking' Stella said, nodding. 'Why don't we go together to the place? Maybe it'll help me remember my past too!'
Mel turned away. The war raging inside her head was unpleasant. She could either take Stella with her and have an additional burden, or she could refuse, creating the ideal opportunity for her to warm up to Edward. The first option sounded better, but Mel really hated having someone to look after.
'Fine!' she said turning around. 'This on the condition that you are to tell no one about this'
'Thank you!' she said happily. She really did look innocent. 'Do we set off tomorrow'
'Yes! And don't be late!' Mel said bossily. 'Be careful as you go back to the temple. Again, the night is not safe'
Her face fell. She was probably hoping to stay for the night in the cozy flat. She quickly made it up though with a smile and slipped out of the door without another word. Mel locked it securely again, making sure this time that no one was around.
She turned off the lamp. Now really alone, she was feeling rather jumpy. A small sound made her think the worst. It was some time, as a result, before her eyes turned hazy and she finally fell asleep.
